2010 NFL Mock Draft
Cleveland might have been forced to take Jake Locker here if he had declared. He instead chose to stay and play for a non-contending, 5 win football team while risking injury. Nice decision Jake.
A quarterback selection has been rumored to the Browns, but signing Jake Delhomme and trading for Seneca Wallace squashed any chance of Cleveland taking Jimmy Clausen. Clausen might have been an option if they only signed one of the two, but both makes me think they will have a open tryout for their signal caller come week 1.
Joe Haden would help turn around a Browns pass defense that ranked 29th in the NFL while averaging 244.3 passing yards against per game. He should be the pick here, but I having a feeling Holmgrem will go another route. Cleveland has no big play threats at wide receiver. They need to develope a run game or a passing game. Since the Browns have come out to say they believe Jerome Harrison will carry the load next year, they wil most likely go receiver. Dez Bryant has been rising up draft boards back into the top 10
When the Lions traded for Corey Williams and signed Kyle Vanden Bosch, drafting Ndamukong Suh went from a certainty to highly up in the air.
The Lions now have several options with what they will do at the number two selection:
1) Draft Suh to rotate with Sammie Lee Hill and Corey Williams.
- This could very well still be an option. There is nothing wrong with depth at defensive tackle. The negative about this is paying Williams and Suh over six million dollars a year while still having a very good tackle in Sammie Lee Hill. 2) Trade with a team looking to draft Suh or Jimmy Clausen.
- It is a rarity that a team will trade into the top three picks, but teams targeting Suh or Clausen could get antsy. 3) Draft Russell Okung and move Jeff Backus to guard.
- Drafting Okung would technically fill two positions of need. Backus could slide down to the hole they have at guard, and Okung would provide the protection that Matt Stafford needs to succeed. 4) Draft the highest rated player on their board at a position of need, who has to be Eric Berry.
- I have Eric Berry rated as the number two overall prospect, and the Lions big board can't be much different. Suh is still going to be the pick. You can make a strong and legitimate case for Okung, but it's just not going to happen. The front office has made it public (even before the 09' season ended) that they will build around Jeff Backus, not replace him. Backus will not be moved down to guard with the aquisition of Rob Sims, so Okung seems to have no shot come late April. It seems like Jim Schwartz is making it a priority this offseason to build a dominant defensive line, and Suh fits the bill.
Regardless of what happens, no one can deny what Martin Mayhew has done with this team is short of a miracle. They have completely turned around a roster that was filled with overrated and overpaid players.
NFL Comparison- Tommie Harris
The Rams are starting to build their team the right way. They have drafted/signed Jason Smith, Chris Long, Jason Brown, and Alex Barron the past four years. Building in the trenches is the formula for success, but now they have to start adding talent at the skill positions.
St. Louis could go three different ways with this pick:
1) Ndamukong Suh
2) Sam Bradford
3) Jimmy Clausen
The key here for Suh being picked number one overall is if the Rams sign a quarterback like Michael Vick, or Jason Campbell. However, I doubt they would bank their whole season on a guy that was in jail a year ago, and the Redskins don't have much depth at quarterback behind McNabb.
St. Louis will be desperate for a quarterback if they don't get a decent starter in free agency. Their quarterback's have been averaging 180.5 passing ypg and a completion percentage of 58.1. You need a signal caller that can threaten a defense short and deep to win in the NFL.
Sam Bradford had a pro day similar to last year when Matt Stafford cemented himself as the number one pick. Combine that with the release of Marc Bulger, and the former Olahoma Sooner seems to have what it takes to be picked number one overall.
Washington will have a clean slate as far as player management and coaching go.
Dan Snyder hired Bruce Allen as the first GM in Redskin history and Jim Zorn was replaced by former Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan. What is it about Washington? They live for being in the spotlight in the off-season. Washington needs to start building through the draft instead of hiring mercenaries.
Allen and Shanahan might be attracted to the idea of picking a signal caller in their first year. That argument went out the window when they traded for Donovan McNabb. Okung will be the pick come late April.
NFL Comparison -Ryan Clady
The Chiefs have really gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to drafting in the top 5. Last year they had to select Tyson Jackson at the number three selection when he was projected to go around 6-10, and this year they might have to reach for Baluga,
Eric Berry could very well be the pick here if he falls, but the Chiefs know that they will have to improve upon the 45 sacks they let up last season to have a chance next year. Matt Cassell will need protection to succeed in the future.
NFL Comparison- Kevin Williams
A left tackle is a strong possibility,Demetrius Bell is coming off knee surgery (and wasn't playing well before he got hurt anyway).
Now trust me, I was one of the people who laughed when Jimmy Clausen got punched in the face. I think I even put the link of the news report on my facebook update.
The truth is that the kid can play. Clausen had a 161.43 quarterback rating this year to go with 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns. The fact that he played in a pro style offense at Notre Dame is the biggest attraction to his resume. In recent years, quarterback's that are coached in a NFL system have produced significantly more for their teams than spread system quarterback's. Graham Harrell averaged at least 5,000 passing yards and a quarterback rating of 69.8 through out his entire starting career and he didn't even get drafted last year.
I thought about mocking Jimmy Clausen here to the Seahawks, but I think Pete Carroll will want some stability and leadership at the quarterback position in his first year with Seattle. He will have enough to worry about without having to deal with the growing pains of Clausen's first year.
Pete Carroll knows better than any that Berry is a special player. Im sure he's talked to Berrys' former coach Lane Kiffin, who was labeling the star safety as a heisman candidate in 2009. It also doesn't hurt that Seattle has a huge hole at safety.
One of the many great things about Berry is his versatility. Tennessee used him a ton in run support and he is his best when tackling in space. He blitzes off the edge as good as any defensive back in the NFL, and he is only a junior.
Berry could patent the word "interception." He led the entire NCAA in total interceptions, interceptions per game, interception return yards, and interception touchdowns. He is the best defensive back prospect since Charles Woodson.
Al Davis loves hype. I guess that's what happens once the viagra stops working and you've bought everything on earth.
Bruce Gradkowski brought enough "hype" last season to hold Davis off, or else Jimmy Clausen could have been an good option. Not to mention Davis just spent a first overall selection on Jamarcus Russell.
Al Davis will jump at the notion that Bruce Campbell is the most athletic offensive linemen to ever come out of the draft.
13) San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Team Needs: OT, CB, S, G
Tony Pashos recently signed with the Browns, so the 49ers have a huge hole at tackle. Adam Snyder could also be upgraded on the left side.
Trent Williams really shined when Sam Bradford was pre shoulder injury, and then showed weaknesses when Bradford was replaced. That was more of the backup quarterbacks' fault than Williams. Williams cemented himself as a first round pick when he ran a 4.88 at the combine.
11) Denver Broncos: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Denver seems to have their organization in order after a roller coaster off-season last year.
They have plenty of young, talented players at key positions .Denver can rush the passer, protect the quarterback, and run the ball. Once they get a quarterback that can throw the deep ball (don't e-mail me and say "what about Brady Quinn?") they will be a playoff caliber team.
The problem here is that both quarterback's are gone. Rolando McClain is a great consolation prize.
NFL Comparison- Terrell Suggs
12) Miami Dolphins: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
With the release of Joey Porter, a pass rusher is the Dolphins biggest postition of need. They will have to hit on one here, since a premiere OLB won't be available with their next selection.
Sergio Kindle has the quick first step Bill Parcells likes in his 3-4 outside linebacker.
NFL Comparison- Joey Porter
Team Needs: DT, S, WR, OLB
The key here is what the Rams and Lions do at number one and two overall. Tampa Bay will jump at the chance to draft Ndamukong Suh if he does in fact fall. He is the best player available at the Buccaneers biggest position of need.
If Tampa Bay is left without a defensive tackle to take, then they will go with Eric Berry. Regardless, the top three teams here in the first round will be drafting three players with pro bowl talent.
NFL Comparison- Ed Reed
NFL Comparison- Antonio Bryant
NFL Comparison- Matt Ryan
10) Jacksonvillle Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Jaguars needs to move to a city where people actually want to see their team win. Jacksonville has had no fan base in what seems like forever. Even with the potential of going to the post season, fans still weren't coming out on Sundays. What is the point of playing at home if you have no advantage? Move to L. A. already.
Joe Haden could fall this far with his small frame and mediocre 40 yard dash. He will be a great bargain at number 10. He is a player that runs well in pads. He has instincts and comes to play every game.
NFL Comparison- Champ Bailey
Team Needs: LB, S, DT, WR
Team Needs: ILB, DT, S, QB
NFL Comparison- Patrick Willis
NFL Comparison- Michael Oher
14) Seattle Seahawks : Charles Brown, OT, USC
Team Needs: OT, RB, S,DE
Seattle will go left tackle or running back here, with tackle being the biggest priority. Charles Brown is known for his zone blocking potential hat the Seahawks run.
C.J. Spiller is the only other option, but left tackle has much more positional value than running back.
NFL Comparison-Jeff Backus
15) New York Giants: Derrick Morgan, DE, G.T.
Team Needs: LB, OL, CB, DE
The Giant's defense was the reason to their late season slide. They let up over an average of 30 points in six of their last seven games. What happened to the Giants of old? Their defensive line is wilting,they are vulnerable at linebacker, and hopeless in the secondary. Signing Antrel Rolle will bring speed and toughness to the secondary, but he won't cure their coverage problems.
Derrick Morgan will be to good to pass up and have the Giants thinking..why not just get back to sacking the quarterback? Morgan is the best 4-3 defensive end at this point in the draft. He is good enough to go in the top 10.
1) St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Team Needs: QB, WR, OLB, DT
NFL Comparison- Tom Brady
2) Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Team Needs : CB, G, S, OT
16) Tennessee Titans: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Team Needs: DE, CB, DT, ILB
The Titans are the poster boys for hot/cold teams in the NFL. They are good when they stick to the game-plan of running the ball and getting to the quarterback.
The only consistent thing about them is the fact that they will go defense here, probably as a pass rusher or cornerback. They were 31st in the league in the pass defense department. The only problem is that no one player really stands out at them at number sixteen overall. With corner back Joe Haden gone, along with pass rusher Derrick Morgan, the Titans might have to "reach" for Kyle Wilson here. Don't believe me Titan fans? Watch not only his blanket coverage at the Senior Bowl, but the way he dominated in practice all week. Did I mention he returns punts too?
Jeff Fisher has not shied away from reaching for players in the draft. Chris Johnson was considered a reach two years ago, and look how that turned out.
Team Needs : DT, OT, CB, S
3) Tampa Bay Bucs: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
NFL Comparison- Asante Samuel
Team Needs: OT, ILB, S, DE
4) Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, OSU
5) Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Team Needs: OT, ILB, DT,S
6) Seattle Seahawks: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Team Needs: OT, RB, S, DT
Team needs : S, CB, OLB, ILB
7) Cleveland Browns: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
8) Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Team Needs: QB, OT, OLB, DE
Team Needs: QB, DT, MLB,OT
9) Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Updated 04/16/10
Team Needs: QB, DE, CB, OT
NFL Comparison-D'Brickshaw Ferguson
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Lions fans still have loyalty thats all I can say.
Send Rothstein a comment and you might get it posted in his mailbag section!
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RECENT POSTS:
"Good Pick!"
Thanks. I wish my audience's comments were always this constructive. Last week someone posted that I should "Jump out of a tall building if im dumb enough to believe the Bills will draft a quarterback".
RECENT POSTS:
"so you think even after the trade for Sheldon Brown they are going to draft a cornerback? not a chance"
This was a post from when I had Joe Haden mocked to the Browns. Right away I thought "Wow, this is exactly how Mike Holmgrem is going to think!" The right pick here is Joe Haden, but Cleveland would rather go for a quick fix than really cementing the problem.
RECENT POSTS:
"With the trade of Rob Sims I think they will mostly go offensive lineman."
I don't really get your logic. Your saying that with the addition of a starting left guard, Detroit will want to now add another offensive linemen? They like Jeff Backus to much to just give up on him. He won't be able to slide down to guard with the addition of Sims. I was dissapointed in my fellow Lion fans. Out of all the comments this was the most interesting
RECENT POSTS:
"Do not be surprised to see Clausen drafted by Oakland"
Although the Raiders do need a quarterback, Clausen doesn't exactly fit what Oakland likes in a prospect. Al Davis likes big, tall signal callers. The only attribute I can see Clausen has in his favor for Oakland is the hype he received as "the Lebron James of football" in HIgh School. I can stil remember watching the ESPN coverage on him and thinking..Isn't he a little short?
RECENT POSTS:
"Classy move to L.A. jab, keep it up!"
I will! You keep watching those games on your couch instead of in the stadium!
