Sam Bradford
QB, Oklahoma

Although it's tempting to take a dominant tackle to anchor their defensive line, the Rams need a franchise QB and Bradford fits the bill.

Prior Mock: Sam Bradford

Ndamukong Suh
DT, Nebraska

The Lions will give serious thought to LT Russell Okung to protect their investment at QB (Matthew Stafford) but Suh is such a dominant force, he is hard to pass up.

Prior Mock: Ndamukong Suh

Gerald McCoy
DT, Oklahoma

Tampa Bay was dead last at stopping the run and 26th in sacks.  Without a rookie stud in the middle, they will be trotting out Ryan Simms and Chris Hovan at DT. 

Prior Mock: Gerald McCoy

Russell Okung
OT, Oklahoma St.

Chris Samuels' retirement leaves a gaping hole on the Redskins' left side. With Donovan McNabb now in the fold, this is an easy selection for Mike Shanahan.  Keeping McNabb upright is priority one.

Prior mock: Russell Okung

Brian Bulaga
OT, Iowa

Scott Pioli would love to take Eric Berry here but he goes the conservative route and brings in the second best offensive tackle. Brandon Albert can kick inside to guard and the whole line improves as a result.

Prior mock: Eric Berry

Trent Williams
OT, Oklahoma

With Walter Jones close to retirement, Pete Carroll has to shore up the blind side. They like Charlie Whitehurst as a possible heir apparent to Matt Hasselback otherwise Jimmy Clausen would be the pick.

Prior mock: Jimmy Clausen

Eric Berry
S, Tennessee

Berry has the skills to be a play making center fielder and might be among the top 3 talents in the draft. The Browns have Mike Adams and Abram Elam slated to start. Should be an easy pick for Mike Holmgren.

Prior mock: Joe Haden

Derrick Morgan
DE, Georgia Tech

Al Davis needs a left tackle but the value is not there at this spot. Left end Greg Ellis is 34 and battling shoulder and knee injuries. They need a boost to their pass rush and Morgan is one of the best edge rushers in this draft.

Prior mock: Brian Bulaga

Anthony Davis
OT, Rutgers

The Bills were decimated by injuries last year along their offensive line and it doomed their season. They should never have traded Pro Bowler Jason Peters but they get a chance to redeem themselves. Davis might be the best pure pass blocker in the draft.

Prior mock: Trent Williams

Earl Thomas
S, Texas

The Jags need a pass rusher but with Derrick Morgan gone and no other pure 4-3 end that makes sense here, they go to their next need which is safety. Reggie Nelson hasn't worked out and there is no one really behind him. Thomas has a ton of talent and can do it all in Jacksonville's deep patrol.

Prior mock: Derrick Morgan 

Dez Bryant
WR, Oklahoma St.

With Brandon Marshall in Miami, the Broncos need a #1 receiver and Dez Bryant is the only bona fide #1 in this draft.  Many scouts have him rated higher than they did Michael Crabtree.  I'm also not buying all the concern about Bryant's character.  The kid loves to play and works extremely hard.  Josh McDaniels will get along fine with this guy.

Prior mock: Dez Bryant

Dan Williams
NT, Tennessee

This should be a no-brainer for Bill Parcells.  The Dolphins were 18th in the league in rushing defense and that will not cut it as long as the Tuna is in charge.  Jason Ferguson is 35 and is coming off a quad injury.  He will also miss the first 8 games of the season because of a league suspension.  Backup Paul Soliai has not impressed the coaching staff so Williams is the obvious pick.

Prior mock: Dan Williams

Sergio Kindle
OLB, Texas

Like most 3-4 defenses the 49'ers are looking for pass rushers and Kindle can really get after it. Mike Singletary likes to attack on defense and Kindle will allow him to blitz more.

Prior mock: Earl Thomas

C. J. Spiller
RB, Clemson

The Seahawks ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing and need an upgrade over Julius Jones.  Spiller is a dynamic back who would bring some much-needed explosiveness to their offense.

Prior mock: CJ Spiller

Rolando McClain
ILB, Alabama

McClain seems to be the consensus pick for the Giants and it makes sense since they no longer have their defensive captain Antonio Pierce.  McClain is a thumper in the middle with the smarts and leadership skills to stabilize the Giants' defense.

Prior mock: Rolando McClain

Jason Pierre-Paul
DE, South Florida

With Kyle Vanden Bosch departing in free agency, the Titans have a big hole to fill at DE.  Pierre-Paul is an athletic freak and has the explosive burst to the QB that is reminscent of Jevon Kearse. 

Prior mock: Sergio Kindle

Mike Iupati
G, Idaho

Aside from LT Joe Staley, the Niners' OL is weak. Mike Singletary wants to run the football and Iupati is a devastating run blocker.

Prior mock: Brandon Graham

Joe Haden
CB, Florida

The Steelers want to get tougher on the offensive line but with Iupati off the board they go in another direction - CB, which always seems to be a position of need for Pittsburgh. Haden's slide stops here as the Steelers take the best player available.

Prior mock : Mike Iupati

Everson Griffen
DE, USC

The Falcons were one of the worst teams in the league at rushing the passer and desperately need an upgrade at DE. John Abraham is not getting any younger and Jamaal Anderson has been a bust. Griffen has great burst to the QB and is stout vs. the run.

 Prior mock: Everson Griffen

Kyle Wilson
CB, Boise St.

After losing Dunta Robinson in free agency, Wilson steps in and fills the Texans' biggest need.   He is tough, competitive  and produced a lot of big plays.  He should be able to come in and contribute immediately.

Prior mock: Kyle Wilson

Jermaine Gresham
TE, Oklahoma

Carson Palmer was harassed in both games against the Jets and had no where to go with the football. Cincinnati needs to get him a safety valve and Gresham is the best playmaking TE in the draft.

Prior mock: DeMaryius Thomas 

Brandon Graham
OLB, Michigan

Bill Belichick always seems to be positioned in the draft to get his kind of players. Graham's toughness and pass rush ability is exactly what he needs right now.

Prior mock: Jared Odrick

Kareem Jackson
CB, Alabama

The Packers need a left tackle but there won't be one there worthy of this pick. GM Ted Thompson always stays true to his board and Jackson has really impressed scouts of late.

Prior Mock: Anthony Davis

Maurkice Pouncey
C, Florida

Andy Reid loves drafting linemen in the first round and has significant needs on the interior of the offensive line. Pouncey is a center by trade but could man either guard spot.  He is the one of the safest picks in this draft and his versatility is too intriguing for Reid to pass up.

Prior mock: Maurkice Pouncey

Devin McCourty
CB, Rutgers

Ozzie Newsome is the master of the first round. He always gets talented players and rarely reaches for need. He will certainly have McCourty rated high after his secondary gave up too many big plays last year.

Prior mock: Jason Pierre-Paul

Jimmy Clausen
QB, Notre Dame

Arizona stops Clausen's slide and brings him in to hedge their bets with Matt Leinart and Derek Anderson. Neither guy has distinguished himself yet the Cardinals' offense is built to throw the football. Clausen would be a steal this late in round one.

Prior mock: Jermaine Gresham

DeMaryius Thomas
WR, Georgia Tech

Miles Austin was a revelation last year but Jerry Jones is not sold on him as their #1 receiver. Roy Williams has been a bust and Tony Romo needs more weapons. Thomas is raw in his route running but is a real downfield threat and has enormous upside.

Prior Mock: Taylor Mays

Jared Odrick
DE, Penn St.

GM A. J. Smith usually sticks to his board and Odrick would present the best value. Left defensive end Jacques Cesaire is not the answer and Odrick would present a nice upgrade. He is stout vs. the run and brings a toughness to the defensive line.

Prior mock: Jonathan Dwyer

Nate Allen
S, South Florida

Rex Ryan would like a pass rusher here but if he can't trade up for Everson Griffen then safety becomes the next position of need. Allen can do it all.  He is excellent in coverage and tough against the run.  With the road to the Super Bowl likely to go through Indianapolis and Peyton Manning, Ryan will need as much help in the secondary as he can get.

Prior mock: Vladimir DuCasse

Patrick Robinson
CB, Florida St.

With Antoine Winfield getting older, the Vikings need an heir apparent. Robinson has the speed and cover skills to eventually take over.

Prior mock: Devin McCourty

Jerry Hughes
DE, TCU

This is a luxury pick for the Colts. The could use an offensive lineman but Hughes' pass rush ability to too good to turn down. Besides, Bill Polian loves small, speedy playmakers and Hughes fits that profile perfectly.

Prior mock: Brian Price

Sean Weatherspoon
OLB, Missouri

With the loss of Scott Fujita in free agency, the Saints have a hole in their linebacking corps. Weatherspoon has great speed and athletic ability and should be able to step in from day one. He is also a very passionate and competitive player and should bring an instant spark to the defense.

Prior mock: Sean Weatherspoon

The top of the draft remains the same. Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McKoy and Russell Okung still come off the board in that order. But the Chiefs at #5 go in a different direction and it has a ripple effect on teams below them.

Seattle no longer takes Jimmy Clausen with its second pick and it sets off his slide down the draft board. Which team will step up and pull the trigger on the young signal caller?