2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Top 15
By author
| Pick | Team | Player Selected | Player’s Position | Player’s School | Analysis |
| 1. | Ndamukong Suh | Defensive Tackle | Nebraska | The Rams need a new quarterback, and the temptation to grab either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen here is great. But St. Louis can’t afford to pass up the best prospect in 2010, so they select the massive defensive tackle from Nebraska. Suh immediately gives the Rams one of the more intimidating defensive lines in the NFC West. | |
| 2. | Gerald McCoy | Defensive Tackle | Oklahoma | After acquiring their franchise quarterback last season, the Lions switch their focus to the trenches. Gerald McCoy would be the best defensive tackle in most drafts and is second to only Ndamukong Suh. He will be a definite difference maker on the defensive line. | |
| 3. | Eric Berry | Safety | Tennessee | The Buccaneers are disappointed that both Suh and McCoy are off the board, but will happily settle with Berry. Many scouts compare Berry with Ed Reed, and some consider him the best prospect in 2010. Berry is an excellent playmaker in the defensive backfield. | |
| 4. | Sam Bradford |
QuarterbackOklahomaJason Campbell is on his way out of Washington and Mike Shanahan will want a new quarterback. In a class filled with talented signal-callers, the Redskins will have the first pick. Sam Bradford, who many consider the best quarterback prospect, has great arm strength and accuracy and is probably the preference at fourth overall.5.Russell Okung Offensive TackleOklahoma StateThe Chiefs jump at the opportunity to select the best offensive lineman available. Okung has the athleticism and strength to be successful in the NFL; he should excel at the highly coveted left tackle spot. Drafting Okung will give the Chiefs a huge talent and allow Brandon Albert to move over to right tackle6.Derrick Morgan
Defensive EndGeorgia TechUnfortunately for Seattle, the Chiefs just selected the top offensive tackle. There are a couple other offensive linemen worthy of this spot, but the Seahawks opt for the best defensive end on the board. This pick will not be very popular in Seattle considering the resources already invested at defensive end, but might be necessary to improve a pass rush that ranked near the bottom of the league.7.Joe Haden CornerbackFloridaThe Browns will jump at the opportunity to select the premier cornerback of the 2010 draft. Haden has good size (5’11”, 190), speed, and is a proven tackler. He will immediately help the Browns secondary and could develop into an outstanding cover-corner in the National Football League.
| 8. | Taylor Mays |
SafetySouthern CalThe Raiders probably have greater needs (most notably on the offensive line), but that hasn’t influenced Al Davis in the past. Taylor Mays may lack the premier cover skills that you’d like to see in a safety, but he is an absolute monster at 6’3″, 236 pounds. His stock is only going to rise after pre-draft workouts, and a lot of scouts expect him to run a 4.3 40-yard dash. Davis won’t be able to pass on that sort of physical prowess.9. Jimmy Clausen QuarterbackNotre DameIf the Bills pass on one of the top quarterback prospects here, they’ll likely enter next season with either Ryan Fitzpatrick or Trent Edwards as the starter. Neither player will excite fans or intimidate opposing defenses. By drafting Clausen, the Bills obtain a great prospect capable of making all of the NFL throws.10.
Dez Bryant Wide ReceiverOklahoma StateIt appears that Brandon Marshall is on his way out of Denver, which will leave the Broncos without a playmaking wide receiver. As the best receiver available in the 2010 draft, Bryant could fill that void nicely. He has good size (6’2″, 217) and has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens.11. Jason Pierre-PaulDefensive EndSouth FloridaA lot of people want Tebow to be the selection here, but after initial reaction to the Senior Bowl, there is no way he’ll warrant a first-round pick. Instead of making a big splash that would put fans in the seats but could mortgage long-term success, the Jaguars opt for Pierre-Paul. The raw athleticism he possesses should allow him to develop into a very good pass-rush specialist — Jacksonville desperately needs help pressuring opposing quarterbacks.12. Sergio KindleOutside LinebackerTexasBill Parcells has a long history of selecting linebackers in the first round of the draft; as a 3-4 defense, the Dolphins can never have enough talent at that position. Kindle should be a perfect fit as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker and would work very well in the current defensive scheme.13.Trent WilliamsOffensive TackleOklahomaThe 49ers will probably look for an offensive tackle here to play opposite Joe Staley. With only one tackle off the board, they’ll have plenty to choose from. Trent Williams is probably the next-best prospect available, providing excellent toughness and versatility. As a player known for selflessness, Williams should work out very well in Mike Singletary’s team-first locker room.14. C.J. Spiller
Running BackClemsonThe Seahawks need help at a lot of positions, and the temptation is here again to draft a premier offensive tackle. Offensively, however, Seattle lacks a playmaker who scares opposing defenses. C.J. Spiller has drawn comparisons to the likes of Chris Johnson, and could be a real steal in the middle of the first round. With Spiller, new head coach Pete Carroll gets a versatile game-breaker in the mold of Reggie Bush.15.Rolando McClainLinebackerAlabamaThe Giants probably have more pressing needs than the defensive front, but McClain is too good to pass up here. Antonio Pierce is aging and coming back from a serious injury, so obtaining the versatile, talented McClain might be necessary. He is a solid tackler with prototypical size and speed, and a lot of scouts consider him the best linebacker available in 2010.