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OK, we're about 45 minutes away from the first pick of the NFL Draft. I'll make a few observations and predictions involving the Beast:

• I think all the talk about the Washington Redskins being on the phone with the St. Louis Rams about the No. 1 pick was a smokescreen. But there may be something to this Eric Berry talk. Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett covets Berry's playmaking ability and his biggest emphasis is to increase the Skins' takeaways in 2010. But as of right now, I still think Oklahoma left tackle Trent Williams is the pick. If you talk to any scouts they'll tell you the draft begins with the No. 4 pick. We'll be writing about it in an hour or so.

• Some folks think the New York Giants will trade up to No. 11 to select Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain. That doesn't sound like Giants general manager Jerry Reese to me at all. If Rich Seubert.

• I'm about to listen to Vinny Cerrato analyze the Redskins' first pick on ESPN Radio. This should be priceless. He's on with John Clayton and Freddie Coleman as we speak. Clayton just said that Cleveland made one last run at the Rams' No. 1 pick this afternoon. Interesting.

• OK, I'm hearing a ton of things on the Dallas Cowboys. A lot of folks have them doing whatever it takes to trade up for Dez Bryant. Well, they're not willing to do whatever it takes from what I'm hearing. If Bryant falls all the way to No. 27, Jerry Jones will be there to take him. Anything short of that, I don't think the Cowboys make a move. If Bryant makes it to No. 25, the Ravens will take him. I feel pretty strongly about that. If the Cowboys stay at No. 27, look for them to take Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick. He can play nose tackle and defensive end in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. But it's more likely the Cowboys bail out on the pick and try to take South Florida safety Nate Allen early in the second. Also keep your eye on defensive end Tyson Alualu. The Cowboys love him, but they won't take him at No. 27. I think Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty is also a good name at No. 27.

• Our guy John Clayton just said on ESPN Radio that the Redskins could trade Albert Haynesworth "in the next 10 minutes." I think he just meant that it could happen in a hurry. Cerrato thinks the first trade could occur when Jacksonville tries to trade out of the No. 10 spot.

• ESPN's Sal Paolantonio has told us that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has been wanting to move into the top 15. And while I'm sure Roseman's made a lot of calls, I don't see Andy Reid wanting to move that far to take someone like Earl Thomas out of Texas. I've seen Thomas play a lot in person. Great player, but he's not special enough to move up 10 or 11 spots. If Florida guard/center Maurkice Pouncey slips to No. 24, the Eagles would have to think about taking him. I also think Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson's a name to keep in mind. If Haden goes early, though, Wilson will be long gone before the Eagles pick.

In case you missed it Saturday afternoon on ESPN Radio, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay delivered a rapid-fire mock draft in which McShay selected the odd number picks and Kiper took care of the evens. This exercise is a lot closer to what teams will be doing in draft sessions next week.

Forced to make picks in a matter of seconds, Kiper and McShay produced a fairly intriguing first round. Let's take a look at what happened in the NFC East:

4. Washington Redskins -- OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: Not a big surprise here. Most mock drafters should nail the first four picks.

15. New York Giants -- DT Dan Williams, Tennessee: The Broncos took linebacker Rolando McClain at No. 11 in McShay and Kiper's rapid-fire mock. And the Giants passed up the best cornerback in the draft in Joe Haden. But Williams actually provides great value at 15. Tremendous player against the run and also has a nice bull-rush. Rocky Bernard was awful last season and Chris Canty couldn't get on the field. It's the right pick -- if Williams is there.

24. Philadelphia Eagles -- C/G Maurkice Pouncey, Florida: Kiper sounded a little flustered about taking Pouncey here, but he likes the value. Pouncey is the best center in the draft. The only downside is that players such as Dan Williams can move him off the ball at times. The Eagles could have taken Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon or USC safety Taylor Mays. But Mays inexplicably falls out of the first round in this mock draft.

27. Dallas Cowboys -- OT Charles Brown, USC: I think Brown's a definite possibility at this spot, but the Cowboys will be hoping that a team behind them wants to trade up for Brown or Mays. But if Dez Bryant slides all the way to No. 25 -- as Kiper suggested -- Jerry Jones will be tempted to go after him. And I wouldn't blame him. Bryant is by far the best wide receiver in the draft. To have a shot at him in the 20s is too much to pass up. I realize there are character concerns related to his '09 suspension, but the Cowboys have shown a lot of interest in Bryant throughout the scouting process. If Bryant goes into free-fall mode, look for Jones to offer him a lifeline. Kiper says the Ravens will take him at No. 25. But that might be wishful thinking for a Ravens season-ticket holder.