The general consensus is the Rams will look to Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the Outland, Lombardi, Bednarik, Nagurski, Heisman finalist and Associated Press Player of the Year, with the No. 1 overall pick. Suh, despite facing almost constant double- and triple-teams, led the Cornhuskers in total tackles for the second consecutive season. The 1-15 Rams certainly could use a dominating presence inside, finishing 29th in the league in total defense this season, including 27th against the run.
Suh is the headliner of what appears to be an historic class of defensive linemen. Some scouts believe more than a third of this year's 32 first-round picks will be used along the defensive front.
With nearly half (15) of last year's first-round selections being underclassmen, scouts can't afford to ignore the elite juniors and even redshirt sophomore prospects on the horizon, some of whom have already made their intentions felt. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to submit their names for early entry into draft.
2009 NFL Mock Draft - 2/4/2010
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: Don't expect head coach Steve Spagnuolo to forget his defensive roots - especially not in a draft as talented along the defensive line as this one. Suh is the country's best player and likeliest to make an immediate impact, making him the most deserving and logical prospect to go first.
2. Detroit Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma: GM Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz will devote at least one of Detroit's picks in 2010 toward renovating an undersized defensive line. McCoy would have been the first defensive tackle drafted last year as only a redshirt sophomore, and posted 31 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss, during the regular season despite constant double-teams.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State: Donald Penn did a serviceable job protecting Josh Freeman, but with the third pick in the draft the Bucs are in prime position to upgrade. Okung, who would have been a first-round pick in 2009 but elected to return for his senior season, allowed only one sack in 336 passing attempts this season. Just as important, he has the size and disposition Raheem Morris likes for the running game.
4. Washington Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma: New GM Bruce Allen and the Redskins' new head coach will have a decision with potential pending free agent Jason Campbell. Bradford, assuming his recovery from shoulder surgery goes well, has already announced he will make himself available to the 2010 draft. When healthy and protected, he has shown the accuracy of an All-Pro.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry, FS, Tennessee: Scott Pioli wouldn't normally invest this high of a pick on a safety. Then again, Berry isn't just another safety. Few players have dominated the SEC with the consistency that Berry has shown throughout his career. He won't be as impressive in workouts as Taylor Mays, but is the better all-around player and a good fit for a defense desperate for playmakers.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech: The Seahawks have bigger needs and have invested millions and high picks at defensive end, but don't expect those factors to keep Pete Carroll from ignoring the tape. After posting 14.5 sacks in 2007, Patrick Kerney has fallen off to five sacks each of the past two seasons. Worse, the 33 year-old's five sacks last season led this unit. Morgan, 21, was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, registering 55 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
7. Cleveland Browns
Joe Haden, CB, Florida: Though the AFC North was once known for its power running games, the division is now ruled by quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco. New team president Mike Holmgren is known for his passing genius and will consider adding his own young passer here. However, don't be surprised if he gives Brady Quinn another year to acclimate and instead takes advantage of the high pick to add a playmaking cornerback to slow the opponents' passing games.
8. Oakland Raiders
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida: The Raiders are annually the league's most difficult team to predict on draft day, but one thing is certain - they won't be able to compete in the AFC West without fixing a run defense that allowed nearly 2,500 rushing yards (29th in the NFL) and surrendered a league-leading 24 rushing touchdowns (tied with St. Louis) Dunlap's arrest for a DUI only days before the SEC Championship game will raise questions about his maturity and reliability, but Al Davis has never shied away from controversial athletes who can play.
9. Buffalo Bills
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: Injury and inconsistency continue to hound the Bills at quarterback. With new GM Buddy Nix and a new coaching staff coming in, the Bills would be wise to consider adding talent and durability to the game's most important position. Clausen isn't a dominant talent, but he's pro-ready.
10. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama: For the transition to the 3-4 scheme to be effective, the talent level at linebacker for Mike Nolan's defense has to be upgraded. McClain's instincts and 6-4, 256-pound frame make him the perfect fit.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: The development of Mike Sims-Walker gives the Jaguars one receiver to bank on, but Torry Holt is a shadow of his former self and diminutive rookie Mike Thomas, while impressive with 48 catches, is best suited for the slot. Bryant has earned comparisons to Randy Moss by some veteran scouts I've spoken with for his ability to leap over defenders and snatch the ball.
12. Miami Dolphins
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee: Bill Parcells has proven his willingness to invest high draft picks on front seven defenders throughout his career, even reaching for players who fit his scheme. Williams won't be viewed by many in the media as being worthy of this high of a pick yet, but the film proves he was the SEC's most dominant defensive lineman in 2009. His size and ability to clog up blockers in the middle makes him a perfect candidate for the nose, where Miami currently features the 35-year-old Jason Ferguson.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers: The 49ers have struggled up front and will likely take advantage of their two first-round selections to address the offensive line. Davis has emerged as one of the best young left tackles in the country and is only going to get better. He could pair with Joe Staley to provide the 49ers with quality bookend tackles for a decade.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: The Seahawks relied on players who fit Mike Holmgren's West Coast Offense in winning four consecutive NFC West titles. The change to a new offense exposed this unit as one lacking any true explosiveness. Spiller, a Chris Johnson-like all-purpose performer, would provide spark to an offense sorely needing it.
15. New York Giants
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas: Once renowned for their linebacker play, the Giants have become soft at the second level. Kindle, primarily a defensive end for the Longhorns, has the athleticism to pursue the quarterback that the Giants love, and the versatility to develop into a linebacker at the NFL level.
16. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)
Taylor Mays, FS, Southern California: With Aubrayo Franklin at the nose and Patrick Willis at inside linebacker, the 49ers are only a stout free safety away from being among the most talented defenses down the middle. To topple the Cardinals and win the NFC West, teams will have to be able to contend with their passing game, especially Larry Fitzgerald, the most physical receiver in the NFL. Mays, behind only DT Ndamukong Suh in the intimidation department, would provide a physical element for Fitzgerald and other opposing receivers to deal with.
17. Tennessee Titans
Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern: Defensive line, long a strength in Tennessee, has become a relative weakness. This is admittedly high for Wootton as he'll need to prove 100 percent recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in last year's bowl game. However, after starting slowly this season, Wootton returned to the dominant player he had been earlier in his career and could surprise at the Senior Bowl. He'd be an excellent first step in the youth movement needed with unrestricted free agency looming for veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jevon Kearse and Dave Ball.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma: The Steelers consistently rank among the NFL's worst in pass protection and cannot continue to allow Ben Roethlisberger to take needless shots. Williams struggled early in his first season protecting the blind side after starring at right tackle as a junior, but he has rebounded and is moving up the charts as the season winds down.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers: Inconsistent play in the secondary was one of Atlanta's biggest issues in 2009. McCourty, a first-team All-Big East choice, has emerged as the top-rated senior cornerback on some team's boards. He could make an immediate impact at cornerback and special teams (he has seven career blocked kicks).
20. Houston Texans
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech: There is an old saying in football that when a team claims it has two starting quarterbacks, it really means it doesn't have one. The same principle applies for running backs in Houston, where Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Arian Foster have all flashed, but none have shown the consistency to bank on, and Chris Brown is a complementary option at best. Dwyer, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, has the size (5-11, 235), deceptive speed and consistency (rushed for 1,395 in 2008 and 2009) that could make him an immediate Rookie of the Year candidate in this offense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Brian Price, DT, UCLA: Price, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, posted an eye-popping 23.5 tackles for loss this season. His playmaking ability behind the line of scrimmage would be valued by the Bengals, who could struggle inside should impending free agents Domato Peko and Tank Williams play elsewhere in 2010.
22. New England Patriots
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State: The trade of longtime standout Richard Seymour and impending free agency of NT Vince Wilfork means the Patriots will be looking to the draft for reinforcements along the defensive line. Bill Belichick loves versatility in defensive linemen and Odrick brings that.
23. Green Bay Packers
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa: Chad Clifton continues to be plagued with knee problems and the team can't afford to risk injury to Aaron Rodgers with a patchwork offensive line. Bulaga, a three-year starter at left tackle for the Hawkeyes, could step in immediately and provide depth at guard before ultimately taking over for Clifton.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida: It didn't take long for Will Witherspoon to make his presence felt for the Eagles, but despite his experience in the middle the former Ram is best suited in coverage and not taking on blockers. Spikes, on the other hand, is as physical as they come and a perfect fit for an Eagle defense needing a plugger. He's expected to run slowly in workouts, which will drop him further than he should.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU: With questions regarding the long-term future of 35-year-old Derrick Mason and the inconsistent Mark Clayton, expect the Ravens to again look hard at this year's receiver class. LaFell struggled with consistency in 2009, but has the size and body control to develop into a No. 1 target.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: Despite defenses focusing on WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston the Cardinals have received little in terms of receiving yards from the tight end position. Gresham will have to prove he's recovered from the knee injury which ruined his senior campaign, but if he can do so, an aggressive team like the Cardinals could find a top-10 talent at the end of the round.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland: The Cowboys haven't spent a first-round pick on the offensive line since 1989, but may elect to do so with valued backups Montrae Holland and Cory Procter potentially entering free agency. Campbell is still raw as he left the Terps with only 17 career starts, but is a phenomenal athlete whose best football is ahead of him. He could step in immediately at guard before eventually taking over for Flozell Adams.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State: If this is LaDainian Tomlinson's final season in San Diego, the Chargers will certainly be looking for running back help via the draft. Mathews, who led the country with 1,808 rushing yards, is a legitimate No. 1 back and offers immediate impact potential in an offense this talented.
29. New York Jets
Damian Williams, WR, Southern California: The Jets reached the AFC Championship Game due to the league's best running game and top-rated defense. On the other hand, they've received very little out of their passing game despite the big trade for Braylon Edwards. Williams, a sharp route-runner who already has a rapport with Mark Sanchez, would be a quality fit here.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Earl Thomas, CB, Texas: The Vikings have enjoyed steady, if unspectacular, play from veteran Madieu Williams in the defensive backfield. The injury to Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield during the regular season, however, exposed some holes in the secondary. Thomas, who broke the Texas record with eight interceptions in 2009 and left after his redshirt sophomore season, is a natural playmaker, but could slip on draft day amid concerns about his size and inconsistency tackling in the open field.
31. New Orleans Saints
Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson: The Saints strongly considered OLB Brian Cushing over CB Malcolm Jenkins in the first round last year, taking him out to dinner before USC's Pro Day. Though Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle have enjoyed solid seasons, neither possesses Sapp's athleticism. A defensive end for Clemson, his natural pass-rush ability and agility in space could make him a dangerous weapon in Gregg Williams' defense.
32. Indianapolis Colts
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: Pierre-Paul's long frame and quick first step are certain to intrigue scouts, but he is much more of a project than he has been characterized by some. With two similarly gifted speed rushers already on the roster, the Colts could draft Pierre-Paul late in the first round and develop him appropriately.
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Donald Penn is as put "serviceable" so why upgrade an already steady position when you can upgrade a spot that has major holes as in DT, DE, CB, or S. Even the WR and then the O-line can use some re-tooling.
Sabby had a horrible 1st year starting and seems he should just be used as a back-up. Phillips is most likely gone so that leaves a big hole next to Tanard Jackson.
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I will laugh hard if Seattle truly does buy into either Taylor Mays or Eric Berry. Neither show good tackling technique. At least Berry can cover. Taylor Mays has had a nondescript 4 year career at SC, and he will do likewise at the pro level. Of course, one would not be surprised if Seattle drafted Mays; he has all the prerequisites: 1) hyped 4 year player out of a bi
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Why would the Ravens who already have inconsistant Mark Clayton draft ANOTHER inconsistant WR to help replace an INCONSISTANT WR?!? This entire mock draft is horrible. These guys have no common sense.
Freddie Barnes is still not getting any attention, he has the most receptions in a single season in NCAA history. The competition may not of been that good, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to get open, and he still has great hands. He could be a steal, a great slot receiver with the capability to move the chains consistantly, give him a great coach and he could be as good as welker.
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Here's a Mizzou fan wondering why Tigers in the draft get no love. Danario Alexander was, once upon a time, ahead of one Jeremy Maclin on the 'Zou depth chart. Maclin, who inexplicably was taken after both Heyward-Bey and Crabtree, was the only Eagle to show any signs of life against a stout Dallas D. Maclin racked up 146 yds. on 7 catches and had one of the 2 Eagle TD's. A
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Where does Rob Rang have Everson Griffen going? If by some miracle he is still on the board when the Jets pick, I'd be surprised if they go with Damian Williams instead.
I agree with both of them that a DB may be #1. I think they make a valid point, and though some want PWill's replacement (BPA is preferrable and if DT, that works) Jimmy Kennedy has raised his game and is considered a legitimate starter.
Doubt it will be a QB in the first round. Don't see Bradford getting selected that high due to his continued injuries. I think that, along with his s
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Just how do you think Sam Bradford is going to stay upright with the amalgamation of scrubs the Redskins have for an Offensive Line? Jason Campbell couldn't take a 3-step drop without having someone in his face. How do you think a rookie with a surgically-repaired throwing shoulder is going to do when Stephon Heyer just stands there and lets the edge rusher into the backfield before the ball is ev
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I think the surprise pick of the 2010 draft is going to be Naaman Roosevelt. Who you might ask? The guy is an incredible receiver from Univeristy of Buffalo. He has been picked to play on the East squad in the East-West Shrine game. No, he is not going to be a first round pick but some lucky NFL team is going to be rewarded with by picking Naaman Roosevelt in the middle or late rounds of the draft
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First off, I always respected NFLDraftScout.com, but I'm guessing u lost your editor. There should not be this many errors. Geez!
17. Miami Dolphins Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama: Bill Parcells has proven his willingness to invest high draft picks on athletic front seven defenders. Sapp is an athletic phenom who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but is enjoying a breakout camp
I thought i was seeing things wrong but i wasn't. You have Patrick Robinson being drafted twice once at 18 and then again at 32. He might be a good draft pick but i doubt he'll be drafted twice.
