Rams Hoping To Strike QB Gold In Draft

The NFL, that bastion of sameness, is trying something new by moving the start of its annual player draft from Saturday midday (Eastern) to Thursday night this year.

The St. Louis rams would like new results, such as not picking first in 2011. OK, maybe they expect to be picking high next year anyway, so they figure it makes sense to plan long-term.

For that reason, then Rams will pass up the best player available, Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, and take their top-rated quarterback, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford.

That may or may not turn out to be a wise move, but if you think a Hall of Fame QB (or at least a guy that'll get you to Super Bowls) is available, you have to take him. I don't think Bradford qualifies, but someone in St. Louis obviously does.

The Detroit Lions got their franchise quarterback last year in Matthew Stafford. They'll take Suh with the second pick, and improve their defense immediately.

Here's the rest of my Mock Draft:

3. Tampa Bay -- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. I'd rather see the Pewter Pirates make a more exciting pick, but the defense is a pale shadow of the unit that shut down practically everyone it faced.

4. Washington -- Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State. The Redskins need solid quarterback play to go anywhere. Their signal-callers will be better off not running for their lives.

5. Kansas City -- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Three straight from the Sooner State. K.C. Has problems all over the place, and Bryant is the most explosive player among those worth this high a choice.

6. Seattle -- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. The Seahawks need to think about their arm of the future, and Clausen will want to impress his new coach, Pete Carroll.

7. Cleveland -- Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama. He's not only got the talent this defense needs, but can bring a winning attitude.

8. Oakland  -- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. For once, the Raiders play it straight. Best player available.

9. Buffalo -- Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa. When it doubt, take a highly rated, corn-fed offensive lineman.

10. Jacksonville -- Joe Haden, CB, Florida. An outstanding and versatile in-state talent.

11. Denver -- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

12. Miami -- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF

13. San Francisco -- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

14. Seattle -- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

15. New York Giants -- Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers

16. Tennessee -- Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama

17. San Francisco -- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

18. Pittsburgh -- Taylor Mays, S, USC

19. Atlanta -- Jahvid Best, RB, Cal

20. Houston -- Earl Thomas, S, Texas

21. Cincinnati -- Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

22. New England -- Daryl Washington, LB, TCU

23. Green Bay -- Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

24. Philadelphia -- Dan Lefevour, QB, Central Michigan

25. Baltimore -- Bruce Campbell, T, Maryland

26. Arizona -- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

27. Dallas -- Everson Griffen, DE, USC

28. San Diego -- Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida

29. New York Jets -- Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

30. Minnesota -- Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

31. Indianapolis -- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

32. New Orleans Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

Of course, trades, late-night salary tiffs and Al Davis being Al Davis could alter things significantly.