2010 NFL Mock Draft, Free Agency Edition: Sam Bradford To St. Louis Rams

The beginning of NFL free agency turned into a spending frenzy on day one.

The Chicago Bears signed the big fish in Julius Peppers and nabbed former Minnesota Viking Chester Taylor .

The Detroit Lions made a splash, adding key players in wideout Nate Burleson and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch —while also trading for defensive tackle Corey Williams.

The Atlanta Falcons changed their draft outlook significantly by signing free agency's top cornerback in Dunta Robinson .

With all of the signings and trades in the last week, the outlook of the draft has changed drastically.

These are the updated top-32 picks of the 2010 NFL Draft since free agency began.

For comparison, see my Post-Combine Mock Draft .

 

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

The Rams have solidified their intention to select Bradford by signing defensive tackle Fred Robbins to a three-year, $12 million deal.

With that investment, it becomes less likely that the Rams would put $40-50 million more into the defensive tackle position.

The Rams do not have a franchise quarterback and Bradford provides them with one. He is the best overall passer in the draft.

Bradford has prototypical NFL size and can make all of the NFL throws. There is little doubt that he will display a healthy right shoulder at his Pro Day.

When that day comes, the Rams will start up their contract negotiations.

Previous Pick: Ndamukong Suh

 

 

2. Detroit Lions— Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

The Lions did a great job in free agency, filling some key needs, especially on the defensive line. However, the Lions are still going to select a defensive tackle.

Suh is the most talented player in the draft and an incredible pick for the Lions.  With the addition of Suh, the Lions will complete an offseason in which they will go from a bottom-five defensive line to a potential top-10.  

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz made it clear  that he likes his left tackle Jeff Backus, so Russell Okung is out of the picture. Look for the Lions to find interior offensive line help in later rounds.

Previous Pick: Russell Okung

 

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

This pick does not change for the Bucs, who still need help on the defensive line; the Buccaneers had the NFL's worst run defense in 2009.

McCoy is versatile and will provide immediate help to a struggling defense.

Suh may be better against the run, but McCoy is no slouch. He is a great backfield penetrator who can wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.

Eric Berry is not a bad pick here either, but McCoy makes much more sense if he is available.

Previous Pick: Gerald McCoy

 

4. Washington Redskins—Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Mike Shanahan  is not convinced that Jason Campbell  is the Redskins' long-term option at quarterback. Whether Campbell is with the 'Skins in 2010 or not, he is not seen as their future QB.

Don't read too much into the first-round tender placed on Campbell. He is a starting QB, so anything below a first-round tender would be ridiculous. This does not mean he is guaranteed to start in 2010 or that he will even be on the team.

Clausen is the second-best passer in the draft and will continue to climb up draft boards as the big day approaches. He can make all the NFL throws and is very confident in his own abilities. He is just what Mike Shanahan is looking for.

Previous Pick: Sam Bradford

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs—Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Okung is the best left tackle prospect in the draft and the Chiefs will select him accordingly. He will be a staple on the Chiefs' line for many years.

The Chiefs were awful at protecting the quarterback in 2009, giving up 45 sacks. Adding  Okung will make an immediate impact on one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL.

Previous Pick: Trent Williams

 

6. Seattle Seahawks—Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

With the top quarterbacks both drafted, the Seahawks will look to shore-up their terrible offensive line.

Matt Hasselbeck will return for another season in 2010 and the 'Hawks can go after Washington's Jake Locker in 2011, or another QB in the later rounds of this draft.

Trent Williams grades as a slightly better prospect than Bryan Bulaga and would start at left tackle.

Previous Pick: Bryan Bulaga

 

7. Cleveland Browns—Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

This pick does not change for the Browns, who need secondary help.

Berry is the best player available here at pick seven and he also fits their needs. Berry showed excellent explosiveness and ball skills at the combine, and solidified himself as the best defensive back in the draft.

The Browns have huge holes in the defensive secondary, one of which Berry can fill.

Berry is all but guaranteed to be an All-Pro at some point in his career. He has excellent instincts and is a ball-hawk who will rack up a lot of turnovers.

Previous Pick: Eric Berry

 

8. Oakland Raiders—Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Campbell is more realistically a late first-round pick, but he is a workout warrior. Campbell showed up at the combine in incredible shape and had great workouts.

The Raiders need offensive line help and Al Davis  loves workout warriors. This is a match made in Al Davis' heaven.

While some may criticize this pick, it may actually turn out well. Campbell needs work on his technique, but he has the tools and work ethic to become a great tackle in the NFL. 

Previous Pick: Bruce Campbell

 

9. Buffalo Bills—Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Another team that needs a quarterback, the Bills will have to look elsewhere to fill that need with Bradford and Clausen gone.

The Bills have a terrible offensive line and gave up way too many sacks in 2009. Bulaga is an excellent pick for them. He will bring swagger and gritty play at left tackle to fire up the offensive line.

Previous Pick: Jimmy Clausen

 

10. Jacksonville Jaguars—Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Jaguars may have signed Aaron Kampman  in free agency—the second-best defensive end available—but, that's not enough to fix an abysmal defensive line.

The Jaguars put together one of the worst seasons ever in the pass rush in 2009, putting up just 14 sacks.

Morgan will definitely bring that total up, especially playing opposite Kampman. Morgan is the best defensive end in the draft, with great pass-rushing skills.

Like the Lions, the addition of a key free agent and a great draft pick take the Jacksonville defensive line from terrible to great.

Previous Pick: Derrick Morgan 

 

11. Denver Broncos—Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

The big storyline in Denver is Brandon Marshall , who is on his way out. Marshall visited with Seattle and will visit other teams in the coming days. Expect Denver to let him walk and take a first-round pick in return.

Dez Bryant is the best wideout in the draft and easily worthy of this pick. He is a big, physical receiver who is also a downfield threat. He would fill the whole left by Marshall as the team's No. 1 receiver.

Previous Pick: Joe Haden

 

12. Miami Dolphins—Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

The Dolphins filled their hole at linebacker by signing former Cardinal Karlos Dansby.

Dansby is versatile and can play either ILB or OLB in the Dolphins' 3-4 scheme. If not for this signing, this pick likely becomes Rolando McClain.

Big news in Miami came when starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson was suspended eight games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The Dolphins now need to address nose tackle and Williams is the best at that position in the draft.

Williams will eat blockers at the line of scrimmage and free up Karlos Dansby and co. to make plays.

Previous Pick: Dez Bryant

 

13. San Francisco 49ers—C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

Earl Thomas would still be a great pick here, but if Spiller is available, the 49ers will likely take him.

The 49ers need a versatile pass-catching option out of the backfield to complement Frank Gore. Glen Coffee is simply not the answer as his running style is too similar to Gore's.

Spiller is a value pick, because he is the most exciting offensive playmaker in the draft and would help an offense that needs more playmakers.

Previous Pick: Earl Thomas

 

14. Denver Broncos (from Seattle)—Joe Haden, CB, Florida

This scenario is by no means guaranteed. However, the Seahawks are very interested in Marshall.

For this to happen, the Broncos will have to lower their asking price on Marshall from the sixth overall pick to the 14th.

This could certainly happen as draft day approaches and the Broncos consider their chances of landing Bryant to fill the hole left by Marshall and getting secondary help in Haden.

Don't read too much into Haden's 4.57 40 time as many teams will. Haden is football-fast; he plays faster in pads than he runs on the track.

In Haden, the Broncos get the future at cornerback to eventually replace their two 31-year-old starters.

Previous Pick: Seahawks select C.J. Spiller

 

15. New York Giants—Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama

The Giants solved their safety problems in free agency by signing Antrel Rolle .

However, the Giants still have a hole at inside linebacker. McClain is the best middle linebacker in this draft and would provide immediate help to the Giants defense. He would likely start from day one.

Previous Pick: Rolando McClain

 

16. Tennessee Titans—Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

The departures of Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse  means the Titans have no starters at defensive end. This is a must-pick for the Titans.

Pierre-Paul is still overrated on a lot of draft boards, going as high as the top-5 in some cases. Too many scouts talk about his potential and great workouts while ignoring his lack of production and his lean upper-body.

However, on pure potential, he is certainly worth the 17th pick in the draft.

Previous Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul

 

17. San Francisco 49ers—Mike Iupati, OG/T, Idaho

The 49ers cannot pass up on Iupati here, who is the best remaining offensive lineman.

He is the best interior lineman in the draft and could potentially play right tackle.

Frank Gore was stuffed at the line too many times in 2009 and the 49ers pass blocking left something to be desired. Iupati will contribute immediately.

Previous Pick: Mike Iupati 

 

18. Pittsburgh Steelers—Earl Thomas, S/CB, Texas

Earl Thomas is easily the second-best safety in this draft class. He has great athleticism and is a ball-hawk who picks off a lot of passes.

Thomas is also versatile and could potentially play cornerback at the NFL level. The Steelers' secondary was exposed with Troy Polamalu injured in 2009 and could use another good, young player.

This is a value pick that will pay off for the Steelers.

Previous Pick: Kyle Wilson

 

19. Atlanta Falcons—Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

The Falcons made a huge move in filling one of their biggest needs by signing cornerback Dunta Robinson. Now, they can focus on filling the need at outside linebacker in the draft.

Weatherspoon is flying up draft boards after a phenomenal combine followed by a great Pro Day. Easily the best 4-3 OLB in this draft, Weatherspoon is a great pick here for the Falcons who have significant needs at DE and OLB.

Brandon Graham or Everson Griffen are options here as well, but Weatherspoon appears too good to pass on.

Previous Pick: Brandon Graham

 

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

With the departure of Dunta Robinson, the Texans have a gaping hole at cornerback.

Wilson is the second-best corner in this draft and would likely start immediately for the Texans. He solidified his grade with a great combine, showing phenomenal strength and athleticism.

Previous Pick: Brian Price

 

21. Cincinnati Bengals—Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Bengals could still make a play for Brandon Marshall, but rumors are that they are not serious contenders to land him.

That being the case, the Bengals still desperately need playmakers for Carson Palmer, especially at tight end. The Bengals have had little production from their tight ends the last few years, so Gresham would be a huge improvement.

Gresham is hands-down the best tight end in this draft. He is an excellent pass catcher and a very good blocker.

Previous Pick: Jermaine Gresham

 

22. New England Patriots—Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

No reason to change the pick here for the Patriots, who desperately need a young, athletic edge rusher for their 3-4 defense.

Kindle has excellent speed and good strength for his size. He would be an immediate improvement rushing from the edge.

Previous Pick: Sergio Kindle

 

23. Green Bay Packers—Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

The Packers lost starting 3-4 OLB Aaron Kampman in free agency, so they have a major gap to fill. Graham is versatile and can play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB at the NFL level.

He is a strong player who can rush from the edge and is athletic enough to drop into coverage. He would make an immediate impact filling in for Kampman.

The Packers also made it clear this week that they will not draft a left tackle, by retaining Chad Clifton.

Previous Pick: Anthony Davis

 

24. Philadelphia Eagles—Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida 

The Eagles missed out on Julius Peppers, so they will look to find an option at DE in the draft.

Dunlap will slide down draft boards due to character concerns and poor interviews at the combine.

Still, he is a difficult prospect for the Eagles to pass on because of his incredible physical tools. He is an elite prospect whose ceiling is unlimited.

Previous Pick: Carlos Dunlap

 

25. Baltimore Ravens—Taylor Mays, S, USC

The Ravens filled their biggest need by trading for star receiver Anquan Boldin. With that move, the Ravens will look to find the heir-apparent to the aging Ed Reed.

If there is one group in the NFL that can help groom Mays into a superstar, it is Reed (pending he doesn't retire) and the Ravens coaching staff.

Mays needs help learning to play the safety position at the NFL level. He certainly has the physical tools; the Ravens can provide the rest.

Previous Pick: Arrelious Benn

 

26. Arizona Cardinals—Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

The Cardinals certainly have bigger needs than wide receiver, but the loss of Boldin is a big one.

Losing Dansby and Rolle also hurts the defense and leaves holes at OLB and safety. However, there are no safeties or 3-4 OLBs that are worth a pick this high with Thomas, Berry, Kindle and Graham off the board.

Benn is a huge, physical receiver with solid top-end speed and good hands. He may end up reminding Cardinals fans of his predecessor, Boldin. This is a value pick for the Cardinals who have an infinite number of needs after a free agency firesale.

Previous Pick: Dan Williams

 

27. Dallas Cowboys Cowboys—Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

The Cowboys have two old and slow offensive tackles, so replacements are in order. Davis' draft stock took a hit after a poor combine, but he is still a solid prospect.

Davis looks great on tape—especially at handling quick edge rushers. That is something the Cowboys struggled with in 2009, so Davis would be a major upgrade at left tackle.

Previous Pick: Taylor Mays

 

28. San Diego Chargers—Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

Matthews is a great runner who will likely start at running back for the Chargers, who appear unlikely to find a running back in free agency.

Matthews had a great combine and ran a solid 40-yard dash, answering questions about his top-end speed. He solidified himself as the best inside runner in the draft.

Previous Pick: Ryan Matthews

 

29. New York Jets—Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

No change in the pick here, for the Jets, who need another offensive playmaker.

Tate had a very impressive combine, clocking one of the better 40 times amongst the wide receivers. However, Arrelious Benn looked good as well, so Tate likely didn’t pass him on many draft boards.

Tate is the third-best receiver in the draft, mainly because of his smaller size relative to Benn and Bryant. Still, he is a great pick for a Jets team that needs playmakers that can actually catch a football (in other words, not Braylon Edwards).

Previous Pick: Golden Tate

 

30. Minnesota Vikings—Maurkice Pouncey, OC/G, Florida

Pouncey is the second-best interior lineman in the draft behind Iupati and an excellent value at the bottom of the first round.

Many will continue to scream for cornerback here, but the Vikings are known for not drafting for need (the best draft strategy, in reality). Pouncey is simply the best player available here and he still fits a need.

The Vikings had huge interior line problems with John Sullivan and Anthony Herrera opening very few holes for Adrian Peterson . Pouncey would win either the starting center or right guard job while either Sullivan or Herrera gets the boot.

Previous Pick: Maurkice Pouncey

 

31. Indianapolis Colts—Everson Griffen, DE, USC

This is a value pick for the Colts, who will likely take the best player available here.

Griffen had a solid combine showing and may have solidified himself with a first-round grade. There are still questions about his consistency, but he is a safe pick at the bottom of round one.

Griffen is a force off the edge and could be the heir-apparent to the 30-year-old Dwight Freeney .

Previous Pick: Everson Griffen

 

32. New Orleans Saints—Brian Price, DT, UCLA

The Saints' biggest need is OLB, but this year's class is very thin at the top of the draft. With Weatherspoon gone, the Saints will have to wait to fill that need.

Price is a great value pick for the Saints who could use some help in their interior defensive line. Sedrick Ellis is still young and could improve but fellow 2009 starter Remi Ayodele is not talented enough to remain in the starting lineup.

Price is simply the best player available at the bottom of round one and could team up with Ellis for years to come.

Previous Pick: Sean Weatherspoon