2010 NFL Mock Draft

The combine is over and free agency is well underway so that means it’s time for a Mock Draft.  The draft boards are virtually set with just pro day reaming before the draft takes place April 22nd.  With that in mind here is how I see the first round playing out as of now:

1. St. Louis Rams (1-15)

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams were thought to leaning toward selecting a defensive lineman, but the recent reports have them leaning toward Bradford.  With Marc Bugler likely to be cut soon, the pick makes sense.

2. Detroit Lions (2-14)

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Coach Jim Schwartz loves to build a good defensive line like he did in Tennessee and adding Suh would bolster an improving line that has already added Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams in the off-season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)

Gerlad McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Bucs will be happy to land either McCoy or Suh at this spot.  McCoy would add a much needed pass rush from the interior to a team that desperately needs one.  Eric Berry will also get some consideration here.

4. Washington Redskins (4-12)

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

With a new regime in control in Washington, a potential franchise quarterback will be hard to pass up.  Clausen is a good fit for Mike Shanahan’s offense and can sit behind Jason Campbell for a year before taking over.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)

Russell Okung, OT, Oklahmoa State

The Chiefs invested $63 million in Matt Cassel and now need someone to protect his blind side after he was sacked 42 times last season.  If they select Okung, they can slide Branden Albert to guard, his natural position.

6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)

Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa

The Seahawks would love to get their hands on either Bradford or Clausen, but with both gone their attention shifts toward left tackle.  Longtime standout Walter Jones is on his last legs and Sean Locklear is a better fit on the right side, making Bulaga a nice fit.

7. Cleveland Browns (5-11)

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

Berry is considered one of the top players in the draft, but because teams don’t value safety as much so he will slide a little and much to the delight of the Browns.  Berry would be an immediate upgrade in the secondary and could develop into an Ed Reed type safety.

8. Oakland Raiders (5-11)

Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

This pick makes too much sense not happen.  Campbell ripped up the combine showing off an impressive strength and speed for his size.  It’s a match made in heaven.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

The Bills offensive line is in shambles and Williams would bring some stability to it.  He is capable of playing either tackle spot.  The Bills may also consider Clausen if he drops.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF

Even after signing Aaron Kampman the Jaguars won’t ignore defensive end.  Improving the pass rush is a priority after their defensive ends recorded only two sacks last year.  Pierre-Paul is arguably the best pure pass rusher in the draft and can help out is obvious passing situaitons as a rookie.

11. Denver Broncos(f/CHI)

Dez Bryant , WR, Oklahoma State

It appears as if Brandon Marshall is on his way out of Denver, so the Broncos draft his replacement in Bryant.  There have been rumors of Bryant falling down team’s boards, but I don’t buy it.  He is too talented to drop too far.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

The key to any 3-4 defense is nose tackle and when one is available it is hard to pass up.  Especially for the Dolphins considering  Jason Ferguson is 35 and is suspended for the first eight games of next season.

13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)

Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Haden ran a disappointing 4.57 at the combine and his stock has seemed to take a hit because of it.  Despite that time, Haden possesses elite cover skills and has the potential to become a shutdown corner in this league.

14. Seattle Seahawks (f/DEN)

C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

Most teams don’t like to draft running backs in the first round because you can find one later in the draft, but Spiller is an exception.   He is an all around player that can help out in the return game and passing game as well as solidifying the Seahawks ground attack.

15.New York Giants (8-8)

Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama

McClain would be an ideal fit to replace the recently released Antonio Pierce.  His speed has come into question, but he is a solid tackler and a great leader.

16. Tennessee Titans (8-8)

Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Titans lost Kyle Vanden Bosch in free agency and aren’t brining back Jevon Kearse, making defensive end a major need.  Morgan is the prototypical 4-3 defensive end, who can rush the passer and stop the run.

17. San Francisco 49ers (CAR)

Mike Iupati, OL, Iadaho

Iupati played guard in college, but some project him to right tackle in the pros.  Either way he would help the 49ers offensive line in the running game.  There were some doubts about the lack of competition he faced, but he proved at the Senior Bowl that he can play with the big boys.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

The Steelers offensive line needs some fixing after a disappointing 2009 season.  Davis may be a bit of a risk, but he has the potential to be a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle, which Ben Roethlisberger desperately needs.

19. Atlanta Falcons(9-7)

Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

The Falcons failed to generate much of a pass rush last season and need a pass rusher to play opposite John Abraham.  Graham may be a bit small at 6’1, but can really get after the quarterback and cause havoc in the backfield.

20. Houston Texans (9-7)

Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

Losing Dunta Robinson in free agency has left a huge void at corner for the Texans.  Wilson was one of the most impressive players at the Senior Bowl and should be able to contribute right away.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Bengals lack of a passing attack hurt them down the stretch last year as they proved to be one-dimensional.  They already added Antonio Bryant to help the receiving corps and Gresham would be the best receiving threat Carson Palmer has ever had at tight end.

22. New England Patriots (10-6)

Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

The Patriots flirted with Julius Peppers to help their pass, but ultimately passed.  Kindle would fit in nice as an outside linebacker in the Pats 3-4, where he show off his strength at rushing the passer.

23. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

Charles Brown, OT, USC

The Achilles heel of the Packers last season was their offensive line.  It improved as the season progressed, but they can’t rely on aging tackler Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher forever.  Brown is the best tackle available and can be groomed as Aaron Rodger’s future blindside protector.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

Carlos Dunlap,DE, Florida

Dunlap has seen his stock fall dramatically ever since he was arrested for a DUI in December.  He still remains a great talent that has the potential to be an elite pass rusher in this league.

25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

Devin McCourtey, CB, Rutgers

The Ravens finally found a number one receiver and can now shift their attention over to the defensive side of the ball.  Cornerback remains a huge question mark after Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb suffered torn ACL’s last season and McCourtey has risen up draft boards as of late making him a nice pick here.

26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)

Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson

The Cardinals have taken some hits in the off-season losing Karlos Dansby, Antrel Role, and Anquan Boldin.   They have replacements for Rolle and Boldin and no inside linebacker is worthy of this pick so they go with Sapp, who will give them a pass rushing option off the edge.

27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

The Cowboys will be delighted to see Thomas on the board when they pick.  Thomas not only fills a need at safety, but is also played his college ball at nearby Texas.

28. San Diego Chargers (13-3)

Ryan Matthews, Fresno State

The release of L.T. not only marked the end of an era, but also created a need at the running back position.  Matthews is a hard nose inside runner who would compliment Darren Sproles well.

29. New York Jets (9-7)

Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

The Jets need to get younger along the defensive line making Odrick an ideal fit.  He would base end in their 3-4 scheme and could challenge for playing time right away.

30.Minnesota Vikings (12-4)

Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Pat Williams has said he is coming back next season, but the fact remains that he is 37 years old.  Price can come in and give him a breather as a rookie before taking over full time when Williams retires.

31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)

Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida

The Colts don’t have many holes to fill, but their offensive line could be upgraded.  Pouncey is versatile and can play either guard or center.  He would likely start off at guard before moving over to center when Jeff Saturday retires.

32. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Everson Griffin, DE, USC

The Super Bowl will likely either go defensive end or outside linebacker here.  Griffin would replace the recently released Charles Grant and at the 32 slot he provides nice value here and has a big upside.

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