2010 Pre-Combine Mock Draft

Although the intelligent sports fan realizes the NFL combine is simply a way for undeserving players to move up the draft board and Al Davis to salivate over 40-yard-dash times, it is nonetheless a part of the draft process.  The recent buzz around the league mostly involves the rising of the quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen as well as the meteoric rise of Jason Pierre-Paul from a middle first round pick all the way up to the top five in some drafts. Here is a quick look at my take of the first round of the draft.

#1 ST. LOUIS RAMS

Ndamukong Suh,  DT, Nebraska 

Although some ESPN analysts may be sold on the Rams changing their minds in the near future and taking a quarterback, that will not be the case. Suh is as close as an NFL team can get to a "can't miss" prospect, but the expectations of a number one overall pick are often overwhelming.  There is no doubt Suh will be a productive player in the NFL, but a franchise changer is probably not the best label.  Recent highly-touted defensive tackle prospects have not panned out well, so the lack of an immediate impact may cause the Rams to stray. However, a strong performance at the combine should put Suh in blue and gold.

#2 DETROIT LIONS

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

McCoy may very well be a better prospect than his defensive line colleague, Suh, because of his superior athleticism. Suh is considered to be a better run stopper, while McCoy has the penetration ability to be effective in a pass rush. The Lions need both and will be satisfied with either lineman. Not a glamorous pick at the two spot, but necessary if the Lions are truly committed to rebuilding the franchise.

#3 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

Although the Bucs will be tempted to draft rising defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, they will go with the safe pick and take the potential next great play-making safety in the NFL.  Tampa Bay's pass rush is terrible, but using a top five pick on a player with essentially one year of college experience is not in the cards.  Berry is extremely athletic with a nose for the ball, and is incredible with the ball in his hands for a defensive back.

#4 WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

The ‘Skins could opt for Bradford or Clausen at this spot but new coach Mike Shanahan will probably give Jason Campbell his shot.  Iowa continues to produce excellent offensive linemen and Bulaga is no exception. The solidified offensive line should give Campbell a better chance to excel and squeeze the last bit of life out of the aging legs of Clinton Portis. 

#5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

With the emergence of Jamaal Charles at the end of the 2009 season, the Chiefs must do whatever it takes to keep that momentum rolling. Charles appears to have the potential to become an elite NFL running back and adding one of the best three offensive linemen in the draft will only help his cause. The addition of Davis should also help the Chiefs protect the $63 million investment they made in Matt Cassel last summer.

#6 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

This pick will be dependent upon the combine and Clausen and Bradford's respective pro days.  Although Bradford may be considered a better prospect, the lack of injury concern with regards to Clausen makes him the safer pick.  The Seahawks have gone through enough injuries with Matt Hasselbeck to avoid Bradford and make Clausen the top quarterback pick of the draft.

#7 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Joe Haden, CB, Florida

No matter how badly the Browns need a receiving threat, they will not be able to pass on Haden.  Haden will develop quickly into one of the best corners in the NFL and should have no problem stepping straight into the starting lineup.  However, if the Browns do decide to get crazy on draft day, look for Dez Bryant as a possibility here.

#8 OAKLAND RAIDERS

Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

While I want to believe the Raiders will make an intelligent pick here there is no way that will happen.  Al Davis continues his streak of drafting solely based upon physical intrigue and ignores all team needs. This pick is entirely dependent on the combine, if another less touted receiver or running back runs the forty in the 4.2 to 4.3 range, look for the Raiders to make their typical first round reach.

#9 BUFFALO BILLS

Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Bills would be thanking their lucky stars if Okung were to fall into their laps at the ninth spot.  Considered by some to be the best offensive lineman in the draft, the Bills will pass on the impulse to draft Sam Bradford.  The rebuilding of a franchise has to start up front, and taking the talented Okung will be more conducive to their rebuilding plans than the oft-injured Bradford.

#10 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

The temptation to take the hometown hero Tim Tebow will be there.  The Jags are barely making it financially, and the rumors are floating around about the team possibly moving. Tebow would undoubtedly sell tickets, but Jacksonville will make the smart pick with the most explosive defensive lineman in this year’s draft. Pierre-Paul's raw talent and high-energy motor could make him an impact player immediately for Jacksonville as they try to revamp a once fierce defense.

#11 DENVER BRONCOS

Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Price will move up the draft boards with a strong performance at the combine and will make sense for Denver with the Raiders reaching for Dez Bryant. The loss of Bryant will be a blessing in disguise for the Broncos whose run defense was nothing short of pathetic at tail end of the 2009 season.  Price may seem like a reach here, but his run-stopping abilities will be too important for the Broncos to pass on.

#12 MIAMI DOLPHINS

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

This seems to be the consensus pick for the Dolphins all across the board. Inside linebacker is a no doubt need for the ‘Fins, but the possibility of trading down in the draft to acquire a wide receiver is also tempting. However, McClain does offer the ability to step straight in as a starter and comes from Alabama, who is known for producing immediately productive linebackers like DeMeco Ryans.

#13 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

The 49ers could possibly go with Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan at this spot, but Williams dropping out of the top ten into their laps will be too good to pass up. San Francisco under Mike Singletary wants to be a physical team and adding another bruiser for Frank Gore to run behind will be a step in the right direction.

#14 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Mike Iupati, G/OT, Idaho

Now that Pete Carroll has drafted his franchise quarterback, it is now time to protect him.  Iupati offers the versatility to play several positions on the line and, given a strong performance at the combine, this should not be a reach at all.  Iupati’s emergence should also be a catalyst to help the Seahawks’ floundering running game.

#15 NEW YORK GIANTS

Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

The Giants will covet McClain to replace recently released Antonio Pierce, but once Miami kills that dream, the Giants will more than likely try to move this pick. However, if forced to stay in the fifteen spot, taking Sergio Kindle to bolster the pass rush would be the next best option.  The Giants came into last season with the most heralded defensive line in the NFL, only to disappoint.  Kindle's athleticism and pass rushing ability should ensure that is not the case in 2010. 

#16 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

This is a slip for Morgan, who is expected by some to be a top-10 pick, but the 49ers will not mind. Morgan should immediately bolster the San Francisco pass rush, which should take some pressure of a secondary that was exposed at times in 2009. With the retirement of Kurt Warner and the addition of Morgan as well as earlier first rounder Trent Williams, San Francisco may be able to overtake Arizona as the class of the NFC West.

#17 TENNESSEE TITANS

Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

This is a no-brainer. With Kyle Vanden Bosch sure to depart in free agency, the Titans will be forced to draft the best remaining defensive end.  Dunlap has had some character issues but Jeff Fisher should be able to corral these problems and turn Dunlap into the productive player most scouts know he can be.  Despite Dunlap's potential, the loss of Vanden Bosch and Haynesworth in consecutive off-seasons spells a sharp downgrade in the defensive line for the Titans. 

#18 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

If the Steelers had not reached a contract extension with Casey Hampton, defensive tackle Dan Williams would have been the pick here.  Pittsburgh will instead opt for possibly the best offensive playmaker in the draft in Spiller.  With Willy Parker being allowed to test free agency, Spiller will be the perfect home run threat to complement rising star Rashard Mendenhall.

#19 ATLANTA FALCONS

Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

The Falcons’ pass defense in 2009 was a joke.  The aging secondary must be upgraded, and the addition of Kyle Wilson will do just that.  A strong combine coupled with his strong performance at the Senior Bowl should make Wilson the pick here. Atlanta could also opt for Sergio Kindle if he is still available, as their pass rush is also in need of an upgrade.

#20 HOUSTON TEXANS

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

This pick will depend on the combine.  Before the Senior Bowl, it appeared the Texans would be praying for Taylor Mays to fall to them at this point in the first round, but a poor showing from Mays left Thomas looking like the best defensive back at this spot. If he improves at the combine, Mays could vault back into this pick, but currently Thomas looks like the center fielder the Texans badly need. C.J. Spiller could be a possibility if he was to fall.

#21 CINCINNATI BENGALS

Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida

The glaring weakness in the Bengals’ offense for the last several years has been the lack of a productive, pass catching tight end. Having T.J. Houshmandzadeh opposite Chad Ochocinco masked this problem for several years, but it was truly exposed in 2009. Hernandez is an excellent pass catcher and comes without the injury concerns of Jermaine Gresham.

#22 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan

Everyone seems to agree Graham will be the selection here. Graham was pushed into obscurity the last two years at Michigan because of the Wolverines’ terrible defense. However, in the 3-4 scheme of the Patriots, Graham could excel as an outside linebacker, specifically rushing the quarterback.  

#23 GREEN BAY PACKERS

Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida

Pouncey offers the versatility to play every position on the line, including center, which is rare in the first round.  The Packers have had their fair share of trouble protecting Aaron Rodgers the past two seasons, and adding the very athletic and capable Pouncey will certainly help.  Bruce Campbell of Maryland is also a possibility with this pick.

#24 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 

Taylor Mays, S, USC

Desperate to replace Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins, the Eagles will take their shot with Mays.  Although a physical specimen, Mays seems to lack the cover skills necessary at the next level, but a solid combine may change some scouts minds. Mays' prototypical size and speed will make him an intriguing prospect to the Eagles, who need a capable safety.

#25 BALTIMORE RAVENS

Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

Short story, the Ravens need receivers. The lack of a strong receiving threat has hindered the development of Joe Flacco.  The addition of Benn could turn the Ravens into a dangerous triple threat on offense with Flacco and Ray Rice in the backfield.

#26 ARIZONA CARDINALS

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Bradford drops like a bomb from the potential number one overall pick in 2009 all the way to the end of the first in 2010.  The Cards do not honestly trust Matt Leinart to be the quarterback of the future and Bradford falling this far leaves them no choice.

#27 DALLAS COWBOYS

Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

How ‘bout them Cowboys? They’ve finally gotten the playoff win monkey of their backs, and now it is time to get the false start monkey off their backs by releasing Flozell Adams. Campbell can step in and be the replacement for Adams, who has consistently led the NFL in false start penalties over the last five seasons. 

#28 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Jahvid Best, RB, California

With the release of LaDanian Tomlinson and the lack of an every down back on the roster, the Chargers have to look running back in the first round.  Although Best comes with some injury concerns, his excellent speed and elusiveness should have the Chargers believing Jahvid can be their starter in 2010. 

#29 New York Jets

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

The surprising Jets were able to overachieve without much at the receiver position. The mid season trade for Braylon Edwards did not yield the dividends necessary to pass on a talent like Thomas this late in the first round.  Adding another receiver should hasten the development of Mark Sanchez and make the Jets a contender again in 2010.

#30 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

There, it happened.  If the Vikings are able to woo Brett Favre back for another season, Tebow would be an ideal candidate to replace the future Hall of Famer in 2011.  If Tebow's new delivery and footwork are for real, the intrigue of the greatest college player ever may be too strong to resist.  The lack of glaring needs for the Vikings should allow them to develop a player like Tebow, who, even with the scouts' concerns, is still an upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson.

#31 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

This seems like a strange pick for the Colts, who typically look for high character players with good work ethic, but Cody's potential makes him worth the risk.  The constant weakness of the Colts defense has been defending the inside run, and the addition of Cody would negate that problem.  If Cody can get in shape (which may prove to be a tall order), he has the potential to be a dominating force in the middle on first and second down.

#32 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Everson Griffin, DE, USC

The Super Bowl champs get the luxury of taking the best player available. This would be far for Griffin to fall, and the Saints would be lucky to take him with the 32nd pick. Griffin is a consistent pass rusher and would be an excellent replacement for Charles Grant.