NFL Mock Draft 2010: Donovan McNabb Trade Has Trickle Down Effect

The NFL Draft is two short weeks away. Naturally, it seems like the wait will last an eternity.

The best weekend of the year in the football offseason draws probably the most analysis and traffic on all sports websites.

I had reoccurring first round mock drafts last year, and I was not far off from the actual picks, so I figured I would give it a shot once again this year.

In all honesty, no one is privy to what teams are thinking. If we were, it would make this process incredibly less interesting.

The most intriguing aspect of the NFL draft is that no matter how much research you do, there is almost always going to be some picks that leave you scratching your head, making the rest of the draft that much more interesting.

I, for one, cannot wait until April 22. I don't know who made the decision to make the first round its own prime-time event, but I can tell you I don't really like it.

If you are a Raiders fan, you probably don't care, but often times teams that make questionable picks in the first round tend to redeem themselves in the second.

Now we have to wait 24 hours for that to happen.

Okay, I'm done rambling. Check in for part two of this article with picks 17-32 later in the week.

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

Well, it appears after his pro day that the entire NFL community has slotted Sam Bradford into the No. 1 overall pick, and I will follow suit.

With the release of Marc Bulger, lock it in right now. Expect negotiations to take place starting next week.

I really don't think there is a better player than Ndamukung Suh, but the Rams need to take a QB—they have zero viable options at that position, and Steve Spagnuolo is a brilliant defensive mind who should be able to find guys later in the draft to fit his scheme.

2. Detroit Lions—Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Okung is the best offensive tackle in the draft, and Suh is no longer a need for the Lions.

They recently traded for Corey Williams, so they should find someone to protect franchise QB Matthew Stafford instead.

Okung is that guy.

The Lions were not good drafters under their previous regime, but they have seemed to figure things out since then, and their future is looking bright. Regardless of who they pick, this draft is so deep it would be hard to pick a bust here.

3. Tampa Bay Buccanears—Ndamakung Suh, DT, Nebraska

The Buccaneers would have to be insane to let Suh fall past No. 3. They probably won't even get the chance to draft him, but that's why this is my mock and nobody else's.

With the Lions trading for a DT, as I stated previously, they may not find the need to take Suh at No. 2. But news has also been released that they traded for Rob Sims out of Seattle, so they may also feel like they don't need to go after Okung.

My feeling is that Okung is a guy who will anchor a team for 12-13 years, so how can you pass up that option? Defensive tackle is not a franchise changing position the same way offensive tackle is.

4. Washington Redskins—Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Oh how the draft changes with trades. The Eagles and Redskins completed a trade that sent Donovan McNabb to Washington in exchange for picks.

Jimmy Clausen just felt his pockets get a bit shallower.

Clausen, probably the person most affected by this trade, will likely fall down draft boards to Seattle, Cleveland, or even Jacksonville.

With the trade, the Redskins are free to take the best available option here, and they can now get protection for McNabb considering they lost Chris Samuels to retirement.

You might call me crazy considering Gerald McCoy is still in the picture, but I don't know how keen Dan Snyder is on having around $150 million invested in two interior linemen.

5. Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Trent Williams is a beast who protected Sam Bradford for two seasons, including one Heisman campaign.

Williams would have been a first-round pick last year but came back for his senior season to try and win a national championship. Who's to say what would have happened, but they definitely would have made a run for it if Bradford did not suffer injury.

The Chiefs have multiple needs, but offensive tackle has to be the greatest concern. Since their stacked line with Willie Roaf and company, they have been average at best.

They have a franchise QB in Matt Cassel, now they just need to protect their investment. Williams is the guy.

6. Seattle Seahawks—Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

This pick will depend on how Pete Carroll views the talent on his team. Who's to say the players that underperformed last year won't fit Carroll's philosophy?

It mostly comes down to whether or not Carroll trusts Matt Hasselbeck at all, and if so, for how long.

Clausen will probably fall this low, so if he is really high on the Irish QB, then that will be the pick.

I am under the impression that blind side protection is all Hasselbeck needs to return to his former self, but they also have the 14th overall pick, so they could wait and take the best player available here.

Eric Berry is the best defensive skill position player in the draft and is a game-changing talent. Carrol may not be able to resist taking a popular selection like Berry or Clausen rather then the less flashy, maybe smarter pick in McCoy.

7. Cleveland Browns—Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

Cleveland Browns fans will surely like this mock draft. With the allegations surrounding Shaun Rogers along with questions about his work ethic, having McCoy fall to them would be a dream come true.

How about the possibility of having three Oklahoma players taken in the top 10? That would be insane.

McCoy has been slated as high as No. 1 and as low as No. 8, but the way my mock is going I can't see him falling past Cleveland if he gets here. Some question his ability due to the lack of strength he showcased at the combine, but his film and attitude suggest he will be an amazing pro.

8. Oakland Raiders—Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Considering how many needs are surrounding the Raiders, is it so crazy for me to take a position of no need here? We are talking about Al Davis people, the worst drafter in the league right now.

People seem to think he will come to his senses all of a sudden this year. I don't get it.

He will be upset that he was unable to trade for Donovan McNabb, and will make up for it by taking Clausen. He cannot still believe that JaMarcus Russell is the answer.

Seeminlgy Davis took Russell No. 1 overall because of one game against Notre Dame and crazy arm strength. How ironic would it be if he turned around and drafted a Notre Dame QB a mere three years later?

9. Buffalo Bills—Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Everyone pretty much seems to agree that the Bills are going to take a lineman. Which side that lineman plays is up for discussion.

If the Bills are as content with Spencer Johnson, Kyle Williams, and Marcus Stroud at defensive tackler as I am, then Campbell will be the pick here.

They took a center and guard in the first and second rounds last year, respectively, now it is time to round out that potentially great O-line with a tackle.

Campbell had a great, yet underappreciated career at Maryland. The success of the program, or lack thereof, most certainly does not take away from the fact that Campbell is an outstanding prospect.

The Bills would get instant protection for whoever they take at QB. With Clausen and Bradford gone, I expect them to get the next best QB later in the draft. Unless of course, they are content with Brian Brohm taking the reins.

Isn't playing the "what if" game great?

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

Yet another studly top ten prospect to come out of Georgia Tech. Jacksonville was awful in pass rushing last year, and if the front office can resist the urge to please the fans by taking Tim Tebow, expect them to take Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul of USF.

During Tebow's pro day, fans dressed in turquoise and black flooded the swamp with signs desperately pleading the Jaguars front office to bring Tebow to town. With blackouts questioning the validity of keeping the team in the city, who can blame them?

That being said, Tebow can be taken later in the draft. Be patient Jaguars fans.

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

With the recent trade of Brandon Marshall for two second round picks, expect the Broncos to find a playmaker at this spot to make up for the league leader in receptions over the past three seasons.

Insert Dez Bryant, a fantastic but troubled wide receiver from Oklahoma State who made their offense spectacular before making a bad decision to receive mentoring from former NFL superstar Deion Sanders.

Bryant can be everything Marshall was for this offense; a home run threat capable of beating double coverage and opening up the offense for other receivers and the running game. Bryant will command the double team much like Marshall did.

Lock this one in.

12. Miami Dolphins—Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF

Bill Parcells has a tendency to draft linebackers or pass rushers in the first round. Doesn't it make sense that he would draft Pierre-Paul, who happens to be both?

Getting rid of Joey Porter paved the way for this pick, and unless he feels they need to get some weapons for Chad Henne by taking Bryant or C.J Spiller, then Pierre-Paul is the pick.

He had a solid senior year at South Florida and will transition very well into the NFL with great speed and instincts off the edge. He ran a 4.64 at the combine and is very raw, but has tremendous upside.

He only played one season at South Florida and is a projected top 15 pick. Imagine how good he will be in a year or two.

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

The San Francisco 49ers have a tremendous opportunity to take over the NFC West for a number of years with their great young talent. From Patrick Willis to Michael Crabtree, the future looks bright for the red and gold.

That being said, even with Frank Gore entering his prime and looking to build on an already solid career, the 49ers need someone better than Glen Coffee to help him.

Spiller was one of, if not the best athlete in college football in 2009. He had over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and over 2,600 all purpose yards, including five special teams touchdowns.

Ask opponents of the 2006 Chicago Bears how much a great special team returner can affect the outcome of a game.

Spiller is like the second coming of Devin Hester, but with more talents to help him on the offensive side of the ball. You can have him spell Frank Gore, but also split him out in the slot and match him against linebackers or third string cornerbacks.

The possibilities with a guy like Spiller are endless, and the 49ers could use his talents effectively.

14. Seattle Seahawks—Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

If the Seahawks choose to pass on both Clausen and any one of the top tier tackle prospects, they won't be getting too bad of a consolation prize by taking Davis with their second first rounder.

Davis is incredibly athletic for his size and would come in and give Hasselbeck instant protection on his blind side.

Davis has some trouble run blocking, but he will be able to stay in front of the faster pass rushing linebackers.

The NFC West just so happens to have two teams that run a 3-4 and another that emphasizes quick outside guys in the 4-3. Davis is a good fit for the 'Hawks.

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

Surprised? I was too when I came to this pick.

As a Giants FC and Community Leader, I have participated in commenting on and writing several articles concerning the draft from a Giants perspective, and in every forum I had the Giants taking Brian Price from UCLA.

Well, a subpar pro day may have landed McClain right into Big Blue's lap.

I don't really take much stock into pro days from guys like McClain. His on-field performances speak for themselves.

That being said, questions surrounding his ability to fit into Perry Fewell's scheme may cause me to change this pick in the coming weeks, considering Sean Weatherspoon ran a great 40 time at the combine, and possess better speed needed in a Tampa 2 defense.

Either way, I believe the Giants will go after McClain or Weatherspoon if Fewell decides nobody on the current roster is fit to lead his scheme.

16. Tennessee Titans—Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Tennessee Titans need to retool their defensive line. They have lost their best two defensive players in that category the last two off seasons, and will look to beef up what was once the best part of their team.

Losing Albert Haynesworth hurt the defense, and with Vince Young coming in and proving he is a winner, they need to make sure they are able to stop teams much like they did during their 13-3 season two years ago.

Dan Williams can be a game changing player much like Haynesworth was before he got his paycheck.