1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford (QB) Oklahoma
- So, after rave reviews after his pro day, Bradford seems to be the guy at #1. This is pending the ability of the Rams to sign him before the draft. If they can’t, this could become an ugly and tenuous situation. But, for now, it Bradford.
2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT) Nebraska
- For the second time in four years, the Lions will garner the best player in the draft from the second pick. Suh will immediately pay dividends and should have coach Jim Schwartz streaming tears of joy from the sound of his name.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy (DT) Oklahoma
- This seems to be the perfect fit. McCoy will be allowed to play the run on his way to the QB in the Tampa 2 scheme. While not as consistently dominant as Suh, McCoy will thrive in this defense and have a chance to be a star.
4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung (OT) Oklahoma State
- With Bradford off the board, it remains to be seen how impressed the Skins are with Jimmy Clausen. Even if they love him, this offensive line needs major work. Okung will have big shoes to fill, replacing Chris Samuels, but he has the talent to be just as good in the long run.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry (S) Tennessee
- There is word that Scott Pioli has a general rule against drafting safeties in round one. I’m not sure he’s ever had the opportunity to acquire a safety with the potential of Berry. Offensive tackle could be an option here as well.
6. Seattle Seahawks - Bryan Bulaga (OT) Iowa
- Now that it is an accepted conclusion that Walter Jones is done, I don’t think Pete Carroll wants to begin his tenure with Sean Locklear protecting a fragile and old Matt Hasselbeck. Bulaga is technically sound and could step in right away and stay for the next decade.
7. Cleveland Browns - Joe Haden (CB) Florida
- With all the talk about Haden falling after the combine, the Browns have consistently shown interest. If paired with Eric Wright, Haden could be the perfect fit in the increasingly pass-happy AFC North.
8. Oakland Raiders - Trent Williams (OT) Oklahoma
- It may be the trendy thing to place Bruce Campbell in this slot, but I don’t think even Al Davis is that inept. Williams has shown solid athleticism and has shown this offseason that he’s in shape and ready to contribute.
9. Buffalo Bills - Jimmy Clausen (QB) Notre Dame
- I, personally, like Clausen more than Bradford as a professional QB. But, there is little chance he leapfrogs Bradford in the Rams’ eyes before the draft. Clausen is better prepared to play from day one, and may have to in Buffalo.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Rolando McClain (MLB) Alabama
- The signing of Aaron Kampman means the Jags have an inordinate amount of money tied into the DE position. Adding Pierre-Paul would only increase that issue. McClain would allow Justin Durant to move back to his more natural OLB spot and also give the defense a rock in the middle.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) - Dan Williams (DT) Tennessee
- The signing of Jamal Williams will give the Broncos a stop gap for a year or two, regardless of how dominant Jamal is after injury. Dan Williams would give them the long term answer at the most important (and most difficult to fill) position in the 3-4 defense.
12. Miami Dolphins - Derrick Morgan (DE) Georgia Tech
- Morgan doesn’t seem like a natural fit at OLB to me, but what do I know? Bill Parcells has taken a ton of interest in Morgan. And let’s face it, Morgan is a better fit at OLB than anyone the Dolphins currently have on the roster.
13. San Francisco 49ers - C.J. Spiller (RB) Clemson
- Spiller could have a transforming effect on this offense. Pairing him with Frank Gore would benefit both players by maximizing Spillers big play ability and lengthening Gore’s career.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) - Dez Bryant (WR) Oklahoma State
- Some talk has been made that Bryant could fall into the bottom of round one. If he does, teams will regret it for years to come. There is no way Pete Carroll allows Bryant to get past him here.
15. New York Giants - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE) South Florida
- With McClain of the board, the Giants address the once dominant defensive line. JPP is raw, but so Osi Umenyiora and Tuck when they were drafted. JPP can fit into the rotation until his time comes to be a full time player.
16. Tennessee Titans - Jared Odrick (DT) Penn State
- Odrick has become a riser as of late and would be a great fit in this attacking scheme in Tennessee. Odrick would be the first brick in the rebuilding of the Titans defensive line.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) - Anthony Davis (OT) Rutgers
- Davis and Joe Staley could be a terrific set of bookends for a long time. The fact that the Niners signed Marvel Smith before last season, means they are desperately searching for a quality upgrade at RT.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kyle Wilson (CB) Boise State
- For the first time in years, I have absolutely no idea what the Steelers priorities are heading into the draft. Wilson is the most logical choice right now, plus he would be a great fit across from Ike Taylor.
19. Atlanta Falcons - Sean Weatherspoon (OLB) Missouri
- The Falcons have a few needs on the defensive side of the ball. Weatherspoon would lend much needed athleticism and intensity to this underachieving unit. Teamed with rising star, Curtis Lofton, the LB corps could be a strength of the team.
20. Houston Texans - Earl Thomas (S) Texas
- This could be the steal of the first round, as Thomas may have as much upside as Berry. He can run, cover, tackle and is highly instinctive. Another benefit of adding Thomas is his ability to line up as a CB.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Rob Gronkowski (TE) Arizona
- The Bengals have had a need for a playmaking TE for over a decade now. Gronkowski is the most well rounded TE in this class and could become a star. He would also help resurrect the career of Carson Palmer.
22. New England Patriots - Sergio Kindle (OLB) Texas
- It has been stated over and over that the Pats need a legit pass rusher. Kindle has work to do as far as being a coverage LB, but he won’t be asked to do much of that, especially early. Bill Bellichick can breathe a sigh of relief.
23. Green Bay Packers - Mike Iupati (OG) Idaho
- I’m not as big of a Iupati fan as most, but this is solid value for him. The Packers need help along the offensive line and Iupati can provide it. He’d be an immediate upgrade at OG and can slide out to RT eventually.
24. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Graham (DE) Michigan
- The Eagles are another team who could go in many directions on draft day. If the board plays out like this and Graham is available, I can’t see them passing him by. Graham fits what the Eagles do perfectly.
25. Baltimore Ravens - Terrence Cody (DT) Alabama
- The addition of Cody could make this dominant defense that much more dangerous. Cody would allow Haloti Ngata more flexibility and allow Kelly Gregg to be more of a rotational player. Ray Lewis could practically go untouched by blockers for games at a time.
26. Arizona Cardinals - Bruce Campbell (OT) Maryland
- Someone eventually has to draft Campbell. Not the he’s a bad prospect, but he’s nowhere near ready to play as a rookie. Given time to develop, he has the tools to be special.
27. Dallas Cowboys - Demaryius Thomas (WR) Georgia Tech
- Jerry Jones will be chomping at the bit to select Thomas if he’s available at 27, unless one of the elite OT’s falls. Thomas is also solid insurance in case the Cowboys can’t sign Mile Austin to a long term deal.
28. San Diego Chargers - Ryan Mathews (RB) Fresno State
- Mathews is a much needed addition to this offense. If there is no legit rushing option on a down in and down out basis, this offense will struggle through the air. Even the great Phillip Rivers can’t overcome the lack of a running game for an entire year.
29. New York Jets - Golden Tate (WR) Notre Dame
- The Jets’ offense is currently lacking a matchup problem for defenses. Tate can line up outside or in the slot and stretch the field for Mark Sanchez.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Colt McCoy (QB) Texas
- After his pro day, McCoy may not be available here. But we don’t account for trades in the mock, and that’s probably what it will take for a QB needy team to draft McCoy. If he’s available at 30, Minnesota will not hesitate.
31. Indianapolis Colts - Devin McCourty (CB) Rutgers
- The Colts usually wait until the middle rounds to address the CB spot. But McCourty is an ideal fit here and is an immediate upgrade over the status quo. McCourty also gives the Colts a special teams demon.
32. New Orleans Saints - Carlos Dunlap (DE) Florida
- With Charles Grant out of the picture, there is a hole at one DE spot and Bobby McCray is not a starter. Dunlap is the type of big, athletic DE the Colts love.
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