NFL Mock Draft

What an exciting draft year! With a new CBA looming and a possible rookie cap, we're seeing a lot of players entering the draft early, and it seems like there's plenty of talent to go around. Ndamukong Suh is pretty much the best player in the draft, but will he go number 1? I'm gonna try to lay it out as much as I can so you all have a little more knowledge for the big day.


1. St. Louis Rams

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

GM Billy Devaney has been heard saying he's a little afraid of taking a defensive tackle as the number one pick, especially when the Rams are in such need of a quarterback. My opinion is either they realize the game-changing ability of Suh and take him in the number 1 slot, or trade a few spots down to allow Tampa Bay to grab the coveted AP player of the year and twice-over defensive player of the year. They don't want to trade down any lower than fourth however, as the Redskins are definitely going to grab a QB and the Rams will want the choice between Clausen and Bradford. There is a slim chance that a trade down will be too tough to orchestrate and the Rams will realize that their need for a quarterback is greater than anything else at the moment, in which case I see them taking Clausen, but I highly doubt it. one thing's for sure, the Lions are hoping the Rams pass on this guy.


2. Detroit Lions

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

Rated slightly below Suh, McCoy offers another viable defensive tackle option if the Rams take Ndamunkong. The team that really loses out the most is Tampa, who really needs a defensive tackle on their line. Both Detroit and Tampa Bay were pitiful in the sack department last season, and both will be hoping that St. Louis opts for the quarterback option. Either way, I don't see Detroit going with any other position than a defensive tackle, leaving safety Eric Berry on the board. Safeties never go in the top three picks, but that could be changed in the minds of some GMs after watching Pittsburgh crumble this season without Polamalu. Berry could sneak into the top three, especially if both defensive tackles are gone.


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Russel Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Tampa Bay will have two options at this point, and neither one is the ideal situation. They really fucked things up at the end of the year by winning two meaningless games against the Saints and the Seahawks. Now instead of drafting a franchise defensive tackle, they'll be stuck with the option of offensive tackle Russel Okung or safety Eric Berry. Safeties aren't usually drafted this high, and although Berry might sneak in at this pick, chances are Tampa will go with Okung to protect the young Josh Freeman. Freeman took over at the end of the season last year and had some bright moments. Give him some more time in the pocket and you might see some more results.




4. Washington Redskins

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

My dream of Washington grabbing both Jimmy Clausen and Charlie Weiss is still very much alive. When Weiss was let go from Notre Dame at the end of the year and Jimmy decided to enter the draft early, I got this idea in my head and haven't let go. Washington will be lucky to rid themselves of Jim Zorn, who's coaching errors last season bordered on ludacrity (made up word, but not by me) at times. Even if Weiss doesn't end up with the Skins, look for Washington to go for Clausen over Bradford. Clausen seems like a more viable option for a franchise quarterback, as him and Golden Tate teamed up for some offensive spectacles last year. A horrible Notre Dame defense kept them out of serious bowl contention, and I'm sure Clausen would be happy to have a defense in Washington that is able to keep the opposing team from scoring from time to time. Washington needs offense, and they'll be hoping that St. Louis takes Suh (the smart decision) and leaves Clausen alone. If not, Washington will surely take Bradford in this spot.


5. Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Berry, FS, Tennessee

I'm torn here. I really think that the Chiefs should go with Okung, but I don't think they will with Albert stepping it up at the end of the season, and he'll probably be gone anyway. If he's not, I really think Okung would be the smart option for left tackle to protect Matt Cassel, seeing as Pioli threw so much money at him. However, I don't see Berry slipping any lower than fifth given his credentials, and he'll be hard to pass up in this spot. It won't be a wise move, but was signing Cassel for $63 million a wise move? People make decisions that aren't always the best for their team. That being said, I don't want to take anything away from Berry, who will be a stellar safety. Once again, we all saw what a difference someone like Polamalu can make to a team, and who knows how much he will improve a struggling Cheifs' defense. Hopefully a lot.

GO TO PART 2