AloDraft’s Mock Draft 2.0
AloDraft 2/9/2010 Mock Draft 2.0
1. St. Louis Rams – Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
Reports have surfaced linking the Rams to Michael Vick, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams try to reunite OC Pat Shurmur with one of the quarterbacks he coached in Philly, be it Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb. If that doesn’t happen, Clausen and Bradford become strong possibilities here, but Suh is the choice for now. Though the Rams used two of their last three first round picks on defensive linemen, none of them were once in a decade talents like Suh; passing on Ndamukong because of them would be a major mistake.
2. Detroit Lions – Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
Jim Schwartz needs a dynamic defensive tackle who can make the surrounding pieces better, like Albert Haynesworth did for his defense in Tennessee. Though McCoy isn’t quite a prospect on the level of Mr. Suh – he’s not as strong and sometimes has trouble disengaging from blocks – his ability to make an impact in the run & pass game will open up opportunities for the other young defenders on Detroit’s D.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry DB Tennessee
Berry was a bit less impressive in ‘09, but he deserves credit for taking on an unselfish role in Monte Kiffin’s defense, playing some corner and taking on blocks in the run game. That message surely will be conveyed to Bucs head coach Raheem Morris, who served as a DBacks coach under Kiffin in ‘07-’08. As a result, Berry will become a very nice consolation prize for the Bucs, who were looking for one of the top two d-tackles to be available here.
4. Washington Redskins – Sam Bradford QB Notre Dame (Previous Pick: Jimmy Clausen)
It’s hard to say which quarterback will be taken here. Though Tim Tebow would love to be picked here so he can start doing DC work for Focus on the Family, the debate likely comes down to Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen. Though new coach Mike Shanahan has plenty of experience dealing with diva signal callers – *cough* Jay Cutler *cough* – the concerns about Clausen’s quirky personality could push Sam Bradford into this slot. Though questions about Bradford’s bum wing still need to be answered – he’s reportedly ahead of schedule on his rehab – his super-accuracy makes him a perfect fit for the West Coast offense Shanahan likes to run.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
Though Kansas City’s line did a good job opening up holes for Jamaal Charles, they still could use some help in pass pro to protect their big investment in Matt Cassel. Okung could start immediately at left tackle, allowing Branden Albert to kick inside to guard or flip over to right tackle.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame (Previous Pick: Sam Bradford)
Pete Carroll may try to bring in Matt Leinart, but Kurt Warner’s flirtation with retirement makes that less likely to happen. Instead, Carroll brings in Jimmy Clausen, who’s fared pretty well against Carroll’s USC squad back in October. If the concerns about Clausen’s character reach a fever point, he could fall much lower for this, but I’m betting the Seahawks’ desperation for a new franchise quarterback will have them gunning for whichever of the top two guys is available here.
7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden CB Florida
The Browns’ defense showed some promise late in the season, using a complex blitz attack to get after the quarterback. However, the Browns can’t continue to let their cornerbacks play on an island if Brandon McDonald’s starting outside. Joe Haden will allow them to stay aggressive and will give Eric Mangini the opportunity to groom another shutdown corner.
8. Oakland Raiders – Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
Dunlap is the riskiest pick the Raiders could make here. As a result, it’s probably the one Crazy Al will make. Though the organization is expected to lock Richard Seymour in the Al Davis dungeon by slapping a franchise tag on him, Dunlap would bring more size, speed, and athleticism to Oakland’s front seven. On passing downs, both Dunlap and Seymour could reduce inside, turning Tommy Kelly – who made $7M in ‘09 but only notched one sack – into a two down player.
9. Buffalo Bills – Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa
Chan Gailey recently said that his first task is to address the quarterback situation, but there isn’t a QB prospect worth taking here. Instead, the Bills address their pass protection issues by drafting Bryan Bulaga, who struggled with health & inconsistency issues before turning it on late in the year. Bulaga did an excellent job against Derrick Morgan and didn’t even seem challenged by Ohio State’s Thaddeus Gibson; that makes him a credible candidate to start immediately on the blind side of Buffalo’s o-line.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
The Jaguars’ defense notched a pathetic 14 sacks in ‘09. Derrick Harvey is a major disappointment, and there’s speculation that the team could formally give up on the Quentin Groves experiment. That makes Morgan, the most accomplished and refined pass rusher in this class, the logical pick here. And with Jags GM Gene Smith publicly committing the Jaguars to an “attacking” 4-3, Morgan – who doesn’t fit anywhere in an odd front – makes even more sense here.
11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
With Brandon Marshall expected to be shipped elsewhere this offseason, the Broncos will be looking for a new #1 wideout. Enter Dez Bryant, whose ability to bring in inaccurate throws and generate yardage after the catch make him a perfect fit for Denver’s offense. But if Bryant isn’t able to dispel concerns about his maturity and work ethic, he could slide lower than this.
12. Miami Dolphins – Rolando McClain LB Alabama
Mike Nolan will want a smart, disciplined leader in the middle of his defense, and Channing Crowder isn’t that. McClain isn’t quite the caliber of prospect Patrick Willis was, but his combination of size & field generalship will impress both Parcells & Nolan. If Dez Bryant’s available here, the Dolphins would have to be tempted at least a little, but Parcells’ aversion to taking a receiver this high could keep McClain here as the Fins’ pick.
13. San Francisco 49ers – C.J. Spiller RB Oklahoma (Previous Pick: Trent Williams)
A bit of a surprise pick for the Niners, who are expected by many to address their deficiencies on the line or the secondary with their first pick. Instead, they opt for CJ Spiller, an explosive playmaker who’ll add a new layer to the Niners’ offense, which has been opened up to give Alex Smith a better chance at success. Frank Gore is only 26 years old, but his long history of foot and knee injuries could limit his shelf life. By adding a speed complement in Spiller, the Niners will be able to reduce Gore’s carries and have a viable backfield option if Gore gets hurt; though Glen Coffee played well last preseason, his production in real games was less than encouraging (2.7 YPC).
14. Seattle Seahawks – Jason Pierre-Paul DE USF (Previous Pick: C.J. Spiller)
The Seahawks pass defense struggled in ‘09, in part because their front four didn’t generate much pressure: they only notched 28 sacks, which tied them for the 5th fewest in the league. As a result, the Seahawks bring in Jason Pierre-Paul, whose physical build and freakishly long arms make him the prototypical pass rusher. Though somewhat raw, Pierre-Paul can learn behind ends Lawrence Jackson and Patrick Kerney before assuming a starting role. And while Earl Thomas and Taylor Mays are possibilities here, the Seahawks can address the position a round or two later with this very deep safety class. With great coaching and some good luck, Pierre-Paul could end up being the best defensive end, perhaps even the best defensive player, to come out of this draft.
15. New York Giants – Earl Thomas DB Texas
New DC Perry Fewell built the #2 pass defense in the league in Buffalo on the backs of two “undersized” safeties, Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd. In Earl Thomas, the Giants bring in a similar type of pint-sized playmaker: an Eric Berry lite, if you will. Also, his ability to play both safety and cornerback provides the Giants some versatility, should Kenny Phillips manage to return despite his potentially career-threatening knee issues.
16. Tennessee Titans –Everson Griffen DE USC (Previous Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul)
Griffen is expected to floor the coaches and front office people assembled at the Combine by running a super-fast 40 at 280 lbs. Though many are down on the uber gifted edge rusher, with some even comparing him to Vernon Gholston, the Titans will take a chance on the enigmatic but raw underclassman, hoping that he can replace the pressure Kyle Vanden-Bosch once generated off the edge.
17. San Francisco 49ers –Trent Williams OT Oklahoma (Previous Pick: Taylor Mays)
The Niners opt to bolster the right side of their line by drafting Trent Williams. Though Williams’ backing out of the Senior Bowl raised some red flags, his toughness playing through pain in ‘09 will endear him to McCloughan & Singletary In order to keep Alex Smith, the Niners need an upgrade at right tackle; though they could consider going with a pass rusher or defensive back here, I think their board will end up nudging them towards Williams.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
Davis arguably has the highest upside than any of the tackles in this class, but his inconsistency and past struggles with weight & effort issues cause him to slide here. The Steelers need to find a way to protect Ben Roethlisberger: the injuries are beginning to mount and the questions raised by his teammates about his toughness are killing team unity. While Davis may need to start out on the right side, possibly at guard, he eventually could do a great job protecting Big Ben’s blindside.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri (Previous Pick: Lawrence Jackson)
Weatherspoon didn’t have the most impressive year, but word emerged at the Senior Bowl that he played about ten pounds heavier than in previous years. Back to his proper playing weight, Weatherspoon impressed in Mobile, showing up all over the field during the game and exhibiting some charisma and leadership on the sideline. In addition to addressing one of the Falcons’ biggest draft needs, Weatherspoon fits the high effort, top-flight character profile Tom Dimitroff looks for in his draft picks. Though pass rush is also a major need for the Falcons, look for them to address it via free agency; they’re expected to be major players in the Julius Peppers sweepstakes.
20. Houston Texans - Dan Williams DT Tennessee (Previous Pick: Jonathan Dwyer)
With the addition of Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing, Houston’s defense made great strides in ‘09. However, they still lack girth in the middle of their defensive line. By adding Dan Williams, the Texans get a prototypical one technique to line up alongside Mario Williams, Antonio Smith, and the still-developing Amobi Okoye. They could go with a running back, but Williams’ run-stuffing ability is too enticing to pass up on here.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Damian Williams WR USCLosing TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry devastated the Bengals’ passing attack. Adding the silky smooth Williams would be a smart move; he’s polished enough to start immediately and has the potential to become their #1 when Chad Ochocinco ceases to be a Bengal.
22. New EnglandPatriots – Jared Odrick DT Penn State (Previous Pick: Mike Iupati)
After dominating in Mobile, Odrick cemented his status as a legit 1st round defensive linemen, whether it’s in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. Though Odrick’s past character issues make him an atypical Pats pick, his length and disruptiveness in the trenches makes him a perfect fit for their scheme. With some added bulk and some refinement of his technique, Odrick could be the next Aaron Smith, which makes him more than worth being picked here.
23. Green Bay Packers – Bruce Campbell OT Maryland
Campbell is a freakish athlete, but he’s also a bit raw and has been beset with injuries. Nevertheless, he’s a good pick for the Packers here: he’s got Ryan Clady potential, which would make the Packers’ offense even more special. Unfortunately, he also could be the next Kwame Harris, but Ted Thompson will trust his coaching staff to make sure Campbell ends up much better.
24. Philadelphia Eagles –Brandon Graham DE Michigan
Graham topped off his solid senior year off by dominating at the Senior Bowl, impressing during practice and winning MVP honors in the actual game. However, the Combine may end up muffling some of his draft mojo. Already measured in at 6′1″, 263 lbs. with short 30.5″ arms, Graham isn’t expected to run a fast 40, which could downgrade his stock. More importantly, he needs to show some ability in linebacker drills; if he doesn’t, going to the Eagles here could be his ceiling. But if he does, a whole new world of draft money opens up for him, with the Pats (#22), Niners (#13, #17), and Dolphins (#12) all becoming distinct draft possibilities.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Golden Tate WR Notre Dame
The Ravens might prefer a receiver with better size, but Tate’s the best one available here. In addition to being a playmaker at wideout, Tate could put points on the board as the team’s primary punt returner, giving the Ravens what Cam Cameron thought he was getting when he drafted Ted Ginn back in Miami.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
Gresham has legit top 15 talent, but concerns about his durability and character have him sliding here. The Cardinals don’t need more weapons, but they might want to give Matt Leinart different ones. A receiving tight end can be a young quarterback’s best friend, as Gresham was to Sam Bradford at Oklahoma. Gresham’s length also will serve Arizona well, should Matt Leinart continue to suffer from always-too-high inaccuracy.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Mike Iupati OL Idaho (Previous Pick: Chad Jones)
Iupati impressed at the Senior Bowl practices, but his struggles in the game proved that he’ll need to start out his pro as a mauling guard, only later trying to transform himself into an offensive tackle. In Dallas, Iupati would be afforded an excelling opportuntity to do so. Though Iupati wouldn’t immediately address the Cowboys’ pass blocking issues, his size and power at left guard would make their interior line even more dominant, boosting the running game and setting up more play action possibilities. Though an unsexy and – based on the Senior Bowl game – somewhat risky pick, adding Iupati could reap huge dividends.
28. San Diego Chargers – Jon Dwyer RB Georgia Tech (Previous Pick: Dan Williams)
With LaDainian Tomlinson expected to get the hatchet, the Chargers need to add another back to complement Darren Sproles. Though they could go with Jahvid Best, Dwyer gives them a power running style the team’s lacked since Michael Turner left via free agency. How Dwyer looks in receiving drills will be especially important, as the Chargers like to get their backs involved in the passing game. If he drops more than a few, this pick could end up being Best.
29. New York Jets - Kyle Wilson CB Boise State (Previous Pick: Corey Wootton)
Rex Ryan’s attacking 3-4 requires lockdown corners at both boundaries. Though Darrelle Revis more than capably covers one side of the field, Lito Sheppard isn’t expected to be back and Dwight Lowery’s better off playing nickel. For that reason, the Jets add Wilson here, who’ll ride a great Senior Bowl week and Combine all the way up to the first round.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Brian Price DT UCLA
Price deserves to go higher than this, but his less than ideal size and limited scheme fit lead to him being available here. At this point, Price is a great value pick for the Vikings, who can have him serve as an understudy to Kevin Williams.
31. Indianapolis Colts – Maurkice Pouncey C Florida (Previous Pick: Jared Odrick)
With Jeff Saturday turning 35 in June, the Colts draft his eventual replacement. Pouncey could start out at guard, moving in to center when Saturday’s no longer playing on Sundays. Though the Colts have had luck sacrificing size and athleticism for smarts on their OL, Pouncey offers the intriguing possibility of giving them all three qualities in a 6′5″, 318 pound run-blocking package.
32. New Orleans Saints - Sergio Kindle LB Texas (Previous Pick: Navorro Bowman)
An incredible athlete coming off a disappointing senior campaign, Kindle may get taken off some teams’ boards due to his past character issues. Though he played defensive end last year and is considered by many to be a pure 3-4 OLB prospect, Gregg Williams will love adding a guy like Kindle to his defense. Like he did with Marcus Washington back in Washington, Williams will let Kindle play sideline to sideline while also rushing off the edge, adding another weapon to New Orleans’ attacking defense.
no way the ravens are drafting golden tate in the firsy round. And the ted ginn reason is exactly why. They will look for a pass rusher or another need first. And address the WR in the 2nd or 3rd. Prob. snagging someone like jordan shipley. And Golden Tate isnt even a 1st round talent.
1In most mock drafts alot of ppl hav the redskin piking a QB but i think jason cambell is good..they hav too much problems on their O-line and if they draft a QB to start hell only do worse!…cambell has a better comp% than eli manning!…another thing is i think the raiders wuld pick jason pierre-paul instead of dunlap bcuz raiders are always in luv with workout warriors in the draft…ex.darius heyward-bey(cough-cough)BUST!(cough)…andthe bengals not picking jermaine greshman!…the bengals dont have a problem with bringing trouble makers to their team…ex.chris henry(r.i.p)and larry johnson…idk if marvin lewis shows them religion or what but it seems like every trouble-maker that goes to cincinati changes their ways so yea JERMAIN GRESHMAN!other than that this mock draft is great!
2If the Giants can get Earl Thomas at #15, that would be a good pick because Kenny Philips has to prove that he can come back 100% from that devastating knee injury last season. Earl is versatile enough to play CB if needed. Besides Micheal Johnson struggled last season, he’s good in run support but he isn’t a play making safety. The addition of Earl Thomas would create more competition at that position. The selection of Brian Price if he performs well at the combine or at his pro day would makes sense for us too.
3Love the Giants pick, Earl Thomas, especially if McClain is off the board. Giants desperately need a good cover-playmaking saftey, expecially with the poor play of 2009, and the uncertainity of Kenny Phillips future. Best case scenario the Giants will have 2 studs at saftey with Thomas and K.P.
It will be intresting to see what they do, because they could also go DT in first, someone like Brian Price.
4The colts are going back into the superbowl! Peyton showed yesterday only too well why he is the most impressive quarterback in the NFL. The Jets offered a heck of a battle and It looks like they have a fairly fine young quarterback in Sanchez. This might wind up becoming the most offensively fun superbowl games in history.
5If Brandon Spikes is available at 22. the Patriots will probably go with him, since the retirement of Tedy Bruschi the Patriots have been looking for a 3-4 Middle linebacker like Jerod Mayo. Guyon was a good supplement for last season, but not good enough physical strength to play 3-4 defense under Belichick.
Sorry for my bad english.
6Jonathan Dwyer is the sleeper running back of the draft. Because of the option offense at GTech, most have no idea of his speed and explosiveness. He was 1st and 2nd in the nation in Youth Track and Field in the 100 and 200. This kid is a fast moving building that no one sees coming and he takes hits like you haven’t seen.
He’s going higher in the 1st round than anyone expects. Watch.
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