Perry Biggerstaff's 2010 NFL Mock Draft
First-Round Draft Projections
By Perry Biggerstaff
SteelersFever.com Guest Columnist
1. St. Louis Rams - QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre DameTEAM NEEDS: QB, DE, DT, OG, CB, WR
It really comes down to one decision. Do you rebuild your team around a franchise QB or the best player in the draft? I think the Rams make the right decision and take a college QB who is already very adept at running the West Coast Offense.
2. Detroit Lions - DT Ndamukong Suh, NebraskaTEAM NEEDS: DT, CB, DE, LT, OG, WR, OL DEPTH
The happy recipient of the Rams passing on Ndamukong Suh. The Nebraska defensive tackle is perhaps the best d-lineman to come out of college in the past 10 years. The Lions need to get some "butts in the seats", and Suh can do that for them.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Gerald McCoy, OklahomaTEAM NEEDS: DT, DE, WR, CB, S, OL DEPTH
Perfect player for a team with a specific need. Gerald McCoy is 6-4 and 305 pounds of defensive improvement for Tampa Bay. I think this pick is a lock unless the first two picks end up being Suh and McCoy. If that is the case I look for the Buccaneers to go with Safety Eric Berry.
4. Washington Redskins - QB Sam Bradford, OklahomaTEAM NEEDS: OT, QB, SLB, RB, OG, C
Washington tried to bring Jay Cutler in last year. They understand the Redskins QB of the future isn't currently on their roster and they draft Sam Bradford who will probably be playing sooner than later. If Clausen is still on the board the Redskins will select him over Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma StateTEAM NEEDS: OT, OG, 3-4 OLB, WR, 3-4 NT, C, S
Drafting Russell Okung gives the Chiefs an upgrade at two positions. Look for Kansas City to draft O-line and D-line this year.
6. Seattle Seahawks - SS/FS Eric Berry, TennesseeTEAM NEEDS: LT, OG, QB, RB, S, DL
Seattle would take Clausen or Bradford if available at this spot, but with both off the board they select defensive difference maker in Eric Berry. Though some comparisons have been made to Ed Reed, lets not too get crazy just yet. Berry is a potential rookie Pro-Bowler but will need some seasoning to reach Reed's level.
7. Cleveland Browns - CB Joe Haden, FloridaTEAM NEEDS: RT, 3-4 DE, ILB, CB, WR, S, TE
So many needs. The Browns have to do something about their secondary. Joe Haden is the universal choice as the best CB in this draft. However, Cleveland may go with Dez Bryant with this pick, but conventional wisdom says to take a CB over a WR.
8. Oakland Raiders - OT Bruce Campbell, MarylandTEAM NEEDS: 4-3 NT, DE, OT, RG, CB, LB, QB
I hate trying to second guess what Al Davis will do. If he sticks to form, a player with the physical attributes of Bruce Campbell will be too much to pass up. Campbell is 6-7 310 pounds and should run under 5.0 at the combine.
9. Buffalo Bills - OT Bryan Bulaga, IowaTEAM NEEDS: QB, LT, DT, OLB, WR, OL DEPTH
The Bills never replaced Offensive Tackle Jason Peters last year and they paid the price. This should be a no-brainer for the Bills who desperately need to upgrade the O-line.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia TechTEAM NEEDS: DE, OG, S, DT, C, WR
This is one of the harder picks in the top 10. I think that Derrick Morgan could seriously help a nonexistent pass rush for Jacksonville, but with Dez Bryant still on the board the Jaguars may surprise and go with a WR.
11. New York Giants [Trade up with Denver Broncos] - ILB Rolando McClain, AlabamaTEAM NEEDS: DT, S, OT, MLB, CB DEPTH
The Giants cut ILB Antonio Pierce and unless they are able to sign a FA like Carlos Dansby, they are going to have to put themselves into a position to select Rolando McClain.
12. Miami Dolphins - OLB Sergio Kindle, TexasTEAM NEEDS: 3-4 NT, 3-4 OLB, 3-4 ILB, WR, S, OL DEPTH
The Dolphins need a NT but there is no value for the position this high in the draft. Kindle is the replacement for Porter who is on his way out of town. At 6-3 and 250 pounds, he is a perfect fit as an OLB for Miami's 3-4 defense.
13. San Francisco 49ers - OT Trent Williams, OklahomaTEAM NEEDS: OT, CB, OG, DE/OLB, S, 3-4 NT
Tackles are always a premium in the first round and this year wont be the exception. The 49ers have two picks in the first round and will use the first one on the O-line.
14. Seattle Seahawks - RB C.J. Spiller, ClemsonTEAM NEEDS: LT, OG, QB, RB, S, DL
The Seahawks running game was ranked no. 29 last year. Seattle's passing game will get a boost with C.J. Spiller in the backfield. Having a running back that threatens to take it to the house every time he touches the ball will keep defenses honest and Matt Hasselback wont have to face defenses stacked against the pass.
15. Denver Broncos [Trade down with New York Giants] - DE Carlos Dunlap, FloridaTEAM NEEDS: 3-4 DE, C, 3-4 NT, OG, 3-4 ILB, WR, CB
The Broncos trade down and take the 6-6 290 pounds DE, Carlos Dunlap, and pick up the Giants' 3rd round pick as a bonus. Dunlap helps the Broncos in the ongoing transition to the 3-4 defense.
16. Tennessee Titans - WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma StateTEAM NEEDS: DE, CB, OG, OLB, WR, OL DEPTH
The Titans select Dez Bryant and he is FINALLY off the board. He could be gone as early as no. 10.
17. San Francisco 49ers - SS Earl Thomas, TexasTEAM NEEDS: OT, CB, OG, DE/OLB, S, 3-4 NT
After selecting an OT with their first pick, the 49ers go defense and pick up the versatile Earl Thomas who can play CB or Safety, both which are going to be an area of need for San Francisco.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Anthony Davis, RutgersTEAM NEEDS: CB, OT, FS, OG, 3-4 NT, 3-4 ILB, 3-4 OLB DEPTH
The Steelers would love for Earl Thomas to fall to them, but with the talented safety off the board, they will finally find more than journeymen and wave players to block for their QB.
19. Atlanta Falcons - DE Everson Griffen, USCTEAM NEEDS: CB, DE, OLB, WR/TE, OL DEPTH, DT DEPTH
The Falcons may be tempted to go with a CB at no. 19, but Everson Griffen gives them a pass rushing presence that they didn't have last year. Let last years first round pick, Peira Jerry get healthy and the Falcons have the makings of a very talented D-line for several years.
20. Houston Texans - OG Mike Iupati, IdahoTEAM NEEDS: OG, CB, 4-3 NT, FS, DE DEPTH, RB
Simply put, Mike Iupati is the best OG in this draft. The Texans offense is on the verge of being incredibly dangerous. Upgrade at this key position could make them outright scary and on the verge of elite.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - TE Jermaine Gresham, OklahomaTEAM NEEDS: OG, S, TE, WR, DT, SLB
With the loss of Chris Henry the Bengals are forced to pick up a WR. After signing Matt Jones the Benglas will draft a legit TE to help Carson Palmer open up the passing game.
22. New England PatriotsDT Jared Odrick, Penn StateTEAM NEEDS: 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DE, OG, ILB DEPTH, TE, WR DEPTH
The Patriots have to retool the defense. Jared Odrick is an excellent prospect as a 3-4 DE and has the work ethic and motor to contribute very early in his career.
23. Green Bay Packers - CB Kyle Wilson, Boise StateTEAM NEEDS: LT, CB, S, DL, 3-4 OLB DEPTH, RB
A lot of people might have Patrick Robinson at this spot, but I think that by the time the draft rolls around Kyle Wilson will prove himself to be a legitimate 1st round prospect. Offensive Tackle is also a possibility if the Packers feel that Charles Brown is worth the spot.
24. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia TechTEAM NEEDS: DE, FS, OG, CB depth, OLB, RB DEPTH
Jonathan Dwyer is 5-11 and 235 pounds and runs a projected 4.47. He finished his career with 3,226 rushing yards, 17 100-yard rushing games and 35 rushing TD's. He is the model of consistency after rushing for an identical 1,395 yards in 2008 and 2009.
25. Baltimore Ravens - WR Golden Tate, Notre DameTEAM NEEDS: WR, CB, DE/OLB, TE, DL DEPTH
The Ravens have one of the worst WR corps in the league. Golden Tate reloads the WR corps and brings a resume of 93 catches for 1,496 yards and 15 TD's in his senior year.
26. Arizona Cardinals - OLB Ricky Sapp, ClemsonTEAM NEEDS: LT, ILB, OLB, OL DEPTH, CB, TE
Ricky Sapp is another draft climber and the Cardinals wont pass on an OLB that can start on day one.
27. Dallas Cowboys - S Taylor Mays, USCTEAM NEEDS: OT, FS, ILB, DE, CB DEPTH, OG DEPTH
Say what you want about his pass coverage skills, Taylor Mays is a 6-3 and 231 pounds Free Safety that runs a 4.7 forty. He is a very good run defender and ended the season with 88 tackles.
28. San Diego Chargers - RB Jahvid Best, CaliforniaTEAM NEEDS: RB, RT, 3-4 NT, CB, 3-4 DE, LB DEPTH
The Chargers are making no secret of the fact that they are looking for a RB. Jahvid Best is 5-10 and 195 pounds. He finished the season with 867 yards and 12 touchdowns. There is some concern about the concussions he received in college, but the last player that I heard that kind of talk about, was a safety named Troy Polamalu, and we all know how that turned out.
29. New York Jets DE Corey Wootton, NorthwesternTEAM NEEDS: 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB, OG, CB, WR, 3-4 NT
The Jets are another team that need a 3-4 DE. They are blessed that this draft is front loaded with several first round prospects at the position. Corey Wootton finished his career with Northwestern with 156 tackles, 38 TFL's , 19.5 sacks, 12 pass deflections and four interceptions.
30. Minnesota Vikings - DT Brian Price, UCLATEAM NEEDS: OG, S, CB DEPTH, QB, LB DEPTH, DL DEPTH
Brian Price is 6-2 and 305 pounds. The defensive tackle from UCLA had 23.5 tackles for loss last year with 7 sacks. He has exceptional quickness off the ball for a man his size and would be the ideal replacement for Pat Williams. The Vikings may go with CB Pat Robinson here if they decide to wait until the second to address the defensive line.
31. Indianapolis Colts - OT Charles Brown, USCTEAM NEEDS: DT, OT, CB, OG, DE DEPTH, LB DEPTH
The Colts left tackle Tony Ugoh lost his starting job early in the season. Charlie Johnson did okay as a stop gap, but the Colts have to find someone to fill that position with more proficiency. Charles Brown is a converted TE which scouts tend to favor but he strikes me as being a little light for a LT at 292 pounds. A good NFL weight program could make him a steal at the end of the 1st round.
32. New Orleans Saints - OLB Sean Weatherspoon, MissouriTEAM NEEDS: OLB, NT, DE, C, OT DEPTH, TE DEPTH
The Saints have 28 players scheduled for Free Agency and at 6-2 and 242 pounds, Sean Weatherspoon had 104 tackles, 14.5 TFL and 4 sacks last year. Jonathan Vilma and Weatherspoon will make one heck of a linebacking tandem.