NFL Mock Draft 2010: Lucky Lesters Mock #2

This Mock Draft has been updated as of April 15th, early Thursday morning. A trade or two has gone down, and the draft’s layout has changed a bit. Check out my most recent update!

After an action packed off-season with signings and tradings galore, and seeing as though we are just a month away from the real deal, I’ve put together my second mock draft for you. I think this one will be a little more accurate, but don’t forget to head back to my first mock draft – as there was plenty of intelligent picks to be had. I can’t wait for the most exciting day of the off-season, even if ESPN is doing their best to make this a week-long event. Let the drafting begin!!!

1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma: As I said in my original Mock Draft way back before the Super Bowl, Bradford is easily the best quarterback in this class and his future is bright – I loved him as the top quarterback in a much better QB class last season, and I like him just as much this year (but with more injury concerns). I also had him going #4 to the Redskins. But since then, the former Heisman Trophy winner has shown his true colors, and they now believe his upside and the fact that he could be a great quarterback ends up being too much for the QB-less Rams to pass up.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: The biggest baddest sure thing star in the draft. I now understand why the Rams likely won’t pick the DT #1 overall, and that’s all fine and dandy, but I would take THIS DT #1 overall because he would fit a huge need, help a bad defense, and is the best player in college football. That last part is a big deal. I am a little sick of the idea of where a player should be drafted based on their position. You take the biggest difference maker, and I think Suh is that. I love Bradford, and get what the Rams are thinking, but the Lions benefit big time from that move. The big cat almost won the Heisman as a freaking defensive tackle. He’s a no-brainer for me.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma: 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. The Bucs likely benefit the most form St. Louis deciding to go quarterback here, they would have been looking at a safety or even reaching for an offensive lineman here, but now they get one of the best players in the draft at a position they have needs.
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State: It looks like the Redskins agreed with McShay and myself on Claussen’s worth, which is exactly why they removed the chances of grabbing him by trading for Donovan McNabb. So now what will they do? I still think they lose in this draft as there’s no great value pick for them to grab. Russell Okung is supposedly the best offensive lineman in the draft, but I don’t see the elite footwork and athleticism that Mike Shanahan asks for in his OTs. So what do they do? Eric Berry probably isn’t an option for a team with a highly paid safety in the prime of his career. So what do they do? I haven’t seen a team drafting at 4 with so many questions. The Redskins almost have to move down here, but who wants this spot? If they stay here, and in my Mocks everyone stays in their slot, I think the Redskins should go for Anthony Davis, the most gifted OT in the draft, out of Rutgers. He fits the athletic mold Splinter likes from his O-linemen, and it fits a big need for the Skins. But it’s beginning to look like they won’t pick a question mark as large as Davis with a pick this high. Despite his limited athleticism, Okung is the guy that everybody sees as the safest thing right away, the guy most ready to help. That’s what the Redskins have signed up for, so they likely go Okung.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee: The Chiefs will probably shape a lot of the draft going forward, but I’ve decided it’s too hard to pass up a pro-bowl caliber player at a position of need for a team that needs a leader in the secondary. There it is. Eric Berry is a great pick for the Chiefs.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: I’m not sure why the Hawks traded 2nd round picks with San Diego to get Whitehurst, but hey, maybe that is worth it in the future. What it did was eliminate a chance at Brandon Marshall, because the Dolphins could put a better now and later package together. What it does is open the door for Seattle to go big with the draft’s most explosive offensive player, Dez Bryant. He could give Seattle a great deep threat to team with TJ Housh, and give the offense some explosion down field. A reach, maybe, but his character questions are blown out of proportion, and he’s a big time game-breaker.
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida: The Browns would be smart to sure up their defense with the best corner prospect in the draft, really the only guy that has a guaranteed 1st round grade and first round production in college (though I like Kyle Wilson from Boise State). Haden has good value here as the only cover corner with a 1st round slot, plus I think he’ll be very good, and the Browns could always use help at any position really, and name a tougher position to find an elite player than corner. Okay, maybe QB – but there’s nobody the Browns should take at 7 there.
8. Oakland Raiders: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: 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. The problem with this pick is that I really like this guy, he grades out really high, and the Raiders could use more pass rushing presence. Yes, that wouldn’t be a problem unless it was Oakland picking a team that rarely drafts logically. Oh well, I’ll give them a lucky accident here.
9. Buffalo Bills: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma: I think Trent Williams would be a big help to the Bills. But it’s between intelligent helpful pick and Jimmy Claussen here, and I have an eerie feeling the Bills are going to go the wrong way with this one. Still, I like Williams as a pick for Buffalo, a team that could only get better on the offensive line, especially with the run-heavy scheme they will likely be running next season (likely scratching the hurry up they put together last year). Williams is big and strong and solid.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Earl Thomas, S, Texas: Don’t tell me that the Jaguars get smart and draft a kid that will immediately make their defense better as a leader and a great player for a secondary that really struggles to hold their own against the rest of the NFL. Don’t tell me it’s happening. I’m putting this pick down because it’s smart, it’s perfect, it’s easy – but I wouldn’t be stunned for a minute if Jacksonville grabbed Claussen here.
11. Denver Broncos: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: I originally had the Broncos adding Earl Thomas, and still think he’d be a great pick for the Broncos here. In my draft, their new elite receiving prospect is off the board, and that’s probably good, because taking a receiver high wouldn’t be the greatest help to this team. Dan Williams projects as a great center piece in a 3-4 defense, and a great defensive lineman is something Denver could really use. Plus, it snags a player the Dolphins covet at pick 12 – perfect.
12. Miami Dolphins: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech: Before the Marshall trade I saw the best wide receiving prospect in the draft going here, but with Marshall on board, and Dez now off the board, they’ll have to go in a different direction. They could use some help at lots of places, but defense is probably their biggest need. They don’t have any outside linebackers that make their 3-4 great, and they could go for a guy like Kindle here, but I think Morgan is the better value. They can use him on the line somewhere – he might not be a prototypical guy in a 3-4, but he does everything well, against the pass and run, and has a great motor – which should help even out the Brandon Marshall trade…
13. San Francisco 49ers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa: 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 very good, and should help a struggling run-game from the get go. People say that Bulaga isn’t an elite athlete, but balance is a key to athleticism in my mind and he’s great there. I had the Niners picking up Brian with their next pick, and that’s still possible, but this is a great fit for them in a big spot of need.
14. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers: I thought the Hawks would get a chance at Morgan, but he’s off the board now. That leaves them in a good spot to take the most talented offensive lineman in the draft. The Hawks have good offensive line coaches in Seattle, and they should be able to do a lot with Davis. There’s no doubt in my mind that an OL pick in the 1st round would really help the Hawks’ chances at success.
15. New York Giants: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama: 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. 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. Tennessee Titans: Sergio Kindle, DE, Texas: This 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. There are lots of options defensively, and I’m not sure which guy fits the Titans’ defense best – but I like Sergio Kindle as a playmaker in a defensive front that is lacking difference makers. I think Brian Price is a good pick, as is Jason Odrick or even Everson Griffen – and those all might be safer picks, but Kindle’s big play ability wins out here.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State : I sure hope not, and I know some people thought I was crazy when I suggested the 49ers go OL-OL in back to back 1st round picks, but that’s because I really don’t think Claussen will work out, and two big guys will really help this team gain an identity. Claussen can run a pro-style offense, and that’s something to pursuade the Niners with, but I’m thinking true help for a team on the verge of the playoffs wins out, and they go a different direction. Kyle Wilson can help the 49ers where they really struggled down the stretch, deep. Wilson is a very solid ball defender that makes big plays and is downgraded a bit because he played for Boise State. I think if he played for Florida he’d be a Top 10 pick. This guy can play.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho: The Steelers need help right now, and I think Iupati steps in and plays from the get go. He’s a beast of a guard, and a technician for a rookie – he should sure up Big Ben’s time in the pocket, and if he does a really good job, they’ll put him in charge of keeping Ben out of trouble at bars and sorority houses and strip clubs alike.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Brian Price, DT, UCLA: Mel Kiper has C.J. Spiller going here, but that doesn’t make too much sense to me. They already have a running back that gets a huge portion of carries, they have a guy in Jerious Norwood who, when healthy, has been dynamic with his limited touches, and they need a lot of help defensively to waste their 1st round pick on a situational running back (which is what Spiller would be for them). What the Falcons need more than anything is some help stuffing the run. Brian Price would give the Falcons everything they need up front, help against the run and a pass rushing presence from the interior.
20. Houston Texans: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan: I haven’t seen Graham going to the Texans in many mock drafts, but the kid could do big time things rushing the passer opposite Mario Williams. No double teams, no problem – Graham’s quickness will automatically make life tough for opposing quarterbacks, and put less pressure on a shaky secondary. If you can’t improve your secondary with a value pick at corner or safety, why not improve your secondary with a value pick at defensive line?
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State: The Bengals could really use a dual threat at defensive end, and this kid’s want-to and absolute motor will make him a solid option right off the bat. They need help on the defensive line, at least some depth, because they are shallow up front and injuries derailed them late last season.
22. New England Patriots: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: I still love this pick for the Patriots. 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 mismatches. Spiller is a mismatch 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: Taylor Mays, S, USC: The Packers need help up front really bad. Sure, Aaron Rodgers holds on to the ball a little longer than he should, but that doesn’t mean a grip of those sacks weren’t the fault of a faulty offensive line. The Packers do need help there, but OTs have already been reached out for, and the next best shouldn’t be drafted here. They could go for a guy flying up the charts like center/guard prospect Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey keeps defensive tackles in front, and can help run and offense, rarely making pass protection mistakes. However, Taylor Mays is on the board, and I don’t think he gets passed up here. He’s a playmaker, an elite size and speed guy that excelled two years ago for one of the best defenses in college football. He struggled a bit last year in a down year for the USC defense, often trying to do too much – but in a league that considers upside, Mays has great value here.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Everson Griffen, DE, USC: The Eagles need youth and help lots of places defensively, but who knows, they might just go on and add a 4th quarterback here just to further complicate matters and mess around with us. I thought they’d try to grab Dan Williams if he fell, but he won’t – that’s what I’ve figured – and I don’t know if there’s another defensive lineman that’s way better than the next guy, but I think Everson Griffen has the upside you want if you’re part of the Eagles’ brass. A big, bad O-lineman wouldn’t be bad here, but I think Griffen is the right choice.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: I think Gresham is the biggest game changing receiving option left in the draft, and though Todd Heap has shown skills in the past, he’s about as reliable to play every day as Pacman Jones is at staying in line at a strip club. Heap’s best years are gone, his health is always a question, and I think Gresham is much more talented than him anyway. The Ravens could grab defensive help in numbers, a guy like Jerry Hughes or maybe even Brandon Spikes as a playmaker for the future. They could go for a wide receiver like Arrelious Benn, Bradon Lafell, or even Demaryius Thomas, an elite receiver physically that might have been held back in college by the offense he was in. But I think the Ravens don’t reach for a receiver here and instead take one of the best pass catching tight ends to come out in a long time.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida: Warner retired so did Bert Berry, Dansby and Boldin were traded, I don’t know what the Cardinals will need more. Similar to a wiffle-ball, they have lots of holes, I know that. 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 he plays with the physicality and instincts that make good players great, and the Cardinals could use some more pop, especially now that Dansby is gone. I know Spikes isn’t projected this high, but if the Cardinals can get him, it’d be great for them. Some other options, Carlos Dunlap, Jerry Hughes, or even a quarterback if they like a guy like Claussen and he’s still waiting. Jermaine Gresham if he’s still there? You bet – definitely an option.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida: Oh what does the team that has everything draft? Good question. The Cowboys seem to be loaded at running back, possess a strong offensive line, look to be loaded on defense and have millions of dollars invested into receiver. Do they reach for an offensive lineman like Charles Brown and hope he develops into a starter for them? The Cowboys should probably trade down with no big time need, and acquire some picks in a very deep draft. But, if they do en up picking here, how about a guy like Maurkice Puncey? Good pick for them. He’d sure up the offensive line at a few positions, and help this team if things went wrong up front, plus add a great prospect for the future. This pick may not be flashy enough for Jones, but it’s a good one.
28. San Diego Chargers: Jahvid Best, RB, California: I like Ryan Mathews and think he could be a very good running back in the NFL, but Best has special upside and he should be strongly considered here. Don’t decide against drafting him because he’s small and you already have a small back. I love Sproles and his ability to makes nothing into something, but if Best is small, Sproles is miniature. Best has amazing speed, and it translates on the field. People question him because of his concussion and his struggles against top ranked defenses – but this kid can run, and he’s going to be a good one. If you’re going to drop a 1st round pick on a running back, it might as well be a homerun talent you’re bringing in.
29. New York Jets: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame: I’m sticking with this one. 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: Charles Brown, OT, USC: Brandon Spikes could slip, no doubt about it. As could a guy like Brian Price, and both would be good options for the Vikings. This team definitely needs some youth on defense and more specifically at linebacker. But, the Vikings could get that on the days following the first round, and I don’t think they’ll be able to get an OL prospect like Charles Brown unless they go now. Brown would give some nice depth on the line to a team with possibly question marks arising, as Brett got killed in the NFC Championship and the offseason wasn’t good to Bryant McKinnie’s respect level.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama: Kareem’s ability to anticipate the throw, hold down a side, and make sure nothing gets over his head should really help him in Indy’s safe scheme. Jackson moves very well, not just fast, but with good balance and great hips. He looks like a very good corner to me, and Indy could always use help on the outside.
32. New Orleans Saints: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri: This seems like an easy pick for the Saints as Weatherspoon looks like the most NFL ready sideline to sideline OLB in the draft, and the Saints are looking for one because Scott Fujita bolted for greener (money) pastures in Cleveland. There are obviously lots of options at linebacker, and the Saints could find more value going for a guy like Carlos Dunlap, Jared Odrick, even a pass rush specialist like Jerry Hughes – some player ranked higher than Weatherspoon. But why risk it when you can get a great player to fill in when you need help?
33. Best Players Left: Devin McCourty, Carlos Dunlap, Ryan Matthews, Jerry Hughes, Aaron Hernandez, Arrelious Benn, Terrence Cody, Demaryious Thomas, Brandon LaFell, Colt McCoy, Patrick Robinson, Jonathan Dwyer, Dexter McCluster, Jimmy Claussen, Mike Williams, Ed Dickson, Cam Thomas