1. St Louis Rams – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the biggest need for the Rams is at QB. The only problem is there are very few folks that see Clausen as a number one talent. He has a great arm, and really has a great understanding of the QB position. If you consider that he played his whole senior season with Lis Franc foot, his potential is even higher. Ultimately, I think the Rams should try and trade down a few spots and get Clausen later.
2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The bottom line is Suh is the best defensive tackle prospect to come out of college in a long time. He has true impact potential. The Lions could anchor their defense around this guy for a long time. This is as sure a pick as any, unless someone trades with the Rams, and if they do, it will be for Suh.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
3 overall is normally too high to look at a safety. However, Eric Berry is not a normal safety and the safety position has changed. Guys like Reed, Sanders, and Polomalu are changing how defense is played in the NFL, and the Bucs need help in the secondary badly. No doubt that current HC Raheem Morris has spoken to his former boss Monte Kiffin all about Berry (Kiffin coached Berry this past season at Tennessee), and I expect the Bucs to pull the trigger and acquire the most talented athlete on the board.
4. Washington Redskins – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Another QB, another reach. Don’t get me wrong, I like Bradford. Coming into this season, I expected him to be the top player on in this draft. However, a year later, and another injury to his shoulder, and I think there is considerable risk with Bradford. Shannahan is a great coach, and will do wonders with the Skins if Snyder keeps his hands off. Also, Mike hit on his last 1st round QB selection, Jay Cutler, so he may feel confident he can do it again.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
This years draft lacks top end talent at corner, except for Florida’s Joe Haden. He has all the potential to be a shut down corner, and Todd Haley and Scott Pioli need to get new DC Romeo Crennell some weapons. Haden should be the team’s selection, as he could be the new Asante Samuel for Patriots West.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The biggest need for the Hawks is the o-line, but this is a deep class at that spot and the Hawks could grab a high end guy with their second first rounder. This leaves d-line as the next spot to look for the Hawks because the could not get after the opposing QB this year. McCoy is only a half step behind Suh in my rating and that is saying something. He is the kind of tackle who will be Warren Sapp-esque in his ability to penetrate the line and create havoc in the backfield. Carroll will love what this guy brings to the table.
7. Cleveland Browns – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan is versatile and can bring some punch to a defense. He can pressure the QB from the edge, and he can drop into coverage when necessary too. New Browns Czar Holmgren will choose this guy because of all the options he will have with him on the defensive side of the ball.
8. Oakland Raiders – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Last year the Raiders blew their first rounder on a marginal talent in Heyward-Bey with Crabtree still on the board. Maybe this year will be different. The team has a lot invested in skill guys in their backfield (read, Russell and McFadden). They need to keep opposing defenses off them and Okung has the talent and upside to do just that.
9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Chan Gailey brings a wealth of experience to the Bills, and they can sure use it. The team lost a lot when they dealt Jason Peters to Philly last year, and they need to replace him to help whomever they have as a signal caller next year (maybe Colt McCoy with their second round selection). Trent Williams is strong at the point of attack, and can both run and pass block well. This selection lacks flash, but is the right one at this spot.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
The Jags need to play better if Del Rio has any chance of saving his job beyond this season. When Jack played he was an impact inside linebacker, and he knows personally what that can do for a defense and subsequently a team. McClain is a tackling machine, and there is no reason to think he won’t have a huge impact at the pro level. The Jags could be getting their own version of Patrick Willis with this selection.
11. Denver Broncos via Chicago Bears – Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida
Thanks to dealing Cutler, the Broncos are in a great position in this draft. Last season the team struggled off the edge with McBean and Peterson as their starters. Pierre Paul is raw, but has huge upside. He has freakish athleticism and could be another Javon Kearse if he continues to develop. He benefited from playing across from a big reputation in George Selvie, so becoming the man will be a different view for Pierre Paul, but he has all the upside for Denver to think he can get it done.
12. Miami Dolphins – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Phins will be in the market for linebackers this offseason, and if McClain would fall to them here I’d expect them to pull the trigger. Bt since we have him off the board, I expect them to look to their other big need, wide out. Henne needs some weapons to be more dangerous, and Bryant is exactly that. He has awesome talent and if he can prove his suspension was a result of a bad choice not bad character the dolphins will pick him here.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Niners are getting better, and if Warner retires from the Cards, San Fran may be my new favorite in the NFC West. They play excellent defense but based on the talent still on the board, I cant see them passing up on Earl Thomas. He is a do-it-all kind of safety. He covers, he hits, and he comes up to support the run. Add him to the mix, and I see the Niners with a top 3 defense in 2010.
14. Seattle Seahawks via Denver – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
After nabbing McCoy with their earlier selection, Seattle will address the o-line with this pick. Davis has a lot of folks excited about what he brings to the table. He is strong, and has been well coached by Schiano at Rutgers. Earlier in the season I would have though mid first too high for Davis, but now, I think the fit is there with Carroll and the Hawks.
15. New York Giants – Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
The Giants defense has regressed, and this is in large part due to their aging linebacking corps. They really need to look at inside backer here, and as a result Brandon Spikes from Florida will get some real consideration, but in the end I think they will choose Kindle. He really impressed this season, proving he could play both upright and with his hand in the dirt. He showed exceptional effort in the national title game, and if he brings that fire to NY, he will be a hit with the fans there too.
16. Tennessee Titans – Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State
Keith Bullock is nearing the end of his reign as the defensive force for the Titans. They need to get younger, especially at linebacker and Bowman fits the bill. This Linebacker U product brings good technique, and big heart with him to the pros, and in Tennessee both will be greatly appreciated.
17. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
After fortifying the defense with their first selection in the round, the Niners are afforded the opportunity to address their o-line with this pick. Bulaga is a o-lineman with attitude, and he will be an asset to any team who selects him. The Niners need to improve on the offensive side of the ball if they are to become real contenders, and that begins with the big nasties up front.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Steelers football all begins with the play of the front five on the o-line. If this team is to be successful they need to be able to run the football. Rashard Mendenhall is a future star, and they need another big body to pave his way. Campbell is a big body with a lot of talent who has been moving up draft boards all over. A strong performance in Indy should solidify his position.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Atlanta needs to play better defense if they want to compete again with the Saints in this division. Dunlap is a fierce talent who knows how to play on the big stage. His character will be of concern, but if he interviews well I can see Thomas D making Dunlap the choice he in the middle of the first round.
20. Houston Texans – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Texans played musical running backs all season long, and it hurt this team badly. Slaton has talent, but he needs to spend some time with Tiki Barber learning to hold on to the football. Moats and the rest of the platoon are not starting RB material long term. Spiller on the other hand can be a superstar. He is big enough to hold up in the pros, and he is fast enough to fit the teams offense. He will be the kind of back this team needs, and could push the Texans to the next level.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Another pick, another Sooner. Gresham is such a mega talent, I had him graded out as the top TE last year if he had come out. This year is no different. He can do everything you want a tight end to do, and Cincinnati needs another difference maker to help Carson Palmer out. The Bengals made great strides this season, despite have an emotionally difficult season. Imagine the strides next season with Gresham on board.
22. New England Patriots – Jahvid Best, RB, California
New England’s offense was exposed a little this year. Brady showed he is healed, but teams are learning that if you pressure him, and play up on his wide outs, you can beat New England. They need a running game to help them back to prominence, and Best is the best running back still on the board. Fred Taylor is no longer a difference maker, so Best can step in and provide the spark and the running threat this team needs.
23. Green Bay Packers – Taylor Mayes, S, USC
Green Bay had a nice bounce back season, and Aaron Rodgers has emerged as a prime playmaker like the team had hoped when they drafted him to replace Favre. To take the next step forward this team needs to provide Rodgers with a playmaker at wide out, and this is why both Golden Tate and Arellius Benn will get discussed. In the end however, the team will go with Taylor Mayes. Mayes is just too talented to pass up, and with the Green Bay secondary aging, he is exactly the type of player they need in the fold.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
The Eagles may find themselves going through a re-construction this offseason. They could find themselves without two offensive mainstays in 2010 McNabb and Westbrook. Having said this, both of their replacements are already on the roster, so the Eagles will not have to make any desperate moves. Instead, they can focus on areas of need, and linebacker is one of them. Spikes plays with great intensity, and he is an excellent leader. He may not measure out as well in Indy, but that just means the Eagles will get great value with this selection.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that Baltimore needs a primary target to throw to. Many experts have Golden Tate from Notre Dame as the number two wide out on the board, but I disagree. I don’t think he has the game to be a true #1, and therefore he is ranked #4 on my board at wide out. Benn is my number two because he has all the right skills to develop into a number one in the league. He shows good hand, and accelerates well out of his breaks. Much will change prior to the draft, and if Ed Reed retires, Baltimore could have other needs to be considered, but with where things lie today, I think the Ravens should select Benn with this pick.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Everson Griffen, DE, USC
The Cardinals go into this offseason facing a lot of questions. Will Warner retire? Will Boldin be back? But despite these uncertainties, they still need answers on the defensive side of the ball. They could use some help in the front seven, especially following the retirement of Bert Berry and the uncertainty surrounding Karlos Dansby’s contract. Everson Griffen is a hot name right now, and he could come in to help Arizona establish a pass rush off the end. He is a talented player, and right now the cards need to grab as much talent in their front seven as they can.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Brian Price, DT, UCLA
The Cowboys have a roster to get excited about, yet they still seem to struggle to put the pieces together to turn this team into a championship team. The Boys have to put beef up in the middle of that defensive front, and Brian Price is just the guy to help them do it. If he can plug some holes for this team, it could help Dallas become more stout against the run, and subsequently, a more dominant team.
28. San Diego Chargers – Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
The Chargers are in a very unfamiliar situation. They enter this offseason with a need a running back. It seems that Tomlinson may be at the end of his hall-of-fame career, and although Sproles is quick, he is a better change of pace back than primary ball carrier. Dwyer is shifty, and he brings a great nose for holes to the pro game. He can find the seam, and he makes fairly quick decisions, and cuts making him a seemingly good replacement for LT.
29. New York Jets – Damian Williams, WR, USC
USC wide outs have gotten a rep for becoming pro busts recently. Where as you can understand why that may be, I think Williams could be different. This kid shows more promise to me that either predecessor Williams, or Jarrett. I think the Jets definitely need a prime time target for Sanchez, since I don’t expect them to bring back Edwards, and who better than his college teammate. This pair already knows each other, so the chemistry should already be in place for this to be a dynamic combination for the future.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
The weakness that the Vikes have shown this season has been in their secondary. Cedric Griffin has not become a stud yet, and Winfield may be at the end of his road. Although this is not a particularly deep class at corner, Robinson has a late first round grade, and here we are late in the first round. I think this falls together as a perfect fit between available talent and team need.
31. New Orleans Saints – Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
Obviously this offense is in good hands, but the success of this team this season can be directly attributable to the performance of their defense under Greg Williams. Because of their success, they have the luxury of picking the right player to add at this point, and I think Carter is the guy. He displays good technique when he plays, and his measurables in Indy will determine if he carries a low first round, or a second round grade come draft day. I expect he will maintain his low first round status, and I think he will fit in well in New Orleans. The Saints don’t need to insert him in the line up day one, and that bodes well for everyone.
32. Indianapolis Colts – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Colts are a fantastic team, but they still prove they could be stronger against the run. Having a beast like Williams fall to them here at the end of round one would be a dream come true for Indy because of his great upside and mean streak on the field. Now, the only question is will Williams still be on the board when they pick. It is very possible he will be gone, as right now I have him on the cusp of moving up my draft board, possibly up to number three amongst DTs. Lets see how the rest of the offseason plays out.