SteveDeace
Well-Known Member
Pre-Free Agency 2010 NFL Mock Draft
1. St. Louis Rams
Anytime 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
The Tampa-2 defense requires a quarterback at the safety position, and Tennessee’s Eric Berry is not only the best safety prospect in the draft, he might be the best prospect in the draft—period.
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, except the best player available (Gerald McCoy) doesn’t fit the Chiefs’ 3-4 scheme. Therefore, they select 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 could go in a number of directions, but as a defensive guy there’s simply no way he’s going to say no to Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who most have rated as the second best overall prospect in the draft at this point.
7. Cleveland Browns
Unless someone in the second tier of quarterback prospects like Tim Tebow, Jevan Snead, or Colt McCoy 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
This is the most unviable franchise from an economic standpoint in the league at the moment. The Jaguars are solid team without a lot of weaknesses, but with really only one star player they struggle to break out of that 7-9 to 9-7 rut. Not to mention the fact they have the worst fan support in the NFL. They need a face, and a marketable star. Considering he played his college football in the same state, Florida’s Tim Tebow is exactly what they need to sell some tickets.
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
You can never have too many linebackers when running a 3-4, and Alabama’s Rolando McClain is a Bill Parcells type of player. He’s college coach is a former NFL head coach, he is a physical specimen, and he plays nasty.
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. So look for the best player available on that side of the ball to be the pick here. USC safety Taylor Mays is not only that player, but he also fills a glaring need.
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
The franchise’s top safety has durability issues, and the other two are free agents. That makes Texas’ Earl Thomas an attractive selection for a franchise that loves smart and physical football players.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Pass defense was atrocious for the Falcons last season, and cornerback is their number one overall need. Alabama’s Kareem Jackson came out early because he had a solid junior season and also because he saw a dearth of top talent at this coveted position. He made the right decision.
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 turnover in the Patriots’ linebacker corps continues. Penn State’s Navarro Bowman is a freakish athlete, with explosive speed.
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 play guard or tackle, 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 on both sides of the line of scrimmage with UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price.
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
When you surrender 90+ points in two playoff games it’s obvious you need help on defense. Outside linebacker Bertrand Berry isn’t getting any younger, which should make TCU’s Jerry Hughes an attractive option. Also, don’t be surprised of this is a quarterback should Kurt Warner retire. Matt Leinart was drafted by the previous coaching staff, and still hasn’t shown he’s prepared to be a franchise quarterback, especially for a team built to win now.
27. Dallas Cowboys
If you’re going to run a 3-4 defense, you need a dominant nose tackle. Man-mountain Terrance Cody of Alabama is just such a player.
28. San Diego Chargers
Darren Sproles is not an every down back, and LaDanian Tomlinson is on his last legs as a franchise tailback. Enter California running back Jahvid Best.
29. New York Jets
The other top flight, pure nose tackle prospect in the draft is Tennessee’s Dan Williams, and he’s the ideal fit for Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Depth at cornerback is needed, and Antoine Winfield isn’t getting any younger. The best available player at that position is Florida State’s Patrick Robinson.
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, Michigan’s Brandon Graham can provide depth for this season before moving into the starting lineup in 2011. This is a franchise that likes Big Ten players. Eight Big Ten alums have been on their roster this season alone.
Top 10 Prospects Still on the Board for Round Two
1. Jean Pierre-Paul, DE—South Florida
2. Everson Griffen, DE—USC
3. Golden Tate, WR—Notre Dame
4. Sergio Kindle, LB—Texas
5. Brandon Spikes, LB—Florida
6. Colt McCoy, QB—Texas
7. Sean Witherspoon, LB—Missouri
8. Damian Williams, WR—USC
9. Trent Williams, OT—Oklahoma
10. Brandon LaFell, WR—LSU
1. St. Louis Rams
Anytime 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
The Tampa-2 defense requires a quarterback at the safety position, and Tennessee’s Eric Berry is not only the best safety prospect in the draft, he might be the best prospect in the draft—period.
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, except the best player available (Gerald McCoy) doesn’t fit the Chiefs’ 3-4 scheme. Therefore, they select 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 could go in a number of directions, but as a defensive guy there’s simply no way he’s going to say no to Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who most have rated as the second best overall prospect in the draft at this point.
7. Cleveland Browns
Unless someone in the second tier of quarterback prospects like Tim Tebow, Jevan Snead, or Colt McCoy 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
This is the most unviable franchise from an economic standpoint in the league at the moment. The Jaguars are solid team without a lot of weaknesses, but with really only one star player they struggle to break out of that 7-9 to 9-7 rut. Not to mention the fact they have the worst fan support in the NFL. They need a face, and a marketable star. Considering he played his college football in the same state, Florida’s Tim Tebow is exactly what they need to sell some tickets.
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
You can never have too many linebackers when running a 3-4, and Alabama’s Rolando McClain is a Bill Parcells type of player. He’s college coach is a former NFL head coach, he is a physical specimen, and he plays nasty.
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. So look for the best player available on that side of the ball to be the pick here. USC safety Taylor Mays is not only that player, but he also fills a glaring need.
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
The franchise’s top safety has durability issues, and the other two are free agents. That makes Texas’ Earl Thomas an attractive selection for a franchise that loves smart and physical football players.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Pass defense was atrocious for the Falcons last season, and cornerback is their number one overall need. Alabama’s Kareem Jackson came out early because he had a solid junior season and also because he saw a dearth of top talent at this coveted position. He made the right decision.
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 turnover in the Patriots’ linebacker corps continues. Penn State’s Navarro Bowman is a freakish athlete, with explosive speed.
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 play guard or tackle, 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 on both sides of the line of scrimmage with UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price.
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
When you surrender 90+ points in two playoff games it’s obvious you need help on defense. Outside linebacker Bertrand Berry isn’t getting any younger, which should make TCU’s Jerry Hughes an attractive option. Also, don’t be surprised of this is a quarterback should Kurt Warner retire. Matt Leinart was drafted by the previous coaching staff, and still hasn’t shown he’s prepared to be a franchise quarterback, especially for a team built to win now.
27. Dallas Cowboys
If you’re going to run a 3-4 defense, you need a dominant nose tackle. Man-mountain Terrance Cody of Alabama is just such a player.
28. San Diego Chargers
Darren Sproles is not an every down back, and LaDanian Tomlinson is on his last legs as a franchise tailback. Enter California running back Jahvid Best.
29. New York Jets
The other top flight, pure nose tackle prospect in the draft is Tennessee’s Dan Williams, and he’s the ideal fit for Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Depth at cornerback is needed, and Antoine Winfield isn’t getting any younger. The best available player at that position is Florida State’s Patrick Robinson.
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, Michigan’s Brandon Graham can provide depth for this season before moving into the starting lineup in 2011. This is a franchise that likes Big Ten players. Eight Big Ten alums have been on their roster this season alone.
Top 10 Prospects Still on the Board for Round Two
1. Jean Pierre-Paul, DE—South Florida
2. Everson Griffen, DE—USC
3. Golden Tate, WR—Notre Dame
4. Sergio Kindle, LB—Texas
5. Brandon Spikes, LB—Florida
6. Colt McCoy, QB—Texas
7. Sean Witherspoon, LB—Missouri
8. Damian Williams, WR—USC
9. Trent Williams, OT—Oklahoma
10. Brandon LaFell, WR—LSU
