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2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3/Round 4
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (3/7 - 2 Rounds) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
2010 NFL Draft Prospects | 2010 NFL Free Agents
(More links to previous years at the bottom of this page)

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

Last update: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - Major changes in all rounds.
Next update: TBA

This order is based on the official 7-Round 2010 NFL Draft Order and the NFL Strength of Schedule.

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Picks 1-16

San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

Running back is obviously not a big need for the 49ers, but they really could benefit from an enormous home-run threat like C.J. Spiller (or Darren Sproles via free agency).

Spiller is the most dynamic offensive talent in this class, capable of going the distance at any moment. Having him on the roster could really open things up for San Francisco's offense. As an added bonus, he would also assist a pedestrian return game.

Other 2010 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. Right Tackle - Again, right tackle is a huge need for the 49ers. Unfortunately, there aren't any worth taking at this point.

2. Taylor Mays, SS - Mike Singletary is reportedly very high on Taylor Mays. Mays would fill a need at strong safety.

Pick change; previously Anthony Davis, OT

Pittsburgh Steelers: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

Surprised to see Rolando McClain this low? Some mocks have McClain as high as No. 5, which I think is crazy. No inside linebacker has gone higher than No. 9 (Brian Urlacher) in the past 15 years. And there's a reason for that, as well as the fact that other renowned inside linebackers like Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis have fallen - the position is not that important.

However, McClain is a great value at No. 18, and I can't see the Steelers passing up on him if he's available. James Farrior has been a very good player for a number of years, but he recently turned 35. The Steelers will have to find a successor soon.

Other 2010 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. Kyle Wilson, CB - Corner is a huge need for the Steelers.

2. Mike Iupati, G - Right guard has to be upgraded.

Pick change; previously Earl Thomas, FS

Atlanta Falcons: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

Mike Peterson, 34 in June, started off the season pretty well at weakside linebacker, but predictably wore down the stretch.

The Falcons need help in their linebacking corps. Not only was Sean Weatherspoon the vocal leader of the North team in the Senior Bowl, he also made several outstanding plays during the game, pretty much cementing his first-round status. Weatherspoon is the type of high-character guy this new Atlanta regime would want on its roster.

Other 2010 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. Brandon Graham, DE - Jamaal Anderson is a bust. The Falcons need help up front to generate more of a consistent pass rush; they had just 28 sacks in 2009.

2. Kyle Wilson, CB - The Falcons are in desperate search of a No. 1 cornerback.

Pick change; previously Brandon Graham, DE

Houston Texans: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas

Houston's primary goal is to beat the Colts. They came close twice this year, but ultimately failed because of missed field goals and sloppy turnovers. However, their inability to stop Peyton Manning didn't help matters. In those two contests, Manning was a combined 61-of-85, 562 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Eugene Wilson was placed on injured reserve in the middle of the season. Wilson has now missed 29 games in the last four years. The Texans can no longer count on him.

Other 2010 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. Ryan Mathews, RB - Ryan Mathews is a great fit for Houston's zone-blocking scheme.

2. Kyle Wilson, CB - Dunta Robinson is gone, so the cornerback position must be addressed early in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pick change; previously Kyle Wilson, CB

Cincinnati Bengals: Taylor Mays, S, USC

Taylor Mays lost a ton of money by going back to school; he was exposed last season as a hard-hitting safety who can't cover anyone. Fortunately, he saved his draft stock by running an unofficial 4.24 at the Combine.

Mays is a good fit for Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's scheme. He'll be considered here.

A very interesting trend: Since Marvin Lewis became head coach of Cincinnati in 2003, the Bengals have drafted four Round 1-3 USC players in that span. Marvin clearly likes his Trojan Men.

New England Patriots: Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State

Trading Richard Seymour for Oakland's 2011 first-round pick was a good move - New England will likely have a top-10 pick next April - but the team now has a hole up front, as we all saw when Baltimore gashed this defense in that playoff blowout. Jared Odrick, who had a very solid Combine, will be able to fill Seymour's shoes.

Sergio Kindle and Jerry Hughes would appear to be options, but it's worth noting that Bill Belichick has never spent a first-round pick on a rush linebacker. Belichick is smart, and knows that rush linebackers have extremely high bust rates because they didn't play the position in college, making the transition to the pros a very taxing one.

And by the way, Belichick spent two first-round selections on tight ends in the last decade (Daniel Graham, Ben Watson), so Jermaine Gresham is an option.

Green Bay Packers: Charles Brown, OT, USC

Aaron Rodgers received much better pass protection since losing to the Buccaneers, but things ultimately fell apart in Arizona. Relying on Chad Clifton to protect Rodgers' blind side for another year is not a good idea. Green Bay's No. 1 priority this offseason is finding a top-notch left tackle for Rodgers. Ted Thompson usually opts to draft the best player available, and you can make the argument that Brown fits that distinction here.

Philadelphia Eagles: Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Andy Reid loves drafting linemen on both sides of the ball, and the Eagles will be looking for an upgrade over mediocre left end Victor Abiamiri this offseason.

Everson Griffen has great athleticism and tremendous upside, but he hasn't performed up to those standards on the field the past two seasons. However, it should be noted that Andy Reid has taken a chance on underachievers before (Jason Peters, Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, etc.)

Pick change; previously Carlos Dunlap, DE

Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Todd Heap had four touchdowns in a two-game span toward the end of the season, but I wouldn't rely on him going forward. Who knows when he'll break down again?

Jermaine Gresham is one of the top players on the board and fills a big need for Baltimore. The Ravens really have to concentrate on finding weapons for Joe Flacco, so wide receiver is an option as well.

Arizona Cardinals: Kyle Wilson, CB/PR, Boise State

What a painful offseason for Cardinals fans. Not only did they lose Kurt Warner and replace him with Matt Leinart and the Nick Lachey Hot Tub Offense; but Karlos Dansby just inked a deal with the Dolphins. Well, at least Antrel Rolle and his blown coverages won't haunt the team in 2010, right?

The Cardinals can fix things by trading for Donovan McNabb or drafting Sean Weatherspoon, but both would ultimately require this selection. And Weatherspoon might not even be here - as seen in this scenario.

Bryant McFadden was a bust free agent signing. He's better off in a reserve role; Arizona needs to find itself a new starting corner. Kyle Wilson is one of the top players available at this juncture.

Pick change; previously Sean Weatherspoon, ILB

Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho

E-mailer Austin W. pointed out that the Cowboys have never spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989. This was a solid point, but upon doing some research, I discovered that Dallas actually did use the No. 29 overall selection on guard Steve Wisniewski 21 years ago (back then, that pick was a second-rounder. So, will the difference between pick Nos. 29 and 27 prevent Jones from drafting Mike Iupati? I don't think so.

Iupati makes too much sense here. He's the type of mauling offensive lineman Dallas loves to have up front. The Cowboys need help at the position. It's a perfect match, and I found it highly amusing that the Dallas Morning News reported that the entire Cowboys coaching staff "perked up" when Iupati's name was announced for the Senior Bowl Weigh-Ins.

Iupati had a great week of Senior Bowl practices, but he really struggled in pass protection during the game. He has a ton of upside, but he's still raw. I'd be surprised to see him go much higher than this (i.e. No. 17 to the 49ers).

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

LaDainian Tomlinson was just cut, and Darren Sproles won't be back. That leaves Michael Bennett as San Diego's top running back on the depth chart. Think this position will be addressed early in the 2010 NFL Draft?

Ryan Mathews had a great Combine (6-0, 218, 4.41 40, 36-inch vertical). He's a really versatile back who can catch the ball out of the backfield and block - two traits that are very important to the Chargers. Mathews and San Diego seem like a perfect match.

New York Jets: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets have two priorities this offseason - they need to get players who can apply consistent pressure on the quarterback, and they must find at least one more weapon for Mark Sanchez to work with.

Golden Tate had a fantastic Combine; he ran a 4.36 and notched a 10-0 broad jump. He's a great run-after-the-catch receiver, and would be perfect in the slot for the Jets to go along with Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and the stout running game.

Minnesota Vikings: Brian Price, DT, UCLA

Pat Williams says he's "50-50" to retire this spring. If he opts to hang it up, it's safe to say that defensive tackle will be a huge need. And if Williams returns, Brian Price would be the Vikings' successor. Besides, this is a huge value pick; Price could conceivably go as high as No. 15 to the Giants or No. 20 to the Texans. Getting him down here would be a steal.

Indianapolis Colts: Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida

Even though the defensive side of the ball has been the weaker half of Indianapolis' roster, general manager Bill Polian has spent seven of his 10 first-round picks on offensive players.

One area of weakness on offense for the Colts is the offensive line. Left tackle, right tackle and right guard can all be upgraded. Maurkice Pouncey, the top lineman available, would fix the latter position. He could also function as Jeff Saturday's eventual successor.

New Orleans Saints: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

With Scott Fujita defecting for Cleveland, New Orleans' two biggest needs are now defensive end and strongside linebacker. Coincidentally, Sergio Kindle can play both.

Kindle could be utilized like fellow Longhorn Brian Orakpo was used in Washington in 2009. Depending on the situation, Kindle could drop into coverage or rush the passer from the defensive end position. I'm sure Gregg Williams would love to have someone with Kindle's versatility on the roster.

Pick change; previously Everson Griffen, DE

2010 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2

2010 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3

2010 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4

Back to 2010 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16

2010 NFL Free Agents - March 11

2010 NFL Offseason Needs - March 11

2010 NFL Mock Draft - March 9

Matt McGuire's 2010 NFL Mock Draft - March 7

2010 NBA Mock Draft - Feb. 25

2011 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 24

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