Mock draft (without trades). I expect several teams to move up and down in the first round. However, for the purposes of this mock, I’ll just pretend that won’t happen. Feedback welcome.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB — Even with Suh as an option, this is a no-brainer.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT. The Lions could go Okung here — Stafford could use better protection — but Suh is too good a player to pass on.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT — Also a no-brainer with Suh now off the board.
4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT — Okung may be the better player, but for the zone block scheme Shanahan likes to run, Williams is the better athletic choice, particularly when it comes to backside blocks.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT — the Chiefs should be ecstatic if the Redskins do in fact take Williams at 4.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga, OT — my gut tells me Pete Carroll and co. will take a hard look at Eric Berry, but protection for an oft-injured QB is the better call, given the run on OTs here in the early first. Seattle has another 1st round pick as well.
7. Cleveland Browns: Eric Berry, S — Jimmy Clausen makes sense here, but given the west coast style run by Holmgren, I think the Browns will likely try to snatch Colt McCoy in the second round, or maybe even trade up to get him or Clausen late in the first (much like they did with Brady Quinn several years back).
8. Oakland Raiders: Bruce Campbell, OT — if the Raiders had any sense, they’d take Clausen. But this is Al Davis. Campbell is a physical freak, and that’s what gets Al’s antique pecker stiff these days. Mike Iupati is another option, but I’m not sure Davis will go so high on an interior offensive lineman.
9. Buffalo Bills: Dan Williams, NT — Another team that could take a serious look at Clausen, but the switch to a 3-4 defense requires a nose tackle, and Williams may be the best on the board.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Morgan, DE — Even with the acquisition of Aaron Kampman, the Jaguars still need to put more pressure on the passers in their division. Jason Pierre-Paul is the other pass-rushing option, so it depends on who the Jaguars have higher on their board at this point. C.J. Spiller is another possibility, one that would instantly give the Jaguars one of the league’s most potent backfields.
11. Denver Broncos: Joe Haden, CB — first, let me say that I don’t think the Broncos remain in this spot. If they can trade down, they’ll do so — and the number 11 pick is a good spot to move up into if you are targeting a specific player because you are just outside of paying top ten money. Rolando McClain is the popular choice here — with some Denver fans talking up Dez Bryant, Maurkice Pouncey, or Mike Iupati. Selecting Pouncey here would be a bit of a reach, but the Broncos need a center, and Pouncey is ready to step in and play right away, so my guess is that they trade down and take either Pouncey or Iupati somewhere between 17 and 25. Haden and Earl Thomas are the best players remaining on the board at this point.
12. Miami Dolphins: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE — This pick could easily be Sergio Kindle or Sean Weatherspoon, but Pierre-Paul has that Demarcus Ware build, something that won’t be lost on Parcells.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Earl Thomas, FS/CB — Mike Mayock considers Thomas a better pick than Berry, and that’s saying something. The Niners could look to take Clausen here, but Thomas may be too good to pass up. If the Broncos don’t take Haden, he gets taken here. McClain is another possibility.
14. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB. If the Seahawks go for someone like Berry or Clausen at 6, the pick here is Charles Brown or, if he’s still around, Bulaga.
15. New York Giants, Rolando McClain, ILB — the best inside linebacker is off the board here. Sean Weatherspoon may be a better fit for the Giants defense, but McClain will be solid at the pro level in the center of any defense.
16. Tennessee Titans: Everson Griffen, DE — They wanted Pierre-Paul, but Griffen is intriguing as a surprise pick that fills that position of need.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT — the Niners need a RT. I’m very tempted to go with Taylor Mays here — Singletary reportedly really likes the guy — but Davis’ upside is enormous.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G — if the Broncos are unable to move back to 17, the Steelers will take Pouncey off the board here.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Graham, DE — Could be Weatherspoon here, but the Falcons need to generate a better pass rush, and Graham is the best still available.
20. Houston Texans: Kyle Wilson, CB — with Dunta Robinson gone, the need at CB is glaring. Will the Texans trade up to grab Joe Haden, the consensus top CB in the draft? If so, the Broncos could land at 20 and take Mike Iupati and add another second round pick.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham, TE. With Kindle and Weatherspoon still on the board, either could go here. But Cincinnati could really use a tight end who can catch, and if Carson Palmer has any say in the matter, I’d expect the pick to be Gresham.
22. New England Patriots: Dez Bryant, WR. — Yes, they just signed Tory Holt. But without Wes Welker for a couple months, they’ll need another weapon. Bryant may be a top-10 talent. Will Belichick pass him up if he falls this far?
23. Green Bay Packers, Sergio Kindle, OLB — He or Weatherspoon are best available here. That being said, the pick could be Charles Brown at OT.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB — The Eagles have a need at LB and in the secondary. Weatherspoon is the best player available, but the pick could be Devin McCourty at CB. Mike Iupati is also a possibility — though as I say, I think the Broncos will have traded down and snatched either he or Pouncey up, with the other going to Pittsburgh.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Odrick, DE/DT — With Dwan Edwards and Justin Bannan gone, the Ravens could find a steal here with Odrick.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Jimmy Clausen, QB — the Cardinals have other needs, but they also have Matt Leinart as their QB. So.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati, G — I expect a trade that nets Denver Iupati. But if he’s here I suspect the Cowboys will snatch him up. Taylor Mays is the other likely candidate. And with Iupati off the board in a trade scenario, the pick will be Mays to replace Ken Hamlin.
28. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews, RB — The Chargers could wait and pick a running back later in the draft, but my sense is that they really like Mathews. They need to address the NT position, having lost Jamal Williams to Denver. Mount Cody or Linval Joseph would fit should they decide to go that route.
29. New York Jets: Brian Price, DT.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Robinson, CB — Devin McCourty could also go here, depending on who the Vikings have ranked more highly. Kareem Jackson is the other likely choice at corner, and he may be the best fit. Jerry Hughes might also get slotted here with Brian Price off the board.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Rodger Saffold, OT — Charles Brown is the other choice; it will depend on who the Colts have ranked higher.
32. New Orleans Saints: Carlos Dunlap, DE. — Just a gut feeling. Jerry Hughes, Daryl Washington, or Koa Misi also make sense here.
Notables falling out of the first round: Golden Tate, Sean Lee, Demaryius Thomas, Taylor Mays, Jahvid Best, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy.
I’d hope the Packers just trade down if they can’t pick up any real O-line talent.
What’s their handicap?
What’s their RBI?
That’s what counts, is what I think.
When I think of the QB’s in the league, I gotta think Tebow and Colt McCoy deserve a real look.
Okay, I’m a crazy person. The Packers should also consider a safety. Taylor Mays is a stud.
Evidently Tobey Gerhardt, from Stanford, won’t be in the first round,
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-gerhartstereotype042010
‘Cuz, you know, the idea of a white running back! is just incomprehesible…
But, that’s not a racist point of view.
John Riggins, Walt Garrison, and a host of others could not be reached for comment.
I’m hoping the Broncos take Gerhart. He’s a second-round type player — a power back. Shonn Greene went late last year, and he’s not white.
I cannot imagine Poulian passing on Taylor Mays. But, I have never guessed right on any of his picks, except Peyton.
Shon Greene of the Jets?
Redskins need O-lineman, and I’ll be happy if the Ravens get a player of the caliber of Odrick.
The premier players always go first, but there’s some real gold to be had in the later rounds sometime.
Remember, Brady was a seventh round pick.
I wish Baltimore would consider taking Gerhardt, but they’ve got some pretty good Running backs already.
Yes, that Shonn Greene.
BP usually goes offense early. Protecting Manning is the first priority. But who knows? The draft is deep.
He’s white?! Blackest white guy I ever saw. ;-) maybe I read that wrong above. I agree about protecting Peyton, you are preaching to the choir, brotherman. I am just noting that anyone would go broke trying to guess what Poulian will do.
Jay Cutler!
Someone in Chicago just started crying.
Ok…I got nuthin’ here.
I’ll go coach some cheerleaders and let me know when to set up the OUTLAW BBQ and grill the ribs and brauts.
I know squat about this, but I wonder where Mike Pouncey is going to wind up? He and Maurkice are roughly interchangeable parts, as far as the Gators were concerned.
So hows’bout whoever gives Tebow a look in the first round establishes an understanding with Urban that he takes over their headcoaching job if Timmy gets taken, with Urban assured he can develop Tebow however he sees fit?
Nah, won’t happen.
Well, you had Clay Matthews (rookie Pro Bowler, woot!) last year and maybe you’ll hand over Taylor Mays this year.
If so, Wisconsin owes USC a really big cheese basket.
Da Iggles have 10 picks this year to fuck up another draft.
Jay Cutler never had a chance with Ron Turner there. I think year 2 will show great improvement, and when they are playing on my turf next year (they play on my grass now) Cutler will be that much better.
Talk around here is that the Rams are still down for more picks and maybe drafting Clausen if he’s still there. Most people here would like ’em to do just that(Lord knows we need pretty much everything) but I think they’ll go with Bradford.
That would be “trading” down, actually.
Cutler will continue to boost the stats of the Packers’ secondary. That is all.
St Louis should trade for Big Ben.
That’s mighty nice of you to help Jay out like that JD. Maybe he’ll do you a favor in return one day.
Bh – as long as his cleats get purchase in my products, I don’t really care who he throws to.
Big Ben is trouble, and not as good as he appears to be within the Pittsburg system.
He does some hinky shit sometimes, and one day his luck in completeing that luck shit will run out.
I odn’t think you want him in St. Louis.
JD,
Don’t you sell that new turf made out of ground up tires? The stuff that’s not as hard on their knees and ankles?
Breaking news: We still don’t know if Brett Favre will retire!
I have no issue with any of that, Mr safety officer. I just thought that would make for an interesting draft.
I hear you JD. When Charles Woodson catches one of his uh-ohs, he shall run even faster than the wind thanks to your turf.
Bob – Yes, I do sell synthetic turf, the ground crumb rubber infill systems. I also do really high end natural grass systems, mainly for pro sports.
Chicago Bears second round pick: dead guy.
Well, that’s another vote for the Dems, I guess. They’ll never get rid of Daley.
I’m loving Berry at 7 for the Browns. From your finger tips to God’s ears I hope.
scaring the he** out of me Jeff, but you’ve got more chops
on this than the d-bags getting paid big bucks by ESPN, etc.to do same. . . .
JG for president (or at least, reputable sports analyst! ! ! ! !)
Jerryangelos ate my baby.
Greene is black, JD. A power back who went in the 3rd (?) round, and not because he is white. Is what I was going for, in response to Bob’s link.
OI — Well, Kansas City or even Seattle could grab him up — he’s a special player, and many people think KC will pick him — but if they do they risk not being able to fix big holes on their o-lines.
The reason I have him falling to Cleveland is the Washington pick. If they go with Trent Williams, that leaves Okung for KC, and I don’t think they can pass on the top-rated left tackle in the draft.
I see. I am kind of slow sometimes.
When he got hurt in te playoff game against the Colts, that was a huge loss. He is definitely powerful, but has homerun speed too.
I wonder, with so many younger, talented guys going into the draft this year rather than next, does it make sense to trade 1s and 2s and try to dominate the later rounds?
I am a die hard Steelers fan and I am praying they trade Ben the pinhead. Would like to see them give Tebow a shot, same type of QB only not a moron.
And I am really mystified that Bradford seems to be everybody’s number one pick. All I ever saw him do in college was lose any game that meant something and/or get hurt.
I think that’d be a good fit, B Moe.
I cannot think of a good reason to draft Tebow. Did you know he has a big heart? His skill set simply does not transfer. This happens all the time in football. Being good, great or even dominant in college football is not a good indicator of success at the next level. Therefore, hope Tennessee drafts him, in the first round.
Tebow is the next Vince Young. Minus the crazy period.
Or, he’s going to the Packers in the 3rd round and we’re going to run the wildcat a couple times against that crazy good Vikings d-line.
How many of them can divide by zero?
Does it count if 3/4s of them don’t recognize any problem with that, di?
I still think Tebow eventually becomes an H-back. He’s got too much decent athleticism to go to waste as a never-to-become Q-back prospect (not) sitting on a bench for five years. Way too much. He can pull yards with pass catching and bull runs, at least enough to create value.
I’m aware that there have been other’s drafted in rounds later than they thought they deserved. The only reason I linked the piece on Gerhardt that I saw on Drudge earlier was that it was related to the thread topic and I saw that some in the profession had speculated that there may have been racial stereotyping or bias involved.
If I jacked the thread in any way, a thousand pardons.
Wait — when did they reinstate the draft?
I’m not up on my history, McG. Does this mean I’m supposed to burn a bra?
Leave it to Bob to jack a thread.
Lions, can I trade the entire team for a good ham and cheese sandwich??? Bagel with creamcheese? Raisinettes?
Sorry, Jeff, you lost any credibility when you said Al’s pecker gets stiff. But I love Al. He’s the only reason that Snyder isn’t the worst owner in the league.
I will take a QB whose skill set enabled him to win SEC and National Championships over one who couldn’t get it done in the Big 12 any day.
Tebow is big, tough, mobile, smart, and a natural leader. That is what the Steelers system needs. He isn’t going to be throwing the ball 30 times a game, he just has to make good reads and decisions, be patient and trust the defense. We need maturity, we need the anti-Roethlisberger. I had really hoped Ben would grow up, God knows he has the potential, but enough is enough.
One of the knocks on Tebow is that he tends to pull the ball down and run rather than go through his read progressions. At the pro level, he won’t be able to run over most linebackers or beat most safeties or linebackers or ends around the corner.
He’s intriguing. I know the Broncos have scouted him heavily, so I can’t wait to see what happens with him this weekend. There’s a chance that if, say, Minnesota doesn’t take him in the first, or Cleveland at 39, he could end up with the Broncos in the lower-middle of the second round.
I really have nothing against Tebow, personally, I just grew weary of the constant tongue-bath the yammering-heads gave him over the last couple years. Did you know he has a big heart?
Plus, I listened to a radio talking-head guy try to convince the audience that my beloved Colts should draft Tebow in the first round and let him learn under Peyton. I wept.
Tebow is smart, committed, and has an exemplary work ethic. One of the things noted by Urban Meyer very early in Tebow’s career is that he gained the respect of his team by training as hard as anyone else; by making a point of putting everything he had into the game of football.
I don’t know if that will serve in place of unique, freakish talent in the pros. Tebow does, as Jeff noted, have a tendency to just play smashmouth football, and that will probably get him hurt, or at least beaten, in the pros. So he’s got to overcome that. He’d probably do well at tight end, or maybe linebacker. It’d require learning to play at those positions, but few men will put in a harder workday than Tebow.
I think with some work, he can. The question is, will a pro team go to the trouble of drafting him and retraining him?
Plus, he has a big heart.
Yeah, Jeff. Here in Cleveland, Berry is the number one target of most fans. Hence, the greatness of your mock draft here. And well said about KC. They need an o-lineman in the worst way. The Browns have lot of needs, none bigger than, defensive backfield, so Berry is just what the doctor ordered.
I’m sorry I said that, JD. I’m just having a bit of trouble with the word-sequence: “my beloved Colts”, and what it takes to put those words together like that.
Sorry for saying what?
Oh. Mike Pouncey decided to play out his senior year at UF. Good for him, and good for Maurkice.
“he has a big heart”
Draft me!
I’m good at mocking.
Anyone or anything that is over-hyped usually gets my mockery and scorn. Perhaps Tebow will do something as a pro, but, as they say, that remains to be seen. Then again, that’s true of just about every rookie player if you think about it. They go from being either the best or close to the best on their team to being one good player among many.
I was a little surprised that Aaron Hernandez was rated as low as he is. He’s really remarkable to watch. He’s TE-sized with WR catching skills and RB moves. I think whoever gets him will be happy, because he’s the whole package.