2010 NFL Mock Draft: Two-Round September Edition
When Florida and Oklahoma met in the 2009 National Championship game, there was not a whole lot of doubt that the two most talented teams were on the field. There was also little doubt that most of those players would find themselves playing on Sundays in a few months.
The second prediction was wrong.
Both Florida and Oklahoma kept a great deal of their talent for this season and both teams could find themselves in the same exact spotlight come January.
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This means both teams' draft prospects will get the appropriate boost for playing in a BCS bowl.
Here's an early 2010 Draft. Brought to you as always by our friends at DraftTek.com Check out DraftTek which has undergone its second major revision in two years. Increased functionality and an improved blog really ups the ante when it comes to drafting Web sites.
This draft order is based on current Las Vegas odds for each NFL team to reach the Super Bowl. Personal judgement was used when two or three teams had the same odds. Traded draft picks have also been factored in.
2010 NFL Mock Draft
Round One:
Detroit Lions Carlos Dunlap (DE-Florida)
In 2009, Detroit made great strides, improving their overall talent level and adding play makers on both sides of the ball. That being said, it's a long-term project and no one should be surprised if they're picking in the top five again this April. Detroit continues to be dominated in the trenches.
Since this draft (at the moment) lacks a true top left tackle prospect, Detroit would be wise to select the premier edge rusher in the draft. With tremendous size and great athleticism, Dunlap improves both the size and talent of a weak defensive line.
St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford (QB-Oklahoma)
St. Louis could pick almost any position and improve their team. In recent years, they've not only missed on draft picks but let a lot of talent walk away for nothing. This simple fact remains, if you don't have a franchise QB, get one.
Although I believe this is a little high for Bradford, he is a smart, accurate, game-changing quarterback. Moreover, he's a leader and a high character guy no one would ever have any problems handing the reigns over to. He will need Bulger to stay healthy one more year as he learns under center.
Kansas City Chiefs Brandon LeFell (WR-LSU)
The Chiefs have an interesting predicament. They are installing a 3-4 defense without a lot of the normal personnel one would like to have for that defense.
They are also entering the year with a spread offense, and a paper-thin receiving corps. Their best wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, is squarely in Todd Haley's dog house. Even if Bowe has a good year, the Chiefs should look to add talent to complement him while hoping their recent draft picks along the defensive line perform up to snuff.
Cleveland Browns Ndamukong Suh (DT-Nebraska)
Eric Mangini brought a lot of his defensive talent with him over to Cleveland. If the new guys acclimate with the old squad quickly, it could be a decent season.
The three-man defensive line is a worrisome situation. With three starters over the age of 30, things could get dicey quick. Adding Suh, arguably the top prospect in the draft, allows Mangini to rotate the older players around while teaming this unstoppable force with two extremely disruptive players in Rogers and Coleman.
Oakland Raiders Taylor Mays (S-Southern California)
Mays is a big body with a great 40-time. Really, do I need to explain more? Frankly, I hope Davis gets gun-shy after the Michael Huff debacle a few years back, but he won't. Oakland's D is going to look pretty bad against the pass in '09.
Mays brings that deep safety mentality Oakland is missing with blistering speed to stick with any receiver and break on shorter routes. But again, it doesn't matter what Mays does this season, as long as he runs well in March.
Cincinnati Bengals Trent Williams (OT-Oklahoma)
Quick, name two starters on the Bengals' O-line. Did you get one? Hopefully, by the end of the season, Andre Smith will be a fixture at RT. But not so fast my friends, after sitting thanks to a contract hold out, Smith is not in the best of shape. Factor in the amount of Skyline Chili one could buy with that signing bonus, and Cincinnati still needs some O-line help.
As of right now, Trent Williams is the best O-lineman in the draft, but I expect that to change. Whoever it ends up being, expect them to look a lot better running with their shirt off than some people we know.
San Francisco 49ers Jevan Snead (QB-Ole Miss)
When Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are "battling" for a QB spot, you know you have troubles. First, how is Shaun Hill your best quarterback? Second, how is Alex Smith close enough to call it a contest? Hill may be an accurate passer and able to steal a win, but he has little to no upside.
Enter Jevan Snead. By all rights, we could be talking about Snead, not McCoy hunting for a national title with the Texas Longhorns. But Snead, realizing he wasn't a spread QB, got the heck out of Austin. Now, hes running with Houston Nutt at Mississippi and is the top rated non-spread QB in the draft.
Seattle Seahawks Eric Berry (S-Tennessee)
I promise you, if the draft goes something like this, Seahawks fans will need to trade short term dissatisfaction for long-term success. With needs all over on offense, the 'Hawks will be looking for a top-rated skill player or lineman.
However, with those options off the board, the Seahawks can "settle" for the best defensive back in the draft. Berry is as good of a prospect now as Charles Woodson was out of Michigan.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Greg Hardy (DE-Ole Miss)
The defense in Tampa Bay has always been predicated around getting pressure with the front four. A large part of their recent mediocrity has been the failure to generate that pass rush. With Monte Kiffin gone, the Bucs will blitz more, but still need talent across from Gaines Adams.
Greg Hardy has good size and more than enough game to slow down the QBs in the NFC South. Some have him as the top defensive prospect right now, but I expect his stock to drop, much like it did last season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Jimmy Clausen (QB-Notre Dame)
Ok, so this is where I probably lose you. Let me feed you baby birds. First, I'm no Notre Dame fan. As a Michigan boy, I still hope they go win-less and Charlie Weis is looking for work next winter.
But, this seems to be the year they're set up for success. The Irish boast a horde of draft prospects all along the offense—enough to put them in contention for a New Year's bowl game.
If they have any measure of success, scouts will remember the man-crushes they all had for Clausen as a high school senior. Remember, Matthew Stafford did nothing of note in college and still rode his physical talent all the way to Motown. Clausen has that same talent, in spades.
Miami Dolphins Jermaine Gresham (TE-Oklahoma)
In the '09 Draft, the Dolphins "over-drafted" their two weakest positions, CB and WR. Now, those should be positions of strength down the road, leaving the Dolphins able to draft BPA at any number of positions of lesser weakness. It's a great strategy that puts them in a great spot for 2010.
Although improving the front seven will be a possibility, I expect a drop off from Anthony Fasano in '09 which will leave coach Tony Sparano searching for a security blanket with all that speed on the outside. Factor in the need to give a future young QB (Henne or White) someone sure handed, and Gresham is a great pick.
New York Jets Gerald McCoy (DT-Oklahoma)
New head coach, Rex Ryan has all the swagger of his former Ravens' defense. Now, he will have to acquire and develop players to back that up. McCoy has great size for the 3-4 and is able to hold the point of attack against the run and make plays in the backfield. He'll add much needed size and youth to the Jets.
Seattle Seahawks Sam Young (OT-Notre Dame)
If Clausen is going high in this draft, he will obviously have had some protection. Sam Young is 6'8" 330 pounds and has a uniquely solid frame which could allow him to gain another 10-15 pounds without losing a drop of his eye-opening athleticism.
Young started for the Irish as a true freshman and routinely goes against some of the best defensive linemen in the game. Because of his size and strength, teams may look at him at a RT, but he certainly has the lateral movement and arm length to block the blind side.
Buffalo Bills Bryan Bulaga (OT-Iowa)
Bulaga has had a good run at Iowa. He's starting this season on the Lombardi and Outland watch lists but lacks the talent around him to stay in the hearts and minds of voters for very long.
Things are only getting worse in Iowa City and Bulaga should receive at least a low first-round grade, meaning he would be wise to jet. Once he's in the drafting system, not many will shine brighter than him in the spring. Bulaga is one of the many candidates who could end up as the top tackle in this deep class lacking a clear front runner.
Houston Texans Russell Okung (OT-Oklahoma State)
Houston has issues when they need a lineman. Last year, when Houston knew they needed an offensive tackle in '08, seven went before their first-round pick. Although Duane Brown has been solid, the Texans as a team gave up 32 sacks in 2008. The difference between having the No. 4 passing offense and winning playoff games is dropping that sack total by 10-15.
Adding Okung, currently ranked the top tackle on some boards, would certainly help. Obviously Okung is not the top-rated tackle on my board. Succeeding against edge rushers in the Big 12 is like winning your kindergarten weightlifting competition.
Baltimore Ravens Arrelious Benn (WR-Illinois)
Derrick Mason is back to "save" the Ravens' offense this season. After Mason, the Ravens have about half a receiver on the entire squad. Joe Flacco is not the type of QB who will succeed in the long term with no one to throw to.
Benn has the vertical speed to make full use of Flacco's arm. He also has decent size and good ball skills. Production shouldn't be much of a problem and his stock will increase with every receiver he outruns at the combine.
Arizona Cardinals Arthur Jones (DT-Syracuse)
The downside to using a hybrid defense is undervaluing the second defensive tackle spot until you take a stab at a 35-year-old nose tackle who you ride like a rented mule all the way to the Super Bowl. The Cardinals still need to get better at running the ball and stopping the run. They solved the first problem this year by drafting Beanie Wells.
They could continue that course by drafting an offensive lineman. Or, they could finally draft a defensive lineman who isn't overweight and underachieving from the University of Michigan. Jones is extremely disruptive and athletic. He also has the size to play nose tackle, or 3-4 end—sliding inside in the 4-3. Either way, it helps the run defense.
Washington Redskins Brandon Spikes (ILB-Florida)
London Fletcher is 34. His tackle numbers are steady but his "dynamic" numbers are dropping. Less sacks, INTs, fumbles or tackles for a loss mean that he's having a much smaller impact than he once did. Even with all of that, he could still have an impact well into 2011.
Meanwhile, Brandon Spikes is certainly a player who can have impact. He lives in his opponent's backfield. Although critics would like to see more big plays out of Spikes, he has all the tools and talents to succeed. His four interceptions returned for touchdown and 25 tackles for loss confirm that.
Denver Broncos Dez Bryant (WR-Oklahoma State)
This year, while Jeremy Maclin is locking up top rookie receiver honors, scouts will be drooling over the exact same prospect who also happens to be two inches taller and 30 pounds heavier. Bryant is a dynamic receiver and return man who can step up and be a team's No. 1 by his sophomore year. Bryant can also add pizazz and sizzle to any offense running screens and reverses while dominating on special teams.
Tennessee Titans Corey Wootton (DE-Northwestern)
The saddest part about Corey Wootton is that he has all the skills to be one of the best 3-4 rush linebackers in the history of the league. However, Wootton weighs around 280 and looks like he can easily add weight.
If Wootton manages to either shed weight, or add weight while also increasing his strength and speed (ala Aaron Maybin), he could end up one of the top players off the board. As of right now, he's still a solid first rounder and a very solid prospect.
New Orleans Saints Sean Weatherspoon (OLB-Missouri)
Sean Weatherspoon was one of two linebackers I was very high on at this time last year. The other, Gerald McRath, dropped down my draft board (and others) and was taken in the fourth round by the Titans.
I doubt the same happens to Weatherspoon who is a violent athlete and more than just a tackle machine, returning two INTs for touchdowns in his career. The Big 12 isn't set up to make linebackers shine, but Weatherspoon does.
San Fransisco 49ers Damien Williams (WR-Southern California)
I don't think Michael Crabtree is going to hold out all season. He'll play eventually. But, even with Crabtree, this is a receiving corps destitute of talent. The 49ers got this pick from Carolina and can grab a great weapon for the strongarmed Snead (who they, hypothetically, drafted earlier).
Williams has only spent one year of eligibility in L.A. and did extremely well as a go-to receiver. If he continues that success with freshman Matt Barkley, it wouldn't be a surprise for San Fransisco to keep him on the west coast.
Green Bay Packers Joe Haden (CB-Florida)
Memo to Ted Thompson, Charles Woodson and Al Harris are OLD. The Packers have drafted one defensive back in the past two years and Patrick Lee is currently running with the third team and was largely a disappointment before going on the IR last season.
Joe Haden, Florida's best defensive back the past two seasons, has a lot of value and will come out early if Florida wins another BCS Championship (or if the talent exodus warrants it).
Atlanta Falcons Brandon Lang (DE-Troy)
If you're a pass rusher entering the draft, Troy is a pretty decent school to have on your resume. Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware both share the alma mater and Lang might be as good of a prospect as both.
Lang may end up fitting better as a 3-4 rush linebacker but is lanky enough to add a ton of weight in his first couple of pro years.
If Atlanta pulls the trigger here, they will get a great speed end to complement their recent defensive draft picks.
Dallas Cowboys Travis Lewis (ILB/OLB-Oklahoma)
Lewis is just another in a long line of Oklahoma tackle hounds, breaking Brian Bosworth's tackle record and is a junior candidate for this year's Butkus Award. Oklahoma is in much the same boat as Florida. If they win and/or have a large amount of talent leaving, it could create a domino effect.
Lewis could easily stay for another year, but if he leaves, he fits best as a 3-4 ILB—perfect for Dallas who could really use a thumper inside.
Indianapolis Colts Darrell Stuckey (SS-Kansas)
Stuckey reminds a lot of scouts of Bob Sanders and with his small stature and aggressiveness, would fit best in a scheme with heavy zone looks. The difference is, Stuckey is a little better in coverage and could switch to a FS in the NFL.
Putting both on the field would certainly give the Colts and interesting look at times but Stuckey would be most useful rotating among Sanders and Antoine Bethea keeping both fresh and healthy.
New York Giants Trevard Lindley (CB-Kentucky)
If you're looking for a corner to be proficient in man to man, bump and run coverage, look no further. Lindley has been a large part of Kentucky's recent success but probably should have come out early in last year's weak CB class.
The Giants aren't as old in the backfield as this author originally though but can still use the talent and spark that Lindley will bring and he is one of the few players left in this draft who might start for the Giants right away.
San Diego Chargers Terrence Cody (NT-Alabama)
The Chargers are officially desperate. Signing Travis Johnson was a low-risk-low-reward move that signaled they realize they need depth along their defensive line, especially at the nose tackle position.
Terrence Cody could surprise at the combine and workouts. But teams will shy away from his weight, which many think he could lose with a little more work ethic. Cody, at 365, isn't much of a rusher and lacks both stability and agility. At 340, he would be unstoppable.
Minnesota Vikings Serdio Kindle (DE/OLB-Texas)
The Vikings defense is an embarrassment of riches but its not like they're lacking on the offensive side either. I can almost guarantee starting a rookie QB in 2010 is not in the cards.
Rather, Minnesota should look into upgrading across from Jared Allen. Kindle can play DE or 3-4 rush linebacker. His value to the Vikings would be immediate on passing downs as he grows into a full-time starter.
Philadelphia Eagles Rolando McClain (ILB-Alabama)
The 2009 Draft was all about improving offensive speed and depth. While the Eagles are a very good team, they do have issues with the linebacking corps, most notably a lack of depth.
Rolando McClain is the the force in the middle of Alabama's impressive defense. Every team plans for him and he still manages to rack up tackles. McClain might not start immediately, but he is a long term solution at a position where the Eagles lack one.
Pittsburgh Steelers Ciron Black (OT-LSU)
One of the most dominant players in the SEC, Black doesn't just block opposing linemen, he routinely blocks them into oblivion. His attitude certainly fits in with the Steel City. Questions remain if he has the agility to stick with quality NFL speed rushers.
If Black excels this season and in workouts, he could end up going much higher. Currently he projects as a possible RT or OG, both positions the Steelers could upgrade.
New England Patriots Jared Odrick (DT-Penn State)
When your No. 1 QB goes down and you still have a good season, you don't have a whole lot to work on. This season the Pats have trotted out veteran additions to their weakest positions, RB and CB. They've added youth in the LB corps, now its time to put some more talent on the defensive line.
Jared Odrick might be one of the biggest talents no one is talking about. He has the size and ability to play NT in a pinch but will be a great 3-4 DE for the team lucky enough to grab him.
Continue for Round 2
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