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Ndamukong Suh-DT-Nebraska-The early favorite for the top slot.
The 2010 NFL Draft is right around the corner, well not really, but to diehard football fans’ it is. There are some changes to the format for the draft and while I may not agree with it, I can see why the NFL is doing it. The NFL Draft has evolved into a huge event and has become a rite of passage in April. The format for the 75th NFL Draft is as follows:
Thursday, April 22, 2010>7:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.<
Friday, April 23, 2010>6:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.<
Saturday, April 24, 2010>10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.<
My hope is that the new plan backfires on the NFL and viewership suffers, then maybe they will move it back to the original format where friends can make a weekend out of it. Anyways, enough from me, let’s get to the mock.
This mock draft includes juniors who I think will declare for the NFL draft. I will update as the list becomes more clear, so it is safe to say this is NFL Mock Draft 1.0. It is also projected as to how I think the NFL final standings will end up, so the slots will change. All trades are taken into account from last year.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0
1. St. Louis Rams-Ndamukong Suh-DT-Nebraska-The Rams really need a QB, but how can they pass on the best defensive tackle prospect in years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade down to get value deeper in the draft. Suh frequently sees double teams and he still disrupts all facets of the game. He is above and beyond the best player on the board, an NFL ready defensive force.
2. Cleveland Browns-Jake Locker-QB-Washington-Locker is the best QB you’ve never heard of. He has a rocket arm and is developing nicely under Steve Sarkisian. Locker’s decision making has improved and he has evolved into a pass first quarterback Cleveland starts over with this pick.
3. Detroit Lions-Russell Okung-OT-Oklahoma St.-Detroit must address the offensive line, they have ignored it for too long. They must protect Matthew Stafford so he can actually get Calvin Johnson the ball.
4. Kansas City Chiefs-Gerald McCoy-DT-Oklahoma-The Chiefs have no identity on either side of the ball, they need to improve their defense to help keep them in games.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Carlos Dunlap-DE-Florida-A speed rusher the Buccaneers have been missing for quite some time, since Simeon Rice left.
6. Buffalo Bills-Eric Berry-S-Tennessee-He is a ball hawking safety who will step up and play the run. The Bills are likely to build around their defense and they get a steal here.
7. Oakland Raiders-Taylor Mays-S-Southern Cal-The Raiders finally wise up and don’t draft the fastest guy in the room. What they do draft is a “beast” who will make plays at the NFL level.
8. Washington Redskins-Sam Bradford-QB-Oklahoma-The Jason Campbell experiment is over in D.C., the team starts over with Bradford and new head coach Mike Shanahan, now if they could only get rid of Daniel Snyder.
9. Seattle Seahawks-C.J. Spiller-RB-Clemson-The Seahawks haven’t had a difference maker at the RB position since Shaun Alexander. Spiller is that difference maker for a team in need.
10. San Francisco 49ers-Trent Williams-OT-Oklahoma-The 49ers are looking for offensive line help and what’s better than a 6’5, 320 lb. lineman with great footwork.
11. San Francisco 49ers(from Carolina Panthers)-Rolando McClain-LB-Alabama-The 49ers grant Mike Singletary his wish and he gets his man in McClain who is smart and instinctive. McClain teamed with Patrick Willis is nastiness.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars-Joe Haden-CB-Florida-The team is booed out of Radio City Music Hall because it did not select Tim Tebow with this pick, instead they select the best corner in the draft, someone that will actually help their football team.
13. Miami Dolphins-Dez Bryant-WR-Oklahoma St.-The Dolphins are in need of a playmaker at wideout, they struck out on Ted Ginn Jr. with the 9th overall pick in 2007, this time they get their man.
14. Tennessee Titans-Everson Griffen-DE-Southern Cal-The Titans need alot of help both on offense and on defense. They haven’t had a dominant pass rusher since Jevon Kearse and they get younger on the defensive side of the ball with Griffen.
15. Green Bay Packers-Bryan Bulaga-OT-Iowa-The Packers would be wise to get an offensive lineman to help keep Aaron Rodgers upright throughout the season. Bulaga is a “lunch pale guy” who works hard and fits the Packers player profile.
16. New York Jets-Brandon Spikes-LB-Florida-The Jets are looking to get “nasty” on defense under head coach Rex Ryan and Spikes is the guy who fits the bill as he fits well into their 3-4 defense.
17. Houston Texans-Arrelious Benn-WR-Illinois-The Texans would be wise to get another playmaker in that offense to ligthen the burden on Andre Johnson. Benn is a guy who has flown under the radar this season because he plays on a horrible Illinois team.
18. San Diego Chargers-Jonathan Dwyer-RB-Georgia Tech-The end is near for LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers look to the immediate future and select the running back many think to be the best in the draft.
19. Atlanta Falcons-Sean Weatherspoon-OLB-Missouri-The Falcons will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball and Weatherspoon should contribute right away. He is a ready made NFL linebacker with great instincts.
20. Denver Broncos(from Chicago Bears)-Colt McCoy-QB-Texas-The Broncos select their QB of the future and take McCoy. While he doesn’t have the best arm strength, he is smart and intelligent with the football. He can also beat you with his legs.
21. Arizona Cardinals-Ciron Black-OT-Louisiana St.-The Cardinals need offensive line help and Black is the best available offensive lineman left, at 6’5, 315 lbs. he will aid in pass blocking and keep Kurt Warner or Matt Leinart upright.
22. New York Giants-Brandon Graham-DE/OLB-Michigan-This is the type of guy the Giants love to draft, a hybrid type that can play all over the field. He is versatile and will help an aging defense.
23. Philadelphia Eagles-Jason Pierre-Paul-DE-South Florida-Pierre-Paul is overshadowed by George Selvie, but make no mistake Pierre-Paul is a gifted pass rusher with sound technique.
24. Baltimore Ravens-Jermaine Gresham-TE-Oklahoma-The Ravens get the best tight end in the draft and look to the future after Todd Heap.
25. Dallas Cowboys-Jerry Hughes-DE/OLB-Texas Christian-Hughes is another “hybrid” defensive player and the Cowboys will look to utilize his skills on the line or on the outside.
26. Seattle Seahawks(from Denver Broncos)-Jimmy Clausen-QB-Notre Dame-The Seahawks select Clausen as their QB of the future and life after Matt Hasselbeck is not too far away. The Hawks can’t believe he fell this far.
27. Cincinnati Bengals-Derrick Morgan-Georgia Tech-DE/OLB-The Bengals will continue to look defense and Morgan fits nicely into their system. He is a “high motor guy” the type Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer love to coach up.
28. New England Patriots-Sergio Kindle-Texas-DE/OLB-The Patriots are in need of linebacker help, the phone calls to Junior Seau end with this pick. Kindle is a nice fit in the Patriots defense and if he can put his character issues behind him(crashed car into apartment, left scene of accident) then the Patriots get a steal here.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers-Jahvid Best-RB-California-The days of Willie Parker are over and the Steelers are looking for a compliment to Rashard Mendenhall. Best is a playmaker who is a threat everytime he touches the ball.
30. Minnesota Vikings-Patrick Robinson-CB-Florida St.-If there is one area in need of improvement on the Vikings defense this is it. Robinson will add youth and athleticism to a defensive backfield in need of a playmaker.
31. Indianapolis Colts-Greg Jones-LB-Michigan St.-Jones is a bit undersized(6’1, 230 lbs.), but he fits the Colts defensive system. He is a smart and instinctive tackling machine who has over 330 tackles in three seasons at Michigan St. The Colts value speed over size on the defensive side of the ball and Jones makes them better immediately.
32. New Orleans Saints-Terrence Cody-DT-Alabama-The Saints select the best nose tackle in the draft to anchor the middle of an improving defense. At 6’5, 365 lbs. he is a load and makes the Saints immediately better.
Before you send me hate mail on why I don’t have Tim Tebow of Florida in the mock I think it is important to see how he throws at the combine or at his pro day. I don’t think his game fits in the NFL, but that’s just me. I have heard Jon Gruden state that Tebow will revolutionize the quarterback position because of the “Wildcat” formation. It will be interesting to see what the final verdict on Tim Tebow is, I think if anyone was to revolutionize the quarterback position out of the “Wildcat” that person would be Michael Vick. Tebow reminds me of Matt Jones of Arkansas when he was there, minus the coke habit, meaning his speed doesn’t translate to the NFL. While he will go down as the best college football player ever, remember that Christian Laettner of Duke is widely regarded as the best college basketball player ever. How was his NBA career when all was said and done?
Let the hate mail begin….from Tebow fans as well as Laettner fans I guess. The Hood.
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