This is my current first-round mock draft as it stands today, which has changed greatly since my previous version just 12 days ago.
Previous versions:
1. St. Louis Rams — QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
A trade for Donovan McNabb would drastically shake up the top of this year's draft, but as things stand, all indications are the Rams will take a franchise quarterback with the first overall pick.
2. Detroit Lions — DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
There is certainly a strong argument for Russell Okung given the need to protect last year's No. 1 pick, Matthew Stafford, but the Lions have a glaring hole at defensive line and Suh is simply too good to pass up.3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers haven't have a real impact defensive tackle since the days of Warren Sapp and Booger McFarland, and Suh is the best overall player on the board.
4. Washington Redskins — OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
The Redskins are sorely lacking at offensive tackle, and they would be best suited grabbing Okung here and looking quarterback a little later in the draft.
5. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
Scott Pioli seems unlikely to take a safety like Eric Berry this high, but he should have no problems drafting an offensive tackle. Bulaga could allow Branden Albert to move to the right side.
6. Seattle Seahawks — S Eric Berry, Tennessee
There is little talent in the Seahawks' secondary, with Jordan Babineaux and Jamar Adams currently penciled in as the team's starting safeties. Berry would add a tremendous playmaker to the defensive backfield.
7. Cleveland Browns — CB Joe Haden, Florida
Questionable timed speed or not, Haden is this year's best cornerback prospect, and would go a long way to help the Browns' dismal secondary.
8. Oakland Raiders — DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
Reports are recently-acquired Kamerion Wimbley will play strong-side linebacker for the Raiders despite running a 4-3 scheme, making defensive end still a big need. "JPP" is the kind of physical freak Al Davis loves and fills a big hole in the team's pass rush.
9. Buffalo Bills — QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
The quarterback of the future likely isn't on the roster at this point, meaning Chan Gailey will need his own guy to develop. Clausen is the best talent available before a huge drop-off, making him a reasonable choice for the Bills here.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars — DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
The Jaguars are still in need of more pass rush despite using recent high picks on Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. Morgan fills that need as the best all-around defensive end on the board.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) — WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
I'm not buying reports of Bryant's plummeting draft stock, and I also don't see Brandon Marshall lasting much longer in Denver despite no trade coming yet. Bryant gives the Broncos the No. 1 receiver they'll need when they inevitably deal Marshall.
12. Miami Dolphins — DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
There are a lot of directions the team could go here, but nose tackle is one of the team's biggest needs, and Williams appears to be one of the safer picks available for the Dolphins at this spot.
13. San Francisco 49ers — RB C. J. Spiller, Clemson
While running back is not an immediate need for the Niners, Spiller would give their offense a dynamic complement to Frank Gore, as well as the impact returner they desperately need.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) — OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
Walter Jones may soon be heading for retirement, meaning they'll need a new franchise offensive tackle. Williams is one of the safest, most refined prospects at his position and would be a great pick here.
15. New York Giants — LB Rolando McClain, Alabama
The Giants don't have the talent on the roster to replace Antonio Pierce, and McClain would be the perfect thumper to put in the middle of their linebacker corps.16. Tennessee Titans — DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
More pass rush is needed after the departure of Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Dunlap is a high-upside prospect worthy of a pick at this point in the draft.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) — LB Sergio Kindle, Texas
The Niners have little pass-rushing talent outside of Manny Lawson, and Kindle would give them another skilled player to fill that role.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers — OG Mike Iupati, Idaho
Apparently uninterested in retaining free agent Darnell Stapleton, the Steelers could use Mike Iupati at either right guard, or maybe even right tackle down the line.
19. Atlanta Falcons — S Earl Thomas, Texas
Even after the acquisition of Dunta Robinson, the Falcons could use secondary help. Thomas is a play-maker that potentially projects at either cornerback or safety.
20. Houston Texans — RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
The Texans don't have a legitimate long-term solution at running back on the roster, and Steve Slaton is better suited for splitting time in the backfield. Mathews is a talented runner with the ability to carry the bulk of the load in Houston.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
The Bengals haven't had a true receiving threat at tight end for some time, but they are in perfect position to take this year's best prospect in Gresham.
22. New England Patriots — LB Brandon Graham, Michigan
Although he isn't the ideal size for the 3-4 pass-rushing linebacker, Graham's skills are undeniable and would go a long way in upgrading the Patriots' linebacker corps.
23. Green Bay Packers — OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers
Keeping quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright was a big problem in 2009. Davis' talent says he should go higher than this, but he could very well fall to the last first round due to character concerns.
24. Philadelphia Eagles — LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
The Eagles were clearly desperate for linebackers when they plucked Jeremiah Trotter off the garbage heap in 2009. Weatherspoon has the versatility to play anywhere in the Eagles' scheme and would be a tremendous addition of talent.
25. Baltimore Ravens — CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State
With wide receiver no longer as big a concern, the Ravens can no focus their attention elsewhere. Kyle Wilson's stock just keeps rising, and he'd be a great addition to the Ravens' lacking cornerback spot.
26. Arizona Cardinals — OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
The Cardinals have just quality tackle prospect in Levi Brown, and could certainly use another as Brown has overall been a disappointment. Campbell is a bit of a project, but has the physical tools to be an elite player at his position.
27. Dallas Cowboys — WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
Outside of Miles Austin, no Cowboys receiver had a position grade during the 2009 season. With Roy Williams a huge bust, Patrick Crayton merely average, and Kevin Ogletree still an unknown, the Cowboys could use a true big-time target for Tony Romo.28. San Diego Chargers — DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
The Chargers lost Jamal Williams to the Broncos and his injury replacements during the 2009 season performed horrendously. Cody would give the Chargers their next long-term nose tackle.
29. New York Jets — WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame
Braylon Edwards is a year from being able to walk in free agency, and there is little talent beyond him in the Jets' receiving corps. Tate would provide a good weapon for a developing Mark Sanchez.
30. Minnesota Vikings — S Taylor Mays, Southern California
Mays' questionable big-play ability may cause him to drop, but he'd be an ideal project for a Vikings team that is strong in most areas but lacking at safety. Mays also has the physical tools to play outside linebacker in the Vikings' scheme if he flounders in the secondary.
31. Indianapolis Colts — DT Jared Odrick, Penn State
The Colts' defense has been sub-par for years now, and there is little upside among the team's current defensive linemen. Odrick would be a strong addition to the unit and could start for a long time.
32. New Orleans Saints — DE Everson Griffen, Southern California
The defending Super Bowl champions don't have many holes in their roster, but Will Smith is the only viable pass rusher on the roster as Bobby McCray has been a free-agent bust and Charles Grant has been released. Griffen has a lot of upside and would be a good addition to an obviously strong squad coming off a Super Bowl victory.
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8 comments:
Isn't Tate to the Jets a bit of a reach?
It may not happen, but Tate isn't a reach in the late first round.
Chris,
Have not seen a post for you in a little while. Must be enjoying spring break, good for you. Check this out; here is my first 3 round predictions and I'm wonder what you have to say...
1st 3ound - LB McClain: Parcells cannot and will not pass up an opportunity to draft this type of LB. Also, let's not forget: Dansby could play OLB.
2nd Round - NT Cam Thomas: we need a NT and he is one I think would be a great fit in our 3-4 D.
3 Round - Rolle FS, this guy is smart as shit and has all the physical tools to be a steal in the draft.Plus we need a FS. Also we need someone who will not get arrested. This guy would seem to spend more time in a bookstore vs the pink pony.
You going to Tonys for 1st round draft?
I don't expect Dansby to play outside in the base scheme though. If we drafted McClain, he'd soon replace Crowder.
Myron Rolle isn't going to go that high and also projects more as a strong safety. I don't see him going before the fifth round.
Hadn't planned on going to Tony's for the draft.
I'd say move Crowder to OLB, let's see what he can do. He's good against the run, shitty in pass coverage. Moving him to OLB might seen far-fetch, but could work out. The good thing about moving him to outside, he'll send less time in pass coverage.
Also, the only reason I have Rolle inthe third round is this; I've seen him projected in the 6th and I've seen him project as high as the 3rd round, I think taking a gamble on this pick is a much safer pick than drafting Pat White in the 2nd round.
3-4 OLBs are pass rushers, or 4-3 defensive ends. Crowder absolutely does not fit that mold and would do horribly there. He has no pass-rushing skills, and at OLB in our scheme, that would be his job.
The fact that we stupidly picked White in the second round doesn't mean we should reach for Rolle. I like Rolle, but he's not a guaranteed starter in this league.
Chirs,
Check this out; McClain I believe has more upside and potential to be a better LB than Crowder. I think you will agree with me there. Whatsto stop the phins from drafting McClain and trading Crowder, I'm sure there are teams out there that will give us a fifth round pick for him. What do you think of that?
If people wanted Crowder, he wouldn't have re-signed with Miami last year.
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