First Round
1. St. Louis Rams – Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska

The Rams need a boost somewhere on the field this season. Ndamukong Suh is possibly one of the best defensive line prospects to enter the draft since Warren Sapp. He penetrates the backfield and gets a boatload of TFLs. He will be a solid fit in St. Louis.

2. Detroit Lions – Gerald McCoy – DT – Oklahoma

McCoy’s stock seemed to drop a bit after the combine but I think he is still a playmaker and worthy of the number 2 spot.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry – S – Tennessee

The Bucs have an up-and-coming defense and can really use a showstopper like Eric Berry. Berry is an extremely instinctive player and is really physical. Sabby Piscitelli just isn’t cutting it for TB. Berry is a solid pick at 3 overall.

4. Washington Redskins – Sam Bradford – QB – Oklahoma

Believe it or not, Jason Campbell is done in Washington. He is very inconsistent and failed to spark the ‘Skins. The Redskins are going to have to pick the best quarterback in the draft. And in their mind, Bradford is him.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Russell Okung – OT – Oklahoma State

The Chiefs just can’t afford to pass up on Okung at this spot. He has held the number one OT spot for a while and it’s for a reason.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bulaga – OT – Iowa

With Walter Jones pretty much done in Seattle, Bulaga will come in to be a solid pass protector.

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden – CB – Florida

The Browns have a fairly young secondary. Although young, they show promise. Haden is the next piece to the puzzle of having a solid defense. He is a very good coverage corner with great instincts and tackling ability.

8. Oakland Raiders – Derrick Morgan – DE – Georgia Tech

Derrick Morgan is the best running stopping defensive end in the draft, in my opinion. He, paired with Richard Seymour, will run the show on the D-line in Oakland.

9. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Davis – OT – Rutgers

The Bills need a pass protector who is quick and versatile. Anthony Davis is a no-brainer at number 9 for Buffalo.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Earl Thomas – S – Texas

Jacksonville needs an instinctive player in the secondary and Earl Thomas is just that. He has a huge range and has coveted eyes for the football.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Rolano McClain – LB – Alabama

Rolando McClain is a beast of a linebacker. He will work well with the Broncos in an already talented linebacking corps. Very vocal team leader who will fire up the defense. It makes me shiver thinking of McClain and Dawkins on the same D.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dez Bryant – WR – Oklahoma State

Chad Henne needs a nice big target to throw to. Dez Bryant is a beastly specimen of a wide receiver and will do a great job in Miami.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Trent Williams – OT – Oklahoma

The 49ers need all the help they can get on the offensive line and Trent Williams is next on my offensive tackle rankings.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – C.J. Spiller – RB – Clemson

The Seahawks need an every down running back since the black hole of turf swallowed Shaun Alexander a few years back. Spiller is an animal and could’ve started in the NFL in his senior year.

15. New York Giants – Brandon Spikes – LB – Florida

Brandon Spikes has been criticized for his lateral speed but Antonio Pierce really didn’t have any either. Spikes is tough and physical; great fit for the Gmen.

16. Tennessee Titans – Kyle Wilson – CB – Boise State

Saying that Kyle Wilson stepped up in the Senior Bowl would be a severe understatement. He came up HUGE and boosted his draft stock a lot. Wilson is physical and very good in coverage.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – Jason Pierre-Paul – DE – USF

Pierre-Paul is a freak of nature and is high on every team’s draft board. I’m convinced he can dominate as either a DE or 3-4 OLB.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bruce Campbell – OT – Maryland

Bruce Campbell is a monster of an offensive tackle and he is diesel and quick. The Steelers will be very happy if they take Campbell.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Sean Weatherspoon – OLB – Missouri

Sean Weatherspoon, in my mind, is the best outside linebacker in the draft and the Falcons can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity.

20. Houston Texans – Jahvid Best – RB – California

The Texans have been having some problems running the football as of late. Steve Slaton, in my opinion, still should be the every-down back in Houston. However, he needs someone to come in and relieve the pressure once and a while.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham – TE – Oklahoma

Since signing Matt Jones, it looks as though the Bengals have secured a solid number 2 wideout. Tight end is the one position that Cincy really struggles with. Gresham is a very good TE and will prove to be an important part of the Bengals offense.

22. New England Patriots – Golden Tate – WR – Notre Dame

New England failed to give Tom Brady enough reliable targets this past season. Golden Tate is very instinctive and plays the position well. Look for him to flourish in NE.

23. Green Bay Packers – Mike Iupati – OG – Idaho

The Packers need that strong force in the middle of the offensive line to give Ryan Grant some running lanes. Mike Iupati is a beast and can turn the d-line into a highway.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Graham – DE – Michigan

Brandon Graham is unstoppable. This guy is strong and has an extremely high motor to tear up slow offensive tackles. Him along side Trent Cole will be deadly.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Arrelious Benn – WR – Illinois

Arrelious Benn has great size and speed as well as solid route-running ability. He will be a staple in Baltimore.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Taylor Mays – S – USC

Taylor Mays is a beast. He ran a 4.40 at the combine and weighs 230 pounds. Although he misses tackles here and there, he could work on that and be dominant.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Sergio Kindle – OLB – Texas

Sergio Kindle dropped out from my number one OLB spot but he is still a number one contender. The Cowboys could use a guy like him.

28. San Diego Chargers – Carlos Dunlap – DE – Florida

Dunlap’s stock dropped after the combine. He looked a bit small and doesn’t seem to have the drive to succeed as much as the others. However, I think it is appropriate for him to be drafted at this position.

29. New York Jets – Everson Griffen – DE – USC

The Jets need to get a bit more rush on the quarterback and Everson Griffen will be able to provide for them the talent that they need. I’d like to see them take a CB at this spot but I feel like that position is deep enough for them to grab one in a later round.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Donovan Warren – CB – Michigan

The Vikes need a nice boost at the cornerback position. Warren is arguably the next best CB available at 30 and should give Minnesota some much-needed improvement.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Maurkice Pouncey – C – Florida

Maurkice Pouncey is as best as they come as far as centers go. He could definitely be a work in progress for Peyton Manning.

32. New Orleans Saints – Dan Williams – DT – Tennessee

This may be the steal of the first round. Dan Williams is an insane defensive tackle. He never stops and his motor is intensely high. He will wreak havoc for Nawlins.

Second Round

33. St. Louis Rams – Jimmy Clausen – QB – Notre Dame

34. Detroit Lions – Ryan Matthews – RB – Fresno State

35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jared Odrick – DT – Penn State

36. Washington Redskins – Charles Brown – OT – USC

37. Kansas City Chiefs – Brian Price – DT – UCLA

38. Seattle Seahawks – Dezmon Briscoe – WR – Kansas

39. Cleveland Browns – Colt McCoy – QB – Texas

40. Oakland Raiders – Vladimir Ducasse – OT – Umass

41. Buffalo Bills – Brandon LaFell – WR – LSU

42. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Chad Jones – S – LSU

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chicago) – Eric Decker – WR – Minnesota

44. Miami Dolphins – Navorro Bowman – LB – Penn State

45. San Francisco 49ers – Reshad Jones – S – Georgia

46. Denver Broncos – Dan LeFevour – QB – Central Michigan

47. New York Giants – Morgan Burnett – S – Michigan

48. New England Patriots (from Tennessee) – Joe McKnight – RB – USC

49. Carolina Panthers – Corey Wootton – DE – Northwestern

50. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jonathan Dwyer – RB – Georgia Tech

51. Kansas City Chiefs (from Atlanta) – Rob Gronkowski – TE – Arizona

52. Houston Texans – Perrish Cox – CB – Oklahoma State

53. Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Johnson – OG – Alabama

54. New England Patriots – Syd’Quan Thompson – CB – California

55. Green Bay Packers – Anthony Dixon – RB – Mississippi State

56. Philadelphia Eagles – Myron Rolle – S – Florida State

57. Baltimore Ravens – Jon Asamoah – OG – Illinois

58. Arizona Cardinals – Sean Lee – ILB – Penn State

59. Dallas Cowboys – Nate Allen – S – USF

60. San Diego Chargers – Charles Scott – RB – LSU

61. New York Jets – Dexter McCluster – RB – Ole Miss

62. Minnesota Vikings – Jevan Snead – QB – Ole Miss

63. Indianapolis Colts – Larry Asante – S – Nebraska

64. New Orleans Saints – Aaron Hernandez – TE – Florida

Third Round
65. St. Louis Rams – Kyle Calloway – OT – Iowa

66. Detroit Lions – Selvish Capers – OT – West Virginia

67. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mitch Petrus – OG – Arkansas

68. Washington Redskins – forfeited pick

69. Kansas City Chiefs – Rennie Curran – OLB – Georgia

70. Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle) – Montario Hardesty – RB – Tennessee

71. Cleveland Browns – Terrence Cody – DT – Alabama

72. Oakland Raiders – Jarrett Brown – QB – West Virginia

73. Buffalo Bills – Tony Pike – QB – Cincinnati

74. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tim Tebow – QB – Florida

75. Chicago Bears – Kyle Veldheer – OT – Hillsdale

76. Miami Dolphins – Jimmy Graham – TE – Miami

77. San Francisco 49ers – Amari Spievey – CB – Iowa

78. Denver Broncos – Zane Beadles – OG – Utah

79. New York Giants – Arthur Jones – DT – Syracuse

80. Tennessee Titans – Jerry Hughes – DE – TCU

81. Carolina Panthers – Taylor Price – WR – Ohio

82. Pittsburgh Steelers – Brandon Ghee – CB – Wake Forest

83. Atlanta Falcons – Patrick Robinson – CB – Florida State

84. Houston Texans – Shawn Lauvao – OG – Arizona State

85. Cincinnati Bengals – Major Wright – S – Florida

86. Oakland Raiders (from New England) – Eric Norwood – OLB – S. Carolina

87. Green Bay Packers – Tyson Alualu – DT – California

88. Philadelphia Eagles – Kareem Jackson – CB – Alabama

89. Baltimore Ravens – Dominique Franks – CB – Oklahoma

90. Arizona Cardinals – Jason Fox – OT – Miami

91. Dallas Cowboys – Ciron Black – OT – LSU

92. San Diego Chargers – John Jerry – OT – Ole Miss

93. Cleveland Browns (from New York Jets) – Marty Gilyard – WR – Cincinnati

94. Minnesota Vikings – Thomas Austin – OG – Clemson

95. Indianapolis Colts – Chris Cook – CB – Virginia

96. New Orleans Saints – Rodrick Muckelroy – OLB – Texas

Fourth Round
97. St. Louis Rams – Danario Alexander – WR – Missouri

98. Detroit Lions – Damian Williams – WR – USC

99. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Greg Hardy – DE – Ole Miss

100. Washington Redskins – Toby Gerhart – RB – Stanford

101. Kansas City Chiefs – Demaryius Thomas – WR – Georgia Tech

102. Seattle Seahawks – Levi Brown – QB – Troy

103. Cleveland Browns – Ed Dickson – TE – Oregon

104. Oakland Raiders – Trevard Lindley – CB – Kentucky

105. Buffalo Bills – Geno Atkins – DT – Georgia

106. Jacksonville Jaguars – Darrell Stuckey – S – Kansas

107. Chicago Bears – Ricky Sapp – DE – Clemson

108. Miami Dolphins – Robert Johnson – S – Utah

109. San Francisco 49ers – Zac Robinson – QB – Oregon State

110. Denver Broncos – Matt Tennent – C – Boston College

111. New York Giants – Javier Arenas – CB – Alabama

112. Tennessee Titans – Sergio Render – OG – Virginia Tech

113. Carolina Panthers – D’Anthony Smith – DT – Louisiana Tech

114. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kam Chancellor – S – Virginia Tech

115. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Williams – WR – Syracuse

116. Houston Texans – Barry Church – S – Toledo

117. Cincinnati Bengals – Jacoby Ford – WR – Clemson

118. New England Patriots –Anthony McCoy – TE – USC

119. Green Bay Packers – Devin McCourty – CB – Rutgers

120. Philadelphia Eagles – Jeff Byers – OG – USC

121. Baltimore Ravens – Dennis Pitta – TE – BYU

122. Arizona Cardinals – Garrett Graham – TE – Wisconsin

123. Dallas Cowboys – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah – CB – Indiana (PA)

124. San Diego Chargers – Jerome Murphy – CB – South Florida

125. Philadelphia Eagles (from New York Jets) – Rico McCoy – OLB – Tenn.

126. Minnesota Vikings – Lindsey Witten – DE – Connecticut

127. Indianapolis Colts – Lamaar Houston – DT – Texas

128. New Orleans Saints – Alex Carrington – DE – Arkansas State

For some more mocks, check out DC Pro Sports Report, hailRedskins.com Mock Draft Database, & NFL Draft Dog

• Alvin Keels and Joel Segal got DeAngelo Hall $54 million ($22.5 million guaranteed) in a 6-year deal with the Redskins.
• The Redskins have already spent a lot not only on Hall, but also on Albert Haynesworth.  Chad Speck got his client a 7-year deal worth a maximum of $115 million if he remains with the team all 7 years and meets all performance bonus clauses ($41 million is guaranteed, including $32 million in the first 13-months of the contract).  Is there still a salary cap in the NFL?  At least the Skins don’t have to worry about Jason Taylor taking money away from the cap (he was released).
• If he knew about this website, Sage Rosenfels would be a fan of our Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up.  For the time being, he will be counting his money that the Minnesota Vikings offered him.  Rick Smith got his client a 2-year deal worth $9 million.  Not bad for a guy who does not have the starting job wrapped up in Minnesota.
• Kenneth Vierra did not instruct his client, Chris Kemoeatu, to sign with whatever team presented the most money to his client.  Instead, Kemoeatu accepted a $20 million, 5-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers (including $6 million guaranteed), and passed up a bigger offer from the New York Jets.
• Will Cedric Benson be the starting RB for the Cincinnati Bengals?  Who knows?  What we do know is that Eugene Parker was able to get Benson a 2-year, $7 million deal.
• The Bengals also agreed to terms with Laveranues Coles.  Roosevelt Barnes is happy to see his client join Ocho Cinco.  Barnes also helped structure the 4-year, $28 million contract.
• No one will be competing for the starting inside linebacker position on the Baltimore Ravens.  Ray Lewis tested the free-agent market and did not like what he saw.  Or maybe he just loves being a Raven.  He re-signed with the team, while teammate, Bart Scott, signed with the Jets.
• And last, but not least, some guy that goes by T.O. signed with the Buffalo Bills.  Terrell Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, accepted a 1-year, $6.5 million deal.  It is a little bit colder in Buffalo than Dallas.

At Thursday’s Rookie To Retirement sports law symposium, the school’s Dean, Phillip Closius, made the announcement as many great agents, faculty and students were present. The law school will team up with local sports organizations to offer more exclusive internships and externships to students who want to focus on sports law after graduation.  More sports law classes will be offered by the school.  The school is even discussing the chance of a joint law degree, JD/MBA certificate program, in sports law.  No official date was mentioned, but the institute sounds like it will become a reality very soon.

The UB Sports Institute program will be constructed with the guidance of some great agents in the industry.  Tom Condon, a ‘81 UB law graduate, along with other Creative Artists Agency representatives will serve on the institute’s advisory board. The institute will work closely with the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens organizations, giving students a hands-on education and internship opportunities.

The Institute sounds like a great idea that other big name law schools need to mimic.   If you do not attend Yale or Harvard, the connections you build while in law school are what is most important, especially in sports law.  The sports industry is a very volatile industry that is hard to break into if you do not already have your foot in the door.  The education and connections from a sports law institute such as this could be a HUGE advantage to anyone looking to get in the industry.

He said he wants to “eliminate the Ravens just as the Steelers will on Sunday.”

Getting Flacco signed and in camp on time was essential if Flacco is to have any shot at winning a starting quarterback job. Last summer we witnessed Brady Quinn sit out more than 2 weeks due to a contract dispute. Not only did it set him back in regards to learning the offense, it may have cost him from ever stepping onto the field in a Browns uniform.

With Joe Flacco signed, there is now a realistic chance he wins the starting quarterback job. He will be competing against Kyle Boller and Troy Smith; neither of which have been able to establish themselves as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

The Brady Quinn contract debacle last summer was proof of how important it is to get a quarterback in camp on time. Sometimes it’s worth sacrificing a few dollars to ensure your client a shot at a starting position. The sooner Flacco wins the starting quarterback job, the sooner he will earn incentives and endorsement deals.

Linta, realized Flacco’s unique opportunity and did everything possible to give his client a shot at being the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

What happens when an agent misses the deadline? In some cases, it may cost the agent his job with that particular client and may mark that agent as one to stay away from for many potential future clients. In this business, one has to be flawless, because there are so many other options for players to choose from.

Take for instance, David Joseph, former agent of superstar and current Dallas Cowboy, Terrell Owens. In 2004, Joseph did not file with the NFL by the free agent declaration deadline, which meant that Terrell Owens, by rule, would not be allowed to be a free agent in the ensuing year and would still belong to the San Fransisco 49ers (even though T.O. did not wish for such a situation). The problem eventually was solved, with the Baltimore Ravens losing out on obtaining T.O., but Terrell Owens finding a new home in Philadelphia. David Joseph, on the other hand, was left without his superstar athlete as T.O. turned to Mr. Ruthless (Drew Rosenhaus).

Poor David Joseph. Not everyone gets to be named “Tool of the Week.”

But miraculously, T.O.’s case is not isolated, as the agent for Dennis Northcutt made the same error in the same year! Still wondering why there are more registered agents than there are football players and why many of them represent 0 clients? Take advantage of the fact that many people become registered agents and poorly represent their clients. Do not be one of those people to forget an important deadline that greatly influences one of your clients.