2010 NFL Mock Draft: Should The St. Louis Rams Trade The No. 1 Pick?

This is my first 2010 NFL Mock Draft. It includes my in-depth analysis for all 32 picks in the first round.

I've put in consideration the NFL Combine and some of the offseason moves that have just gone down.

Be prepared for a few surprises, with some big-name players slipping and a couple of teams making bold moves. We could be in for a really intense NFL Draft come April.

By the way, I am a high school student interested in becoming a sports analyst/journalist when I grow up, so I would really appreciate your feedback.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13): DT Ndamukung Suh, Nebraska

Surprise!

The Buccaneers will trade up and draft Suh, one of the best pro prospects to ever come out of college.

The Bucs have the ammunition (5 out of the top 99 picks) to package a deal to trade with the Rams for the No. 1 pick.

This trade makes sense for both teams. The Bucs need to bring in a stalwart on their lackluster defense, and second year head coach, Raheem Morris, is on the hot seat. He needs to make a bold, yet safe, move to bring in an impact player who can immediately start making plays.

Suh has the rare combination of speed, strength, and athleticism that will help him dominate in the NFL. He also possesses remarkable instincts to go along with his top-notch intangibles.

Many will argue that a DT isn’t worthy of the No. 1 pick.

However, special players like Suh don’t come along very often. He is a difference maker who can anchor a defense for the next 15 years and showed that he has the ability to take over a game by sacking Colt McCoy 4.5 times in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Regardless of which team has the No. 1 pick, it would be a huge mistake to pass up on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Best Compares to: Hall of Fame DT Warren Sapp

Possibility: No Trade, Rams draft Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh

2. Detroit Lions (2-14) : DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma

The Lions will draft McCoy, a player with the uncanny ability to wreck havoc in the opponent's backfield.

McCoy will drastically improve the Lion's lackluster defense, as he has all the tools to be an elite three-technique in the NFL—something all 4-3 teams covet.

Best Compares to: Chicago DT Tommie Harris

Possibility: Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung

3. St. Louis Rams (1-15): QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

The Rams will trade down and draft Bradford, an intelligent quarterback who's deadly accurate and possesses off-the-chart intangibles.

Many are questioning whether or not Bradford will be successful in the NFL, primarily because of his average arm strength and the fact that he is a product of Oklahoma's spread offense. He is also coming off a shoulder surgery that forced his junior-year campaign to come to a premature end.

However, the Rams desperately need to change the culture in St. Louis, and as demonstrated in past years, drafting a QB seems to be the best way to do it.

In my mind, this trade makes a lot of sense for the Rams. Since Tampa Bay and Detroit drafted QB's in the first round last year, selecting at No. 3 will ensure they get their QB of choice and will get him at a slight discount. In addition, the Rams will most likely get one of the Bucs' high draft picks, which can be used to fill one of the several voids on their talent-depleted roster.

Best Compares to: New Orleans QB Drew Brees

Possibility: No Trade, Buccaneers draft Tennessee S Eric Berry

4. Washington Redskins (4-12): OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State

The Redskins will draft Okung, an offensive tackle with great technique and a lot of upside.

The team is under a new regime, which means Head Coach Mike Shannahan may want to draft "his guy" at QB. However, it looks like former first round pick Jason Campbell will be given yet another shot at being the starting QB.

That said, the Redskins will look to rebuild the offensive line that allowed 46 sacks last season (fourth worst in the NFL)

Okung is the type of player that can anchor an offensive line for years to come. He will replace the oft-injured 32-year-old LT Chris Samuels.

Best Compares to: Denver Broncos LT Ryan Clady

Possibility: Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12): S Eric Berry, Tennessee

The Chiefs will take Berry, a talented DB who dominated in college.

Chiefs' GM Scott Pioli loves versatile DBs and Eric Berry is exactly that. He has great athleticism, is an outstanding tackler, and makes big-time, game-changing plays.

The front office may want to solidify the trenches before drafting skill players, just like they did in New England, but Berry is just too talented to pass up.

Best Compares to: Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed

Possibility: Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga

6. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

The Seahawks will draft Morgan, an all-around great DE.

With a new head coach in place, Seattle could be looking to draft a QB to be 34-year-old Matt Hassleback's successor. However, with Bradford gone, there's no one really worth taking.

That's why I have Seattle filling their void at DE with one of the top players in the draft.

In today's game, getting pressure on the QB is a key ingredient in winning, which makes pass rushers extremely valuable.

Last year, the Seahawks struggled to get after the QB, accumulating to only 28 sacks (26th in the NFL).

Morgan, who registered 12.5 sacks last season at Georgia Tech, would definitely be able to improve that number.

Compares to: Atlanta Falcons DE John Abraham

Possibility: Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga

7. Cleveland Browns (5-11): HB C.J. Spiller, Clemson

The Browns will draft Spiller, a versatile home-run threat.

Spiller is a special player, and even though I think this is a little high for him, it's likely to happen because the Browns are in desperate need of a playmaker.

In addition, I think Spiller's draft stock is higher than it should be because of the success Chris Johnson had last year. We saw a similar thing happen when Darren McFadden was drafted fourth overall after Adrian Peterson's amazing rookie season.

Spiller would thrive behind Cleveland's powerful
O-line, and it would take a lot of pressure off of Jake Delhomme (or whoever the QB is).

Best Compares to: Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson

Possibility: Alabama LB Rolando McClain

8. Oakland Raiders (6-10): OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland

The Raiders will draft Campbell, an athletic, yet inconsistent, offensive tackle.

The Raiders have spent their past few first round picks building the offense, and I expect them to continue doing so.

Campbell ran a 4.85 at the Combine, so to Al Davis, this alone will make him a future Raider.

The O-line allowed 49 sacks (third worst in the league) last season, so they desperately need an upgrade there. In addition, this pick will ensure there are no more excuses for Russell's lousy play, other than his own inept ability.

Best Compares to: New York Jets LT D'Brickshaw Fergurson

Possibility: USC S Taylor Mays

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa

The Bills will draft Bulaga, a mauler at offensive tackle.

The Bills traded away Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters to the Eagles last season and were never able to fill this void.

The team has said that they want nastier, more physical lineman, and Bulaga is exactly that.

The offensive line struggled last season, allowing 46 sacks (fourth worst in the league), so bringing in a stud LT like Bulaga would be a great step in improving that.

Best Compares to: New York Giants OT David Diehl

Possibility: Alabama LB Rolando McClain

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9): CB Joe Haden, Florida

The Jaguars will draft Haden, the only shut-down corner in the draft.

The Jaguars actually don't have that many holes on their roster, so I think they will take the best player available (BPA).

The franchise has struggled to sell seats, and the best way to do so will be to elevate the level of play, win games, and give the fans a legitimate reason to come watch. Improving their defense with Haden is a great way to do so.

The Gator star did run a slow 40-yard dash time at the Combine (4.57), but that was mainly because of his poor form. I think the Jaguars management is smart enough to see past it, just like I am.

Haden is a physical corner who is great in both pass coverage and run support. This makes him a great fit for the AFC South, which features Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson, as well as Tennessee's potent rushing attack.

Best Compares to: Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomogha

Possibility: South Florida DE Jason-Pierre Paul

11. Denver Broncos (7-9): LB Rolando McClain, Alabama

The Broncos will take McClain, one of the smartest players in the draft.

The Broncos switched to a 3-4 defensive system last year, and in order for it to succeed, getting the right personal is critical. Drafting a stud middle linebacker to lead the unit will be a great step in transforming the defense.

I think the fact that McClain didn't work out at the Combine may hurt his draft stock, but he is such a great player that I don't think there's any way he gets past pick 15 to the Giants.

The Broncos will take Williams, a prototypical nose tackle.

The Broncos switched over to a 3-4 defense last year, and as we all know, a dominant NT is key to any 3-4 defense.

This may be a little high for Williams, but nose tackles go quick in the draft. Remember that the Green Bay Packers selected B.J. Raji last year with the ninth overall pick.

Many think that they will draft Bryant if he's available, but I think it's highly unlikely.

After trading Jay Cutler, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said that he won't be using either of his first round picks for a QB because he doesn't believe in replacing players that left via free agency or trade. I think the same principle will apply if Marshall leaves.

Best Compares to: Carolina Panthers MLB Jon Beason

Possibility: Trade for veteran WR

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9): NT Dan Williams, Tennessee

The Dolphins will draft Williams, the only true nose tackle in the draft.

Dan Williams isn't the top player available, but nose tackled get drafted quickly (B.J. Raji at No. 9 last year). Moreover, this is a pretty weak nose tackle class, so they won't have many options in the later rounds.

Jason Ferguson, their current NT, is 35 and has slowed down in production. The Dolphins will be looking to replace him, and drafting Williams is a great way to do so.

This is another team that people expect to draft Bryant, yet I don't see it happening. Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells has used a first round pick on a wide reciever only once (Terry Glenn in 1996).

Best Compares to: New England Patriots NT Vince Wilfork

Possibility: Alabama LB Rolando McClain

13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma

The 49ers will draft Williams, a smart OT with great technique.

Williams is exactly what this team needs—an athletic OT who can play on both sides, is ready to start in the NFL now, and will give Smith the protection he needs.

After a season of chaos at RT, the team's No. 1 priority this offseason, will be to solve its dire need of an upgrade.

With two first round picks, I could see the team going in numerous directions. Trading down or out is in no way out of the question.

Best Compares to: Carolina Panthers LT Jordan Gross

Possibility: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller

14. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

The Seahawks will draft Davis, a talented OT who excels in the running game.

With future HOF-er Walter Jones retiring, LT becomes an immediate position of need.

Anthony Davis is extremely raw, but he's also got a very high ceiling, and with the right coaching, he could be a consistent Pro Bowler in this league.

I don't know if Coach Carrol would want to take on the responsibility of turning Davis into a star, but I think it would be a smart decision here.

Many have him as a Top 10 Prospect, some even a Top 5. However, with a poor Combine performance, I see him slipping a little.

Best Compares to: San Diego Chargers OT Marcus McNeil

Possibility: Alabama LB Rolando McClain

15. New York Giants (8-8): DT Brian Price, UCLA

The Giants will draft Price, a tenacious DT.

Everyone could tell the Giants defense looked nothing like the one that sacked Brady four times and won the Super Bowl. Their defensive line lacked the production that it did the year before.

I expect the Giants to really try and add some fresh, young talent during the offseason.

Price is one of the most underrated players in the draft, because he's been overshadowed by Suh and McCoy.

At UCLA, he demonstrated the ability to occupy two blockers, rush the passer, and make plays behind the line in the running game. He is really a force to reckon with.

Best Compares to: Minnesota Vikings DT Kevin WIlliams

Possibility: Trade for a LB (either McClain or a veteran)

16. Tennessee Titans (8-8): DE Jason-Pierre Paul, South Florida

The Titans will draft Pierre-Paul, a player with a high motor, yet poor intangibles.

The Titans have shown a tendency to draft athletic players in the recent past (Vince Young, Michael Griffin, Chris Johnson), and I think the South Florida DE will be the next on that list.

The Titans have been unable to recover from the departure of Albert Haynesworth, and they will be looking to add a stalwart to the line so that they can go back to their dominant ways.

Pierre-Paul is the fourth highest-rated player in the draft according to Scouts Inc., so I wouldn't be surprised if he's long gone by now. If he is though, the Titans will be very lucky and will pounce on the opportunity.

Best Compares to: Colts DE Dwight Freeney

Possibility: Texas FS Earl Thomas

17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): SS Earl Thomas, Texas

The 49ers will draft Thomas, a big-time safety in a small body.

Thomas, in my mind, is one of the most underrated players in the draft. He's only a redshirt sophomore, but he's a tremendous athlete, is great in coverage, and is a solid tackler.

He anchored the secondary in Texas and could do so for an NFL team as well.

The 49ers are in desperate need of some young talent in their secondary. Michael Lewis, Nate Clements, Dre Bly, and Walt Harris are all 30-plus, so their careers are winding down.

His versatility could allow him to play either CB or S, which will make him even more desirable.

Best Compares to: Colts SS Bob Sanders

Possibility: Idaho G Mike Iupati

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): G Mike Iupati, Idaho

The Steelers will draft Iupati, a player who's a powerful run blocker.

The Steelers have serious offensive line issues. Iupati would not only give Big Ben more protection, but would open up holes for their struggling running game.

Iupati's stock may have dropped because of his poor outing at the scouting combine, but in my mind, if you put on the tape, you can see that Iupati is a very talented offensive lineman and is worthy of this selection.

Best Compares to: Jets G Alan Faneca

Possibility: Boise State CB Kyle Wilson

19. St. Louis Rams (1-15): WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State

The Rams will trade back into the first round to draft Bryant, a talented receiver with character issues.

This is exactly why trading down from the No.1 pick makes sense.

This is one of the deepest draft classes ever, which means there is a good chance that a player, like Bryant, slips. Having additional picks will give the Rams the flexibility to make a move if the opportunity presents itself.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are going to be looking to add some defensive talent, and they could very well do so in later rounds in one of the deepest defensive drafts in a long time.

Drafting Bryant would be a great move for St. Louis.

They drafted their franchise QB, and now they need to draft a WR. They drafted Donnie Avery two years ago, but he hasn't proven to be a No.1 receiver. Bryant would allow him to move to the two-spot, and they may be able to create a formidable tandem together.

Best Compares to: Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens

Possibility: No Trade, Falcons draft Boise State CB Kyle Wilson

20. Houston Texans (9-7): CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State

The Texans will draft Wilson, a strong corner with great ball-skills and return ability.

Wilson's stock has been on an upward trend lately; and after racking up 25 reps of 225 lb. on the bench press during the Combine, it looks like he's locked himself up as a Top 25 selection.

The Texans' biggest need was to improve the secondary, and after losing Robinson to free agency, watching Cromartie being shipped to New York, and being unable to lure Bodden away from New England, it looks like they will leave it to the draft to fill the increasingly gaping hole.

The Texans have had success drafting defensive players, and if they want to keep up with the Colts, they will need someone to shutdown the dynamic duo of Manning and Wayne.

Best Compares to: New York Jets CB Darrelle Revis

Possibility: USC OT Charles Brown

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

The Bengals will draft Gresham, a great pass-catching tight end.

If the Bengals want to return to the playoffs, they will need to improve their passing offense. We saw in the playoffs, against the Jets, that they simply couldn't move the ball through the air.

The Bengals don't have any legitimate playmakers other than Chad Ochocinco, so bringing in another option for Palmer will be a priority this offseason.

Gresham is great in the redzone and can really dominate the deep middle of the field.

If it weren't for a knee injury that forced him to sit out all last year, Gresham may have been a Top 10 selection.

Best Compares to: San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates

Possibility: USC DE Everson Griffen

22. Washington Redskins (4-12): QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

The Redskins will draft Clausen, an over-hyped quarterback.

The Redskins have shown their tendency to be aggressive, and with Clausen slipping here, I think they will pull the trigger and trade up to draft him—similar to how the Browns did for Brady Quinn.

Clausen has an average arm, shaky mechanics, questionable intangibles, and has very little potential since he's so well-coached.

Despite all that, with a new regime in place, it is likely that they will want to find "their guy" at QB.

Clausen started all three years in a pro-style offense, and was very well-coached at Notre Dame. He posted very impressive numbers in his junior campaign (28 TD, 4 INT).

Best Compares to: New York Giants QB Eli Manning

Possibility: No Trade, Patriots draft Penn State DE Jared Odrick

23. Green Bay Packers (10-6): OT Charles Brown, USC

The Packers will draft Brown, a very consistent offensive tackle.

This may be a reach and I know that GM Ted Thompson always goes for BPA, but the Packers desperately need to find some protection for Rodgers.

Brown has quick feet and has good athleticism, which will make him a great fit in the Packer's zone-blocking scheme.

Best Compares to: New England OT Matt Light

Possibility: USC S Taylor Mays

24. Philladelphia Eagles (10-6): OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

The Eagles will draft Weatherspoon, a linebacker with great instincts and feel for the game.

Weatherspoon is a player who would provide an immediate upgrade to the Eagles' linebacking core.

He had a superb scouting combine, which really solidifies him as a Top 25 selection.

Best Compares to: Detroit Lions OLB Julian Peterson

Possibility: Michigan DE Brandon Graham

25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7): DE/DT Jared Odrick, Penn State

The Ravens will draft Odrick, a DL with great size and pass-rushing ability.

With the Ravens' defense aging, they will need to start adding young talent if they want to continue to be dominant in the future.

With Odrick's unique skills, I expect him to be a dominant five-technique in this league.

The Ravens biggest need is to bring in a No. 1 wideout, but I don't see them drafting one because other than Bryant, this wideout class is pretty weak.

Don't be surprised if they use this pick in a package for a player like Marshall or Boldin.

Best Compares to: Oakland Raiders DE Richard Seymour

Possibility: Alabama CB Kareem Jackson

26. Arizona Cardinals (9-7): OLB Navarro Bowman, Penn State

The Cardinals will draft Bowman, a three-down, sideline-to-sideline OLB with great pursuit to the ball.

In my mind, Bowman has been receiving much less praise and respect than he deserves. He's productive, instinctive, and one of the best tacklers in the draft.

Critics question whether his small frame will transition to the NFL.

I, on the other hand, believe he will be a very solid player in the NFL, and I think it will. He has great quickness to the ball, and is a three-down, sideline-to-sideline guy. I see him being a very solid player in the NFL.

As most of you know, the Cardinals lost four key players this offseason. While I think they have been making numerous mistakes, the organization seems to be confident with the moves they've made.

Even though I think he's more of a SS than a FS, they traded for Kerry Rhodes to fill the absence of Antrel Rolle.

They reached an agreement with Derek Anderson. This obviously won't make up for the loss of Warner, but will create constructive competition between him and Leinart, which will bring out the best out of both of them.

Moreover, they have Breaston and Doucet to be the receivers opposite Fitzegerald, so I don't think WR is much of an issue.

I know they signed the aging Porter to a multi-year contract, but obviously he's not the long-term solution at OLB that Bowman would be. Moreover, I could see Bowman being the starting weak-side linebacker and Porter being the versatile, situational pass-rusher on either side.

With the additional picks they possess, I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade up for McClain though.

Best Compares to: Detroit Lions OLB Ernie Sims

Possibility: USC DE Everson Griffen

27. Dallas Cowboys (10-6): S Taylor Mays, USC

The Cowboys will draft Mays, an athletic freak at safety.

While he isn't a polished safety, he did show flashes of brilliance at USC. In addition, his impressive combine will pretty much guarantee him a spot in the first round.

Mays would be an immediate upgrade over the current starting SS, Gerald Sensabaugh.

The Cowboys have been improving in coverage, so they can afford Mays' liability in coverage. The team would have the flexibility and freedom to train Mays and allow him to be a playmaker.

I think this would be a smart move for Jerry Jones. Mays is a big-name player, who will bring intensity to the defense. They were already able to transform Felix Jones into a good running back, and I think the coaching staff could do the same with Mays.

Best Compares to: Former Washington Redskins SS, Sean Taylor...R.I.P.

Possibility: Florida DE Carlos Dunlap

28. San Diego Chargers (12-4): RB Ryan Matthews, Fresno State

The Chargers will draft Matthews, a bruising back who is a great leader.

The Fresno State stud may not have great value in the passing game, but is a natural runner who can break tackles at will.

He showed that he can be great in big-game situations when he broke off for a 234 yard, three TD performance against Boise State. This is a quality which San Diego will look for after being ousted in the playoffs the last few seasons.

The Chargers once-dominant rushing attack has faltered all the way to 29th in the league. This offseason they let L.T. and Sproles go and didn't make any efforts bringing in replacements. Therefore, all signs point to them taking an every-down RB with this pick.

Best Compares to: Carolina Panthers RB Jonathon Stewart

Possibility: Alabama NT Terrence Cody

29. New York Jets (9-7): WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

The Jets will draft Tate, an explosive receiver with great work ethic.

In my mind, the one thing the Jets lack is a consistent deep-threat to complement their run game.

Tate is a solid route runner and has reliable hands, which will help make him a good slot receiver in the NFL.

He demonstrated his ability to succeed when surrounded with talent. He and Clausen created a formidable tandem, and he could do the same with Sanchez.

In addition, playing in the critical city of NY requires a tough mind, and after playing in a similar environment and fanbase in Notre Dame, Tate would be able to make the transition.

If Tate isn't drafted here, I could see him, along with the other WR, drop considerably like the WRs did in '08.

Best Compares to: Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith

Possibility: Texas OLB Sergio Kindle

30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4): OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas

The Vikings will draft Kindle, a multi-dimensional OLB.

The Vikings don't have many holes on their roster, other than a long-term fix at QB. There is no one worth taking, so the only way to fill that need would be to trade out of this spot.

That said, the Vikings will probably be looking to bolster their already-dominant defense.

Kindle would be an upgrade over their current options. He would help in both run support and would improve their pass-rush.

Best Compares to:

Possibility: Florida C Maurkice Pouncey

31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2): C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

The Colts will draft Pouncey, an intelligent center with a lot of starting experience.

Pouncey is one of the more underrated prospects in the draft, but I think he's a special talent who will get looked at by some of the smarter teams drafting late in the first round.

He excels both in run and pass blocking, as he has both power and finesse.

In addition, he possesses the the ideal combination of size, speed, and strength, which give him versatility to play any spot on the line.

Despite fitting best at center, he showed he can play tackle and seems capable to play guard as well.

This makes him a smart pick for Indianapolis, who needs to get both younger and better on the offensive line. Pouncey could start off at guard and move his way to be Jeff Saturday's eventual successor.

Moreover, his greatest strengths, his quickness and athleticism, will fit nicely in Indianapolis' mobile O-line.

Best Compares to: New York Jets C Nick Mangold

Possibility: Michigan DE Brandon Graham

32. New Orleans Saints (13-3): OLB/DE Brandon Graham, Michigan

The Saints will draft Graham, a hybrid pass rusher and a relentless pass-rusher who has tremendous athleticism.

Graham really became a household name after his spectacular performance at the Senior Bowl. He proved that when surrounded by talent, he can thrive, which is why going to one of the top teams in the league will be perfect for him.

The Saints will be looking to bolster their defense in the draft, and Graham is a great way to do so. The defense is aggressive, and Graham’s passionate style of play will fit right in.

Furthermore, Graham will be able to be step in and be a day one starter, which is great for a team coming off a Super Bowl victory.

Best Compares to: Baltimore Ravens OLB Terrel Suggs

Possibility: Florida DE, Carlos Dunlap