Commentary

Shake-up in latest mock begins at No. 5

Kansas City's passing on offensive tackles has trickle-down effect in first round

Originally Published: April 21, 2010
By Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl | ESPN.com
On the eve of the 2010 NFL draft Scouts Inc. is offering up our full seven-round projection, going from the top of the board to the bottom and making our predictions for all 255 picks. We're not trading picks from team to team and things will be shaken up in a big way when selections are swapped on draft day, but here's how we see things playing out at this point:


St. Louis Rams

Record: 1-15 | Needs: QB, WR, CB, OT, DT

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Never say never, but it does not look at this point as though any team will be willing to part with the necessary picks to move into the top spot. We would be shocked if anyone other than Bradford is the pick.

Detroit Lions

Record: 2-14 | Needs: DT, OT, ILB, RB, SS

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

A lot of information coming out of Detroit is leading to speculation that the Lions could go in an unexpected direction, perhaps with an offensive tackle such as Russell Okung or Trent Williams. However, Suh looks like a good bet at this point with his ability to immediately upgrade the defensive front.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 3-13 | Needs: DT, WR, DE, DC, OLB

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

This pick is a win-win with the Bucs getting a perfect fit for their system and McCoy landing in a scheme that will maximize his quickness and ability to disrupt as a 3-technique.

Washington Redskins

Record: 4-12 | Needs: OT, DE, FS, NT, OG

Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Redskins seem to be involved in a good portion of the trade rumors out there, but we are not buying the speculation they will move up to take Bradford. Moving back to acquire additional picks seems more likely, but if Washington stays put Okung is the safest pick at their No. 1 need, though Williams would make sense, too.

Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 4-12 | Needs: OT, FS, NT, ILB, OLB

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

Offensive tackle is Kansas City's top need, and Iowa's Bryan Bulaga has been considered a safe bet because of the relationship his college coach, Kirk Ferentz, has with Chiefs GM Scott Pioli. We don't think Bulaga is worth this pick, though, and a dynamic playmaker like Berry is a better option than a player with work-ethic questions like Williams.


To see how the top five affects the remainder of the first round -- including big names such as Earl Thomas, Jimmy Clausen and Rolando McClain -- and for a look at the remaining six rounds, you must be an ESPN Insider. Insider

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