Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford continues to top our mock, but how far will Notre Dame signal-caller Jimmy Clausen fall on draft day? Wes Bunting
With pro day season now in full swing, the National Football Post conducts its fourth mock draft of the year.
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
The Rams need a franchise quarterback they can begin to build around, and Bradford’s name seems to be picking up steam.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Even with all the upgrades the Lions have made along their defensive line, Suh still offers the kind of potential blue-chipper they can’t pass up.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers are a team with needs across the board, so picking a talent like McCoy, who can instantly improve their defensive line, makes sense.
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Redskins have a lot of question marks along their offensive line, and Okung looks like someone who can step in and play at a high level from day one.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Kansas City is in desperate need of playmakers in the secondary, and Berry is the best the 2010 draft has to offer.
6. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
O-line could be the pick here, but with the overall depth of the offensive tackle class, the Seahawks could opt for one of the draft’s most dynamic threats.
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Expect the Browns to add one of the draft’s top cover men and fill one of their biggest needs in the process.
8. Oakland Raiders: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Williams has been a fast-rising prospect this offseason and would give the Raiders some talent and flexibility at the offensive tackle position.
9. Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen might not be an ideal fit in Buffalo, but the Bills need to find an NFL-caliber signal caller, and he’s the best still on the board.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Jacksonville has to add more speed and talent to its back seven, and Mays has the range and versatility to fill a variety of roles on the Jaguars defense.
11. Denver Broncos: Dan Williams, DT Tennessee
Williams possesses the ability to anchor the Broncos up front and should instantly improve their run defense in the process.
12. Miami Dolphins: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
No matter how you look at it, the Dolphins need to add some talent to their receiver corps, and even with all his character concerns, Bryant is still the draft’s best option.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis is a talented kid, but questions about his immaturity might cause him to drop a bit on draft day. He’d be a great fit in San Francisco since he possesses the size and athleticism to play on either side of the line of scrimmage.
14. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Besides Okung, Bulaga looks like the draft’s safest offensive tackle option and should instantly fill a major void in Seattle.
15. New York Giants: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
The Giants have a huge hole at ILB, and McClain has the ability to come in and become an impact-type player quickly.
16. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Tennessee needs to add more talent to its defensive end position, and Morgan might be the draft’s best option; a great value at this point.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The 49ers are thin at cornerback, and Wilson looks like a guy who should be able to come in and compete for a starting job from day one.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Iupati gives the Steelers a talented lineman inside who can win at the point of attack as well as hold up in pass protection.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Although Pierre-Paul is a little raw, he may have more upside than any other prospect in the draft and is a good value here.
20. Houston Texans: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Mathews is a no-nonsense type of runner who has a big frame and impressive burst for his size. He gives the Texans some much needed thump in the run game.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
The Bengals made impressive strides as a defense last season, but a ball-hawking center field-type safety is still a pressing need.
22. New England Patriots: Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Graham is an ideal hybrid pass rusher who has the skill set to instantly improve the Pats’ ability to create pressure off the edge.
23. Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, OT, USC
Maybe a bit of a surprise here with Maryland product Bruce Campbell still on the board, but I think Brown is a better fit for what the Packers want to do in the run game.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida
Pouncey is one of the safest prospects in the draft and has the ability to develop anywhere along the interior of the Eagles offensive line.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
The Ravens not only have Cody penciled in for a visit, but with the team already addressing its wide receiver needs this offseason, getting an immovable nose tackle at the end of round one is quite a find.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Campbell offers the Cardinals a major upgrade at the left tackle position and has the kind of skill set to be as good as he wants to be at the next level.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Morgan Burnett, FS, Georgia Tech
The Cowboys are a bit of a wild card here, but with their need for a center field-type safety and Burnett’s ability to locate and track the football sideline to sideline, the two seem like a good fit.
28. San Diego Chargers: Jahvid Best, RB, California
Best is a much more instinctive runner between the tackles than given credit for and has the ability to quickly take over the running back duties in San Diego if given an opportunity.
29. New York Jets: Jared Odrick, DL, Penn State
Odrick isn’t the sexiest pick, but the Jets would be thrilled to get a talented five-technique prospect at this stage of the draft.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
DT Pat Williams is starting to get up in age, and Price has the ability to come in and develop as the Vikings’ future nose inside.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Rodger Saffold, OL, Indiana
We know Colts president Bill Polian loves to draft Big Ten guys, and Saffold has the talent and versatility to play either guard or tackle at the next level.
32. New Orleans Saints: Jerry Hughes, OLB/DE, TCU
Hughes is the kind of explosive, versatile athlete who can line up all over Gregg Williams’ defense and would add yet another element to the Saints pass rush.
Follow me on Twitter: WesBunting
This is the first mock draft I've seen that has Morgan Burnett going in the first round. I was wondering what took so long. I can't really see many flaws with Burnett's game expect he has tackling flaws. But I'll take his tackling flaws over Mays' coverage flaws. In my opinion he is no less than the 3rd best safety prospect even over Mays.
Wow, Sergio Kindle doesn't go in the 1st Round? Wow.
Wes, who are the top 5 players not in the first round of your draft? With teams able to reshuffle and have a full day off between rounds, would expect to see trades at the top of round 2 and round 4.
Every time I see that shot of Clausen you're using on the front page I think for a second it's Joe Montana.
Not comparing him to Montana, just sayin'...
Being a Bear fan I love the way this board looks, because it sets us up to get the guys I like that projected to be there at 75th overall, & on down, more likely to fall to us.
Gregg:
Get out of here...look at the Pats roster only two LB's on it are 6-4 or over... Banta-Cain is 6-2, Thomas is 6-2, Bruce Davis is 6-3, Burgess is only 6-1
Come on man talent is the standard...not 6-4
No chance the Pats draft Brandon Graham. He doesn't come close to fitting Belichick's 6'4 4.6 40 standard at OLB.
OT Rodger Saffold will not go in round one, maybe the tail end of round 2.... but most likely round 3.
Nate Allen and Chad Jones are both more likely to go in round1 than Morgan Burnett.
Sean Witherspoon will go in round 1 - Falcons/Cards/Ravens/Saints possible landing spots.
Also look for CB's Devin McCourty and Kareem Jackson to sneak into round 1.
With glaring needs at S, OLB, and DT there is no way the Dolphins will take Dez Bryant... it's Dan Williams or Brandon Graham.
OT Rodger Saffold will not go in round one, maybe the tail end of round 2.... but most likely round 3.
Nate Allen and Chad Jones are both more likely to go in round1 than Morgan Burnett.
Sean Witherspoon will go in round 1 - Falcons/Cards/Ravens/Saints possible landing spots.
Also look for CB's Devin McCourty and Kareem Jackson to sneak into round 1.
With glaring needs at S, OLB, and DT there is no way the Dolphins will take Dez Bryant... it's Dan Williams or Brandon Graham.
Love the 49ers picks. Would really like to get Spiller, but I know it's hard to pass up Davis & Wilson, if they are on the board.
I hate that Spiller would end up w/ SEA, division foe. But I have to admit, very realistic, for him to go to P. Carroll.
My draft crush this year is Iupati.... would it make sense to draft Iupati in the 1st RD (say w/ the 17th pick) and then get a true RT in the second RD? w/ this draft being so deep @ the T position, i am hoping for this scenario to pan out.
No chance the Pats draft Brandon Graham. He doesn't come close to fitting Belichick's 6'4 4.6 40 standard at OLB.
No chance the Pats draft Brandon Graham. He doesn't come close to fitting Belichick's 6'4 4.6 40 standard at OLB.
This is the first mock draft I've seen that has Morgan Burnett going in the first round. I was wondering what took so long. I can't really see many flaws with Burnett's game expect he has tackling flaws. But I'll take his tackling flaws over Mays' coverage flaws. In my opinion he is no less than the 3rd best safety prospect even over Mays.
Patsnut,
Here is a quote from Belichick after the 2009 Draft after why the Patriots didn't draft an OLB.
"I mean, generally speaking, I think that there were more shorter players, maybe a little less speed than what we've seen, maybe a little more power with good production. There weren't a lot of 4.6, 4.65 [40 time] guys. There weren't a lot of 6-[foot]-4, 6-[foot]-5 guys. I'd say it was a much smaller pool of those types of players.”
Furthermore, here is a list of guys they have drafted at OLB since 2000:
Casey Tisdale (Rd7, 2000) 6’4 255 lbs. 40: 4.71
Tully Banta-Cain (Rd7, 2003) 6’2 264 lbs. 40: N/A
Jeremy Mincey (Rd5, 2006) 6’4 259 lbs. 40: 4.76
Justin Rogers (Rd6, 2007): 6’4 252 lbs. 40: 4.76
Shawn Crable (Rd3, 2008): 6’5 45 lbs. 40: 4.61
Notable UDFA:
Pierre Woods 6’4 249 lbs. 40:4.73
Note how all the late-round picks, outside of Banta-Cain, come very close to fitting this standard. Notice also how the only pick within the first 4 rounds-Crable-fits the 6'4 4.6 mold to a T. The standard is real. Graham is not an option for the Pats.
I wouldn't say there is no chance the Pats will take Graham. The common theme with the LBs you listed, other than their measurements, is their lack of production. BB may go outside the mold though admittedly he is more likely to do so in the 2nd round.
In the above scenario they would go Odrick, Pouncey or trade down. With an outside chance of Graham or Hughes.
AFC East DBs are already licking their chops at the thought of Clausen's deep rainbows in the wind....
Am I dreaming, thinking that Jahvid Best can last till #35??
There is NO WAY Pioli takes Berry or any safety at 5. Not going to happen. The Chiefs will take a OL/DL/CB with that pick. No way its a safety.
Lock it in.
No way Greshman falls into the 2nd round. Terrible mock draft.
I'd say what makes it most unlikely the Pats take Brandon graham at 22 is him being there at 22.
I'd say what makes it most unlikely the Pats take Brandon graham at 22 is him being there at 22.
Good job on Spillar Wes. I've been harping on you since mock 1 that Best wouldn't be the first RB drafted and now he's almost out of round 1.
I would have liked to see Spillar go with the 10th pick, that would make him wait 1 pick for each of the 10 Wonderlic points he got. 6th may be too high with all the needs the Hawks have, but you having them getting Baluga with the 14th pick at OT. I don't think he'll last that long, but who knows.
u getting some love for this mock draft. where are all the haters?
A month ago I was hoping that the Patriots could grab Ryan Matthews with their first pick in Round 2. You don't even have him lasting to their first round pick! Ugh, you ruined my day.
Nice mock btw, I like that you are going in different, creative directions from many of the others out there.
Dez Bryant is gonna surprise a lot of people IF he can keep his head on straight. He could be a potential steal for a team if he slips past the top 10.
Like Oher (who I think is way more talented than Davis) Singletary s/b able to motivate Anthony Davis if he's the pick. If Singletary for some reason doesn't last as HC I hope our new guy can keep Davis focused & motivated. He seems like the type that needs that kick in the a**.
I like Kyle Wilson but not so sure at pick 17...I'd like him more if we traded down to get him. Coming from that small school Boise St w/lesser competition makes me a little unsure. I still don't know enough about this kid. Is he fast & physical enough? Is his coverage ability for real?
I have way more confidence in Iupati at 17 for sure than Wilson. Iupati for me is the SAFER pick. I know we're also shallow at CB & I'm back on board with my man Joe Haden & hope he falls to us at 13. (I wish his true 40 time wasn't discovered though until AFTER the Draft so he has a better chance of falling to us.)
After Haden improved his disappointing 40 he more than likely will be gone by pick 13. So an Anthony Davis / Mike Iupati 1st RD would be AWESOME. I'd buy that!
All those who don't understand why the chiefs would draft berry then stfu. Guess what the chiefs need they need playmakers in the secondary because we suck at those possitions. And a few other guys to fill up the heart and soul of any football team on the o line.
Spiller @6??
The guy is the extremely poor man's Darren McFadden at best...drafting him at 6 would be a waste...especially since Seattle needs almost an entirely new O-line...
I'm not excited about Anthony Davis to the 9ers ... sure Singletary could motivate him, but I'd rather have a player come in who doesn't need that motivation & doesn't have those questions about character. From everything I've read & see, I'd rather have Mike Iupati or Maurkice Pouncey than Anthony Davis, & it's possible that either or both of them would be available with pick #17.
I could easily see the 9ers trying to trade up, tho, & I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do.
Gregg you make a valid point about BB's standard for OLB's and that's why the Pats spent 6 hrs with Sapp last week. In my opinion I see them taking Odrick if he's there and going with a pass runing OLB in RD 2 (Sapp, Kindle??) since there are lots of those players available in this draft. Having said that, I can easily see the Pats picking Graham in RD 1. With the exception of height he fits all the attributes the team looks at in their OLBs: He's got size and power at 265 lbs and he can take on the OT's vs run. He was moved all around the line at Michigan and not only on 3rd down. He's got speed to get in the backfield and he's an intelligent and instinctive player. This is a very important trait for BB's OLBs and you can't place a height number on this factor.Adjustments are necessary when the offense sets up or adjusts their blocking scheme and the OLBs need to recognize situations. He's proven over his collegiate career that he can do this, especially last season per his DC at Michigan and he's been a spectacular performer in a good conference vs solid OLs. He's also been a leader.
No chance the Seahawks take Spiller at 6. Maybe at 14. Not at 6. No one between 6 and 14 needs a running back as much as other needs, and it's not likely anyone will trade up that high to take Spiller when the RB class is so deep.
Speaking of 14, no way Bulaga lasts that long. These two picks should be flipped.
If the Raiders take a Tackle, it will be Bruce Campbell. No way Al passes on someone with that little talent but that good of a combine workout.
I really think the Pats go with Sapp in Rd 1. He has size and speed and can grow into his frame more, as all college outside linebackers do in the pros. If not Sapp welcome Odrick. Graham is not an option when you look at the tape. His best production is when Michigan was bringing more than could be blocked. He will struggle one on one with the big boys.
I think the Pats pass on Graham not because he doesn't have the measurables, but because they can't afford to pass on Odrick and let him go to the Jets or some other 3-4 team. There are other OLB's in the draft, there is a scant few 3-4 DE prospects.
Nikos,
I agree with you that Graham is instinctive and has a great motor. I do however disagree that he he has the speed Belichick prefers. Belichick has likely deemed that a 40 time in the 4.6s or less is a good indicator that an OLB prospect can effectively and consistently “run the arc” against NFL level talent, meaning that they have the upfield speed to get past an OT or TE and close on the upfield shoulder of the QB before he releases the ball. Again, clearly players who do not fit the Patriots prototype can be effective pass rushers, but players who do fit the 6’4 4.6 mold are more likely to than prospects who do not.
In regards to height, I believe you can place a high value on how important height is for an every-down OLB in the Belichick/Parcells two-gap oriented version of the 3-4. In terms of defending the passing game, taller players are more likely to disrupt a QBs vision and tip passes (something Bill Belichick has said in the past is an undervalued attribute in front-seven players). Longer arms also allow for a wider range and a more effective repertoire of pass-rush moves.
DUde!
You Bombed the first mock. DIdnt think you could do much more damage, but hey, you pulled through
I read it..... DIs liked it (again) so came to my vedict......................................
Your stupid!
THats why the economy sucks.
Why would the Cardinals want to upgrade left tackle with Campbell when Matt Leinart's blind side would be the right tackle? Just a little correction there :P
Poor Bills fans. Everyone wants to give them Clausen. He's not gonna be any good, but my opinion aside, they still don't have the O-line to at least give him a shot to be successful, the media is setting up the Bills for failure there!
I think they should go ahead and reach for Dan Williams, what good is a change to a 3-4 if you don't have anyone to play the nose for you? Or pick one of the tackles.
Your pick for my Saints is the same as mine. Good work overall. Cheers!
0 chance the Eagles take an offensive lineman in the first round
Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta's GM places extreme consideration to the following traits when drafting high in the draft. Must be a senior, leadership skills, good character and high production in college. That would rule out Jason Pierre-Paul in every sense. I would switch Brandon Graham and JPP with New England. JPP fits the bill for what BB looks for in a OLB as stated in the other comments. 6'4" plus 4.6-4.7 forty time. He has the measureables he likes and pass rush ability to develop. I think that is how Atlanta would favor that position. Graham would be rated higher than JPP.
Don't take me wrong, but I don't agree with 75% of the picks, at least. Chiefs need desperately to protect their money on cassel, jets biggest need is at WR, bruce campbell never played like a first rounder (his combine grants him as a raider). the last time parcells drafted a WR was because Kraft wanted, so he quit on NE to get the job in NY. Lions got corey williams, a pretty good guy playind DT in a 4-3 Dfense. burnett is not a first round safety (not at all!) and steelers biggest need is in Dfense, cause they couldn't turn the ball last season...and singletary getting a guy with no work ethic like anthony davis? I don't see this happening...
I agree with Nikos that BB would consider Graham at #22, and as a Pats fan I'd like a guy like that. Tough. Hustle. Good leadership/locker-room guy. That being said, I agree with others that Graham won't be there for the Pats at #22.
I think there is a high likelikhood that the Pats trade down again this year. If he can't move down, then I think BB will go a safe route with Odrick or Pouncey. Of those, I'd prefer Pouncey because he's tough and would be an upgrade at center. Not a sexy pick by any stretch of the imagination, though.
The shocker will be if BB goes for Dunlap or JPP. Dunlap fits their DE mold and JPP fits the DE/OLB mold, and both are total freaks of nature athletically. Both seem like boom or bust picks, but I put a lot of that on coaching.
Other Pats targets should be Kindle and Hughes, but I would be shocked if BB took either one at #22.
Not a Chiefs fan here, but from watching the Pats over the years, I do not think Pioli would draft a safety at #5. He would only draft a safety if he trades down. Didn't he say as much recently? I see the Chiefs going for contract value, which should be left tackle at #5. Plus that allows them to move Albert to OG, so they theoretically improve two positions with one pick. They'll be able to get secondary help in round 2.
Eric Berry to the Chiefs? You DANG right!
Chiefs will for sure draft Eric Berry. They picked Oline in offseason and they need help in the deep secondary. Perfect pick for the Chiefs.
Don't take me wrong, but I don't agree with 75% of the picks, at least. Chiefs need desperately to protect their money on cassel, jets biggest need is at WR, bruce campbell never played like a first rounder (his combine grants him as a raider). the last time parcells drafted a WR was because Kraft wanted, so he quit on NE to get the job in NY. Lions got corey williams, a pretty good guy playind DT in a 4-3 Dfense. burnett is not a first round safety (not at all!) and steelers biggest need is in Dfense, cause they couldn't turn the ball last season...and singletary getting a guy with no work ethic like anthony davis? I don't see this happening...
At Colby
Eric Berry to the Chiefs? You DANG right!
Chiefs will for sure draft Eric Berry. They picked Oline in offseason and they need help in the deep secondary. Perfect pick for the Chiefs.
What offensive line are you talking about? They need to build that line up or eles Matt Cassel won't be able to perform at all. That offensive line is a key to a wide open system like the Chiefs are trying to run.
At Colby
Eric Berry to the Chiefs? You DANG right!
Chiefs will for sure draft Eric Berry. They picked Oline in offseason and they need help in the deep secondary. Perfect pick for the Chiefs.
What offensive line are you talking about? They need to build that line up or eles Matt Cassel won't be able to perform at all. That offensive line is a key to a wide open system like the Chiefs are trying to run.
Why would the Niners take Davis over Bulaga? I'd throw something across the room if that actually happened. Bulaga is far and away the better T prospect, so, you're assuming the Niners will make the wrong choice? Is that what you're basing this on?
Just A Hater says:
Your stupid!
Gotta love the oxymoron of a guy using the incorrect form of "you're" to call someone ELSE stupid.
Rolando McClain to Denver makes more sense since they let go Andra Davis and signed Jamal Williams, formerly the NT for San Diego. But, apparently, media-types think he should go to NY. Big surprise. Sadly, even something like this is has an east coast slant.
If Taylor Mays goes in round 1 I'd be happy to wash Wes's car. Not sure what some of these guys do all day but watching film can't be high up on the list. Awful.
I think the Packers would be fully justified in drafting an offensive lineman, but mock drafts should be more exciting.
Draft a halfback or a WR or a QB. It won't matter. It's imaginary.
Dallas would trade down to get Morgan Burnett depending on their draft board. All the talk is they are looking to fix the offensive line first then safety.
all you guys are from the east coast.. right.. well i am a dieheart Charger fan for the 1964 year till 2003 when i got my freedom but at the same time i had to give up my season tickets.. Well I do hope either matthews or best is still on the board at #28. Then we have to choose between the two.. Who would u guys pick??
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Mar 24, 2010
01:08 PM
love all the Dt's and OT's what a draft class....would love to get Saffold at the end of round one!!!!