Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett peers into his crystal ball to predict who the Detroit Lions will select with the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NFL draft:

1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma – A change up top as rumors continue to run rampant that the Cardinals will take Murray and deal last year’s first-round pick, Josh Rosen.

[ Carlos: Why Lions should draft Kyler Murray in NFL draft ]

2. San Francisco 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State – The 49ers traded for Dee Ford, but he’s essentially on a one-year deal. Bosa is too good to pass up at No. 2.

3. New York Jets: OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky – Anthony Barr bailed on the Jets to return to Minnesota, so New York turns to Allen to fill its pass-rush void.

4. Oakland Raiders: DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State – Sweat was reportedly flagged for a heart condition at the combine, but the Raiders took Mo Hurst last season and appear determined to come out of this draft with a pass rusher.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama – Gerald McCoy’s run in Tampa is almost done, and I can’t see Williams slipping any further

6. New York Giants: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan – The Giants sent a large contingent to Michigan’s pro day last week and GM Dave Gettleman loves linemen more than he thinks he needs a quarterback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Devin White, LSU – Myles Jack is better suited to play outside, so White can take over at middle linebacker.

[ NFL mock draft 1.0: Lions take LSU's Devin White ]

8. Detroit Lions: DT Ed Oliver, Houston – I had one scout tell me Oliver will be at his best if he goes to a team that will use him like the Patriots used Trey Flowers. Voila! Oliver didn’t have a great 2018, but he can play just about anywhere on the defensive line and the Lions still need help up front. With other top options off the board, this a player Matt Patricia can use on defense.

9. Buffalo Bills: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa – After filling their offensive line needs in free agency, the Bills can use this pick to give young QB Josh Allen a weapon, and Hockenson is better than any receiver in the draft.

10. Denver Broncos: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State – John Elway’s never-ending quest for a quarterback finally comes to an end with Haskins still on the board.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida – Even with Bobby Hart back, the Bengals can use an upgrade at right tackle.

12. Green Bay Packers: WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss – Metcalf is returning from a neck injury that might cost him draft position, but the Packers need another weapon for Aaron Rodgers.

13. Miami Dolphins: DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State – The Dolphins are in tank mode for a 2020 quarterback, and Simmons is the type of player who should pay off big time down the road.

14. Atlanta Falcons: CB Greedy Williams, LSU – The Falcons are a little thin at corner and Williams’ length will play well in Dan Quinn’s defense.

15. Washington: QB Drew Lock, Missouri – Lock needs some development, but he can sit this fall behind Case Keenum before taking over in 2020.

16. Carolina Panthers: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson – Wilkins is one of the highest-floor players in the draft, with off-the-charts character grades and the ability to play anywhere on the defensive line.

17. New York Giants: OL Jonah Williams, Alabama – With the pick they got for Odell Beckham, the Giants get a player that should take over immediately at right tackle.

18. Minnesota Vikings: OL Cody Ford, Oklahoma – The Vikings were brutal up front last season and Ford is a plug-and-play at right tackle or guard.

19. Tennessee Titans: TE Noah Fant, Iowa – Fant moves up the draft board after a standout performance at the combine. He’s the best receiving tight end in the draft.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Brian Burns, Florida State – Bud Dupree’s entering the final year of his contract, and it’s about time Pittsburgh drafted his replacement.

21. Seattle Seahawks: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma – Brown’s draft stock is a bit in flux because of his foot injury, but he’s the second-best receiver in this draft.

22. Baltimore Ravens: CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia – Baker might end up in the teens when all is said and done, but if he slides to 22, the Ravens could use a young corner to pair with Marlon Humphrey.

23. Houston Texans: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama – The Texans ran the ball well last year, but part of that was Deshaun Watson’s doing. A versatile back like Jacobs would make their offense complete.

24. Oakland Raiders: TE Irv Smith, Alabama – Jared Cook is still unsigned, so Smith would step in as a Day 1 starter.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson – Ferrell had 27 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss in the last three seasons. He’s another high-floor player who could go in the top 15.

26. Indianapolis Colts: WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State – The Colts wisely sat out most of free agency, but in Butler they add long-term help for Andrew Luck.

27. Oakland Raiders: LB Devin Bush, Michigan – Bush isn’t very big, but he does a lot of things well and should find a home in the middle of the Oakland defense.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State – The Chargers need help keeping Philip Rivers upright, and Dillard might be the best pass-blocker in the draft.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Byron Murphy, Washington – Murphy has excellent ball skills, but his average speed means he’ll probably land somewhere in the late first round.

30. Green Bay Packers: OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State – This might be a little high, but the Packers need reinforcements up front and Risner can play four spots on the line.

31. Los Angeles Rams: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson – The third and most massive Tigers defensive lineman to go in Round 1 would take Ndamukong Suh’s place up front.

32. New England Patriots: S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State – Abram seems to have passed Deionte Thompson as the No. 1 safety in the draft.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.