2010 NFL Mock Draft: Round One Changes Due to Veteran Trades
April 17, 2010
In the wake of Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes, and Ted Ginn, Jr. switching teams, my mock draft board doesn't look good for draft prospect Dez Bryant going in the Top 10.
With less than a week to go before the draft, the St. Louis Rams probably are trying to get a deal done with Sam Bradford, the Cleveland Browns might trade up to try and get him, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have to figure out how long they're going to lose Ben Roethlisberger.
That's assuming they don't trade him first.
But enough bantering, here's the latest, shiniest, mock draft fresh for your consumption.
St. Louis Rams Take Sam Bradford
The deal gets done, Bradford is the new face of the franchise. The Rams could pull a swerve and go with Ndamukong Suh, but there's too much pressure on the Rams to take a quarterback, and it looks like the front office is caving to that pressure.
Detroit Lions Take Russell Okung
Every other Mock Draft pretty much has Ndamukong Suh going here, but the Detroit Lions have to realize Matthew Stafford has to be protected, and Rob Sims is not the sum of that equation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Take Ndamukong Suh
I've waffled between Gerald McCoy and Suh on this pick, but I now think if both are on the board here, the Bucs take Suh.
Washington Redskins Take Trent Williams
With Okung off the board, the Redskins reach for Williams. It's probably an overdraft at this slot, but unless the Redskins trade down, which is a possibility as well, the Redskins need to keep Donovan McNabb upright.
Kansas City Chiefs Take Brian Bulaga
Offensive Lineman become the story of the day, because the Chiefs need to protect Matt Cassell. However, the Chiefs might also trade down, so we'll see what happens.
Seattle Seahawks Take Gerald McCoy
McCoy falls a few places, but he won't get past the Seahawks. Pete Carroll will have a big smile on his face after this pick.
Cleveland Browns Take Eric Berry
There is no bigger position of need on the Cleveland Browns right now than their secondary. Eric Berry is the default pick at this point.
Oakland Raiders Take Bruce Campbell
This is definitely a reach for Oakland, but considering Al Davis is just as likely to draft Golden Tate as he is Jimmy Clausen, Raiders fans breathe a sigh of relief when the team takes an offensive lineman.
Buffalo Bills Take Jimmy Clausen
The pressure to take a quarterback also is too much for the Bills front office, and Clausen crosses his fingers and hopes he's everything he says he is.
Jacksonville Jaguars Take C.J. Spiller
This would surprise a lot of people, but Spiller would give the Jaguars a more balanced offense, especially if they decide to trade up and pursue Tim Tebow in the second round, which I think is going to happen.
Denver Broncos Take Golden Tate
The Broncos do take a wide receiver in the first round, but they go for Golden Tate, who doesn't have any kind of attitude red flags surrounding him. Head Coach Josh McDaniels won't risk any chance of Dez Bryant becoming his next Brandon Marshall in the locker room.
Miami Dolphins Take Dan Williams
Bill Parcells sticks to his "defense first" philosophy in the draft and takes Williams to help shore up the Dolphins' run defense.
San Francisco 49ers Take Joe Haden
With C.J. Spiller off the board, Haden becomes one of the better-valued players at this slot and the 49ers take the corner out of Florida.
Seattle Seahawks Take Dez Bryant
And the day doesn't end as bad for Bryant as he had feared, as Seattle uses its second pick to take the talented wide receiver.
New York Giants Take Mike Iupati
The Giants need another big guy like Iupati on their line, which will help open holes for the running game and take some of the pressure off of Eli Manning.
Tennessee Titans Take Jason Pierre-Paul
Jeff Fisher will like Pierre-Paul's raw talent and speed. The Titans have to rebound from last year's disappointing season, and Pierre-Paul can help do that on the defense.
San Francisco 49ers Take Rolando McClain
Mike Singletary's linebacker background could put McClain on his radar and make him their second pick of the first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers Take Maurkice Pouncey
More than one mock draft have the Steelers going defense with their first pick given the problems they encountered last year. The Steelers also haven't drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since caveman days, but they break that streak this year, as reason prevails and the Steelers offensive line gets a boost.
Atlanta Falcons Take Brandon Graham
Graham is fast and is predicted to be a good pass rusher, which is good enough for Atlanta at this position.
Houston Texans Take Earl Thomas
The Texans play Peyton Manning twice a year, and Earl Thomas is being scouted as a very fast corner who can cover a lot of ground and attacks the pass. It's good value at this slot.
Cincinnati Bengals Take Germaine Gresham
Drafting Jermaine Gresham would serve two functions for Cincinnati. One, it would give quarterback Carson Palmer a great weapon on the offense. And two, it would keep Gresham from going to Baltimore. Gresham is a solid tight end who would be a great blocker when he's not being thrown the ball.
New England Patriots Take Jared Odrick
Jared Odrick becomes the new defensive end for New England. With his size and ability to get through the line, he should be successful under Bill Belichick.
Green Bay Packers Take Charles Brown
The Packers had problems keeping Aaron Rodgers upright last year, so yet another team will go for an offensive lineman early.
Philadelphia Eagles Take Taylor Mays