NFL DRAFT

The National Football League is having it's draft this week starting on Thursday. The event that is normally held on the weekend, is instead being held on Thursday during TV's "prime time" slot. In a previous blog I wrote about some of the shake ups the NFL has seen this off season, McNabb to Washington, Tomlinson to the Jets, and Julius Peppers to the Bears; as well as many more. Now that the draft is less then 48 hours away it got me thinking about what I would do if I were to be in the draft room this week. Here is my first round top ten choices:



1. St. Louis Rams- Sam Bradford- QB Oklahoma
The Rams obviously had a rough year but on the bright side they did earn the top pick. The focal point to any teams success is defense, however there is always a lot of focus on the quarter back position. The Rams in my opinion need a QB, and with the draft being held during prime time Bradford will be picked up. I think he will be more like Mathew Stafford was for the Lions last year than Matt Sanchez was for the Jets.


2. Detroit Lions- CJ Spiller- RB Clemson
The Lions made a good choice last year by taking Stafford number 1 overall, though they were not even playoff contenders they did win a couple games. Looking at their roster the list of running backs is a list of nobody's; not one recognizable name. Face it Lions fans, you haven't had anything to cheer about since Barry Sanders, and personally I think the undersized Spiller could possibly fill the void in the Lions backfield.(I will admit this is a long shot pick)


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jimmy Clauson- QB Notre Dame
With all the hype around Clauson it is hard for me to say that the Bucs will pass him by. To be completely honest I think he is slightly overrated. If he was playing in a pro system under Charlie Wiess at Notre Dame how come he was unable to really accomplish anything there? He was seen taking notes from former Bucs coach Jon Gruden on NFL Live, I believe the coach that won the team a Super Bowl still has some slight pull in the team politics. Gruden did seem friendly and fond of the young QB. I am sure he will have a lasting NFL career, along with fellow Irish alum Brady Quinn.


4. Washington Redskins- Dez Bryant- WR Oklahoma State
There was talk on the teams website of Eric Berry being the possible choice, but I have to say the team is okay at the safety position. On top of the Berry talk it was reported that McNabb, the teams new QB, wants Terrell Owens brought on board. Owens, who according to ESPN's Skip Bayliss has lost a few steps, could easily be passed over for Bryant. I see a lot of Owens in Bryant with one advantage, his youth.


5. Kansas City Chiefs- Ndamukong Suh- DE Nebraska
After what Suh did to Texas quarterback Colt McCoy in the Big XII championship game it would be impossible for the Chiefs to pass him up. Suh is not ranked as high in the pre-draft rankings as Oklahoma Sooners DT Gerald McCoy, but after what I saw in that Big XII championship game I have to say he goes number 5 to KC. Alongside Chiefs former first round pick from a couple years ago, Glen Dorsey, the Chiefs are slowly building up a young powerful team. Their days of early round draft pick could be over soon.


6. Seattle Seahawks- Golden Tate- WR Notre Dame
The Seahawks have a new coach in Pete Carroll. Carroll made a big name for himself over the past years at USC, while their his Trojans had high powered offenses. I look for Carroll to want to have the same type of team with the Seahawks. I am sure that during his time at USC he was able to see in full what arch rival Notre Dame's Tate is able to do. Look for Seattle to possibly take Clauson if he is available however.


7. Cleveland Browns- Aaron Hernandez- TE Florida
Hernandez was one of Tim Tebow's favorite targets during his days playing for Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators. The Browns have also made some picks that have turned to nothing over the years. Hernandez may be a bust, but doubtful. I think he would make a great target for who ever the Browns decide to put under center this fall.


8. Oakland Raiders- Gerald McCoy- DT Oklahoma
Speaking of bad picks over the years, Oakland has had their fair share. The Raiders have been a laughing stock over the years, luckily for them the lines are starting to take over that role. McCoy is a real big man, hopefully in Oakland he will be able to fill the holes their team cannot, on and off the field. If the Raiders don't take McCoy, they may take the other McCoy in the draft, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. Colt will by far become a better NFL QB then JeMarcus Russell ever will.


9. Buffalo Bills- Taylor Mays- S Southern California
The Bills looked like they were going to be team the Jets became early last year. One spot they were lacking was in their defense. Mays may not become as great for Buffalo as defensive lineman Bruce Smith did in the 90's, but Mays could quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the Bills defensive backfield. Besides, how can you go wrong with a guy emulates USC alum Troy Polamalu.


10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Brandon Spikes- LB Florida
Finally rounding of the top 10 will be the Jaguars with their pick of Brandon Spikes. Spikes is a mean scary linebacker who reminds me a lot of the Raven's Pro-Bowler Ray Lewis. With picking Spikes, who played his college ball less then 2 hours south, the Jags may not have to worry too much about the adjustment period.


That's my top ten for this year's NFL Draft. A lot of my picks may not go with the norm of such people like Mel Kiper Jr. and the rest of the ESPN staff, but I think the fact that the draft is going to be on prime time is really going to change the way the draft pans out. And who knows, just because my March Madness picks weren't right doesn't mean my Draft picks will be wrong too. If you think you can make better picks then me, go for it.


top photo from Google Images all team logos and player pictures from NFL.com