2010 NFL Draft Analysis - Picks 17-32

17. SF (from CAR): Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
There is a bit of irony here because the two linemen many believed might be the apple of Oakland's eye across the Bay wound up with the 49ers. At worst he will be a tremendous guard for years to come and at best might be able to contribute at tackle. They have potentially landed two starters for 2011 if not this season.

18. PIT: Maurkice Pouncey, OC, Florida
Luckily I stuck with this and ignored those who thought Denver was in the mix. He adds to their legacy at center.

19. ATL: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Gresham's injury might have turned them off selecting him this high, but instead of grabbing the top tight end they reached a bit for a player who likely would have been there after a trade back. It does fill a need.

20. HOU: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Mathews was gone, and cornerback would have been my call here. To be honest it should have been anyway, but I'm not sure I value Jackson this high. He was a late riser and I had him just a few picks back at #29.

21. CIN: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Michael Abromowitz finally sees his Bengals grab a top shelf tight end. Regrettably I had him off the board, but obviously would have had him projected here otherwise.

22. DEN (from NE): Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Well this is awkward. I had Thomas to the Broncos - in the second round. I also mused the Patriots might swoop ahead of them to get him. Instead they were the trading partner here. I like his potential, but that's why I stubbornly left him out of my 32 because he is not ready to contribute.

23. GB: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Great value pick and the Packers must have been pinching themselves. He might not be a left tackle, but for a team needing support on both sides this was a steal.

24. DAL (from NE/DEN/NE): Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Hand it to Gosselin, he had the Cowboys getting him after he slid down the board (at #27). I might have too had I known how the top 15 shook out. However, this is an admission of the Roy Williams trade being a huge mistake. They are now throwing good money at the position and likely cutting their losses with Williams who will have even more trouble finding a role in the offense.

25. DEN (from BAL): Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Mystery solved. Tebow will be closer to heaven in the Mile High city as someone pointed out on Twitter. That had me laughing. I had him landing in Buffalo, but they were beaten out in the trade up proceedings which I chose not to project in my final mock draft. This is a puzzler when you consider they are now hoping Tebow to Thomas replaces Cutler to Marshall. Think about that for a minute.

26. ARI: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Bad move on my part. Their top need was nose tackle and I had him left on the board so I should have foreseen this happening. It is a solid value for them this late in the round given the options available at the position, which I had them addressing in round 2 of my final mock.

27. NE (from DAL): Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
I had McCourty #27 just not to the Patriots. However, this fits their history more than going after the pass rusher and my projection (Graham) was long gone when they first came up at #22.

28. MIA (from SD): Jared Odrick, DT/DE, Penn State
Trading down almost always makes sense so while they gave up their chance to add Earl Thomas (Texas) at safety, instead they wind up with pretty good value here plus more ammunition. This was not a huge need and I'm surprised they chose not to slide back up a few picks when Dan Williams (Tennessee) was still lingering at nose tackle.

29. NYJ: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
You can call this another near miss. There were three corners they could take and in my mock Jackson (Alabama) was the last man standing. In reality Wilson was the one left and they took him.

30. DET: Jahvid Best, RB, California
I was buying into Best landing with one of the two dome teams picking 1-2 in the first round, and projected RB to the Lions in the third so this is a nice move from the Lions trading up for him. He will be a dynamic weapon for their rebuilding offense that already has a quarterback and tight end from last year's first round.

31. IND: Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
If you want to know who the Colts are taking next year don't ask me because I've cornered the market on nailing their picks. Last year it was Donald Brown and this year I snuck Hughes in. Had he been on their roster at this past Super Bowl his presence would have made a difference.

32. NO: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
I'm okay with the value having put him #38 in my final mock, but I don't know if this was their biggest need. Obviously they were not comfortable with the best defensive tackle or linebacker on their board.