I wanted to move my final mock draft up in the chain so that we could use this to talk about things as they happen tonight. Stop back early and often.
With just a couple of days remaining before the 2010 draft, it’s time to take a final stab at looking how things may break down.
Of course there very well could be a trade or two before now and Thursday and I’ll update things as those happen.
But here’s a look at how I see things happening when it gets hot and heavy on Thursday.
1. St. Louis, Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma - No secret here.
2. Detroit Lions, Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay, Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State - Offensive tackle is a bigger need than DT for the Bucs.
4. Washington, Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
5. Kansas City, Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma - Remember that Scott Pioli was in New England when the Pats built their defense around first-round draft picks on the line.
6. Seattle, Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
7. Cleveland, Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech - The Browns need somebody to rush the passer.
8. Oakland, Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State - We all know the Raiders don’t look at players the same way other teams do. Al Davis goes for the speedy cornerback.
9. Buffalo, Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame - The Bills need a quarterback to build around in the future.
10. Jacksonville, Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida - The Jaguars have been trying in vain to beef up their pass rush for several years.
11. Denver, Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
12. Miami, Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee - Miami nose tackle Jason Ferguson is suspended for the first eight games of 2010.
13. San Francisco, Brian Baluga, OT, Iowa
14. Seattle, C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
15. N.Y. Giants, Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
16. Tennessee, Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
17. San Francisco, Joe Haden, CB, Florida – The Steelers could work a deal with Tennessee if it gets to this point, to give them a chance to grab Haden before the Titans.
18. Steelers, Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida – Mike Iupati could be the pick here and, who knows, maybe I’ll change my mind. But right now, they can take Pouncey, play him at center or guard and upgrade the offensive line right away.
19. Atlanta, Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
20. Houston, Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
21. Cincinnati, Earl Thomas, S, Texas - The Bengals are building a very solid secondary.
22. New England, Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
23. Green Bay, Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas - The Packers need somebody to push the pocket opposite Clay Matthews.
24. Philadelphia, Taylor Mays, S, USC
25. Baltimore, Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers – The Ravens addressed their wide receiver needs in free agency.
26. Arizona, Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
27. Dallas, Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
28. San Diego, Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
29. N.Y. Jets, Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
30. Minnesota, Jahvid Best, RB, Cal - A complementary runner to pair with Adrian Petersen.
31. Indianapolis, Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana – The Colts want to keep Peyton Manning as healthy as long as possible.
32. New Orleans, Brian Price, DT, UCLA
If things go this way, the Steelers could definitely be looking to make a move up into the early part of the second round in an effort to grab Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson. If they stay put, Brandon Ghee could be the target.
43 comments:
interesting stats about the draft.
the steelers, browns, and chiefs each have 8 picks of the first overall 166 selections. more than any other team.
the patriots are sitting pretty with 4 picks in the first 2 rounds.
the eagles are probably in the best position for a successful draft. one pick in the 1st round, then two picks each in rounds 2, 3, and 4.
The Steelers get plenty of extra picks in rounds 4-6 typically because of comp picks. If we'd held onto Santonio, we would have likely gotten at least a 4th, possibly a 3rd round comp pick when he departed as a free agent next year. Unless the player grabbed with that pick turns out to be a better player than Santonio, I'll forever view that trade as a blunder - not because they traded him, but because they only got a 5th round pick for him.
As far as the draft, I'll definitely be disappointed if the Steelers take a center with the 18th pick in a very deep draft.
Dale, I wish we were close friends, I'd bet a night at the bar on that TB pick. Maybe you have some inside info, but I still think you're wrong.
We'll see soon enough.
Dale,
I'd be very disappointed if the Steelers had the chance to select CB/S Earl Thomas or CB Kyle Wilson at no. 18 and passed on them to reach for a center or guard.
This team's corners went 15 games last year WITHOUT an interception. How often has that happened in an NFL season? I would bet almost never. What is more disturbing is that our corners were rarely in position to even make a play. Ike Taylor and William Gay looked like a modern version of the Keystone Cops back there.
And if you must take Pouncey or Iupati, at least trade down and get some extra picks.
CB from Virginia in the 2nd round; Pouncey in the 1st
LSU WR Brandon LaFell in 3rd
Why is it a reach for Pouncey? Because Mel Kiper says so?
Looking at him, I see a more complete player than Iupati – one able to step in and play now. And everyone, including me, had them taking Iupati until the last couple of weeks.
Don't get me wrong. I love Earl Thomas as well, but if they can get Pouncey and Jackson or Ghee, they'll be very happy.
not a fan of Wilson as a Steelers CB. Might be fine somewhere else, but I don't like his tackling ability
I have read that Denver is looking at taking Pouncey. That would mix the draft up...
If Denver wants Pouncey, they've got 6 spots they can trade back. No matter how good he is, he's not going before #18.
Jim Wexell says that Pouncey is not a blue chipper..not an elite athlete..and that he's a late first rounder at best in most years. But he's the only first round center talent this year.
Me? I'd be Ok with the pick but no way I'd take him if Earl Thomas is on the board. I would be happy with Kyle Wilson as well. I really want to improve the O-line but I think the secondary sucks badly.If Troy goes out again (a distinct possiblity) we need another playmaker who can catch the ball.
I just hope they don't get stuck with Iupati. It would be a shame to spend a first-round pick on Chris Kemoeatu v2.0.
CB is the biggest need, so I think they may take the best one left on the board.
I love blogs. It's a chance for everyone to regurgitate what they read on other blogs.
The Roethlisberger trade stuff was complete BS, by the way.
As I said, the Steelers call all teams in the days leading up to the draft to see who's willing to move up or down. They never actively shopped the QB.
hey dale
just sayin
Hey, I was just throwing that one out there. I guarantee nobody had McClain going to Oakland.
Wow, has this draft not gone the way anybody, and I do mean anybody, predicted.
Maybe A FEW people had mcclain, but I doubt anyone had the guy the jags picked
Hope it's Bulaga!
will the steelers make a trade?
come on BB!!!!!!!
I want Bulaga!
I still like Pouncey, but Baluga would make sense as well.
I'm told that Kyle Wilson has three DUIs. I doubt it will be him.
Pouncey, Pouncey, Pouncey
Odds that they draft his brother next year?
He's still 20 years old and we all know how much Ben likes 20-year-olds.
I don't care who you are, that there's funny.
Love the Pouncey pick.
I was hoping Jackson would fall into the second round though. Bit of a disappointment there. Lots of decent players left.
I cracked them up here in the media room with that one.
Dale, who do you think they'll target in the second round?
what did the ravens get from the broncos for that trade?
now to the second round. odds on moving up for Tate, or going after Spikes?
and in the third, Blount? Kam Chancellor?
Pouncey is a solid pick. A starter at RG to start and our center of the future. Hope we go corner or safety in the 2nd though.
What is it with all the blog zombies in here?
"must eat brains"
pouncey blah blah blah. You all are moronic automotons.
Dale thanks for writing and reporting. You are the wheat among the chaff and Patricks.
haha, your funny dale
why do people keep saying Pouncey will play guard for us? that's stupid imo. we have a bunch of decent guards. Pouncey should start at center for us right away
what do you know about Chris Cook from UVA? He was my predeiction for rd.2 but I'm leery of guys who rise AFTER the season's over. I'd prefer them be rated high based on on-field play rather than off field measurements.
good question jfam99. I too think they will target a corner tonight. maybe Cox?
considering all the picks they have, this is when they should make a move.
"why do people keep saying Pouncey will play guard for us? that's stupid imo. we have a bunch of decent guards. Pouncey should start at center for us right away"
The school of thought is that Hartwig is a better player than Essex, and we'd be better off with Hartwig-Pouncey at C-G than Pouncey-Essex or Pouncey-Hartwig.
But Hartwig could probably play guard too. Personally, I don't see the harm in plugging Pouncey at Center and letting Hartwig and Essex battle it out for RG. Although due to money (and perhaps ability), I'm sure Hartwig would win. So given they're both centers, I guess it's about who's the better guard between Hartwig and Pouncey.
Colbert said they're not planning on movign up.
(Which at this time of the year might mean the complete opposite.)
@ Anonymous above.
Do you realize that you described yourself as chaff and Dale and Patricks as other than chaff?
Thanks bud! : )
@ Tim
OC sometimes make protection calls.
I think they'd want Hartwig's experience there particularly since there'll be no BB for first 4 weeks.
Ah, everybody is saying Pouncey will play guard because that's where the head coach said he'll line up first.
It makes sense since the center makes the o-line calls. Give the kid some time to walk before he runs. Plus, they like having Essex as the swing guy.
As it was last year, if they had an injury at tackle, it would have forced two moves. With Essex back in the swing role, he can be the main backup at four spots.
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