The potential impact that the underclassmen will have on this year's draft is obvious, as you look over my most recent attempt to predict the future; I project 19 underclassmen and just 13 seniors being selected in the first round. If it weren’t for the underclassmen each year, the NFL Draft would be ordinary and lack the intrigue that creates a frenzy this time of year.
With that said, the intrigue builds as to what name NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will call first. It all starts with the St. Louis Rams and they’re on the clock…
 |
|
|
Senior |
DT |
6-4 |
302 |
| Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen are possibilities for the Rams, but it appears they prefer a veteran like Michael Vick. If so, Suh is the pick. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
FS |
5-11 |
203 |
| The Lions have a lot of needs, especially on defense. Other than Suh, Berry is the most gifted player available and will be tough to pass up. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DT |
6-4 |
298 |
| Just like the Lions, the Bucs need help on defense. They could use a pass rushing DE, but with McCoy available they get the penetrating DT they covet. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
QB |
6-4 |
223 |
| It's been years since the Redskins had a QB they could count on and with a new regime in place, drafting Bradford gives Mike Shanahan a solid pupil. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
OT |
6-5 |
302 |
| The Chiefs have their eye on Berry and if he fell to them they wouldn't waste any time to select him. Since he's off the board, they take Okung. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
QB |
6-2 |
223 |
| With Pete Carroll in place as the new head coach in Seattle, drafting a potential franchise QB is a must. Carroll is comfortable with Clausen. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
CB |
5-11 |
190 |
| The Browns secondary has been a disaster and while they would also love for Berry to fall to them, Haden is the lock down CB they desire. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
OT |
6-6 |
325 |
| Al Davis is enamored with players that have a great combination of size and speed, and with the Raiders in need of an OT, Davis makes the most sense. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
OT |
6-6 |
312 |
| The Bills need help on the O-Line and Bulaga is the next best LT prospect after Okung and Davis. Bulaga has the talent to start right away. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
WR |
6-2 |
220 |
| With Brandon Marshall likely on his way out of Denver, the Broncos have to draft a big play WR early in the draft. Bryant is the best available. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DE |
6-4 |
272 |
| The Jaguars hope that Bradford or Clausen fall to them, but it's unlikely. Instead, they turn to defense and add a solid all around DE in Morgan. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
MLB |
6-4 |
256 |
| The Dolphins need a big playmaking WR, but with Bryant off the board, they will wait until the 2nd Round. So, they turn to defense and take McClain. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
OT |
6-5 |
318 |
| The 49ers have a few holes that need to be corrected and there isn't one more glaring than OT. Williams will start immediately at RT. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
RB |
5-11 |
195 |
| With their 1st pick, the Seahawks drafted their franchise QB and now they get a game changer in Spiller. In the 2nd Round they will get their OT. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DE |
6-6 |
290 |
| The Giants always look to upgrade their defense. They could draft a safety with Kenny Phillips’ future uncertain. But Dunlap is hard to pass on. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
OLB |
6-1 |
263 |
| Taylor Mays and Earl Thomas will be attractive to the 49ers with this pick, but Graham's versatility and explosiveness off the edge has him ascending. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DE |
6-3 |
278 |
| The Titans have to get younger at DE and it all starts with the 17th pick. Dunlap is off the board, but Griffen is just as promising and is the pick. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
OG |
6-5 |
325 |
| The Steelers were hoping for one of the premier OTs to fall to them, but with all of them off the board, Iupati's ability to play inside and outside fits well. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DE |
6-6 |
265 |
| Pierre-Paul's stock is all over the place. Some have him going in the top 5, others like myself have him in the top 20 - the Falcons are fortunate. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
RB |
5-11 |
235 |
| The Texans need a playmaking safety, but this draft is deep at the position and they will wait. Dwyer gives them the feature back they covet. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
TE |
6-2 |
250 |
| The Bengals have an up-and-coming defense and their offense has improved. But a pass catching TE is needed and Hernandez is the pick. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
LB |
6-1 |
241 |
| The Patriots are going through a transition at LB and they must add more youth. Drafting Weatherspoon will take pressure off of Jerod Mayo. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
S |
6-3 |
231 |
| The Packers could reach for an OT with this pick, but an unexpected surprise occurred with Mays falling into their lap. Mays is an elite talent. |
 |
|
|
rSophomore |
FS |
5-10 |
195 |
| The loss of Brian Dawkins hit the Eagles hard in '09 and a major hole was created at FS. Thomas is a playmaker, but isn't a big hitter. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
WR |
6-3 |
206 |
| The Ravens need a big WR who can be a game breaker on offense. Golden Tate is rated higher, but LaFell gives Joe Flacco a larger target. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
TE |
6-6 |
258 |
| Without Kurt Warner, the Cardinals offense won't be the same. To take pressure off of Matt Leinart, they add a weapon at TE in Gresham. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
WR |
5-11 |
195 |
| The Cowboys could draft an OT or a FS at this spot. But with the talented Tate available, they pair him with the emerging Miles Austin. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
OT |
6-5 |
292 |
| The Chargers may select Jahvid Best with this selection, but adding a young OT like Brown, who can play LT or RT, is the direction they follow. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
DT |
6-2 |
329 |
| The Jets will entertain the notion of pairing Mark Sanchez with his former WR at USC Damian Williams. But they opt for another Williams instead. |
 |
|
|
Senior |
CB |
5-11 |
190 |
| The Vikings could draft a DE with this pick, but Robinson has great value and provides depth in the secondary. He has great cover skills. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
OT |
6-7 |
310 |
| Like a few teams, the Colts could pick the best player available. They have a few needs, and OT is one of them; Campbell is an intriguing prospect. |
 |
|
|
Junior |
DT |
6-2 |
300 |
| In a deep safety draft, the Saints may look for a replacement for Darren Sharper, but injury concerns at DT will lead them to selecting Price. |