SteveDeace
Well-Known Member
Post Senior Bowl 2010 NFL Mock Draft
1. St. Louis Rams
Whenever you don’t have a franchise quarterback and you have the #1 pick in the draft, you almost always have to pick one. The Rams need to reinvent their franchise, and that requires a new face at the forefront. Can the Rams afford to invest heavily in another top five pick at defensive line after selecting Chris Long just a few years ago? I don’t think so. Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen has gotten three years of NFL-style coaching from Charlie Weis, has a quick release combined with a strong arm, and played superbly this year for a mediocre Irish squad.
2. Detroit Lions
Matt Millen spent so many first round picks on the offensive side of the football that the defense is the least talented in the NFL. Now that the Lions have their franchise quarterback, you know the defensive-minded Jim Schwartz will turn to his side of the football so it won’t take long for Detroit to call in the name of Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh once they’re on the clock.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Suh might be the best player in the draft, but Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is actually better suited for the Tampa-2 defense, which requires getting pressure on the quarterback from your front four. McCoy could be the second coming of Warren Sapp.
4. Washington Redskins
It’s no secret the Redskins have been trying to get an alternative to Jason Campbell at quarterback for two years now. New Coach Mike Shanahan will finally find his man in Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, whose mobility and accuracy should be a good fit for his offensive system.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
This franchise needs help pretty much everywhere but quarterback, so Scott Pioli is probably looking at the best player available, and at this point that player is Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, whose addition would give Matt Cassell a security blanket and shore up the offensive line.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll would be tickled pink to get Tennessee safety Eric Berry with this pick, since several scouts have him rated the best overall player in the draft.
7. Cleveland Browns
Unless someone in the second tier of quarterback prospects emerges as the scouting season rolls on, it’s too early to reach for a quarterback here for a franchise that needs help on defense. The best defensive player remaining on the board is shutdown Florida cornerback Joe Haden.
8. Oakland Raiders
The last time Al Davis went for size over speed he selected Robert Gallery as the No. 2 pick in the draft. Gallery didn’t turn out to be a franchise left tackle, but he is a serviceable guard. That leaves a void for a franchise left tackle that Maryland’s Bruce Campbell will fill.
9. Buffalo Bills
One of the worst offensive lines in the league got its quarterbacks destroyed by surrendering 46 sacks last season. The best offensive lineman left on the board is Rutgers’ Anthony Davis.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
There is some talk of the Jaguars going to a 3-4 defense next season. If that’s true they need depth at linebacker, and the best prospect at that position in the draft is Alabama’s Rolando McClain.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears)
Remember how the Broncos were down to three wide receivers on their roster for the final game of the season with a playoff berth on the line? Throw in the fact their best wide receiver is a head case and it’s easy to forecast Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant being the pick.
12. Miami Dolphins
Bill Parcells has drafted six linebackers in the first round in his career as a general manager. You can never have too many linebackers when running a 3-4, and perhaps the most athletic one in the draft is Penn State’s Navarro Bowman.
13. San Francisco 49ers
The missing ingredient for Mike Singletary on defense is an edge pass-rusher, and the top player left on the board there is Florida’s Carlos Dunlap, who has top-10 type of ability but you have to wonder about his maturity after he was suspended from the SEC Championship for a driving under the influence after 2 a.m. just days before the Gators’ biggest game of the year.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)
The Seahawks lack playmakers, and Pete Carroll had plenty of those while at USC. None better than Reggie Bush, and the closest thing to Bush in this draft is Clemson running back C.J. Spiller.
15. New York Giants
If you saw the Giants down the stretch you know they need help everywhere on defense. Giants’ defensive tackles combined for just 4.5 sacks last season. UCLA’s Brian Price had seven sacks and 23.5 tackles-for-loss last season, so he could be the sort of disruptive force the franchise needs.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jeff Fisher never could replace Albert Haynesworth, and the lack of pressure the Titans put on opposing quarterbacks is why they had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan provides some needed explosiveness off the edge.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers)
With their need for a pass rusher already satisfied, the 49ers now turn to what’s next on their shopping list—finding a franchise tackle to bolster their offensive line. The best available is Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga, the latest in a long and recent line of excellent Hawkeye linemen.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Two of the Steelers’ top three safeties are free agents. That makes USC’s Taylor Mays an attractive option team to team with another former Trojan All-American in the defensive backfield.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Pass defense was atrocious for the Falcons last season, and cornerback is their number one overall need. Perhaps no player improved their stock at the Senior Bowl more than Boise State’s Kyle Wilson.
20. Houston Texans
Between Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats the Texans aren’t sure they have a franchise tailback on the roster. Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer has great explosiveness and is also a physical runner.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense is salty, and the Bengals had one of the better running games in the league, too. What they lack are playmakers to surround Carson Palmer with. In Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham they’re not just getting Palmer a playmaker, but also a security blanket.
22. New England Patriots
The Patriots still haven’t replaced Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork isn’t happy about his contract. Tennessee’s Dan Williams can probably play all three of the defensive line positions in New England’s 3-4 scheme.
23. Green Bay Packers
Obviously a team that gave up the most sacks in the NFL needs help at offensive line. Idaho’s Mike Iupati can perhaps play all five positions on the offensive line, so his flexibility is just what the Packers need.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Last year the Eagles broke tendency and went for playmakers. This year, with no real glaring weaknesses, they’ll revert back to stockpiling talent that can rush and protect the passer with Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham, the MVP of the Senior Bowl.
25. Baltimore Ravens
It’s time for the Ravens to put some more weapons around Joe Flacco. Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn is one of the most physically gifted players in this draft, but has maturity issues. Yet that’s just the type of player this franchise has specialized in developing.
26. Arizona Cardinals
At no point in his career has Matt Leinart demonstrated that he is capable of leading a franchise. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has all the intangibles Leinart doesn’t possess for a franchise that now has a major void at quarterback with the retirement of Kurt Warner.
27. Dallas Cowboys
The offensive line was exposed in the playoff loss at Minnesota, and Flozell Adams is getting long in the tooth. Enter Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams.
28. San Diego Chargers
Nose tackle Jamal Williams will be 34 years old in April. The Chargers couldn’t get the big run stop they needed in the playoff loss to the Jets. They need to get more physical. I know there are concerns about the bulging waist line of Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody, but his former teammate Andre Smith had similar concerns last year and he was still a top 10 pick.
29. New York Jets
Although the Jets had the best defense in the NFL this season, they were more consistent than disruptive on that side of the ball. They need more explosive playmakers like Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson only had one 100-yard rushing effort in the final nine games of the season, and pretty much every spot on the offensive line not currently belonging to Steve Hutchinson could use depth. Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey can play all three of the interior line positions.
31. New Orleans Saints
The Saints need to get more physical on defense, especially against the run. Penn State’s Jared Odrick might just be the sort of anchor they’re looking for.
32. Indianapolis Colts
With two defensive ends hitting free agency after 2010, USC’s Everson Griffen can provide depth for this season before moving into the starting lineup in 2011.
Top 10 Prospects Still on the Board for Round Two
1. Sean Witherspoon, LB—Missouri
2. Jerry Hughes, OLB—TCU
3. Jean Pierre-Paul, DE—South Florida
4. Earl Thomas, S—Texas
5. Golden Tate, WR—Notre Dame
6. Jahvid Best, RB—California
7. Kareem Jackson, CB—Alabama
8. Brandon Spikes, LB—Florida
9. Damian Williams, WR—USC
10. Patrick Robinson, CB—Florida State
Mock Draft will be updated again after the Combine.
1. St. Louis Rams
Whenever you don’t have a franchise quarterback and you have the #1 pick in the draft, you almost always have to pick one. The Rams need to reinvent their franchise, and that requires a new face at the forefront. Can the Rams afford to invest heavily in another top five pick at defensive line after selecting Chris Long just a few years ago? I don’t think so. Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen has gotten three years of NFL-style coaching from Charlie Weis, has a quick release combined with a strong arm, and played superbly this year for a mediocre Irish squad.
2. Detroit Lions
Matt Millen spent so many first round picks on the offensive side of the football that the defense is the least talented in the NFL. Now that the Lions have their franchise quarterback, you know the defensive-minded Jim Schwartz will turn to his side of the football so it won’t take long for Detroit to call in the name of Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh once they’re on the clock.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Suh might be the best player in the draft, but Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is actually better suited for the Tampa-2 defense, which requires getting pressure on the quarterback from your front four. McCoy could be the second coming of Warren Sapp.
4. Washington Redskins
It’s no secret the Redskins have been trying to get an alternative to Jason Campbell at quarterback for two years now. New Coach Mike Shanahan will finally find his man in Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, whose mobility and accuracy should be a good fit for his offensive system.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
This franchise needs help pretty much everywhere but quarterback, so Scott Pioli is probably looking at the best player available, and at this point that player is Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, whose addition would give Matt Cassell a security blanket and shore up the offensive line.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll would be tickled pink to get Tennessee safety Eric Berry with this pick, since several scouts have him rated the best overall player in the draft.
7. Cleveland Browns
Unless someone in the second tier of quarterback prospects emerges as the scouting season rolls on, it’s too early to reach for a quarterback here for a franchise that needs help on defense. The best defensive player remaining on the board is shutdown Florida cornerback Joe Haden.
8. Oakland Raiders
The last time Al Davis went for size over speed he selected Robert Gallery as the No. 2 pick in the draft. Gallery didn’t turn out to be a franchise left tackle, but he is a serviceable guard. That leaves a void for a franchise left tackle that Maryland’s Bruce Campbell will fill.
9. Buffalo Bills
One of the worst offensive lines in the league got its quarterbacks destroyed by surrendering 46 sacks last season. The best offensive lineman left on the board is Rutgers’ Anthony Davis.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
There is some talk of the Jaguars going to a 3-4 defense next season. If that’s true they need depth at linebacker, and the best prospect at that position in the draft is Alabama’s Rolando McClain.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears)
Remember how the Broncos were down to three wide receivers on their roster for the final game of the season with a playoff berth on the line? Throw in the fact their best wide receiver is a head case and it’s easy to forecast Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant being the pick.
12. Miami Dolphins
Bill Parcells has drafted six linebackers in the first round in his career as a general manager. You can never have too many linebackers when running a 3-4, and perhaps the most athletic one in the draft is Penn State’s Navarro Bowman.
13. San Francisco 49ers
The missing ingredient for Mike Singletary on defense is an edge pass-rusher, and the top player left on the board there is Florida’s Carlos Dunlap, who has top-10 type of ability but you have to wonder about his maturity after he was suspended from the SEC Championship for a driving under the influence after 2 a.m. just days before the Gators’ biggest game of the year.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)
The Seahawks lack playmakers, and Pete Carroll had plenty of those while at USC. None better than Reggie Bush, and the closest thing to Bush in this draft is Clemson running back C.J. Spiller.
15. New York Giants
If you saw the Giants down the stretch you know they need help everywhere on defense. Giants’ defensive tackles combined for just 4.5 sacks last season. UCLA’s Brian Price had seven sacks and 23.5 tackles-for-loss last season, so he could be the sort of disruptive force the franchise needs.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jeff Fisher never could replace Albert Haynesworth, and the lack of pressure the Titans put on opposing quarterbacks is why they had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan provides some needed explosiveness off the edge.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers)
With their need for a pass rusher already satisfied, the 49ers now turn to what’s next on their shopping list—finding a franchise tackle to bolster their offensive line. The best available is Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga, the latest in a long and recent line of excellent Hawkeye linemen.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Two of the Steelers’ top three safeties are free agents. That makes USC’s Taylor Mays an attractive option team to team with another former Trojan All-American in the defensive backfield.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Pass defense was atrocious for the Falcons last season, and cornerback is their number one overall need. Perhaps no player improved their stock at the Senior Bowl more than Boise State’s Kyle Wilson.
20. Houston Texans
Between Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats the Texans aren’t sure they have a franchise tailback on the roster. Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer has great explosiveness and is also a physical runner.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense is salty, and the Bengals had one of the better running games in the league, too. What they lack are playmakers to surround Carson Palmer with. In Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham they’re not just getting Palmer a playmaker, but also a security blanket.
22. New England Patriots
The Patriots still haven’t replaced Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork isn’t happy about his contract. Tennessee’s Dan Williams can probably play all three of the defensive line positions in New England’s 3-4 scheme.
23. Green Bay Packers
Obviously a team that gave up the most sacks in the NFL needs help at offensive line. Idaho’s Mike Iupati can perhaps play all five positions on the offensive line, so his flexibility is just what the Packers need.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Last year the Eagles broke tendency and went for playmakers. This year, with no real glaring weaknesses, they’ll revert back to stockpiling talent that can rush and protect the passer with Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham, the MVP of the Senior Bowl.
25. Baltimore Ravens
It’s time for the Ravens to put some more weapons around Joe Flacco. Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn is one of the most physically gifted players in this draft, but has maturity issues. Yet that’s just the type of player this franchise has specialized in developing.
26. Arizona Cardinals
At no point in his career has Matt Leinart demonstrated that he is capable of leading a franchise. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has all the intangibles Leinart doesn’t possess for a franchise that now has a major void at quarterback with the retirement of Kurt Warner.
27. Dallas Cowboys
The offensive line was exposed in the playoff loss at Minnesota, and Flozell Adams is getting long in the tooth. Enter Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams.
28. San Diego Chargers
Nose tackle Jamal Williams will be 34 years old in April. The Chargers couldn’t get the big run stop they needed in the playoff loss to the Jets. They need to get more physical. I know there are concerns about the bulging waist line of Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody, but his former teammate Andre Smith had similar concerns last year and he was still a top 10 pick.
29. New York Jets
Although the Jets had the best defense in the NFL this season, they were more consistent than disruptive on that side of the ball. They need more explosive playmakers like Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson only had one 100-yard rushing effort in the final nine games of the season, and pretty much every spot on the offensive line not currently belonging to Steve Hutchinson could use depth. Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey can play all three of the interior line positions.
31. New Orleans Saints
The Saints need to get more physical on defense, especially against the run. Penn State’s Jared Odrick might just be the sort of anchor they’re looking for.
32. Indianapolis Colts
With two defensive ends hitting free agency after 2010, USC’s Everson Griffen can provide depth for this season before moving into the starting lineup in 2011.
Top 10 Prospects Still on the Board for Round Two
1. Sean Witherspoon, LB—Missouri
2. Jerry Hughes, OLB—TCU
3. Jean Pierre-Paul, DE—South Florida
4. Earl Thomas, S—Texas
5. Golden Tate, WR—Notre Dame
6. Jahvid Best, RB—California
7. Kareem Jackson, CB—Alabama
8. Brandon Spikes, LB—Florida
9. Damian Williams, WR—USC
10. Patrick Robinson, CB—Florida State
Mock Draft will be updated again after the Combine.
