2010 NFL Mock Draft: Final Cut Lands 3 QBs In Round 1

The 2010 NFL Draft is upon us with a ton of uncertainty.  It seems the one, two, and three picks have essentially been settled in many minds, but anything can still happen.

This is only a first round draft as this year's new format will drive the second and third rounds into absolute insanity on Friday night.  

It has been an extremely exciting off-season and the speculation as to where these quarterbacks will fall has been an epic debate.

Here is a final look at the 2010 NFL Draft.

Round 1

1.  St. Louis Rams

·      Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The speculation about the No. 1 pick has been settled since Sam Bradford's Pro Day and while there is no deal yet in place, I believe most people will be surprised if Bradford is not the first name called.  

Rumors are still swirling of the Rams possibly trading down, and while it could happen, they would still need to target a quarterback at some point in this Draft and I think Bradford's talent is enough to keep them here.

2.  Detroit Lions

·      Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Suh was thought of so highly at the end of the season that the only place he could go was down.  Unfortunately he will most likely fall victim to the most important philosophy in football, "if you don't have a franchise quarterback, get one".  

Fortunately for the Lions, they have a quarterback and can turn their eyes to the most dominant prospect in this draft.

Suh should have an immediate impact for the Lions in 2010.

3.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

·      Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Bucs get a chance at the stud DT they need no matter what happens (if Bradford goes No. 1 like expected).

4.  Washington Redskins

·      Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Oh the debate for this pick was as difficult as it gets.  We know the 'Skins are looking at opportunities to move back but they seriously do need a left tackle.

Russell Okung has been pegged as the safest pick at the tackle position but Williams has certainly gained serious momentum recently and due to his versatility and upside, he gets the nod at No. 4.

5.  Kansas City Chiefs

·      Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

I had no intention of ever making this pick because Eric Berry hands down deserves to be here, if not higher.  

The Chiefs brass have other intentions though and apparently Bulaga fits those needs.

I really like Bulaga as a player, but I think at best he may max out on the right side where Branden Albert should already be playing.

The Chiefs don't seem to value the safety spot this high, despite a major need for it, so Bulaga gets the nod over Okung at tackle because he is more of Chiefs-style player.

6.  Seattle Seahawks

·      Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Seahawks could go a lot of different ways here.  C.J. Spiller fits their need for an offensive playmaker.  

Eric Berry is the best value at a position they could upgrade. They could still be in the market for Jimmy Clausen, we know Pete Carroll really likes him.

They are in the market for another wide receiver and they are definitely interested in adding a pass rusher.

They also need a new tackle and with Okung luckily falling to them, I think they jump on him pretty fast.  He's a safe and reliable pick for them and they can get fancier at No. 14.

7.  Cleveland Browns

·      Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee

The Browns are rumored to looking for trading partners as well and that makes sense.  Their quarterback position is up in the air, they could easily use offensive and defensive playmakers, but luckily for them they find some value.

It is hardly a secret that Eric Berry is a top 5, probably top 3, talent on most everyone's boards.

He fits a need for the Browns and they get great value.

8.  Oakland Raiders

·      Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

The first real surprising pick of the draft comes from none other than the Raiders.

Iupati is on the minds of more than a few teams and the way the Draft has fallen leaves the Raiders taking him higher than most projected.

He's a huge guy at 6'5, 331 pounds, has versatility and could develop really nicely within the Raiders system.

Wouldn't rule out a trade here from the Raiders either, especially if they think they can grab Iupati a bit later.

9.  Buffalo Bills

·      Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

The Bills could definitely be in the market for Clausen here and while I think he is a top five player in this draft, I do not think he fits this team.

Davis on the other hand, has all the talent in the world and could be the best tackle prospect of the class if he can clear up a few character concerns.

He gives the Bills a franchise left tackle they can feature in their new system though as he excels in the pass game.

They are also rumored to be enamored with Tim Tebow.

10.  Jacksonville Jaguars

·      C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

This is a team with many needs and is desperately trying to move out.  I do think they will find a suitor, but it will depend on how the top nine plays out.

If they stay put though, I can see Spiller being their newest weapon.

They definitely noticed the loss of Fred Taylor last season and they do not want to run MoJo into the ground.  Spiller can come in get some carries, catch some passes out of the backfield, and immediately help in the return game.

11.  TRADE – New York Giants (via Denver from Chicago)

·      DEN trades No. 11 to NYG for No. 15 and No. 76 (3^rd)

·      Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

I usually stay away from projecting trades in mock drafts, it can really throw things off.

In both cases here though, either team can take either one of these players at their own slots but it also makes sense for them to both move around and it fits in terms of value.

The Giants need a new MLB, despite what they say about their current in-house talent, and McClain could be the perfect fit.  They do not have too many other holes and can afford moving up to get him.

12.  Miami Dolphins

·      Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Dolphins went out and solved their need for a new No. 1 receiver as well as their linebacker position with Karlos Dansby.  

I believe they could go after Earl Thomas here, but with Dan Williams being the top NT and not many other huge needs for the Dolphins here at 12, I think he wins out over the safety and the edge rusher.

13.  San Francisco 49ers

·      Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Common theme here; I think the Niners could use Earl Thomas as well, but think they value the corner here more.  Haden is not the No. 1 CB on everybody's list, but he was for much of the season.

The Niners would also really like to add a RT here, but nobody really fits the bill here for them.

Haden is arguably the top cover man available and can step in for San Francisco from day one and learn from Nate Clements.

14.  Seattle Seahawks (via Denver)

·      Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

I talked about the Seahawks getting fancier here after their first pick, but with Spiller off the board they can focus on another need position of great value.

Derrick Morgan is hardly a "sexy" pick here, but he is an extremely solid all-around end and is one of the safer picks in the Draft.

I would not rule the Seahawks out of possibly taking Clausen here, but wouldn't it have been easier to take him at No. 6 and save the third round pick for Whitehurst?  

I know it was a bit ago that they made that deal, but I think they intend to use Whitehurst and can get better at other places instead.

15.  TRADE – Denver Broncos (via New York Giants)

·      NYG trades No. 15 and No. 76 (3^rd) to DEN for No. 11

·      Maurkice Pouncey, OG/C, Florida

The Broncos have been linked to Pouncey for some time now and have been rumored to be looking to move down to get him.  

The Giants are an ideal trading partner, especially considering the Broncos could use McClain as well and the Giants could draft Pouncey themselves.

If they can add another pick later on, they can grab a receiver then and focus on the line now.

Pouncey is as solid a player as you can find and brings a ton of versatility to the line.

16.  Tennessee Titans

·      Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF

This is the floor for JPP.  I have not talked about him much, but he brings top 10 athleticism and raw skills to the game and could be taken much higher than this.

The Titans are in the market for another pass rusher and think JPP could be the next version of Jevon Kearse when he joined Tennessee.  

If they look elsewhere I would expect it to be a corner.

17.  San Francisco 49ers (via Carolina)

·      Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

The Niners seem to insist they can win with Alex Smith but I do not think they can be tempted by Jimmy Clausen twice and decide to pass on him both times.  Maybe once and they can put it behind them, but not twice.

Clausen is NFL-ready, has good command of his game, and is very smart with the football.  Quite honestly, he is pretty much the opposite of Smith, who flashed a bit at the end of the season but has yet to completely catch on.

18.  Pittsburgh Steelers

·      Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

The Steelers sent disruptive Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes away and now have a huge void at receiver and also would love to add a lineman.

I am not sure what will happen with Big Ben or their QB situation, but if they sit here and see Dez Bryant fall into their laps, he should be too much to pass up.  

19.  Atlanta Falcons

·      Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

One of the most impressive kids in the Draft, Graham has simply been "one of those guys who will go first round but not many people will be talking about him".

He was a machine up at Michigan and the Falcons could desperately use him as a pass rusher after missing on someone who will not be named.

With Earl Thomas still on the board I would not rule him out either, but you cannot lose with either one of these prospects.

20.  Houston Texans

    Earl Thomas, SS, Texas

The Texans should be absolutely ecstatic if Thomas is on the board.  I consider him a top 10 talent but just could not find a place to fit him in earlier, but that's the way the Draft is.

Houston is continually looking for a talented playmaker in the secondary and Thomas could be just the guy to settle in.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals

·      Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Battled with this pick for a while.  The Bengals still need a big tight end receiving threat but could also use a safety like Taylor Mays.

Gresham has fantastic pass catching ability though, and could be the long lost weapon that Carson Palmer has been looking for.

22.  New England Patriots

·      Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Patriots

Pats have a ton of picks and would not be surprised by just about any move they make.  This pick in fact, is a bit conservative.

They need some youth at the edge rushing position and Kindle is simply the best available.  Fortunately for both of them Kindle is starting to come along just at the right time and could be a very good player in New England.

23.  Green Bay Packers

      Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

The Packers have a few needs (DE/OLB, CB, OT) and can conceivably grab a good player at any of those positions here.

Wilson though, has been flying up boards of late and could very well be gone by this pick.  He a physical bump-n-corner, just like Woodson and Harris, and can learn from them both.  

24.  Philadelphia Eagles

·      Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

The Eagles are rumored to want to jump considerably to make a play a few players.  Earl Thomas is suspected to be one of them and he went only a few picks earlier so I could definitely see them moving up.

If they stay though, they usually like to go for big men early, but not a lot of value at this spot.  

McCourty is a super valuable guy to a team like the Eagles.  He can cover well, is a willing tackler, and is an exceptional special teams player with return ability.

25.  Baltimore Ravens

·      Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

The Ravens draft extremely well and like to get after players they know can help their system.

Odrick is a very interesting prospect who can fit nicely as a 3-4 end in Baltimore.  He is not a super flashy player, but could turn out to be great for them.

They could also go after a receiver like DeMaryius Thomas or a tight end here.

26.  Arizona Cardinals

      Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

The Cardinals got killed in free agency his off-season and look like a hollow shell of their former selves.

They filled a few needs, but could use some youth in that defensive front seven, especially on the edge.

Hughes was as productive as a player could be at TCU and would be a very welcome addition in the Cardinals 3-4

27.  Dallas Cowboys

·      Charles Brown, OT, USC

The Cowboys are rumored to be very interested in moving up.  A safety, such as Earl Thomas, and WR Dez Bryant, are both on the Cowboys radar.

I would not be shocked to see them jump up for either of these players, but if they stay they could reach for a safety (depending on how you feel about Taylor Mays) or take a new tackle to groom for the future.

Brown has been rising up a lot of boards lately and could hear his name called even earlier than this.  

28.  San Diego Chargers

·      Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

I think there is a lot to say for Chargers needs at NT, especially with Linval Joseph of ECU rising up boards and the raw talent of "Mount" Cody.  

I think the need for a solid running back is greater though, and Mathews is as solid is they come.

He runs in the 4.4 range, is a solid blocker, and has exceptional balance.  They already have the complimentary back in place, just need to the workhorse.

29.  New York Jets

·      Taylor Mays, SS, USC

The Jets could possibly look to move up as well, but would get lucky if they stay here.

The Jets are in the market for a new safety as well as a possible 3-4 end, offensive lineman, or another young edge rusher.

Mays is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft and has drawn a plethora of criticism from almost everyone.

His freakish athletic ability and raw speed may be enough to let Rex Ryan mold him the way he wants.

30.  TRADE – Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota Vikings)

·      Minnesota trades No. 30 to Buffalo for No. 41 (2^nd) and 2011 1^st rd

·      Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

The Vikings needs are not great.  They just signed CB Lito Sheppard to a deal, and although it is not a major move, it does not make the corner position as pressing as before.

The price Buffalo has to pay to get back in for a QB could be too great to pass up by grabbing a second rounder this year and next year's first rounder.

The Bills are rumored to be heavily interested in Tebow and if they really want him they will probably have to come back to get him before somebody else does.  

The Vikings (30), Colts (31), and Saints (32) would all be outside possibilities to take a chance on a player of Tebow's caliber, and could also someone else to jump up.

Tebow to Buffalo makes sense and they got their left tackle early in the draft as well.

31.  Indianapolis Colts

·      Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana

The Colts would love to add some depth to their offensive line and get their hands on a rising prospect here in Saffold.

Not too many needs for the defending AFC Champs and they can focus on keeping things simple, like keeping Peyton healthy.

32.  New Orleans Saints

      Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

While the signing of Alex Brown is not a huge deal, it does make the need for a pass rusher less of a priority.

The Saints need some youth and speed at the linebacker position and get lucky to see Weatherspoon still here.

He can play almost any linebacker position, has good speed, and a serious amount of enthusiasm.  He fills the Saints needs at linebacker nicely.

I would hardly be shocked to see more trades into the back end of the first round, especially involving Colt McCoy.

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