so, after two and a half months of staring into the middle distance, wondering just how long until football comes back....well, we're still waiting. but FEAR NOT! the NFL Draft is here, that time of year formerly amazing college football players suffer the indignity of being hugged by Roger Goodell, and patronised by a bunch of other late-middle-aged white men. except some of the best aren't this year! Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota AND Amari Cooper all not attending. they all have their reasons, but none of them are as good as Joe Thomas a few years back, who decided he'd rather go fishing than let the Ginger Hammer get his paws all over him. you and me both, Joe.

anyway, back to this year and it seems a reasonably good draft in terms of talent, particularly looking good for wide receivers and edge rushers. Jameis Winston is the consensus no.1 pick to the Bucs, with Marcus Mariota going no.2, but WHERE. will the Chargers trade old man Rivers to the Titans for that pick? will the Browns trade both their first rounders for their 3rd 1st-round quarterback in 4 years? will Chip Kelly do...actually, whatever he does will be more crazy than any of these predictions. he could well trade 10 years of 3rd round picks for that pick or something stupid like that. who knows.

elsewhere, prospects seem to be sliding as teams realise that sometimes young men in their early twenties like to smoke marijuana. first it was Randy "New Orleans is Boring" Gregory. then Florida State CB PJ Williams. now it's ANOTHER edge rusher, Shane Ray.

ok everyone, talk about the draft! i'm going to stay up late to watch it because why the hell not. feel free to share your projected top 10s, 16s, 7 round mock drafts below. or tell us about your team, and who, or what positions, you want them to draft! who'll be the busts? who'll be the bests?