Rams give Bradford protection, select Iowa's Reiff

By Torry Holt | NFL Network

Published: Jan. 17, 2012 at 02:15 p.m.

1. Pick No.

   1

   

   Andrew Luck

   QB

   Stanford
   The Colts are in position to get a franchise quarterback. Owner Jim Irsay wants a new start for his team, that means they should draft Luck.
2. Pick No.

   2

   

   Riley Reiff

   OT

   Iowa
   Reiff is one of the top two offensive tackles in this year's draft. What a treat it was for the Big Ten and others to watch him play every Saturday. Reiff is a multi-dimensional player and would be a tremendous pick for the Rams. They feel Bradford is the answer, so they have to get him protected. Reiff will be an athletic NFL tackle who has very good technique and plays nasty. Coaches will love that. Reiff should start and contribute from the get-go.
3. Pick No.

   3

   

   Matt Kalil

   OT

   USC
   Yes, we're going back-to-back tackles. Ask any QB in the NFL just how important a good offensive tackle is. The Vikings took Christian Ponder in the first round of last year's draft, so they must get someone to protect him. Kalil will do just that as another USC Trojan tackle to anchor an NFL offensive line. His counterpart Tyron Smith in Dallas held his own in his rookie year. Kalil comes from a strong pedigree of NFL talent. His father, Frank, played in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, and his brother, Ryan, is the starting center for the Panthers. I would guess Matt will hold his own in the NFC North.
4. Pick No.

   4

   

   Trent Richardson

   RB

   Alabama
   If the Browns decide to keep Colt McCoy, then the next area to address is running back. The offensive line is in good shape, and a running game will help McCoy and those young wideouts. Richardson is a powerful runner who's excellent inside the tackles. He has soft hands out of the backfield, which allow him to be an option on passing downs. He squats 600 pounds, power cleans 365 pounds and bench press 475 pounds, while possessing 4.4 speed. Some consider Richardson the best player in the 2012 draft.
5. Pick No.

   5

   

   Morris Claiborne

   CB

   LSU
   The nation's top corner's services will be put to use right now in Tampa Bay with Ronde Barber's status up in the air. Against the New Orleans Saints' pass-happy offense and the Atlanta Falcons' game-breaking wideouts, Claiborne will get plenty of work. The LSU junior does it all on the edge and is a good tackler. He really developed his coverage skills in 2011.
6. Pick No.

   6

   

   Robert Griffin, III

   QB

   Baylor
   Washington needs a quarterback, and Griffin is their guy. He's smart, athletic and also won a Big 12 Championship in track and field (400-meter hurdles). He operated out of the spread quick strike formation in Baylor, that's not Washington style right now, but Griffin can give a spark to the Redskins' offense. RG3 completed 72.4 percent of his passes, while throwing 4,293 yards, 37 touchdowns and six picks. He also rushed for 699 yards with 10 TDs.
7. Pick No.

   7

   

   Justin Blackmon

   WR

   Oklahoma St.
   The Jaguars offense could use another explosive player to team up with Maurice Jones-Drew. The wideouts haven't been the same since my departure after the 2009 season (Ha!). Justin Blackmon continues a list of Oklahoma St. first-round WRs (Hart Lee Dykes, Rashaun Woods and Dez Bryant). Blaine Gabbert will have a another weapon to go along with MJD. Blackmon will add size to the Jags' receiving corps, and he tracks the deep ball very, very well and runs through the catch at top speed.
8. Pick No.

   8

   

   Dre Kirkpatrick

   CB

   Alabama
   Chris Gamble could use some help in the secondary, and Kirkpatrick has prototypical size and strength combo to match with NFL wideouts on the perimeter. He's shown he can be physical on the edge and the Panthers will need more corner help playing in the NFC South. Kirkpatrick's nickname is "Swag," and he's well liked by all of his teammates.
9. Pick No.

   9

   

   QUINTON COPLES

   DE

   North Carolina
   The Dolphins' style of defense fits Coples style play as a five-technique opposite Cameron Wake. The addition of Coples would make their defense stronger. As a junior at North Carolina, Coples recorded 59 tackles, 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2010.
10. Pick No.

    10

    

    MELVIN INGRAM

    DE

    South Carolina
    Standing at 6-foot-2 1/2 and weighing 275 pounds, Ingram is one of the most versatile defensive players in this year's draft. He'll line up outside either tackle and then move to tackle on third downs. He also can rush the passer standing up inside or off the edge. Ingram finished an injury-plagued season with 48 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions. He is very explosive and just flat-out balled this year.