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Ian’s 2010 NFL Playoff Predictions
Published: January 6, 2010
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With the 2009 NFL regular season over, the playoffs are beginning this Saturday, and many people are wondering who will win the Super Bowl. This slideshow contains my playoff predictions for each round and my pick to win the Super Bowl. My predictions are not likely going to be what you expect. It will be very interesting to see how the playoffs unfold.
2010 NFL Mock Draft 1st Round: Suh or Clausen? Version 2.0
Published: December 31, 2009
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Updated 12/31
Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff projections. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft, and feel free to comment and tell me what you think of my picks and whether you like your favorite team’s pick.
Ian O’Brien’s 2010 Pro Bowl Ballot
Published: December 28, 2009
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(Starters listed in bold, x indicates injured, and y indicates alternate.)
AFC
QB —Peyton Manning, Colts; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Tom Brady, Patriots
Obviously, Manning should start his 10th career Pro Bowl. The Colts’ 14-0 record and Manning’s numbers don’t lie. He has thrown 33 touchdowns and is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame when he retires.
Rivers is enjoying a great season with the Chargers, having won nine in a row and very possibly earning a first-round bye. Rivers has thrown 25 touchdowns and has developed great chemistry with Vincent Jackson.
Brady has had somewhat of a shaky season, but he did excellent against the Jaguars yesterday. His rating was near perfect, and he completed 88 percent of his passes. He has 28 touchdowns on the season, and the Patriots clinched the AFC East title.
Just Missed: Vince Young, Titans; Matt Schaub, Texans
RB —Chris Johnson, Titans; Cedric Benson, Bengals; Ray Rice, Ravens
Johnson is the best RB in the NFL in my book, so step aside, Adrian. Johnson has 1,872 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, and he has greatly contributed to the Titans’ amazing second half, along with Vince Young.
Benson is taking himself off the NFL busts list after his 2009 breakout season. He has 1,251 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and the Bengals have gone from being one of the worst teams in the NFL to AFC North champions.
Rice leads NFL RBs in all-purpose yards. He has 1,269 rushing yards and 683 receiving yards. If it weren’t for him, the Ravens’ offense would be completely worthless, since the passing game is struggling with no reliable receivers other than Derrick Mason.
Just Missed: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
FB —Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
McClain is a great rusher and blocker. He has served as a great blocker for Ray Rice, and he is very reliable at the goal line.
WR —Andre Johnson, Texans; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots; Brandon Marshall, Broncos
Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL, despite not getting the most headlines like Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald. He has 95 catches and 1,504 yards for nine touchdowns. He consistently puts up big numbers, and he is a must-start.
Wayne is finally getting the recognition he deserves, now that Marvin Harrison has retired. You can always count on him to get at least 90 catches (maybe even 100) and 1,200 yards. He has 10 touchdowns this season and should start across from Johnson.
Welker may be the greatest NFL player in history to go undrafted. Ever since he joined the Patriots, he has always put up 100 catches. He is much more deserving of a Pro Bowl spot than Randy Moss, who has been slacking. He has 122 catches and 1,236 yards for four touchdowns.
Marshall is on pace to reach the 100-catch milestone for the third consecutive season with 93 on the season. He has 1,081 yards and will likely reach 1,200 like the past two seasons (1,325 in 2007, 1,268 in 2008). And who could forget his record-setting game of 21 catches, 200 yards, and two touchdowns?
Just Missed: Randy Moss, Patriots; Chad Ochocinco, Bengals; Santonio Holmes, Steelers; Vincent Jackson, Chargers
TE —Dallas Clark, Colts; Antonio Gates, Chargers
The starting AFC tight end is a very tough pick, but I decided that Clark should start because the Colts are undefeated, and he has more catches and touchdowns than Gates. He has 89 catches and 997 yards for 10 touchdowns.
Gates deserves to start as well, but, with Clark in the AFC, the talent level is extremely high. Gates, like Welker, is arguably the greatest undrafted NFL player ever. The Chargers just clinched a first-round bye after winning 10 games in a row. Gates has 78 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns.
Just Missed: Heath Miller, Steelers; Zach Miller, Raiders
T —Ryan Clady, Broncos; Michael Roos, Titans; Joe Thomas, Browns
Clady anchors possibly the best offensive line in the NFL and may be the best tackle in the NFL. The Broncos have a great line, and Clady has proven to be a prize pick. He helped inflate Jay Cutler’s stats before he got traded to the Bears.
The Titans have an amazing offensive line, too. Roos is an elite tackle just like Clady, and he has helped contribute to Vince Young’s comeback season and Chris Johnson’s huge season.
Thomas may be in the worst situation possible. He picks up pretty much all the slack for the Browns’ offensive line, and the Browns still can’t win games because Brady Quinn is a terrible QB and their defense allows too many points. But Thomas can’t do anything about that. He still deserves a Pro Bowl roster spot for his excellent play.
Just Missed: Michael Oher, Ravens; David Stewart, Titans
G—Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Ben Grubbs, Ravens
The Jets have an amazing offensive line and may be the best line in the NFL. (Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a broken record.) Faneca was a big loss for the Steelers, and he has been to eight Pro Bowls in a row, and the NFL should make it nine.
Dielman, like Faneca, is one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL. He was undrafted in 2003, but he broke out in 2007, was named a Pro Bowl alternate, and he started after the 2008 season.
The Chargers have dominated in their 10-game winning streak. Rivers is having an MVP-caliber season, and Dielman’s excellent blocking and battering has helped a lot.
Grubbs is one of the very few guards to ever be drafted in the first round, and he has lived up to his hype. The Ravens have a great line, and he is their best lineman. He has made Ray Rice’s success possible.
Just Missed: Logan Mankins, Patriots
C —Nick Mangold, Jets; Kevin Mawae, Titans
Mangold is the best center in the NFL, and he is another big part of the Jets’ dominant offensive line. He’s young and has a long career ahead of him. Mark Sanchez is very lucky to have a reliable blocker like Mangold, along with Faneca.
Mangold had only 0.5 sacks in his rookie year, and he was drafted in the first round and considered for Rookie of the Year. How often do you see that in a center? And he has continued his greatness and will be a Hall of Famer at the rate he’s going.
Mawae is 38 and nearing retirement, and he has had a Hall of Fame-caliber career. Travis Henry would never have rushed over 1,000 yards with a line other than the Titans, and Vince Young, Chris Johnson, and LenDale White have had the best stats possible.
While they are all great players, their stats are a little inflated with a dominant offensive line to play behind. Mawae can perform just as well as Roos.
Just Missed: Jake Grove, Dolphins; Jeff Saturday, Colts
DE —Dwight Freeney, Colts; Mario Williams, Texans; Robert Mathis, Colts
Freeney is one of the NFL’s elite DEs. He consistently puts up sacks. He has 13.5 total on the season. The Colts have a powerful rush defense, and he deserves his fifth career Pro Bowl selection.
Williams is consistently proving wrong all the critics who berated the Texans for picking him instead of Reggie Bush. He has eight sacks, and the Texans’ rush defense has improved over the course of the season ever since Williams started going on a hot streak.
Mathis is an underrated DE with Freeney seizing the spotlight. He has 9.5 sacks, and he has contributed to the Colts’ dominant rush defense along with Freeney. The Colts are 14-0, and it takes more than just Peyton Manning to win games, and the defense has done its part.
Just Missed: Aaron Schobel, Bills; Shaun Ellis, Jets
DT —Casey Hampton, Steelers; Haloti Ngata, Ravens; Tony Brown, Titans
The Steelers have the No. 3 rush defense in the NFL, even with Aaron Smith out for the season. Hampton has anchored the defensive line, and he has 2.5 sacks, which is good for a defensive tackle.
Ngata has contributed greatly to the Ravens’ rush defense, and the talent level isn’t very high for DTs this year, so Ngata deserves to start.
Brown is one of the most underrated DTs in the NFL, and he has done well in filling Albert Haynesworth’s shoes, who isn’t doing that great with the Redskins and is continuing to be a dumbass.
Brown has five sacks, and he is only behind Kevin Williams in sacks among DTs. The Titans’ rush defense is doing well, too, which makes up for their terrible pass defense.
Just Missed: Domata Peko, Bengals
OLB —Elvis Dumervil, Broncos; James Harrison, Steelers; Tully Banta-Cain, Patriots
Dumervil leads the NFL with 17 sacks, is the best hybrid linebacker, and has transitioned to the Broncos’ new 3-4 defense well, unlike most of the other Broncos’ defensive linemen and linebackers. The Broncos should do all they can to re-sign him since he will be a free agent.
Harrison, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, is having another great season with 10 sacks. The Steelers’ pass defense is struggling with Troy Polamalu injured, and that’s why the Steelers aren’t as dominant as last year, but Harrison is doing his part and deserves another trip to the Pro Bowl.
Banta-Cain is one of the greatest hybrid linebackers in the NFL, and he has 9.5 sacks. The Patriots made a great move in re-signing him, and the Patriots’ mediocre defense would be poor without him.
Just Missed: LaMarr Woodley, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Calvin Pace, Jets
ILB —Ray Lewis, Ravens; David Harris, Jets
Lewis is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, and he’s still got it. He has 117 tackles, and the Ravens’ defense continues to do very well with him on the team.
Harris isn’t a big name, but he deserves a roster spot because he has 117 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The Jets have the No. 1 overall defense in the NFL, and Harris has been a big part of it.
Just Missed: DeMeco Ryans, Texans; Kirk Morrison, Raiders
CB —Champ Bailey, Broncos; Darrelle Revis, Jets; Leon Hall, Bengals; Johnathan Joseph, Bengals
Bailey continues to be one of the greatest CBs in the NFL, and the Broncos have the No. 2 pass defense. He can shut down even the best receivers. He isn’t as dominant as he used to be, but he’s still widely feared by wide receivers.
Revis is making a big name for himself. He’s another big part of the Jets’ top-ranked defense. He has six interceptions, and he deserves just as much publicity as Champ Bailey.
Hall is one of the most underrated CBs in the NFL, and he has six interceptions. The Bengals have improved a lot on defense, and Hall has been a big part of it.
Joseph is underrated just like Hall, and he has six interceptions as well.
Just Missed: Cortland Finnegan, Titans
FS —Antoine Bethea (y), Colts; Jairus Byrd (x), Bills; Ed Reed, Ravens
Reed is possibly the best safety in the NFL, and he has continued to dominate with his many interceptions. He did get injured in Week 12, but that should be long enough to qualify for a Pro Bowl berth.
Byrd had an incredible rookie year, but it has been cut short by a season-ending injury. I would have pegged him as a starter, but his injury is reportedly season-ending. He had nine interceptions in 14 games. He could have easily gotten double-digit interceptions. The Bills are a losing team, but they have the No. 3 pass defense in the NFL.
Bethea is my replacement for Byrd, and the Colts’ outstanding defense wouldn’t be where it is today without Bethea. He has four interceptions and has carried the Colts’ secondary, despite Bob Sanders being the figurehead.
SS —Brian Dawkins, Broncos
Dawkins isn’t as dominant as he was with the Eagles, but he’s still doing great. He has 100 tackles and two interceptions, and the Broncos’ No. 2 pass defense was made possible by his free-agent signing.
Just Missed: Brandon Meriweather, Patriots; Dawan Landry, Ravens
K —Nate Kaeding, Chargers
Kaeding is the best kicker in the NFL. He can kick many field goals, and he has come through when he was needed. The Chargers won on Kaeding’s winning field goal last week against the Bengals. He’s 29-for-32 on FGs and 48-for-49 XPs.
P —Shane Lechler, Raiders
Lechler is very unfortunate to be on a losing team because he has a 51.1 punt average, and he punted a 70-yarder this season, and he has consistently punted very well in his career with the Raiders.
RS —Josh Cribbs, Browns
Cribbs is super explosive. He has four return touchdowns, and he had two when the Browns beat the Chiefs, including a 103-yarder. He makes the Browns worth something in their otherwise terrible season.
ST —Kassim Osgood, Chargers
Osgood makes most of the tackles on special teams for the Chargers, and they have won 10 games in a row.
NFC
QB —Drew Brees , Saints; Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Brett Favre, Vikings
Brees is the clear-cut starting QB for the NFC. Even Saints haters can’t argue that Brees is the greatest NFC QB. The Saints are 13-1, and Brees continues to post huge numbers. He has thrown for 4,288 yards and 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He gets my vote for MVP.
Rodgers is the most underrated QB in the NFL along with Rivers. He posted great numbers in his first year as a starter, and he has done even better his second year.
Now, the Packers are a winning team, they’re headed to the playoffs, so no more excuses for saying that Rodgers isn’t an elite QB. He has thrown for 4,199 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. That’s tied with Favre for the lowest number in the NFL.
Favre has done very well with the Vikings, but he has been wearing down and throwing more interceptions than touchdowns in December, and it’s not looking like he will perform well when it counts.
Plus, he would have struggled with the Packers’ offensive line performance in the first half of the season. He has a great team around him, and Rodgers would do just as well, maybe better than him if he were the Vikings’ QB.
Favre’s age has caught up to him. He has thrown 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He did great in his two games against the Packers, but if they were to play each other a third time, Rodgers would do better than him. He deserves a Pro Bowl roster spot, but he’s not better than Rodgers. He would’ve been in the past, but that’s the past.
Just Missed: Tony Romo, Cowboys; Donovan McNabb, Eagles
RB —Adrian Peterson, Vikings; DeAngelo Williams, Panthers; Ryan Grant, Packers
Peterson has triggered the Vikings’ excellent offense along with Favre, and he has 1,235 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He has been struggling recently, but his track record shows that he is an elite RB.
Williams is another elite RB, and he leads the Panthers’ dominant rush offense while being assisted by Jonathan Stewart. They have had to carry the offense with Jake Delhomme having a terrible season, although Matt Moore has been filling in well.
Grant has had a great season with the Packers. He has 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Packers have a great offense with both Rodgers and Grant.
Just Missed: Steven Jackson, Rams
FB —Leonard Weaver, Eagles
Weaver is having a career season, and Eagles fans are calling for him to get a contract extension. He has excellent blocking skills.
WR —Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Sidney Rice, Vikings; DeSean Jackson, Eagles; Miles Austin, Cowboys
Fitzgerald is a clear starter with 94 catches for 1,075 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He isn’t as dominant as last year in the Cardinals’ NFC championship run, but he’s still a reliable receiver that has helped the Cardinals win games.
Rice may be the biggest breakout star of the year, and he and Brett Favre developed great chemistry. He has 1,144 yards and five touchdowns. The Vikings have one of the best offenses in the NFL, and Rice is the No. 1 receiver on the team.
Choosing the second starter for the NFC was tough, but I had to go with Rice for his outstanding breakout season and the Vikings becoming an elite NFL team.
Jackson is one of the fastest receivers in the NFL, and he had an amazing performance against the Giants. He has 1,120 yards and nine touchdowns, and the Eagles have been hot with his great performances. He’s deserving of a Pro Bowl roster spot.
Austin is another breakout star receiver along with Rice, and Romo has found a No. 1 receiver he can rely on not named Roy Williams. He has 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s a clutch receiver, as he showed against the Eagles.
Just Missed: Steve Smith, Giants; Greg Jennings, Packers; Donald Driver, Packers; Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Steve Smith, Panthers
TE —Tony Gonzalez, Falcons; Vernon Davis, 49ers
Gonzalez has continued to be a Pro Bowl-caliber TE since leaving the Chiefs. He leads NFC TEs with 80 catches and 837 yards for six touchdowns. His production has declined, but he’s still one of the greatest TEs in the NFL.
Davis has had a big breakout season. He went from being a bust to an elite TE, and Mike Singletary did a great job in instilling discipline in him after he was lazy, which was why he wasn’t producing his first three seasons in the NFL. He has 72 catches for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Just Missed: Brent Celek, Eagles; Jason Witten, Cowboys
T —Jammal Brown, Saints; Jason Peters, Eagles; Phil Loadholt, Vikings
Brown is one of the best tackles in the NFL, and the Saints have the top-ranked offense in the NFL. Their offensive line is a big part of their success, and Brown has been the anchor for the line.
Peters has done very well for the Eagles ever since being traded from the Buffalo Bills. With Stacy Andrews struggling, he has done great at holding up the left side of the line.
The talent level isn’t that high this year for NFC tackles. Loadholt has had a great rookie year with the Vikings, and he has helped Brett Favre have a good season in a Vikings uniform, and Adrian Peterson is continuing to run well.
Just Missed: Kareem McKenzie, Giants
G —Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Jahri Evans, Saints; Chris Snee, Giants
Hutchinson may be the best guard in the NFL. He used to be even more dominant, but he’s still got it. The Vikings’ offensive line has done very well this year, and Hutchinson has been the biggest part of it.
Evans has been brilliant with the Saints. Brees is having an MVP season, and he wouldn’t be doing as well as he is without his powerful line, with the help of Evans, who is regarded as an elite lineman in the NFL.
Snee continues to be one of the elite guards in the NFL, and he may be the best lineman on the Giants. He consistently blocks well for Eli Manning.
Just Missed: Josh Sitton, Packers
C —Jason Brown, Rams; Ryan Kalil, Panthers
Brown has improved the Rams’ offensive line, and he is part of how Steven Jackson is having a great season and staying healthy. He was a great free agent signing.
Kalil is doing great with the Panthers, and their great offensive line contributes to the Panthers’ rushing offense consisting of Williams and Stewart.
If the Panthers can get a good QB and a better defense, they could become Super Bowl contenders with what they already have in Kalil and the other offensive linemen.
Plus, Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah are both injured, so he carried the line yesterday against the Giants, as shown by Jonathan Stewart rushing for a whopping 206 yards.
Just Missed: Shaun O’Hara, Giants; Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Jeff Faine, Buccaneers
DE —Jared Allen, Vikings; Will Smith, Saints; Trent Cole, Eagles
Allen leads defensive linemen in sacks with 13.5, and he is the anchor of the Vikings’ dominant rush defense. The Chiefs were really stupid to trade him. He has a Hall of Fame career ahead of him, and he is the best DE in the NFL.
Smith has 13 sacks, and the Saints’ defense has improved significantly from last season. Soon, Will Smith will be a famous football name and not just a famous Hollywood name.
Cole has had a great season for the Eagles with 12.5 sacks, and the Eagles have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Just Missed: Julius Peppers, Panthers; Cullen Jenkins, Packers; Andre Carter, Redskins
DT —Kevin Williams, Vikings; R yan Pickett, Packers; Pat Williams, Vikings
Kevin Williams is the best defensive tackle in the NFL, and he is the heart of the Williams Wall. He leads NFL defensive tackles with six sacks, and the Vikings have one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the NFL with him in it.
Pickett is another underrated Packers player. The Packers have the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL, and Pickett has been a big part of it. He and B.J. Raji together provide amazing depth for the Packers.
Pat Williams is the other half of the Williams Wall, but he isn’t as dominant as Kevin. He is on the decline, which is most likely due to his age. He is 37, but he is still performing well enough to make the Williams Wall feared by offensive linemen across the NFL.
Just Missed: Jay Ratliff, Cowboys; Jonathan Babineaux, Falcons
OLB —DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; Clay Matthews, Packers; Brian Orakpo, Redskins
Ware is one of the greatest linebackers in the NFL. He didn’t match his 2008 20-sack season, but he still posted 11 sacks, and the Cowboys are fifth in rush defense, so he definitely deserves a start.
Matthews is making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he deserves to win the award, as he is on a winning team. He has 10 sacks for the Packers, and he stripped the ball from Adrian Peterson when the Packers played the Vikings. He’s another part of the Packers’ great defense.
Orakpo is another front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but is unfortunate to be on a losing team, so that will likely cost him the award. He has 11 sacks and is a lone bright spot in an otherwise weak Redskins’ rush defense.
Just Missed: Chad Greenway, Vikings; Lance Briggs, Bears
ILB —Patrick Willis, 49ers; Jon Beason, Panthers; Nick Barnett, Packers
Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL. He leads the NFL in tackles with 147, and he is the leader for the second time in three seasons, placing 2nd in 2008. He has four sacks to go with his tackles.
Beason is another elite linebacker in the NFL. He has 134 tackles and three sacks. He played very well against the Giants on national TV yesterday, along with his other consistently brilliant performances, so he deserves to start.
Barnett had a season-ending injury last year, and that hurt the Packers’ defense significantly. They now have the No. 2 defense in the NFL, and he has 100 tackles and four sacks. This shows how important he is to the Packers’ defense.
Just Missed: Karlos Dansby, Cardinals; Bradie James, Cowboys
CB —Charles Woodson, Packers; Asante Samuel, Eagles; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cardinals; Sheldon Brown, Eagles
Woodson is a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, and he and Matthews could easily have the Packers sweep the defensive awards. He has eight interceptions with two of them returned for touchdowns, and he leads the Packers’ powerful pass defense, which is ranked 11th but leads the league in interceptions.
Samuel is tied for the league lead with nine interceptions. He is having a Hall of Fame career, and he is the heart of the Eagles’ defense. The Patriots are probably wishing they still had him.
Rodgers-Cromartie is having an incredible second season. He has six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Although the Cardinals’ pass defense has been inconsistent, Rodgers-Cromartie has done very well for himself.
Brown is the most underrated CB in the NFL. Asante Samuel has all the spotlight for the Eagles, but Brown deserves just as much. The Eagles are third in the league in interceptions, and Brown has consistently performed well for the Eagles.
Just Missed: Mike Jenkins, Cowboys; Chris Gamble, Panthers
FS —Darren Sharper, Saints; Nick Collins, Packers
Sharper is tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, but he leads the NFL with three interception return touchdowns, including a 99-yarder. The Saints’ incredible season has been contributed to a lot by Sharper.
Collins has six interceptions. He made his first Pro Bowl last season, and numbhe deserves another trip.
SS —Adrian Wilson, Saints
Wilson is easily the best strong safety in the NFC. He has five interceptions, and he may be the best strong safety in the whole NFL.
K —Ryan Longwell, Vikings
Longwell has had a great season with the Vikings. He’s 22-for-24 on field goals and 46-for-46 on extra points.
P —Ben Graham, Cardinals
Graham has been very valuable to the Cardinals. Out of his 82 punts, 39 have gone inside the 20-yard line. His average is 47.0.
RS —Percy Harvin, Vikings
Harvin is a very explosive runner, and he is having an incredible rookie season. He has returned 36 kickoffs for 1,017 yards and two touchdowns. One of them was returned for 101 yards.
ST —Desmond Bishop, Packers
Bishop has done great on special teams for the Packers. He leads the team in special teams in tackles. The Packers’ special teams has had a lot of success with him.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
2010 NFL Mock Draft 1st Round: Suh or Clausen?
Published: December 24, 2009
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Updated 12/24
Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. I decided to release it a little early with Christmas approaching. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff projections. I apologize for any missing pictures. Some of the prospects have no search results. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft, and feel free to comment and tell me what you think of my picks—and whether you like your favorite team’s pick.
2010 NFL Mock Draft: First Round
Published: December 11, 2009
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Updated 12/11
Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff finish projections. There are a few players that I couldn’t get photos for. I put up a player from that team instead if they had no search results. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft.
2010 NFL Mock Draft 1st Round
Published: December 4, 2009
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Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff finish projections. There are a few players that I couldn’t get photos for. I put up a player from that team instead if they had no search results. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft.
2010 NFL Mock Draft First Round
Published: November 27, 2009
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Here’s the latest update for my 2010 Mock NFL Draft.
Draft order is based on season record and playoff finish projections:
1. Cleveland Browns—Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
With Charlie Weis more than likely getting fired, Clausen will most likely declare for the NFL. Clausen has an excellent arm and accuracy. He has 23 TDs, 4 INTs, and a 67.3 completion percentage. Plus, he plays in a pro-style offense.
Although Brady Quinn had four TDs last week, it was against the Lions, which is not saying much. It’s time for the Browns to start with a new QB since Derek Anderson can’t produce either.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Suh is an explosive defensive tackle who can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme, which will help him at the next level. The Buccaneers, who could use his help, continue to struggle on defense this year.
Their rush defense is their weakest spot, and Gaines Adams was traded away after he turned out to be a bust. Eric Berry is a tempting pick here, but the rush defense is what the Buccaneers need to fix first.
3. St. Louis Rams—Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Marc Bulger suffered a concussion to end his 2009 season, and it will blow my mind if he continues playing in 2010. The Rams need a new QB now, and Locker has shown some great potential such as when he led Washington to its game-winning drive against USC. He’s a dual threat, and he is ahead of Sam Bradford as far as draft stock goes.
4. Detroit Lions—Russell Okung, T, Oklahoma State
Matt Stafford played against the Packers yesterday with a dislocated left arm, and he his one tough guy for going through all the pain he has gone through his rookie year.
His offensive line is to blame for the rough season, as they have allowed 33 sacks. Okung can help fix that. He is a four-year starter at Oklahoma State. He has amazing leadership and a strong work ethic. He would definitely be a first day starter.
5. Buffalo Bills—Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
The Bills’ run defense is terrible, allowing over 190 rushing yards a game. McCoy is an elite defensive tackle, and he has great intangibles and is explosive with high stamina.
6. Kansas City Chiefs—Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Chiefs are living in Kansas S**tty right now, and they need help at left tackle and defense. Okung is off the board, so we’ll go with Berry to fix the secondary. Berry may be the most talented 2010 prospect. He is an interception machine with the ability to return any pick for a TD.
7. Washington Redskins—Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Daniel Snyder goes for big-name players, and Bradford is as good as it gets. The Redskins need a QB since Jason Campbell is struggling. He has many concerns such as playing in a spread shotgun offense and staying healthy. Campbell’s NFL success is a total mystery.
8. Oakland Raiders—Taylor Mays, S, USC
Al Davis is a really incompetent owner, and he drafts his players based on their 40-yard dash times. He drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey and Darren McFadden, and they are both busts.
They only have speed to show off. Mays is having a bad senior year with USC as their defense struggles, but Davis doesn’t care that the Raiders need a QB and an O-line badly. Mays has a 4.59 40-time, and Davis sees a Pro Bowl safety in Mays as a result.
9. Seattle Seahawks—Bruce Campbell, T, Maryland
The Seahawks need a left tackle badly because someone always gets close to Matt Hasselbeck, and the protection needs to improve. Walter Jones is on IR and is too injury-prone to continue playing football. Looks like the Seahawks should have drafted Eugene Monroe when they had the chance.
10. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)—Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden is the best cornerback in the nation and leads Florida’s dominant defense. The 49ers would benefit from his services as they need to improve their secondary. Nate Clements gets injured too much and won’t be worth resigning
11. Seattle Seahawks (from Chicago)—Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
This is a reach, but the Seahawks need a running back since Julius Jones is no good and Justin Forsett can’t handle the duties alone.
12. New York Jets—Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
The Jets need a wide receiver since Braylon Edwards is a huge failure. He drops way too many passes. However, there is no wide receiver with high enough value to take here, so the Jets can wait until the 2nd round. Warren would form a great CB tandem lining up across the field from Darrelle Revis.
13. San Francisco 49ers—Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa
The 49ers need an upgrade at right tackle. Adam Snyder has been awful, allowing 7.5 sacks. Bulaga is a strong lineman who will likely skip his senior year.
14. Tennessee Titans—Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Kyle Vanden Bosch is a free agent at the end of the season, and so are some other defensive ends on the Titans. Hardy would be a great fit for the Titans’ rush defense.
15. Miami Dolphins—Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
The Dolphins have a hole at inside linebacker. McClain is the top inside linebacker in this year’s draft, so this is a perfect scenario for the Dolphins.
16. Houston Texans—Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Texans need help in the secondary, and Thomas is the best available in that area. He and Bernard Pollard would form a good safety duo.
17. Baltimore Ravens—Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Ravens need a receiver badly since Derrick Mason will probably retire, and Mark Clayton is not reliable. Bryant has a lot of talent and should keep his draft stock up despite his NCAA troubles.
18. Atlanta Falcons—Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
The Falcons need an outside linebacker to upgrade over Mike Peterson. He has top-15 pick talent and could start for the Falcons right away.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars—Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
The Jaguars need more publicity, and they haven’t sold out any games this season. Drafting a big name like Tim Tebow would bring in a lot more fans just like signing Brett Favre attracted more fans for Vikings games. The Jaguars may need to move on with a new QB too because David Garrard isn’t doing that great.
20. New York Giants—Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Antonio Pierce is getting old, and he is out for the regular season. He wasn’t that great anyway, so the Giants could use a new linebacker. Spikes is a good leader and is on a national championship-contending team in Florida.
21. Denver Broncos—Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU
The Broncos are struggling on defense now that their true colors have been exposed, and they could use some help for their rush defense. They could use a DE to play in a 3-4 scheme across from Robert Ayers who is doing pretty well. Elvis Dumervil has 14 sacks, and the rush defense can only improve with the addition Hughes.
22. Arizona Cardinals—Charles Brown, T, USC
Mike Gandy is in his 30s now and will be a free agent, and Levi Brown is a bust. He has allowed six sacks and has committed nine penalties. The Cardinals need to upgrade at tackle, and Brown is doing great at USC.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers—Ras-I Dowling, CB/FS, Virginia
Dowling is a cornerback who can also play free safety, and the Steelers need an upgrade over Ryan Clark at free safety. Troy Polamalu could use a partner while roaming in the secondary.
24. Dallas Cowboys—Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma
Flozell Adams is old, and he has committed a lot of false start penalties. The Cowboys need to get a tackle to upgrade over Adams.
25. Green Bay Packers—Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers
The Packers’ offensive line has looked better, but I’m still not convinced because it has only started to look better against the 49ers and Lions.
Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are both in their 30s and fragile. Tauscher was an emergency signing since Allen Barbre was terrible, and he doesn’t have much left in him. Aaron Rodgers will be known as a top-five QB as soon as he gets a line that gives him at least one second to throw the ball.
26. Philadelphia Eagles—Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
The Eagles are somewhat shaky on their offensive line, and it’s mostly on the inside. The Andrews brothers aren’t the same anymore. It’s rare for a guard to go in the first round, but Iupati is a rare first-round talent at guard.
27. San Diego Chargers—Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
The Chargers have moved on without Chris Chambers, and they need a new No. 2 receiver to play across from Vincent Jackson. LaFell wisely stayed for his senior year due to the deep receiving 2009 draft class, and it will pay off for him.
28. Cincinnati Bengals—Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham should have declared last year. He has been out the whole season with an injury. The only need for the Bengals is a tight end, and Gresham is the best. He is a threat down the middle of the field who could take the usual double-team off of Chad Ochocinco.
29. Minnesota Vikings—Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
I heard that Favre will re—sign with the Vikings for one more year, but the Vikings need to draft a successor. Sage Rosenfels is good as a fill-in at best.
Mallett has been doing great at Arkansas since transferring from Michigan. He has 3,194 yards, 28 TDs, and only six interceptions. He isn’t the kind of QB to produce right away, but he produces amazing results if you give him time. He” also benefit just like Aaron Rodgers did by sitting and watching Favre.
30. Indianapolis Colts—Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
The Colts could use a defensive tackle to take pressure off of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. They don’t have any needs, and Cody is a top-15 talent, so this pick is a steal.
31. New England Patriots—C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller is an explosive RB, and the Patriots could use some help at that position. Fred Taylor is old, and Laurence Maroney is improving but still needs to prove he can be a No. 1 RB.
32. New Orleans Saints—Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The Saints are my pick to win the Super Bowl. They could use an upgrade at linebacker, and they never had the chance to take one in 2009 with no 2nd or 3rd round picks.
Tune in next week for another update.
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Week 12 NFL Power Rankings
Published: November 26, 2009
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1. Indianapolis Colts (10-0)
If there was a PhD in football, Peyton Manning would have one. He is the master of making big plays with two minutes left, and he now has 3,171 yards and 21 TDs on the season. He is my pick for MVP so far.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-0)
The Saints have an all-around great team as demonstrated by their 10-0 record, and Drew Brees is in the discussions for MVP. The Saints have many receiving weapons and a great defense and could win their first Super Bowl ever.
3. Minnesota Vikings (9-1)
Brett Favre is having an MVP-caliber season, and Sidney Rice is having a huge breakout year and could wind up in the Pro Bowl. We’ll see if Favre can lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl.
4. New England Patriots (7-3)
It looks like the Patriots are back to being Super Bowl contenders, and Tom Brady is having a great season. Wes Welker was impressive with a career-high 15 catches.
5. San Diego Chargers (7-3)
Once again, the Chargers get off to a bad start and then recover nicely. They killed the Broncos, and L.T. appears to have a little juice left in him.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)
The Raiders pulled another upset out of nowhere, but the Bengals are still in the AFC North lead since the Steelers and Ravens lost too. They are still Super Bowl contenders with an excellent defense.
7. Arizona Cardinals (7-3)
Kurt Warner is injured yet again, and we may see a Vince Young-Matt Leinart matchup when the Cardinals play the Titans this Sunday.
8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
The game against the Redskins was epic, and Tony Romo showed that he is capable of making big plays. Let’s see if he can do that in the playoffs for once.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-4)
Did anyone notice Dimitri Patterson pantsed Devin Hester? The Eagles are in contention for the wild card and could still win the NFC East. LeSean McCoy looked good against the Bears, and he’s filling in for Brian Westbrook very well.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)
The Steelers don’t appear to be destined for a Super Bowl repeat as of now, and the upset from the Chiefs was a shocker, but fortunately for them, the Bengals and Ravens lost too. Ben Roethlisberger is most likely out next game, so Dennis Dixon may get his first crack at starting, and he couldn’t have been faced with a more important game.
11. Green Bay Packers (6-4)
Al Harris and Aaron Kampman are out for the season, and it may cost the Packers a chance to play in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers continues to play sharp despite getting little protection, although the offensive line appears to be improving. He has only thrown five interceptions against 19 TDs.
12. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
Joe Flacco is struggling, and the lack of a decent receiving unit isn’t helping all. The pass defense could use some improvement to take the pressure off of Ed Reed. The game against the Steelers is crucial and will determine who will fight the Bengals for the AFC North title.
13. New York Giants (6-4)
The Giants finally snapped their four-game losing streak, and they are in contention for the wild card. Eli Manning seems to be out of his slump, and maybe he can shine when it counts just like he did when the Giants won the Super Bowl.
14. Miami Dolphins (5-5)
Benching Ted Ginn seems to be paying off for the Dolphins, and Chad Henne is doing a respectable job at QB. Ricky Williams is making a case for Comeback Player of the Year. He just needs to continue to stay away from all that marijuana.
15. Atlanta Falcons (5-5)
Matt Ryan had a respectable performance against the Giants, and time will tell whether he is back on track. The Falcons are still in the playoff picture, but they’re falling behind.
16. Denver Broncos (6-4)
I have never seen a more fake 6-0 team than the Broncos. I didn’t buy it for a minute, and now they have lost four games in a row. Josh McDaniels is a terrible coach, and Eddie Royal is not getting thrown to as much as he should be.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)
Jack Del Rio is lucky that the Jaguars won because he did fewer rushing plays than he should have since Buffalo has terrible rush defense, and Maurice Jones-Drew is an excellent RB. Even with three wins in a row for the Jaguars, I’m still not convinced that they are playoff contenders. Their defense is awful.
19. Houston Texans (5-5)
Gary Kubiak played way too conservatively on Monday, and Kris Brown ended up missing a field goal after Matt Schaub kneeled down. Next, Rob Bironas kicks the winning field goal. Kubiak’s butt is definitely on the line now, especially if the Texans miss the playoffs.
20. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)
Vernon Davis is finally showing what was expected of him when the 49ers drafted him, thanks to Mike Singletary’s excellent disciplinary action on his team. Michael Crabtree is looking great too after he finally ended his holdout. Alex Smith is starting to have some bright moments, but two of his three TDs could have very well been because the Packers stopped blitzing after taking a 30-10 lead.
21. Carolina Panthers (4-6)
Jake Delhomme has had a roller coaster of a season, and he looks like he’s improving, but it may be time for the Panthers to move on without him and head coach John Fox, who has been in the hot seat the whole season since the playoff loss to the Cardinals.
22. Chicago Bears (4-6)
Jay Cutler now has 18 interceptions on the season, which leads the NFL. And what happened to Matt Forte? I finally had it with him and dropped him in my fantasy league.
23. New York Jets (4-6)
Mark Sanchez is clearly exhausted and hitting the rookie wall (five INTs against Bills, four INTs against Patriots). It’s only natural for a rookie to struggle though, and he has shown the potential he has. The Jets have lost last four of their five games, and they’re hanging on by a thread in the playoff picture.
24. Washington Redskins (3-7)
The Redskins’ defense looked very sharp against the Cowboys, and Brian Orakpo has turned out to be a prize draft pick (seven sacks). He almost had his eighth, which would’ve made the Redskins 4-6, but Romo threw the ball just in time.
25. Kansas City Chiefs (3-7)
How in the world did the Chiefs beat the Steelers? Matt Cassel played like a QB that is being paid $60 million, and Todd Haley may have a brain after all since he finally figured out how great Jamaal Charles is.
26. Oakland Raiders (3-7)
With JaMarcus Russell on the bench and Bruce Gradkowski starting, the Raiders pulled off a shocking upset. The Raiders seem to have a glimmer of potential with upsetting both the Eagles and Bengals, but they need to part ways with Russell and draft a QB, and they need a coach that doesn’t hit girls that will make them a winning team again.
27. Buffalo Bills (3-7)
Terrell Owens finally had a memorable game in a Bills uniform, but it was against the Jaguars, and they have terrible pass defense. The Bills have a problem at QB with neither Trent Edwards nor Ryan Fitzpatrick able to carry an offense efficiently.
28. Seattle Seahawks (3-7)
Brett Favre got his career-high completion percentage against the Seahawks. The pass D and the offensive line are a big mess, and Matt Hasselbeck barely has juice left in him.
29. Detroit Lions (2-8)
Congratulations Lions, you’re not the worst team in the NFL anymore. But you still have a long way to go, and Matthew Stafford can only take so many more blows to the head because of no up front protection.
30. St. Louis Rams (2-8)
Marc Bulger’s career is over, and it’s time for the Rams to move on without him. Steven Jackson is having an incredible comeback season, but everything else on the team is lacking.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-9)
Josh Freeman struggled mightily, throwing three interceptions, and the defense is a huge mess as it showed allowing 38 points against the Saints.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-9)
Eric Mangini may be the dumbest coach in the NFL. What kind of coach would let his team blow a 24-3 lead against the Lions and lose while scoring 37 points? The Browns may as well throw the rest of their games and go for the first pick to get Jimmy Clausen or Jake Locker or whoever they are targeting in the draft.
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2010 NFL Mock Draft: First Round
Published: November 11, 2009
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1. Cleveland Browns- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen is an excellent QB that plays in a pro-style offense and leads effectively. He has great arm strength and accuracy. The Browns will go nowhere with Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson at QB. Quinn is obviously a bust, and Anderson’s one good year was a fluke.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The Buccaneers finally won a game this season, but their defensive line had nothing to be proud of because the Packers have the worst offensive line in the NFL. The Bucs need to rebuild their defense and they have expressed interest in Suh. Suh is a very explosive lineman and and has all-around skill and can play multiple schemes.
3. Detroit Lions- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Lions have a horrible offensive line, and Stafford will continue to get beat up until they fix their problem. Gosder Cherilus is a solid tackle, but he needs another solid tackle across from him, and Okung is a four-year starter and has the potential to be a Pro Bowl tackle.
4. St. Louis Rams- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Marc Bulger is way past his prime, and the Rams need to get a new QB. Jimmy Clausen is taken, so Locker is the second option. Sam Bradford’s stock is going down now ever since he got injured at Oklahoma this season.
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Chiefs are a mess, and they need to get some defense and an offensive line. With Okung off the board, Berry is first on the radar. He is the best defensive player in the 2010 draft class, and the Chiefs need to fix their secondary.
6. Oakland Raiders- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Al Davis is a very incompetent owner, and he always picks players based on their 40 times rather than positional needs. He drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey last year and Darren McFadden the year before. Dunlap runs a 4.7, and the Raiders could use help at defensive line. Dunlap, however, is very lazy and is having an unproductive junior year at Florida.
7. Washington Redskins- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Daniel Snyder loves drafting big-name players, and Jason Campbell is not the answer at QB. There are rumors that Jon Gruden will become the Redskins’ head coach, and he has openly expressed interest in Tebow.
8. Tennessee Titans- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Vince Young has been doing well since he replaced Kerry Collins, but he will need to convince the Titans’ management that he is the long-term answer, or they will draft a QB. Bradford has concerns surrounding him about his injury history and his ability to play in a pro-style offense.
9. Buffalo Bills- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy would be a perfect pick here because the Bills need help at defensive line very badly. McCoy is elite, and he is a great pass rusher. He has even been compared to Kevin Williams.
10. Miami Dolphins- Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
The Dolphins need to get an inside linebacker, and McClain is available, so he fits perfectly here.
11. San Francisco 49ers- Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays is a really hard hitter, and the 49ers need help in the secondary. However, Mays has poor instincts that could hold him back.
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)- Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa
The 49ers need to improve their offensive line, and Pashos and Snyder have allowed many sacks. Bulaga would be a big upgrade.
13. Seattle Seahawks- Bruce Campbell, T, Maryland
Walter Jones is way past his prime, and he is too injury-prone and old at age 37. He was recently placed on IR.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars- Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
The Jaguars have the worst rush defense in the NFL. They only have 5 sacks, and Derrick Harvey is most likely a bust. The new 3-4 scheme hasn’t worked either, and Hardy is the best defensive player available.
15. New York Jets- Damian Williams, WR, USC
The Jets traded for Braylon Edwards. That shows how desperate they are for a receiver. Edwards is lazy and inconsistent. He drops a lot of passes, and the Jets aren’t likely to give him an extension. Williams would be perfect for the Jets’ offense since Mark Sanchez is the QB and they worked well together at USC.
16. Seattle Seahawks (from Chicago)- Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
Julius Jones is not a No. 1 RB, and Justin Forsett is a capable backup, but not ready to start. The Seahawks have a zone-blocking scheme, and Best is a talented running back that would fit it perfectly.
17. Green Bay Packers- Charles Brown, T, USC
The Packers are on pace to allow 74 sacks on the year, and Aaron Rodgers never even gets a second to throw the ball. Brown’s draft stock is rising, and he would give Rodgers some much-needed protection.
18. Baltimore Ravens- Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Ravens need a cornerback badly to fix their weak pass defense, and Haden has high value.
19. Houston Texans- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Wilson gives the Texans much-needed help at the secondary, and Dunta Robinson is too injury-prone to rely on.
20. New York Giants- Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
The Giants have lost four games in a row, and they need an inside linebacker badly. Antonio Pierce is on the decline.
21. Atlanta Falcons- Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
The Falcons need to find a long-term solution at weakside linebacker.
22. San Diego Chargers- Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Jamal Williams is almost 34, and he is injured, which shows the little depth the Chargers have at DT.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
The Eagles don’t have any pressing needs, but an upgrade at DE couldn’t hurt.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Trent Williams, T, Oklahoma
Levi Brown isn’t doing well for the Cardinals, and the offensive line would improve with Williams at tackle.
25. New England Patriots- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Ben Watson will be a free agent at the end of the season and even if he is re-signed, they could use some depth at tight end.
26. Cincinnati Bengals- Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
The Bengals don’t have any needs, so they can go for a value pick here, and Dwyer would make a great complement to Cedric Benson.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers
Flozell Adams is old now, and he has committed a lot of false start penalties, and the Cowboys need to improve their offensive line badly.
28. Denver Broncos- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
The Broncos have the perfect offensive scheme for McCoy. It’s a shotgun offense, and Orton isn’t a long-term solution, and depth is needed at QB.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers- Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Thomas is having an amazing year for Texas, and the Steelers could use a free safety to play across Troy Polamalu.
30. Minnesota Vikings- Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
The Vikings don’t have any major needs. They could use an upgrade at safety though.
31. Indianapolis Colts- Everson Griffen, DE, USC
The Colts have no pressing needs, but Raheem Brock and Robert Mathis are both free agents after next season, and if they draft Griffen now, they can groom him for a year in the NFL, and he can become a very productive DE.
32. New Orleans Saints- Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
Jones fits the 3-4 scheme that the Saints have, and depth would be very nice for them.
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