2010 Mock Draft In Review

This draft was entertaining. As far as my mock I got 9 right and an additional 5 positions right. Nine is the best I have ever done (a +1 improvement from last year) .That’s not too bad for a draft filled with trades and containing two pretty big reaches. Overall I enjoyed this draft season and have a good bit to write about post draft. This is my mock draft in review. I hope you enjoy. I am only now realizing I never did one from last year, so I will release one shortly. Enjoy!

1.St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
Projected Pick: Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma

Pretty obvious in all honesty. In Bradford, hopefully the Rams have a QB to revive the franchise. However, Bradford has come into a bad situation. His line is nice, but his receiver talent is less than spectacular. Also, the Rams have to be concerned about (and this is my new favorite nickname for him) “The Glass Cannon” If Bradford gets hurt, that’s it so protect him well. I would suggest getting a veteran QB to take the first few weeks of assault, but who knows Ryan, Flacco, Sanchez, and Roethlisberger did well their rookie years.

2.Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
Projected Pick: Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska

Nice pick. An offensive lineman would have been nice, but Suh is a beast who will definitely shore up part of Detroit’s defense. Let’s just hope Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, and Clay Matthews don’t remember how to get to the QB.

3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
Projected Pick: Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma

This was pretty obvious as well. Drafting another defensive tackle after this was a little surprising, but overall this was a great pick for a team previously known for defense.

4.Washington Redskins: Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
Projected Pick: Trent Williams OT Oklahoma

This was a tossup between Williams and Okung. Williams was the better fit in Shanahan’s offense and so gets the pick. Mcnabb’s blindside is now protected and the Shanahan running back factory is in business. What more can you ask from a first round pick?

5.Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry FS Tennessee
Projected Pick: Brian Bulaga OT Iowa

Quote from my blog: “Eric Berry would be the best pick for them (Kansas City).” I like the pick. I am just sad with myself for trusting Pioli for saying he was not comfortable with the track record of safeties this high. I should know never to trust a Patriot former or otherwise.

6.Seattle Seahawks: Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
Projected Pick: Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State

Okung was rated as the best tackle in the draft and so Seattle gets a steal with this pick. Good luck Okung, you are replacing a legend in Walter Jones.

7.Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden CB Florida
Projected Pick: Eric Berry S Tennessee

Cleveland needed to bolster its secondary. Berry would have been nice, but getting Haden will add a lock corner to the Browns roster. It also carries with it the flexibility to move Sheldon Brown where he is needed. Overall a nice pickup.

8.Oakland Raiders: Rolando McClain ILB Alabama
Projected Pick: Mike Iupati G Idaho

Someone at the Raiders camp knew how to keep a secret. I heard absolutely nothing about this pick. Do you know why? It makes a great deal of sense. McClain was an impact defender from the National Champion Crimson Tide. He is a thumper and instinctive. The Raiders failed to add a new QB, so why waste a pick on an offensive lineman when the line you have is damn good at run blocking. The pick makes a great deal of sense…which is why no one saw it coming.

9.Buffalo Bills: CJ Spiller RB Clemson
Projected Pick: Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame

I thought they would go after a QB, but I was wrong. The Bills wanted nothing to do with Clausen even after he fell to them in the second. That’s ok, Carolina is ecstatic, but we’ll talk about that later. CJ Spiller is a great pick. Even if Lynch is not traded, with Buffalo’s field being the way it is, you have to really run the football. Thus having two or three running backs does not hurt at all. Buffalo is going to need a strong running game, especially if it is going to go into the season with Brian Brohm at the helm. Spiller is a homerun threat any time he touches the ball and should make his impact felt in the AFC East.

10.Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyson Alualu DT California
Projected Pick: Earl Thomas S Texas

I thought Jacksonville would mess up my mock draft, but in all honesty I never saw this coming. This is the second biggest reach I have ever seen…the biggest is to come. Anyhow, considering that Henderson was apparently out the door this pick makes sense. However, why draft Alualu when Williams or Price was on the board. The Jags must see something I don’t. Oh well, soon Tyson will be a LA, oops, Jacksonville Jaguar and one that should bolster the interior defensive line.

11.San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
Projected Pick: Anthony Davis OT Rutgers (17th Overall)

Well, I was right. I don’t quite know why the 49ers felt they had to trade up to get Davis, but nevertheless they got their man. He will protect Smith’s right side. I like the commitment to beefing up the offense and keeping Alex Smith upright. Like I said, the 49ers playoff hopes rest on Smith’s arm.

12.San Diego Chargers: Ryan Matthews RB Fresno State
Projected Pick: Ryan Matthews RB Fresno State (28th)

Trades always mess up mock drafts, unless you had the player they are trading up for falling to them. Twice this happened and I am ecstatic. I had heard whispers that Seattle might go after Matthews if he was on the board. Apparently San Diego agreed and jumped up to grab Matthews, who will immediately be expected to start and perform. I’ll give you the same advice I gave Okung, Good Luck, your replacing a legend in LT.

13.Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham DE Michigan
Projected Pick: Everson Griffen DE USC

This trade did mess things up. Oh well, I’m used to it by now. I am at least happy I diagnosed the position right. It is hard to blame the Eagles for going after a great DE. It is a solid pickup that will hopefully help the Eagles stem the Cowboys offense.

14.Seattle Seahawks: Earl Thomas S Texas
Projected Pick: CJ Spiller RB Clemson

Spiller or apparently Matthews would have been nice, but things don’t always work out. Seattle’s not worried though. They go t a versatile player for a secondary in desperate need of one. However, they also got a safety in San Fran bitter and ready to prove his former coach wrong. So, the NFC West just got a little more interesting.

15.New York Giants: Jason Pierre Paul DE South Florida
Projected Pick: Rolando McClain ILB Alabama

Curse Al Davis, he has ruined yet another mock. By grabbing McClain, he sent a cascading effect that messed up my mock draft. Thankfully though, it messed up other peoples a lot worse, so C’est la Vie. Anyhow, this is a nice pick. At one time I had the Giants taking Paul. He will add depth to a fearsome pass rush and give the Giants a little leeway with Osi. Nice pick.

16.Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
Projected Pick: Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech

Quote from my mock, is says everything I could: “Tennessee’s most obvious need entering the 2010 draft is a defensive end. If the Titans defense is going to have any hope of generating a pass rush, they had best draft the best DE available. That being said, Morgan is arguably the best DE in this draft and so need meets top of the line value.”

17.San Francisco 49ers: Mike Iupati G Idaho
Projected Pick: Joe Haden CB Florida (13th)

I love this pick. It establishes the 49ers offensive line (now possessing 3 first rounders) and freed us up to grab Pouncey. Great pick San Fran.

18.Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey C Florida
Projected Pick: Maurkice Pouncey C Florida.

When they announced this pick, I lost it. I jumped up and down, screamed in excitement, and about tired myself out. GREAT PICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We actually took an investment in protecting Ben and establishing a running game…it was a great moment. I should still have the bottlecap from Root Beer I opened. If I do, then it will be forever enshrined as the day the Steelers listened to me and subsequently the day I predicted what the Steelers would draft.

19.Atlanta Falcons: Sean Witherspoon OLB Missouri
Projected Pick: Jason Pierre Paul DE South Florida

It hard to tell what might have happened had Paul fallen here. However, from reports I had heard, the Falcons were pretty high on Witherspoon. Regardless, this is a solid pick for the Falcons. Now they have an impact linebacker who can become the leader the Falcons will need after Mike Peterson leaves. Solid pick.

20.Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson CB Alabama
Projected Pick: Kyle Wilson CB Boise State

It always hurts when you get the right position mocked, and a team goes for someone else at the position. You are so close, yet so far. Oh well. Jackson fills the void left by Robinson and will hopefully help the Texans do what they must to get to the playoffs…stop Peyton Manning.

21.Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
Projected Pick: Taylor Mays S USC

I never thought it would happen. The Bengals drafted a tight end. Tight ends are useful and a good one can make a QB. Ask Michael Vick how valuable Alge Crumpler was or better yet ask Peyton Manning how useful Dallas Clark is. This is a much better pick than Taylor Mays and may just help Carson Palmer return to form.

22.Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech
Projected Pick: Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State (11th)

Well, did not see this coming, the Patriots traded down…who would have thought? Anyhow, Denver lands a decent receiver with this pick. He is a great run blocker, but I will always remember him as the wideout that dropped an easy 4th down conversion against Georgia, let’s hope it doesn’t haunt him. Thomas is a nice pick and should help ease the loss of Marshall and his 100+ catches.

23.Green Bay Packers: Brian Bulaga OT Iowa
Projected Pick: Chris Brown OT USC

Again position right, but who would have thought Bulaga would fall this far…only every analyst who thinks he will be a bust. I think that as a swing tackle, Green Bay got great value. This pick will go a long way towards protecting Aaron Rodgers, the key to the Pack winning football.

24.Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
Projected Pick: Roger Saffold OT Indiana

I did not think that the Cowboys would draft Saffold. Its not flashy enough. Drafting Dez Bryant when you have Miles Austin and Roy Williams…that’s flashy. The Cowboys got a pretty solid wideout in my opinion. He will be yet another valuable weapon in the Jason Garrett offense. However, I do not see Bryant as the missing piece to a Super Bowl trip, at least not this year.

25.Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow QB Florida
Projected Pick: Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma (to Baltimore)

BIGGEST REACH EVER!!!!!!!!! I’ll write a piece on this pick later. For now, thank you Denver! You gave Baltimore a considerable amount of firepower to get Tebow. Were the Cardinals that much of a threat to get Tebow? Your picks helped Baltimore get three players, one of them being Sergio Kindle. Was Tim Tebow worth three players? Respect to Baltimore for jumping all over THE SECOND BEST DEAL EVER! I kind of liked Denver, especially after they drafted Knowshon Moreno and got Brady Quinn. Now I am left with a sour taste in my mouth….the type of taste that only a former Patriot could leave.

26.Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams DT Tennessee
Projected Pick: Brandon Graham DE/OLB Michigan

Great pick for Arizona. Williams’ fall made great value for Arizona. Now they have a monster in the middle that will free up Arizona’s remaining playmakers to make impacts on defense. Great pick!

27.New England Patriots: Devin McCourty CB Rutgers
Projected Pick: Jared Odrick DE/DT Penn State (22nd)
Well, this is not a bad pick. I thought the Pats would want to get a player to bolster their front seven, however with the Jets adding Santonio and Miami adding Marshalll, the need for a corner can be seen. I still think the Patirots lack the necessary veteran leadership on defense, but what do I know? Respect to those who run the Patriots’ draft, they are pros. The Patriots always do a good job of having plenty of pick available for next year. Someday, after Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Rodney Harrison have left, they might just use a few.

28.Miami Dolphins: Jared Odrick DE/DT Penn State
Projected Pick: Dan Williams DT Tennessee

I like this pick. I was in the camp that had the Dolphins taking 3-4 DE Chris Long two years ago. This is a nice pick and should go a long way towards shoring up a front seven in desperate need of shoring up. Plus, I get to cheer Odrick on against the Patriots instead of boo him. Nice Pick.

29.New York Jets: Kyle Wilson CB Boise State
Projected Pick: Sergio Kindle DE/OLB Texas

What do you do when you have two gamebreaking corners, a Super Bowl MVP at wideout, a Hall of Famer at runningback, and a Defensive Player of the Year at OLB? You draft another solid corner. Some ask why, I ask why not? Even though I hate the Santonio trade, it is hard to blame them for jumping on THE BEST DEAL EVER! If the Jets are going to own up to their responsibility of fighting the Patriots I say go whole hog. The Jets can now put Moss of Revis island, have Wilson cover Wes Welker underneath (Wilson is a great tackler), and Cromartie can just take Tom Brady’s third option out of the picture. J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! That is until December 19th, then you guys totally suck.

30.Detroit Lions: Jahvid Best RB California
Projected Pick: Terrence Cody DT Alabama (to Minnesota)

I did not see this coming, nor the urgency to jump up three picks to grab him. Kevin Smith must be in some trouble if they made this pick. However, I agree with it entirely. A halfback is a major need for Detroit’s offense…a tackle to keep Stafford upright is more of a need, but this is at least a step in the right direction. A strong running game and a suitable dump off player might help Stafford, at least a little bit.

31.Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes DE TCU
Previous Pick: Brian Price DT UCLA

Well, as a Super Bowl team, you know you have something right (Peyton). So that gives you the luxury to draft whatever you want. Many would say a linebacker would be good or a DT to free up Freeney/Mathis or even an offensive lineman to help establish the run a little more. NAH! The strength of the Colts defense is its pass rush. Look at the New York Giants who have about 10 players on the defensive line capable of starting. That’s what won the Giants their Super Bowl (that and former Steeler Plaxico Burress). So, if this is the missing piece for another Super Bowl run, credit to the Colts for bolstering their strengths.

32.New Orleans Saints: Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
Projected Pick: Sean Witherspoon OLB Missouri

It looks as if the ship has sailed on Darren Sharper as a Saint. Its ok, the Saints and Sharper definitely benefitted. Not only did the Saints get a ring and a defense worthy of Brees and that offense, but Sharper’s guidance could prove invaluable as Malcolm Jenkins makes the switch to safety. I think that is why the Saints drafted a corner, to make Jenkins’ conversion complete. If that’s the case, nice job. The Saints defense looks poised to make another playoff run, even if it is done on a path of broken quarterbacks.