Mock Draft: The Top 10
Russ Lande - SportingNews.com
Oct 29, 2009
With both the college and NFL seasons roughly at their halfway points, we're getting a clearer view of who the best prospects are, and what order teams will be picking in next year's draft. Sporting News' Russ Lande fills out his latest mock draft, with the top 10 listed below. For the full first round, check out the War Room.
1. Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska. The Rams want a quarterback for the future, but seeing that Bradford will just be getting to 100 percent around the time of the draft they can't take the risk of ending up with another fragile QB, so they grab Suh who can replace first-round pick Adam Carriker (who has never developed).
2. Buccaneers
Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma State.* With Josh Freeman the Bucs' quarterback of the future, they need to get him some offensive weapons for him to throw to and Bryant is a big play, sure-handed receiver who should make an impact as a rookie.
3. Titans
Joe Haden, CB Florida.* While Cortland Finnegan is a good starter, the Titans need another corner across from him to shore up their secondary. Haden is the elite athlete with raw technique that the Titans have shown a tendency to lean toward.
4. Chiefs
Russell Okung, T Oklahoma State.Despite taking OT Branden Albert in the first round in 2008, the Chiefs' offensive line is a mess. Okung would shore up their right tackle spot as a rookie and will likely become their left tackle in time as we think Albert is always going to struggle with consistency.
5. Browns
Eric Berry, S Tennessee.* The Browns secondary is a mess and Berry, who played safety at Tennessee, is viewed as an elite athlete with the talent to become a quality starter at either safety or cornerback.
6. Lions
Trent Williams, T Oklahoma. Jeff Backus is no longer a high-level offensive tackle and if Matthew Stafford is going to stay healthy long term, Detroit needs an elite OT. Williams has what it takes to be extremely good.
7. Redskins
Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma.* At this point everyone knows that coach Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are unlikely to return in 2010 and Dan Snyder not only wants to get a top-level QB, but also loves to make a splash, so he takes the gamble that Bradford can physically hold up and will learn the ropes playing QB in a traditional NFL style offense.
8. Raiders
Taylor Mays, S USC. The Raiders have been disappointed with the consistency and lack of big play-making from their safeties, so they jump on the chance to grab Mays.
9. Seahawks
Brian Bulaga, T Iowa.* Walter Jones' career seems to be nearing an end, and if Hasselbeck is going to continue to play well he needs someone to keep him upright. Bulaga is a top athlete with the tools to be that man.
10. Dolphins
Mardy Gilyard, WR Cincinnati. Ted Ginn does not look like he is ever going to develop and Miami needs a big-play receiver to play opposite the huge Pat Turner and give Chad Henne some real targets.
*--Denotes underclassman
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News' Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
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