The NFL Draft, one of the guru's favorite events. After months of analyzing both college and pro football, he has come up with his predictions for Thursday's action. Here is the top half of Thursday's opening round.
This pick has been decided for nearly a month. Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, has drawn comparisons to Troy Aikman. If the Rams want to compete any time in the next three years, they better grab their franchise quarterback now.
2. DET - Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
One of just four defensive tackles to be a Heisman Finalist since 1990, Suh is considered by many to be the top prospect in this draft. A dominant interior lineman with tremendous strength, Suh will complement the recent additions to Detroit's front seven, giving head coach Jim Schwartz a linchpin in the middle of his defense.
3. TB - Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
Many people around the league say that McCoy would be the top prospect in any other draft in the last five years. In fact, he received the highest grade from NFL.com out of any prospect in this draft. McCoy will help shore up a Tampa Bay defense that conceded a league worst 158.2 yards per game in 2009. The Buccaneers could surprise and grab Tennessee safety Eric Berry; Coach Raheem Morris was schooled by Berry's coach Monte Kiffin.
4. WAS - Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
After the retirement of left tackle Chris Samuels, the already depleted line got even worse. The acquisition of Donovan McNabb will be washed out if they are unable to protect him. There has been talk of Oklahoma OT Trent Williams sneaking into this spot.
5. KC - Brian Bulaga OT Iowa
At this point, Tennessee safety Eric Berry is the best player available. But Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli has shown in the past that he is more concerned about filling areas of need than grabbing the biggest talent. (Remember Tyson Jack at #3 last year?) Pioli has been quoted as saying he doesn't believe safeties are worthy of a top five pick.
6. SEA - Eric Berry S Tennessee
For the second year in a row, the Seahawks have a top-rated player fall into their laps. Berry has been an absolute nightmare to SEC offensive coordinators over the last few years. Seattle can wait until their second pick (#14 from Denver) to grab an OT, assuming they don't trade back.
7. CLE - Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame
To be completely honest, the guru doesn't see Cleveland making this pick. Expect them to trade back like they did last year and accumulate more picks. If the Browns are forced to stay here and make the pick, they may take Clausen or the electric CJ Spiller. Keep in mind, they have spent the offseason moving quarterbacks around.
8. OAK - Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
Everyone and their brother enjoys making fun of Raiders owner Al Davis for his drafting technique. I think this is the year that head coach Tom Cable, an offensive line man by trade, talks some sense into Davis. The Raiders will pass on Maryland OT combine freak Bruce Campbell and select Williams, considered by many the top tackle in this class. Another guy to watch out for is USF's Jason Pierre-Paul, who possesses ridiculous athleticism at defensive end.
9. BUF - Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
The Bills surrendered 46 sacks in 2009, tying them with Washington for fourth worst in the league. To fix the issue, they grab the fourth offensive tackle. This may be the team that trades up to get Clausen. Keep an eye out for Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant. Buffalo showed their willingness to bring in high-profile receivers after last year's Terrell Owens experiment. However, it may be telling that Owens is not back in a Bills uniform. Spiller might pop up here as well.
10. JAX - Rolando McClain LB Alabama
Odds are, the Jaguars will not make this selection. They have plenty of holes to fill, and without a second round selection they will have trouble doing so. Look for them to trade back and accumulate more picks. Teams will be looking to move up and grab Spiller if he is still available. Jacksonville may be the landing spot of hometown hero Tim Tebow. If the Jags stay put, McClain gives them a talented, exceptionally smart body to plug into their front seven. Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan may draw some attention from Jacksonville.
11. DEN - Maurkice Pouncey C Florida
This pick may confuse some followers, but look closer. Denver lost two centers during the offseason, leaving them with a gaping hole in the middle of their offensive line. Pouncey has scouts raving, and with the exception of Idaho G Mike Iupati, the Florida product is the only interior lineman worthy of going in the first two rounds. Coach Josh McDaniels is unconventional, to say the least. Analysts are saying Dez Bryant may go here, but Denver just shipped out one receiver (Brandon Marshall) with a questionable character. Keep in mind this defense has a lot of holes, even with the signing of nose tackle Jamal Williams. Sergio Kindle, maybe?
12. MIA - Sergio Kindle LB Texas
Some personnel experts say they liked Kindle even more than his former teammate Brian Orakpo, who shined as a rookie in 2009. Joey Porter and Jason Taylor have both moved on. Miami needs to upgrade its pass rush to help last year's first round choice, CB Vontae Davis. Bill Parcells has hit some home runs drafting outside linebackers in the past.
13. SF - Joe Haden CB Florida
With two first round picks, the 49ers are capable of moving up if they want to take a shot at Clausen or one of the top tackles. If they decide to stay put, Haden will help out a secondary that was abused in 2009. Although he ran slow at the Combine, the speed issue was attributed to minor back issues. Despite his physicality, there has been talk that Boise State CB Kyle Wilson may be the best cover man in this draft.
14. SEA - CJ Spiller RB Clemson
It's very likely that Spiller will be long gone by this point in time. It's also not a stretch to say that Seattle may not be picking at this spot. If Spiller falls and the Seahawks stay put, the dynamic playmaker could add a spark to the drab Seattle offense. After the retirement of Patrick Kerney, the defensive line could use an upgrade. Defensive ends Morgan and Pierre-Pal may draw some interest, as well as interior guys like Dan Williams of Tennessee or Jason Odrick of Penn State.
15. NYG - Dan Williams DT Tennessee
The Giants have seen their defense deteriorate very quickly. Holes exist all over the once dominant front seven. A big body like Williams can help plug gaps and revitalize the tenacious Giants defense. They are disappointed to see Spiller go ahead of them and may take a long look at Iupati or Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon.
16. TEN - Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
After losing DT Albert Haynesworth, the Titans defense went downhill. This unit took another hit with the loss of Kyle Vanden Bosch. Morgan will help the pass rush in addition to being a responsible run stopper.
There you have it. Be sure to check back for the rest of the first round and possibly the second round.
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