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2010
Mock Draft
By:
Tony Conty
11/20/09
First Round:
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1. St. Louis Rams
- Jimmy Clausen (QB) Notre Dame |
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This pick is beginning to look more
obvious by the day. If Clausen feels funny
about the entrance of a new regime, he’s gone.
Coaches are going to be drooling at his upside,
especially those who have suffered through Marc
Bulger.
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2. Cleveland Browns - *Eric Berry (S)
Tennessee |
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The Browns have holes pretty
much everywhere and many have called for Brady
Quinn’s head. Most coaches who know not to panic
will seek out a player of Berry’s upside. Cleveland
is ranked #19 against the pass despite the fact that
no one has to throw against them.
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3. Detroit
Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT) Nebraska |
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Detroit has given up 2,445 yards against the run
this year and remain especially vulnerable up
the middle. Suh is a rare talent that will clog
the middle and get penetration in the backfield.
The Lions have enough young playmakers on
Offense.
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4.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -
*Gerald McCoy (DT) Oklahoma |
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Opponents are averaging
4.9 yards a rush against the Buccaneers so far this
year. Josh Freeman needs time on the field to show what
he can do. After gutting their defense for cash,
somebody needs to be the face of this woeful unit.
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5. Kansas
City Chiefs - *Derrick Morgan (DE) Georgia Tech |
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KC expected more than 12
sacks upon switching to the 3-4 alignment.
Morgan is a project in some respects, but he
continues to fly up the charts. I was not a
believer, but week after week, film after film,
he proves me wrong. |
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6.
Oakland Raiders - Russell Okung (OT) Oklahoma State |
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I congratulate Al Davis on assembling the largest group
of toys that he could call together, but they need work
up front. Someone needs to give (gulp!) Bruce
Gradkowski time to throw. We love Okung and see him as
a difference maker. |
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7. Washington
Redskins - Taylor Mays (S) USC |
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Jim Zorn loves him some
PAC-10 stars. Mays could breathe new life into this
secondary as he will defend the run and the pass equally
well. The Redskins have been up and down and need
consistency despite giving up very few yards through the
air. |
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8. Seattle
Seahawks - *Dez Bryant (WR) Oklahoma State |
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Hats off to Nate Burleson for
stepping it up, but he is a better option out of the
slot. If Houshmandzadeh wants to complain about his
touches, line him up opposite a freak of nature
built to play the position. |
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9.
Buffalo Bills - *Sam Bradford (QB) Oklahoma |
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OK, the finger-pointing in
Buffalo resulted in the firing of a head coach. TO
will soon blow up and it many will see it as better
to simply start over. If Bradford recovers in
enough time to have a stellar combine, he will not
last any longer than this. |
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10. Tennessee Titans - *Carlos Dunlap (DE)
Florida |
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- Dunlap
has few supporters at this point, but he
will wow enough front offices with his
athleticism to create short-term memories.
The Titans are through counting on Kyle
Vanden Bosch to be an elite pass-rusher.
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11.
San Francisco 49ers
(From Carolina)
- Jake Locker (QB) Washington |
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Oh, what a
difference a losing streak makes. Alex Smith had
people describing him as a savior after 2 solid
quarters. Now, Mike Singletary will start an
experienced player with a wider skill set than
Smith. |
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12.
Denver Broncos (From Chicago)
- Colt McCoy (QB) Texas |
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It is hard to say what is
going on with the Broncos at this time, but someone
is going to have some ‘splaining to do. McCoy is a
proven winner that will engender confidence in fans
and players alike. With their burgeoning rushing
stats, a strong-armed QB is the next logical step.
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13.
New York Jets - Ricky Sapp (DE/OLB) Clemson |
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Well, one way to
wake up the ghost of Vernon Gholston’s past is to
place a talented pass-rusher opposite him. Sapp is
so talented that he will be impossible to ignore in
the Top 15. Rex Ryan will soon cry tears of joy.
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14.
Miami Dolphins - Brandon LaFell (WR) LSU |
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LaFell isn’t the
fastest guy and he will not wow you with his workout
numbers. Something hasn’t clicked with this passing
game and it is due time that the Dolphins drafted a
true possession option in the first round. |
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15.
San Francisco 49ers - Rolando McClain (MLB) Alabama |
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Patrick Willis is the most
dynamic defensive player that no one talks about
enough; still, the talent around him is limited.
McClain is one of the most admired defenders in
college football. Give him a chance to shine.
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16.
Green Bay Packers - Charles Brown (OT) USC |
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Brown deserves this spot more
than anyone else at this point. Aaron Rodgers has
had a star-crossed beginning to his career: great
numbers, but little protection. Fans will run Ted
Thompson out of town if he fails to make this pick.
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17.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Tim Tebow (QB) Florida |
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Well, DUH!!! OK, so there
is no such thing as a sure thing in the NFL
Draft, especially in November. When the owner
of a team declares his love for a prospect this
early, however, we make exceptions. Tim Tebow
could be a huge bust, but this will be fun to
watch. |
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18. Philadelphia
Eagles - Brandon Spikes (ILB) Florida |
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We have heard that the Eagles
love their Linebackers, but depth is a huge issue
that we cannot ignore. Spikes may not be the fatest
guy, but his nose for the ball carrier cannot be
ignored. While young skill players abound, a
Jeremiah Trotter-type defensive presence does not.
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19.
Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Graham (DE) Michigan
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Matt Ryan has taken
a great deal of heat for an alleged sophomore slump,
but the fact that teams can throw on the Falcons at
will cannot remain without blame. That starts up
front as an aging John Abraham won’t get pressure on
the Quarterback forever. |
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20. Houston Texans -
Mike Iupati (OG) Idaho |
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Steve Slaton will never
carry the load for any extended period of time, but the
Texans need help up front as well. Iupati is an
exciting player with great feet and strength that could
really open up some holes in the running game.
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21. Baltimore Ravens - *Joe Haden (CB) Florida |
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In between moments in
which Ravens fans build up Matt Stover to
god-like descriptions, they take time to
complain about their pass defense. Haden will
lock down one side of the field and make big
plays. He’s no Stover, though. |
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22. New York Giants - Greg Hardy (DE)
Mississippi |
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Has
anyone else noticed a ridiculous
decrease in the number of sacks for the
Giants this year? If the G-Men sneak
into the playoffs, they will have no
trouble selecting a situational player
to help generate pressure on the
Quarterback. Now, if they could only
find a use for Mathias Kiwanuka… |
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23. San Diego Chargers -
*Jonathan Dwyer (RB) Georgia Tech |
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You could either call it
the Steve Slaton or the Darren Sproles rule, but
we have learned not to rely on an undersized
back to save your franchise. As LaDanian
Tomlinson prepares to ride off into the sunset,
Dwyer could carry this team to the finish line.
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24.
Arizona Cardinals - Trent Williams (OT) Oklahoma |
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Mike Gandy received a great deal of verbal abuse from my
colleague J. R. Glymph last week and felt guilty until I
realized that the Cards still ranked #31 in Rush
Offense. Williams has had to maul for years and will
fit in well opposite Levi Brown.
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25. Pittsburgh
Steelers - Terrence Cody (DT) Alabama |
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If the Steelers
could have a meeting with Cody and discuss their
workout expectations ahead of time, the big man from
Bama would have his plane ticket a month in advance.
Can you find a Casey Hampton-type who can stay in
shape by Mike Tomlin’s standards? |
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26. Dallas Cowboys - Syd'Quan
Thompson (CB) Cal |
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Dallas went from a joke to those who
love to hate them to a team with few
holes. They have played well as of
late, but teams with gun-slinging
Quarterbacks have the ability to
make them nervous. I love Orlando
Scandrick with every fiber of my
being, but feel as if Thompson
upgrades over him significantly.
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27. New England
Patriots - Jermaine Gresham (TE) Oklahoma |
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The Patriots have quantity,
not quality at the Tight End position, an important
role in their offensive scheme. Their depth
provides them the luxury of waiting for Gresham to
feel healthy and adjusted in Foxboro. We love
Gresham’s talent if he recovers from his knee
issues. |
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28. Seattle
Seahawks (From Denver) - Jared Odrick (DT) Penn
State |
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Seattle drafts from
their board without reaching for a specific position
better than any team in the league. Odrick is
quicker than Brandon Mebane with equal strength. He
will fit in well in this scheme. |
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29.
Cincinnati Bengals - Arthur Jones (DT)
Syracuse |
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I have not seen enough
out of Domata Peko to label him
irreplaceable. Jones is a rare talent with
a mean streak that would qualify as a Marvin
Lewis-type of player and start within his
first year. |
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30. Minnesota
Vikings -
Patrick Robinson (CB) Florida State |
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Most scouts seem fairly
divided on Robinson, as he has lapses from time to
time where he seems to be out of position. His
coverage skills are second-to-none, though, and he
could cure Minnesota’s only Achilles’ Heel. |
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31.
New Orleans Saints - *Anthony Davis (OT) Rutgers |
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The Saints did not
acquire their underrated Offensive Line by passing
on top talent. Davis is raw but has some wonderful
veterans behind whom he could sit while learning the
offense. |
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32.
Indianapolis Colts - *Mike Williams (WR)
Syracuse |
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What do you buy the friend
who has everything? Another wideout, of course.
There are plenty of catches to go around in
this offense and Williams will be the #3 option
by year’s end. |
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