Looking Ahead to the 2010 Draft: Depth

[ChickenMonkey]

Im putting my 1st round pick in for OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (JR)...
plays LT/or RT, our biggest need by far

[WaldSkins]

Originally Posted by ChickenMonkey

Im putting my 1st round pick in for OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (JR)...
plays LT/or RT, our biggest need by far

Maybe let's wait to the season ends before we start naming picks?

[Dirtbag59]

1. St. Louis Rams -- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

College football's most accurate passer could emerge as the top overall pick in 2010. The Rams should be in position to draft their future franchise quarterback after passing on Mark Sanchez in this year's draft.


2. Cleveland Browns -- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Suh is an underrated talent with quickness, power and versatility.



3. Detroit Lions -- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Lions should be in the market for a starting left tackle to protect the blind side of 2009 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford.


4. Oakland Raiders -- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Oakland drafted a wide receiver (Darrius Heyward-Bey) at No. 7 overall this year rather than solidifying its offensive line with OT Eugene Monroe. The Raiders shouldn't make the same mistake in 2010.


5. Kansas City Chiefs -- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Chiefs will have some bigger needs along the offensive and defensive lines, but Gresham projects as the premier tight end in the 2010 class. He could become the replacement for future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, who was traded to the Falcons, providing QB Matt Cassell a legitimate pass-catching threat over the middle.


6. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) -- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

A year from now the Seahawks could be in the market for Matt Hasselbeck's future replacement and don't be surprised if McCoy emerges as a top-10 pick by then.


7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Jaguars need to replenish their interior defensive line and McCoy is college football's most disruptive tackle when he's healthy.


8. San Francisco 49ers -- Taylor Mays, S, USC

Offensive tackle is a big need area but Mays possesses freakish physical tools and could anchor the 49ers' secondary for many years. It should also be pointed out that Mays will have competition for the honor of being first safety off the 2010 draft board if Tennessee's Eric Berry leaves school early.


9. Green Bay Packers -- Adam Ulatoski, OT, Texas

Ulatoski has good feet for his size and could develop into a top offensive tackle prospect as a senior with improved technique and consistency.


10. San Francisco 49ers (from CAR) -- Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

With the second of their two first-round selections, the 49ers could look to upgrade their offensive line or pass rush. Kindle is a great fit in this scenario as an undersized end with excellent speed off the edge and fluid hips that allow him to occasionally drop into coverage.


11. Washington Redskins -- Ciron Black, OT, LSU

Black is a bit overrated at this point, but he has the physical tools to emerge as a high first-round pick a year from now.


12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia

New defensive coordinator Jim Bates is looking to get bigger and stronger up front. Atkins fits the mold as a squatty, quick and strong defender. However, he needs to rebound from a somewhat disappointing 2008 season in order to emerge as a premier defensive tackle prospect in next year's class.


13. Denver Broncos (from CHI) -- Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU

Hughes is flying under the radar, but his initial burst and pass-rushing ability -- 15 sacks in 2008 -- could land him a spot in the middle of next year's first round.


14. Buffalo Bills -- Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame

Offensive tackle is the only need area the Bills failed to address in the most recent draft. As a result, expect the team to be in the market for a future starter such as Young a year from now.


15. Cincinnati Bengals -- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

Spiller's speed and versatility could land him a spot in the mid-to-late portion of Round 1.


16. Miami Dolphins -- George Selvie, DE, South Florida

Selvie is a notch below elite in terms of physical tools, but his toughness and nonstop motor will be enticing to a team like the Dolphins.
To see where other big names land and who your favorite team might bring into the fold in 2010, become an ESPN Insider today.



17. Tennessee Titans -- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida

Spikes lacks elite speed and needs to play with more consistent leverage. On the flip side, he's a hard-hitting emotional leader with very good instincts.


18. Seattle Seahawks -- Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU

LaFell is arguably the only 2010 senior wide receiver prospect worthy of first-round consideration at this point. LaFell has room to improve as a route runner but very few college receivers possess his combination of size, speed, athleticism and proven playmaking skills.


19. Houston Texans -- Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky

The Texans could be in the market for a playmaking defensive back early in next year's draft. Lindley is not overly physical and was knocked out of Kentucky's bowl game with a hyperextended elbow, but he is a fluid cover corner with outstanding speed and good overall ball skills.


20. New Orleans Saints -- Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State

Upgrading the speed and athleticism of their defense should continue to be a focal point for the Saints during next year's draft. Bowman has some off-the-field issues that must be investigated, but he's a fast-rising prospect with outstanding range for the position.


21. New York Jets -- DeMarcus Granger, DT, Oklahoma

Granger is arguably the most talented defensive lineman in the country, but durability and character issues have prevented him from reaching his full potential to this point. A healthy and productive 2009 campaign could land him a spot in Round 1.


22. Baltimore Ravens -- Marshwan Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

Gilyard is an emerging talent with outstanding speed to stretch the field vertically, and he is also one of college football's premier return men.


23. Dallas Cowboys -- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama

Arenas' recognition skills and technique in coverage still have room to improve, but he's a fast and fluid athlete with game-breaking ability in the return game.


24. New York Giants -- Brandon Lang, DE, Troy

Lang is still developing physically, but he has good size potential and great initial burst. He caught the attention of NFL scouts with 17.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks, in 2008.


25. Minnesota Vikings -- Nate Allen, S, South Florida

Allen is a bit of an unknown prospect at this point, but he possesses the size, athleticism and ball skills to emerge as a Day 1 prospect a year from now.


26. Indianapolis Colts -- Eric Norwood, DE, South Carolina

Norwood lacks ideal size (6-foot, 265 pounds) but he's a quick and instinctive pass-rusher who finished second in the SEC with nine sacks last year.


27. Arizona Cardinals -- Sergio Render, G, Virginia Tech

Render is the premier interior offensive lineman in the 2010 senior class. He needs to recover fully from offseason shoulder surgery in order to nail down a spot in Round 1.


28. San Diego Chargers -- LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon

The Chargers could look to find LaDainian Tomlinson's long-term replacement early in next year's draft. Blount is a bit of a long shot to be drafted this early once underclassmen are thrown into the mix, but don't be surprised if Blount lands a spot in Day 1 by putting up big numbers as the Ducks' top back this fall.


29. Atlanta Falcons -- Mark Herzlich, OLB, Boston College

What Herzlich lacks in athleticism he more than makes up for with hustle, instincts and toughness. His versatility will be highly regarded by teams that use hybrid defensive fronts.


30. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

Cody is a mountain of a man, and he's an ideal fit as a nose tackle in the middle of a "30" front. However, he doesn't play with enough consistent leverage and needs to show a better motor in order to avoid a free fall in next year's draft


31. Philadelphia Eagles -- Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi

Hardy possesses the size, speed and pass-rushing skills of a high first-rounder. But his inconsistent effort is well-documented, and it could cost him a year from now.


32. New England Patriots -- Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky

Johnson had a breakout junior season with 93 tackles in 11 games. If the 250-pound inside linebacker builds on that performance, he could land a spot late in next year's first round.

[Dirtbag59]

Our needs next year will most likely be LB and OT. OG could become even more important if Thomas can't last the whole season as he's our best run blocker and puller. However with the shallow projection for this class we would either have to find a Brandon Albert clone or we would need to look towards free agency.

It would be nice if that Young kid turns out to be Fletcher 2.0 but I'm not banking on it and without getting Rey Rey in this years draft it'll be obvious that we still need to find a MLB to succeed him.

Of course OLB will probably find itself near the top of the needs list as Orakpo will end up moving to DE full time. So on that front we would need Chris Wilson to step up at least in a similar manner to that of Lamar Marshall a while ago or find someone in the draft.

[budw38]

OL , maybe Lb . A DL-Men if he is far and away the best player on the board ,,, we do have a 2nd rd pick also . I doubt we take Oregon's rb Blount ......

[franklinhimself]

We don't have a 3rd round pick due to Jarmon.
Does anyone know if we are missing any other picks for next year?

[Dirtbag59]

Bumping this up for now to see how the preseason rankings compare to now. I think the big changes are the emergence of Eric Berry as a top 5 pick and Joe Haden from Florida as a Top 10 pick when Corner was thought to easily be the worst quality position, at least at the top.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

interesting post dirtbag, but why on earth would the skins trade UP to get a QB? the only team ahead of us that is likely to draft a QB is St Louis. Worst case scenario - they pass one one of the QBs, leaving the other to us (assuming we wanted a QB). However, there's a VERY good chance both QBs will be available when our pick comes up.

NVM - I just realized that you posted this before last season even started. my bad!

[53Fan]

With only 3 picks in front of us, it's very possible that Eric Berry could be there at #4. Especially if the Rams go QB. Do you take him?

[Trample the Elderly]

I'll just have to have confidence that our new FO knows what they're doing.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

With only 3 picks in front of us, it's very possible that Eric Berry could be there at #4. Especially if the Rams go QB. Do you take him?

no freakin way. we have much more pressing issues then Berry

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

With only 3 picks in front of us, it's very possible that Eric Berry could be there at #4. Especially if the Rams go QB. Do you take him?

Great player, but no way...i really wouldnt mind us spending the entire draft on offense.......

[BigHairedAristocrat]

berry is the absolute last player i would draft at 4, even if he is "BPA." we simply have too many other needs.

we are in an excellent position to trade down, as its highly possible that both of the Top QBs will still be on the board, along with the top OTs, and top RBs will be available.... and we have DIRE needs at all 3 of those positions. Any teams that have eyes on any of those players would trade up with us to get them. If the team in question wants a QB, we'll likely get a little more than "fair market value" for our pick. If its another position, we may have to settle for less, but we are in the ideal position for teams wanting to trade down.

Even if St. Louis takes a QB (and I dont think they will), there will only be one first round QB left on the board and i would expect Seattle, Buffalo, San Francisco, and potentially Jacksonville and even Cincinnati to inquire about making a trade. IMO SF and Seattle would seem to be the most likely partners though.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

berry is the absolute last player i would draft at 4, even if he is "BPA." we simply have too many other needs.

we are in an excellent position to trade down, as its highly possible that both of the Top QBs will still be on the board, along with the top OTs, and top RBs will be available.... and we have DIRE needs at all 3 of those positions. Any teams that have eyes on any of those players would trade up with us to get them. If the team in question wants a QB, we'll likely get a little more than "fair market value" for our pick. If its another position, we may have to settle for less, but we are in the ideal position for teams wanting to trade down.

Even if St. Louis takes a QB (and I dont think they will), there will only be one first round QB left on the board and i would expect Seattle, Buffalo, San Francisco, and potentially Jacksonville and even Cincinnati to inquire about making a trade. IMO SF and Seattle would seem to be the most likely partners though.

I don't think trading down more than 6 spots is prudent. We need top talent infused to the oline and in all likelihood the starting caliber LTs will all be gone in the top 10 as has typically been the case (Oher is an awesome exception).

7 Cleveland (5-11)
8 Oakland (5-11)
9 Buffalo (6-10)
10 Jacksonville^ (7-9)

This is probably where we should look for trade partners, hoping to get a 2nd or 3 rounder as part of the deal.

But honestly I don't see trading back as a necessity. I'd take LT at 4, RT in the 2nd rd and the best RB in the 4th. Defensively IMO, with the changes we're likely to see, bringing in a couple FA vets makes the most sense to help w/ the 3-4.

[rbanerjee23]

Originally Posted by The Goat

But honestly I don't see trading back as a necessity. I'd take LT at 4, RT in the 2nd rd and the best RB in the 4th. Defensively IMO, with the changes we're likely to see, bringing in a couple FA vets makes the most sense to help w/ the 3-4.

While I wouldn't mind picking up a few extra picks, I would be fine if this ^ is what ended up happening