NFL 1st Round Mock Draft: Updated 10/24
As the weeks go by, I will continue to put more and more draft-eligible underclassmen on this list due to the threat of a lockout in 2011 and an impending rookie wage scale.
1. St. Louis Rams: Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame
The Rams number one priority this off season will be to find a new Quarterback. Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller are not getting it done. Clausen is having a great season and pro scouts will love the fact that he plays in a pro-style offense under center. Another option may be Washington QB Jake Locker. Locker is more mobile and has a slightly stronger arm but has faced lesser competition in his collegiate career, plus he plays almost entirely out of the shotgun formation.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung OT, Oklahoma State
Once again Matt Cassell needs an LT that will give him enough time to throw the ball down field. KC spent a lot of money on Cassell and it would be nice if they got a return on their investment. It would also allow them to move 2008 1st round pick Brandon Albert to LG, his natural position, since it doesn't seem like he can make it playing on the outside. Right now Okung is the only complete Tackle in the draft, with no holes in his game. He is very athletic and is great at using his hands to keep defenders off of him.
3. Detroit Lions: Eric Berry S, Tennessee
The Lions offense is starting to have some remnants of success but they are still a long way off. The defense however is atrocious. Eric Berry is the best overall player in the country right now and is a replica of Ed Reed. He could be the kind of leader on defense that the Lions desperately need for years to come. The only other option I can see would be Russell Okung if here were available. They need a cornerstone LT to protect their 40 million dollar man in Matt Stafford.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ndamukong Suh DT, Nebraska
The Bucs have needs in multiple areas but Suh is playing lights out this year and is a dark horse to win the Heisman trophy. Other considerations here could be Tennessee safety Eric Berry who is just about the consensus top player is college football.
5. Cleveland Browns: Gerald McCoy DT, Oklahoma
Cleveland needs help everywhere. McCoy could be used to replace Shaun Rogers on passing situations and could also play end. A better option would be Eric Berry if he were to fall. The most likely scenario though will be for the Browns to trade down again like last year to acquire more picks.
6. Tennessee Titans: Taylor Mays S, USC
Wow, the worst beating I’ve ever seen in my life. I know they have a lot of injuries in the secondary but come on? The Titans need help in the defensive backfield. They might need cornerback help more than a safety but Mays is hard hitting with sub 4.3 speed. Look for them to trade back a few spots and target Florida CB Joe Hayden who would be a better fit.
7. Oakland Raiders: Carlos Dunlap DE, Florida
With Mays off the board already, this pick has to be Dunlap. He has a great size and speed combo that Al Davis would love, although I consider Dunlap to be this years Vernon Gholston. The only other option would be if Davis’ gives up on JaMarcus Russell, in which case this pick would be Jake Locker. He has the gun to throw the deep passes and is very mobile with a 4.6 40 time.
8. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker QB, Washington
With the benching of Jason Campbell the Redskins have clearly lost all faith in him. Coach Zorn was stripped of his play-calling duties and will almost definitely be fired at the end of the season. Regardless, team owner Dan Snyder is going to replace Campbell. The only other option would be Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford.
9. Buffalo Bills: Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland
The Bills defense had been pretty good this year. The offense however is horrible. Without any other QB’s worthy of a pick this high, since Sam Bradford is going to have season ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, look for the Bills to replace the gaping hole left by the Jason Peters trade to Philly. Campbell has become the only other sure-fire LT left in the draft with the struggles of Oklahoma OT Trent Williams and the injuries to Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga.
10. Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma
Without any top tier left tackle prospects left to replace the aging Walter Jones, look for the Hawks to find an heir apparent to often injured Matt Hasselbeck. Bradford has an injury history and will need time to develop, be he’s very accurate and the best available option left. They would LOVE Jake Locker to fall to them and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade up to get him.
11. San Francisco 49ers(via Carolina Panthers): Bryan Bulaga OT, Iowa
The 49ers greatest need is a RT to play opposite Joe Staley. Bulaga has had a down season with injuries and a thyroid condition but would be a perfect fit at RT at the pro level with his work ethic and run-blocking ability. Another option may be Florida CB Joe Hayden.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dez Bryant WR, Oklahoma State
The Jags need a number one receiver despite being burned by plenty of them in recent years(Matt Jones, Reggie Williams) and find one in Bryant. I know Jags owner Wayne Weaver insists that he will draft Florida QB Tim Tebow if he gets the opportunity but Tebow is not a first round talent and will be available in the second or third round.
13. New York Jets: Joe Hayden CB, Florida
Having found a legitimate downfield threat, at least for now, in the trade for Braylon Edwards, the Jets will most likely look for someone to play opposite Darrell Revis. They may also look for defensive line help, especially at DT where Kris Jenkins just had the second season-ending injury of his career.
14. Miami Dolphins: Terrence Cody DT, Alabama
With the secondary shored up in last years draft look for the Fins to plug up their defensive front. They have been using aging veterans to plug the gaps for some time and could really use a shot of youth. Alternatives here could be help at linebacker, although this might be too high to draft any of the ones available.
15. Dallas Cowboys: Arrelious Benn WR, Illinois
Even with the sudden appearance of Mile Austin, look for the Cowboys to upgrade their receiving ranks. Benn has all the intangibles that the Dallas scouting department will love, and by that I mean Jerry Jones. Other options may be to take the best defensive player available. Perhaps SC OLB Eric Norwood or Florida ILB Brandon Spikes would be options but this is too early for either of them.
16. Houston Texans: Ras-I Dowling CB, Virginia
The Texans need help in multiple areas but the biggest concern is in the secondary, especially if they let the unhappy Dunta Robinson leave via free agency in the offseason.
17. Arizona Cardinals: Charles Brown OT, USC
Arizona needs LT help bad. They drafted Levi Brown a couple years ago to be a RT when they thought Matt Leinart, a lefty, would be the QB of the future. Well he hasn't been so far and Warner is suffering because of it. Another option may be wide receiver if they don't retain Anquan Boldin.
18. San Diego Chargers: Brandon LaFell WR, LSU
Assuming they resign LT Marcus McNeill and in all probability franchise tag Shawn Merriman, they will most likely target someone to play opposite budding wideout Vincent Jackson. Another option may be to take Cal RB Jahvid Best since they will most likely lose either Darren Sproles or Tomlinson after the season.
19. Denver Broncos(via Chicago Bears): Eric Norwood OLB, South Carolina
This pick hasn't changed from last week. The Broncos have very few holes to fill. Look for them to take the best defensive player available. Norwood is a quick, powerful, and instinctive linebacker who is dually good at rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. Also look for them to possibly add some youth to the secondary with CB Ras-I Dowling from Virginia if he is still available.
20. Green Bay Packers: Trent Williams OT, Oklahoma
Green Bay will take the best tackle available after watching QB Aaron Rogers eat dirt every week.
21. San Francisco 49ers: Sean Weatherspoon OLB, Missouri
Having already taken care of the o-line earlier in the draft and after signing Michael Crabtree the 49ers will turn their attention to the defense. They need another pass rushing threat to go with stud linebacker Patrick Willis. But the 49ers' will go with the best defensive player available.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham TE, Oklahoma
Todd Heap hasn't played a 16-game season in years and Gresham is the type of speedy, pass catching TE that is perfect for the development of QB Joe Flacco. Even though he's out with a knee injury for the rest of the year, he will have plenty of time to rehab before the NFL combine. A lot of people will think that the Ravens will draft a CB, especially considering how badly they have been torched through the air, but the Ravens draft on value and if Gresham wouldn’t have hurt his knee this year he would’ve been a top 10-15 pick. Plus there won’t be any other first round CB’s left.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Jahvid Best RB, Cal
The Bengals don’t have many real needs at this point, so look for them to take Best, who would be a perfect compliment to the emerging Cedric Benson.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Ciron Black OT, LSU
With the constant injuries to OT Shawn Andrews, look for the Eagles to find someone to play opposite of Jason Peters. This is high for Black, who most scouts would say is a bit overrated, so the Eagles may also consider taking the highest rated linebacker such as Florida ILB Brandon Spikes.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rolando McClain ILB, Alabama
With DT Terrence Cody already off the board, the most likely pick will be to find an eventual replacement for James Farrior. This pick has changed from last week because Brandon Spikes cannot seem to stay healthy. McClain has a non-stop motor and is virtually a clone of former Bama and current Texans LB DeMeco Ryans. Without a top tier tackle left in the first round the Steelers will continue to ignore the O-line all together for another year, much to the aggravation of the Steeler nation. Other options may be Syracuse DT Arthur Jones, Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan, or GT FS Morgan Burnett.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Greg Hardy DE, Ole' Miss
The Falcons will take the best defensive player available. Hardy has some injury issues but is adept at playing both the run and the pass and will be an upgrade over the disappointing Jamaal Anderson.
27. New England Patriots: Sergio Kindle DL/OLB, Texas
The Patriots recently resigned 40 year old LB Junior Seau. They need more youth and depth in their linebacking corps. Kindle lines up all over the field for Texas and is the sort of versatile player Belichick loves.
28. New York Giants: Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
The Giants will continue to stockpile D linemen and Morgan has continued to rise up the draft boards.
29. Seattle Seahawks(via Denver Broncos): Jonathan Dwyer RB, Georgia Tech
Having taken care of their QB needs earlier in the draft, the Seahawks will turn to RB since there are no more tackles with a first round grade. With Jahvid Best already taken, Dwyer is the best remaining back available. He’s a between the tackles type of back with deceptive speed.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Arthur Jones DE/DT, Syracuse
Without too many major holes on the team the Vikings have the luxury of bolstering the strength of their team, the defensive line. The one weak link is the end spot opposite Jared Allen. They may also consider future replacements for the Williams boys such as Rickey Sapp of Clemson or Jared Odrick from Penn State.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes DE/OLB, TCU
As always, the defense is the weak spot on this team. The Colts will take the best available defensive player.
32. New Orleans Saints: Brian Price DT, UCLA
The Saints will continue to add to an improving defense. Like many underclassmen, Price will probably leave school early because of the pending rookie wage scale.
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For us...
Rolando McClain ILB, Alabama
I doubt it. We need to shore up a sever drop off in talent and production at our safety positions. Yes, I said “positions”, plural. The Beast and Knockout Clark are, IMO, the best safety tandem in the league, but, who do we have backing them up? Tyrone “Baby Steps” Carter, and Ryan Mundy. Maybe Mundy can eventually be a solid back up to Knockout, but Baby Steps should NOT be playing on this team. We need DB depth badly. Seriously, Big Play is our #2 corner…nuff said… Not that I’m saying he’s playing badly, just not up to the level of Ike “Shutdown” Taylor (but to be fair, who really can?).
Whatever. I don’t know nothin’…
"My doctor said I'd quit getting nosebleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by SteelFever on Oct 24, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Partly agree with you
Their are positions we need to fill. But with a 1st round draft pick I don’t think you draft a back-up, that has no chance of competing for a starting spot. That would be a waste IMO.
I’d still like to see us draft OL and maybe even a NT replacement for Hampton if he does not plan to stick around. Also, depending on how Mendenhall finishes up the year, we might need to be looking at backs.
Too early to tell thought…way to early.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Oct 24, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Think of it as a heir apparent
not a backup. I also don’t hink we will draft O-line actually. I tihnk we will let the players we have grow together. If we didn’t draft any before they were good why would we draft a starter when there are good?
by Steel in FL on Oct 24, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno about McClain and Spikes. I was an enthusiast for getting either, but now I’m not sure. McClain could be good, but we might find someone nearly as good a little later. Darryl Sharpton in the second, maybe? But fans of many teams like Darryl Sharpton and assume that they can get him in the second. I really like Micah Johnson of Kentucky, even though he’s slower than should be in that position. I think that Johnson is a solid second rounder despite being listed as a 3-4 round talent. In the first, I would like to get Mike Iupati of Idaho despite the welter of decent young offensive linemen we have. I still think we should grab him. By the way, I’ve been toying with a mock draft for the last few weeks. I know it must suck, but here it is anyway…
Round 1 Mike Iupati Tackle/Guard Idaho
Round 2 Micah Johnson ILB, Kentucky
Round 3 Dan Williams DT, Tennessee
Round 4 Perrish Cox, CB Ok State
Round 5 Danny McCray, S, LSU 6-7
Round 6 Jeron Mastrud, TE Kansas
Round 7 Vincent Rey, OLB Duke
by Concomitandt on Oct 24, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What We Need First
No 1st rounder is going to come in and start.
- NT; Probably not going to sign Snack. If there is someone there we think can learn behind Hoke for a year they need him
- S; Probably not going to sign Clark. He has been super but is getting older and had the spleen mishap which had to shave a couple years off his career. If Taylor Mays or some other big hitting cerebral S is there they need him.
- RB; Probably not going to sign FWP unless he takes less to stay. If the #1 is not a horse they can get by with Rocket, MeMo and a later round pick. If a true #1 RB drops to the Steelers pick, we need him.
- OT; Always could use one of these. If he is there they need him.
- DB; Always could use one of these. If he is there they need him.
Don’t think they need to draft a QB, TE, WR, G or LB that high with the depth that they currently have. Although with 51s age if a HOF LB or G is there, they need him.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
by 5020 on Oct 24, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think they definitely will be looking for a LB in the 3rd or 4th. Need depth, esp. outside.
More D-Line, one O-line (two if a good player is available) Running back I don’t see, we’ve got some youth and can always bring in a FA.
Timmons and Fox can handle the inside LB for a while when Farrior goes, we mostly just need depth to groom for the future.
Safety yes, but I think it’s the perfect year for DL and safety, so I think we’ll see some picks.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 25, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given how the Oline as played this year I’m not sure there’ll be a huge call to arms if we don’t go there early – although if a monster tackle falls out way then we’ve got to get him. As others have mentioned we’ll probably take a chance on an RB in the later rounds – hopefully a speedy little guy that can be a good change of pace from Mendy.
I think we began the youth movement on D last year with Ziggy, Lewis, Burnett, and Harris and it continues this year. At least one ILB gets drafted, although with Fox as a Foote like backup I’m not sure it’s our top priority. Another OLB/DE convert is probable early on.
Honestly though, at this point NT and FS have to be our biggest area of need. Clark’s never exactly been a speedy guy in coverage, although he makes up for it by blowing people up on a regular basis when he gets to them. If there was anyway to trade up to get Cody or Mays without giving away the draft I’d say go for it. Either one of those guys could be a difference maker for a decade.
by BluegrassSteeler on Oct 24, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Steelers are always going to take a player who’s rated higher at a lesser position of need rather than take someone solely because they play a dire position of need. Take last year of instance. After the way our O line played it was a “given” that they would draft a tackle. But sticking to the game plan that’s served them well, they took the 2nd highest rated DT instead of the 6th highest rated OT. Every year it seems all of Steeler nation assumes they will go CB or OT but they never do. With there track record of getting quality picks in the first round, I have to trust they know what they’re doing.
I personally think Terrence Cody would be the best pick for us. Even if we do get the home town discount from Casey Hampton, he’s not getting any younger. Finding a replacement to sit behind him and learn while occasionally spelling him in games would the my optimum choice. And there’s simply NO WAY that Taylor Mays slips far enough for the Steelers to trade up and have a shot a getting him. He’s a top 10 pick for sure and the Steelers are not going to give up what it would take to get him. Yes we need to get a Safety at some point, but there’s going to be plenty of them later in the draft.
With the pending rookie wage scale coming you’ll see a lot of underclassmen declare for the draft at the end of the college season. They want to get paid.
by big_jay71 on Oct 24, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I dunno how this would work
But if you can, trade Big Snack. With his contract being up, I dunno how it would work. But say the contract is up Feburary 10, trade him feburary 9. Its probably not possible but I say trade him to Tampa Bay/Tennesee/St. Louis for a 1st rounder. Then draft Suh, and trade up our pick if we feel like we can get Mays. That would be the ultimate draft move. But one can keep dreaming.
by tannofsteel84 on Oct 24, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think other teams might figure that out.
charity standing orders
by BadMaafala on Oct 25, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not Mays
Cody. Cody will replace Snack the next year, and you can get a good safety later than you can a good NT like Cody.
by Steel in FL on Oct 25, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
interesting
I see we are in for the first ever all NFC superbowl as the Saints and Vikings go off against each other.
by DarinS on Oct 24, 2009 11:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And the Steelers take- a kicker who drinks Shirley Temples and enjoys a good book.
by raven on Oct 24, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One of our biggest immediate needs is a safety. Clark has been steady, but never great and declining IMO and the depth behind Troy is terrible. There are two safeties that would be pretty good values for us in this mock, Reshad Jones and Earl Thomas, if they came out early which I’d expect they would.
I don’t think we’d take another ILB because of the starters and backups like Fox and maybe Woods, but we could possibly take an OLB. There are a lot of small DE’s who could move there next year. Other than that, I could see us taking an OL or a DL or CB that falls. I could see Jason Fox getting drafted before our listed position, but he’s a LT I’d have my eye on, and there is the usual handful of interior OL’s that might be worth a late first rounder. I don’t know that we’d pick another 3-4 DE when we have 3 and no NT, but Arthur Jones is a solid option there.
charity standing orders
by BadMaafala on Oct 25, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If given the choice between Spikes and McClain
I’d take Spikes. Better attitude, better leader, better period.
I just have a question though:
McClain lacks ideal size
6’4" 250+ isn’t ideal?
BTSC Obituaries
OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.
by HighSchoolSteeler on Oct 25, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to say I wouldn't be happy with getting McClain though.
BTSC Obituaries
OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.
by HighSchoolSteeler on Oct 25, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Move up to get Terrence Cody
That mother is going to be a great pro.
by DwightWhite's Missing Tooth on Oct 25, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t put it past them if he falls far, but he’s playing himself into the top of the draft, you can’t move up that high without giving up everything, esp the way this draft looks.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 25, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good update Jay
I like your pick of McLain in that spot and I would agree with HS Steeler that he does have ideal size. I’d be surprised if he lasts that late in the first round and would actually have no problem with Spikes, either. The Steelers will take the best player available and the only positions I think would be excluded from first-round consideration are QB, RB and perhaps WR. Safety is a huge need. I’m not high on either Jones or Thomas as a first-rounder. Second and third-round possibilities include Nate Allen, Myron Rolle, Chancey Stuckey . Morgan Burnett could also slide to the second round, he has been invisible in a couple games. Nice job overall for this early stage of the mock draft game.
by steeler.lifer on Oct 25, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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