2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

With the draft just a few weeks away it is time to unveil my first NFL mock draft for this season.  So without further ado here is how I see the first round of the draft breaking down as it stands today.

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma): I know Ndamukong Suh is the consensus number one prospect in this year’s draft.  The Rams have needs everywhere and when you have a 33-year old broken down quarterback whose career peaked three years ago one has to ask themselves how wise it is to invest #1 pick money on a defensive tackle when you need stability at the quarterback position to win.  Besides, Bradford sells tickets Suh won’t.  Unless the Rams see any huge red flags when they work him out and give him a physical Bradford should be the guy.

Wildcard: Suh or possibly even Gerald McCoy.  If the Rams decide they have to have a QB and pass on Bradford Jimmy Clausen could go here but it seems highly unlikely he ends up a Ram unless they trade down.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska): There are those speculating that because the Lions signed Kyle Vanden Bosch and traded for Corey Williams that the Lions will not take another defensive lineman at the top of the draft.  Come on folks Williams and Vanden Bosch are not game-changing players.  Vanden Bosch was a couple of years ago and Williams has never been anything special.  The defense is still one of the league’s worst and Suh is considered the best defensive player in this draft.

Wildcard: The Lions could opt to go with an offensive lineman here.  They have a huge investment in Matthew Stafford who missed games due to injury last season and they will think long and hard about taking someone like Russell Okung, Trent Williams, or Bruce Campbell.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma): The Bucs defense is almost as bad as the Lions and allowed 158 yards per game on the ground last season.  McCoy gives them a good anchor against the run.

Wildcard: Prior to Bradford entering the conversation as the potential top pick the Bucs were rumored to be very high on Eric Berry and with needs just about everywhere on defense they could go with Berry.  They could also go with a pass rusher but it seems a long shot given none of them are rated that high.

4. Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame): There is a lot of debate as to whether Clausen is worthy of going this high and whether he is that much better than the other quarterbacks not named Sam Bradford.  Shanahan is an offensive guy and loves developing quarterbacks.

Wildcard: The Redskins have needs everywhere on offense, especially offensive line.  They could go with Okung, Williams, or Campbell at this spot as well.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry (S, Tennessee): The Chiefs offense was adequate but the defense could not seem to stop anyone last season.  In this scenario Berry is the top rated defender on the board and the Chiefs have a huge need for a game-changer in the secondary.

Wildcard: The Chiefs still need a pass rusher to compliment Tamba Hali and Jason Pierre-Paul could be the guy here as well.  Drafting a tackle to protect Matt Cassel could be an option as well.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State): With Walter Jones retiring the Seahawks are in need of his replacement at left tackle.  Okung has been considered the top offensive lineman in this year’s draft all season long and in this scenario is the top tackle still on the board.  If Okung is off the board they will take the next best tackle on their board.

Wildcard: If Bradford and/or Clausen slip this far the Seahawks will think long and hard about grabbing a quarterback here.  Matt Hasselbeck probably has one or two years, tops, as a starting quarterback left in him and with Seneca Wallace being dealt to Cleveland there is no established veteran backup on the roster, only Mike Teel.  They could also go pass rusher here but LT and a future franchise QB are their two biggest needs right now.

7. Cleveland Browns – Jason Pierre-Paul (DE/OLB, South Florida): The Browns were a disaster last season and their best player was Josh Cribbs their kick returner.  The Browns have needs everywhere and Pierre-Paul is rapidly emerging as the top pass rushing prospect in this draft.

Wildcard: With the team signing Jake Delhomme, dealing for Seneca Wallace, releasing Derek Anderson, and trading Brady Quinn do not dismiss the idea that they could make a move for Clausen or Bradford.  The fact they have no long term solution at the position means they will be in play for a quarterback in the draft.  If Joe Haden can bounce back and post more respectable 40 times at his Pro Day workouts he could end up here.  As it is his disappointing times in the 40 are probably going to keep him out of the top 10 for the time being.  The Browns could also go C. J. Spiller here as well.

8. Oakland Raiders – Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland): The Raiders need a left tackle and Campbell set the combine record for best 40 yard time for an offensive lineman this year so it is a match made in heaven.

Wildcard: Given Al Davis’ love of all players who run sub 4.4 40s C. J. Spiller and Jahvid Best could end up going here as well.  Given Jacoby Ford had the best 40 time of anyone this year don’t put it past the Raiders to consider him either.

9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma): Pass protection has been lacking in Buffalo for a couple of years now and the team never found a comparable replacement for Jason Peters last year.

Wildcard: If Clausen or Bradford are available the Bills will likely go with them.  With DE Aaron Schoebel contemplating retirement Derrick Morgan or Carlos Dunlap become possibilities here as well.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech): The Jags had just 14 sacks last season and despite signing Aaron Kampman they still need to upgrade the pass rush.

Wildcard: Safety play has been lacking in Jacksonville the past couple of years making Earl Thomas a strong possibility to go here as well.  The Jags also need another receiver to pair with Mike Sims-Walker making Dez Bryant another possibility.

11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State): The Broncos will deal Brandon Marshall if the right deal comes along and with the team just picking up Brady Quinn adding a young receiver for him to grow with could be huge for the Broncos in a couple of years.  There has been a lot of negative buzz around Bryant in recent weeks and this pick could very well change over the next month.

Wildcard: Even though the Broncos added Jamal Williams he is 33 and coming off a major injury that cost him 15 games last season.  The Broncos still need to find a good young anchor for the middle of the line making Tennessee’s Dan Williams a potential fit here.  The pass rush largely began and ended with Elvis Dumervil last season and they could also use someone to compliment him.  Michigan’s Brandon Graham has been shooting up draft boards as a potential edge rusher in a 3-4 defense and he could go here as well.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee): Jason Ferguson is 35 years old and coming off a season that saw him miss seven games due to injury.  Parcells loves building his defenses around big, beefy run-stuffers in the middle and Williams may be the best run stuffer in this year’s draft.

Wildcard: While DT is a need it is not their biggest need and if Bryant falls to the Dolphins it would be awfully hard for them to pass him up.  Miami arguably has the worst receiving corps in the league and they desperately need a play maker to aid the development of Chad Henne.  With the release of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor in the twilight of his career the Dolphins also in the market for a dynamic pass rusher and could go with someone like Morgan or Brandon Graham.  Miami is also rather ordinary at inside linebacker and could go with Rolando McClain here as well.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden (CB, Florida): The Niners need to get younger and more athletic at corner and while Haden’s workout was disappointing he has still shown himself capable of handling other team’s best receivers.  If Haden is here he will be too good for the Niners to pass up.

Wildcard: Of course there is always the possibility that Haden is gone long before the Niners get to pick.  If that happens look for the team to think long and hard about Texas safety Earl Thomas.  The Niners are rather ordinary at safety and a dynamic play-maker at safety would go a long way to sure up the corners in pass coverage.  Pairing Bryant with Michael Crabtree would be awfully tempting if Bryant were to fall this far.  Pass protection was an issue last season as well and they could look at someone like Bryan Bulaga or Anthony Davis to plug in at right tackle next season.

14. Seattle Seahawks – Everson Griffen (DE, USC): Finding someone to anchor the offensive line and upgrading the pass rush are two of the Seahawks top priorities this spring.  Griffen played for new head coach Pete Carroll at USC so he is familiar with the defensive scheme and was one of the guys who stood out at the combine.

Wildcard: This pick will depend on what they do at 6.  If they go DE or QB at six then they will definitely look to grab the best tackle still on the board.  This pick could end up being Bulaga or Anthony Davis.  The team also needs a play-maker at receiver and Bryant would be tempting here as well if he is still on the board.

15. New York Giants – Rolando McClain (ILB, Alabama): With Antonio Pierce being cut loose a few weeks ago the Giants now have a need for a man in the middle of the defense and McClain is considered the best linebacker prospect that is not a 3-4 pass rushing specialist.

Wildcard: Mathias Kiwanuka disappointed, Justin Tuck was hurt, and Osi Umenyiora is doing his best to talk his way out of New Jersey so a pass rusher could  be taken here if one is available.  The offensive line looked old and worn out at times last season and did not perform as well as it had the previous two years.  Mike Iupati has become one of the post season darlings and the Giants have taken interior lineman high in the draft under Coughlin’s watch and he could be an option here as well.

16. Tennessee Titans – Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida): Dunlap comes with a lot of off field baggage, but with Kyle Vanden Bosch signing with Detroit the Titans now have a huge hole to fill at defensive end.

Wildcard: With Ketih Bullock still on the market the Titans also have a need for an OLB making Sergio Kindle a possibility.  The secondary was brutal last year making cornerback Kyle Wilson or safety Earl Thomas potnetial targets as well.

17. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa): With Haden in hand the Niners fill their second biggest need by grabbing someone to plug in at right tackle.

Wildcard: If they grab a tackle 13 then Kyle Wilson or Earl Thomas will be the guy here.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati (OG, Idaho): The offensive line was downright porous at times last season and the owner has gone on record saying he wants to see the team get back to running the ball more and passing less.  Iupati is a big mean mauler who fits the old school Steelers mentality.

Wildcard: The secondary was exposed quite a bit without Polamalu in the lineup making Thomas or Wilson possibilities here as well.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Sergio Kindle (OLB, Texas): The Falcons filled their biggest off season need by signing free agent corner back Dunta Robinson to a deal a couple of weeks ago.  Kindle fills another big need for the Falcons which is an outside linebacker who can potentially be a play maker who can pressure the quarterback and force some turnovers.

Wildcard: C. J. Spiller will be awfully hard to pass up here as well.  The Falcons also have a need for some depth and upgrade of talent at the interior offensive line positions and could opt for Iupati if he is still on the board or Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey.

20. Houston Texans – Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State): With Dunta Robinson bolting for the Falcons corner back now becomes a top priority for the Texans.

Wildcard: If there is not a corner the Texans love at 20 then they will go with Spiller.  He would be a steal here and with Steve Slaton recovering from off season neck surgery the running back position is a huge question mark for the Texans as they head into off season workouts.  Interior line is also a need making Pouncey or Iupati possibilities as well as Earl Thomas at safety.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Earl Thomas (S, Texas): The additions of Antonio Bryant and Matt Jones makes safety the Bengals biggest priority coming into the draft.  Earl Thomas is a steal at 21 and will help sure up the secondary.

Wildcard: With Bryant and Jones being question marks due to injuries and off field baggage the Bengals could opt for a receiver here namely Arrelious Benn or Golden Tate.  The Bengals also have a need for a pass catching tight end and could go for Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham.

22. New England Patriots – Brandon Graham (OLB/DE, Michigan): The Patriots have a need for a pass rusher and Graham is considered by many to be the best option for teams looking for an edge pass rusher in the 3-4 defense.

Wildcard: Clemson’s Ricky Sapp is a bit bigger than Graham and could be a fit here as well.  With Randy Moss entering the last year of his contract and beginning to show his age a bit and Wes Welker coming off a serious knee injury the Pats could look at receivers like Benn or Tate here as well.  Spiller will be awfully hard to pass up for a team in need of a feature back.  Dunlap would likely be the guy if he falls this far.  He has the size to be able to play end in a 3-4 scheme and would fill the hole left by Richard Seymour.

23. Green Bay Packers – Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers): Aaron Rodgers took a pounding last year and Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are both aging and breaking down.  The Packers need someone to protect Rodgers’ backside.

Wildcard: Ryan Grant has been on the outs with the Packers for a while now and Spiller would give them a receiver who can catch the ball out of the backfield that could help offset teams trying to tee off on Rodgers.  The Pack also needs to find the eventual successors to Al Harris and Charles Woodson making Kyle Wilson a possibility if he is still on the board.  Brandon Graham could be an option as well if he is on the board.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sean Weatherspoon (OLB, Missouri): The Eagles have a bigger need at safety, but, Taylor Mays is not worth a first round pick and Thomas is already off the board.  Their second biggest need is finding an OLB who is a potential play-maker and can run with TEs and RBs in pass coverage.  Weatherspoon has been wowing teams with his workouts and could be a difference-maker for the Eagles.

Wildcard: With Spiller on the board would anyone be surprised to see Ried grab him here?  He loves dynamic offensive players like Spiller and the Eagles need a Plan B at running back if McCoy gets hurt or flames out this season.  Spiller is a slightly bigger, faster version of Brian Westbrook.  He moved up last year to grab Maclin and would probably do the same to grab Spiller if he were to fall this far.  I know I still have him on the board here but it is tough to see him falling this far and it is tough to pinpoint just where he will end up.  Reid loves drafting lineman in the first round of the draft making a guy like Pouncey a possibility.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma): Gresham checked out at the combine and Todd Heap and L. J. Smith will be 30 when the season opens and always seem to be battling nagging injuries of some kind.

Wildcard: Yes the Ravens added depth at receiver grabbing Donte Stallworth and Anquan Boldin this off season.  However, Stallworth is a gamble and often injured and Boldin always seems to be battling injuries every year as well.  They could go with Benn or Tate here to get some young talent at the position for Joe Flacco to grow with.  Adding youth in the secondary is a need as well and someone like Taylor Mays, Kareem Jackson, or Devin McCourty could be options as well.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jared Odrick (DT, Penn State): The Cardinals have a need for a play-maker in the middle of the line.  I put Odrick here over Brian Price because I am not sure Price has the size to play over the center in a 3-4 defense while Odrick has the size to be able to handle the additional weight to play nose guard.

Wildcard: The Cards also need a safety and could go for Mays here.  If Anthony Davis is still on the board the Cards would have to consider him as well.  Gresham could also be a possibility.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Taylor Mays (S, USC): Dallas needs a safety and Jerry Jones will be sucked in by Mays the athlete instead of Mays the football player.

Wildcard: Jones is no stranger to reaching for a player and could take USC’s Charles Brown to fill a need at tackle.  Roy Williams is rumored to be on the chopping block and Benn or Tate could be taken here as well.

28. San Diego Chargers – C. J. Spiller (RB, Clemson): Ryan Matthews is possibly the better fit here but Spiller’s upside is way too much to pass up here.  He also gives Phillip Rivers another weapon in the passing game.

Wildcard: If negotiations with Vincent Jackson do not go well they could opt for Tate or Benn here.  As it stands right now Ledegu Naanee is the best receiver on the roster.  However, it is expected that the Chargers will eventually re-sign Jackson.  Odrick would be a possibility as well if the Cards pass on him.

29. New York Jets – Arrelious Benn (WR, Illinois): Braylon Edwards is no guarantee to be back with the Jets next season and Jerricho Cotchery is not a true #1 receiver.  Benn ran slightly better than expected and gives Mark Sanchez another weapon in the passing game.

Wildcard: The Jets also have a need for a safety and could go with Nate Allen here.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Brian Price (DT, UCLA): Pat Williams is 37 and the Vikes need to start thinking about his long term replacement and Price is a steal at 30.

Wildcard: The Vikings also have a need for a corner and could go with Kareem Jackson or Devin McCourty here as well.  The interior offensive line seemed to struggle a bit at times last season and Pouncey could also be their guy here.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Maurkice Pouncey (C/OG, Florida): The front office basically through the offensive line under the bus following the Super Bowl making this an off season priority.  With the marquee tackles off the board the Colts opt for the best offensive lineman still out there.

Wildcard: The Colts could reach for USC’s Charles Brown who is considered and early second round prospect at tackle.  If the Colts finally decide to stop waiting on Bob Sanders they could go with Allen here.

32. New Orleans Saints – Nate Allen (S, South Florida): While the Saints probably have bigger needs to fill there is not a lot for them to choose from that would not be considered serious reaches.  Darren Sharper may only have another good year or so left and is a free agent.

Wildcard: If Sean Weatherspoon is still on the board he will definitely be the guy.  They could also look to Charles Brown to add some depth at tackle.  With Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas both free agents Ryan Matthews could be an option as well.

Check Out the Second Round Here

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