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2010 Mock Draft

By: Tony Conty

3/12/10

First Round:

1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford (QB) Oklahoma

- The first shakeup of this draft occurs at #1.  With Marc Bulger evicted from his locker and career backup A. J. Feeley in town, the stage is set for the Rams to roll the dice on Bradford.  Suh is the better overall “sure-thing”, but the Rams have craved a change at QB for many moons. 

2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT) Nebraska

- This one’s a toughie, since Corey Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch just entered town as part of the biggest Free Agency haul in the NFL.  The lack of attention to the Offensive Line implies that Okung is the target, but Suh will work his way into the Lions’ collective hearts and maintain his draft status. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy (DT) Oklahoma

- The McCoy-Suh debate entertains draftniks almost as much as Manning/Leaf did over a decade ago.  I did not intend to curse either prospect with that comparison.  McCoy is the quicker, Chris-Hovan-is-his-prime-type selection that gives the Tampa 2 its personality. 

4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung (OT) Oklahoma State

- The Redskins have subtracted more than they have added in Free Agency, which is far beyond uncharacteristic for them.  The ‘Skins have neglected the Offensive Line since they traded out of the selection that became Sam Baker in 2008.  With Chris Samuels gone, there is serious value here. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry (S) Tennessee

- Many expected the Chiefs to sign Antrel Rolle or Kerry Rhodes, which essentially means that a void still exists at the position.  Berry has value as a Cornerback or a Safety and will provide an immediate return on the investment at either position. 

6. Seattle Seahawks - Jimmy Clausen (QB) Notre Dame

- Clausen’s value has dropped, but the Seahawks cannot afford to wait until 4 teams with mediocre Quarterback play have a chance to snatch up the former Irish standout.  The team is entering a rebuilding mode, especially on Offense and will need to find a signal caller that can lead the charge.  Clausen is that man. 

7. Cleveland Browns - Dan Williams (DT) Tennessee

- If Free Agency indicates anything, the Browns are ready to re-shuffle their unit up front.  With Corey Williams in Detroit and Shaun Rogers on the outs, the Browns will need to seek out a prototypical Nose Tackle and Williams fits the bill. 

8. Oakland Raiders - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE) South Florida

- The Raiders have not had a significant Pass Rush since Derrick Burgess left town and have been known to scoop up players based on athletic upside.  All of these factors make up a recipe for Pierre-Paul, one of the most athletically-gifted in this class, to join the Silver and Black. 

9. Buffalo Bills - Dez Bryant (WR) Oklahoma State

- No one expected the Terrell Owens experience to serve as a long-term solution to the Bills’ woes opposite Lee Evans.  If Buffalo hopes to develop a Quarterback, veteran or otherwise, they must first acquire a weapon or two…and then find a way to keep their Running Backs on the field.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Joe Haden (CB) Florida

- Teams will back off of Haden upon viewing his 40 time and the type of coverage (perimeter) in which he excelled at Florida, but the Jags could definitely use some depth at the position and give Derek Cox some competition opposite former Pro Bowler Rashean Mathis. 

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) - Anthony Davis (OT) Rutgers

- Davis gets the slight nod here over a less-versatile Bryan Bulaga as the Broncos attempt to exit the decade of rule under the Shanahan regime.  If the Offensive Line will change drastically in philosophy, a man like Davis could fit in at multiple positions easily and immediately. 

12. Miami Dolphins - Sergio Kindle (OLB) Texas

- This may be far too early for Kindle, but Jason Taylor and Joey Porter will be tough to replace, especially since they are a year removed from establishing a solid pass rush.  Kindle fits the scheme perfectly, more so than Phillip Merling as their selection to do so two years ago.  The absence of Jason Ferguson for half of the season makes Nose Tackle a possibility as well. 

13. San Francisco 49ers - Bryan Bulaga (OT) Iowa

- Like Michael Oher before him, Bulaga is a natural Left Tackle who will have to start his career on the Right Side.  The Niners have been trying to fix their Offensive Line for years despite throwing a vast amount of cash at Joe Staley.  Bulaga is a hard-worker who has yet to reach his full potential. 

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) - C.J. Spiller (RB) Clemson

- It is a shame that Justin Forsett will not get a true chance, but the Seahawks are starting from scratch in a lot of ways.  Spiller could go much higher, but Running Backs tend to fall on draft day and this year will be no exception.  The “Big 3” in Seattle could be something special in 2 or 3 years after adding a wide out. 

15. New York Giants - Trent Williams (OT) Oklahoma

- By no means do the Giants list Right Tackle as a top need, but their Offensive Line worked so well as a unit in 2008 that you would imagine that they would seek out players that provide value and fit their scheme.  Williams has phenomenal speed and will work hard on every snap, fitting into what Tom Coughlin wants and needs. 

16. Tennessee Titans - Rolando McClain (MLB) Alabama

- Those who feel as if McClain has no business on the Strong side will protest this pick, but the guy is the playmaker.  WE like David Thornton, but seeing him when he was out for the latter portion of the season shows that the Titans could use a durable playmaker.  McClain would be a value pick about 5 spots ahead of here, but the 16th spot is a bargain.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) - Derrick Morgan (DE) Georgia Tech

- As a Steeler fan, I will refer to this as a Rashard Mendenhall selection.  Morgan may fit better as a 4-3 down lineman, but his value here makes him nearly impossible to pass up.  For those that question his speed, consider what you thought about Parys Harlyson coming out of Tennessee. 

18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sean Weatherspoon (OLB) Missouri

- The Steelers media have praised Weatherspoon, Jared Odrick, Dan Williams, and Brandon Spikes as Steeler-type players.  With Williams off of the board, we will go with the one with the most versatility.  It was this logic that led to the Lawrence Timmons selection, so they will pair the two together.

19. Atlanta Falcons - Mike Iupati (OG) Idaho      

- No player has created more buzz than the workman-like Iupati, who dominated much larger linemen at the Senior Bowl and had an excellent combine to boot.  As the undisputed king of the position rankings, expect Iupati to generate excellent buzz and receive serious consideration at pick #16 as well.

20. Houston Texans - Earl Thomas (S) Texas

- It appears that teams all over the draft board are in love with Earl Thomas, as rumors of Jacksonville trading down and Dallas trading up have emerged.  Sorry, Chris Horwedel, as that all adds up to Thomas going off the board before the Eagles get a crack at him.  He has the ball skills to make a serious difference.

 21. Cincinnati Bengals - Golden Tate (WR) Notre Dame

- Perhaps the Golden Tate bandwagon only has yours truly as a member, but I plan to keep on truckin’.  Carson Palmer is desperate for a deep threat that will open up underneath routes for Ochocinco.  Tate is that guy.  He may lack top-notch size, but he will stretch the field and take advantage of Carson Palmer’s elite arm strength. 

 22. New England Patriots - Ryan Matthews (RB) Fresno State

- Few have Matthews this high, since the guy doesn’t have the most wiggle in the world.  The Patriots are too often connected to top-notch Running Backs in Free Agency for us to believe that upgrading at the position is too far down the priority list.  Especially if the team jettisons Randy Moss, you will need to see some changes on offense.

23. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Spikes (MLB) Florida

- We make a lot of scheme transformations here on this site, and the Packers followed the common Dallas Cowboys of 2005 theory.  Use two first round picks: one for a two-gapping down lineman and one for a pass rusher.  In the middle, however, is misfit A. J. Hawk.  A run-stuffer like Brandon Spikes could mask those weaknesses and occupy the middle. 

24. Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Price (DT) UCLA

- Despite conducting a weekly podcast with an avid Eagles supporter, I do not understand the team.  They have 2005 first-rounder Mike Patterson, 2006 first-rounder Brodrick Bunkley, but still took Trevor Laws as their second pick in 2008.  With only one of these players making a significant contribution, expect Price to be on the radar. 

*Editors note: I would be incredibly mad if the Eagles passed on Graham and Wilson here.
- Chris Horwedel

25. Baltimore Ravens - Rob Gronkowski (TE) Arizona  

- Talk radio hosts in Baltimore have considered this pick a done deal since the re-signing of Derrick Mason.  A tight end selection remains a foregone conclusion in their minds, only debating over Gronkowski vs. Jermaine Gresham.  Expect the upside on Gronkowski to win out here and allow the Ravens to develop the quantity of offensive weapons that most teams covet. 

26. Arizona Cardinals - Colt McCoy (QB) Texas

- I remain in the minority of those who still consider Colt McCoy a first-round prospect, and have a similarly low number of peers who feel that Matt Leinart will not start on opening day.  Let me hang on for one more week as the free agency dust settles, as McCoy, upon getting healthy, should soar up draft boards.  Playoff teams do not watch their starting Quarterback retire and stand pat. 

27. Dallas Cowboys - Arrelious Benn (WR) Illinois   

- OK, so Roy Williams may have fallen out of favor and Miles Austin became a headache to lock up long-term.  They still seem as if they have committed to Tony Romo for the foreseeable future and will therefore place as many weapons around him as possible.  Many considered Benn a Top Ten pick before the offense around him at Illinois faltered and he unfairly took part of the blame.

28. San Diego Chargers - Brandon Graham (DE) Michigan 

- Those who deduced that the Chargers drafted Larry English as the heir-apparent to Shawne Merriman obviously had more confidence in the options opposite Merriman.  If Merriman remains miffed about the tender offer, he could bounce, leaving an opening for an experienced, athletic pass rusher to join English for the next 5 years.  Brandon Graham has enough fans that his floor stops right around here.

29. New York Jets - Damian Williams (WR) USC
- After teams select the Top 3 receivers, much debate will commence about the pecking order for the next few.  With Brandon LaFell’s pedestrian 40 time and Demaryius Thomas’s injury, we will go with the size-speed combo of Williams.  With Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, one could rationalize that the Jets will address other needs, but Williams has more long-term upside than others suggest. 

30. Minnesota Vikings - Kyle Wilson (CB) Boise State

- Wilson’s Senior Bowl hype notwithstanding, his size could temper the high expectations surrounding him.  The Vikings watched teams attack their secondary when Antoine Winfield had injury-issues, but they benched him after the fact anyway.  That should indicate that the secondary overhaul still remains a priority. 

31. Indianapolis Colts - Bruce Campbell (OT) Maryland  

- We spoke to one analyst the other day who said, “There is nothing at all special about Bruce Campbell on film”. The man speaks the truth, as an elite combine easily masks problems with run blocking.  If Campbell must only assure that Peyton Manning’s jersey remains clean, he might have a shot.

32. New Orleans Saints - Taylor Mays (S) USC

- Mays has some work to do despite a top-notch stay in Indianapolis, since his game film shows no instinctive qualities that would complement his freakish athleticism.  The Saints, however, will seek out someone to fill the shoes of Darren Sharper and have the luxury of taking the best remaining player after bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the Big Easy.

Get NFL mock draft information as well as NFL draft picks from the handicappers at Doc's Sports.

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