When doing this, I tried to take into account three main things. First and foremost was team need, then player availability, and then finally GM drafting trends.
If you want a better mock draft, then please check out www.walterfootball.com, and here is a link to his mock draft. He knows far more than I do and I routinely look forward to his mock updates. Anyway, without further ado, here is Version 1.0 of my 2010 Mock Draft:
1) St. Louis Rams: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
It is no secret that you need a quarterback to win in the NFL. Marc Bulger isn’t the answer, which means the Rams need to address the position now. The 2011 draft will produce Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett, with a significant dropoff from Locker to Mallett, then from Mallett to everyone else. Thus, while the Rams will most likely be bad again in 2010, a 5-11 campaign might put them out of the running for one of these guys. They have the chance to take Clausen or Bradford now, and, with the recent successes of rookie QBs (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, and Mark Sanchez), the Rams shouldn’t be too concerned with pulling the trigger on Clausen and letting him compete with Marc Bulger for the starting job in Week 1.
2) Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Hmm, not a bad consolation prize for Detroit. While the offensive line could use an upgrade, Suh is pretty unanimous in terms of being the best prospect in this draft amongst experts. The man is a 300-pound ballerina who sheds double-teams like it’s his job. He also lets the quarterback know he has gotten to him, as evidenced by his tossing Colt McCoy like a rag doll in the Big XII Championship game. He should anchor that defense in the middle for a long, long time.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Has a prospect this good ever received so little hype? With everyone focused on Mr. Suh, Gerald McCoy continues to be a dominant force at defensive tackle. He’s either going to Detroit or Tampa Bay (depending on whether St. Louis goes with Clausen or Suh), and should be a key cog in turning either franchise around.
4) Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
New regimes mean new quarterbacks. That means Jason Campbell will be out (unjustly, I think, but that’s a whole different matter), and Mike Shanahan will want to bring in his own guy. While the injury to Chris Samuels could end his career and leave a gaping hole at left tackle, which would make Russell Okung enticing, I think they go with the team leader here. Also, Dr. James Andrews (those three words always lead to people listening to what will follow) performed the surgery on Bradford’s shoulder and is employed by the Redskins, so if Bradford is ready to go, they’ll know best.
5) Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Okung is the premier left tackle in this draft, which works out perfect for Kansas City, which just sunk a boatload of money into Matt Cassel. Being that recent draft choice Branden Albert couldn’t block anyone at the LT position last season (I believe he surrendered 10.5 sacks), Okung would kill two birds with one stone, as it would fill the void at LT and allow Albert to move elsewhere on the line and be more productive.
6) Seattle Seahawks: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
To me, Seattle’s biggest need is a left tackle. They probably wouldn’t mind snagging a QB for the future either, but nobody is even close to being worthy of the #6 pick that hasn’t been taken yet. Since they just missed out on Okung and have another pick later in the first round where they can address the need, this pick, while it addresses a need in the secondary, is sort of like hitting the jackpot. Eric Berry is dynamic from the safety position, as he can drop into a zone, come up and cover a running back or tight end, or be a disruptive force in the run game. Whenever you can grab a guy compared to Ed Reed, you know you’ve done something right.
7) Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Seeing how big of an impact a shutdown corner can have (Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha, Champ Bailey) should let teams know that this is an important position to address. Cleveland needs help everywhere too, so it’s not like any draft choice is taken because “he was the best player available.” Look for Haden to come in and start immediately for a dismal Browns’ secondary.
8) Oakland Raiders: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Does he belong here? Hell no. However, due to the fact that Al Davis chooses his draftees based on what type of performance they turn in at the NFL Combine, I think that the only two players he could possibly choose here are Taylor Mays and Carlos Dunlap. He’ll probably do some cursory checks and find these two numbers: 37 (the number of sacks Oakland had this year, tied for 11th in the league) and 8 (the number of interceptions they had, tied for dead last). Then he’ll determine that Carlos Dunlap gets sacks not interceptions, and despite the fact that he can’t cover anyone and has slow reaction time, Taylor Mays plays safety so he gets interceptions, which is where they need more help, and so Taylor Mays will be the pick. That reasoning is sad, but you have to wonder how far it is from the truth.
9) Buffalo Bills: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
This team certainly needs QB help, but, much like Seattle, won’t reach for a guy like Colt McCoy at this juncture. The Mike Williams trade last year left a pretty big hole (literally and figuratively) on the left side of their line, and they need to make sure that whichever quarterback they bring in next season doesn’t have to worry about getting clocked from behind.
10) Denver Broncos (from Chicago)*: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
As each day passes, it seems more and more likely that Brandon Marshall ends up somewhere not named Denver next season. If that happens, then the Broncos have a huge void at the position, one that Eddie Royal (was he alive last year?) and Jabar Gaffney can’t fill. Enter Dez Bryant, who, despite being suspended all year last season, is the premier wide receiver in this draft, has great hands and speed, and will go over the middle or stretch the field. He will be a great target for whoever is quarterbacking the Broncos in 2010.
11) Jacksonville Jaguars*: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
I have seen lots of mocks that have the Jaguars taking Tim Tebow here, but that, to me, is just asinine. I understand why Jacksonville would go that route, because the franchise needs to sell tickets to avoid moving to Los Angeles and Tebow, the local boy and cult hero could put people in the seats, but how long will they stay when the team is getting clobbered? Winning alone didn’t do it for the team, and with how awkward and awful Tebow looked at the Senior Bowl, will his iconic status alone be enough to keep filling the stands for a three-win team? I say not.
That means that Jacksonville should address its true needs, which start with getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. They ranked dead last in the NFL last year in sacks (14 of them). Pierre-Paul, while relatively inexperienced, was a force at South Florida this past season and should show well at the Combine. He is a raw talent and could be a tough guy to block at the next level.
12) Miami Dolphins: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Bill Parcells likes to draft linebackers, the Miami Dolphins need help at linebacker, and Rolando McClain is the best linebacker in the draft. Sometimes it’s as simple as that. Also, I don’t think Parcells will use a first-rounder on a wide receiver (which the Dolphins also need), as the only guy he might consider would be Dez Bryant who I have gone already, plus there are lots of good guys out there in free agency that they can add.
13) San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The 49ers have two big needs. The first is the secondary, and the second is the right tackle position. Luckily for them, they have to two first round picks with which to address those needs. Ideally Joe Haden would fall for them, and they may trade up to get him (I don’t think they will, but it’s not out of the picture), but, if they don’t I think Kyle Wilson is the pick here. He was apparently very impressive at the Senior Bowl, moving very fluidly and not getting beat. Additionally, he provides a threat in the return game.
14) Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
As I said before, Seattle needs to solve the offensive line problems, and they do that here with their second first-round selection. Bryan Bulaga should be able to come in immediately and start for them, thus allowing Matt Hasselbeck to not worry about his blindside and hopefully keep him healthy for the first time in a while. He still has something left, and this Bulaga selection will make him smile on draft day.
15) New York Giants: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Giants love to bolster their defensive line, stockpiling talent and constantly subbing in pass rushers to keep guys fresh and give the defense different looks. Their pass rush wasn’t as effective as it has been in the past last season, which exposed the secondary. Bringing in Dunlap would give them the ability to get to the QB faster and impose their will on defenses late in games again. The major red flag here is Dunlap’s off-the-field issues, and being in New York probably won’t do as much to quell them, but his talent is undeniable and can’t go overlooked.
16) Tennessee Titans*: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Kyle Vanden Bosch may be the hardest worker in the NFL from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, but he isn’t getting any younger, so a guy to follow in his footsteps and line up on the other side is a must for this team to address. Morgan is an explosive rusher off the edge and will help Tennessee in defending the pass game, an area where they struggled mightily last year.
17) San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)*: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
They filled the secondary need with their first pick, so here the 49ers address the right tackle need by taking the best prospect at that position in the draft. Trent Williams should help bolster the passing game and open up holes for Frank Gore to run through. With these two picks, the flashes of brilliance they showed last year, and Kurt Warner’s retirement, I think the 49ers have a very good shot at winning the NFC West in 2010.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
I know they have Max Starks at LT, but this offensive line still needs upgrading, and passing on a guy like Bruce Campbell here seems foolish to me. It’s very possible that he doesn’t slide down this far, but, if he does, expect Pittsburgh to pounce, as they try to reestablish their power running game next season.
19) Atlanta Falcons*: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Abysmal. That’s what Atlanta’s pass defense was last year, and it has to be their number one area of concern this off-season. With Haden and Wilson off the board, Patrick Robinson, who also had a good Senior Bowl of his own, should be the pick to come in and help Atlanta shore up its secondary.
20) Houston Texans*: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
I really considered mocking C.J. Spiller here due to the debacle that is the Texans’ backfield, but, at the end of the day, when you play in a division with Peyton Manning, you need to make sure that he doesn’t beat you consistently. Thus, the Texans address the secondary and take the best remaining safety available, Earl Thomas.
21) Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
This is a run-first team, but Carson Palmer needs somebody besides Chad Johnson (Revis shut him down, so that’s his name now) to throw the ball to after Chris Henry’s unfortunate death. Jermaine Gresham can do it all, run block, catch passes, and presents matchup nightmares because he’s too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties. If he’s around, Cincinnati should pounce.
22) New England Patriots: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Oh, what I didn’t want to happen. I think Bill Bellichick will finally realize that quality trumps quantity in his backfield, and address the need by taking the most explosive player in the draft (he’s supposed to be the next Chris Johnson, which all Patriots fans would take). He can run, catch, and return, so he would fit very well into the Patriots four-wide sets and pose a dangerous threat to run or catch the ball out of the backfield. I hate this as a Jets fan and hope someone else takes him before the Patriots pick.
23) Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, OT, USC
I think most of us who follow the NFL know how porous the Packers’ offensive line was for most of the 2009 season, and even though Chad Clifton’s play got better as the year went on, an additional guy to compete for the job is a good idea, and Brown should be able to start at one of the tackle positions in 2010.
24) Philadelphia Eagles: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Much like the Titans, the Eagles’ best pass rusher, Trent Cole, could use some help on the other side. Darren Howard is getting up there in years, and Everson Griffen could provide a spark to the team’s pass rush.
25) Baltimore Ravens: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Derrick Mason already retired and unretired once, and I don’t sense that he’s Brett Favre, so I think he might be done this off-season. If that’s the case, then the Ravens’ only consistent threat in the passing game that isn’t Ray Rice needs to be replaced. I think the Ravens are hoping Gresham falls to them, and Anthony McCoy from USC is also an option, but, at the end of the day, I think Baltimore takes the big play threat receiver in Golden Tate.
26) Arizona Cardinals: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
This defense got abused in two straight games in the playoffs, and a dual threat in the passing and running game in Sergio Kindle could help them out. I could also see them taking a nose tackle here (one of the two at the bottom of this first round), but I think the defense thrives on being pressure-oriented, and Kindle plays right into that mentality.
27) Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
After watching Minnesota dominate their offensive line in the playoffs, the Cowboys need to upgrade that unit. Granted the tackles struggled the most, but apparently the Cowboys were in absolute awe over this mountain of a man at the Senior Bowl, even though he didn’t impress me much during the game (got beaten a few times, despite the fact that only four guys could rush), it’s not my pick to make.
28) San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
LaDainian Tomlinson clearly has nothing left in the tank, and Darren Sproles proved early in 2009 when LDT was hurt that he can’t shoulder a full workload, so the Chargers need the physical presence in their backfield. Enter Jonathan Dwyer, who will complement Sproles’ quickness and shiftiness very nicely and keep the dual threat alive (or maybe revitalizing it) in the Chargers’ backfield.
29) New York Jets: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
For all the credit the Jets get for their crazy blitz schemes, they didn’t result in many sacks (32 on the season, tied for 18th in the NFL). Vernon Gholston has amassed a whopping zero sacks since being taken sixth overall in 2008, and will probably be let go this off-season. Seeing how effective rush linebackers can be a huge asset (DeMarcus Ware, Elvis Dumervil, Clay Matthews), the Jets need to upgrade that position, and Graham, despite playing for a terrible Wolverines team, was one of the few bright spots on that defense.
30) Minnesota Vikings: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Pat Williams is considering retirement, which would tear down the vaunted Williams Wall, which is okay because I am here to build it again. Following in another Volunteers’ DT’s footsteps (Albert Haynesworth), Williams will come in and be effective in a pretty solid defense, especially if Pat Williams sticks around and he can learn from both guys.
31) New Orleans Saints: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Sedrick Ellis has been good, but not great, since being drafted two years ago, but missed six games this season with an injury, and the Saints can shore up that run defense. In a defensive tackle-rich draft, Brian Price is somewhat forgotten and would be a big boost to Gregg Williams’ unit.
32) Indianapolis Colts: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
This defense is fast, and Weatherspoon would be a luxury. He looked unbelievably good at the Senior Bowl, and adding him would only make this defense that much faster and better. While I feel the offensive line could use a ton of help (they can’t run the ball), Peyton Manning makes things click on offense, so making it even more difficult for opposing offenses to score points would work just fine with the Colts.
Note: Asterisks indicate that there will be a coin flip to decide draft position between the two teams drafting one after the other. I used a little Coin Flip app on my iPhone, assigned "Heads" to the team that was first alphabetically by city location, and then moved on from there.
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