FINAL 2010 NFL MOCK DRAFT: And Here We Go......

Danny FlynnApr 21, 2010

We made it!

The wait is over and the draft is now finally upon us. I can't describe my jubilation and excitement.

Outside of Christmas, this is my biggest holiday of the year. To have it now spread across three days makes it all the more special.

TOP NEWS

If there aren't any drastic developments (which they're usually are) in the next 24 hours, here's an idea of how I think the first round will play out on Thursday night.

This one has the makings of a draft that will either run very smoothly or hit the fan and go completely crazy.

It should be fun to watch regardless.

1. St. Louis Rams select Sam Bradford - Quarterback - Oklahoma

It’s almost without a doubt at this point. The Rams choose to take Bradford and hope he can become the face of the franchise and lead them to glory. Say what you want about taking a QB high, but just remember how tough it can be to win in the NFL without a consistent starter in place at the quarterback position. If Bradford can stay healthy, he’ll at the very least be a consistent leader of that offense, something that has been lacking recently in St. Louis.

2. Detroit Lions select Ndamukong Suh - Defensive Tackle - Nebraska

Perfect Fit? Seems like it. The fans want Suh, the organization wants Suh, and the need is there for a big defensive tackle to clog up the middle in Jim Schwartz’s defense. Having what many people feel is the top player in the entire draft fall into your lap just might be to hard to pass up. This one seems like a go.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Gerald McCoy - Defensive Tackle - Oklahoma

Looks to be between McCoy and Eric Berry of Tennessee at this spot. The Bucs may love Berry but could they justify taking a safety this high with such a glaring hole at defensive tackle? Especially after signing Sean Jones in the offseason? Probably not. McCoy is rated just a slight notch below Suh and could up being the type of DT Tampa can build a successful defense around.

4. Washington Redskins select Trent Williams - Offensive Tackle - Oklahoma

The Redskins need to protect their investment in Donovan McNabb and Williams looks to be the perfect fit to do that. It’s likely between Russell Okung and Trent Willims at this spot. The Redskins will most likely go with Williams, the more versatile of the two, who seems to fit the ideal vision of what Mike Shannahan wants out of an offensive tackle. If the Redskins felt like setting the world on fire, they could go with Jimmy Clausen as their QB of the future. That might lead to a riot in the greater Washington D.C. area though.

5. Kansas City Chiefs select Bryan Bulaga - Offensive Tackle - Iowa

Three possibilities here. Select Eric Berry and please the fans, take Bulaga at right tackle and build up your offensive line, or reach for Rolando McClain. I highly doubt they reach so drastically in back to back years and pay top five contracts to mid first round talents. So that takes McClain out. Scott Pioli has pledged his confidence in Brandon Albert as his left tackle of the future so if Okung where available the Chiefs would likely pass. The fans would love to see Berry go to the Chiefs but Pioli won’t be weighing that into the decision. I expect Bulaga to be the pick here.

6. Seattle Seahawks select Russell Okung - Offensive Tackle - Oklahoma State

If Okung does not get selected by the Redskins, I see him falling to Seattle. They then would have to choose between Okung, Spiller, and possibly Eric Berry. Knowing that they could get their franchise left tackle here and then possibly land C.J. Spiller at 14, I expect that they would go with Okung. I wouldn’t rule out Clausen here but I highly doubt he goes this early with his stock seemingly on the downfall.

7. Cleveland Browns select Eric Berry - Safety - Tennessee

This seems like what the Browns would most prefer. Berry is one of the top talents in the draft and he fills a big need for the Browns. The fans would love the pick and show off their support to Holmgren and Mangini for making it happen. If Berry is off the board, they would probably be reaching for a defensive player of some sort here if they were unable to work out a trade with someone looking to move up for Clausen. I don’t expect Holmgren to go with Clausen as his future QB but you never know, especially if Berry were to be off the board. The fans would probably hate it though.

8. Oakland Raiders select Mike Iupati - Offensive Guard - Idaho

This will not and I repeat NOT be Bruce Campbell. I’m rallying around the notion that this will probably happen and Iupati will indeed be the pick, especially as you start to hear rumblings that the Raiders are leaning this way. It could all be a big smokescreen but why would they be putting out a smokescreen like this? Doesn’t make any sense. Is it a reach? I would say yes somewhat but not as big as some would make it out to be. Campbell would be a terrible reach in comparison to Iupati. The Raiders are in desperate need of some help up front on offense and Iupati can come in and start from day one for them.

9. Buffalo Bills select Dan Williams - Defensive Tackle - Tennessee

I think they take a pass on Clausen here and go with Dan Williams if the top three offensive tackles are gone. The darkhorse here would be C.J. Spiller since Marshawn Lynch seems to have fallen out of favor with the franchise. Still, the Bills have to build from the inside out and adding a player like Spiller without a solid option at tackle to block for him would probably prove futile.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars select Joe Haden - Cornerback - Florida

The Jaguars are a big wildcard here. Everyone knows their desire to trade back but will they be able to find someone willing to come up and give them a second rounder for this spot? It remains to be seen but if they do stay here, I can see them going B.P.A. and the person at the top of their board could be Joe Haden. Rashean Mathis is 29 and his better years could be behind him. Drafting a player like Haden to team up with Derek Cox for the future would make some sense if they were to stay at this spot.

11. Denver Broncos select Dez Bryant - Wide Receiver - Oklahoma State

The Maurkice Pouncey talk doesn’t seem to be dying down, but with such a need at WR and having a player like Bryant drop to you at eleven, could the Broncos really justify taking Pouncey here? They easily could but I think if the meeting with Dez really went as well as Josh says it did, he’ll be the pick here.

12. Miami Dolphins select Derrick Morgan - Defensive End - Georgia Tech

Morgan looks like he fits the mold of the kind of player Parcells is looking for. He should be available at twelve and with the recent departure of Jason Taylor, I expect the Dolphins to select him. They could be targeting Dan Williams as well and if both Williams and Morgan are somehow gone they could look at a fallback like Sergio Kindle. Regardless, I think Morgan is definitely their top choice and if he’s available it looks like he’ll be a Dolphin.

13. San Francisco 49ers select Jimmy Clausen - Quarterback - Notre Dame

Finally. I think if Clausen where to drop to thirteen, the 49ers would almost have to take him. I don’t think they see a future with Alex Smith and with another pick just four slots later they can always add an offensive tackle or cornerback at that spot. If Clausen gets by the 49ers, it’s anyones guess at the point.

14. Seattle Seahawks select C.J. Spiller - Running Back - Clemson

The Seahawks would probably be considering Spiller at six so if he were to fall to them at fourteen, there’s no doubt in my mind they would pounce on him. Justin Forsett has a nice future but he needs more help than what he’s getting from Julius Jones.

15. New York Giants select Jermaine Gresham - Tight End - Oklahoma

What about Rolando McClain? I’ll say the Giants take a pass on the Alabama LB if he’s available here. I think there are a lot of question marks that NFL teams have about McClain that aren’t really being discussed by draft fans. I can see him falling into the twenties. The “love affair” that the Giants have developed recently with C.J. Spiller seems a little too much like posturing but if Spiller were available they would probably take him. I don’t think he will be though. Just like the Kiwanuka pick a few years ago, taking Jermaine Gresham would probably bring about a few groans amongst the Radio City crowd. Nonetheless, he gives the Giants a dynamic weapon in the passing game that they sorely need at the tight end position. I don’t know if the team has enough faith in Travis Beckum to believe he can be anything more then a situational player.

16. Tennessee Titans select Sergio Kindle - Outside Linebacker - Texas

I’ve had the Titans taking Kindle since I first started making mock drafts for this year a few months ago. He’s one of the few that have remained consistent up to this point. I can’t see any reason for this not happening. He can bulk up and be a 4-3 edge rusher or make the move to outside linebacker. The Titans could use some help at both spots and they’ve shown a proven affinity when it comes to Longhorn players throughout their recent drafts.

17. San Francisco 49ers select Charles Brown - Offensive Tackle - USC

I’d weigh tackle as a slightly bigger need than corner for the 49ers. I think if they were to go offensive tackle here, it would be between Charles Brown and Anthony Davis. They both seem like they’re heading in opposite directions as far as their stock is concerned so I’ll pencil in Brown for the 49ers here.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers select Kyle Wilson - Cornerback - Boise State

I swear if Big Ben throws off this draft I’m going to hate him even more than I do already. Hopefully, the Steelers don’t do anything drastic like trade Ben for a top ten pick or throw caution to the wind and reach for a QB here. I think they’re a smart franchise and if they see a DB like Kyle Wilson or Earl Thomas here they’ll definitley snag one of them up. I’d lean toward Wilson here because Ike Taylor and William Gay just aren’t getting it done for the Steelers at cornerback. If they wanted to go O-line, Pouncey would make some sense to.

Don’t ruin my big day, Ben. JUST DON”T DO IT!!!

19. Atlanta Flacons select Maurkice Pouncey - Center - Florida

Pouncey looks like he can go anywhere from eleven to here. If he where to fall to nineteen, I don’t see the Falcons having any hesitation to pick him. He gives Matt Ryan a consistent center to work with for the next ten years. If he were gone though, I’d expect Dimitroff to try and build up the defensive front seven with a player along the lines of Brandon Graham or another pass rusher.

20. Houston Texans select Earl Thomas - Safety - Texas

This could be the Texans dream. However, Earl Thomas seems like he could be a hot commodity and I would expect someone to make a move into the mid teens to try and get him. If that didn’t happen though and he actually did fall to the Texans, it seems like a no brainer. He would finally give the team a bona fide difference maker in the defensive backfield. There’s a strong chance he could be gone at this point though, so the Texans will need a backup plan. That plan could include running back Ryan Matthews even though he would be considered a reach at twenty. If they felt like waiting another round to pick up a running back, they could go with a corner like Devin McCourty or Kareem Jackson here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals select Jason Pierre-Paul - Defensive End - South Florida

Because teams don’t have enough film on him, JPP could be taking a bit of a fall on draft day. I don’t forsee anything major but I would definitley not be shocked to see him land in the twenties. The Bengals seem to have taken a liking to him, and with the uncertainty surrounding Antwan Odom’s return from an Achilles injury, they might feel the need to take him if he’s available. That would give their defense a very formidable pass rush for the future if Odom can come back strong and JPP and Michael Johnson can meet their potential.

22. New England Patriots select Jared Odrick - Defensive Tackle - Penn State

I’ve been hesitant about this. It seems like everyone and their mother says Odrick here. When that occurs, it seems like those are the times the Pats do a complete 180 with their pick. Odrick does make a lot of sense for the Pats and he could be a great fill in for the long departed Richard Seymour at 3-4 DE. I still say Demaryius Thomas or maybe another off the wall kind of pick is possible for New England this year. Also, they’ve got enough ammo with their second round picks to move up and make a splash. It should be interesting to see where they go with this one.

23. Green Bay Packers select Brandon Graham - Outside Linebacker - Michigan

Last year's first rounder, Clay Matthews, certainly had an impact at outside linebacker for the Packers defense this previous season. Aaron Kampman is now gone though and Green Bay could be in the hunt for another 3-4 OLB. A player like Brandon Graham or maybe even Sergio Kindle if he were to drop to them, could fill Kampman’s void. Offensive Line is also a concern for the Packers and if they had enough confidence in Bruce Campbell they could take him here. That seems like a bit of a reach though and Ted Thompson may not have enough trust in Campbell to take him at 23.

24. Philadelphia Eagles select Rolando McClain - Inside Linebacker - Alabama

I seem to be in the minority when it comes to thinking McClain will slide a bit in the draft. It’s not that I don’t like Rolando, I just don’t know if he has that big time play making ability that teams want from a linebacker. He’s certainly a solid player but I’m not sure if he is the elite standout type that can fit in every defense. If Patrick Willis can fall to eleven, I can see McClain falling into the twenties without a doubt. The Eagles seem set with Stewart Bradley at linebacker but he is coming off an injury and his absence was extremely noticeable last season. I know Reid doesn’t believe in investing a first round pick in linebackers but if McClain were to be available, he could make an exception. With Jamaal Jackson’s ACL injury, a trade up for Maurkice Pouncey could also be a possibility.

25. Baltimore Ravens select Devin McCourty - Cornerback - Rutgers

I think if Odrick were available he is without a doubt the pick. With his stock on the rise though, I doubt he lasts this long. If he’s gone I’d expect the Ravens to definitely take a look at the cornerbacks available. Kareem Jackson of Alabama and Devin McCourty of Rutgers would be me my two frontrunners for them.

26. (TRADE) Buffalo Bills select Tim Tebow - Quarterback - Florida

When looking at teams as candidates to trade out of the backend of the first round, the Cardinals definitely come to mind. If they stayed here I’m not even sure which direction they would go. Maybe Jerry Hughes? A defensive tackle? For the sake of the mock, I’ll say they trade with Buffalo who could be looking to move up and have a shot at Tim Tebow.

27. Dallas Cowboys select Anthony Davis - Offensive Tackle - Rutgers

I’m not sure if the Cowboys are ready to have Doug Free protecting Tony Romo’s blindside. They might be but I doubt it. I expect them to try and get one of the big six offensive tackles early because after them, there’s a big big dropoff. If Anthony Davis did take a tumble on Thursday night, I think it would be hard for the Cowboys to pass him up at 27.

28. San Diego Chargers select Ryan Matthews - Running Back - Fresno State

If it were anything beside running back or nose tackle here I would be a bit awe struck. I think when it comes down to running backs it could be between Matthews and Best and maybe even Jonathan Dwyer even though it sounds like his stock has taken a bit of a hit. If the Texans don’t select Matthews I can see the Chargers picking him up . If they decided to go nose tackle, big Terrence Cody would be awfully intriguing even though he probably carries a second round grade from most teams.

29. New York Jets select Brian Price - Defensive Tackle - UCLA

With all the Jets big offseason moves, it’s kind of hard to guess where the Jets will go with this one. They could be a candidate to trade back or maybe take B.P.A. I’ll say they give Brian Price a long look as he could be the eventual replacement to the aging Kris Jenkins. If they wanted to add another Wide Receiver that wouldn’t surprise me either. Bay Bay?

30. Minnesota Vikings select Chris Cook - Cornerback - Virginia

You would say it’s probably a little too early for a player like Chris Cook and you might be right. However, when you play the Cover 2 and have a corner that so perfectly suits your scheme sitting right in front of you, it’s hard to pass up. He’s raw but there’s no denying he’s got everything you desire in a Cover 2 corner. The Vikings can afford to reach a little if they want to get their guy.

31. Indianapolis Colts select Rodger Saffold - Offensive Lineman - Indiana

I like this. I know people would say its a bit of a stretch but Saffold seems like the kind of player Bill Polian wants for his team. When you have Peyton Manning, you can afford to reach bit in the draft. The Colts could use a little help up front, and Saffold is a versatile guy that fits their scheme very well.

32. New Orleans Saints select Sean Weatherspoon - Outside Linebacker - Missouri

I expect the Saints to be happy when a guy with a whole bunch of ability falls to them at 32. With a draft as deep and talented as this one, it's bound to happen. Look for the Saints to be all over a player like Jermaine Gresham, or Sean Weatherspoon, or maybe even Taylor Mays if they were to fall down this low. All of them fill a need and have difference making potential.