El Mustachio Reporting from NFL Draft Day One

Welcome to Day One of the Draft!  Feel free to post your biggest busts and best deals in the comments of this column!

St. Louis Rams, 1^st Overall

Their Pick: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma

My Pick: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma

Apparently me, the Rams, and everyone else was on the same page with this one.  Taking that first overall QB is always a risk, cough JeMarcus Russell, but the reward if he turns out to be your franchise is without question the most rewarding pick you can make.  Ask the Colts, ask the Jets, the Chargers, Giants, and Falcons.  All these teams used high picks on their current QB and are year-in year-out competitors as a result.

Detroit Lions, 2^nd Overall

Their Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska

My Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska

This guy is a beast.  He led the Cornhuskers to one of the top defenses in the NCAA last year, and it will be the centerpiece to a Lions defense that absolutely could not stop the run last year.  In a division with Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, and Ryan Grant, being able to put up a brick wall is absolutely essential to being competitive.  The Lions strategy:  Keep the defense off the field, get Matthew Stafford on the field.  Suh should help that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3^rd Overall

Their Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma

My Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma

The 3^rd best player in the draft at the 3^rd overall pick.  So far so good.

Washington Redskins, 4^th Overall

Their Pick: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

My Pick: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

Honestly, I’m not going to pretend I know enough about the OT position and these two players in particular to tell you the Redskins should have taken Okung over Williams.  The point here is Washington made the right position pick, and Donovan McNabb is pleased.

Kansas City Chiefs, 5^th Overall

Their Pick: Eric Berry, S Tennessee

My Pick: The Pats trade up and take CJ Spiller

Well BB didn’t make the move, and the Chiefs who I thought for certain would trade this pick decided to stand still.  The player they took is projected as one of the best in the draft.  Draft etiquette says don’t take safeties this high, but this is a different NFL.  The versatile safety is a major game changer in today’s NFL.  Ed Reed, Troy Polumalu, and Adrian Wilson are all good examples of players who can take over the game.  I think we’ll see more safeties go this high as more game changing safeties work their way through college into the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks, 6^th Overall

Their Pick: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State

My Pick: Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame

Okung available here is a good value pick.  It’s not a huge risk passing on Clausen here, as he may still be available when they pick again at 14^th overall.  There was some question as to whether the Seahawks should take Spiller with him still on the board at this point.  Okung should help protect the fragile Matt Hasselback.

Cleveland Browns, 7^th Overall

Their Pick: Joe Haden, CB Florida

My Pick: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State

I thought for sure the Browns would address their embarrassing offense with this pick.  I guess they considered Joe Haden the best player on the board.  The truth is the Browns are terrible, and anyone they could have picked here is an immediate improvement at every position.  If Haden can become a lockdown corner, obviously they’ve made a good pick here.

Oakland Raiders, 8^th Overall

Their Pick: Rolando McClain, ILB Alabama

My Pick: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma

As usual, what?  The Raiders already have Kirk Morrison who is a solid ILB.  Perhaps McClain is an upgrade from Morrison, but with all of the major holes in the Raiders team, ILB was not a…

Buffalo Bills, 9^th Overall

Their Pick: CJ Spiller, RB Clemson

My Pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa

Now I’m pissed.  I stopped mid sentence on my Raider trashing to listen to the Bills pick, and I’m not looking back.  I really wanted the Pats to trade up and go get him.  Well, he’s in the AFC East, but now I have to cheer against him instead of for him.  Great pick by the Bills, shame on the Pats for allowing it to happen.

Jacksonville Jaguars, 10^th Overall

Their Pick: Tyson Alualu, DT California

My Pick: Dan Williams, DT Tennessee

The Jags made a reach here on this guy.  Kiper projected him as a 3-4 end.  They probably could have traded down and taken him later, but they drafted need.  The position is the same as I predicted, but the player is different.

San Francisco 49ers, 11^th Overall (from Denver)

Their Pick: Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers

My Pick: Broncos take Eric Berry S, Tennessee

Obviously Eric Berry is gone, and the 49ers wanted to move up and make sure they got Davis.  I had Haden going to the 49ers at 13 overall, and he went to the Browns at pick seven.  This is a draft of offensive and defensive line, and as usual, provided the player pans out, it’s a good productive first round pick.

San Diego Chargers, 12^th Overall (from Miami)

Their Pick: Ryan Matthews, RB Fresno State

My Pick: Dolphins take Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

I didn’t think it was necessary to climb this high to get this running back.  I considered this an option for the Chargers 15 picks later.  Obviously they needed to fill the gap at running back left by Tomlinson going to the Jets.  Sproles is not an every down back and Matthews will eventually be the feature back.  How come the Chargers are willing to trade up for a running back, but the Patriots aren’t? Grrr…

Philadelphia Eagles, 13^th Overall (from Denver from San Francisco)

Their Pick: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB Michigan

My Pick: 49ers take Joe Haden, CB Florida

This gentleman is a pass rusher.  The Eagles were super shallow at linebacker last year, and Graham is somewhat of a hybrid OLB/DE.  Apparently the guys on ESPN love this guy, and Tom Jackson has a whole slue of fantastic adjectives to describe him.  The Eagles keep both 2^nd round picks by moving up too, so it looks like a good move overall for Philly.

Seattle Seahawks, 14^th Overall

Their Pick: Earl Thomas, S Texas

My Pick: Earl Thomas, S Texas

Again, big time safeties are the new trend in the NFL.  For the first time since Pick number three, I’ve got one right.  The Seahawks needed to upgrade that defense after addressing the offensive line with their first pick.  He’ll help Seattle not get blown out week in and week out.  Perhaps Pete Carroll is thinking of a 2^nd round quarterback, as there should be a few available.

New York Giants, 15^th Overall

Their Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE South Florida

My Pick: Rolando McClain, ILB Alabama

To me this was an obvious choice going into the draft.  They need to replace Antonio Pierce.  I thought McClain would be there, and probably would have been there if the Raiders knew what they were doing.  The Raiders are like the lone auto-drafter in a 12 team fantasy draft.  Except instead of using the Yahoo! Rankings, they set up a preset ranking based on their favorite team.  It causes major reaches, and absolutely hoses the teams six or seven picks behind them.  Of course, the Giants made the best of the situation, taking one of my favorite players, JPP.  He’ll be all over the quarterback in his rookie year, and should make an immediate impact on one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year.

Tennessee Titans, 16^th Overall

Their Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech

My Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE South Florida

The Titans are victims to the Raiders auto-drafting domino effect.  The Giants may have taken McClain if he was there, and Pierre-Paul would have been available for Tennessee.  Alas, he’s off the board, and Jeff Fischer stuck with a DE though and took Morgan, who fell pretty far considering he was projected in the top 10.  I’m not that excited about this pick, as you’ll see I had him falling all the way to the Falcons at #19 and missing out on JPP has to be a disappointment, though Morgan is at this stage a more complete player.

San Francisco 49ers, 17^th Overall

Their Pick: Mike Iupati, G Idaho

My Pick: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB Michigan

Two picks, two offensive lineman.  The biggest concern with the 49ers is whether Alex Smith can play Quarterback.  This is Mike Singletary making his statement on this football team though.  He will be running the ball with Frank Gore and Glen Coffee, and these picks reflect that strategy.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 18^th Overall

Their Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida

My Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida

Honestly, I followed the leader with my pick here.  I know nothing about Pouncey, but I do know the Steelers can’t convert 3^rd and short.  I also know that no one wants Ben Roethlisberger with his hand on their ass, so they have to draft someone into it.  The biggest surprise here is that a kid from the make a wish foundation wanted to announce the Steelers first round draft pick as his wish.  I hate the Steelers, and Michael Vick should shoot Ben Roethlisberger like the dog he is.

Atlanta Falcons, 19^th Overall

Their Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB Missouri

My Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech

With Morgan off the board, the Falcons still address the defense.  Hopefully this will benefit the pass defense, because Atlanta couldn’t help but give up big plays through the air last season.  If they hope to compete with the Saints in the NFC South, they’ll need a dramatically improved defense.

Houston Texans, 20^th Overall

Their Pick: Kareem Jackson, CB Alabama

My Pick: Kyle Wilson, CB Boise St.

Having lost Dunta Robinson in free agency, the Texans have predictably replaced him.  I thought they’d take Kyle Wilson, but they went with Jackson instead.

Cincinnati Bengals, 21^st Overall

Their Pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

My Pick: Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers

In my predictions, I had the Dolphins stretching for Gresham very early.  Instead, they traded down and he fell into the lap of Carson Palmer at #21.  This is a great pick here.  He’s a weapon to the tune of Vernon Davis, and should immediately make the AFC North Champion a contender to repeat.

Denver Broncos, 22^nd Overall (from New England)

Their Pick: Demaryius Thomas, WR Georgia Tech

My Pick: Pats take Sergio Kindle, OLB Texas

With Dez Bryant still on the board, it’s surprising to see the Broncos trade up to get him here.  They do need to replace Brandon Marshall, and this kid is one of the top WR talents in a shallow WR draft.  I’m still befuddled by Bill Belicick.  I really thought this was our year to be aggressive, and now we’re trading down and stacking up picks we can’t use.

Green Bay Packers, 23^rd Overall

Their Pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa

My Pick: Mike Iupati, G Idaho

I had Bulaga going to Buffalo at #9.  Aaron Rodgers should be super pleased with this choice.  I’m starting to wonder if all these lineman picks speaks to the talent of these big players, or the lack of talent at the skill positions.

Dallas Cowboys, 24^th overall (from New England from Denver from Philadelphia)

Their Pick: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State

My Pick: Philly takes Sean Weatherspoon, OLB Missouri

Apparently Philly made the right move trading up for Brandon Graham.  Had they stayed still, they wouldn’t have gotten Graham or my prediction, Weatherspoon.  Meanwhile the Patriots continue to trade down, making me wonder what they’re doing.  What are they going to do with all these picks?  The Cowboys did nothing with this new pick but take the best wide receiver in the draft.  Bryant, Miles Austin, and Roy Williams will make a terrific force in the NFC East.

Denver Broncos, 25^th Overall (from Baltimore)

Their Pick: Tim Tebow, QB Florida

My Pick: Ravens take Kareem Jackson, CB Alabama

Wow.  McDaniels traded back into the first round here and added Tim Tebow to go with Thomas.  Most likely the Ravens saw Bryant go off the board and decided to back out of the first round.  This is a faith pick, and I’ll let you know in 2 to 3 years if it made sense.  Personally, I think he can be an NFL quarterback because of his work ethic.  He won at Florida, and with a Head Coach as offensively creative as Josh McDaniels, he’s in a good situation.  On the other hand, he’s kind of a simpleton.

Arizona Cardinals, 26^th Overall

Their Pick: Dan Williams, DT Tennessee

My Pick: Taylor Mays, S USC

He fell pretty far, and should upgrade the Cardinals defensive line.  I’m not excited though, because I’m now concerned the Pats might trade down again for no reason.

New England Patriots, 27^th Overall (from Dallas)

Their Pick: Devin McCourty, CB Rutgers

My Pick: Cowboys take Charles Brown, OT USC

I guess to be fair to the Pats with all these moves so far, there isn’t a single player, except maybe Dan Williams, taken between picks 22 and 26 that fit the need.  Even with Dan Williams available, it’s more likely the Pats would take Hughes, Kindle, Kyle Wilson, or perhaps even Taylor Mays.  However, given all those options, the Pats went with McCourty.  I like the pick to help the secondary.  I am surprised they passed on Wilson to take McCourty.  I have to continue to believe that they did their homework on this pick and in Belicick I trust.  In addition, the Pats now have 3^rd and 4^th round picks with these pair of moves, and won’t be handcuffed until round six after their three 2^nd round selections.

Miami Dolphins, 28^th Overall (from San Diego)

Their Pick: Jared Odrick, DT Penn State

My Pick: Chargers take Demaryius Thomas, WR Georgia Tech

Odrick can play DE in the 3-4 defense.  I like him at this pick, as it was hard for me to leave him out of the first round in my mock draft.  The only thing that pushed him to round two was my imaginary run on CB’s at the end of the first round.  I’ll be looking forward to see how he matches up against Sabastian Vollmer.

New York Jets, 29^th Overall

Their Pick: Kyle Wilson, CB Boise State

My Pick: Everson Griffen, DE USC

Well the Jets went ahead and took Wilson.  Pats fans are going to find out real quick whether Belicick made the wrong pick with McCourty.  With Revis and Wilson, this Jets defense could be scary.

Detroit Lions, 30^th Overall (from Minnesota)

Their Pick: Jahvid Best, RB California

My Pick: Vikings take Patrick Robinson, CB Florida State

As the Vikings hit the clock, I’m thinking the Vikings take Taylor Mays.  I thought he’d be off the board, and they’d stay in the secondary with Robinson.  I think Mays is a better value at this pick, and Steve Young just agreed with me.  Apparently Brad Childress isn’t on the same page.  Instead, they traded down to division rival Detroit, who take Jahvid Best.  Best ran the fastest official 40 yard dash time in the combine of all running backs.  I like these moves by the Lions, and I’ll say it again, Detroit is headed in the right direction.  The Vikings don’t lose too much here, they’ll pick at overall pick #34 and added two more draft picks.  They’ll still have an opportunity to add a defensive back or quarterback.

Indianapolis Colts, 31^st Overall

Their Pick: Jerry Hughes, OLB TCU

My Pick: Jerry Hughes, OLB TCU

I’ve only had a few right, and with each passing pick it gets more difficult to predict, so I’m proud of this projection.  This guy is in the Dwight Freeney mold, and fits right into the mold of a fast, small Colts defense.

New Orleans Saints 32^nd Overall

Their Pick: Patrick Robinson, CB Florida State

My Pick: Devin McCourty, CB Rutgers

They needed a CB, and McCourty is off the board.  Patrick Robinson is the next viable option.  I like the pick for the reigning champs.

That wraps up Day 1 of the 2010 NFL draft.  I barely touched the surface when it came to predicting these picks, although with all the mid-round trading that took place, and the Raiders inability to draft logically, who could have picked them all right?  Biggest reach for me is Ryan Matthews at 12^th overall.  Best deal is Dez Bryant at 24^th.    With Day 2 and three, count them three, Patriot picks in the 2nd round ahead, I’m already geared up for the draft to continue.