Must-See TV: Seahawks, Clausen and Roethlisberger will Steal the Show at NFL Draft

The 2010 NFL draft will commence this evening at the Radio City Hall New York City. Tonight we may all join the city in its nocturnal ways as the first round of the draft moves to prime time. By the time the NFL's 32 newest players are selected, the event will likely have dragged its viewers into Friday - which is when rounds two and three will take place. 

Now I don't know how you feel, but I am definitely digging the NFL draft format changes. Tonight, the first round will instantly become the best thing to happen to Thursday's prime time television since It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia burst on the scene in 2005 (apologies to Tina Fey's 30 Rock). It will be more entertaining than Jerry Jones at dollar beer night. This isn't the NBA Draft, when it seems a pick outside the top 10 is no longer worth holding onto. There's a chance that Major League Baseball general managers might not live long enough to see their prize picks reach the Big Show. Each of the first 100 or so players selected in this weekend's NFL Draft will be expected to make instant contributions - whether its developing into a franchise quarterback, covering an opponent's best receiver or simply clogging up a running lane on special teams. 

In an economic environment that doesn't favor rebuilding, NFL franchises are going all-in for the opportunity to win a championship in '10. There may not even be a football season in 2011 (gasp!). This is why teams like the Bears and Redskins aren't blowing things up and starting from scratch. Practically every team is in win-now mode. The Arizona Cardinals nearly won the Super Bowl two years ago, Kurt Warner went from grocer to gridiron great and stud QBs Tee Martin, Giovanni Carmazzi and Spergon Wynn were all selected ahead of Tom Brady in the 2000 draft. Anything can happen in the game of professional football... except the Detroit Lions winning a championship. Some things just aren't meant to be. 

Numerous teams will set a course for either future greatness or years of futility this evening. Without further adieu, one semi-educated man's view of the 2010 NFL Draft...

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS: 

Sam Bradford - quarterback - Oklahoma

•     Head coach Steve Spagnuolo must be licking his chops at the prospect of grabbing either of the draft's extremely talented defensive tackles - Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy. However, the Rams' front office can not possibly look at its roster without determining Bradford is the necessary choice. A.J. Feeley is the team's most experienced passer and is barely a No. 2 QB at this point in his career. Over the past two years, St. Louis passed on Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez in the top 10. I can't imagine they'll make the same mistake again.
  

2. DETROIT LIONS: 

Ndamukong Suh - defensive tackle - Nebraska

• Detroit may very well end up acquiring Washington's Albert Haynesworth before this pick is made. If that's the case, they go with an offensive tackle. The Lions are in a great position. They will likely select the top defensive player in a draft loaded with talent on that side of the ball. But is that Suh or McCoy? Both have the ability to take over games in the trenches and are widely known to be upstanding franchise-type men, which has become an extremely important factor during Roger Goodell's regime as league commissioner. Detroit elects to snatch Suh off the board because he's one of the most well-known collegiate defensive stars in recent memory and will provided the team's tortured fans with a household name to root for. College superstars always pan out in Detroit - just ask Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams, Roy Williams or Ernie Simms. 
  

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: 

Gerald McCoy - defensive tackle - Oklahoma

• Big 12 conference athletes continue to dominate the top of draft. If the Rams do indeed take Bradford with the first overall pick, Tampa will be ecstatic to be guaranteed either Suh or McCoy, who will provide the Bucs with their best interior defensive presence sine Warren Sapp anchored the once-dominant Tampa 2. McCoy is the best pure "three-technique" lineman (the position that Sapp revolutionized) to arrive from the college ranks since fellow Sooner Tommie Harris in 2004.
  

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: 

Trent Williams - offensive tackle - Oklahoma

• The 2009 version of the Oklahoma Sooners - with three players selected in the top four - must be the most talented 8-5 team in college football history. Head coach Mike Shanahan continues to add to his vastly improved offense with the addition of Williams. Most "experts" will have Washington grabbing Oklahoma State (again, Big 12) offensive tackle Russell Okung - who was more dominant in college and has the makings of a prototypical left tackle in the NFL. But Williams' athleticism is off the charts for a 315-pound specimen. His versatility gives him the edge over Okung in Shanahan's trademark zone-blocking scheme - which requires quickness.
  

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: 

Russell Okung - offensive tackle - Oklahoma State

•  Kansas City has fallen off the face of the earth since Dick Vermeil's departure following the 2005 season and has won only 10 games over the past three seasons. The Chiefs made progress by bringing in former New England vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli as president/general manager and former Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley as head coach. This offseason, Pioli brought in his old friend Charlie Weis as the team's new play caller. It's funny to think that if Kansas City hadn't committed tons of money to Matt Cassell, Weis would probably be reuniting with Jimmy Clausen in KC. 
  

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS:

C.J. Spiller - running back - Clemson

• Finally a player who didn't spend his college years in the midwest. The Seahawks' greatest need is at offensive tackle but they also hold the 14th overall pick and can afford to wait for a lineman. Spiller, however, won't be available by the time that selection rolls around. Pete Carroll grabs the fleet-footed Spiller and will use him in Seattle's offense much like he implemented Reggie Bush in Trojans attack at USC.
  

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS:

Eric Berry - safety - Tennessee

• This isn't the year for the Browns to draft yet another first-round quarterback. Mangini is trying to sure up the supporting cast before he finds his franchise QB. Berry provides a physical presence for a Browns defense that lacks bite. Mangenius will take a hard look at linebacker and defensive line as well. There are plenty of holes to fill in Cleveland.
  

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS:

Bryan Bulaga - offensive tackle - Iowa

• Bulaga seems far too safe and solid for Oakland. Common sense says this selection will be used in a trade to acquire Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger or to draft Tim Tebow. 

9. BUFFALO BILLS: 

Derrick Morgan - defensive end - Georgia Tech

• Though Clausen does make some sense for Buffalo, I see new head coach Chan Gailey giving it a shot with Trent Edwards for one season before determining what to do at the quarterback position. Morgan's quickness and length make him an ideal fit in the Bills' new 3-4 defensive scheme.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: 

Rolando McClain - inside linebacker - Alabama

• McClain was front and center in the Crimson Tide's suffocating championship defense. He should provide coach Jack Del Rio with leadership and attitude at middle linebacker.

11. DENVER BRONCOS:

 Earl Thomas - defensive back - Texas

• Would Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels dare take Clausen here and throw a wrench in the draft? He's been extremely brash throughout his first year on the job and a training camp battle between Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn and Clausen would be great TV. But Denver isn't good enough to make a luxury pick so it selects a playmaker that can line up at safety or cornerback.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: 

Dan Williams - defensive tackle - Tennesee

• The purge on defensive talent continues. Williams is best suited for nose tackle and should take up his share of blockers while freeing up middle linebacker Karlos Dansby - Miami's free agency prize. 

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS:

 Anthony Davis - offensive tackle - Rutgers

• Davis - the pride of Piscataway, New Jersey - can dominate when he wants. It's all about work ethic for the big man and who better to get his butt in gear than 49ers coach/boot camp drill sergeant Mike Singletary. 
  

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS:

 Dez Bryant - wide receiver - Oklahoma State

• Seattle is desperate for defensive help and Florida cornerback Joe Haden would be a more sensible pick. But Carroll gets greedy and transforms Seattle's identity by pairing Bryant with Spiller in his offense for years to come. The former Stillwater star is the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson.
  

15. NEW YORK GIANTS: 

Mike Iupati - guard - Idaho

• This pick doesn't exactly have that Big Apple flash, but Tom Caughlin has never been that kind of coach (ahem, Rex Ryan). Iupati solidifies the Giants' O-line and might jump-start New York's suddenly dormant rushing attack.
  

16. TENNESSEE TITANS: 

Jason Pierre-Paul - defensive end - South Florida

• Pierre-Paul started in only seven games as a Bull, but he has the makings of an extremely athletic pass rusher. Though he is raw and could quickly prove to be a bust, he may develop into a defender comparable to former Buccaneer Simeon Rice.
  

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: 

Joe Haden - cornerback - Florida

• They will be dancing in the streets of San Francisco if the 49ers can come away with both Davis and Haden - a very smooth coverage man - in the first round. 
  

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: 

Jimmy Clausen - quarterback - Notre Dame

• A few days ago I would have laughed at this. Now, there are rampant rumors that Pittsburgh is actively shopping Roethlisberger and talks appear to moving quick. If the Steelers do indeed trade their two-time champion quarterback, Clausen would at least help ease the pain and provide the franchise with a fresh start. Remember, Rothlisberger was drafted by Bill Cowher and there is noticeable friction at times between him and Mike Tomlin. This would be one of the most stunning developments in draft history. 
  

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: 

Kyle Wilson - cornerback - Boise State

• Wilson - another Piscataway product - is an extremely confident young man and he plays like it. While Haden was surrounded by All-Americans at Florida, Wilson stood out in a predominately no-name Broncos defense. Atlanta will count on him as it looks to catch up with New Orleans' high-flying passing offense.
  

20. HOUSTON TEXANS:

 Ryan Mathews - running back - Fresno State

• Houston is still searching for a running game to match its highly efficient air attack. Mathews has great burst despite being the biggest back in the draft. This would relegate speedster Steve Slaton to "change of pace" back duties, which is better suited for his skill set.
  

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: 

Jermaine Gresham - tight end - Oklahoma

• It was obvious by the end of last season the Bengals' offense was missing something. The death of Chris Henry and the swift decline of Laveranues Coles left Carson Palmer searching for weapons. The Bengals have long lacked a premier tight end and Gresham - a dynamic receiver and tenacious blocker - fits the bill.
  

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:

 Sergio Kindle - outside linebacker - Texas

• The time has come for Bill Belichick to infuse his defense with new blood. Kindle falls under the category of pass-rushing 3-4 linebacker - a role that DeMarcus Ware and James Harrison have flourished in. Kindle would join promising inside linebacker Jerod Mayo as the future of the New England defense. 
  

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: 

Brandon Graham - outside linebacker - Michigan

• Much like Kindle, Graham has the ability to get after the quarterback from the linebacker position. The Packers defense would be a whole lot nastier with Graham and Clay Matthews - who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2009 - providing pressure from opposite sides.
  

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: 

Maurkice Pouncey - center - Florida

• Philadelphia has very young offensive skill players. Why not keep the youth movement going on the offensive line? Sure, you can argue the Eagles need defensive backfield help with this selection but Philly owns two second round picks and can use them to retool. Andy Reid loves his lineman and Pouncey is a rare interior talent.
  

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: 

Jared Odrick - defensive end - Penn State

• Odrick has ideal size to play end in the Ravens' 3-4 scheme. Odrick will never be a double-digit sack guy but he supports the run admirably and will provide Baltimore's linebackers with room to roam.
  

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS: 

Sean Weatherspoon - outside linebacker - Missouri

• Karlos Dansby left the desert for South Beach and a highly productive season from the aging  Joey Porter is certainly no sure thing. Weatherspoon has a tireless motor and is arguably the draft's best open field tackler. 
  

27. DALLAS COWBOYS: 

Taylor Mays - safety - Southern California

• Dallas is desperate for help at offensive tackle, but Mays is simply too talented for Jones to pass on. The former SoCal standout runs like a wide receiver and hits like a middle linebacker. Jones may not be able to resist taking the talent-loaded Mays but he reminds me a lot of former Cowboys safety Roy Williams - who frequently busted open a can of whoop-ass on receivers but was burnt downfield nearly as often.
  

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: 

Brian Price - defensive tackle - UCLA

• I've got a gut feeling that Norv Turner may throw us all a curveball and grab running back Toby Gerhart out of Standford, but the Chargers need for an interior defensive lineman is dire (they were mauled in the trenches by the Jets in the playoffs).
  

29. NEW YORK JETS: 

Jerry Hughes - outside linebacker - Texas Christian

• Hughes was a production machine at TCU and the lynch pin of the Horned Frogs' outstanding defense. He has the swagger and edge-rushing ability that Sexy Rexy drools over. Hughes could quickly make Jets fans forget about mega-bust Vernon Gholston. 
  

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: 

Devin McCourty - cornerback - Rutgers

• Brad Childress will take a long look at quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow before  deciding to address the achilles' heel of his defense - pass protection. McCourty is a hard worker and can contribute instantly at nickle back, while providing the Vikings with another kick return threat.
  

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: 

Roger Saffold - offense tackle - Indiana

• Peyton Manning is growing into an elder statesman and it can't hurt to invest in the remainder of his career by bolstering the offensive line. Saffold won't dominate a superior defensive end for sixty minutes but he leaves Indiana as a very polished tackle. 
  

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: 

Tyson Alualu - defensive end - California

• The Saints' offense is fine, the defense could use some work. Alualu adds clout to an average defensive line.
  

CHECK BACK THIS WEEKEND WHEN WE EXAMINE ROUND ONE AFTERMATH AND PREPARE FOR ROUND TWO

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?? 

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