The #1 pick should be the kid from Nebraska, Suh (sp ???) or something like that. The Rams need lots of help everywhere, but this kid is a defensive franchise unto himself. If they don't take him (they'd be crazy not to), then they'll take Tebow at quarterback. The knock on Tebow is that he'll need 2 or 3 seasons of intense QB coaching plus game experience before he resembles anything like the dominating performer he was at Florida. Tebow is bigger, stronger and faster than Big Ben is for the Steelers, and he has the passing accuracy of Manning at Indianapolis or Brees at New Orleans.
The #2 pick for Detroit is a bit more complicated. They already have what they deemed last year to be a franchise QB, so they're best served by trading the #2 pick elsewhere and acquire some offensive and defensive line help. They should be able to get 2 or 3 experienced linemen with that pick. On the other hand, should St. Louis pass on the kid from Nebraska, then Detroit will be all over him and they won't need to trade.
At #3, Tampa Bay will likely take McCoy at QB out of Texas, unless either Suh or Tebow is available.
At #4, Washington could take Bradford out of Oklahoma, which is what everyone is speculating they'll do. But my impression of Bradford is that he's a very slim inch short of both Tebow and McCoy, and considering his shoulder injury, Washington would take any of Suh or Tebow or McCoy, should they be available, rather than take a chance on Bradford's shoulder.
Beyond the 4th pick is anyone's guess. Spiller looks to go high in the draft, as does Claussen out of Notre Dame. The NFL might be a bit cautious with Claussen given that Quinn (the former ND QB) hasn't exactly performed to expectations with the Browns.
I think that this year will see many linemen picked much higher than they would normally be. Beyond the top echelon of players at the skill positions, there's a great dearth of talent, so it makes sense that some of the early picks may be for beef rather than skills.
EK!!! |
