I am positive that some trades will go down within the top 10 picks this year, so I went ahead and included some. This is my final projection, as I waited right up until crunch time to post it.
1. Oakland Raiders - QB JaMarcus Russell
I've conceeded to the idea that the Raiders will make the wrong move and take a risky QB with limitless potential but limited college dominance over the best player on the board, Calvin Johnson.
2. Denver Broncos (from Detroit) - WR Calvin Johnson
Where there's a will, there's a way. The Broncos have an extra Day One pick, and a strong desire to make the arch-rival Raiders pay for their draft-day mistake twice per season.
3. Cleveland Browns - OT Joe Thomas
I had Adrian Peterson here right up until the last minute, but the injury concerns are really bothering me. Can Peterson go top three with reports that his shoulder might break again if he gets hit wrong?
4. Miami Dolphins (from Tampa Bay) - QB Brady Quinn
Again, they have an extra pick on Day One, they have a desire to add a young, polished QB, and they know that any and all callers were making offers to Tampa Bay and Arizona. They make a move to ensure they get their man.
5. Arizona Cardinals - RB Adrian Peterson
The general rule is that when picking this high, you must select the best player, not by need. Peterson has immediate injury concerns, but the new coaching staff can afford to think long-term, especially with "Edge" on the roster.
6. Detroit Lions (from Washington) - DE Gaines Adams
The Liopns get the man they always wanted at a better value, while picking up some extra picks. I'm trying to figure out how this could happen, because it would be far too competent for Matt Millen--unless Adams turns out to be a lesser player than I expect him to be.
7. Minnesota Vikings - S LaRon Landry
Minnesota locks down an important position in their secondary, while breaking the Falcons' hearts one spot below them
8. Atlanta Falcons - OT Levi Brown
Amobi Okoye gets a long look here from his college coach, as the team needs help on both lines, but Petrino needs to add a physical presence to a line that was built for zone blocking. Brown is one of the few physical tackles that is ready to play.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Amobi Okoye
The Bucs have to be disappointed that they missed out on Calvin Johnson, but are likely better off, getting a Sapp-like DT for their system while picking up additional selections.
10. Houston Texans - CB Darrelle Revis
There is a lot of debate in War Rooms as to who the top CB is in this draft. It's a matter of taste, and I believe that the Texans will lean toward Revis.
11. San Francisco 49ers - DE Adam Carriker
It's such a badly-kept secret that the 49ers are targeting Carriker that it's almost difficult to believe.
12. Buffalo Bills - LB Patrick Willis
The best LB in the draft and the best player left on the board fortunately fits a need for a team that has seen two starting LBs depart this offseason.
13. St. Louis Rams - WR Ted Ginn
This is simply a hunch I have had for a while. It makes much less sense now that the trade for Dante Hall has been completed, but it's my hunch and I'm sticking to it.
14. Carolina Panthers - DE Jamaal Anderson
The Panthers have a number of options here with S Reggie Nelson, TE Greg Olsen, many top WRs and Anderson. It all depends how their draft board is ranked, but an elite pass-rusher across from Peppers would be formidable for years.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - LB Lawrence Timmons
Outside LB is another position in which beuaty is in the eye of the beholder at the top of the board: Timmons or Posluzny. Both should have the ability to play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3, a necessity for a defense in transition. SO really it's just a guess, here.
16. Washington Redskins (from Green Bay) - DT Alan Branch
After acquiring multiple picks to move back, the Redskins can't help but use one to jump back up to catch a falling player they at one point were considering at the #6 pick.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - S Reggie Nelson
If he's still on the board, this could be a pretty obvious pick, and he's got to be conidered one of the top prospects left on the board talent-wise.
18. Cincinatti Bengals - CB Aaron Ross
In somewhat of a shock, Ross goes before Leon Hall, but he is more of the ball-hawking, man cover corner desired by Marvin Lewis and his defense without Hall's deep vulnerability.
19. Tennessee Titans - WR Dwayne Bowe
The Titans get a much-needed WR capable of emerging as a true number one, if he has the work ethic to continue to improve. He lacks elite speed, but he still makes big plays.
20. New York Giants - RB Marshawn Lynch
Some scouts like Lynch better than Peterson, and the Giants are very pleased to get a versatile, pass-receiving back on their roster. Lynch is a different style and bigger play-maker than Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns, thus he fits as a complement. Jacobs and Lynch can compete for the starting job in camp, with the loser still playing a large, complementary role.
21. Green Bay Packers (from Denver via Washington) - TE Greg Olsen
Lynch, Nelson, Bowe and Olsen were all close on their board and considerations at pick 16, but knowing they could add an additional pick and still get a player they covet is exactly the kind of move Ted Thompson likes to make.
22. Dallas Cowboys - WR Robert Meachem
Meachem has been rising and may be off the board by this point, but if he is still here, the Cowboys take him as a close call over another rush OLB such as Anthony Spencer.
23. Kansas City Chiefs - OL Justin Blalock
OG Ben Grubbs might be a better choice here, but having taken hits at both guard and tackle, Blalock's versatility gives him the edge here.
24. New England Patriots - OLB Anthony Spencer
Spencer can rotate in opposite Adalius Thomas giving the Patriots two capable rush LBs, allowing Vrabel to stay inside and adding much-needed youth to their LBing corps
25. New York Jets - CB Leon Hall
The slide for the media's "top CB" finally stops, and the Jets are glad to take him. He has a physical mentality that makes Eric Mangini happy and solidifies a major need on the defensive side of the ball.
26. Philadelphia Eagles - LB Paul Posluzny
The Eagles have some options at LB, but none has the potential or tenacity as Posluzny. He could immediately challenge for a starting role over Omar Gaither and/or Dhani Jones.
27. New England Saints - CB Chris Houston
The signing of Jason David gives them two capable CBs and little depth or future. Houston will strat the season as a nickel back and pass David before the season ends.
28. New England Patriots - ILB David Harris
I've had this pick since my first mock draft, and I still like it. The Patriots' draft board is often far different from everyone else's, and so I don't consider this much of a reach, and it continues to add help and youth to the linebackers. Defensive Backs will have to wait.
29. Baltimore Ravens - OG Ben Grubbs
The Ravens are a guard short of a complete line right now, though they also need a LT for the future if Adam Terry isn't the answer. However, look for them to wait to find a guy and develop him, and grab a potentially great guard that can play now.
30. San Diego Chargers - S Michael Griffin
The Chargers are one of the teams determined to clean up their image after some embarassing incidents last season. That strikes Meriweather off of their list and puts Griffin into the perfect fit.
31. Chicago Bears - DT Justin Harrell
When Tommie Harris got hurt, the defense was suddenly mediocre. With Tank Johnson likely facing a sizable suspension, they need a third tackle. Harrell's the quick, penetrating type of player they need.
32. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) - WR Sidney Rice
The Colts miss out on top CBs and their DT of choice, so they take a fourth round pick (or two) to slide into the second round. Meanwhile, the 49ers want to move ahead of other WR-needy teams (Bucs, Bears, Falcons, Vikings) to get a guy that can emerge into a dominant play-maker with proper coaching and patience.
33. Oakland Raiders - OL Arron Sears
34. Detroit Lions - QB John Beck
35. Tampa Bay Bucs - S Brandon Meriweather
36. Cleveland Browns - QB Trent Edwards
37. Chicago Bears - LB Jon Beason
38. Arizona Cardinals - DE Jarvis Moss (steal!)
39. Atlanta Falcons - WR Dwayne Jarrett
40. Tampa Bay Bucs* - WR Anthony Gonzales
41. Minnesota Vikings - WR Steve Smith
42. Indianapolis Colts* - CB Tanard Jackson
43. Buffalo Bills - RB Antonio Pittman
44. Atlanta Falcons - DT Tank Tyler
45. Carolina Panthers - S Eric Weddle
46. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Daymeion Hughes
47. Green Bay Packers - FB/RB Brian Leonard
48. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Jason Hill
49. Cincinatti Bengals - TE Zach Miller
50. Tennessee Titans - RB Kenny Irons
51. New York Giants - OT Joe Staley
52. St. Louis Rams - DT Paul Soliai
53. Dallas Cowboys - OLB LaMar Woodley
54. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Craig Davis
55. Seattle Seahawks - TE Ben Patrick
56. Washington Redskins* - DE Charles Johnson (steal!)
57. Philadelphia Eagles - S John Wendling
58. New Orleans Saints - LB Rufus Alexander
59. New York Jets - OLB Quentin Moses
60. Miami Dolphins - OT Tony Ugoh
61. Baltimore Ravens - CB Eric Wright
62. San Diego Chargers - WR Paul Williams
63. New York Jets - WR Aundrae Allison
64. Tampa Bay Bucs - DE Victor Abiamiri
