How Vikings, Rams, Patriots should approach draft without 1st-rounders

Not everyone is looking forward to April 27.

As the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft gets underway Thursday, there are three teams who don't have a pick on Day 1.

The Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots have already used their first-round picks to try to upgrade their teams in other ways, but they still have selections to make in the following rounds.

As 29 other teams mull over who they hope to take in the first round, let's take a look at how the Vikings, Rams, and Patriots can make the most out of what they've got.

Vikings

Picks (8): 48th (2nd round), 79th (3rd round), 86th (3rd round), 120th (4th round), 128th (4th round), 160th (5th round), 199th (6th round), 232nd (7th round)

While general manager Rick Spielman has said he doesn't regret trading the Vikings' 2017 first-rounder to the Eagles for Sam Bradford, he should.

Spielman gambled, thinking Bradford would keep the Vikings on the playoff path, meaning his first-round pick would be a later one, but the mediocre quarterback couldn't get it done.

However, with two third-rounders and two fourth-rounders, the Vikings still have a shot to fill their most desperate draft needs with players they actually want. The team wasn't crazy to think they could be Super Bowl contenders last season, and could at least get back into the division race with a solid draft.

By coupling the 48th and 86th overall picks together, and doing the same with the 79th and a fourth-round selection, the Vikings could presumably move to the front of the second and third rounds to acquire better prospects.

Defensively, the Vikings are in good shape with no egregious needs to fill among the starting eleven. Offensively, they need to continue fortifying their offensive line and find a running back to pair with Latavius Murray.

Grabbing the best available offensive lineman at the beginning of the second round and looking for a quality back in the third is the best course of action for Spielman. The late-round picks should be used to take the best available prospects, preferably adding a defensive tackle along the way.

Rams

Picks (8): 37th (2nd round), 69th (3rd round), 112th (4th round), 141st (4th round), 149th (5th round), 189th (6th round), 206th (6th round), 234th (7th round)

Jared Goff didn't look worthy of the first overall pick in his first season, but that may be because of all the holes in the Rams' roster.

The Rams traded a slew of picks, including their 2017 first- and third-round selections, for the right to draft Goff, and now its time to give him some help.

Los Angeles has needs at pass rusher, receiver, cornerback, offensive line, safety, and tight end, and not many high picks to fill those needs. That makes the front office draft plan simple, yet difficult to execute correctly - pick the best player available.

This isn't the time to try matching talent with fit and need; it's time to just try to get better. Aside from quarterback, the Rams should just go with the best player on their board every time their name is called.

Judging by GM Les Snead's track record, figuring out who the best prospects are isn't a strength of his, so trading some of his later picks for a greater quantity of selections should help his chances of getting it right. But they need to be careful about passing up any quality talent.

Patriots

Picks (7): 72nd (3rd round), 96th (3rd round), 131st (4th round), 163rd (5th round), 183rd (5th round), 200th (6th round), 239th (7th round)

Despite not having a first- or second-round pick, the Patriots are in pretty good shape heading into the draft after another Super Bowl win.

They have no pressing needs and one major asset: Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Patriots have been pushing the idea that they aren't interested in dealing Garoppolo, but if they can get a first-round pick in return, it would make little sense to hold onto him. Garoppolo's contract expires after next season and he'll assuredly secure a more lucrative contract on the open market than from the Patriots. Unless the team is willing to use the franchise tag on their backup quarterback, Jimmy G will be headed to a new team in a year's time.

So trade him.

If the Patriots are able to move back into the top 32 and make another quality addition to their masterpiece of an offseason, the rest of the league may just throw in their towels on the spot.

The Browns, Bears, 49ers, Cardinals, and Texans have all been reportedly interested in upgrading at quarterback and may panic as they get closer to draft day.

Aside from moving Garropolo for a first-rounder, the Patriots can just sit back, make trades, and take whoever they believe is the best player available at each pick.

Bill Belichick doesn't need help from any of us to make his draft picks.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)