jswalker1981
Fact > Your Opinion
- Messages
- 2,616
- Reaction score
- 0
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d816d8732&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
The combine is over, free agency is under way and the pro days are starting to heat up. There are plenty of clues as to what direction some teams may take in the draft. There is still lots of work to do before the end of April but here is a second look at my mock draft:
1. Saint Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Nothing has changed in a week in a quarterback-driven league. In fact, more people are starting to see Bradford as the top pick. It will be interesting to see if Washington, Seattle or Cleveland try to move up to get him.
2. Detroit Lions
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh can play all three downs, has the physical credentials to dominate, and recorded 63 tackles for a loss (including 23 sacks) in college. He's a mature young man who can handle the money he's about to make.
Pro Days schedule
In between the combine and the draft, NFL coaches and personnel -- not to mention the prospects themselves -- turn their attention to the various college Pro Day workouts. More ...
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
In any other year, he's the top tackle on draft boards. McCoy is a perfect fit for Raheem Morris' defense at the "three technique."
4. Washington Commanders
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
With Chris Samuels' retirement, the Commanders need a left tackle to line up for the next 10 years. Mike Shanahan hit a home run with Ryan Clady a few years ago in Denver and will look to do it again ... unless he moves up for Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Scott Pioli is not taking any player with issues off the field or one who is a risk to be a problem, no matter how talented he may appear to be. Bulaga fits a need with a first-round grade and is a rock-solid person.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Seahawks need a QB for the future; Pete Carroll has two first-round picks and is very familiar with Clausen. Unless they find a quarterback they love for a later round, it's now or never for finding a QB.
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
When Joe Haden ran slow at the combine, it made this decision an easy one. Berry can play all four secondary spots and some teams have him graded as a top-five pick. A 4.4 in the 40 with a 43-inch vertical and close to 11 feet in the broad jump tells you the kind of athlete Berry is.
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Some will project Bruce Campbell here based on his combine workout, but the game tapes suggest something much different. Davis can play sooner in the NFL and is only 20 years old.
9. Buffalo Bills
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Bills have lots of needs, especially at offensive tackle, but they can't really build a 3-4 defense without a nose tackle. Williams is very quick for a 327-pound guy.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Earl Thomas, S/CB, Texas
I don't believe signing Aaron Kampman solved their defensive end issues so they may opt to draft another one. But Thomas is a versatile defensive back that can play anywhere and the Jags have made enough mistakes at DE in recent drafts.
11. Denver Broncos
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
McClain can play outside as well as inside, according to Eagles personnel man Phil Savage, who watched him play every game for Alabama. Denver needs linebacker help in its 3-4 defense and the 6-foot-4, 254-pound McClain, with 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five interceptions, fits for the Broncos.
12. Miami Dolphins
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Miami got some bad news when Jason Ferguson was suspended for eight games, not to mention he's old and coming off injury. Odrick can play anywhere up front and they could slide someone else to the nose and play him at the five technique. He has the size (6-5, 305) and the motor Bill Parcells loves.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma State
San Francisco needs an offensive tackle to play opposite Joe Staley if it wants to keep pounding that running game and protect Alex Smith.
14. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
This year's Chris Johnson is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. Between rushing attempts, receiving and returns, Spiller will touch the ball 20 times a game. Carroll has always had a speedy playmaker in his backfield and Spiller'a 40-yard dash was clocked under 4.3 at the combine.
15. New York Giants
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
It's no secret the Giants need linebackers inside and out. Kindle is a guy with 57 tackles for a loss in 25 starts.
16. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse are gone and the Titans are a tough defensive-minded organization. In 2009, Morgan had 12.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Taylor Mays, S, USC
Some call Mays an underachiever, some call him a linebacker disguised as a safety. Mays is an imposing athlete who will bring a presence to the 49ers defense.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden's 40-yard dash time dropped him for the time being and a re-time may improve his stock later this spring. Right now, he falls into the lap of a team looking for a corner.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
The Falcons could go defensive end here and take a guy like Jason Pierre-Paul, but the kind of speed (4.3) and character Tate possesses make him very tempting.
20. Houston Texans
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Texans lost Dunta Robinson in free agency and need to continue to build a secondary that faces Peyton Manning twice a year. Wilson also has return skills.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Surprised he's in the first round after an honorable mention in last week's mock draft? Too many people have been telling me this guy, with his 19 yard-per-catch average for his career, belongs in the same class as Calvin Johnson. He's moving up draft boards.
22. New England Patriots
Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Whether Bill Belichick has the Patriots in a 3-4 or a 4-3 alignment, Graham fits. He's smart, athletic and highly productive. He had 85 tackles for a loss in 28 starts.
23. Green Bay Packers
Charles Brown, OT, USC
Like many drafts in recent years, tackles tend to go at the end of the first round because teams know they will be gone by this time in Round 2. I had a scout tell me Brown compares well to the high-profile tackles earlier in Round 1. Showing up at the combine over 6-5 and 300 pounds helped his cause.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul is grading out higher than this in many draft rooms but he's also a one-year wonder. He could slip on draft day after teams reconsider giving first-round money to a guy with just one season as a starter and 6.5 sacks. If he slides -- and I think he will -- the Eagles will not pass.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Once the Ravens traded for WR Anquan Boldin, they turned their attention to the cornerback position. Robinson may be the best one left on the board.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
With the losses of Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle, the Cardinals have been hit hard in free agency, especially on defense. Weatherspoon is a highly-productive linebacker (400-plus tackles in college), very bright and had a tremendous performance at the combine.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Everyone projects Bryant much higher than this but he has baggage and some risk. The Cowboys could want an offensive tackle like Bruce Campbell here but the athletic grade on Bryant might be too good to turn down. A year from now, the Cowboys could be done with Roy Williams.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Mathews is a complete back that had 3,280 yards in college. He needs work in the passing game but he knows where the end zone is (39 touchdowns) and ran 4.41 at the combine.
29. New York Jets
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen moved off the honorable mention list and into the first round. When a defensive end measures at close to 6-4, 273 pounds and runs a 4.66 40-yard dash, he gets attention. With arms under 33 inches long, Griffen is not a perfect fit for the Jets' 3-4, but he can replace Marques Douglas, the former starter still floating around in free agency.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price is the answer to an aging Pat Williams. He'd likely play in a rotation this year and take over in 2011. Price is short, quick, thick and is very disruptive.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Jeff Saturday can't play forever and this four-year starter is the long-term answer at center. In the meantime, he can play some guard and learn from one of the best in Saturday.
32. New Orleans Saints
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Saints are going to have some fine football players all graded about the same to pick from at this spot. In addition to Dunlap, Jerry Hughes, Ricky Sapp, Jermaine Gresham and Mike Iupati may all be on the board. Dunlap has some off the field issues that may eliminate him, but at close to 6-6, 277 pounds, he may be the guy to replace the recently released Charles Grant.
----------
I doubt that Bryant falls that far. If so, I'll have flashbacks of Steven Jackson.
The combine is over, free agency is under way and the pro days are starting to heat up. There are plenty of clues as to what direction some teams may take in the draft. There is still lots of work to do before the end of April but here is a second look at my mock draft:
1. Saint Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Nothing has changed in a week in a quarterback-driven league. In fact, more people are starting to see Bradford as the top pick. It will be interesting to see if Washington, Seattle or Cleveland try to move up to get him.
2. Detroit Lions
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh can play all three downs, has the physical credentials to dominate, and recorded 63 tackles for a loss (including 23 sacks) in college. He's a mature young man who can handle the money he's about to make.
Pro Days schedule
In between the combine and the draft, NFL coaches and personnel -- not to mention the prospects themselves -- turn their attention to the various college Pro Day workouts. More ...
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
In any other year, he's the top tackle on draft boards. McCoy is a perfect fit for Raheem Morris' defense at the "three technique."
4. Washington Commanders
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
With Chris Samuels' retirement, the Commanders need a left tackle to line up for the next 10 years. Mike Shanahan hit a home run with Ryan Clady a few years ago in Denver and will look to do it again ... unless he moves up for Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Scott Pioli is not taking any player with issues off the field or one who is a risk to be a problem, no matter how talented he may appear to be. Bulaga fits a need with a first-round grade and is a rock-solid person.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Seahawks need a QB for the future; Pete Carroll has two first-round picks and is very familiar with Clausen. Unless they find a quarterback they love for a later round, it's now or never for finding a QB.
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
When Joe Haden ran slow at the combine, it made this decision an easy one. Berry can play all four secondary spots and some teams have him graded as a top-five pick. A 4.4 in the 40 with a 43-inch vertical and close to 11 feet in the broad jump tells you the kind of athlete Berry is.
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Some will project Bruce Campbell here based on his combine workout, but the game tapes suggest something much different. Davis can play sooner in the NFL and is only 20 years old.
9. Buffalo Bills
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Bills have lots of needs, especially at offensive tackle, but they can't really build a 3-4 defense without a nose tackle. Williams is very quick for a 327-pound guy.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Earl Thomas, S/CB, Texas
I don't believe signing Aaron Kampman solved their defensive end issues so they may opt to draft another one. But Thomas is a versatile defensive back that can play anywhere and the Jags have made enough mistakes at DE in recent drafts.
11. Denver Broncos
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
McClain can play outside as well as inside, according to Eagles personnel man Phil Savage, who watched him play every game for Alabama. Denver needs linebacker help in its 3-4 defense and the 6-foot-4, 254-pound McClain, with 40 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five interceptions, fits for the Broncos.
12. Miami Dolphins
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Miami got some bad news when Jason Ferguson was suspended for eight games, not to mention he's old and coming off injury. Odrick can play anywhere up front and they could slide someone else to the nose and play him at the five technique. He has the size (6-5, 305) and the motor Bill Parcells loves.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma State
San Francisco needs an offensive tackle to play opposite Joe Staley if it wants to keep pounding that running game and protect Alex Smith.
14. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
This year's Chris Johnson is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. Between rushing attempts, receiving and returns, Spiller will touch the ball 20 times a game. Carroll has always had a speedy playmaker in his backfield and Spiller'a 40-yard dash was clocked under 4.3 at the combine.
15. New York Giants
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
It's no secret the Giants need linebackers inside and out. Kindle is a guy with 57 tackles for a loss in 25 starts.
16. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse are gone and the Titans are a tough defensive-minded organization. In 2009, Morgan had 12.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Taylor Mays, S, USC
Some call Mays an underachiever, some call him a linebacker disguised as a safety. Mays is an imposing athlete who will bring a presence to the 49ers defense.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden's 40-yard dash time dropped him for the time being and a re-time may improve his stock later this spring. Right now, he falls into the lap of a team looking for a corner.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
The Falcons could go defensive end here and take a guy like Jason Pierre-Paul, but the kind of speed (4.3) and character Tate possesses make him very tempting.
20. Houston Texans
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Texans lost Dunta Robinson in free agency and need to continue to build a secondary that faces Peyton Manning twice a year. Wilson also has return skills.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Surprised he's in the first round after an honorable mention in last week's mock draft? Too many people have been telling me this guy, with his 19 yard-per-catch average for his career, belongs in the same class as Calvin Johnson. He's moving up draft boards.
22. New England Patriots
Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Whether Bill Belichick has the Patriots in a 3-4 or a 4-3 alignment, Graham fits. He's smart, athletic and highly productive. He had 85 tackles for a loss in 28 starts.
23. Green Bay Packers
Charles Brown, OT, USC
Like many drafts in recent years, tackles tend to go at the end of the first round because teams know they will be gone by this time in Round 2. I had a scout tell me Brown compares well to the high-profile tackles earlier in Round 1. Showing up at the combine over 6-5 and 300 pounds helped his cause.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul is grading out higher than this in many draft rooms but he's also a one-year wonder. He could slip on draft day after teams reconsider giving first-round money to a guy with just one season as a starter and 6.5 sacks. If he slides -- and I think he will -- the Eagles will not pass.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Once the Ravens traded for WR Anquan Boldin, they turned their attention to the cornerback position. Robinson may be the best one left on the board.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
With the losses of Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle, the Cardinals have been hit hard in free agency, especially on defense. Weatherspoon is a highly-productive linebacker (400-plus tackles in college), very bright and had a tremendous performance at the combine.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Everyone projects Bryant much higher than this but he has baggage and some risk. The Cowboys could want an offensive tackle like Bruce Campbell here but the athletic grade on Bryant might be too good to turn down. A year from now, the Cowboys could be done with Roy Williams.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Mathews is a complete back that had 3,280 yards in college. He needs work in the passing game but he knows where the end zone is (39 touchdowns) and ran 4.41 at the combine.
29. New York Jets
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen moved off the honorable mention list and into the first round. When a defensive end measures at close to 6-4, 273 pounds and runs a 4.66 40-yard dash, he gets attention. With arms under 33 inches long, Griffen is not a perfect fit for the Jets' 3-4, but he can replace Marques Douglas, the former starter still floating around in free agency.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price is the answer to an aging Pat Williams. He'd likely play in a rotation this year and take over in 2011. Price is short, quick, thick and is very disruptive.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Jeff Saturday can't play forever and this four-year starter is the long-term answer at center. In the meantime, he can play some guard and learn from one of the best in Saturday.
32. New Orleans Saints
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Saints are going to have some fine football players all graded about the same to pick from at this spot. In addition to Dunlap, Jerry Hughes, Ricky Sapp, Jermaine Gresham and Mike Iupati may all be on the board. Dunlap has some off the field issues that may eliminate him, but at close to 6-6, 277 pounds, he may be the guy to replace the recently released Charles Grant.
----------
I doubt that Bryant falls that far. If so, I'll have flashbacks of Steven Jackson.
