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2010 Draft: Early Contenders
by Jody Jamieson
2/9/2009
I’ve always been a bit of a believer that mock drafts get done way too early, and you can find many 2010 mocks and even some for 2011 if you fancy some of that. Now I won’t be doing that because quite frankly, too many people will get a little upset and defensive when I project their teams to be picking in the top 5 next April. Maybe I’ll do a mock before the regular season ends for the fun of it, even if I think it’s too much of a stretch.
I have rooting interests in the college game and little patience for some of the weird and wacky offenses (my intense hatred of the triple option is a rant for another time) but it can be great to watch. The main reason for my interest is my love of the draft and the future stars. So if you’re not familiar with some of the best prospects to look out for before the start of the college season, then it’s time for a little preview.
Draft stock is a funny thing that goes up and down on the most minute thing. That again is another rant for another time, but because of that, don’t be surprised to see some relative unknowns break out and become first rounder, while some of the current “sure things” (yet another rant for another time, I’ve discovered a lot of pent up frustration in the last 10 minutes) may disappear in 09 and become mid to late-rounders who never make it past the practice squad.
So if you are unfamiliar with the names to look out for, I have a list of 10 of the top prospects eligible for the 2010 Draft. I’ll be profiling more as the season moves on before the coverage begins in earnest in January.
1. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Safeties with Eric Berry’s ability don’t come up in the Draft too often. Sure things don’t exist in the NFL Draft, but Berry is the closest thing to that, which makes him my number one prospect. Berry is an elite prospect with the ability to change a game from the safety position. Having Monte Kiffin as his defensive co-ordinator at Tennessee will be a massive deal for Berry. You can be sure Berry will be NFL ready from the get go. I find it hard to believe a safety will be the first pick, but Berry is such a great prospect that’s he’s worth the consideration.
2. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
 Bradford is one of my favourite QB prospects of the last 10 years, and I feel there’s no doubt that if he’d declared for the 2009 NFL Draft, Mark Sanchez would still be at USC. I think even though he was a redshirt sophomore, he is a better prospect than both Sanchez and Matthew Stafford. I do worry that spending another year in college will have a Brady Quinn like effect on him, but he’s a talented quarterback who could be the 1st overall pick next April. A great leader with a good NFL arm, Bradford is my favourite draft prospect at quarterback since Carson Palmer.
3. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
2010 is not likely to have the first round depth at left tackle that the last 2 years have had, but Okung is a great talent. There are still a few too many kinks in his technique, but he’s got the whole season to improve and establish himself as a Top 5 pick next April. Expect Okung to be a starting left tackle in Week 1 of 2010.
4. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
If you have seen the Sooners play defense, then you know who McCoy is. McCoy was absolutely destructive in 2008. McCoy will likely spend most of 2009 ruining plays in the backfield and if anyone doesn’t know his name, they’ll find out soon enough. McCoy is my early frontrunner to be the first defensive tackle off the board next April, but as you’ll see, there’s an impressive cast looking to overtake.
5. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Where do you want Suh to play? DT in a 4-3? A stud. DE in a 3-4? Absolutely. Nose tackle in a 3-4? Maybe doesn’t have the preferred size, but he could adapt. Suh is a rare talent on the defensive line with the versatility to help his stock out even more.
EN-DOM-A-KEN is the pronunciation of his Christian name, just for the record.
6. Taylor Mays, S, USC
 Some people see Mays as a top five pick, but I think that overrates him a little. His sheer size makes him an interesting prospect at safety. My one question about him staying in college was the fact that he throws himself around like a madman and I worry that he could injure himself with his reckless abandonment, but football is a dangerous game as it is. Mays is likely a lock for the first round assuming he stays injury free.
7. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham was another one who could have declared for the Draft, but decided to stick with the Sooners for 2009 before entering the 2010 Draft. Brandon Pettigrew was my favourite tight end in 09 due to his excellent combination of receiving and blocking. Gresham doesn’t offer too much in the blocking game, but is one of the more dynamic pass catching tight ends you’ll find.
8. Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
The defensive tackle rankings will be very interesting for this draft with Suh and McCoy the early frontrunners to be the first two taken. Terrence Cody is another magnificent prospect who is likely a first round pick and could very easily overtake the other two as the countdown to April progresses. While McCoy and Suh project best to a 4-3, Cody is your quintessential nose tackle in a 3-4. Cody’s size and strength will demand the double team at the next level.
9. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Dunlap is a monster. A guy with his size, strength and speed is rare in a 4-3 defensive end. Dunlap has a chance to be a Top 3 pick with his skill set, but still has some work to do. He can disappear in games a little too often, but with further refinement in 2009, Dunlap can become an excellent pass rusher on Sundays when his time comes.
10. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
I love Weatherspoons ability. He’s not likely to be a top 10 pick, but he’s a true playmaker as a WILL linebacker in a 4-3 with the ability to play SAM if needed. If anyone on this list has the potential to tank I guess it’s Weatherspoon due to his boom or bust potential, but it’s that potential that makes him worth looking out for.
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