| 2010 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 |
A personnel man I know texted me the other day to tell me I had the "right 32 guys" in my 3.0 mock draft, the one
I did almost two weeks ago coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine. He didn't say whether I had any of those right guys
going to the right team, but at this point, with the first round still more than five weeks away, I'll take it and try
not to over think things as we reflect the results of free agency on everyone's draft board.
The NFL's annual
shopping season didn't really prompt wholesale changes in my top 10, but there's plenty of reshuffling due to recent
signings in the bottom two-thirds of my fourth attempt to mock out the 2010 draft:
(Send comments to siwriters@simail.com)
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| 1 |
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QB |
Sam Bradford |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
6-4 |
223 |
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So much depends on how Bradford's throwing shoulder holds up at his pro day on March 29, but at this point there's
absolutely no reason to stop putting the Rams and the ex-Sooner together on the assumption that all goes well at that
workout. As I've noted before, taking a first-round quarterback might not be just the right call in St. Louis, it might
also buy some time for the rebuilding program Rams general manager Billy Devaney and head coach Steve
Spagnuolo have begun.
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| 2 |
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DT |
Ndamukong Suh |
Nebraska |
Sr. |
6-4 |
302 |
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Even with Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams coming to Motown this month, there's still room on the
Detroit defensive line for another dominator in the middle. Opinions remain divided as to whether that's Suh or Oklahoma
defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, but we're sticking with the Husker over the Sooner for now.
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| 3 |
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DT |
Gerald McCoy |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
6-4 |
298 |
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I covered the Bucs the year they drafted Warren Sapp (1995), and there were 11 teams that passed on him before he
went to Tampa Bay in the 12 slot. The Bucs hope history repeats itself 15 years later with McCoy, but they only need two
teams to help them out this time around. I think the chances are pretty good they get that help.
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| 4 |
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QB |
Jimmy Clausen |
Notre Dame |
Jr. |
6-3 |
223 |
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I've had Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung to the Redskins in previous mocks, but I'm getting the
growing sense Mike Shanahan won't be able to pass on a quarterback who played in a pro-style offense in college
and represents life beyond the Jason Campbell era in D.C. I know the Redskins are trying to practice patience and
prudence for a change this offseason, but there are limits to everything, and at heart Washington owner Daniel
Snyder is still the kid who loves making the biggest splash in the pool.
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| 5 |
 |
S |
Eric Berry |
Tennessee |
Jr. |
5-11 |
203 |
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With both of the top quarterbacks getting pushed up into the top four, the Chiefs really get lucky in this scenario. They get to
choose between Berry and Okung, the draft's premier offensive tackle. They could use either player, but the pool of
talent in this draft is deeper at tackle than safety, so it makes sense to take Berry and try to get their OT in the
second round. Even if it means Branden Albert remains at left tackle for the time being, with the draft pick
manning the right side.
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| 6 |
 |
OT |
Russell Okung |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
6-6 |
305 |
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The Seahawks might be tempted to take fast-rising Clemson running back C.J. Spiller here, but getting a
replacement for Walter Jones at left tackle is imperative. With Washington and Kansas City both needing offensive
line help above them, the Seahawks never dreamed they'd have a shot to land Okung.
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| 7 |
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CB |
Joe Haden |
Florida |
Jr. |
5-11 |
190 |
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The Browns could be the slot where this year's draft starts to get really interesting, because there is no slam-dunk
consensus player waiting there for Cleveland. Receiver Dez Bryant remains a possibility, but he comes with
considerable risk. More help for the pass rush (Derrick Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul?) is another option,
but the draft's cleanest cornerback (Haden) remains the safest, most logical choice.
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| 8 |
 |
OT |
Bruce Campbell |
Maryland |
Jr. |
6-7 |
310 |
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Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams or Anthony Davis are first-round offensive tackle prospects that make more
sense, but everyone expects that Oakland will be captivated by Campbell's impressive size, speed and measurables. The
thing is, if the Raiders pass on Campbell, where else does he land in the first round? You can make the case he's either
No. 8, or in the second round.
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| 9 |
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OT |
Bryan Bulaga |
Iowa |
Jr. |
6-6 |
312 |
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Nice turn of events for the Bills, whose offensive line was in tatters last season. Buffalo gets to choose from Bulaga or
Trent Williams to fill its need at tackle, and either one walks in the door as a starter from day one. Securing a
nose tackle for the switch to the 3-4 defense puts Tennessee's Dan Williams on the radar screen as well.
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| 10 |
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S |
Earl Thomas |
Texas |
So. |
5-10 |
197 |
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The signing of veteran defensive end Aaron Kampman in free agency doesn't rule out going after more pass rush atop
the draft, but it makes it less likely that either Derrick Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul winds up in
Jacksonville. Thomas adds a play-making presence to the last line of the Jaguars defense, both against the pass and the
run.
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