Mock Draft 1.0 and Introductions

Well, howdy there. My name is Matthew Caponi and I watch a lot of football. I read a lot of football-related articles and play a lot of Madden with my roommates. I'm also pretty smart and reasonably good-looking. On those grounds alone, I consider myself qualified to record my opinions on this year's NFL draft. What follows is my first crack at the draft, which I've put a good deal of thought and energy into. I'd love to hear comments and criticisms, so if you happen to read it and feel the urge to say something nice, mean, antagonistic, insightful or any combination of the above, by all means, leave a comment.

So without any more ado, here is my 2010 Mock NFL Draft version 1.0. I will post version 2.0 probably sometime after Pro-Day. I might even post my own personal big board, by position. For now, you're stuck with this:

1. St. Louis Rams: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma -- Honestly, it would be hard for the Rams to go wrong here. Yes, DT Ndamukong Suh is probably the best overall player in the draft, yes, Steve Spagnulo is a devensive minded coach who would love to get to throw that monster at his opponents' backfield, yes, you could pick up Suh here and, if QB Jimmy Clausen falls to the mid-late first round (as many are now projecting), use your first overall pick of the 2nd round to move up and grab him. But Bradford looked so good physically at the combine, filling out his small frame to an impressive 236 pounds, and the Rams are so desperately in need of some sign of life this season after a combined 6 wins the last 3 seasons that it's hard to pass on a potential franchise quarterback like Bradford.

2. Detroit Lions: DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska -- Lions head coach Jim Schwartz used to be the Titans defensive coordinator. Don't you think he'd be a little bit okay with having the next Albert Haynesworth fall into his lap? This is an absolute gift for the Lions (and the Bucs as well.)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma -- The Bucs desperately need secondary help; they were abused by the long ball all season. But McCoy is too good a disruptive force on the defensive line, another area of major concern for Tampa, to pass on. Tampa is thrilled if the Rams think QB at pick 1. Otherwise, they give Eric Berry a call.

4. Washington Redskins: OT Russel Okung, Oklahoma State -- Hard to properly evaluate Jason Campbell's long-term ability if you can't keep him upright. Shanahan needs to know if Campbell can be his guy, at least for the forseeable future. Drafting Okung gives him the franchise tackle necessary to make that decision.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Bryan Buluga, Iowa -- We finally leave Oklahoma and the Big XII behind with this pick. The Chiefs are basically picking between Buluga and Eric Berry in this scenario and even though Berry is basically the second coming of Ed Reed, the Chiefs have a pressing need to make that investment in Matt Cassel pay off, and that starts with keeping him alive.

6. Seattle Seahawks: OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma -- And we're back to the Sooner state. Pete Carrol can go in a lot of different directions here, but if he's going to trust Matt Hasselbeck for one more year (as I think he should and will) he must keep his nose clean. It's a familiar mantra, because this is the third team in a row to follow this logic, but if you've got a weak O-line and a solid but injury prone QB, you gotta fix one of the two or you're going nowhere fast. And somehow, I can't see Pete Carrol getting on the phone with his pal Charlie Weis to talk about Jimmy Clausen's potential. Call me crazy. Remember, Pete still has the 14th pick to pick up some firepower (and maybe Clausen, if he's still there). Opinions are very divided on the linemen following Buluga and Okung but we're going with the former Sooner here.

7. Cleveland Browns: S Eric Berry, Tennessee -- The Browns have a lot of pressing concerns right now, and it is unusually high for a safety to be drafted, but Berry is an unusually gifted athlete and ball hawk who will make quarterbacks pay, as well as a hard hitter who isn't afraid to get physical--ask TimTebow. Ed Reed 2.0 can be a franchise player for this team for years to come, and when you see Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger 6 times a year combined, you need to get a playmaker in the secondary.

8. Oakland Raiders: OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland -- Really, this was one of the easier picks to make. Al Davis loves measurables, especially the freakish ones Campbell put up at the combine, and this is a position of need for the Raiders. Campbell is a big hit or miss prospect, and 8th overall is a risky place to grab one of those when you have as many needs as the Raiders, but while Al Davis may be many things, afraid of taking risks is not one of them. The Raiders take a look at Jason Pierre-Paul here too--another freakish athlete, and pairing him with Richard Seymour on the other edge would be a nightmare for offenses.

9. Buffalo Bills: QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame -- I said Clausen might slip a bit in the draft. Well, if he makes it past Buffalo he just might. There aren't as many teams outside the top 10 truly in need of a quarterback. Buffalo, fortunately for Clausen and for them, happens to have a glaring need at quarterback that is really hamstringing their offense and they would be more than ready to jump all over Clausen at this spot.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, USF -- The Jags are downright awful at rushing the passer and Pierre-Paul is a a physical freak who lit up the combine and could instantly help address the Jag's league-low 14 sacks in 09. And maybe drafting a South Florida standout puts some more fans in the seats in Jacksonville. Keep an eye on Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan, especially if the Raiders decide they like Pierre-Paul's freakish combine workout more than Bruce Campbell's.

11. Denver Broncos: WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State -- With word spreading that Brandon Marshall is officially on the trading block, you have to fill the kind of void a player like Marshall leaves with something, especially when you've got Kyle Orton throwing to it. Bryant has the potential to be as good or better than Michael Crabtree was coming out, and Bryant might even make it to training camp. Bryant is easily a top 10 talent that the Broncos should be thrilled to have fall to them.

12. Miami Dolphins: OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas -- With Joey Porter losing popularity in Miami and Jason Taylor essentially running on fumes, Kindle is the perfect fit for this 3-4 scheme. Kindle is athletic and a pass-rushing fiend. Plus, Parcells has a history of drafting linebackers in the first round.

13. San Francisco 49ers: S Earl Thomas, Texas -- Two Longhorns go back to back. Thomas can cover, finds the ball as well as Eric Berry, can deliver blows on run defense and let's be honest, the 49ers desperately need a playmaker like Thomas in their secondary. Expect them to take a good look at USC S Taylor Mays here too, who's stock has fallen maybe a bit too much this last year. He's still a tremendous athlete who helped himself at the combine.

14. Seattle Seahawks: RB CJ Spiller, Clemson -- Pete Carrol could go a couple of different directions here, but it'll be hard for him to pass on Reggie Bush 2.0, especially with the lack of legitimate playmakers in this offense. Spiller could be the jolt this team desperately needs on offense and don't you think Carrol could find a way to use Spiller effectively, especially given the way he abused teams with Bush at USC?

15. New York Giants: DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech --The Giants could look at Alabama's Rolando McClain here, especially with Antonio Pierce's departure, but Morgan is so good a pass rusher and a huge bargain at 15, it'll be hard for the G-Men to pass up on adressing that particular need.

16. Tennessee Titans: CB Joe Haden, Florida -- It's a long fall out of the top 10 for the Florida product, but he didn't do himself any favors at the combine and Tennessee is thrilled to see him hanging around at 16. For a team without many glaring weaknesses, their secondary could definitely use some help--just ask Tom Brady. If Derrick Morgan is still on the board, the Titans will give him a good, long look, as their D-line status is very much up in the air. Haden started 40 games at Florida--that kind of experience will allow him to start opposite Cortland Finnegan from day 1, and that's not a pair of corners to sneeze at.

17. San Francisco 49ers: G/OT Mike Iupati, Idaho -- The 49ers are feeling pretty good if they can come out of the first round with Thomas and Iupati. Their O-line has been, shall we say, less than impressive of late, and Iupati is a versatile talent with a no-nonsense attitude that fits right in with the environment Mike Singletary has created.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Taylor Mays, USC -- Pitt would love to get some O-line help, but with Iupati coming off the board right before them, Mays falls right into their lap. A top 10 talent who has fallen because of questions about his ability to make reads, his athleticism and playmaking ability are definitely not in question. The tandem of Mays and Troy Polumalu in the secondary is hard to pass up.

19. Atlanta Falcons: CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State -- Atlanta needs help with pass rush and pass coverage. They could elect to go with Florida DE Carlos Dunlap here, or Michigan's Brandon Graham, but I like Wilson's speed and instincts here. If he was on the board late, watch for Atlanta to try and trade for a shot at Joe Haden or one of the elite edge rushers, like Derrick Morgan or Sergio Kindle.

20. Houston Texans: DT Dan Williams, Tennessee -- The Texans, despite seemingly drafting a new defensive lineman every year, still need one last piece up front and Williams is a talented force who could go earlier. The Texans feel pretty good about snagging him at 20 in this scenario. If Mays or Thomas are still around look for them to go that direction. Running back is another possibility for the Texans here too.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma -- Cincy desperately needs another target for Carson Palmer besides Ochocinco and Gresham is a versatile, athletic pass-catcher with good hands who will be a threat coming across the middle, and has the speed to stretch the field. Gresham will really open things up for this offense.

22. New England Patriots: WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame -- With Wes Welker's brutal knee injury at the end of the season and Randy Moss's recent discontent, the Pats need to bring in someone to preserve their offense. I see Charlie Weis liking Tate here for some reason.

23. Green Bay Packers: OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers -- Davis needs work on his technique, weight and work ethic. Other than that, the Packers are thrilled to upgrade their faltering O-line. Davis isn't a great power blocker but the Packers need him for outside pass protection. The secondary could also use some help, so don't be surprised to see the Pack looking that direction. O-line is still the priority, however.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida -- Andy Reid loves building the lines and adding a strong pass rusher at the DE slot would fit his bill nicely. Character issues aside, Dunlap is a solid first round talent who has fallen right into Philly's lap.

25. Baltimore Ravens: WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois -- The Ravens have to be scared at the prospect of going into next season with Mark Clayton, Kelley Washington and Demetrius Williams. Despite his subpar stats as a junior, Benn is a physical target with both size and speed. If they don't grab Terrell Owens in free agency, getting his younger version would suit them just fine.

26. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri -- The Cards' offense is pretty much set, with the caveat that Matt Leinart has some work to do. With that in mind, they look to replace Karlos Dansby with the polished and versatile playmaker of Weatherspoon.

27. Dallas Cowboys: CB Patrick Robinson, Florida State -- Dallas would be estatic if a safety like Taylor Mays or Earl Thomas dropped all the way to them or if a top offensive lineman like Iupati or Davis fell in their lap, but with those chances looking slim at best, they upgrade their pass defense by taking the Seminoles corner here. An edge rusher like Michigan's Brandon Graham is also a possibility here.

28. San Diego Chargers: RB Ryan Matthews, Fresno State -- The Chargers are likely going to be left without either of their first and second string running backs from last season--not that that's a bad thing necessarily, what with their 31st overall ranking in running the ball. They'd love a durable workhorse here, in the event they hang onto Darren Sproles for one more year, and Matthews brings size and speed along with durability. If Sproles leaves, they take a longer look at Cal's Jahvid Best, who has Sproles's speed and homerun ability.

29. New York Jets: DE Brandon Graham, Michigan -- This one is all but gift wrapped for Rex Ryan, if Graham falls this far. The Jets could go WR too, but passing on a talented edge rusher like Graham, who could realistically go 10 spots higher, would be too much.

30. Minnesota Vikings: CB Devin McCourty, Rutgers ­-- The Vikings really need pass coverage help, with the NFC title game injury to Cedric Griffen and Antoine Winfield's injury-plagued season. McCourty is physical and could start as a nickleback as a rookie. And if Percy Harvin's migranes keep giving him issues, McCourty has big-time return game skills as well.

31. Indianapolis Colts: DT Brian Price, UCLA -- Indy needs help on the defensive line and even though Penn State's Jared Odrick is higher rated on some boards, Indy likes the aggressive Price, who put up more tackles for loss than almost anyone in the country last season.

32. New Orleans Saints: Jared Odrick, Penn State -- The Super Bowl champs need help against the run and that's about it. Indy and New Orleans could flip DTs here, but Odrick, should he fall to the Saints, is versatile enough to succeed in Greg Williams' different looks. Florida center Muarkice Pouncey is another option here.