2010 NFL Mock Draft

First Round
Pick Team Selection Position College
1 St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford Quarterback Oklahoma
After a solid pro day, the Rams will make Bradford the face of the franchise come draft day. He had a private workout with St. Louis scheduled for April 19th . Assuming his surgically repaired shoulder checks out, there will be no reason for the Rams not to draft him.
2 Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh Defensive Tackle Nebraska
Suh has been the darling of the draft season and is the closest thing to a 'bust-proof' prospect that we have amongst this year's group of athletes. He may not address the biggest need the Lions have, but when you've got 2 wins in 2 years… you 'need' talent. Suh is the kind of player that, with proper mentoring from Jim Schwartz, could finally bring some swagger to the swagger-less Lions. Russell Okung remains a possibility here.
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Gerald McCoy Defensive Tackle Oklahoma
The word is that the Bucs are looking to get back to their Tampa-2 roots, and drafting McCoy will go a long way to getting them there. Known for his penetrating one-gap ferocity, McCoy should be the guy at #3. Once again, don't count out Russell Okung here, seeing that Tampa's O-line is in as much trouble as the D-line.
4 Washington Redskins Trent Williams Offensive Tackle Oklahoma
A bit of a surprise here. All-pro tackle Chris Samuels announced his retirement, so tackle feels like a no-brainer. Mike Shanahan's vaunted running game requires the right kind of tackle, not necessarily the consensus #1 guy. Williams' athleticism.
5 Kansas City Chiefs Russell Okung Offensive Tackle Oklahoma State
Pioli and the gang have to be thrilled. If Okung is there it'll take about 2 seconds for them to turn in their card. Tackle appears to be their biggest need and they get the best one at #5.
6 Seattle Seahawks Eric Berry Safety Tennessee
Berry is the best player available and while he does not fill their biggest needs, he'll be a playmaker for a decade in that backfield
7 Cleveland Browns Jimmy Clausen Quarterback Notre Dame
Surprise, surprise! Why not Clausen to Cleveland? Jake Delhomme is not the long term answer, and neither is Seneca Wallace. Combined, they can get you through this season, but what about next year? The new Holmgren-lead regime needs a long-term plan at quarterback that doesn't consist of has-been's and never-will-be's. Clausen is not top-10 worthy, but quarterbacks get over-drafted all the time, no shocker here.
8 Oakland Raiders Taylor Mays Safety USC
You're surprised? Really??? His much disputed Combine 40 time was enough to convince us that Mays will be the guy here. That is, unless Crazy Al decides to reach for Bruce Campbell and his freakish athleticism. Is anyone else tired of watching the Oakland organization embarrass itself every April?
9 Buffalo Bills Dan Williams Nose Tackle Tennessee
A bit of a bad spot to be in if you're the Bills. Your franchise quarterback got drafted 2 spots earlier, there are no offensive tackles worthy of #9 money and picking the best player on the board (Eric Berry) would give you two top-10 picks at safety. Even we know that is not the way to run an organization. Added to that, you are now switching to a 3-4 defense and have no prototype nose tackle to anchor against the run. The Bills were horrible against the run last year so look for the NFL's best 'need-drafting team' to grab this year's stud nose tackle prospect.
10 Jacksonville Jaguars Rolando McClain Inside Linebacker Alabama
This would be a great pick for the Jaguars because they have not been the same since Mike Patterson left the defense. McClain is a solid player whose leadership will be worth its weight in gold to Jack Del Rio's future in Jacksonville.
11 Denver Broncos Earl Thomas Safety Texas
It has been rumored that the Broncos would love to trade down a bit and then acquire Maurkice Pouncey. It would be a smart move on their part given Pouncey ascending draft stock and Denver's need for a center. Since we're not predicting trades, we'll keep the Broncos at #11 and with that pick they choose to address the defensive backfield. Thomas is a top-15 lock who could likely start week 1 for a number of teams.
12 Miami Dolphins Jason Pierre-Paul DE/OLB South Florida
This is a bit of a risky pick for the Tuna because there is little game film on this one-year wonder. He has the size that Parcells looks for in a pass rusher and if you've seen the video of his back flips, it's obvious that he has the athleticism. Miami is desperate for pass rushers so look for Pierre-Paul or Sergio Kindle to go here. JPP gets the nod, for now, based on measurables.
13 San Francisco 49ers Joe Haden Cornerback Florida
Nate Clemens appears to be switching to safety which leaves a glaring hole at corner for Mike Singletary and the 9ers. Haden is a gift at #13 and should not be passed over for any remaining prospect.
14 Seattle Seahawks C.J. Spiller Running Back Clemson
Julius Jones is not the long-term solution at running back. Spiller is a dynamic back who can break a 60-yard run any time he touches the ball. This Seahawks team is in desperate need for a playmaker and Spiller is exactly that.
15 New York Giants Sean Witherspoon Linebacker Missouri
The Giants need a playmaker at linebacker and a leader for this defense, Weatherspoon gives them both. It's taken us a while to get over the white spandex body suit he was pimpin' at the Combine, but we are now ready to award him to the Giants.
16 Tennessee Titans Derrick Morgan Defensive End Georgia Tech
Not exactly the sexiest pick they could make, but it has value. After losing Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch, the Titans must stop the bleeding.
17 San Francisco 49ers Mike Iupati Guard Idaho
This is really a need based pick as the 9ers must get tougher in the trenches. Iupati is a beast with the mental makeup that Mike Singletary is looking for. We imagine that it'll take a fall from a top-10 prospect to keep Iupati out of Frisco.
18 Pittsburgh Steelers Maurkice Pouncey Guard/Center Florida
Few players have enjoyed the benefits of the pre-draft season as much as Pouncey. He has gone from a late 2nd round pick to being considered as high as #11 to the Broncos (if they don't trade down). Even NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock called Pouncey a better prospect than Nick Mangold and Alex Mack.

The Steelers face many 3-4 defenses - and their respective nose tackles - each year and need a bigger, stronger center than Justin Hartwig. Pouncey can start the year at right guard (also a position of need for the Black-n-Gold) and switch to center when Hartwig moves on to greener pastures.

The Steelers brass stated shortly after last year ended that they wanted to get back to 'Steeler Football', and that means top-notch offensive line play. Pouncey begins the process of re-establishing Pittsburgh as one of the most feared running teams in the league. Additionally, it will give Big Ben (yes, he'll be there next year) an extra second or three to get rid of the ball before being smacked to the turf.

The recent trade of Santonio Holmes to the Jets suddenly puts Dez Bryant on the Steeler's radar. The Rooneys had him in town for an interview last week.

But, considering the tumultuous offseason the Steelers have had, it's unlikely that they'll bring in another receiver with baggage.
19 Atlanta Falcons Brandon Graham Defensive End Michigan
We feel it's safe to say that Jamaal Anderson is a bust and needs to be replaced. While Graham doesn't necessarily have the desired measurables for the position (6-1, 265) he has a motor that doesn't quit and reminds a lot of people of former Wolverine and current Steeler Lamarr Woodley. Thomas Dimitroff has drafted well thus far and Graham will likely continue that trend.
20 Houston Texans Bryan Bulaga Offensive Tackle Iowa
Bulaga could likely be the final piece in the playoff puzzle for the Texans. They have used early picks on priority positions and now it's time to get their man in the trenches. They reached on Duane Brown, now it's time to get his bookend.
21 Cincinnati Bengels Dez Bryant Wide Receiver Oklahoma State
It's safe to say that character issues have never stopped the Bengals from, well, being the Bengals. No need to go into the laundry list of bad character guys they've given money to in the past, so let's just say that they are getting a steal in terms of talent at #21. It's whatever else they're getting here that made him available this late.
22 New England Patriots Kyle Wilson Cornerback Boise State
The Pats take the best player available and it happens to be at a position of need. Sounds like a Bill Belichek thing to do.
23 Green Bay Packers Jared Odrick Defensive End Penn State
One of the hardest positions to fill on a 3-4 defensive is the 5-technique. Odrick could be starting sometime in his rookie year.
24 Philadelphia Eagles Sergio Kindle Defensive End Texas
Kindle is good value at #24. The Eagles love drafting lineman early and he would look good across from Trent Cole.
25 Baltimore Ravens Kareem Jackson Defensive Back Alabama
While drafting an offensive playmaker like Demaryius Thomas or Jermaine Gresham has to be tempting, the value here is on the defensive side of the ball. Jackson is a good fit in Baltimore and will upgrade what is a lackluster group of corners
26 Arizona Cardinals Jermaine Gresham Tight End Oklahoma
Need meets value here. Gresham is likely the best prospect on the board at this point and there is no position on the Cardinals roster more in need of an upgrade than tight end. Gresham isn't much of a blocker at this point, but Ken Whisenhunt will find a way to get him involved. And hey, Russ Grimm can teach him how to block
27 Dallas Cowboys Anthony Davis Offensive Tackle Rutgers
Flozell Adams is gone and the 'Boys desperately need someone to protect Tony Romo's blindside. Davis slips a little, and Jerry Jones couldn't be happier.
28 San Diego Chargers Terrence Cody Nose Tackle Alabama
It's been tough to get the image of a shirtless 'Mt. Cody' out of our heads. Man-boobs! He looks to have cleaned himself up a bit and may have worked his way back into the 1st round. The Chargers are truly desperate for a nose tackle and couldn't be faulted for drafting Cody here. Many have speculated that a running back will be selected in the first round, but with the depth at the position this year, they can wait until the 2nd round to grab Darren Sproles' running mate.
29 New York Jets Sean Lee Linebacker Penn State
Somehow it just feels right to put a Penn State linebacker on Rex Ryan's defense. Lee's stock has been rising due to a lack of top-end talent at the position this year.
30 Minnesota Vikings Devin McCourty Cornerback Rutgers
This is a team that has few, if any, needs. A running mate for Antoine Winfield would be a great pick this late in the first round. McCourty's stock has risen over the past month, and this feels like the right spot for him to go. Ryan Matthews has to be a consideration here as well.
31 Indianapolis Colts Charles Brown Offensive Tackle USC
This is an ideal landing spot for Brown whose strengths will be highlighted in the Indy system, while his deficiencies will be masked. We're not sure if you've noticed, but Peyton wins MVPs no matter who is protecting his blind side
32 New Orleans Saints Jerry Hughes Defensive End TCU
Reminding many of Philadelphia's Trent Cole (when he entered the league), Hughes could turn out to be a better pro than college player. There aren't many holes to fill on this team, as you might expect from your reigning Super Bowl champs. The one area they could stand to improve would be the outside pass rush, Hughes should help do that.