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2010 Mock Draft

By: Tony Conty

11/20/09

First Round:

1. St. Louis Rams - Jimmy Clausen (QB) Notre Dame

-  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.

 2. Cleveland Browns - *Eric Berry (S) Tennessee

- 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.

3. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT) Nebraska

- 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.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - *Gerald McCoy (DT) Oklahoma

- 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.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - *Derrick Morgan (DE) Georgia Tech

- 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.

6. Oakland Raiders - Russell Okung (OT) Oklahoma State

- 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.

7. Washington Redskins - Taylor Mays (S) USC

- 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.

8. Seattle Seahawks - *Dez Bryant (WR) Oklahoma State

- 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.

9. Buffalo Bills - *Sam Bradford (QB) Oklahoma

- 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.

10. Tennessee Titans - *Carlos Dunlap (DE) Florida

- 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.

11. San Francisco 49ers (From Carolina) - Jake Locker (QB) Washington

- 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.

12. Denver Broncos (From Chicago) - Colt McCoy (QB) Texas

- 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.

13. New York Jets - Ricky Sapp (DE/OLB) Clemson
- 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.

14. Miami Dolphins - Brandon LaFell (WR) LSU

- 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.

15. San Francisco 49ers - Rolando McClain (MLB) Alabama

- 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.

16. Green Bay Packers - Charles Brown (OT) USC

- 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.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Tim Tebow (QB) Florida

- 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.

18. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Spikes (ILB) Florida

- 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.

19. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Graham (DE) Michigan

- 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.

20. Houston Texans - Mike Iupati (OG) Idaho

- 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.

21. Baltimore Ravens - *Joe Haden (CB) Florida

- 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.

22. New York Giants - Greg Hardy (DE) Mississippi

- 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…

23. San Diego Chargers - *Jonathan Dwyer (RB) Georgia Tech

- 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.

24. Arizona Cardinals - Trent Williams (OT) Oklahoma

- 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.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Terrence Cody (DT) Alabama

- 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?

26. Dallas Cowboys - Syd'Quan Thompson (CB) Cal

- 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.

 27. New England Patriots - Jermaine Gresham (TE) Oklahoma

- 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.

28. Seattle Seahawks (From Denver) - Jared Odrick (DT) Penn State

- 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.

 29. Cincinnati Bengals - Arthur Jones (DT) Syracuse

- 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.

30. Minnesota Vikings - Patrick Robinson (CB) Florida State

- 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.

31. New Orleans Saints - *Anthony Davis (OT) Rutgers

- 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.

32. Indianapolis Colts - *Mike Williams (WR) Syracuse

- 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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