NFL Spin Zone’s Official 2010 Mock Draft
By derekp
1. St. Louis Rams – Ndamukong Suh | DT | Nebraska
The Rams can solidify their defense for years to come with this pick. Many rumors have them reaching for Sam Bradford because they’ve missed out of quarterbacks in past drafts, and quite frankly, that will set you back. You draft the best available player, and that is not Sam Bradford. It’s Ndamukong Suh.
2. Detroit Lions – Russell Okung | OT | Oklahoma State
The Lions seemed to have found their franchise quarterback last year in Matthew Stafford. They already have a fantastic group of targets for him in Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. The defense has been strengthened through the acquisitions of Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Chris Houston. You need a guy to protect Stafford, and the best available lineman is Okung.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy | DT | Oklahoma
The Buccaneers drafted a very talented defensive tackle once upon a time out of the University of Miami who goes by the name of Warren Sapp. Whether or not McCoy can have the impact that Sapp had, he is the most obvious pick for them at the third spot.
4. Washington Redskins – Brian Bulaga | OT | Iowa
With the retirement of offensive tackle Chris Samuels, the Redskins are in need of a new tackle. Many people have their interest in Sam Bradford, but I firmly believe that Mike Shanahan is happy with starting Jason Campbell. With those two things in mind, the Redskins should be looking for a tackle, and Brian Bulaga is the best there.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry | S | Clemson
Kansas City is thin at a few positions, but with Eric Berry falling to them at five would be a great value. He will provide them with an anchor at safety for years to come, and is widely considered the third best player in the draft behind Suh and McCoy.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Sam Bradford | QB | Oklahoma
Many people have Bradford going number one overall, but I don’t believe he is worth that pick, and the Rams will go defense. Matt Hasselbeck is aging, so it would be wise to get a replacement in as soon as possible. Let him sit behind Hasselbeck and learn, then give him the chance to take over in year two.
7. Cleveland Browns – Jimmy Clausen | QB | Notre Dame
Back to back quarterbacks here. The Cleveland Browns are in need of a quarterback, and Clausen should be their guy. Clausen is the most pro-ready quarterback in my opinion in this years draft playing under Charlie Weis. The Browns have already cut Derek Anderson, and are pursuing a trade for Brady Quinn. Will Clausen be Quinn’s predecessor in college and the NFL?
8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul | DE | USF
The Oakland Raiders have been picking in the top ten for what seems like forever now. Every time they have, they’ve gone after the most athletic player on the board, so why sway away from that now? Until Al Davis is finally gone, or hands over the decision making, you’ll be seeing more picks like these.
9. Buffalo Bills – Joe Haden | CB | Florida
Buffalo gets a gift here at the ninth pick. Joe Haden is a quality player, and should go a few picks prior to nine, but things just happened to fall in a different manner here. Haden will give the Bills a great young cornerback to pair with Jairus Byrd to solidify their secondary even more.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant | WR | Oklahoma State
The Jaguars are looking for their first legitimate receiving threat since Jimmy Smith. Yeah, it’s been that long. They missed on the Matt Jones pick a few years ago, but let’s just say that didn’t work out very well. Dez Bryant has some character issues, but his talent overshadows those issues. Plus, an NFL team will get the kid into shape.
11. Denver Broncos – Earl Thomas | S | Texas
With future Hall-of-Famer Brian Dawkins on the roster, you have the perfect mentor for the young safety.
12. Miami Dolphins – Derrick Morgan | DE | Georgia Tech
With Jason Taylor exploring his options in free agency, Morgan is a good fit. It may be wise to go younger even if Taylor comes back.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Mike Iupati | G | Idaho
With two first round picks, the 49ers have a chance to make huge upgrades. They need help on the line, and Iupati is the best available.
14. Seattle Seahawks – Taylor Mays | S | USC
Bringing together the combination of size and speed, Mays had a fantastic combine workout. Mays is a raw talent and will require some work, but he’s too much talent to pass up.
15. New York Giants – Rolando McClain | LB | Oklahoma
With the release of former defensive captain Antonio Pierce, the Giants will need a new guy in the middle. McClain can fill that hole.
16. Tennessee Titans – Carlos Dunlap | DE | Florida
The Titans lost Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Lions in free agency, but they waste no time replacing him.
17. San Francisco 49ers – CJ Spiller | RB | Clemson
May not be the 49ers biggest need, but Spiller is an exceptional talent. To get him at the 17th pick is a steal. Must draft.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Anthony Davis | OT | Rutgers
With or without Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers offensive line is in need of some serious help. Roethlisberger was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL last year. Davis will help rectify that.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham | DE | Michigan
Jamaal Anderson has been a bust, and John Abraham is aging. It’s time to get a young pass rusher to help solidify the defense.
20. Houston Texans – Ryan Mathews | RB | Fresno State
With Steve Slaton battling a neck injury, it’s clear he needs a serviceable back-up. Mathews slides right into Houston’s zone blocking scheme.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham | TE | Oklahoma
The Bengals top tight ends in 2009 were Daniel Coats and John Paul Foschi. It’s time for an upgrade, and Jermaine Gresham is by far the best tight end in this class.
22. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick | DT | Penn State
The Patriots need a replacement for Richard Seymour since shipping him to the Raiders. Odrick provides the size and speed needed for the 3-4 defensive end position.
23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown | OT | USC
Aaron Rodgers tied Ben Roethlisberger as most sacked quarterback in 2009, so it’s obvious what the need is. Charles Brown is the Packers man.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sean Weatherspoon | OLB | Iowa
The Eagles are set to pick the best defensive end available, but that goes out the window if Weatherspoon falls to them. The are in dire need of a linebacker.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Kyle Wilson | CB | Boise State
If there was a weakness on that daunting Ravens defense, cornerback was it. Wilson possesses the skillset to become a number one corner in the future.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Sergio Kindle | OLB | Texas
With the loss of Karlos Dansby, linebacker becomes an instant need. Kindle and Dansby are identical in height and weight making the loss seem less noticeable.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Maurkice Pouncey | G | Florida
Not many holes on this Dallas team, but the offensive line could use a bit of shoring up. Pouncey can play the center and guard positions and is an upgrade over Kyle Kosier.
28. San Diego Chargers – Jahvid Best | RB | California
After losing LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers need a running back. Best had a great showing at the combine, and if healthy, he can be just as his last name suggests.
29. New York Jets – Golden Tate | WR | Notre Dame
With Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery on the outside, a quick, elusive target in the slot would do this franchise wonders. Golden Tate is that type of playmaker.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Colt McCoy | QB | Texas
They are in need of a quarterback of the future for when Brett Favre retires. There is no better guy to learn from if you’re Colt McCoy.
31. Indianapolis Colts – Devin McCourty | CB | Rutgers
They just lost a cornerback in Marlin Jackson to free agency. The group as a whole could use an upgrade.
32. New Orleans Saints – Everson Griffin | DE | USC
The Saints could use an extra pass rusher off the edge, and with a guy like Everson Griffin falling into their lap, they would be hard-pressed to pass him up.