NFL Draft

Some thoughts on the first 12 picks ...

1.The Rams need a good DT and "Gotterdammerung" Suh is the standout choice. Looks like a perfect fit since no QB rates that high. I'd love to see Eric Berry in the secondary, and it's not out of the question, but Suh makes the most sense. Rams could look to the top of Round 2 for a QB.
2. The popular thought seems to be the Lions will go for OL help to protect Stafford. Russell Okung would fit that bill, but their defensive line is in even more dire straits. I have them going for the Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy with an eye for a LT to replace Backus in round two.
3.Joe Haden, the Florida CB, makes the most sense except teams like to get better close to the line of scrimmage early in the draft. Derrick Morgan of Ga. Tech would give the Bucs a rush DE and if neither one of the top DTs slides to three, Morgan would make a good choice.
Note: Tennessee's Eric Berry would be a possible pick at 2-3 as well but those teams need CBs more than safeties. If they decide Berry can make the transition, as has been mentioned before, he could go in either spot.
4. Does Washington stick with Jason Campbell. If they do they can look for a LT but if they are ready to make a move, they'll take Sam Bradford. I'm betting they stick with Campbell and draft Russell Okung.
5. Kansas City is still in transition on defense which is a tough thing to pull off because they are so short of talent on the offensive side of the line. Dez Bryant could be a great fit teaming with Bowe at WR, but Berry can start right away at S and make a big impact.
6.Seattle needs to get a LT or defensive help with this pick but if Sam Bradford slides I think they could take him. Matt Hasselbeck looked like Mark Bulger's twin last year and Seneca Wallace is not the answer.
7. Cleveland's defense has holes everywhere and the offense isn't much better. With Bradford gone they will stick with the QBs they have and take the best player. For my money that will be Dez Bryant who will come into camp as their best receiver.
8. Anthony Davis is a big, nasty OT who can give the Raiders a nice upgrade on either side. A very good fit.
9. Buffalo also needs OT help and it just so happens that this year there are several top linemen in the draft pool. Maryland's Bruce Campbell would be a good addition, but Florida's Joe Haden has fallen and is a better value. They take Haden.
10. Jacksonville is close to being a playoff team so I don't think QB is the route they will go. Sorry Jimmy Clausen. The secondary is a mess and they need another WR to help Sims-Walker. With Dez Bryant and Haden gone, I have them taking Texas safety Earl Thomas. A trade up for Haden is possible.
11.Let's assume Denver can't kiss and make up with Brandon Marshall. They'll deal him and start looking for a wide receiver. Good luck. Other than Bryant, top of the draft WRs are hard to find. The Broncos could go for a linebacker or a DL, but I'll toss the dice and say they grab Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. By season's end he will be as good as Orton. Maybe better.
12. A big time wide receiver would help Miami a lot but finding one here will be tough. They could use a fast OLB to spell Jason Taylor and Joey Porter and Sergio Kindle looks like a great fit to me. (Florida's Carlos Dunlap could help at DE as well.)