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[h2]Locker, defenders in top three[/h2] [h3]The top 10 features four defensive linemen and two defensive backs[/h3]
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By Todd McShay ESPN.com
Bowl season is getting under way and the NFL playoff push has begun, so what better time for Scouts Inc.'s first 2010 mock first round?
We've ordered this first round according to current NFL standings, and ties between teams with identical records are broken based on 2009 strength of schedule, with teams with the lower strength of schedule getting the higher pick.
The purpose of this early mock draft is to get a feel for the top players on the board and where they might fit into the first round. As it stands right now, defensive players and offensive tackles rule the top 10 with a couple of quarterbacks thrown in, including at No. 1 overall.
[h6]St. Louis Rams[/h6]
Record: 1-12
Jake Locker*, QB, Washington
Locker is rumored to be leaning toward returning to school, where he could further develop under head coach Steve Sarkisian. If he does decide to forgo his senior year and enter the draft, the Rams need to consider making Locker -- an injury-prone but supremely talented prospect -- their franchise quarterback.
[h6]Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/h6]
Record: 1-12
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Anyone who saw the Big 12 championship game knows what kind of an impact the explosive Suh can have. He is a disruptive run defender with arm strength to toss blockers aside and quickness to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Though he isn't the most polished pass-rusher, he clearly has great potential in that area.
[h6]Cleveland Browns[/h6]
Record: 2-11
Eric Berry*, S, Tennessee
Berry might fall a bit because of the position he plays, but we believe he's the premier prospect in the 2010 class. Much like Ed Reed (Ravens), Berry is a game-changer with exceptional versatility to make plays in coverage and be effective in run support.
[h6]Detroit Lions[/h6]
Record: 2-11
Gerald McCoy*, DT, Oklahoma
The Lions are in dire need of a difference-maker along the defensive front, and McCoy is the prototypical 3-technique with the quick first step and power to make a living in opposing backfields.
[h6]Kansas City Chiefs[/h6]
Record: 3-10
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Help up front might be Kansas City's greatest need. LOT Branden Albert -- a first-round pick in 2008 -- has had problems staying healthy, and he could slide to the right side or even inside to guard if the Chiefs land a franchise left tackle. Okung is the most complete offensive tackle prospect in this class and could provide that piece of the puzzle for Kansas City.
[h6]Washington ********[/h6]
Record: 4-9
Sam Bradford*, QB, Oklahoma
Surgery on his throwing shoulder and concerns about the scheme he played in at Oklahoma caused Bradford to fall behind Locker on our board. On the other hand, Bradford has the physical tools and football IQ to quickly develop into an effective starting NFL quarterback.
[h6]Oakland Raiders[/h6]
Record: 4-9
Derrick Morgan*, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan can anchor at the point of attack, make plays in pursuit, get to the quarterback coming off the edge and drop into coverage on zone blitzes. In other words, he can do it all as far as defensive end prospects are concerned.
[h6]Buffalo Bills[/h6]
Record: 5-8
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Williams moved from the right to the left side this year, and hasn't fared as well as in previous seasons but is capable of quickly developing into an effective NFL starting right tackle. He is a tough run blocker who drives his feet once in position, and he can hold his own in pass protection when his footwork is sound.
[h6]Seattle Seahawks[/h6]
Record: 5-8
Anthony Davis*, OT, Rutgers
Davis comes with a bit of baggage, but there isn't an offensive lineman in the 2010 class with a better combination of size and agility.
[h6]Denver Broncos (from 5-8 Chicago)[/h6]
Record: 8-5
Carlos Dunlap*, DE, Florida
Dunlap is very much a buyer-beware prospect. On one hand, a DUI arrest the week of the SEC championship game and questions about his work ethic raise red flags. On the other hand, 290-pound defensive linemen who move as well as he does are few and far between.
[h6]San Francisco 49ers (from 5-8 Carolina)[/h6]
Record: 5-7
Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas
San Francisco could reach for Maryland OT Bruce Campbell, but in our opinion Kindle is too good a value to pass up here. Though he has to improve his ability to anchor against the run, he has the burst and agility base 3-4 defenses covet at outside linebacker.
[h6]San Francisco 49ers[/h6]
Record: 5-7
Joe Haden*, CB, Florida
San Francisco's pass defense has been a liability this year, and the 49ers need to inject some youth and talent into their cornerback unit. Haden is the best cover corner in his class, has the burst to stalk receivers underneath and shows the speed to run with them downfield.
[h6]Pittsburgh Steelers[/h6]
Record: 6-7
Bryan Bulaga*, OT, Iowa
Bulaga plays a bit high and his footwork could be better, so he would be a bit of a reach here, but Pittsburgh needs help at tackle and he's the best available.
[h6]Houston Texans[/h6]
Record: 6-7
Earl Thomas**, S, Texas
Like Berry, there isn't much Thomas can't do on a football field. He can match up with slot receivers, blitz off the edge, has great range in coverage and steps up in run support.
[h6]Tennessee Titans[/h6]
Record: 6-7
Rolando McClain*, ILB, Alabama
Tennessee has greater needs to fill, but the Titans would be lucky to land McClain here. He's a tough, relentless run stopper who masks his lack of ideal range with instincts and good angles. He's not a two-down linebacker, either, and can more than hold his own in underneath coverage.
[h6]Atlanta Falcons[/h6]
Record: 6-7
Navorro Bowman*, OLB, Penn State
The Falcons need an impact player at cornerback, but the next-best corner, Florida State's Patrick Robinson, is not worth taking this early. Bowman has some off-the-field baggage but he might be the best all-around athlete at linebacker in this year's class.
[h6]Baltimore Ravens[/h6]
Record: 7-6
Dez Bryant*, WR, Oklahoma State
Baltimore needs to give 2008 first-round pick and franchise QB Joe Flacco a playmaker at receiver. Bryant was ruled ineligible by the NCAA earlier this season, but teams have seen more than enough to know he can stretch the field.
[h6]Jacksonville Jaguars[/h6]
Record: 7-6
Bruce Carter*, OLB, North Carolina
Jacksonville could upgrade at outside linebacker and Carter would be an excellent value here. He would benefit from adding some bulk to his frame but he's a rangy run stopper and he shows above-average ball skills in coverage.
[h6]New York Giants[/h6]
Record: 7-6
Brandon Spikes*, ILB, Florida
Antonio Pierce sustained a season-ending neck injury and has just one year left on his contract, so Spikes would be a good fit as a future replacement. While injuries slowed Spikes this year, he is an instinctive run stopper who can make plays all over the field when he's healthy. He's also flashed big-play ability in coverage.
[h6]New York Jets[/h6]
Record: 7-6
Bruce Campbell*, OT, Maryland
Campbell is a work in progress and could benefit from another year in college, but he's shooting up draft boards after a strong 2009 season and may be too talented to pass up for a Jets organization that needs help at tackle.
[h6]Miami Dolphins[/h6]
Record:7-6
Jason Pierre-Paul*, DE, South Florida
Pierre-Paul wreaks havoc off the edge, and an aging Dolphins defense needs a young pass rusher to develop.
[h6]Dallas Cowboys[/h6]
Record: 8-5
Taylor Mays, S, USC
We've seen Mays get caught out of position far too often to move him ahead of Berry or Thomas. However, it's rare to find defensive backs with Mays' size/speed combination, and he would be an upgrade for the Cowboys.
[h6]New England Patriots[/h6]
Record: 8-5
Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson
New England desperately needs to improve its pedestrian pass rush and Sapp has the burst to provide that much-needed spark. He has lined up primarily at end in college but has shown he can be effective working out of a two-point stance and would be a good fit for the Patriots' base 3-4 defense.
[h6]Seattle Seahawks (from 8-5 Denver)[/h6]
Record: 5-8
Jimmy Clausen*, QB, Notre Dame
Current starter Matt Hasselbeck is 34 years old and backup Seneca Wallace doesn't appear to be the long-term answer. There are concerns about Clausen's release and he doesn't have ideal arm strength, but his mobility and accuracy underneath would make him a good fit for a West Coast offense.
[h6]Arizona Cardinals[/h6]
Record: 8-4
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham missed the entire 2009 season with a knee injury, and he doesn't offer much as a run blocker. However, our film evaluation makes it clear that he has what it to takes to develop into one of the most productive and dangerous receiving tight ends in the league.
[h6]Green Bay Packers[/h6]
Record: 9-4
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
In this scenario, Spiller slides down the board and Green Bay wins the lottery. Spiller would add a big-play element to the running game and his ability to motion out into the slot makes him an excellent fit for the Packers' pass-heavy scheme.
[h6]Cincinnati Bengals[/h6]
Record: 9-4
Marvin Austin*, DT, North Carolina
Cincinnati leads the league in rushing defense but having quality depth and talent at defensive tackle is essential to stay on top of the AFC North, so adding Austin makes sense. He's a stout interior run defender and powerful bull rusher.
[h6]Philadelphia Eagles[/h6]
Record: 9-4
Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts
Ducasse is 330 pounds and his feet may not be quick enough to hold up at left tackle, where he played at UMass, but he still moves well for his size and we think he could develop into a starting right tackle. If he doesn't pan out at tackle he has the makings of an excellent guard.
[h6]San Diego Chargers[/h6]
Record: 10-3
Jonathan Dwyer*, RB, Georgia Tech
Darren Sproles is an excellent change-of-pace back but he's too small to be the primary ball carrier, and 30-year-old LaDainian Tomlinson hasn't looked the same the past two years. Taking Dwyer here would give the Chargers a physical between-the-tackles runner capable of carrying the ball 20-plus times and setting up the play-action package.
[h6]Minnesota Vikings[/h6]
Record: 11-2
Brian Price*, DT, UCLA
Price is said to be leaning toward entering the upcoming draft. He's a quick and powerful defender who could provide some much-needed depth behind aging starters Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
[h6]Indianapolis Colts[/h6]
Record: 13-0
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
Odrick doesn't have great athletic ability but he's quick, flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly and plays with a nonstop motor, making him a good fit for an Indianapolis organization looking to upgrade its run defense.
[h6]New Orleans Saints[/h6]
Record: 13-0
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Williams is a reach here, but like Indianapolis, the Saints should be looking to upgrade their run defense, and adding the 311-pound Williams would be a step in the right direction.
Taylor Mays too high.
