Mock NFL Draft 2010 results

ST. LOUIS RAMS: NDAMUKONG SUH, DT, NEBRASKA

Scouting Report

Washington’s Jake Locker would have been the slam-dunk pick for St. Louis but he decided to stay in school for his senior season, which complicates things for the Rams. Do they now address their defense with Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh, who most consider to be the best prospect in this draft? Do they just move to the next best quarterback and reach for Sam Bradford from Oklahoma or Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame? Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive-minded coach whose system revolves around generating pressure and right now the Rams don’t have any difference-makers up front, which would seem to indicate Suh will be the choice. It’s rare to see a defensive tackle take over a game but that is exactly what Suh has demonstrated the ability to do on a consistent basis the past couple of years. Whether it’s sacking the quarterback, making tackles behind the line of scrimmage or even intercepting passes, Suh is as dominant of a player at his position as the college game has seen in many, many years. However, as good as Suh is it’s not a foregone conclusion that he will be the top defensive tackle selected in this draft. In reality Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy are essentially 1A and 1B on most boards, although Suh might have the slight edge. If by some chance a quarterback emerges as a legitimate contender for the #1 pick the Rams will have to seriously consider going that route because they can’t afford to continue on with the likes of Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller and Keith Null. As a dark- horse keep an eye on Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant, who could be the playmaker in the passing game they’ve been lacking since Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce were in their primes.

2 DETROIT LIONS: GERALD MCCOY, DT, OKLAHOMA

Scouting Report
The Lions got their franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford last year, which frees them up to address another need with this pick. Jim Schwartz certainly knows the value of a stud defensive tackle after coaching Albert Haynesworth during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans but unfortunately the position is in a complete state of disarray in Detroit. As it stands their current starters are an over the hill 37-year-old (Grady Jackson) and a rookie fourth round pick out of a Division II program (Sammie Lee Hill) and there is no depth to speak of. Needless to say they are in desperate need of an upgrade in the middle. Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy might have been the first defensive tackle chosen in last year’s draft but he surprised everyone and chose to spend another year in college. A true difference-maker along the defensive line, McCoy is not only able to penetrate and make impact plays in the backfield but he can also hold his own against the run. The addition of McCoy would finally give the Lions an elite talent along their defensive line and would represent another milestone in their rebuilding process. Detroit could still use a left tackle to protect Stafford since they blundered by passing on Michael Oher last year so Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung is also a possibility. The Lions pass defense was absolutely abysmal again in 2009 so a defensive back such as Tennessee’s Eric Berry or even a pass rusher like Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan could enter into the conversation as well but in the end McCoy appears to be the optimal fit when it comes to value and need.

3 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: ERIC BERRY, S, TENNESSEE

Scouting Report
It’s no secret that the Buccaneers would prefer to land one of the two stud defensive tackles in this class so if either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy is available they would undoubtedly be the pick. However, with both Suh and McCoy off the board Tampa is forced to audible to Plan B, which appears to be Tennessee safety Eric Berry. An Ed Reed-clone and amazing athlete with 4.4 speed, Berry is a dynamic playmaker who has a knack for making quarterbacks pay dearly for their mistakes. A terrific all-around player, Berry excels in coverage but he’s also extremely aggressive and isn’t afraid to mix it up and be physical. Just ask Tim Tebow! The addition of Berry would obviously be a huge upgrade talent-wise but he’d also serve as a leader in the Bucs secondary, both on and off the field, and give the franchise a bona fide blue-chip talent to build around. If Tampa Bay is really hell bent on upgrading their defensive line they could also consider reaching for Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan and don’t rule out Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant as a realistic possibility either. For the latest on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their offseason plans be sure to check out our friends at PewterReport.com.

4 WASHINGTON REDSKINS: JIMMY CLAUSEN, QB, NOTRE DAME

Scouting Report
Despite their glaring needs along the offensive line the Redskins will probably be looking for a quarterback with this pick, whether it be Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford. Washington’s flirtations with Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez last offseason were a clear sign that they didn’t believe Jason Campbell is the long-term solution under center and new head coach Mike Shanahan will probably want to hand-pick his own quarterback to build around. Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen was a ballyhooed recruit who entered college with a lot of unrealistic expectations but in many ways he actually managed to live up to the hype. Clausen doesn’t really possess any standout physical traits but his size and arm strength are more than adequate. A three-year starter in Charlie Weis’ pro style offense, Clausen is well coached, very smart and made major strides in the leadership and intangible departments as a junior. One big knock on Clausen is that he has a few personality traits which could rub some the wrong way but don’t expect Shanahan, the guy who drafted Jay Cutler, to be scared away too easily. That high-profile Notre Dame pedigree should also help him in the eyes of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who loves to make a splash. In fact, word is the Redskins have already been showing serious interest in Clausen for quite some time now. If Washington did go in another direction they would likely opt for a blocker because their situation at right tackle is a mess and it looks as though there is a decent chance injuries will force Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels into retirement.

5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: RUSSELL OKUNG, OT, OKLAHOMA STATE

Scouting Report
The Chiefs have plenty of needs and could go in a number of different directions here but their offensive line play has been particularly troubling. In fact, Kansas City ranked among the worst in the league when it comes to sacks allowed. Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung isn’t an elite prospect in the mold of Tony Boselli, Jon Ogden or Orlando Pace but he has clearly emerged as the top offensive tackle in this class and will likely be a Top 10 pick. With good size, long arms, great strength, above-average athleticism and feet as well as top-notch intangibles, Okung is just a very good all-around blocker. Okung could slide into the starting lineup at either left or right tackle for the Chiefs and any investment in keeping franchise quarterback Matt Cassel upright is money well spent. As I mentioned the Chiefs have a lot of holes to fill, which certainly isn’t a good thing but it does give them a lot of options on Draft Day. Other possibilities could include Tennessee’s Eric Berry, who would be a huge upgrade at safety, or Alabama’s Rolando McClain, who could be the stud that they need to build their linebacking corps around. Don’t be surprised if they take a look at Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant either because outside of Dwayne Bowe, who has been a frequent inhabitant of Todd Haley’s doghouse, they have little or nothing at the wide receiver position. However, the Chiefs have to find a way to move the ball and score points and the best way to do that is upgrade the o – line.

6 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: SAM BRADFORD, QB, OKLAHOMA

Scouting Report
It looks like there is a decent chance at least one of the top two quarterback prospects will still be on the board here and if that’s the case new head coach Pete Carroll will probably opt for a young signal caller to build around. Matt Hasselbeck is going to be 35-years-old and has missed time with injuries in three of the past four seasons. The bottom line is the Seahawks can no longer count on Hasselbeck moving forward and it’s time to start thinking about the future. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford might have been the #1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft but he opted to spend another year in college. Unfortunately that didn’t work out as planned and he wound up missing most of the season with an injury to his throwing shoulder, which required surgery. Despite the questions about his health / durability and concerns about the spread system he played in with the Sooners it appears as though Bradford is still in line to be a Top 10 pick as long as there are no red flags in the medical checkups. Even though Bradford doesn’t have a cannon for an arm he possesses good size, is an extraordinarily accurate passer with a quick release and also extremely smart. This would be an ideal situation for both player and team as Bradford could be brought along slowly before eventually supplanting Hasselbeck as the starter. Seattle could also use a left tackle with Walter Jones nearing the end of his career so that is a possibility as well. However, after passing on Mark Sanchez last year the Seahawks simply cannot afford to neglect the quarterback position any longer.

7 CLEVELAND BROWNS: JOE HADEN, CB, FLORIDA

Scouting Report
The Browns offense was absolutely abysmal in 2009 so the assumption is that they will go with a skill position player in round one. However, even though that sounds good on the face it may not actually happen. Would they really take Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford knowing that his average arm strength could be a major hindrance in inclimate weather late in the year, both at home and on the road against division rivals Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Would they take a chance on Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen even though they just had a bad experience with a signal caller from that same program? And that’s assuming one of the quarterbacks is even available. Can they justify taking Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant after using two second round picks on wideouts just last year? Would they reach for Clemson running back C.J. Spiller even though he might only be a situational type at the pro level? As hard as it might be to ignore the offense the Browns may have to look in another direction with this pick and Florida’s Joe Haden would be a logical alternative. An outstanding athlete with good size, excellent speed and impressive strength, Haden not only excels in coverage but he is also very physical and a willing tackler. Haden is far and away the premier cornerback prospect in this class and if the Browns could pair him with Eric Wright it would give them the best set of young cover guys in the league. A linebacker such as South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul or Alabama’s Rolando McClain could be a possibility as well and don’t write off a quarterback or Spiller but Haden sure seems like the best fit when it comes to talent, value and need.

8 OAKLAND RAIDERS: ANTHONY DAVIS, OT, RUTGERS

Scouting Report
Nobody ever really knows what Al Davis is going to do, which makes the Raiders picks notoriously difficult to project in mock drafts. With that said some trends have emerged over the years and they indicate that the odds favor Oakland opting for either a defensive back or offensive lineman. The offensive tackle position has been a problem area in Oakland for quite some time and after ignoring it for so long this might finally be the year they address it. Besides, it only makes sense to provide all of that skill position talent they’ve accumulated (JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey) with some blockers. Rutgers’ Anthony Davis is probably the most physically talented offensive tackle in this draft but there is a chance he could slip a bit on Draft Day due to some concerns about his conditioning and intangibles. However, Mr. Davis has shown time and time again that he is willing to overlook off-the-field issues if a player is talented enough. A great athlete with excellent size and nimble feet, Davis has all the tools to be a stud blindside protector at the next level as long as he can keep his head on straight. Florida’s Joe Haden would also be a good fit for the Raiders if he is available and if they choose to part ways with Kirk Morrison then Alabama’s Rolando McClain might be an ideal replacement. If Davis decides to reach for one of those “Workout Warriors” that he loves either Jason Pierre-Paul of South Florida or Taylor Mays of USC could enter into the mix.

9 BUFFALO BILLS: BRYAN BULAGA, OT, IOWA

Scouting Report
If by some chance either Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford or Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen fell into the Bills laps they would likely jump at the chance to bring in a top quarterback as that is their most glaring need. Unfortunately that appears to be a long-shot, which means they must turn their attention elsewhere. When Buffalo traded away their Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters prior to the 2009 NFL Draft most assumed they would use one of their two first round picks to replace him but that didn’t turn out to be the case. In fact, they passed on young star Michael Oher in favor of a raw pass rusher (Aaron Maybin) who racked up a grand total of zero sacks as a rookie. After a season of trotting out a parade of has-been’s and never-were’s at offensive tackle it is definitely time for the Bills to bring in a stud on the outside. Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga is a well-rounded, physical blocker who can both hold his own in pass protection and maul in the run game. After a rough start to his junior season, which included some missed games due to a thyroid condition, Bulaga closed it out with a bang. Bulaga held Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan without a sack in their big Orange Bowl matchup and reaffirmed why he is such a highly-regarded pro prospect. One other option to keep an eye on is wide receiver, specifically Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, if they opt to pull the plug on the Terrell Owens experiment.

10 DENVER BRONCOS (f/CHI): DEZ BRYANT, WR, OKLAHOMA STATE

Scouting Report
It’s hard to envision the Broncos bringing Brandon Marshall back next season since his very public feud with head coach Josh McDaniels continues to escalate. If Denver does decide to part ways with their Pro Bowl wideout they will desperately need to bring in another top-flight pass catcher. Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant only played in three games as a junior before being suspended for minor a violation of NCAA rules, which has seemingly led some to forget what a great player he is. However, despite the layoff pro scouts still consider Bryant to be one of the premier talents in this draft. Checking in at a solid 6-2 and 220 pounds, Bryant may not have elite speed but he is very elusive, a great leaper with terrific ball skills and catches everything in sight. Bryant has the potential to be a true #1 target at the next level and many feel he is just as good of a prospect as Michael Crabtree was coming out of college, if not better. Despite showing major improvements on defense in 2009 the Broncos still have plenty of work to do on that side of the ball, specifically in the front seven. With that in mind Alabama’s Rolando McClain would be a perfect fit at inside linebacker and they could also use an upgrade at defensive end as well.

11 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DERRICK MORGAN, DE, GEORGIA TECH

Scouting Report
A lot of mock drafts will have Florida’s Tim Tebow penciled in here and even though that would be a major reach it’s a very distinct possibility. However, despite investing two very early picks on Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves a couple of years ago the Jaguars registered a league-low 14 sacks in 2009 and the opportunity to add this draft’s top pass rusher might be too good to pass up. There is a chance that Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan will be gone by this point but if he is available it would make a lot of sense for Jacksonville to turn a card in with his name on it. Although not an elite edge rusher Morgan is a terrific all-around player with prototypical size who is effective against both the run and the pass. Morgan may not offer a lot of star potential or ever be mentioned in the same breath as the leagues premier sack artists but he would represent a major upgrade over what the Jags currently and address their most glaring weakness. If Morgan is off the board and they still want a pass rusher they could turn their attention to South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul. Keep a close eye on Tebow though. This franchise desperately needs to reinvigorate their fan base and Jags owner Wayne Weaver has even expressed his interest in the local superstar. One possible scenario: The Jaguars don’t have a second round pick so perhaps they trade down a dozen spots or so and select Tebow later in round one.

12 MIAMI DOLPHINS: JASON PIERRE-PAUL, OLB, SOUTH FLORIDA

Scouting Report
One of the big keys to any good 3-4 defense is an athletic outside linebacker who can rush the passer. Nobody knows this better than Bill Parcells, who has actually used first round picks on linebackers everywhere he has been, from Carl Banks with the Giants to Willie McGinest with the Patriots to James Farrior with the Jets to DeMarcus Ware with the Cowboys. So far The Tuna hasn’t taken a linebacker in round one during his tenure in Miami yet but history tells us that will eventually change. Jason Taylor is essentially running on fumes at this point and Joey Porter appears to be wearing out his welcome, which means it’s time to start thinking about the future. South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul only has one season of Division I experience after transferring in from the JUCO ranks but he wasted no time asserting himself as one of the country’s most feared pass rushers and a top pro prospect. An amazing athlete with rare burst and explosiveness, Pierre-Paul checks in at 6-6 and 260 pounds, has extremely long arms and reportedly runs a 4.6 forty. Although still very raw there is simply no denying Pierre-Paul’s natural talent and unlimited upside, which is why he could ultimately carry a grade similar to that of Aaron Maybin last year. Sergio Kindle of Texas could be another pass rushing possibility. Other options for Miami in round one could include an inside linebacker (Alabama’s Rolando McClain) or a wide receiver (Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant). The Dolphins also need to bring in a replacement for 35-year-old nose tackle Jason Ferguson and Tennessee’s Dan Williams might not be as much of a reach here as some think.

13 SAN FRANCISCO 49’ERS: TRENT WILLIAMS, OT, OKLAHOMA

Scouting Report
San Francisco has had a lot of issues over the years but one constant has been the shaky offensive line play. Joe Staley is a keeper and they have some talent inside but the Niners desperately need to bring in an upgrade at right tackle. Former teammates Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson received more publicity and attention during their time at Oklahoma but Trent Williams is actually a better player and a far superior pro prospect. After excelling at right tackle early in his career Williams moved to the left side as a senior and had some ups and downs, although there were legitimate excuses with injuries and overall inexperience. An excellent athlete who is capable of seeing action on either side, Williams is a terrific all-around player who excels as both a pass protector and run blocker. In many ways Williams will remind you of Michael Oher, who is coming off of a fantastic rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens. Keep a close eye on the Niners sketchy quarterback situation too. If they decide Alex Smith isn’t the long-term answer once and for all the 49’ers will likely be in the market for a new signal caller and with two first round picks they certainly have the ammunition to trade up. A defensive back such as Florida’s Joe Haden or USC’s Taylor Mays would be the other option here if by some chance they didn’t go o – line.

14 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (f/DEN): TAYLOR MAYS, S, SOUTHERN CAL

Scouting Report
With Pete Carroll taking over the reigns in Seattle he is inevitably going to want to bring in some of “his guys” to ease the transition. A defensive coach at heart, Carroll already has a couple of former Trojans in the front seven with Lawrence Jackson and Lofa Tatupu but they could use some help in the secondary and Taylor Mays could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Mays probably would have been the first safety selected in last year’s draft but he chose to return for his senior season and that opened up his game to excessive scrutiny. The most common criticism is that Mays doesn’t make enough big plays in coverage (i.e. interceptions) but it’s important to keep in mind that he’s more of a big hitter than a playmaker. Is Bob Sanders any less of a great player than Ed Reed because he only has six career picks? Of course not, they’re just different types of players. A great athlete with an amazing blend of size (6-3, 230) and speed (4.28), Mays epitomizes the phrase “Hits Like a Linebacker, Runs Like a Cornerback”. As an added bonus Mays is also a hometown hero, having grown up in the Seattle area. The Seahawks could also use an offensive tackle to eventually replace the ageing Walter Jones and don’t rule out Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, who could be the type of dynamic threat that their stale offense is currently lacking.

15 NEW YORK GIANTS: ROLANDO MCCLAIN, ILB, ALABAMA

Scouting Report
Even though they suffered through a very disappointing season in 2009 the G-Men really don’t have a lot of glaring needs. One position where they could use some help is middle linebacker, especially since there is a good chance Antonio Piece won’t be back next year. At 6-4 and 258 pounds with 4.6 speed and excellent intangibles, Alabama’s Rolando McClain is capable of playing inside or outside in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme and he has been an impact player for the Crimson Tide since his true freshman season. A terrific all-around prospect, McClain can stop the run, drop into coverage or rush the passer and that versatility is sure to make him a valuable commodity on Draft Day. In fact, it would not be a surprise if he was the first linebacker selected and off the board by this point. Another area the Giants could look to address is safety, where Kenny Phillips is coming off of a serious injury and there really isn’t much else to get overly excited about. Don’t rule out a defensive lineman either. At defensive end Osi Umenyiora is coming off his worst season since 2004 and isn’t very happy in New York while Mathias Kiwanuka is quickly approaching free agency. Meanwhile, on the inside free agent additions Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard were both huge disappointments and all of their defensive tackles combined only managed to record 4.5 sacks in 2009. With all that said there is no question that McClain would make the most sense for the Giants, especially considering Pierce’s uncertain status.

16 TENNESSEE TITANS: CARLOS DUNLAP, DE, FLORIDA

Scouting Report
On paper the Titans really don’t have a lot of glaring holes but defensive end and cornerback definitely stand out. Not only is Kyle Vanden Bosch 31-years-old and injury-prone but he is also set to become a free agent this offseason. To make matters even worse none of the youngsters they’ve drafted in recent years have stepped up and solidified themselves as impact pass rushers in the NFL. At one point not long ago Florida’s Carlos Dunlap was considered to be a potential Top 5 overall pick but an inconsistent junior season combined with some off-the-field issues have hurt his stock. However, it’s hard to envision a prospect as talented as Dunlap falling too much further than this. An extremely impressive physical specimen, Dunlap reportedly runs a 4.6 forty at 6-6 and 290 pounds. Dunlap is still very raw and frustratingly inconsistent but in many ways he will remind you of Mario Williams and the sky is the limit when it comes to his upside. If Dunlap is still around in the middle of round one the Titans would have to seriously consider taking a flyer on the unpolished and somewhat troubled but extremely talented defensive lineman, much like they did back in 2002 with Albert Haynesworth. Tennessee also desperately needs another corner to pair with Cortland Finnegan but there is just no way that Florida’s Joe Haden will last this long and there isn’t another cover guy who is worthy of this mid – first round slot

Source: DraftCountdown.com