The Pewter Plank’s 1st Round Mock Draft

1.  St. Louis Rams – QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

When the Rams released Marc Bulger, who spent ten seasons with the Rams’ organization, it made many wonder if this was the beginning of the Bradford era in St. Louis. The biggest knock on the 22 year old gunslinger out of Oklahoma City was his recent injury concerns in the 2009 season that resulted in the early ending to his junior campaign. But he proved the scouts wrong with a strong showing at his Pro Day, and all but secured his name being announced first come April 22.

2. Detroit Lions – DT Ndamakoug Suh, Nebraska

Many believed that Suh would be selected first overall to the Rams (and there’s still a possibility), but with the Rams needing a new Quarterback as now, it makes the idea of Bradford going to St. Louis that much clearer. With that being said, the Lions could use a lot of help, but with such a top tier talent like Suh sitting there with the second pick in their hands, there’s no doubt in my mind that Detroit will pass him up.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma

 The Bucs are in need of strengthening up their once prominent defense, and after the loss of former defensive mastermind Monte Kiffin to the college game, the Bucs’ new head man, Raheem Morris, will have no problem in bringing on the monstrous defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy. The experts are comparing to former Bucs star, Warren Sapp, which although is a big measure, McCoy  has all the tools necessary to be a Pro Bowl defender for years to come.

4. Washington Redskins – OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State

When the Redskins acquired Donovan McNabb, the idea of Jimmy Claussen being selected fourth overall went down the drains (at least it appears). With that said, the ‘Skins need to bolster up their offensive line, and there’s no better place to start then the 305 pound Oklahoma State product, Russell Okung.

 5. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma

After one year under his belt, Matt Cassell witnessed what many of us knew beforehand, the poor blocking of Kansas City. The folks at Arrowhead Stadium should be praying that the Chiefs don’t pass up on an offensive tackle with the fifth pick, or else their 2010 season will end up just as it did in 2009. Iowa lineman, Bryan Bulaga, could end up being selected in the fifth spot, but I have a feeling the Chiefs will select Trent Williams, who is arguably the most athletic linemen in the draft.

 6. Seattle Seahawks – OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa

The Seahawks need to find a successor for the future Hall of Famer, Walter Jones. With many questions remaining in the Seahawks organization, they have a chance to address their biggest need, the offensive line. Unless the Seahawks swap picks with another team (possibly the Eagles), Seattle should be able to lock up one of the top lineman in the 2010 draft – Iowa product, Bryan Bulaga.

7. Cleveland Browns – S Eric Berry, Tennessee

As mentioned above, if the Seahawks do happen to trade picks with a team like the Eagles, the most logical pick in the sixth spot would be Eric Berry. But since I don’t see a trade happening as of now, the Browns will have to choose between the draft’s top defensive playmaker or they could go after defensive end, Jason Pierre-Paul. Since Cleveland is rather weak in the secondary, and  considering that they need some kind of “spark” on their roster, the most logical choice is the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Eric Berry.

8. Oakland Raiders – DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida

If there’s one franchise that messes up the mock draft system more than any other team out there, it’s the Oakland Raiders. Owner Al Davis has been notorious for selecting “workout warriors”, which makes it possible for Oakland to select offensive tackle Bruce Campbell, but the Raiders are in love with selecting freakish athletes, and there’s on defensive end that has great athleticism – defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

9. Buffalo Bills – QB Jimmy Claussen, Notre Dame

After his slight fall from the fourth overall selection, the Notre Dame product will end up being selected in the top ten, and will avoid a Brady Quinn-like fall. With the Bills needing a Quarterback, it just makes too much sense to select Claussen. But don’t be surprised if the Bills go in a different direction, and select Wide Receiver Dez Bryant.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – S Earl Thomas, Texas

The Jags need someone who can pose as a threat against the AFC South’s elite Quarterbacks (Peyton Manning and Matt Schuab). With the addition of Defensive End Aaron Kampman this offseason, I don’t see the Jaguars selecting another end (i.e. Derrick Morgan), which opens the door for a secondary spot, and in my opinion, a safety. With Eric Berry already off the board, the Jags are left with Earl Thomas, or if they want a Cornerback, Joe Haden.

11. Denver Broncos – WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State

Before his 2009 suspension, many believed that Bryant would be a lock in the top ten. But the times have changed, and not many teams want to risk a high pick on the troubled, yet athletic Bryant. But just because he isn’t picked in the top ten, doesn’t mean he isn’t a top ten talent. The Broncos, who are in desperate need for a receiver following their trade of Brandon Marshall, appear to be the one team within the first fifteen picks who would be willing to step up and select Bryant.

12. Miami Dolphins – LB Rolando McClain, Alabama 

The Dolphins need to bring in a linebacker after they parted ways with Joey Porter, and with their recent acquisition of receiver Brandon Marshall, Miami is no longer in need of a receriver. With the top linebacker in the draft still available, the Dolphins should have no trouble in selecting the Alabama star, Rolando McClain.

13. San Francisco 49ers – CB Joe Haden, Florida

With Cleveland landing former Eagles corner Sheldon Brown this offseason, the draft stock of Joe Haden took a hit. After he was a near lock in the top ten, Haden now could fall out of the top fifteen if the 49ers decide to pass him up. But I don’t think they will considering that he has the potential to be a #1 shutdown corner for many years to come.

14. Seattle Seahawks – RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson

Pete Carroll knows what talent looks like after spending many years at USC, and Spiller’s raw talent is hard to pass up. Although Seattle could go with Defensive End Derrick Morgan with this pick, the upside for Spiller is through the roof. The multi-purpose threat will make many Seattle fans happy come Week One.

15. New York Giants – OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

The Giants don’t have many gaping needs on their roster, despite their disappointing 2009 campaign. With many people against the “Best Player Available” option, this is one scenario where it makes sense. The Giants could use a linebacker, but with the fifteenth overall pick, there isn’t a linebacker that ‘should’ be selected this high (Sean Witherspoon is a bit of a reach).  Anthony Davis has been dubbed as the draft’s “biggest upside” player, but with his maturity level in question, his draft stock has dropped a bit.

16. Tennessee Titans – DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

With Jason Pierre-Paul off the board, the Titans will have to turn their attention to former Yellow Jacket star, Derrick Morgan. With Kyle Vanden Bosch gone, the Titans will need to address the loss of the former Pro Bowler. Some believe that the Titans could make a reach for Carlos Dunlap, but with Morgan slipping down to the sixteenth spot, the Titans shouldn’t have to ponder a reach for Dunlap.

17. San Francisco 49ers – OT Mike Iupati, Idaho

The Niners have struggled in one area: blocking. They have found a solid starter in Joe Staley, but now they must build around him. With a solid run game in place with Frank Gore, and an up-and-coming passing game, the Niners are a couple linemen away from being serious contenders in the NFC West.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – C Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

In recent years, the Steelers tend to plan for the future come draft time, but with the AFC becoming a highly competitive league, and with divisional teams, such as Baltimore and Cincinnati, on the rise, the Steelers will need to draft for the present. With Ben Roethlishberger in need of more protection, and with many of the top linemen coming off the board, Pittsburgh should use the eighteenth pick to bolster their line before all the top linemen are gone.

19. Atlanta Falcons – DE Brandon Graham, Michigan

The Falcons addressed their need for a cornerback this offseason with the signing of Dunta Robinson, and with that, the need for a corner (i.e. Kyle Wilson) seems to go away. Despite the presence of John Abraham, the Falcons need someone to play opposite him and apply pressure along with Abraham. With Derrick Morgan and Jason Pierre-Paul off the board, the Falcons are left with either Brandon Graham or Carlos Dunlap to choose from. I’d give the edge to Graham because of Dunlap’s off the field issues, and we all know that Atlanta is trying to steer clear of any negative issues.

20. Houston Texans – Kyle Wilson, Boise State

With the Falcons signing the Texans’ longtime corner, Dunta Robinson, Houston is left with a major hole in their secondary. With the Falcons skipping over Kyle Wilson, oddly enough because of their acquisition of Robinson, the Texans will have no problem in figuring out who they need to select – Corner Back Kyle Wilson.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

Many will see this as a reach, but when your team needs a Tight End as much as the Bengals do, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take the draft’s top Tight End. Gresham, standing at 6’5” and 260, gives Carson Palmer another weapon to throw too, and as long as he comes back pain-free from his surgery, he has the potential to be an eventual All-Pro. 

22. New England Patriots – LB Sergio Kindle, Texas

Since Jermaine Gresham is off the board, the Patriots will need to address their Tight End need later on, possibly in the second round with Florida’s Aaron Hernandez. With Sergio Kindle being passed up by other clubs, and with New England in need of a pass rusher, Bill Belichick will have no issue in knowing who his man is: Texas’ Sergio Kindle.

 23. Green Bay Packers – OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland

With a league high 51 sacks given up in 2009, the Packers need to figure out how to develop their offensive line. Aaron Rodgers is already one of the top Quarterbacks in the NFC, even with a horrid line, and one can only imagine how much better he could be, let alone the team, if the Packers can improve their line. The workout warrior, Bruce Campbell, will fit in nicely at Right Tackle, and could eventually slide to the left side of the line down the road.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sean Witherspoon, Missouri

With the Eagles in need of a linebacker, and with many of the linebackers off the board, Philly will have to select Witherspoon with the twenty fourth pick, even if it may be a bit of a reach. Witherspoon was a tackling machine while at Missouri, but his one weakness lies in the pass coverage, where many experts claim that he’s too stiff when covering.

 25. Baltimore Ravens – CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers

The Ravens were expected to draft a Wide Receiver with the twenty fifth pick prior to the offseason, but with Anquan Boldin in the picture, the Ravens can now address their defensive woes. Baltimore still has a solid defense, but there one weakness lies at the Corner Back position. McCourty has a great blend of size and speed, and would provide Baltimore with a physical corner to match up with some of the top receiver’s in their division.

26. Arizona Cardinals – DT Brian Price, UCLA

The Cardinals brought in former Miami Dolphin linebacker, Joey Porter, to become the new leader of the linebackers, which gives the Cardinals the option of strengthening up their defensive front three. With Brandon Graham off the board, Arizona will have to choose from Carlos Dunlap or the talented, but undersized Brian Price. But Price presents Arizona with more options considering he can play inside, as well as on the end if need be.

 27. Dallas Cowboys – S Nate Allen, South Florida 

With Dallas in need of some type of Safety, I don’t see Dallas going in any other direction besides addressing their need at Safety. The draft is loaded with talented Safeties, and with Dallas not drafting again till the end of the second round, many of of the top Safeties could fall of the board. USC’s Taylor Mays could be a fan favorite selection, but if they want someone who can step right in and play for them in 2010, then they should choose the dangerous athlete out of South Florida, Nate Allen.

 28. San Diego Chargers – DT Dan Williams, Tennessee 

With Jamal Williams, the once prominent Pro Bowler released this offseason; the Chargers are left with an empty spot at the nose tackle position. With Terrance Cody remaining on the board, the Chargers could go with him, but with the sudden emergence of Dan Williams ever since the NFL Combine and Tennessee’s Pro Day, the Chargers may have found their future star up front.

 29. New York Jets – DE Jared Odrick, Penn State

The former Nittany Lion has drawn a lot of attention thus far from NFL scouts, and it would be amazing if he does happen to fall to the Jets at twenty nine. But anything’s possible in the draft, and I do think Odrick will still be sitting around when the Jets are on the clock. With that said, the Jets need someone to play opposite of Shaun Ellis in 2010, and with Odrick’s fundamentally sound game, the Jets would greatly improve their already stout defense.

30. Minnesota Vikings – CB Perish Cox, Oklahoma State

The Vikings were lacking any depth at Corner Back in 2009, and with Antoine Winfield (32) not getting any younger, and consistently battling injuries, the Vikes will need to find the future at Corner Back. Cox is a potential number one in a couple of years, and his straight line speed will match up with the quicker receivers in the NFL.

 31. Indianapolis Colts – LT Charles Brown, USC

With Tony Ugoh becoming a bit of a bust after he was highly touted coming out of college, the Colts need to find a way to better their offensive line for their All-Pro Quarterback, Peyton  Manning. Center Maurkice Pouncey would have been the ideal pick, but with him off the board, the Colts will have to settle for Charles Brown, a physical specimen out of USC. But if the Colts go in any other direction, it would most likely be towards a pass rusher, possibly Jerry Hughes out of TCU.

 32. New Orleans Saints – DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida

The upside of Dunlap is off the charts, but the one thing holding him back is his off the field issues. His college career was nothing but spectacular, and he has all the tools necessary to be a top pass rusher for many years to come. The Saints are lacking a 4-3 defensive end after they cut ties with Charles Grant this offseason, and Dunlap would be the perfect fit in the Big Easy.