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1. St. Louis Rams: Ndamakong Suh DT, Nebraska
I know QB is the popular pick for the Rams who severely lack talent at just about every position but I can’t see them passing on Suh right now. Suh is far and away the top player in this draft and even though St. Louis has tried to fix their DL countless times (Chris Long, Adam Carriker namely) they don’t have a guy of Suh’s caliber. Suh is a game changer from the DT position and that’s saying a lot.
2. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma
Detroit fans will be disappointed if they lose out in Suh. They are praying that Bradford/Clausen can prove that they are healthy at the combine and persuade St. Louis to take one of them and give them the dominant Suh. McCoy is not a bad second option in any way though. He has similar abilities to Suh and maybe just slightly less athleticism. He is strong and powerful and doesn’t stop attacking the ball.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
First year QB Josh Freeman got broken in this year and Raheem Morris will certainly want to give Freeman more protection in this draft. Okung is the top rated OT in this class as he excels as both a run blocker and in pass protection. He is the franchise type bookend that you grab if you have a chance at him.
4. Washington Redskins: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Mike Shannahan has two options, he can take a QB now and groom him for the future or he can keep Jason Campbell for a year and see what’s available next draft/off season. I personally don’t see either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen as top 10 talents, let alone top 5, but the Redskins need a QB and I think they may risk it and go after Bradford here.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State
Matt Cassel was a disaster, and Scott Pioli does not look good for taking Cassel and giving him a huge deal. Pioli has a big decision to make in does he keep Cassel for another year and hope that adding a weapon like Bryant will improve Cassel, or does he take a new QB admit he made a mistake and swallow the cap hit. In this scenario I think he takes the added weapon, though I think that means we will be seeing KC pick in the top 10 again in 2011.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame
Jim Mora may just do a flip if one of the top two QB’s falls to him. Yes Clausen has a bad turf toe injury that is requiring surgery, yes he has an ego, and yes he was very successful at Notre Dame. Jimmy Clausen can make all the NFL throws, and has the accuracy that make scouts drool in workouts. However his decision making is subpar, and he tendency to throw the ball up when under duress will not work in the NFL, and especially not in Seattle where he has fewer offensive weapons then when he was at Notre Dame.
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Through sure bad luck and the emergence of a potential new RB, Cleveland picks 7th overall. They get a gift though as arguably the #2 player in the draft falls all the way to #7. Cleveland could use some back end help. Their DB’s combined for 9 INT’s which is 2nd worst in the NFL. Berry is a playmaker who can break on the ball and help in run support. He is a solid foundation player to build upon in Cleveland.
8. Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland
Bruce Campbell is a physical freak and we all know Al Davis loves physical specimens. Campbell could be the kind of combine player who both sets the bench press mark for OT’s and runs the fastest 40. That alone would be enough for Davis to pull the trigger on the raw Campbell. Campbell has probably the highest ceiling of all the OT’s but he also has quite a ways to go as well.
9. Buffalo Bills: Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State
Buffalo’s LB core last year was bad, and by that I mean that at times I could of ran past them. The question is does Buffalo go with an OLB and leave Poz in the middle or do they take an MLB and move Poz outside? Well with McClain not currently declared for the 2010 NFL draft that pick was made easy by taking Navarro Bowman. Bowman has incredible speed and size for his position and loves to hit. His is superbly athletic and can go sideline to sideline. He’s just what the Bills doctor ordered.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Jacksonville has a number of directions they can go here. Their pass defense ranked 27th last season and they could really use an upgrade there. Joe Haden is a downright playmaker on the corner. He is a physical style corner who can get up in the face of a WR and jam or play off and make a break on the ball. He will really help Jacksonville get over the edge.
11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago): Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame
Brandon Marshall is a headache and I don’t expect him to be in Denver next year. McDaniels will have to replace him and Golden Tate makes plenty of sense. While he’s similar to Royal in size and ability, he is a more experienced over the middle WR, and should combine with Royal to give defenses headaches.
12. Miami Dolphins: Jerry Hughes DE/OLB, TCU
Miami needs to find some young blood from the outside rush as both Porter and Taylor are long in the tooth. Hughes is the perfect fit as he is a lighting quick rusher off the edge and provides the ability to both play the stand up LB or the hand down DE from a versatility stand point.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis OT, Rutgers
Alex Smith has finally begun to emerge as a legit NFL QB, and with Frank Gore and Glen Coffee running the ball, Singletary has to find Smith more time to find Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Anthony Davis is a very good pick here.
14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver): Brandon LaFell WR, LSU
Seattle took Clausen earlier in this draft, now they have to get him some more weapons. LaFell was the top Senior WR this year and is a great fit in Seattle. He can learn a lot from Housh and could flourish.
15. New York Giants: Dan Williams, DT, Tennesee
Fred Robbins is aging and Rocky Benard is not the ideal #3 rotational DT that the Giants would like at this point. With a defense that struggled last season Williams would be a great rotational add in to relieve Alford on passing downs and really attack the QB.
16. Tennessee Titans: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Albert Haynesworth is gone and they missed him this season. While Tennesse had a solid running defense, they were not good in pass defense, struggling to get pressure on the QB consistently. Price is a very good pass rushing DT who when teamed with Jason Jones could provide a dynamic rush.
17. San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina): Taylor Mays, FS, USC
Mike Singletary loved to hit, so it makes sense that he would take one of the biggest boppers in this draft class. Mays may not come in from Day 1 and start but if he learns his position a little better and refines his coverage techniques this once thought of top 10 lock could be a steal for San Fran.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: C.J Spiller RB, Clemson
Willie Parker has lost a step and while Mendenhall was a 1000 yard rusher this season, Pittsburgh offense could use an infusion of game breaking ability and that’s exactly what Spiller brings. He is arguably a top 5-10 talent but because the NFL is no longer a run dominant league his value is diminished. Steeler fans will love the way this kid flys.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Charles Brown, OT, USC
Everybody thinks Atlanta will go D with this pick, they need LB help, they need DE help, they need CB help. Well you know what they need most of all? A friggin OT to protect Matt Ryan’s backside. Brown is an athletic OT who can get out in front of speed rushers and help protect Ryan and give Michael Turner some more holes.
20. Houston Texans: Mike Iupati OG, Idaho
Its always a tough call when you have a guard like Iupati in a class like this. Iupati is a hell of a drive blocker and is almost impossible to move when he anchors. I openly admit this may not even be Houston’s biggest need but he is of great value here and would help to cement their OL and give Schaub even more time.
21. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Spikes LB, Florida
Ray Lewis V2.0? That’s how many view Spikes, who lacks elite athleticism, but loves to hit and punish opposing players. Spikes is an active middle LB and is a little dirty. But who doesn’t want this in a LB? Spikes is plain and simple a no nonsense LB with a nose for the ball.
22. New York Jets: Ricky Sapp, LB, Clemson
The Jets have Calvin Pace on one edge but lack a compliment to the other. We all know Rex Ryan is a defense first guy so I expect him to snap up Ricky Sapp here. Sapp is on the same level as Hughes when it comes to quickness off the edge and he has good size for the OLB spot. He is still raw and will take some time but he could be a real find this late.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Williams OT, Oklahoma
Trent Williams was at one time considered the top OT in this class, but this past year injuries and inconsistency derailed him from that spot. What is his loss though is Arizona’s gain. Arizona could use a potential LT to complement Levi Brown on the RT. Williams has all the ability if Russ Grimm can mold him like he has in the past, Arizona could have two franchise bookends.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Terrence Cody NT, Alabama
Cody is one of the hardest prospects to rate in this draft. At his size he shows incredible athleticism and skill, but he also is somewhat pigeon holed as strictly a 3-4 NT. While lots of teams run the 3-4, the rave right now is to get the uber quick OLB over the NT. Hence why Cody fell, because when he is motivated he is one of the most disruptive forces in football, however “when he is motivated” is the key phrase.
25. New England Patriots: Everson Griffin DE, USC
Richard Seymour is gone, Ty Warren has some injury issues and frankly I'm not a big fan of the rest of their DE's. Everson Griffin is a Junior who declared thinking he had a shot to be a top pick, but in reality I don’t see him going much higher than this right now, which is good thing for him going into a situation where the team around him is already stellar. He'll need to add some weight to his frame but I like him a lot as a possible 3-4 DE.
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE, Michigan
Graham has a lot of versatility to bring to any defense. He can line up inside or outside and he will only help players like Cole and Parker get breaks. Graham could also easily transition outside to a 3-4 OLB when Philly goes with that formation as well. Graham is relentless in his pursuit and loves to slam the QB to the turf.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mardy Gilyard WR, Cincinnati
Roy Williams has been an epic fail in Dallas. For what they traded for him they needed to expect and get better. Right now Miles Austin is the #1 target for Tony Romo and while Jason Witten certainly helps they could really use a compliment to Austin. Enter Cincy’s do everything player in Mardy Gilyard. Gilyard will give OC Jason Garrett options about what he wants to offensively as Gilyard can line up wide, or in the slot, as well taking the direct snap in the wildcat.
28. Green Bay Packers: Selvish Capers OT, West Viginia
Capers has quietly made a name for himself in the Big East by being a huge driving force ahead of Noel Devine. He has plowed through opposing DE’s and cleared lanes of would be tacklers. Capers has the athleticism to pull outside and also be a lead blocker on a sweep play.
29. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Wilson CB, Boise State
Antoine Winfield is one of my favorite CB’s of all time, but he is getting older and injuries are catching up with him. Kyle Wilson is the perfect type of a replacement. He may have a little swagger in his game, but he backs it up. He loves to be challenged and wants to play the other teams #1 WR, one on one. He is a playmaker who will gamble, but he is also a solid tackler and is not afraid to make a hit.
30. San Diego Chargers: Greg Hardy OLB, Ole Miss
Hardy is somewhat of an enigma in the NCAA. A guy who three years ago was one of the biggest hyped prospects and thought of as a sure first top half pick in the 1st Round, now is a borderline 1st Rounder. Injuries have really hurt Hardy as he has been forced to play at less than 100% and it has shown. When he is healthy he makes place and that something San Diego would be counting on, him to get healthy and eventually take over for Merriman.
31. New Orleans Saints: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The Saints have invested three current 1st Round draft picks in their defensive line (Will Smith, Charles Grant, and Sedrick Ellis) they have yet another 1st Round pick in CB Micheal Jenkins, so why does their D still stink? They need to get a linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline. Weatherspoon is that type of a player. He has good football instincts and has the speed to fit into New Orleans very well.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Arthur Jones, DT, Syracus
Jones is a very intriguing prospect, because he’s really only a 4-3 DT prospect. He is a little short to be an ideal 3-4 DE, like some 4-3 DT’s become and he definitely doesn’t have the weight to play the NT in the 3-4. So with more and more teams going to the 3-4 Jones’s stock is harder and harder to pinpoint. He is arguable a top 25 talent but he will fall because many of the lower picking teams have switched to the 3-4.
Same rules as always, and some changes based on some information gathered.
I know QB is the popular pick for the Rams who severely lack talent at just about every position but I can’t see them passing on Suh right now. Suh is far and away the top player in this draft and even though St. Louis has tried to fix their DL countless times (Chris Long, Adam Carriker namely) they don’t have a guy of Suh’s caliber. Suh is a game changer from the DT position and that’s saying a lot.
2. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma
Detroit fans will be disappointed if they lose out in Suh. They are praying that Bradford/Clausen can prove that they are healthy at the combine and persuade St. Louis to take one of them and give them the dominant Suh. McCoy is not a bad second option in any way though. He has similar abilities to Suh and maybe just slightly less athleticism. He is strong and powerful and doesn’t stop attacking the ball.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
First year QB Josh Freeman got broken in this year and Raheem Morris will certainly want to give Freeman more protection in this draft. Okung is the top rated OT in this class as he excels as both a run blocker and in pass protection. He is the franchise type bookend that you grab if you have a chance at him.
4. Washington Redskins: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Mike Shannahan has two options, he can take a QB now and groom him for the future or he can keep Jason Campbell for a year and see what’s available next draft/off season. I personally don’t see either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen as top 10 talents, let alone top 5, but the Redskins need a QB and I think they may risk it and go after Bradford here.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State
Matt Cassel was a disaster, and Scott Pioli does not look good for taking Cassel and giving him a huge deal. Pioli has a big decision to make in does he keep Cassel for another year and hope that adding a weapon like Bryant will improve Cassel, or does he take a new QB admit he made a mistake and swallow the cap hit. In this scenario I think he takes the added weapon, though I think that means we will be seeing KC pick in the top 10 again in 2011.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame
Jim Mora may just do a flip if one of the top two QB’s falls to him. Yes Clausen has a bad turf toe injury that is requiring surgery, yes he has an ego, and yes he was very successful at Notre Dame. Jimmy Clausen can make all the NFL throws, and has the accuracy that make scouts drool in workouts. However his decision making is subpar, and he tendency to throw the ball up when under duress will not work in the NFL, and especially not in Seattle where he has fewer offensive weapons then when he was at Notre Dame.
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Through sure bad luck and the emergence of a potential new RB, Cleveland picks 7th overall. They get a gift though as arguably the #2 player in the draft falls all the way to #7. Cleveland could use some back end help. Their DB’s combined for 9 INT’s which is 2nd worst in the NFL. Berry is a playmaker who can break on the ball and help in run support. He is a solid foundation player to build upon in Cleveland.
8. Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland
Bruce Campbell is a physical freak and we all know Al Davis loves physical specimens. Campbell could be the kind of combine player who both sets the bench press mark for OT’s and runs the fastest 40. That alone would be enough for Davis to pull the trigger on the raw Campbell. Campbell has probably the highest ceiling of all the OT’s but he also has quite a ways to go as well.
9. Buffalo Bills: Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State
Buffalo’s LB core last year was bad, and by that I mean that at times I could of ran past them. The question is does Buffalo go with an OLB and leave Poz in the middle or do they take an MLB and move Poz outside? Well with McClain not currently declared for the 2010 NFL draft that pick was made easy by taking Navarro Bowman. Bowman has incredible speed and size for his position and loves to hit. His is superbly athletic and can go sideline to sideline. He’s just what the Bills doctor ordered.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Jacksonville has a number of directions they can go here. Their pass defense ranked 27th last season and they could really use an upgrade there. Joe Haden is a downright playmaker on the corner. He is a physical style corner who can get up in the face of a WR and jam or play off and make a break on the ball. He will really help Jacksonville get over the edge.
11. Denver Broncos (via Chicago): Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame
Brandon Marshall is a headache and I don’t expect him to be in Denver next year. McDaniels will have to replace him and Golden Tate makes plenty of sense. While he’s similar to Royal in size and ability, he is a more experienced over the middle WR, and should combine with Royal to give defenses headaches.
12. Miami Dolphins: Jerry Hughes DE/OLB, TCU
Miami needs to find some young blood from the outside rush as both Porter and Taylor are long in the tooth. Hughes is the perfect fit as he is a lighting quick rusher off the edge and provides the ability to both play the stand up LB or the hand down DE from a versatility stand point.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis OT, Rutgers
Alex Smith has finally begun to emerge as a legit NFL QB, and with Frank Gore and Glen Coffee running the ball, Singletary has to find Smith more time to find Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Anthony Davis is a very good pick here.
14. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver): Brandon LaFell WR, LSU
Seattle took Clausen earlier in this draft, now they have to get him some more weapons. LaFell was the top Senior WR this year and is a great fit in Seattle. He can learn a lot from Housh and could flourish.
15. New York Giants: Dan Williams, DT, Tennesee
Fred Robbins is aging and Rocky Benard is not the ideal #3 rotational DT that the Giants would like at this point. With a defense that struggled last season Williams would be a great rotational add in to relieve Alford on passing downs and really attack the QB.
16. Tennessee Titans: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Albert Haynesworth is gone and they missed him this season. While Tennesse had a solid running defense, they were not good in pass defense, struggling to get pressure on the QB consistently. Price is a very good pass rushing DT who when teamed with Jason Jones could provide a dynamic rush.
17. San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina): Taylor Mays, FS, USC
Mike Singletary loved to hit, so it makes sense that he would take one of the biggest boppers in this draft class. Mays may not come in from Day 1 and start but if he learns his position a little better and refines his coverage techniques this once thought of top 10 lock could be a steal for San Fran.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: C.J Spiller RB, Clemson
Willie Parker has lost a step and while Mendenhall was a 1000 yard rusher this season, Pittsburgh offense could use an infusion of game breaking ability and that’s exactly what Spiller brings. He is arguably a top 5-10 talent but because the NFL is no longer a run dominant league his value is diminished. Steeler fans will love the way this kid flys.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Charles Brown, OT, USC
Everybody thinks Atlanta will go D with this pick, they need LB help, they need DE help, they need CB help. Well you know what they need most of all? A friggin OT to protect Matt Ryan’s backside. Brown is an athletic OT who can get out in front of speed rushers and help protect Ryan and give Michael Turner some more holes.
20. Houston Texans: Mike Iupati OG, Idaho
Its always a tough call when you have a guard like Iupati in a class like this. Iupati is a hell of a drive blocker and is almost impossible to move when he anchors. I openly admit this may not even be Houston’s biggest need but he is of great value here and would help to cement their OL and give Schaub even more time.
21. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Spikes LB, Florida
Ray Lewis V2.0? That’s how many view Spikes, who lacks elite athleticism, but loves to hit and punish opposing players. Spikes is an active middle LB and is a little dirty. But who doesn’t want this in a LB? Spikes is plain and simple a no nonsense LB with a nose for the ball.
22. New York Jets: Ricky Sapp, LB, Clemson
The Jets have Calvin Pace on one edge but lack a compliment to the other. We all know Rex Ryan is a defense first guy so I expect him to snap up Ricky Sapp here. Sapp is on the same level as Hughes when it comes to quickness off the edge and he has good size for the OLB spot. He is still raw and will take some time but he could be a real find this late.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Williams OT, Oklahoma
Trent Williams was at one time considered the top OT in this class, but this past year injuries and inconsistency derailed him from that spot. What is his loss though is Arizona’s gain. Arizona could use a potential LT to complement Levi Brown on the RT. Williams has all the ability if Russ Grimm can mold him like he has in the past, Arizona could have two franchise bookends.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Terrence Cody NT, Alabama
Cody is one of the hardest prospects to rate in this draft. At his size he shows incredible athleticism and skill, but he also is somewhat pigeon holed as strictly a 3-4 NT. While lots of teams run the 3-4, the rave right now is to get the uber quick OLB over the NT. Hence why Cody fell, because when he is motivated he is one of the most disruptive forces in football, however “when he is motivated” is the key phrase.
25. New England Patriots: Everson Griffin DE, USC
Richard Seymour is gone, Ty Warren has some injury issues and frankly I'm not a big fan of the rest of their DE's. Everson Griffin is a Junior who declared thinking he had a shot to be a top pick, but in reality I don’t see him going much higher than this right now, which is good thing for him going into a situation where the team around him is already stellar. He'll need to add some weight to his frame but I like him a lot as a possible 3-4 DE.
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE, Michigan
Graham has a lot of versatility to bring to any defense. He can line up inside or outside and he will only help players like Cole and Parker get breaks. Graham could also easily transition outside to a 3-4 OLB when Philly goes with that formation as well. Graham is relentless in his pursuit and loves to slam the QB to the turf.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mardy Gilyard WR, Cincinnati
Roy Williams has been an epic fail in Dallas. For what they traded for him they needed to expect and get better. Right now Miles Austin is the #1 target for Tony Romo and while Jason Witten certainly helps they could really use a compliment to Austin. Enter Cincy’s do everything player in Mardy Gilyard. Gilyard will give OC Jason Garrett options about what he wants to offensively as Gilyard can line up wide, or in the slot, as well taking the direct snap in the wildcat.
28. Green Bay Packers: Selvish Capers OT, West Viginia
Capers has quietly made a name for himself in the Big East by being a huge driving force ahead of Noel Devine. He has plowed through opposing DE’s and cleared lanes of would be tacklers. Capers has the athleticism to pull outside and also be a lead blocker on a sweep play.
29. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Wilson CB, Boise State
Antoine Winfield is one of my favorite CB’s of all time, but he is getting older and injuries are catching up with him. Kyle Wilson is the perfect type of a replacement. He may have a little swagger in his game, but he backs it up. He loves to be challenged and wants to play the other teams #1 WR, one on one. He is a playmaker who will gamble, but he is also a solid tackler and is not afraid to make a hit.
30. San Diego Chargers: Greg Hardy OLB, Ole Miss
Hardy is somewhat of an enigma in the NCAA. A guy who three years ago was one of the biggest hyped prospects and thought of as a sure first top half pick in the 1st Round, now is a borderline 1st Rounder. Injuries have really hurt Hardy as he has been forced to play at less than 100% and it has shown. When he is healthy he makes place and that something San Diego would be counting on, him to get healthy and eventually take over for Merriman.
31. New Orleans Saints: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The Saints have invested three current 1st Round draft picks in their defensive line (Will Smith, Charles Grant, and Sedrick Ellis) they have yet another 1st Round pick in CB Micheal Jenkins, so why does their D still stink? They need to get a linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline. Weatherspoon is that type of a player. He has good football instincts and has the speed to fit into New Orleans very well.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Arthur Jones, DT, Syracus
Jones is a very intriguing prospect, because he’s really only a 4-3 DT prospect. He is a little short to be an ideal 3-4 DE, like some 4-3 DT’s become and he definitely doesn’t have the weight to play the NT in the 3-4. So with more and more teams going to the 3-4 Jones’s stock is harder and harder to pinpoint. He is arguable a top 25 talent but he will fall because many of the lower picking teams have switched to the 3-4.
Same rules as always, and some changes based on some information gathered.
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