2010 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3

65. (3.1) STL: Damian Williams, WR, USC
This is not a great crop at the receiver position and the Rams will reap the benefit by getting a player who could easily go quite a bit higher. However, I see several receivers slipping down the board.

66. (3.2) DET: Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
After fixing the defensive line, on paper at least, it is time to make sure someone can carry the football. Kevin Smith is recovering from a serious injury. The team is probably undecided on last year's 'speed' back Aaron Brown which might shift them towards a power option. Dwyer strikes me as a useful option when they visit division rivals Chicago and Green Bay during cold weather affairs.

67. (3.3) TB: Brandon Lafell, WR, LSU
Crazy as it seems I am hearing the Bucs will be taking multiple shots at receivers hoping to land talent for their franchise quarterback Josh Freeman.

68. (3.4) KC: Koa Misi, OLB, Utah
I could see them going inside or outside at linebacker, but rushing the passer is always more important in a 3-4. This is pretty much it for Vrabel.

69. (3.5) OAK: Donald Butler, ILB, Washington
Gruden's quarterback collecting has nothing on what the Raiders are doing at the linebacker position.

70. (3.6) PHI (from SEA): Chad Jones, S, LSU
They're enamored with Texas' Earl Thomas, but if unable to trade up for his services this could be a backup plan.

71. (3.7) CLE: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
How far Spikes tumbles down the board is just one reason why the draft is a great reality show. His lack of speed combined with playing a position where players regularly are taken later than expected have some people even saying fourth round. Then again, a team could still grab him earlier on day two. The Browns need help all over and would welcome his leadership. Plus, he would have a chip on his shoulder equivalent in size to how late he is taken.

72. (3.8) BUF: Torrell Troup, DT, Central Florida
With the switch to a 3-4 defense the Bills need someone capable of manning the nose. Troup's stock is up because he can fill that role.

73. (3.9) MIA: Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Losing Porter and Taylor obviously creates a need at linebacker. I'm not in love with this pick from any angle because Norwood might go higher and this is not an ideal match.

74. (3.10) JAX: Taylor Price, WR, Ohio
I think given their current stack of picks the Jaguars would prefer waiting on receiver, but their decision making history dictates impatience.

75. (3.11) CHI: Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
After a long wait, assuming they do not make any trades, the Bears finally enter the draft proceedings. There are signs of life for the receiving corps including last year's rookie Knox, but I think Decker is a tremendous choice in the third round. Had he played out the season I have no doubt he would have been a second round pick.

76. (3.12) NYG: Major Wright, S, Florida
They have made moves at the safety position, but indications are the team is still concerned and might make an addition for insurance.

77. (3.13) TEN: Thaddeus Gibson, OLB, Ohio State
Multiple additions are needed at linebacker, but here the goal is to provide short term insurance for Thornton's recovery from injury and possibly a long term replacement as he enters his contract year.

78. (3.14) CAR: Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
Matt Moore has a chance to be a viable starting quarterback for this franchise, but that doesn't mean the Panthers can turn a blind eye on the position. This would create healthy competition although Pike is at least a year away from starting a game in the NFL.

79. (3.15) SF: Carlton Mitchell, WR, South Florida
Landing Crabtree last year was a shot in the arm at the receiver position. Inviting multiple receivers in for a visit, include first round prospect Dez Bryant and Mitchell himself is an indication they need more.

80. (3.16) DEN: Dorin Dickerson, TE, Pittsburgh
Scheffler is out, and in his place the Broncos bring in a mismatch waiting to happen. Dickerson can blaze down the field.

81. (3.17) HOU: Reshad Jones, S, Georgia
Maybe it's just me, but since joining the NFL the Texans have needed help at safety every offseason.

82. (3.18) PIT: Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State
Obviously this draft is about taking take of both sides of the line. On the defensive front Father Time is a major factor, and even after picking Hood in the first round last year they need more reinforcements.

83. (3.19) ATL: Matthew Tennant, C, Boston College
Center is a sore spot and they need to find a replacement for McClure.

84. (3.20) CIN: Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU
At some point the Bengals will need to add a tight end and Pitta for my money is as good as any likely to be on the board after the first 50 picks.

85. (3.21) CLE (from NE/OAK): Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
Holmgren is going to add talent on offense. As cool as it was to watch Harrison burn it up late in the season, he will not be able to sustain similar production over any extended period of time. Hardesty gives them a little more size in the event last year's pick James Davis is not recovered from a shoulder injury.

86. (3.22) GB: Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
Nothing has come of them kicking the tires on ex-Eagle star Brian Westbrook, but the fact remains they need someone to chew up some carries behind Ryan Grant. Dixon might be a nice option for their frequent cold weather games.

87. (3.23) PHI: Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia
On paper it looked like they really upgraded their offensive line, but on the field it did not turn out that way.

88. (3.24) ARI (from BAL): Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson
More defensive help for the Cardinals who gave up almost 100 points in two playoff games.

89. (3.25) ARI: Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
Pretty much every team in the NFL can use depth at cornerback and the Cardinals are no exception. Anyone who watched them try to slow down the Packers and Saints understands this.

90. (3.26) DAL: Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
Should I say it again? Teams running the 3-4 are always on the hunt for linebackers. They had him in for a visit and although red flags drop him down the board he might be a diamond in the rough.

91. (3.27) SD: Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
Trading away Cromartie opens up a spot on their depth chart at cornerback. Plus, he has an awesome last name.

92. (3.28) CLE (from NYJ): Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
Watson is a nice veteran addition, but they could use a dynamic playmaker at the position.

93. (3.29) MIN: John Skelton (Fordham)
Maybe I'm just forcing it at quarterback because my mock will only run 3 rounds, but the Vikings are in need of another option once Favre hangs up his cleats for real.

94. (3.30) IND: Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
Returns have been a problem and while their rookie corners held up decently last year more depth would be nice.

95. (3.31) NO: Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami FL
Shockey is always dinged up, so why not bring in another Hurricane to provide a little insurance? They probably covet more of a blocker, but we'll see.

96. (3.32) CIN (comp): Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia
Compensatory picks are not 'free,' but it is a spot where teams can take a chance. Carson Palmer has no successor and Brown has a ton of potential.

97. (3.33) TEN (comp): Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
They seem to collect Longhorns at the 'skill' positions. It would be fun to watch him go from McCoy to the man he replaced. Shipley is a reception machine.

98. (3.34) ATL (comp): Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois
Even after grabbing a center the Falcons could stand to add more help on the interior of their offensive line. For the record, running back Joe McKnight (USC) and wide receiver Jacoby Ford (Clemson) would be my final two top 100 picks.