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| 2010 NFL Mock Draft |
| April 20, 2010 |
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Paul Baitinger
Senior Editor
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The Rams are on the clock after a 1-15 season. They and the Lions have flip-flopped draft positions from last year to this year. Interestingly, the top half of the first round appears to be dominated by players from the Big 12 conference. Read on to find out which players I project both teams to draft...
Be sure to come back and check out our 7 round Computer
Generated Mock Draft and my blog as well.
Round
One |
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| 1 | Rams (1-15), Player: QB Sam Bradford* (Oklahoma) | Team Needs: QB, WR, CB, OL, LB
While most everyone has two Defensive Tackles rated as the best two players in the draft, it appears that the Rams will go a different direction. With the release of Marc Bulger, the Rams have really tipped their hand that their first target for the draft is Quarterback Sam Bradford. It just looks like St. Louis can't forego draft a QB again this year. While there are concerns about Bradford coming off the serious shoulder injury and playing in a shotgun, Bradford recently looked good at his Pro Day and would have likely been the top ranked QB had he come out last year. |
| | | | 2 | Lions (2-14), Player: DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) | Team Needs: DL, OL, CB, RB, LB
Sure, we know that the Lions helped out their defensive line by adding a DE via Free Agency and trading for a DT, but those two big Defensive Tackles are just too good to pass up. Especially with how terrible the Lions were on defense last year. How terrible were they you might ask? Well, Detroit ranked 32nd in points per game allowed (over 30 ppg) and 32nd in yards allowed (over 392 ypg). So while the Lions desperately need help along their OL to protect Stafford, their 1st pick of the draft last year, they need help on defense more. As for which DT the Lions seem to prefer, my guess is that they're leaning towards Suh. |
| | | | 3 | Buccaneers (3-13), Player: DT Gerald McCoy* (Oklahoma) | Team Needs: CB, WR, DL, LB, S
With the way the draft is shaping up, the Bucs would be more than happy to take whichever DT the Lions and Rams leave on the board for them. If it's McCoy, as I project here, the Bucs will enjoy their first top notch DT draft pick since they took Warren Sapp. |
| | | | 4 | Redskins (4-12), Player: OT Trent Williams (Oklahoma) | Team Needs: OL, WR, DL, LB, S
Assuming the Lions decide to pass on an Offensive Tackle with the 2nd pick, the Redskins would do well to draft some help for the trenches. The Redskins biggest weakness in 2009 was their offensive line. Getting help there should help the Redskins offense improve upon their 16 points per game average from 2009. Oh yeah, Donovan McNabb, Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker will also be very happy about the selection of a big OT. I wouldn't be surprised if the Redskins draft Trent Williams here over Okung. |
| | | | 5 | Chiefs (4-12), Player: OT Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) | Team Needs: LB, OL, DB, DL, TE
While all Mock Drafters out there are projecting Berry to the Chiefs with the 5th pick, I could see the Chiefs looking for help at OT here. Okung, Williams and Bulaga would all be nice options here for the Chiefs. |
| | | | 6 | Seahawks (5-11), Player: S Eric Berry* (Tennessee) | Team Needs: OL, RB, DB, DL, QB
The Seahawks suddenly need a lot of help at a lot of positions. Pete Carroll is getting himself into a rebuilding situation. The Seahawks could certainly use help at a few positions that should be available at the top of the draft, namely along each line and at some positions of skill. I'm figuring they'll drafting the best player available and Eric Berry is arguably the best player in the draft. |
| | | | 7 | Browns (5-11), Player: RB C.J. Spiller (Clemson) | Team Needs: QB, WR, RB, DL, DB
The Browns strung together a surprising winning streak at the end of the season as their defense came around under Rob Ryan and Mangini's direction. The Browns are reportedly enamored with Sam Bradford, however, I just don't see them moving up to #1 to pick their QB. While the Browns defense did play well toward the end of the year, they could use some help in their secondary so they would love it if Eric Berry fell to them. If not, they may be content to draft C.J. Spiller to boost their backfield and add a play-making threat on offense. |
| | | | 8 | Raiders (5-11), Player: QB Jimmy Clausen* (Notre Dame) | Team Needs: QB, OL, WR, DL, LB
The Raiders probably don't want to invest in another first round draft pick in a QB after watching Russell flop so miserably, but with Gradkowski recently undergoing surgery, Clausen should merit a long, long look. |
| | | | 9 | Bills (6-10), Player: OT Bryan Bulaga* (Iowa) | Team Needs: OT, QB, OC, DL, WR
The Bills biggest hole is in their trenches. This is good news as the top half of the first round has many qualified candidates that the Bills could draft. We have them projected to go with Bryan Bulaga who looks like a very safe pick at OT. |
| | | | 10 | Jaguars (7-9), Player: S Earl Thomas* (Texas) | Team Needs: DE, DB, WR, LB, DT
Even after signing Aaron Kampman, the lack of a pass rush could cause the Jags to draft another DE in the first round. If the draft plays out this way, Pierre-Paul and Morgan could offer the best value at a need position, but the Jags may be gunshy about drafting 1st round DEs. That means that Earl Thomas could be selected by the Jags in order to fortify their secondary. If the draft plays out this way, Big 12 fans should be happy to see 7 of the first 12 players selected from their conference. |
| | | | 11 | Broncos (8-8), Player: WR Dez Bryant* (Oklahoma State) | From CHI - Team Needs: WR, LB, DL, S, OL
Despite his 20 catch game in 2009 Brandon Marshall finished the season right where he started it... in the dog house and was recently traded. As a result, I expect that the Broncos will have their eye on a big receiving threat to replace him with. While Bryant also comes with some baggage, he offers good size and skill. |
| | | | 12 | Dolphins (7-9), Player: DT Dan Williams (Tennessee) | Team Needs: DL, LB, RB, OL, DB
I expect Sergio Kindle to draw a look here as Parcells and company may be wise to draft a younger OLB to replace Porter with. The Dolphins could also be quite interested in finding some youth in the middle of their defensive line which makes Dan Williams a good fit. |
| | | | 13 | 49ers (8-8), Player: OT Anthony Davis* (Rutgers) | Team Needs: OT, DL, WR, LB, DB
The 49ers reportedly are interested in Clausen should he fall to them. However, they desperately need help at OT as they struggled to protect their QBs all year. Davis should help address the problem and keep their QBs upright, while helping to open holes for the 49ers talented RBs. |
| | | | 14 | Seahawks (5-11), Player: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) | From DEN - Team Needs: OL, RB, DB, DL, QB
The Seahawks are a team that could really go many directions in this draft. However, if it plays out this way, they could land a top notch DE to help bolster their pass rush. That means that Jason Pierre-Paul could fall to them at this spot. |
| | | | 15 | Giants (8-8), Player: MLB Rolando McClain* (Alabama) | Team Needs: LB, CB, DL, S, OL
The Giants suffered some setbacks in their secondary last year due to injury and an ineffective pass rush. However, they are also desperately seeking a middle LB. Enter Rolando McClain who should remain plenty of Giants fans of Harry Carson who anchored the middle of the Giants defense between LT and Banks. |
| | | | 16 | Titans (8-8), Player: DE Derrick Morgan* (Georgia Tech) | Team Needs: DE, DT, DB, WR, OL
The Titans would do well to find someone, anyone to help pressure opposing QBs. Playing Schaub and Manning 4 times a year spells disaster if you can't make them get rid of the football before they're ready. Enter a pass rushing threat like Derrick Morgan. |
| | | | 17 | 49ers (8-8), Player: OLB Sergio Kindle (Texas) | From CAR - Team Needs: OT, DL, WR, LB, DB
The 49ers have one of the best LBs in the game in Patrick Willis, however, he could use some help in the LB corps, so Sergio Kindle's pass rushing skills from the outside would be a nice addition, giving the 49ers a formiddable LB corps. |
| | | | 18 | Steelers (9-7), Player: OG Mike Iupati (Idaho) | Team Needs: CB, OL, S, DL, WR
The Steelers really do need help in their secondary, so I could see them drafting a defensive back. However, Mike Iupati should be able to return the Steelers to some better smash mouth football. This OG has a way of dominating the game and opening big holes for his RBs while helping to keep his QB upright. Big Ben would surely appreciate this addition to the Steelers offense. |
| | | | 19 | Falcons (9-7), Player: DE Everson Griffen* (USC) | Team Needs: DL, LB, S, OL, WR
The Falcons will likely focus on finding help for defense in the early rounds of this years draft. Brandon Graham might not be the ideal DE for the Falcons scheme, so I'm going to project Everson Griffen here for Atlanta. |
| | | | 20 | Texans (9-7), Player: CB Joe Haden (Florida) | Team Needs: CB, S, RB, OL, DL
With the Texans losing Dunta Robinson they will no doubt be in the market for help at corner. Joe Haden could slip this far and if so, the Texans would be wise to find help for their secondary by calling his name. |
| | | | 21 | Bengals (10-6), Player: TE Jermaine Gresham* (Oklahoma) | Team Needs: DT, WR, DE, OL, TE
The Bengals could use some more weapons to compliment Ochocinco, so drafting a TE like Gresham would be a nice move. However, they could also be tempted by a big DT or a DE to get after the passer. Gresham offers a lot of potential as a TE prosepct that could help stretch the field. |
| | | | 22 | Patriots (10-6), Player: DE/OLB Brandon Graham (Michigan) | Team Needs: CB, S, LB, DE, DT
The Pats are less than happy with Adalius Thomas and would do well to set their eyes on a pass rush threat. Adding a pass rusher should help create some turnovers and mask some of their weaknesses in the secondary. |
| | | | 23 | Packers (11-5), Player: OT Bruce Campbell* (Maryland) | Team Needs: OT, OG, CB, S, LB
The Packers would probably love to draft defense, but they need to find someone, anyone who can protect Rodgers. Their offensive line looked like a revolving door at OT last year because it kept spinning open. Therefore, they should be on the lookout for talented OTs that can protect their QBs. Bruce Campbell's athleticism makes him a nice target for the Raiders, but should he last this long, the Packers would likely be glad to snatch him up. |
| | | | 24 | Eagles (11-5), Player: S Taylor Mays (USC) | Team Needs: LB, OL, RB, DB, DL
After trading for Ernie Sims it looks like the Eagles will go a different route than LB early in this year's draft. The Eagles desperately missed Brian Dawkins last year, therefore, drafting Taylor Mays might enable them to fill that vacancy. |
| | | | 25 | Ravens (9-7), Player: CB Kyle Wilson (Boise State) | Team Needs: CB, WR, OG, LB, DE
The Ravens top need was clear until they added Boldin. Still, they could be tempted to draft a WR early on in this draft. Their other major issue last year was that they had a suspect secondary. Kyle Wilson would be a nice addition to their defensive backfield. |
| | | | 26 | Cardinals (10-6), Player: DE Jerry Hughes (TCU) | Team Needs: OT, TE, DL, DB, QB
The Cards could use some help along the OL as you can tell by the way Warner got banged around toward the end of the season. However, I just don't see them reaching too much at that position. Being that they lost Boldin, they may be looking to add another pass-catching weapon. However, a DE/OLB prospect like Jerry Hughes might be a nice addition to their 3-4 defense. |
| | | | 27 | Cowboys (11-5), Player: OT Charles Brown (USC) | Team Needs: OL, CB, S, DL, WR
After releasing Flozell Adams the Cowboys are likely on the look out for help at OT. While Charles Brown may be a bit of a reach, he has the potential to be worthy of drafting late in the first round. |
| | | | 28 | Chargers (13-3), Player: RB Ryan Matthews* (Fresno State) | Team Needs: RB, LB, OL, DL, DB
After bidding LT farewell, the Chargers will likely be looking for a boost in terms of charging up their running game. Matthews size and speed should make him a nice compliment to Sproles for the Chargers. |
| | | | 29 | Jets (9-7), Player: DE Jared Odrick (Penn State) | Team Needs: DT, DE, LB, WR, RB
The Jets are a team with a pretty well stocked pantry with very few positions that are outright lacking. Their biggest need appears to be along the defensive line where a guy like Jared Odrick could play a 3-4 DE if the Jets aren't looking for a NT like Terrence Cody. |
| | | | 30 | Vikings (12-4), Player: DT Brian Price* (UCLA) | Team Needs: S, LB, CB, OG, DL
The Vikings might do very well to bring in some depth behind the Williams wall. Being that Pat Williams is starting to get a bit long in the tooth, Brian Price might be the right pick for the Vikes. |
| | | | 31 | Colts (14-2), Player: OC Maurkice Pouncey* (Florida) | Team Needs: OL, CB, S, LB, DE
The Colts were ranked 31st in the regular season in 3rd down defense. That means they need help getting off the field. A DT with some run stopping and pass rushing skills would come in handy if one falls to them. However, if not, the Colts might do well to draft Maurkice Pouncey who is rated as the top center in the draft class. Pouncey would upgrade the Colts OL at OG and then could move inside after a couple years of seasoning. |
| | | | 32 | Saints (13-3), Player: LB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri) | Team Needs: LB, DL, OL, S, CB
The Saints will most likely be looking for help on defense and will likely target the best available defender. WIf Sean Weatherspoon is still available at this spot, the Saints would do well to plug their need for a LB with this versatile player. |
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* Denotes Underclassmen
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