NFL Draft Preview

Even though the 2010 NFL Draft isn’t taking place for a while, mock drafts can be put together now based on each teams’ major needs. The draft is one of the biggest events of the year in the NFL as teams try to improve on the previous year’s faults and build up for the future. This is a big draft for both New York teams as the Giants try to clean up their defense and the Jets try to build on the their AFC Championship game run. This mock draft could end up being pretty accurate or not so accurate, but it should give us a good enough preview of what April’s draft will look like. Here are likely options for the first five picks, as well as the first picks for the Giants and Jets:
1. St. Louis Rams: DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: Even though the Rams have a huge need at QB, the upper level of QBs in this year’s draft is weaker than most, and there are a lot of question marks around the top passers. Suh seems impossible to pass up after winning 4 college football awards, including 2 for best defensive player of the year, and being one of the five Heisman finalists. He was 4th in the country with 12 sacks and also recorded 82 sacks. He would make an immediate impact in helping a Rams defense that finished in the bottom part of the league in nearly every defensive category.
2. Detroit Lions: DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma: McCoy would have been the top defensive lineman in any other draft except this year’s, thanks to Suh. McCoy had a stellar career at Oklahoma and certainly has an NFL body at 6’4” 297 pounds. McCoy was the leader on a Sooner’s defense that recorded 3 shutouts and gave up less than 15 points per game. He would be a huge addition to a Lions defense that finished dead last in 6 major defensive categories.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Eric Berry, Tennessee: Berry has drawn many comparisons to Ravens star safety Ed Reed, which is the highest compliment a safety can get. Berry won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the most outstanding defensive back. He also has great tackling ability for a safety and would be a great fit for the Bucs’ defense that finished in the bottom part of the league in most scoring categories.
4. Washington Redskins: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: Bradford was considered a top prospect before the previous draft, but he opted to return to college at Oklahoma. His decision was costly, as he suffered an early shoulder injury that forced him to sit out most of the year. He appears to be healthy, but we’ll have to see if his shoulder can take NFL hits. Jason Campbell was a decent QB with a very good completion percentage, but he wasn’t a great decision maker and couldn’t win games for the Redskins. Bradford has the accuracy and poise to get the Redskins out of the cellar of the NFC East if they draft him and give him the chance.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State: Okung, the best offensive lineman in the draft, could really make a difference in Kansas City. The Chiefs were sacked 45 times last season, which ranks 6th most in the NFL. Okung could certainly help after leading an Oklahoma State offensive line that recorded the 4th lowest total for sacks allowed in the country with 11. The Cowboys were 21st in rushing yards thanks to Okung and the O-line. He would pay huge dividends in Kansas City.
15. New York Giants: DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida: Dunlap was an absolute monster for the Gators during his collegiate career, highlighted by a stellar performance in the 2009 BCS Championship game that earned him the game’s defensive MVP award. Regardless of off-field troubles, Dunlap has been able to apply huge amounts of pressure on opposing QBs, recording 9 sacks each of the last 2 seasons. Dunlap would add a lot of depth for the Giants alongside Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathius Kiwanuka, and could help the Giants defense that finished 30th in points per game allowed.
29. New York Jets: WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame: Tate would be a phenomenal weapon for Mark Sanchez and is a superb playmaker. Tate won the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver after finishing 4th in the nation in receiving yards. He was also 2nd in the nation in touchdowns among wide receivers. Tate would be a perfect complement for Jerricho Cotchery and would be a good option to have if WR Braylon Edwards had to miss time because of his legal troubles.