The NFL draft is still a couple months away, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start

speculating on what will happen.

The annual scouting combine begins this week and it will give us a better idea of how teams

will construct their draft boards. But until then, here's our pre-combine mock draft. It's the

first in a series of News mocks, and we reserve the right to make changes as we get closer to

the real draft in April.

As you will see, the top 10 is dominated by the big guys in the trenches:

1. St. Louis Rams: DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska. The Rams need a franchise

quarterback, but despite whiffing on defensive linemen in previous drafts they can't pass up

the best player in this one. Suh is a dominant run defender with interior pass-rushing skills.

2. Detroit Lions: DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma. With Suh gone, the Lions gladly

snap up McCoy, a disruptive force some teams rate on par with Suh.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Eric Berry, Tennessee. Not everyone agrees with

taking a safety this high, but Berry is an exception because his playmaking skills draw

comparisons to Ed Reed's.

4. Washington Redskins: QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame. Owner Dan Snyder tried

to replace Jason Campbell last year. While offensive tackle might be the choice, new coach

Mike Shanahan wants a young passer to groom.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State. Okung could develop

into a dominant left tackle, allowing former high pick Branden Albert to shift to the right

side.

6. Seattle Seahawks: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma. Seahawks need offensive line

help, too, but a successor to aging Matt Hasselbeck is not in place. Bradford could go before

Clausen if shoulder questions are answered.

7. Cleveland Browns: CB Joe Haden, Florida. A terrific cover corner with

Darrelle Revis-like potential is exactly what the NFL's 29th-ranked pass defense needs.

8. Oakland Raiders: OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers. The Raiders have to protect QB

JaMarcus Russell better. Davis is an ultra-athletic blocker with enormous potential.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa. Clausen or Bradford would be popular

with fans if either fell this far, but Bulaga addresses the Bills' most glaring need.

10. Denver Broncos (pick subject to coin flip): WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma

State. If Brandon Marshall gets traded, Bryant, a big-time receiving weapon with great size

and speed, would make sense.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (pick subject to coin flip): DE Jason Pierre-Paul,

South Florida. A deficient pass rush (14 sacks in 2009) needs a guy who knows how to get to

the quarterback. Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan is a possibility here, too.

12. Miami Dolphins: ILB Rolando McClain, Alabama. Bill Parcells loves big,

athletic linebackers and would be thrilled if the best in the draft was still on the board.

13. San Francisco 49ers: OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma. The 49ers could address

their secondary here, but Williams gives them someone opposite LT Joe Staley to open holes for

RB Frank Gore.

14. Seattle Seahawks: RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson. With the top four offensive

tackles off the board, the Seahawks take Spiller, an explosive runner with big-play ability as

a receiver and kick returner.

15. N.Y. Giants: ILB Brandon Spikes. The release of MLB Antonio Pierce makes

this a need pick. Spikes brings instincts, toughness and athletic ability to the middle of the

defense.

16. Tennessee Titans (pick subject to coin flip): DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia

Tech. The Titans address a non-existent pass rush with a good edge rusher who can play the run

as well.

17. San Francisco 49ers (pick subject to coin flip): WR Arrelious Benn,

Illinois. It was around this spot 25 years ago that the 49ers took another receiver with

outstanding size and playmaking ability, a guy named Jerry Rice.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: G/T Mike Iupati, Idaho. The Steelers need to do a

better job protecting their most valuable commodity (QB Ben Roethlisberger). Iupati would add

toughness and aggression up front.

19. Atlanta Falcons (pick subject to coin flip): CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State.

Facing the New Orleans Saints twice a year, you need an aggressive corner with good ball

skills.

20. Houston Texans (pick subject to coin flip): DT Brian Price, UCLA. After

nailing former first-rounders Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye, the Texans go for the trifecta

by adding a disruptive and athletic player to an emerging defense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma. QB Carson Palmer needs

more weapons. If Gresham's surgically repaired knee checks out, he'd give the Bengals a

vertical threat in the middle of the field.

22. New England Patriots: OLB/DE Brandon Graham, Michigan. A poor pass rush

contributed to the Patriots' demise last season. Graham's athleticism and versatility make him

a perfect fit in Bill Belichick's defense.

23. Green Bay Packers: OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland. The Packers had pass

protection issues last season. Campbell is not a finished product, but has exceptional

physical tools.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: S Earl Thomas, Texas. The Eagles missed Brian

Dawkins on the back end of their defense last season. Thomas is tough in run support, has

outstanding range and can play some cornerback.

25. Baltimore Ravens: WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame. The Ravens could use help

at cornerback, but choose to give QB Joe Flacco another weapon with big-play ability.

26. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas. His pass-rushing skills and

versatility would be a welcome addition to a defense that might lose star LB Karlos Dansby.

27. Dallas Cowboys: S Taylor Mays, Southern California. Their creaky

offensive line needs help, but Mays would bring a physical presence and off-the-charts

athleticism to the secondary.

28. San Diego Chargers: DT Dan Williams, Tennessee. Running back is a

possibility if they don't trade for one. Williams is a space-eating run stuffer who could be

the heir apparent to aging NT Jamal Williams.

29. N.Y. Jets: DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida. The Jets couldn't get pressure on

quarterbacks last season without blitzing. Dunlap has character issues, but would give Rex

Ryan's defense the bona fide pass rusher it needs.

30. Minnesota Vikings: S Nate Allen, South Florida. Their run defense could

use more help from the secondary. Allen is a skilled center fielder with the athleticism to

cover slot receivers.

31. Indianapolis Colts: G/C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida. President Bill Polian

called out the offensive line for the Colts' Super Bowl loss, so it would figure he'll look to

bolster the unit with a versatile interior blocker.

32. New Orleans Saints: OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri. His speed,

athleticism and versatility fit Gregg Williams' aggressive defense like a glove.