NFL 1st Round Draft Analysis

1. St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
In a word: Smart
The Rams  can’t  move forward without the franchise quarterback locked in.
2. Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
In a word: Brilliant
For once the Lions used a top pick on an elite player. No more drama, no more bust receivers. The Lions are building a team not for the future, but for the present. Don’t be surprised if the Lions all of a sudden have on pass rush and a solid  run defense.
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
In a word: Steal
The emotion McCoy portrayed on prime time not only shows the passion this guy has for being selected by the Buc’s but his love for the game. Expect the very best from McCoy.
4 Washington Redskins Trent Williams T Oklahoma
In a word: Easy
With a stacked offense line class, the Redskins tried their best to smoke screen a “QB of the future” pick, but settled for their best O-line option to not only protect McNabb’s blindsided but add meat to the run game.
5 Kansas City Chiefs Eric Berry S Tennessee
In a word: Safe
The Gridiron Experts crew had the Chiefs adding depth to the offensive line, but Eric Berry is a great exception. In a way, I kind of feel bad for Berry as Chiefs have such a weak secondary that Berry is going to be running ragged.
6 Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung T Oklahoma State
In a word: Monster
At 6, the Seahawks have a future left tackle fall into their laps. great pick.
7 Cleveland Browns Joe Haden CB Florida
In a word: Surprise
With a lack of offense, I had the Browns picking a playmaker. Haden fills a need, but I’m was surprised to see the Browns pass on Bryant & Clausen. As it turns out the Browns may look like geniues if they can snatch up Clausen on Day 2.
8 Oakland Raiders Rolando McClain ILB Alabama
In a word: Redeeming
WTF? The Raiders didn’t screw this years 1st round pick up? There are a few talking around the Gridiron X crew that actually believes the Raiders will be a team on the rise in 2010.
9 Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller RB Clemson
In a word: Waste
At this point in the draft the Bills could have filled a few of their (many) other needs. Yet Buffalo added a running back? The Bills need to now unload M.Lynch, but with teams knowing they’re desperate to unload him, expect bottom barrel offers. The Bills might have wanted to move either Jackson or Lynch before selecting Spiller. Say goobye to any sort of fantasy value, at this point all hands off Spiller.
10 Jacksonville Jaguars Tyson Alualu DT California
In a word: Reach
Too early to read into this pick.
11 San Francisco 49ers (from Chicago via Denver) Anthony Davis T Rutgers
In a word: Smart
Gridiron Experts team needs mock draft has a good write up on our early thoughts to the direction in which we saw the 49er’s heading.
12 San Diego Chargers (from Miami) Ryan Mathews RB Fresno State
In a word: aggressive
The Chargers know what they needed and moved up to get it, you have to respect that. Sure they could have taken a shot and wait for him to fall, but Mathews was a great fit for the Chargers and a smart pick.
13 Philadelphia Eagles(from San Francisco via Denver) Brandon Graham DE Michigan
In a word: Expensive
Normally the Eagles are very clever with their draft day dealings, but this year it seemed they moved up for a player that would’ve been waiting for them in the 20′s…Reid and company must really like him. Over Pierre-Paul or Morgan though?
14 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) Earl Thomas S Texas
In a word: Jackpot
Amazing find at 14, Pete Carrol made some great picks on draft day but held up the walk to the podium with his first pick with Okung by not letting him off the phone, which then set the a weird off set of selections and count down.
15 New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
In a word: controversial
I’m sure Pierre-Paul won’t get the warm welcome from the dog-house veterans.
16 Tennessee Titans Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
In a word: Prize
I really can’t figure out why a player of this caliber fell this far, great pick
17 San Francisco 49ers  (from Carolina) Mike Iupati G Idaho
In a word: strength
Again, we saw the 49er’s strategy coming (see first 49er’s link)
18 Pittsburgh Steelers Maurkice Pouncey C Florida
In a word: Excellent
Despite all the drama, the Steelers needed to upgrade their offensive line and they did just that. This is great news for fantasy owners holding on to Mendenhall. The offensive line gets a great boast with Pouncey
19 Atlanta Falcons Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri
In a word: Value
Excellent pick, patient pick. The Falcons waited and got exactly what they wanted. Weatherspoon should start for the Falcons as early as week 1.
20 Houston Texans Kareem Jackson CB Alabama
In a word: Risky
Of all the teams that can afford to confidently take a shot in the first round it’s the Texans. Houston has been excellent over the years at sniffing out defensive studs. Just think of all the winners, not to mention defensive rookies of the year.
21 Cincinnati Bengals Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
In a word: Expected
No surprise here, most Mocks had Gresham going to the Bengals as the fit is like a glove.
22 Denver Broncos  (from New England) Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech
In a word: Bravo
The Broncos drafted down twice and still got their guy. At this point of the draft I was all “A’s” for the Broncos but their next pick will even out their draft class.  Demaryius Thomas is a near bang-on replacement for Marshall.
23 Green Bay Packers Bryan Bulaga T Iowa
In a word: Gold
Gold platted Cheese. Bulaga had a top ten grade in my opinion, he will give the upgrade to the offensive line that could push the Packers into the elite stature.
24 Dallas Cowboys  (from Philadelphia via New England) Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
In a word: Typical
I hate to say Gridiron Experts nailed this one too, no one saw Bryant falling this far, but we did say we saw the Cowboys going after a “sexy pick”, someone Jerry Jones can hang his hat on. Bryant fell for a reason, some had him whiped right off their boards with his attitude, but Dez will be a small voice in a strong locker room and should learn his place fast.
25 Denver Broncos  (from Baltimore) Tim Tebow QB Florida
In a word: Shocking
What do you know? Tebow finds a home in Denver to replace the ex-franchise QB Cutler. This pick will be anyalized to death, but for now I’m saying “reach”.
26 Arizona Cardinals Dan Williams DT Tennessee
In a word: Smart
Great size, great pick. Williams slipped in the draft and the Cardinals walk away with a stud.
27 New England Patriots  (from Dallas) Devin McCourty CB Rutgers
In a word: System
The Patriots draft guys that fit their system, McCorty is a special teamer that will work his way onto the field as Bill Belichick sees fit.
28 Miami Dolphins  (from San Diego) Jared Odrick DT Penn State
In a word:Value
We had the  Odrick going to the Fish back at the 12th spot. The name of the game sometimes is getting your guy and adding value at the same time.
29 New York Jets Kyle Wilson CB Boise State
In a word: Squandered
The Jets were in no need of a CB. While the Jets will no doubt have the strongest depth in the league with their secondary, other needs could have been filled. At this point I feel this pick was a waste.
30 Detroit Lions (from Minnesota) Jahvid Best RB California
In a word: Flashy
If you look at who was on deck ,  Best had a great chance at falling to the Lions in the next round. Still it’s a great pick that can step on to the field quickly. Fantasy value should rise if he has a good training camp.
31 Indianapolis Colts Jerry Hughes OLB TCU
In a word: Familiar
Gridiron Experts liked DE B.Graham going to the Colts in our Mock Draft 2.0 but in a way, Hughes has the same look to him. Smaller speedy pash rusher with a wicked motors.
32 New Orleans Saints Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
In a word: Smart
Brees gives a little name drop to the new Madden game (got to get) and finishes off the first prime time draft with a smart pick to add depth to the secondary.