1. St. Louis Rams - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/29.gif[/img_r]
This pick has to be a QB. The Rams need a new guy to lead this defense after they've let Bulger get pummeled around for the last couple of years. Clausen can only hope that he'll get some better protection and weapons than Bulger had in his last few years.
2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/11.gif[/img_r]
Arguably the best player in the draft. The Lions need some D-line help badly. Can you believe that they had O-linemen playing DT last year? Suh should give them a great player for years to come. He can stop the run and get some pressure. Something you'll in a division with Peterson, Grant, Fort, Rodgers, Cutler and Favre.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/30.gif[/img_r]
The Buccaneers need some help along the D-line badly. Having Suh fall to them would be a dream scenario. If he won't, they'll still get good value and a very talented player in McCoy.
4. Washington Redskins - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/32.gif[/img_r]
I'm afraid that this pick will be a QB. I'd love for them to take Okung. Give Campbell (and maybe even Brennan) a shot under Shanahan and actually give him some protection. I don't see it happening, though.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/16.gif[/img_r]
I mocked Eugene Monroe to the Chiefs last year, knowing that Cassel would need one hell of an O-line to function properly. I asume that Pioli figured that one out now, as well. Okung fits a need and is one of the best players on the board at this spot.
6. Seattle Seahawks - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/27.gif[/img_r]
After having Curry fall into their lap last year, the Seahawks, once again, come away with arguably the best player in the draft.
7. Cleveland Browns - Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/8.gif[/img_r]
The Browns have needs at all kinds of positions, but getting a decent pass rush is one of the biggest. They have a fairly decent D-line in place, but no OLBs behind it. They won't select a QB here before Quinn can finally show what he can do with some weapons.
8. Oakland Raiders - Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/23.gif[/img_r]
It's Al Davis. Carlos Dunlap has a big name. Character issues are a thing of beauty if you're Al Davis. So is speed.
9. Buffalo Bills - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/4.gif[/img_r]
The Bills just have to go OT here. They've addressed the interior line last year, they have to do something about the void that Peters left behind this year.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/15.gif[/img_r]
This pick has to be a WR. By signing Holt and passing on Crabtree, the Jaguars, once again, didn't solve their WR problems. This is the year that they'll finally cave in and get Garrard a weapon on the outside.
11. Denver Broncos - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/10.gif[/img_r]
I don't see the Broncos trading away Marshall and Royal is good enough as a Nr. 2 to not make WR a big need for the Broncos. ILB is quite a need, though. The Broncos have a potential playmaker in D.J. Williams. Not only will McClain be a big upgrade over the average and aging Andra Davis, he'll also make D.J. Williams better.
12. Miami Dolphins - Everson Griffen, DE, USC [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/17.gif[/img_r]
This pick is a bit of reach. I don't see the Dolphins taking a receiver here with the emergence of Camarillo, Bess and Hartline. There's no NT to be found around pick 12 and it's too early to give up on Merling at DE. The Dolphins will need to find replacements for two aging OLBs. This is a good start.
13. San Fransisco 49ers - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/28.gif[/img_r]
Williams has struggled immensely at LT after being one of the best RTs in college football just a year ago. The 49ers can take a gamble on Trent Williams here, since they're in somewhat of a luxury position. They have a capable LT in Joe Staley, so if Williams does fail at LT in the Pros, as well, they can always just plug him in at the right side.
14. Seattle Seahawks - Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/27.gif[/img_r]
After having Berry falling into their lap, the Seahawks now find a premier LT waiting for to be picked. The Seahawks need some help at RT right now and at LT if/when Jones calls it quits.
15. New York Giants - Joe Haden, CB, Florida [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/21.gif[/img_r]
The Giants should be jumping out of joy if Haden somehow falls this far. They have no one opposite of Webster. After drafting Haden, they propel themselfs upwards to having a great CB tandem. Something that comes in very handy in the NFC East.
16. Tennessee Titans - Brian Price, DT, UCLA [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/31.gif[/img_r]
The Titans finally find their replacement for Haynesworth. Warren could be a possibility here, but getting rit of one DT has devastated that entire D-line. With a bit of luck, adding a monster DT will get them out of mediocrity again.
17. San Fransisco 49ers - C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/28.gif[/img_r]
Although the 49ers could really use some help at DB and OLB, they can't pass up on this dynamic talent. Spiller is the Reggie Bush of this draft and would really help out both Smith and Gore.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/25.gif[/img_r]
The 33 year old Townsend should call it quits. Whatever he does, he's no starting material anymore. Ike Taylor is good, but he's not a shut down corner. Burnett and Lewis both haven't looked like potential starters. The Steelers are going to need a corner and Warren is great value at pick 18.
19. Atlanta Falcons - Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/2.gif[/img_r]
The Falcons would prefer a corner here, but with Warren off the board, they'd be reaching for 2nd round talent with Ghee. The easiest way to make up for bad corner play is getting quick pressure. And Abraham isn't getting any younger, either.
20. Houston Texans - Earl Thomas, S, Texas [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/13.gif[/img_r]
The Texans find great value at a position of need in Earl Thomas here. Bulaga will be considered here, but the franchise will see that finding someone who is starting material at safety, next to Pollard, is the right choice.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/7.gif[/img_r]
Now that the Bengals finally have a decent defense in place, the offense begins to struggle. One of the biggest reasons is not having a TE for Palmer to throw to. Gresham should solve that problem.
22. New England Patriots - Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/19.gif[/img_r]
With no corners in sight, the Patriots will have to choose between an OLB/DE or Bulaga. Based on value and protecting your franchise player, I'm going with Bulaga. Matt Light isn't getting any younger and gets beaten more and more often. He'll need to be replaced eventually. Right now, they need a RT, though, and Bulaga could slip right into the starting line-up.
23. Green Bay Packers - Charles Brown, OT, USC [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/12.gif[/img_r]
The Packers also have to choose between an OLB/DE and an OT. With both starting tackles aging and just one replacement who's ready to step in in T.J. Lang, they'll go tackle, as well. Brown's a little light and might need some time, but he'd be a franchise LT for years to come.
24. Philadelphia Eagles - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/24.gif[/img_r]
In the NFC East, it's all about the lines. The Eagles have a good O-line and decent D-line, but need to find a pass rusher to play opposite of Trent Cole. Pierre-Paul is a risky project, but the sky is the limit for him, potential-wise.
25. Baltimore Ravens - Damian Williams, WR, USC [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/3.gif[/img_r]
The Ravens have no one at the WR apart from Mason, who's not getting any younger. They need to address the WR position right now and give Flacco some help.
26. Arizona Cardinals - Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/1.gif[/img_r]
The Cardinals play a 3-4 hybrid, but have no NT on their entire roster. You can add as many OLBs as you want, but without a NT, a 3-4 is going nowhere. They do something about it by drafting Dan Williams.
27. Dallas Cowboys - Taylor Mays, S, USC [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/9.gif[/img_r]
Taylor Mays might have some questionable coverage skills, but he should be an upgrade over Ken Hamlin. If anything, you'll get a great hitter at the end of round 1.
28. San Diego Chargers - Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/26.gif[/img_r]
Capers is a guy with tons of potential. The Chargers will try to get one more year out of Runyan and develop Selvish into a starter. Maybe he'll even take over at the left side, eventually.
29. New York Jets - Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/22.gif[/img_r]
Apart from Bryan Thomas, the Jets have no noteworthy DE/OLBs. I think that it's pretty safe to say that Gholston is a 3-4 bust. The Jets needs someone who can rush the passer.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/18.gif[/img_r]
The Vikings add this behemoth to the D-line to replace Pat Williams, who will be 37 by the time the 2011 season rolls around, turning 38 during the season. He'll have the advantage of learning from two of the best in the business.
31. Indianapolis Colts - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/14.gif[/img_r]
OLB is a huge need for the Colts. Philip Wheeler and Tyjuan Hagler both started at OLB this year. I can't blame you if you've never heared of those two guys before. Weatherspoon would be the perfect pick.
32. New Orleans Saints - Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan [img_r]http://packershome.com/images/avatars/NFL/20.gif[/img_r]
DE from Michigan The Saints take Brandon Graham with the last pick in the 1st round to rotate and, eventually, replace Charles Grant.