Bradford will probably go #1, but where will he play?
Mel Kiper is known for two things, terrible helmet hair and being notoriously incorrect at draft prognosticating. Kiper might be good at developing his ‘big board’ and letting the public know the ‘best available.’ But what all NFL fans really want to know is “Who is my team taking?” Today is probably one of the most fun days of the year for NFL fans because everyone gets to fantasize about the perfect draft for their team as well as what surprises might happen. Here are some of those possible surprises.
1. Sam Bradford, (OB, Oklahoma) will be drafted #1overall by St. Louis and traded to Cleveland. Sam Bradford is going to throw a fit if he’s selected by the Rams. 2010 is going to be a flashback to the 2004 Draft where Eli Manning was selected by San Diego despite his warnings that he would not sign there, then traded to the NY Giants for Phillip Rivers. Bradford will get his way and the Rams will be able to move down a little and pick up a few additional picks in the process. But the Rams still need a QB and they’ll get one because…
2. Cleveland will select Jimmy Claussen (QB, Notre Dame) at #7 sending him to St. Louis to complete the trade. This is the ideal situation for both teams. The Rams won’t have to pay #1 money, but still be able to snag a franchise QB which the desperately need while Cleveland and Mike Holmgen will get the QB that he really wants and make a splash in his first season as the Browns President. Meanwhile…
3. At #2, the Detroit Lions select Russell Okung (OT, Okla. St.). All the draftniks are confident that the Lions will take Ndamukong Suh (or possibly Gerald McCoy) with the second overall pick but when was the last time the Lions have done what was expected of them? What the Lions really want to do is protect last year’s investment by surrounding Matt Stafford with everything they can to help him succeed. They took TE Brandon Pettigrew with the #20 overall pick last year and still acquired Tony Scheffler last week from Denver. Although the defensive line needs help so does the O-line and that’s the unit that will directly impact Stafford’s (and by extension, the Lions) on field performance.
4. The Washington Redskins select C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson) at #4. With their original target, Okung, already gone, new head coach Mike Shanahan is free to grab the best player at his favorite position. The Redskins have Clinton Portis and Willie Parker on the roster, but Shanahan loves him a running back by committee situation and has the opportunity to add a new guy to the mix to further enhance their new Donovan McNabb run offense.
5.Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska) falls all the way down to #5 and the Kansas City Chiefs. This isn’t all that bold considering what I’ve predicted in the first four picks but it is surprising if you’re Suh, thinking for the past few weeks that you’re going #2 to Detroit. Either way, both teams need D-line help and neither will be showing up in the playoffs anytime soon. At least there’s good BBQ in K.C.
6. At #8, Oakland selects Dez Bryant (WR, Okla. St.) – Al Davis is a crazy person and cemented that perception by his selection of WR Darrius Heyward-Bey last year. Thinking he’s making up for that selection he’ll take Bryant here. After all, it’s not the first time a team has used high draft picks on receivers in consecutive years (eh, Lions fans). Another option here could be Spiller if Washington doesn’t bite which would explain why Darren McFadden is suddenly available for trade.
7. Denver (pick #11) and Giants (pick #15) swap – Denver would have really wanted Bryant here but never expected crazy Uncle Al to grab him in the top ten. After dumping Brandon Marshall, they’ll still be looking to grab a WR but think their guy will still be around at #15 and be able to snag an extra pick in the process. The Giants are moving up to get the guy they’ve had their heart set on, Rolondo McClain (LB, Alabama). The Broncos, now at #15 will be happy to select Demaryius Thomas (WR, Ga. Tech).
8. At #22 the New England Patriots will select Tim Tebow (QB, Florida). I know what you’re thinking, the Pats don’t need a QB. But they could use a TE and that’s the position that Tebow is likely to play if he wants to be successful in the NFL. Bill Belichick loves to be the smartest guy in the room and has a system that works by utilizing a committee approach at all the skill positions. Does the hoodie have designs on using Tebow in a new and improved version of the Mike Vrabel play? It’s a stretch to think that they’d waste a first round pick on some possible trick plays but keep in mind that Brady doesn’t really have a backup and Tebow could have a long career as a smart and capable #2.
9. Minnesota takes Colt McCoy (QB, Texas) at #30. Regardless of what Brett Favre will decide to do in 2010, the Vikings need to think about 2011 and beyond. If Favre does decide to play another year, drafting McCoy would be a perfect situation for everyone. McCoy would have a year or more to learn for one of the game’s best and then take over a team with plenty of tools, that plays over half of its season indoors and is in a division that is up for grabs every season.
10. Ben Roethlisberger gets traded. This rumor has been hot for the past few days. It’s unlikely that Roethlisberger will get moved, but the rumor is that the Steelers have been talking to teams and shopping Big Ben because of his off-the-field problems and looming 4-6 game suspension. There are a bunch of teams that need or could use a QB but why would a team want a guy like this? Off the field problems aside, you know what you’re getting on Sundays. Roethlisberger doesn’t always tear it up stat-wise, but he definitely gets the job done when needed. If you’re looking for a QB and they guy you want on draft day isn’t there, you might be able to get a Pro-Bowl caliber field general on the cheap.
Loved your website and had to let you know I bookmarked it. Also is this wordpress? I really like the way its set up. Thanks and keep the updates coming!