2010 NFL Mock Draft: First Attempt

I don't usually like to make mocks until April because so much changes in the final weeks approaching the draft. With that said, I figured now that the combine and big free agent moves are behind us I might as well give it a try. A lot will change, but this is a rough estimate of how I see it playing out at this point.

Round One

1. St. Louis Rams: DT – Gerald McCoy – Oklahoma

The recent Sam Bradford talk may prove in the end to be just a smokescreen for trade bait. It’s widely rumored that Spagnuolo prefers McCoy to Suh.

2. Detroit Lions: DT – Ndamukong Suh – Nebraska

Whichever of the two big boys drop to them the Lions will gladly accept.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S – Eric Berry – Tennessee

If the two DTs are, in fact, off the board, then it gets interesting. Berry could probably be a few slots lower which makes a move with a team looking to trade up for one of the QBs a possibility.

4. Washington Redskins: QB – Sam Bradford – Oklahoma

A new regime could signal a new QB as well. Allen/Shannahan may just not have the faith in Jason Campbell to give him the keys to the franchise for the future.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: OT – Russell Okung – Oklahoma State

A pretty sensible pick. With the recent draft picks of DE Tyson Jackson and OL Brandon Albert, it would seem the Chiefs are building from the inside out. A franchise left tackle that would allow Albert to kick inside would give the Chiefs two of the brightest young offensive lineman in the league.

6. Seattle Seahawks: QB – Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame

Clausen, a favorite of Carroll’s since his days as young high school superstar in California, could finally end up playing for the coach. Matt Hasselback is hanging on by a thread at this point, and one more season of teaching Clausen the ropes could prove beneficial for everyone.

7. Cleveland Browns: RB – C.J. Spiller – Clemson

Explosion is something that the Browns severely lacked on offense last season. At times their offense was downright awful. Adding one of the top playmakers in the entire draft might be something Mike Holmgren has an interest in.

8. Oakland Raiders: OLB – Sergio Kindle – Texas

Say whatever jokes you want about the Raiders; you certainly can’t say that they don't make things interesting and wild on draft day. Kindle might not be a true top 10 pick in most eyes, but he might just be the best fit for the Raiders organization. Thomas Howard hasn’t panned out as expected, so adding a young hungry LB with speed might be a good idea for this Raiders defense.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT – Bryan Bulaga – Iowa

The QB position is certainly a question mark, but to get one of the big two, the Bills will most likely have to trade up. If they stay at nine, Bulaga would be a solid addition to an offensive line that features two solid young guards but lacks a true solid leader at the Tackle position.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE – Jason Pierre-Paul – South Florida

They’ve been burned by the unwise choice of Derrick Harvey, and Quentin Groves hasn’t been much to write home about, either. Fourteen total sacks last year is a joke, and they will need to look for DE again early because of their past mistakes. Keeping Florida product Jason Pierre-Paul, who some are dubbing “The Freak Two,” could help out a team in need of some sort of a pass rush.

11. Denver Broncos: WR – Dez Bryant – Oklahoma State

The Broncos will most likely part ways with talented but disgruntled receiver Brandon Marshall. This would open the door for the possibility of drafting Dez Bryant, who many consider the top WR in the draft.

12. Miami Dolphins: WR – Golden Tate – Notre Dame

The last undersized speedster the Dolphins drafted (Ted Ginn) didn’t pan out too well. Bill Parcells may have faith that Golen Tate, who has been tutored by one of Parcell’s disciples Charlie Weiss, may fare better. Chad Henne needs better options in the passing game to succeed.

13. San Francisco 49ers: CB – Joe Haden – Florida

Haden’s 40 will drop him and the 49ers could hope it drops him all the way into their laps. If Haden makes it to the 49ers, it would be hard to pass up the top CB in the draft.

14. Seattle Seahawks: OT – Anthony Davis – Rutgers

Getting a Franchise QB and a Franchise OT all within probably a two hour span would make the city of Seattle pretty excited about the future of Carroll’s Seahawks.

15. New York Giants: LB – Rolando McClain – Alabama

If this happens, the Giants' prayers would be answered. In desperate need of a talented LB, getting Rolando McClain would be a dream come true.

16. Tennessee Titans: LB – Sean Weatherspoon – Missouri

The next best LB in the draft could in fact come off the board right after the top LB. With their two OLBs over the age of 30, it’s time to inject some youth into the Titans defense, and Weatherspoon would be a top choice to do that.

17. San Francisco 49ers: OT – Bruce Campbell – Maryland

Singeltary helped one athletic Maryland freak (Vernon Davis) turn the light on, and he may have faith he can do it for another. Staley and Campbell could give the 49ers a nice set of young bookends for the future.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: S – Earl Thomas – Texas

It’s unclear if Troy Polamalu can be Troy Polamalu again after his injury. That’s why their needs to be insurance just in case. Earl Thomas would be a great player in Dick Lebeau’s zone blitz defense.

19. Atlanta Falcons: DE – Derrick Morgan – Georgia Tech

The Falcons would consider themselves lucky if a solid player like Derrick Morgan fell and was available to them here. Jon Abraham is on the downslope of his career and the Falcons may not have to look outside the city to find his future replacement.

20. Houston Texans: RB – Ryan Matthews – Fresno State

Gary Kubiak finally gets to take a first Round RB and he gets a solid one in Ryan Matthews. The one-two combination of Matthews and Slaton would give the team a solid ground game for years to come.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: OG – Mike Iuapati – Idaho

Giving Cedric Benson a mauler like Iuapati to run behind would seemingly make a lot of sense for Cincinnati. Bobbie Williams is solid but also a free agent, and Evan Mathis can serve to be upgraded. The Bengals might be hesitant to take a first round OL in back to back years. However, for a team that relies heavily on the run and pounding it with Cedric Benson, it is important to have a quality front five.

22. New England Patriots: CB – Devin McCourty – Rutgers

Darius Butler may have a bright future but Shawn Springs, now 35, may need to be left in the past. McCourty is a riser in the draft and the type of DB that has everything that the Patriots organization covets.

23. Green Bay Packers: OT – Trent Williams – Oklahoma

Williams would fit in well for a Packer O-Line that was often the target for much criticism throughout the season. He would be hard to pass up if available here.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: S/OLB – Taylor Mays – USC

With a need at both Safety and LB, the Eagles may take a kid that could be a force at either depending on how he matures as a player. Mays will take time to get his feet on the ground but he could be a scary player if he keeps refining his game.

25. Baltimore Ravens: CB – Kyle Wilson – Boise State

Yesterday’s trade for Anquan Boldin has alleviated the teams need for a go to WR that they have been lacking for years. This could allow them to concentrate on the Defensive side of the ball early where a starting CB like Kyle Wilson is needed.

26. Arizona Cardinals: CB – Patrick Robinson – Florida State

Last year's playoffs would seem to show that there is definitely a need for secondary help in Glendale. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a quality player, but outside of him there is no CB on the team that could be considered above just satisfactory.

27. Dallas Cowboys: WR – Arrelious Benn – Illinois

The team has grown tired and embarrassed of Roy Williams, and they will probably look for a player early on to take over for him. Benn is most likely the third WR on most boards and to be able to get him in late round one would be a coup for Jerry Jones.

28. San Diego Chargers: RB – Montario Hardesty – Tennessee

With the departure of Ladanian Tomlinson, the team needs a bigger back to complement the smaller, quicker Darren Sproles. If you were going strictly by Hardesty’s senior tape, it would be hard to argue that he would be a solid option to replace LT.

29. New York Jets: OLB – Brandon Graham – Michigan

The Jets like what they have in LB David Harris, a Michigan product, and they could look to add his former teammate, Brandon Graham, who has a similar makeup. Vernon Gholston just doesn’t seem like he will pan out and the team could use a solid Rush linebacker for Rex Ryan’s 46 defense.

30. Minnesota Vikings: RB – Jahvid Best – CAL

The departure of Chester Taylor brings about a need for a third down back in the passing game. Best has the speed to make a difference in Brad Childress’ offense as a complement to Adrian Peterson.

31. Indianapolis Colts: OG – Roger Saffold – Indiana

Last year’s Super Bowl runner up doesn’t have many glaring holes. This could allow them to focus on shoring up the offensive line early with an athletic player like Roger Saffold. The in-state product would seem to be a great fit in Indy’s offense as an upgrade for Devan or Lilja.

32. New Orleans Saints: DT – Dan Williams - Tennessee

Sedrick Ellis has been exactly what the Saints have hoped for, and the scary thing is he could be even better with a good DT next to him. Dan Wiliams would be a great complement to Ellis in Gregg William’s defense.

Round Two

33. St. Louis Rams: TE – Jermaine Gresham – Oklahoma

34. Detroit Lions: RB – Jonathan Dwyer – Georgia Tech

35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR – Demaryius Thomas – Georgia Tech

36. Kansas City Chiefs: TE – Rob Gronkowski – Arizona

37. Washington Redskins: OT – Vladamir Ducasse – UMASS

38. Cleveland Browns: QB – Dan LeFevour – Central Michigan

39. Oakland Raiders: QB – Tony Pike – Cincinnati

40. Seattle Seahawks: DE – Everson Griffen – USC

41. Buffalo Bills: WR – Marcus Easley – UCONN

42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT – Jared Odrick – Penn State

43. Miami Dolphins: NT – Cam Thomas – North Carolina

44. New England Patriots: WR – Damian Williams – USC

45. Denver Broncos: CB – Perrish Cox – Oklahoma State

46. New York Giants: DT – Lamarr Houston – Texas

47. New England Patriots: DE – Carlos Dunlap – Florida

48. Carolina Panthers: QB – Tim Tebow – Florida

49. San Francsico 49ers: WR – Jordan Shipley – Texas

50. Kansas City Chiefs: LB – Navorro Bowman – Penn State

51. Houston Texans: DT – Brian Price – UCLA

52. Pittsburgh Steelers: C – Maurkice Pouncey – Florida

53. New England Patriots: RB – Ben Tate – Auburn

54. Cincinnati Bengals: WR – Taylor Price – Ohio

55. Philadelphia Eagles: RB – Joe McKnight – USC

56. Green Bay Packers: CB – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah – Indiana (Pennsylvania)

57. Baltimore Ravens: TE – Dorin Dickerson – PITT

58. Arizona Cardinals: OLB – Darryl Washington – TCU

59. Dallas Cowboys: OT – Jared Veldheer – Hillside

60. San Diego Chargers: NT – Terrence Cody – Alabama

61. New York Jets: WR – Eric Decker – Minnesota

62. Minnesota Vikings: S – Larry Asante – Nebraska

63. Indianapolis Colts: DT – Geno Atkins – Georgia

64. New Orleans Saints: S – Nate Allen – South Florida