For professional football fans across America, the spring and summer months of the year put us through withdrawal, without a single down of football to be played until training camp starts again in July. Out of all the off season activities that occur for NFL teams and their fans, there is one weekend in April that fills us with a new sense of excitement, and for football fans is certainly the most anticipated weekend of the entire offseason; the NFL draft. The draft is the ultimate event of the offseason for teams to instantly make themselves better. This year's draft is no exception. The 2010 NFL draft, airing tonight, Friday and Saturday on ESPN, is one of the deepest drafts in a long time. This year's draft encompasses some of the deepest pools in years at the offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and secondary positions. This draft also includes a few players that are considered "once in a decade talents." This includes the dominating defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh from the University of Nebraska, and safety Eric Berry, from the University of Tennessee, who has drawn comparisons to current NFL superstars Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. Looking at the first round, each of the 32 teams in the National Football League have some holes to fill somewhere in there roster. Let's take a look at the first round and who each team could be selecting.
First Round
St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford: QB- Oklahoma University. The Rams will ignore potential trade offers from such teams as the Browns, and go ahead and draft the 6'4" quarterback from Oklahoma. Bradford is the only quarterback in this year's draft that you could say is a franchise type quarterback right out of college. Bradford possesses a cannon arm, and is a very accurate passer, completing 64 of 65 passes during his pro day workout. The only problem could be a nagging shoulder injury that he kept him sidelined for most of last season with the Sooners.
Detroit Lions: Ndamakong Suh: DT- Nebraska. The Lions will be torn between Suh and offensive tackle Russell Okung, as the Lions offensive line couldn't even protect a cone if they tried let alone last year's #1 pick, in QB Matt Stafford. With that said the Lions take the best player on the board in Suh, a "once in a decade talent" at defensive tackle, who could become a Hall-of-Fame player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy: DT- Oklahoma. The Bucs will take McCoy, a fantastic talent in his own right when compared to Suh, with the third pick. McCoy, a dominating interior linemen for Oklahoma, will give the Bucs an inside presence on the defensive line, that they haven't had since Warren Sapp. Then again, if Suh slips to the Bucs at the third pick, then he is the pick over McCoy
Washington Redskins: Russell Okung: OT-Oklahoma St. After adding Donovan McNabb, and head coach Mike Shanahan, the Redskins become an instant playoff contender. That is, of course, after they draft Okung with the fourth pick, shoring up a gaping hole in what was one of the worst O-lines in football.
Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Bulaga: OT-Iowa. The Chiefs are at an interesting crossroads with the fifth pick. They are in desperate need of an offensive line, as last year QB Matt Cassell was constantly running for his life. In that case, they take either Bulaga, a hulking 6'6" 312 pounder from Iowa or 6'5" 318-pound Trent Williams from Oklahoma to shore up their line. On the other hand, Eric Berry, perhaps the best safety to come out of a draft in 10 years is sitting there, and Kansas City also needs help at safety. In the end, the pick goes to Bulaga, as the Chiefs address their biggest need and get a lockdown O-tackle.
Seattle Seahawks: Trent Williams: OT- Oklahoma. With two picks in the first round, the Seahawks, will make one safe pick and one glamour pick in this year's draft. I think at number six, they'll make the safe pick and go with Williams, addressing their need for a big left tackle for new head coach Pete Carroll.
Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry: S- Tennessee. The Browns will be the recipients of one of the most skilled and most highly rated players in the draft in safety Eric Berry. Berry, is a special talent, and should be landing in Cleveland unless the Browns pull the trigger on a trade to move up for Bradford at #1 or trade down to another team that's looking to get Berry.
Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell: OT-Maryland. Al Davis has a sick obsession with speed. The fact that Campbell ran a 4.85 and busted out 34 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine at the size of 6'6", 314 pounds gives Al Davis wet dreams at night. With the Raiders, you never know what they will do with a crazy man like Al Davis in charge, but with them being in need of an offensive tackle and Campbell's attributes, he will be the pick.
Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen: QB-Notre Dame. Well Bills fans, you better start praying. It looks as if the Bills are primed to take a QB in the first 10 picks, and in one of the weakest quarterback classes in years, it could be Clausen. Clausen, if taken in any of the past 5 years of the draft, would have been a second round pick. Coming from a ‘pro-style' offensive in Notre Dame, Clausen is one who tends to force a lot of throws, and gets uncomfortable when under pressure in the pocket. Put him as the starting QB, in a division against three great teams in the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins, and this pick has BUST written all over it.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Morgan: DE- Georgia Tech. The Jags even after signing Aaron Kampan, who's coming off ACL surgery, will need another pass rusher, when facing major offenses such as the Colts and Peyton Manning. Jacksonville will do three things at this pick. 1.) Draft the 270- pound Morgan, who has great burst off the line and hulking size. 2.) Draft Jason Pierre-Paul, almost a mirror image player at D-end to Morgan 3.) Trade down to the 18-22 pick range, get a few later picks and draft Tim Tebow, the man they need to get in this draft to sell tickets in Jacksonville and save the Jags from continuing to lose money.
Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant: WR- Oklahoma St. The Broncos need a #1 receiver after dealing Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins. If they want a guy who can be a top 5 receiver in this league, they go with Bryant at #11. If not they opt for linebacker Rolando McClain and get a guy like Marty Gilyard in the second or third rounds.
Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams: NT-Tennessee. The ‘Fins will undoubtedly go with Williams at this pick, as they are in dire need of a Nose tackle for their 3-4 defense. Head coach Tony Sparano coached Williams in the Senior Bowl, and has had his eye on him for awhile. Williams will be the pick here and will anchor the defensive line for Miami.
San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden: CB-Florida. The Niners have two picks at 13 and 17 in the first round, and need to get at least one major secondary player between the two picks. I think they do it here, with shutdown corner Joe Haden, who will shore up some big holes from last year in the 49ers secondary.
Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller: RB-Clemson. Seattle, making its second selection of the first round will go with their glamour pick at #14, and go with home run threat and do-it-all running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller is a hall of fame caliber back, who is extremely undervalued in this year's draft. He could be compared to Chris Johnson or Marshall Faulk, with his blazing speed and elusiveness. One stat seems to tell it all about Spiller. Of his 52 career TDs in college, 23 of them came on runs from 50+ yards of more.
New York Giants: Sean Witherspoon: LB- Missouri. The Giants, could go about four different directions with this pick, with needs at the linebacker, running back, or offensive or defensive line positions. If Spiller is on the board, this pick could get interesting, but if he's gone, bet on the Giants taking Witherspoon, a smooth tackling four year starter for Mizzou, who will fill their need at linebacker.
Tennessee Titans: Jason Pierre-Paul: DE-South Florida. The Titans have not had a huge pass rushing threat since the days of Jevon Kearse in the early 2000s. They pick up a guy in Pierre-Paul, who has a huge motor and can find his way to the QB, with a variety of moves and a quick burst off the line.
San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis: OT-Rutgers. With their second selection in the first round, Mike Singletary and the 49ers will address their second biggest need, offensive line. Davis, who is the best tackle left on the board, has a huge upside, and can be developed under Singletary, who is a stickler for details and known for developing talented players who are slackers.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey: C/OG-Florida. Rarely do you see a player who could come in and be a starter at two different positions in the NFL. Pouncey, a versatile 300 pounder, can do just that by being able to play the guard and center positions very well, and will be the pick for the Steelers at 18, shoring up their problems on the O-line. As much as I want to see the despicable Ben Roethlisberger's head being slammed face first, hard into the ground next season, the Steelers will save his sorry butt, and give him some protection, something Big Ben's not used to having.
Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Graham: DE/OLB- Michigan. The Falcons are all but sold on Graham, who they can use at defensive end or move back as an outside linebacker. Graham, has great speed for a D-end, and will help improve a Falcons team that was in the bottom ten teams in the league in sacks last year.
Houston Texans: Earl Thomas: S-Texas. The Texans could go two completely different ways with this pick. They'll either go with Thomas, a hard complete safety who would be a pro-bowl caliber player for years to come. Or the Texans could go with Fresno St. running back Ryan Matthews, who would provide a dynamic duo with Steve Slaton. I say the Texas stay in state and go with Thomas at safety.
Cincinnati Bengals: Taylor Mays: S-USC. Cincy will go with Mays here for two reasons. The Bengals secondary needs a hard hitting guy who can come in with a presence over the middle. That's exactly what Mays will bring, along with a blazing 4.24 40-yard dash time. Also since 2003, head coach Marvin Lewis has taken a Southern Cal guy in the first two rounds four times. Mays, is a USC guy & will be the pick.
New England Patriots: Sergio Kindle: OLB-DE- Texas. The Pats, will go with Kindle, who is another one of the hybrid D-end/Outside linebacker players. With his ability to play on down on the line or standing up as a linebacker, the Pat's will utilize him nicely into their system.
Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown: OT-USC. The Packers gave up the most sacks out of any team in the league last year, and will need to do something about it, so Aaron Rodgers doesn't have to keep running for his life. The Packers will go with Brown, who along with Chad Clifton should be able to do the job in giving Rodgers more time in the pocket.
Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Wilson: CB-Boise St. The Birds will need to get some depth at the cornerback position after trading away Sheldon Brown and only have Asante Samuel, who only has one year left on his deal and Ellis Hobbs at the position. Wilson, will be a good cover corner for Philly and will also add yet another weapon the kick and punt return game.
Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham: TE- Oklahoma. This is perhaps the toughest pick out of the entire first round. The Ravens will almost certainly go with one of two guys, either Gresham or D-tackle Jared Odrick. If they go with Gresham, they get a guy who can come in and learn from one of veteran TEs in all the game under Todd Heap, and would provide another much needed target for Joe Flacco. If they go with Odrick, the Ravens would have drafted a solid D-tackle to add depth to their great defense.
Arizona Cardinals: Jerry Hughes: OLB- TCU. With the departure of Carlos Dansby, the Cards will need an insurance policy if the Joey Porter experiment goes bad. Jerry Hughes is a fundamentally sounder linebacker who will be able to come in and start right away for Arizona if need be.
Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati: OG- Idaho. The Cowboys in the Jerry Jones era have never drafted an offensive lineman in the first round. This year that changes after the Cowboys don't get what they want when safeties Taylor Mays and Earl Thomas go off the board. With the pick of Iupati, the Cowboys get a guy who is a raw-mauler of a guard up front, and can really use his 6'5" 330-pound frame to his advantage.
San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews: RB- Fresno St. The Chargers will need to find a replacement for LT, and a big back that can carry most of the load alongside Darren Sproles. The Chargers will stay in-state with this pick and take Matthews, who is a big and fast back who will be able to run between the tackles.
New York Jets: Everson Griffen: DE-USC. Coach Rex Ryan can never have enough toys on defense. That's why he'll be adding Griffen for depth on defensive line, something that could prove valuable to the Jets who will be a viable Super Bowl threat come playoff time.
Minnesota Vikings: Devon McCourty: CB-Rutgers. The Vikes lost Cedric Griffin in the playoffs last year to a torn ACL, and will need to find a viable option in his place until he can return. McCourty, is a speedy cornerback who can fill that void, and give the Vikes some depth at the position once Griffin returns.
Indianapolis Colts: Rodger Saffold: OT-Indiana. The Colts need to get some upgrades at the offensive line, to help better protect their greatest asset in Peyton Manning. Saffold will be an upgrade at the tackle position over Charlie Johnson.
New Orleans Saints: Jahvid Best: RB-Cal. I'm going to take a flyer on this one. With the Saints' one glaring need at defensive-end taken care of in free-agency, the Super Bowl champions are able to take the best player available. Best is a home-run threat running back and drafting him could be the indicator that the Saints will put Reggie Bush on the trading block.
Potential Sleepers
Although the first round gets all the glitz and glamour in the NFL Draft, my favorite part is actually rounds two through five, where you can really pick up some great players who are potential sleepers in the draft. This year is no exception, with a boatload of talent available. Here are a few names that could be major sleepers in this year's draft.
Mardy Gilyard- WR-Cincinnati. Gilyard is perhaps the most under-rated player in the draft, and is worthy of being a first round pick. Gilyard posses speed and elusiveness similar to that of Deshaun Jackson, and could be a #1 receiver for a lot of teams in the league and should be taken early second round.
Terrence Cody-NT-Alabama. Mount Cody would have been a lock as a first round pick if he did not struggle with his weight. Cody weighed in at the combine at 365 pounds, down from his bulky 375-pound frame in college. Cody is a plug in the middle that could be valuable to a lot of 3-4 defensive teams and should be taken late first or early second round.
Dexter McCluster-RB-Ole Miss. McCluster is a true switch of pace back, who has drawn similar comparisons to Brian Westbrook. McCluster is a valuable tool out of the backfield, in the slot and can ever run the Wildcat offense, running it to perfection in the ‘Wild Rebel' formation for Houston Nutt. The Philadelphia Eagles have expressed a keen interest in draft McCluster. He should be a second round pick.
Corey Wooten- DE-Northwestern. Wootten is a NFL ready D-end with a huge upside. At 6'6" 280, the still raw talent could, with the right coaching, turn into a monster pass rusher for the team that gets him. Should be a second round pick.
Tim Tebow- QB- Florida. Ok, so I'm not going to sit here and say Tebow is going to be a great QB in the pros, but I will tell you I'm not betting against him. Here is a guy who will work harder than anyone to get to where he wants to be, which is under center in the NFL. I think you give him two to three years he will be starting somewhere. How effective will he be? That's the real question that no one knows. Tebow could go anywhere between rounds one through three.
Joe McKnight-RB-USC. McKnight, a top high school prospect coming into college had a productive career with the Trojans. Look for McKnight to be used as a speedy #2 back to compliment a team's every down back. Look for McKnight to go somewhere in the third to fourth round.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah-CB/KR-IUP. Owusu-Ansah is a real diamond in the rough. Coming out of IUP, he has a 6'0" 215- pound frame, runs a 4.30 40-yard dash and is known as a heavy hitter. He will be an absolute steal in this year's draft. Look for him to go in the third to fifth round range.
Jordan Shipley- WR- Texas. Shipley has the potential to be the next Wes Welker, as a premier slot receiver in the league. He could figure out to be a third or fourth round steal for a team.
Myron Rolle-SS-Florida St. Rolle was assured of being a first or second round pick in last year's draft, but decided to take the year off to study at prestigious Oxford University in England. He will certainly be a starting safety in the NFL, and should go somewhere between rounds three and five.
Brandon Spikes-LB-Florida. Spikes is a first or second round talent, that lost a lot of stock on his pro day. Look for him to be picked up in the third or fourth round and compete for a starting spot in training camp.
Andre Roberts-WR-The Citadel. Roberts could be a great pickup for anytime wanting a sure-handed wide-out. Roberts only dropped six passes in four years during his career at The Citadel. Could go in the fourth to sixth round.
Emmanuel Sanders-WR-SMU. A true slot receiver who could really make an impact in the league as a premier wide-out. He reminds me a lot of Devone Bess, who was undrafted and now is a premier slot receiver in the league. Could be a fourth to seventh round pick.
Toby Gerhart- RB-Stanford. Gerhart, the Heisman finalist from this year would be a big addition to any team who wants a bruising running back and could be picked anywhere from the third to fifth round.
John Skelton-QB-Fordham. Skelton is a 6'5" 245-pound quarterback who reminds many of Joe Flacco. He will need to work on his footwork a lot, but has a massive arm with great accuracy. He could be a good pick for a team like the Eagles, and could go between the fourth and sixth rounds.
Dan LeFevour-QB-Central Michigan. LeFevour is my #1 absolute steal of the draft. He was rated as high as #3 out of all the QBs, and is a great pocket passer, who reminds me a lot of Drew Brees. Should be taken in the third to fifth rounds.
LeRoy Vann-KR/PR- Florida A&M. One of the biggest home run threats on kick and punt returns since Devon Hester. Vann is a threat to take it to the house every time and will make his living as a returner.
Armanti Edwards-QB/WR- Appalachian St. Edwards, is a dual-threat QB who will get looks from NFL teams as either a quarterback or will do an Antwaan Randall El and move to wide receiver. Regardless, he is a freak athlete that should be able to contribute to any team and should be a third to seventh round pick.
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