Impromptu and Behind Schedule: Conjunction’s first round mock

Apr 22, 2010, 6:50 AM UTC

This is the most wonderful time of the year for me as a sports fan. Baseball is underway, the NBA playoffs are motoring along, and THE DRAFT IS TONIGHT!

And so I’ve had to balance my schedule between work, courses, and various sports pursuits. After much deliberation, here’s my projection for picks 1-32. I’ve stolen Brian Galliford’s template because It’s what all the cool kids are doing. If you ever get to Dallas, Brian, I’ll buy you a beer.

Without further ado, read on! And prepare to rip me a new one in the comment section!

RD	NO	TEAM	PLAYER	POS	COLL
1	1		Sam Bradford	QB	Oklahoma
Sam Bradford's a legit top QB prospect. I would take him over Matthew Stafford now-and would have done so last year. You can't overstate his accuracy, the experience he's had at Oklahoma, and the productivity and leadership skills he's shown. No prospect's a sure thing by any means, but I'm of the belief St. Louis has found their franchise QB.
1	2		Ndamukong Suh	DT	Nebraska
Ndamukong Suh is one of the few prospects whose reputation and skills live up to his name. The man's a beast in every facet of the game and every sense of the word; his genealogical status as a human has been called into question by observers watching him make fools of well-regarded offensive linemen. He has a chance to be a perennial DPOY candidate and will completely remake the Lions' defense. And unless his knees give out, his bust factor is minimal.
1	3		Gerald McCoy	DT	Oklahoma
This pick makes too much sense to not happen. The Warren Sapp comparisons are premature and unfair and I do think McCoy is a bit overrated-but in most years, he's a contender for the #1 pick. McCoy should be a persistent penetrator who holds his own against the rush-- think of him as Jay Ratliff in a best-case scenario.

1	4		Russel Okung	OT	Oklahoma
Another very easy pick. I could count on one hand the mocks who have slotted anyone other than Okung as the #1 OL available. The Redskins desperately need offensive linemen and are in win-now mode; Okung is ready to contribute immediately and at a high level.
1	5		Eric Berry	SS	Iowa
This is where things get interesting. There's no easy pick here, but Berry represents the best value available. He's my 3rd overall prospect behind Suh and Bradford-- and while top safeties haven't been as successful as one would like, barring a trade-down this pick makes the most sense to me.
1	6		Trent Williams	OT	Oklahoma State
Trent Williams has been flying up the boards ever since a stunning combine unfairly overshadowed by Bruce Campbell's. He's the better prospect and makes a lot of sense for a Seahawks team that just lost one of the greatest Tackles of the last two decades.
1	7		Jimmy Claussen	QB	Notre Dame
I plan to catch flak for this pick, as Claussen's a divisive prospect. But I like the pick. Claussen's got low bust potential-- and a lot of the reasons he's been knocked by some have been hazy and underdefined. THe problem appears to be that he's not likable--but neither are Phillip Rivers or Eli Manning. Their teams are happy with them.Claussen fills a need and represents decent value at the most important position in pro sports.
1	8		Joe Haden	CB	Florida
I'm going unconventional with this pick, but it makes sense. Al's been trying to get a great second corner to go along with Nnamdi Asomugha for quite a while; Haden's a bit of a reach here, but he's a proven performer, a gifted athlete, and... It's Al Davis. Don't question this pick; it's a total crapshoot.
1	9		Bryan Bulaga	OT	Iowa
The Bills' line was decidedly subpar last year. Bulaga's had his problems with elite rushers like Brandon Graham, but has generally been steady as a rock on Iowa's line. He can come in, start right away, and make Bills fans forget about Jason Peters.
1	10		Rolando McClain	LB	Alabama
McClain's a favored prospect of mine; he's #8 on my board. The guy's got terrific instincts, pummels anyone who dares enter his domain, and is underrated physically. The Jaguars could use help almost everywhere, and linebacker certainly qualifies.
1	11		Derrick Morgan	OLB	Georgia Tech
The Broncos are working hard to form a new 3-4 defense and have found a couple of really nice pieces-foremost among them pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil. Josh McDaniels' squad sees an opportunity to add a great complement to their defensive MVP and takes it.
1	12		Dan Williams	NT	Tennessee
The Dolphins badly need a NT to anchor their defense. Williams is the best available by a margin as sizable as one of Terrence Cody's thighs.
1	13	49ers	Maurkice Pouncey	C	Florida
The pick may appear safe; some will characterize it as a reach. But the 49ers had the league's worst line last year and bringing in the best center prospect in years will go a long way in making Frank Gore a top 2 fantasy pick-and perhaps reclaiming some of Alex Smith's dignity.
1	14		CJ Spiller	RB	Clemson
A natural selection. I couldn't have asked for a better fit; the Seahawks badly need a running back, badly need explosiveness, and Spiller's the best of both worlds.
1	15		Brandon Graham	DE	Michigan
I'll get accused of homerism and labeled a Giants hater (guilty on both counts) but I love Graham here and think he can give the Giants' passrush demonic frenzy and awesome force once again. Fans miss those days-- but they won't be deprived for long.
1	16		Dez Bryant	WR	Oklahoma State
The Titans get a steal and add the best possible option to revive Vince Young's career. Bryant's a top 10 player on everyone's list, but concerns about his demeanor, attitude, and desire have knocked him down. Tennesee fans rejoice as their team picks up Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
1	17		Earl Thomas	S	Texas
A ballhawk like Earl Thomas will completely rework Mike Singletary's defense. Playmaking DBs lead trends, and others seem to tend to fall in line.
1	18		Mike Iupati	OG	Idaho
Iupati's arguably the top guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. The Steelers badly need OL help, though their woes are exacerbated by Ben Roethlisname's tendency to hold the ball forever and a day. Iupati will help the team, and Rashard Mendenhall should apportion much of his upcoming praise to the big rookie.
1	19		Kyle Wilson	CB	Boise State
The Falcons badly need DB help. Receivers run roughshod over Atlanta, though their passrush is actually capable. Wilson's a top 25 prospect and worthy of the pick.
1	20		Taylor Mays	S	USC
The Texans looked far and wide for a ballhawk, but there's no one to be found. Mays has been so often labeled as overrated that he's become underrated-- he's a supremely talented physical specimen who will likely make a great cover-2 FS capable of laying out WRs over the middle.
1	21		Jermaine Gresham	TE	Oklahoma
The Bengals get one of football's most elusive assets: the pass-productive tight end. Gresham would be higher up if not for his injury.
1	22		Jared Odrick	DE	Penn State
The Patriots are known for unconventional selections-and indeed, Odrick's not a favored prospect of mine. But he makes sense for a team looking for its next great DE.
1	23		Charles Brown	OT	USC
Brown's not the most natural pick for Green Bay; he'll likely need some time to get fully acclimated to NFL play, as he lacks the bulk to handle bigger pass-rushers and isn't a great runblocker. But Brown offers a natural LT frame and could become great with the right coaching and personal trainer.
1	24		Sergio Kindle	DE	Texas
The Eagles have long valued the defensive line, and Kindle gives the team a fantastic option to line up opposite the great Trent Cole. He's a solid performer without any real red flags.
1	25		Jerry Hughes	OLB	TCU
Hughes is another of my sleepers. Football Outsiders recently published an article projecting Hughes above all other pass-rushing prospects in this draft. The Ravens are always looking for value, and after adding to their offense through trades they supplement an already fearsome defense with an infusion of youth.
1	26		Patrick Robinson	CB	Florida State
I'm not in love with this pick, but I'm at peace with it. The Cardinals will try to line up another great corner with DRC, and Robinson represents one of the best available players.
1	27		Demaryius Thomas	WR	Georgia Tech
Thomas fits the prototype. He's a huge, physical, gifted wide receiver who's wowed some and scared others. Thomas won't be able to start right away-and won't need to, as Coach Jerry Jones desperately tries working Roy Williams into the offense. He could be the #2 by 2011.
1	28		Ryan Matthews	RB	Fresno State
The Chargers had one of the league's top offenses--while maintaining an ugly, unproductive, and plain awful running game. Matthews is a great value at this spot and will take some pressure off of Rivers, VJax, Floyd, and Gates. Like they need it.
1	29		Everson Griffen	DE	USC
Rex Ryan's Defense can always use dynamic players. Griffen is arguably the most talented DE taken in my first round, and with the right coaching could be truly fearsome. Good thing he's headed to the Jets.
1	30		Devin McCouty	CB	Rutgers
The Vikings don't have many needs but need to win now, before the Williams Wall turns into... just Williams, and Brett Favre succumbs to the will of Father Time over that of Perpetual Indecision. A team can never have enough corners in today's NFL.
1	31		Bruce Campbell	OT	Maryland
Indy's #1 priority is protecting Pey-Pey--- as well it should be. Campbell was rated as a first rounder before the combine, and has inexplicably slipped after blowing our collective minds. I don't get it-and don't think GMs will follow the thread. The Colts get a guy who may not start right away, but very well may be elite.
1	32		Sean Weatherspoon	LB	Missouri
A quick, aggressive LB perfect for Greg Williams' 4-3 scheme. Weatherspoon won't have to take on many blockers and can roam from sideline... making plays and winning over the city of New Orleans.