Finally the NFL Draft has arrived.
All the months speculating will come to a stop and we will know for sure who goes where.
This is also the first draft which will take place in prime time. While I was originally in favor of the switch, now that the draft is actually here I am not so sure I like it. There are too many sporting events going on at night (NBA and NHL playoffs) and it just doesn’t feel like draft day usually does.
But I digress. The first three picks of the draft appear to be set in stone, but after that who knows what will happen. The questions starts with Washington, which sits in the four hole. Washington will likely take an offensive tackle, but which one? Does Kansas City pass on Eric Berry? Does anybody spend a top 10 pick on C.J. Spiller? Will Jimmy Claussen experience a Brady Quinn, Aaron Rodgers type slide? What about America’s hero, Tim Tebow? I could go on and on, but that would take all day. This is what makes draft day so great. All of these questions will finally be answered.
With that said here is my best stab of what will happen in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
1. St. Louis Rams (1-15)
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
After passing on Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez the previous two years, the Rams finally get their franchise quarterback (they hope).
2. Detroit Lions (2-14)
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Jim Schwartz loves defensive lineman. He had Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee and now he will have Suh in Detroit.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy is a perfect fit for the Bucs system and will remind fans of Warren Sapp.
4. Washington Redskins (4-12)
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The pick will either be Okung or Williams. Okung is the safe selection and more suited to play left tackle.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Bulaga would give the Chiefs a great bookend to tackle Branden Albert.
6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Seahawks need to find a heir apparent to Walter Jones.
7. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Browns would love to snag Berry here, who has Ed Reed type potential.
8. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
Anthony Davis. OT, Rutgers
No one really knows what the Raider will ever do. They may take Jimmy Clausen, but the more logical pick would be an offensive tackle and in this case, Anthony Davis.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
The Bills are switching to a 3-4 defense and currently have no nose tackle.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Even with Maurice- Jones-Drew, the Jaguars covet Spiller, who can give the offense and special teams another dynamic.
11. Denver Broncos (via CHI)
Maurice Pouncey, OL, Florida
The versatile lineman is a great fit as the Broncos shift to more of a power based scheme.
12. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
After not resigning Jason Taylor, the Dolphins select the most pro ready pass rusher to replace him.
13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden is the best cover corner in the draft and you don’t turn down the chance to draft a potential shutdown corner.
14. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
After considering Eric Berry at 6, the Seahawks get their safety here.
15. New York Giants (8-8)
Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama
McClain can come in right away and replace the void left by Antonio Pierce.
16. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF
Word is that the Titans see Pierre-Paul as the next Jevon Kearse.
17. San Francisco 49ers (via CAR)
Jimmy Claussen, QB, Notre Dame
He is hard to pass up at this point and when G.M. Scot McCloughan left the team so did Alex Smith’s biggest supporter.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho
The Steelers need all the help they can get in protecting Ben Roethlisberger.
19. Atlanta Falcons(9-7)
Brandon Graham, DE, Atlanta
The Falcons desperately need a pass rusher opposite John Abraham and Jaamal Anderson hasn’t panned out.
20. Houston Texans (9-7)
Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
The Texans are desperate for a big back that could handle early down work and compliment Steve Slaton.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Bengals have a history of taking USC players (Palmer, Maualuga, Rivers) and they have a glaring need at safety.
22. New England Patriots (10-6)
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The signing of Torry Holt won’t prevent the Patriots from passing up on Bryant, the next potential Moss, if he falls this far.
23. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Charles Brown, OT, USC
The Packers offensive line struggled last year and both starting tackles are both over 30.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Eagles dealt Sheldon Brown and are rumored to have Asante Samuel on the trade block.
25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Jared Odrick, DL, Penn State
Odrick is built perfectly to play end in the 3-4 system.
26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
He fits the system and would give the Cardinals a much needed pass rush presence.
27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Nate Allen, S, South Florida
This may be a bit of a reach her, but the Cowboys have a glaring need at safety.
28. San Diego Chargers (13-3)
Linval Joseph, DL, East Carolina
With Jamal Williams gone, the Chargers need all the help they can get on the defensive line and Joseph is versatile enough to play any position on the line.
29. New York Jets (9-7)
Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Rex Ryan loves pass rushers and Hughes could be his version of Terrell Suggs.
30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
The Vikings need a corner and Jackson has been rising up draft boards lately.
31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana
The Colts have soured on Tony Ugoh as Peyton Manning blind side protector.
32. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
Washington has been rising up draft boards and offers great speed and athleticism.
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