2010 NFL Draft Day(s)

This year the NFL Draft is spread out over 3 days, starting tonight with Round 1. Rounds 2 and 3 take place tomorrow night, and the last four rounds take place Saturday.

I will probably watch all of it.

I love the draft. It's like Christmas for me. I usually try to provide you with at least a mock draft of the first ten picks. And so here we go:

1. St. Louis – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Picking Bradford makes a certain amount of sense for the beleaguered Rams. The team has really lacked a franchise-type quarterback since Kurt Warner was shown the door. Honestly, the Rams can’t go wrong here in the top three. The next two players picked will be franchise guys for their respective teams, assuming all plays out and no one becomes a Ryan Leaf style draft bust.

Alternate Picks: DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Gerald McCoy

2. Detroit – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

So the Big XII goes 1-2 in this draft. Suh is a beast, and with a little more polish he’ll be one of the better defensive players for many years. Again, Detroit can’t go wrong here. Picking Suh, or even taking McCoy will give them franchise players on both sides of the ball.

Alternate Picks: QB Sam Bradford, DT Gerald McCoy

3. Tampa Bay – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

McCoy will be the first underclassman taken in 2010. Like Suh, he’s a beast. Many actually pick him as a stronger player at the moment than Suh, although the Nebraska DT will likely have a better career (according to those in the know).

Alternate Picks: DT Ndamukong Suh

4. Washington – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Alright, so the Big XII has pushed out the first 4 picks of this draft. In all honesty, I don’t want to say that Washington will take Okung. Nothing against the man, but I actually see the ‘Skins trading out of this pick and moving down to take Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen at a more reasonable spot in the first round. Of course, this move doesn’t come with certainty, as you’ll see in the latter half of the top 10.

Alternate Picks: Trade down for QB Jimmy Clausen

5. Kansas City – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Bulaga’s draft status has fallen a bit lately, but I still think the Chiefs make the reach to provide some protection for QB Matt Cassell.

Alternate Picks: S Eric Berry

6. Seattle – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

Spiller has, lately, been drawing comparisons to Chris Johnson, the electrifying RB of the Tennessee Titans. The best RB in the ACC will go in the top 10, I’m pretty sure. Seattle has been in need of a RB since Shaun Alexander fell from grace. This looks to be a pretty solid first draft for Pete Carroll.

Alternate Picks: QB Jimmy Clausen, S Eric Berry

7. Cleveland – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The best Safety in the draft looks to go top 10, and Cleveland could really use some defensive help. Of course, don’t put it past Cleveland to jump up to Number 4 and grab Clausen if the price is right. The Browns need a QB as well.

Alternate Picks: Trade up for QB Jimmy Clausen

8. Oakland – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Oakland really, really, really, wants to put the embarrassment that is JaMarcus Russell as far behind them as possible. What better way to do that than to grab one of the better QBs in this fairly deep QB draft. Of course, Al Davis is 865 years old and a wee bit senile. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes Tim Tebow or Dez Bryant here instead.

Alternate Picks: WR Dez Bryant

9. Buffalo – Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Buffalo has several needs, and Haden fills one of them. He’s the best CB in what is truly a weak CB draft. Look for someone to pull the trigger on this guy early.

Alternate Picks: WR Dez Bryant, ILB Rolando McClain

10. Jacksonville – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

This is a Washington style pick. I really think that Jacksonville trades out of this spot and moves down so that they can grab Florida QB Tim Tebow. Tebow seems a logical pick for the Jags.

Alternate Picks: QB Tim Tebow, QB Jimmy Clausen

And for the hometown folks:

19. Atlanta – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

The Falcons have to address several issues on the defensive side of the ball. Graham is just the continuation. Signing CB Dunta Robinson was the start.

Alternate Picks: LB Sean Weatherspoon, C Maurkice Pouncey