Our First 2010 NFL Mock Draft, Part I: Picks 1-10

In Part I of our mock, we analyze the first ten selections of the NFL Draft. Check back tomorrow for Part II. View our "Potential Draft Picks" Series to see scouting reports on some of the top prospects and how they might fit on the Cowboys' roster. [caption id="attachment_340" align="alignright" width="135" caption="Jimmy Clausen"][/caption] 1. St. Louis Rams- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame The Rams absolutely must find a franchise quarterback. There are rumors they may be interested in Michael Vick, but that would just be a short-term solution. Jimmy Clausen's physical tools are all there, but we question his attitude and work ethic. He probably fits the Rams' system better than Sam Bradford, though, so he goes here. [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="Ndamukong Suh"][/caption] 2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska If St. Louis chooses a quarterback, the Lions will take their top-rated defensive tackle-- either Suh or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. Suh is the more well-known of the two, but either could be the choice. [caption id="attachment_342" align="alignright" width="135" caption="Eric Berry"][/caption] 3. Tampa Bay Bucs- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee Tennessee safety Eric Berry fills a need for Tampa and will immediately compete for a starting spot. Passing on Gerald McCoy would be difficult, but Berry is about as close to a can't-miss prospect as you get, and there is a bigger bust rate on defensive tackles. [caption id="attachment_343" align="alignleft" width="94" caption="Russell Okung"][/caption] 4. Washington Redskins- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford is Washington's consensus pick in mock drafts right now, but we feel new coach Mike Shanahan will give Jason Campbell a shot. Campbell struggled in '09, but until he obtains proper protection, we will never know how good he really is. Russell Okung, who almost certainly will be the first OT taken, can provide that protection. [caption id="attachment_345" align="alignright" width="120" caption="Joe Haden"][/caption] 5. Kansas City Chiefs- Joe Haden, CB, Florida Joe Haden is the consensus #1 cornerback in the draft, and the Chiefs are extremely weak at the position opposite Brandon Flowers. Gerald McCoy is still on the board, but probably would not fit Kansas City's scheme. [caption id="attachment_346" align="alignleft" width="120" caption="Sam Bradford"][/caption] 6. Seattle Seahawks- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma We think that Bradford is just as overrated as Jimmy Clausen. This quarterback class is extremely weak, so this is definitely a reach, but quarterbacks never last long. Pete Carroll will want to secure his franchise quarterback immediately, so Bradford makes sense as a guy who can come in and sit for a year behind Matt Hasselbeck before taking over the reigns in 2011. [caption id="attachment_347" align="alignright" width="120" caption="Gerald McCoy"][/caption] 7. Cleveland Browns- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma Cleveland has been frequently linked to CB Joe Haden, but with him gone and DT Gerald McCoy still on the board, this is a no-brainer. McCoy would represent tremendous value this late in the draft. [caption id="attachment_348" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="Rolando McClain"][/caption] 8. Oakland Raiders- Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama Rolando McClain, who we profiled earlier this year, has tremendous size and speed. For Raiders' owner Al Davis, that is really all that matters. 9. Buffalo Bills- Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="135" caption="Bryan Bulaga"][/caption] The Bills have a ton of needs, including quarterback. With no top signal-callers left on the board, they could go with either an offensive or defensive tackle. The top two defensive tackles will be long gone by this point, though, so the value just is not there. Don't rule out this team trading up for a quarterback. [caption id="attachment_350" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="J. Pierre-Paul"][/caption] 10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida This pick is subject to a coin flip, so it could be Denver's. If Jacksonville remains in the slot, they must address their pass rush, and Pierre-Paul is a crazy athletic pass-rushing force. Part II of our Mock Draft will include picks 11-20.

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