Round One (1-16)
As everyone knows, pegging draft picks this early is a crap shoot at best, but we’re giving it a go anyway. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on the selections, along with your own picks in the comment section!
Draft order is based on NFLNR’s week six power rankings with the exception of picks #31 and #32, as I’ve predicted the Super Bowl teams for those two spots.
* Updated on 10/15/09
1. Sam Bradford (QB) - Oklahoma
I really think Jimmy Clausen will end up being the first QB taken in this draft, but for now I’m sticking with Bradford here, as he seems to be the best fit for the Rams right now, given his outstanding mobility and poise under pressure.
Previous pick: Same
2. Russell Okung (OT) - Oklahoma St.
Week in and week out, the Chiefs have displayed one of the worst offensive lines in football, so they’d be crazy to pass on a talent like Okung here. And with former first rounder Branden Albert struggling to stay consistent on the left side, KC would be addressing two issues with one pick, which is something every GM wants to do.
Previous pick: Same
3. Ndamakong Suh (DT) - Nebraska
Suh has been one of the best collegiate players all season long, dominating up front and athletic enough to drop back into coverage when called upon. Tampa is a perfect fit for the kind of game he likes to play, and should remind Bucs fans of Warren Sapp in a hurry.
Previous pick: Eric Berry (S) - Tennessee
4. Taylor Mays (S) - USC
Eric Berry is probably a better prospect overall, but Mays’ measurables and freakish talent on the field will be more than Al Davis can handle come draft day. I wouldn’t count out a quarterback here though, as JaMarcus Russell has been nothing short of atrocious this season.
Previous pick: Tim Tebow (QB) - Florida
5. Eric Berry (S) - Tennessee
This pick is pretty much a no brainer for the Titans given Berry’s familiarity with their fans, his tremendous talent, and a definite need of an upgrade in their secondary.
Previous pick: Carlos Dunlap (DE) - Florida
6. Jimmy Clausen (QB) - Notre Dame
Buffalo’s offense has basically been non-existent all season and while a big part of that is due to inept coaching, the bottom line is that Trent Edwards just hasn’t got it done when he needed to. The addition of Clausen won’t solve anything right away, but it will be a breath of fresh air to a franchise stuck in mediocrity.
Previous pick: Bryan Bulaga (OT) - Iowa
7. Jake Locker (QB) - Washington
Locker is one of those rare breeds of collegiate QBs that plays best when the game is on the line, which is something that neither QB currently playing in Cleveland seem to have right now. Giving up on Quinn will hurt somewhat, but sooner or later the Browns are going to have get someone in there that isn’t rattled by the pressure.
Previous pick: Jimmy Clausen (QB) - Notre Dame
8. Tim Tebow (QB) - Florida
While I personally think they have a lot more pressing needs than quarterback, I can see how this pick could make some sense in the Washington front office. Tebow is a dynamic player that can create and score anywhere on the field, so at the very least, he’ll bring some excitement to FedEx Field next fall.
Previous pick: Jake Locker (QB) - Washington
9. Bryan Bulaga (OT) - Iowa
(From Carolina) - Solidifying the right side of their offensive line will be a big priority during the off-season, and if Mike Singletary isn’t able to convince a free agent to come in and play there, I would expect them to use this pick to address that need. Bulaga comes from a solid program at Iowa and should transition into the league fairly easily.
Previous pick: Taylor Mays (S) - USC
10. Gerald McCoy (DT) - Oklahoma
The Lions did an outstanding job of collecting talent last off-season, and I doubt they’ll deviate from that route any time soon, especially now that they actually have a few intelligent minds running the show. I suspect that they’d rather take Suh here, but since he’s gone much pick earlier, McCoy is their man.
Previous pick: Same
11. Carlos Dunlap (DE) - Florida
With both Mays and Berry gone already, the Jags really need to stick with the BPA theory here and take Dunlap, regardless of their depth at the position. Despite his drop in production this season, Dunlap is still one of the best DEs in terms of raw talent and Jacksonville can use all of that they can get right now.
Previous pick: Brandon Spikes (LB) - Florida
12. Trent Williams (OT) - Oklahoma
Williams is an excellent blocker, outshining both Duke Robinson and Phil Loadholt last season before coming back for another season in Norman. And with Walter Jones looking at retirement soon, an upgrade at tackle makes more sense than anything else right now.
Previous pick: Joe Haden (CB) - Florida
13. Joe Haden (CB) - Florida
If the Texans were selecting a bit higher, you can bet that they would be drafting one of Ndamakong Suh or Gerald McCoy in this spot, but for now they’ll have to stick with an upgrade in their secondary instead. Haden gives them a playmaker who can keep receivers out of the end zone; something they haven’t been able to do all season long.
Previous pick: Ras-I Dowling (CB) - Virginia
14. Bruce Campbell (OT) - Maryland
Drafting a tackle will likely be priority number one this off-season for the Cardinals and at this point, I think they’d be hard pressed to find a better one than Campbell, who is capable of locking down either side of the line right away.
Previous pick: Ndamakong Suh (DT) - Nebraska
15. Brandon LaFell (WR) - LSU
Roy Williams hasn’t produced anywhere close to the level the Cowboys expect from him and while Miles Austin went off last week in KC, Dallas is going to need someone else for Tony Romo to throw to sooner or later. LaFell will be that and a whole lot more, especially if he keeps up the kind of play he’s had already this season at LSU.
Previous pick: Trent Williams (OT) - Oklahoma
16. Damian Williams (WR) - USC
The one thing that the Ravens need more than anything else is a game changing receiver for Joe Flacco, and Williams is the best on the board at this point. I love what Williams brings to the table and expect him to take over right away in Baltimore.
Previous pick: Travis Lewis (LB) - Oklahoma
