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Same Rules as always. Enjoy and Flame Away!
Note: Carlos Dunlap, Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer, and Rolando McClain who just declared earlier today are not included but will be in v1.4
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*
Pete Carroll 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, yes he was very successful at Notre Dame, and yes Pete Carroll coached against Jimmy in college. That all being said though, 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. More importantly though this pick allows Carroll to be prepared for the 2011 year where he can move on from Hasselback and have Clausen coming off the bench after a year of sitting and learning.
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: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa*
Bryan Bulaga is a big mean OT who loves to just get low and block. A big corn fed LT who a team can build their franchise around. Bulaga a year ago was a considered a potential top 5 pick but some inconsistency and rust in coming back from an injury has hurt his stock but his Orange Bowl performance where he completely dominated All-American DE Derrick Morgan cemented his place in this draft.
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: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
When Troy P went down with an injury I don’t think anybody really anticipated how big of an affect that would have on Pittsburgh defense. Ryan Clark is a capable safety next to Polamalu, but they need to get better. Earl Thomas would be a great pickup for them at 18, where he could battle Clark right away for the #1 FS spot and really be the ball hawking safety who can compliment Polamalu’s hitting
19. Atlanta Falcons: Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State*
Atlanta's LB core last year was bad, and by that I mean that at times I could of ran past them. Atlanta needs a playmaking LB the likes of which they have lacked since Jessie Tuggle played for them. Bowman could be that guy for them. He provides a unique blend of size and speed that Atlanta desperately needs.
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. 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.
22. New England Patriots: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF*
Richard Seymour is gone, Ty Warren has some injury issues and frankly I'm not a big fan of Jarvis Green. Pierre-Paul 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.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE, Michigan
What Brandon Graham brings is a pass rushing tenacity that Philadelphia could really use. He is relentless in his pursuit and loves to slam the QB to the turf. His versatility to play as a hand down lineman or a stand up OLB make him even more valuable.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Damian Williams, WR, USC
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 USC’s All-Pac 10 WR in Damian Williams. Williams will give OC Jason Garrett options about what he wants to offensively as Gilyard can line up wide, or in the slot, and works both the outside and inside routes.
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: Sergio Kindle OLB, Texas
Kindle is somewhat of an enigma in the NCAA. He has been productive almost his entire career yet he always seemed to get looked over when talking about the draft. What Kindle showed during the National Championship game is exactly what San Diego would be counting on, to 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, UCLA
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 15 talent but he will fall because many of the lower picking teams have switched to the 3-4.
Round 2:
33. St. Louis- Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Wait…don’t say it. I know Snead was brutal last season, he threw 20 picks, he was wildly inconsistent and inaccurate. Yes I know, and I do agree last year was bad. But look at this way, you have a kid who is a physical specimen of what a NFL prototypical QB should be. He has a good arm, good awareness, and athleticism. But here is the biggest thing, he is smart, and not just football smart either. He understood Houston Nutt’s complex convoluted offensive scheme and was relatively successful at it. So what happened this year at Ole Miss? They put too much on him, and didn’t let there other play makers take some of the load on. Towards the end of the year Snead leveled out and looked much better. He will rise hard and fast at the combine. St. Louis taking him here makes a lot of sense.
34. Detroit- Charles Brown, OT, USC
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said in his season wrap up press conference that he was very happy with Jeff Backus and the way he played this year, and blah, blah, blah. Which is great and that’s why Detroit passed on Russell Okung in Round 1, but here is my question? What are you going to do at LT, after next year? Insert a young, athletic Charles Brown. That’s what, this way you give Brown a year to grow behind one of the better LT’s in the league and learn how to protect Stafford.
35. Tampa Bay- Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois*
Arrelious Benn is a playmaker, he can go up and get the ball, he can beat people deep, he has great size and all that you want measurement wise in a WR. However his routes are a little sloppy and he’s not one to go over the middle of the field. However one thing Benn knows how to do is go up and get the ball. He finds it at its highest point and snatches it and tucks it away. The kid is a potentially huge playmaker at the next level.
36. Washington- CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
I know its not Shanny’s style to take a RB so early, but CJ Spiller falling this far would be the story of the draft. He has uncanny playmaking ability that is comparable to current pro Chris Johnson. His ability to return kicks, run inside, outside, and catch passes is incredible. He would be a great addition to Washington’s new future.
37. Kansas City- Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Norwood could of come out last year and probably gone in a similar place, some people have him going higher, some lower. Personally I love the way Eric Norwood plays the game, he is passionate, loves to tackle and be involved in the play. Norwood is a fantastic blitzer and having spent a lot of time at DE in college he knows how to disengage and shed blocks. A very good, valuable pick here for KC.
38. Seattle- Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
New Head Coach Pete Carroll is known for his offenses at USC. He has added a new QB and WR to his offense already in this draft, and now he will build the line to make them successful. Johnson is a mean streak guard who loves to get dirty. He dominated some DT’s in the SEC and can drive block with the best of them.
39. Cleveland- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Its always a risk taking a player who had to sit out all of the previous year with an injury. However despite Gresham’s injury he is still the top ranked TE in the class. Gresham provides a unique blend of size and speed for the TE position, he has soft hands and can make the acrobatic catch. If he’s full recovered the Browns easily replace Winslow’s playmaking with a tenth of the attitude.
40. Oakland- D’Anthony Smith, DT, Louisiana Tech
Al Davis loves athletes and D’Anthony Smith fits that bill, he is a very versatile DT prospect who can play 4-3 DT, or 3-4 DE. He is quick off the ball and very powerful. He uses his hands well to gain leverage against attempted blockers. He also gets his hands up in the passing game and has the ability to bat down passes at the line. Smith’s versatility makes him a great fit for a surprisingly good Oakland D.
41. Buffalo- Everson Griffin, DE, USC*
Buffalo took Aaron Maybin last year, Chris Ellis the year before that…well the DE position is still a mess. Aaron Schobel is currently considering retirement and even if he returns for next season its assured to be his last. Buffalo desperately needs to find a DE who can generate some kind of pressure. Griffin has the ability to do that, he is more powerful than Maybin but still has the ability to get to the QB around the edge. If Maybin can develop from his raw skill then he and Griffin have the potential to make a dynamic set of edge rushers.
42. New England (f/ JAX)- Brandon Lang, OLB, Troy
Brandon Lang is a lesser known prospect considering he has spent his career playing for Troy, but make no mistake Lang is an incredible pass rush prospect. He has good size to play the 3-4OLB spot and has speed coming off the edge that any OT in the Sun Belt can tell you about. Lang comes from the same school that produced the NFL’s best 3-4 OLB in DeMarcus Ware, and while I'm not making the comparison of the two, one has to see some of the similarities.
43. Tampa Bay (f/ CHI)- Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky
Aqib Talib mans one side of the Tampa defensive backfield, and the other side is aging with Ronde Barber still manning that post. Lindley is a bigger defensive back who can make plays on the ball, as well tackle in the run game. He excels at jumping routes and anticipating the QB’s throw.
44. Miami- Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa
Miami continues to fortify their defense in the 2010 draft by taking the tackling machine from Iowa. Angerer has a nose for the football and fills holes consistently. He has great tackling technique and knows how to read plays and anticipate where the back is going to go with the ball.
45. San Francisco- Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, Cal
Like Miami above them San Francisco is also continuing to do work on their defense in this draft. San Francisco is also staying local with their picks as they again dip into the deep California talent pool by snatching up Thompson. Thompson is a gambler when going after the ball and more times than not his gambles pay off. Thompson is a not a great tackler in the run game, but when you have a LB like Patrick Willis who is All-Everything you can afford to have a below average tackling CB.
46. Denver- Vince Oghobaase DT, Duke
Denver’s 3-4 transformation is still a work in progress despite how dominant they were at times Denver still needs to find a NT to fill the middle. Denver finised 26th v. the Run last year and Oghobaase could really help fill in the middle where Marcus Thomas who is more of a 4-3 DT is currently playing.
47. New York Giants- Sean Lee, MLB, Penn State
When Antonio Pierce went down so did the Giants playoffs chances. Pierce was the emotional leader of that defense and New York has to find a player who can at least step up behind Pierce and not see a big drop off in play. Sean Lee was once considered a top tier LB. He has had more than his share of injury issues but he came back this year with ferocity and really led a Penn State defense that had a lot to do with its Capital One Bowl victory over LSU. Lee fits in perfectly with what the Giants do defensively and what they need leadership wise.
48. Carolina- Demayrius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech*
Steve Smith is the leader of Carolina’s WR corp, but he could use some help. They were hoping to have grabbed that in Dwayne Jarrett, but he has not lived up to expectations. Demayrius Thomas is a big WR at 6’4, 230, and he likes to go up after balls. He does not have the down field speed of a Calvin Johnson but he is fast enough to get behind a CB and athletic enough to out jump almost anybody.
49. New England (f/ TEN)- John Jerry, OG, Ole Miss
New England has gotten older and they need to begin to get younger all over. New England really could of used for Thomas to fall to them, but instead they will begin to revamp their line. Jerry is a very good pass protection guard. He anchors well, and has good footwork to keep bull rush style DT’s from collapsing the pocket.
50. Pittsburgh- Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Adding Thomas and a health Polamalu to the Pittsburgh defensive backfield is a step in the right direction but they must continue to improve on an defense that finished 16th in the league in pass defense and only had 12 INT’s. Perrish Cox is a versatile corner, who can play man coverage and return kicks. He is an aggressive tackler and is not afraid to hit a running back.
51. Houston- Reshad Jones, FS, UGA*
Reshad Jones toyed with the idea of leaving school last year and now has finally decided to do it. Houston needs help in the back part of their secondary and that’s where Jones will fit in nicely. He can play the ball well, but he also loves to deliver the bone jarring shot to an unsuspecting WR crossing into his zone.
52. Kansas City (f/ ATL)- Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida*
This is one of the picks the Cheifs got back for the Tony Gonzalez trade…so what do they do with it? They take a TE naturally! Aaron Hernandez had two great years at Florida and while he was used in some creative ways there, he still knows how to run routes and get open. He’s not the blocker that Gonzalez was but he will be able to make impact and help out Cassel quickly.
53. Cincinnati- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
Chris Henry’s untimely death was tragic and will be remembered by many. The young man had finally turned his life around and was on the good road for once. Nobody can expect Gilyard to come into here and replace Henry but he’s a very similar player, good size, good speed, great hands. Gilyard is also a local kid going to UC and many fans will be happy with this pick, though he may go higher.
54. New England- Joe McKnight, RB, USC*
Kevin Faulk is aging, and to me Lawrence Maroney is just a short yardage power back for the Pats. Joe McKnight brings something that no RB on the Pats currently can do. Breakaway speed, if he can turn the corner, McKnight has the ability to hit the hole make people miss in the open field and be a homerun hitter. He didn’t live up to the hype at USC though.
55. Philadelphia- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
Philadelphia needs to address their issues at the cornerback spot and Javier Arenas is a great addition. He plays an in your face style of football and isn’t afraid to mix it up despite his height. He goes after every ball and is a very dangerous return man.
56. Green Bay- Anthony Dixon, RB Miss St
Ryan Grant has lived more off his reputation from two years ago then being a franchise style back. He has good speed, and above average power, but he’s not going to wear anybody down in the NFC North. That however is exactly what Anthony Dixon does so well. He is a bruising RB who never seems to get tired and wore down defenses for years at Miss State.
57. New York Jets- Jason Fox, OT, Miami
The Jets need to solidify their line in front of Mark Sanchez, he took 26 sacks last year and many more times was seen running for his life. Jason Fox who some consider to be a LT prospect, in my opinion is an elite RT. He isn’t the most athletic guy but his technique is very good and he can handle the power rushers you see as a RT better than he does the speed rusher.
58. Baltimore- Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson
Baltimore needs to find another dynamic player on offense to help out Joe Flacco. Jacoby Ford could be that player, he is quick as lightning and provides OC Cam Cameron with tons of options as to what he can do with Ford either in the Wildcat, split out wide, or in the backfield. Ford is also a very dangerous return man, which is good for a team that had only one return TD all of last year.
59. Arizona- Greg Hardy, OLB, Ole Miss
Hardy is a bit of an enigma. He was once considered a top 1st Round pick but with injuries his career hit a big time pot hole. Arizona gets a big time potential steal here because if Hardy can get healthy he can be an elite pass rusher off the edge as a 3-4 stand up LB.
60. Dallas- Myron Rolle, S, FSU
Leave it to good old Jerry to take Myron Rolle here. Rolle has been out of football for over a year and has been working as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He has been adamant about playing in the NFL one day and he has the skills to do it, albeit they are still raw. Jerry loves to be in the lime light and taking Rolle would again put him there.
61. Minnesota- Jared Odrick, DT, PSU
Odrick is rising up draft charts very quickly and would be a great pickup for the Vikes here who need to find somebody to replace Pat Williams sooner rather than later. Allowing Odrick to learn behind Pat and Kevin Williams would be excellent for the youngster who could be a rotational fit as soon as next season.
62. San Diego- Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa
San Diego needs to get better along the OL and Calloway is a great player to bring in to do that. He was a big reason as to why Iowa won the Orange Bowl this year and teamed with McNeil he could be a great compliment bookend. He has power and size, if he gets his hands into you, its all over.
63. New Orleans- Jeff Owens, DT, UGA
Jonathan Sullivan was a bust, so it’s a little surprising that the Saints would take yet another UGA DT, but Jeff Owens was down right nasty this season. He showed that he was completely back from the knee injury that made him sit out 2008 and he was UGA’s best defensive player in my opinion. Combined with Sedrick Ellis in the middle, New Orleans could be much improved defensively in 2010.
64. Indianapolis- Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan*
You’re the freaking Colts, what the hell could you possibly still need? Well a playmaking CB wouldn’t hurt much. With Freeney and Mathis still wreaking the Colts could use another defensive back who could take advantage of a QB who is forcing a throw because of pressure. Warren left a year early even though he probably shouldn’t have but it’s the Colts gain as he has plenty of talent.
Note: Carlos Dunlap, Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer, and Rolando McClain who just declared earlier today are not included but will be in v1.4
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*
Pete Carroll 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, yes he was very successful at Notre Dame, and yes Pete Carroll coached against Jimmy in college. That all being said though, 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. More importantly though this pick allows Carroll to be prepared for the 2011 year where he can move on from Hasselback and have Clausen coming off the bench after a year of sitting and learning.
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: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa*
Bryan Bulaga is a big mean OT who loves to just get low and block. A big corn fed LT who a team can build their franchise around. Bulaga a year ago was a considered a potential top 5 pick but some inconsistency and rust in coming back from an injury has hurt his stock but his Orange Bowl performance where he completely dominated All-American DE Derrick Morgan cemented his place in this draft.
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: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
When Troy P went down with an injury I don’t think anybody really anticipated how big of an affect that would have on Pittsburgh defense. Ryan Clark is a capable safety next to Polamalu, but they need to get better. Earl Thomas would be a great pickup for them at 18, where he could battle Clark right away for the #1 FS spot and really be the ball hawking safety who can compliment Polamalu’s hitting
19. Atlanta Falcons: Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State*
Atlanta's LB core last year was bad, and by that I mean that at times I could of ran past them. Atlanta needs a playmaking LB the likes of which they have lacked since Jessie Tuggle played for them. Bowman could be that guy for them. He provides a unique blend of size and speed that Atlanta desperately needs.
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. 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.
22. New England Patriots: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF*
Richard Seymour is gone, Ty Warren has some injury issues and frankly I'm not a big fan of Jarvis Green. Pierre-Paul 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.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE, Michigan
What Brandon Graham brings is a pass rushing tenacity that Philadelphia could really use. He is relentless in his pursuit and loves to slam the QB to the turf. His versatility to play as a hand down lineman or a stand up OLB make him even more valuable.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Damian Williams, WR, USC
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 USC’s All-Pac 10 WR in Damian Williams. Williams will give OC Jason Garrett options about what he wants to offensively as Gilyard can line up wide, or in the slot, and works both the outside and inside routes.
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: Sergio Kindle OLB, Texas
Kindle is somewhat of an enigma in the NCAA. He has been productive almost his entire career yet he always seemed to get looked over when talking about the draft. What Kindle showed during the National Championship game is exactly what San Diego would be counting on, to 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, UCLA
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 15 talent but he will fall because many of the lower picking teams have switched to the 3-4.
Round 2:
33. St. Louis- Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Wait…don’t say it. I know Snead was brutal last season, he threw 20 picks, he was wildly inconsistent and inaccurate. Yes I know, and I do agree last year was bad. But look at this way, you have a kid who is a physical specimen of what a NFL prototypical QB should be. He has a good arm, good awareness, and athleticism. But here is the biggest thing, he is smart, and not just football smart either. He understood Houston Nutt’s complex convoluted offensive scheme and was relatively successful at it. So what happened this year at Ole Miss? They put too much on him, and didn’t let there other play makers take some of the load on. Towards the end of the year Snead leveled out and looked much better. He will rise hard and fast at the combine. St. Louis taking him here makes a lot of sense.
34. Detroit- Charles Brown, OT, USC
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said in his season wrap up press conference that he was very happy with Jeff Backus and the way he played this year, and blah, blah, blah. Which is great and that’s why Detroit passed on Russell Okung in Round 1, but here is my question? What are you going to do at LT, after next year? Insert a young, athletic Charles Brown. That’s what, this way you give Brown a year to grow behind one of the better LT’s in the league and learn how to protect Stafford.
35. Tampa Bay- Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois*
Arrelious Benn is a playmaker, he can go up and get the ball, he can beat people deep, he has great size and all that you want measurement wise in a WR. However his routes are a little sloppy and he’s not one to go over the middle of the field. However one thing Benn knows how to do is go up and get the ball. He finds it at its highest point and snatches it and tucks it away. The kid is a potentially huge playmaker at the next level.
36. Washington- CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
I know its not Shanny’s style to take a RB so early, but CJ Spiller falling this far would be the story of the draft. He has uncanny playmaking ability that is comparable to current pro Chris Johnson. His ability to return kicks, run inside, outside, and catch passes is incredible. He would be a great addition to Washington’s new future.
37. Kansas City- Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Norwood could of come out last year and probably gone in a similar place, some people have him going higher, some lower. Personally I love the way Eric Norwood plays the game, he is passionate, loves to tackle and be involved in the play. Norwood is a fantastic blitzer and having spent a lot of time at DE in college he knows how to disengage and shed blocks. A very good, valuable pick here for KC.
38. Seattle- Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama
New Head Coach Pete Carroll is known for his offenses at USC. He has added a new QB and WR to his offense already in this draft, and now he will build the line to make them successful. Johnson is a mean streak guard who loves to get dirty. He dominated some DT’s in the SEC and can drive block with the best of them.
39. Cleveland- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Its always a risk taking a player who had to sit out all of the previous year with an injury. However despite Gresham’s injury he is still the top ranked TE in the class. Gresham provides a unique blend of size and speed for the TE position, he has soft hands and can make the acrobatic catch. If he’s full recovered the Browns easily replace Winslow’s playmaking with a tenth of the attitude.
40. Oakland- D’Anthony Smith, DT, Louisiana Tech
Al Davis loves athletes and D’Anthony Smith fits that bill, he is a very versatile DT prospect who can play 4-3 DT, or 3-4 DE. He is quick off the ball and very powerful. He uses his hands well to gain leverage against attempted blockers. He also gets his hands up in the passing game and has the ability to bat down passes at the line. Smith’s versatility makes him a great fit for a surprisingly good Oakland D.
41. Buffalo- Everson Griffin, DE, USC*
Buffalo took Aaron Maybin last year, Chris Ellis the year before that…well the DE position is still a mess. Aaron Schobel is currently considering retirement and even if he returns for next season its assured to be his last. Buffalo desperately needs to find a DE who can generate some kind of pressure. Griffin has the ability to do that, he is more powerful than Maybin but still has the ability to get to the QB around the edge. If Maybin can develop from his raw skill then he and Griffin have the potential to make a dynamic set of edge rushers.
42. New England (f/ JAX)- Brandon Lang, OLB, Troy
Brandon Lang is a lesser known prospect considering he has spent his career playing for Troy, but make no mistake Lang is an incredible pass rush prospect. He has good size to play the 3-4OLB spot and has speed coming off the edge that any OT in the Sun Belt can tell you about. Lang comes from the same school that produced the NFL’s best 3-4 OLB in DeMarcus Ware, and while I'm not making the comparison of the two, one has to see some of the similarities.
43. Tampa Bay (f/ CHI)- Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky
Aqib Talib mans one side of the Tampa defensive backfield, and the other side is aging with Ronde Barber still manning that post. Lindley is a bigger defensive back who can make plays on the ball, as well tackle in the run game. He excels at jumping routes and anticipating the QB’s throw.
44. Miami- Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa
Miami continues to fortify their defense in the 2010 draft by taking the tackling machine from Iowa. Angerer has a nose for the football and fills holes consistently. He has great tackling technique and knows how to read plays and anticipate where the back is going to go with the ball.
45. San Francisco- Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, Cal
Like Miami above them San Francisco is also continuing to do work on their defense in this draft. San Francisco is also staying local with their picks as they again dip into the deep California talent pool by snatching up Thompson. Thompson is a gambler when going after the ball and more times than not his gambles pay off. Thompson is a not a great tackler in the run game, but when you have a LB like Patrick Willis who is All-Everything you can afford to have a below average tackling CB.
46. Denver- Vince Oghobaase DT, Duke
Denver’s 3-4 transformation is still a work in progress despite how dominant they were at times Denver still needs to find a NT to fill the middle. Denver finised 26th v. the Run last year and Oghobaase could really help fill in the middle where Marcus Thomas who is more of a 4-3 DT is currently playing.
47. New York Giants- Sean Lee, MLB, Penn State
When Antonio Pierce went down so did the Giants playoffs chances. Pierce was the emotional leader of that defense and New York has to find a player who can at least step up behind Pierce and not see a big drop off in play. Sean Lee was once considered a top tier LB. He has had more than his share of injury issues but he came back this year with ferocity and really led a Penn State defense that had a lot to do with its Capital One Bowl victory over LSU. Lee fits in perfectly with what the Giants do defensively and what they need leadership wise.
48. Carolina- Demayrius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech*
Steve Smith is the leader of Carolina’s WR corp, but he could use some help. They were hoping to have grabbed that in Dwayne Jarrett, but he has not lived up to expectations. Demayrius Thomas is a big WR at 6’4, 230, and he likes to go up after balls. He does not have the down field speed of a Calvin Johnson but he is fast enough to get behind a CB and athletic enough to out jump almost anybody.
49. New England (f/ TEN)- John Jerry, OG, Ole Miss
New England has gotten older and they need to begin to get younger all over. New England really could of used for Thomas to fall to them, but instead they will begin to revamp their line. Jerry is a very good pass protection guard. He anchors well, and has good footwork to keep bull rush style DT’s from collapsing the pocket.
50. Pittsburgh- Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Adding Thomas and a health Polamalu to the Pittsburgh defensive backfield is a step in the right direction but they must continue to improve on an defense that finished 16th in the league in pass defense and only had 12 INT’s. Perrish Cox is a versatile corner, who can play man coverage and return kicks. He is an aggressive tackler and is not afraid to hit a running back.
51. Houston- Reshad Jones, FS, UGA*
Reshad Jones toyed with the idea of leaving school last year and now has finally decided to do it. Houston needs help in the back part of their secondary and that’s where Jones will fit in nicely. He can play the ball well, but he also loves to deliver the bone jarring shot to an unsuspecting WR crossing into his zone.
52. Kansas City (f/ ATL)- Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida*
This is one of the picks the Cheifs got back for the Tony Gonzalez trade…so what do they do with it? They take a TE naturally! Aaron Hernandez had two great years at Florida and while he was used in some creative ways there, he still knows how to run routes and get open. He’s not the blocker that Gonzalez was but he will be able to make impact and help out Cassel quickly.
53. Cincinnati- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
Chris Henry’s untimely death was tragic and will be remembered by many. The young man had finally turned his life around and was on the good road for once. Nobody can expect Gilyard to come into here and replace Henry but he’s a very similar player, good size, good speed, great hands. Gilyard is also a local kid going to UC and many fans will be happy with this pick, though he may go higher.
54. New England- Joe McKnight, RB, USC*
Kevin Faulk is aging, and to me Lawrence Maroney is just a short yardage power back for the Pats. Joe McKnight brings something that no RB on the Pats currently can do. Breakaway speed, if he can turn the corner, McKnight has the ability to hit the hole make people miss in the open field and be a homerun hitter. He didn’t live up to the hype at USC though.
55. Philadelphia- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
Philadelphia needs to address their issues at the cornerback spot and Javier Arenas is a great addition. He plays an in your face style of football and isn’t afraid to mix it up despite his height. He goes after every ball and is a very dangerous return man.
56. Green Bay- Anthony Dixon, RB Miss St
Ryan Grant has lived more off his reputation from two years ago then being a franchise style back. He has good speed, and above average power, but he’s not going to wear anybody down in the NFC North. That however is exactly what Anthony Dixon does so well. He is a bruising RB who never seems to get tired and wore down defenses for years at Miss State.
57. New York Jets- Jason Fox, OT, Miami
The Jets need to solidify their line in front of Mark Sanchez, he took 26 sacks last year and many more times was seen running for his life. Jason Fox who some consider to be a LT prospect, in my opinion is an elite RT. He isn’t the most athletic guy but his technique is very good and he can handle the power rushers you see as a RT better than he does the speed rusher.
58. Baltimore- Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson
Baltimore needs to find another dynamic player on offense to help out Joe Flacco. Jacoby Ford could be that player, he is quick as lightning and provides OC Cam Cameron with tons of options as to what he can do with Ford either in the Wildcat, split out wide, or in the backfield. Ford is also a very dangerous return man, which is good for a team that had only one return TD all of last year.
59. Arizona- Greg Hardy, OLB, Ole Miss
Hardy is a bit of an enigma. He was once considered a top 1st Round pick but with injuries his career hit a big time pot hole. Arizona gets a big time potential steal here because if Hardy can get healthy he can be an elite pass rusher off the edge as a 3-4 stand up LB.
60. Dallas- Myron Rolle, S, FSU
Leave it to good old Jerry to take Myron Rolle here. Rolle has been out of football for over a year and has been working as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He has been adamant about playing in the NFL one day and he has the skills to do it, albeit they are still raw. Jerry loves to be in the lime light and taking Rolle would again put him there.
61. Minnesota- Jared Odrick, DT, PSU
Odrick is rising up draft charts very quickly and would be a great pickup for the Vikes here who need to find somebody to replace Pat Williams sooner rather than later. Allowing Odrick to learn behind Pat and Kevin Williams would be excellent for the youngster who could be a rotational fit as soon as next season.
62. San Diego- Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa
San Diego needs to get better along the OL and Calloway is a great player to bring in to do that. He was a big reason as to why Iowa won the Orange Bowl this year and teamed with McNeil he could be a great compliment bookend. He has power and size, if he gets his hands into you, its all over.
63. New Orleans- Jeff Owens, DT, UGA
Jonathan Sullivan was a bust, so it’s a little surprising that the Saints would take yet another UGA DT, but Jeff Owens was down right nasty this season. He showed that he was completely back from the knee injury that made him sit out 2008 and he was UGA’s best defensive player in my opinion. Combined with Sedrick Ellis in the middle, New Orleans could be much improved defensively in 2010.
64. Indianapolis- Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan*
You’re the freaking Colts, what the hell could you possibly still need? Well a playmaking CB wouldn’t hurt much. With Freeney and Mathis still wreaking the Colts could use another defensive back who could take advantage of a QB who is forcing a throw because of pressure. Warren left a year early even though he probably shouldn’t have but it’s the Colts gain as he has plenty of talent.
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