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2010 NFL Mock Draft - (May 26th)
1. Detroit: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Lions drafted their franchise quarterback in Matt Stafford. However, they failed to truly address their hole at left tackle. Jeff Backus must vacate the position, whether he moves inside or to another area code.
2. St. Louis: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
There is potentially debate that Marc Bulger has aged, or been battered past his productive years. 2009 second-overall pick Jason Smith should provide a boost in pass protection, as Orlando Pace spent most of 2008 injured, but Bulger is likely another product of Mike Martz’s playbook.
3. Kansas City: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
If Scott Pioli’s strapped with another high pick, he’ll have to make it count. An improved offensive line will help Matt Cassel, who the team traded for this offseason, as well as Larry Johnson or Jamaal Charles, whichever holds the starting runningback position going into 2010.
4. Seattle: Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Seahawks need an upgrade at safety. Mays is perhaps the best physical prospect the safety position has ever seen, and is a local product. He’d take over one of the starting spots immediately.
5. Cleveland: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
Kindle steps in at rush linebacker immediately. He’s an elite athlete, and should be able to make a difference on a Browns team in need of defensive help. Solidifying the defensive front should be a priority in Cleveland.
6. Cincinnati: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Bengals drafted Michael Johnson, who has first-round athletic ability. However, he’s a raw prospect, and Dunlap is a physical presence who may be able to move inside and play a Tommie Harris like role.
7. Oakland: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Raiders – erm, Al Davis loves speed. So does Tom Caple, just ask him and watch his eyes dart and voice quiver. Berry is fast, but he also makes a ton of sense as replacement for Michael Huff.
8. Jacksonville: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Had McCoy come out in this year’s draft, he’d have probably been off the board in the top-five. The Jags fill a need, and get perhaps the best defensive tackle in the draft.
9. Green Bay: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
There hasn’t been a tight end that went this early since Vernon Davis in 2006, preceded by Kellen Winslow Jr. in 2004. The top-10 tight end isn’t a historically regular occurrence, but Gresham is special. Donald Lee has shown promise, but averaged only 7.8 YPC last season, despite 39 catches and five touchdowns.
10. San Francisco: Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
The 49ers don’t have a real answer at quarterback. Shaun White has been serviceable, and Alex Smith may be a worthy reclamation project, but for now the team will enter the 2010 draft with a hole at the position, and Snead may fly up draft boards.
11. Buffalo: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The Bills need help at left tackle, but their isn’t a zone-blocking talent worthy of this selection. The Bills take Suh, who has been a dominating defensive tackle and will look good next to Marcus Stroud.
12. Seattle – From Denver: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
The Seahawks have very few immediate needs, and the needs that they do have are poor values here. The Seahawks passed on Michael Crabtree, likely because of the size of his contract, and while it’s not in Tim Ruskell’s nature to draft a first round receiver, Benn’s contract in the middle of the first is fairly affordable. Also it’s possible that both Deion Branch and Nate Burleson will be gone in 2010.
13. Washington: Ciron Black, OT, LSU
Had Andre Smith fallen to Washington he’d probably have been the pick in 2009. The Redskins’ offensive line is aging, and the team must protect Jason Campbell he’s going to be successful.
14. New Orleans: Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
The Saints need a bruiser to pair with Reggie Bush. If the Saints are picking in the middle of the first round again then there’s a good chance that Pierre Thomas couldn’t get it done.
15. Houston: Myron Rolle, S, Florida State
Myron Rolle is a tough guy to guage. Usually when we talk about guys having academic issues, it’s failing grades, Rolle is a Rhodes Scholar. I think that will help his draft stock if he comes out this year, any later and he’ll be old for his draft class.
16. San Diego: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Chargers didn’t address the tackle position in the 2009 draft. With Ladainian Tomlinson aging and Darren Sproles likely pricing himself out of San Diego, the Chargers will need to manufacture a productive running game without the star power of old.
17. New York Jets: Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
The Jets need another receiver for Mark Sanchez to throw to. With Dustin Keller creating mismatches against linebackers and secondaries, look for the Jets to go after a possession-type.
18. Denver – From Chicago: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
There is a lot of split opinion on McCoy, but Josh McDaniels created a PR nightmare the way he handled the eventual trade of Jay Cutler. This isn’t an ideal pick for the Broncos, but McDaniels may not have time to develop a middle-round QB in Denver.
19. Tampa Bay: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
The Bucs drafted a bad quarterback, but they still need to get him targets to throw to. With Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway gone, Josh Freeman will be throwing to the enigmatic Antonio Bryant and the under-productive Michael Clayton, though Kellen Winslow should make a nice target for the rookie.
20. Dallas: Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
Presuming Cody doesn’t “Andre Smith” the draft process, he could go a lot higher than this. Weight and work ethic concerns could ultimately push the monstrous nose tackle into the second round, unless he’s drafted by one of the teams in the NFL which don’t judge character (Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland, Dallas, etc.).
21. Philadelphia: Everson Griffin, DE, USC
Griffin will likely get a look from a 3-4 team as an OLB earlier in the draft. If he’s considered an end he’ll probably slip some because he’s a bit undersized to play the position in the NFL, but could be a great pass rusher in the right scheme.
22. Minnesota: Jimmy Claussen, QB, Notre Dame
Much of Brad Childress’ fate rests on the right arm of Tarvaris Jackson. If Jackson doesn’t get it done this year, both he and Childress could be out of town. In that case, look for the Vikings to change coaching philosophies, and follow the “Hire New England assistants” trend. Claussen plays under Charlie Weis.
23. New England: Jahvid Best, RB, California
The Patriots drafted eight positions in 2009. Eight. That includes doubling up on Guards, Wide Receivers and Nose Tackles. They have a ton of picks in the 2010 draft also. With aging depth at runningback the Pats get younger, more versatile, and cut dead weight.
24. Atlanta: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
The Falcons lost Keith Brooking and Michael Boley in the 2009 offseason, and didn’t adequately replace him. They signed Mike Peterson but he’s entering his mid-30’s and is coming off an ugly season where he was benched in Jacksonville.
25. Miami: George Selvie, LB, South Florida
Bill Parcells made good with Jason Taylor, apparently. However, He’ll need a replacement for both Taylor and Joey Porter soon, as each nears the end of their productive careers.
26. Baltimore: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Bryant has great body control and concentration, adequate ball skills, and is a physical presence, all of which could be a great asset for a young quarterback like Joe Flacco, but Bryant will face long-speed questions, much like Michael Crabtree.
27. Indianapolis: Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
If Travis Lewis shows up at the combine at 240 lbs or more, he’ll go in the top 20, and if he doesn’t he may come back for his senior season. However, if he shows up undersized and remains in the draft he’s an ideal fit in Indianapolis.
28. San Francisco – From Carolina: Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
Warren is arguably the best pure corner in this draft, and if Michigan bounces back from an ugly 2008 season, he should solidify the top spot. The 49ers need help in their secondary, and already filled the quarterback position earlier in the first round.
29. New York Giants: Reshad Jones, S, Georgia
The Giants have a lot of pieces in their secondary, but a lot of tweeners. Terrell Thomas could be an outstanding corner or safety but needs some consistency. The Giants will look to draft either corner or safety here.
30. Tennessee: Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
Does Atkins have the size to fit in the Titans defensive scheme? That’s something we’ll find out as his official measurables come out, but the Titans need to replace Albert Haynesworth.
31. Arizona: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Where does Tim Tebow fit? He’s somewhat akin to Ben Roethlisberger, though less NFL-ready than Roethlisberger was. Ken Whisenhunt will not go into the future with Matt Leinart, and Tebow could feasibly develop his passing mechanics and ability on the field, something Kordell Stewart could not.
32. Pittsburgh: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
The Steelers need help on their offensive line, and they didn’t address it in the first round last draft, opting to take Ziggy Hood instead. Davis can take over at either tackle or guard spot as necessary.
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