NFL Blog Network mock draft
April, 19, 2010
4/19/10
7:30
AM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
NFL Blog Network Mock Draft
ESPN.com put its eight NFL divisional bloggers on the clock late last week for a quick run through the draft's first round.
| No. | Team | Player/Position/School | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  | Sam Bradford Quarterback Oklahoma | The Rams have set up their roster to add a franchise quarterback in the draft. Bradford might not be the highest-rated player on the board, but his selection will give the organization someone to build around. (Mike Sando) |
| 2. |  | Ndamukong Suh Defensive Tackle Nebraska | There has been significant debate about the wisdom of giving No. 2 money to a defensive tackle. Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung is a financial alternative. But if the Lions want the best player here, Suh is their man. (Kevin Seifert) |
| 3. |  | Gerald McCoy Defensive Tackle Oklahoma | The Bucs might prefer Suh. But they'll be very happy to add McCoy to the middle of a defensive line that desperately needs help. McCoy has been compared to Warren Sapp. The Bucs will be thrilled if he's anything close to that. (Pat Yasinskas) |
| 4. |  | Russell Okung Offensive Tackle Oklahoma State | With Donovan McNabb now in the fold, the Skins need someone to protect his blind side. Okung is the most complete left tackle in the draft and he'll be expected to lock down the position for the next 10 years or so. Andy Reid's "genius" prevents Mike Shanahan from making a play for Sam Bradford. (Matt Mosley) |
| 5. |  | Eric Berry Safety Tennessee | The Chiefs would have a decision to make if Okung fell past Washington. Berry has to be the choice over the other available left tackles. Berry can be the impact defender Kansas City desperately needs. (Bill Williamson) |
| 6. |  | Trent Williams Offensive Tackle Oklahoma | The Seahawks badly need a tackle and scouts say Williams would fit their scheme nicely. This would seemingly be an easy choice given how the first five picks unfolded. (Mike Sando) |
| 7. |  | Earl Thomas Free Safety Texas | The Browns would prefer Berry here, but Thomas is the next best thing. Cleveland now has its playmaker at safety to match division rivals Baltimore (Ed Reed) and Pittsburgh (Troy Polamalu). (James Walker) |
| 8. |  | Bryan Bulaga Offensive Tackle Iowa | The Raiders must address left tackle. They may be tempted to take a defender like Rolando McClain or Joe Haden or even trade down. But taking Bulaga begins the rebuilding process on the line. (Bill Williamson) |
| 9. |  | Jimmy Clausen Quarterback Notre Dame | If there's a run on offensive tackles, the Bills will have a tough decision to make. Do they pick up a possible franchise quarterback or the fourth-best tackle in the draft? Based on this mock that would be Anthony Davis of Rutgers. Clausen is too tempting to pass up here. (Tim Graham) |
| 10. |  | Rolando McClain Linebacker Alabama | Trading down to gain extra picks looks to be priority No. 1. But in this scenario in this spot, McClain is very attractive. He'd ensure Daryl Smith is outside where he belongs, and potentially give the Jags the sort of playmaking MLB they see in Indy and Houston. (Paul Kuharsky) |
| 11. |  | Dez Bryant Wide Receiver Oklahoma State | The Jaguars' selection of McClain makes Denver turn to Bryant to replace Brandon Marshall. There is a risk that Bryant could be an off-field problem like Marshall was, but his talent can't be denied. Denver could also think about trading down to take Florida center Maurkice Pouncey. (Bill Williamson) |
| 12. |  | Dan Williams Defensive Tackle Tennessee | Now that the Dolphins have taken care of their missing piece at wide receiver, their biggest pressing need is nose tackle. Aging veteran Jason Ferguson will be suspended the first eight games, and while Paul Soliai has been a solid fill-in, he's not the type of player who can be the keystone in a 3-4 defense. Williams is an elite run stopper. (Tim Graham) |
| 13. |  | C.J. Spiller Running Back Clemson | The 49ers filled their need for a return specialist by adding Ted Ginn Jr., but Spiller would appear to be the most dynamic player available at this point. The 49ers need to set up Alex Smith for success and Spiller would liven up the offense. Cornerback Joe Haden, tackle Anthony Davis or pass-rush help could make sense, too. (Mike Sando) |
| 14. | | Derrick Morgan Defensive End Georgia Tech | Spiller would make sense if the 49ers did go with a tackle under this scenario. Morgan would give new Seattle coach Pete Carroll another building block on defense. End is a huge need and the value would seem to be there. (Mike Sando) |
| 15. |  | Mike Iupati Guard Idaho | The Giants probably wanted McClain, but Iupati can take over immediately at left guard. The Giants must regain their identity with the running game. McClain was the guy, but Paul Kuharsky "reaches" for him at No. 10. (Matt Mosley) |
| 16. |  | Brandon Graham Defensive End Michigan | The draft's first CB or second DE? The Titans go polished production over long-term upside in Jason Pierre-Paul. But with good options on the board at both positions, I think they'd love to move back, perhaps for Pierre-Paul or Kyle Wilson later. (Paul Kuharsky) |
| 17. | | Anthony Davis Offensive Tackle Rutgers | The 49ers wanted to draft a tackle in 2009, but they saw more value in Michael Crabtree than Michael Oher. Passing on a tackle two years in a row could be tough. Davis would fill an immediate need. (Mike Sando) |
| 18. |  | Joe Haden Cornerback Florida | This is a dream scenario for the Steelers and fills their biggest need on defense. They acquire the best cover corner in the draft without moving up from No. 18 to get him. (James Walker) |
| 19. |  | Jason Pierre-Paul Defensive End South Florida | I think they'd prefer Graham's proven track record over Pierre-Paul's potential. Outside linebacker also is a possibility here. But the need for a pass-rusher is so great, the Falcons almost can't pass on Pierre-Paul. (Pat Yasinskas) |
| 20. |  | Ryan Mathews Running Back Fresno State | The Texans can't be displeased with the options here -- a choice of running backs beyond Spiller and corners beyond Haden. I think it'll be a choice between Mathews and Devin McCourty. Completing the offense trumps defensive need -- which gets addressed next. (Paul Kuharsky) |
| 21. |  | Jermaine Gresham Tight End Oklahoma | In seven years, quarterback Carson Palmer has never had a legitimate threat at tight end. Gresham is a tremendous weapon in the middle of the field who could take Cincinnati's passing game to the next level. (James Walker) |
| 22. |  | Sergio Kindle Linebacker Texas | The Patriots were frustrated with their production at outside linebacker. Highly-paid veterans Adalius Thomas and Derrick Burgess combined for eight sacks. Kindle fits the Bill Belichick prototype for an outside linebacker. Kindle's about 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds and versatile enough to rush the passer, pursue the run and drop into coverage. (Tim Graham) |
| 23. |  | Charles Brown Offensive Tackle USC | I'm thinking the Packers would have jumped on Kindle if New England passed him up. I also gave serious thought to Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, but stuck with the Packers' top need. (Kevin Seifert) |
| 24. |  | Kyle Wilson Cornerback Boise State | The Eagles can't believe their good fortune when the Packers take a project player in front of them. There's a chance Wilson immediately takes over for Sheldon Brown as a starter. The Cowboys were hoping he'd keep sliding. (Matt Mosley) |
| 25. |  | Jared Odrick Defensive Tackle Penn State | With the exception of Haloti Ngata, Baltimore's D-line is getting long in the tooth. Odrick is a solid value pick here and will immediately help Baltimore win those battles in the trenches. (James Walker) |
| 26. |  | Sean Weatherspoon Linebacker Missouri | The Cardinals could use a nose tackle, but none of the available ones appear worth taking this early. Let's stick with the front seven and give Arizona a young linebacker to replace Karlos Dansby, a player the team took in the same general range (33rd overall) in 2004. (Mike Sando) |
| 27. |  | Devin McCourty Cornerback Rutgers | Jerry Jones hopes a team will want the free-falling safety out of USC (Taylor Mays). If so, the Cowboys will bail out of this pick and trade down. But if they stay at home, McCourty's the player. Great character and a big-time playmaker. The Ravens really surprised the Cowboys by taking Odrick so soon. Dallas loved the former Penn State defensive tackle. Is James Walker reading their mail? (Matt Mosley) |
| 28. |  | Terrence Cody Defensive Tackle Alabama | The Chargers have big needs for a nose tackle and a running back. Because of a strong running back class, San Diego fills the nose tackle need first with Mt. Cody. Expect A.J. Smith to wheel and deal and perhaps jump up and get a running back early in the second round. (Bill Williamson) |
| 29. |  | Taylor Mays Safety USC | Aside from safety and getting younger on the defensive line, the Jets have addressed every other need through trades or free agency. Mays is an aggressive player with a freakish combination of speed and power. (Tim Graham) |
| 30. |  | Maurkice Pouncey Center/Guard Florida | As much as the Vikings need a long-term answer at quarterback, I couldn't bring myself to take Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow at No. 30 overall. If the Vikings favor either one, they'll trade out of the first round. Coach Brad Childress and VP of player personnel Rick Spielman worked out Pouncey earlier this month. (Kevin Seifert) |
| 31. |  | Jerry Hughes Defensive End TCU | A third end is a big need for the Colts, and Hughes can make plays in the backfield like the guys he'd supplement. Pouncey or tackle Rodger Saffold would also look to be strong possibilities here. My wild card at 31 or with a deal down: tight end Rob Gronkowski, who could help with some of the run-blocking issues. (Paul Kuharsky) |
| 32. |  | Carlos Dunlap Defensive End Florida | Outside linebacker might be a bigger need, but there's no value pick here. The Saints solidified the defensive end spot with the signing of Alex Brown, but he's not young and neither are Will Smith and Bobby McCray. (Pat Yasinskas) |
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