[Insider Request] McShay's Mock

Defense dominates top of mock draft
The top 10 features four defensive linemen, a linebacker and a safety
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McShay By Todd McShay
ESPN.com

OK ... Let's try this again. Our first run at our first 2010 mock draft hit a little speed bump when our projected No. 1 overall pick -- Washington QB Jake Locker -- announced he is returning to school for his senior season. So after reviewing team needs, we once again bring out the 2010 mock first round.

We've ordered this first round according to current NFL standings, and ties between teams with identical records are broken based on 2009 strength of schedule, with the team with the weaker strength of schedule getting the higher pick.

The purpose of this early mock draft is to get a feel for the top players on the board and where they might fit into the first round. We include the top draft-eligible underclassmen in this, and while it might bite us occasionally (see Locker, Jake), it gives a better and more fair representation of what the first round might eventually look like, as opposed to if we were to do this with only the senior prospects.

As it stands right now, defensive players and offensive tackles rule the top 10, with a quarterback and safety thrown in the mix as well.


St. Louis Rams

Record: 1-12
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Reach for a quarterback or take the top defensive lineman in the class? Tough call, but we think the Rams should take Suh. Anyone who saw the Big 12 championship game knows what kind of effect the explosive Suh can have on a game. He is a disruptive run defender with the arm strength to toss aside blockers and the quickness to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Although he isn't the most polished pass-rusher, he clearly has great potential in this area.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 1-12
Eric Berry*, S, Tennessee

The Bucs might be hesitant to take a safety with the second overall selection, but we believe he's the premier prospect in the 2010 class. Much like the Baltimore Ravens' All-Pro Ed Reed, Berry is a game-changer with exceptional versatility.
Cleveland Browns

Record: 2-11
Derrick Morgan*, DE, Georgia Tech

Morgan can anchor at the point of attack, make plays in pursuit, get to the quarterback coming off the edge and drop into coverage. That type of versatility would be a nice addition to a Browns defensive front seven that lacks difference-makers.
Detroit Lions

Record: 2-11
Gerald McCoy*, DT, Oklahoma

The Lions are in dire need of a difference-maker along the defensive front, and McCoy is the prototypical 3-technique with the quick first step and power to make a living in opposing backfields.
Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 3-10
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Help up front might be Kansas City's greatest need. LOT Branden Albert -- a first-round pick in 2008 -- has had problems staying healthy, and he could slide to the right side or even inside to guard if the Chiefs land a franchise left tackle. Okung is the most complete offensive tackle prospect in this class and could provide that piece of the puzzle for Kansas City.
Oakland Raiders

Record: 4-9
Carlos Dunlap*, DE, Florida

Dunlap is very much a buyer-beware prospect. On one hand, an arrest on DUI charges the week of the SEC championship game and questions about his work ethic raise red flags. On the other hand, 290-pound defensive linemen who move as well as he does are few and far between.
Washington Redskins

Record: 4-9
Sam Bradford*, QB, Oklahoma

Surgery on his throwing shoulder and concerns about the scheme he played in at Oklahoma caused Bradford to fall behind Locker on our board. On the other hand, Bradford has the physical tools and football IQ to quickly develop into an effective starting NFL quarterback.
Denver Broncos (from 5-8 Chicago)

Record: 8-5
Rolando McClain*, ILB, Alabama

McClain is a tough, relentless run stopper who masks his lack of ideal range with great instincts and his ability to take good angles. He's not a two-down linebacker, either, and can more than hold his own in underneath coverage.
Seattle Seahawks

Record: 5-8
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Williams moved from the right to the left side this year, and while he didn't fare as well this season as he had in previous seasons, he is capable of quickly developing into an effective NFL starting right tackle. He is a tough run-blocker who drives his feet once in position, and he can hold his own in pass protection when his footwork is sound.
Buffalo Bills

Record: 5-8
Anthony Davis*, OT, Rutgers

Davis comes with a bit of baggage, but there isn't an offensive lineman in the 2010 class with a better combination of size and agility.
San Francisco 49ers

Record: 6-7
Joe Haden*, CB, Florida

San Francisco's pass defense has been a liability this season, and the 49ers need to inject some youth and talent into their cornerback unit. Haden is the best cover corner in his class, has the burst to stalk receivers underneath and shows the speed to run with them downfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 6-7
Bruce Campbell*, OT, Maryland

Campbell is a work in progress and could benefit from another year in college, but he is shooting up draft boards after a strong 2009 season and might be too talented for the Steelers, who need help at offensive tackle, to pass up.
San Francisco 49ers (from 5-8 Carolina)

Record: 6-7
Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

San Francisco could reach for an offensive lineman like Bryan Bulaga here, but in our opinion, Kindle is too good a value to pass up. Although he has to improve his ability to anchor against the run, he has the burst and agility base 3-4 defenses covet at outside linebacker.
Houston Texans

Record: 6-7
Earl Thomas**, S, Texas

Like Berry, there isn't much Thomas can't do on a football field. He can match up with slot receivers and blitz off the edge, has great range in coverage and steps up in run support.
Tennessee Titans

Record: 6-7
Jason Pierre-Paul*, DE, South Florida

Pierre-Paul wreaks havoc off the edge and would be a nice addition to the Titans, whose defensive ends are showing signs of aging.
Atlanta Falcons

Record: 6-7
Navorro Bowman*, OLB, Penn State

The Falcons need an impact player at cornerback, but the next-best corner, Florida State's Patrick Robinson, is not worth taking this early. Bowman has some off-the-field baggage, but he might be the best all-around athlete at linebacker in this class.
Baltimore Ravens

Record: 7-6
Dez Bryant*, WR, Oklahoma State

Baltimore needs to give 2008 first-round pick and franchise QB Joe Flacco a playmaker at receiver. Bryant was ruled ineligible by the NCAA earlier this season, but teams have seen more than enough to know he can stretch the field.
Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 7-6
Bruce Carter*, OLB, North Carolina

Jacksonville could upgrade at outside linebacker, and Carter would be an excellent value here. He would benefit from adding some bulk to his frame, but he's a rangy run-stopper and he shows above-average ball skills in coverage.
New York Giants

Record: 7-6
Brandon Spikes*, ILB, Florida

Antonio Pierce sustained a season-ending neck injury and has just one year left on his contract, so Spikes would be a good fit as a future replacement. While injuries slowed Spikes this year, he is an instinctive run-stopper who can make plays all over the field when he's healthy. He also has flashed big-play ability in coverage.
New York Jets

Record: 7-6
Bryan Bulaga*, OT, Iowa

Bulaga plays a bit high and his footwork could be better, but the Jets need help at tackle and he's the best available.
Miami Dolphins

Record:7-6
Golden Tate*, WR, Notre Dame

Tate is a bit of a reach this high, but the Dolphins are in desperate need of a playmaker at wide receiver and he's the next-best one this class has to offer behind Bryant.
Arizona Cardinals

Record: 8-5
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Gresham missed the entire 2009 season with a knee injury, and he doesn't offer much as a run-blocker. However, our film evaluation makes it clear he has what it to takes to develop into one of the most productive and dangerous receiving tight ends in the league.
Seattle Seahawks (from 8-5 Denver)

Record: 5-8
Jimmy Clausen*, QB, Notre Dame

Current starter Matt Hasselbeck is 34 years old, and backup Seneca Wallace doesn't appear to be the long-term answer. There are concerns about Clausen's release and he doesn't have ideal arm strength, but his mobility and accuracy underneath would make him a good fit for a West Coast offense.
Dallas Cowboys

Record: 8-5
Taylor Mays, S, USC

We've seen Mays get caught out of position far too often to move him ahead of Berry or Thomas. However, it's rare to find defensive backs with Mays' size and speed combination, and he would be an upgrade for the Cowboys.
New England Patriots

Record: 8-5
Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson

New England desperately needs to improve its pedestrian pass rush, and Sapp has the burst to provide that much-needed spark. He has lined up primarily at end in college but has shown he can be effective working out of a two-point stance and would be a good fit for the Patriots' base 3-4 defense.
Green Bay Packers

Record: 9-4
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

In this scenario, Spiller slides down the board and Green Bay wins the lottery. Spiller would add a big-play element to the running game, and his ability to motion out into the slot makes him an excellent fit for the Packers' pass-heavy scheme.
Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 9-4
Marvin Austin*, DT, North Carolina

Cincinnati leads the league in rushing defense but having quality depth and talent at defensive tackle is essential to staying on top of the AFC North, so adding Austin makes sense. He's a stout interior run defender and powerful bull rusher.
Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 9-4
Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts

Ducasse is 330 pounds and his feet might not be quick enough to hold up at left tackle, where he played at UMass, but he still moves well for his size and we think he could develop into a starting right tackle. If he doesn't pan out at tackle, he has the makings of an excellent guard.
San Diego Chargers

Record: 10-3
Jonathan Dwyer*, RB, Georgia Tech

Darren Sproles is an excellent change-of-pace back, but he's too small to be the primary ball carrier, and 30-year-old LaDainian Tomlinson hasn't looked the same the past two years. Taking Dwyer here would give the Chargers a physical between-the-tackles runner capable of carrying the ball 20-plus times and setting up the play-action package.
Minnesota Vikings

Record: 11-2
Brian Price*, DT, UCLA

Price is said to be leaning toward entering the upcoming draft. He's a quick and powerful defender who could provide some much-needed depth behind aging starters Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
Indianapolis Colts

Record: 13-0
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

Odrick doesn't have great athletic ability, but he's quick, flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly and plays with a nonstop motor, making him a good fit for an Indianapolis organization looking to upgrade its run defense.
New Orleans Saints

Record: 13-0
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Williams is a reach here, but like Indianapolis, the Saints should be looking to upgrade their run defense, and adding the 311-pound Williams would be a step in the right direction.

* - Draft eligible junior

** - Draft eligible sophomore
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