By Ron Jumper
For the 2010 NFL Draft, we are looking at some unusual circumstances. There are a lot more underclassmen than usual for starters and we have the most scrutinized crop of quarterbacks in the history of the draft. Never have I heard more varying opinions of guys like Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, and Tony Pike. It seems everyone grades them differently, and draft day will reflect that. As for me, just continue reading to see where I stand.
For this piece, I thought I would go team-by-team and present a mock draft, with the catch being that the picks will be whom I would draft and not a prediction. I’ll have a mock draft that is a forecast of what I think will happen as we get closer to draft day. For now, this gives a look at team needs and what I think each team should do. I felt it would be boring to just go look at team needs for all 32 teams. This way, I make it interesting with the mock and examine the needs of each team. See, I am looking out for my readers!
1. St. Louis Rams
DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
The Rams need everything, especially a quarterback, but I just don’t think there is anyway you can pass up Suh. Because I’m a Tampa Bay fan (for some reason), I was hoping Suh would fall to the Bucs. However, I’ve accepted that there is no way he gets past the Rams and Lions. This is not only the best player in the draft, but the best defensive tackle in the history of the draft. Passing up this guy could go down as taking Sam Bowie instead of Michael Jordan. I’m serious.
2. Detroit Lions
OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Most mocks have the Lions taking DT Gerald McCoy but I wouldn’t do that. If Detroit is going to give Mathew Stafford the best opportunity to be successful, then protecting his blindside is the priority. Based on the current roster, a left tackle is the most glaring need in my opinion. This is not likely to happen, but when will offensive line become a priority to the Lions? Only time will tell…
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
While in reality, McCoy will likely go second but, in this mock, the Bucs just can’t pass him up. If McCoy is taken second, I would have no problem taking standout safety Eric Berry. Forget the nonsense that safeties shouldn’t go this high, the game is changing and the draft should reflect that. Look at how important Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed are to their teams. A safety can be a game changer, which justifies taking one in the top 5. Either way, the Bucs should land a talented player at a position of need,
4. Washington Redskins
WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Remember at the beginning of this article when I said I would give my opinion on this year’s quarterbacks later? Well here we are. The depth chart would indicate that the Redskins take a quarterback in this slot. However, I don’t feel good enough about the top gunslingers in this class to pull the trigger this high. I would wait and take a QB in round 2 or 3 instead of swinging for the fences in the top 10. So what would I do instead if I was GM of the Redskins? First, I would try to trade down and acquire picks. But, for the sake of this mock draft, I would go with Dez Bryant. They completely whiffed on Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, while Santana Moss is aging fast. Whoever the quarterback is for the Redskins will need weapons, making Bryant a good option.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
S Eric Berry, Tennessee
The Chiefs top priority is on the offensive line but, in this mock, Okung is off the board already. That being the case, they luck out and get Berry. As I mentioned above, taking a safety this high is no longer a reach. With Berry, the guy has a special ability to read defenses and play bigger than he is. While he doesn’t have the size of a Taylor Mays, his production is off the charts. The Chiefs could use playmakers at any position, which is what they are getting here.
6. Seattle Seahawks
S Taylor Mays, USC
Who would be better to build Pete Carroll’s defense around then a former USC player? Mays has the ability and knowing the system would give him a leg up on most rookies, as the learning curve from college to the NFL is pretty steep. The Seahawks are another team that might want to pull the trigger on a QB, but I’m not ready and this is my mock!
7. Cleveland Browns
CB Joe Haden, Florida
The Browns are another team that could use playmakers across the board. There isn’t a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver that I would take here so defense gets the call. Haden is far and away the best corner in this draft, as another one might not come off the board for awhile. This isn’t a sexy pick, but the Browns should get a guy that can start right away.
8. Oakland Raiders
LB Rolando McClain, Alabama
This won’t happen, no chance at all. However, it is a great move for the Raiders. They would get a guy with a high football IQ off of an elite SEC defense. The risk is minimal, as I expect McClain to be somewhere along the lines of former Crimson Tide standout and current Houston Texan Demeco Ryans. However, I’m sure the Raiders will take Jason Pierre-Paul or Carlos Dunlap since they are sure to be workout warriors at the combine. Ah, the Raiders…
9. Buffalo Bills
OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
Again, not ready to take a quarterback yet. Bulaga is a very safe pick and the Bills really need a LT. This is a team in transition and, until the offseason unfolds, addressing the quarterback position is a crapshoot. Playing in pro-style offense at Iowa, Bulaga should be able to transition quicker than most rookie offensive lineman.
10. Denver Broncos
DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
If there was another wide receiver worth taking here, that would be a solid option. However, I’m not quite ready to take Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn this high. That leaves the defensive line and Dunlap is the choice. Forget the character concerns, Dunlap is not a bad guy. His upside trumps Derrick Morgan, who is a solid player that just seems to lack that “it” quality for me personally.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
12. Miami Dolphins
LB Sergio Kindle, Texas
13. San Francisco 49ers
OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers
14. Seattle Seahawks
QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
15. New York Giants
TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
16. San Francisco 49ers
QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
17. Tennessee Titans
DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
19. Atlanta Falcons
CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State
20. Houston Texans
S Earl Thomas, Texas
21. Cincinnati Bengals
RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
22. New England Patriots
LB Sean Witherspoon, Missouri
23. Green Bay Packers
DE Everson Griffen, USC
24. Philadelphia Eagles
DT Brian Price, UCLA
25. Baltimore Ravens
TE Aaron Hernandez, Florida
26. Arizona Cardinals
OG Mike Iupati, Idaho
27. Dallas Cowboys
DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
28. San Diego Chargers
RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
29. New York Jets
WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
30. Minnesota Vikings
S Chad Jones, LSU
31. New Orleans Saints
CB Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State
32. Indianapolis Colts
LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
For More NFL Mock Drafts Visit DC Pro Sports Report