2010 NFL Mock Draft Round One: QB Jake Locker To St. Louis?

For some reason, the NFL Draft is a really hot topic right now even though the NFL playoff race is in full form.  There is just something about this event that NFL fans simply love. 

Here's my first projection of what could happen in April's draft.

1. St. Louis Rams: Jake Locker - QB, Washington

Marc Bulger is simply not cutting it for the Rams anymore.  It doesn't really help that their offensive line is inexperienced for the most part, and they have no legitimate wide receiver targets to speak of.  Locker will be an instant hit, creating offense on his own at times.

2. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry - S, Tennessee

When rebuilding, you've got to start somewhere. Fortunately, Brady Quinn showed a little bit of promise in his most recent game.  Granted, it was against the Detroit Lions, but an improvement nonetheless.  If he can continue to play moderately well, he will save the Browns of yet another project at the quarterback position in likely a new offense.  Berry may be the best prospect available in this draft, and will have an immediate impact.

3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh - DT, Nebraska

Suh is probably the best defensive line prospect to come along since Mario Williams back in 2006.  He is not as effective in the pass rush area, but he is a dominant force who demands double teams.  The Buccaneers are a huge rebuilding project and this would be a good start.

4. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy - DT, Oklahoma

McCoy draws comparisons to former OU defensive lineman Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears.  He would bring instant credibility to a line that now features Grady Jackson and Sammie Lee Hill. 

5. Buffalo Bills: Russell Okung - OT, Oklahoma State

The Bills' pass protection is horrendous, and it's unlikely that owner Ralph Wilson is going to want to shell out the cash for a big name quarterback.  This is a deep draft for QB's and a good one could be had in the second or third round.  If the Bills bring in Mike Shanahan, this pick will be Jimmy Clausen. 

6. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Morgan - DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

The Chiefs' pass rush is not great, and Morgan may be the best pure pass rusher in the draft.  He is an athletic freak and would bring some legitimacy off the edge for Kansas City.  The Chiefs could also look for a replacement for Derrick Johnson if they decide to let him walk in free agency.

7. Oakland Raiders: Taylor Mays - S, USC

You can all but start printing Taylor Mays jerseys for the Raiders.  He is exactly what Al Davis craves athletically, and he would pair well with either Michael Huff or Mike Mitchell in the defensive backfield.

8. Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford - QB, Oklahoma

Unfortunately, this one is all but a lock to happen if Bradford's arm checks out fine in the offseason workouts.  There is always a chance he could go higher, but it is hard to believe the Seahawks will pass on a franchise QB prospect.

9. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams - OT, Oklahoma

The Redskins need a lot of help, mainly in the coaching area.  The one area their team struggles most is along the offensive front.  Williams would come in and likely start for this team, though it's unclear who he would be protecting at this point. 

10. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Rolando McClain - LB, Alabama

The final piece to the Jay Cutler trade comes down to this pick.  The Broncos could go a number of different directions here, but if Sam Bradford is off the board, the team will likely look for a partner to go alongside D.J. Williams in the middle of their defense.  McClain would help form a nice quartet with Elvis Dumervil, D.J. Williams, and Robert Ayers for the future.

11. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina): Jimmy Clausen - QB, Notre Dame

The Alex Smith project may finally be over.  Clausen could be too good to pass on here for the 49ers, who desperately need someone to sling the ball to Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.

12. New York Jets: Dez Bryant - WR, Oklahoma State

Bryant would either pair with Braylon Edwards or replace him if the Jets choose not to retain him.  Either way, this is a good pick for the Jets.  Bryant is a dynamic receiver and really the only elite one in this draft class.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden - CB, Florida

The 49ers' secondary is not porous by any means, but again, Haden is too good to pass up at this point.  He is undoubtedly the best corner in this draft, and he gives the Niners a legitimate top cornerback.

14. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap - DL, Florida

The Titans' defensive line has long been a strength of the team, and Dunlap is just another piece to the puzzle.  He is athletic enough to line up inside or out, and the Titans will love that about him.

15. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Spiller - RB, Clemson

The Falcons lack a pure speed back in their offensive attack, and Spiller could really put them over the hump.  He is also a guy who can return punts and kicks, and he adds another dimension to their offense.  This would be a great pick.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham - TE, Oklahoma

Joe Flacco needs a more athletic safety valve than Todd Heap, who is nothing of what he used to be.  Gresham is the top tight end in this class by far, and he would be a great addition to the Ravens' offense.

17. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas - S, Texas

Thomas' stock is fast on the rise.  The Texans' only weakness defensively is at the safety position, and this guy would help fill a major void. 

18. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Spikes - LB, Florida

Spikes would pair well with Channing Crowder to give the Dolphins a dynamic young duo of middle linebackers.  Spikes is extremely athletic and would be a great fit for this defense.

19. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Jahvid Best - RB, California

Jahvid Best is one of the best playmakers in college football.  His injury is minor cause for concern, and it shouldn't hurt him too much on draft day.  This is a pretty popular pick among mock drafts, and Best could very well wind up heading north to play for the Seahawks.

20. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Davis - OT, Rutgers

Aaron Rodgers has been sacked over 40 times already this season, which is simply unacceptable.  They need to keep that kid on his feet or they will be sorry.  Davis is a huge offensive tackle prospect who would start protecting Rodgers' blind side immediately.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tim Tebow - QB, Florida

There are a lot of connections here, but the Jaguars are struggling to sell tickets.  Tebow would help that immensely.  He fits what this offense does perfectly, and he would be a terrific weapon for Jack Del Rio and the Jags.

22. New York Giants: Arthur Jones - DT, Syracuse

The Giants are always looking for depth along their frontline defensively, and that is why they consistently put out a great pass rush.  Jones would be a nice addition up front for these guys, though they are already pretty deep at this position.  They could also look for a middle linebacker with this pick.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jason Pierre-Paul - DE, South Florida

The Eagles have one of the top pass rushes in the league almost annually, and they need to continue adding kindling to the fire.  Pierre-Paul is a hot prospect right now who would fit the Eagles' defense perfectly. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati - OL, Idaho

The Steelers' offensive line simply is not cutting it.  Ben Roethlisberger loves his group of guys, but they simply don't keep his jersey clean enough as it currently stands.  Iupati is another hot prospect who could wiggle into the first round come draft day.

25. Arizona Cardinals: Greg Hardy - DE/OLB, Ole Miss

Hardy is a top pass rushing prospect who would help fill the void left by Antonio Smith this past offseason.  He was considered a top prospect last season, and has not disappointed this year.

26. Cincinnati Bengals: Navorro Bowman - OLB, Penn State

Bowman would be a steal with this pick and would pair very nicely with Rey Maualuga as a young core of linebackers for the Bengals, one of the surprise teams of 2009.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Arrelious Benn - WR, Illinois

Benn would pair nicely with Miles Austin in Dallas, though the Cowboys may not look this way if Roy Williams breaks out of his year long slump.  Benn is a physical receiver with good size.

28. New England Patriots: Jonathan Dwyer - RB, Georgia Tech

The Patriots really don't need much.  They could look to offensive line depth, but it makes more sense to go after a guy like Dwyer who can run between the tackles and give them another weapon on offense.

29. San Diego Chargers: Marvin Austin - DL, North Carolina

San Diego's run defense is horrid, and it all starts up front.  Marvin Austin could help rectify their woes defensively, and particularly against the run.  They could also look to Terrence Cody with this pick.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Terrence Cody - DT, Alabama

Pat Williams isn't getting older, and the Vikings cannot afford to be missing that absolutely critical part of their defensive success.  A successor for Williams like Cody is just what the doctor ordered, though the Vikes could also look to a quarterback of the future here, or defensive end.

31. New Orleans Saints: Sergio Kindle - OLB, Texas

And the rich get richer.  New Orleans' defense is already vastly improved, but their linebacker core is not anything to write home about.  Kindle is a top tier pass rusher, and he would help them on multiple fronts.

32. Indianapolis Colts: Bruce Carter  OLB, North Carolina

The Colts' defense always plays better than the players they have, and this is certainly an area they need to improve.  They could also go with a defensive back, which may be even more likely.