The start of the NFL free agency spending sprees mean one thing, the draft is right around the corner. Here is a look at the first round of our 2010 NFL Mock Draft that has been updated as of April 6, 2010.
1. St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford – QB Oklahoma
Even if I do not think it is the right move, Bradford will follow in Matt Stafford’s footsteps and be the overall first pick in the 2010 NFL draft. While some have the Rams picking him, do not be shocked if another team decides to trade up for the young arm.
2. Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh – DT Nebraska
The Lions added depth to their defensive line but still need someone who can throw a major wrench into the offense’s game plan. They brought in fellow Cornhusker Kyle Vanden Bosch to help mentor Suh and to terrorize the opposing quarterback.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Eric Berry – S Tennessee
If the NFL owners and scouts give any weight to Berry’s remarks about how they should ignore his position and draft the best football player, he may have a chance to go first overall. Instead the Bucs land him to help revamp their secondary.
4. Washington Redskins Russell Okung – T Oklahoma State
The Redskins addressed their quarterback position now need to turn their attention to their offensive line. Okung can and will be a premier tackle in the league and will anchor the line for years to come.
5. Kansas City Chiefs Trent Williams – T Oklahoma
The Chiefs will need someone to protect the investment they placed in quarterback Matt Cassel. He has the chance to be a player who can lock down the tackle position for years to come.
6. Seattle Seahawks Gerald McCoy – DT Oklahoma
The Seahawks will be pinching themselves when they find that McCoy drops into their lap by default. Barring any last minute trades, MCoy is going to be wrecking havoc on the inexperienced quarterbacks in the NFC West.
7. Cleveland Browns Joe Haden – CB Florida
Thanks to the improved 40 yard dash, Haden was able to show the NFL scouts he does have what he takes to be one of the best in the game. While this should be the obvious choice for the Browns, they could make the decision to select a quarterback.
8. Oakland Raiders Anthony Davis – T Rutgers
When a NFL franchise has so many incorrect draft selections at the skilled positions, you would think they would come back and pick a safe bet. Davis is the perfect example of a safe selection for the Raiders. Of course no one is quite sure what Raiders’ owner Al Davis will decide when it is draft day.
9. Buffalo Bills Jimmy Clausen – QB Notre Dame
While the jury is out on Clausen’s chances at the professional level, one thing is for sure, the Bills need help at the quarterback position. Though he may not light the world ablaze during his rookie season, Clausen should provide some stability for the Bills for the first time since Jim Kelly.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars Rolando McClain – LB Alabama
The Jaguars need help on and off the field. While some people think taking Tim Tebow this high is the right choice, the selection of McClain would be ideal for a team who needs someone who can take control of the defense and be a major disruptive force.
11. Denver Broncos Sergio Kindle – LB Texas
The Broncos would be smart by continuing to work on the defensive side of the ball. Kindle would be the perfect addition to their 3-4 defense. He has the ability to drop back into coverage or bring some serious pressure on the quarterback along with Elvis Dumervil.
12. Miami Dolphins Brian Price – DT UCLA
The Dolphins will be looking to fill the holes on their defense to help make sure it can stand up to the rigors of the AFC East. Price will give them a big body in the middle and allow him to gobble those who come within arm’s reach.
13. San Francisco 49ers Derrick Morgan – DE Georgia Tech
The 49ers had issues along the defensive line and can benefit greatly by adding a player like Morgan to the lineup. He would be the perfect solution to help inject aggression back into the 49ers pass rush.
14. Seattle Seahawks Dez Bryant – WR Oklahoma State
Despite what some say, the Seahawks did lose a solid option at wide receiver when they let Nate Burleson go. Bryant will find a home in Seattle despite the lackluster 40 time because of his size and soft hands.
15. New York Giants Carlos Dunlap – DE Florida
If it was not for Dunlap’s off the field problems, he would have been a sure fire top ten pick. Perfect for the Giants who need some help on their defensive side.
16. Tennessee Titans Everson Griffin -DE USC
The Titans need to find a pass rush from the end position, an area where they were sorely lacking in 2009. Griffin is the right fit for their 4-3 defense unless they find a linebacker more to their liking.
17. San Francisco 49ers Taylor Mays – S USC
While they may never admit it to the public, the 49ers will be gushing over Mays when they select him. Imagines of Ronnie Lott will be dancing in their heads while they hope he does not turn into another Roy Williams.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Iupati – OL Iowa
In 2009, the Steelers had issues protecting Ben Roethlisberger and developing a consistent running game. Iupati’s agility and nastiness would be the perfect addition to a Steelers’ offensive line.
19. Atlanta Falcons Brandon Graham – DE Michigan
Graham made scouts stand up and take notice with his MVP performance during the Senior Bowl. He should make an immediate impact for the Falcons who could use an extra push on the quarterback as they start the youth movement on defense.
20. Houston Texans Kyle Wilson – CB Boise State
The Texans do have some need in the secondary and Wilson’s ability to make plays and solid tackling will make him the perfect addition to a solid defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals Earl Thomas – S Texas
The Bengals’ already have a pair of solid corners and could easily seal up their secondary with the addition of Thomas. This would allow their front seven to remain aggressive and get after the quarterback.
22. New England Patriots Golden Tate – WR Notre Dame
The Patriots’ wide receiving core is starting to show some holes and Tate would be the perfect addition to fill them. They would make use of his speed and have him work under their top slot receiver, Wes Welker.
23. Green Bay Packers Bryan Buluga – T Iowa
The Packers know the future of their franchise depends on how long they can keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy. Selecting Buluga would make perfect sense for the tackle position.
24. Philadelphia Eagles Jerry Hughes – LB TCU
The Eagles need to find a way to increase the pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Hughes has a knack for making his presence known and would be right at home in the aggressive Eagles defensive scheme.
25. Baltimore Ravens Jermaine Gresham – TE Oklahoma
The Ravens have addressed their needs at the wide receiver spot but still need to find a replacement for the oft-injured Todd Heap. Gresham will fill in nicely in Baltimore.
26. Arizona Cardinals Ricky Sapp -LB Clemson
The Cardinals need to start a youth movement when it comes to their pass rushing specialists. Sapp is the ideal candidate for the 3-4 scheme and will fit in nicely in the Arizona desert, especially with the departure of Carlos Dansby.
27. Dallas Cowboys Bruce Campbell – T Maryland
While many are excited over the promise Campbell has shown in the months up to the 2010 NFL draft, he will be available to the Cowboys who are in need of help on the offensive line.
28. San Diego Chargers Dan Williams – DT Tennessee
The Chargers will use their first round selection on Williams who should nicely fill the void in the middle. They will bulk up their defensive line and address their running back spot in the later rounds.
29. New York Jets Damian Williams – WR USC
This season the Jets were on the cusp of making it to a Super Bowl and will be a force in 2010. Williams will bring his polished receiving skills to an offensive that will need to open up more if they are going to advance. They may look at CJ Spiller if Thomas Jones does not resign.
30. Minnesota Vikings Patrick Robinson – CB Florida State)
With the injury to Griffin during the 2009 season, the Vikings will be eager to add some young depth to the position. Robinson would be the perfect addition to the roster and has a solid cover skill set and will help shore up the porous pass defense.
31. Indianapolis Colts Jared Odrick – DT Penn State
Though the undersized Colts defense performed outstanding this year, you could not miss the lack of a stout interior tackle to shut down the opposing running game. Odrick fits the bill and should fit in nicely with the Colts aggressive defense.
32. New Orleans Saints Terrence Cody – DT Alabama
While there are some questions about his stamina and ability to play a full game, there is no denying the impact Cody can have in the trenches. He would be welcomed on the Saints’ defense line if he can remain motivated.
