Scouting Report

  Once upon a time Tampa had the best set of defensive tackles in the league with Warren Sapp and Booger McFarland but those days are long gone. Chris Hovan is solid and Ryan Sims has managed to salvage his career to a degree but neither will be mistaken for a Pro Bowler anytime. After trading away Gaines Adams the Bucs now suffer from a severe lack of playmakers along their defensive line so unless a youngster like Roy Miller, Dre Moore or Kyle Moore emerges they will have to bring in a top talent up front. It’s rare to see a defensive tackle take over a game but that is exactly what Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh has demonstrated the ability to do the past couple of years. Whether it’s sacking the quarterback, making tackles behind the line of scrimmage or even intercepting passes, Suh is as dominant of a defensive tackle as the college game has seen in many years. Arguably the premier senior prospect in the country, Suh is a legitimate Top 5 talent and he would give the Buccaneers retooled defense a major boost. Tampa Bay could also opt for Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy, who is essentially in a dead heat with Suh for the top spot in the defensive tackle rankings, and Oklahoma St. wide receiver Dez Bryant might be a darkhorse.

Scouting Report

  The Browns offense has been absolutely abysmal this season and the play of quarterback Derek Anderson has been particularly embarrassing. Even though they already have a young alternative on the roster the organization just doesn’t like Brady Quinn for one reason or another and they have been reluctant to give him a genuine opportunity to seize the job so it looks like Cleveland will be in the market for a new signal caller next offseason. Washington’s Jake Locker really only became a part of the national consciousness earlier after he led the Huskies to an upset win over Southern Cal in September but he has been on the radar of pro scouts for quite some time. A dual-threat quarterback with a terrific blend of size (6-3, 226), speed (4.45) and athleticism, Locker has everything you look for physically as well as top-notch intangibles. Early in his college career Locker was considered to be a better runner than thrower but he has improved by leaps and bounds as a passer this year while operating in the pro style offense that new head coach Steve Sarkisian implemented. Locker isn’t a finished product and durability is a concern but there is no denying his talent and he has star potential. The Browns could also look to bolster their secondary with Eric Berry of Tennessee or Taylor Mays of USC and they could use a pass rushing outside linebacker such as Sergio Kindle of Texas as well. However, at the end of the day Cleveland simply must do something about their quarterback situation and in league circles Locker  has  clearly  emerged  as  the cream of the crop.

Scouting Report

  The Lions got their franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford last year, which frees them up to address another need with this pick. Jim Schwartz certainly knows the value of a stud defensive tackle after coaching Albert Haynesworth during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans but unfortunately the position is in a complete state of disarray in Detroit. As it stands their current starters are an over the hill 36-year-old (Grady Jackson) and a rookie fourth round pick out of a Division II program (Sammie Lee Hill) and there is no depth to speak of. Needless to say they are in desperate need of an upgrade in the middle. Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy might have been the first defensive tackle chosen in last year’s draft but he surprised everyone and chose to spend another year in college. A true difference-maker along the defensive line, McCoy is not only able to penetrate and make impact plays in the backfield but he can also hold his own against the run. The addition of McCoy would finally give the Lions an elite talent along their defensive line and would represent another milestone in their rebuilding process. Detroit could still use a left tackle (Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung) to protect Stafford since they passed on Michael Oher last year and don't rule out a defensive end (Florida’s Carlos Dunlap) or defensive back (Tennessee’s Eric Berry) either but McCoy is the best fit  when  it  comes  to  both value and need.

Scouting Report

  The Rams are struggling through yet another disappointing season and it looks as though they will use their top draft pick to bring in a replacement for 32-year-old Marc Bulger. There are many who feel Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford would have competed to be the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft had he gone pro after a redshirt sophomore season in which he won the Heisman Trophy but he opted to spend another year in college and the results have been disastrous. Bradford hurt his throwing shoulder in the Sooners first game and after trying to come back later in the year he re-injured the joint and was ultimately forced to undergo season-ending surgery. There were already concerns that Bradford was simply a product of the Sooners spread offense and now there are serious health / durability questions as well. Plus it’s not like Bradford had a cannon of an arm to begin with so you can’t help but wonder how it will be affected by this recent damage. However, on the bright side Bradford is exceptionally accurate, has a quick release, is extremely smart and some have even gone so far as to compare him to Peyton Manning. Bradford has already indicated that he intends to enter the 2010 NFL Draft as long as his recovery goes as planned and while the results of medical checkups will be key the consensus seems to be that he is still in line to be a Top 10 pick next April. St. Louis could also consider Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant and Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry here but at this point all of the signs seem to be pointing directly toward a quarterback.

Scouting Report

  The Titans entered the 2009 season expecting to compete for a championship but instead they wound up making a run at the top pick in the draft. If the Titans do indeed end up with a Top 5 pick they will face a difficult decision. Would they use this opportunity to select a top young quarterback to build around long-term or do they try to plug a hole and rebound as quickly as possible? The answer to that question could hinge on how Vince Young plays down the stretch but the former #3 overall pick has a big supporter in owner Bud Adams and that increases the likelihood of them looking in another direction with this choice. A horrendous pass defense has played a major role in the Titans sudden and dramatic decline so local hero Eric Berry of Tennessee would appear to be a logical fit. An Ed Reed-clone with 4.4 speed, Berry is a dynamic playmaker who just has a knack for making quarterbacks pay dearly for their mistakes. A terrific all-around player, Berry excels in coverage but he's also extremely aggressive and isn’t afraid to mix it up and be physical. Just ask Tim Tebow! There are many who feel Berry is capable of playing either safety or cornerback at the next level and he would undoubtedly help shore up the Titans leaky secondary. Tennessee could also opt for a stud defensive tackle, either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald  McCoy ,  as  a  replacement  for  Albert  Haynesworth.

Scouting Report

  When the Bills traded away their Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters prior to the 2009 NFL Draft most assumed they would use one of their two first round picks to replace him but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Instead Buffalo tried trotting out Langston Walker to protect their quarterbacks blindside and when that didn't work out they settled on former seventh round pick Demetrius Bell. Needless to say the Bills would be extremely fortunate to land Russell Okung of Oklahoma State at this point because he will most likely be the first blocker off the board next April. Okung, who might very well have been a first round pick last year had he gone pro after his junior season, isn’t quite in the Jon Ogden / Orlando Pace class as a prospect but he’s a terrific athlete with great feet who excels in pass protection and also earns high marks for his intangibles. Based on his play as a senior Okung has solidified his status as a Top 10 pick. Unless Trent Edwards shows something down the stretch Buffalo might be in the market for a quarterback next offseason as well and they could also use an outside linebacker or perhaps even a receiver if Terrell Owens moves on. With that said Okung and the Bills sure look like  a  match  made  in  NFL Draft Heaven.

Scouting Report

  The Chiefs have plenty of needs and could go a number of different directions here but with that being the case it might be wise to simply opt for the best player available. After trading for Matt Cassel and signing him to a new $63 million contract the Chiefs have their quarterback in place but they still need to surround him with some weapons. Despite a stint in Todd Haley’s doghouse earlier this year Dwayne Bowe is one of the better young wide receivers in the league but the cupboard is essentially bare beyond him. Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State checks in at a solid 6-2 and 220 pounds and while he doesn’t have elite timed speed he is very elusive and catches everything in sight. Bryant has the potential to be a true #1 target at the next level and many feel he is just as good of a prospect as Michael Crabtree was coming out of college, if not better. The addition of Bryant would help ignite Kansas City’s offense and give Haley a set of wideouts that could rival what he had in Arizona with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The offensive line has been a real source of frustration for Kansas City this year too so Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung would make a lot of sense as well. Then again, when it comes right down to it the Chiefs could also use an inside and outside linebacker,  nose tackle,  safety,  tight end and a running back.

Scouting Report

  It’s common knowledge that the Oakland Raiders are infatuated Workout Warriors and last year’s selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey with the #7 overall pick simply reaffirmed that notion. If a prospect possesses a freakish blend of size, speed and athleticism there is a good chance that Al Davis will be targeting him. Using that logic this pick comes down to either Florida’s Carlos Dunlap or USC’s Taylor Mays. Despite the acquisition of Richard Seymour the Raiders could still use some more help along their defensive line and Dunlap looks like a prospect who is right in Davis’ wheelhouse. An extremely impressive physical specimen, Dunlap reportedly runs a 4.6 forty at 6-6 and 290 pounds. Dunlap is still very raw and inconsistent but in many ways he will remind you of Mario Williams and the sky is the limit when it comes to his upside. Don’t rule out Mays though because even though safety isn’t necessarily the Raiders most glaring need it might be tough for Davis to pass on a local product with his rare combination of size and speed. Other options for Oakland could include an offensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback or perhaps even a quarterback since JaMarcus Russell is looking more and more like a bust. Either way if history has taught us anything it’s to error on the side of the  workout  numbers  when  it comes to Oakland.

Scouting Report

  Despite their glaring needs along the offensive line the Redskins will probably be looking for a quarterback with this pick. Washington’s flirtations with Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez last offseason were a clear signal that they didn’t believe Jason Campbell was the long-term solution under center and his play in 2009 has done nothing to change that perception. With Campbell set to become a free agent and no obvious successor on the roster it would be a shock if the Skins didn’t aggressively pursue a top signal caller. Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen was a ballyhooed recruit who entered college with a lot of unrealistic expectations but it looks like he might actually live up to the hype. Clausen doesn’t really possess any standout physical traits but he is adequate across the board when it comes to size and arm strength and in many ways he compares favorably to Aaron Rodgers. A three-year starter in Charlie Weis’ pro style offense, Clausen is well coached, very smart and has made major strides in the leadership and intangible departments as a junior. Oh, and that high-profile Notre Dame pedigree should only help him in the eyes of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who loves to make a splash. If Washington did go in another direction here they would likely opt for a blocker because their situation at right tackle is a mess and it looks like there is a pretty good chance that injuries will force their Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels into retirement  sooner rather than later.

Scouting Report

  Last year on Draft Day the 49’ers dealt a mid-second round pick to Carolina in exchange for the Panthers first rounder in 2010, which appears to have been a very wise move. The safety position has been a problem area in San Francisco for years now so you have to think they’d jump at the chance to bring in USC’s Taylor Mays. A great athlete with an amazing blend of size (6-3, 230) and speed (4.28), Mays epitomizes the phrase “Hits Like a Linebacker, Runs Like a Cornerback” and he will remind Niners faithful of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Mays actually would have been the first safety selected in last year’s draft, most likely in the top half of round one, but he chose to return for his senior season and that has opened up his game to excessive scrutiny. The most common criticism is that Mays doesn’t make enough big plays in coverage (i.e. interceptions) but it’s important to keep in mind that he’s more of a big hitter than a playmaker. Is Bob Sanders any less of a great player than Ed Reed because he only has six career picks? Of course not, they’re just different types of players. Not only would Mays be a major upgrade over what the Niners currently have at the safety position but Mike Singletary will surely be impressed by his physical style of play and  the  incredible  intimidation  factor  that he offers.

Scouting Report

  San Francisco has had a lot of issues over the years but one constant has been the shaky offensive line play. Joe Staley is a keeper and they have some talent inside but the Niners desperately need to bring in an upgrade at right tackle. Former teammates Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson received more publicity and attention during their time at Oklahoma but Trent Williams is actually a better player and a superior pro prospect. After excelling at right tackle early in his career Williams moved to the left side as a senior and he’s had his share of ups and downs. However, even though Williams may not be an elite left tackle prospect he is an excellent all-around player who excels as both a pass and run blocker. In fact, in many ways he is similar to another former Sooner, New Orleans Saints All-Pro Jammal Brown. San Francisco could also use an upgrade at cornerback opposite Nate Clements and don’t rule out a linebacker, either a pass rusher outside or a replacement for Takeo Spikes inside. Keep a close eye on the Niners sketchy quarterback situation too because if Alex Smith and Shaun Hill falter down the stretch they will be in the market for a new signal caller and with two first round picks  they  certainly  have  the  ammo to trade up.

Scouting Report

  Ideally the Seahawks would probably prefer to add a top young quarterback or a left tackle with this pick but since all of the best prospects at those positions are already off the board they are forced to look elsewhere. One thing Seattle’s offense currently lacks is explosiveness. They really don’t have anyone who keeps coaches up at night and truly scares defenses. That would all change with the addition of Clemson’s C.J. Spiller though. A versatile player with blazing speed who is capable of making an impact as a runner, receiver and return man, Spiller isn’t an every down workhorse but he is an explosive playmaker that defenses must account for at all times. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Spiller is a threat to take it the distance at any time from anywhere on the field. Sure running back might not be Seattle’s most glaring need but Spiller would be a nice compliment to Julius Jones and in addition to providing their offense with a whole new dimension he would also give them a huge boost on special teams. The Seahawks would also be tempted by Southern Cal's Taylor Mays, who would not only address a weakness at the safety position but also be a big hit with the loyal hometown fans  since  he  grew up near Seattle.

Scouting Report

  One of the keys to any good 3-4 defense is athletic outside linebackers who can rush the passer. No one knows this better than Bill Parcells, who has used first round picks on linebackers everywhere he has been, from Carl Banks with the Giants to Willie McGinest with the Patriots to James Farrior with the Jets to DeMarcus Ware with the Cowboys. So far The Tuna hasn’t taken a linebacker in round one during his tenure in Miami but history tells us that will eventually change. Joey Porter had a career year in 2008 and Jason Taylor still has a little gas left in the tank but they are both in their mid-30’s and it’s time to start thinking about the future. Texas’ Sergio Kindle played second fiddle to Brian Orakpo for most of his Longhorn career but he could ultimately end up being an even better pro prospect. A classic defensive end / outside linebacker hybrid who specializes in getting after the quarterback, Kindle would be a perfect fit in the Phins 3-4 scheme and you don’t get a chance to add the best pure pass rusher in the draft this late very often. Miami could also use a nose tackle like Alabama’s Terrence Cody to eventually replace Jason Ferguson and they still need to bring in a  true  #1  option at wide receiver as well.

Scouting Report

  Surprised? Crazier things have happened on Draft Day and I am really starting to believe that someone will select Florida’s Tim Tebow much earlier than they should. Remember, it only takes one team. Tebow is going to be one of the most controversial prospects the NFL Draft has ever seen. An amazing leader with out of this world intangibles, Tebow will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time but there are some serious questions about him as a pro prospect. Some feel Tebow profiles as more of a tight end or fullback at the next level but he wants to play quarterback and will likely be given that opportunity. After spending four years in Urban Meyer’s system Tebow will essentially have to be reworked from the ground up. Whether it be his throwing motion, footwork, taking snaps from under center, reading coverages or going through progressions there is just a laundry list of things he will have to work on. The bottom line is Tebow’s probably 2-3 years away from being able to run an NFL offense but he has the talent and work ethic to eventually do it and you know he will charm the pants off of decision makers and coaches in pre-draft interviews. Tebow’s ticket selling power certainly won’t hurt his cause either and Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, whose team is suffering from weekly television blackouts, has already said he has his eye on the local superstar. In Jacksonville Tebow could be utilized as a short-yardage runner and Wildcat quarterback early in his career while being groomed as an eventual successor to David Garrard, who'll be  32-years-old by the start of the  '10 season.

Scouting Report

  The improvement that the Broncos defense has shown this year has been nothing short of amazing but there is still plenty of work to do on that side of the ball. In fact, Denver could realistically use help on all three levels so it may just come down to identifying the highest rated defender on the board and selecting him. At 6-4 and 258 pounds with 4.6 speed and excellent intangibles, Alabama’s Rolando McClain is capable of playing inside or outside in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme and he has been an impact player for the Crimson Tide since his true freshman season. A terrific all-around player, McClain can stop the run, drop into coverage or rush the passer and that versatility is sure to make him a valuable commodity on Draft Day. McClain doesn’t seem to be generating a lot of buzz right now but don’t be surprised if he competes to be the first linebacker selected in the 2010 NFL Draft. The defensive line is arguably Denver’s most glaring weakness, at least talent-wise, so that will be a strong possibility for them in round one as well. Alabama’s Terrence Cody would be an ideal fit at nose tackle in the Broncos “30” front and Northwestern’s Corey Wootton would be a major upgrade over the  guys  they  currently  have at defensive end.

Scouting Report

  In recent years the Falcons have attempted to address their issues at cornerback though the draft but the results have been mixed at best. Chris Houston appears to be entrenched on one side but nobody has stepped up opposite him and guys like Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Chris Owens haven’t proven themselves to be anything more than backups. Florida’s Joe Haden is the clear front-runner to be the first corner off the board if he opts to leave school for the pros after his junior season. An outstanding athlete with good size and excellent speed who is also a willing tackler, Haden isn’t a shutdown guy in the mold of Deion Sanders or Champ Bailey but he profiles as a #1 cover guy at the next level. Despite the presence of sack artist John Abraham the Falcons are still having trouble generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks so unless youngster like Lawrence Sidbury emerges late in the season defensive end will be a consideration here as well. The other option could be a linebacker such as Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon  because  Mike  Peterson  is a stop-gap solution.