2-Round Mock Draft 4-13-10

Within this mock, you will find play movement galore.  After the McNabb trade, and some lesser publicized moves, there is some real shakeup in this mock, so lets get it started.  With the first pick of the 2010 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams select....

1. St Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams recently released long time starting QB Marc Bulger, and this, along with the McNabb trade practically ensures that Bradford will be chosen by the Rams first overall.  The Rams really need to rebuild, and QB is the right place to start.  As loyal readers know, I had Bradford pegged to go ahead of Stafford last year if he came out, and now he gets the chance to be #1 overall.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Suh continue to demonstrate the dominance and consistency you want out of a top pick.  If not for the Rams glaring need at QB, he really could be the first overall selection. He is the type of DT that makes it impossible for opponents to run, and Detroit sure could use a guy to plug up the middle of the defense.  He is a rare talent and I think he could be the defensive cornerstone for this team to build around.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

Tampa is a team with some needs, and Gerald McCoy will fill one of the immediately.  This Sooner DT is excellent at penetrating the middle of the line, causing havoc for opposing QBs.  The fact that his play reminds me a lot of Warren Sapp will not be lost on the Tampa Bay faithful either.  If the Bucs can get from McCoy what they got from Sapp, they will be very happy pirates indeed.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Mike Shannahan rocked the world pre-draft by acquiring former division rival gunslinger Donovan McNabb, thus filling their hole at QB.  Now the Skins look focused on drafting a tackle with this pick.  The only question is which one.  In my book, Okung still has the edge.  He is the safest of the group of tackles from this class, and considering Washington doesn't pick again until round 3, they need to cash in with this selection.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

KC is a young team, and they still have needs on both sides of the ball.  Because of this, the team can go with the best overall player on the board, and that is clearly Eric Berry.  Berry will bring a presence to the secondary, and if his constant comparisons to future Hall-of-Famer, Ed Reed are any indication, he will be a game changer.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

New head honcho Pete Carroll knows that games are won and lost in the trenches, so he will be looking to upgrade both lines.  At this point in the draft he can take the best lineman on either side remaining, and Bulaga is the guy.  His mean streak and consistency through out this season have made him a valuable commodity, and the Hawks will be happy to add him to the roster.

7. Cleveland Browns – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

Cleveland could go in many different directions with this pick, and what they do will likely be a driver for the rest of the first round.  Names like Bryant, Pierre-Paul, Morgan, Williams, Clausen and Spiller have all been connected to the Browns with this pick.  I agree with the experts that if Eric Berry were to fall to Cleveland, they would snap him up, however, since I already have him off the board, they are left to the other possibilities.  With their need on defense, and the polish shown by Morgan I think he will be the selection.  His game is more pro-ready right now than counterpart Jason Pierre Paul, and considering the maturity questions surrounding JPP, I expect Holmgren to choose the Georgia Tech product instead.

8. Oakland Raiders – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

We know how important measurables are to Raider's boss, Al Davis.  Considering the teams need to protect recent top 5 investments Russell and McFadden, drafting a tackle here makes sense.  Williams measures out very well, and he has a strong upside.  Concerns about his work ethic won't scare off the Silver and Black either, and Williams will be the pick.  

9. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

I think the Bills are looking at drafting a tackle with this pick.  Their line last year was awful without Jason Peters, and regardless who is behind center.  Buffalo would likely prefer Okung, Bugala, or Williams, but with those guys gone, I expect the team to select Davis.  Davis may have the biggest upside of all of the tackles in this class.  He my develop into the best of the bunch.  However, this talent comes with considerable risk, but the Bills won't get much worse... right?

10. Jacksonville Jaguars –Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

When the Jags hit the clock at number 10, they will have a lot of choices on their hands.  They will look at Jimmy Clausen, Sergio Kindle, Brandon Graham, and Earl Thomas, before finally settling on Rolando McClain.  The Jags have to improve their defense, and finding a new QB of the defense is amongst the biggest priorities.  McClain is they only real 1st round ILB in this draft, and the Jags will be happy to add him to the mix.

11. Denver Broncos via Chicago Bears – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

Denver receiver Brandon Marshall is looking to get out of town, and even if the Broncos don't grant him his wish, they still need another target for Orton to throw to.  Dez Bryant is the best receiver in this class, and if he reaches his potential he can easily make this team forget all about Marshall.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

With the signing of Karlos Dansby, and the suspension of Jason Furgeson, combined with Bryant having just been selected makes this an easy choice for Miami.  Dan Williams is a legit prospect to fill the center of a defensive line, and Miami will be very happy to have this guy in the center of their defense. 

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida

The Niners are developing into a good football team.  With two choices in the first round they really have the chance to take a leap forward, and selecting Haden here will help them do just that.  Haden is the top CB available in the 2010 class, but he is still on the board here because of a rough performance in Indy.  Despite this however, Haden knows how to play football as evidenced by his outstanding play at Florida against the awesome competion that comes with playing in the SEC.  Bottom line is Haden makes this defense better, and better defense make the Niners favorites to take over the NFC West.

14. Seattle Seahawks via Denver – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

Carroll had some of his best years at USC on the shoulders of a do-it-all running back named Reggie Bush.  The temptation of having a Bush-like player on his roster again will prove to be too much to pass on for the new Seahawks boss.  Spiller can be a guy who you have to account for on each and every set as he can line up in the backfield, at receiver, and on special teams.  This type of versatility is valuable and will be why the Hawks make him their second choice of the first round.

15. New York Giants –Mike Iuptai, G, Idaho

The Giants are going into this draft looking for Bama backer Rolando McClain to fall to them at 15.  If it looks like he wont fall, I expect for the G-Men to try and orchestrate a deal to trade up and grab him.  In this scenario, McClain is gone and the Giants are not typically a team that reaches, so they will grab one of the best talents on the board.  Iuptai will become a beast at the next level, and the Giants could definitely use an upgrade on the interior of their o-line.

16. Tennessee Titans – Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida

Losing Kyle Vanden Bosch leaves Tennessee with a glaring need for a pass rusher off the edge.  In the past the team has had a lot of luck with raw talents who are dominating physical presences.  Jason Pierre Paul is exactly that kind of player.  The Titans brass will have to have some patients, but those could be rewarded with one of the league's best pass rushers in a few years.

17. San Francisco 49ers –Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

After picking up Haden with their last pick, the Niners will look carefully at all tackles still available.  When they realize that all remaining tackles will be a reach here, they will instead look to add some more talent that can fly around the defense, and make plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage.  Kindle can blitz from anywhere, and i think combining him with Manny Lawson and Patrick Willis will give this team and outstanding linebacking corp.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Maurkice Pouncy, C, Florida

Despite being only a season removed from a Superbowl Title, the Steelers are a team with some needs.  One of the most pressing needs this team has is in the interior of their o-line.  Pouncey is the type of center who can be a 12 year rock in the middle of this offense, and should he reach his potential, he will be the cornerstone for this offensive front for the next decade.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham, DE/LB, Michigan

The Falcons are a team who really needs playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.  Graham is one of the league's new breed of "tweeners".  These guys are ideal for an OLB spot on a 3-4 defense, and players like Shawn Merriman are showing why teams should be making investments in this type of player.  Graham is rangy, fast, and can pressure opposing signal callers.  The Falcons need a guy like him... bad.
 

20. Houston Texans – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

With Dunta Robinson now in Atlanta, the Texans have to replace him.  In my opinion, Joe Haden is the claer #1 amongst corners in this class.  After Haden, Kyle Wilson, Patrick Robinson, Devin McCourty, and Kareem Jackson are all alomst equal.  Kyle Wilson has been steadily rising since the Senior Bowl.  He has the skills to get the job done, and Gary Kubiak will need him to do just that in a division that features Peyton Manning.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Another pick, another Sooner.  Gresham is such a mega talent, I had him graded out as the top TE last year if he had come out.  This year is no different.  He can do everything you want a tight end to do, and Cincinnati needs another difference maker to help Carson Palmer out.  The Bengals made great strides this season, despite have an emotionally difficult season.  Imagine the strides next season with Gresham on board.

22. New England Patriots – Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Everson Griffen is another guy who has shown during this offseason why he is deserving of a first round grade.  He is quick off the snap, and plenty strong at the point of attack.  He has a nice array of pass rush moves, and is remarkably agile against the run.  For a Patriots team who dealt Richard Seymore before last season, Griffen would be a welcome addition.

23. Green Bay Packers – Earl Thomas, S, Texas

Thomas is a kid with a lot of upside.  He has excellent ball skills, and can come up an play support against the run.  In fact, Thomas has enough talent to be a player chosen in the early teens in this draft.  Unfortunately for him, he is a safety, and despite the success of guys like Ed Reed, Troy Polomalu, and Bob Sanders, safeties are still under valued.  This is great news for the Packers, who can add a talent like Thomas to reduce the average age of a quickly aging secondary.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Taylor Mays, S, USC

I am a huge fan of college players staying in school to get their degree before making the jump to the pro level.  Having said that, each year some senior falls down draft boards, making the counter argument for leaving school early.  This year's faller is Taylor Mays.  Mays would have been a top 5 selection had he left LA after last season, but erratic play this past year allows him to fall to the back end of the first round.  Mays has amazing physical talents, and he brings the wood when he hits.  For an Eagles team undergoing radical changes, Mays brings the presence in the secondary that was lost when they allowed Brian Dawkins to bolt for Denver.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

Baltimore has done a great job this offseason of finding weapons for young Joe Flaco.  The addition of Q Boldin to the receiving corps I think will pay huge dividends.  Now they have the opportunity to add a corner to step in to provide some youth to this aging unit.  The fact the McCourty also is a special teams standout will tip the scales in his favor and make him the choice for Baltimore.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

It has been a tough off-season so far for the Cards.  Kurt Warner and Bert Berry retired.  Karlos Dansby, Antrell Rolle, and Anquan Boldin have all settled in elsewhere, and the only significant addition to date is Kerry Rhodes.  This team needs players who can make an impact, and Hughes has been moving up boards because of the impact he has been making.  This kid is simply a football player, and the Cards need some players to replace those they lost on their defense.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Charles Brown, OT, USC

For those of you who read my last article, you knew that this Cowboys pick would be something new after being a DT for so long.  The release of Flozell Adams ensured that.  Charles Brown is a borderline first round talent and is not a reach for the Boys here, especially considering the team's need.  Romo needs better protection for this team to go deeper into the NFC playoffs, and Dallas will count on the USC product to provide it.

28. San Diego Chargers – Brian Price, DT, UCLA

For months I have had the Bolts looking at selecting a running back with this pick.  After stealing draft picks for Charlie Whitehurst however, and watching the draft stock of some of the running backs slip a bit, I expect to see the Bolts address their need in the middle of their defensive front first. With long time NT Jamal Williams sent packing, the Chargers need a guy like Price who can come in and bring the size, strength, and presence needed for a true NT in the league.

29. New York Jets – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

Through most of the college football season, and even early into this offseason, Carlos Dunlap was the highest rated DE on the board, and was projected as a top 10 pick.  Since then, some serious questions about his character have arisen, and since his offseason showcases were not off-the-charts spectacular, his stock fell, and he was projected as a second rounder.  After the trade for Santonio Holmes however, the Jets showed two things.  First, their largest need by a mile is now a strong DE who can rush the passer.  Second, character issues do not worry the Jets.  As a result, Dunlap becomes the boom/bust selection.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

By going after Brett Favre last year, Brad Childress gave his team the best chance to win now.  On the other side of the coin, he also eliminated any real possibility of either Jackson or Rosenfels being able to lead this team.  Jimmy Clausen is a talented kid but I am anticipating a slide similar to Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn.  Minnesota needs to think about life after Favre, whenever that may begin, and Clausen should be their pick here.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

The Colts are a very good football team.  Jim Caldwell has done a great job picking up where Tony Dungy left off.  If the Colts are going to stay competitive the need to improve at the defensive point of attack.  Odrick is the right type of d-tackle to fill the front in a Tampa-2 style defense.  He is quick, and had good feet for a big guy.  He will penetrate into the backfield, causing general disruption and this will work out well for Indy.

32. New Orleans Saints – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

To close out round one, we have the Super Bowl champion, New Orleans Saints.  Gosh, that still feel strange to type.  Greg Williams has solidified himself in my mind as the pre-eminent defensive football mind currently in the NFL.  He turned this defense into the games most under rated (just ask Peyton Manning).  Despite this achievement, the defense could still use the addition of some talent in their linebacking corps.  Weatherspoon is a playmaker , and with Scott Fujita now in Cleveland, Weathspoon will be counted on to fill the gap.



Round 2
33. St. Louis Rams - Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
34. Detroit Lions - Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -  Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
36. Kansas City Chiefs - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
37. Philadelphia Eagles via Washington - Patrick Robinson, CB, FSU
38. Cleveland Browns - Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
39. Oakland Raiders - Rickey Sapp, DE, Clemson
40. San Diego via Seattle - Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno St
41. Buffalo Bills - Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Chicago - Nate Allen, S, USF
43. Miami Dolphins - Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
44. New England Patriots via Jacksonville - Jahvid Best, RB, California
45. Denver Broncos - Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas St
46. New York Giants - Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State
47. Carolina Panthers - Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
48. New England Patriots via Tennessee - Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
49. San Francisco 49ers - Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana
50. Houston Texans - Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
51. Kansas City Chiefs via Atlanta -  Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas
53. New England Patriots - Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
54. Cincinnati Bengals -  Brandon Lang, DE, Troy
55. Philadelphia Eagles - Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Ohio State
56. Green Bay Packers - Vladimir Ducasse, OG, Massachusetts
57. Baltimore Ravens - Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
58. Arizona Cardinals - Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
59. Dallas Cowboys - Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
60. San Diego Chargers - Patrick Angerer, LB, Iowa
61. New York Jets - Chad Jones, S, LSU
62. Minnesota Vikings - Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
63. Indianapolis Colts - Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
64. New Orleans Saints - Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia