Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Latest Jigsaw

The 2010 NFL Draft order is set, and you are far from an expert if you are predicting Ndamukong Suh as the first overall pick. As we get set for another draft in which many teams search for answers, we can only add that this could be the year of the quarterback, and only pray that it turns out better than '99.

1. St. Louis Rams- Ndamukong Suh DE (Nebraska)

With talks of Michael Vick becoming a Ram boiling, the outside chance that St. Louis gets a Quarterback with the first overall pick is dimming. In result, there is no way that they can pass up the AP Defensive Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh. Suh who is the perfect combination of strength and speed, stood out enough in College to get his name in the Heisman talks despite being on the "wrong" side of the ball. How much of a difference does Suh make for St. Louis? Not much of an immediate impact, but he is a good start for the defense that Steve Spagnuolo yearns for.

2. Detroit Lions- Gerald McCoy DT (Oklahoma)

Despite only being a Junior, McCoy's 6'4'' 305 lb. frame speaks for itself. McCoy, a traditional bull rusher, is a strong player to build a defensive line around as he will demand two blockers once he develops into an NFL player.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Eric Berry S (Tennessee)
The Buccaneers are not yet ready to admit that they were wrong with Josh Freeman, and Berry is someone who will begin to round out their developing defense. Experts have said that Eric Berry is the most impressive safety to come out of College since the late Washington Redskin, Sean Taylor. When defensive backs are drafted the big question is if they can tackle in the open field; a must-have skill at the Pro level. With 66 solo tackles at Tennessee last season, Berry showed that he is a great fit for any team in need of a safety.

4. Washington Redskins- Jimmy Claussen QB (Notre Dame)

While Mike Shanahan made a verbal commitment to Jason Campbell for the 2010 season; Skins+Campbell=sinking ship. With Jimmy Claussen jumping to the front of the QB draft board, the Skins should draft him as a back up, helmet on in case of emergency. It won't take too long.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Russell Okung OT (Oklahoma State)

The Chiefs hit an offensive stride to end the '09 season as they found their weapon in Jamaal Charles; now who is he going to run behind? Okung, the best offensive linemen in the draft is a good fit for a team that has found a good RB/QB tandem and is now ready to build their trenches.

6. Seattle Seahawks- C.J. Spiller RB (Clemson)

Seattle is crazy if they give Hasselbeck another shot after all that he has put them through, but there is no doubt that they will. Despite a growing Justin Forsett, Seattle will go Spiller simply because he is too good a play-maker to let slip any further, and Pete Carroll will be looking for an immediate impact from whomever he drafts.

7. Cleveland Browns- Taylor Mays S (USC)

The Browns have an outline of a potentially good offense behind Quinn, Harrison, some solid receivers and former top 5 pick Joe Thomas. When they lost Sean Jones to the Eagles, during the '09 off-season, it left a big void in their secondary which was one of the reasons their defense was hindered last season. While USC prospects value has died down in the minds of draft experts, Mays' talent and athleticism will shine at the combine. While Cleveland needs a lot of help on both sides of the ball, their pick is virtually a throw up, but I see Mays falling into their lap at # 7.

8. Oakland Raiders- Sam Bradford QB (Oklahoma)

If Bradford drops to number eight it will not only be a steal for Oakland, but a blessing. It is always hard for a franchise to admit that they were wrong, but Oakland has to suck it up and move on from their former number one pick Jamarcus Russell. They get anything else but a quarterback in this draft and a lot of fans will be leaving Raider Nation.

9. Buffalo Bills- Joe Haden CB (Florida)

The Bills secondary aside from rising star Jarius Byrd, was completely exposed by big play receivers like Randy Moss, and that fell on their cornerbacks Drayton Florence and Leodis McKelvin who played far below the team's expectations. Haden will provide a good cover corner who will put a staple in a defense that is proving itself a hot mess.

10. Denver Broncos- Brandon Spikes MLB (Florida) or Jacksonville Jaguars- Dez Bryant WR (Oklahoma State)

A coin flip decides who gets the 10th pick, but it won't matter because of the different needs of the two. The Broncos, who started out 6-0, had 5 pro bowlers, but failed to slow down opposing running games on many occasions. Brandon Spikes is a good run stopping line backer, who can also compliment sack-machine Elvis Dumervil as a blitzer up the middle. Jacksonville could help out either line, but I think they will be looking for another receiver to take some pressure off Mike Sims-Walker. While Bryant, possibly this year's best play maker, missed last year due to drug violations, its hard to argue with size... and speed.

My predictions for the top 10 picks signed, sealed, and delivered and now the biggest problem of them all; the Birds. After the double header loss to the Dallas Cowboys, all of Philadelphia's weaknesses were exposed, but only one can be padded with a first round pick. If Earl Thomas, the free safety from Texas is there at 24 then the Eagles have no choice then to attempt to fill the void left by pro bowler Brian Dawkins, but if not the offensive line could use a lot of help as well. Charles Brown from USC and Mike Iupati from Idaho are both linemen who could continue the depth that Reid loves in the trenches, but never sleep on Reid to trade up and snag a stud like Brian Bulaga from Iowa. Reid loves to make every draft day a memorable one, and while they have used the last two years to load up in the skill positions, there is no doubt that the organization will go back to its old ways and build with bulk and talent in the secondary.

JD

1 comment:

  1. Impressive knowledge on the draft. I keep hearing that Mays may fall to the Eagles which would be pretty sick. I don't know how his talent can drop allll the way into the late teens-early 20's though. I also agree, Suh with the number 1 pick. Weak year for the always fun pick - QB. I'm rooting against Clausen based on principle (notre dame)

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