Now that the Super Bowl is over, the attention will shift entirely to the NFL Combine and the forthcoming NFL Draft. The pros can finally hit the golf course, their vacation spots, and kick back until the summer.
It is now the college prospects' time to get to work and show their talents as they jockey for position in the NFL Draft. The top of the draft board figures to be the most compelling element of the entire draft.
Will the Rams select Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen? Or will the Irish QB slip to the Redskins at four? Could the Rams pass up on Ndamukong Suh? What will happen after the top four picks? Look inside to find out.
1. St. Louis Rams: Jimmy Clausen (QB)—Notre Dame
I have previously stated the case for the Rams to go after Ndamukong Suh. However, the Rams are the worst franchise in the NFL and currently have no direction at quarterback. They will not win in this league without that hole filled. That's why St. Louis will take Clausen with the first overall pick.
The former Irish quarterback needs a little more refinement, but he is the top quarterback in the draft coming out of a pro-style offense. The results will not come immediately, but the Rams need to cut Marc Bulger loose and look ahead to the future.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh (DT)—Nebraska
Clausen going first in the draft offers the Lions the gift of having Suh fall into their lap at number two. Suh is a defensive beast that will start from Day One in the NFL and have an immediate impact on a team that desperately needs help up the middle against the run and the pass.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy (DT)—Oklahoma
Like Detroit and Suh, McCoy gives Tampa an impact presence in the middle from the start. He improves the Buccaneers shaky run defense and has the ability to get after the passer. A perfect combination for a Bucs defense that needs to rediscover its swagger.
4. Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford (QB)—Oklahoma
The Redskins may prefer Clausen, but if the Rams take him No. 1, the Redskins will have to settle for Bradford at No. 4.
To me, Bradford is a bit of a reach at this spot, but Jason Campbell’s days in Washington are numbered, and Mike Shanahan undoubtedly wants a new quarterback he can groom for the future.
Injuries and lacking of playing time this season are two significant question marks hanging over Bradford. That makes his selection in this spot somewhat risky, but the Redskins will not go anywhere without stronger quarterback play.
Bradford’s impact may not be immediate, but the upside will persuade the Redskins, and doling out big money to a highly drafted quarterback will not dissuade owner Daniel Snyder.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung (OT)—Oklahoma State
The Chiefs are in serious need of protection for quarterback Matt Cassel and they get their guy when Okung slips to No. 5. Cassel got too nicked up last season and the Chiefs have to find a way to keep him upright. Okung is the highest-rated lineman in the draft and thus makes this pick a slam dunk for Kansas City.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Berry (S)—Tennessee
Given their serious need for a young offensive tackle, the Seahawks will hope that Okung falls to them at number six. When he doesn't, however, they will "settle" for the best defensive play-maker in the draft.
Berry is a ball-hawking, hard-hitting safety that does not need much coaching. Berry is a high-value, low-risk pick the Seahawks can trust at this spot.
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden (CB)—Florida
Given the Browns' significant struggles against the pass, it is difficult to see how new team president Mike Holmgren will not take Haden. The Florida product is the best cornerback in the draft. He has excellent agility, recovery speed, and will not hesitate to come up and make a strong tackle.
Vertical passing games are becoming more frequent in the AFC North, and the Browns need to stiffen up their secondary.
8. Oakland Raiders: Derrick Morgan (DE)—Georgia Tech
Ahhh, the unpredictable Raiders and their unpredictable owner. Who truly knows what they are going to do in this spot (They can't really choose another receiver, can they?). It may come down to Al Davis picking the best physical specimen on the board.
Morgan would fit the bill as he is a strong and powerful, yet still quick defensive end. The Raiders defense is actually better than it is credited for, and adding Morgan would provide further depth and pressure ability that the unit can build around.
9. Buffalo Bills: Anthony Davis (OT)—Rutgers
The Bills face serious questions at quarterback and could possibly select one should Bradford or Clausen fall to them. In light of the likelihood that neither will, the Bills will take the safer route and select the large offensive tackle to anchor their O-line.
While they are unresolved under center, Davis' presence will aid whoever takes the snaps for the Bills in 2010.
10. Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant (WR)—Oklahoma State
If the Broncos trade away Brandon Marshall, and signs are increasingly pointing to that happening, they will need to pick up another No. 1 target if they have any hope of competing with San Diego next season.
Bryant had his run-in with the NCAA, but his suspension was a relatively benign incident and should not raise any red flags. The Broncos will be forced to heavily invest in a wide receiver, but Bryant physically fits the number one mold, and athletically is much like the soon-to-be departed Marshall.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Carlos Dunlap (DE)—Florida
The Jaguars haven’t had much luck with Florida defensive ends following the up-and-down tenure of Derrick Harvey, but the Jags need pass rushers in a pass-happy AFC South.
Dunlap had speed and power, but off-the-field issues hover over him. It may be another roll of the dice with Dunlap, but he has the raw talent to be chosen in this part of the draft.
12. Miami Dolphins: Rolando McClain (LB)—Alabama
McClain is a polished product who brings a mean streak to the field. That's the ideal player for Bill Parcells in his quest to toughen up the Dolphins' defense. McClain's athleticism and speed in pursuit will play in the NFL from Day One, and could be the odds-on favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams (OT)—Oklahoma
The 49ers have their right tackle in Joe Staley. The massive Trent Williams (6'5", 318 pounds) allows the 49ers to bookend their line first round talent that will keep edge pass rushers off Alex Smith, or whoever ends up taking snaps in San Francisco. He has work to do in run blocking, but his pass protection abilities should get him on the line in Week One.
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller (RB)—Clemson
The Seahawks still need an offensive tackle, but taking one at 14 would likely be a bit of a reach especially with Spiller still on the board. The Seahawks need a flexible play-maker and Spiller gives them that with his running and pass catching abilities.
He is the best NFL running back prospect in the draft and would be too hard to pass up at this spot.
15. New York Giants: Brandon Spikes (LB)—Florida
The Giants could go a couple of ways at linebacker and defensive end, but either way they need someone who can get after the quarterback and stiffen up the run defense. Spikes does that with his terrific athleticism and aggressive style of play.
The Giants face an uncertain future with current middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, youth, and lesser talent on the outside. Spikes is an instant impact-player who could start Week One.
San Francisco 49ers: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE)—South Florida
The 49ers bulked up the offensive line with their first pick. Three picks later, they will stiffen up the defensive line with possibly the highest-ceiling defensive end in the draft. Pierre-Paul is still raw and requires coaching up, but he could be somewhat of a sleeper even at 16.
Choosing Pierre-Paul is about selection potential, and the 49ers should take the risk.
17. Tennessee Titans: Everson Griffen (DE)—USC
The Titans, like the 49ers, would benefit from bookending their defensive line with a first-round talent.
Additionally, Griffen, like Pierre-Paul, needs some schooling and needs to clean up his technique, but progress and performance in years two, three, and beyond will be worth a possible tough rookie season.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bryan Bulaga (OT)—Iowa
The Steelers like hard-nosed, blue-collar offensive lineman. That's exactly what they'll get with the selection of Iowa's Bulaga.
Bulaga’s strength is in the passing game, and that is what the Steelers need as they continue to seek ways to keep Ben Roethlisberger upright.
The Steelers like to pound the ball, so Bulaga will need to refine his craft in the running game, but he is an intelligent Big Ten tackle who should adapt to the next level fairly quickly.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Wilson (CB)—Boise State
Kyle Wilson was one of the big winners of Senior Bowl week and should parlay that into a mid-first round selection. Wilson is a little undersized at 5'10", but makes up for it with speed, strong footwork, and the ability to play the ball.
The Falcons are very much in need of pass defense and Wilson is a reliable choice at this point in the opening round.
20. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas (S)—Texas
Earl Thomas is young, but is a true play-maker in the secondary. He has a nose for the ball with the hands to make plays. He boasts good field vision and plenty of speed to chase down ball carriers.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Arrelious Benn (WR)—Illinois
The Bengals desperately need wide receiver help to get their passing game back on track. There are a few options to go with at this point in the draft, but Benn provides size and sure hands that will make him attractive to Cincinnati.
He does not have the pure speed of some behind him, but he is a sharp route runner who should easily slip into the No. 2 spot behind Chad Ochocinco.
22. New England Patriots: Brandon Graham (DE)—Michigan
Graham's MVP performance in the Senior Bowl should firmly land him in the first round of the draft. There, his flexibility in a 3-4 scheme will make him very attractive to the Patriots who want someone who can play down in a three-point stance or from the linebacker position.
His use in different roles makes him a suitable option for Bill Belichick’s defense. He has a high football IQ and a reliable motor that will fit the Patriots ethos.
23. Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown (OT)—USC
The Packers would love it if Bulaga fell to them in this spot. In the event he doesn't, Green Bay will scoop up the next best tackle on the board and that is USC's Brown.
Brown needs to put on some bulk and improve his run blocking, but he is very strong in pass protection, which is what the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers need. He requires some schooling, and may not start immediately, but the Packers aging offensive tackles make this selection one with long-term interest in mind.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Weatherspoon (LB)—Missouri
Weatherspoon was another who saw his stock climb with a positive Senior Bowl performance. In the game, he showed lots of versatility both in pass rush and pass coverage. That will make him attractive to the Eagles who prefer their linebackers to be able to do both well.
The Eagles are very much in need of linebacker depth, and Weatherspoon has the quickness and strength to make an instant impact in the Philadelphia defense.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham (TE)—Oklahoma
The Ravens need a play-maker in the passing game. Whether that means they go with a wide receiver or Gresham remains to be seen. I feel the Ravens will go with Gresham given the Ravens' history of using receiving tight ends as weapons.
The injury bug is a concern with Gresham, but he is a first-round talent that could be too attractive to pass up for Baltimore.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Navorro Bowman (LB)—Penn State
The Cardinals have their offensive weapons; now it’s time to upgrade the defense. Bowman is a tried and tested linebacker who showed the ability to rush the passer but can handle pass coverage as well.
He isn’t the fastest linebacker, but he takes proper angles and is a sure tackler. Getting guys on the ground quickly was something lacking in the Cardinals' defense this season.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati (G)—Idaho
Iupati's picked the wrong time to have a bad day in the Senior Bowl. He was being beat in pass coverage and committed a number of penalties. However, that should not discredit the strong signs that came out of his Senior Bowl practices.
He needs work in pass protection, but is a real grinder in the running game. That, plus his size, would make him a good fit for the Cowboys.
28. San Diego Chargers: Dan Williams (DT)—Tennessee
Williams was another stock riser during Senior Bowl week. He is very mobile from the defensive tackle position and can pursue up and down the line of scrimmage.
He is strong in the running game and has room to improve in the passing game due to his ability to work around blockers. He works in either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which is a solid fit for the Chargers.
29. New York Jets: Damian Williams (WR)—USC
It appears more likely that the Jets will hang on to Braylon Edwards for one more season, but that does not mean the Jets will not boost their WR corps. The Jets are in need of a number two and Williams can fit right into that role at the start of the season.
Williams is a precise route runner with strong, durable hands that will make him an attractive secondary target for Mark Sanchez. This is a good value pick for the Jets at the back of the first round.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Robinson (CB)—Florida State
Robinson slipped down the draft board with the rise of Kyle Wilson, but that means the Vikings could land higher value than the 30th pick with Robinson.
Cornerback Cedric Griffin is a question mark to start the 2010 season following knee surgery, which means the Vikings need to strengthen the secondary. Robinson is a body cornerback who can play physical and get after the ball.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jared Odrick (DT)—Penn State
Odrick was another prospect who had a strong Senior Bowl week and is right now teetering between the first and second round of the draft. He is a strong-bodied defensive tackle who can push through the line and play with lots of physicality.
He may need a season of work to clean up some raw parts of his game, but Odrick is a value pick who should hold down his job in year two.
32. New Orleans Saints: Sergio Kindle (LB)—Texas
Kindle played out of the three-point stance in college, but his size and mobility will play at the linebacker position at the next level.
The Saints need linebacker depth, and Kindle gives them an option that can get after the quarterback and provide run defense at the second level.
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