Final 2010 NFL mock draft

by Dan Kadar on Apr 21, 2010 7:13 PM EDT in Mock Draft

For 363 days of the year, my mock drafts are based on who teams should select. This one is based more on who teams could pick.

After pouring over the news, needs and trends this week, after the jump is what I came up with. I think there are plenty of controversial choices. And most likely, some of these may change by morning. But my mock is due by 11:59 p.m. tonight for the Huddle Report mock contest, so we're calling it a year for me and mocking.

1. St. Louis Rams - Turf Show Times

Sam Bradford | Quarterback | Oklahoma: In consecutive years, the Rams have passed on the likes of Mark Sanchez and Matt Ryan, players considered franchise quarterbacks. It may be somewhat unlikely the Rams will be contending for a playoff spot in the coming season. But taking a quarterback this year would allow him to ease into the starting spot. It will also give head coach Steve Spagnuolo another season to work over the team's defense while the team adds more talent.

2. Detroit Lions - Pride Of Detroit

Ndamukong Suh | Defensive tackle | Nebraska: Suh should be a fairly obvious choice, if he's available. He has the ability to transform a defense. He can penetrate and get sacks, collapse the pocket to make the quarterback get rid of the ball faster or take up double teams to help linebackers get after the run. Suh is the best defensive tackle to come out in some time and will be an immediate starter.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Buc 'Em

Gerald McCoy | Defensive tackle | Oklahoma: With a front four with no discernable stars, the Buccaneers would be foolish to go after a safety instead of McCoy. He can do just about everything Suh can and will help the league's worst run defense. The Buccaneers need several pieces on defense, but McCoy is about as good of a place to start.

4. Washington Redskins - Hogs Haven

Trent Williams | Offensive tackle | Oklahoma: The sentiment lately is that Redskins would prefer Williams over Russell Okung. To his credit, Williams may be a little more physical than Okung and would give Washington a nice replacement for Chris Samuels.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride

Rolando McClain | Middle linebacker | Alabama: If the Chiefs are looking for a "safe" pick, there is no safer choice than McClain. He's a tackling machine and could become the face of the team's defense. It's not flashy, but smart.

6. Seattle Seahawks - Field Gulls

Russell Okung | Offensive tackle | Oklahoma State: Seattle would love for Okung to fall this far. He'd start immediately and is a very good left tackle.

7. Cleveland Browns - Dawgs By Nature

Eric Berry | Safety | Tennessee: This would be the dream pick for Cleveland. Put him in the team's secondary and start him for a decade. Arguably the second-best player in the draft.

8. Oakland Raiders - Silver And Black Pride

Mike Iupati | Guard | Idaho: Every Raiders pick is such a toss-up. No one knows who they'll pick and anyone who thinks they do is lying. It could be Jason Pierre-Paul. It could be Kyle Wilson or Rolando McClain. Michael Smith of ESPN says it's Iupati and I believe him. For some reason.

9. Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings

Bryan Bulaga | Offensive tackle | Iowa: As much as it might make sense for Buffalo to take Jimmy Clausen, he might not be a great fit in Buffalo. Bulaga, though, is a physical left tackle. With him, the Bills could be a true run-first offense.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Big Cat Country

Jimmy Clausen | Quarterback | Notre Dame: The tenuous Jaguars career of David Gerrard would come to an end with this pick. Clausen turns some off, but he's much better right now than Gerrard.

11. Denver Broncos - Mile High Report (from Chicago)

Earl Thomas | Safety | Texas: No one seems to think that Denver needs a safety. In reality, though, how good is Renaldo Hill? He's solid but not a playmaker like Thomas. He could be Denver's version of Ed Reed, and in a hurry.

12. Miami Dolphins - The Phinsider

Dan Williams | Defensive tackle | Tennessee: The need for a nose tackle in Miami has been widely discussed. Jason Ferguson has been mulling retirement, but even if he returns he probably won't play more than a year. Williams may not be as big as Terrence Cody, but he's emerged as a better player. He was an inconsistent before his senior year, but really turned it on in 2009.

13. San Francisco 49ers - Niners Nation

Joe Haden | Cornerback | Florida: Haden may fall some because of his less-than-stellar offseason. However, San Francisco would pull a real coup by taking him.

14. Seattle Seahawks - Field Gulls (from Denver)

C.J. Spiller | Running back | Clemson: Remember what Pete Carroll did with Reggie Bush at Southern California? He could do the same and more with Spiller. Although he'll never be a workhorse back, Spiller would give the Seahawks perhaps the best playmaker in this year's draft.

15. New York Giants - Big Blue View

Derrick Morgan | Defensive end | Georgia Tech: New York's pass rush has waned in recent years. Add to that the possible trade of Osi Umenyiora and the Giants need a defensive end. Morgan is the best pure end in the draft and is physical in the run and pass game.

16/. Tennessee Titans - Music City Miracles

Jason Pierre-Paul | Defensive end | South Florida: With the departure of veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Titans need a starting-caliber end. Pierre-Paul is a bit of a project, but the Titans have one of the best defensive coaching staffs in the league. It's hard to pass up his athleticism.

17. San Francisco 49ers - Niners Nation

Anthony Davis | Offensive tackle | Rutgers: San Francisco seems content with Joe Staley at left tackle but really needs a right tackle to balance out its offensive line. Davis may need some motivating, but head coach Mike Singletary is the best in the business at that.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Behind the Steel Curtain

Maurkice Pouncey | Guard | Florida: Pouncey is the perfect fit for the Steelers. He's big and physical and could be a star interior lineman in their power scheme. He could start as a rookie as a right guard and be the eventual replacement for the aging Justin Hartwig at center.

19. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcoholic

Sean Weatherspoon | Outside linebacker | Missouri: Weatherspoon is a perfect scheme fit for the Falcons. He's fast-flowing and is a true three-down weak-side linebacker. His arrogance may scare some teams off, but he's the kind of playmaker Atlanata needs.

20. Houston Texans - Battle Red Blog

Kyle Wilson | Cornerback | Boise State: Even with Dunta Robinson the Texans needed a cornerback. Wilson has really risen up draft boards the past few weeks and would be a moderate steal at pick No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Cincy Jungle

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: While the Bengals rarely utilize a tight end, it's clear their offense is transforming. Gresham is the draft's best tight end and a good all-around player. The Bengals are a team that has a lot of strengths and glaring needs. They're set at quarterback, running back, cornerback, center, offensive tackle and middle linebacker.

22. New England Patriots - Pats Pulpit

Jerry Hughes | Outside linebacker | TCU: Hughes is arguably the best pass rusher in this year's draft. He mostly played end in college, but is a terror coming around the edge. He's the kind of athlete the Patriots need to rush the passer.

23. Green Bay Packers - Acme Packing Company

Charles Brown | Offensive tackle | Southern California: This may be somewhat early for Brown to be taken but that's just how bad Green Bay's offensive line was in 2009. No team gave up more sacks than Green Bay last season and Brown could replace the injury-prone Chad Clifton. While cornerback may be just as big of a need, there is good depth at that position in this draft.

24. Philadelphia Eagles - Bleeding Green Nation

Devin McCourty | Cornerback | Rutgers: When the Eagles traded Sheldon Brown, a starting cornerback became a necessity. McCourty has a physical style that would fit perfectly in the Eagles' defense.

25. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore Beatdown

Jared Odrick | Defensive end | Penn State: By the time the season begins, Trevor Pryce will be 35 and has a contract the team might want to drop. Corey Redding is average, so Odrick would be a good choice to line up opposite Haloti Ngata.

26. Arizona Cardinals - Revenge Of The Birds

Sergio Kindle | Outside linebacker | Texas: Kindle is a perfect fit for the Arizona defense. He can play linebacker or defensive end and will allow them to give opposing offenses several different looks.

27. Dallas Cowboys - Blogging The Boys

Dez Bryant | Wide receiver | Oklahoma State: Concerns about his work ethic could cause the talented Bryant to fall this far. If there's one thing Jerry Jones has shown over the years is that he doesn't mind risking character for talent.

28. San Diego Chargers - Bolts From The Blue

Ryan Mathews | Running back | Fresno State: LaDanian Tomlinson's days in San Diego are over and Darren Sproles probably can't handle an every down load for 16 games. Mathews would give San Diego a strong running back to pair with Sproles.

29. New York Jets - Gang Green Nation

Brandon Graham | Outside linebacker | Michigan: Jets head coach Rex Ryan loves cornerbacks and pass rushers. He got his second cornerback in Antonio Cromartie. Graham would give him his pass rusher. Although I don't think Graham has the range to play linebacker, many think he's the next LaMarr Woodley.

30. Minnesota Vikings - Daily Norseman

Kareem Jackson| Cornerback | Alabama: Antoine Winfield is very good. Cedric Griffin is solid. However, both have begun to have injury problems. In fact, Griffin may not be ready for the start of the season after tearing his ACL. Jackson isat worst a very good nickel cornerback for Minnesota and could nicely fill in for Griffin until he comes back.

31. Indianapolis Colts - Stampede Blue

Rodger Saffold | Offensive tackle | Indiana: In this scenario, needs supersede value. But for a team like Indianapolis, this is the kind of gamble the team can make.

32. New Orleans Saints - Canal Street Chronicles

Daryl Washington | Linebacker | TCU: Washington has the talent to line up at any of the linebacker positions. He would give New Orleans speed and athleticism, which the team currently lacks.

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Comments

Good pick

If Clausen is on the board, there are only one of two things that could happen:
A) Pick him
B) Trade back
I’m inclined to think option A, but there’s no way they pass on him entirely.

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by Adam Stites on Apr 21, 2010 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

This would make me a sad panda

but if its Jason Pierre Paul, I’d be an enraged Orangutan on steroids…so I guess a sad Panda will have to do….

Beer

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 21, 2010 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

Graham falling to 29?

Interesting

Self-anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.

by CaDuck on Apr 21, 2010 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

Dez Bryant falling to 27?

The more I see, the less I know.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 21, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Good work on all the mocks this year

Tomorrow should be fun.

by JAYson G on Apr 21, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Great picks for the Seahawks.

IF those two picks are right it would bring a very happy tear to my eye.

by gatorempire127 on Apr 21, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

I like it

No disagreements really at all.

by Yankees10 on Apr 21, 2010 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

I'll agree to that...

very good.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Apr 21, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas to Denver

Would be a great pickup, but with all the needs on the interior O-line and defensive front seven, as well as their depth in the secondary, I can’t see them taking him.

Still, I wouldn’t mind if they did. He’s a bad MFer.

by Rob4Braves on Apr 21, 2010 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

Tebow not going in the first makes me happy.

The more I see, the less I know.

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 21, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Thank Tebow he won't be in NY

They would show a shot of his face after every…. single….. pick….. that wasn’t him.

by einman77 on Apr 21, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Like the Patriots pick

and it seems more and more likely. As much as I love Odrick, the Pats never even had a visit with him or brought him in for a workout, so it just isn’t going to happen.

I’d still take Hughes in a heartbeat, great prospect.

by Csigs on Apr 21, 2010 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Good Draft

living the Texas dream

by Joe25 on Apr 21, 2010 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

I like a lot of these picks

Seems to make a lot of sense. Would Claussen start right away? My guess is no, Garrard would still start at least the first 6-8 games.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 21, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Clausen

Yeah probably not. Garrard would probably start the season and depending on how the season goes Clausen would take over if they are struggling.

by Yankees10 on Apr 21, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Clausen would start

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Driver of the "Cut Reggie Nelson" Bandwagon.
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by TheTealDeal on Apr 21, 2010 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

And I would start

being a Jags fan that is

Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.

by TheRealSlimShady on Apr 21, 2010 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Kyle Wilson would be the perfect replacement to Dunta Robinson in Houston

I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.

by The Night Owl on Apr 21, 2010 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

David GARRARD

At least get his name right before sending him off ;)

Currently Playing: God of War III
PS3 ID: Nole1021

by Jonathan Loesche on Apr 21, 2010 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

I dont like Thomas

I just dont think he is good in run support, and that was covered by the fact he played in the pass happy Big 12 conference. With the amount of other needs we have, I couldnt justify this pick. If it was Berry (which it prob wont) I would be all for it. But right now I dont agree with Denver and Thomas

by DBroncs1414 on Apr 21, 2010 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

good picks

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Apr 21, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

like it

i see the teams on here getting players they are high on. so whether it happens through trades or not I like what players teams ended up with. Except I think Chargers would take Terrence Cody.

by NYG 28 on Apr 21, 2010 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

and the Giants would probably go JPP instead of Morgan

by NYG 28 on Apr 21, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably true.

also true: I jump out a building if they pick JPP

Beer

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 22, 2010 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If C. Brown is high on GB's draft board then...

they should try to trade down possible into the early second round. He’ll probably still be around.

They want power. We want respect...

by SenorChuckles on Apr 22, 2010 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

Kindle is a good pick.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Apr 22, 2010 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for all the work you put into this site, Dan

This is my first year seriously following the draft, and this has been a great read

by Bacalao on Apr 22, 2010 12:48 AM EDT reply actions

Horrible Chiefs pick

WHy would they take McClain over Okung, Berry, or even Clausen as crazy as that sounds. Pioli will not want to pay a Mike LB 10-11 mil a year. McClain just isnt that good and he has to much baggage. Everything else I agree with but I cant agree with that.

by darwithabar on Apr 22, 2010 12:56 AM EDT reply actions