(Is Tim Tebow a first round talent?)
In the wake of the Tennessee Titans horrible 59-0 defeat to the New England Patriots, as well as their fellow bottom feeding friends, Tampa Bay and St. Louis going 0-6, it’s time to take a look to the future.
Whether you’re rooting for a team that’s still undefeated and will likely have a late pick in the first round, or you’re a bag-head still cheering in hiding for teams like the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, and the said 0-6 squads, it’s never too early for a mock draft.
Here’s round one for The Red Zone Report’s 2010 NFL Mock Draft 1.0:
(Draft created on October 22nd before week seven)
Side note: Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears do not own a 2010 First Round Pick
1. Tennessee Titans- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
If the Titans are still here when the season ends, it’s a safe bet Vince Young didn’t work out and they’ll be going in a different direction. McCoy may not have ideal arm strength, but he has good size, excellent college production, and is extremely athletic.
They could use a new Albert Haynesworth or some secondary help, but the teams who pick here are usually here for a reason: They need a face for their franchise.
Will the second crack at a Texas product be the charm?
2. St. Louis Rams- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The Rams could go after several needs at defense, could go for a “sure thing” on their offensive line, or even attack their average receiving corps.
But, like Tennessee, a lot of their problems start with a comatose passing attack, and while Marc Bulger is decent at times, he’s older now and can’t avoid the rush very well.
Locker, on the other hand, is extremely fast and athletic, and has all the tools to develop into a fine signal caller. Sam Bradford will definitely be considered here if he enters as well, but his durability may be too much of a question mark.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
The Buccaneers just cut ties with a former first round defensive end, Gaines Adams, and shipped the disappointment over to Chicago.
Dare they try getting a stud defensive end in the first round, yet again?
When they’re built and run like Dunlap, you kind of have to. Besides, Adams’ failure had more to do with his attitude and work ethic, according to head coach Raheem Morris.
The Buccaneers have their quarterback of the future, so it’s likely they stick to addressing their pathetic defense with this draft. If Dunlap isn’t around, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy would be satisfactory option.
4. Kansas City Chiefs- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Todd Haley is an offensive guru and he’s running the show, so take a wild guess which direction this front office is heading in.
They brought Matt Cassel over from New England for a reason, and it wasn’t so they could watch him struggle with mediocre weapons. Bryant could pair up with Dwayne Bowe from the get-go and give Cassel two elite targets.
Bryant is likely to be here if this is where the Chiefs pick, so the only other route KC could go is possibly addressing their offensive line or nabbing a stud corner.
5. Detroit Lions- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Jim Schwartz isn’t Matt Millen. He won’t reach for receivers when he’s already got one of the best in the game, and regardless of your opinion on Matthew Stafford, the Lions have quite a solid talent under center.
The next step is to add depth and star power to the inside of their weak defensive front, and McCoy can do more than just beef it up a bit. Schwartz will build him up and create his own mini-Albert Haynesworth, even if it takes a year or two to do so.
Detroit could also look for an elite pass rusher or some secondary help, but McCoy should be te best value at this pick.
6. Cleveland Browns- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Out with one Fighting Irish, and in with the other. Eric Mangini can’t honestly expect to keep his job past 2009 unless he agrees with management that they need to go in a different direction at quarterback.
Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson just can’t cut it in Cleveland, so the extremely talented and confident Clausen will get Mangini’s vote.
It also wouldn’t be shocking to see Mangini add some offensive firepower at the running back or receiver position. However, that will depend completely on how well or poorly Derek Anderson plays down the stretch.
7. Oakland Raiders- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Al Davis loves speed, and he needs a new safety that plays with confidence and control. Michael Huff still might work out, but he at least needs some competition to push his level of play up.
Berry is extremely athletic and versatile, so if the Raiders like where Huff is at, they’ll still be able to use Berry is a number of ways.
Much of what Oakland does with this pick will depend on who their coach is and who they release before the draft. If the end of the road has come for Jamarcus Russell, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Davis trade up to get Sam Bradford or Jake Locker.
8. Seattle Seahawks- Jahvid Best, RB, California
I just don’t see the Seahawks riding into 2010 with Julius Jones and/or Edgerrin James again, especially since they’ve had struggles running the ball. And While Justin Forsett is a special back, he’s not an every-down guy, and doesn’t have the explosiveness that Best possesses.
Jim Mora Jr. likes defense, so a strong lineman is possible here, while there’s also a good chance they could opt to protect Matt Hasselbeck a little more with the best tackle available.
Speaking of Hasselbeck, it’d probably be fairly tempting for Seattle to turn down an elite quarterback prospect at this pick, possibly Sam Bradford if he falls this far.
Ultimately, Hasselbeck still can play, and Mora will opt to simply either get him some new weapons, or get some blocking help.
9. Buffalo Bills- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Considering the Bills will almost surely part ways with head coach Dick Jauron, what they do next will depend largely on their new coach’s philosophy.
As far as team needs, running back is the only spot where Buffalo couldn’t use some help. And since they know they can run the ball if they have solid blocking, it’d probably be a wise investment to get someone to help keep the quarterback (whoever that ends up being) on his feet, while aiding their only offensive strength-the running game.
10. Washington Redskins- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Somehow, someway, the Redskins have their guy fall right into their lap. They flirted with trading for Jay Cutler and/or drafting Mark Sanchez in the off-season, and now they’re just about certain they need an upgrade at the quarterback position.
Bradford has all the talent of the quarterback taken ahead of them, and in some cases even more, but his 2009 injuries will hurt his stock enough that he takes a Matt Leinart-type slide to the 10th pick.
11. San Francisco 49ers (From Carolina)- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
They have their running back, receiver and tight end of the future. Now the only question is, do they like who they’re planning to start at quarterback in 2010, or do they make something happen and land an elite quarterback prospect?
Some thought they would think about pulling the trigger on Mark Sanchez last year, but they didn’t, so knowing Mike Singletary, he’ll continue to build his team on both sides of the ball through the trenches.
Suh a massive and powerful inside presence, something the 49ers are lacking a bit. He could start immediately.
12. Miami Dolphins- Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Miami is a run-first team that likes to switch things up a bit on offense, and while Bill Parcells doesn’t like drafting wide receivers in the first round, I have a strange feeling he just might break that rule.
Then again, the way Tedd Ginn Jr. is coming along so slowly, it may keep him from pulling the trigger.
Cody, on the other hand, fills a glaring need, as he injects some youth and great strength to the middle of their average defensive line. The Dolphins are among the league’s best at running the ball, and with Cody they can one day be among the best at stopping it.
13. San Diego Chargers- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Chargers could really opt for a number of different positions, as they could use some youth and talent at receiver, but could also use some help on both the offensive and defensive line.
Adding a talented running back may be an option as well if Darren Sproles jets off in the off-season.
However, with no clear-cut way to go at this spot, they may just take Williams to beef up their pass protection to be sure that Philip Rivers will stay on his feet.
14. New York Jets- Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Braylon Edwards will likely test the market if he ends the season on a high enough note, while Rex Ryan will cave to Mark Sancez’s pleas that he needs more help at receiver.
They’re very solid on both sides of the ball, but adding a big, athletic target like Benn would help the offense stretch the field. Adding a replacement for the possibly finished Kris Jenkins is a possibility, too.
15. Houston Texans- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
It’s not that Houston doesn’t want to give Steve Slaton the ball, but early season struggles showed that defenses can key-in on him fairly easily, and his small statute can’t keep taking that punishment.
Spiller is excellent depth and gives the Texans a complete offense, as he can affect games in a number of ways.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Brandon Spikes, OLB, Florida
Spikes has great speed and solid athleticism for the position, and also happens to be a great leader for Florida. The future Ray Lewis?
Spikes could very well be long gone by pick 16, but if he’s still here, John Harbaugh won’t pass him up.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Jacksonville said they’d grab him in the first round if he was available, and he likely will be at this pick. With several games blacked-out already this year, the Jaguars need to step it up in ticket sales and lure people in Florida to come to their games.
Tebow may be a project, but he’s athletic and can do damage on the ground, making him not too much worse than their current inconsistent quarterback, David Garrard.
At the very worst, Tebow would bring an interesting version of the Wildcat to life in Jacksonville.
18. Denver Broncos (From Chicago)- Jevean Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Call me crazy, but I don’t think Josh McDaniels will pick the veteran Kyle Orton over a top prospect that is oozing with potential.
If Orton can thrive in MDaniels’s system, it’s a safe bet just about anyone can. McDaniels wasn’t able to land Matt Cassel when he wanted him back in the 2009 off-season, and now he gets his first crack at his own franchise quarterback.
19. Arizona Cardinals- Ciron Black, OT, LSU
Black is a massive offensive lineman who excels in pass-blocking, so regardless of who is behind center for the Cardinals, they won’t have to worry about changing their offense.
You can never have too many effective pass-blockers, especially when you thrive off of the pass, so Black is a perfect fit here.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Eagles need to find their replacement for Brian Dawkins, while injecting some life into their last line of attack in their secondary.
Mays is a very athletic and physical safety, and has the ability to play multiple positions. He could easily be gone by now in this draft, but with so many teams attacking glaring needs, he could drop this far.
21. Dallas Cowboys- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
Dallas found an elite play-maker in Miles Austin, but they still aren’t sure about Roy Williams. And with Patrick Crayton being demoted from No. 2 to No.3 in favor of Austin, it’s likely the Cowboys will cut their ties with him, as well.
They’re pretty set on both lines, so the pick here is to upgrade their receiving corps or add someone to their average secondary unit.
Shipley has good speed and elite play-making ability, making him a strong bet to step-in and start alongside Austin, or he could begin in the slot of Williams is still around.
He also is an electric return man, which could give Felix Jones a break and more time to focus on his role in the offense.
22. San Francisco 49ers- Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Like I said before, Singletary is all about the trenches and likes to keep his defensive hat on at all times. He splurged on the offensive side with Michael Crabtree last year, so he’s taking advantage of two first rounders and shoring up his defensive line.
Hardy has had health issues in the past, but has a solid combination of strength, athleticism, and skills. He would be a excellent addition to this already stout 49ers defense.
23. Green Bay Packers- Jon Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Green Bay did a fine job last year of piling some picks together and getting two fantastic defensive stars in the first round.
Now they need to take some pressure off of Aaron Rodgers by getting him a running back who can make things happen, even with poor blocking, and can take the rock the distance at any time.
Ryan Grant is solid, but Dwyer is at another level.
The Packers could easily opt for help at the offensive line or in their aging secondary, but that seems more like second and third round work for the famously crafty Ted Thompson.
24. New England Patriots- Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
It seems like the Patriots are always stacked at linebacker, but with the trading of Mike Vrabel and retirement of Tedy Bruschi, there is still depth to be had.
Weatherspoon is an elite tackler who works sideline-to-sideline, and he could pair with Jerod Mayo to form one of the better linebacker pairs in the league.
An aging Adalius Thomas only adds to the already strong possibility of New England going for a linebacker at this spot.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers- George Selvie, DE, South Florida
The Steelers are finding out the hard way that, while their defensive line is stout, their depth is not. With the loss of DE Aaron Smith for the season, Pittsburgh will discover that they need youth and depth on their line, and they need it quick.
They could just as easily patch-up their offensive line, but defense is the name of the game, and a very talented Selvie is their guy.
26. Cincinnati Bengals- Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
Like the Steelers, the Bengals discovered how important depth is on the defensive line, so drafting Hughes is a must.
They could also try adding depth to their linebacker corps or their secondary, but either way you look at it, Marvin Lewis will be aiming to improve defense that has been fairly impressive in 2009.
Hughes is a solid pass rusher that can learn behind a hopefully returning and healthy Antwan Odom.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
The Falcons are okay at linebacker, but could use another elite linebacker to fortify their defense after losing Keith Brooking to the Cowboys in free agency this past off-season.
Adding a quality linebacker and sure-tackler like Kinlde only makes an improving Atlanta defense that much better.
28. New York Giants- Joe Haden, CB, Florida
If the Giants have an obvious weakness anywhere in their team, it’s their average secondary.
Haden gives them a great corner that can learn and grow in a great defensive system that gets after the quarterback and makes life fairly easy on the corners.
If the Giants don’t go for secondary help, they could add depth to their already stout offensive line.
29. New Orleans Saints- Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
The Saints are leaps and bounds better on defense than they were the past year, so attacking that side of the ball with youth and talent is the best move.
There aren’t many worries on the offensive side of the ball for Sean Payton and co., so it’s ether a stud linebacker to groom or some secondary depth with their first pick.
30. Indianapolis Colts- Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The great teams know when they’re set at certain positions, and when to simply stockpile to protect themselves from injury and talent downgrades.
They’re pretty solid in every area, but being certain that Peyton Manning always has enough time to throw should be priority numero uno.
Bulaga won’t start right away, but he’s a big tackle who can abuse defenders. Once he grasps the schemes and the offense, he’ll be Manning’s right-hand man. Well, as much as a tackle can be, anyways.
31. Minnesota Vikings- Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
Minnesota probably wouldn’t have minded seeing an elite quarterback prospect fall into their laps, and while that’s still a possibility, the only guy they’d really consider at this spot would be Tony Pike, and I think they’d rather take their chances in round two.
With that thought, they should go after their ailing secondary, as star cover man Antoine Winfield is 32, and there isn’y much depth beyon him and Cedric Griffin.
Robinson will fit in nicely and give the Vikings a quality upgrade at their nickel back corner spot.
32. Seattle Seahawks (From Denver)- Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
Minnesota may not be willing to settle on Pike after watching all the passers they wanted fly off the board, but Seattle will jump at the chance to get a quality quarterback of the future to groom behind Matt Hasselbeck.
They passed on a quarterback with their first pick so they could add some elite talent to their backfield, and this pick is all about their future and protecting themselves from further embarrassment if Hasselbeck goes down in 2010.
They could very well switch to the defensive side of the ball with this pick and get the best defensive lineman available, but it’s a safe bet they grab a young passer with one of their first rounders.
