The combine is complete, free agency is in full swing and the pro-days are taking place all around the country - so time for an updated mock draft. Moves in free agency will clearly impact what happens on April 22nd, but to what extent? He's my updated projection:
Round One
#1 St. Louis: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
The Rams need to do all the medical checks on Bradford's arm and they'll look forward to testing him out at the end of the month. If he gets the all clear, he has to be the favorite to go first overall.
#2 Detroit: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
The Lions had the worst defense in the NFL last year. Jim Schwartz, a defensive coach, won't accept that. He needs a talent like Suh to make the most of Detroit's additions in free agency.
#3 Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
The Buccs will settle for McCoy if Suh's off the board. This fills a huge need in Tampa Bay.
#4 Washington: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
Many people think Okung will be the first offensive lineman drafted. I don't agree. Davis is raw, but has much greater upside in pass protection. He reminds me of Ryan Clady, a former Shanahan draftee.
#5 Kansas City: Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
Nobody thought Tyson Jackson would go third overall this time last year. Kansas City will do what it takes to build a great 3-4 defense.
#6 Seattle: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
I firmly believe the new regime in Seattle will look to rebuild the team's offense. If they think Clausen can be a franchise quarterback, the choice is obvious here.
#7 Cleveland: Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
The Browns could go in a number of directions, but they'll consider taking Berry to add a much needed presence in the secondary.
#8 Oakland: Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland)
Bruce Campbell, Taylor Mays or Jason Pierre-Paul. Take your pick.
#9 Buffalo: Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa)
Bulaga will interest teams as a left tackle despite his short arms.
#10 Jacksonville: Earl Thomas (S, Texas)
I expect the Jaguars to explore trading down. They're rebuilding their secondary, so if they stay put Thomas makes sense.
#11 Denver: Sergio Kindle (OLB, Texas)
The Broncos have rebuilt their defensive line in free agency. They might look to add an outside presence in the draft with Sergio Kindle - who is good against the run and can get to the quarterback.
#12 Miami: Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)
The Dolphins re-signed Jason Ferguson, but he could be suspended for the first half of the season. He's also getting up in years, so adding Williams to play the valuable nose tackle makes sense.
#13 San Francisco: Trent Wiliams (OT, Oklahoma)
Williams' stock is high after his combine showing. I still think he's strictly a right tackle, which is what the Niners are looking for.
#14 Seattle: Charles Brown (OT, USC)
The Seahawks need to draft a left tackle. This isn't too high for the under rated Brown, who is a perfect fit for the Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme.
#15 New York Giants: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Morgan has great potential, but amongst the cluster of 3-4 teams and alternative picks - he might suffer a slight fall on draft day. This would be a perfect fit for both prospect and team.
#16 Tennessee: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, USF)
Pierre-Paul is raw but he has unlimited upside and teams will look at him as someone they can coach into greatness. His lack of experience might keep him out of the top ten, but he owns top ten talent.
#17 San Francisco: Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
Haden shouldn't fall too much after he ran poorly at the combine. He's still the best cornerback in this draft.
#18 Pittsburgh: C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
The Steelers will take whoever is top of their board when they're on the clock. They're also good enough to justify another high pick at running back, as they look to replace Willie Parker with Spiller.
#19 Atlanta: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Receiver isn't a need for Atlanta, but the Falcons will have to consider him as BPA if he falls this far. Another great target for Matt Ryan.
#20 Houston: Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)
The Texans, in this scenario, could easily trade up with such good value in the late teens. Wilson makes some sense if they stay put.
#21 Cincinnati: Taylor Mays (S, USC)
The Bengals could use a presence like Mays to compliment their talented cornerbacks.
#22 New England: Jared Odrick (DT, Penn State)
The Patriots are in the process of major changes on their defensive line. Drafting the versatile Odrick gives New England some options long term.
#23 Green Bay: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Kyle Rota's scouting report on Okung is an absolute must read and highlights some of the reasons why Okung might not be a top ten lock. He performed well at the combine before his injury, but if any of the tackle class is facing an unexpected fall - I think it could be Okung.
#24 Philadelphia: Everson Griffen (DE, USC)
The Eagles need a better pass rush, that was evident in their playoff defeat at Dallas. Griffen boosted his stock at the combine with a very solid overall performance.
#25 Baltimore: Devin McCourty (CB, Rutgers)
The Ravens would find some value in the under rated McCourty, who put on a show at the combine.
#26 Arizona: Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida)
The Cardinals are about accumulating talent. Calais Campbell had similar question marks but Ken Wisenhunt's staff turned him into a contributor. Dunlap isn't a huge need, but Arizona could be getting a steal.
#27 Dallas: Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech)
Jerry Jones could target a big target at receiver. He's traditionally avoided drafting offensive lineman and he likes a flashy pick.
#28 San Diego: Brandon Graham (OLB, Michigan)
Graham is a great pass rusher, but his lack of size could put off teams - as we saw with Everette Brown last year.
#29 New York Jets: Jerry Hughes (OLB, TCU)
The Jets could go in a number of directions. Iupati? Another cornerback? A receiver like Damian Williams? An outside linebacker is the biggest need, which makes Hughes an option.
#30 Minnesota: Brian Price (DT, UCLA)
Price is a disruptive force, but he gets nicked up easily and will have to be used in a rotation. This is great value, but a fall into the latter reaches of round one wouldn't be a total shock.
#31 Indianapolis: Maurkice Pouncey (C, Florida)
The Colts like their lineman to fit the scheme, they don't mind smaller guys. That's good news for Pouncey, who arrived at the combine smaller than advertised. He could play some guard from day one and eventually move to center.
#32 New Orleans: Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
I was never blown away watching tape of Weatherspoon from 2009. He should warrant consideration here though and offers an instant impact as a rookie.
Round Two
#33 St. Louis: Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)
Getting Sam Bradford a safety net - especially one he's worked with in college - makes sense. Injuries are the only reason Gresham is still available here.
#34 Detroit: Kareem Jackson (CB, Alabama)
Jackson deserves a first round grade, but could slip into the early second. Great value for Detroit even with recent additions at the position in free aency.
#35 Tampa Bay: Arrelious Benn (WR, Illinois)
The Buccs need to add some weapons for Josh Freeman.
#36 Kansas City: Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)
Tate impressed everyone with his speed at the combine and his production was superb in 2009. However, I still think he'll do well to find a home in round one.
#37 Washington: Mike Iupati (G, Idaho)
Re-building the offensive line could be a priority with Washington's two early picks.
#38 Cleveland: Eric Decker (WR, Minnesota)
Browns GM Tom Heckert personally watched Decker on a number of occasions last year. The Browns need to add another receiver.
#39 Oakland: Chris Cook (CB, Virginia)
Al Davis loves to draft defensive backs and he loves to draft guys who run fast forty times. A perfect match.
#40 Seattle: Lamarr Houston (DT, Texas)
Houston only falls because of needs elsewhere. The Seahawks would possibly prefer to trade this pick as part of a package to get Brandon Marshall.
#41 Buffalo: Tim Tebow (QB, Florida)
Chan Gailey experimented with the spread using Tyler Thigpen in Kansas City. If Jacksonville don't find a way to take him, Buffalo appear to be an alternative.
#42 Tampa Bay: Damian Williams (WR, USC)
Williams is a difficult one to project. A YAC and return threat who runs good routes, but doesn't own blazing speed and body catches too much. He could go in round one, or he could fall here.
#43 Miami: Ricky Sapp (OLB, Clemson)
Bill Parcells likes to draft linebackers and Sapp would be a steal here.
#44 New England: Rob Gronkowski (TE, Arizona)
The Patriots look set to lose two tight ends, so they might invest one of these picks on a guy like Gronkowski.
#45 Denver: Patrick Robinson (CB, Florida State)
Fast, athletic - should show up better on tape than he does. The Broncos might look to add another corner.
#46 New York Giants: Jahvid Best (RB, California)
Concussions push Best down the board, but this would be a great fit as part of a three-pronged rushing attack.
#47 New England: Brandon LaFell (WR, LSU)
LaFell is another under achiever, but he could become a #1 receiver with the right guidance. This is the kind of value New England always looks for.
#48 Carolina: Aaron Hernandez (TE, Florida)
Not Carolina's greatest need, but a solid pass catching safety net for whoever starts at quarterback.
#49 San Francisco: Mike Williams (WR, Syracuse)
High risk, big reward for the team who drafts Williams. Singletary will thrive on the challenge of coaching this particular wide out.
#50 Kansas City: Cam Thomas (DT, North Carolina)
The Chiefs complete their 3-4 rebuild with a nose tackle.
#51 Houston: Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State)
I'm not as high on Mathews as some, but Houston appears ready to draft a new running back.
#52 Pittsburgh: Brandon Ghee (CB, Wake Forest)
Very solid value for the Steelers here - Ghee is an under rated corner in a deep class at the position.
#53 New England: Alex Carrington (DE, Arkansas State)
The Patriots continue to accumulate picks and add talent that fits their scheme.
#54 Cincinnati: Anthony McCoy (TE, USC)
It wouldn't surprise me to see the Bengals target a tight end.
#55 Philadelphia: Nate Allen (S, USF)
The Eagles need a safety, although this might be half a round too early for Allen.
#56 Green Bay: Dominique Franks (CB, Oklahoma)
The Packers will be delighted to land Franks here - he's just the type of physical prospect they look for in the secondary.
#57 Baltimore: Jacoby Ford (WR, Clemson)
Running a 4.28 at the combine will interest teams that own a quarterback with a huge arm.
#58 Arizona: Roger Saffold (OT, Indiana)
The Cardinals will consider the possibility of taking an offensive tackle early.
#59 Dallas: Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Spikes' stock is difficult to judge. However, he's a big name leader at a position of need for Jerry Jones' team.
#60 San Diego: Corey Wootton (DE, Northwestern)
Wootton wasn't as big as I expected at the combine, but if he adds bulk he can be used as a much needed five technique for the Chargers.
#61 New York Jets: Linval Joseph (DT, East Carolina)
One to watch - Joseph is a potential nose tackle who ran a 5.09 and benched 39 reps - whilst weighing 328lbs. Strong and fast guys who play this position go early.
#62 Minnesota: Chad Jones (S, LSU)
The Vikings would find a way to get creative with this big, athletic safety.
#63 Indianapolis: Geno Atkins (DT, Georgia)
The Colts like smaller, faster lineman on both sides of the ball. Atkins ran well at the combine and weighed in under 300lbs.
#64 New Orleans: A.J. Jefferson (CB, Fresno State)
Raw prospect with a high ceiling at a position of need.
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