Barring draft-day trades — there were nine in the first round last year — here’s how deputy sports editor Curtis Murayama sees the selections playing out

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1. Kansas City
Needs: OL, ILB, FS, WR, DE, QB
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, 6-61⁄4, 307, 5.30, 27/28.5
Chiefs built a new team through free agency — QB Alex Smith, CB Sean Smith, CB Dunta Robinson, WR Donnie Avery, TE Anthony Fasano, T Geoff Schwartz — and need a long-term OT to eventually replace Branden Albert. Joeckel is an excellent pass blocker who’s athletic.

2. Jacksonville
Needs: CB, DE, QB, OT, OLB, RB, C
Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, 6-7, 306, 5.05, 27/28.5
Jags will impact the entire first round since they can go in many directions. They could take a DE (Ezekiel Ansah), OLB (Dion Jordan), QB (Geno Smith) or make a trade. Why not go with a guy who’s as good as Joeckel?

3. Oakland
Needs: CB, DT, DE, RT, LG, WR, TE
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, 6-3, 297, 4.92, na/30
The Raiders have gutted their roster, losing their DTs, CBs. The quick, disruptive Floyd should help the Silver and Black just win, baby. Well, maybe, down the road.

4. Philadelphia
Needs: CB, T, G, S, DE, QB
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma, 6-61⁄2 , 310, 4.72, 28/34
Like the Chiefs, the Eagles rebuilt their team via free agency — signing Isaac Sopoaga, Connor Barwin, as well as a whole new secondary in Brandon Fletcher, Cary Williams, Patrick Chung, Kenny Phillips — now it’s time to add pieces that fit Chip Kelly’s uptempo offense. An athletic OL like Johnson would be ideal.

5. Detroit
Needs: DE, CB, WR, OT
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, 6-5, 271, 4.63, 21/34.5
With the departure of DEs Cliff Avril and Kyle Vander Bosch, a DE such as Ansah will be a logical choice. He has the upside of Jason Pierre-Paul.

6. Cleveland
Needs: CB, G, ILB, QB, TE, OLB
Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon, 6-6, 248, 4.60 na/32.5
The switch to a 3-4 makes it incumbent on the Browns to address the OLB position. They did so by landing Paul Kruger (Ravens). Now, they can add potentially the most dynamic defensive player in the draft in Jordan.

7. Arizona
Needs: QB, OLB, G, S, DE
Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina, 6-2, 311, 5.07, 35/27
This team needs safeties (Adrian Wilson, Rashad Johnson are gone), outside rushers from 3-4 linebackers, and linemen to protect Carson Palmer. Cooper is more mobile and athletic and just as powerful as another top guard, Chance Warmack.

8. Buffalo
Needs: QB, WR, LB, G, CB, TE, DE
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, 6-2, 218, 4.59, na/33.5
You have no future if Kevin Kolb is your QB of the future. If Smith is not taken here, I can see the Bills, or another team, trading back into the first round to grab him.

9. NY Jets
Needs: OLB, CB, S, RB, G, TE, WR, QB
Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU, 6-4, 241, 4.58, na/37.0
This team has fallen and one or two players won’t help them get up. Let’s see, the Jets need players, not just bodies such as Mark Sanchez, David Garrard or Tim Tebow. Mingo can bring the heat, but even he’s not a sure thing. Remember Vernon Gholston?

10. Tennessee
Needs: DE, RG, CB, WR
Chance Warmack, G, Alabama, 6-21⁄2 , 319, 5.49, na/na
Got a solid G in Andy Levitre (Bills) but could use another to pair with him. A DE also is needed to improve their rush. Warmack can abuse people in a power-running game.

11. San Diego
Needs: OT, G, ILB, CB, NT, RB
D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, 6-5, 339, 5.31, 21/na
Could draft an OT since they cut their starter, Jared Gaither; guard is in worse shape with both guards gone. Either will do. Fluker’s not fluid, but he’s massive and powerful and is hard to get around because of his long arms (37”).

12. Miami
Needs: DE, OT, CB, WR, FB
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, 6-0, 206, 4.37, na/36
If Dolphins acquire OT Branden Albert, then that will address a need. Seeing Milliner, who’s had five surgeries, fall will be a bonus following the loss of CB Sean Smith.

13. New York Jets
Needs: OLB, S, RB, G, TE, WR, QB
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, 5-8, 174, 4.34, 14/32
Jets have no skill at the skill positions, so time to go get one.  Austin is easily the most dynamic offensive player in the draft. This Pocket Rocket shines as a receiver, a runner out of the backfield on sweeps and as a kick returner.

14. Carolina
Needs: CB, DT, FS, RT, WR
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri, 6-3, 295, 4.88, 30/32
Richardson  has size, quickness, mobility and can make plays. He got double-teamed a lot but still showed good hustle and pursuit.
 
15. New Orleans
Needs: OLB, LT, DE, SS, NT, ILB
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, 6-31⁄4, 314, 5.31, 38/30
Switch to 3-4 means team needs OLBs, as well as 3-4-type DEs and a NT. Lotulelei is the best NT in the draft. He’s stout, hard to budge and a player every 3-4 team needs.

16. St. Louis
Needs: FS, SS, WR, RB, G, OLB
Kenny Vacarro, S, Texas, 6-0, 214, 4.63, 15/38
With the loss of both safeties, the Rams must draft to fill the back end of an already-physical defense. Vacarro is ranked as the best of the bunch.

17. Pittsburgh
Needs: OLB, WR, RB, TE, S
Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia, 6-25⁄8, 249, 4.92, 20/30.5
Lost a lot of sacks with depature of James Harrison and injury to LaMarr Woodley. Jones’ 4.92 40 time might scare away some teams, but he’s a playmaker who plays faster, kinda like Terrell Suggs from the rival Ravens.

18. Dallas
Needs: G/C, S, DT, RB, RT, DE
Sylvester Williams, DT, No. Carolina, 6-3, 313, 5.03, 27/26.5
With all the top lineman gone, RT Doug Free gets a reprieve. With a move to a 4-3, Williams will provide an inside presence. He can disrupt plays with his quickness and tenacity.

19. N.Y. Giants
Needs: MLB, DE, CB, OL, RB
Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State, 6-4, 276, 4.75, 32/na
Giants need missing pieces at LB (Michael Boley, Chase Blackburn gone) and DE (Osi Umenyiora, Chris Canty gone). Carradine blew out his knee in November but was rated a high pick before that. He recently ran a 4.75.

20. Chicago
Needs: CB, G, T, WR
Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia, 6-25⁄8, 244, 4.64, 20/33.5
Brian Urlacher is one of three LBs that the Bears lost, so that’s a big-time need. Time will tell if Ogletree turns out to be a better ILB than Manti Te’o.

21. Cincinnati
Needs: S, OLB, RB
Matt Elam, S, Florida, 5-10, 208, 4.54, 17/35.5
Need a SS to pair with Reggie Nelson. The hard-hitting Elam always seems to make his presence known. Only drawback is his lack of height.

22. St. Louis
Needs: FS, SS, WR, RB, G, OLB
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tenn., 6-25⁄8, 217, 4.42, na/37
Tavon Austin would have been a perfect fit. But Patterson has a size/speed combo that’s rare in this draft class. Also could draft RB to replace Steven Jackson.

23. Minnesota
Needs: WR, CB, MLB, DT
Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame, 6-1, 241, 4.71, 21/33
Te’o’s a good fit for the Vikings, who boast a strong DL that can keep blockers off of Te’o and let him roam and use his superior linebacker instincts.

24. Indianapolis
Needs: OLB, G, WR, CB
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 210, 4.43, 14/40.5
Free agency really helped rebuild this team (T Gosder Cherilus, G Donald Thomas, LaRon Landry, 2 NTs), but they still need help at OLB to help steady the 3-4 alignment, a CB, or another WR. Rhodes has size and speed and can hit.

25. Minnesota
Needs: WR, CB, MLB, DT
Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington, 6-0, 192, 4.38, 16/37.5
He’s similar to ex-Viking Antoine Winfield, only faster. Trufant plays the ball well, is competitive and has the tools you need to excel.

26. Green Bay
Needs: RB, S, DE, OT, WR
Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama, 5-11, 231, na, na/na
The Packers can’t keep ignoring this position. Lacy looks like Frank Gore with his shiftiness in the hole.

27. Houston
Needs:WR, RT, OLB, ILB, NT
Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee, 6-4, 200, 4.44, na/40.5
Priority One is finding a complement to WR Andre Johnson. Hunter is long and angular with top speed to go along with height and leaping ability.

28. Denver
Needs: DE, MLB, DT, CB, S, RB
Datone Jones, DT/DE, UCLA, 6-4, 283, 4.80, 29/31.5
The departure of Elvis Dumervil still stings. But Jones can allay those pains. He has superb ability. He played all along the D-line for the Bruins, even at nose during passing downs. His versatility is his strength.

29. New England
Needs: WR, CB, DE, G/C
D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston, 5-11, 189, 4.33, na/33.5
Could use some playmakers at the corners and a deep threat WR. Some rank Hayden as the best corner, but a freak injury during practice almost ended his life.

30. Atlanta
Needs: CB, C, LB, TE
Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame, 6-5, 250, 4.68, 22/35.5
Cornerback might be a more pressing need, but why not take the guy who’s gonna eventually replace Tony Gonzalez. Eifert is Gonzalez-like with speed, moves and great hands.

31. San Francisco
Needs: FS, NT, TE, CB, WR
Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida Int., 6-0, 217, 4.64, 18/38.5
A pressing need area (Dashon Goldson left for the Bucs) will be filled by Cyprien, who is fluid and always around the ball.

32. Baltimore
Needs: ILB, S, LT, TE, WR
Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU, 6-0, 246, 4.67, 25/34.5
Ravaged by losses in free agency, by retirement and trade, the Ravens need to reload. Minter is a downhill linebacker who can strike you and stop players in their tracks. Just a tad bit short, kind of like Mike Singletary and London Fletcher.

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