With the NFL draft now less than a month away, it only seems appropriate that I do my mock draft. It’ll come in three editions starting today with picks 1-10. I will do who they will and who they should pick. The St. Louis Rams have the number one overall pick and are on the clock.
1. St. Louis Rams
Who they will pick – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
There has been speculation about the Rams taking Bradford since they were awarded the number one pick. The only thing that could stop them would be a bad pro day and Bradford dazzled. He showed a strong-arm, good size, and didn’t hold back. He’ll be the number one pick.
Who They Should Pick – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Coming off a 1-15 season you can’t expect a rookie QB to come in, start, and turn a team around right away. Suh has been compared to Reggie White. No one has compared Bradford to Montana or Elway. You can’t pass up a potential “best ever at his position”. The Rams have been linked to Donovan McNabb who would help them better immediately than Bradford would. I think that’s the route they should go.
2. Detroit Lions
Who They Will Pick – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Since the Rams are gonna take Bradford, Suh will fall into their laps at two. Their offense is set with weapons for Matt Stafford, so it’s time to focus on the defense. Suh is the best player on the board, and they will take him.
Who They Should Pick – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
They should take McCoy because the Rams should take Suh and for this section, he shouldn’t be available. This is a toss-up between Eric Berry and McCoy but a d-lineman failing leaves less scrutiny than a skill player would, and the Lions can’t afford a draft pick failing again.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Who They Will Pick – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma St.
Okung is the best OL in a deep lineman draft that could see 4 OL go in the top 10. They drafted Josh Freeman last year and he showed some promise. Now they need to surround him with a good offensive line. Okung will solidify the left tackle spot for years to come.
Who They Should Pick – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma St.
This is a no-brainer. Give your QB protection if you want him to succeed.
4. Washington Redskins
Who They Will Pick – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen is probably the most pro-ready QB in the draft since he ran a pro-style offense under Charlie Weiss. He has a strong-arm and good accuracy. New coach Mike Shanahan may want to bring in his own QB to start the new regime.
Who They Should Pick – Eric Berry, CB/S, Tennessee
The Redskins do not need a QB. Jason Campbell is not that bad. He has never had stability in his career, college or pro. He hasn’t been given many weapons even though Devin Thomas is developing. In the pass happy NFC East, they need someone who can cover a Desean Jackson, Miles Austin, or a Steve Smith. Remember the last time Mike Shanahan inherited a QB? It was John Elway. Not too bad.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Who They Will Take – Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
They have their QB in Matt Cassell. They have their RB in Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. They have their WR in Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers played well last year. They have their offensive coordinator in Charlie Weiss. Now they need a line that can allow these players to flourish. Bulaga will allow Branden Albert to move back to guard, and with the signings of center Casey Wiegmann and guard Ryan Lilja, this could turn into a great offensive line overnight.
Who They Should Take – Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Can’t really go wrong taking a lineman. It’s the core of any group. If Okung is off the board, Bulaga is your next best bet.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Who They Will Take – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
This is a very deep lineman draft, at least at the top, and you really can’t go wrong taking any of them. Williams is the third best of them. Seattle QBs were sacked 44 times in 2009 so a lineman couldn’t hurt.
Who They Should Take – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
I have been real high so far on the importance of lineman if you plan to turn around your team. I don’t think there is a franchise QB in this draft. But if you do, this is the best situation to put a rookie in. He’ll sit behind a veteran for a year who knows how to win on the NFL level. Pete Carroll is a new coach and could mold his QB into the player he wants. Even though recently it has worked, throwing a rookie QB to the wolves is not how you develop them. There are more examples who have failed than who have flourished.
7. Cleveland Browns
Who They Will Pick – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
With Alex Mack, Eric Steinbach, and Joe Thomas, they have the young offensive line they need. They could go QB here after trading Brady Quinn and releasing Derek Anderson, but they signed Jake Delhomme. Time to sure up the d-line. He had 14.5 sacks last year and was double teamed almost every play. The man is a monster than can get pressure on the QB himself, opening up more opportunities for everyone else on the defense.
Who They Should Pick – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St.
With McCoy and Berry gone for this section, they should take the replacement for Braylon Edwards. Bryant, even though he hasn’t played since October when he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for working out with Deion Sanders, has been called a better Michael Crabtree. Might be the best WR in the draft since Calvin Williams.
8. Oakland Raiders
Who They Will Take – Eric Berry, CB/S, Tennessee
Sorry Eric. Oakland is where NFL players go to die. The Raiders have had a real good defense the past couple years and drafting Berry only makes it better. But drafting Berry could mean they could trade Asomugha in a deal for Donovan McNabb.
Who They Should Take – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Again, I’m sorry that I have to send a player to Oakland at all. The Raiders have a stellar defense, so I don’t buy them taking a defensive player here. They, for some reason still think Jamarcus Russell is the long-term answer and have been linked to Donovan McNabb so QB is out. They missed on Robert Gallery so they might as well take another OT. Davis has been labeled a “project” by some scouts and the Raiders haven’t been the best developers, but he’s the best player at the biggest need they have.
9. Buffalo Bills
Who They Will Take – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
The Bills have more problems than a “quick fix” skill player will provide. They need to completely revamp the team and they might as well start with the offensive line.
Who They Should Pick – Mike Iupati, OT/OG, Idaho
They need to take an offensive lineman, and since Davis isn’t available for this section, Iupati is the best option after.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Who They Will Take – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Jacksonville signed Aaron Kampman to address their DE needs and I don’t think they need a QB as bad as everyone else does. Their linebackers are pitiful. So they will take the best LB available in McClain, who anchored an Alabama defense that dominated the SEC and won the national championship last year.
Who They Should Pick – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
There is no other pick here. They need a LB bad.
wheel chair pat created a better mock draft than this with the turd he found in his diaper when he woke up this morning
and gerald mccoy has 14.5 sacks in 3 years*…and suh isnt going to turn the rams around right away eiter, esp if their qb is Keith Null. nor have i heard anyone call suh reggie white…the packers coulda won thier superbowl without reggie, but they could not have won it without Favre. Potential franchise qb’s trump all.
lets fight!