2010 NFL Mock Draft: Using math and simulator from WhatIfSports.com

A little over 24-hours until the 2010 NFL Draft commences in New York City. The prime-time event forced the three of us to run out to our local general store (yes they still exist) and purchase three fresh bottles of hair mousse. Now that our cabbage is freshly styled, the NFL gods have bequeathed to us the ability to create our own 2010 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0.

Whatifsports.com has created a unique 2010 NFL Draft Simulator for this mock draft. The sophisticated engine allows you, the user, to modify the players
and teams. All you have to do is:

1) Click on the "Team" drop down menu and select
any of the 30 NFL franchises with a first-round pick

2) Click on the "Player" drop down menu to select your pick

3) Click "Draft"

We fed our NFL Draft Simulator three different inputs to come up with the likelihood (percentage) of X-player being drafted by Y-team.

The three inputs are position percentage and team needs (i.e. The Rams are more likely to take a quarterback) and position ranking (i.e. Bradford is ranked higher than Claussen).

The 2010 NFL Draft Simulator provided us our own 1st Round Mock Draft based on the results generated from the simulation.

Whatifsports.com's 2010 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0

1) Sam Bradford - QB

• The Rams desperately need a franchise quarterback and Sam Bradford is the ideal fit. The Rams need help in other areas too, but drafting Bradford is could lead the Rams back in the right direction. The Sooner QB was surrounded by All-Americans at Oklahoma, so there may be a rough learning curve playing with an inexperienced Rams team.

2) Ndamukong Suh - DT

• The Lions need play-makers on defense and defensive-minded head coach Jim Schwartz should be able to get the most out of the dominant Suh. The big guys adds size and speed to a defensive line that, at times last year, was manhandled and run through. Playing along side newly acquired Kyle Vanden Bosch, Suh could excel in Detroit.

3) Gerald McCoy - DT

• McCoy will bring a winning and never give up attitude to a team that struggled last year. The former All-American should be Tampa Bay's next Warren Sapp and should really force teams to fear the once dominant Bucs defense.

4) Russell Okung - OT

• After acquiring their new franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb , earlier this offseason, the Redskins draft needs shifted to someone who can protect him. Okung will be responsible for protecting McNabb and opening holes for the running backs right away.

5) Trent Williams - OT

• With so many needs, the Chiefs go offensive tackle with this pick. Williams will play opposite of Branden Albert to protect franchise QB Matt Cassel l, who was sacked 42 times last year.

6) Bryan Bulaga - OT

• The third straight offensive lineman off the board, Seattle needs help along that line. With Walter Jones' impending retirement, Bulaga should fill in right away to keep Hasselback upright and hopefully healthy.

7) Eric Berry - S

• The Browns need help in so many areas, but Eric Berry is arguably the best player on the board at this point. Eric Mangini was once a secondary coach and should really help coach up Berry. The former Volunteer is a great athlete with the ability to carry this defense. He is a ballhawk similar to Ed Reed.

8) Bruce Campbell - OT

• This might be a reach for the Raiders, but they don't often believe in reaches. Campbell is fast and had great workouts at his pro day and combine - often the formula for a Raiders draft pick. But this is a good pick because Oakland desperately needs help along their line and Campbell is a perfect addition.

9) Jimmy Clausen - QB

• With Trent Edwards , Ryan Fitzpatrick , and Brian Brohm competing for the QB starting job, new head coach Chan Gailey finds himself without a true franchise quarterback. In fact, Buffalo hasn't had one since Jim Kelly . Clausen can play right away and go through the growing pains or let one of those three suffer through a rough season in Buffalo.

10) Derrick Morgan - DE

• You can never have too many defensive playmakers and in a division loaded with offensive weapons and pro-bowl quarterbacks, Morgan is a great fit in Jacksonville. The Jaguars had a league-low 14 sacks in 2009. Morgan, along with free agent signee Aaron Kampman, should vastly improve that number.

11) Joe Haden - CB

• The Broncos are really thin at wide receiver now that Brandon Marshall has headed South for the fall and winter. But it's hard to pass up the top cornerback prospect in the Draft.

12) Kyle Wilson - CB

• It's easy to get lost in the shuffle when your defensive skills are on display at Boise State. Just goes to show you how good Kyle Wilson is at cornerback for him to be considered the second best option in the 2010 NFL Draft.

13) Dan Williams - DT

• Listed at 327 pounds of human wall, the Volunteer's Dan Williams could move to nose tackle in the NFL and help improve the 49ers’ already solid rush defense. The addition of another "big ugly" to the D-line could help San Fran lock down the top spot in the NFC West.

14) Dez Bryant - WR

• The Seahawks passing game showed signs of life in 2009. Drafting Bryant could free up T.J Housh as well as tight end Carlson. Having the option to pass could mean a big season for running back Justin Forsett .

15) Rolando McClain - LB

• 2009 Butkus Award winner could slide right in to a starting linebacker role with the Giants. McClain could be the new face of the linebacking corps in New York.

16) Earl Thomas - S

• Could you imagine a two cornerback set of Finnegan and Thomas on the Titans defense? The one risk Tennessee is taking is drafting a player with only two years of college experience, though that experience came in the Big 12.

17) Brandon Graham - DE

• Few bright spots for the Michigan football program theses days, but Brandon Graham is the exception. He's quick off the line and chews up backfields like a buffet. The Niners are drafting a game-changer at 17.

18) Maurkice Pouncey - C

• The Steelers have a center in Justin Hartwig, but Pouncey could move down the offensive line to guard if needed. This versatility could make for an easy decision if Pittsburgh is looking for new ways to protect their quarterback on the field.

19) Everson Griffen - DE

• Griffen played defensive end at USC, but scouts say he has the athleticism to slide over to a linebacker role in the NFL. The Falcons could use a playmaker at the position and Griffen, if he plays up to his ability, could be the right guy for the job.

20) CJ Spiller - RB

• Hard to believe the top running back in the draft could slip all the way to 20th. With Steve Slaton the primary back in Houston, this could be a draft and trade option for the Texans.

21) Taylor Mays - FS

• Taylor Mays had an underachieving final season at USC, but still remains a hot commodity at the free safety position. Crocker and Ndukwe currently roam the position in Cincy, but with a talent like Mays, there could be room.

22) Sergio Kindle - LB

• If this guy doesn't get a marketing deal for an E-book we'll be stunned. Kindle waited an extra year before jumping to the pros and he may now have to wait his turn in New England. The Pats have a strong linebacking corps right now and Kindle could spend the season learning from Mayo and Thomas.

23) Anthony Davis - OT

• The Packers need help along offensive line after they allowed their franchise quarterback to be sacked 50 times last year. Facing the great defense of the Vikings every year and the Bears and improved Lions defensive fronts, the Packers need youth and depth on their offensive line.

24) Carlos Dunlap - DE

• Dunlap did himself in with the DUI right before the SEC title game and forced some interested NFL teams to take a step back. When on the field the former Gator is one of the strongest defensive ends in the draft and Philly would be luck to have him.

• The Ravens have plenty of talent at the cornerback position (Carr and Foxworth), but you can always use depth. The Ravens off-season signing of Anquan Boldin gave Joe Flacco another weapon through the air. It also means their attention can remain on creating a youth movement on defense.

26) Jerry Hughes - LB

• Sometimes it's tough to avoid sounding like a broken record, but the Cardinals are aging at the linebacker position. Selecting Hughes out of Texas Christian allows Arizona to look towards the future on defense.

27) Charles Brown - OT

• He's been compared to Maurice Williams of the Jaguars and voted the best blocker out of the PAC-10. Brown in Big D could help out the Big O's rushing game and protect Tony Romo .

28) Brian Price - DT

• Shawn Merriman could have some help wreaking havoc in the backfield. Price leaves UCLA as one of the school's most prolific pass rushers and could help San Diego now instead of later.

29) Demaryius Thomas - WR

• First it was Braylon Edwards , then Santonio Holmes . The Jets are loading up at the wide receiver position fast. A broken foot before the Combine dropped his stock slightly, but Rex Ryan's ball club could use another vertical threat.

30) Terrence Cody - NT

• Kevin Williams , Pat Williams and Terrence Cody. Enough said.

31) Roger Saffold - OT

• At 6-5 and over 300 pounds, Saffold caught scouts' attention at the East-West Shrine game and could be part of the Colts' future.

32) Sean Weatherspoon - LB

• The Super Bowl champs seem pretty well set on offense, but there is room for improvement on defense. Weatherspoon nearly jumped to the NFL last season but elected to help his stock rise with one more season in Tiger country. He finished his senior season as a Butkus Award finalist.