The NFL Draft has finally arrived, so I figured I’d get in on the fun and generate a first round of my own. Considering I struck out on my major free agent predictions, I’m hoping this one goes a little better. Without further delay, here’s the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma,
This pick makes too much sense not to happen. The Rams need a face of the franchise, and they seem to have limited interest in Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. Taking one of the top defensive tackles would tie up too much money in the defensive line. There’s been speculation of a trade with the Cleveland Browns, but don’t bet on it.
2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
After the Corey Williams trade I really thought the Lions would opt for OT Russell Okung, but it looks like a DT will be the pick. With either Suh or Gerald McCoy, Detroit will be getting an impact player. They’d love to trade down, but who at the top of the draft wouldn’t?
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Whichever tackle doesn’t go to Detroit, Tampa will have no problem snapping up in a second. In the off chance both are on the board when Tampa selects, I think they’d prefer to grab Suh. Either way, it’s a win-win for the Bucs.
4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Before acquiring Donovan McNabb, I would have penciled Jimmy Clausen in here. Now that they have a quarterback, the Redskins need to improve an atrocious offensive line. Okung is rated as the best tackle in the draft, but Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams may also be in play.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Chiefs are also in the market to improve their O-line, and Bulaga could step right in and allow former first round pick Branden Albert to slide over to the right side. Trent Williams is also a possibility here. The dark horse pick would be Tennessee safety Eric Berry, but Scott Pioli doesn’t tend to value safeties this high in the draft.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
This one’s a toss up between Williams and Berry, but tackle has a higher positional value and Seattle needs to replace Walter Jones. Williams is potentially the best tackle fit for a zone-blocking scheme, so Seattle will be happy to take him off the board.
7. Cleveland Browns – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Here’s where the fun starts. I considered Clausen here, as well as wide receiver Dez Bryant. Berry, though, is considered a ‘safe’ pick, so I believe Mike Holmgren will take him to anchor the Browns defence. Trading up has been talked about (Holmgren loves Sam Bradford), and if Berry’s off the board, they may trade down.
8. Oakland Raiders – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
The popular pick here has been Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell, but Davis is an interesting prospect in his own right. He has as much potential as any tackle in the draft, but must overcome some serious attitude concerns. Campbell is a work-out warrior, which automatically puts him in the discussion for owner Al Davis. In the end, I’m hoping other Raiders executives have a say and can talk Davis into the player with the higher ceiling.
9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Buffalo really wants to grab one of the top tackles, but with four gone already, they have to move on to Plan B. This will come down to either Clausen or Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams. In the end, I believe Buffalo will take a quarterback of the future, who’s pro-ready, and can step in immediately and sell some tickets.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Jacksonville is the hardest team to predict in the first round. I have almost no idea where they’ll go with this pick. They very well could trade down with someone looking for a shot at Dez Bryant or CJ Spiller. I’m going with Pierre-Paul because of his immense upside, and the Jags’ need to rush the passer. People will point out that they just signed Aaron Kampman, but he’s not enough. Others getting consideration here are Florida corner Joe Haden, Spiller, and Texas safety Earl Thomas.
11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
After shipping out Brandon Marshall, Denver needs a new receiver. Bryant has immense potential, but some off-the-field issues. Trading one diva receiver and taking another doesn’t make much sense, but Denver needs playmakers. Some scouts even believe Bryant is more talented than Michael Crabtree was at this time last year. Denver’s also a candidate to trade down.
12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
I fully expect Miami to trade down and try and recover a second round pick, but for now I’ll give them Dan Williams. Jason Ferguson is aging and suspended for eight games, so Williams can step in and take over at nose tackle immediately. Another option here would be Earl Thomas.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Niners get a top-10 player here, and he fills a need. It’s a great match, giving Mike Singletary & Co. another playmaker on defence. If Haden’s available, it makes too much sense for San Fran to pass on him.
14. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller could very well be off the board by now, as he’s got as much momentum as anyone right now. He’ll add a much-needed explosive presence to the Seahawks’ offence, and also contribute on special teams. Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan is also in play here with the recent retirement of Patrick Kerney.
15. New York Giants – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Rolando McClain is seen as the top inside linebacker in the draft, but Weatherspoon is a better fit for the G-Men. He’s better suited to play in defensive co-coordinator Perry Fewell’s Cover Two scheme due to his coverage abilities and speed. The Giants love to stockpile defensive linemen, so don’t rule out Derrick Morgan either.
Current Comments
6 comments so far (post your own)The top 3 picks are definitely locks in my opinion but then it gets interesting with the plethora of offensive tackles. I’ve heard reports that the Mike Shanahan may prefer Trent Williams over Okung because of his athleticism to make blocks downfield. If that happens I can see the Chiefs taking Okung and Bulaga dropping down to the Bills. That being said, Bryan Bulaga may be the bust out of the top tackles (that is if the Raiders don’t draft Campbell solely because of his 40-time and give him millions and millions of guaranteed dollars) I see Bryan becoming a guard before his rookie contract is up – he’s got tiny arms! The Bills should go with either McLain (to man the 3-4 with Posluzny), Dan Williams (can’t have a 3-4 without a nose tackle) or any OT that drops to set themselves up for the Jake Locker sweepstakes of next year. Another year of the Edwards/Fitzpatrick fiasco in the AFC East would guarantee a top 3 pick.
I’m guessing Jimmy Clausen will drop a la Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers of drafts past because of teams’ needs more so than skill level. I think Clausen will excel (much like Rodgers) with a couple of seasons on the bench on a playoff team like the Vikings or even Steelers. There’s a report that Steeltown is shopping Roethlisberger for a 1st round pick however in my opinion Big Ben, much like the girls he forces himself upon, is damaged goods.
The wideout position is intriguing this year with the usual diversity of the meathead top guy in Dez Bryant and the workhorse steals likely to go early in the second round in Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn. Tate gets low like a running back after the catch and fights for the ball when it’s the air – either the Bucs or Rams will take a stab at him early in the second and the Broncos should even wait to get Benn (or Damien Williams) in that round as well. Unless Dez drops to the Patriots I think he’ll likely be a monumental bust. Work ethic cannot be undervalued in the NFL draft – especially at the WR position!
There is my three and half cents – my busts are Bulaga, Campbell, Tebow, and Bryant... obviously depending on how high they go and how much money they get! My future hall of famers are Suh, Berry, and Clausen – I’m fully aware of how ridiculous that sounds!
Posted by Justin Irwin on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 1:07pm
In fairness, Bulaga has longer arms than Joe Thomas or Jake Long. Where was the concern about them coming out of the draft? As long as he has good mechanics and can be coached, he'll work out fine.
I'm really on the fence as to what the Bills should do. I'd love for them to get one of Clausen or McClain who could anchor their respective positions for the next few years, but I also understand the need to fix the offensive line (Bulaga/Anthony Davis) or find a decent nose tackle (Dan "The Boy" Williams).
Posted by PJ LeConte on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 1:39pm
In comparison to his Big Ten predecessors Bulaga isn’t the “can’t miss” consensus top 5 pick that either Thomas or Long were. They were heads and shoulders above the rest of their respective LT classes. My problem with the Hawkeye is he’s not a stout athlete, I don’t think he’ll be able to contain the top pass rushers in the NFL with his slow feet. He is coachable though, but intangibles will only get you so far. I have Davis higher on my board.
Also, I wouldn’t blame the Chargers for taking a corner like Kareem Jackson because they have an early 2nd rounder to take a RB or NT. I'm not a fan of Ryan Matthews, they should take the BEST running back on the board. ;)
Posted by Justin on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 5:11pm
I wouldn't be shocked to see the Eagles make a move in either direction and wouldn't put it past them to select Pouncey if he is available wherever they pick. A safety is a likely possibility too.
Posted by Dave on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 6:27pm
Terrell Owens joining the Cincinnati Bengals would be really great...but Mike is preferring Trent Williams over Okung because of his athletics...Can\'t wait to see that...
Posted by Legendarydevils on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 @ 2:39pm
However...i have missed that show...have to download that one from some rapidshare sites..
Posted by Ldevils on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 @ 2:40pm