Mock Draft 4-20-10
1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
The Rams will draft a quarterback, it's just a matter of when. They may trade out of this spot, but if they can't find a partner, Bradford will more than likely be the top pick.
2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is the top rated player on most draft boards and Detroit allowed the eight-most rushing yards per game in 2009. The Heisman Trophy finalist will be an instant upgrade along the defensive line.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Raheem Morris will employ a one-gap system that McCoy will thrive in. He should provide the Bucs with a disruptive interior presence not seen since the Warren Sapp days.
4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Donovan McNabb is still an outstanding player, but he can't work miracles. With Chris Samuels retiring in the offseason, Washington has to get better protection after allowing 46 sacks in 2009.
5. Kansas City – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Eric Berry is tempting in this spot, but the Chiefs want to move Branden Albert to the right side and they will have to get blindside protection for their $63 million investment in Matt Cassel.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Seahawks are littered with holes and a case can be made for nearly any position with the exception of linebacker and tight end. The top need is left tackle, but with Alex Gibbs on board they may wait to address it. That being said, Seattle will benefit from taking the best available player.
7. Cleveland Browns – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Cleveland traded away Kamerion Wimbley in the offseason and needs someone that can pressure the quarterback. Morgan will have to learn to rush from the outside linebacker spot in the Browns' 3-4 scheme, but his combination of strength and pass rush ability is appealing.
8. Oakland Raiders – Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Oakland is always the hardest team to predict on draft day. They need help along the offensive line after giving up the third-highest number of sacks in 2009. Iupati is shooting up the draft board and has the potential to move to tackle. The Raiders aren't shy about reaching for players they like.
9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Buffalo passed on taking a left tackle last April and the result was an offensive line that couldn't protect the passer. They would be wise not to make the same mistake again come Thursday.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Jack Del Rio is faced with a tough situation because the team is in rebuilding mode, but he needs to win games to save his job. It's becoming clear that David Garrard is not the future of the franchise. Clausen is pro ready and may be able to step in at some point next season.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Denver gave up 128.7 yards per game on the ground in 2009 and needs help stopping the run. They have to replace Andra Davis at one of the inside linebacker spots, and McClain already played in a 3-4 scheme at Alabama.
12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Wiliams, DT, Tennessee
The 3-4 defense requires great play from the nose tackle to truly be successful. Jason Ferguson was re-signed, but he's old and will be forced to miss the first eight games of the season while serving a suspension. Williams is the best nose tackle prospect in the draft and Bill Parcells is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
San Francisco struggled against the pass at times in 2009 and needs to find a shutdown corner opposite Shawntae Spencer. Nate Clements suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, Tarell Brown was far from solid and Dre' Bly left in free agency. Haden is the best cover corner in this class.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Charles Brown, OT, USC
This is very early for Brown but tackles get reached for and he's Pete Carroll's guy. His athleticism will also fit in the zone-blocking scheme. Seattle is forced to take him at this point after trading down in the second round for Charlie Whitehurst.
15. New York Giants – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
New York's rushing attack wasn't as potent as it has been in years past. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw battled through injuries all season. Spiller is a game-breaker and too talented to pass up at this point.
16. Tennessee Titans – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
The Titans parted ways with Kyle Vanden Bosch and need to get more pressure on the quarterback to make the rest of the defense function.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
San Francisco needs help at right tackle and Davis is a mammoth that could step in immediately and help the running game.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
The Steelers offensive line needs an upgrade. They lack power and gave up the second-most sacks in 2009. Pittsburgh likes Pouncey, and he will be able to play guard or center for them.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Everson Griffen, DE, USC
John Abraham turns 32 in May and registered just 5.5 sacks last season. Jamaal Anderson has been a titanic bust so far. The Falcons are desperate for a defensive end that can bring pressure off the edge.
20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, S-CB, Texas
The Texans' biggest need is a cornerback. Thomas was a safety at Texas but lacks great size and may move to corner at the next level. No matter where he plays, Houston could use his services.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Chad Ochocinco is 32 and Bryant is a steal at this point. Character concerns have never scared away the Bengals.
22. New England Patriots – Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
New England desperately needs to get more pressure off the edge from their outside linebackers. Graham has strength and pass rush ability the Patriots will covet.
23. Green Bay Packers – Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
The Packers need another outside linebacker who can pressure the quarterback in their 3-4 scheme. Aaron Kampman is gone, but didn't fit well in the system anyways.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Eagles desperately need to find a replacement for Brian Dawkins at safety.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Todd Heap was one of Joe Flacco's favorite targets last season, but he's been injury prone. Gresham is a dynamic receiving threat who should be a nice red zone option for Flacco.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The Cardinals lost one of their best defensive players in Karlos Dansby. Weatherspoon fits well inside Arizona's 3-4 and will be a nice replacement.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland
Left tackle instantly became the Cowboys' biggest need when they released Flozell Adams. Campbell has great athleticism and will be asked to play immediately.
28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Darren Sproles isn't a feature back and the Chargers will need to replace LT. Mathews is a powerful inside runner that will compliment Sproles. Nose tackle is a glaring need as well, but they can likely wait until the second round and still possibly grab Terrence Cody after swapping picks with the Seahawks.
29. New York Jets – Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Vernon Gholston has been a huge bust and the Jets need an outside linebacker that can get to the quarterback.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
With the start of Cedric Griffin's season facing uncertainty and 32-year-old Antoine Winfield beginning to wear down, the Vikings should look for a cornerback that can contribute immediately.
31. Indianapolis Colts – Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Offensive line is top offseason priority for the Colts. Charlie Johnson was decent at left tackle, but he can be improved on.
32. New Orleans Saints – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The Saints need help at defensive tackle after giving up 122.2 yards per game on the ground last season. Odrick will provide them with a disruptive interior presence.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.