We decided to take part in an inter-site mock draft containing some of the biggest names in the industry. I had the Washington Redskins but below is the rest of the mock:

1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma
Denis Krusos: Pro Football Draft Network http://www.profootballdraftnetwork.com

St. Louis is basically an expansion team at this point (6 wins in 3 years). The safe choice would be to select the widely regarded best player in the draft, Ndamukong Suh. The Nebraska defensive tackle would help the Rams run defense (opponents averaged 4.4 yards per carry and rushed for 2,201 yards last season) and provide a push up the middle.

However, this year’s draft is exceptionally deep at defensive tackle. St. Louis will be able to find help at DT in the 2nd and 3rd round. No position can energize and turnaround a franchise faster than quarterback. The Rams were an absolute disaster on offense last year (a league low 175 points scored and only 16 offensive touchdowns). St. Louis is not going to win many games until they start scoring points and that begins with the right triggerman. Kyle Boller should be a backup and the Marc Bulger era is over. The Rams will make Sam Bradford the top pick in the draft and begin the resurrection of their offense. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner’s draft stock will climb when he demonstrates during March and April workouts that his surgically repaired throwing shoulder is 100% healthy.

2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska
Will Spencer: Draft Breakdown http://www.draftbreakdown.com

The Lions draft room erupts with cheering after they hear that St. Louis has passed up the best player in the draft. This pick is a no-brainer for Detroit as Suh fills a huge need for the team. Detroit allowed 126.6 yards a game on the ground last season and having a guy like Suh anchoring their defensive line will certainly improve that number. To make matters worse, Detroit recorded only 26 sacks all season, which was 29th in the NFL. Head coach Jim Schwartz made a name for himself in Tennessee as a defensive coordinator with Albert Haynesworth, a premier defensive tackle who was consistently able to rush the passer and collapse the pocket. Suh will bring the same skill set to the table for the Lions with his disruptive play and ability to dominate an offensive line (see: Big-12 Championship against Texas).

3. Tampa Bay Bucs - Gerald McCoy - DT - Oklahoma
Matt McGuire: WalterFootball.com http://www.walterfootball.com

Easiest pick in the Draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are absolutely desperate for defensive line help and they are thrilled at the chance to draft Ndamukong Suh or McCoy. Towards the latter half of last season when head coach Raheem Morris took over play calling duties, Tampa went back to their traditional Tampa-2 zone defense which requires a highly athletic three-technique to push the pocket, rush the quarterback, and disrupt in the backfield. Gerald McCoy is the prototypical three-technique and the Bucs defense is in need of elite playmakers. Many say Dez Bryant should be the pick here to help Josh Freeman out offensively, but the bottom line is this is a very good receiver draft and you can find a talented player in the second round. This pick was simply a no-brainer.

4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung - OT - Oklahoma State
Bill Viola - Saturdays 2 Sundays - http://www.saturdays2sundays.com

The Redskins could look in two different directions with this selection. They could either select a franchise quarterback in either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, or they could try to shore up the offensive line by taking a tackle. With Bradford off the board, in my view, this pick becomes easy. At six-foot-five, Okung will prove to be a valuable piece to the puzzle in Washington’s developing offense. Remember, even the best of quarterbacks can’t perform when there is constant pressure. Eric Berry will also be an option here, but the offensive mastermind, Mike Shananhan, will put offense before defense. Where the Redskins find their franchise quarterback is a different story. The team stockpiled at the quarterback position, the Philadelphia Eagles, are in the Redskins division and probably unlikely to flip one of their quarterbacks to a rival.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry - S - Tennessee
Mike Bozarth: NFL Draft Bible - http://www.nfldraftbible.com

Berry has the talent and hype to get the Kansas City Chiefs fans excited about the new direction of the 3-4 defense and the front office. (Scott Pioli, Todd Haley, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis). The Chiefs have several needs. There is no question the offensive line could use some upgrades. The group did allow Jamal Charles to rush for 968 yards in the final 8 games, but struggled to give Matt Cassel time to throw. The Chiefs have the money to over pay in free agency and have two 2nd round picks. They will be able to address the line without the 5th overall pick. With Berry the Chiefs have a playmaker that is capable of stuffing the run and creating turnovers. His versatility and ball skills are what separate him from a stacked safety class. His presence will help the Chiefs young corners, including Brandon Flowers, who is on the verge of becoming a Pro-Bowler. The Chiefs get a young playmaker that is intelligent enough to take control of the defense. With Berry the Chiefs would immediately have one of the best young secondary groups in the NFL.
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