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NFL Football Players Draft Injuries Rookies Season SuperbowlPublished: January 7, 2010
The 2010 NFL Draft is still a while away, but it’s never too early to speculate!
1: St Louis Rams- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. While it is true that St. Louis needs a quarterback badly, I think that Suh is too good of a player to pass up and is a presence that will instantly improve a teams defense.
2: Detroit Lions- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. The Lions didn’t do much last year to strengthen their offensive line, and Okung is a big man who can provide big help to an offense that struggles with moving the ball.
3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. Tampa Bay has one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Gerald McCoy is second only to Suh in this draft and, while not as imposing as Suh, can still make himself heard on the field.
4: Cleveland Browns- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. The Browns are in the same boat as the Bucs in having a poor defense. Their offense has picked up as of late and could be on their way to being decent on that front, but their D really needs work.
5: Kansas City Chiefs- Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Kansas City has heavily invested in Matt Cassel and now they need to protect him. Kansas City has allowed some of the most sacks in the league and Campbell could really help solidifying their O-line.
6: Washington Redskins- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Despite having injury concerns, Bradford is still one of the best QB’s in the draft. Washington has seen that Jason Campbell isn’t consistent enough to be the QB of the future, and Shanahan could mold Bradford into a champion.
7: Buffalo Bills- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Buffalo is atrocious while passing the ball. Starter Ryan Fitzpartrick only threw 9 touchdowns all season and any time that T.O. only has 5 TD catches in a season, you know there are problems.
8: Seattle Seahawks- Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. Seattle is very bad running the ball and an offensive line would be a good start to recovering. Since Shaun Alexander, they haven’t had a prolific rusher.
9: Denver Broncos (From Chicago)- Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Denver is a better team starting 6-0, but they continue to fall off. Orton is good enough to build around, at least for now, but their defense still needs work. McClain is the best linebacker in the draft and should go to work immediately.
10: Oakland Raiders- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. The Raiders are in flux on who their QB will be going forward. The only thing that isn’t a question is that they need to protect whoever that QB might be.
11: San Fransisco 49ers- Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The 49ers have two first round picks and Haden is too good of a talent to overlook this early. Haden coming out early will make the 49ers happy come the 2010 season.
12: San Fransisco 49ers- Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. The 49ers also need an offensive lineman to help give Frank Gore a running lane. Bulaga is a great run blocker and is proven to be effective.
13: Houston Texans- Earl Thomas, S, Texas. Houston is on the verge of being a very good team, but they still need some secondary help. Earl Thomas is a great lock down safety.
14: Tennessee Titans- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida. Tennessee is in the same boat as Houston, they have a lot of potential but have some holes. Brandon Spikes is an absolute beast and will provide some balance on the defensive side.
15: Pittsburgh Steelers- Taylor Mays, S, USC. With Troy Polamalu being injury prone as of late, the Steelers need a backup plan. Mays is no Polamalu yet, but he is a solid backup and in time could work opposite of Polamalu.
16: New York Jets- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. This is a great steal in the 16th pick. Morgan is a terrific pass rusher and can run stop as well. The Jets need some help pressuring the opposing QB’s and Morgan can definitely do that.
17: Atlanta Falcons- Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State. The Falcons have some problems in the secondary and Robinson is one of the best CB’s in this years class.
18: Miami Dolphins- Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama. Terrance Cody isn’t the best athlete in this draft but his shear size and magnitude make him an amazing run stopper.
19: Baltimore Ravens- Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas. Ray Lewis is getting up there in age and now is a good time to start prepping the next batch of line backers to take his spot.
20: New York Giants- Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina. New York has some holes in their defense, especially stopping the run. Carter is a fast linebacker and could fill some holes on the corner.
21: Jacksonville Jaguars- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Some people think Tebow will be Jacksonville’s pick at this spot, but I think that he is a second rounder. Dez Bryant is a very good WR and the Jaguars need some potency on offense.
22: New England Patriots- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. It’s a wonder that Spiller fell this far in my draft but no one really needs a running game as a top priority. He is a very versatile player and the Patriots could use some mobility in the backfield.
23: Green Bay Packers- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama. This is my surprise pick in this mock draft. The Packers have an aging secondary and Javier Arenas is a sleeper at the CB position. He is very athletic and has good speed.
24: Philadelphia Eagles- Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State. The Eagles need some help at linebacker and Bowman is one of the best athletes in this years class. He is also a good run stopper, which the Eagles have struggled against as of late.
25: Dallas Cowboys- Ricky Sapp, DE, Clemson. Dallas has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Their pass rush is good but could still use some work. Sapp is fast off the edges and could be a solid player down the road.
26: Seattle Seahawks (From Denver)-Colt McCoy, QB, Texas. Hasselbeck is getting old and McCoy could probably have 2 seasons to sit behind Hasselbeck to learn the pro game. In the end, this is a very good pick for the Seahawks.
27: Arizona Cardinals- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. Gresham is a true specimen at the TE spot. He is a great receiving tight end, though his blocking could use some work. In a throw first offense, expect Jermaine to be an instant weapon.
28: Cincinnati Bengals- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame. With the tragic loss of Chris Henry, the Bengals need a playmaker to accompany Chad Ochocinco. Golden Tate is small, but fast. He could be a great replacement for Henry.
29: Indianapolis Colts- Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse. The Colts are about as solid as can be. They could use some help on the defensive line and Jones could be a solid starter in the next couple of years.
30: New Orleans Saints- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. The Saints will fall flat in the NFC Championship and their defense will be to blame. It’s no secret how good their offense is, but their D gives up too many points. Pierre-Paul is a good pass rusher and could help them out.
31: San Diego Chargers- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. The Chargers could use some help stopping the run and Dunlap is a good run stopper. His size and speed make him good off the edge too.
32: Minnesota Vikings- Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan. This is another surprise pick. Dan LeFevour is simply a winner. He has set numerous NCAA records and has an amazing arm. The Vikings will need a replacement for Favre and someone to compete with Jackson for the starting role.
Well there it is. These are my picks for the draft. Leave your thoughts, suggestions and opinions. Thank you for reading!
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 6, 2010
Tim Tebow has earned a reputation as one of the best–or at least most successful–college quarterbacks of all-time. But many folks don’t think that means that Tebow will become a top first-round pick. Jump throws just don’t translate to the pros all that well. That said, Tebow does have a record of success and more than a fair amount of football talent–so he will be picked somewhere. The question is: By whom?
Published: January 5, 2010
It is that time of year again. You know, the time of year when technically the days are getting longer and brighter, while the bulb in Al Davis’ head never seems to change?
That, and it’s also the time of year when fans of teams on the outside of the postseason start looking ahead to the Draft and what may come from free-agency.
If no CBA is signed with the Players Union, free-agency will be much different than it has been. Any player that signed as a rookie less than six years ago but has an expiring contract, will not be a UFA, but rather an RFA.
Meaning that, an NFL player is required to play six years with the team that selected him before becoming an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Moreover, NFL clubs will have three franchise tags instead of one, while clubs that finish in the Final 8 (24-32) will have stiff restrictions on their ability to sign or resign free-agents.
Nevertheless, with three franchise tags in hand, the chances of an impact starter getting loose in free-agency is slim to nil.
Already, I have seen “Mock Drafts” which think that the Raiders could target a quarterback or linebacker, such as Ryan Mallet and Rolando McClain.
Al Davis generally doesn’t use top picks on linebackers and if anything, Davis is still committed to JaMarcus Russell, while the progress of LB Trevor Scott seemingly suggests that linebacker is no longer a priority, anyway.
After that, safety Taylor Mays has been mentioned as a possibility, because of his measurables. Mays would help a secondary that has been burned deep and has had trouble with running backs going long.
Picking Mays would allow the Raiders some options in the secondary, such as giving more time to Michael Huff at corner, which is where he played in college.
I note that, because Nnamdi Asomugha played safety from 2003-2005 before returning to his college position of corner, where he has dominated, and so I wonder if Huff could do the same.
Yet, the progress made by former top pick Huff, former fourth round pick Tyvon Branch, and 2009 second-round pick Mike Mitchell, would seemingly suggest another direction than safety.
That said, I would not rule out Mays as possible, considering the selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey in 2009. It seems that every year, mock drafts pick wrong with the Raiders (good or bad), and when some started saying Heyward-Bey, I didn’t believe it.
Live and learn.
The most pressing needs for the Raiders are right tackle, nose tackle, defensive back depth, and guard depth.
The Raiders need to get better in run support at the line and need stability on the right side of the offensive-line, where the retread Cornell Green has been both injury and penalty prone.
I’d say that a defensive-tackle is a safe pick in the first round. If the Raiders can’t find a right tackle in free agency, then the second round or later should have talent available, while guards can be found in the later rounds.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 5, 2010
It won’t be too much longer before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tells the St. Louis Rams they are on the clock with the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
At that point, the team will have a choice to make—should it select Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen?
The Rams need help at the quarterback position, but 1-15 teams have a lot of needs.
It tends to work out that way.
So adding Clausen—the Golden Domer with the golden arm—might not be enough. Perhaps the Rams will decide that no matter how talented a quarterback is, the need on the line is greater.
Of course, Suh’s presence alone won’t be enough to get the Rams back to the Super Bowl, either. But a case could be made that a top lineman or defense might actually make more of an impact than a top quarterback.
Both Clausen and Suh appear to be NFL-ready. Clausen was under the tutelage of former NFL offensive coordinator Charlie Weis during his time at Notre Dame, and the Irish did run a pro-style offense.
As far as Suh, well, his prodigious talent should help him acclimate to the next level quickly.
So it really depends on the Rams. Can they live with Kyle Boller or a free-agent retread at QB if Suh is able to create havoc on defense? Or are they better off with Clausen, a potential franchise quarterback who could lead them to success in the long term? Are both choices fail-safe? Or is one pick less likely to fail than the other?
The Rams have until April to settle on an answer.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 5, 2010
Now that the 2009 regular season is over, we at least know how the top half of the draft will shake down. That helps us get a better idea of how the prospects might slide or rise, and who might get lucky and get the player they were hoping for in this year’s draft.
There could be some surprises along the way, and there will probably be some trades as well. If a labor agreement isn’t reached, this year’s draft could be a trainwreck with teams trying to jump at talent while others are trying to land quality free agents without spending big money on college players.
The draft is always exciting… so let’s get the party started. Here’s my second look at the 2010 NFL Draft.
NOTE: I am not assuming any trades, but simply going with the teams as they landed in the draft.
Published: January 5, 2010
With the 2009 regular season wrapped up and the Miami Dolphins finishing 7-9, the team now knows where they will pick in next April’s 2010 NFL Draft.
Losing a three-way tiebreaker with the other two 7-9 slotted teams—the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos holding the Chicago Bears’ pick—the Dolphins will hold the 12th overall pick of the next draft.
Here is the entire draft order up to Miami’s pick:
1. St. Louis (1-15)
2. Detroit (2-14)
3. Tampa Bay (3-13)
4. Washington (4-12)
5. Kansas City (4-12)
6. Seattle (5-11)
7. Cleveland (5-11)
8. Oakland (5-11)
9. Buffalo (6-10)
10. Chicago (7-9)
11. Jacksonville (7-9)
12. Miami (7-9)
The Dolphins will have a handful of possibilities at this pick, including quite a few options at need positions like wide receiver, linebacker, and safety.
All or most of receivers Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State), Arrelious Benn (Illinois), and Golden Tate (Notre Dame) should all be available when Miami picks.
Miami could also look for a pass-rushing outside linebacker such as Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) and Sergio Kindle (Texas).
My personal choice would be Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain, although I fear he might not last to Miami’s pick with Denver sitting two spots ahead.
Assistant Jim Reid leaves for UVA job
The offseason is barely underway for the Dolphins, but they’ve already lost a mention of their coaching staff.
Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—hired two seasons ago during Bill Parcells’ first year in charge—has informed his players that he will be taking the defensive coordinator position at the University of Virginia under new head coach Mike London.
Coincidentally, London is the father of former Dolphins wide receiver Brandon London.
Hired away from the Virginia Military Institute in 2008, Reid helped guide the Dolphins’ outside linebackers for a switch to the 3-4 brought by Parcells and his assembled staff.
The Dolphins’ linebackers were highly successful under Reid’s tutelage. Joey Porter experienced a career year in 2008 with 17.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection, and the Dolphins finished third in the NFL with 44 sacks this season.
2010 opponents set
With the Dolphins’ season over and division standings finalized, the team now knows the final two opponents they’ll face during the 2010 season.
Having finished in third place in the AFC East in 2009, the Dolphins will host the AFC South third-place team in the Tennessee Titans. They’ll also head to Oakland to place the AFC West’s third-place Oakland Raiders.
In all, the Dolphins will have home games against the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Bears, Lions, and Titans.
Additionally, the Dolphins will go on the road to face the Bills, Patriots, Jets, Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Vikings, and Raiders in 2010.
Practice squad contracts expire
All NFL practice squad contracts are for one season only and expire when the team’s season ends, so all seven players that finished the 2009 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad are now free agents.
Those players are:
Nalbone and Ness are the only two who spent time on the Dolphins’ active roster this season. Rookie seventh-round pick J. D. Folsom signed a two-year contract upon being promoted to the active roster on Jan. 2, so he will be under contract this offseason.
Most players that finish a season on a team’s practice squad end up being re-signed by their team in the offseason.
Last year, all eight players that ended the 2008 season on the Dolphins’ practice squad, including running back Lex Hilliard, were re-signed the following offseason in January.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 4, 2010
Like most college quarterbacks with the hype of Sam Bradford , it’s not a question of “if” he’ll be drafted in the first round, more a question of “where”.
Sure, the injuries Bradford sustained this season raise some minor questions about his durability and his immediate health, but are likely temporary hindrances in what appears to be a polished and refined NFL -ready game.
After declaring for the NFL Draft, we know for sure where Bradford will be before his name is called in April. Now it’s time to start thinking about where he’ll be after an NFL team calls his name.
Here’s a look at the positives and negatives of Bradford’s game as he prepares a transition to the professional stage, followed by a few teams that should be targeting him.
The Good
Statistically (short of the 2009 season), there are few quarterbacks that matchup with what Bradford did from 2007-2008. Over that span, he led an elite Oklahoma offense by throwing 86 touchdowns along with nearly 8,000 passing yards. Throw in his mere eight interceptions in each of those two seasons, and Bradford was a near lock to be the top pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Of course, it’s not just all about stats with Bradford. He shows great range on all his passes, while having the accuracy and arm to make every necessary throw at the next level.
His already adequate height and frame will only get bigger and stronger, which will hopefully help him rid of any durability concerns.
The level of competition he faces was regularly at a borderline elite level, and Bradford routinely showed up in big games.
Outside of his natural feel for the game and his solid athleticism, Bradford also holds exceptional command in the huddle and is one of the more confident and decisive leaders on the field.
He isn’t a project or the type of high-profile passer that will fade into an NFL career on the sidelines. As long as his health isn’t a major question, he’s bound to have a long, successful career in the NFL.
The Bad
While Bradford does have everything visible to the naked eye that an NFL quarterback needs, he still hasn’t been able to shake durability issues, and for good reason.
He was perfectly healthy in his first two seasons as a starter, so this really shouldn’t be an issue, but he suffered two injuries during the 2009 season, and considering they have to do with his shoulders, it raises some question marks.
Add in the fact that these aren’t necessarily “minor” injuries and that surgery was involved, and Bradford suddenly becomes a huge risk to a lot of NFL GM’s.
On top of his injury problems, Bradford needs to prove to scouts and GM’s that his stats weren’t padded in a system that caters to quarterbacks. Bradford operated mostly out of a spread offense, which aids a quarterback’s accuracy and doesn’t always demand them to make tough reads or passes.
If Bradford can prove that he’s healthy and that he can man an NFL offense with no great difficulty, he still has a good chance at being a top five pick, and isn’t even out of the running for the top pick in the draft.
Possible Suitors
The real question, as stated before, is more about where he’s going, rather than his ability to play or what round he’ll be taken in.
Bradford is a first round talent and should be on the radar for any and all NFL teams that are either desperate for a passer or actively looking for an upgrade.
While the Oakland Raiders may not want to take the plunge on another quarterback in the first round, they are clearly an option, as they have a slew of backup quarterbacks who will be fighting for the starting job in 2010.
With Marc Bulger getting older and battling injuries and Keith Null and Kyle Boller being less than impressive, the St. Louis Rams have to be the favorite to steal Bradford off the board.
Of course, teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills should all be very interested in obtaining Bradford, while the Carolina Panthers could also figure into the mix.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 4, 2010
Following the Denver Broncos’ pitiful excuse for a last chance at the playoffs, it’s time for their first offseason mock draft.
The writing is on the wall in Denver, and it seems as though both Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler have played their last game in the Bronco blue and orange, which should be fine with the fans. Marshall and Scheffler clearly are not interested in this team or in hopping aboard the Josh McDaniels train. That is not fair to the fans in the very least.
This will undoubtedly be my most out there mock of the offseason, but I hope you will all climb aboard my imagination for a bit. I really feel the Broncos are going to make some big time trades before the draft this year, and I know many of you feel it too after the Marshall/Scheffler benching.
I did a piece recently about the likelihood of Marshall getting traded and which teams seem like the most likely candidates. I came to the conclusion that the Jets , Ravens, Bengals , and Redskins are the most likely to give Marshall a shot. They have the picks (for the most part), and they have the need.
I really am struggling in deciding which team to go with for Marshall, but I think either the Ravens or Jets make the most sense. Since the Ravens have the better package to offer, let’s go with them.
Projected Trade
Broncos Receive:
Ravens Receive:
It will suck losing Marshall, and the media will be all over us for it, but I think it’s the right decision moving forward (even though two of my jerseys will be gone to waste).
I also think we are going to find a suitor for Tony Scheffler , and his value right now is nothing less than a third round pick, in my opinion. I think the Bills liked him last offseason, and he would still be a good fit there.
Another projected trade:
Broncos Receive:
Bills Receive:
With these two trades, our draft slate would be much more appropriate given the depth and quality of this class.
I do have one more projected trade that I think could happen based on one potential head coach signing, and it is a trade that I hate because I love the player, so here it goes:
Broncos Receive:
Redskins Receive:
Obviously, a lot of that potential trade depends on Mike Shanahan deciding whether or not he wants to coach the Redskins this season, and that seems likely at this point. Shanny reunites with not only Clinton Portis , but he gets a new power back in Peyton Hillis as well.
With these three trades, our draft slate would look as such:
From here, I think I am ready to make my mock draft, after that mouth full.
First Round, 10th overall: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
McClain is the best linebacker prospect in this draft, and he seems like an excellent leader. He is the best player on the best defense in college ball, which just happens to be a 3-4 scheme. I love his potential in the league, and having two first round picks allows us to make this move.
First Round, 21st overall: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
I think Iupati has become a very popular/logical selection for the Broncos. He is a beast at the offensive guard spot, and he would fill a gaping hole on our offensive line. He is instinctive and has great footwork. This would be right about where I would expect Iupati to come off the board.
**Projected Trade**
Broncos Receive:
Patriots Receive:
Second Round, 42nd overall: Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Florida
I will get hammered on for this pick, but the only thing wrong with Tebow is his long release, and that has been/can be worked on with our coaching staff. His intangibles are off the charts, and he has Ben Roethlisberger potential to me. I think he will impress McD and the rest of Broncos’ management with his strong arm, escape ability, measurables, leadership, and instincts.
Second Round, 46th overall: Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech
Assuming he declares, Thomas is one of the most underrated prospects available in this draft. He has excellent size (6’3″, 230) and good speed given that size. He is a big play threat that would make our offense miss Brandon Marshall a little bit less, especially right away.
**Projected Trade**
Broncos Receive:
Eagles Receive:
Third Round (from Seahawks through Philadelphia): D’Anthony Smith, Defensive Lineman, Louisiana Tech
Hard working defensive lineman who could make the transition to a 3-4 defensive end in our system. Coaches rave about this kid, and I think he will impress us in the offseason activities.
Third Round: Vladimir Ducasse, Offensive Lineman, UMass
This pick is made with the assumption that Ducasse works out well as a center for us. He is a smart player, so you know he will be on our radar. We were scouting some of the higher rated center prospects last year as well, and I think this kid has the versatility to make the switch.
Fourth Round: Danario Alexander, Wide Receiver, Missouri
I love this kid’s size and athleticism. I think he would be an excellent complement on the outside to Demaryius Williams for the future. He has outstanding size along with great playmaking ability. He will win deep ball battles, unlike our former fourth round pick Brandon Marshall, on a consistent basis.
Fifth Round (from Philadelphia): Tyson Alualu, Defensive Lineman, California
This guy has a motor that never stops. He is versatile, durable, and great at stopping the run. He would be a welcome addition, especially at this point in the draft, to our defensive attack.
Sixth Round (from Buffalo): Tony Moeaki, Tight End, Iowa
Tight end for tight end, Tony for Tony. I love this kid, and not just because Iowa is the college team I call my favorite. Moeaki has all the talent in the world but will fall on draft day because of prior health issues. He is a great pass receiver and an even better blocker. If he can stay healthy, this pick is a steal.
Sixth Round: Myron Rolle, Safety, Florida State
I don’t know why draft sites have this guy rated so low right now, but he is a lot better than he is getting credit. I would find it excellent if we were able to pick this guy up in the sixth round. Again, I’m basing this off of an ESPN.com ranking of 49 (roughly sixth round pick) and a projected late fifth round pick by CBSSports and NFLDraftScout.com.
Seventh Round: LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, Oregon
Very little risk with this pick. Blount has had character issues, but he is worth a seventh round draft pick. We weren’t afraid to waste it last year, so why should we this year? The risk is worth the reward if he can screw his head on straight.
Obviously, the needs of this team will change after free agency. I think trading Marshall and Scheffler works because we free up money to go after Dumervil, Orton, and Kuper, our primary FAs. I think Dumervil will sign a five or six year deal, preferably six. Orton will sign a two year deal, and Kuper a four or five year deal.
More to come on the draft, so stay tuned!
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 3, 2010
With all due respect to Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions might be better off if he is a St. Louis Ram in April of 2010.
No one is debating his talent level. The boy named Suh deserves to be the number one pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In fact, if he “fell” to number two overall, the Detroit Lions would be foolish not to take him.
However, if the Rams select Suh, the Detroit Lions might be better off.
At the top of the 2010 NFL Draft order, Cleveland, Washington, Seattle, and Buffalo are in possible need of a quarterback. San Francisco sits in the middle of the first with two picks. Any of those teams could want to move ahead of the pack.
If the Detroit Lions can come out of the 2010 Draft with two first round picks or a first round pick in 2011—not to mention numerous middle to late round picks—the Lions would be in a much better situation.
Consider this…the Detroit Lions are able to trade the number two pick to San Francisco for both first rounders.
Would the Lions be better off with only Gerald McCoy or Terrence Cody and Carlos Dunlap? (*insert mid-first round picks of your choosing*)
Would the Lions be better off with only Russell Okung or Joe Haden and Greg Hardy?
Both Russell Okung and Gerald McCoy are solid prospects and worthy of top picks but neither is worth two quality starters at much needed positions. Add in an extra possible third or fourth rounder and the Lions could be talking three starters on a talent starved team instead of one.
At worst case scenario—for those most cynical Lions fans out there—Detroit has three chances to make a solid pick instead of one gigantic bust.
So, Lions fans, between now and April, salivate over Ndamukong Suh. The Lions would be well off with him starting in the middle of the defense for the next 12 years.
But, in the back of your mind, remember that the best possible scenario might be Suh dominating the NFC West for those twelve years and the Lions front office taking advantage.
The 2010 NFL Draft will not fix the Detroit Lions…one player, even Ndamukong Suh, will not fix the Detroit Lions.
For the 2010 NFL Draft to benefit the Detroit Lions the most, Ndamukong Suh will end up a member of the St. Louis Rams.
Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com. Follow Him on Twitter.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Published: January 2, 2010
Some teams have locked up playoff berth,some are still in the hunt, and yet some are reserving their offseason vacations. But all 32 teams are looking forward to April 22, where their franchises next stars will be selected in the NFL Draft. This year is heavy on lineman, particularly pass rushers, but after going through each team’s needs, I decided to put most of them off to the second round (because of their abundance and lack of top-end talent, teams could wait and get one in the second round).