NFL Mock Round 2

Only a few notes in this one, with some big college names going, including 2 more QBs-

Round 2.

1. St. Louis Rams- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
2. Detroit Lions- Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

Kevin Smith is recovering from a devastating knee injury. Ryan Matthews is a first round talent who has fallen to the Lions. Again, they are happy to take him.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
4. Kansas City Chiefs- Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

The explosive Notre Dame playmaker is reunited with his former head coach, now the team’s OC, Charlie Weis.

5. Philadelphia Eagles- John Asamoah, OG, Illinois
6. Cleveland Browns- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

This could be the steal of the draft. He is a perfect fit for the system, and has a great arm. If he develops his accuracy, he could be Drew Brees.

7. Oakland Raiders- Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Al Davis can’t pass on this workout warrior twice.

8. San Diego Chargers- Jahvid Base, RB, Cal

They are all about the passing game, so the Chargers take an explosive Reggie Bush-type player.

9. Buffalo Bills- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Chan Gaily is installing a spread offense. Tebow could thrive in that system. He is an amazing athlete, and already has the Jim Kelly seal of approval.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
11. Denver Broncos- Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota

The Broncos get their replacement to Brandon Marshall in a big receiver and compliment to Eddie Royal.

12. New England Patriots- Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
13. Denver Broncos- JD Walton, C, Baylor
14. New York Giants- Brian Price, DT, UCLA
15. New England Patriots- Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
16. Carolina Panthers- Tyson Alalu, DT, Cal
17. San Francisco 49ers- Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Roger Saffold, OT, Indiana

The Chiefs passed on Bulaga at 5 to take Eric Berry. They still get a solid O-Tackle to help Brandon Albert and keep Matt Cassel upright.

19. Houston Texans- Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Patrick Robinson, CB, FSU
21. New England Patriots- Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

Two words: Instant Playmaker

22. Cincinnati Bengals- Linval Joseph, DT, ECU
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Nate Allen, S, USF
24. Green Bay Packers- Chris Cook, CB, UVA
25. Baltimore Ravens- Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU
26. Arizona Cardinals- Cam Thomas, NT, UNC
27. Dallas Cowboys- Major Wright, S, Florida
28. Seattle Seahawks- Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
29. New York Jets- Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
30. Minnesota Vikings- Vladimir Ducasse, OG/C, UMASS
31. Indianapolis Colts- Koa Misi, OLB, Utah
32. New Orleans Saitns- Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina

THE MOCK HAS LANDED!

It is here, finally, three days before the event starts in prime time. Here is the mock draft. Just a few things to mention before I start. 1- I think this is what most of the teams will/should do. But things change. 2- I cannot predict trades, so this is the mock barring any trades made before tonight and the Draft starting. I will try to edit as much as I can if things change before Thursday. ENJOY, and comment telling me how crazy I am.

JFLANland’s 2010 NFL Mock Draft

Rounds 1-3

Round 1

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

The Rams have passed on too many QBs in the past. It is their biggest need. They are handcuffed into taking Bradford.

2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

The best player in the draft. The Lions are thrilled he falls to 2

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The consensus Top 3 are gone. The Bucs hope McCoy is the next Sapp

4. Washington Redskins- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Skins need value and need production. Okung is the safest pick in the draft, guaranteed to anchor the O-Line for ten years.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The first true wild card spot. The Chiefs have a lot of needs, including O-Line, but Berry is the best player on their board. Kiper says he is the next Ed Reed.

6. Seattle Seahawks- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Matt Hasselbeck isn’t getting any younger. Walter Jones is probably retiring. A new OT helps fill that sizable void.

7. Cleveland Browns- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

I have a feeling Mike Holmgren watched how productive last year’s talented problem receiver, Michael Crabtree, was in SF. The Browns have nothing, Bryant is an explosive compliment to Josh Cribbs.

8. Oakland Raiders- Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Dare we say it, but I think the Raiders don’t take the sexy pick and draft a solid DT. I might also be predicting they trade for Jason Campbell, so no go on Clausen.

9. Buffalo Bills- Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Another wild card spot. Chan Gailey is installing a spread offense, and Clausen doesn’t fit. Bulaga could be a top 5 talent, and fill the biggest need in Buffalo.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars- CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

I think that the Jags miss Fred Taylor. CJ Spiller can return kicks and be Robin to Mo-Jo Drew’s Batman. That can help their dismal passing game.

11. Denver Broncos- Earl Thomas, S, Texas

Dez is gone, so they address a defense issue. Brian Dawkins can’t play forever.

12. Miami Dolphins- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

Todd McShay calls him the most underrated talent in the draft. It will be a tough decision for Miami between Graham and Morgan.

13. San Francisco 49ers- Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

The 49ers want someone to go opposite Joe Stanley. Davis has the talent to be a left tackle, but might be best as a bookend right tackle. Again, no joy in Clausen-ville

14. Seattle Seahawks- Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Seahawks traded for Charlie Whitehurst, so I don’t see them drafting a QB in round 1. Derrick Morgan is Kiper’s pick for the most underrated man, and fills a big need.

15. New York Giants- Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

The Giants have made little secret that they want McClain. They get their man.

16. Tennessee Titans- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF

An explosive pass rusher with more upside than many of his counterparts. He could be Mario Williams or Jevon Kearse.

17. San Francisco 49ers- Joe Haden, CB, Florida

San Fran is ready to take Clausen, but they are amazed when Haden falls to them. They have him rated higher, and want to ride out the Alex Smith express, so they go with Joe.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers- Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

They don’t need much, but a center is one of their biggest needs. Now I wonder who he will be hiking the ball to…

19. Atlanta Falcons- Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas

Need pick and best player available. Gives John Abraham a little competition, and might fire him up a smidge.

20. Houston Texans- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

Dunta Robinson took the money and ran to Atlanta. Hello replacement.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Carson Palmer can never have too many weapons apparently. He hasn’t had a true Gates-style TE yet.

22. New England Patriots- Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

Just seems like the type of guy the Pats love. Hughes is a hard worker, and a versatile, tenacious defender. He and Jared Mayo will stick together for a while.

23. Green Bay Packers- Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

Aaron Rogers got sacked the most last year. The Franchise has to be upright if you are going to win.

24. Philadelphia Eagles- Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

Filling needs with a lot of picks

25. Baltimore Ravens- Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

They are committed to giving Joe Flacco numerous weapons, including a young receiving he can develop with.

26. Arizona Cardinals- Sean Witherspoon, LB, Missouri

They need to replace Karlos Dansby.

27. Dallas Cowboys- Charles Brown, OT, USC

They need to replace Flozell Adams

28. San Diego Chargers- Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama

They need to replace Jamal Williams. They need a running back also. More on that later.

29. New York Jets- Taylor Mays, S, USC

Rex Ryan will pick defense, and safety is the biggest need.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

And the waiting finally ends! Ok, let’s be honest, there is no way that Clausen lasts this long. Someone will trade back into the first round to take him. But, if magically someone doesn’t, then the Vikings won’t be able to pass up on their next franchise QB, especially with McNabb negotiating an extension in DC.

31. Indianapolis Colts- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

They need someone in the middle to go with Mathis and Freeney. Odrick could be that man.

32. New Orleans Saints- Everson Griffen, DE, USC

The Super Bowl champs take the best player available, helping them in their pass defense. The pass rush should help out that secondary.

The Nats Win!

The Nats are above .500 for the first time in 2 seasons, when they started 3-0 in 2008 (only to lose the next, like 18). Old Man Livan Hernandez threw a gem today, going all 9 innings and shutting out the Brew Crew 8-0. That wraps up our 2nd series win of the year. We go for the sweep tomorrow at Nats Park. Its an amazing this what the Nats can do when they don't have to play Philadelphia every day.

The Entire Ginn Family is heading to San Fran

Talk about a failed experiment. The Dolphins have shipped former #9 overall pick Ted Ginn Jr out to the 49ers for a 5th round pick. A bust in everything except the return game against the Jets, Ginn will now likely be the speed slot receiver for Mike Singeltary. They have some good WR and TE options out west. If only they had a QB to go with them. They look to be committed to Alex Smith, but if Jimmy Clausen falls to them, do you think they can pass on a pro style signal caller?

A Bryce Harper Update

Here is an update on future National Bryce Harper from MASNsports.com:

Nats likely to take Harper with No. 1 pick

By Ben Goessling,

With baseball's First-Year Player Draft still almost two months away, the perception in some circles around the game is the Nationals won't have as easy a choice with the No. 1 pick this season as they did last year, when they took right-hander Stephen Strasburg first overall.

That's not how the Nationals are approaching it.

Barring an injury or a drastic change, the Nationals will likely take 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper with the first pick in the June Draft. According to a source familiar with the situation, they see Harper as being head and shoulders above anyone else in the 2010 draft class and believe he could reach the majors within 2 1/2 years.

Harper, who has been called "the LeBron James of baseball," completed his GED in December 2009 so he could play junior-college baseball and be eligible for the 2010 draft, rather than finish high school. He is currently playing at the College of Southern Nevada, where he is batting .422 with a .516 on-base percentage, .891 slugging percentage, 15 homers and 42 RBI in 39 games.

The Nationals are pleased with Harper's arrangement, as it makes him easier to scout than he would be if he was in high school. He is already playing with a wood bat, and the junior-college level of competition is higher than what he'd face in high school. What's more, Harper is getting pitched to at Southern Nevada, where most high school teams would pitch around him.

Washington has scouted Harper for the last several years, though its top executives have not watched the 6-foot-3 catcher play yet. The Nationals believe he is as surefire a talent as Jayson Heyward, the outfielder selected by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in 2007 who is starting his rookie year with the team.

According to the source, the Nationals will take the best player available, and the decision is almost as cut-and-dried as last year's decision to take Strasburg.

Harper's advisor, Scott Boras, got Strasburg the richest deal ever given to a draft pick last summer, when he agreed to a four-year, $15.1 million deal with Strasburg just before the Aug. 17 deadline. Boras has said he does not consider Harper to be in the same class as Strasburg, though many scouts see him as a similarly rare talent. It's likely negotations for Harper would be lengthy; the Nationals have not made detailed inquiries about his salary demands, but intend to sign him if they do indeed draft him.

General manager Mike Rizzo has historically preferred college players, but took high school shortstop Justin Upton with the first pick in the 2005 draft when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Harper, who also throws a 96-mph fastball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated last year, and could project at a number of different positions. He has become an Internet sensation after video surfaced of him hitting a 502-foot home run (albeit with an aluminum bat) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., last year.

If the Nationals take him, he could eventually pair with Strasburg to give the team two of the most highly-touted (and handsomely paid) prospects in the history of the draft. Right now, it appears that is what the team plans to do.

Been a While

Sorry it has been so long, but there was a tragedy in my life, the loss of a dear friend. At 23, he left us far too young, and so my interest in sports and blogging has waned recently. But I need to try to bring things back to something close to normal for me, so here are some thoughts on what has been happening in the sports world.

- McNabb is out of Philly and now on my team. I love it. Just make sure we get some O-line help. I'd love to draft Okung or move down to get more picks for more linemen. If we really don't care about draft picks either, trade next year's 2nd rounder to the Ravens for Jared Gaither, who can be a franchise tackle.

- The Nats are off to a 3-3 start. Already 3/63rds of the way to not losing 100!

- Lefty won the Masters, and I think everyone was happy for him, considering what he has been through with his wife and mother both battling breast cancer. Notice how he stuck by them and has no controversy surrounding him. Are you paying attention Tiger?

- The Caps won the President's Trophy and will now be taking on Montreal in the first round. Hopefully, in a week, we will be talking about a sweep by Ovie and the boys.

- The NBA regular season is apparently still going on. The Thunder, Bobcats and Hawks are all in the playoffs. What is the world coming to?

- Everyone should see the play Mark Buerhle made on opening day. It was insane, and will be the play of the year... AND IT CAME ON OPENING DAY!

- The NFL Draft is in a week and a half. When I find time, I will mock a 1st round for you, my 6 loyal readers.

Might do some more today, or some tomorrow.

A Quick Thought on Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy had his pro day yesterday, and by all accounts did a great job. I see no reason to doubt his ability, and compare him favorably to Drew Brees. In an ideal world, for me, if the Redskins are seriously considering taking a new QB in the draft this month, I would like to use the #4 pick on Russel Okung, OT from Oklahoma State, and then the 37th pick on McCoy. This, in my opinion would be a great first 2 picks.