NFL Draft Live Blog – The first round

10:07: Thanks to everyone for reading and thanks to all of our special contributors, giving us real-time reactions to selections by their favorite NFL teams, or honking big time for their favorite college teams.Check back tomorrow to see if Missouri State’s Clay Harbor gets selected in the third round, like he was estimated to by some mock drafts.Post your thoughts below!10:05: Let’s be honest about what the Rams could demand for that No. 33 pick (the top pick in tomorrow’s second round).A 2011 first round pick and a fourth or fifth in this year’s draft? A second and a third pick to move down this year? As much as I like Taylor Mays, you have to pull that trigger, especially if you don’t need a QB.10:03: And with the No. 32 pick, Drew Brees announces that Florida State CB Patrick Robinson will be a New Orleans Saint.I’m going to refrain and hide from all of the first round analysis. I like to sound foolish when grading entire drafts. I won’t embarrass myself (Even though I thought Detroit did the best.).10:01: Mel Kiper looks like a beaten man. Mel, we will hire you to work for us next year.9:59: I’m not trying to sound like a broken record, but can you imagine the ransom the Rams are going to get for Jimmy Clausen with that No. 33 pick? Someone is going to make a sick offer. I’m hoping the Rams knew this all along, but they’re not nearly that savvy.It’s not likely, but possible they could get a future No. 1 pick for that No. 33 pick tomorrow. They should raise the stakes and extract maximum value. You know, what they should have done with the No. 1 pick.9:56: And the last pick in the first round goes to the New Orleans Saints. Stay away from Mays, I’m telling you.Why? Here is a highlight package of him. And, I’m a sucker for USC players.9:54: TCU Horny Toad Jerry Hughes, an OLB is the No. 31 pick to Indianapolis. The Colts seem to never screw up late in the draft.9:50: Taylor Mays is a beast. He may well end up at linebacker, but if the USC Trojan fell to the Rams at No. 33, I’d be elated. That probably means he’ll get draft at No. 31 by the Colts.9:47: Jahvid Best goes No. 30 to the Lions, who was my favorite RB in the draft. I went to San Francisco last summer and made a trip to Cal Berkeley. It was a nice place. I might rep my Cal T-shirt tomorrow.9:45: Brett Johnston brings up a good point:

Nobody really exciting in the first round. Maybe Bradford or Spiller, but nothing newsworthy for fantasy geeks.

9:44: Looks like the Lions just traded with the Vikings. Does that mean Clausen falls out of first round? Or does someone swoop in and trade for him? God, the Rams look foolish right now. Could have had Suh and Clausen. Damn.9:41: Can the Vikings do the same thing the Packers did with Aaron Rodgers? Guy who could have gone No. 1 overall, then take him to be Favre’s heir apparent?9:39: My father realizes the Clausen karma might be real:

OMG, Scott Pioli be strong don’t listen to Charlie Weis

9:37: The Tebow fallout continues. This from Brett Johnston:

I love the Tebow pick more than I love the Eric Berry pick. Donkeys could have done something there.

9:34: The Jets have to screw this one up, right? They’ve had too much of a charmed offseason. They got Smoketonio Holmes for nothing, signed LT and signed Jason Taylor. I love Rex Ryan, though. Can’t wait for Hard Knocks on HBO.9:30: Miami selects Penn State DT Jared Odrick at No. 28. Jon Gruden makes him sound like Suh and McCoy.Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out the Tebow pick. So, you’re telling me you traded both Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and used one of those first round picks on Tim Tebow? How is Josh McDaniels less look-at-me than Brandon Marshall? I am starting to dislike McDaniels.9:26: Suddenly, the Dolphins are on the clock. That allows us to take a peek at the following YouTube clip as we wait for Clausen to be selected.9:24: New England takes Rutgers CB Devin McCourty with the No. 27 pick. Kyle Wilson is that much closer to going to the Rams.9:22: Scott Puryear chimes in with vitriol

I’m sick of hearing about what “A great teammate” Tim Tebow is going to be … Jon Gruden and all the other talking heads almost make it sound like no other football players even try. Blown pick by the Broncos. By midseason, who’s going to be their third (inactive) QB? Kyle Orton? Brady Quinn? First round picks gotta play. Stupid, wasteful pick by Denver.

9:18: My early Day 2 wish list for the Rams reads like this:

1. Kyle Wilson, Boise State CB
2. Jerry Hughes, TCU OLB
3. Taylor Mays, USC SS

9:17: The Arizona Cardinals do the NFL a favor and take Tennesssee DT Dan Williams at No. 26. If that would have been Clausen, my TV would have exploded.9:16: What does the Tebow pick do to Brady Quinn, who was acquired in a trade earlier in the offseason?

Merr – Brady Quinn’s been at prom for hours but will never get a dance.

9:15: My old man has a good point.

What are the thinking in Denver? Mel Kiper likes Jimmy Clausen better.

Seriously. Is this the end of Mel Kiper? McShay is kicking his arse today.9:14: Get Jeremy Schaap off my television. I don’t like that smarmy weasel.9:10: Wow, if Denver’s plan was to take Tebow all along, they maneuvered perfectly. With that said, ESPN’s interactive poll says 41 percent of America thinks the Tebow pick was an F. Haha.And this in from Gator fan Kyle Green:

Yeah son! Denver baby! Go Broncos, I’m a huge fan!

9:08: That was worth waiting for. Tim Tebow going in the first round to a hated team is too sweet to believe. Denver makes it official and takes the Florida QB at No. 25 after trading with Baltimore. Clausen is still on the board.9:06: And on cue, Chiefs fan Brett Johnston is in.

Merr almost had a heart attack, but I’m the one who’s going to. I hate tim tebow in the afc west. He scares me.

Merr – i’m surprised they’re not all praying right now

9:02: Wow, who would have thought that Tim Tebow would have been drafted before Jimmy Clausen? Tebow fans, rejoyce. Wow, how are the Chiefs fans going to feel about this?9:01: The Cowboys make it official. They trade up with New England to take Dez Bryant at No. 24, the wide receiver from Oklahoma State. Remember, he was suspended after some shenanigans with Deion Sanders. Reader Jacob Govero chimes in, saying, “I guess Deion payed off.”Nice play on words, Jacob.8:59: Did Dallas really just trade up to get Dez Bryant? He’s moshing with some dude in a house. Does that make Roy Williams the No. 3 receiver? That means how many first rounders have they spent on WR, and Miles Austin is still the best?8:56: Brett Johnston brings up a good point:

Since when do the raiders pick well and the broncos pick poorly?

He has a point, but the Broncos are still ahead a pick or two, right? Just not that high in the draft.8:55: I feel bad about my Clausen picture, but he keeps falling.8:53: Sooner Puryear is in on Gresham.

Carson Palmer is going to love Gresham…Think a young Antonio Gates. Really rose to the occasion in big games at OU.

8:51: I can’t tell if Bulaga is the last dude out of the green room, but Green Bay makes Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga the No. 23 pick. Chiefs fans, he was thought to have gone to you at No. 5.Did you see Bulaga’s tie? It’s properly hanging low enough, but the rest of it is too short. Buy a new tie, Bryan.8:50: Charlie Hannema, a proud Mizzou alum, is in on the Weatherspoon pick:

Spoooooooooooon. First time MU has players in first round in back to back years, ever.

8:47: If you had my father in the Clausen pool, you win. This is his latest Clausen-ism:

I hope Clausen gets drafted…I have the first pick in my fantasy league and maybe I could trade down to get him. but I don’t know, Mel Kiper really likes him.

8:46: Wow, instead of taking Dez Bryant, the Broncos take Demaryius Thomas a WR from Georgia Tech. Did anyone watch GT play this year? They threw, maybe, 10 times a game. How in the hell can this guy be an NFL wide receiver? This is great news for Kansas City fans.8:45: Looks like the Broncos have traded back in to get the No. 22 pick from New England. Incest thinks that’s weird.8:42: At No. 21, Cincinnati selects Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham. I guess that means the Chase Coffman experiment is over, right? Gruden points out that’s the fourth Sooner to be taken. John, you’re better than that.Speaking of, did you all watch Gruden’s QB camp? I’d love to do the same thing with Gruden, breaking down his on-camera game. Sounds like a TAGsgf.com exclusive.8:40: As ESPN cuts to Jimmy Clausen’s home in California, can he really be that big of a loser in tonight’s draft? Erin Andrews is at his house. He wins.8:38: With the No. 20 pick, Houston takes Alabama CB Kareem Jackson. I’m a little surprised that Boise State corner Kyle Wilson is still on the board. They must have realized he was from Boise State.8:36: News-Leader reporter and true-blue Pittsburgh Steelers fan T.J. Brice is in on the Pouncey selection:

It fills a major need. Pouncy was part of one of the best o lines at Florida. He’s a strong, physical lineman that could be a greaet asset at center or guard.

I should also mention that Brice is a huuuuge Florida Gator honk.8:35: TAGsgf.com staffer Brett Johnston is back after his Eric Berry hyperventilation fit:

Pouncey’s mom + Iupati’s grandfather = incredible (read: largest) offensive lineman

8:32: Atlanta uses the No. 19 pick on Mizzou’s Sean Weatherspoon, the first linebacker to be drafted out of Mizzou since the school started, or something like that. Congrats, Mizzou.8:30: Found this on Twitter, Adam:

@TheBigLead poor Bulaga from Iowa. Deion just grilling him. ‘have you heard … anything?’ feel bad for the kid. stuck in green room, phone not ringin

8:28: And another asexual pick, as the Steelers draft quickly to get the talking head attention off of them. At No. 18, they select Florida center/guard Maukice Pouncy. Hilarious moment as his twin brother, Mike is in the same frame. Will he show up to Steelers camp, too?8:26: At 17, San Francisco selects the first guard, Idaho’s Mike Iupati is selected. That’s two offensive lineman for the 49ers. And now, here comes the Big Ben jokes as Pittsburgh is on the clock.8:23: From the comment section:

Who will be this year’s Brady Quinn in the green room?

I wish Clausen was there.8:19: At No. 16, the Tennessee Titans select Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan. He was a guy who was supposed to go much earlier, supposedly. Nice double-breasted suit.8:18: From our STL Correspondent, Adam Kilker:

How long till a wide receiver is picked? Will someone like Bryant fall to the 2nd round? All the Rams need is a Sooner QB and a Cowboy WR

8:16: Merr checks in, echoing my thoughts:

Jimmy Clausen right now. Merr is scared of him in the division.

8:13: The Giants take South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul at No. 15. Does this give the Rams hope that they can trade for Osi Umeyiora?8:10: The New York Giants are on the clock. Mortenson chimes in on Clausen, saying it’s possible that he could fall to the end of the first round. Now, the real drama is clear. Which will happen first?

• My dad cracks on Clausen again
• Someone selects Clausen

8:07: More from Kyle Green, lamenting in Jags land

And we just lost our franchise, too. Lol Bye Bye Bye

You could have had Tebow, Kyle. Peep him looking all righteous over there.8:06: My dad is back for more (and it’s more Clausen-bashing)

Is it too late for Jimmy Clausen to transfer to a Football Championship Subdivision team?

Who gets drafted first, Clay Harbor or Clausen?8:05: Seattle takes Earl Thomas, a safety from Texas. No one moved up the mock drafts more than this kid. He went from nowhere to a guy who can play CB and FS? Come on, really?8:03: The 14th pick is in and Seattle is up again. This has to be Clausen. Is anyone counting how many times I’ve said that?8:01: Just realized that my father texted me. This is one of the biggest developments in this NFL Draft. He has texted me less than 20 times in his life. That’s how powerful the Draft is.7:59: My brother in law, Rob, is a Miami Dolphins fan. He named his dog Marino for crying out loud — and the dog is a female. He checks in with thoughts on the Dolphins’ trade:

Great trade by the Dolphins. Got a late first round pick and a high second, plus a fourth. Grade trade. Build through the draft. Gotta love it.

7:57: My father checks in on the textoso line:

Jimmy who? And where is Notre Dame?

The Notre Dame bashing continues. This is why the Rams should have taken Suh. They could still trade in and get Clausen and it wouldn’t cost that much. Idiots.7:53: Philadelphia takes Michigan DE Brandon Graham at 13, the Wolverine’s only good player. Has Rich Rodriguez been fired, yet?7:52: Denver trades back again, picking up a fourth rounder and now two third rounders to go back to No. 24. Philadelphia uses all those picks in giving away all their players to take….7:49: San Diego trades up to take Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews at No. 12.Here’s a small story on why I hate Mathews. Fresno played in the first bowl game of the year and he fumbled twice to help me lose my first game in my fatally horrible Bowl Pick’ Em. Screw you Mathews.7:48: Twitter is dominating the ESPN broadcast. One of the FootballOutsiders.com folks says the following:

(SF) gets the No. 11 pick from Denver in exchange for a fourth-round pick. (113th overall)

7:46: Another trade! This time, the Chargers move up into Miami’s 12th spot. Why does this excite me?!? At least I’m not typing in caps!7:44: And in the most deflating moment of the night, the 49ers trade up to get … Rutgers OT Anthony Davis. Mel Kiper instantly gets on his knees with the shammy. Clean him up, Mel.7:42: Kyle Green, the Gator fan, who is also the only legitimate Jacksonville Jaguar fan texts the following. Consider this his official press conference:

I’m now a Chiefs fan. … Now tebow, no trade down, no dude from USG. &%&*it. At least he plays a position of need, but damn.

7:41: And we have our first trade to announce. Apparently San Francisco has moved up to Denver’s spot at 11. That has to be Clausen, right?7:40: Alualu is easily my new favorite player, since his name repeats the same sequence of three leters.A-L-U-A-L-U7:38: As I get ready to taunt Jacksonville for attempting to take Tim Tebow, the Jags pop off the first, “Who the hell is that?” By drafting Tyson Alualu, a defensive tackle from Cal.Everyone turns to Mel Kiper to get an education.7:34: A nice jab to the Raiders from friend and comedian Merr:

McClain isn’t even the fastest linebacker available. Not like the Raiders.

7:32: And the Bills take Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, the first running back off the board. This guy went from the second-best RB on his team last season to the next Chris Johnson. I hate to say it, but I’m calling overdrafted and bust on Spiller. Two years ago, he was a non-factor in the Gator Bowl against Nebraska.I would have taken Clay Harbor…7:31: The Bills have to take Clausen, right? This feels just like Brady Quinn, doesn’t it? High praise, freefalling like one of Dexter’s dead bodies into the Atlantic.7:28: With the 8th pick, the Oakland Raiders choose Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, a bonafide beast, IMO.ESPN cuts to him in some place in Crimson Tide land and he’s mobbed by a throng of co-eds. I swear I saw Ben Roethlisberger there somewhere.7:27: And this in from former Drury basketball player and Florida Gator fan Kyle Green on Joe Haden:

Wow, that’s mighty early…

7:25: And now, the Raydahs are on the clock. ESPN says the pick is in. Are they going to trade for Big Ben(is) Roethlisberger? He would be the perfect Raider. The Raiders used to be known as thugs. As they move into the 2010s, does sexual deviancy move up on the list for their villain mannerisms?7:24: Cleveland chooses Florida CB Joe Haden, the guy who ran in the 4.5s at the combine. I expect commentary from my Gator fan friends momentarily.7:20: The Twitterverse is saying the Browns will take a cornerback. And as I type that, Florida’s Joe Haden is crying. Uh-oh. There is no crying on the Live Blog.7:17: OK, this has to stop. Are you watching the action demonstrations of these guys next to their profiles. This has to be the dialogue:

Russell Okung: “What do I do again?”ESPN production asst.: “Act like you are a cross between a cage fighter and America’s Next Top Model.”RO: “I’ve never watched MMA.”ESPN PA: “But, you’ve watched ANTM?”RO: “Bwahaha, aaahahaha, Karate chop! Judo chop!”

Even if none of that happened, it’s totally ridiculous. Stop it.7:15: The Seahawks select Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung. That makes five Big 12 picks in the top six. OK, now, will the Cleveland Browns select Jimmy Clausen?7:13: So far, the best fashion pieces on these dudes are the watches. I know it’s not cool to say “bling,” but those things cost more than an MMA fighter’s life insurance policy. Russell Okung’s is especially baller.7:12: More Oklahoma reaction from Puryear:

Geez … Kinda makes you wonder now what OU’s season coulda, woulda, shoulds been if all of their four first-rounders (counting Jermain Gresham) had stayed healthy!

7:11: Brett’s reaction to the Chiefs’ pick of Berry:

Too happy to type.

7:09: Early returns on the ESPN talking heads, as we wait for the Seahawks to pick.

• John Gruden: Stud
• Chris Berman: Tolerable
• Chris Mortenson: Useful
• Adam Schefter: Stud
• Tom Jackson: Fail
• Steve Young: Super fail

7:08: The Chiefs make it official and draft Eric Berry. He had to be the pick. Great defenses have great safeties. Actually, they don’t really, but that’s what Steve Young just said and I wanted to mock him.7:05: Looks like it’s going to be Eric Berry. Which just pissed off the women in the house.

“Well, that ruins it. I like it when it’s a surprise. That sucks,” says my wife.

I think she’s on to something.7:03: What will the Chiefs do? Don’t go to commercial. Draft Clausen! Draft Berry! Do something interesting!7:01: I knew it wouldn’t be long until TAGsgf.com staffer Brett Johnston would get involved. His thoughts:

OKUNG!

There are plenty of safeties in the draft, but nobody as exciting as Eric Berry.

6:59: Damn, more Oklahoma Sooners off the board. OT Trent Williams is the No. 4 pick to the Redskins. That’s three Sooners in the first four picks. Wow. I expect Puryear to chime in any second now.And this is what frustrates me the most about the NFL draft. I have no idea about offensive tackles. I have no ideas about the other players, either, but at least I think I do.That’s a perfect transition to…..The Chiefs!!!6:57: And the Suh-McCoy debate catches fire on the Live Blog. My brother-in-law, as die-hard as a Nebraska Husker fan as there is, pops off about McCoy:

I think McCoy from OK isn’t strong to play DT in the NFL. And won’t be as good as Suuuuuhhhhhhh.

6:56: This in from Puryear, the OU fan. He talks about Gerald McCoy:

GK McCoy a great pick for the Bucs. … High motor and higher character guy. Tampa fans are gonna love him and his engaging personality on and off the field. Low risk, high return choice for the Bucs, and a guy being called the next Warren Sapp. That’s high praise. .. I love it when it means something to these guys and McCoy’s tears say it all.

6:55: Come on, don’t you think it’s time for a trade?6:53: OK, with the Redskins on the clock, let’s talk Donovan McNabb. Is he going to be any good in Washington?6:51: Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy is the Tampa Bay Bucs’ pick at No. 3. That makes three consecutive Big 12 players, and we’re looking at a fourth for the Redskins. Honk away, Big 12ers.6:50: I have to admit, I enjoy John Gruden on ESPN’s broadcast. He’s not great, but he thinks he is, which is half the battle. And he’s kicking Tom Jackson’s ass. Can you butcher EnDomaKONG one more time, Tom? Jeez.

6:47: I tracked down the only Detroit Lions fan in the Ozarks, the News-Leader’s new HS reporter, Matt Schoch. These are his thoughts:

During the college season, it was obvious that Nadonkeykong was the best player in the draft. Detroit is lucky there are teams like the Rams out there to skip him. That’s why teams like the Lions and Rams seem to pick where they pick every year. Lions fans cannot be happier about landing Suh. He would be can’t miss if he was going to a real team. But, as always, it IS the Lions.

6:45: This just in from KOLR/KSFX anchor and Mr. America Charlie Hannema:

Fresh off Suh’s donation to Nebraska ($2 mil), he will donate 2 million to city of detroit for wider streets. Feel free to link to him hitting parked cars.

6:43: Some more full disclosure. My wife is a Nebraska alumnus, and my mother-in-law works at the university. A bunch of grown women just went with a Suuuuuhhhhhhhhh in my living room.And naturally, they think his outfit looks “smooth.”6:41: This just in from Scott Puryear, the former News-Leader columnist and current talk show host:

Most logical pick for the Rams. Can’t score 10 points per game and win in the NFL, and D-tackles don’t score TDs. Now find Sammy some receivers and a tight end to throw to with that ultra accurate arm and the new, beefed up frame. … And stick it, Mel Kiper.

We should add that Puryear is the biggest Oklahoma Sooner fan I know…

6:36: And the Rams make it official. Bradford is the pick. Duh.More importantly, the women in my house aren’t feeling his outfit.

“The blues don’t work,” says my Mother-in-law

6:34: The Sporting News came out with a ballerific NFL Draft preview and this is how they listed the Rams’ deficiencies:

High: WR, QB, DT, RB, OLB, DE, CB, TE

That’s eight, if you’re counting. When my sister asked why the Rams get the No. 1 pick, I replied:

Because they nearly won zero games last season.

6:32: OK, we will see how this Thursday night thing goes. And for full disclosure, I’m watching with my wife, mother-in-law, sister and 8-day old daughter. They couldn’t be more excited.6:30: And the Rams are on the clock. Are they really going to spend $50 million on Sam Bradford?6:27: ESPN’s Michael Smith just got the local Rams charters of Team Suh or Team Clausen all fired up by saying that Cleveland GM Mike Holmgren just got off the phone with the Rams brass. Do you really think this wouldn’t be out by now if it was happening?Stop teasing me.

6:25: ESPN’s Tom Jackson just butchered the pronunciation of Ndamukong. Not only do I hope the Rams draft him, but I hope he’s off the board so these knuckleheads don’t knife fight his name.6:22: This just in from St. Louis correspondent and TAGsgf.com friend Adam Kilker

Just left work. Work next to Buffalo Wild Wings in Creve Couer. Two TV stations and one radio station there to celebrate the Rams sucking last year. It was freaking packed.

6:16: If you are already tuned in to ESPN, are all of these guys going to to get drafted in the first round? Or, is there strength in numbers in case some of these guys freefall? Somewhere Aaron Rodgers is cringing.6:15: Welcome to the NFL Draft, live from cyberspace (and my living room)!Here are a few links to some juicy pre-draft stuff:

• I’m sure you are Mock Drafted to death, but TheBigLead.com has posted more than 50 mock draft links.
• Apparently ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. got in to each other pretty good earlier.
• Also, there is little intrigue at the top, although I wish there was. In the spirit of muckraking, here is the text from a story by Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith:

Cleveland Browns front office boss Mike Holmgren says he’s enamored enough with Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford that he’s going to make one final pitch to the St. Louis Rams to try to acquire the first overall pick.Holmgren told ESPN’s Michael Smith that he would be willing to trade most of the Browns’ 10 picks and maybe some 2011 picks for Bradford. But Holmgren thinks the Rams will turn him down.”They shouldn’t do it,” Holmgren said. “They need a quarterback more than anyone in the world.”So Holmgren thinks, like everyone else, that the Rams will take Bradford. But he’ll try to convince them to take his trade offer instead.”It’s not going to happen,” Holmgren said. “I just got out of a meeting and I told everyone, let [the board] come to us. That said, I’m going to go make the call.”

I’m going to stand by my stance that the Rams should trade and stockpile picks. And Bradford isn’t worth the trouble, IMO.——————You’ve been devouring all of the NFL Draft coverage. You know the birthdates of your favorite team’s potential draft picks. You know what they prefer to eat. You know precisely how to pronounced Ndamukong. You understand that Dez Bryant is the next coming of Terrell Owens. You’ve been told Tim Tebow will be a draft bust, but that Sam Bradford is an indelible quarterback robot that can defeat terrorism and obesity.Still, you have to see it all go down. That’s what our Live Blog is for.Check back at 6:15 p.m. and join Allen Vaughan for running commentary, analysis and (borderline funny) jokes during our NFL Draft spectacular, which will feature a few special guests. Sure, you’re going to watch the draft on ESPN or the NFL Network, but if you’re looking for another companion, the Live Blog is a perfect solution.We unveiled our draft coverage over the last few days and we’ve posted it below.

• Allen Vaughan’s 5 draft scenarios for the St. Louis Rams
• Brett Johnston’s 5 draft scenarios for the Kansas City Chiefs
• Where is Missouri State’s Clay Harbor going to end up?