My 2010 Mock Draft

Yes, it's that time of the year again, where NFL teams get to celebrate like it's Christmas. Of course, some teams get nothing but coal, while other end up getting the piece that can lead them back to the top of the standings. It's the NFL Draft, and it's on tonight. I've spent a lot of time working on my mock draft, and here it is.


1. St. Louis Rams-Sam Bradford, QB-Oklahoma
The Rams need to start over after winning just six games in the last three seasons. They need help everywhere, but most teams start at the quarterback position, and that's where St. Louis will get started, too. Sam Bradford is coming off of a very short season last year due to injury, but as long as he's healthy, he'll be a great pick for the Rams.

2. Detroit Lions-Ndamukong Suh, DT-Nebraska
I feel like the Lions need to address their offensive line more than their defensive line, but Suh is a freak of nature who is about as close to can't miss as you can get. While Russell Okung might be the better pick here, Detroit can't go wrong with taking Suh. Of course, Matt Stafford is going to have to run for his life again next season, but that's for Detroit to figure out how to stop.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Gerald McCoy, DT-Oklahoma
Tampa Bay is another team that needs a lot of help, which is why they're picking at the top of the draft this year. They have to go defensive tackle with this pick, it's just a matter of whether it's Suh or Gerald McCoy. If both are there, they probably take Suh, but if Detroit does what I think they're going to do, the Bucs will just have to settle for another great tackle that doesn't have the knee issues that Suh has had.

4. Washington Redskins-Russell Okung, OT-Oklahoma State
The Redskins have their quarterback now with Donovan McNabb, so that takes Jimmy Clausen out of the equation. Instead, Washington needs to focus on protecting McNabb, who can't run nearly as well as he did at the start of his career. Rusell Okung is the best lineman available in the draft, and with Chris Samuels retiring, the Redskins need to replace him. It's too easy right here.

5. Kansas City Chiefs-Bryan Bulaga, OT-Iowa
With Okung off the board, a run on offensive tackles is going to start. Bryan Bulaga isn't the second best tackle in the draft, but he has a lot of potential and upside, which Scott Pioli, the GM of the Chiefs, loves. That's why he took Tyson Jackson early last year, and it's why he's going to take Bulaga this year. The Chiefs need to keep Matt Cassel from getting killed again, and this is a good way to do it.

6. Seattle Seahawks-Trent Williams, OT-Oklahoma
Here is where things should start to get interesting. The Seahawks have needs just about everywhere. Matt Hasselbeck is on his last legs, their running game doesn't exist, both lines need work...luckily, the Seahawks have two top 15 picks this year. They good pick Jimmy Clausen here, as well as Eric Berry or even reach for CJ Spiller, but I think they decide to work on the offensive line first, so they can protect whoever their quarterback of the future is going to be. Trent Williams could go to Washington with the fourth pick, so Seattle is getting good value here.

7. Cleveland Browns- Eric Berry-S, Tennessee
This is another potential destination for Clausen, as the Browns are going to apparently try and use the corpse of Jake Delhomme's career for next season. However, Mike Holmgren doesn't seem that interested in Clausen, and the Browns have needs all over the field. Eric Berry is rated as possibly the best player in the draft, so to be able to get him with the seventh pick is nothing short of stealing. Berry would be a good fit in Cleveland.

8. Oakland Raiders-Bruce Campbell, OT-Maryland
Here's the first reach of the first round. Campbell has first round talent, but he should go more towards the bottom of the first round. Instead, the Raiders are going to take him. Why would they do that? Campbell ran a 4.85 40 at the Combine, and is an athletic freak. Al Davis loves fast, athletic players that might not have the same talent as other players. It's why Oakland took Darrius Heyward-Bey last year, and it's why he's going to take Campbell this year. Though, if Oakland can work out a trade with the Steelers for Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers will gladly take Jimmy Clausen here.

9. Buffalo Bills-Jimmy Clausen, QB-Notre Dame
This has to be the pick for Buffalo here. The Bills are a decent team that just needs a few pieces, and one of them is at quarterback. For them to have Jimmy Clausen fall into their laps is just too easy. I don't know how he's going to fit into Buffalo's offense, but he's pro ready, more so than Brady Quinn proved to be when he came out of Notre Dame. I don't like Jimmy Clausen the person, but Jimmy Clausen, the quarterback, is who the Bills need to draft. Will they do it? For their sakes, I hope that they do, because they haven't had a quarterback there since Jim Kelly retired, and that includes Doug Flutie. If Clausen doesn't get picked here, he's going to go into an Aaron Rodgers-esque free fall.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars-Derrick Morgan, DE-Georgia Tech
Even with Jacksonville getting Aaron Kampman in the offseason, they still need help on the defensive line. The only way that the Jaguars can get to the top of the AFC South is to get to the other quarterbacks that play there, and getting Derrick Morgan would be a step in the right direction. An even better step in the right direction would be drafting Tim Tebow in the second or third round, because Jacksonville needs to get fans back to their stadium, and Tebow can do that. The Jaguars need Tim Tebow to be playing for them.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)-Dez Bryant, WR-Oklahoma State
I really don't know what Denver is going to do with this pick. I've seen all kinds of players taken here, but the Broncos really need help at wide receiver with Brandon Marshall now off in Miami. The only problem with this is that Bryant is another diva of a wideout, and Denver might not want to take him after just getting rid of Marshall. However, if they actually want Kyle Orton or Brady Quinn to have someone to throw to next year, they need to draft Bryant. He's the best wide receiver in this year's draft, by far.

12. Miami Dolphins-Dan Williams, DT-Tennessee
Miami took a step back last year, but they should be able to bounce back a bit in 2010. They need help getting to the quarterback, however, and nose tackle is a huge position of need. If Dan Williams can fall to them at this pick, it should take Bill Parcells about 10 seconds to make this pick. He's a solid player at a position of need. It fits too well for it not to happen.

13. San Francisco 49ers-Joe Haden, CB-Florida
The 4ers whiffed big time when they signed Nate Clements to a huge deal a few seasons back. Clements was actually benched at the end of the year last year, making corner a huge need for San Francisco. Luckily, Joe Haden ran a poor 40 time at the Combine, and then bounced back with a much better time at his Pro Day. The 49ers can get the best corner in the draft here, as long as he falls past Cleveland and Jacksonville. I think he will.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)-CJ Spiller, HB-Clemson
After getting the tackle that they needed with the sixth overall pick, Seattle can focus on their offense again by adding the best running back in the draft to their team. Spiller's stock has been on the rise even more of late, and with just Julius Jones and Justin Forsett in their backfield, the Seahawks need a better run game. Their defensive line could also be addressed here, but this is a team that needs to score points, and they can do that if they add Spiller.

15. New York Giants-Rolando McClain, LB-Alabama
This is a pick that I really don't want to have happen, because then the Giants will be getting a great defensive player. This pick has to be either on the defensive line or a linebacker, and with the best linebacker in the draft falling to New York, the Giants would be crazy to let him fall any further. McClain is the best player available at this point of the draft, and his talent level is very, very high. The Giants need to be able to stop people again, and McClain can do that, giving New York another scary linebacker. The Giants are used to having them anyway.

16. Tennessee Titans-Jason Pierre-Paul, DE-USF
Tennessee lucks into getting their ideal pick at number 16. Pierre-Paul is an athletic freak, who did more in just a few starts than just about anyone else in this draft. The Titans need to generate a pass rush to get to Peyton Manning, just like every other team in the AFC South has to do. Jevon Kearse is gone again, so Pierre-Paul would fit right in. Plus, he can jump out of pools and do backflips. That has to be good for something, right?

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)-Anthony Davis, OT-Rutgers
Anthony Davis is a talented player, but he has some character issues, which are going to make his draft stock slip a little bit. However, the 49ers need an offensive tackle to protect Alex Smith or whoever they decide to have in their backfield next season. Mike Singletary would be the right guy to turn Davis around and make him into a rock at the offensive tackle position.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers-Mike Iupati-OG- Idaho
The Steelers need help on the offensive line, as Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked so many times in the last few years that the six game suspension that he got should push his 2010 sack total to about the league average. Regardless of who's taking snaps for the Steelers next year, they have to protect him. Mike Iupati is a huge guard and can more than likely start right away. Not many people knew about him because he went to school at Idaho, but the Steelers know what they are getting with this guy.

19. Atlanta Falcons-Brandon Graham, DE-Michigan
Atlanta recorded only 28 sacks in 2009, which was a big reason why the Falcons weren't able to return to the playoffs for the second year in a row. They could go a few different ways here, picking Sean Weatherspoon or Jerry Hughes as well, but I think they go with Graham. He's another athletic freak, and, despite his short size, he can get to the quarterback. The Falcons need that pressure on the opposing offense again so that Matt Ryan and Michael Turner can get shorter fields to play with.

20. Houston Texans-Ryan Mathews, RB-Fresno State
This may be a bit of a reach here for Mathews, but the Texans have to address their running game. Ryan Moats isn't the fulltime answer, and Steve Slaton caught the worst case of the fumbles I've ever seen, moving him from the penthouse into the doghouse so quickly, I don't know if he knew what happened. Ryan Mathews is an excellent runner who would help the Texans put less pressure on Matt Schaub, which is exactly what they want to do. While the defense also needs work, Mathews is too good to pass up for the Texans.

21. Cincinnati Bengals-Jermaine Gresham, TE-Oklahoma
The Bengals need other weapons on offense to go along with an aging Chad Johnson (I'm not calling him that other name). Gresham is easily the best tight end in this draft, and Carson Palmer would finally have a safety valve that he could pass to if the blitz gets to him. Cincinnati could easily go with Taylor Mays here, but I think they need to focus more on offense than defense right now. That team needs to be able to score points.

22. New England Patriots-Sergio Kindle, LB-Texas
The Patriots normally find difference makers with their first round picks, and Kindle would be another one of those players. He's a solid rush linebacker, and though the Patriots haven't picked a rush linebacker since Bill Belichick took over, there's a first time for everything. New England has to get younger on defense, and fast. They can't keep calling Junior Seau up every October and ask him to come back again. It just doesn't work. The Ravens exposed them in the playoffs last year, and you know the Patriots want at least one more shot at a Super Bowl with this current group of players.

23. Green Bay Packers-Charles Brown, OT-USC
Aaron Rodgers had a great season last year, but he was also sacked 50 times, which is far too many if the Packers want to keep him as healthy as they did Brett Favre. Chad Clifton fell apart against Arizona in the playoffs and Green Bay has to keep Rodgers upright to get their offense going again. While it sets them up for years of "Good Grief" jokes, the Packers have to take Brown here.

24. Philadelphia Eagles-Earl Thomas, S-Texas
Now, things get fun. Do I really think that Earl Thomas is going to be around at pick 24, available for the Eagles to pick without having to trade anything? I don't know. However, it could happen. The Dolpins and Bengals look like the most likely targets for Thomas, but if they pass on him, he could easily make his way to Philadelphia. The Eagles struggled far too much at safety last year, and to add someone with Thomas' skills should make any fan do backflips. The Eagles will more than likely have to trade up to get him, but if they can, it will be worth it. I would love to see Thomas in Eagles green.

25. Baltimore Ravens-Jared Odrick, DT-Penn State
The Ravens are starting to get a little older on defense, and their line is a little bit thinner than they're used to as well. Odrick can play defensive end or defensive tackle, and would fit very well into the Baltimore defensive schemes. If he makes it past New England at 22, I think the Ravens should have themselves a very good player.

26. Arizona Cardinals-Sean Weatherspoon, LB-Missouri
It's hard for me to believe that the Cardinals have won back to back NFC West crowns, but they have. However, it's going to be tough as they attempt to win three in a row. Kurt Warner is gone, and they missed their chance to land Donovan McNabb. Antrel Rolle is also gone, and the Cardinals still need to find an offensive tackle. Unfortunately, all the first round talent at that spot is gone by the time they can pick, so they have to upgrade on the defense instead. Joey Porter doesn't have much left in the tank, and Sean Weatherspoon would be a good pick here. The Arizona defense gave up almost 90 points in two playoff games. That's enough reason for me to have them pick a linebacker.

27. Dallas Cowboys-Taylor Mays, S-USC
The Cowboys are another one of those teams that could go a few different ways with their pick. They could take Maurkice Pouncey, the center from Florida, and help bring their offensive line back together. Tony Romo was destroyed by Minnesota in the playoffs, and adding Pouncey would really help. However, I think that Dallas has an even bigger hole at safety. Ever since Roy Williams walked, Dallas hasn't had much luck there. While Taylor Mays has some weaknesses, he's a solid safety and could do very well in the right system. I think that Dallas would be a good fit for him, as much as it pains me to admit it.

28. San Diego Chargers-Terrence Cody, DT-Alabama
San Diego really wanted Ryan Mathews to fall past Houston at pick 20, but if he doesn't, I think they can go with Terrence Cody. Cody is a load in the middle of a defensive line, and he showed that he can both lose weight and move well to create pressure at his Pro Day. The Chargers released Jamal Williams, so nose tackle is a big hole that can be filled by a very, very large man from Alabama.

29. New York Jets-Kyle Wilson, CB-Boise State
The Jets could go in several different directions with their pick as well, but I think they need to keep their eyes on the secondary. Darrelle Revis is one of the best corners in the league, but there's a reason the Chargers traded Antonio Cromartie for just a third round pick. He can take plays off, and San Diego got tired of his lack of effort and attitude. Plus, he's on his contract year, meaning that he might be one and done in New York. Kyle Wilson should be drafted higher than this, and the Jets would be getting a steal if this pick came true.

30. Minnesota Vikings-Devin McCourty, CB-Rutgers
Yes, Minnesota just added Lito Sheppard, but he flamed out after a year in New York, so I don't know how much he has left in the tank. Cedric Griffin also tore his ACL at the end of the season, creating a huge need at corner for Minnesota. McCourty is a skilled, fast corner and could step in and play right away. If the Vikings have to use Sheppard for any length of time, they might be in a bit of trouble, and they have to compete with New Orleans and their receivers at the top of the NFC. They need that second skilled corner.

31. Indianapolis Colts-Maurkice Pouncey, C-Florida
The Colts are starting to get older on the offensive line. With Pouncey, they could get a player that can play at either guard or center and could possibly step in from day one and make a difference. I also think that Pouncey should be gone before this pick, so, like the Jets and Kyle Wilson, they would be thrilled if he made it this far down. I think Indianapolis could look more towards the offensive tackle position, but if Pouncey is there, he has to be the pick.

32. New Orleans Saints-Jerry Hughes, LB-TCU
The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints...it still doesn't feel right typing that. Scott Fujita left for Cleveland, and Charles Grant also walked, creating holes at linebacker and defensive end. Hughes has the skills to play both positions, and the fact that he's down at the bottom of the first round would be a blessing for the Saints. I've seen Hughes projected as high as pick 12 to Miami, but I think he finds his way down here to New Orleans. The rich get richer...it's not fair sometimes.