Mock Draft Part I 4/10

1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford: It looks pretty much like Sam is the new “Spirit of St. Louis”. At this point I don’t see the Rams going in a different direction.

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh: OT is still an option, but the trade for Rob Sims means the Lions would no longer kick Backus inside. I think they go defensive tackle here, and address offensive issues later.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy: Bucs desperately need a play-maker on the interior of their DL, and will be quite happy with either Suh or McCoy.

4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung: The silver lining of the McNabb deal is the Redskins will draft almost certainly draft their biggest need OT. Given the depth of the position and the Redskins lack of draft choices, a trade back is possible, but if they keep the pick Okung will be their man.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry: One of the biggest wild cards at the top the draft the Chiefs could go in any direction, OT, QB, CB, trade up, trade down. I think they turn some heads and draft Berry here. I think the Chiefs lack of ‘interest’ in Berry could be a smoke screen so another team doesn’t trade ahead of them to get him. Berry is the best player in this draft and will instantly make the Chiefs better.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga: I think Joe Haden will be tempting for Seattle, but I think they will go OT with their first pick. Pete Carroll needs to get stronger at the point of attack for the Seattle offense to have any chance, Bulaga is a mauler up front and should keep the pressure off whoever lines up behind center.

7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden: In actuality if this is the board that is facing them I think the Browns trade back. They desperately want Eric Berry so a trade up is possible as well. If they can’t move Haden should be their pick. Yes they traded for Sheldon Brown, but Haden could see a lot of work in nickel packages. Outside linebacker is a possiblity as well but Jason Pierre-Paul is a bit of a reach here.

8. Oakland Raiders: Trent Williams: This is a pick that could go in any direction, because Al Davis is so unpredictable. But the Raiders biggest need is offensive tackle, and Williams would be a great fit. Bruce Campbell given his athleticism could also be over drafted to fill the need at OT, but Williams is almost as athletic.

9. Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen: We will see how much the Bills value QB over offensive line, but if Okung, Bulaga, and Williams are gone I think this pick is a no brainer. Clausen gives the Bills a franchise figure, and the only way they could really pass him up is if they trade for Jason Campbell. Outside of that Clausen should be their man, even if they need to trade up to get him.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Morgan: Another team that could go in a few directions, but Morgan is an absolute steal here. He would likely go higher if the Chiefs or Browns ran the 4-3, but shouldn’t slide past the Jags. Morgan will be a major upgrade on the worst pass rush in the league last season. And I firmly believe Morgan will be a star at the next level.

11. Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant: Brandon Marshall is on the way out in the Denver and I think the Broncos will want to replace him with their top pick. I’m not sold on Bryant being a ’star’, but it sounds like the draft hype will keep him in the top 15. Denver seems like the type of team that will overdraft a player based on how their draft played out last season.

12. Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams: The Dolphins could use an active nose tackle and Williams fits the bill perfectly. Corner back is also a possibility, but the nose tackle is a bigger need here.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Jason Pierre-Paul: Pierre-Paul is pretty raw, but is the long athletic pass rusher the 49ers need. With another 1st round pick coming up San Fran can wait to address their OT situation.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas: The Seahawks wanted Eric Berry at 6, but went the prudent route with a tackle. Thomas isn’t as good as Berry, but he is still an impact safety.

15. New York Giants: Rolando McClain: McClain may best be suited for work on the interior of a 3-4 defense, but the Giants know defenders better than anyone. He will fill an immediate need here for New York and should develop into the leader they are hoping for.

16. Tennessee Titans: Everson Griffen: This pick will be on defense that much we know, but the Titans have holes at every spot its hard to read what they are targeting. They could still use more help getting after the quarterback so Griffen makes a lot of sense here, Sergio Kindle at linebacker could also be an option, given his pass rush ability.

Check back later this afternoon for Part II, which will also have our first look at the 2nd round.