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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 16, 2010

NFL draft: Advertiser's mock draft 2.0; Broncos target WR


Curtis Murayama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu Advertiser Sports Editor Curtis Murayama, a decades-long NFL draft fan, projects the first round.

This second (2.0) version has numerous changes, most resulting from Denver trading all-pro receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins.

1, Rams — Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma — It's about time the Rams addressed this position; they passed on Matt Ryan two years ago and Mark Sanchez last year even though their incumbent QB Marc Bulger was already showing signs of breaking down.

2, Lions — Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska — He's No. 1 in my book. He's a Beast. He's dominant and should be an all-pro for many years. Can you imagine if the Lions picked Suh and then Alabama's NT Terrence Cody in the second round? No one would be able to run on them.

3, Buccaneers — Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma — He's quick and can cause disruptions in the backfield. Some have ranked him ahead of Suh.

4, Redskins — Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State — Okung fills a huge void left by retirement of Chis Samuels. At 6-5, 307, he's the best of a good bunch of tackles.

5, Chiefs — Eric Berry, S, Tennessee — Of all players I've seen, he and Suh were the best. He's a Ronnie Lott-type. He can play free or strong safety and can hit and cover.

6, Seahawks — Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa — OT Walter Jones hasn't officially retired yet. Still, the left tackle spot will eventually become a need, so look for Seahawks to address that with a tackle. Bulaga (6-5, 316) has a good skill set for the position. Still, the Seahawks could select Trent Williams.

7, Browns — Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma — Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen has been mentioned here, but didn't the Browns just get rid of a Notre Dame QB who also happened to be a hometown boy? The pick of Williams makes more sense. He has size (314 pounds), speed (4.88) and athleticism. If this is the route the Browns take, hope Colt McCoy's still available in Round 2.

8, Raiders — Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland — Don't expect a pick coming from left field (Remember Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree?). This one should be safe, and sound. At 6-6, 314, Campbell has had an outstanding workout (4.85 in 40, 34 reps, 32-inch vertical).

9, Bills — Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame — An offensive tackle might be a more pressing need, or a running back such as C.J. Spiller could add instant excitement. But Clausen, providing he's not scooped up by Cleveland two picks earlier, might be too valuable a commodity to pass up.

10, Jaguars — Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida — Started just seven games for the Bulls but he has, as he put, "God-gifted" talent. He's 6-5, 270 with a good motor and natural pass-rush abilities. He could be another Jevon Kearse.

11, Broncos — Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State — The 6-2, 225-pound receiver has top-10 talent and the trade of WR Brandon Marshall likely will force the Broncos in this direction. Previous projected pick: Anthony Davis

12, Dolphins — Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee — Were it not for Suh and McCoy, this defensive lineman would get more publicity. At 6-2, 327, Williams might be best nose tackle in the draft.

13, 49ers — Joe Haden, CB, Florida — The 49ers can't compete with their current corners. Haden would be an immediate upgrade because of his instincts. He could also help in the return game, where the Niners were horrible and the main reason why Bush-like C.J. Spiller is so tempting.

14, Seahawks — C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson — Spiller, some say, is better than Reggie Bush because he's a tougher inside runner. Seahawks were only one of a handful of teams without a 1,000-yard rusher. Spiller might not get 1,000 yards rushing, but he could combine for 2,500 yards in rushing, receiving and returning.

15, Giants — Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama — Just what the Giants need, an inside backer with size (6-3, 254), good range and good instincts.

16, Titans — Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech — At 6-3, 266, Morgan will bring speed and hustle.

17, 49ers — Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers — The Niners desperately need a tackle, as well as a guard. Davis is mammoth (6-5, 323), a good all-around player who just needs to watch his weight. Previous pick: Mike Iupati.

18, Steelers — Mike Iupati, G, Idaho — This aggressive, powerful blocker fits perfectly in the Steelers' scheme. Previous pick: Dez Bryant

19, Falcons — Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan — Graham is short (6-1) but fast (4.72) and strong (32 reps) and just makes plays, just what the Falcons are looking for from the end position. Previous pick: Sergio Kindle.

20, Texans — Earl Thomas, S, Texas — This 5-10, 208-pounder is super quick and fast with ability to play corner or safety. Some have ranked him as the No. 1 safety over Eric Berry.

21, Bengals — Jermaine Greshman, TE, Oklahoma — He's the best of a deep and talented tight end group. At 6-5, 261, Greshman has excellent hands to go with excellent athletic ability.

22, Patriots — Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas — Kindle's an edge rusher with 4.7 speed that the Patriots are looking for. Previous pick: Sean Weatherspoon.

23, Packers — Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State — Wilson (5-10, 194, 4.43, 25 reps, 38 vertical) has all the skills to become a standout cover guy in the NFL. This guy could easily be drafted in the teens.

24, Eagles — Maukrice Pouncey, C/G, Florida — Pouncey could fit in at center or guard and should have a long NFL career based on his ability. Previous pick: Brandon Graham.

25, Ravens — Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State — The 6-5, 298-pound Odrick is active, quick and be disruptive.

26, Cardinals — Brian Price, DT, UCLA — A solid player with size (6-1, 308), quickness and athletic ability, Price should help bolster the Cards' interior defense. Previous pick: Charles Brown

27, Cowboys — Charles Brown, OT, USC — Brown has worked his way up the charts. He has ability, not to mention long arms and big hands, useful tools for an offensive tackle. Previous pick: Nate Allen

28, Chargers — Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama — Immovable Mount Cody (6-4, 349) might be the missing piece for the Charger defense. In fact, there's no other piece like him. With the running back class deep but not elite, the Chargers can try to snag a big back (Ryan Mathews, Toby Gerhart) in the second round. Previous pick: Ryan Mathews.

29, Jets — Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri — Not big (6-1, 239) but Weatherspoon has everything else — speed (4.68), strength (34 reps), athleticism (40 vertical) — to go along with his ability to play in space and tackle. The Jets' defense is getting better by the day. Previous pick: Brian Price

30, Vikings — Taylor Mays, S, USC — He has all the measurables (6-3, 230, 4.43 in 40, 24 reps, 41 vertical). But it's missing on the football field — so far. He misses tackles, is late on coverage and, since he never played in the box, it's uncertain if he can shed tackles. But being the best athlete available, he's worth a gamble this late in the first round.

31, Colts — Everson Griffen, DE, USC — One of the most talented defensive players around, Griffen (6-3, 273, 4.66) needs to be surrounded by a top-flight organization to keep him focused and allow him to reach his potential. With the Colts, it could all come together. Previous pick: Maukrice Pouncey.

32, Saints — Jerry Hughes, TCU, OLB — Saints need to replace Scott Fujita. A rush end at TCU, the 6-2, 255-pound Hughes is athletic enough to make the transition. He'll bring passion to the defense.