2010 NFL Mock Draft: First Round

The NFL Draft is a week away, and will be spread over more than two days for the first time ever this year. I'm going to provide my picks for the first round as to how I see things going as the St. Louis Rams are on the clock until next week.

1. St. Louis Rams: Quarterback Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
With the release of long-time quarterback Marc Bulger, the signs are obvious that Bradford will be picked here. I was at the game in which Bradford hurt his shoulder the second time, and he looked bigger and has had solid workouts . This is a quarterback-driven league and the Rams need one. If Bradford is selected, it will be the third time Oklahoma had a player taken first overall(Lee Roy Selmon in 1976 and Billy Sims in 1980). As a Sooners fan, I hope it works for Bradford wherever he's taken.

2. Detroit Lions: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Suh to me is the best defensive player to come out in years, and not many have the ability to control a game on that side of the ball like him. Detroit's defensive woes have been going on long enough. They did pickup guard Rob Sims and will keep Jeff Backus at left tackle, but I still wouldn't rule out them taking Russell Okung here.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma
With a need for help on the defensive line and Suh gone, Tampa Bay grabs McCoy here. Not since Warren Sapp left have the Bucs had anyone that can anchor a defensive front, and McCoy has all the makings to be the guy to do it next.

4. Washington Redskins: Tackle Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
It doesn't matter if they just traded for Donovan McNabb if Washington doesn't address their offensive line. The Redskins have long been known for their offensive line which was key to their Super Bowl success before. Okung's presence should begin the process of making their unit a solid one again. Also, Washington won't pick for awhile after this, so this is their one chance to address the offensive line.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Tackle Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
The Chiefs need help on the offensive line, and to protect Matt Cassell which was problematic for them a year ago. The Chiefs have good skill players on the offensive side of the ball, but their play upfront has to improve for them which makes sense for them to take Bulaga here.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Tackle Trent Williams, Oklahoma
This would be Oklahoma's third player taken if Williams falls here, and Seattle has the need for him. They've also got a need for some defensive help, so a player like Eric Berry could be taken here, too. However, the Seahawks have two first round picks and can address another need later.

7. Cleveland Browns: Safety Eric Berry, Tennessee
The Browns will look hard at quarterback Jimmy Clausen, but will likely go for Berry here to help continue to bolster the secondary. With the addition of Sheldon Brown, Berry gives them another play-maker. With Mike Holmgren, the Browns could go in a number of directions here.

8. Oakland Raiders: Tackle Anthony Davis, Rutgers
You just never know with the Raiders, and although Davis has had weight issues and concerns about work ethic, this shouldn't be a shock to anyone to see him go to Oakland. Davis does have great athletic ability, and could be what the Raiders need him to be. Oakland can't continue without addressing the offensive line.

9. Buffalo Bills: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
The Bills are another team that needs offensive line help, but I don't see Clausen slipping past them if he's available here. Should Clausen be gone, then they grab a tackle at this spot. Clausen has looked solid during his workouts, and Buffalo won't pass on him here.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Linebacker Rolando McClain, Alabama
Since the Jaguars have a few needs and no pick again until the middle of the round, the Jaguars will likely look to trade down out of this spot. If they can't, McClain is the best player available for them to take, and he'll give them a much needed boost on defense that has declined in recent years.

11. Denver Broncos: Wide Receiver Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
The Broncos just traded Brandon Marshall to Miami, and they can't ignore not replacing him here. Bryant didn't have the best combine, and there are concerns of character issues. However, he can give them a playmaker they need to help the offensive loss of Marshall.

12. Miami Dolphins: Linebacker Sergio Kindle, Texas
Miami needs another linebacker even after signing Karlos Dansby, and Kindle can get to the quarterback, too. The team could select Kindle's college teammate Earl Thomas, but the need for Kindle makes more sense here. They traded for receiver Brandon Marshall which allows them to address their defensive needs.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Cornerback Joe Haden, Florida
The 49ers have two picks, and I don't see Haden slipping past this spot in the draft. The team has a needs on the offensive line which they'll address with their next pick. Haden gives the 49ers some youth in the secondary.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Running back C.J. Spiller, Clemson
The Seahawks do have pressing needs on the defense line, but new coach Pete Carroll likes guys that are Reggie Bush-type players like he had at USC. Spiller is that kind of player, and he gives them a playmaker to build around in Seattle.

15. New York Giants: Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
The Giants definitely have a need at linebacker, and Weatherspoon is the best available to me at this spot. Since coach Tom Coughlin likes rotating defensive lineman frequently, he could take one here, too. Weatherspoon seems to make the most sense here.

16. Tennessee Titans: Defensive end Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
The Titans need defensive line help, and Morgan fills the bill here. The Titans defense fell off in a big way in 2009, and Morgan is likely to start wherever he's taken in the NFL Draft. It is possible Morgan gets taken by the Seahawks which could mean another DE is taken here.

17. San Francisco 49ers: Guard Mike Iupati, Idaho
Iupati's versatilty of playing guard and tackle does make sense for the 49ers here as they are another team with offensive line issues. The team could also take a running back(if not at No. 13) with Ryan Mathews at this spot. Iupati gives them much needed immediate help.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cornerback Kevin Wilson, Boise State
The Steelers would love to add someone like Joe Haden, but Wilson can hold his own at corner. The Steelers could even take a safety such as Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays with this pick since the secondary was a big problem area for them a year ago.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end Brandon Graham, Michigan
Graham has skills similar to John Abraham, but Abraham's production fell off last year and he's not getting younger. Graham gives them pass rush ability that fits the defensive scheme well in Atlanta. The Falcons do have to make sure they get the right player with no pick again until the third round.

20. Houston Texans: Defensive tackle Dan Williams, Tennessee
Houston hasn't had a player to help shore up the defensive line alongside Mario Williams, and I don't see Williams slipping past them here. They could go with a running back such as Mathews at this spot, but Williams gives them a strong presence upfront on defense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Safety Taylor Mays, USC
The Bengals should take a defensive player, but the question remains as to which position they'll address here. A defensive lineman could be a possibility, but their secondary needs to be addressed. Mays is a solid player and tackler that will help the Bengals secondary.

22. New England Patriots: Defensive end Jarod Odrick, Penn State
The Pats have a need to shore up the inside of their defensive line, and Odrick is the best available to do that as he fits into just about any scheme at the next level. Somehow should Dan Williams slip this far, that could be their pick here, too.

23. Green Bay Packers: Tackle Charles Brown, USC
The Packers defense was shredded at times last year, but a need to address a tackle is a priority. Brown has great athletic ability and is someone that can anchor an offensive front for years as the Packers offense continues to thrive.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Earl Thomas, Texas
Thomas could possibly have an impact in his career like Brian Dawkins did when he played for Philly. Mays could also go at this spot or they could draft an offensive lineman with this pick. The Eagles have been quite active this off-season.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Florida
With the receiver position addressed in the trade that brought Anquan Boldin to Baltimore, the Ravens can address the defensive line that took a hit in free agency. A defensive tackle is a possibility, but Dunlap could be the right guy with Trevor Pryce's age creeping up now.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
The Cardinals lost Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor, so the Cardinals need to add the defensive end spot with pass rush ability here. Pierre-Paul is solid pass rusher, and can be a dominate player at the next level which helps the Cardinals for years to come.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Tackle Bruce Campbell, Maryland
The Cowboys released Flozell Adams, so the need to develop another tackle is a priority. Campbell has solid athletic talent, but may not be able to contribute for awhile. The Cowboys offensive line issues were evident last year, so to pick another position to me would be a shock.

28. San Diego Chargers: Running back Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
Obviously with the losses of LaDanian Tomlinson and lack of depth at the running back position, the Chargers have a need to fill. Mathews is a work horse that will lighten the load on over-using Darren Sproles. With Antonio Cromartie gone, they could take a corner if a running back they like is gone by this spot.

29. New York Jets: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech
Thomas was a versatile player in the option offense at Georgia Tech, and the Jets still need more offensive weapons even with them trading for the troubled Santonio Holmes. If Thomas isn't selected here, then another receiver should be.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Defensive tackle Brian Pryce, UCLA
Pat Williams is getting close to retirement, and Pryce is the best available player on the board at this spot. With their continued problems in the secondary, they could draft a corner especially if all the previous defensive tackles are all gone by the time they pick.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Cornerback Patrick Robinson, Florida State
The Colts lost Marlin Jackson to free agency, and took some hits in the secondary this off-season. Robinson is very fluid and is a solid cover corner that should help the defense. It is a given to me that the Colts will draft secondary help at this spot unless an offensive lineman slips to them that they like.

32. New Orleans Saints: Defensive end Everson Griffen, USC
Even though Charles Grant is gone and Alex Brown from the Chicago Bears was signed, the team likely will draft another defensive end with pass rush skills here. The defensive line has some age on it, and Griffen is an athletic player that will help them in their rotation.

That's what I have, but I've never bet on NFL Drafts. Be sure to remember that the NFL Draft begins with first round coverage on Thursday, April 22 instead of Saturday. This should be a good one this year.

Sources for other NFL Mock Drafts:

Randy Inman's Mock Draft 4.0
NFL.com
WalterFootball.com
Fftoolbox.com
Hailredskins.com
The Football Expert
Sportsjabber.net
Footballdogz.com