NFL Mock Draft
1, RAMS
(Needs: QB, OLB, WR, TE, DT)
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (6-4 1/4;, 236, 4.79)
It's about time the Rams addressed this position; they passed on Matt Ryan two years ago and Mark Sanchez last year even though their incumbent QB Marc Bulger was already showing signs of breaking down.
2, LIONS
(Needs: CB, OL, RB, SS, DE, DT)
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (6-4, 307, 4.98, 32/35 1/2)He's No. 1 in my book. He's a beast. He's dominant and should be an all-pro for many years. Can you imagine if the Lions picked Suh and then Alabama NT Terrence Cody in the second round? No one would be able to run on them.
3, BUCCANEERS
(Needs: DT, DE, WR, CB, OT, S)
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (6-4, 298, 4.96, 23/30 1/2)He's quick and can cause disruptions in the backfield. Some have ranked him ahead of Suh.
4, REDSKINS
(Needs: OT, OG, FS, ILB, CB, OLB)
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (6-5, 307, 5.17, 38/32 1/2)Okung fills a huge void left by the retirement of Chris Samuels. He's the best of a good bunch of tacklers.
5, CHIEFS
(Needs: S, ILB, OL, WR, NT, TE)
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (6-0, 211, 4.47, 19/43)Of all players I've seen, he and Suh were the best. He's a Ronnie Lott-type. He can play free or strong safety and can hit and cover.
6, SEAHAWKS
(Needs: LT, DE, S, WR, RB, CB)
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma(6-4, 314, 4.88, 23/34 1/2)OT Walter Jones hasn't officially retired yet. Still, the left tackle spot is a major need, so look for Seahawks to address that with Williams, who has size, speed and athleticism.
7, BROWNS
(Needs: QB, OLB, FS, WR, RB, OL)
Earl Thomas, S, Texas(5-10, 208, 4.37, 21/32)This 5-10, 208-pounder is super quick and fast with ability to play corner or safety. Some have ranked him as the No. 1 safety over Eric Berry, whom the Browns also covet.
8, RAIDERS
(Needs: OT, DT, QB, DE, MLB, WR)
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers (6-5, 323, 5.38, 21/33)Don't expect a pick coming from left field. (Remember Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree?) This one should be safe, and sound. Davis is mammoth and a good all-around player who just needs to watch his weight.
9, BILLS
(Needs: OT, QB, NT, WR, RB)
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa(6-5‹, 316, 5.26, 26/27 1/2)An offensive tackle is a major need, but so is quarterback (Jimmy Clausen or a trade for Ben Roethlisberger?) and running back (C.J. Spiller?), especially if Marshawn Lynch gets his wish and gets dealt out of Buffalo. A tackle will make the most sense. Bulaga has a good skill set for the position.
10, JAGUARS
(Needs: S, DE, WR, LB, G/C, QB)
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech(6-3, 266, 4.72, 21/36)
Morgan will bring speed, hustle and superior attitude. He is considered the safest pick in the draft and is highly regarded.
11, BRONCOS
(Needs: G/C, ILB, WR, TE, DL, QB)
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State(6-2, 225, 4.52, na/38)The trade of all-pro receiver Brandon Marshall will force the Broncos to go in this direction. Not that Bryant is a bad player. This 6-2, 225-pounder has top-10 talent, but just lacks 40 speed.
12, DOLPHINS
(Needs: NT, OLB, FS, G, TE)
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee (6-2, 327, 5.17, 27/32)Were it not for Suh and McCoy, this defensive lineman would get more publicity. At 6-2, 327, Williams might be the best nose tackle in the draft.
13, 49ERS
(Needs: OT, CB, OG, OLB, ILB)
Joe Haden, CB, Florida(5-11, 193, 4.43, 18/35)The 49ers can't excel with their current corners. Haden would be an immediate upgrade because of his instincts. Only a lack of top speed prevents him from going higher.
14, SEAHAWKS
(Needs: LT, DE, S, WR, RB, CB)
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida (6-5, 270, 4.64, 19/31 1/2)Started just seven games for the Bulls but he has, as he put, "God-gifted" talent. He's 6-5, 270 with a good motor and natural pass-rush abilities. He could be another Jevon Kearse. Seahawks have no pass rush, jettisoned two defensive ends and only have Lawrence Jackson.
15, GIANTS
(Needs: ILB, OL, DT, RB, CB)
Rolando McClain, ILB,Alabama (6-3, 254, 4.68, 24/35)Just what the Giants need — an inside backer with size, good range and good instincts — providing he lasts this long.
16, TITANS
(Needs: DE, CB, OLB, S, WR)
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan(6-1 1/4;, 268, 4.72, 32/31 1/2)Graham is short but fast and strong and makes plays, just what the Titans need off the edge after the loss of Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
17, 49ERS
(Needs: OT, CB, OG, OLB, ILB)
Mike Iupati, G, Idaho(6-5, 324, 5.26, 27/27 1/2)Niners obviously need an offensive tackle, but they also could use better guard play. In fact, that position took a lot of heat last year. Iupati would bring a Larry Allen-type attitude to the line.
18, STEELERS
(Needs: CB, OL, DE, OLB, RB)
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson(5-11, 196, 4.37, 18/36)How did he last this long? Spiller, some say, is better than Reggie Bush because he's a tougher inside runner. What a tandem he would make with power back Rashard Mendenhall. Spiller could combine for 2,500 yards in rushing, receiving and returning.
19, FALCONS
(Needs: DE, OLB, G/C, WR, TE)
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas(6-3, 250, 4.71, 25/36 1/2)Kindle's an edge rusher with speed that the Falcons are in dire need of.
20, TEXANS
(Needs: CB, FS, RB, DT, OG)
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State(5-10, 194, 4.43, 25/38)Wilson has all the skills to become a standout cover guy in the NFL. This guy could easily be drafted in the teens.
21, BENGALS
(Needs: DE, S, TE, DT, OLB, WR)
Jermaine Greshman, TE, Oklahoma(6-5, 261, 4.73, 20/35)He's the best of a deep and talented tight end group. Greshman has excellent hands to go with excellent athletic ability.
22, PATRIOTS
(Needs: OLB, WR, ILB, TE, RB)
Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri (6-1, 239, 4.52, 35/40)Not big but has everything else — speed, strength, athleticism — to go with his ability to play in space and tackle.
23, PACKERS
(Needs: OLB, OT, SS, OG, CB)
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (6-6, 314, 4.85, 34/32)With Green Bay's tackles aging, it's imperative that the Pack protect their franchise QB Aaron Rodgers. Campbell has had an outstanding workout and has high potential.
24, EAGLES
(Needs: C/G, CB, OLB, FS, DT, DE)
Maukrice Pouncey, C/G, Florida (6-4‹, 306, 5.23, 26/27)Pouncey could fit in at center or guard and should have a long NFL career based on his ability.
25, RAVENS
(Needs: CB, TE, NT, WR, S)
Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State(6-5, 303, 4.95, 27/29)Odrick is a natural 3-4 defensive end who is active, quick and disruptive.
26, CARDINALS
(Needs: NT, ILB, WR, CB, QB)
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (6-3, 222, 4.76)Could this really be happening? Just like what happened to Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn, Clausen could fall all the way to a team that could use his help. Some rate Clausen ahead of Bradford, although that's a minority opinion. Of course, if the Steelers trade Ben Roethlisberger, Clausen won't last this long.
27, COWBOYS
(Needs: OT, FS, OG, WR, PK
Charles Brown, OT, USC(6-5, 297, 5.21, 21/32, 11‹ hands)Brown has worked his way up the charts. He has ability, not to mention long arms and big hands, useful tools for an offensive tackle.
.28, Chargers
(Needs: NT, RB, RT, CB)
Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama(6-4, 349, 5.62, 22/22) Immovable Mount Cody might be the missing piece for the Charger defense. In fact, there's no other piece like him, although opinions are polarized. With the running back class deep but not elite, the Chargers can try to snag a big back (Ryan Mathews, Toby Gerhart) in the second round.
29, JETS
(Needs: OLB, DE, FS, NT, WR)
Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU (6-2, 255, 4.69, 26/34 1/2)A rush end at TCU, Hughes is athletic enough to make the transition. He'll bring passion to the defense, which already got a jolt with the addition of Jason Taylor and Antonio Cromartie.
30, VIKINGS
(Needs: CB, S, C/G, RB)
Taylor Mays, S, USC(6-3, 230, 4.43, 24/41) He has all the measurables. But it's missing on the football field — so far. He misses tackles, is late on coverage and, since he never played in the box, it's uncertain if he can shed tackles. But he's still worth a gamble this late in the first round.
31, COLTS
(Needs: OL, DE, CB, OLB, DT)
Everson Griffen, DE, USC(6-3 1/4;, 275, 4.66, 32/34)One of the most talented defensive players around, Griffen needs to be surrounded by a top-flight organization to keep him focused and allow him to reach his potential. With the Colts, it could all come together.
32, SAINTS
(Needs: OLB, DT, DE, FS, RB, OL)
Brian Price, DT, UCLA(6-1, 308, 5.13, 34/28 1/2)The Saints need to replace Scott Fujita at outside linebacker. But they also need to solidify their interior defense. Price has quickness and athletic ability and should bolster a defense.
FIRST ROUND (TODAY) | 1:30 P.M. ESPN
Honolulu Advertiser Sports Editor Curtis Murayama has been following the NFL draft since the 1970s. Barring trades, here's how he sees today's first round and tomorrow's second round. Players listed with height, weight, 40-yard time, bench press/vertical jump.
SECOND ROUND (TOMORROW) | NOON
33, Rams — Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech (6-3 1/4;, 226, na)
34, Lions — Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama (5-10 1/2, 185, 4.40, 13/37 1/2)
35, Bucs — Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (6-1 1/4;, 220, 4.40, 20/37 1/2)
36, Chiefs — Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame (5-10 1/4;, 198, 4.42, 17/35)
37, Eagles — Darin McCourty, CB, Rutgers (5-11, 193, 4.48, 16/36)
38, Browns — Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (6-1, 216, 4.79)
39, Raiders — Sean Lee, LB, Penn State (6-2, 239, 4.60, 24/37 1/2)
40, Chargers — Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State (6-0, 218, 4.45, 19/36)
41, Bills — Tim Tebow, QB, Florida (6-3, 236, 4.72, 25/38 1/2)
42, Bucs — Nate Allen, S, South Florida (6-0, 207, na, 16/34 1/2)
43, Broncos — Donald Butler, LB, Washington (6-1, 243, na/ 35/na)
44, Patriots — Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona (6-6 1/4;, 258, 4.65, 23/33 1/2)
45, Broncos — Tyson Alualu, DL, California (6-2fi, 298, 4.87, 24/35 1/2)
46, Giants — Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana (6-4 1/2, 315, 5.21, 27/29 1/2)
47, Patriots — Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida (6-2 1/2, 251, 5.0, 24/29)
48, Panthers — Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina (6-4 1/2, 323, 5.09, 39/30)
49, 49ers — Jahvid Best, RB, California (5-10, 199, 4.35, 18/32 1/2)
50, Chiefs — Jared Valdheer, OT, Hillsdale (6-8, 315, 5.06, 32/33 1/2)
51, Texans — Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford (6-0, 231, 4.53, 22/38)
52, Steelers — Vladimir Ducasse, OG, Massachusetts (6-4 1/2, 330, 5.21, 29/26)
53, Patriots — Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi (5-8 1/2, 170, 4.44, 20/37 1/2)
54, Bengals — Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (6-6, 279, 4.61, 22/31 1/2)
55, Eagles — Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU (6-2, 230, 4.54, 17/31)
56, Packers — Pat Robinson, CB, Florida State (5-11, 190, 4.42, 15/39)
57, Ravens — Eric Dickson, TE, Oregon (6-4 1/4;, 250, 4.59, 23/34)
58, Cardinals — Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida (6-2 1/4;, 248, 4.64, 30/33)
59, Cowboys — Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech (6-1 1/4;, 210, 4.42, 16/39 1/2)
60, Seahawks — Major Wright, S, Florida (5-11 1/2, 205, 4.44, 14/37 1/2)
61, Jets — Darrell Stuckey, S, Kansas (5-11 1/2, 208, 4.46, 17/39 1/2)
62, Vikings — Akwasi Owusu-Aasah, CB, Indiana (Pa.) (6-0 1/4;, 205, 4.32, na/35 1/2)
63, Colts — Lamar Houston, DT, Texas (6-2 1/2, 303, 4.84, 30/33 1/2)
64, Saints — Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State (6-0 1/2, 240, 4.70, 26/29 1/2)