2010 NFL Mock Draft – Lucky Lesters Mock Draft

I’ve always thought that a pre-end of season mock draft is crazy. There’s so much time to go, shoot, we don’t even know which underclassmen are for sure and which ones are just flirting with the big show. But we have ideas, thoughts, predictions, and all that junk, and since this is just fiction and fortune telling at it’s best, I might as well get in on all the fun. Here’s my own mock draft, which player I would pick if I was the team on the clock. I’ll tell you one thing, it will take me a hell of a lot less time to make my draft happen then it will during the actual draft. As is, right now, pre-free agency signings and trades and combine and everything – this is what I’ve got…. This is my only Mock Draft that is solely based on the team’s needs and my opinion of where the team should go. After this, it’s all fortune telling! (* indicates that the exact draft order for these positions is still up to a coin flip)

Lucky Lester’s 2010 NFL Mock Draft

1. St. Louis Rams: Ndamukong Suh:The biggest baddest sure thing star in the draft. I know some find it wrong to take a DT #1 overall, and that’s all fine and dandy, but this is the DT you take #1 overall because he would fit a huge need, help a bad defense, and is the best player in college football. The big cat almost won the Heisman as a freaking defensive tackle. He’s a no-brainer for me.
2. Detroit Lions:Gerald McCoy: This beast of a tackle would have been a Top 10 pick last season, but he stayed in school – unlike some other Oklahoma Sooners, this season only upped his stock, as McCoy gained strength and speed and proved even more dominating than before. He has the ability to be a force against both the run and pass. This would help the entire Lions defense.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Eric Berry: The Buccos actually have a pretty solid offensive line, a nice youngster at QB that is way ahead of where most expected him to be, and a few running backs that have all had success in the league. I think Dez White is going to be special, and they could use help at receiver, but I would never take a WR in the Top 5 – that’s too much money going to that position.
   
   Defensively, they could stand to gain some youth and explosiveness. I would go D here.They don’t really have a big need at safety, but Eric Berry is one heck of a game-breaker in the secondary – this is a little high for safety, not a spot you want to over pay. So I’m a bit hesitant. They could definitely use some help in the middle of that defensive line, and you can bet they’ll be hoping one of the top D-tackles falls to them at the 3rd spot. In my draft, I was smart, and I drafted those two bigs 1 and 2, so that leaves me in a bit of a quandary here.
   
   I think Joe Haden had a great chance to go here, because corner is a tougher place to find starter-quality players than safety, but my belief in Berry as an elite pro has me taking the Tennessee safety here.
4. Washington Redskins:Sam Bradford: The Redskins need offensive linemen bad, but it’s hard for me to believe that the best offensive line prospect, Russell Okung, will be drafted by Mike Shanahan. Shanny, or Splinter, as I call him, has always had a thing for linemen with elite footwork and quickness.
   
   Okung is one hell of a player, but he’s not an elite athlete at the position. He’ll fit in most offenses, but at #4, it’s hard for me to see Shanny grabbing a guy that doesn’t fit the bill. What I do think Splinter has been good at is grabbing QBs. He’s a pretty good judge of talent there, though I’m not sure my favorite, Sam Bradford, has the arm strength master Splinter wants in a signal caller. Oh the tough decisions.
   
   If I were the Redskins, I would trade down. I’m sure there will be a team wanting to get here to grab their favorite signal caller, and the Skins need help in a few places. Still, no trades for me, I’m not that good of a mock drafter, so I’ll take Sam Bradford. I think he is by far the best QB in the class, and though he doesn’t have John Elway or Jay Cutler arm strength, I think his future is bright.
5. Kansas City Chiefs:Russell Okung: The Chiefs and coach Todd Haley could try to bolster their offense, which was 23rd in points scored and 25th in total yards in his first season as the head man. KC has compiled one heck of a coaching staff this off-season, hiring a couple big name former ex-Patriots’ staff members in Romeo Crennel (DC) and Charlie Weis (OC). Last year, the Chiefs went heavy defense, using thier first 3 picks on two defensive linemen and a corner. It didn’t help much as they were 29th in points give up and 30th in yards allowed. Yikes.
   
   Considering their rushing resurgence over the final weeks of the season, and how that might be the only thing they have going for them, I’m sticking with my offense and grabbing Russell Okung. He’s a big bad man, and a guy that would help the Chiefs keep Matt Cassel off his ace and continue that rushing attack. He’s a mauler.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Davis: The Rutgers offensive tackle has the tools to be an elite left tackle in the NFL. Face it, the Hawks have needed help along the offensive line for a long time. They could go defense here, sure, but the D-line is deep in this draft, and amongst the top O-line prospects, I think Davis has the best feet and thus the best upside. If I were the Hawks, I would love to see Sam Bradford, Eric Berry, or one of the D-Tackles here, but I’ll certainly settle for upgrading a position that is almost always the determining factor between playoff teams and those watching after Week 17 – offensive line success is a must! And in that spot, I’m looking for upside, not brute force.
7. Cleveland Browns: Dez Bryant: I know this is higher than everybody else has the WR going, but he’s an elite pro prospect at the position. His “situation” this year is hardly a knock on his draft stock, and he was dominating during the season before his suspension. I think his size and speed as well as his ability to react to the ball make him an awesome prospect, one of the best since Calvin Johnson. Not that it matters, because this is MY DRAFT, but those that don’t think Holmgren would waste a pick on a WR here, give me a break, he traded a 1st rounder for Deion Branch, drafted Koren Robinson, and sees a need for an elite play-maker in a suspect passing game. Seems to fit.
8. Oakland Raiders: Trent Williams: This is a tough, “What would I do” pick – I mean, if I were Al Davis, I would take out my batteries and fade away into oblivion, but that’s hardly part of “draft strategy” or is it? As is, I’m not taking into account the crazies that run these teams, so I’m going for what I’d go with. Derrick Morgan is a possibility, but he didn’t always impress me, and G-Tech defensive ends (seems like there’s always one great pass rusher on that team) scare me. So I’m waiting to draft him.
   
   I think Trent Williams intrigues me here. I’m not enamored with either of the other two top quarterbacks, and while JaMarcus Russell has about as bright of a future as Al Davis himself, you can’t go wrong with Trent Williams. He’s a big strong tackle that can help immediately, and I promise he’ll make ten times the impact of a guy like, say, Darius Heyward-Bey….
9. Buffalo Bills: Bruce Campbell: The Bills need help everywhere, no doubt, and you can bet their new staff will be turning every stone to acquire more draft picks or get the one guy here that can really help them move forward. I really like Joe Hadden, still the best player on my board, and has been for a while, but this team has some great young corners, especially last year’s 2nd round pick, Jairus Byrd – the guy nabbed 9 interceptions in his rookie season. Nasty. This team actually isn’t bad defensively. Numbers will tell you they stink, and they could definitely sure up that run-defense, but having an offense that scores no points and gets no yards puts a defense in bad spots. I think the Bills could take a chance on Jimmy Claussen here.
   
   But I wouldn’t go that direction. The Bills need to run the ball, and especially with the run-game guru signed up as head coach, there are some good fits in this draft. I think Bruce Campbell’s quickness and footwork make him a great upside pick, and while this may be a little early, I’m looking for good, solid, franchise players that will help these teams. Bruce fits the bill.
10. *Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden: Perfect fit, great player, great value, a big need for a low-level pass defense that needs help in the secondary. There’s not much to say about this except the Jaguars will be really damn lucky if Haden falls to them.
11. *Denver Broncos: Rolando McClain: There’s not much I have to say besides that this kid is one of the best football players I watched on the college level this season. I’m not ready to say this is one of the biggest needs the Broncos have, or that I can justify this pick over a defensive end and physical specimen like Carlos Dunlap, but McClain is a beast and would certainly give this team a lot of options at line-backer. I think he makes the entire defense more physical and athletic.
12. Miami Dolphins: Jason Pierre-Paul: In the mold of a Jason Taylor more than a Joey Porter, this physical freak of nature could become exactly what a 3-4 defense wants at the pass rushing end. He has the physical tools to dominate and has the motor to make it happen. I think this is a great upside pick for a defense looking for big plays.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Earl Thomas: I would consider Colt McCoy if I didn’t love Nate Davis’s game. That’s right, the kid that didn’t play for the 49ers this year has a bright future, and sooner than later that will be realized. As for this next season, they 49ers probably find a way to stick with Alex Smith, they owe themselves that much. And I think they should, they have bigger needs now than quarterback.
    
    C.J. Spiller is intriguing if they are going to go against Mike Singletary’s initial hopes and run the spread, the guy could be a huge game breaker for them, but come on, Frank Gore is an all around beast, so Spiller is out. Derrick Morgan is still there, but I’m not sure he translates to a 3-4 defensive end or an outside linebacker, either way, the 49ers are pretty stout up front on D and while his value is high, I think the Niners are closer to being good than needing to build.
    
    I think Mike, and myself as well (if I was running the Niners) would like to be stronger up front, but I’m not sure the value fits that position here. In the end I go with Earl Thomas. The 49ers are great against teh run, but Earl could really help them cover some ground in the secondary. He clogged passing lanes for a great Texas defense and I think he’ll do it at the next level as well.
14. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan: I would have loved Earl Thomas here, for the Hawks, because they need help in that secondary bad. Taylor Mays could be the guy, and I’m this close to pulling that trigger, but the Pete Carol/USC roots thing is just too good to be true, even for a mock draft. But hey, Derrick Morgan with the 14th pick is an absolute steal, and so is Carlos Dunlap, both options that are, amazingly enough, still sitting around waiting to hear their names called here.
    
    I think quarterback can wait, and since the Hawks already grabbed an offensive lineman earlier in this round, help on the defensive line seems like a good move. I like Derrick Morgan’s motor, and even as a GT D-end, his strength against the pass and run seems too good to pass up in the middle of Round 1. I don’t see Carrol, a defensive guru, moving to a 3-4, something he didn’t run at USC – and he’s already loaded at linebacker, so if he did that, this pick wouldn’t make sense.
15. New York Giants: Carlos Dunlap: The Giants could use some push on defense. I think Dunlap’s size and physical upside makes him a great selection for a Giants team that definitely lost a bit of their defensive punch as the season went forward. This team had a lot of injuries, and I’m not sure they have terrible need anywhere, which makes Dunlap, and his upside, an even better selection.
16. *San Francisco 49ers: Brian Bulaga: Jimmy Claussen is still on the board here, but I would still do my best to steer clear. I like Brian Bulaga… This big offensive tackle has the feet I want in an offensive lineman, and he hasn’t reached his full potential yet. Yes, I like OL guys that don’t rely too heavily on overpowering college defensive linemen throughout their NCAA careers – because in the NFL, that won’t always be an option. Bulaga has the footwork to be special, and should help an struggling run-game from the get go. The Niners definitely make the most of their two mid-round picks.
17. *Tennessee Titans: Brian Price: Offensively, I actually think the Titans are stout. They could reach for a special tight end, and I think this draft has plenty to choose from, but I personally don’t believe in 1st round tight ends. Especially because Vince has a nice relationship with Bo Scaife, and they’ve shown that on the field. The team definitely needs pass rush help, as the time opposing quarterbacks got when they dropped back definitely effected the defense and their 31st ranking against the pass. They could get that at end, but the best defensive lineman on the board is Brian Price. Price might not be a freak of nature, isn’t 6’8″ and 320 pounds with a 50 inch vertical or anything, but the guy clogs holes, disrupts quarterbacks, and causes ruckus on the football field. The Titans need that.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Everson Griffen: Obviously offensive line is something I rate high, and the Steelers need help there badly, but my appreciation and respect for what good offensive linemen mean has the top 5 gone by pick 16, two picks before the Steelers draft. This team needs pass-blockers bad, and there’s a good chance one of the top 5 slip. If Bulaga or Campbell or Davis fell this far, I’d have them in black and gold in a hurry. As is, there’s no value at OL here, so I have to go another route.
    
    Everson Griffen is an elite prospect that is probably coming out a little too early – but he could be molded into a 3-4 end. This is a team that never has too many concerns about drafting defensive prospects, and some help on the line. Brett Keisel will be in his 9th season, and while he’s still a force, Griffen would be a nice selection if the Steelers believe he can become that rush end in their base defense.
19. *Houston Texans: Patrick Robinson: The Texans need help in the secondary, some way, some how. They’ve invested a lot into the defensive line, and they have some great upside there. The kids are growing up and now they need some lock-down players on the outside. I don’t know if Patrick Robinson is a Top 20 corner, but he’s close, and he definitely will help make plays for the Texans on the outside. Houston could go for help at linebacker, or even grab a guy like Taylor Mays, but I think Robinson helps them in a place of need, and he’s a lot better than option 3 at CB – value both for the team and in the draft.
20. *Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Mays:The kid is an absolute specimen. His size and speed are an uncanny pair, and he was one of the best defensive players in college football two seasons ago. This season, he got caught out of position a few times, and definitely was trying to do too much. But a kid, and his upside, doesn’t change that much in a year, and this guy is a top 10 pick in that department. He’s a playmaker, a helper against the run, a destroyer looking for big hits in the secondary. I think the Falcons could use all of that, and I think this is a steal here.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham: I said I don’t like 1st round TE’s and I wasn’t lying, but just like any drafter, I have my value price where I just can’t pass a guy up. Gresham is more of an elite wide receiver than a TE, similar to a guy like Witten, Gates, Tony Gonzalez, at least in terms of upside. The Bengals have never had a TE with that kind of ability, and without an elite WR right here for the Bengals to grab (for an offense that was definitely lacking explosiveness in the passing game) I think Gresham is a great pick.
22. New England Patriots: C.J. Spiller: I don’t see what’s taking Bill Belichick so long. The Patriots love to pass the ball, and they love to pass it short, why not have one of the most feared open space players in the draft come in and make the most out of Tom Brady’s ability to read defenses, and take advantage of mis-matches. Spiller is a mis-match to big play waiting to happen. I know he doesn’t fit the normal Patriot mold, but what does that mean anyway? Does it mean they haven’t drafted one in a while? I see Spiller as a double digit touchdown guy in the NFL – the Pats could use that at the RB position.
23. Green Bay Packers:Sergio Kindle: I just can’t see a team like Green Bay passing on a guy like Kindle. I think the Packers are in a great spot, they don’t need much, but Kindle is a great piece to a 3-4 defense because of his ability to just flat out make plays. I know the Packers have plenty of players at linebacker, but I’m not sure any of them is as good a pair as Kindle would be to Clay Matthews. Kindle’s explosive nature would be yet another piece for a fast forward Packers defense.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Navorro Bowman: The Eagles could definitely use some sideline to sideline play-making ability from the linebacker spot, some youth, some speed, some all around great play. Bowman is a great linebacker, and he can definitely do what the Eagles need him to do. He’s not a great guy to fight off blocks, but if the Eagles can let him roam, he’ll make plays all over the field.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon LaFell: I think LaFell is going to be one heck of a receiver. I think a receiver’s stats in college can often be thrown right out the window, especially if they are part of a really special passing attack or a really terrible passing attack. LaFell can mark down himself as a victim of the latter, but I still think he has #1 upside. The Ravens could get depth in a lot of places, or they could go for the gusto and see if one of the late 1st to 2nd round receivers fits like a glove. I think LaFell is a good choice.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes: I don’t know what the Cardinals will need more. They have lots of holes, I know that. Dansby is a question mark, will he be back, will he be happy? Kurt Warner? Retiring? Anquan Boldin? Traded? Bertrand Berry retired, I know that, so the Cardinals could definitely use an end. I’m going for one hell of a football player to replace Carlos Dansby. I know Carlos does lots of things for the Cardinals, and I’m not sure that Spikes will get those all done right off the bat – but he’s a difference maker at the ILB position, and the Cardinals could use some more pop, especially if Dansby hits the road.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Ricky Sapp: I’m not sure what the Packers really need. They have a three-headed monster at running back, one highly paid under-performer at receiver but teamed with an underpaid pro-bowler makes it a pretty solid position. Then you have one of the best TEs in the league, a great young quarterback, and offensive line that is good (but needs youth) – then you have that defense that is really maturing in the secondary while staying as powerful as ever up front. Tough to find a hole.
    
    I think the Cowboys have room to grab the best player available, and the only problem is, I think that’s an OLB named Ricky Sapp. They are loaded at OLB, and I don’t know if there’d be room for Sapp to play, unless they Boys got rid of either Ware or Spencer, both of which are elite OLBs. Jahvid Best is another guy that is high on my list, as is Ryan Matthews, but it’s tough to see the Cowboys going RB. I’m not sure if any of the DL prospects would fit nicely in that 3-4 as a lineman. So without further ado, I’m just going to go on ahead and select Sapp – he’s the best player on my board and I don’t love any O-line guys right at this spot. I think Sapp is a steal, I don’t know how I didn’t pick him earlier.
28. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Dwyer: Obviously LT isn’t likely to come back, and I think Dwyer is the best power back in the draft. He played an interesting FB type position at Georgia Tech, and he wasn’t as leaned on during his last season with the Jackets, but Dwyer is a beast and I think he has the power and quick burst to be a very good starting running back in the NFL. He’s a great match with a guy like Darren Sproles, the heavy deep fried dough to the sprinkles and frosting that make a doughnut. What can I say, I’m on pastry thoughts here.
29. New York Jets: Golden Tate: The Jets have some good players at receiver, and Edwards and Cotchery both have good size and speed – and I don’t know what Tate will “measure” out at, but I have to be honest, I don’t care. Golden Tate should get a weekly thank you letter from Charlie Weis that says, “I’d like to thank you for getting me a job as an offensive coordinator after I got fired. You are the reason I looked good when I did.” Tate might not have great size or speed or whatever you want to have for receivers – but he does do one thing, he goes and gets the ball and he makes magic happen. The kid was unstoppable and he made Jimmy Claussen look really good on some “up for grabs” balls. I think the Jets could really use a guy like him in their run first, big pass play offense.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Dan Williams: The original Williams’s aren’t going to be around forever, and Dan Williams is a heck of a defensive lineman and the name fits – but that’s just coincidence, I promise. He may not be a dead ringer for one of the Wild Things, but he’s a big bad man with an extremely strong lower body, and built in the mold to take up space and fight for position. The Vikings need back-ups for exactly that.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Bruce Carter: Bottom line, Bruce Carter is a machine. The Colts seem to plug new players in all the time, and this guy seems like he’ll fit the bill. Carter is a little undersized, but the Colts probably won’t mind, shoot, he’ll fit right in. This guy was a big reason why the UNC Tar Heels were a defensive force in the ACC – his speed and ability to move to the ball would make him an ideal guy in Indy’s defensive schemes.
32. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Graham: I think Graham might fit that Colts edge rusher ideal better – I mean he’s a little undersized, probably won’t measure out as an elite prospect, but just does everything he can to get to the quarterback and make tackles in the backfield. His production this season, on a team that wasn’t very good at winning football games, was just down right scary. I think Graham continues his production at the next level, and the Saints could use more motor and pass rushing prowess. Even if he’s not the ideal size, I see him as the best fit for the Saints.