1. With the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams select, as expected, Sam Bradford, quarterback from Oklahoma. Bradford, 6 feet 4, 218 pounds and the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, started all 31 games in which he appeared for the Sooners, setting school records by completing 67.64% of his passes (604-of-893) for 8,403 yards and 88 touchdowns. Considering Blake Griffin is also from Oklahoma, it marks the second time both the NFL and NBA top picks come from the same school.
The rest of the first round:
2. Detroit: Ndamukong Suh, defensive lineman, Nebraska (6-4, 300): The most dominant player in college football last season, Suh won the Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Big Twelve Conference Player of the Year Award. Last season, he became the first Nebraska down lineman to lead the school in tackles since 1973. Lions Coach Jim Schwartz was the coordinator in Tennessee with Albert Haynesworth. Massive Suh will play that same role in Detroit.
3. Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy, defensive lineman, Oklahoma (6-4, 295): McCoy started 40 consecutive games at Oklahoma, a school record for defensive lineman. A superb run stuffer, he routinely fought through double teams and finished his career with 83 tackles, including 14½ sacks. The Buccaneers ranked last in rushing defense in 2009 and 26th in sacks. Their hope is that McCoy is as disruptive on the field as Warren Sapp.
4. Washington: Trent Williams, offensive tackle, Oklahoma (6-5, 308): Williams is the most athletic tackle in this draft. He switched from right to left tackle last season to replace Phil Loadholt, taken in the second round by Minnesota a year ago. Although Russell Okung might be the safer pick at tackle, Williams has more potential to be great in the eyes of many scouts. Great fit.
5. Kansas City: Eric Berry, safety, Tennessee (5-11, 203): Berry is the elite playmaking safety in this draft. He was tied for the most interceptions in the country last season with seven, and he led the nation in interception-return yards with 265. The Chiefs haven't had a true playmaker at safety since Jerome Woods (almost a decade ago) and Berry is a real ballhawk. KC passed on a tackle.
6. Seattle: Russell Okung, offensive lineman, Oklahoma State (6-5, 300): Okung started 47 consecutive games at Oklahoma State, including his final 39 at left tackle. He's the school's first offensive lineman taken in the opening round since the Vikings took John Ward in 1970. Replacing All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones is no small task, but Okung is an extremely polished player who'll be expected to learn on the fly.
7. Cleveland: Joe Haden, cornerback, Florida (5-11, 190): The first true freshman cornerback to start a season opener for Florida, Haden wound up starting 40 games in three seasons for the Gators. The only concern about him is his average speed. The Browns have Sheldon Brown, so there's a chance Haden could move to safety. He ran a slow 40 at the combine but improved on pro day.
8. Oakland: Rolando McClain, linebacker, Alabama (6-4, 258): McClain made all the calls and adjustments for Alabama's defense. Some scouts have concerns that he'll be able to make a smooth transition to middle linebacker in the pros. Good pick for the Raiders, who grabbed Butkus Award winner and a player who can set the tone in the middle of their defense.
9. Buffalo: C.J. Spiller, running back, Clemson (5-11, 195): Spiller, who ran a sub-4.4 40 at the combine, finished his college career Clemson's third-ranked runner with 3,547 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns. This probably spells the end of Marshawn Lynch in Buffalo. Spiller is a spectacular athlete with Reggie Bush-type speed. He was ACC player of the year.
10. Jacksonville: Tyson Alualu, defensive lineman, Cal (6-3, 295): Alualu was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection last season and led all conference linemen with 60 tackles. He was very disruptive against the pass. Alualu is a ferocious player who can help ramp up the pass pressure for the Jaguars, who were only able to muster an NFL-low 14 sacks in 2009.
11. San Francisco (from Denver through Chicago): Anthony Davis, offensive lineman, Rutgers (6-5, 325): Davis weighed 363 pounds when he arrived at school as a freshman. When he reached the scouting combine in February, though, he was a far more fit 323. Scouts say he's one of the most impressive athletes in the draft. The 49ers were hurting for an offensive tackle, and they had targeted Anthony Davis early on. They were crossing fingers Raiders wouldn't take him.
