2010 NFL Mock Draft

1. STL: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
I have never cared too much for the 'I was first!' mentality of mock drafting. When I form a mock it is what I believe will happen at that time. I have always felt the Rams would take a quarterback. The reason I am changing it from Clausen to Bradford is because I now believe they like him more. I still think Clausen is more prepared to have early success in the NFL and is the (cliche alert!) 'safer' pick. However, after signing A.J. Feeley to be their 'quarterback crash test dummy' this season I have heated up considerably to Bradford. I love him landing indoors and within two seasons he might be the best quarterback in the NFC West. In three seasons if this team makes more good decisions like this they could be playoff contenders.

2. DET: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The Lions traded for Corey Williams and added free agent Kyle Vanden Bosch to their defensive line. Some think this will allow them to point their attention towards left tackle Russell Okung (Oklahoma State). I do not believe so. Adding those established players to a pathetic defensive front helps, and now it gives Suh an even better chance to succeed as a rookie. He can generate a pass rush and while this is not the 'Rock City Defense' just yet, they are improving.

3. TB: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The notion that Suh is the 'consensus' best player in this draft is ridiculous. There are plenty of people who believe McCoy is very, very close. In my opinion he would probably be higher in public perception if his Sooners had not fallen off the national title map this past season, while Suh gained considerable momentum from what I would call 'casual analysts' by dominating the Big XII title game. In reality, they are close. How close is up to the two teams and their respective scouts. The Bucs are happy with either guy, that's my point. They need to take the best talent and it is a bonus for them to also scratch off a huge team need.

4. WAS: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
At first blush, anyone reading my last version (if you can remember back that long) will see my only change in the first 4 picks is swapping the quarterbacks. I want to emphasize again that this change has nothing to do with my feelings about either player. As it turns out, the respective players wind up in better situations for both of them. Clausen is getting a reputation as having a bad attitude. Good grief. I thought this was the NFL. We're not arranging marriages here. This is about compiling 53 football players to get on a field and kick the tail off the opposition. I see attitude as swagger. He is talented, and has been prepping for this situation now for years. The Redskins might hold Campbell for one 'lame duck' season until Clausen takes over.

5. KC: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Scott Pioli wants to build the Chiefs through the respective lines. I disagreed with his treatment of the defensive line last year because I felt at #3 (or after trading down) he should have grabbed the best nose tackle, Boston College's B.J. Raji, instead of LSU's Tyson Jackson. They are still without someone to stick in the middle of their defensive line, but loaded with ends in their 3-4. This brings us to the other line. They are stuck with quarterback Matt Cassel, who has trouble avoiding sacks, among other issues. Their incumbent blind side protector was a guard in college and many believe sliding inside at this point makes sense. It doesn't mean Albert is a 'bust. It simply means sticking Okung at left tackle and Albert at left guard, where former #2 overall pick Robert Gallery has been pretty good for the rival Raiders is better for the line overall.

6. SEA: Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee
After the combine, as I expected, the offensive tackles started making their way up draft boards. It was really just a matter of people figuring out the order these guys would be selected because we all know the position is highly valued in the NFL. Walter Jones has not been a factor on the Seahawks for a while now, and trying to replace him now that he is retired is their first priority. However, with two first round picks the decision making process gets tricky. One possibility, quarterback, is eliminated because the two blue chips are gone. If I had to make an early prediction it would be trading down because while there is not too much separation in the group of tackles available, waiting until #14 takes the decision making out of their hands a little bit. I do not think Berry represents tremendous value here, especially with some analysts believing Earl Thomas (Texas) has closed the gap on him in recent weeks, but he is a top shelf prospect and the 'Hawks are in dire need of his skills on the back end of their defense.

7. CLE: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
Their quarterback situation cleared up a little bit with the acquisition of Wallace from Seattle. He gives them at least one player Mike Holmgren trusts at the position. Now it could boil down to holding either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson (the former I would guess) for this season. The move also serves as insurance for the scenario presenting itself here, both top quarterbacks off the board. Let's face it, they are the trail horse in this divisional race by quite a bit and probably would be relieved not to be 'forced' into throwing their hopes behind another first round quarterback, even as pathetic as their passing game was in 2009. A better move, given the options on the board, is another piece on defense. Their linebacker situation is much improved over where it was just this past November. Claiming Matt Roth (Dolphins) and signing Scott Fujita (Saints) gives them two players to lean on. Time will tell if D'Qwell Jackson, who hit IR in the first half of the season with a pectoral tear, comes back just as strong. If so, and if McClain performs as advertised this 3-4 will be in great shape at the position which is pretty much a necessity in the rugged AFC North.

8. OAK: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
My immediate reaction to Campbell's performance at the combine was to caution against everyone assuming he was a lock to the Raiders. I quickly noted the 40 times from seven of the last eight offensive linemen they chose, and only one of them (Robert Gallery) was notable. Some were downright sluggish. Speed is a position Al Davis covets from his receivers, linebackers and defensive backs. That being said, this is a decision based more on the athleticism and potential he displayed during the combine. Tom Cable has no job security, we all know it, but prior to the team selecting DHB last year he expressed a desire to have a 'Cadillac' at the tackle position. He is still, after all, an offensive line coach at heart. If he wants one, at least he can point to a flashy combine showing to convince the owner it is the right decision.

9. BUF: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Bills are yet another team switching to the 3-4 defense. Passing on a player capable of filling the nose tackle spot is risky business because there are just not many human beings on the planet capable of doing it. It could be the hardest position to fill other than quarterback if you think about it. Having assigned new linebacker roles to some of their new ends, the priority is to fortify their front. The run defense was awful and they can only hope their new alignment helps them do what the Packers did in year one of their new 3-4, ranking first in the NFL with just 83.3 rushing yards allowed. Green Bay improved from seventh worst (131.6) and who did they draft? Nose tackle B.J. Raji. Where did they pick him? At #9 overall. I'm not saying the rookie was the reason for the turnaround, but it's one key part of the equation.

10. JAX: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
The big issue defensively for the Jaguars was their anemic pass rush. Being stuck in a division with Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub makes this their top priority. Signing Kampman (Packers) opens up their options here and quite frankly another high pick at defensive end is probably not what management prefers after a pair of failed choices in 2008 - Groves and Harvey. Also, not all of the ridiculous 235.9 passing yards per game and 28 touchdown passes allowed is a result of a poor pass rush. Someone has to cover the middle of the field and Reggie Nelson, also known for his poor tackling, is not getting it done. In three seasons the 2007 first round pick from Florida might be gone after losing his starting job. Enter a safety who NFL Network guru Mike Mayock continues to rate above Tennessee's Eric Berry which is a bold statement from a guy who does his homework. This is not much of a reach, it fills a need and addresses a problem from another angle.

11. DEN: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Everyone seems to concede star receiver Brandon Marshall's exit and the drafting of Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant, if available, in this spot. This seems like a logical scenario, except for one thing. Does Josh McDaniels want to exchange one migraine for another at the 'diva' position? I doubt it. He wants to rule with an iron fist, and as such is more likely to seek out players more eager to please him than someone with 'star' qualities that go along with being the consensus #1 receiver in this draft. Free agency has solidified their defensive line. Florida cornerback Joe Haden is a temptation, but would that mean admitting last year's first round pick (after trading up) Alphonso Smith really is just a nickel cornerback? Haden's sluggish combine 40 time might be the nudge they need to convince themselves not to make a bold, probably right move by taking the proverbial 'BPA'. I'm left with a logical alternative. Their running game is moving away from the zone blocking scheme to a more powerful approach. For a while now I have believe Iupati is a good fit for them. It might come after shuffling down a few picks while other teams drool for Haden or an offensive tackle, but this is the right addition. The interior of their offensive line is a mess. I wouldn't rule out 'pulling a Cleveland' and shuffling way down to select center Maurkice Pauncey (Florida)

12. MIA: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida
It would have been easy go give them Tennessee's Dan Williams because Ferguson's future is murky for multiple reasons (age, injury problems, pending suspension) and Soliai is not good enough to replace him full time. Since he is off the board things become more difficult. I have ruled out Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant not only because 'the Tuna' has a pretty serious aversion to drafing the position in round 1, but also due to a growing number of people (myself included) feeling him dropping down the board. Instead, I am going to give it up for a pass rusher. Projecting players to a 3-4 from defensive end in college is riduculously difficult. I am far from convinced 'JPP' is really going this high after just one huge year for the Bulls coming over from the JC ranks. However, Porter is out of the mix and Taylor might as well be. They should get a little more from Cameron Wake, but can stand to add a little insurance if he disappoints in a larger role.