With the 2009 NFL draft just barely over the only natural reaction is to look forward to next seasons draft. The 2010 draft could potentially be the best in years.
The defensive tackle and safety positions are especially deep, although there is also a ton of talent at linebacker, offensive tackle, and even QB.
Not only are there plenty of top end talents, this draft is amazingly deep.
So take a look at my projected first round of next years draft.
1. St. Louis Rams - Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
The Rams thought about taking Mark Sanchez last season, but passed on him due to Mark Bulger's big contract.
Picking top two for the third consecutive season would probably change that.
Snead is the top QB in this class, with all the physical tools and intangibles to go No. 1 overall.
2. Cleveland Browns - Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Browns have a QB of the future in Brady Quinn, so Sam Bradford is probably out of the question, although Mangini might want to bring in "his own guy".
A linebacker could be possible, but free safety is a bigger hole, and Mays is the best free safety in the draft, probably the best free safety in years. He has great size, over 230 pounds of bulk, and can run in the 4.4 range.
3. Detroit Lions - Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap is arguably the best prospect in this draft. He has Mario Williams type talent, and with a good season is almost a lock to declare and go top five overall.
The Lions need to protect Matthew Stafford, but unless their offensive line completely collapses this season they have to go with Dunlap here.
4. Oakland Raiders - Russell Okung, RT, Oklahoma State
The Raiders need help on the right side of their offensive line making Okung a great pick. Eric Berry and his sub-4.4 speed could be in play here, but they took a safety in round two last year and failed to address the hole at right tackle so as of now, Okung is the best pick.
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
The past two years they have built their defensive line, and they will now be looking to improve their linebacker group as well. Spikes would have been a first round pick in last years draft, but coming back to school should elevate his prospect status.
He's the top ILB in next years class as of now.
If Matt Cassel struggles, or the Chiefs fail to sign him to an extension, Sam Bradford could be the pick here as well.
6. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
The Seahawks need to find the future at this position, and Bradford is a good value at the No. 6 pick. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but it's not bad either and that's pretty much his only "weakness."
Eric Berry is tough to pass up though as he is possibly the best player in this draft, and would fill a big need in Seattle. But the overall safety depth in this draft makes the Bradford pick a good one.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The Jaguars need to get younger on the defensive line and Suh is a perfect fit for their defense. A top-10 prospect with the best all around skill set of any DT in this draft, and the college production to back it up.
Cornerback is another area the Jags might target here.
8. San Francisco 49ers - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
This teams biggest need is at the safety position, and they get the best prospect in the draft at No. 8. If Snead or Bradford dropped, they might think about it, but in the end the best player on the board is too good to pass up at eight.
9. Green Bay Packers - Joe Haden, CB, Florida
In one of the deepest defensive drafts in recent memory, the CB position isn't all that strong.
However, Green Bay needs help at this position, and Haden is a top 10 talent. Maybe not the best player available, but well worth the pick.
10. San Francisco 49ers - Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan
The 49ers got the best player on the board at No. 8, then grab their franchise QB in Tim Hiller.
He doesn't get all the hype yet, but Hiller has great size, a rocket arm, he's accurate, smart, and the next great QB coming from the MAC Conference.
11. Washington Redskins - Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Redskins passed on Michael Oher in the 2009 draft, and they will be targeting offensive tackle help next season. Bulaga is a big, athletic, and versatile tackle that could succeed on either side of the offensive line.
I like him more than Okung due to his ability to play on the left side, something I doubt Okung can do.
12. Tampa Bay Bucs - Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Tampa Bay address it's two big needs last season at QB and DT, so this is more of a best player available pick.
Benn is easily the best player available with his good size, speed, very physical and strong, good hands. He is the total package at WR. Plus he has great worth ethic.
13. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) - Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
The Broncos didn't end up with BJ Raji last year, but Terrance Cody might be even better. Mt. Cody is over 350 pounds, which is a monstrous anchor for the Broncos 3-4 deffense.
14. Buffalo Bills - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The Bills need to get younger inside their defensive line, and McCoy is a massive steal at 14. Some have him in their top-five prospects, and as far as 4-3 DTs go, McCoy is right up there with Suh of Nebraska.
15. Cincinnati Bengals - Jonathon Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Dwyer is a top-10 talent, so getting him here is a best player available move. After a great draft last year, they can afford to make such a luxury pick.
16. Miami Dolphins - Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Kindle is just too good to pass up here. A top 10 prospect. If he drops this far, the Dolphins just can't pass him up. It's not like the Dolphins have all that many gaping holes anyway. Kindle is a very athletic 3-4 OLB.
17. Tennessee Titans - George Selvie, DE, USF
Selvie is a steal here as well. He's a top five talent, and who could fall out of the top 15. The Titans two starting defensive ends are free agents at the end of the season, so Selvie being a defensive end and the best player available is a perfect pick here for the Titans.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Walter Jones is getting up there in age, and Williams can be groomed as his replacement. Williams is a massive offensive tackle, and can probably play on the left side despite his weight. The Seahawks might also might consider a safety here.
19. Houston Texans - Major Wright, S, Florida
The Texans were looking for a safety last year, but there wasn't one worth their pick.
Major Wright, however, IS worth this pick. He is a hard hitting safety who fits perfectly in the Texans defensive backfield.
20. New Orleans Saints - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missiouri
Another example of just how deep this draft is.
Weatherspoon could be a top 10 pick in most drafts, but slips to the Saints at No. 20. And they are sure glad he did. Weatherspoon fills a position of need, and might just be the best available player.
21. New York Jets - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
This draft is so good that Dez Bryant—who is often compared to Lary Fitzgerald—could go this late. The Jets would certainly love him to fall into their lap. Mark Sanchez might want his guy Damien Williams from USC though. Either way they are getting a No. 1 receiver.
22. Baltimore Ravens - Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham is a top 10 talent, and a huge steal here. A QB three best friends are a defense, a running game, and a tight end.
With this pick, Joe Flacco will have all three for a very long time.
23. Dallas Cowboys - Damian Williams, WR, USC
The Cowboys desperately need depth at this position.
Damien Williams is a complete receiver with no holes in his game. He doesn't have the size of Bryant or Benn, and isn't a track star, but he has both adequate size and speed, with good hands, route running skills, and focus.
24. New York Giants - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Antonio Pierce is getting old, and the Giants need his replacement. McClain is a top 10 talent, who some like more than Spikes, which means he is a a steal at 24. Broken record but... what a deep draft!
25. Minnesota Vikings - Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Physically Locker is a great prospect. But he needs to work on his accuracy and decision making, which is why he will drop to the mid first.
The Vikings need a franchise QB, and although Locker is a project, he has tons of talent and good intangibles.
26. Indianapolis Colts - Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky
Some would argue he's a better prospect than Joe Haden. He is a good value here, and fills a position of need. If one of the top receivers drops, they could be the pick as well.
27. Airzona Cardinals - Ciron Black, OT, LSU
The Cards need depth on the offensive line, and they wont get it latter in the draft. Black is a decent value here and fills a need. He could have been a first rounder last year, but with another good year he should cement his first round status.
28. San Diego Chargers - LaGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
I'm not convinced he's done yet, but LT is on the wrong side of 30 and the Chargers need to find a power back to complement Darren Sproles within the next year or two. Blount, at over 240 pounds, is a perfect fit.
29. Atlanta Falcons - Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
An absolute steal here, and he fills one of the few holes on this team. Total package at OLB, and dominated the Big 12 as a redshirt freshman. Could go a lot earlier in any other draft.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kris O'Dowd, C, USC
The Steelers drafted a center late in last years draft, but if that doesn't work out O'Dowd is the top center prospect this year, and right up there with the best this decade.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
Offers good value here and fills a position of need for the 2010 Super Bowl losers. Will need a good season this year though, as his measurables aren't yet elite.
32. New England Patriots - Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College
The Patriots youth movement on defense continues with this pick. Herzlich, like everyone else picked below No. 10, is a big steal here. He is only able to drop this far due to the exceptional depth of this class.
If Laurence Maroney struggles, the Patriots could select a running back here as well.
Notable players not in my first round:
Colt McCoy - I don't believe McCoy is a first round prospect. He is smart, accurate, and athletic, but his size and arm strength severely limit his NFL potential.
Tim Tebow - Has the physical talent to succeed at the NFL level, however his slow release and poor deep ball accuracy make him a big project.
CJ Spiller/Jahvid Best - I like both of them as solid Chris Johnson like prospects, and if they run great 40s they might make it into the late first, but neither of them are elite NFL prospects.
Marvin Austin/Everson Griffin - Physical specimens and great pass rushers that need to show more production this year to move into the first round.
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