At this time last year, I challenged fellow SC columnist Seth Doria to a "Mock-Off." The rules were straight-forward: the two of us would submit into record our respective mock drafts and would measure the results against one another in hopes of: a) entertaining you, the reader; and b) determining which of us was the rightful Sports Central Mock Draft Champion. 2009's challenge was accepted, terms were reached (and later changed), and the rest is a matter of historic record.
The results? I lost, relatively convincingly actually, and for that victory, Seth deserves his well-earned notoriety as the Sports Central Mock Draft Champion for 2009 (check's in the mail). Truth be told, and not unsurprisingly, we both sort of sucked, but my "suckitude" far eclipsed that of Mr. Doria. Seth nailed nine first-round picks (worth 3 points each) — which is a reasonably respectable number, but only hit on one other team-player combination (1 point value), giving him a final score of 28.
I managed a feeble 4 player/team/pick bulls-eyes and added 2 team/player combos and a single player/position identification (0.5 point value) for my total score of 14.5. The one solace is that the reality is that in the unpredictable game of mock drafting, even the most well-respected draft gurus (ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. and NFL's Mike Mayock would be two of those) miss more often than they hit, so we mock drafters soldier on.
In the spirit of that soldiering on, the time has come for the 2010 Sport Central NFL Draft Mock-Off and as the resident loser, I'll go first. Once again, the scoring is simple: 3 points if you nail the pick, 1 point for a correct player/team selection that happens in a spot other than what was forecast in the mockm and 0.5 points if you hit the player in the right position, but he goes to a team other than the one indicated in our picks. As an added bonus to our readers, I've added round two, but must throw out there that my round two picks cannot and will not be counted in the competition, unless it suits me, in which case I'll see what I can do to change the rules after the fact. May the best mocker win.
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams — Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
His recent workouts solidified the highly accurate OU signal-caller as the Rams' first choice. He appears fully recovered from his arm troubles of '09 and should make a solid, though unspectacular pro.
2. Detroit Lions — Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
How do you spell relief in Detroit? N-D-A-M-U ... well, you get the point. Suh should add instant stability to a defense desperate for a reliable building block. Behind the Rams' brass and Bradford's agent, Jim Schwartz was the happiest man in the house as he watched Bradford flawlessly move through his pro day routine.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy
The Bucs need a run-stuffer and a presence in the middle of that d-line, and McCoy fits that bill perfectly.
4. Washington Redskins — Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung
With the recent move to acquire Donovan McNabb, the 'Skins won't be in the QB market any longer. As such, I wouldn't be entirely taken aback to see a team with a particular interest in Tennessee's super-safety Eric Berry looking to move into this slot ahead of the Chiefs, particularly since you have to think Washington will be looking to recoup a second round pick (their original round two was traded for McNabb). Alas, I don't see anybody making that move, so Okung will be brought on to protect McNabb's blind side.
5. Kansas City Chiefs — Tennessee S Eric Berry
OT Bryan Bulaga is a name that many experts are calling here, but with a secondary so poor in '09, you have to think that a player of Berry's impact at a position of need can't be ignored.
6. Buffalo Bills (from Seattle) — Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen
Buffalo secretly pines for Mr. Clausen (well, it isn't that big of a secret) as they feel he is a proven commodity who will be able to perform in the poor weather of upstate NY, but you have to think they have their doubts that another team — say a team like San Francisco — won't try to move up to get the best pure passer in the draft. This leads me to the conclusion that they will pull the trigger on a deal with Seattle who has their eyes on some personnel they can grab later in round one.
7. Cleveland Browns — Florida CB Joe Haden
Yes, he has run consistently slower 40s than most thought he would. Yes, he hasn't gained any momentum in his draft status since his relatively pedestrian showing at the combine. But film doesn't lie and Haden is a stud on any tape study you review. Cleveland needs a shutdown corner type, and Haden is their guy.
8. Oakland Raiders — USF DE/OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
Okay, last year I gave Al Davis the benefit of the doubt against my better judgment and had them picking the best available at a position of need. In short, they went a different direction, as Davis always does. The lesson? Al Davis will pick a player with whom he is infatuated regardless of what general consensus is. This year's fetish is the freakishly-athletic edge rusher from South Florida.
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Buffalo) — Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga
Bulaga is technically sound and a behemoth up front. Though he has some lingering health concerns unrelated to injury, Bulaga is a guy that can be plugged in and be productive from day one. With the loss of Walter Jones, that is the sort of player Pete Carroll will need as he hopes to build a winner in the Great Northwest.
10. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville) — Texas S Earl Thomas
Two factors to consider: the Jags are facing immense pressure to select Tim Tebow, a hometown hero, with their first pick and the Pats are desperately searching for a way to settle their sporadically productive secondary issues, but know that they won't have any options there later in round one. Add to that the facts that Jacksonville has no round two pick and New England has three such selections, and these two make sensible trade partners.
11. Denver Broncos — Alabama ILB Rolando McClain
McClain is, in my estimation, the most impactful name on this list. Denver needs some production up the middle defensively and the powerful and speedy hitter from the national champion Tide team fits that bill to a tee.
12. Miami Dolphins — Idaho OG Mike Iupati
As a loyal Dol-fan, I'd like to see someone like Dez Bryant, C.J. Spiller, or even Taylor Mays go here. But Bill Parcells and his disciples are firm believers that you win games in the trenches with size and power, and the 6'6", 330-pound guard is athletic, powerful, and sound technically and will make a good replacement for John Smiley, whom the 'Fins have been disappointed with.
13. San Francisco 49ers — Clemson RB C.J. Spiller
I think this is a bit high for Spiller, but the team is making no secret of their lust for a playmaker in the backfield to pair with Frank Gore. Spiller offers all of that and then some, excelling in the passing game, return game, and as an option as a change-of-pace runner.
14. Seattle Seahawks — USC S Taylor Mays
With their second first-round pick, the 'Hawks will be able to bring in a Pete Carroll guy, and he raves about Mays at every possible opportunity. I would be very surprised to see Taylor not playing in Seattle next season.
15. New York Giants — Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan
Morgan has top-10 potential, particularly lately, but will likely fall as most teams needing a rush end before this slot play 3-4 style, which Morgan isn't really well suited for. The Giants will be delighted to have him available and should snatch him up as a long-term partner to Justin Tuck.
16. Tennessee Titans — Tennessee DT Dan Williams
WR Dez Bryant is an option here, too, but if Williams falls, the Titans should jump all over him. One thing that was evident in Tennessee last season was how much they missed Albert Haynesworth and Williams does fit that mold.
17. San Francisco 49ers — Rutgers OT Anthony Davis
In addition to some playmakers, the Niners are looking to improve at the point of attack. Davis makes sense and could move in at RT immediately.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers — Oklahoma OT Trent Williams
Trent Williams is a pure RT, lacking some of the footwork that left tackle prospects need to compete on a QB's blind side. The Steelers have given up a bushel of sacks over the past two seasons and surely have identified their own offensive line as a weakness. Williams fills a real position of need.
19. Atlanta Falcons — USC DE Everson Griffen
Griffen looked great in his Pro Day and solidified himself as a viable round one option. Once Derrick Morgan starts slipping, the Falcons may try to move up to grab him, but otherwise the USC end makes good sense here for a defensive line that needs some bolstering.
20. Houston Texans — Penn State DT Jared Odrick
I live in Houston and I can tell you first hand that the entire fan base of the city is begging for Dez Bryant or C.J. Spiller here. Bryant would in fact be a very good fit, but it wasn't offense that kept the Texans from making the playoffs in 2009, it was their ability to stop a team when the most needed to. With their defensive end positions solidified and a superior set of linebackers, Odrick would be a perfect fit as a guy that brings pressure up the middle, funneling action towards those ends and rushing QBs into dumping the ball into the short zone patrolled by Pro Bowl linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing. H-town won't like it, but this is a pick that will go a long way towards bringing a disappointing franchise to the next level.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
The Bengals need to start adding offensive weapons to the mix, and Bryant is a very strong option.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (from NE) — Florida QB Tim Tebow
Still early for Tebow, but Jacksonville needs some good press and Tebow gets them that. It is a sensible match since the Jags aren't going to be looking to make him the savior for 2010 and it buys them some positive mojo from a fan-based tired of disappointing results as he develops into a viable pro quarterback, which make no mistake, Tim Tebow will be.
23. Green Bay Packers – Michigan DE Brandon Graham
Graham is a second round guy on paper, but does nothing but make an impact on tape and in person. He dominated the Senior Bowl, had a great showing at the combine and has looked strong in individual workouts. The Pack can plug Graham in on passing downs right away and further their ability to get after the QBs in their pass-happy division.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon
Philly plugged in as many options at LB as they could imagine last year and never did find the right guy. Weatherspoon provides energy, leadership and playmaking ability and fits well in an aggressive scheme, which Philadelphia certainly employs.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Boise State CB Kyle Wilson
Wilson is a hard-hitting, play-making, impact-creating defensive back who plays with an undeniable toughness and swagger. Is there a better fit for a Raven team looking for secondary help? I don't think so.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham
Arizona has an emerging ground game, great receivers (though one less with the departure of Boldin) and a serviceable offensive line. Their defense is good enough to maintain without needing a big-time add. Their one most obvious variable from '09 is their new QB, Matt Leinart, who will be stepping in for the retired Kurt Warner. A huge, fast, good-handed tight end is a young QB's best friend, so Gresham makes sense.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Maryland OT Bruce Campbell
The Cowboys are loving two defensive backs, USF's Nate Allen and Rutgers' Devin McCourty. However, they are NEEDING some depth along the offensive line, and Bruce Campbell – who made a name for himself with a spectacular and somewhat legendary combine performance – offers some versatility that they could leverage into a lot of playing time for the youngster. If Campbell remains on the board this late in round one, Dallas will be hard-pressed to pass him up, even if it means losing out on a player they've otherwise coveted throughout their draft prep process.
28. San Diego Chargers – Florida State CB Patrick Robinson
The epitome of a boom-or-bust player, Robinson at times looks like an All-Pro-caliber play maker and other times is Swiss cheese. But Robinson does have good attitude and that combined with his raw tools makes for an intriguing option for a team needing some help at cornerback.
29. New York Jets – Penn State OLB Navarro Bowman
Bowman is as good as it gets at OLB in this draft, and the Jets having access to him here is a boon for their top-ranked defense. He makes plays, covers well and can edge rush as a stand up 'backer in a 3-4. His versatility makes him an easy fit and his experience in complex defensive schemes (ran at Penn State) show he has the aptitude to pick up on New York's varied looks.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Florida C Maurkice Pouncey
The Vikings need to improve their interior defensive line, and Pouncey can play C or G for a pro team immediately. Whomever is quarterbacking in Minny, Pouncey will be a welcomed addition and a contributing factor in 2010.
31. Indianapolis Colts – UCLA DT Brian Price
The Colts need to start rebuilding their aging defensive line and Price offers a sorely needed boost to their run defense.
32. New Orleans Saints – Texas DE/OLB Sergio Kindle
Though a player like Bowman is a better fit, the Saints will be looking to shore up their LB corps on draft day and Kindle is an interesting guy to consider. He may be better suited in a 3-4 defense, but Kindle is a guy that did drop into coverage some at UT and could be dropped in as a defensive end in the nickel scheme for New Orleans as well.
Round 2
33. Rams – Florida DE Carlos Dunlap
34. Lions – Rutgers CB Devin McCourty
35. Buccaneers – Illinois WR Arrelious Benn
36. Chiefs – Alabama DT Terrence Cody
37. Eagles (from Wash) – Iowa ILB Pat Angerer
38. Browns – Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews
39. Raiders – Texas QB Colt McCoy
40. Chargers – Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer
41. Seahawks (from Bills) – Mississippi DE Greg Hardy
42. Buccaneers – Mississippi RB Dexter McCluster
43. Cowboys (from Miami) – USF S Nate Allen
44. Jaguars (from NE) – Florida DE Carlos Dunlap
45. Broncos – Oklahoma CB Dominique Franks
46. Giants – Penn State ILB Sean Lee
47. Patriots – TCU DE Jerry Hughes
48. Panthers – Duke DT Vince Oghobaase
49. 49ers – TCU OLB Daryl Washington
50. Chiefs – Texas OT Adam Ulatoski
51. Texans – Stanford RB Toby Gerhart
52. Steelers – Oklahoma State DB Perrish Cox
53. Jaguars (from NE) – Clemson DE Ricky Sapp
54. Bengals – Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski
55. Eagles – California RB Jahvid Best
56. Packers – Massachusetts OT Vladimir Ducasse
57. Ravens – Hillsdale OT Jared Veldheer
58. Cardinals – Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas
59. Dolphins (from Dallas) – Northwestern DE Corey Wootton
60. Seahawks – USC WR Damian Williams
61. Jets – Virginia Tech OLB Jason Worilds
62. Vikings – USF DE George Selvie
63. Colts – Wake Forest CB Brandon Ghee
64. Saints – Florida ILB Brandon Spikes
Leave a Comment