2010 NFL Draft Analysis - Round 1

1. STL: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Have the Rams got a little buyer's remorse knowing they could have landed a game-changing defensive tackle and a be on the clock for a potential franchise quarterback in Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen? If so, they would never admit it.

2. DET: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The city of Detroit has been through so much I really hope Suh performs as advertised. He has been called Haynesworth with effort. Let's see how a few years in the NFL taking on player a lot more capable of frustrating him impacts this attitude.

3. TB: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
A quick pace was a must for the NFL draft because everyone knew the first 3 picks. McCoy fills a need and while he is a notch below Suh this is still a good pick.

4. WAS: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Anyone who didn't get this right was kidding themselves. All of the late Berry talk was just that - talk. They wanted to entice a team like Cleveland into trading up for him. Other than doing that, and probably sacrificing their choice of tackles by ending up with Okung, this is a very defensible selection.

5. KC: Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee
It was either going to be Okung or Berry. I went the other direction because I couldn't stomach Pioli going against his 'positional value' premise. The Chiefs have a lot of work to do on defense, but it's a start.

6. SEA: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
Once Okung made it past the Redskins and Chiefs this was an easy pick. They need an elite left tackle and got one.

7. CLE: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Having had this projected, along with a lot of other people, weeks ago it was frustrating to see them take him. Hearing they were deciding between him, and Boise State's Kyle Wilson who wound up being the fourth corner off the board, to me reveals this as a questionable choice. They could make up for it by trading up to select Clausen who I had to them at #7.

8. OAK: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
A second straight 50/50 pick went against me. If I had two choices for them McClain would have been my backup plan. I couldn't see them grabbing another linebacker after trading for two. However, it is clear Morrison will be gone. No one bit on his relatively low tender and he will most likely be dealt very soon. By the way I did have the Raiders going inside linebacker in round 2.

9. BUF: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller was #10 in my final mock draft and that speaks to his value in the NFL's eyes more than my personal feeling of his value. However, for them to turn their back on the best available tackle when their line is such a mess makes this a weird decision. He could get swallowed up unless they fortify this line in a hurry.

10. JAX: Tyson Alualu, DT, California
Boom! Wow! Are you kidding me? These are just a few of the reactions after this one came across the screen. At best he was considered in the 30's. I do love him going to a 4-3 so he can be utilized inside. Clearly they panic when making picks this high.

11. SF (from DEN/CHI): Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
When all was said and done the 49ers scored by getting a potential left tackle instead of a likely right tackle (Bulaga) as I projected. This is a potential steal and addresses their biggest need.

12. SD (from MIA): Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
As the trade up was being announced I figured it was a play for my projection, defensive tackle Dan Williams from Tennessee, but instead they really were in love with Mathews. In my first mock after the combine I had him projected to them and it makes a lot of sense. He is one of the few players with 'feature' potential, but giving up so much was questionable.

13. PHI (from SF/DEN: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Everyone expected them to be trading up for Texas safety Earl Thomas who wound up going next. It's interesting to see him going to a 4-3 but there was a need at linebacker after their recent moves.

14. SEA (from DEN): Earl Thomas, FS, Texas
Since I had them taking Berry at #6 (assuming Okung was gone) obviously I'm on board with this selection. I thought they would pull the trigger on Dez Bryant since Pete Carroll loves his big receivers, and had Thomas been gone (as I projected at #12) he might have.

15. NYG: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Another frustrating moment for me because I had the two pass rushers flip-flopped. For me, Morgan was a safer pick and a better fit. They went for the upside and obviously feel JPP can reach his vast potential.

16. TEN: Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
What a surprise, the cliche pick did not pan out. Instead JPP went off the board and they 'settled' for probably a better option. I have to think this was a very easy decision in their war room.