Final 2010 Mock Draft

Tomorrow is the draft, and in less than 24 hours all this conjecture will come to a head.  This leaves us with only one more chance to take our chance at prognostication.  This time I will take you three rounds deep.  Also, as there is a lot of noise flying around but I have made some significant changes to this mock, including some movement in the top 10.  So for the last time for the class of 2010, the St Louis Rams select...

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

Almost every mock draft I have done this season has had the Rams selecting a QB with this pick.  Bradford is my clear number one at the position.  I think Bradford will be a real good pro QB, and the Rams need to start building around their future signal caller.  There is still a little buzz about the Browns trying to trade up into this spot, but I think that is a long shot at this point.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Some have been pushing the idea that the Lions should choose an o-tackle with this pick.  Whereas I agree protecting Stafford is important, the Lions would be fools to pass on Suh.  The only way this changes is if Detroit pulls off the deal and trade for Albert Haynesworth.  Suh has the potential to be both a defensive cornerstone, and team leader.  You can't pass on guys like this.

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

Even if Detroit gets Haynesworth, and drafts a o-tackle with the second pick, I still think the Bucs will choose McCoy at three.  This guy reminds me of former Buc Warren Sapp.  He can penetrate and create havoc in the opposing backfield.  Tampa is a team with a lot of needs.  If they really believe that Josh Freeman is their future under center, then this pick makes even more sense, as they now need someone who they can build around on defense.

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

The Redskins seem like a team who is learning.  They have learned that you need a great leader, and they went and added Mike Shannahan.  They have learned that you cannot win by grabbing all the biggest money players in free agency, and they have kept away from the big signings this offseason.  They have learned you need a QB to be successful, and they acquired Donovan McNabb.  Now they seem to have figured out for McNabb to be successful, he needs to be kept upright, and this is where Okung should come in.  He may not have the biggest upside amongst this class, but he is the most consistent, and maybe the Skins have learned that slow and steady wins the race.

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 – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

For a very long time, I have had the Seahawks choosing former Iowa OT, Bryan Bulaga with this pick.  I still feel tackle is the right direction for this team, but I am now predicting the team will choose the former Sooner instead.  I love Bulaga, and I think he will be great, but Williams has an upside that is impossible to ignore.  He could be the right guy to replace Walter Jones in the great Northwest, and the hawks have to take this chance.

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, 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 – Mike Iuptai, G, Idaho

The Raiders are always a team who could do just about anything on draft day.  This pick will be a surprise, but almost in a good way.  There is a lot of buzz surrounding this pick recently, and I think it could happen.  Iuptai is not a workout warrior, and he doesn't have the name recognition of some of the other guys in this group.  Despite this, Iuptai is one of the guys who I think will be stellar from this class.  Eight may be a tad high for the former Vandal, but Al Davis is known for ignoring convention.  

9. Buffalo Bills – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

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, this does not bode well for this team.  Getting to pick behind Oakland can be a blessing sometimes, and this year it will be the case.  Because the Raiders choose Iuptai, it allows for Bulaga to fall to Bufffalo, and they will be ecstatic.  Bulaga is a road grader, and this type of attitude can turn both a line and a franchise around.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida

Until mid afternoon today I was left debating if the Jags would choose JPP or Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain.  After they dealt Groves to Oakland today, I made up my mind.  Pierre Paul is a supreme athlete, and if the Jags show some patients with him, he could become one of the games premiere pass rushers, and therefore he is worth the pick here, closing out the top ten.

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

Denver was able to pull off the deal they wanted in moving Brandon Marshall.  But now they have a gaping hole in their receiving corp.  People have been knocking Bryant, but much of their criticism is really a lot about nothing.  This guy is a flat out player, and the right coaching staff can help him stay straight and become a real impact at the net level.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

With the signing of Karlos Dansby, and the suspension of Jason Furgeson, combined with having just adding Brandon Marshall makes this an easy choice for Miami.  Dan Williams is a legit NT 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 – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

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, however, patients is their best strategy.  The Giants need to rebuild their linebacking corp, and with Antonio Pierce out of town, the middle is the right place to start.  McClain could develop into a game changer.  The fans in New York are impatient though, so he will be given very little latitude to develop.  Still, I think he is up to the task.

16. Tennessee Titans – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

Losing Kyle Vanden Bosch leaves Tennessee with a glaring need for a pass rusher off the edge. Brandon Graham has had an excellent post-season and pushed his stock up to a new high.  Graham has a lot of talent, and his size/speed ratio make him very versatile.  I think Graham will be a good fit with the Titans. 

17. San Francisco 49ers – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

After picking up Haden with their last pick, the Niners will look carefully at the tackles and linebackers still available.  With Davis still available though, the Niners will spring.  Davis has an upside comparable to Trent Williams.  He could be the most talented guy of all the tackles in this class.  Having said that, he comes with some risk.  His attitude has turned some teams off, but after the in-person interview he had with San Fran, I expect those concern to have been put to rest.

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 – Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

The Falcons are a team who really needs playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.  Kindle has speed, and a nose for the ball.  He can be a little sloppy at times, but I think that is teachable.  He will use his speed well, and fly around the field.  Atlanta needs a guy like this on their team.  Their offense is young and emerging.  Now the Falcons need to focus on their defense.
 

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, has emerged as the next best of the bunch.  Playing in the AFC South means you have to face Peyton Manning twice each year, and this means you have be stout at the corner position.  Wilson will come in and immediately be asked to contribute.  Although it will be a trial by fire, I think he may just come through.

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 – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

Phily will be a very different team than we have come to know them.  Mainstays like McNabb and Westbrook will no longer be in the city of brotherly love.  Despite this, I still think they will be a competitive ball club next season.  For the Eagles to keep improving they need to get better against the pass.  With Sheldon Brown now gone, the versatile Devin McCourty will be the pick.  McCourty can also contribute on special teams, and this will give the Eagles a capable backup to DeSean Jackson.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

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.  Kareem Jackson has been one of the fast movers this offseason, and he now lands himself a spot in the first round.  He can be the new guy to replace a once productive Samari Rolle.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Sean Witherspoon, LB, Missouri

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 Witherspoon is a guy who can make plays.  He will not be the single answer to keep this team in the playoffs, but he will be a good piece of the puzzle.

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 – Taylor Mays, S, USC

Clearly the Jets are making a move to shift the balance of power in the league.  They have been making big move after big move, and have to be considered a favorite for the conference title.  About the only thing the Jets have not done thus far is to replace Kerry Rhodes at safety.  Mays, although recently much maligned, is still a stud in my book.  As I go through the type of coach that Mays would be a fit under, I think of names like Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, and Rex Ryan.  I expect to see Mays become a pro bowler, and Rex Ryan is just the guy to guide him there.

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 – Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

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 game's most under rated (just ask Peyton Manning).  Despite this achievement, the defense could still use the addition of some talent in their linebacking corps.  Jerry Hughes has been rising up draft boards because he is a linebacker's linebacker.  He can run, hit, and shows great instincts.  I think he will help the Saints on their road towards a repeat.


Round 2
33. St. Louis Rams - Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
34. Detroit Lions - Jahvid Best, RB, California
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -  Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
36. Kansas City Chiefs - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
37. Philadelphia Eagles via Washington - Nate Allen, S, South Florida
38. Cleveland Browns - Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
39. Oakland Raiders - Tyson Alualu, DT, California
40. San Diego via Seattle - Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno St
41. Buffalo Bills - Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Chicago - Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State 
43. Denver Broncos via Miami - Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
44. New England Patriots via Jacksonville - Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi
45. Denver Broncos - Vladimir Ducasse, G, Massachusetts
46. New York Giants - Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana
47. Carolina Panthers - Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
48. New England Patriots via Tennessee - Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
49. San Francisco 49ers - Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson
50. Houston Texans - Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
51. Kansas City Chiefs via Atlanta -  Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
53. New England Patriots - Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
54. Cincinnati Bengals -  Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State
55. Philadelphia Eagles - John Asamoah, G, Illinois
56. Green Bay Packers - Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia
57. Baltimore Ravens - Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
58. Arizona Cardinals - Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina
59. Dallas Cowboys - Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
60. San Diego Chargers - Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
61. New York Jets - Corey Wooten, DE, Northwestern
62. Minnesota Vikings - Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
63. Indianapolis Colts - Koa Misi, LB, Utah
64. New Orleans Saints - Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse


 Round 3
65. St. Louis Rams - Amari Spivey, CB, Iowa
66. Detroit Lions - Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
67. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina
68. Kansas City Chiefs - Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas
69. Oakland Raiders - Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
70. Philadelphia Eagles via Seattle - Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
71. Cleveland Browns - Damian Williams, WR, USC
72. Buffalo Bills - Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse
73. Miami Dolphins - Major Wright, S, Florida
74. Jacksonville Jaguars - Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
75. Chicago Bears - Syd'Quan Thompson, CB, California
76. New York Giants - Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina
77. Tennessee Titans - Sean Lee, LB, Penn State
78. Carolina Panthers - Brandon Lang, DE, Troy
79. San Francisco 49ers - Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
80. Denver Broncos - Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
81. Houston Texans - John Jerry, G, Mississippi
82. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jerome Murphy, CB, South Florida
83. Atlanta Falcons - Chad Jones, S, LSU
84. Cincinnati Bengals - Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
85. Cleveland Browns via New England from Oakland - Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Ohio State
86. Green Bay Packers - Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
87. Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Neal, DT, Purdue
88. Arizona Cardinals via Baltimore - Edwin Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale
89. Arizona Cardinals - Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
90. Dallas Cowboys - Taylor Price, WR, Ohio
91. San Diego Chargers - Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
92. Cleveland Browns via Jets - TJ Ward, S, Oregon
93. Minnesota Vikings - Rashad Jones, S, Georgia
94. Indianapolis Colts - Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest
95. New Orleans Saints - Adam Ulatoski, OT, Texas
96. Cincinnati Bengals (Comp) - Jason Worlids, LB, Virginia Tech
97. Tennessee Titans (Comp) - Andre Roberts, WR, Citadel
98. Atlanta Falcons (Comp) - Zane Beadles, G, Utah