Mock Draft – 16/3/2010 – Simon Clancy

1). Sam Bradford – QB – Oklahoma.

Billy Devaney faces a tough decision. The Rams need help everywhere and, in taking Bradford, would be passing up two of the finest interior defensive linemen of the past decade. In fact, I grade Suh out as the best defensive player I’ve seen in two decades. But the Rams have fallen on hard times with high picked defensive linemen that haven’t panned out. Neither Adam Carriker or Chris Long have lived up to their billings and all the while Marc Bulger has been getting older and less effective. Doubtless the drafting of a previous administration will play little against what the Rams ultimately decide to, but they need a fresh face to the franchise and in Bradford is that man. The free agency coffers are bare in terms of quarterbacks and you have to weigh up value; is there a franchise QB at pick 33? No. But there might well be a Brian Price or a LaMarr Houston. Or if they wanted to upgrade that mediocre linebacking corps, then perhaps a Sean Weatherspoon or Daryl Washington might fall. To leave the first two rounds with a franchise passer and a value defensive pick like a Price or a Weatherspoon has to be better than taking Suh and then Pike, no matter how good Suh is. Bradford was the big winner from the group of QB’s in Indianapolis and all he did was stand on the scales and interview. But at 236lbs and with the shoulder getting a clean bill of health, he has the underrated arm, the elite accuracy and top line footwork to become a very good QB in the NFL and should signal a statement of intent for Steve Spagnuolo.

2). Ndamukong Suh – DT – Nebraska.

The trade for Corey Williams means that the former Packer and Brown will revert to his more favoured position, that of a three technique. By the very nature of that trade it almost certainly rules out the premier three technique in the draft, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy. But it doesn’t rule out the draft’s best player, Ndamukong Suh who has the ability and versatility to feature almost anywhere along that Lion front. At times, Detroit could put Suh out at end, allowing Sammie Hill, Terrence Taylor or Andre Fluellen to rotate in and out which will also help the Lions issues on the outside. Suh’s presence will allow a pretty decent linebacking corps of Sims, Peterson and last years 3^rd rounder DeAndre Levy to improve on 2009’s showing and whilst pieces of the puzzle emerge elsewhere – Stafford, a pretty solid 4 deep group at WR, Louis Delmas at FS, etc., two is simply too high to address some of the issues at cornerback and along the offensive line. Russell Okung is a very good LT but I’m not sure he’s elite enough to warrant the second overall pick. Picking at 34 in round 2, the Lions will be perfectly placed to land the highest rated tackle, corner or running back on their board as the rebuilding job continues.

3). Gerald McCoy – DT – Oklahoma.

There is a real lack of talent throughout the Buccaneers roster, but in a division where the both the Falcons and Panthers lean heavily on strong running games and the Saints like to throw the ball down the field with alacrity, there is a need to add stability, talent and something of a rush threat on the defensive line. Step forward Gerald McCoy, a devastating interior defender with outstanding quickness and a consistent ability to collapse the pocket and get to the QB. He is a ferocious athlete with a truly breathtaking first step and a non stop motor. The Bucs might have the worst collection of defensive ends in the NFL but having a Gerald McCoy in the inside immediately makes that group better because of the way he will soak up extra blockers as well as forcing the opposing QB into the arms of the ends by crushing inwards that pocket. They could happily go a number of different ways here, but with McCoy’s talent and ability to come in and contribute right away, it makes him very tough to pass on.

4). Russell Okung – OT – Oklahoma State.

Mike Shanahan’s passing gift to Broncos fans was premier left tackle Ryan Clady, taken in the first round of the 2008 draft. His opening present to the Redskins should follow a similar suit. Given Shanahan’s ability with QB’s, it would seem inappropriate to get rid of the much maligned Jason Campbell without giving him the opportunity to show some mettle. What should immediately improve the former Auburn star’s ability to lead the Skins would be a premier left tackle. Okung is as premier as it gets at the position in this draft and whilst perhaps not as accomplished as Clady, Okung delivers leadership, athleticism and the ability to lock down the left tackle spot for a decade. With the retirement of veteran stalwart Chris Samuels, not only do the Redskins need a new backside protector for their passer, but also a new firebrand for their offense; Okung delivers on both fronts. Of course, should Sam Bradford make it to this position, then it would offer up a very interesting scenario for the new head coach and especially his owner who likes to make statements of intent during free agency and indeed the draft and the fourth overall pick being used on a left tackle isn’t perhaps the sort of calling card that Mr Snyder likes to leave his NFC counterparts. However, this is unquestionably one of the worst teams in football, talent wise and getting a cornerstone tackle that helps keep your passer on his feet might just be a wiser move than ignoring the offense line and killing the new QB. With that in mind, Okung makes an awful lot of sense right here.

5). Eric Berry – FS – Tennessee

I can say this with little fear of contradiction but the Combine workout of Eric Berry’s was one of the finest I’ve ever seen by any player regardless of position. What makes this statement so utterly pointless is that Berry’s three year career at Tennessee was so good that the game tape makes the workout look average. Unquestionably Eric Berry has been the standout defensive back in college football ever since he stepped foot inside Neyland Stadium as a true freshman. The Chiefs, despite the arrival a year ago of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli, remain somewhat in turmoil. A roster barren of true talent, they invested a large sum of money in Matt Cassel, only for some to ask at the culmination of a largely disappointing season, why Tyler Thigpen wasn’t given more time. Romeo Crennell inherits a defense that’s struggling for an identity. It has 4-3 pieces – Glenn Dorsey, Demorrio Williams, Derrick Johnson – that are struggling to find their feet in the 34 defense. The light came on for Dorsey in 2009 and Johnson has played well without ever dominating. Meanwhile, both Tamba Hali and the unimpressive 1^st rounder from a year ago Tyson Jackson have youth and upside and Brandon Flowers is one of the bester young corners in the AFC. But the Chiefs lack a real defensive tone setter. Eric Berry is just that. He excels in all aspects of safety play and his business like approach to the Combine and what it represented highlighted just how seriously he takes the game. With the ‘Raider Killer’ Jarrad Page on the way back from injury and the uninspiring Jon McGraw holding down the FS spot, it would seem the perfect place to not only slide Berry in, but also shift the 225lb Page to the strong side where he played in college. Somewhat limited athletically, he possesses good instincts and a hitters mentality and alongside Berry they could very quickly turn the Chiefs secondary into a real strength.

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