Heroes & Villains

The NFL Draft is probably the most important week on the NFL calendar with the exception of Super Bowl Week. This is when teams lay the foundation for their franchise and begin the process of building a team to contend for a Super Bowl title.

The draft has become such a huge spectacle that the NFL and ESPN have decided to spread it out in three days (April 22-24). The ratings certainly back it up. The country is so football crazy these days that most us are willing to sit in front of a TV for six hours and listen to ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. talk about who has tremendous "upside" and who has a "great motor."

Kiper became a household name in 1994 when he mocked the Indianapolis Colts for choosing linebacker Trev Alberts. Kiper thought the Colts should have taken quarterback Trent Dilfer, but Colts general manager Bill Tobin opted for Alberts. Kiper said the Colts didn't understand what the draft was all about and Tobin fired back and said, "Who the hell is Mel Kiper?"

I'm going to channel my inner Kiper and (ahem!) attempt to predict how the unpredictable first round will unfold. By the way, who the hell is Todd McShay? Let the mocking begin!

1) St. Louis Rams: SAM BRADFORD, Oklahoma, QB
The Rams tipped their hand when they released Marc Bulger so they need a starting quarterback. Bradford reportedly had one of the best pro days in the history of pro days, but that means absolutely nothing. Remember, scouts raved about JaMarcus Russell after his pro day.


2) Detroit Lions: NDAMUKONG SUH, Nebraska, DT
The "Ndamunator" is easily the best player in the draft and the Lions will immediately plug him in as their starting defensive tackle. Some experts say Suh is the next Reggie White. Very high praise for a guy with tremendous upside (Kiper-ism!) and a great motor (Kiper-ism!).

3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: GERALD McCOY, Oklahoma, DT
Two Sooners in the top three! How in the world did Bob Stoops not win at least one BCS title? McCoy is a classic gap rusher in the Tampa 2 scheme. He's Warren Sapp with a smaller bootie.

4) Washington Redskins: RUSSELL OKUNG, Oklahoma State, OT
The Redskins gave up a lot to get Donovan McNabb, so they better invest in a starting left tackle. Okung and Trent Williams are the two best tackles on the board so either one works.

5) Kansas City Chiefs: ERIC BERRY, Tennessee, S
New defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel loves Tennessee safety Eric Berry, but the Chiefs could also take an offensive tackle to protect QB Matt Cassel. GM Scott Pioli is not much of a gambler so he'll take the safe pick.

6) Seattle Seahawks: TRENT WILLIAMS, Oklahoma, OT
Pete Carroll starts the rebuilding process in Seattle by taking the big tackle from Oklahoma. Williams fills a need on the offensive line. The unit fell apart when Walter Jones retired. Williams not only has tremendous upside (Kiper-ism!) but he also has an impressive backside.

7) Cleveland Browns: JIMMY CLAUSEN, Notre Dame, QB
New Browns GM Mike Holmgren sent out a smoke screen by telling reporters he's interested in trading up for Sam Bradford. Clausen should be available at No. 7 and Holmgren gets the quarterback he coveted all along despite the toe injury.

8) Oakland Raiders: BRUCE CAMPBELL, Maryland, OT
Predicting who the Raiders will choose on draft day is almost like predicting when the next earthquake is going to hit. Who knows what Al Davis might do here. Tom Cable is a former offensive tackle so Bruce Campbell or Bryan Bulaga makes sense.

9) Buffalo Bills: BRYAN BULAGA, Iowa, OT
The Bills seem to be content with Trent Edwards so they find him a protector. Bulaga is the best left tackle available in a very talent-rich and deep draft at that position. You can never go wrong with an offensive lineman from the Big Ten -- except for Tony Mandarich.

10) Jacksonville Jaguars: ROLANDO McCLAIN, Alabama, MLB
The Jaguars never replaced middle linebacker Mike Peterson so head coach Jack Del Rio, a former middle backer, selects the best middle linebacker on the board to lead his defense.


11) Denver Broncos (from Chicago): DAN WILLIAMS, Tennessee, DT
The sexy pick here is Dez Bryant, but I don't think head coach Josh McDaniels is willing to put up with another diva receiver. The Broncos could very well move this pick, but if they keep it Williams is not a bad Plan B.

12) Miami Dolphins: DERRICK MORGAN, Georgia Tech, DE/OLB
Outside linebacker Joey Porter was released during the offseason and Jason Taylor was not re-signed. Bill Parcells hit the jackpot a few years ago in Dallas with DeMarcus Ware and he's hoping lightning strikes twice and Morgan evolves into a Pro Bowl edge rusher.

13) San Francisco 49ers: ANTHONY DAVIS, Rutgers, OT
New GM Trent Baalke has two picks in the first round and he should use one of them on an offensive tackle. The 49ers have a solid left tackle in Joe Staley, but they need an upgrade at right tackle.

14) Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): C.J. SPILLER, Clemson, RB
After addressing their need on the offensive line with their first pick, Carroll could select a running back at No. 14. The Seahawks have not had a top runner since Shaun Alexander so Spiller - who is the best tailback on most experts' draft boards - is the likely choice.

15) New York Giants: JASON PIERRE-PAUL, South Florida, DE/OLB
The draft always reaches a fever pitch whenever the New York teams are put on the clock. No matter who the Giants select, New York fans will have a violent reaction to it: "The New York Giants select ... Arrrrgggg!!!" If the Giants pick Pierre-Paul, who is off the charts in terms of his potential, then DE Osi Umenyiora becomes expendable and will likely get traded.


16) Tennessee Titans: BRANDON GRAHAM, Michigan, DE
Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch recently signed with the Lions, leaving a big hole at DE for the Titans. Graham turned in an impressive performance during the Senior Bowl and it will be hard for the Titans to pass on a legit pass rusher.

17) San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina): JOE HADEN, Florida, CB
Should Haden fall to No. 17, Baalke and Mike Singletary will be doing cartwheels in the war room because the best corner in the draft just fell into their laps.

18) Pittsburgh Steelers: MAURKICE POUNCEY, Florida, C-G
The two interior offensive linemen the Steelers covet in the draft are Pouncey and Idaho's Mike Iupati, and both guys should be available at No. 18. With all the drama surrounding Ben Roethlisberger, he'll need better protection on and off the field. Pouncey had plenty of practice in college as Tim Tebow's bodyguard at the University of Florida.

19) Atlanta Falcons: SEAN WEATHERSPOON, Missouri, OLB
It would be very tempting to take wide receiver Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, but the Falcons have other pressing needs. Guard Mike Iupati from Idaho is an option they would explore, but the Falcons never really replaced OLB Keith Brooking, and Weatherspoon could fill Brooking's role.

20) Houston Texans: EARL THOMAS, Texas, S
Texans could choose Kyle Wilson of Boise State, who is the second-best cornerback on most experts' draft board and an adequate replacement for Dunta Robinson. But the Texans will never forgive themselves if they pass on a potential Pro Bowl safety from their backyard.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: DEZ BRYANT, Oklahoma State, WR
No team in the NFL takes more questionable characters than the Bengals, and Bryant fits like a glove. Chad Ochocinco has been begging management to sign a stud receiver and he just might get his wish. In an unrelated note, no truth to the rumor that Ochocinco will dump DWTS partner Cheryl Burke for Terrell Owens.

22) New England Patriots: SERGIO KINDLE, Texas, OLB-DE
Bill Belichick, aka Commander Hoodie, loves guys who can play multiple positions and Kindle is a defensive end who can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. At the University of Texas, Kindle was used as a pass rusher but he could drop back and cover. The Patriots could trade up to get him if Belichick gets impatient.


23) Green Bay Packers: MIKE IUPATI, Idaho, G
Aaron Rodgers took too many hits last year and the Packers can do him a favor by taking a physical interior lineman like Iupati, who can also play tackle. Iupati has a bit of nasty streak and moves very well for a 330-pounder.

24) Philadelphia Eagles: KYLE WILSON, Boise State, CB
With the loss of Sheldon Brown, Wilson addresses one of Philly's needs in the secondary. The Eagles could also take safety Taylor Mays with their first choice unless Earl Thomas is still available. Eagles could also move up to get Thomas, who has the potential to be another Brian Dawkins.

25) Baltimore Ravens: KAREEM JACKSON, Alabama, CB
The addition of WR Anquan Boldin allows Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh to focus on the secondary. Second-year corner Lardarius Webb and veteran Fabian Washington are both coming off injuries and safety Ed Reed is reviewing his 401K retirement plan. Jackson is an athletic, physical corner who thrived in the highly competitive SEC.

26) Arizona Cardinals: BRANDON SPIKES, Florida, MLB
Cardinals GM Rod Graves knows he needs a middle linebacker to replace Karlos Dansby, but the problem is after Rolando McClain there are no worthy first-round talent at MLB. Do the Cardinals reach with Florida middle backer Brandon Spikes or do they take a defensive lineman? Spikes has tremendous upside (Kiper-ism!) but is a high risk, high reward player.

27) Dallas Cowboys: TAYLOR MAYS, Southern California, S
The Cowboys need a safety after cutting Ken Hamlin. Jerry Jones loves big, fast guys and Mays may not have the ball skills of an Eric Berry or Earl Thomas but he can run and is big hitter. He could be another Darren Woodson.

28) San Diego Chargers: RYAN MATHEWS, Fresno State, RB
The departure of Charger legend LaDainian Tomlinson leaves a big hole at running back. The Chargers will take the best available tailback on the draft board and Mathews makes total sense.

29) New York Jets: JARED ODRICK, Penn State, DE-DT
Even though the Jets apply unbelievable pressure on the quarterback, they do it with a lot of blitzing. Head coach Rex Ryan would love to have a guy who can create pressure on his own and Odrick can do that. The 6-4, 300-pound former Penn State star has a great motor (Kiper-ism!) and can play end or tackle.

30) Minnesota Vikings: DEXTER McCLUSTER, Mississippi, RB The Vikings don't have any pressing needs at any position and will take the best player available. A backup running back is a strong possibility. The Vikes could roll the dice and take Tim Tebow, but the likelihood of that happening is slim and none -- kind of like Brad Childress' hair.

31) Indianapolis Colts: CHARLES BROWN, Southern California, OT
Indy is a team that doesn't have major holes on both sides of the ball. Brown is a borderline first-rounder but so is Indiana's Roger Saffold. Colts take the player with the higher upside (Kiper-ism!).

32) New Orleans Saints: JERMAINE GRESHAM, Oklahoma, TE
The rich get richer as the Saints start doing the Benson Boogie should Gresham fall to No. 32, which is highly possible. Gresham is coming off a serious knee injury, but he doesn't have to be rushed back to action since New Orleans still has Jeremy Shockey.