» Brooks' mock drafts: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0
With the draft only a week away, teams have started to pinpoint the players likely to be available at their respective spots.
General managers and scouts are running through various draft scenarios in preparation for unlikely happenings that are bound to occur on or just before draft day -- like Wednesday's trade of Brandon Marshall from Denver to Miami, which could have a ripple effect for several teams.
In addition, scouts are working the phones to find out which teams are willing trade partners if an unexpected prospect dramatically falls down the board.
With general managers, coaches and scouts going through their own series of draft rehearsals, here's a look at my latest mock draft:
1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford has solidified his status as the top quarterback in the draft with his impressive showing in workouts. Given the recent release of Marc Bulger, the Rams have paved the way for Bradford to become the new face of the franchise. (Previous pick: Bradford)
2. Detroit Lions
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The acquisition of G Rob Sims from the Seahawks ensures that Jeff Backus will remain at left tackle and strongly suggests the team will take a defensive tackle at this spot. Given coach Jim Schwartz's success with Albert Haynesworth during his tenure in Tennessee, the Lions will likely opt for Suh over Gerald McCoy based on his brute strength and power. (Previous pick: Russell Okung)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy gives the Bucs the dominant "3-technique" in the mold of Warren Sapp. His presence on the inside should lead to a defensive revival in Tampa. (Previous pick: McCoy)
4. Washington Redskins
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Donovan McNabb trade solved the team's quarterback woes, but the offensive line still needs considerable work. Although the team will seriously consider Trent Williams due to his athleticism, Okung gets the nod based on his outstanding skill set. (Previous pick: Trent Williams)
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Scott Pioli will flirt with the notion of taking Eric Berry with this pick, but the Chiefs' woeful offensive line needs to be addressed after allowing 45 sacks in 2009. Bulaga gives the team the flexibility to move former No. 1 pick Branden Albert to guard or right tackle in their new lineup. (Previous pick: Bulaga)
6. Seattle Seahawks
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Seahawks have needs at LT, RB and DE, so the team could go a number of different directions at this pick. Williams makes the most sense because he fills a premium position. The versatile pass protector has played on both sides of the line and may have the best footwork of any player at the position. (Previous pick: Ndamukong Suh)
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Mike Holmgren might reconsider his stance against drafting a quarterback with this pick after watching Jimmy Clausendazzle at his workout last week. If he stays true to his word, the Browns will look to add the dynamic Berry to their lineup to spice up their secondary. (Previous pick: Berry)
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis has the physical tools to be the top LT in the draft, but questions about his maturity and weight have led some teams to downgrade him. However, the Raiders have never been afraid to take on a risky prospect, and he could pay big dividends if he handles his business off the field. (Previous pick: Davis)
9. Buffalo Bills
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Bills desperately need a quarterback to stabilize their offense, and Clausen is a top-10 talent with the skills to blossom into an elite player. Though concerns about his personality have affected his status on some draft boards, he has sufficiently addressed those issues throughout the spring and re-emerged as a potential franchise quarterback. (Previous pick: Clausen)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
McClain's presence gives the team the flexibility to move Justin Durant back to his natural outside linebacker position. With his smarts, savvy and toughness, McClain could give the Jaguars' defense some of the bite that has been missing the past few years. (Previous pick: McClain)
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Marshall trade leaves a need for another playmaker at the position. Bryant has been labeled a character risk, but his outstanding talent makes him an enticing option. If he can pass the team's background check, he could give Denver a potential star at the position. (Previous pick: Bryant)
12. Miami Dolphins
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Now that the Dolphins have a No. 1 receiver in Marshall, they could opt to fill their need at OLB with the selection of Sergio Kindle, but Thomas gives the team an impact player at free safety. After Miami surrendered 23 touchdown passes a season ago, Thomas might get the nod over Kindle at this pick. (Previous pick: Sergio Kindle)
13. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden is a terrific cover man with outstanding instincts and awareness for the position. He could step into the starting lineup immediately as a starter on the left or right side. (Previous pick: Haden)
14. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Seahawks have to guard against a team jumping past them to grab this electrifying playmaker. He would be an outstanding asset to their offense as a "do-it-all" weapon in the backfield. (Previous pick: Spiller)
15. New York Giants
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The G-Men love to rotate as many as eight defensive linemen into the game, and Williams gives them another big body to add to the mix. (Previous pick: Sean Weatherspoon)
16. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan gives the Titans a workmanlike rusher with an outstanding motor on the edge. He may not dazzle with his athleticism, but his production and toughness make him an ideal fit in Tennessee. (Previous pick: Morgan)
17. San Francisco 49ers
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Iupati is a rugged blocker capable of dominating the point of attack. Although the team re-signed David Baas to a one-year deal, Iupati would give them an upgrade at the left guard spot. (Previous pick: Iupati)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Steelers' secondary faltered down the stretch and could benefit from adding a tough ball hawk like Wilson to the lineup. The former Boise State star is an outstanding cover man with exceptional instincts. (Previous pick: Wilson)
19. Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
Graham doesn't have ideal size, but his relentless motor and outstanding sack production make him too good to pass up at this pick. (Previous pick: Graham)
20. Houston Texans
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
The Texans' explosive offense is a consistent runner away from being regarded as an elite attack. Mathews is a big, physical runner with big-play potential. (Previous pick: Mathews)
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham gives the Bengals' aerial attack a much-needed weapon in the middle of the field. Although he missed all of 2009 with a knee injury, he is a talented pass catcher with the skills to create mismatches in space. (Previous pick: Earl Thomas)
22. New England Patriots
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The Patriots shore up their interior defense by adding Odrick to the lineup. This high-motor defender has the skills and versatility to play multiple roles in Bill Belichick's hybrid scheme. (Previous pick: Odrick)
23. Green Bay Packers
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Identifying a young offensive tackle to groom is a priority, but Kindle would give the Packers a legitimate rusher to play opposite Pro Bowler Clay Matthews. Given the team's woes rushing the passer late in the year, Kindle's addition would give Dom Capers another weapon to incorporate into his exotic rush schemes. (Previous pick: Charles Brown)
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Jamaal Jackson's ACL injury creates a huge hole in the middle of the Eagles' line. Pouncey gives the team an immediate starter at center with the versatility to move to guard when Jackson returns to health. (Previous pick: Pouncey)
25. Baltimore Ravens
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
The Ravens need to fortify their interior defense after losing Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards in free agency. Cody gives the team a mammoth nose tackle that is nearly impossible to move off the ball. He teams with Haloti Ngata to form an impenetrable wall at the point of attack. (Previous pick: Dan Williams)
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida
The Cardinals signed Joey Porter during free agency but still need to add another pass rusher after losing Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor in the offseason. Pierre-Paul flashed dominant rush skills in his only season of major college football and could emerge as a difference maker in the NFL. (Previous pick: Pierre-Paul)
27. Dallas Cowboys
Charles Brown, OT, USC
The team feels good about opening the season with Doug Free at left tackle, but the addition of Brown will give them another young prospect to groom for major playing time down the road. (Previous pick: Taylor Mays)
28. San Diego Chargers
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Addressing their running back depth is a priority for the Chargers, but this year's draft class is full of quality runners carrying second- and third-round grades. Thus, A.J. Smith could opt to fill another need by snatching a talented cover man like McCourty at the bottom of the first round. (Previous pick: Terrence Cody)
29. New York Jets
Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
New York's recent flirtation with Jason Taylor indicates the team is desperate to upgrade its pass rush. Hughes would give the team a relentless pass rusher off the edge with enough athleticism to drop into coverage from his rush end position. (Previous pick: Demaryius Thomas)
30. Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Injuries to Cedric Griffin and Antoine Winfield make it necessary for the Vikings to address their cornerback position early in the draft. Robinson is an outstanding cover corner with exceptional feet and movement skills. (Previous pick: Devin McCourty)
31. Indianapolis Colts
Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
The Colts need to replenish the depth in their secondary after losing Marlin Jackson and Tim Jennings in free agency. Jackson is a sound technician with the skills and instincts to thrive in a zone-based scheme. (Previous pick: Patrick Robinson)
32. New Orleans Saints
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
The signing of Alex Brown won't deter the Saints from adding another pass rusher to their lineup. Griffen gives the team a young athletic edge player to groom behind their aging trio of defensive ends. (Previous pick: Griffen)
