Mock Draft: Pouncey to be selected by Falcons
AJC’s 2010 NFL mock draft
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter projects the first round:
1. St. Louis: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma, 6-foot-4, 236 pounds
In the past two drafts, the Rams passed on quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. This time they pull the trigger.
2. Detroit: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska, 6-4, 302
Coach Jim Schwartz, a former defensive coordinator, values a strong front line.
3. Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma, 6-4, 298
The Bucs get someone to anchor the defensive front and hope that he's another Warren Sapp.
4. Washington: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma, 6-5, 318
New coach Mike Shanahan wants someone to help get his running attack rolling.
5. Kansas City: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State, 6-5, 307
The Chiefs go with Okung to help anchor the line with last season's 15th pick Branden Albert.
6. Seattle: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 272
With the retirement of defensive end Patrick Kerney and the trade of defensive end Darryl Tapp, the Seahawks take Morgan.
7. Cleveland: Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee, 5-11 5/8, 211
Only five safeties have been taken in the top 10 over the past 10 years. Berry, of Creekside High, becomes the sixth.
8. Oakland: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers, 6-6, 325
The Raiders are comfortable with the explanation from Rutgers coach Greg Schiano about Davis' fluctuating weight.
9. Buffalo: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa, 6-6, 312
Chan Gailey gets a road-grading blocker to help power the Bills' rushing attack.
10. Jacksonville: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama, 6-4, 256
The Jags are not scared off by the fact that McClain has Crohn's disease.
11. Denver: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma, 6-2, 225
With the trade of Brandon Marshall, the Broncos are thin at wide receiver.
12. Miami: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas, 6-4, 255
The Dolphins have to replace outside linebackers Joey Porter and Jason Taylor.
13. San Francisco: Joe Haden, CB, Florida, 5-10 3/4, 193
The 49ers are not afraid of the slow 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL scouting combine.
14. Seattle: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson, 5-11, 196
He has been compared to Reggie Bush and gets picked by Bush's former college coach Pete Carroll.
15. New York: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri, 6-1, 241
The Giants must replace Antonio Pierce, who was released over the offseason.
16. Tennessee: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida, 6-6, 265
The Titans are in the market for a defensive end after losing Kyle Vanden Bosch in free agency.
17. San Francisco: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame, 6-2, 223
The 49ers have seen enough of Alex Smith to know he's not a franchise quarterback.
18. Pittsburgh: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan, 6-1, 263
He can play on three downs right away and provide a pass rush.
19. Falcons: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida, 6-5, 318
If Weatherspoon gets past the Giants, he's the pick. If not, Pouncey will get a chance to man one of the guard spots while learning how to play center at the pro level by watching Todd McClure.
20. Houston: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State, 5-10, 194
The Texans get a prospect to replace Dunta Robinson, who signed with the Falcons in free agency.
21. Cincinnati: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma, 6-5, 261
The Bengals add a weapon for quarterback Carson Palmer after revamping the receiving corps.
22. New England: Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State, 6-5, 301
He has the size to play that hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker spot in the mold of Mike Vrabel.
23. Green Bay: Charles Brown, OT, USC, 6-5, 292
The Packers have to add some offensive line help, but could trade down and add picks.
24. Philadelphia: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama, 5-10, 196
Played his career in the shadows of Javier Arenas, but he's the better pro prospect.
25. Baltimore: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 224
Perfect spot for Thomas, who can learn from veterans Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason.
26. Arizona: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee, 6-2, 329
He is a brute force player who'll fit nicely beside Darnell Dockett.
27. Dallas: Earl Thomas, S, Texas, 5-10 1/4, 208
The Cowboys like his versatility in coverage.
28. San Diego: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State, 5-11, 220
The Chargers try to replace LaDainian Tomlinson with the NCAA's leading rusher in 2009.
29. New York: Everson Griffen, DE, USC, 6-3, 278
Is a natural fit for Rex Ryan's defense.
30. Minnesota: Chris Cook, CB, Virginia, 6-2, 212
The Vikings need a big cornerback to go against the receivers they face in the NFC North.
31. Indianapolis: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho, 6-5, 325
A small school product who fits nicely in the Colts' blocking scheme.
32. New Orleans: Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU, 6-2, 257
Hughes reminds some of a young Dwight Freeney.
On the fringe: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland; Colt McCoy, QB, Texas; Tim Tebow, QB, Florida; Taylor Mays, S, USC; Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State; Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech; Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida; Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida; Brian Price, DT, UCLA; Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama and Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
