The 75th NFL draft gets underway with a new three-day format starting at 6:30 p.m. today in New York City.
While the format may have undergone a facelift, something will be the same — namely Jets fans booing their pick.
The St. Louis Rams will pick No.1 and it’s all but certain after the release of quarterback Marc Bulger that the Rams have their eyes on former Oklahoma and Heisman-winner Sam Bradford.
The Detroit Lions hold pick No. 2 and should take former Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Suh and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy are highly rated players, but with Suh gone McCoy should go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who hope he can eventually play like an old Buc who helped them win a Super Bowl in Warren Sapp.
After the top three picks I feel like the draft is very balanced and wide open. The best player in the draft is former Tennessee safety Eric Berry, who in my mind is the next Ed Reed at the position.
Berry is a freak athletically and easily is a top five pick and a sure starter for the Kansas City Chiefs with the fifth overall pick.
Back to the No.4 pick, the Washington Redskins don’t have to waste it on a quarterback with the addition of veteran Donovan McNabb so I think it’s a no-brainer for new head coach Mike Shanahan to select McNabb’s blind side security in former Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung.
The best offensive lineman in the draft, Okung, is very polished and will start right away in D.C. as the Redskins look to bounce back this season.
Houston fans are excited coming off a 9-7 season; their first winning season ever, but there remains a huge question at running back and safety. What position should coach Gary Kubiak and owner Bob McNair go for?
The Texans need a running back and with former Clemson super athlete C.J. Spillar most likely off the board by pick No. 20, Houston should take former Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews. Almost six feet tall and nearly 220 pounds while running a 4.45-seocnd 40-yard dash, Matthews is the guy the Texans have their eyes on.
Spillar and former Florida cornerback Joe Haden, would be the only two players that I think the Texans would take over Matthews if they were available.
Being in Texas, I won’t forget about Cowboys fans, who have a first round pick at No. 27. Owner Jerry Jones and coach Wade Phillips cut safety Ken Hamlin, so I think it’s a sure bet the Cowboys go defense with this pick.
It comes down to either former USC safety Taylor Mays (6-3, 235 pounds, 4.3-second 40-yard dash) or quiet but very talented former Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty.
