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1. St. Louis Rams – Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame
The Rams are 32nd in points scored at just over  10 a game. They desperately need an upgrade at QB but there are many issues on this team. 5TDs and 5 Ints isn't going to cut it from the soon to be 33 Marc Bulger. Though I feel it is a mistake to take a young QB with the 1st overall pick, it may silence the harsh fan base. This will be Bill Devaney’s second draft as the Rams GM, and though Jason Smith is slow to come along, he has added solid contributors including James Laurinaitis. Devaney has a good eye for talent, when he was with the Falcons he helped draft Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton, and Sam Baker. All indications is they will take a QB here, and due to Bradford’s injury, that QB is Clausen.
I personally feel the Rams would better benefit from a WR and should trade down a few spots and take Dez Bryant. He was suspended for lying to the NCAA about talking to an agent but make no mistake, his mindset is to be an NFL superstar and you’d be silly to think he’s still not working out 8 hours a day getting ready for the combine and pro day. There are plenty of QBs that can be traded for and still offer an upgrade to what you have. Kevin Kolb and Chad Henne are both young, talented backups that could serve as a cheaper upgrade over Marc Bulger. Michael Vick may also be a possibility provided he shows he can play at a high level post-incarceration. Colt McCoy could fall to the 2nd or 3rd rounds and if so, the Rams could land their QB later on in the draft. Not only would they get the QB and WR they desperately need, they’d garner additional picks which is key for a rebuilding franchise and could serve as trade bait come day 2 or 3 of the draft.    

2.  Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
Detroit's defense was an abomination this year. They are dead last in scoring, yards allowed, and pass yards allowed. But don't worry Lions' fans, your stingy run defense is 25th in the league. This pick is a no brainer, Ndamukong is a once in a generation defensive lineman and can change that franchise's defense for the next ten years. For all of you who watched the Big XII championship game, his pefromance was no fluke. He has been dominating offensive lineman all year with his high motor and ridiculous strength. He could serve as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle.
Adding Suh will imediatley bolster an otherwise helpless defense. It may do the Lions wise to trade down. Assuming the Rams pass on Suh for a QB, the Lions will have the chance to take the most coveted player in this draft class. I imagine quite a few teams would be blowing up Schwart's phone trying to get that pick. If a deal can be worked out where they can fill more holes, and retain an additional 1st round pick in 2010 or 2011...that may be the better choice for the franchise.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  – Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
Tampa Bay is among the leagues worst in scored points and points allowed and offensively isn’t the top 20 in any category. Their defense hemorrhages yards each week ranking 32nd in rush defense and only managed 28 sacks this season. Offensively, they lack big play ability and are 31% on third down conversions. With that being said, it is clear that the Buccaneers have problems on both sides of the ball. With the recent trade of Gaines Adams, the Buccaneers should try and draft a defensive lineman here. Gerald is a beast, plain and simple. He is an All-American defensive tackle in a very tough conference full of NFL bodies. McCoy has all the makings to be a great 4-3 tackle. Being as how Josh Freeman showed promises for the future, it makes sense to draft a defensive stud here.


4. Washington Redskins – Sam Bradford – QB Oklahoma
Dan Snyder loves big names and Mike Shannahan is going to rebuild his offense for the future. Though I think an offensive lineman would be the better choice here, I feel the Redskins will get there future QB with Sam Bradford here. Its no surprise that the Redskins have one of the leagues most dominant defenses. It would have been even better if they had a consistent, offense to keep them off the field. Shannahan won't make too many tweaks to an already great defense, his attention will be turned to finding a replacement for Jason Campbell (who's contract expired at the end of the season). Bradford is a bit of a risk coming off his shoulder injury but pending a strong combine showing, he won't fall past Snyder, who loves big names. The fan base should readily welcome Bradford after having to tolerate 5 mediocre Jason Campbell seasons.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry S, Tennessee
The Chiefs are once again among the bottom feeders of the NFL in every defensive category. They are 21% on third down conversions and have surrendered 45 sacks behind a horrendous offensive line. No shocker, if you pick in the top 5 of the draft, you are either a manipulative genius or an overall bad team. Piolo isn't a manipualtive genius, but he is the proud GM of an NFL laughing stock. Eric Berry is the highest rated safety in this draft and a big time defensive play maker. It's not easy for anybody to have to deal with a new coach and coordinator, but he still managed to be a Unanimous First Team All-American this year. "The Fifth Dimension" (as Berry was nicknamed) can add a whole new dimension to the Chiefs defense. Eric Berry reminds me of another SEC Unanimous All-American that played for the Chiefs. I speak of none other than the late, great, Derrick Thomas. Derrick redefinded the linebacker position and helped give some much needed leadership and talent to a shaky Chiefs' defense. I feel Berry will have the same impact for a team who needs to improve all around.
If I were picking for the Chiefs, I’d literally play it by ear as far as drafting. Eric Berry is a franchise caliber defensive player but if I could land a great safety in free agency or trade, then Russell Okung (OT) may be the best pick here. The Eagles were able to trade for one of the best lineman in the draft last year and were still able to address other needs in the first round. From the start of free agency through the first minute on my draft clock, they should try and sign experienced offensive linemen or trade for a proven vet who could anchor their line for years. If no trade can be agreed upon and the free agent market is weak, they may have to pass on Berry for Okung and pay him that high rookie salary.