1. St. Louis (1-15) - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Despite the fact that Suh is the best overall player in the NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams are in a position offensively where they are a franchise quarterback away from becoming solid at the very least.
With Steven Jackson running the ball, young receivers with potential, and bookend tackles to look forward to, the Rams simply cannot pass up on Bradford, who is extremely accurate and smart.
2. Detroit (2-14) - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
This is a no-brainer for Detroit. Suh is the best overall player in the draft, and while they may not want to pay top dollar for yet another top 5 pick, he’s just a can’t-miss prospect.
They need a lot of help on the defensive line and Suh is their guy.
3. Tampa Bay (3-13) - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Like the Lions, this is another no-brainer considering McCoy is just about on the same level as Suh. With the Buccaneers finishing 2009 being fifth worst in the NFL in sacks, and worst against the run, they need a big-time presence in the trenches.
4. Washington (4-12) - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Redskins were tied for fourth most in the league in sacks given up to young quarterback Jason Campbell.
On top of that, former Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels is being forced into retirement due to a neck injury. The athletic and quick-footed Okung is the right fit in the nation’s capitol.
5. Kansas City (4-12) - Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Kansas City’s biggest problem offensively was the fact that they just couldn’t keep their 60 million dollar man on his feet.
Scott Pioli’s ties to Kirk Ferentz and the dominance of Bulaga make him a prized possession and the franchise left tackle of the Kansas City Chiefs.
6. Seattle (5-11) - C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Despite the emergence of third-year pro Justin Forsett, Seattle still averaged a measly 97.9 yards per game on the ground. With new Executive VP/Head Coach Pete Carroll at the helm, one should know how you can never have too many good tailbacks.
Spiller is a quick runner who’s also very effective between the tackles and out of the backfield.
While Forsett may be in the same mold to an extent, the NFL is becoming a league in which you almost need to have two good backs to succeed, and being an offensive guy, Pete Carroll pulls the trigger on Spiller.
7. Cleveland (5-11) - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Cleveland needs help all over the place, but the fact that they had a wide receiver playing safety for most of the season goes to show just how desperate they are in need of a true safety, especially a play maker and game changer like Berry.
Berry is thought to be in the mold of Ed Reed, and certainly didn’t disappoint anybody with his combine performance.
Berry could go sooner, but safeties aren’t usually coveted in the top five, and sometimes not even the top 10, but he’s the real deal.
8. Oakland (5-11) - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
This really is an obvious pick considering Raider quarterbacks were sacked third-most in the league with 49. Campbell is a physical freak who displayed his athleticism in the combine.
As long as Al Davis is running the show, you can always bank on him reaching on a physical specimen like Campbell.
With the failure of Robert Gallery, who was a former top pick, the Raiders are in dire need of a true stud at left tackle.
9. Buffalo (6-10) - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Buffalo’s quarterback problems just never seem to go away. They’ve plugged in numerous starters over the years, and none of them seem to pan out.
While they could use a lot of help on the offensive line, they just can’t pass up on a potential franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen who did a fantastic job in combine interviews and really pushed the “maturity” issues aside.
Clausen comes from a pro-style offense in Notre Dame in which he put up big numbers without a lot of help.
10. Jacksonville (7-9) – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Jaguars really need a receiver who can make plays like Bryant can. Despite not playing much in 2009, Bryant’s physical skills are ideal for a true No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL.
Any quarterback would love to have a strong, physical receiver like Bryant who can also make plays after the catch. Jacksonville gets their future stud wide receiver here.
11. Denver [from Chicago] (7-9) – Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Denver could go a couple different ways here, but with a newly installed 34 defense, a signing of Justin Bannan to play some nose tackle, and the need for a Patrick Willis-type linebacker in the middle, they grab McClain here.
McClain can do it all. His weaknesses are very limited, as there are no glaring weaknesses. He’s the best sideline-to-sideline linebacker in this class who can cover as well as be a key in the run game.
12. Miami (7-9) – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Some people may question this pick, but when you’re running a 34 defense, the nose tackle is the biggest key to success.
I personally believe much of the average play of the linebackers in Miami was due to the fact that they do not have a defensive line that can eat up blockers and take up space, forcing the linebackers to get mauled by the offensive linemen who are able to get to the second level. Williams is a 1- or 2-gap DT and is absolutely dominant.
13. San Francisco (8-8)- Joe Haden, CB, Florida
After Haden’s disappointing forty time at the combine, he slips a few picks, but not too far.
Haden is still the best cornerback in the 2010 NFL Draft. He still has great change of direction, and terrific ball skills, as well as being a very physical corner.
San Francisco could really use an upgrade at the cornerback position after giving up 226 pass yards a game, which was the one of the worst in the league.
14. Seattle [from Denver] (8-8) – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Seattle grabs a franchise left tackle with their second pick in the first in Trent Williams, the versatile tackle who excelled at Oklahoma.
After having numerous years of stud left tackle play from Walter Jones, it’s time to move on and grab their tackle for the next 10-15 seasons in Williams.
This is a no-brainer for the offensive-minded Carroll, who will want to protect his QB after seeing what happened last season when they had no legit tackle protecting the blind side.
15. New York Giants (8-8) – Brian Price, DT, UCLA
With the loss of Fred Robbins, defensive tackle becomes the No. 1 need for the G-Men. Brian Price is a dominant defensive tackle who just blows up plays in the backfield.
He can get to the quarterback and disrupt the backfield better than any other defensive tackle not named Suh or Gerald McCoy. The Giants get a bargain here with Price.
16. Tennessee (8-8) – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Best pick available here, and a huge need filled for the Titans drafting the speedy Wilson, who has seen his stock rise quite a bit since the beginning of the 2009 season.
Wilson can come in immediately and make an impact for a team that was second-to-last in the NFL against the pass.
17. San Francisco [from Carolina] (8-8) – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Iupati is one of the best offensive guards in the last few NFL Drafts. He’s also quite versatile, as he can get work at right tackle and potentially even left tackle.
The 49ers are in dire need of a dominating offensive guard for Gore and Co. to run behind. Iupati fills that hole.
18. Pittsburgh (9-7) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Pittsburgh quarterbacks were sacked a total of 50 times last season. The Steelers have had offensive tackle woes for quite awhile now, and this is the year they look to fix it with the mauling Davis filling in the left tackle spot.
With Rashard Mendenhall looking to take control, the Steelers will want a big tackle in there to push the pile and open up holes for the big running back, while keeping their two time Super Bowl winning quarterback off the ground.
19. Atlanta (9-7) – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Weatherspoon is the type of player that all 32 football teams should have on their team. He’s a defensive leader who can go sideline to sideline and make tackles.
On top of that he’s one of the better coverage linebackers in this draft and is a no brainer here for the Falcons, who have a huge vacancy at the SAM linebacker position.
20. Houston (9-7) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Houston has some holes to fill in the secondary, and with Earl Thomas falling to pick 20, he’s an obvious choice to fill the free safety position currently manned by John Busing.
Thomas also may be able to translate to the NFL as a cornerback, which is another big need for the Texans with the loss of Dunta Robinson, who’s been disappointing in his last two seasons.
21. Cincinnati (10-6) – Taylor Mays, S, USC
It’s hard for the Bengals to pass up on the athleticism and potential of Mays. Cincinnati lacks that intimidating safety in the defensive backfield, despite the signing of Roy Williams, who has regressed significantly.
Mays has a high ceiling, and with proper coaching could become an elite player in the NFL.
22. New England (10-6) – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida
New England lacks that feared pass rusher on defense. Adalius Thomas is regressing, as he had the highest tackle/missed tackle ratio of last season, and has slowed down quite a bit.
New England’s coaching staff can develop this physical freak into an effective outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.
23. Green Bay (11-5) – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Charles Woodson had an excellent season for Green Bay, but he’s aging, and they still need another cornerback as Tramon Williams is strictly a nickel guy.
Jackson is a speedy corner with quick hips who isn’t afraid to make a tackle and is very instinctive.
Jackson could take over as a dominant No. 1 corner in the NFL one day, especially if he spends more time with Woodson.
24. Philadelphia (11-5) – Daryl Washington, LB, Texas Christian
Washington is a hard-nosed linebacker who plays well sideline to sideline.
He is also quite versatile and could realistically play all 3 linebacker positions in a 43 or 46 scheme, and with Philadelphia not having a true weak side linebacker, and an unreliable veteran in Trotter, Washington is a no-brainer.
25. Baltimore (9-7) – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Baltimore lost Dwan Edwards, and has an aging defensive end in Trevor Pryce. Odrick fits as a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle. He’s a powerful guy who plays well laterally and is excellent at the point of attack.
Baltimore getting Odrick would make the transition to outside linebacker much easier for Paul Kruger, who is going to be asked to play a bigger role in 2010.
26. Arizona (10-6) – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Arizona lacks a true pass rusher at outside linebacker, and both of their starters are over age 33.
Graham’s stock has really risen after the Senior Bowl, and even more so at the combine posting a nice forty time, and 31 reps on the bench.
Graham is a steal at the end of the first round and is looked at as a potential elite pass rusher in the form of Dwight Freeney.
27. Dallas (11-5) – Vladimir Ducasse, OG/OT, UMass
The Cowboys need help on the offensive line. Flozell Adams is regressing, and it’s too hard to tell if Doug Free can man the left side or not.
The versatile Ducasse can play both tackle spots, and guard if he needs to.
Ideally he fits in as a right tackle, and Free can get more reps at left tackle for Adams, who only has a few more seasons left.
28. San Diego (13-3) – Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
San Diego just let go their future Hall of Fame running back in LaDainian Tomlinson, and have only Darren Sproles back to the team.
Even with LT last season, they were the second-worst in the league in rushing yards per game, and need an impact player at the running back spot.
Mathews is an every-down back who can run well between the tackles, and has the speed to get outside and break a long run and be a No. 1 running back for the next 5-7 seasons.
29. New York Jets (9-7) – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap is a bit of a question mark when it comes to motivation and preparation issues, but is top 15 talent if coached up. What better defensive mind to go to than Rex Ryan?
The Jets need help at defensive end and Dunlap could play 3-4 defensive end effectively.
He fits the mold of Calais Campbell in that he can rush the passer while still holding the point of attack, allowing the linebackers to make plays.
30. Minnesota (12-4) – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
With the Vikings injuries at cornerback, they need to draft one early. Cedric Griffen tore his ACL against the Saints, and Antoine Winfield has a nagging foot injury that kept him from performing up to his usual self last season.
Griffen will most likely start the season on the PUP list, and the Vikings lack depth. McCourty is a speedy corner who can cover the burners of the NFL and potentially be a number one corner.
31. Indianapolis (14-2) – Charles Brown, OT, USC
With Tony Ugoh being a disappointment, the Colts are in need of a left tackle who can protect Peyton Manning and give them a few more shots at winning a Super Bowl ring.
Brown is an agile tackle with long arms. He’s more of a finesse offensive tackle who doesn’t overpower people, and is only mediocre in the run game. Brown would be able to fit right in protecting Manning’s backside.
32. New Orleans (13-3) - Everson Griffen, DE, USC
The Saints have a glaring need at defensive end opposite Will Smith, who had 13.5 sacks in 2009.
They get good pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but with a standout guy like Griffen, they can get better against the run, and penetrate the backfield much easier. Griffen is stout against the run, and is excellent with contain.
Good job db.
Steelers have always been high on Iupati.
i have it on good authority that if haden is there the dolphins are taking him at 12.
I hope so^