Below is my NFL 2010 Mock Draft, picks 1-16. I’ll reveal picks 17-32 in my second installment, including the Saints’ pick at #32. Keep in mind these all assume no trades take place.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
With Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller now gone, the Rams have A.J. Feeley at quarterback and literally no one else. This is a no brainer and a done deal. No chance in my mind, unless something earth shattering changes, that the Rams pick anyone but Bradford. He will represent the face of the franchise and their quarterback of the future. No pressure, buddy.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is arguably the most can’t miss prospect in the entire draft, and the Lions already have their quarterback in Stafford. The Lions have so many holes on their team that they could go in many directions, but ultimately Suh is the best player in the draft and could make an immediate and significant impact on Detroit’s run defense. Tough to pass on Russell Okung, though, when the blindside of Matt Stafford is also a priority to protect.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The Bucs want Suh, but will settle for McCoy if Suh is gone. That’s 3 straight players from the Big 12 to start he draft, which is pretty impressive. As an SEC fan it makes me sick to predict this, but I think it’ll prove accurate. The Bucs are in full on rebuilding mode after years of success with that vaunted defense. They’ll need good young defensive players to get back to their old philosophy of winning, and because they ranked 32nd against the run last year, they need a top prospect that can step in and play well immediately in the trenches.
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Yet another Big 12 player… This pick is another no brainer if Okung is still available. He’s the best tackle in the draft, by far, and the Redskins will want to protect newly acquired Donovan McNabb. Jason Campbell was running for his life all too often last year and was one of the most sacked QB’s in the NFL. McNabb has struggled with injuries from time to time in his career, so they need a reliable player that can keep him safe from hits. Jimmy Clausen was the pick here before McNabb, but not anymore.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Tough spot for the Chiefs to pick in, because Suh, McCoy and Okung are all tops on their board. If they picked 2 through 4, they would take any of those 3 players, but they don’t. Like Detroit, the Chiefs have so many holes they could go in many different directions with this pick. Fans will be calling for Safety Eric Berry of Tennessee, but the Chiefs can’t afford to see Matt Cassel get pummeled the amount of times he did last year. Their defense is terrible too, though, so don’t be shocked if they go in a couple directions with this pick. Ultimately they shore up their o-line, and Bulaga is just barely more promising to them than Trent Williams of Oklahoma.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry is the best defensive prospect in the draft and the Seahawks were 30th against the pass last year. Pretty simple.
7. Cleveland Browns: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
With Delhomme getting a big pay day and the recent trade acquisition of Seneca Wallace, I don’t see the Browns investing in a new quarterback again so soon after drafting Brady Quinn and giving up on that project. The bottom line is the Browns were awful defensively all year last year from top to bottom, so they want Eric Berry badly and they’re praying he falls to him. Since he’s not, though, Morgan improves their struggling pass rush overnight.
8. Oakland Raiders: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Raiders are pretty deep with good young safeties, and picking Taylor Mays would make little sense… which is why it’s perfect. Don’t be surprised if the Raiders go that route. We all know Al Davis is crazy, and we all know he’s a sucker for players with freakish ability (despite lack of football playing ability).That said, the Raiders are shopping Nnamdi Asomugha and they are resigned to the fact he’ll be gone soon. It’s time to groom his replacement, and Haden is the best corner in the draft.
9. Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Bills finally have themselves their quarterback of the future, and they feel much better about this pick than the Losman pickup a few years ago. The Bills are thrilled Clausen fell to them, and they don’t think twice about taking him.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
While the Jaguars have some decent pass rushing options, if you’re going to compete in a division with Peyton Manning, you have to get sacks. Pierre-Paul will help them in this department.
11. Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma St.
If Brandon Marshall leaves via trade, which I think he will, the Broncos will need to groom his replacement. Eddie Royal has shown some potential, but they need to provide their passing game with more options. Bryant is the best receiver in the draft.
12. Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Dolphins are desperate to improve their toughness up the middle and their former star Jason Ferguson isn’t getting any younger. Williams will form an impressive tandem with Ferguson to shore up the middle of the defensive line.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Williams is projected to go much higher, and the 49ers are thrilled that he falls this low. He’s the best rated prospect left in the draft, and it just so happens they need a lineman anyway.
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Seahawks have already helped their defense by picking Berry 5th overall, and they also have to address their terrible running game which ranked 26th in the league last year. C.J. Spiller is just the ticket to give their offense some much needed explosiveness.
15. New York Giants: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
The Giants will take what they consider to be the best player available, and McClain rates highest on their board. He’ll be able to compete for a starting spot in his rookie season.
16. Tennessee Titans: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Like the Jaguars, if they want to compete in a division with Peyton Manning they need to rush the passer. Losing Kyle Vanden Bosch was a back breaker. The Titans are desperate for a player that can get after it, and Griffen represents the best available pass rushing threat.
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