Final 2010 Mock Draft

Taylor LongApr 18, 2010

The week is finally upon us! On Thursday night NFL fans can finally get their football fix again. The first round is going to be full of interesting story lines such as Dez Bryant's character issues and how they will affect his stock value, and the controversial Jimmy Clausen and whether he lands in the top 10 or suffers the same fate as previous Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. My last mock draft of the year features the Cleveland Browns selecting Dez Bryant and the Indianapolis Colts reaching for California defensive tackle Tyson Alualu. I have also offered some analysis for each selection and my top five most overrated, and underrated players projected to go round 1. Enjoy and let the debating begin!

Rams- Sam Bradford

TOP NEWS

Bad pick all the way around, my solution for the rams would be to trade down, trade Steven Jackson, acquire picks and continue to focus on building in the trenches. The rams have made investments along the defensive and offensive lines and if they continue to focus attention on that, they could really have a strong foundation to build around. Instead, opting for Bradford puts a major halt on the progress being made in the trenches and puts a huge investment in a guy that to me is not a franchise quarterback. Too many questions regarding his shoulder, and not enough shown to me to prove he can rally a team around him.I also think there is a higher risk for him to re-injure that shoulder playing on a hard surface in St. Louis. Ultimately, I think they make this pick because the fans are tired of seeing them pass on quarterbacks. They need a face for the franchise but I would rather have that face be Jake Locker next season.

Lions- Ndamukong Suh

The top player on my board and the biggest area of need for the lions. During the Matt Millen area the focus was on building the team from the outside in, that strategy has never proven successful and it is the reason the lions are in such a long term rebuilding process. Suh is exactly the interior presence that the lions have been lacking. With Jim Schwartz’s success in Tennessee you know that he has seen first hand the impact a truly dominant defensive tackle can have for your defense. This pick truly signals the change that is taking place in Detroit and should give fans a reason to be excited going forward.

Buccaneers- Gerald McCoy

The buccaneers have been in decline recent years because of their inability to find impact players along the defensive line. The void left by Warren Sapp continues to hold the buccaneers back so it should be a no-brainer for them to select Mccoy here. Mccoy is a carbon copy of Warren Sapp with the same quick initial burst and fast hand action to cause havoc in the opposition’s backfield. The buccaneers are in a great position to simply take the one defensive tackle that remains out of Suh and Mccoy, I think Mccoy in the end is a better fit anyway for the Tampa scheme.

Redskins- Russell Okung

You only have to look back a few years ago to see how a left tackle can impact a team. The broncos drafted Ryan Clady in the first round and saw their offense and quarterback jay cutler reach new heights. I expect similar reasoning here as the redskins go for the top prospect available at left tackle. I expect this offense to be potent next year and players like Malcom Kelly, Devin Thomas, and Fred Davis to become household names by seasons end. Shanahan knew the potential offensive talent he was inheriting and I think he knows if he can keep Mcnabb upright they have a real shot to compete for the NFC east title.

Kansas City Chiefs- Bryan Bulaga

Looking at how the chief’s offense struggled last season I think more blame has to be placed on the offensive line than on the play calling or schemes. For the chiefs to get an accurate gauge on whether Cassel is the future quarterback for this franchise they have to at least give him a chance to remain upright. I have watched enough tape now to feel comfortable with having Bulaga as my second rated tackle, what separates Bulaga from Williams for me is his nasty streak and his willingness to finish blocks. Bulaga is a sound technician and comes from an Iowa program that Scott Piloli has great admiration for. The chiefs have to find an answer at tackle if they are going to be successful going forward.

Seattle Seahawks- Eric Berry

Pete is a former defensive backs coach so you have to imagine he is licking his chops to get the chance to work with this year’s top safety and maybe the best safety to come out of college since Sean Taylor. Pete also has a great amount of respect for Monte Kiffen who coached berry at Tennessee, you would imagine that the two have spoken and Kiffen has probably had great things to say about Berry. By adding Berry to the defensive side of the ball the Seahawks can cover up some of their shortcomings in other areas, while also not reaching for a player too high. Berry is the safest pick and would provide the Seahawks with a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.

Cleveland Browns- Dez Bryant

I will harp back to my belief that head coaches turned general managers or player personnel directors tend to think more short term rather then long term. Holmgren has exhibited that tendency with his recent moves and I think he understands that the way his offense is currently assembled they have no way to be competitive moving the ball down the field. The browns currently have the second worst receiving group in the NFL only behind the buccaneers. By adding Dez they can move Muhammad Massaqui to the 2^nd receiving option where he is more likely to be successful. They can also take some pressure off the running game which is surprisingly solid and well built. They have a very under rated stable of backs that include Jerome Harrison, James Davis, and Chris Jennings, and because of the Brady Quinn trade a short yardage back in Peyton Hillis. With the additions on defense via trade and the addition of Dez to the offense the browns should be a lot more competitive this season, and it will make Holmgren look like a smart guy without having done that much at all.

Oakland Raiders- Bruce Campbell

Reports around Oakland seem to point to the raiders selecting Campbell here and I think what does it for me is the fact that al was most likely sitting in the stands at the combine when this guy came out and started working out on the field. He is just an unbelievable talent and could materialize into a great lineman; coach tom cable is an offensive line coach so you would believe if al asked him about this pick he would express confidence in his ability to get the most out of this guy. The raiders continue to place the blame for Jamarcus Russel’s performance on his supporting cast, so picking Campbell here would be a way to continue to try to build around him hoping he can finally be successful. Campbell is raw and doesn’t have a ton of experience but he has the most upside in the draft and with a head coach who is an offensive line coach you would have to believe this is the most logical pick.

Buffalo Bills- Jimmy Clausen

I personally don’t like the pick but according to Mike Mayock, Clausen is a top 10 talent so I have to find a place for him up near the top. The bills would be wise to go elsewhere but ultimately I think they have no choice but to invest in a franchise quarterback. Whether Clausen is that guy is debatable but with new head coach Chan Gailey you would expect the organization to give him a young quarterback to work with. Clausen is athletic enough to play for Chan and what separates him from the 2^nd round quarterbacks is his accuracy. I still think Dan Williams here and Tebow later in round one is the best move.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Earl Thomas

There is mounting speculation that safety Reggie Nelson is on his way out in Jacksonville. Holding the jaguars back is the fact that they have been so vulnerable against the pass and they play in the same division as two of the best passing teams in the NFL with Houston and Indianapolis. The addition of Aaron Kampman should help the jaguars pass rush and adding Thomas should immediately help to upgrade the secondary, making this team more well rounded to be able to compete with the offenses in the AFC south. Thomas is rangy and has great ball skills something that Reggie nelson has struggled with the last two seasons. I expect them to address their linebacker needs later in the draft, Spikes is a clear target in round 2 or 3.

Denver- Rolondo McClain

Quite simply the guy is a field general, he is extremely intelligent and a student of the game, all qualities that the new broncos regime covets. With the release of Andra Davis the broncos have a glaring need at linebacker. And with all the attention they have paid to the defensive side of the ball it would seem foolish to leave such a huge hole unfilled going into next season. While Bryant may be on the top of their board, he won’t be there and McClain is the next best option. I don’t think there are as many question marks with this guy as people may suggest, the guy was a leader on a Nick Saban coached defense that was the dominant unit in college football last year. His lack of speed will be not be an issue in a 3-4 defense.

Miami- Derrick Morgan

I came away from the ESPN interview with Morgan very impressed, and ultimately it is why I feel they will go that direction. He presents himself very well and is all business, he seems to have the composure, work ethic, professional attitude, and skill sets that the big tuna would be enamored with. I simply can’t see how this guy gets past the fins if the two sides have met in person. This pick also becomes vitally important because of the trade to acquire Brandon Marshall, a guy known to be a loose canon. The fins would be wise to balance that risk with the sure fire attitude of a guy like Morgan.

San Francisco- Joe Haden

The 49ers need to improve their secondary if they are going to compete for an NFC west title this year and Haden is the top prospect and top player available for the 49ers here. He instantly provides the shut down corner that the 49ers have been lacking and have been searching for. Their other area of need is at tackle but you would have to assume that Haden would carry a higher grade then Trent Williams. The 49ers need a right tackle but that is a position that should not take precedence over a top flight corner with shut down capabilities.

Seattle- Trent Williams

Addressing their biggest defensive need with the 1^st pick the Seahawks can now address their most pressing need on the offensive side of the ball. Trent Williams is the ideal prospect for the zone blocking schemes that the Seahawks will be implementing this season. He has great athletic ability and is smooth moving his feet. If the Seahawks are going to be successful on offense they have to sure up their offensive line. Williams comes into the draft with a lot of hype, some of which I’m not buying into, I think he has a lot of average to below average tape, but ultimately his athleticism is just to great and too good a match for the Seahawks at this pick.

New York Giants- Sergio Kindle

New defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is changing around the defense and is looking for athletic rangy linebackers. Kindle fits that description to a tee and should be an instant starter from day one. The giants struggled mightily against the pass last year because of injuries to the secondary that were exposed by a lack of a pass rush. Kindle should be able to provide some pass rush ability from the linebacker position which should help to free up players like Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyoria. Look for both to have bounce back seasons and the giants to regain their position as one of the leagues best passing rush units.

Titans- Jason Pierre Paul

Jeff Fisher is probably having déjà vu all over again as he watches Pierre Paul on tape. A similar athlete to the Titan’s former superstar, Jevon Kearse, if there is one coach in the NFL that can squeeze the most talent out of a player it is Jeff Fisher. Pierre Paul lands in the perfect situation for him to grow as a player, the guy is just barely scratching the surface of his potential and I would expect him to be one of the leagues most feared pass rushers in two to three seasons. It is a perfect match of team need and top rated player and it is a perfect scenario for both team and player. I can not think of a better team for Pierre Paul to learn and grow as a player.

San Francisco- CJ Spiller

The 49ers do need help along the offensive line but looking at who remains at this point in the draft would lead me to believe that spiller simply has too much upside to pass on. Adding Ted Ginn via trade proves the 49ers continue to look for ways to get more explosive both in the return game and on offense. Ginn should provide the explosiveness needed in the return game and spiller can provide it on offense. Paired with gores power running style spiller would be a nice compliment, and would elevate the 49ers offense to the top of the class in the NFC west.

Steelers- Maurkice Pouncey

The Steelers have to address their offensive line and it should come down to Iupati or Pouncey, in my opinion it will be versatility and level of competition that Pouncey has that will make him the pick here. Pouncey can play either guard positions right away and could be the long term solution at center for the Steelers going forward. The return to a run first team will have to start up front and Pouncey is this year’s top interior lineman. I would not be surprised to see Iupati here but I just feel Pouncey is an overall better value and more of a proven commodity.

Falcons- Sean Weatherspoon

A solid combine and draft process has seen Sean’s draft status soar up the boards. He is a nice addition to an Atlanta team that has a solid base of players to continue to build around. Weatherspoon has publicly made it known that he would love to play for Atlanta and at this point would be a relatively nice value for the falcons who could use a long term solution for their weak side linebacker position. Current starter Mike Peterson is 34 and the Falcon’s defense ranked near the bottom of the league in run defense, Weatherpsoon would be an upgrade to the position and to the overall team defense.

Houston- Kyle Wilson

One of the most underrated players in this year’s draft, Wilson is an absolute ball hawk. He has receiver type skills when the ball is in the air and has unbelievable feel for the corner back position. I think he is clearly the second best corner in this class and could become the best of the group in a very short time. The Texans have needs at running back as well but ultimately if they are going to ever dethrone the colts from the top of the AFC south they are going to have to be able to cover the pass. Wilson is a great talent and might even be an upgrade over Dunta Robinson.

Cincinnati- Jermaine Gresham

Gresham is the pass catching tight end that the Bengal’s need to occupy the center of the field. The Bengal’s lack of playmakers around Ocho Cinco made their stay in the playoffs a short one this year. By adding Gresham they should be able to open more lanes for the suddenly rejuvenated Cedrick Benson and help to alleviate some of the double teams that Ochco Cinco has to face. The Bengal’s made great strides last year and with the addition of Gresham should be again competing for a playoff spot in the AFC.

Patriots- Jared Odrick

The patriots shipped Richard Seymour to the raiders and were never able to fill his void this past season. It is a glaring need going forward and Odrick projects nicely in the NFL to a defensive end in a 3-4 system, he also has the length and athleticism that the patriots demand for their system. I am not sold on Odrick but he fills a big need and is probably the best value for the patriots at this point.

Packers- Jerry Hughes

One of my favorite guys in all the draft, Hughes is going to be a major force in the NFL for years to come. He pops out at you on tape and is a quarterback’s worst nightmare coming around off the edge. The packers struggled mightily against the pass last season, in part due to the health of their secondary and in part due to a lack of pass rush generated by the front seven. Clay Matthews was a nice find in last years draft but was really the only guy opposing teams feared. Adding Hughes to the opposite side of Matthews would open lanes up for both and would help to alleviate some of the secondary’s short comings.

Eagles-Brandon Graham

The eagles have needs in the secondary as well and presumably would like to move up and grab a safety such as Earl Thomas. However, their only option would probably be with the jaguars who themselves need a safety. For that reason I think they stay in this spot and address their need for a pass rushing disruptive outside backer. Graham would be the prototypical player the late Jim Johnson would covet and should fit the defensive schemes very well for Philadelphia. I also think they can use their later picks to move up in the second and get a safety such as Nate Allen. Graham is a high motor guy that fills a need and fits the system very well.

Baltimore Ravens- Dan Williams

The ravens have a history of getting good players that fall to them, and this year is no different. Williams has a very high grade on my board and slips this far simply because teams in front of the ravens have greater needs. Williams is a true pro bowl caliber nose tackle and would be a great addition to a Raven’s team that has to begin looking for Kelly Gregg’s replacement. The ravens would have a solid rotation with Gregg and Williams and would address their long term needs at the position. Williams is the ultimate value at this point in the draft.

Arizona- Mike Iupati

The cardinals have to realize the potential they have with Beanie Wells. He has the highest upside of any young back in the game, with a rare blend of size and speed he can be the leagues most feared back if given the chance. Look for the cardinals to improve their point of attack by adding this year’s most mauling interior lineman. Iupati can greatly improve the Cardinal’s offensive line providing the versatility to play either left guard or tackle. With Fitzgerald and Breaston on the outside, and the threat of Beanie in the back field, the cardinals should have one of the leagues toughest offenses to game plan against. Teams will ultimately have to pick their poison.

Cowboys- Charles Brown

The cowboys are one of the few teams that have no real areas of major concern. With the release of tackle Flozell Adams the cowboys paved the way for Doug Free to become the new left tackle. However Adams true loss will be felt in depth, his release has left the cowboys lacking any true depth, should they lose any of the current starters to injury they would be in big trouble. Brown has the size and athleticism that the cowboys tend to be attracted to and would provide the much needed depth the cowboys are lacking. Brown could prove to be a valuable asset down the road, as the other linemen on the roster continue to age, look for him to become a starter in a year or two.

Chargers- Ryan Matthews

The chargers have a few glaring needs but ultimately I think they opt to add Matthews here because he is so solid around. He has unbelievable balance and toughness, and reminds me a lot of Shonn Greene, a player that gm AJ Smith saw up close and personal during their playoff loss to the jets last year. Matthews is the kind of workhorse that Ladanian was for them for so many years and would provide a nice compliment to the speed of scat back Darren Sproles. The other areas of concern for the chargers can be addressed with better value in the next few rounds. Matthews is simply the highest rated player on the board at one of their key need positions.

Jets- Taylor Mays

While you can question Mays’ instincts and coverage abilities, you can not question his physical prowess. Ultimately you would have to believe that jets feel Rex Ryan would be able to get the most out of Mays. The release of Kerry Rhodes has left the starting job for Brodney Pool a guy with major injury concerns. You would have to imagine if Mays is still on the board he would be simply to tempting for the jets to pass on. Look for rex to find creative ways to utilize Mays’ physical presence by bringing him down into the box and sending him on blitzes.

Vikings- Kareem Jackson

The Vikings have aging corners that are coming off major injuries so it would appear that this would be their biggest area of need. Kareem Jackson is a physical corner who comes from a hard nosed defensive scheme in Alabama, he has the right toughness and attitude the Vikings like out of their corners and should be able to immediately contribute to the Vikings secondary.

Colts- Tyson Alualu

Raheem Brock was a defensive tackle who started at defensive end for the Colts; Alualu has the same versatile potential but should be a much more effective pass rusher. Something the colts need to improve on. Alualu recorded a 1.70-second 10-yard split in the forty-yard dash at the combine which was the best among top interior defensive linemen. Brock’s inability to pressure the quarterback in the Super Bowl loss to the saints ultimately led to his release. Alualu is a high motor guy that could inject the pass rush the colts have been looking to reestablish. While this might be slightly higher then Alualu is projected, this is the only chance the colts have to land this guy who will almost certainly be gone after the first half of the second round.

Saints- Darryl Washington

The addition of Alex Brown has put the saints in a more flexible position with this pick. The departure of Scott Fujita has left a huge hole in the Saint’s defense, they have a few in house options as his possible replacement but one is coming off a major injury. I think there is just too much uncertainty to go into camp without addressing this need. Washington is the highest rated weak side linebacker available and should be able to win the starting job in camp; he is a much safer pick than Dunlap or Griffen and should be an immediate starter which would be great value to close out round one.

Top 5 Most Underrated Players 1^st round: