2010 NFL Mock Draft: A Deep First Round

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

Bradford has the look of a prototype NFL QB. The Rams have passed on Mark Sanchez and Matt Ryan in recent years. That is all it takes to get over 40 million dollars of guaranteed money in today's NFL. The Rams might re-locate in a few years and this pick will be looked at as the the straw that broke the camel's back.

2. Detroit Lions —Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Jim Schwartz coached Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee so he knows how valuable a stud interior defensive linemen can be. Suh is the best player in this draft and he should go number one. The Lions are building a nice core of players and adding Suh, who could be a multiple time All Pro, is going to keep them building toward something special.

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

The clear cut second best defensive tackle on the board, the Buccaneers have never truly replaced Warren Sapp on their defensive line until this pick. They have needs on offense as well but getting a stud to put pressure on the other team's QB will always be a need in the NFL and McCoy will fill that need for Tampa Bay.

4. Washington Redskins —Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Now that Washington has Donovan McNabb, they are going to have to protect him so this pick makes a lot of sense. Washington's offensive line is truly offensive at this point so Okung is a nice step to fixing that glaring hole in a team that was competitive last season and now they have some stability at the top.

5. Kansas City Chiefs —Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The Chiefs have drafted a lot of defensive players in the top 10 in recent years and it has not translated into a good defense. That will change when a leader like Eric Berry starts roaming the defensive backfield. The Chiefs do need a stud receiver as well but there is not a value pick at that position at number five.

6. Seattle Seahawks —Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Matt Hasselbeck has been injured often in the last few years but Jimmy Clausen is not the answer for the Seahawks. Pete Carroll will want to start the re-building process in Seattle by building solid lines and Williams will be a cornerstone for years to come. Walter Jones will be hard to replace whether it is this year or next so Williams will have big shoes to fill right from the start.

7. Cleveland Browns —Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

For a team that showed some life at the end of the season last year, there is still a lot of work to do. Bulaga isn't a glamour pick but building a team in the NFL starts in the trenches. The Browns have not had a solid QB since they have returned to the NFL but that does not mean they have to go with Clausen in the first round when they can pick Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy in round two.

8. Oakland Raiders —Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

This is where the fun starts. Campbell is not a top ten player but he did wow a lot of people at the combine and Al Davis is easily wowed to say the least. The Raiders keep reaching for these top 10 picks and they keep picking in the top 10. Why is it that we all see this except for the guy in the jump suit? 

9. Buffalo Bills —Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Bills need a QB but they are not sold on Clausen when they can get a quality QB in round two. Morgan is a solid all-around defensive end that can play both the run and the pass. The Bills are another team that needs to start building their team from the inside out and Morgan will help them in that regard. 

10. Jacksonville Jaguars —Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

There are issues with Bryant but the Jags need more playmakers on offense. They are set at running back and will look to grab Tebow in round two so that leaves the enigmatic star from Oklahoma State to fill their needs on offense. My guess is that Bryant makes an immediate impact on a team that is already playing for a wild card in the rugged AFC South.

11. Denver Broncos —C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

The Broncos have had issues at running back for the past few seasons and Spiller will be an immediate upgrade to the position. The Broncos could use help on defense too but Spiller is too good for them to pass on.

12. Miami Dolphins —Earl Thomas, S, Texas

Dolphin fans have to be happy with their upgrade at wide receiver and this pick will keep them smiling. Thomas is an impact safety that will anchor the defensive secondary. The AFC East is theirs for the taking in 2010 and they have the leadership that not only sees that but has taken strides to make it happen.

13. San Francisco 49ers —Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

The free fall for Clausen ends at pick No. 13 as the 49ers take another Notre Dame QB. The other one went 4-0 in the Super Bowl. The Alex Smith era might last one more year but Clausen will eventually be the man in San Fran and there are a few nice pieces in place for him to throw to already.

14. Seattle Seahawks —Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

The Seahawks will go offensive line with the sixth pick and they will continue to build from the inside out with the 14th pick. Pierre-Paul made an immediate impact in the Big East and will do the same in the AFC West.

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

The Giants were touted as having one of the best front sevens ever and then the Saints showed the league how to beat them. McClain is the best player on the board at this pick and a perfect fit for New York. He will be an upgrade over the released Antonio Pierce.

16. Tennessee Titans —Joe Haden, CB, Florida

The Titans were lit up on their pass defense last year so you can fix that through the pass rush or through cornerback. Joe Haden will be an impact CB for the Titans and like the Giants at 15, they are getting the best payer left on the board as well.

17. San Francisco 49ers —Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

Another fit of best player available and a value pick for need. With their flashy new QB already taken at 13, Davis will be the insurance to protect the franchise. Had some character issues at Rutgers so Mike Singletary is also a great coach for this talented offensive tackle.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers —Mike Iupati, OT, Idaho

A model franchise that has had an awful off-season. The Steelers need to get back to playing Steeler football and the athletic Iupati will be a beast in the run game as well as protecting their (what's a nice word for horny?) franchise QB.

19. Atlanta Falcons —Jerry Hughes, OLB, Texas Christian

A solid team with not that many holes, their pass rush needs a shot in the arm. Hughes is the new breed of hybrid LB/DE and will be a force in the Falcons defense for years to come.

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

The Texans lost free agent Dunta Robinson and will replace him with their first round pick in 2010. The Texans have made solid picks for a few years now and are close to making their first playoff appearance.

21. Cincinnati Bengals —Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

The Bengals have been the Raiders East with some of their recent picks so they will get a solid character guy in Graham in 2010. A football player through and through out of the Big Ten who will get the job done between the lines for a team that is looking to build on the success of their surprising 2009 season.

22. New England Patriots —Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Tom Brady loves to hit the tight end over the middle and the Patriots are looking for a tight end after free agents Daniel Graham and Ben Watson have both left. Gresham is the other Sooner coming off of an injury and he will find a nice home in New England.

23. Green Bay Packers —Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

The Packer defense was torched in the playoffs after showing improvement all season. Robinson will find that learning how to play cornerback in the NFL under the leadership of Charles Woodson a recipe for a nice, long career.

24. Philadelphia Eagles —Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

The Eagles are going to be young next year and picking Pouncey at 24 will be a nice anchor for their offensive line for years to come. Eagle fans are going to learn patience but this team will compete in every game and could finish just outside of the playoffs. Andy Reid just better beat Washington when they come to Philly, that's all I'm saying.

25. Baltimore Ravens —Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

Baltimore still has a tough defense but they are getting older. Kindle has had some issues but Ray Lewis will not take anything from a rookie other than max effort. The Ravens did upgrade their receiver corps in the off-season but still might take one here.   

26. Arizona Cardinals —Charles Brown, OT, Southern Cal

The Cardinals have lost a lot of free agents so they have a few needs. They really need to give Matt Leinart every chance to succeed and upgrading the offensive line is the best way to do that. Brown has the tools to keep Leinart upright in a pivotal season for the Cardinals.

27. Dallas Cowboys —Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

The Cowboys are primed for a great 2010 season so adding a playmaker like Thomas will give Tony Romo yet another weapon to use. The Cowboys don't have a lot of needs but after Miles Austin and Roy Williams (and I am being nice by mentioning Williams), their receiving corps is pretty thin. 

28. San Diego Chargers —Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Chargers had some defensive issues last year in what was a great regular season. Williams is the type of run stuffer that fits right into the middle of a 3-4 defense. The Chargers are right on the doorstep of the Super Bowl and Williams can help them break that door down.

29. New York Jets —Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

The Jets upgraded their offense in the off-season and Rex Ryan would love to make his defense even stronger next year. Odrick, the best player left on the board, will make that happen as the Jets defensive line will be upgraded with this pick.

30. Minnesota Vikings —Taylor Mays, S, Southern Cal

Another team that doesn't have a lot of holes, the Vikings secondary could use some upgrades. A cornerback would be better but Mays is too good to pass on for a team ready to compete for the NFC crown. We just have to wait and see who they have at QB on opening day.

31. Indianapolis Colts —Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

The Colts are the best team in the AFC so they can really fine tune their squad in the 201 draft. Dwight Freeney's injury was huge in the secondhalf of the Super Bowl so adding Odrick will give them depth on the defensive line. Look for them to address the offensive line in the second round.

32. New Orleans Saints —Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

Drew Brees is one of the best and Sean Payton can find a ton of use for the athletic Tate. The Saints have holes on defense to address as well but they did show that they can outscore anyone last year so adding more firepower does make sense.