Winners and the Loser of the 2010 NFL Draft
Winners:
New England Patriots – The Pats decided to add depth to their cornerbacks selecting former Rutgers standout Devin McCourty. He will not be expected to start right away this adds depth to a New England secondary that was beginning to get long in the tooth. Three former Florida Gators were selected, defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, linebacker Brandon Spikes and tight end Aaron Hernandez are headed north to play for Urban Meyer’s best friend Bill Belichick. The Pats also managed to snap up 6’6, 264 lb Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski who has been compared to All-Pro Jason Witten. The Patroits always seem to find players who fit their system and this draft is no different.
Seattle Seahawks – The first draft under new head coach Pete Carroll has to be labeled a success. Filling needs at safety, offensive line, running back and corner back they have really done an exceptional job. Russell Okung projects to start at left tackle and helps give the Seahawks starting quarterback (Hasselbeck or Whitehurst) back side protection. Adding Texas safety Earl Thomas gives the Seahawks defense more versatility with his ability slide into the nickel spot. The Seahawks also picked up disgruntled Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White. This move reunites White with former USC head coach Pete Carroll and fills an obvious need after averaging less than 100-yards rushing per game. Finally, after Nate Burleson’s departure for Detroit, the Seahawks needed to find someone who could take pressure off the running game. They selected Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate in the second round. Seattle believes he will be able to come in and compete for the #2 receiver slot because of his big play potential. Finally the Seahawks added Jets running back Leon Washington via trade. This will give the Seahawks a thunder and lightning threat with White and Washington.
San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers had to shore up their offensive line during the draft and they did so within the first round. Rutgers mammoth offensive tackle Anthony Davis was drafted with the 11th overall pick. He should be able to play left tackle allowing Joe Staley to move to right tackle giving the 49ers two solid young tackles. Finally six picks later the 49ers selected Idaho guard Mike Iupati automatically making the offensive line a strength heading into the 2010 season. In the second and third round San Francisco decided to bring in some defensive help. USC safety Taylor Mays and Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman bring immediate big play ability to the golden gate city. Mays is one of the biggest hitters in the draft and sometimes struggles in coverage but is worth the risk. Bowman fell down the draft board because of off-field issue concerns but could become an impact player under Mike Singletary’s tutelage.
Loser:
Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars selected Cal defensive end Tyson Alualu with the tenth overall pick. This puzzled many different people especially with higher rated defense ends on the board like USF’s Jason Pierre-Paul and Derrick Morgan still on the board. The Jags didn’t have a second round pick. With their third round pick they took defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith from Louisiana Tech. This pick wasn’t terrible, the Jags need to rebuild their defensive front and are doing so at a steady pace. There were more attractive options at both picks. Jacksonville did end up picking up Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison who led the Raiders in tackles for the past four seasons. This was the best move they have made during the entire draft.
Showing posts with label seattle seahawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seattle seahawks. Show all posts
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
2010 NFL Mock Draft First Round (11-21)
Here are the second installment for Shaft Sports 2010 NFL Mock Draft picks (11-21). Monday will be the final publication of picks (22-32). Let us know what you think!
#11: Denver Broncos (From Chicago): Rolando McClain, LB – Alabama
The Broncos look to strengthen their defensive unit after breakdowns in coverage’s and poor tackling cost them a few games last season. McClain would transition well into Denver’s 3-4 defense. His power and strength along with his ability to shed blockers would make him a good fit along side D.J. Williams. Other options could be Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant to replace recently traded Brandon Marshall but Bryant is a lot like Marshall in the attitude department.
#12: Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, DT – Tennessee
Dan Williams was an anchor for the Tennessee Volunteers over the past three seasons, and would be an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins. He’s a great run defender and can consistently cog the middle and get penetration. He’s got a nasty attitude and has the power to bull-rush defenders with ease.
#13: San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT – Oklahoma
The 49ers made progress last season buying into head coach Mike Singletary’s philosophy. They have some weapons that could blossom into elite talent this season. San Francisco will need better protection if they have any chance at surpassing the Arizona Cardinals for tops in the NFC West. Trent Williams has good technique and translates well at right tackle with the ability he has to sustain blocks.
#14: Seattle Seahawks (From Denver): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE – South Florida
With Patrick Kerney getting long in the tooth, Seattle uses their second of two first round picks on the freakishly athletic defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul from USF. At 6’5, 270 lbs he has the ability to add more bulk as he matures. He has good range and natural quickness being able to run down defenders within the backfield.
#15: New York Giants: Kyle Wilson, CB – Boise State
The Giants are looking to get more out of their corners this season after a porous previous season. Kyle Wilson’s athletic ability in the return game is an added bonus. He’s lacks ideal speed but makes up for it with his quickness and his ability to close quickly on double-move routes.
#16: Tennessee Titans: Dez Bryant, WR – Oklahoma State
The Tennessee Titans will take risk with Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant because of his athletic ability. Paired with last years first round pick Kenny Britt, Bryant would give the Titans a legitimate target they haven’t had since Derrick Mason left years ago. The Titans have never had a problem selecting players with personal issues as they selected Adam “Pacman” Jones when he had issues brought up in his draft year.
#17: San Francisco 49ers (From Panthers): Derrick Morgan, DE – Georgia Tech
San Francisco will use their second first round selection to help improve their defense. Derrick Morgan is the best available player on the draft board and would step into and give the 49ers a good rotation player. He has the ability to play either defensive end or outside linebacker, making him more valuable because of his versatility.
#18: Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C – Florida
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a league high 50 times during last season. The Steelers need to improve their offensive line production and Maurkice Pouncey could be the answer. He can play either center or guard so his versatility is a bonus. Pouncey has been a four-year starter and has a good first step while being able to block larger defenders. He will see the field early and often.
#19: Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Mays, FS – Southern Cal
Atlanta finished 28th in pass defense for the 2009 season. They allowed an average of 241.9 yards against per game. Mays has size (6’3, 230 lbs), speed (4.43 forty), and athleticism which is a rare combination at the safety position. He’s an aggressive hitter and plays the run game exceptional. Mays would give the Falcons someone opponent’s receivers would fear across the middle.
#20: Houston Texans: Carlos Dunlop, DE – Florida
If Dunlop would have been a year old he would have easily been a top-ten draft pick during the 2009 draft. At an enormous 6’6, 277 lbs he is an exceptional run stopper. He also has shown flashes of being able to dominate the offensive line to get pressure on quarterbacks. Dunlop would be a great addition to a young and talented defense in Houston.
#21: Cincinnati Bengals: Earl Thomas, SS – Texas
In recent draft the Bengals have done a great job at improving their defense. They will continue this trend drafting Longhorns strong safety Earl Thomas. He is an excellent open-field tackler who has ball skills that give him big-play ability whenever he is on the field. The Bengals finished within the top ten in pass defense but can’t pass up a play maker like Thomas.
#11: Denver Broncos (From Chicago): Rolando McClain, LB – Alabama
The Broncos look to strengthen their defensive unit after breakdowns in coverage’s and poor tackling cost them a few games last season. McClain would transition well into Denver’s 3-4 defense. His power and strength along with his ability to shed blockers would make him a good fit along side D.J. Williams. Other options could be Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant to replace recently traded Brandon Marshall but Bryant is a lot like Marshall in the attitude department.
#12: Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, DT – Tennessee
Dan Williams was an anchor for the Tennessee Volunteers over the past three seasons, and would be an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins. He’s a great run defender and can consistently cog the middle and get penetration. He’s got a nasty attitude and has the power to bull-rush defenders with ease.
#13: San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT – Oklahoma
The 49ers made progress last season buying into head coach Mike Singletary’s philosophy. They have some weapons that could blossom into elite talent this season. San Francisco will need better protection if they have any chance at surpassing the Arizona Cardinals for tops in the NFC West. Trent Williams has good technique and translates well at right tackle with the ability he has to sustain blocks.
#14: Seattle Seahawks (From Denver): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE – South Florida
With Patrick Kerney getting long in the tooth, Seattle uses their second of two first round picks on the freakishly athletic defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul from USF. At 6’5, 270 lbs he has the ability to add more bulk as he matures. He has good range and natural quickness being able to run down defenders within the backfield.
#15: New York Giants: Kyle Wilson, CB – Boise State
The Giants are looking to get more out of their corners this season after a porous previous season. Kyle Wilson’s athletic ability in the return game is an added bonus. He’s lacks ideal speed but makes up for it with his quickness and his ability to close quickly on double-move routes.
#16: Tennessee Titans: Dez Bryant, WR – Oklahoma State
The Tennessee Titans will take risk with Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant because of his athletic ability. Paired with last years first round pick Kenny Britt, Bryant would give the Titans a legitimate target they haven’t had since Derrick Mason left years ago. The Titans have never had a problem selecting players with personal issues as they selected Adam “Pacman” Jones when he had issues brought up in his draft year.
#17: San Francisco 49ers (From Panthers): Derrick Morgan, DE – Georgia Tech
San Francisco will use their second first round selection to help improve their defense. Derrick Morgan is the best available player on the draft board and would step into and give the 49ers a good rotation player. He has the ability to play either defensive end or outside linebacker, making him more valuable because of his versatility.
#18: Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C – Florida
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a league high 50 times during last season. The Steelers need to improve their offensive line production and Maurkice Pouncey could be the answer. He can play either center or guard so his versatility is a bonus. Pouncey has been a four-year starter and has a good first step while being able to block larger defenders. He will see the field early and often.
#19: Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Mays, FS – Southern Cal
Atlanta finished 28th in pass defense for the 2009 season. They allowed an average of 241.9 yards against per game. Mays has size (6’3, 230 lbs), speed (4.43 forty), and athleticism which is a rare combination at the safety position. He’s an aggressive hitter and plays the run game exceptional. Mays would give the Falcons someone opponent’s receivers would fear across the middle.
#20: Houston Texans: Carlos Dunlop, DE – Florida
If Dunlop would have been a year old he would have easily been a top-ten draft pick during the 2009 draft. At an enormous 6’6, 277 lbs he is an exceptional run stopper. He also has shown flashes of being able to dominate the offensive line to get pressure on quarterbacks. Dunlop would be a great addition to a young and talented defense in Houston.
#21: Cincinnati Bengals: Earl Thomas, SS – Texas
In recent draft the Bengals have done a great job at improving their defense. They will continue this trend drafting Longhorns strong safety Earl Thomas. He is an excellent open-field tackler who has ball skills that give him big-play ability whenever he is on the field. The Bengals finished within the top ten in pass defense but can’t pass up a play maker like Thomas.
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