Monday, January 11, 2010

NFL Mock Draft - 1st Round

Now that we know most of the first round draft order, here's my first attempt at how it will all shape up:

1. Rams: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska - The best defensive player available in the draft since Steve Emtman. I fully expect this to turn out better than it did for the Colts in 1990 (not saying much) as Suh is a beast who does it all along the defensive line.

2. Lions: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - Detroit finished 25th in rush defense, 29th in sacks registered, and dead last in pass defense (265 yds/game). Needless to say, defense will be a focus early and often. Joe Haden also makes sense here.

3. Bucs: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee - A protege of Monte Kiffin, who coincidentally figures to put in a good word with the Tampa Bay brass, Berry is a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.

4. Redskins: Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State - The offensive line was a disaster as evidence by the 46 sacks allowed and 27th ranked rushing offense this season.

5. Chiefs: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech - Despite addressing the defensive line in the first round of the last two drafts, the Chiefs finished 31st in the league in rushing defense. Third time has to be the charm, right?

6. Seahawks: Joe Haden, CB, Florida - A match made in rainy heaven. Seattle finished 30th in pass defense, and Haden is a remarkable athlete capable of shutting down an opponent's top receiver.

7. Browns: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State - The Browns were putrid throwing the ball this season (worst in the league with 140 yards/game through the air). Bryant provides them with a much needed weapon. As an added bonus, we would get to see T. Boone Pickens do backflips after two Cowboys get picked in the top 7.

8. Raiders: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers - If he plays up to his potential, Davis will be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he has some off-the-field issues, something Oakland is used to. Rumor has it, much to the delight of Al Davis, he's also the fastest offensive tackle in this year's class (that was a joke).

9. Bills: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma - Buffalo needs a franchise quarterback, and Bradford can be just that.

10. Jaguars*: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama - Jacksonville registered the fewest sacks in the league this season and lacked defensive leadership. McClain consistently pressured the passer while at Alabama, and his intangibles cannot be questioned.

11. Broncos*#: Earl Thomas, S, Texas - Denver's defense is in desperate need of some youthful energy and skill.

12. Dolphins: Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State - Miami's linebacking corps was painfully slow. Navorro, another in a long line of Nittany Lion LBs, flies around the field and makes plays from sideline to sideline.

13. 49ers: Jimmy Claussen, QB, Notre Dame - Alex Smith is clearly not the answer, and San Francisco has had some success with quarterbacks from Notre Dame.

14. Seahawaks^: CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson - Spiller is a Reggie Bush-type (not necessarily a positive comparison anymore) gamebreaker that can do a little of everything.

15. Giants: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida - New York's defense crumbled like feta cheese against the NFL's elite teams. Surprisingly, the biggest problem was along the defensive front. Dunlap, off-field issues aside, has Top 5 talent.

16. Panthers*: Sergio Kindle, LB/DE, Texas - Everyone seems to love these hybrid LB / DEs, and Kindle was awesome during the BCS title game. His stock is sky-high.

17. Titans*: Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State - A slight reach here but Tennessee was 31st in passing defense this season.

18. Steelers: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland - Only the Packers surrendered more sacks than Pittsburgh.

19. Texans*: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida - Like the Chiefs, Houston has unsuccessfully tried to address their defensive line recently in the draft. Still, they really struggled getting pressure on the quarterback.

20. Falcons*: Taylor Mays, S, USC - Atlanta finished 28th in pass defense. Mays has had trouble in coverage and misses too many tackles, but he's a physical freak.

* Subject to coin flip
# Acquired from Bears
^ Acquired from Broncos

1 comment:

  1. Kindle was awesome in the BCS Championship? Pass that stuff over, mmmkay?

    ReplyDelete