Looking at the first ten picks of the draft
by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 9, 2010 11:18 AM CST
in 2010 NFL Draft
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PrintHow about a mock draft to give you a much needed break from the dizzying highs and terrifying lows of free agency? Since most mock drafts are only covering the first round and most seem to have gelled around the notion that Sam Bradford will be the St. Louis Rams selection with the first overall pick, I thought we might take a look at the first ten picks and any other red flags, big issues emerging about the draft. Today, let's take Rotoworld's mock draft.
1. Rams - Sam Bradford: We'll have plenty more to say about this down the road. For now, it looks like Adam Schefter's contention (made without talking to the Rams) has pretty much established how pundits are viewing that pick. Keep March 25 circled on your calendar.
2. Lions - OT Russell Okung - This might have been a surprise at one time, but with the Corey Williams trade this pick makes more sense. Think back to the Rams lone win last season and you can see what a glaring need OT is for Detroit. The Rams sacked Matt Stafford twice, the Rams.
3. Bucs - DT Ndamukong Suh - Is there anybody happier about the possibility of the Rams picking a QB first overall than the Bucs? The only thing that sweetens the deal is the potential for the Lions to go with Okung at #2.
4. Redskins - DT Gerald McCoy - If the draft shakes out this way, then McCoy is a real possibility here. However, do you draft a 3-4 DE with the fourth overall pick? Depending on what happens between now and April 22, I'd still look for Washington to draft Clausen or an OT (if one can make the case to be drafted here). Will McCoy continue to hold his draft value until April 22? This spot could be a prime candidate for trade.
5. Chiefs - WR Dez Bryant - If Eric Berry is on the board, that would be the pick, I think. C.J. Spiller could also get picked here.
6. Seahawks - QB Jimmy Clausen - If you buy the Pete Carroll, Clausen stories this would be the pick. It makes even more sense with Seneca Wallace gone now too.
7. Browns - S Eric Berry - This is a smart pick if Berry's on the board still. I think that he will not be, so I think it's more likely that the Browns go with CB Joe Haden or DE Derrick Morgan.
8. Raiders - OT Bruce Campbell - This makes sense purely for the Al Davis workout warrior theory.
9. Bills - OT Trent Williams - Matches the need test, but will other OTs like Bryan Bulage or Anthony Davis get consideration?
10. Jaguars - DE Jason Pierre-Paul - This guy could be the draft's biggest bust or a Pro Bowler. His "measurables" will put him in consideration for Oakland. The Jags could go with Derrick Morgan or Dez Bryant here too, depending on how it shakes out. Texas S Earl Thomas might be a fit too. To me, this is another spot that's ripe for trade.
I keep noticing in the mock draft's lately that Idaho OG Mike Iupati is falling out of the first round, and C/G Maurkice Pouncey is moving up. Curious. Iupati has had major hype, and he has talent to be sure. If he falls out of the first round, the Rams would certainly have to consider him with their first pick of the second round.
This draft is harder to predict than most because there's a concentration of talent worthy of late first round picks in most years that is extremely hard to separate this year.
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I love how fickle the media is.
They’re so enthused with QBs going #1 that they put a guy atop their draft board quite literally because he gained weight and did well in a couple of interviews.
I mean, come on! He almost literally missed the entire season?! Since when does someone do that and skyrocket to the top? It makes no sense. None. It reeks of a need-based pick, or worse, a marketing charade.
Honestly? I’d rather Clausen be there. At least we have tape of him from this last season that doesn’t involve a college cornerback ending his season.
Hell at this rate, Bradford could probably throw poorly at his workout and STILL be considered the top pick by mockers. I will say that neither McShay nor Kiper have released one since the combine, and theirs will have much to do with this little media storm and where it heads.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
A couple things to refute
A lot of people, myself included, had Bradford at #1 well before the combine, so his weight and interviews only confirmed his position there.
And as for skyrocketing to the top, he was already there before the season; he was competing with Stafford in the early horse race to the #1 spot before he decided to return. Of course once he got hurt, things changed, but to go from the top to the middle back to the top is different than coming out of the pack to the top.
Injuries happen. Look at Colt McCoy; he played his whole damn career, and then suffered a fluke injury in the championship. If he had suffered the same injury in week 1, would GMs be concerned about Colt being injury prone? I think the Bradford injury has been blown out of proportion as it relates to his “toughness”.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
A key skill, apparently
And look at Stafford. Had he suffered the injury he did last year in college instead, I wonder how that would have affected his (and Bradford’s) decisions.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
I have a feeling
that Bradford will have a great pro day and everything will check out well for him. Thus adding more hype for the #1 pick. Would like to get Suh but would not be upset with Bradford. The interesting pick for me is going to be how the 2nd rounder shakes out! Even if we do take Bradford I would rather see this as a defensive pick. I really hope we find a TE in free agency to help out whoever our starting QB is next year.
I am in no way questioning his toughness.
I saw him come back into that Texas game and try to play through it. That kid is a tough SOB.
My point was, quite frankly, has he thrown? How will we know how he’ll hold up if he hasn’t played in so long? Is he even apt to run the system we run? Will lesser talent around him (from a comparative standpoint) and tougher defenses affect how accurate he was?
As McShay and Kiper agree, the biggest negative in his injury wasn’t that it raised durability issues. That’s a concern of mine, yes, but the bigger question is that he never really faced the pressure that people expected him to face this last season that was cut short. They question whether the accuracy will hold up under fire.
A lot of people had him at number 1? Who exactly? I know you did, and I probably value your opinion more than any other draft “expert.” That said, all the mock drafts I saw had Suh or McCoy @ 1. Only WalterFootball had a QB from what I remember, and it was Clausen. Did you really say it because you believe this is the next Joe Montana/Peyton Manning? Or is it because he just happens to be the best QB on the board (debatable)? Those questions are there and for good reasons.
I just don’t see how they’re ignored by many based on this notion that we have to take a QB.
That’s why I mentioned, is anyone’s perspective going to change if he struggles on the 25th? Does anyone have any real questions about Suh?
I actually think it’s more likely that we start a “draft Clausen” camp if Bradford struggles than we are to actually want Suh.
The lines are drawn, but until Bradford throws, I don’t think this is a forgone conclusion as many are making it seem.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
Those are fair questions
- yes, he has thrown. He is throwing every day, actually, and is reported to be around 85% arm strength. As for the last two questions in your second paragraph, those are questions you ask about any QB prospect.
- As for why I had Bradford there, it was twofold: first, because every new front office/coaching staff takes a QB almost immediately after assuming the reins. After Detroit took Stafford, the question for us was Sanchez or 2010, and the guys at the top obviously felt taking Jason Smith as the LT of the future and waiting to get the QB of the future made more sense than Sanchez now and LT later. Secondly, because the fan base is hurting. Stafford reenergized Detroit in a poor season, because leaning forward, they have the most critical component. There’s no reason Bradford can’t do the same in St. Louis, unless we pull a Carson Palmer and sit him his entire rookie season (which I seriously doubt happens).
- I don’t think perceptions change much if he ‘struggles’ in two weeks. I think whatever poise and leadership he can manifest that go to show he can handle the scrutiny and pressure of being a modern #1 are more important than damn near anything else.
- I agree, it’s not a foregone conclusion. Nothing is until there’s ink. It’s the nature of the media landscape to take the few storylines that exist and run them into the ground ad nauseum.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
Link on his status
Short, but recent. link
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed
I’m trying to think back, has there been a top 5 pick who missed a significant portion of his prior year?
Rams draft
Sam Bradford is not a Number 1 pick. We need to build our defense and start right up front. I don’t care if Peyton Manning is your uarterback if you can’t stop the other team’s offense you don’t win! SUH # 1 PICK
Chris
I agree with the qb theory - no franchise qb in this year's draft
Hell, The Rams could draft Eric Berry Or Okung and STILL BE BETTER OFF THAN DRAFTING A QB WITH THEIR FIRST SELECTION.
qb draft talk this year for the Rams is just reprehensible.
Sheesh, can you imagine and offensive line with Okung on it!
Damn, great young tackles – that would do wonders at keeping any qb on his feet!
My updated reality check #1
Besides all the previous redundencies,
I will shift a bit (am I allowed to, I dunno???) to the draft assuming we select berry or Okung instead of a defensive player first or qb first.
Rd 1. = Okung or Berry
Rd. 2 = Impact DE
Rd. 3 = Impact OLB
Rd 4. = CB/DB/OLB/DE
Rd. 5 = OG/RB/DB/CB
Rd. 6 = DE/OLB
Rd. 6 = TE/OLB
Rd. 7 = FB/DT/OG
Rd. 8 = OLB/CB
Rd. 8 = OG/OLB
some changes I am sure, but general theme exists less first selection. I really believe the 2 young qb’s that Rams have are diamonds in the rough who need an opportunity just like that of any #1 qb selection.
I like your logic on Okung
We need our O-line solidified and this will be the final piece. I like DE atop round 2 if the right guy is on the board or a OLB.
If we go with the best available Suh seems to be a consensus pick at 1 which solidifies the DT rotation for us. Then we take the best available.
by FightingAmish on Mar 9, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions
O Line investment
Do we really want to spend that much cash on our O Line though?
2 #2 overall picks and a highly paid free agent centre. Thats an awful lot of money on those guys.
by Concrete Jungle on Mar 10, 2010 4:51 AM CST up reply actions
Pro Day QB performance
What’s the point of seeing a QB throw all over the field if there is no defense and especially no rush ?
I’m pretty sure 90% of NFL QBs (Marc Bulger and AJ Feeley included) would shine in such an exercise.
It tells NOTHING about a QB’s efficiency in game. In fact we already saw during his college seasons can make all the throws when given time by OU’s strong OLine.
When under pressure ? That’s another question, and it won’t get an answer during OU’s Pro Day…
And BTW
In case anybody’s wondering where those crappy mock drafts from 3k are, I’m hammering it out. Damn Iraqi elections. Don’t they know I have priorities?
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
That is so much more exciting than draft talk!
How’s the atmosphere there right now?
I’ll await your mock draft. Whether I disagree or not, it’s always a good read.
By the way, you may have mentioned this before but, are you doing a round 2?
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
It's impressively upbeat
But the next couple weeks are crucial in terms of seating a government and having its legitimacy accepted by the Iraqi people. Time shall tell.
As for the mock, I’m aiming for 3 rounds. So many links…
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 1:18 PM CST up reply actions
3K, in honor of your service
From one veteran to another, I offer the group Michael Yon’s webpage. Yon is a former Green Beret now in Afghanistan documenting the war from the solder’s perspective. Here you will find some of the best imbedded war correspondant wrting ever, and increcible photographs…even at night.
Everyone who cares about our boys overseas needs to read a couple of Yon’s articles.
I suggest Patterns.
Precision Voting is good.
The kopp-etchells effect will show younight time pictures you won’t believe.
Whispers is worth consideration too.
Seriously guys…do yourself a favor and check those out when you have 5 minutes.
And thanks again, 3K.
My last post on this is his videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/michaelyon
Some interveiws, some firefights, missiles, morters and other flying weapons
Yon does great stuff
Another example of the blogosphere’s ability to power skill over platform.
You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.
by 3k on Mar 9, 2010 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
That's amazing dude.
I know it’s cliche, but you are a part of history. Time shall indeed tell. I’m praying for you man.
3 rounder! Nice! Take your time. Make the Rams look good!
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
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