I love that the NFL Draft now takes place during primetime on Thursday night.
 
It gives a national television audience the chance to see ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay almost come to blows over which players gets selected where. Usually, they’re both wrong.
 
So Kiper and McShay, eat your heart out. Here are my picks for the first 10 selections of the 2012 NFL Draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Indianapolis has already confirmed the quarterback will be the first selection in 2012. He would have been the No. 1 pick in 2011 had he decided to come out.
Luck is one of the most polished passers to come out of college in years, but he will have huge shoes to fill with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning’s departure. Good Luck.
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2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
Washington gave up basically its whole draft to move up to the No. 2 spot to take Griffin. They better hope he lives up to the hype.  Ex-Redskins signal-caller Donovan McNabb said Washington coach Mike Shanahan will ruin the 2012 Heisman winner in the nation’s capital. We’ll have to wait and see.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil has been locked in at the No. 3 spot, but I think cornerback is a much more pressing issue for the Vikings.
Minnesota is in the pass-heavy NFC East, where stud quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford rack up yards. The LSU cornerback will have the daunting task of covering teams’ No. 1 division receivers Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall.
Claiborne will be an instant starter in a secondary that gave up the second most points per game in 2011.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
Quarterback questions still surround the Browns. But with the loss of running back Peyton Hillis, Cleveland has to take the bruising, freakish athlete Trent Richardson at No. 4. I haven’t seen a running back so ready for the NFL since former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi St.
With Claiborne off the board, Tampa Bay will still look to improve the defensive side of the ball. Cox will be a perfect compliment to the Bucs’ defensive front alongside Albert Haynesworth and Adrian Clayborn.
6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT USC
Don’t expect very much time to come off the clock if Kalil is still available. The Rams have been looking for protection for quarterback Sam Bradford, and selecting Kalil will deliver exactly that.New head coach Jeff Fisher knows the game is won in the offensive trenches.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma St.
The selection of Blackmon will immediately make him the No. 1 throwing option for second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Jacksonville has one of the best rushing attacks in the league behind Maurice Jones-Drew. They need a legitimate passing attack to pair with it.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M
I’m certain Miami will take Tannehill here, but it’s one of the worst picks of the draft. He has a lot of work to do before he’s ready to be a starter in the NFL.
The Dolphins have been searching for an attractive signal- caller to fill seats since former gunslinger Dan Marino left. Unfortunately, Tannehill isn’t that guy.
9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
The Panthers have to address the problems on the defensive line. If Cox is already gone, Carolina will take next the big defensive tackle.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers go here, either.
10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
Floyd would be a steal for the Bills at No. 10. Some scouts have him rated higher than Blackmon.He would be a great complement to wide receiver Stevie Johnson for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw to.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communications senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
 
 
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]