First Round Mock Draft

Just a few weeks out, here's my latest stab at a mock draft.

1. St. Louis-Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

After Bradford lit it up at his pro day, I just can't see the Rams passing on him. They're in a full rebuilding mode. Some may call for Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh, but how many Super Bowl winners say a franchise defensive tackle carried the team?

2. Detroit-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

It's a coin flip here between Suh and McCoy. I say the Lions are likely to grab the household name to give their starved fan base something to get excited over.

3. Tampa Bay-Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

If one of the top two tackles is on the board, the Bucs will bite. Their scheme calls for minimal blitzing, which means the front four need to generate pressure. McCoy will be an excellent piece to add to the line.

4. Washington-Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

My guess is Mike Shanahan wants to start fresh with his own guy at quarterback.

5. Kansas City-Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

If the defensive playmaker falls into their laps, the Chiefs should wait to address other needs.

6. Seattle-Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State

The Seahawks think they have addressed quarterback with Charlie Whitehurst. Now they will grab a guy to replace Walter Jones and protect the signal caller.

7. Cleveland-Joe Haden, CB, Florida

The Browns can go in a number of directions. I'm starting to feel like they'll solidify cornerback with Haden. Eric Mangini has seen the benefits of grabbing a top corner, and Haden is a safer choice than a lot of the other options.

8. Oakland-Jason Paul-Pierre, DE, South Florida

The only real question is which incredibly athletic but raw prospect Al Davis will grab with this pick.

9. Buffalo-Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa

With the quarterbacks gone, the Bills will work on rebuilding their line and finally replace Jason Peters.

10. Jacksonville-Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Jaguars need to upgrade their pass rush, and Morgan is the top defensive end on most boards I've seen.

More after the jump.

11. Denver-Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

The Broncos address their defensive line through free agency. Now they will add a tough, physical, intelligent linebacker born to play inside in the 3-4.

12. Miami-Earl Thomas, S, Texas

Getting rid of Gibril Wilson may have been addition by subtraction for the Dolphins, but they are still in dire need of a cover safety.

13. San Francisco-Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma

The Niners have to fill their void at right tackle. Williams is the guy to do it.

14. Seattle-Taylor Mays, S, USC

I've been pretty clear that I think any team taking Mays early is crazy, but the Seahawks have a need at safety, and Pete Carroll only spoke glowingly of Mays when they were at USC together.

15. New York Giants-Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Giants build their defense up front. Brandon Graham is a possibility here as they love to take pass rushers early, but Williams provides great value at a position of need. With McClain off the board, there is no value at middle linebacker.

16. Tennessee-Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

The Tennessee pass defense was bad last year. Kyle Wilson is tempting, but improving the pass rush is the easiest way to make the pass defense better.

17. San Francisco-Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

I've seen some mocks suggest the Niners could take Dez Bryant if he fell this far. I don't see it. He has the same agent as Michael Crabtree. Are they really going to go down that road again? I think they will instead try to add a pass rusher, Kindle.

18. Pittsburgh-Mike Iupati, G, Idaho

Pittsburgh needs big help up front. After missing the Playoffs, they cannot neglect the offensive line again. Iupati is a physical interior presence. They need guys like that to revive their power run game.

19. Atlanta-Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

I'd say this is as likely as any outcome in the Draft. The Falcons have a big need at linebacker. Weatherspoon has the tools to play all three positions in the 4-3 well and should be available at 19.

20. Houston-Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

The Texans take Wilson to replace departed Dunta Robinson.

21. Cincinnati-Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

The Bengals have shown they value ability over character concerns. After that philosophy paid dividends in 2009, I wouldn't expect it to change now. Dunlap is an athletic marvel who could help Cincy beef up what was at times an anemic pass rush.

22. New England-Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

Well that stinks, doesn't it? There are the always present "character concerns" now swirling with Bryant. On one level it seems like the Pats would stay away from him. Think a little deeper, though. The Pats thrive on having a stable locker room, but they take chances on big talent with baggage, thinking their locker room has the leadership to keep everybody on the straight and narrow. I don't want to say Bryant would provide the Pats with insurance for Wes Welker because they are two very different players, but it would give Tom Brady another effective target.

23. Green Bay-Anthony Davis, T/G, Rutgers

Keeping Aaron Rodgers on his feet was a problem for the Packers last season. Davis gives them an immediate upgrade somewhere on the offensive line. His experience at tackle and guard gives Green Bay options.

24. Philadelphia-C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

This may not make sense at first blush, but I see Andy Reid taking Spiller if he falls this far. Yes, the Eagles took LeSean McCoy last year, but most teams have two backs they use. Brian Westbrook is gone. Spiller could replace him. He has all of the attributes the Eagles seem to value in a back. He's shifty and a great receiver. He'll give the offense another dynamic weapon.

25. Baltimore-Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Ravens have spent the offseason trying to improve Joe Flacco's weapons. He has Ray Rice out of the backfield and now will have Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth, and Derrick Mason at receiver. This pick would give him another weapon at tight end.

26. Arizona-Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

The Cardinals run a 3-4 defense, but nose tackle isn't a strength. Cody doesn't do much but tie up blockers well. Isn't that exactly what a 3-4 nose tackle is supposed to do?

27. Dallas-Bruce Campbell, T, Maryland

Campbell has incredible upside. He hopefully won't be much worse than Flozell Adams right off the bat.

28. San Diego-Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

I don't see the Chargers asking Darren Sproles to carry the entire load.

29. New York Jets-Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

For some reason, the Jets have not yet resigned Marques Douglas, making end a point of emphasis. Until the position is addressed, my money will be on Odrick over Jerry Hughes.

30. Minnesota-Devin McCourtney, CB, Rutgers

He's a great fit. McCourtney's at his best in zone coverage. The Vikings play a lot of that.

31. Indianapolis-Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Like the Bucs, the Colts are a Tampa 2 team with a weakness at tackle (perhaps the only thing those teams have in common). Price's explosive first step makes him a great system fit.

32. New Orleans-Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Griffen has a lot of talent and would help improve the pass rush of the champions.