The time has come where we transition from one season into two different seasons. The playoffs and post season and the off season aka looking ahead to the 2010 NFL draft.So far Cal running back Jahvid Best, Tennessee safetey Eric Berry, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen and other projected first round picks have already declared for the 2010 Draft.
So with that being said my first mock draft of 2010 is here. My mock draft order follows the offical order.
1) St Louis Rams: Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
Examination: Well the most dominant player in the 2010 Draft, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is the first player selected in the 2010 NFL draft. With the St Louis Rams going no where but up, and acquiring talent along the way the best place to start is at defensive tackle. With new head coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnolo putting a lot of attention on the defensive side, it's only fitting that the electric, overpowering 6-3, 295 lbs goes to the St Louis Rams and Steve Spagnolo with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft.
2) Detroit Lions: Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State
Examination: Well in the 2009 NFL draft the Lions got their "frachise quarterback" in Matt Stafford and it's now time to get someone to protect that $72 million dollar pick. With current LT Jeff Backus not even being able to protect the air it's time to draft their other corner stone of the franchise in Russell Okung. Okung is an athletic monster; at left tackle at 6-8 300 lbs he's a perfect fit in Detroit. Giving Stafford and the offense a solid offensive line anchored by Okung will go a long ways to help the Lions grow to a winning franchise.
3)Tampa Bay Bucs: Eric Berry, S Tennessee
Examination: With Ndamukong Suh off the board the Bucs have to go to the next best defensive player at a position of need. That player would be hard hitting safety Eric Berry from Tennessee. The Buccaneers have Tanard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli currently starting at strong safety and free safety. Adding Eric Berry in the defensive backfield will help improve their young defense greatly.
4) Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
Examination: Well it won't matter if Jim Zorn is the head coach in Washington or not but the fact is the Redskins need a new start at quarterback. Last off season they went to Jay Cutler, Mark Sanchez and even Josh Freeman but wound up sticking with Jason Campbell. With Campbell becoming a free agent and not really playing well enough to deserve a return ticket to D.C the Skins will need to find their replacement. Who better than former Heisman trophy winning QB Sam Bradford? Bradford has missed the majority of the 2009 season but already declared for the draft after he announced he would have shoulder surgery. Even with the year off Bradford is the best NFL ready quarterback in this draft class with Jimmy Clausen falling, Tim Tebow finishing behind Bradford and Locker and Ryan Mallet going back to school. So with the fifth overall pick the Redskins will take Sam Bradford.
5) Kansas City Chiefs: Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland
Examination: With Russell Okung off the board and both the Chiefs and Lions having the similar situations of needing to protect their big money quarterbacks, in this case it's Matt Cassel and his $63 million dollar contract. The Chiefs have former first round pick Brandon Albert but he's been under performing this season allowing 10sacks. Albert can also play at the LG position and that would allow the Chiefs to select talented offensive tackle Bruce Campbell to play LT.
6) Seattle Seahawks: Tim Tebow, QB Florida
Examination: Yes, now before everyone starts sending me hate mail for not drafting an OT, RB, WR, DL or anything else I'm going to give you three clear cut reasons why Tim Tebow is the right pick for the Seahawks first of two first round picks. One, Tim Tebow is the best athlete in the draft. He's an inteligent QB who can throw very well and can also make the plays with his feet. Tebow is a left handed version of Jake Locker. Tebow can learn the pro style offense from Hasselbeck for a year and then take over, but can also be a QB that can bring an added piece to make the offense electric his rookie season too. Tebow needs to work on his delivery with Hasselbeck and the new OC. Two, Tebow will give it his all every single play of every single game he's in which might not be starting next season but it could be depending on his progression. But the Seahawks need a player, and especially at QB who will give it his all every game of his career and also a QB who is rarely hurt and very durable. Third and final reason is the fact that Seattle doesn't have a real QB picture long term. Seneca Wallace isn't it and neither is Mike Teel and knowing Tebow's experience in the best conference in CFB in the SEC he's definitely the man for the job in Seattle if Bradford is gone. NOTE: This selection is pending what happens in free agency, if they get a LT and or a LG then Tebow would be a great pick.
7) Cleavland Browns: Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State
Examination: Well big ol' Mike Holmgren is now in charge of the Browns organization and knowing the man on a personal level he's gonna make this team a winner. First off he's going to have to bring life to this wastland of an offense and how better to do that then select Oklahoma State wide out Dez Bryant with the sixth overall pick. The pick of Bryant makes sense on a few levels, mainly the fact that they have NO receivers but all around play maker in Josh Cribbs and you will need more than a guy who seems to be the only alert player on offense other than Harrison. Bryant, missing most of 2009 for NCAA violations is still the best play maker at wide receiver in the draft and will help bring water to a desert wasteland in Cleavland, and Brady Quinn will love this pick.
8) Oakland Raiders: Rolando McClain, LB Alabama
Examination: I do apologize to Rolando you have been selected to go into the black hole known as Oakland, and the ageless wonder Al Davis has called your name. Ok enough with the sarcasm and back to the pick. McClain is a blazing outside linebacker and will fit great into what they are doing in Oakland. Speed, speed and oh yea more speed. McClain I could see as the next Patrick Willis if he gets his shot in Oakland. This is a great pick and I wish Rolando McClain luck in Oakland.
9) Buffalo Bills: Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma
Examination: Well so far four players have been selected from the great state of Oklahoma and Trent Williams going to the Bills at nine overall is a steal for the Bills. They could go QB with Jimmy Clausen but he's not that worth it. They could go DT with Gerald McCoy to fit with Marcus Stroud. But going with Williams is the right choice for the Bills. They traded Jason Peters to the Eagles last year and really need to find a replacement for him. They have the rest of the offensive line but left tackle and with the selection if Williams eighth overall they can plug him right in and he'll be a starter for a long time in the NFL.
10) Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB Florida
Examination: Sorry to all Jags fans but your dream of Tim Tebow staying in Florida is over. The Tebow pick, if he was available is not a field move it's a money move. I know the NFL is a business but give yourself a player who you need, not just for money. He's rocking in Seattle with the best fans in the NFL the 12th man. However you do keep shutdown CB Joe Haden in the state of Florida and he fills a need at the second corner back opposite of Mathis. Haden is the best cover corner in the draft by far and he'd be a real added benefit for the Jags defense and Jack Del Rio.
11) Denver Broncos(via CHI): Terrance Cody, DT Alabama
Examination: The first half of the season the Broncos had the best defense in the NFL not allowing a single second half score. Well now they are fighting to get into the playoffs at 8-7. However this pick is thanks to the Jay Cutler trade, who by the way has thrown 25 Int's in his first year in Chicago. Anyone saying encore? Back to the Broncos pick. Mike Nolan has an electric pass rusher in Elvis Dumervil and a talented trio of linebackers. The one thing I see as a weakness is a strong NT in their 3-4 defense. With the selection of Terrance Cody he'd be a great fit in Nolan's defense right in at nose tackle. It just keeps getting better and better for Denver.
12) Miami Dolphins: Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
Examination: The "Big Tuna" is large and in charge in Miami and he's done an excellent job turning around the Dolphins organization in two years but is still missing a top notch defensive/nose tackle on defense. Parcells finally will get his guy with the selection of Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy 15th overall. McCoy is a beast at 6-3, 296 lbs with above average speed and an a tough SOB who will play through injuries giving it all he's got. That's a Parcell's guy. So with the 12th pick in the 2010 draft I have McCoy going to the Dolphins.
13) San Francisco 49ers: Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa
Examination: The 49ers have just about everything on offense. They have a QB in Alex Smith. A running back in Frank Gore. Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis as receiving options. All they are missing is a left/right tackle depending on where they put Joe Staley. Either way RT/LT will be the only hole the 49ers need to fix on offense and it just so happens that Bulaga is available at 13th overall. This would be a dream pick for the 49ers and I do think they will take him.
14) Seattle Seahawks(via DEN): Taylor Mays, S USC
Examination: Well with Tim Tebow already in the fold via the sixth overall pick the Seattle Seahawks can go to work on their next need, but this time on defense. That need being a young talented safety. Taylor Mays, a Seattle native, would be the next best safety behind Eric Berry and would be a great selection 14th overall. The Seahawks have some other questions at LT, LG, DE and RB but I don't see Charles Brown or Anthony Davis being worth a top 15 pick. The only other possibility would be DE Derrick Morgan from GT. But I'm going to go with safety Taylor Mays to the Seattle Seahawks 14th overall.
15) New York Giants: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB Texas
Examination: This was one of the hardest predictions I had to make because looking at the Giants they really don't have any major glaring need. However DE Osi Umenyiora was benched this season and it could be that the Giants decide to move Umenyiora this off season. That would bring an opening at defensive end and Sergio Kindle, who reminds me a lot of last years top DE/OLB from Texas Brain Orakpo who went to the Washington Redskins and dominated in his rookie season. Kindle could bring the same presents to the Giants defense, which allowed the 3rd most point in the NFL this season.
16) Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech
Examination: In recent drafts the Tennessee Titans have been known for not drafting need but overall talent. S Michael Griffin, RB Chris Johnson and WR Kenny Britt was a need and a great talent pick. So that's why I have decided to go with Derrick Morgan 16th overall to the Titans. Also the Titans can use a talented, speedy defensive end on the defensive line with defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil.
17) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Robinson, CB Florida State
Examination: Well their ideal corner back, Joe Haden is already off the board so at this point the 49ers need to address their corner back need with the next best CB in the draft which I believe is FSU's Patrick Robinson. Robinson is in competition with Michigan's Donovan Warren to be the next corner back drafted after Joe Haden. Robinson has top end speed and prototypical height for a No 1. corner in the NFL at 5-11, 192 lbs. The 49ers will have to hone in his skills and keep him from jumping routes too early. He's excellent at reading routes and is great at jumping routes but sometimes jumps too early. The Niners could also go QB with Jimmy Clausen but I don't think they are giving up on Alex Smith so Robinson is the right pick for the 49ers 17th overall.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, OG Idaho
Examination: Well this is kind of a tough spot for the Steelers to pick because it's way to early to select OG Mike Iupati but they still need some serious help on the offensive line. Watching Max Starks and Willie Colon against the Dolphins this week just made me hang my head when every time you saw a flag being thrown you knew it was holding on Colon or Starks. So with that being said the Steelers need to improve the talent at OG and they can do that by selecting Mike Iupati 18th overall from Idaho, even though it's a little early.
19) Atlanta Falcons: Navorro Bowman, LB Penn State
Examination: Mike Smith has led the Falcons to consecutive winning seasons for the first time in...well it's been so long I can't remember. The point is their defense has come around but still needs some work. They selected Curtis Lofton at MLB last year and he's done wonders for the Falcons defense. They can improve apon that with the selection of Navorro Bowman 19th overall.
20) Houston Texans: Donovan Warren, CB Michigan
Examination: The Texans came close to making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history but fell just short on week 17, even though they got the win. Going into the off season they have needs at CB, S, DT and maybe another WR if Kevin Walter leaves. Since Mays and Berry are off the board and there aren't any DT's that would work for the Texas and CB is a much bigger need for them. So with the 20th pick overall to the Houston Texans I have them selecting the second best CB in the draft Donovan Warren from Michigan.
21) New York Jets*: Jahvid Best, RB Cal
Examination: Well this is more of a "what can we do to add more talent pick" for the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. Thomas Jones, still a productive runner is getting up there in age and they could sure use a player like Best who has the similar game of Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson. Add that with Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense becomes even that much better.
22) Baltimore Ravens*: Arrelious Benn, WR Illinois
Examination: The Ravens offense is almost complete. They have an electric running game with Ray Rice, a stand out quarterback in Joe Flacco and a great offensive line. They have some questions at wide out however and Derrick Mason retires again they will need another big play WR, and Benn would be a huge upgrade over Mason no matter what. So give Joe Flacco the missing piece to the Ravens offense and select Arrelious Benn 22nd overall.
23) Arizona Cardinals*: Charles Brown, OT USC
Examination: With the Cardinals going 10-6, winning the NFC West for the second year in a row they still are a hit and miss team. They need some serious help on the offensive line with Mike Gandy and Levi Brown both playing horrible this season giving up 11.5 sacks combine and 10+ false start penalties. They did good with Chris Wells late in the draft last year. Can they make it two in a row with Charles Brown filling their hole at LT?
24) Green Bay Packers*: Jason Fox, OT Miami
Examination: Well here we have to go with another early selection but the Packers have a serious need on the offensive line and mostly at LT. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher won't make it another year and protecting Aaron Rogers is going to be crutial to their success. So I have Jacson Fox going to the Packers 24th overall.
25) Cincinnati Bengals*: Brandon LaFell, WR LSU
Examination: RIP Chris Henry before I say anything else. The Bengals haven't put up more than 25 points in a game more than one time this season and that's not good. In the wake of Chris Henry passing and Chad Johnson seeming to have lost a little bit of his greatness the Bengals NEED a true No 2. WR next year.
26) New England Patriots*: Corey Wootton, DE Northwestern
Examination: We all know Bill Belichick doesn't like first round picks but this time he's selecting on the back end so he's ok with it. Belichick likes players who are talented and that don't break the bank. In this case they need a new young defensive end in their 3-4 defense and Wootton would be a great selection 26th overall.
27) Philadelphia Eagles*: Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB TCU
Examination: The team that always comes out winners in the NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles are back at it again, this time on defense with talented DE Jerry Hughes from TCU. He would be a great replacement for Victor Abiamiri who has majorly underachieved this season.
28) Dallas Cowboys*: Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame
Examination: It all makes sense. Jerry Jones, big name player from a big name school and at a need position. I don't see Roy Williams sticking around in Dallas because of Miles Austin and the fact that Golden Tate would be a better fit for the Cowboys than Williams. Either way the Cowboys need another WR and Tate is the only remaining one with talent.
29) Minnesota Vikins*: Colt McCoy, QB Texas
Examination: Why not? Colt McCoy is the most accurate passer in the draft and fits well with the Vikings offense, but still would need to adjust into the pro style offense in Minnesota. The Vikins need a QB long term after Favre is gone so make the pick now, don't wait to see what Favre will do, because we never know when he will.
30) San Diego Chargers*: Dan Williams, DT Tennessee
Examination: Jamal Williams is getting up their in age at 34 and they need a young defensive monster at DT for the long term and Dan Williams at 6-3, 327 lbs would fit the bill perfectly.
31) New Orleans Saints*: Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri
Examination: Well Weatherspoon is the best available player and the Saints defense is in need of a young talented strong side linebacker. So Weatherspoon would be the right pick for the Saints.
32) Indianapolis Colts*: Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers
Examination: The Colts pretty much have everything on offense except a running game but I still believe in Addai. However they don't' have an elite left tackle to protect their man in Peyton Manning. So with the selection of Anthony Davis at 32 the Colts would get their long term man at left tackle.
NOTE: * means that team is in the playoff and current pick isn't a lock (Overall wise).
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