NFL Mock Draft: Round One: Why they Should Be Drafted

1.) St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

I know a lot of people have Suh going first, but when you're a team that has as many holes as the Rams do, I think you start with the most important position on the field. The only reason St. Louis wouldn't take Bradford is simply because he didn't play last year. Other than that, Bradford has the NFL size and ability that the Rams just can't pass on this year.

2.) Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Jim Schwartz is a believer in taking the best possible player on the board, and Suh is  definitely the best. What worries me about Suh is his knees, having undergone two surgeries. But when draft time roles around and Suh is still there, Detroit will grab him up and put him next to Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Though Suh is the best player, Russell Okung may be the better choice, because then the Lions could move Jeff Backus to guard and play Okung at the left tackle position to shore up the Lions shaky line. When all is said and done, Schwartz likes Backus, and will likely keep him at left tackle for yet another year. Sorry, Matt Stafford.

3.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Bucs are another team that need a lot of players, and getting McCoy at three will be a great improvement to the line. Not only do you get your franchise tackle, you now have the ability to go after a linebacker or safety. McCoy is most likely the safest pick in the draft, considering he's been healthy his whole career thus far, so if he's here at three expect the Bucs to scoop him up.

4.) Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

A lot of people are predicting that the 'Skins will take a quarterback with the fourth overall pick, but to me it dosen't make since right now. There biggest issue is there line, especially after Chris Samuels decided to retire. Now the left tackle spot is up for grabs, and I don't think Washington will let Okung slip away.

5.) Kansas City Chiefs: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Sorry Al Davis, but your freak of nature lineman wont be there at pick eight. Kansas City is an up-and-coming team who must build around the run game. Jamaal Charles showed great talent toward the middle of last season, and never let up. Bruce Campbell is still a good value at number five and will most definitely help protect Matt Cassel, along with giving Charles bigger holes to run through.

6.) Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

It seems the days of Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle are coming to an end. Pete Carroll wants to make a big splash his first year, and what's bigger than bringing in a possible  franchise quarterback? The great thing about drafting Clausen is that he dosen't have to start his first year, or at least the first few games. He will get the opportunity to grow and develop over the season before he gets thrown into the starting lineup.

7.) Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S , Tennessee

Great value here. The Browns are in desperate need of some back field talent, and Eric Berry has it all. A big time play maker who can not only play safety, but also some corner too. 

Joe Haden is another option here, but the fact that he ran a slow 40 time is going to turn the Browns away. In a division with great number one wide-outs like Anquan Bolden, Chad Ochocinco, and Hines Ward, plus solid second and third options, it leads me to believe that the Browns won't pass on drafting a guy who can cover the field as well as Berry does.

8.) Oakland Raiders: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

I'll make this one short: he can do back flips, and Al Davis loves it.

9.) Buffalo Bills: Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

Buffalo is moving to the 3-4 this season and don't have anyone to play nose tackle. I think Williams isn't worth a ninth overall pick, so expect the Bills to try and move down and acquire additional picks and still get there guy later on. With that being said, Williams is a big body who can stuff the run, and even get to the quarterback on occasion. He will fit nicely with the Bills, and I can't see them taking anyone else right now.

10.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

What was the Jags biggest issue last season? Getting to the quarterback. Jacksonville only sacked the quarterback 14 times last year. With the addition of Aaron Kampman in free agency and the possibility of bringing in Morgan, the Jags fix there biggest need and go from a bad pass rushing team to a good pass rushing team just like that.

11.) Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

The Broncos are dancing in the mile high city! I believe that Dez Bryant falls to 11 simply because he didn't play last year, and supposedly he's a heavy sleeper, even showing up late for games in college, which shows laziness. Yet, while the Broncos are trying to give Brandon Marshall a new city, it leaves a big gap for a big receiver, and Bryant fills in nicely. It will be hard for Bryant to fill the shoes of Marshall (if they trade him), but his his size and potential ability alone should give Denver every reason to draft him.

12.) Miami Dolphins: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

Bill Parcells loves linebackers, and loves drafting linebackers in the first round. Even with the signing of Karlos Dansby, look for the Dolphins to draft McClain and build up that 3-4 defense.

13.) San Francisco 49ers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

The 49ers need two offensive linemen in this year's draft. A lot of people would say they should draft C.J. Spiller here, but that's not how I see it. Over the past few years, the Niners have been a run first type of team, thanks mostly to Frank Gore, who I still believe is a great running back and will be for the next couple of years.

So the need for Spiller or a running back isn't that great this year, at least not in the first round. If you take Bulaga now, you get a great tackle who can play both sides, and with all the holes in that front five, taking Bulaga would be very beneficial. 

14.) Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

If Spiller drops to 14, Seattle won't let him fall any further. The need for a running back is tremendous, and I just can't see Julius Jones or Justin Forsett being the top guy. If the draft goes how I believe it will, Seattle walks out of the first round major winners and get a whole new look to that offence. 

15.) New York Giants: Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Price will be the best available DT left, and the Giants need someone to fill the holes next to there great ends. 

16.) Tennessee Titans: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Even if his speed is in question, the talent is too much to pass up at 16 for the Titans, who need backfield help.

17.) San Francisco 49ers: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho

This is one of my WHAAT!?! picks. But as I said before, I think the 49ers need two offensive lineman in the first round, and Iupati is a big guy with a lot of raw talent who could be a great guard in this league. Jerry Jones definitely won't like it, as Iupati has been his guy ever since the combine, but that's how the draft goes sometimes.

Now if you're a Niners fan, this can't seem that great to you. It may seem like a boring first round, but with all the depth at running back and other other defensive positions, I say to take your big uglies first.

18.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State.

He's the best corner left in the draft. If you're Pitt you take him now and stop worrying about your backfield. 

19.) Atlanta Falcons: Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Griffen is a great athletic talent: at 6'4", 273 pounds, he ran an amazing 4.66 in the 40 yard dash at the combine. The Falcons are a team that's maybe one or two pieces away from being back in the playoffs, and getting better at defensive end is the best thing they can do here. Jamaal Anderson hasn't shown his worth after being the eighth overall pick back in 2007, and I don't think Atlanta is willing to wait any longer.

20.) Houston Texans: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

With Williams, Houston gets some more youth in the line and start from there. Houston is a good team who only needs that little extra help up front, and if Williams pans out, they will be loving not taking a defensive player in the first round of 2010 for years to come.

21.) Cincinnati Bengals: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas

It's likely the Bengals are going to bring in a wide receiver via free agency, so that allows them to go ahead and take a corner or safety. 

22.) New England Patriots: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

A guy who some compare to Dwight Freeney, mostly because of size, Brandon Graham is a steal at No. 22. As a University of Michigan fan, the one bright spot we have had over the last couple of years has been watching this guy play. For those of you who watched the Senior Bowl and were amazed by how well he did, that's just what Michigan fans have come to expect from Graham.

23.) Green Bay Packers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers  

Davis has been really hurting his draft stock, but regardless, he won't fall out of the first round. The Packers need another lineman, with Chad Clifton getting up there in age, and they could use a guy like Davis without even having to start him the first year.

24.) Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Mays, S, USC

Mays is a safety who plays like a linebacker and is really good in the box. He has shown his big play ability, speed, and smarts. If he's there at 24, I have a hard time believing that Philly won't take him.

25.) Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Gresham gives the Ravens another option for Joe Flacco, who could defiantly use another tight end. Todd Heap is starting to show his age, and less ability to make plays, though he did finish the season strong. Regardless, the Ravens could really use Gresham.

26.) Arizona Cardinals: Sean Weatherspoon, ILB, Missouri

This pick just makes a whole lot of sense. With Dansby gone, the Cards are going to be looking to add an inside linebacker to fill the gap. Weatherspoon has the size and speed to play in the 3-4. He's a great tackler and is very aggressive; Weatherspoon is most likely the top guy on Arizona's charts.

27.) Dallas Cowboys: Nate Allen, FS, South Florida

With Iupati gone, the Cowboys look to fill their next biggest need. Their backfield is only decent, and a guy like Nate Allen will fit very nicely. A lot of people have him going in the second round, but I believe he just has too much talent to slip. He's a player that can be better in the pros than in college, with the right system and coaching. 

28.) San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews, RB,  Fresno State

San Diego needs a running back, and Mathews is the best available option. Simple as that.

29.) New York Jets: Golden Tate, WR, Norte Dame

Mark Sanchez could use a Percy Harvin-type of player, and that's what Tate brings to the table.

30.) Minnesota Vikings: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

Minnesota is a great team without many holes to fill, so grabbing a talented corner in the first round is most likely what the Viking's will do.

31.) Indianapolis Colts: Maurkice Pouncey, G/C, Florida

The Colt's have other needs, but their highest priority is to protect there biggest investment, Peyton Manning.

32.) New Orleans Saints: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida 

The defending super bowl champs are a great example of the rich getting richer. Dunlap is a good player who can jump right into the starting spot, filling in where Charles Grant used to be.