NFL Mock Draft

There are now 24 days until the draft, which is undoubtedly my favorite day of the entire year. Growing up I wanted to be Mel Kiper Jr. with ever fiber of my body. I did hours of research, charted up every player who was drafted, decided who had the best and worst draft every year, even had my mom buy me a can of hairspray so I could have hair like him one year... and I still wonder why girls don't like me. Regardless, this year's draft is the deepest, most talented draft in years and I thought I'd give you my mock draft of the first round over the next couple days.

1. Saint Louis Rams - Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma

Bradford more or less locked up being the #1 overall pick in the draft today at his Pro Day workout in Norman. Bradford would have been the concensus #1 pick in last year's draft following his 2008 Heisman campaign, but decided to go back to Oklahoma where he injured his shoulder on his throwing arm not once, but twice. Scouts questioned whether or not the surgeries and rehab were going to affect his throwing motion or release, but Bradford showed no ill effects completing 49 of 50 throws today with a lightning quick over the top release. Bradford also demonstrated that he still has very good pocket mobility and speed even as he has bulked up to 236 lbs.
The Rams have been rumored to have interest in Mike Vick, Donovan McNabb
and Jason Campbell, but their best option is to start from scratch, draft Bradford and let him come off of the bench when Marc Bulger inevitably gets hurt this year.


2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska

Alright, it sounds crazy, but I'm really starting to like the Lions' squad. Detroit has been the laughing stock of the league with only one season with more than 7 wins in the past 10 years, including their winless season two years back. However the Lions have put together a very solid offense headlined by athletic freak Calvin Johnson, Drew Stafford (who showed unbelievable guts last year in that win over the Browns), and Kevin Smith who is a servicable back when healthy. The offensive line has a few holes, but nothing worth drafting with the second pick in the draft.

Their defense on the other hand was horrendous last year. FootballOutsiders.com even ranked them statistically as the worst defense in the league. But Jim Schwartz has been busy this offseason upgrading his defense by trading for Corey Williams and Chris Houston and signing Kyle Vanden Bosch. Adding Suh, who dominated the college game last season, to the mix could actually make this an almost respectable line-up.


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma

The Bucs might have more holes to fill than any team in the league, but after Monte Kiffin left as defensive coordinator before last season the once vaunted Bucs defense fell apart. I mean the Bills scored 38 against them last year. Tampa Bay fills their biggest need with Gerald McCoy, who is arguably a safer pick than Ndamukong Suh with Suh's injury history. Eric Berry is also a possibility here, but it might be a stretch to pick a safety this high in the draft.

4. Washington Redskins- Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame

Mike Shanahan brings in a new regime to Washington and will want to install his own guy at QB. Plus Jason Campbell sucks. Jimmy Clausen has been in the Nation's eye for three years now since he stepped in as starting quarterback at Notre Dame. Since then he has spent 3 years in a pro-style west coast offense and has become the most "draft ready" quarterback prospect. He has a cannon for an arm, swagger for days, fits in to Shanahan's offense and will be ready to step in on Day 1. Clausen is going to be a star in the NFL.


Kansas City Chiefs- Russel Okung OT, Oklahoma State

Kansas City could go in a number of directions here. Eric Berry is easily the most talented player on the board at this point, but as Peter King pointed out, Scott Pioli will not draft a safety this high. Ronaldo McClain, Jason Pierre-Paul and Dez White would all fill needs, but also would all be stretches at pick 5. The obvious selection is Russel Okung which would not only allow the Chiefs to move semi-bust Branden Alberts to right tackle or gaurd, but also allow Matt Cassel to throw from his feet every once in a while.

More to come, I promise...