1 Bold Prediction for Every NFL Team's 1st-Round Draft Choice

Not every first-round pick is going to "fit" with the team they were chosen by.

While some players will excel and prove to be the right "fit" and will produce like they were drafted to, others will flounder and therefore be questioned by pundits across the board.

But every first-round choice will have their own "story" to tell. And that story could define them as a player for years to come.

Here are bold statements about every first-round draft pick from this year's selection party.

1. Andrew Luck Will Not Make People Forget Peyton Manning Any Time Soon

He has said all the right things so far and has been the good soldier, but the fact is Andrew Luck is not Peyton Manning. Yet.

In Manning's first season in Indianapolis, he threw 26 touchdowns but also suffered 28 interceptions.

I do not expect Luck to throw as many interceptions, where he will be asked to learn on the job, just as Manning.

But expecting him to throw 26 touchdown passes may also be a lot to ask of the Stanford All-American.

2. Robert Griffin III Will Lead the League in Jersey Sales This Year

We knew things in Washington would be interesting, but they continue to get better for Robert Griffin, III.

As of May, RG3 had not taken an official NFL snap and according to published reports, his jersey was already the most popular selling jersey so far this year.

The rookie passer, who was taken second overall, is also the first player ever to have Roman numerals on the name on the back of the jersey in the NFL.

Sadly, while the number of jerseys RG3 may sell this season is high, the win total in the nation's capital will remain low.

3. Trent Richardson Is the Best Running Back in Cleveland Since Jim Brown

This is why it pays to make a move in the draft, even if it is one spot when it comes to getting the player a team wants.

Trent Richardson will be the toast of Cleveland, proving he is a better back than his former teammate and Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram. He will also lead all rookies in rushing and challenge for the AFC rushing title.

Richardson will inject life in the Browns offense and make people wonder if indeed he can be another workhorse like the greatest runner in Cleveland history, Jim Brown.

4. Vikings Get Their Replacement for McKinnie in Kalil

Southern Cal has been noted over the years for producing some great tackles who have gone on to stellar careers in the NFL. Anthony Munoz. Tony Boselli and Roy Foster have been a few.

Add Matt Kalil to the list.

The Vikings traded down one spot with Cleveland and still picked the player they needed to strengthen their offensive line. Kalil will step right in at left tackle and replace Bryant McKinnie, who was released last season and wound up playing in Baltimore.

Kalil will also provide great run blocking for Adrian Peterson and become the security guard for Christian Ponder's blind side.

5. Justin Blackmon Leads Jaguars in Touchdowns but Not Receptions

It's strange to see Blackmon on the Jaguars practice field wearing No. 14. But the rookie receiver will prove he was the right number for Jacksonville.

While it is expected that Blackmon, the All-American from Oklahoma State, will be in the starting lineup from day one, his role with the team may be of a second receiver, opposite free-agent signee, Laurent Robinson.

Look for Blackmon to be the big playmaker and lead the team in touchdowns, but when it comes to receptions and moving the chains, Robinson may have more catches than the highlighted rookie.

In time, Blackmon will lead the team in both categories.

6. Dallas Has the Best Secondary in the NFL with Morris Claiborne on Board

The Cowboys went into free agency with a plan; to make the secondary a priority.

They signed Brandon Carr and Brodney Pool, which was more than enough to make a statement that they were serious about making improvements in a division with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and DeSean Jackson.

Then, the Cowboys made another statement when they moved up from No. 14 to No. 6 in the draft in a trade with the St. Louis Rams and took the best defensive back in the draft, Morris Claiborne. The move was another solid and bold one from team owner Jerry Jones.

And for the next half decade, the team should have one of the best, if not the best secondary in the NFL.

7. Mark Barron Will Lead the NFL in Interceptions This Season

Talk about your bold predictions.

Barron was a player the Bucs targeted and were more than willing to trade with the Jaguars two spots to No. 7 and pick up a fourth-round selection.

Once the Cowboys moved in the sixth slot and selected Claiborne, Barron was there for the picking.

Look for Barron to pick up where he left off in college at Alabama and cover receivers like a blanket and help the Buccaneers on special teams.

8. Ryan Tannehill Cannot Beat out Starter Matt Moore in Miami

This may be the reason why you do not decide the third-best passer in the draft is a quarterback who had virtually no reps in the postseason.

Ryan Tannehill remained a solid third option on everyone's draft board behind Andrew Luck and RG3 for most of the postseason, although he could not show off his talent because of a foot injury.

The time off may have hurt him more than he expected.

Matt Moore did not have an awful season for the Dolphins last season after he replaced the injured Chad Henne, but he also did not have the sexy numbers Dan Marino used to throw up on a yearly basis.

Tannehill may be the quarterback of this team's future, but he will need to first beat out Moore and veteran David Garrard before that can happen.

9. Luke Kuechly Leads the Panthers in Tackles

Kuechly is the type of player that will make head coach Ron Rivera smile.

Last season, the Panthers hit a home run with the selection of Cam Newton, who exceeded everyone's expectations. Now, the team looked to the defensive side of the ball and filled a huge need with one of the best players in the draft.

Kuechly stepped right into the middle of the linebacking corps and provided tackle upon tackle, much like he did in college.

While he will not make people forget the style of play that Sam Mills was famous for, the rookie linebacker will be a starter and team leader for years to come.

10. Buffalo's Gilmore Cannot Llive Up to the Hype

One of the highest rising players on draft night turned out to be South Carolina defensive back Stephon Gilmore. In days leading up to his selection, it was thought Gilmore could break into the top 10.

He did with the Buffalo Bills.

After signing defensive end Mario Williams to a free-agent contract, the Bills then set their sights on protecting the back end of their defense.

Gilmore may have been touted as a cure for the team's leak in the secondary, but he will not play like he is the elixir Chan Gailey is looking for.

11. Chiefs Shore Up Defensive Line as Dontari Poe Proves to Be Best of 1st Round

When you are 6'3" and 346 pounds and can move like a pass-rusher and plug the middle like a cork, then you are a special player.

While Poe played at Memphis, which may not have been against the best talent in the country, Poe still gained national notice and was superb at the combine.

The Chiefs will use him in the middle to stop the run and maybe outside on passing downs.

There is so much versatility in this guy, he will be a mainstay of the Chiefs defense for years to come.

12. Eagles' Cox Makes Pro Bowl in Rookie Season

The Eagles have always prided themselves on having a solid defensive line.

Cox just adds another dimension.

The Mississippi State player was familiar with all-world talent having played in the SEC, but he will take his game to another level in the pros.

The NFC East is one of those divisions where running the football is crucial and stopping the run is just as important.

Cox will help lead the Eagles' charge.

13. Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald Finds a "Robin" to His Batman

Finally, Fitzgerald can relax. While Kevin Kolb or John Skelton will be throwing balls to Fitzgerald, they will also be tossing passes toward Floyd to keep the defenses honest.

Floyd will have about 70 catches and 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season and prove to be the team's answer to Anquan Bolden.

If Floyd and Fitzgerald can mesh quickly, then the Cardinals may become the Cardinals of old.

But the Cardinals must make sure Kolb is the one behind center to make that happen.

14. Brockers May Not Be the Best Choice for the Rams to Move Forward

When Jeff Fisher got mad at the Jaguars for selecting Justin Blackmon one spot ahead of him in last month's draft, it was a sign.

And when he traded down in the draft, it was with the hope of possibly getting Michael Floyd. Well, for the record, Fisher missed out on Blackmon and Floyd by one selection each.

It seems like maybe Brockers was a move Fisher did not want to make. He is a big "project" who may have to grow into his position. That is not what Fisher needs with this team.

If Brockers takes a whole season to make the transition to the NFL, then this was a wasted pick.

15. Seattle Still Has Teams Wondering About Bruce Irvin

While there were two picks in the draft which made most of us turn our heads (Bryan Anger to the Jaguars and Kirk Cousins to Washington), Irvin's turned everyone's head in the first round.

At 245 pounds, he will be an outside linebacker and end pass-rusher on the line for the Seahawks. But looking at the draft board, there were other players who may have been best suited for the team.

I look at Irvin and I see a talent that could have been there in the second round. Seattle could have added a receiver or another defensive player to the team.

Irvin better play like Brian Urlacher for this pick to be justified.

16. Quinton Colpes Will Hear the Boos from the Jets Fans During Game One

Sometimes, you just cannot win.

And sometimes, you cannot win because you play football in New York.

Coples was not well-received by the New York fans on draft night at Radio City Music Hall. Maybe they were expecting Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw as the team's choice. Add questions about his play in his senior season and Coples will have to work doubly hard to erase doubts.

If he comes out the gate knocking people over, it'll help. But if he looks lost in the first game and soon thereafter, there will be trouble in the Big Apple.

17. Dre Kirkpatrick Could Give Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis Headaches

Could Marvin Lewis have another head case on his hands? Hopefully not.

Hopefully, Kirkpatrick can show he is every bit as talented in the pros as he was in the college game.

I just believe at some point, players like Kirkpatrick (Janoris Jenkins) and others will have a difficult transition to the next level.

And while Kirkpatrick and his legal questions in the offseason were cleared up (marijuana charge) it still has to make you think about the future and the past the Bengals have had with problem players.

18. Melvin Ingram Will Win the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Chargers

You heard it here first.

Ingram could have gone as high as seventh (at the time) to the Jaguars and lasted until the 18th pick in the draft.

Ingram could be the rookie sack leader and could provide the pass rush this team needs and has lacked since Shawne Merriman.

What is a loss for 17 other teams is the mega gain of the Chargers.

19. The Bears Will Need to Bring Shea McClellin Along Slowly This Season

Where do you play him? Does he fit in a regular 4-3 defense? Is he a defensive end or a rush linebacker?

McClellin was rising up draft boards on April 26, and the Bears bit on the Boise State talent.

But in my opinion, McClellin was still a second-round talent.

If he is used in packages that allow the 6"3", 260-pounder to use his speed, then he can be successful. But I also believe larger linemen and even big running backs will be able to block him at the line and in the backfield.

He is the classic "tweener."

20. Kendall Wright Was Right Choice Playing Opposite Kenny Britt in Tennessee

I like this pick. Wright was thought to be a first-round pick, but was not as big as a Justin Blackmon or a Michael Floyd.

But at 5'10", Wright can still get the job done.

With Britt and Wright using speed to get past defenders, the Titans look to pass the ball more. And with both of them moving down the field, the running game can open up more.

21. Chandler Jones Is One of the Bill Belichick-Type Players

New England just proves over and over again it knows how to draft players.

This time, it is the defensive end out of Syracuse.

The Patriots traded up to get Jones, who will step into the starting lineup and add more speed and youth to a pass rush that needs more upgrading.

Teams who continue to draft good players continue to have all the luck.

22. Cleveland Needs Weeden to Be the Starter If the Browns Are Going to Win

When the Browns selected Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden with the 22nd overall selection, it sent a few messages to the team as well as the NFL.

First, it told starter Colt McCoy that the organization was not happy with the way the offense has been moving since McCoy was drafted three seasons ago. And second, it meant the starting job was Weeden's to lose.

Weeden and Trent Richardson will need to provide the spark the city and football community have been looking for.

It also means this team is in an offensive rebuilding mode and hopes these two rookies are as successful as Andy Dalton and A.J. Green were last season.

23. Riley Reiff Will Be a Pro Bowl Tackle Before Matt Kalil

They grow them big out in Iowa. And sometimes when you fall in the first round of the NFL draft, you land in the best spot possible.

That may have happened to Reiff, who I thought would surely be gone by the 10th selection at Buffalo.

Reiff will be the "pancake" blocker this team needs and open holes for the running game, not to mention be the protector of Matt Stafford's blind side.

Things are coming together in Detroit. Now, everyone needs to stay out of trouble.

24. The Steelers Find Another First-Round Gem in DeCastro

If you want to know how to draft good players, take a look at the Steelers and their model.

Year after year, the scouts seem to find the right players, especially on the offensive line. Two seasons ago, it was Maurkice Pouncey, who played in the Super Bowl in his first season. This year, it is DeCastro from Stanford.

DeCastro is a great blocker and grader who at one point in the offseason was a top 10 prospect. If he can step right into the Steelers lineup, he will be a 10-year player for this team.

25. New England Gets Another Starter in Hightower from Alabama

Now that they found a pass-rusher to come in and take charge, Bill Belichick did his homework and found a college stud in Hightower.

Look for the Alabama star to be brought along slowly and worked into the lineup.

But once he gets into the starting 11, don't look for him to leave.

Hightower could also be used in special teams and return situations.

26. Mercilus Shows No Mercy on Quarterbacks for the Texans

The team loses their 2007 first-round pick in Mario Williams and may have claimed his replacement in the April draft when they chose Whitney Mercilus.

For a team needing few holes filled, Mercilus will prove to be a solid starter or a key reserve on the Texans top-ranked defense in the NFL.

Mercilus, a product of Illinois, led the country in sacks last season and seems to be an edge rusher who can create havoc on the outside.

If the team decides to use him and Connor Barwin as edge rushers in blitz packages, there will be some very sore quarterbacks looking for better blocking.

27. Cincinnati Had Choices Other Than Zeitler on the Offensive Line

If someone like Cordy Glenn or even Jonathan Martin prove to be better linemen in their rookie seasons than Kevin Zeitler, then Cincinnati may have some fans scratching their heads.

That is not to say Zeitler is not a good, solid player for this team. Cincinnati needed help on its offensive line, in the receiving corps and in the secondary. They filled those needs.

Whether they filled them to the point it will make an immediate impact on this team remains to be seen.

Zeitler had better be a run supporter and road grader from day one.

28. Packers Perry Still a Year Away from Being a Star

The idea to draft Nick Perry from Southern Cal wasn't a bad idea.

Expecting him to be a major contributor in Dom Capers' defense this season was.

Perry was a true junior when he came out of college and is young and needs time to grow into the pro ranks.

The fact he has bulked up to 265 pounds will help him, but the college game is not as fast as the NFL. Perry will need a season to learn.

29. Harrison Smith Will Not Be the Answer to the Vikings Secondary Woes

Another team who traded back into the first round only to select a player who could have been there in the second round when the Vikings made their pick.

Smith is a good player and he adds speed and coverage skills to the Vikings defense. He also can add a spark to the return game.

But you cannot expect him to be the bandage to this porous secondary.

The Vikings need more and Smith still may not be the answer.

30. A.J. Jenkins Will Have a Hard Time Getting on the Field This Season in SF

All of the sudden what may have been a team weakness is now the best receiving corps in the NFL?

Well, not that great, but with free-agent signings and then the drafting of A.J. Jenkins, it will be hard for the receiver from Illinois to get on the field.

Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham figure to be the starters. Then there is Randy Moss, who can still fly down the field and make the impossible catch. Then you have Vernon Davis who is really a receiver in a tight end's body.

Where are the catches for Jenkins? This may be a season of watch and learn.

31. Doug Martin Will Be the Starting Tailback in Tampa Bay

Alright, maybe this is not as much of a bold prediction as others, but when you trade back into the first round to take Martin, who may have been there for the picking when they chose again, that means this cat will be starting in your backfield this coming season.

The Buccaneers had been using LeGarrette Blount as the workhorse of the team last season, but Martin can give the offense some more versatility. Blount followed a 1,000-yard rookie season with only 781 yards running last season.

Look for Martin to get the ball early and often in the hot Tampa Bay sun.

32. The Giants Should Have Drafted LaMichael James Instead of David Wilson

Yes, the team released Brandon Jacobs and needed to find a replacement, but I think Wilson will be the wrong fit for the team.

It's hard to replace a 6'4" and 265-pound bruising runner.

But the Giants missed the boat in finding the next Joe Morris who could run, catch the football out of the backfield and help in the return game.

Wilson could be a great, dependable back, but having someone with James' talent is hard to come by.