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The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know. Here's who we've covered so far.
On 3/11/10 we published the results of 2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0.
On 4/02/10 we published the results of 2010 NFL Mock Draft 2.0. The second mock included a few changes at the top, a few risers and a few fallers.
We've reached that point where mock drafts are starting to look the same in the top 5. The top here remains pretty much intact from previous mocks, but there's quite a mix up starting with the Seahawks at #6. Only a few days to go, people. Hang tight.
Mock Draft 3.0 - Updated 4/19/10
1. St. Louis Rams (1-15) - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Rumors of the Browns moving into this spot have garnered a lot of attention. I don't think it'll happen. While the Rams may be better initially with Jimmy Clausen, who they would select should they move down to #7, they like Bradford as their quarterback of the future.
2. Detroit Lions (2-14) - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The best prospect in this draft. Russell Okung is a trendy pick, but I don't see the Lions passing on a player with Suh's talent and presence.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
They'll take best available. If the Lions do in fact select Okung with the second pick, the Bucs will take Suh here. Alas, they'll end up with McCoy; more than just a consolation prize.
4. Washington Redskins (4-12) - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Redskins need to solidify their offensive line and Okung is the top tackle prospect in this year's draft. With a deep tackle class, they could also trade down to take Jimmy Clausen or another quarterback later in the first or second round.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Eric Berry, FS, Tennessee
I've gone back and forth on this one a couple of times. In the previous mock I had Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga going here, but I just don't see how a team passes on a guy with Berry's talent.
6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11) - C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
In previous mocks I had Spiller headed to Seattle, only the Seahawks were able to wait until their second pick of Round 1 (14th overall). Spiller's draft stock has soared in the weeks leading up to the draft and fears of the Browns, Jaguars or 49ers possibly interested in Spiller will force new head coach Pete Carroll's hand a bit sooner than previously thought.
7. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
I like Jimmy Clausen a lot, but I can't picture him in a Browns uniform anymore. Maybe Mike Holmgren's remarks got to me or maybe I'm just having trouble picturing Cleveland taking another Notre Dame quarterback in the first round, new regime or not.
Mel Kiper, Jr. has Bryant going here and reports that after talking to people around the league, "the notion that there are concerns about Bryant's character is blown out of proportion." Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace mind the store until the Browns find a quarterback of the future elsewhere (maybe in the later rounds?).
8. Oakland Raiders (5-11) - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
I'm half expecting some ridiculous name to come out of Roger Goodell's mouth when the Raiders pick. I can't help it. Let's assume Al Davis has some sense knocked into him and makes a positive move to fill one of the glaring needs on his team: protection for the quarterback's blindside. Or he picks Mickey Mouse with the 8th pick in the 2010 draft...
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Bulaga is a big offensive tackle who played under former NFL offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. Before they take a quarterback, I feel the Bills will solidify their offensive line. In the meantime, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick will have one more chance to claim the starting job.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) - Earl Thomas, SS, Texas
Jacksonville needs to put the failed Reggie Nelson pick from a few years back behind them and take the best safety prospect available. They are also a sleeper to take Dez Bryant should he be available when they pick.
11. Denver Broncos (from 7-9 Chicago Bears) - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
I'm not drinking the Bryant to Denver Kool-Aid even if he's available. Yeah, they just traded Brandon Marshall to Miami, meaning they have an extra second round pick this year to take one of the many wide receivers that will be available in Round 2. The Broncos need help in their defensive front seven and McClain has the leadership and talent to play alongside D.J. Williams and Elvis Dumervil on the Broncos defense.
12. Miami Dolphins (7-9) - Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The trade for Brandon Marshall puts to rest any notion of Miami taking Dez Bryant if he slips to them at #12. Jason Ferguson will turn 35 in November and will miss the first four games of the season, making nose tackle a pretty pressing need in Miami. The Dolphins gave up their second round pick for Marshall, meaning they won't be able to use that pick to take Alabama's Terrence Cody (if he's even available) or one of the defensive tackle prospects they might have a mind to convert to nose tackle.
13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8) - Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The 49ers need help in their pass defense and Haden is as close to a shut down corner as anybody in this year's draft.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from 8-8 Denver Broncos) - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The Seahawks are the beneficiaries of Clausen's slide out of the top 10. They had the opportunity to take Clausen at #6, but Clausen's value at the 14th pick will be much higher and they'll get him at a discount. Matt Hasselbeck is no spring chicken and has just one more year left on his contract. Pete Carroll addressed that by acquiring Charlie Whitehurst, but I doubt he was anticipating Clausen falling this far.
15. New York Giants (8-8) - Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
With few holes on their roster, the Giants go with best available. Derrick Morgan is a dynamic pass rusher who could give the Giants some insurance should Osi Umenyiora continue his pouting at having to earn his starting spot.
16. Tennessee Titans (8-8) - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida
There are not many holes on the Titans roster and they finished 8-2 after a 0-6 start, so the Titans can afford to take a risk on Pierre-Paul, a player with just a year of FBS experience and whose grasp of the game has been questioned by some. There's no denying he's a physical specimen whose athletic ability reminds a lot of people in Tennessee of Titans great Jevon Kearse.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from 8-8 Carolina Panthers) - Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
The 49ers need a right tackle to play along with Joe Staley. Davis is a big tackle at 325 pounds and is one of two Scarlett Knights likely to be taken in the first round.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) - Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
The Steelers need to rediscover their identity as a rough and tumble rushing offense. Iupati is considered the top interior lineman in this year's draft by most analysts.
19. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) - Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Dunta Robinson filled a need at cornerback, although the Falcons could still choose to take either Devin McCourty or Kyle Wilson with this pick. They also need an effective pass rusher, and Graham fills that need.
20. Houston Texans (9-7) - Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Texans do need to address their rushing game, but there will be options in the second and third rounds. Losing Dunta Robinson hurt a passing defense that was not all that impressive to begin with.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) - Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
If Dez Bryant slides this far, as some are predicting, the Bengals would be quick to snatch him up. Carson Palmer needs more weapons beyond Chad Ochocinco and Gresham is this year's top tight end prospect. He's a great receiving tight end who will give Palmer options in the short- to mid-range passing game.
22. New England Patriots (10-6) - Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE, Texas
The Patriots need a pass rusher and Kindle is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker. The tight end has always been a big part of the Patriots offense and Bill Belichick would love to add a playmaker like Jermaine Gresham if he slips past the Bengals.
23. Green Bay Packers (11-5) - Charles Brown, OT, USC
The offensive line remains a major concern for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers was steamrolled behind a shoddy offensive line that let up a league high 51 sacks in 2009. Brown was a first team All-American in 2009 and weighed in at 303 pounds at the Scouting Combine earlier this year-an increase of over 15 pounds from the 285 pounds he was listed at as a senior in 2009. He started all of 2008 and 2009 at left tackle for the Trojans.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) - Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
McCourty has shot up draft boards this offseason and will be the second Scarlett Knight taken in the first round. The Eagles could wait until the second round to address their needs in the secondary, but with an expected run on cornerbacks at the end of the round, they should secure one of the top prospects while they still can.
25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) - Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Should Jermaine Gresham fall to them, they'll probably grab him. Like the Eagles, though, the Ravens shouldn't wait long to address their need at cornerback. The Ravens have a history of taking the best available player, and Jackson should be right up there on their board. A lot of mock drafts have Demaryius Thomas headed to Baltimore despite the recent additions of Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth.
26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) - Everson Griffen, DE/OLB, USC
Griffen played defensive end at USC, but may also be used as a pass rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme the Cardinals run. Offensive tackle is also a need that Arizona could address by taking Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell. Jermaine Gresham is another possibility if he falls to them.
27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - Taylor Mays, SS, USC
The Cowboys need to address their needs along their offensive line, making Bruce Campbell a possibility. But questions about his experience and the label 'workout warrior' have a lot of teams second-guessing Campbell. Safety is also a need and it's hard to imagine a guy with Mays' athletic ability falling out of the first round, even if he does have to work on developing his game for the NFL.
28. San Diego Chargers (13-3) - Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
Previous mocks had Mathews off the board at #20 to the Texans. If he falls to the Chargers at 28, they'll use him as a compliment to the speedy, shifty Darren Sproles.
29. New York Jets (9-7) - Jared Odrick, DT/DE, Penn State
Mark Sanchez has enough weapons, the running game is looking good and the offensive line is solid. On defense, the Jets' cornerback duo is perhaps the best in the league, but the front seven could use some help. Odrick would probably play defensive end in Rex Ryan's 3-4 defense, even though he played the tackle position at Penn State.
30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) - Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
There are rumblings of Jimmy Clausen falling all the way to the Vikings at #30, but if he falls out of the top 10 or 15 you can bet that somebody will trade up to grab him. The Vikings need help in their pass defense and Robinson is a corner who could step in and contribute right away.
31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2) - Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
The Colts gave up the fewest sacks in 2009, but center Jeff Saturday is about 65 in football years and guard Ryan Lilja was released this offseason. Pouncey could play either guard or center. Saturday is still going strong and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2009, so Pouncey could find himself at guard for a few years if he's taken by the Colts.
32. New Orleans Saints (13-3) - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Weatherspoon fills a need at outside linebacker for the Saints with Scott Fujita now a Cleveland Brown. Weatherspoon is a powerful player who may even prove to be an immediate upgrade at the position.
Hard to leave out of Round 1:
- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida - I'm convinced that Tebow will wind up somewhere in the first round. I just don't know where.
Jerry Hughes, OLB/DE, TCU - He'll be a great 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end for somebody. He's a victim of this year's deep draft class.
- Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland - Once considered a lock for the Raiders with the 8th overall pick, the novelty of his workouts have worn off and a lot are concerned with his lack of experience.
- Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech - Not a huge demand for wide receivers in the first round pushes Thomas out of the round. He could still go to a team like the Ravens or Chargers late in the first round. - Danny Hobrock
Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.
Have a Fantasy Football or Rotisserie baseball question? Want to know who to pick up, who to activate and who the hot prospects are? Ask Dr. Roto. Let Dr. Roto guide your team to a league championship.
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