Chiefs Draft Talk: Eric Berry Posted by Anthony Stalter (04/22/2010 @ 8:56 pm) Those that suggested that Eric Berry wouldn’t make it past the top 5 look like geniuses after the Chiefs selected the Tennessee safety with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Many people assumed that Kansas City would select an offensive tackle with this pick, but I’m not going to argue with the selection of Berry. Players like Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu have proven the impact that safeties can have for a defense. Berry is an athletic, instinctive, hard-hitting playmaker that fills a huge need for the Chiefs. He’s essentially the total package and while teams are often reluctant to take a safety that high, KC did well here. The Browns must be disappointed with this selection, as they were expected to take Berry at No. 7 if he had fallen. They wound up with Joe Haden, so they might move the newly acquired Sheldon Brown to safety in order to make room for the Florida corner. Raiders Draft Talk: Rolando McClain Posted by Anthony Stalter (04/22/2010 @ 8:14 pm)  As expected, Al Davis screwed up several draft boards with his selection in the first round. With the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected Alabama middle linebacker Rolando McClain, despite the general consensus that the team would take an offensive tackle. While it was a small reach, McClain is by far the best middle linebacker prospect in the draft. He was extremely productive at ‘Bama for Nick Saban and proved to be a solid run defender. He also has a high football IQ, which makes him a misfit for Oakland. The Raiders have been reportedly shopping Kirk Morrison, which would leave a gaping hole in the middle of Oakland’s defense. Even though nobody had McClain mocked to the Raiders, the pick makes sense if the team parts with Morrison at some point this offseason. Crazy Al surprised us again, but it wasn’t a bad pick.
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Lions Draft Talk: Ndamukong Suh Posted by Anthony Stalter (04/22/2010 @ 7:50 pm)  Despite speculation that they could trade for Albert Haynesworth or select Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, the Lions took Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. This is just one man’s opinion, but I think when people look back to evaluate this draft, Suh will be regarded as the best player. I realize I’m not going out on a limb with that statement, but it’s almost comical that some media members had the Lions selecting Gerald McCoy over Suh at this pick. If anything, I have to believe that Detroit would have taken Okung before it took McCoy over Suh. Suh was incredible this past season for the Cornhuskers. He racked up 12 sacks, 85 tackles and 24 tackles for loss, which almost matched McCoy’s entire resume at Oklahoma. This isn’t to say that McCoy is a bad player – on the contrary, he’s a solid prospect. But Suh was the best defensive player in the nation last year. He’s strong, powerful and incredibly athletic. He’s more of a bull-rusher than a true pass-rusher, but Jim Schwartz should work wonders with him in Detroit. The Lions were wise not to over think this pick. He was the best player in the draft and fits well next to Corey Williams on the interior of their defensive line. I can’t wait to see what Schwartz can do with him next season and kudos to GM Martin Mayhew for once again adding the best prospect at his position, following the picks of Matthew Stafford, Louis Delmas and Brandon Pettigrew last season. (Of course, it’s not hard to add the best prospect at his position when you pick No. 1 and No. 2, but let’s not dwell on the obvious.)
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Rams Draft Talk: Sam Bradford Posted by Anthony Stalter (04/22/2010 @ 7:22 pm)  With the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Rams selected Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. While there were rumors that they might trade out of the top spot or even take Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, there was really no other choice but Bradford for the Rams at No. 1. There have only been a handful of teams that have made championship runs with only a sub par quarterback and they were teams that had excellent defenses (a la ’00 Ravens and ’06 Bears). Last time I checked, St. Louis is a little light in the pants defensively. Bradford obviously has some durability issues and there are some concerns that because he played mostly in the spread at OU that he’ll struggle transitioning into a pro style offense. But he has prototypical size, is intelligent and displays an excellent work ethic. He was also extremely productive for the Sooners and has all the intangibles to succeed at the next level. I think Suh was the best prospect in this year’s draft, but this was really a no-brainer for the Rams. Everything revolves around the quarterback position in the NFL.
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The Scores Report’s 2010 NFL Mock Draft Posted by Anthony Stalter (04/22/2010 @ 5:30 pm) This is it – this one is for all the marbles. The two previous mock drafts I put together mean nothing, unless of course one of those is better than the one below. In that case, please consider that to be my final mock so I can save some face. We’re just days away from the 2010 NFL Draft and as usual, the uncertainty surrounding which player will be drafted by which team is at an all-time high. Teams are sending out smokescreens, it’s hard to figure out which GM is telling the truth (probably roughly around none of them) and all the while, the media is trying to keep up with all the rumors. But here it is – my final crack at predicting the first round. Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section, but remember that they’re only valid when you make predictions before the draft. Don’t be the tool that comes back here a week from now boasting that you knew that Team A would take Player X, or else you will be made fun of mercilessly by your peers. Let the games begin and once again, Happy NFL Draft time fellow draftnits. Originally posted: Monday, April 19 1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Ndamukong Suh is the best player in the 2010 draft and if teams only drafted based on talent, then the Nebraska defensive tackle would be the first player selected in round one. But Suh plays a position that most teams can’t justify investing a truckload of guaranteed money in. That’s why Bradford will be the No. 1 pick, along with the fact that the Rams desperately need a quarterback to help revitalize their morbid franchise. I’ve never wavered with this pick – I’ve believed that Bradford was going to be the Rams’ selection at No. 1 all along. If they believe that he’s a franchise quarterback, then Suh and every other prospect in this draft becomes inconsequential in the Rams’ eyes. There’s no more important position on a football field than the one that lines up under center every week. Is taking a quarterback this high a risk? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, a franchise can’t function without a good QB. That’s why St. Louis won’t hesitate to take Bradford here. 2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The Lions want everyone to believe that they’ll take an offensive tackle like Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung with this pick and they may very well might. But if Suh is still on the board when the Lions are on the clock in the first round, then they’d be nuts to pass on him. Suh is the best player in the draft on either side of the ball and could be the player current Lions (and former Titans’ DC) head coach Jim Schwartz builds his defense around, a la Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee. 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy has kind of become the forgotten top 5 prospect in this draft because he’s overshadowed by Suh. But he’s a difference maker and a force against the run. If the Rams take Bradford at No. 1, one of the two defensive tackles will fall to Tampa here, which is exactly what it wants. The Bucs need an interior presence in the middle of their line that can be effective both against the run and pass. McCoy can potentially be that player. 4. Washington Redskins: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
As long as Mike Shanahan’s claims that the Redskins will take a quarterback with this pick are untrue, then Williams could very well be the third Sooner to come off the board in the first four picks this year. Okung is regarded as the best offensive tackle in the draft, but Williams is a better fit for Washington’s new zone-blocking scheme, making him the choice here. He’s an excellent all-around blocker and has the potential to immediately fill the void left by Chris Samuels on the Redskins’ O-line. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in: NFL, NFL Draft Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, Anthony Davis, Anthony Stalter, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Brandon Graham, Brandon Spikes, Bruce Campbell, Bryan Bulaga, Buffalo Bills, C.J. Spiller, Carlos Dunlap, Chris Cook, Cincinnati Bengals, Daryl Washington, Denver Broncos, Derrick Morgan, Detroit Lions, Dez Bryant, eric berry, Gerald McCoy, Gerald McCoy Bucs, Golden Tate, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jared Odrick, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jermaine Gresham, Jerry Hughes, Jimmy Clausen, Kansas City Chiefs., Kyle Williams, Miami Dolphins, Mike Iupati, Ndamukong Suh, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL Mock Draft, NFL Mock Drafts, Oakland Raiders, Patrick Robinson, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rolando McClain, Russell Okung, Sam Bradford, Sam Bradford Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Sean Weatherspoon, Seattle Seahawks, Sergio Kindle, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Taylor Mays, Tennessee Titans, Trent Williams, Vladimir Ducasse, Washington Redskins
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