The NFL Draft is a superlative event, where analysts hypothesize what franchises will land the top college talent and then those teams throw wrenches in the entire process and sometimes pick a player no one expected.
Teams have the option to trade their selections as well, much like the Tennessee Titans did last week when they announced a blockbuster exchange with the Los Angeles Rams that included the No. 1 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.
It's a pretty safe bet the Rams shipped off six picks so they can draft a quarterback with the top pick April 28 in Chicago, but after that things get interesting. The draft order for the top-10 now sits as such: Rams, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants.
Enter in Ohio State All-American defensive end Joey Bosa.
For a while, Bosa was widely considered a surefire top-5 selection, but as teams began to evaluate him and the NFL season came to a close, his stock fell. Still, Bosa is bound to come off the board among the first 10 selections — he's too talented to last longer than that.
The 6-foot-5, 269-pounder tested well at the combine and during Ohio State's Pro Day March 11, but the needs of teams at the very top of the draft might sit elsewhere than with a pass rusher. However, some franchises might believe he is the best player available when they are on the clock and take him.
"I do believe I'm the best player in the draft," Bosa said at the NFL Combine. "There's of course a lot of amazing players in the draft and it's going to be up to Tennessee to make that decision. But I think as a top player, if you don't believe that then there's something wrong."
Bosa did his best to show his versatility both at Ohio State and in the pre-draft process. He played at all positions on the defensive line and worked pass-drop drills at length in case a team that runs a 3-4 scheme picks him and wants to try him at outside linebacker.
He has all the tools necessary to make an instant impact regardless what team drafts him, but which one would be the best fit for him personally? Here are five.
*NOTE: These are projections based off team needs and draft order as of Monday.
Cleveland Browns
Where they're picking: First round (second overall)
Breakdown: Let's face it: The Browns are not very good and probably should take the best player available every time it is their turn. However, the front office might not feel stable at quarterback even though it recently signed Robert Griffin III, so Carson Wentz, Jared Goff or someone else might be the move. Cleveland plans to run a 3-4 scheme in 2016, and though Bosa played in a 4-3 at Ohio State, he can make an impact as an outside rusher or on the interior defensive line. The Browns finished 27th in total defense and 28th in sacks in 2015. Bosa is one of the best defenders available in the draft. Will that merit the No. 2 pick?
Dallas Cowboys
Where they're picking: First round (fourth overall)
Breakdown: The Cowboys said goodbye to troubled defensive end Greg Hardy in February after a season they finished 25th in the league in sacks. Jerry Jones is likely to go on the defensive side of the ball with the pick, but could eye Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey instead of Bosa. The Cowboys, however, run a 4-3 defense so they could see Bosa as their best fit at No. 4 to help boost its pass rush after cutting ties with Hardy.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Where they're picking: First round (fifth overall)
Bosa did his best to show his versatility in 2015.
Breakdown: The Jaguars were fourth-worst against the pass in 2015, 20th in the league in sacks and 31st in both points allowed and third-down defense. Jacksonville went out and signed defensive tackle Malik Jackson and free safety Tashuan Gipson in hopes to amend that, but need an impact pass rusher opposite defensive end Jared Odrick. Bosa can be that guy for head coach Gus Bradley, who made a name for himself as the defensive coordinator in Seattle from 2010-12. His scheme demands a strong edge rusher, called a "Leo." Sounds like a job for Bosa, a south Florida kid himself.
Baltimore Ravens
Where they're picking: First round (sixth overall)
Breakdown: Bosa to the Ravens at No. 6 has been a trendy pick since before the NFL Combine. They finished 10th in the league in total defense, but did that without stalwart outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who ruptured his Achilles in the season opener. Suggs said he doesn't want to retire, but at 33 years old, can't be depended on for the long haul. How he responds and performs in 2016 remains to be seen, but Bosa could be the heir apparent on a once dominant unit.
Chicago Bears
Where they're picking: First round (11th overall)
Breakdown: There is hardly a chance Bosa falls out of the top 10, but the Bears desperately need an impact edge rusher in their 3-4 scheme. If they see fit to trade up and grab the Ohio State star, or get lucky and have him fall to them at No. 11, it is tough to see a scenario in which they would pass. Chicago was 22nd in the league in sacks last year and needs another young talented player on the edge to join Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young at outside linebacker.
