Monday Morning Mock: First-Round Projections for the 2010 NFL Draft

Alright I haven’t updated my mock draft in over a month, so let’s get this thing started. There have been drastic changes in the draft order since last time. 

Mainly, the Browns have fallen to seventh, the Rams took over the first position, and Pete Carroll is now in control of the sixth and 14th picks in Seattle (that’s enough to change the outlook of any mock draft).  So fasten your seat belts, get ready to criticize, and we are off on Mock Monday!

Feel free to leave me comments on what you think your team's needs are in the comments section to help make this mock better for next time!

Oh...by the way...The Rams are on the clock!

1. St. Louis- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: Oh, how losing out changes the draft plans of a team. In my first mock I had this pick as QB Sam Bradford for the Rams when they were picking fourth. 

Let’s face it, there isn’t a QB in this draft worth number one overall money, so the Rams play it safe and take the best player in the draft. It doesn’t hurt that Suh fills a need at a position that produced just one sack and 60 tackles between the two starters last season.

2. Detroit- Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State: My mind screamed defense, defense, defense here, but I just can’t see the Lions going into this season with 32-year-old Jeff Backus continuing to guard their franchise investment of Matthew Stafford. Okung is hands-down the premier “Blind Side” protector in this draft. 

3. Tampa Bay- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma: This pick has potential trade written all over it if Seattle or San Francisco (both with two first round picks) sees someone they want. Let’s face it; Tampa Bay was 27th in the league in overall defense. 

Everyone thinks this pick is going to be Eric Berry, but Tampa was 10th against the pass. They were, however, 32nd vs the run.  Gerald McCoy makes sense because he is versatile enough to play the whole line.

4. Washington- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma: Another potential trade spot because Mike Shanahan likes to build through the depth of the draft, but if nobody is looking to move up, Shanahan might just have to take his signal caller of the future. With Jason Campbell on the potential cap cut block, the Redskins will go either Bradford or Clausen here.

5. Kansas City- Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama: The Chiefs desperately need playmakers on defense. I had them taking Eric Berry here in my last draft, but after watching them give up 280 yards to Jerome Harrison of the Browns and finishing 31st in run defense; McClain is the pick. This kid is a stud, and will eventually take over Ray Lewis’ spot on the All-Pro team at ILB when he retires.

6. Seattle- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee: While all of Seahawk nation expects Pistol Pete to pull the trigger on a Southern Cal guy or “his QB”, here’s a fact that many people fail to realize: Seattle was 30th in the league against the pass. Deon Grant is aging, and the potential superstar Berry is still here. Seems like a no-brainer.

7. Cleveland- Joe Haden, CB, Florida: If I am working in the front office, I just did a cartwheel on my way to handing this pick to Big Roger G. My days of watching teams single out Brandon McDonald are over! Haden and Eric Wright INSTANTLY make the Browns secondary something to fear in a newly pass happy AFC North. 

8. Oakland- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: Oh how I love Al Davis’ mind.  JaMarcus Russell has fallen far from grace; Bruce Gradikowski, Charlie Frye, and J.P. Losman are not the answer. The Raiders have so many needs, but they actually end up with a potential stud in Clausen who can make all the NFL throws. Now all they need is someone to protect him.

9. Buffalo- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech: Buffalo is stunned. They thought for sure that Clausen or Bradford was going to be available here. Since neither are available, Buffalo finds its replacement for Aaron Schobel who I hear wants out or wants to retire.

10. Denver- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: Denver could use help at Linebacker, but with Brandon Marshall being benched to end the season; his days are numbered in Denver. After Marshall, Denver doesn’t have a No. 1 receiver on the roster. Bryant steps in from Day One to fill that position.

11. Jacksonville- Tim Tebow- QB, Florida: Listen, would I pick Tim Tebow here? No way. However, sources have been reporting that there is a gentlemen’s agreement among the owners that nobody will take Tebow in the first round so that Jacksonville can (not like they needed to make that agreement anyways). 

Tebow is the one person in this draft that will put fans in the stands for the Jaguars. With the potential for them to possibly move to L.A. in the future, the owners will do whatever it takes to keep the team there. Even if that means taking Tebow WAYYYY TOO HIGH.

12. Miami- Brian Price, DT, UCLA: Let’s face it; Miami is in a division with Tom Brady’s passing ability, the Jets’ running ability, and Buffalo’s um, well yeah Buffalo. Price is a stout defensive lineman that will be able to wreak havoc against the pass or the run, sounds perfect in this division.

13. San Francisco- Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers: The 49ers struggled up front this season. With two picks in the teens they will surely address this problem. Davis is flying up draft boards, and seems like a smart pick here.

14. Seattle- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: Seahawk nation goes nuts. Finally they have an explosive, dynamic running back to put in that west-coast offense. Spiller has all of the skills to exceed in that offense, even with an aging Hasselbeck. Oh, and Pistol Pete Caroll has a history of working well with dynamic running backs: see Reggie Bush.

15. New York Giants- Sergio Kindle, DE/LB, Texas: Did you see this kid during the National Championship game? He reads the screen, plays the pass, puts his hand down, can do it all.  The Giants were once known for stud linebackers, and now they have none.  Kindle provides a rush linebacker that will keeps the likes of Romo and McNabb on their heels.

16. San Francisco- Earl Thomas, S, Texas: The Texas boys go back-to-back. Earl Thomas is the punishing strong safety that the 49ers need. He is a play-maker and a solid pick here at 16. Taylor Mays will also be a possibility.

17. Tennessee- Corey Wooten, DE, Northwestern: The Titans proved that the loss of one defensive lineman can change the way a defense can play. Wooten will provide athleticism, youth, and the run-stopping ability the Titans crave.

18. Pittsburgh- Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma: This kid shouldn’t have fallen this far. NFL scouts projected him as a pro-bowl RT for years to come if he switched back. Oh, and they projected him as a top 15 pick as a LT. Not a bad choice considering Big Ben was in the top three in sacks this season.

19. Atlanta- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame: Atlanta is losing two WR’s to free agency. Golden Tate has excellent hands and will provide just another weapon for Matt Ryan to use in the offense.

20. Houston- Taylor Mays, S, USC: For some reason, he fell this far. Houston has a need for an impact safety, and here you go an impact safety. It will think about drafting Jahvid Best or Jonathon Dwyer at running back, but will take the hard-hitting Trojan.  

21. Cincinnati- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: If there was one glaring problem that I saw with Carson Palmer this season, it was that he didn’t have a big, pass catching tight-end to check down to. Insert Gresham. Coming off an injury, he will be hungry and ready to prove to the league he was worth the wait. 

Imagine if teams have to creep the safety up to help cover him, Ochocinco with man-to-man outside means: Mas Celebrations en la end zone.

22. New England- Carlos Dunlap, DL, Florida: If anyone can get this kid into shape it’s the Patriots. The only reason he has fallen this far is because of questions about his dedication, this is the type of player that the Patriots will turn into the steal of the first-round. 

23. Green Bay- Brian Bulaga, T, Iowa: I think Aaron Rodgers just had a heart-attack. Well not really, but he is pumped to get this big farm boy to block him up front. You can’t have your franchise quarterback spending half the season on his back.

24. Philadelphia- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida: Who expected Dallas to thrash Philly like that? The Eagles linebackers couldn’t stop the run, defend the pass, nothing. This is why Spikes is perfect here. 

25. Baltimore- Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State: This could change to a strong need for a safety if Ed Reed decides to retire. However, Robinson is a playmaker. He is fast and can run with any receiver in the NFL. Baltimore’s corners got shredded all season, so it is time to finally address this need.

26. Arizona- Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State: Arizona’s defense is atrocious.  They gave up 90 points in two games in the playoffs. They need to start somewhere, and Bowman is the best defender on the board.

27. Dallas- Charles Brown, T, USC: Tony Romo got sacked seven times last night. He didn’t have time to throw the ball or even think. Charles Brown provides them a big body up front that will protect Romo from either the left or right side.

28. San Diego- Jahvid Best, RB, Cal: It was apparent that LT is done after watching him face the Jets. He can’t hit holes with the same spunk he once did, and it is time for him to move on to where dead running backs go to die: New England, lol. 

Anyways, Best was showing flashes of being the first running back picked in the draft until he got injured this year, so he is a perfect fit staying in California.

29. New York Jets- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State: What the Jets are doing in this year’s playoffs is outstanding. Rex Ryan will continue his defensive trend in New York by selecting the big bodied Odrick to help this team continue to disrupt the QB for years to come.

30. Minnesota- Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, California : Minnesota has an aging defensive backfield, and Thompson is flying up draft boards.  I thought Dowling from Virginia would be picked here, but he seems to be slipping.

31. New Orleans- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: The Saints need help on the defensive line, and Paul can either play end or stand-up and play linebacker.  This kid has a rare combination of athleticism and strength that shouldn’t be available this late in the round.

32. Indianapolis- Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: This guy has been flying up draft boards with his athletic abilities, and excellent play in the Florida game. The Colts could use a more athletic DT up front or a LB at this spot.