The players selected in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night in Chicago:
1, Los Angeles Rams (from Tennessee)
Jared Goff, QB, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, California
Notable: Set Pac-12 records with 4,719 passing yards and 43 touchdowns last season. First Cal player to go No. 1 overall since 1975 (Steve Bartkowski).
Strengths: Quick release and maintains solid accuracy whether throwing short, intermediate or deep. Will stand and deliver in the face of pressure and moves well within the pocket.
Weaknesses: Toughness is admirable, but he takes too many hits. He fumbled 24 times in three seasons. Some of that is poor recognition of when to get rid of the ball. Played almost exclusively from the shotgun.
2. Philadelphia (from Cleveland)
Carson Wentz, QB, 6-5, 237, North Dakota State.
Notable: Led the Bison to FCS national championship in his only two seasons as a starter. First FCS quarterback to be drafted in first round since Joe Flacco of Delaware (2008), though Flacco was a transfer from Pittsburgh. Before that Steve McNair from Alcorn State went No. 3 in 1995.
Strengths: Ideal size, strong arm and above average athleticism. Physically, he is everything an NFL team wants a quarterback to be. Played under center a lot in NDSU’s offense. At the combine, Wentz impressed teams with his confident demeanor and understanding of the game.
Weaknesses: He hasn’t faced big-time competition. Can all the tools translate and improve when he does?
3. San Diego
Joey Bosa, DE, 6-5, 269, Ohio State
Notable: Sacks dropped off from 13 1-2 in 2014 to five last season, but still played at an All-America level. Earliest an Ohio State player has been drafted since Orlando Pace went No. 1 in 1997.
Strengths: Rarely takes a play at less than max effort. Fast and strong hands keep blockers from locking him up.
Weaknesses: Lacks that explosive first-step speed that many elite edge rushers have.
4. Dallas
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, 6-0, 225, Ohio State
Notable: Big Ten offensive player of the year in 2015. Second straight Buckeyes player. First time since 1997 (Orlando Pace at No. 1 and Shawn Springs at No. 3) two Ohio State players were picked in the top five.
Strengths: Finds and hits holes with exceptional quickness and aggressiveness. Always seems to fall forward. Excellent blocker and solid pass catcher, which should make him a good fit in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Weaknesses: Carried a heavy load the last couple of seasons and his style lent itself to taking some big shots.
5. Jacksonville
Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, 6-1, 209, Florida State
Notable: Started three years for the Seminoles, each season in a different secondary spot. Fourth straight season a Florida State player has been selected in the first round.
Strengths: If you could engineer a defensive back, Ramsey would be it. Size, speed and athleticism are all ideal. Played cornerback and safety and was used as a hybrid, playing almost like a linebacker. Excelled at all of it.
Weaknesses: The technique and skills that make for a lock-down cornerback need work. But that might not be the way he is used in the NFL.
6. Baltimore
Ronnie Stanley, OT, 6-6, 312, Notre Dame
Notable: Three-year starter, the last two as left tackle. Earliest selected Notre Dame player since Rick Mirer in 1993.
Strengths: Uses his long arms to keep rushers at bay and sets his feet quickly. Plays with some nastiness.
Weaknesses: Great technique, but doesn’t overpower defenders.
7. San Francisco
DeForest Buckner, DE, 6-7, 291, Oregon
Notable: Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2015. Second straight Oregon defensive end (Arik Armstead) drafted in first round by 49ers.
Strengths: More power and quickness than speed. Perfect size, quick off the snap, relentless and can wreck a running game.
Weaknesses: Tends to stand straight up, which negates his power.
8. Tennessee (From Cleveland through Miami through Philadelphia)
Jack Conklin, OT, 6-6, 308, Michigan State
Notable: Former walk-on who developed into an All-America left tackle. First Michigan State top-10 pick since Charles Rogers went No. 2 in 2003.
Strengths: Tough and strong. All you need to know about Conklin: more than held his own against Oregon (DeForest Buckner), Ohio State (Joey Bosa) and Alabama (A’Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, et al).
Weaknesses: Not a top-tier athlete and could have some issues with speed rushers.
9. Chicago (from Tampa Bay)
Leonard Floyd, OLB, 6-6, 244, Georgia
Notable: Led Georgia in sacks each of the last three seasons. First Georgia defensive player drafted in the top 10 since DT Johnathan Sullivan in 2003.
Strengths: Long, elusive and fast off the edge and in pursuit.
Weaknesses: Not much bulk could lead him to get knocked around at the next level.
10. N.Y. Giants
Eli Apple, CB, 6-1, 199, Ohio State
Notable: Interceptions dropped from three as a sophomore to one as a junior as opponents began to shy away. For the first time since 2010 (Oklahoma), three players from one school go in the top 10.
Strengths: Height and long arms, plus good speed, make for an ideal package for NFL cornerback.
Weaknesses: Tends to grab in coverage if he thinks he is getting beat.
11. Tampa Bay (from Chicago)
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, 5-10, 204, Florida
Notable: First team All-SEC each of his three seasons with the Gators. First cornerback drafted by Bucs in first round since 2008 (Aqib Talib).
Strengths: Changes directions quickly, and has skills, athleticism and attitude to be a shutdown cornerback.
Weaknesses: Small frame could be a problem against big receivers and gets a little too aggressive at times.
12. New Orleans
Sheldon Rankins, DT, 6-1, 299, Louisville
Notable: Had 14 sacks playing on the interior for the Cardinals. Third straight year a Louisville players has been picked in first round.
Strengths: Gets off the ball very fast. Often blockers simply can’t get to him. Very productive.
Weaknesses: Short and some questions about whether he can stand up to the power of NFL linemen.
13. Miami (from Philadelphia)
Laremy Tunsil, OT, 6-5, 310, Mississippi
Notable: Missed most of last season due to an NCAA infraction, but played at top form when he did. Slipped because of some off field issues and possible character concerns.
Strengths: Quick feet and hands help him neutralize speed rushers. Reads and anticipates rush moves. Moves well and can wipe out linebackers on the second level.
Weaknesses: Point of attack power run blocking needs some work. Maybe a little bulk would help, but a case could be made that he was the best player available.
14. Oakland
Karl Joseph, S, 5-10, 205, West Virginia.
Notable: Was having an All-America-type season until he hurt his knee in practice during the second month of the season. First West Virginia defensive back selected in the first round since Adam “Pacman” Jones in 2005.
Strengths: Plays with fierce aggressiveness. Big hitter with knack for getting his hands on the ball.
Weaknesses: The knee could be a problem, plus he plays like he is 30 pounds heavier than he is.
15. Cleveland (from Tennessee from Los Angeles)
Corey Coleman, WR, 5-11, 194, Baylor
Notable: Biletnikoff Award winner as top wide receiver in nation last season. Will be paired with former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Strengths: Great acceleration off the line makes him a top-notch deep threat. Elusive after the catch, too.
Weaknesses: At his best on the perimeter. Needs to show more consistency in the middle of the field as a pass catcher and route runner.
16. Detroit
17. Atlanta
18. Indianapolis
19. Buffalo
20. N.Y. Jets
21. Washington
22. Houston
23. Minnesota
24. Cincinnati
25. Pittsburgh
26. Seattle
27. Green Bay
28. Kansas City
29. Arizona
30. Carolina
31. Denver
