Wednesday, March 10, 2010

MOCK DRAFT V 1.0

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
I may be the only one still sold on Suh as a can't-miss, sure-fire number one overall pick. The Rams need a defensive stopper in the middle of the front seven, and Suh is that guy. He's an all-world talent with tremendous athleticism. Think about teams that have had great defenses. The Ravens had Tony Siragusa and now Haloti Ngata; the Titans struggled after losing Albert Haynwsworth; the Bucs of the past had Warren Sapp clogging up the middle; the dominant Pats had Vince Wilfork. You get the idea. It makes no sense to me to draft either QB at number one overall. Sam Bradford's shoulder still concerns me, and Jimmy Clausen isn't the number one pick. Suh is going to be a stud at the next level.

2. DETROIT LIONS: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
I already made my case for drafting a start DT and putting him directly into your lineup. The Lions D would get an immediate boost from adding McCoy. How good is he? Some have him rated higher than Suh. Enough said.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Bucs are hoping either Suh or McCoy falls to them, but if not, Okung should be their guy. He has the skills to be a stud offensive tackle for years in the league, one who can help protect Josh Freeman.

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
As much as the Bucs want a DT, the 'Skins want an OT. But if they can't grab Okung, why not Berry? He's the top safety in the draft with a phenomenal skill and the ability to start from day one. I don't see Washington taking a QB. I get the feeling head coach Mike Shanahan will give Jason Campbell one more try.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
KC needs help along the offensive line in a big way. Davis is a top-tier tackle with great size.

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think Clausen is going to make a better QB than Bradford. That being said, Pete Carroll and company need a QB of the future and Clausen is their man.

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
The Browns' offensive fire sale continues, and if they dump Brady Quinn, who knows? It could be Bradford here. But Eric Mangini is a defensive coach, and PIerre-Paul is the top DE available.

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Raiders need an OT and might reach here, especially if Okung and Davis are gone. Bulaga is the next best tackle available. Oakland could draft Bradford here, but Al Davis seems to love JaMarcus Russell and they'll probably give him another shot.

9. BUFFALO BILLS: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
No Aaron Rodgers here. Bradford will go in the top 10, that is almost certain. Buffalo needs a QB with that position a big question: Is Trent Edwards healthy? Is Ryan Fitzpatrick good enough? Brian Brohm? No, Bradford.

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Thomas is primarily a safety but he's versatile - he can play CB too. Jacksonville needs a ton of help on defense, and the Jags will start here in the first round.

11. DENVER BRONCOS (from CHI): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Even if Brandon Marshall stays, Denver still needs another receiver to play opposite him. Bryant is the top man in this class.

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The Dolphins need a DT after the Jason Ferguson news came down, and Odrick is a big player. He can play DT and DE, helping Miami in multiple situations.

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The 49ers have a number of positions of need, but tackle is at the top. Williams is a big player with great skills.

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from DEN): Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
This would be a dream scenario for the Seahawks: Grab a franchise QB with their first pick, then take a stud pass rusher with their second.

15. NEW YORK GIANTS: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
The Giants defense fell apart at times last year, and McClain could end up being the best defensive player in this draft outside of Suh and McCoy.

16. TENNESSEE TITANS: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden's stock slipped a bit after the Combine, but he didn't get near the top of big boards by accident. He's a solid cover corner, and he would be a great addition to the Titans' defense.

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from CAR): Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
This would also be a dream scenario for the Niners: addressing two of their biggest needs in the first round. OT at 13, and now a big-time LB at 17.

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays is another guy whose stock has fallen tremendously, but he's a gifted athlete and an imposing figure. He could provide the Steelers with an imposing figure at a safety or, possibly, as a linebacker.

19. ATLANTA FALCONS: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen has the potential to be a consistent 10-sack player in the league for years. He's that good when he's on his game.

20. HOUSTON TEXANS: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Texans need a steady running back who can carry a big workload. Spiller can run, catch out of the backfield and do everything the Texans need him to. He's a very versatile back.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
If the Bengals don't add T.O., they'll add another downfield target in Benn. They also have a number of needs on defense, but for now, it's Benn.

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
The Patriots are getting old on defense, and Graham is a hybrid player who can wreak havoc in the backfield.

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Wilson would be a steal at 22. He's an underrated corner with big-play potential.

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap is another guy who started high on draft boards and has since fallen. But he's a talented player with a solid skill set.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Tate is very underrated as a playmaker. He can play receiver, running back, throw the ball and return punts and kicks. He would be a nice complement to Anquan Boldin.

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
The Cardinals need a replacement for Boldin, and Thomas is a big, physical receiver who has a knack for the big play. He would be a great addition to play with Larry Fitzgerald.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
What a steal for Dallas. Williams is regarded as a top 15 pick on a lot of boards, and he's an excellent DT. He can make an immediate impact for the Cowboys defense.

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
With the departure of LT, the Chargers need another big-play back. Best is an explosive runner with breakaway speed and he can catch out of the backfield.

29. NEW YORK JETS: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
If a stud pass rusher isn't available at 29, the Jets have the luxury of being able to add offensive line depth. Iupati is a big guard who could learn well under Alan Faneca.

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price is another underrated player. He's a talented DT and would fit right in to the Minnesota defense.

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Colts need some help along the offensive line, and Campbell is a big tackle. He provides depth and could start as a rookie.

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
New Orleans could use some depth in the secondary, and McCourty is the best cornerback available at this spot.

TOP PLAYERS AVAILABLE:
Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

2 comments:

  1. You think the Steelers would go with Mays even though they have Polamalu? That would be a scary safety combo. And Dez Bryant with Brandon Marshall would be one of the best and most drama filled 1-2 options in recent memory lol. Good stuff Grant.

    KT.

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  2. What I want to know is where do you think Tebow will go. Don'tlike Iupati for the Jets. G is like 5th on their list of needs right now behind S, DT, pass rushing LB/DE, possibly RB depending on what shakes out with Leon. I also think Iupati holds too much. I would like Damian Williams at 29 if the other top WRs aren't there or maybe even if they are.

    Another note Ravens are stacked at WR now with Anquan Boldin and they just re-signed Derrick Mason. Absolutely not the right position for them to draft this year. They have needs in the defensive backfield with Ed Reed nearing the end of his career.

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