
|

|

|

|
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. |
 |
|
|

|
|
|