2010 NFL Mock Draft, Rounds 1 And 2: Clausen Slips Out of Top 10?

I took a little longer than usual to write my latest mock draft, but it's better than never, right?

With only 5 months until the draft, the excitement is getting more intense every single week.

A lot has changed in the last week or so. I have a few players that have climbed up the boards, and a few that have fallen quite a bit.

Without further ado, let's get to it!

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska

Tampa Bay will have the fortune of picking number one overall.

Fortune? Well, it's a bittersweet sort of thing.

Ndamukong Suh should have won the Heisman trophy, in my opinion. Nobody dominated more than he did.

Defensive linemen are rarely selected first overall, but a player like Suh only comes every now and then.

Tampa Bay will select him with the No. 1 overall pick if they have it.

2. St. Louis Rams: Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma

Perhaps not the most intriguing pick, but it still is one that makes a lot of sense. Trust me, I won't be surprised if I receive a lot of criticism for this.

The Rams are one of the worst teams in the league against the run. I'm sure there are only a select few that can name the Rams' current starting nose tackle and defensive tackle.

Gerald McCoy is a monster. Is he worth the second overall pick? Maybe not. But the Rams should take McCoy in order to put another presence with Chris Long on the defensive line.


3. Detroit Lions: Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee

When you're dead last against the pass, you need help, and a lot of it.

Eric Berry is by far the best secondary player in the draft. He has incredible potential to be an Ed Reed type of player.

Berry along with Louis Delmas at safety is a great young and talented duo. They will go great together for years to come.

4. Cleveland Browns: Derrick Morgan, Defensive End, Georgia Tech

Derrick Morgan in the top 5 might sound ridiculous, but I can guarantee that nobody thought Tyson Jackson would go third overall, weeks prior to the draft.

Cleveland's defensive line is horrendous. Their defensive ends are Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman. Woo, big deal!

Morgan will be an instant force on the defensive line.

Sam Bradford might sound intriguing, but the Browns can hold off until the second round, or continue to roll the dice on Brady Quinn.


5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State

If they want to have the $63 million they spent on Matt Cassel be worth it, Kansas City must draft a shutdown left tackle.

Russell Okung is easily the best offensive tackle in the draft. He works hard and gets the job done week in and week out.

In my opinion, Okung will improve Kansas City's run game, which will be led by Jamaal Charles.


6. Washington Redskins: Bruce Campbell, Offensive Tackle, Maryland

No quarterback to the Redskins in the first round?

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, trust me.

With the way Jason Campbell has played of late, I see no reason why Washington needs to draft a quarterback in the first round.

Fixing the Redskins' terrible offensive line is the most important thing right now. With protection, Jason Campbell can continue to improve in the nation's capital.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame

If the Raiders or their fans think that Bruce Gradkowski is the future, they are seriously disturbed.

Yes, he had a good game. But can you honestly trust this guy with your franchise for years to come?

Jimmy Clausen is a good leader, but he will likely take a bit of a slip on the boards. Oakland will strongly consider drafting him, though, if he is there.


8. Buffalo Bills: Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma

Sam Bradford needs the Bills. The Bills need Sam Bradford.

Despite Bradford hardly playing in his junior season, he should and will be a top 10 pick in the 2010 draft.

Buffalo cannot continue to have Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards be their quarterbacks.

With a new head coach next year, they will want a franchise quarterback to boot.


9. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

Denver's defense has been much improved this year. With that said, adding a great tackler like Rolando McClain to the linebacking core would be fantastic.

McClain is one of the best defensive players in the entire draft. He gives it his all on every play that he's in.

Denver will have a very scary linebacker corps if they re-sign Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil, D.J. Williams, Rolando McClain, and Mario Haggan sounds good to me.


10. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

With Jake Locker staying in school, Ryan Mallett's chances of coming out have increased.

Mallett should not wait another year in college. Case Keenum, Kellen Moore, Terrelle Pryor, and Jake Locker will all likely come out next year.

Matt Hasselbeck is going to be 35 in October. Seattle needs to start looking for their new franchise quarterback.


11. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina): Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida

San Francisco played perfectly against the Cardinals on Monday Night Football this past week.

With that said, San Francisco could use some improvement at a few certain spots.

Take cornerback, for example.

Joe Haden is a great cornerback. He was dominant against opposing receivers in his time at Florida.


12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Earl Thomas, Free Safety, Texas

I have had the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a free safety for a long time now. Nothing has changed, obviously.

Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter will both be free agents when this season comes to an end.

Earl Thomas is a great safety. He's one of the best tacklers out there, and had eight interceptions last season with Texas.


13. Atlanta Falcons: Donovan Warren, Cornerback, Michigan

Atlanta is one of the worst teams in the league at defending the pass. Perhaps this is because their cornerbacks are, at best, No. 2 corners.

Brian Williams went down with an injury in October that really cost the Falcons and their defense.

Donovan Warren would be a great pick, seeing as he can be a No. 1 cornerback within 1-2 years.


14. Tennessee Titans: Ras-I Dowling, Cornerback, Virginia

Nick Harper is set to be a free agent when this season is over. He likely won't be re-signed.

Ras-I Dowling going at No. 14 might be a little high, but cornerback is easily one of the biggest needs on the Titans roster.

Dowling can play both cornerback and safety, which is helpful. After all, the Titans can use depth all over the defensive side of the ball.


15. Houston Texans: Taylor Mays, Safety, USC

Safety is a big need for the Texans. Seriously, how much longer can Eugene Wilson cut it?

Bernard Pollard will be a stud in the secondary for years to come, but who will play beside him?

My gut tells me Taylor Mays, the Trojans' star safety, is the best choice here for the Texans.

16. San Francisco 49ers: Bryan Bulaga, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Bryan Bulaga might stay in college if he falls out of the top 15, but even at No. 16, Bulaga would start for San Francisco.

Bulaga is one of the best offensive tackles in the draft this year. He could very well be the stud offensive lineman of the draft.


17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Florida

Not the sexiest pick for the Jaguars, but a pick that they need to make in order to get more fans at their games.

Jacksonville has the worst attendance in the league.

A cure?

Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman trophy award winner.


18. New York Jets: Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Braylon Edwards has had some key drops this year. I don't see the Jets doing all they can to re-sign him after this year.

Dez Bryant will be the first receiver taken in the draft. He is one of the most dynamic players in the entire draft.


19. New York Giants: Dan Williams, Nose Tackle, Tennessee

With no great safeties or cornerbacks on the board, New York will go after a nose tackle that can stuff the run.

Jay Alford hasn't panned out thus far, and Fred Robbins will soon turn 33 years old. Dan Williams will be a great pick at No. 19.


20. Baltimore Ravens: Damian Williams, Wide Receiver, USC

Jermaine Gresham might be more of a logical pick, but with Mark Clayton being far too inconsistent, Baltimore needs a wide receiver.

Derrick Mason will likely retire (again) when this season comes to an end. Damian Williams will be the receiver of the future for the Ravens.


21. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Spikes, Inside Linebacker, Florida

Brandon Spikes is not getting much recognition lately, and I'm not quite sure why.

Akin Ayodele is a decent middle linebacker, but Brandon Spikes has the potential to be great. I will take great over decent any day of the week.


22. Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Davis, Offensive Tackle, Rutgers

Flozell Adams' career will be coming to an end over the next couple of years, maybe even less.

Dallas needs to focus on getting a shutdown offensive tackle to replace him. That will also boost the running game even more.


23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

The Cardinals would have a much greater chance of winning if their offensive line weren't so horrendous.

They shut down the Vikings, but allowed four sacks against the 49ers and let them pressure Kurt Warner all game long.

Arizona needs Trent Williams.


24. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson

Charles Brown might be a more intriguing pick, but when C.J. Spiller is on the board, you have to take him.

Getting both Ryan Mallett and C.J. Spiller would be great for the Seahawks offense, obviously. They could be a scary team in 2010.


25. New England Patriots: Jerry Hughes, Hybrid Linebacker, TCU

New England needs to learn how to get more pressure on the quarterback. Chad Henne just torched them two weeks ago.

Jerry Hughes is one of the more underrated hybrid players in all of college football. The transition to the NFL for hybrids can be unpredictable, but I see Jerry Hughes having no trouble with it whatsoever.


26. Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, Offensive Tackle, USC

Green Bay's offense is one of the best in the league.

Can you imagine how good it would be if Aaron Rodgers could stay on his feet more often?

Charles Brown is the perfect fit and pick for the Packers. He could easily start right away for them.


27. Philadelphia Eagles: Greg Hardy, Defensive End, Ole Miss

Victor Abiamiri is not going to cut it for much longer. In my opinion, he is not starting material right now.

Andy Reid loves drafting both offensive and defensive linemen. Greg Hardy would be a solid late first-round pick.


28. Cincinnati Bengals: Golden Tate, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Before I begin, let me just say that I hope Chris Henry rests in peace. Nobody on this Earth should be making negative comments about him.

Cincinnati needs a No. 2 receiver on the opposite side of Chad Ochocinco.

Golden Tate has already declared, and I could easily see him shooting his way up the charts to the first round.


29. San Diego Chargers: Terrence Cody, Nose Tackle, Alabama

Jamal Williams will be 34 years old in April. He will also become a free agent after the 2010 season.

Terrence Cody is a phenom in every sense of the word. Will he succeed in the league? It's up in the air; his work ethic has been in question for years now.


30. Minnesota Vikings: Travis Lewis, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma

I haven't changed my mind in the slightest. If Travis Lewis is there, the Vikings can and will select him.

With E.J. Henderson out for the year, Minnesota's linebackers will have to step it up more than ever. If they had Lewis, their worries would be nonexistent.

He's not a middle linebacker, but Ben Leber can be if Henderson ever got hurt again.


31. Indianapolis Colts: Everson Griffen, Defensive End, USC

Currently, defensive end is not the biggest need for the Colts. But with Raheem Brock and Robert Mathis becoming free agents after 2010, Indianapolis will need a replacement for one of them.

Everson Griffen is very overrated. He had 43 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and 7 sacks for the Trojans.


32. New Orleans Saints: Sean Weatherspoon, Outside Linebacker, Missouri

New Orleans doesn't have many needs, but they could use some depth at linebacker.

Weatherspoon is one of the best players available. He won't have to start right away, but in time, he can be a force on their defense.


Round 2:

33. St. Louis Rams: Jevan Snead, Quarterback, Ole Miss

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon LaFell, Wide Receiver, LSU

35. Cleveland Browns: Jahvid Best, Running Back, California

36. Detroit Lions: Joseph Barksdale, Offensive Tackle, LSU

37. Kansas City Chiefs: Von Miller, Hybrid Linebacker, Texas A&M

38. Oakland Raiders: Carlos Dunlap, Defensive End, Florida

39. Washington Redskins: Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Stanford

40. Tampa Bay (from Chicago): Greg Romeus, Defensive End, Pittsburgh

41. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Fox, Offensive Tackle, Miami

42. Carolina Panthers: Tony Pike, Quarterback, Cincinnati

43. Buffalo Bills: Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

44. Kansas City Chiefs (from Atlanta): Allen Bailey, Defensive Lineman, Miami

45. New England Patriots (from Tennessee): Brandon Ghee, Cornerback, Wake Forest

46. Houston Texans: Arrelious Benn, Wide Receiver, Illinois

47. San Francisco 49ers: Nate Allen, Safety, South Florida

48. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sergio Kindle, Hybrid Linebacker, Texas

49. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville): Jonathan Dwyer, Running Back, Georgia Tech

50. New York Jets: Jared Odrick, Defensive Lineman, Penn State

51. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

52. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham, Tight End, Oklahoma

53. Miami Dolphins: Jeremy Williams, Wide Receiver, Tulane

54. Arizona Cardinals: Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End, South Florida

55. Denver Broncos: Colt McCoy, Quarterback, Texas

56. Dallas Cowboys: Daryl Washington, Inside Linebacker, TCU

57. New England Patriots: Marshawn Gilyard, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati

58. Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Jones, Free Safety, LSU

59. Cincinnati Bengals: Javier Arenas, Cornerback, Alabama

60. Green Bay Packers: Kareem Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama

61. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews, Running Back, Fresno State

62. Minnesota Vikings: Brian Price, Defensive Tackle, UCLA

63. Indianapolis Colts: Pat Angerer, Inside Linebacker, Iowa

64. New Orleans Saints: Vince Oghobaase, Defensive Tackle, Duke