2010 NFL Mock Draft

This is my first stab whatsoever at a 2010 mock draft. The draft order is based on Todd McShay’s with some modifications.

Not a ton of juniors were included. Those that were have an asterisk before their name. If any of these picks are correct at the end of April next year, I will eat my shoe.

Still, nothing is as equally fun and frustrating as putting together a mock draft. So remember, when ripping me for his, implore you to try your own in a fanshot.

1. St. Louis Rams - *Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma, 6’4, 218
It was hard to put the Rams in this spot, but the team will have a long season with a poor offense. It’s time to pump new life at quarterback and Bradford is the best in the country.
2. Oakland Raiders - Taylor Mays, FS, Southern California, 6’3, 230
Mays’ athleticism and size is incredible. He seems like the perfect Oakland selection. He could play next to surprising second-round pick Mike Mitchell and the team can finally be rid of the bust known as Michael Huff.
3. Detroit Lions - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma, 6’5, 309
Pick a left tackle and it will be the right pick for Detroit. Some like Russell Okung better, but not me.
4. San Francisco 49ers - Colt McCoy, QB, Texas, 6’3, 216
The 49ers missed out on Mark Sanchez in the 2009 NFL Draft and McCoy is a fairly similar player. He’s also a good leader, something the 49ers haven’t had on offense in a long time.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) - *Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee, 5’11, 195
Seattle is in a good spot with two first-round picks. Berry is a Ed Reed clone.
6. Cleveland Browns - *Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma, 6’4, 295
The Browns need to continue improving their defense and no pass rushers, at this point, seem worth this early of a pick.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska, 6’4, 305
Help next to John Henderson was not addressed in this year’s draft. Suh is a great penetrating tackle.
8. Kansas City Chiefs - Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College 6’4, 238
In Herzlich, the Chiefs would have a long-term answer at strong-side linebacker, something Mike Vrabel doesn’t provide. He can play outside or put his hand down in 4-3 sets.
9. Washington Redskins - *Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa, 6’6, 304
The Redskins might need a quarterback, but Bulaga looks to be a great talent. He could start right now for some NFL teams.
10. Buffalo Bills - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State, 6’5, 300
The Bills didn’t properly address offensive tackle after trading Jason Peters, which is why the team could be drafting in the top 10. Okung is similar to Peters and would be a natural fit.
11. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) - Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas, 6’4, 254
If the 49ers want to help Parys Haralson generate a pass rush, Kindle is the kind of player the team needs.
12. Houston Texans - *Joe Haden, CB, Florida, 5’11, 185
At the moment, no cornerbacks in college football are clearly tops at their position. Haden shows the ability to become that player. If Dunta Robinson can’t be satisfied, it’s time to find his replacement.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - *Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina, 6’3, 305
Roy Miller was a good value choice for Tampa Bay in the third round, the team needs a playmaker inside. It might be a stretch to have Austin fall this far in the draft.
14. Cincinnati Bengals - *Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois, 6’2, 214
Chad Ochocinco wants out. After him, the Bengals are already suspect at wide receiver. Benn has the tools to become a No. 1 target for Carson Palmer.
15. Miami Dolphins - Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama, 6’4 365
Jason Ferguson is nearing retirement and Cody is far and away the best natural 3-4 nose tackle looking ahead to the 2010 NFL Draft.
16. Green Bay Packers - *Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida, 6’6, 286
Like Austin, it might be unlikely Dunlap falls this far in the draft. But if he does and Green Bay is picking in this range, it would be a great pickup. He’s a good pass rusher and more than big enough to hold up at 3-4 defensive end. Expect to hear Richard Seymour comparisons this time next year.
17. New York Jets - *Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State, 6’2, 210
While Mark Sanchez was a great pick for the Jets, he doesn’t have the weapons at wide receiver. Bryant was dazzling last season.
18. Seattle Seahawks - *Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech, 5’11, 228
Among juniors and seniors in college football this year, none looks better than Dwyer. He would be an immediate starter for the Seahwaks.
19. New Orleans Saints - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri, 6’1, 235
The Saints didn’t find a good outside linebacker option in the 2009 draft. Weatherspoon might not be the biggest, but he’s very productive.
20. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) - *Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi, 6’3, 215
Kyle Orton is not a franchis quarterback. If Snead continues to progress like he did the second half of last seaosn, he could be.
21. Tennessee Titans - Brandon Spikes, MLB, Florida, 6’3, 245
Spikes only drops this far because not a lot of teams need a middle linebacker. The Titans do. Spikes is a great athlete who could have been taken on the first day of the 2009 draft.
22. Baltimore Ravens - *Damian Williams, WR, Southern California, 6’1, 190
Another year, another projection of the Ravens taking a wide receiver in a first round mock draft. It has to work at some point, right? At times last year, Williams looked like the best wide receiver in college football.
23. Dallas Cowboys - Ciron Black, OT, LSU, 6’5, 328
The Cowboys could use a safety, but after Mays and Berry none seem like first-round players at this point. Black would fit well on Dallas’ powerful offensive line.
24. New York Giants - Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky, 6’0, 178
Lindley is a top athlete who is a good player when he wants to be. With Tom Coughlin making him want to be good every day, Lindley could be a steal.
25. Minnesota Vikings - Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma, 6’6, 262
Gresham only falls this far because tight end isn’t an early first round priority. The Vikings would finally have a great tight end, for whomever ends up being the quarterback.
26. Indianapolis Colts - Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi, 6’4, 265
Some are very high on Hardy because his strength and athleticism. Some are very low because of his questionable work ethic and attitude.
27. Arizona Cardinals - Adam Ulatoski, OT, Texas, 6’8, 302
The Cardinals could use a good offensive tackle opposite Levi Brown. Ulatoski shows the skills to be that player.
28. San Diego Chargers - DeMarcus Granger, DT, Oklahoma, 6’3, 306
Granger is a polarizing player because of his injury history. He looks like the perfect fit for 3-4 defensive end.
29. Atlanta Falcons - *Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State, 6’1, 228
Bowman may have some character issues that might scare the Falcons off, but he showed in 2008 that he’s an incredible player. If he didn’t have so much baggage, he could be a top 15 pick.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - *Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama, 6’4, 248
Lawrence Timmons just doesn’t seem like a great fit on the inside and James Farrior’s career is winding down.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - *Everson Griffen, DE, Southern California, 6’3, 265
The Eagles are always looking to improve their pass rush, and Griffen has shown flashes of greatness in that area.
32. New England Patriots - George Selvie, DE/OLB, South Florida, 6’4, 252
Selvie is a fringe first rounder after having a down 2008 which saw him routinely get double teamed. He’s an effort player and New England didn’t do a lot in this year’s draft to address the rush.