The top 10 of 64...
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Marc Bulger’s successor has vastly improved under Coach Steve Sarkisian, and his experience of playing for a bad college team is a desirable attribute for a Rams team that doesn’t figure to be in for a quick fix. His mobility, leadership, and attitude will go a long way in that locker room.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The giant has the agility and athleticism to play anywhere on the DL and make a huge impact. The Bucs are in the painful process of overhauling the entire defensive roster and badly need a building block up front.
3. Tennessee Titans: Jimmy Claussen, QB, Notre Dame
I’m not convinced Claussen is going to leave, but if he does he will be hard for the Titans to overlook. Tennessee needs a commanding young presence at QB that can ease the burden off the running game.
4. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
What, no QB? Given their experiences with prominent QBs with balky shoulders (Chad Pennington, Kyle Boller), I have a real hard time seeing Eric Mangini and George Kokinis taking a chance on Sam Bradford here. Berry is a dynamic playmaker that can tackle and create turnovers, something the Browns arguably need worse than a QB anyways. This being Mangini, expect them to trade down and take a WR in the 20s if this were reality.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
In order to justify their asinine investment in Matt Cassel, Scot Pioli and the Chiefs decide the best way to do that is by giving him better weapons. Bryant compares to Calvin Johnson and could form a lethal 1-2 punch with Dwayne Bowe and just might wind up grading out higher than any other player in this draft.
6. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
His stock is slipping a little, but McCoy is a proven disruptive force on the DL, which is precisely what the doctor ordered in Detroit. His quickness and ability to shed blocks give McCoy a chance to be special.
7. Oakland Raiders: Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State
He fits the Al Davis draftee profile--big, fast, strong, not as skilled as some would like but with potential to be dominant. You can bet a coach like Tom Cable, an OL coach at heart, will lobby for this pick.
8. Washington Redskins: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
Whoever the new coach might be will want a clean slate and a QB to build around. McCoy has the athleticism, pluck, and accuracy to make it in the mold of Jeff Garcia, a guy who is a winner as much as he’s a good QB. They sorely need that in DC.
9. San Francisco 49ers (from CAR): Taylor Mays, S, USC
An athletic monster with questionable football IQ, Mays is an intimidating presence that Coach Singletary can put to good use. This is the pick the Panthers gave up to draft Everette Brown; think they want it back?
10. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma
This is probably too high for Williams, who best projects as a RT in the NFL. He could be a very good one, however, and the Seahawks need brand new bookends and must take the chance here.
If you send me an email at Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com, tell me your screen name so I don't blow you off
