| 5. | | Russel Okung
| Offensive Tackle | Oklahoma State | Had Okung been taken by the Redskins the pick before, the Chiefs would probably have taken Eric Berry. However, with Okung still on the board the Chiefs have no choice but to jump on him. His presence then allows Branden Albert to kick back inside to guard. |
| 6. | | Brian Bulaga
| Offensive Tackle | Iowa | He’s the best player available, and the Seahawks could use some offensive line help. I’m a bit skeptical as to his potential in becoming a good left tackle, but at the very least he’s a very good guard. He will, however, get his shot at left tackle to take over for the retired Walter Jones. |
| 7. | | Eric Berry
| Safety | Tennessee | If Berry falls to seven, the Browns are probably doing backflips. While I believe there are better players in this draft, Berry brings a physical presence in the defensive backfield that cannot be ignored. On top of that, the kid knows how to play the ball while it’s in the air and will fit perfectly in Rob Ryan’s defense. |
| 8. | | Derrick Morgan
| Defensive End | Georgia Tech | Surprising everyone, the Raiders make a good pick in grabbing Morgan. Everyone is thinking they’ll take Bruce Campbell here, but Morgan is just as impressive and is actually worth the eight pick. They need some speed on the edges, and Morgan will bring that. |
| 9. | | C.J. Spiller
| Running Back | Clemson | This pick is contingent upon Marshawn Lynch being moved. I believe he will, and a 1-2 punch of Spiller and Fred Jackson immediately becomes the focus of the Bills offense. Jimmy Clausen could also be the pick here, but it would be hard to pass on Spiller. |
| 10. | | Dez Bryant
| Wide Receiver | Oklahoma State | Bryant is a top-five talent, but the rumors surrounding him will drop him to 10, as was the case last year with Michael Crabtree. Bryant immediately adds a new dimension to the Jaguars offense, and David Garrard finally gets the weapon he deserves. |
| 11. | | Joe Haden
| Cornerback | Florida | With Haden still available at this spot, it would be impossible to pass on him. He’s the best cornerback available, and the Broncos are aware that Champ Bailey can’t play forever simply because they’re thin on depth. |
| 12. | | Jerry Hughes
| Outside Linebacker | TCU | It could be a bit high for Hughes, but he fits the Dolphins’ 3-4 defense too perfectly to pass on. The Dolphins need speed off the edge, and Hughes can certainly bring that to them from day one. |
| 13. | | Rolando McClain
| Inside Linebacker | Alabama | Takeo Spikes is getting a bit long in the tooth, and this is about where McClain should go. He’s the best linebacker in the draft and will be a playmaker for the 49ers when he gets his chance to play. |
| 14. | (From Denver) | Jimmy Clausen
| Quarterback | Notre Dame | Pete Carrol tried bringing Clausen to USC when he was coming out of high school, but obviously it didn’t work. Carrol won’t let Clausen get away twice, and will immediately begin to groom him as the quarterback of the future once Matt Hasselbeck moves on. |
| 15. | | Jason Pierre-Paul
| Defensive End | USF | Justin Tuck seemed to take a step back last season and the Giants appear to be looking for any reason to dump Osi Umenyiora. Pierre-Paul is a perfect 4-3 defensive end and could start immediately. |
| 16. | (From Carolina) | Sergio Kindle
| Outside Linebacker | Texas | Keith Bulluck has most likely played his last game as a Tennessee Titan, so Jeff Fisher’s team needs some fresh blood. Kindle is one of the most athletic guys in this draft, and should instantly bring talent and big-play ability to a linebacking corps lacking both. |
| 17. | | Earl Thomas
| Safety | Texas | Michael Lewis is getting older and Dashon Goldson is only an average player. Thomas is an absolute ballhawk who has been compared repeatedly to Ed Reed, and it doesn’t seem far off. San Francisco would be crazy to pass on him here. |
| 18. | | Mike Iupati
| Guard | Idaho | The Steelers have needed offensive line help for a couple years now, and Iupati definitely brings that. The Steelers have become more of a passing team, but Iupati could change that. He’s a great run-blocker and is the best gift Pittsburgh could to Rashard Mendenhall. |
| 19. | | Kyle Wilson
| Cornerback | Boise State | The second-best cornerback in this draft is still pretty good. The Falcons are in desperate need of help at the position, and Wilson is certainly worthy of this pick. He would instantly become a starter for the Falcons and improve the defensive secondary the first time he takes the field. |
| 20. | | Devin McCourty
| Cornerback | Rutgers | The Texans probably wanted Wilson, and might even make an attempt to move past the Falcons to acquire him, but they’ll take the consolation prize in McCourty — a very good consolation prize, at that. |
| 21. | | Taylor Mays
| Safety | USC | Roy Williams is only back on a one-year deal, and even with him locked up, the Bengals could use some help at the safety position. Playing behind those two great corners in Cincy could free Mays up to make some huge plays. |
| 22. | | Brandon Graham
| Outside Linebacker | Michigan | Most think Graham can make the transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker, so the Patriots are going to go ahead and find out. They need some speed off the edge and a guy who can move in space, which could be Graham. I’m not sold and think he should stay in a 4-3, but I never underestimate Belichick. |
| 23. | | Anthony Davis
| Offensive Tackle | Rutgers | The play along the offensive line was dreadful for the Packers last year, but bringing in Davis should go a long way towards fixing that. Chad Clifton is getting older and, at this point, could be replaced by Davis. |
| 24. | | Carlos Dunlap
| Defensive End | Florida | The Eagles need a pass-rush opposite Trent Cole, and Dunlap brings that immediately. There are other concerns with Dunlap, but none big enough to scare Andy Reid off a guy who could be the most talented defensive end in the draft. |
| 25. | | Sean Weatherspoon
| Inside Linebacker | Missouri | Outside of Ravens fans, can anyone name the guy playing on the inside with Ray Lewis? Yeah, me neither, but you will be able to soon once the Ravens draft Weatherspoon and plug him next to the Hall of Fame linebacker. |
| 26. | | Dan Williams
| Defensive Tackle | Tennessee | The Cardinals will need a big, athletic, versatile defensive tackle to handle their 3-4, 4-3 hybrid defense. Williams is big enough to play nosetackle and athletic enough to play a 3-technique — the perfect fit for the Cardinals. |
| 27. | | Bruce Campbell
| Offensive Tackle | Maryland | When Flozell Adams was released, it became quite apparent that the Cowboys were willing to replace him with a rookie. Campbell is a guy who should have a year or two to develop, but his measureables will be too much for Jerry Jones to pass up. |
| 28. | | Terrence Cody
| Defensive Tackle | Georgia Tech | Cody is the perfect candidate to replace Jamal Williams, who has gone to the division rival Denver Broncos. Cody is the stereotypical 3-4 nosetackle and just the type of guy the Chargers need. |
| 29. | | Jared Odrick
| Defensive End | Penn State | When the Patriots passed on Odrick, there weren’t any teams in need of his services until the Jets. They could use a good, young defensive end in their 3-4 scheme and Odrick will provide that. |
| 30. | | Everson Griffen
| Defensive End | USC | Regardless of whether or not Ray Edwards is moved, the Vikings can’t pass on Griffen here. His upside is through the roof, and perhaps taking him here will allow Minnesota to pull the trigger and deal Edwards. |
| 31. | | Patrick Robinson
| Cornerback | Florida State | The Colts never seem to have big-name cornerbacks, but they always get the job done. Robinson is more than a guy who will just get by in the scheme — he will make plays. Maurkice Pouncey could also be an option here. |
| 32. | | Golden Tate
| Wide Receiver | Notre Dame | This is a luxury pick as any players who could have filled some of the Saints needs are already off the board. Tate could be a bit of a risk, but he’s probably the best player available at this point. And besides, I’ve seen crazier — Charles Davis has them taking Tim Tebow. Come on. |
