2010 NFL Mock Draft

Its finally here! The 2nd Annual www.nkysportworld.com 2010 NFL Mock Draft
With the 3 day draft quickly approaching April 22-24, we lay out the selections.
A couple notes:
* New this year: First round and Second round selections!
* This draft is loaded. Probably the best class I have seen in a long time. In addition, the number of OL prospects available is unbelievable.
* In my opinion, no star studded 1st Rd WR's exist in this draft. By that I mean, I don't think there is a guy who will be able to start from Day 1. With that said, WR Dez Bryant will be taken in round 1 and a ton of WR talent is clumped in round 2.

Here we go!
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford is not the best player in the draft. That honor belongs to Ndamukong Suh. However, he is the best QB, and QB is the most desirable position for the struggling Rams. With Donovan McNabb off the board, Bradford is the next best option. Though his past injury history is a concern, its much easier to pay #1 money to a QB than a DT.

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is the best player in the draft. Period. He falls into the lap of a Detroit Lions team that has a lot of needs especially on defense. Suh fills the hole missing since the Shaun Rodgers departure and could be a perennial Pro-Bowler for the next 10 years with the way he dominates games.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Though Suh has stolen most of the talk, some consider McCoy to be the best player in the draft. McCoy is a gigantic and disruptive tackle that will work well within a Buccaneer system desperate for help on defense.

4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Okung is the best offensive tackle in what is a draft loaded in the position. After the departure of Samuels and an otherwise aging offensive line, the Redskins desperately need an offensive tackle in order to help Clinton Portis and the running game get back on track.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
No this is not a mistake. Williams becomes the 3rd Oklahoma player taken in the first 5 selections. Williams is probably the most versatile of the offensive lineman in the draft with the ability to man 4 of the 5 OL positions. He is just the player the Chiefs need to combat their aging offensive line.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
This is the first surprise pick of the draft. Seattle would love for Williams or Okung to hang around this long, but the odds are slim. They could reach for OT’s like Bulaga or Campbell instead, but with so many needs they reach for defensive. Morgan is the #1 DE on the board and immediately upgrades a weak pass rush.

7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, FS, Tennessee
The Browns should be estatic if Berry falls this far in the draft. Berry was at one time considered the top player in the draft and is by far the best safety in a weak draft class for the position. Berry has great ball hawking instincts that you can start to build a defense around.

8. Oakland Raiders: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Al Davis has shown that he is willing to stick with Russell at QB. He has also shown a knack for reaching for talent. Both apply here. At the least, if he is going to stick with his QB, he makes the right move by protecting him with an OT who will give him time and open the rushing game.

9. Buffalo Bills: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The run on OT’s continues as Campbell becomes the 4th taken in the first 9 picks. Buffalo may reach a bit for Campbell who is not as polished as the other tackles taken; however, their need is too large to pass up. Campbell’s athleticism still gives him the ability to start on opening day.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Jaguars have so many needs on the defense that they decide to go with the best player available at this point. Haden displayed great athleticism at Florida and will be a hometown favorite. Not to mention, he is the #1 CB and will immediately upgrade a weak pass defense.

11. Denver Broncos (from CHI): Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
With the recent trade of WR Brandon Marshall, Denver may think briefly about WR Dez Bryant in this position. However, no WR in this class is worthy of a slot this high. McClain is a tackling machine and the best ILB in a draft class weak in the position. He fills an immediate need for Denver, who will look toward WR with their additional pick in Rd 2.

12. Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, DT 3-4, Tennessee
After picking up their biggest need with the trade for WR Brandon Marshall, Miami can look to fill their hole at DT. The nose tackle position is probably the most important in the 3-4 defense and it is also the most gapping hole in Miami’s front 7. Williams will command double teams in the middle allowing for the blitzing defense to come clean off the edge.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis was originally thought of as potentially the best OT going into his senior season, but is now the 5th tackle taken in the draft. Davis is an enormous body with huge upside. The 49ers can reach here with multiple picks in the first round and a glaring need at OT.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Having gone defense with their first pick, Seattle looks offense this time around. Spiller is a dynamic rusher and potential game changer not only from the RB position but also in the return game. His return ability allows him to be the #1 RB selected as well as adding lightning to a weak Seattle backfield.

15. NY Giants: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
With few glaring needs, the Giants select the best player available in Iupati. Not many people know about him due to his low level college choice, but Iupati plays with a mean streak and can man nearly every position on the offensive line making him a nightmare for opponents.

16. Tennessee Titans: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Wilson is a physical and athletic corner that some consider to be the best in the draft. He plays a pressure-man scheme that fits directly into the Titans defense. Keep an eye on Devin McCourty (CB, Rutgers) at this slot as well, since his twin brother Jason plays for the Titans already.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from CAR): Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
By addressing offense with their first selection, the 49ers can focus on defense with this choice. They would be ecstatic to see Thomas fall to #17, but the possibility is there. Thomas is a ball-hawk and a game-changer that would start from Day 1.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Bryant becomes the first WR taken, even though he missed last season. This shows both a slip in his draft status and the presence of a weak WR class without a true star player. Nonetheless, Bryant fills a void in the Steeler offense, which lost Santonio Holmes earlier this week. The key is to see if a potential problem child in Bryant can thrive in a city stricken currently with legal trouble.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Weatherspoon has been the pick for ATL for weeks and it looks like he could fall to them. He fits perfectly in Mike Smith’s 4-3 defense and will start at weak side OLB from day 1. Weatherspoon becomes the first LB off the board.

20. Houston Texans: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
With Dunta Robinson gone and a thriving Texans offense, McCourty seems to be the most logical selection. In addition, he may be the best all-around CB in the draft. This may come into handy if the Texans want to overtake Indy in the AFC South. New Orleans proved last year that Manning can be stopped with coverage in the defensive backfield and the Texans are trying to start the same philosophy.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Taylor Mays, FS, USC
The Bengals have a ton of needs and could go in a number of different directions with this pick. I would not be surprised to see Oklahoma TE Jermaine Grisham here, but his recent injury history as well as the drafting of TE Chas Coffman last year may lead the Bengals away. Taylor Mays is a hard hitting safety and freakish athlete. He is the best player available in the draft and was viewed before this season as a potential top 10 selection. With only Ndukwe, Crocker, and Roy Williams in the safety position the Bengals are in desperate need to shore up the back line especially if they run into the injuries that plagued the position last season.

22. NE Patriots: Brandon Graham, OLB 3-4, Michigan
The Patriots love 3-4 hybrid ends that can rush the passer and drop back in coverage. Graham is no different. The Patriots feature a less than average pash rush and would immediately upgrade with this selection. Graham is a Lamar Woodley clone with game-changing ability.

23. Green Bay Packers: Sergio Kindle, OLB 3-4, Texas
Kindle is probably the most complete OLB in the draft and would fit perfectly rushing the edge in the Packers 3-4 defense. Kindle’s size and speed would compliment perfectly with OLB Clay Matthews and form a strong duo for many years to come.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen might be a reach at this spot but the Eagles desperately need help on the defensive side of the football at safety and DE. With no first round safeties available, Griffen becomes the next logical selection. In addition, Griffen is a high motor guy in the mold of Eagles DE Trent Cole, who has had a great deal of success in the Eagles defense.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Cornerback is definitely a position of need for Baltimore, especially with the injury to star rookie CB Ladarius Webb. Jackson is the best CB available, however, don’t be surprised if Florida State CB Patrick Robinson is the selection here instead.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Jerry Hughes, OLB 3-4, TCU
The Cardinals miss players like Karlos Dansby who can play in their hybrid defensive scheme and line up at various positions. Jerry Hughes is the type of player that can do just that. Hughes led a strong TCU defense that finished unbeaten in the college football regular season and is a logical choice to take over the reigns.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida
With few major needs, Dallas addresses an aging offensive line with the best player available. Pouncey is listed at OC, but can play both guard positions as well. He helps to solidify the Dallas OL while bringing youth as well.

28. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
With the recent departure of LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego looks to address the need at RB early in the draft. Matthews is the best RB available and is in the mold of current Charger Darren Sproles. Matthews is a shifty all-purpose back who led the NCAA in rushing for most of the season. He may be a slight reach at this position and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chargers looked DT instead and maybe select Terrence Cody from Alabama.

29. NY Jets: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
I would not be surprised if the Jets look to trade this pick to a team wishing to enter into the back half of the 1st round. The Jets true needs at OG and OLB leave them scuffling as the best players are off the board at this point. Even with the new acquisition of WR Santonio Holmes, the Jets look for a big target and big play WR in Demaryius Thomas to take the pressure of young QB Mark Sanchez.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
In the same mold as formed Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, video shots and stories of Jimmy Clausen filter television as he is left waiting for 3 hours for this selection. The Vikings biggest need is QB and they get a potential star in Clausen late in the 1st round. Hopefully, Clausen will not have to play on day 1 and will learn from future HOF QB Brett Favre.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Charles Brown, OT, USC
The Colts are looking to shore up a weak offense line by going with the best lineman available and 8th selected in the first round. The Colts have been missing a valuable LT since their championship season and hope to find one in Brown. Brown is not a polished player having started at USC as a TE, but displays massive size and athleticism to make a good NFL tackle.

32. New Orleans Saints: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
The Super Bowl champs get a steal at the end of the first round. The Saints are strong on offense but need DL help. Pierre-Paul is a freakish athlete in the mold of Javon Kearse and has the potential to change games from the edge.

Round 2
1(33) St. Louis Rams: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

2(34) Detroit Lions: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

3(35) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carlos Dunlap, DE 4-3, Florida

4(36) Kansas City Chiefs: Daryl Washington, ILB, TCU

5(37) Philadelphia Eagles (from WASH): Nate Allen, FS, South Florida

6(38) Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

7(39) Oakland Raiders: Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois

8(40) San Diego Chargers (from SEA): Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

9(41) Buffalo Bills: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

10(42) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from CHI): Damian Williams, WR, USC

11(43) Denver Broncos (from MIA): Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson

12(44) New England Patriots (from JAX): Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

13(45) Denver Broncos: Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana

14(46) New York Giants: Brian Price, DT, UCLA

15(47) New England Patriots (from TEN): Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

16(48) Carolina Panthers: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida (QB, WR, DT/DE)

17(49) San Francisco 49ers: 3rd pick Chris Cook, CB, Virginia

18(50) Kansas City Chiefs (from ATL): Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

19(51) Houston Texans: John Jerry, OG, Mississippi

20(52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Vladamir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts

21(53) New England Patriots: 4th pick Corey Wooton, DE 3-4, Northwestern

22(54) Cincinnati Bengals: Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami

23(55) Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest

24(56) Green Bay Packers: Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale

25(57) Baltimore Ravens: Alex Carrington, DE 3-4, Arkansas State

26(58) Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida

27(59) Dallas Cowboys: Tyson Alualu, DE, California

28(60) Seattle Seahawks (from SD): Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati

29(61) New York Jets: Koa Misi, OLB 3-4, Utah

30(62) Minnesota Vikings: Jahvid Best, RB, California

31(63) Indianapolis Colts: Matt Tennant, OG, Boston College

32(64) New Orleans Saints: Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State


Just Missed: Ricky Sapp DE/DT Clemson, Jonathan Dwyer RB Georgia Tech, Morgan Burnett SS Georgia Tech, Dexter McCluster RB Mississippi, Chad Jones SS LSU, Rob Gronkowski TE Arizona, Lamarr Houston DL Texas, Aaron Hernandez TE Florida, Brandon LaFell WR LSU, Toby Gerhardt RB Stanford, Eric Norwood OLB South Carolina, Dominique Franks CB Oklahoma