First Round Part 1

1. St. Louis Rams (1-15): Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (Jr.)
This is by far the best QB prospect this year. Clausen runs a pro-style offense in one of the most prolific schools in the country. He threw for 3,722 yards, 28 touchdowns, only 4 interceptions and 68% completion rating. Those are staggering numbers for a QB that is not running the spread and not to mention he has to throw behind a very subpar offensive line. With Bulger no longer the same Pro Bowl QB he was in 06, the Rams will need a new QB of the future and Clausen is the perfect choice.

2. Detroit Lions (2-14): Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Sr.)
The best prospect of the whole draft and possibly one of the best prospects of the decade, Suh would be the smartest choice for the Lions. If anyone has seen a Nebraska game then there is no missing the largest and most talented player on the field. He is a brilliant pass-rusher that can break down the interior of lines and create pressure to rattle the QB. Not only can he pressure the QB but more importantly he is a guy that would require double teams allowing the rest of the defense to have an easier shot at making plays. This is without a doubt definitely something the Lions are desperate to get, they ranked dead last in the league on defense and 29th in total sacks on the year.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13): Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (Sr.)
The Bucs could use a gap filling DT like Suh or Gerald McCoy but I think they skip them to select the best safety prospect since Sean Taylor came out of Miami. He is the definition of a ball hawking safety; if you need a clutch game-changing interception then Berry is your man. He has the speed, the power, and the intelligence to be a 10-time Pro Bowler. Berry would be the step in the right direction for a painfully old and average defensive back core they have. Quarterback’s will learn to think twice about throwing into his zone.

4. Washington Redskins (4-12): Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (Jr.)
Everyone is convinced that the Redskins will take a QB after seemingly giving up on Campbell and trying to trade him. New head coach usually means new poster child, with Clausen gone Bradford will be their favorite. After missing almost the whole season after winning the Heisman Trophy, Bradford should still end up somewhere in the first-round. Bradford has adequate arm strength for the NFL and has shown he is very good at finding open receivers. But a big concern is that Bradford’s accuracy is spotty at times and he ran a shotgun/spread offense most of his college career which does not translate well to the NFL.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12): Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Last year who can forget the trade the chiefs orchestrated with the Patriots for Matt Cassel who was hailed as their future. The Chiefs offense was anemic all year and allowed Cassel to be sacked a total of 42 times in 15 games (that's 4th in the NFL). If the Chiefs truly believe he is the future then it would be smart for them to draft the best tackle in the draft to sure up the LT spot for many years. Brandon Albert is not what you would call a franchise, Okung could be the one piece on offense the Chiefs need.

6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11): Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The second best DT in the draft lands with the Seahawks. The Seahawks could definitely use a QB because Matt Hasselbeck has been batting through injuries and isn't getting any younger; Even bigger concern has been their banged-up offensive-line, especially their future hall of famer Walter Jones. But McCoy is top-5 talent and at #6 I don't see how the Seahawks can pass him up. McCoy fits the Seahawks 4-3 defense perfectly, he will provide very adequate pass rush like Suh. The Hawks were a lot worse in pass coverage but McCoy's great motor and elite athleticism should pressure the QB more and force who ever it is to make mistakes. Pete Carroll lays the foundation of a defense that might return to top of the league with McCoy's addition.

7. Cleveland (5-11): Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Here is a step in the right direction for the Browns. The only real elite shut-down corner of the draft would be Haden. He has by far the best ball skills, his speed allows for him to match up with almost any receiver on an island and he can even pressure the QB (acquired 3 sacks and 3 hurries this year). The browns ranked 29th is passing defense and 31st in total defense, so you could say an elite corner is a necessity. Some concerns to note about Haden is that he might measure in at the combine at a lower height then listed (listed as 5-11 but usually skewed) and he is not very impressive when playing zone coverage, lacking the awareness needed.

8. Oakland (5-11): Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Jamarcus Russell clearly showed he is the polar opposite of what a franchise QB is; maybe the Raiders realized it after Russell was standing on the sidelines eating skittles. The Raiders let all three of their starting QB's this past season to be sacked a total of 49 times, whoever their starting QB is they need help standing straight. Campbell is the second best OT in the draft, he might not be very durable or have a lot of starting experience but the guy is an athletic freak, elite speed (some think he could run a 4.9 40m) and his pass blocking is top-notch. Al Davis, don't screw this pick up and if you get it right then your QB's will thank you for it.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
After trading Jason Peters the Bills did absolutely nothing to replace their former Pro Bowl LT. After passing on Michael Oher last year I don't see how they can pass on Anthony Davis who would be an instant up-grade to an line that was laughable, giving up 46 sacks. After an over-hull of the coaching staff they are in complete rebuilding mode, at this point no QB is worth taking meaning franchise LT is all they can hope for. Davis has perfect size you want in an lineman and his run-blocking is elite meaning he will be Jackson and Lynch's new best friend.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9): Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
The Jags are not going to draft Tebow, I don't care if they want to sell tickets or not this is a football move. What killed Jacksonville all year was their defense, they couldn't pressure the QB to save their life and it lead to giving up many big plays. If you think I am kidding then pay attention to this stat, the Jags were last in the league in sacks with a pathetic 14 sacks. The second closest team was the Chiefs with 22. Morgan is one of the best pass rushing prospects, he has the elite quick first step to penetrate a line and sack the QB. If the defense comes together then they will be playing for the playoffs next year.





11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) (7-9): Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Brandon Marshall is probably done playing in Denver, yet I still don't see them taking Dez Bryant with the 11th pick. Eddie Royal is still a good WR that was very under utilized this season. With one of their picks from dealing Cutler the Broncos look to improve their already much improved defense. McClain has an excellent body to play linebacker, he fits the 3-4 defense very well and reminds me of Patrick Willis in terms of what he can do production wise and bringing that leader presence to the field. Being only 20 years old he could turn out like to be a future 10+ year starter.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Miami's new defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan would have loved to take McClain to help their defense but at this position they are drafting one of the best prospects available and also for need. Bryant has been labeled the best receiver in the draft because of his athleticism, great hands and will be a QB's best friend when it comes to route adjusments. Ted Ginn Junior (the infamous pick over Brady Quinn) hasn't done anything noteworthy as a WR, if the Dolphins are going to stick with Chad Henne as their QB then they need offensive weapons. Honestly, besides Ginn name one of their other wide receivers.

13. San Francisco (8-8): C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Possibly one of the most intriguing prospects of the draft would be the multi-dimensional Spiller. If anyone has seen him play there is no denying he is a play maker whether it is returning kicks/punts, running the ball or even catching it out of the back field. He even threw for a touchdown pass this year. Spiller contains elite speed like Chris Johnson, he is elusive and has some of the best hands of any RB. Running Back isn't a huge need for the 49ers but he is the best player available, he can do all the 49er return duties which their return game was horrid last year and would be the perfect complementary back to Frank Gore.

On my next post I will finish with the rest of the first round, criticism is always welcomed.