Mock Draft VII: Sam Bradford Moves Up to Top Overall Pick

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Apr 1, 2010

Mock Draft VII: Sam Bradford Moves Up to Top Overall Pick There are only three weeks until the NFL draft, and teams are closing in on the final stages of their scouting process. At this point, it’s fair to assume each organization knows which direction it’s heading, and it’ll be a matter of watching the chips fall in front of them. Here is the NESN.com Mock Draft Version VII. Check back every Thursday from now until April 22 for an updated version.

1. St. Louis Rams
2009 record: 1-15
The pick: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford
Previous mock draft picks: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

Analysis: It’s one thing to rave about Bradford’s pro day. It’s another thing entirely to brag about his ability to complete 49-of-50 passes in a practice-like atmosphere without a defense to speak of. Bradford is deserving of the No. 1 pick, but let’s leave those stats for another time.

2. Detroit Lions
2009 record: 2-14
The pick: Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
Previous mock draft picks: Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy

Analysis: I would personally go with Okung — by the slightest of margins — but this is a pretty good problem to have. It’s not because I think Okung is necessarily a better prospect than Suh, but the Lions should protect last years No. 1 pick Matthew Stafford first.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2009 record:
3-13
The pick: Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy
Previous mock draft picks: Tennessee safety Eric Berry

Analysis: Watch, wait, take Suh or McCoy. Not even Mike Tice could mess up this formula.

4. Washington Redskins
2009 record:
4-12
The pick: Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung
Previous mock draft picks: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen

Analysis: It would be fairly surprising if the Redskins don’t trade down. Teams looking to draft Clausen will probably hound Washington’s phone lines. By the way, Clausen has a serious critic in the industry.

5. Kansas City Chiefs
2009 record:
4-12
The pick: Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga
Previous mock draft picks: Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung

Analysis: The Chiefs have to protect their (Matt) Cassel.

6. Seattle Seahawks
2009 record:
5-11
The pick: Tennessee safety Eric Berry
Previous mock draft picks: Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen

Analysis: Safety is a really difficult position to adjust to in the NFL, which makes these guys rare top-10 picks. Berry better have some Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu in him.

7. Cleveland Browns
2009 record:
5-11
The pick: Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen
Previous mock draft picks: Florida cornerback Joe Haden

Analysis: The Browns have used three first-round picks on quarterbacks since the 1970 merger — Mike Phipps (1970), Tim Couch (1999) and Brady Quinn (2007). So, at least they’re consistent.

8. Oakland Raiders
2009 record:
5-11
The pick: Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis
Previous mock draft picks: Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant

Analysis: Enough with the Davis and Davis jokes. The Rutgers product has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but it remains to be seen if he’s got the desire to succeed after signing that contract.

9. Buffalo Bills
2009 record:
6-10
The pick: Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell
Previous mock draft picks: Rutgers left tackle Anthony Davis

Analysis: Buffalo needs to build its line around someone. Campbell shouldn’t disappoint.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars
2009 record:
7-9
The pick: South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul
Previous mock draft picks: Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan

Analysis: The Jags need someone to anchor their defensive line, and Pierre-Paul is big enough to hold down a cruise ship.

11. Denver Broncos (From Chicago Bears)
2009 record:
8-8
The pick: Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain
Previous mock draft picks: Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams, UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan

Analysis: McClain is widely considered the best inside linebacker in the class, and thus he fills an extremely important need in Denver.

12. Miami Dolphins
2009 record:
7-9
The pick: Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan
Previous mock draft picks: Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, Clemson outside linebacker Ricky Sapp

Analysis: They might be hoping Jason Pierre-Paul falls to them, but Morgan would fit an edge-rushing vacancy for the Dolphins.

13. San Francisco 49ers
2009 record:
8-8
The pick: Florida cornerback Joe Haden
Previous mock draft picks: Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap, South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, Texas safety Earl Thomas

Analysis: If Jimmy Clausen is off the board with the fourth pick, it’s highly unlikely Haden falls this far. That, in part, is what makes the draft so difficult to forecast.

14. Seattle Seahawks (From Denver Broncos)
2009 record:
5-11
The pick: Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant
Previous mock draft picks: USC defensive end Everson Griffen, Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga

Analysis: They might give some real consideration to Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, but the Seahawks can get a fairly comparable talent later in the draft. Bryant, however, has a set of skills that is unparalleled in this class.

15. New York Giants
2009 record:
8-8
The pick: Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
Previous mock draft picks: Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams, Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price

Analysis: There are a lot of places that are linking Weatherspoon to the Giants. The versatile linebacker can step in for Antonio Pierce, and we all know how much this market craves a franchise-type linebacker.

16. Tennessee Titans
2009 record:
8-8
The pick: Texas outside linebacker/defensive end Sergio Kindle
Previous mock draft picks: South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan, Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon

Analysis: Best pass rusher remaining on the board. Simple and straightforward.

17. San Francisco 49ers (From Carolina Panthers)
2009 record:
8-8
The pick: Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams
Previous mock draft picks: Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga

Analysis: With a little more focus on the passing game, Alex Smith will be more exposed to getting his head knocked in. Williams could be his metaphorical helmet.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers
2009 record:
9-7
The pick: Idaho guard Mike Iupati
Previous mock draft picks: Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams

Analysis: The Steelers might be getting sick of trying to protect Ben Roethlisberger at this point.

19. Atlanta Falcons
2009 record:
9-7
The pick: USC defensive end Everson Griffen
Previous mock draft picks: Clemson outside linebacker Ricky Sapp, Texas outside linebacker/defensive end Sergio Kindle

Analysis: With all of these teams looking for edge rushers, maybe the Patriots shouldn’t feel so bad.

20. Houston Texans
2009 record:
9-7
The pick: Texas safety Earl Thomas
Previous mock draft picks: Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

Analysis: It’s worth paying attention to Thomas in this draft. He could go as high as No. 13 or 14, or he could fall as low as the mid-20s.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
2009 record:
10-6
The pick: Florida offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey
Previous mock draft picks: Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, Idaho guard Mike Iupati

Analysis: Pouncey has been the pick here for a few weeks, as the Bengals really need help on the interior of their offensive line.

22. New England Patriots
2009 record:
10-6
The pick: Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham
Previous mock draft picks: Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap

Analysis: The Patriots weren’t in attendance at Sam Bradford’s pro day in hopes of the quarterback slipping 20-something spots. They were probably there scouting Gresham, who is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound star in the making.

23. Green Bay Packers
2009 record:
11-5
The pick: Michigan defensive end/outside linebacker Brandon Graham
Previous mock draft picks: USC defensive end Everson Griffen, Penn State outside linebacker Navorro Bowman

Analysis: Some experts are high on Graham for his motor. Some hate him for his size. He’s got bust potential, which makes him a scary prospect for the first round.

24. Philadelphia Eagles
2009 record:
11-5
The pick: Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams
Previous mock draft picks: USC safety Taylor Mays, Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, California running back Jahvid Best, UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price

Analysis: Add a rock in the middle of the line and it could make Trent Cole even more dangerous on the outside.

25. Baltimore Ravens
2009 record:
9-7
The pick: Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick
Previous mock draft picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate, USC safety Taylor Mays, Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn, Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant

Analysis: It was mildly surprising to see Dwan Edwards leave for Buffalo, so the Ravens could use a versatile defensive lineman. Odrick would probably spend the majority of his time on the edge, but he could also play the middle in other situations.

26. Arizona Cardinals
2009 record:
10-6
The pick: TCU outside linebacker Jerry Hughes
Previous mock draft picks: Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell, Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, USC defensive end Everson Griffen, Texas outside linebacker/defensive end Sergio Kindle

Analysis: Spikes is the only previously slotted pick still on the board, but his sluggish speed is a huge turnoff. Hughes makes his debut on NESN’s mock draft board.

27. Dallas Cowboys
2009 record:
11-5
The pick: USC tackle Charles Brown
Previous mock draft picks: Maryland tackle Bruce Campbell, Penn State outside linebacker Navorro Bowman, Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis, Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams

Analysis: Brown has remained at this spot, where the ’Boys can find someone to replace Flozell Adams.

28. San Diego Chargers
2009 record:
13-3
The pick: Clemson running back C.J. Spiller
Previous mock draft picks: Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews

Analysis: The Chargers won’t think twice if Spiller is still on the board.

29. New York Jets
2009 record:
9-7
The pick: USC safety Taylor Mays
Previous mock draft picks: Wide receiver Brandon LaFell, Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson

Analysis: If Mays is gone at this point, the Jets may still look toward the secondary or possibly a wide receiver. Either way, they’ll be targeting a player away from the line.

30. Minnesota Vikings
2009 record:
12-4
The pick: Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
Previous mock draft picks: Texas quarterback Colt McCoy

Analysis: Wilson sounds like a surefire first-round talent, and he fills an instant need for the Vikings. McCoy figures to be a good choice for the future of the franchise, but he gets mixed reviews. Maybe it would be worth the gamble to see if he falls through the second round.

31. Indianapolis Colts
2009 record:
14-2
The pick: Indiana tackle Rodger Saffold
Previous mock draft picks: Idaho guard Mike Iupati, USC tackle Charles Brown

Analysis: Keep protecting Peyton Manning. There’s nothing wrong with that philosophy.

32. New Orleans Saints
2009 record:
13-3
The pick: Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap
Previous mock draft picks: UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick, Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams

Analysis: They won’t miss Charles Grant very much if Dunlap falls to them at the end of the first round.

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