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 NCAA Scouting
Doc’s 2010 1st Round Mock Draft V2.0
Updated 30th March 2010
by Paul Hopkins
30/3/2010
1. St Louis Rams Sam Bradford QB – Oklahoma
It seems all but inevitable now as we enter April that Bradford is the Rams’ chosen player as the face of their franchise. He better prove to be worth it given some of the talent being overlooked as they seek to get their quarterback for the next decade.
2. Detroit Lions Gerard McCoy DT Oklahoma
Perhaps a bit of a surprise but truth be told the Lions can’t go wrong with who they pick here. The Lions showed last year under Jim Schwartz that they are progressing. Picking up McCoy here continues the rebuilding. Two Sooners at the top of the draft.
 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
The Bucs will be laughing all the way if 22nd April plays out like this. Arguably the top talent in the draft, and at #3? They’ll have some of that.
4. Washington Redskins Jimmy Clausen – QB Notre Dame
Clausen has his doubters in several departments. But Mike Shanahan knows how to develop quarterbacks and Clausen has worked under Charlie Weis for three years in a pro style system. There’s enough there to convince the Skins that he can lead their turnaround.
5. Kansas City Chiefs Eric Berry S Tennessee
The Chiefs have many holes to fill but if Berry falls into their lap at #5 they won’t hesitate to snap him up. Under a Head Coach with a background in coaching the secondary he will provide the leadership this defence, which is still searching for its own identity, needs.
6. Seattle Seahawks Russell Okung T Oklahoma State
Popular thought a month ago was that Pete Carroll would look if possible to acquire a QB in this spot. Well now he has his quarterback for this season and for the future, in Charlie Whitehurst, so he needs someone to protect them as the Hawks line is increasingly porous. Okung fits the bill.
7. Cleveland Browns Joe Haden CB Florida
Cleveland, like the Chiefs have an awful lot of holes to fill and whilst his stock in the draft has been the source of much debate in recent weeks after the combine and his pro day, Haden is still by far the most talented cornerback in the draft. It wouldn’t completely amaze me if Dez Bryant or even Rolando McClain is given strong consideration here.
8. Oakland Raiders Anthony Davis T Rutgers
Perfect pick here for the Raiders. They’ve spent a lot of picks in recent years on offensive skill players, but still fail to have progressed. Davis arguably has the biggest upside of all the offensive tackles in this year’s class, but needs a lot of motivation and needs to mature. But the measurable are there meaning Al can’t resist.
9. Buffalo Bills Dan Williams NT Tennessee
The Bills will probably look to see if they can trade up for a quarterback but will likely have to stick and take a NT to anchor the 3-4 defence they are evolving towards. Nose tackles are hard to come by so it remains a good pick.
 10. Jacksonville Jaguars Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
The Jaguars have spent a lot of draft picks on the defensive line in recent years with minimal returns. They may have acquired Aaron Kampman from the Packers but still need more. Morgan is head and shoulders above the other ends in the draft. It’s a can’t miss pick.
11. Denver Broncos Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
They’ve still, at the time of writing got Brandon Marshall and it’s still eminently feasible that he will be traded before the draft. Rolando McClain will also probably get a strong consideration but at this point, Bryant’s obvious ability is too good to pass over.
12. Miami Dolphins Rolando McClain ILB Alabama
Miami probably have a draft board very similar to the Broncos right before them, so if Denver take McClain then expect them to give strong consideration to Bryant. That would not be a guarantee given Bill Parcells love-hate relationship with wide receivers. But one thing is for sure; Bill Parcells simply loves drafting linebackers, and so he continues that trend again this year.
13. San Francisco 49ers Trent Williams T- Oklahoma
Another Sooner goes in the first round. The Niners need to upgrade their offensive line and are looking to find a complementary back to ease some of the load on Frank Gore’s back. The more pressing need wins out as they take the mauling Williams, and hope that CJ Spiller is there when they return to the podium in a few picks time.
 14. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller RB Clemson
But those dreams are dashed instantly by their NFC West rivals. Pete Carroll has his quarterback, he’s taken someone to protect him and now he has the draft’s biggest playmaker. Spiller is a perfect role model and offers a big play threat whenever he has the ball. Carroll loves to run the football too so expect him causing much pain for the Niners’ after their gamble to hope he was there at #18.
15. New York Giants Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
We’re now starting to get into the territory where trades become much more possible and indeed likely as teams look to move up. The Giants fell away last season as their defence, of which a lot was anticipated failed to materialise. Dunlap has the pedigree and talent to come in on the rotation and make an impact from the off.
16. Tennessee Titans Jason Pierre Paul DE South Florida
He has only played one season in college but this guy is arguably the most physically gifted athlete in the draft. The Titans, after losing Albert Haynesworth and now Kyle vanden Bosch need to upgrade their pass rush. Don’t be amazed if Sergio Kindle is given strong consideration also, particularly given the Titans’ liking for a Longhorn or two.
17. San Francisco 49ers Earl Thomas S Texas
The Niners come back on the clock after the Spiller gamble fails to pay off. But they hit as big a home run with probably one of the best value picks in this first round. Thomas offers play-making ability, great talent and room to develop further as a player.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers Brian Bulaga T – Iowa
Whatever happens with Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers know that they absolutely must protect their quarterback better. Bulaga is big, strong and nasty. Your typical Steelers offensive lineman then.
19. Atlanta Falcons Brandon Graham DE Michigan
The Falcons are probably mightily disappointed that Thomas didn’t drop to them, but they remain focused on defence. With no other player in the secondary proving real value at #20, they look to give John Abraham some support in the pass rush department. Graham offers that.
20. Houston Texans Ryan Matthews RB Fresno State
The Texans need a running back. They’ve needed one for some time truth be told. They made no effort to bring LaDainian Tomlinson back to Texas, which leads you to suspect that they have their gaze firmly fixed on Matthews. He’s a workhorse, can carry the load and is possibly the pick that could lead the Texans into the post-season finally.
21. Cincinnati Bengals Taylor Mays S USC
Another player like Joe Haden who has seen his stock tumble. He plays like a linebacker but is really a safety. Many people might be put off him, but not the Bengals and Marvin Lewis. Either way, the Bengals have an affinity with their USC Trojans and despite all the hot air talked about Mays, take him here.
 22. New England Patriots Sergio Kindle OLB – Texas
The Patriots draft record has been a bit hit and miss in recent years. And the defence still needs some significant investment. Pass rush is a position of need. Kindle is very similar to last year’s Texas’ graduate, Brian Orakpo and could have a similar impact. Small concerns over character issues will come into play, but in New England he has the chance to learn and mature.
23. Green Bay Packers Kyle Wilson CB Boise State
Al Harris and Charles Woodson are not getting any younger despite continuing to impress heavily. Wilson has seen his stock rise considerably in recent months. He is a top drawer athlete and a playmaker to boot.
24. Philadelphia Eagles Mike Iupati G Idaho
After ending the season with consecutive thumpings at the hands of the Cowboys, the Eagles go back to basics. When Jamaal Jackson went down the line suffered considerably. Andy Reid likes his offensive linemen in the draft and Iupati could slot right in from day one.
25. Baltimore Ravens Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
A fourth Sooner in the first round. The Ravens may have already added Anquan Boldin but still need to give Joe Flacco more options. Another wide receiver is not complexly out of the question as is adding some depth in the secondary. But Gresham is the best tight end in the 2010 class and with just Todd Heap really here, the Ravens can’t miss on this pick.
26. Arizona Cardinals Bruce Campbell T Maryland
The Cardinals were probably giving consideration to boosting their pass rush given the departures suffered this off-season. But after adding Joey Porter they can begin to look at boosting that offensive line for either Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson to play behind. Campbell is a workout warrior who really could go anywhere in this first round and even well down into the second. But with the tackle pool thin on the ground at this point, the Cardinals take the gamble.
27. Dallas Cowboys Maurkice Pouncey – C/G Florida
Whilst the Cowboys will probably look at tackles throughout the draft, they do need to think about depth and improving quality on the interior of the offensive line given the collective age of the current incumbents. Pouncey offers flexibility and quality in two positions that the Cowboys are seriously lacking back-up. Eventually he would get to start.
 28. San Diego Chargers Terrence Cody NT – Alabama
I have very grave issues over this pick. Given that the two major needs for the Chargers are running back and nose tackle, if the draft plays out like this there is a very definite possibility of a trade out such is the lack of value on offer. Cody struggles with his weight and potentially has bust written all over him. That being said, the possibility that he could anchor the line for years might force AJ Smith’s hand.
29. New York Jets Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech
The Jets have upgraded all over this off-season displaying their new aggressive stance under Rex Ryan. Whilst Thomas might be a bit of a project pick they still need an upgrade at receiver. Despite breaking his foot in February, the speed Thomas was showing will be enough to tempt someone to take a gamble. I can see it being the Jets.
30. Minnesota Vikings Devin McCourty CB Rutgers
The Vikes could do with a bit of support in the secondary and McCourty, who has been rising up draft boards in recent weeks, fits the bill. If nothing else, he’s invaluable back-up and a guaranteed strong performer on special teams.
31. Indianapolis Colts Jared Odrick DT Penn State
The Colts are a team that don’t have many holes. But defensive tackle remains a position which everyone feels they can upgrade. Odrick has a lot of ability and potential and would be a good fit for Indianapolis.
32. New Orleans Saints Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri
The reigning Superbowl champions know that they probably should be looking at strengthening their defence, and at this point they get the ideal opportunity to bolster their linebacking corps. Weatherspoon might not be everyone’s cup of tea but alongside Vilma, the Saints will suddenly look impressive.
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