Gosselin's Mock Draft

[texbengal]

One person's opinion certainly, but Dez, Thomas, Hughes, Spoon, to choose from at #21. And Spiller goes at #20? Interesting.

=======

Rick Gosselin's final mock draft: Dez Bryant to Cowboys
12:29 AM CDT on Thursday, April 22, 2010

By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News
rgosselin@dallasnews.com
1. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma

The Rams have passed on potential franchise quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez in the last two drafts. Both have started NFL playoff games. St. Louis must stop ignoring the quarterback position.

Other needs: QB, Pass rush, WR, DT

2. DETROIT LIONS
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive tackle, Nebraska

The Lions need defensive size to tackle Adrian Peterson, plus an inside pass rush to pressure Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler in the division. Suh fills both bills for the NFL's 32nd-ranked defense.

Other needs: RB, CB, DL, OL

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Gerald McCoy, Defensive tackle, Oklahoma

The Buccaneers were one of the NFL's best teams throughout the 2000 decade on the strength of a dominating defensive front. Tampa Bay is no longer dominant up front. Time to reload.

Other needs: DE, DT, LB, WR

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Russell Okung, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma State

If the Redskins can't protect Donovan McNabb, he will suffer the same fate as Jason Campbell (46 sacks and a loss of confidence). Incumbent Chris Samuels has retired at left tackle, so this pick becomes a walk-in starter.

Other needs: LT, QB, NT, RB

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee

The Chiefs brought in Mike Vrabel for leadership a year ago. But he's 35 this season. Berry will be running the KC defense inside of a year. He's never not started in his football career and also offers corner cover skills.

Other needs: DT, LB, S, WR

6. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Trent Williams, Offensive tackle, Oklahoma

Like the Redskins, the Seahawks also need to find a blindside pass protector for their veteran quarterback. Seattle QBs were sacked 41 times last season, and Matt Hasselbeck couldn't stay healthy under that assault.

Other needs: OT, QB, RB, DE

7. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Derrick Morgan, Outside linebacker, Georgia Tech

The Browns need help across the board on defense. They traded their top pass rusher (OLB Kamerion Wimbley) to Oakland this off-season. Morgan is coming off a 12 ½-sack season at Georgia Tech.

Other needs: QB, S, CB, DE

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Anthony Davis, Offensive tackle, Rutgers

No quarterback – not JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski or Charlie Frye – has a chance until the Raiders start protecting him. Oakland allowed 49 sacks in 2009. Davis is the best athlete of any left tackle on the board.

Other needs: LT, QB, LB, DE

9. BUFFALO BILLS
Dan Williams, Defensive tackle, Tennessee

The Bills are switching to a 3-4 defense in 2010, and that scheme starts with a nose tackle who can attract double- and triple-teams. Williams is that guy. At 327, he's a space-eater who makes plays.

Other needs: QB, NT, OT, WR

10. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Brandon Graham, Defensive end, Michigan

Graham is the most polished pass rusher in this draft. He'll have the quickest impact – and a Jacksonville defense that ranked last in the NFL in sacks is in dire need of someone who can have an instant impact.

Other needs: Pass rush, LB, S, DT

11. DENVER BRONCOS
Rolando McClain, Middle linebacker, Alabama

The Broncos cut starting inside middle linebacker Andra Davis at season's end. McClain is a walk-in starter. He won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football last season.

Other needs: MLB, DT, WR, Power RB

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Demaryius Thomas, Wide receiver, Georgia Tech

The Dolphins have a young quarterback in Chad Henne. The way to accelerate his development is to surround him with playmakers. With the arrival of Brandon Marshall and Thomas, Henne could be a Pro Bowler very soon.

Other needs: NT, RB, S, CB

13. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Joe Haden, Cornerback, Florida

The 49ers will look at RB C.J. Spiller – but he'd arrive as a backup to Frank Gore. Haden walks in as a starter and fills a void in an area of need. You can't win the NFC West unless you can cover Larry Fitzgerald.

Other needs: OT, CB, S, WR

14. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Ryan Mathews, Halfback, Fresno State

Mathews is better suited to be an every-down back than C.J. Spiller because he has the bulk at 220 pounds. Spiller is a Reggie Bush clone at 198 pounds. The Seahawks need an every-down back to improve the NFL's 26th-ranked rushing attack.

Other needs: OT, QB, RB, DE

15. NEW YORK GIANTS
Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive end, South Florida

Pierre-Paul played only one season of college football but has the most upside of any pass rusher in this draft at 6-5, 270 with 4.64 speed. Osi Umenyiora (Troy) was supposed to be a project, too, and he became a Pro Bowler.

Other needs: MLB, Pass rush, CB, TE

16. TENNESSEE TITANS
Kyle Wilson, Cornerback, Boise State

The Titans need to improve the front and back end of their defense. But the D-line quality has vanished by this point of the draft. So the focus shifts to a very talented first-round cornerback board.

Other needs: DE, CB, S, KR

17. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Bryan Bulaga, Offensive tackle, Iowa

The 49ers need a right tackle to bookend Joe Staley on the left side, and the best right tackle in the draft slides to them at 17. They'd look again at C.J. Spiller, but quality tackles are harder to find than running backs.

Other needs: OT, CB, S, WR

18. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Maurkice Pouncey, Center, Florida

With Ben Roethlisberger's future in flux, the Steelers are likely to revert to the power offense that won Super Bowls in the 1970s. But you need blockers, and Pouncey gives them flexibility at center and guard.

Other needs: Int. OL, CB, S, QB

19. ATLANTA FALCONS
Mike Iupati, Guard, Idaho

Like the Steelers, the Falcons need to get their run game back on track. They fell from first in the NFL in 2008 to 15th in 2009. Better blockers produce better runners. Iupati is the best drive-blocker in the draft.

Other needs: CB, S, Int. OL

20. HOUSTON TEXANS
C.J. Spiller, Halfback, Clemson

The Texans can't have another season from Steve Slaton like 2009. Maybe it was a sophomore slump. Spiller gives them insurance against that. He's also a fine complementary piece if Slaton does bounce back.

Other needs: RB, CB, Int. OL, S

[b]21. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Jermaine Gresham, Tight end, Oklahoma

The Bengals need to give QB Carson Palmer a reliable safety-valve option. Cincinnati got fewer than 50 catches from its tight ends last season. Gresham can be to Palmer what Jason Witten is to Tony Romo.

Other needs: TE, DE, Int.OL, S[/b]

22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Earl Thomas, Safety, Texas

The Patriots have defensive needs in this draft but also the luxury of taking the best player on the board. It's Thomas, who gives them a combination of a cover safety and ballhawk. He had eight interceptions last fall.

Other needs: TE, DL, Pass rush, CB

23. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Jerry Hughes, Outside linebacker, TCU

Dom Capers would like to give the Packers a version of the Blitzburgh scheme he ran in Pittsburgh in the 1990s. He has one elite pass rusher in Clay Matthews, and Hughes would give Capers pressure from the other side.

Other needs: Pass rush, OT, CB

24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Devin McCourty, Cornerback, Rutgers

Not only is McCourty an elite cover cornerback, he may be the best special teams player in this draft. He blocked seven kicks and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in his career. He replaces Sheldon Brown.

Other needs: OL, DL, CB, TE

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kareem Jackson, Cornerback, Alabama

The Ravens have always won with a physical brand of defense, and Jackson is the most physical corner in this draft. He goes from the No. 2-ranked defense in college to the No. 3-ranked defense in the NFL.

Other needs: DT, TE, CB, Pass rush

26. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Sean Weatherspoon, Outside linebacker, Missouri

The Cardinals have two huge holes in their defense with the departures this off-season of OLB Karlos Dansby and FS Antrel Rolle. Weatherspoon gives Arizona a linebacker with the same physical and athletic traits as Dansby.

Other needs: OLB, S, WR, TE

27. DALLAS COWBOYS
Dez Bryant, Wide receiver, Oklahoma State

Bryant won't slide to the Cowboys at 27, so look for Jerry Jones to move up if Bryant tumbles deep into the teens. Bryant has immaturity issues that are scaring teams off. Jones still regrets passing on Randy Moss.

Other needs: LT, S, WR, Youth on OL

28. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Jared Odrick, Defensive end, Penn State

The Chargers need help up front, and Odrick falls into the category of best player available. The Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year brings 304 pounds of run defense excellence to NFL's 20th-ranked run defense.

Other needs: RB, NT, Blocking TE, CB

29. NEW YORK JETS
Patrick Robinson, Cornerback, Florida State

There's a flat spot on this board from Nos. 29-32 where first-round talent runs out, and teams will be drafting what they consider second-round players. Look for the Jets to try to trade out. Failing there, give them Robinson.

Other needs: C, CB, Pass rush, RB

30. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, Notre Dame

The Vikings were hoping a cornerback would slide to them but instead hit the jackpot with the slide of Clausen. He gives them their QB of the future when Brett Favre finally does retire, probably in 2011.

Other needs: CB, S, DT, RB

31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Rodger Saffold, Offensive tackle, Indiana

The Colts released a starting guard (Ryan Lilja) this off-season, so there's an immediate opening on the AFC champions. Saffold has value in his versatility. Scouts think he can play center, guard or tackle.

Other needs: OL, DL, 2 CB

32. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Brian Price, Defensive tackle, UCLA

If the Saints want to repeat as NFC South champions, they must bulk up the defensive front to slow down the elite running backs at Atlanta and Carolina. Price was the Pac-10's Defensive Player of the Year.

Other needs: OLB, S, DT, Pass rusher



Note: Carolina and Chicago, which follow, do not have first-round picks

48. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Chris Cook, Cornerback/Safety, Virginia

The Panthers don't pick until the second round. Cook is the biggest corner in the draft at 6-2, 212 pounds. Some teams project him as a safety. He can give the Panthers a physical presence at corner or as a cover safety.

Other needs: WR, QB, DE, TE

75. CHICAGO BEARS
Major Wright, Safety, Florida

The Bears don't pick until the third round. The offensive line, running back, quarterback and linebacker boards will be picked clean by then. So the Bears take the best player on the board – a playmaking safety.

Other needs: CB, S, WR, Int. OL

[akiliMVP]

Well I see at least one pick that's not going to happen.



If we pass on Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas for a fucking tight end I will be livid.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 08:13 AM' timestamp='1271938434' post='880177']
Well I see at least one pick that's not going to happen.



If we pass on Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas for a fucking tight end I will be livid.
[/quote]



and I will laugh.



Definitely could see Gresham over Bryant, don't know that they'd pass on Thomas though. Gresham would be a fine pick...yada yada yada.

[bigfeet4real]

ha yeah that aint happening

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 08:13 AM' timestamp='1271938434' post='880177']
Well I see at least one pick that's not going to happen.



If we pass on Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas for a fucking tight end I will be livid.
[/quote]

I can promise you this....

We are not taking Iupati in the first round no matter how big a man crush you have on him.

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 11:25 AM' timestamp='1271949915' post='880255']
I can promise you this....

We are not taking Iupati in the first round no matter how big a man crush you have on him.
[/quote]
I said nothing about Iupati and who are you Marvin Lewis?

[scharm]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 08:13 AM' timestamp='1271938434' post='880177']
Well I see at least one pick that's not going to happen.



If we pass on Dez Bryant and Earl Thomas for a fucking tight end I will be livid.
[/quote]

Oh, I would love it sooooooooooo much.

It's hard for TEs to go top 10 but that guy would have been close last year if he comes out.

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='scharm' date='22 April 2010 - 11:34 AM' timestamp='1271950490' post='880260']
Oh, I would love it sooooooooooo much.

It's hard for TEs to go top 10 but that guy would have been close last year if he comes out.
[/quote]
If history is any indication, you are going to be a very sad panda tonight.

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 11:30 AM' timestamp='1271950232' post='880259']
I said nothing about Iupati and who are you Marvin Lewis?
[/quote]

Just about every mock you have done has the Bengals taking Iupati in the first round........

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 11:41 AM' timestamp='1271950890' post='880266']
Just about every mock you have done has the Bengals taking Iupati in the first round........
[/quote]
What does that have to do with this thread?

Do you have some sort of inside source who says we aren't going to take the best guard in the draft and fill a major hole at left guard? Or does your source say were are going to change the offense after 10 years to use the tight end as a receiver?

I pick Iupati in my mocks because, 1) Earl Thomas, Dez Bryant and Sergio Kindle aren't available, 2) I don't think Taylor Mays fits what we need or Gresham fits what we have used with Brat and 3) He is the BPA at a position of need and fits the scheme.

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 11:48 AM' timestamp='1271951302' post='880268']
What does that have to do with this thread?

Do you have some sort of inside source who says we aren't going to take the best guard in the draft and fill a major hole at left guard? Or does your source say were are going to change the offense after 10 years to use the tight end as a receiver?

I pick Iupati in my mocks because, 1) Earl Thomas, Dez Bryant and Sergio Kindle aren't available, 2) I don't think Taylor Mays fits what we need or Gresham fits what we have used with Brat and 3) He is the BPA at a position of need and fits the scheme.
[/quote]

The Bengals have been (Unsuccessfully) trying to acquire a pass catching TE for a few years now... I.E. Coffman and Utecht.....

If you think Gresham is completely out of the picture because "he does not fit Brats offense" or "We have never taken a TE in the first round" then you are nuts!

When was the last time the Bengals took a G in the first round? Honest ??....I can't remember.

You have been Iupati's jock since draft season started. If there is one position that the Bengals put less value on than TE it is G.

P.S. tone down the fervor.....I am just having a discussion with you.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1271951830' post='880274']
The Bengals have been (Unsuccessfully) trying to acquire a pass catching TE for a few years now... I.E. Coffman and Utecht.....

If you think Gresham is completely out of the picture because "he does not fit Brats offense" or "We have never taken a TE in the first round" then you are nuts!

When was the last time the Bengals took a G in the first round? Honest ??....I can't remember.

You have been Iupati's jock since draft season started. If there is one position that the Bengals put less value on than TE it is G.

P.S. tone down the fervor.....I am just having a discussion with you.
[/quote]



x2

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1271951830' post='880274']
The Bengals have been (Unsuccessfully) trying to acquire a pass catching TE for a few years now... I.E. Coffman and Utecht.....

If you think Gresham is completely out of the picture because "he does not fit Brats offense" or "We have never taken a TE in the first round" then you are nuts!

When was the last time the Bengals took a G in the first round? Honest ??....I can't remember.

You have been Iupati's jock since draft season started. If there is one position that the Bengals put less value on than TE it is G.

P.S. tone down the fervor.....I am just having a discussion with you.
[/quote]
Coffman was just drafted last year, Utecht was the year before. They are not giving up on Coffman as the receiving tight end. Despite what you guys say, Utecht was a good blocker.

This is funny. They aren't going to draft Iupati because they haven't taken a guard in round 1 in a while? But they are going to draft Gresham, even though they haven't taken a tight end in the first round in 30 years. What happens in drafts 30 years ago doesn't mean crap though. There are trends for coaching staffs, such as Brat never using the tight end as a receiver and the emphasis on run blocking up front. They drafted Steinbach with the 1st pick of the 2nd round just a few years ago. You are completely wrong about them valuing tight ends over guards.

[scharm]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 11:38 AM' timestamp='1271950709' post='880262']
If history is any indication, you are going to be a very sad panda tonight.
[/quote]

Nah, I am not a draft nerd. They will take players this weekend. In couple weeks when the horses line up at Churchill downs the Bengals will begin to shape and mold their selections in the shadows of PBS.


3 years from that point the truth will be known about today. I will only be sad panada when the chance for Superbowl glory passes with Chad and Carson as Bengals.

[scharm]

[quote name='Bengals1181' date='22 April 2010 - 12:01 PM' timestamp='1271952081' post='880277']
x2
[/quote]

x3

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 12:15 PM' timestamp='1271952955' post='880282']
Coffman was just drafted last year, Utecht was the year before. They are not giving up on Coffman as the receiving tight end. Despite what you guys say, Utecht was a good blocker.

This is funny. They aren't going to draft Iupati because they haven't taken a guard in round 1 in a while? But they are going to draft Gresham, even though they haven't taken a tight end in the first round in 30 years. What happens in drafts 30 years ago doesn't mean crap though. There are trends for coaching staffs, such as Brat never using the tight end as a receiver and the emphasis on run blocking up front. They drafted Steinbach with the 1st pick of the 2nd round just a few years ago. You are completely wrong about them valuing tight ends over guards.
[/quote]

Utecht was not drafted by the Bengals...

I looked it up...

The Bengals have never drafted a G in the first round.....Two Centers though.

I never said they ARE going to take Gresham....I think they might because he is the best at his position and I really dispute the fact that he "can't block." He probably needs to work on it, but what college prospect does not need to work on something?

I really wonder what Tony Gonzalez's scouting report was coming out of college.....

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 03:36 PM' timestamp='1271965015' post='880374']
Utecht was not drafted by the Bengals...

I looked it up...

The Bengals have never drafted a G in the first round.....Two Centers though.

I never said they ARE going to take Gresham....I think they might because he is the best at his position and I really dispute the fact that he "can't block." He probably needs to work on it, but what college prospect does not need to work on something?

I really wonder what Tony Gonzalez's scouting report was coming out of college.....
[/quote]
Fair enough.

I do know Utecht was not drafted by them

I don't think what the Bengals did 30 years ago has any bearing on today.

It's not that I don't like Gresham. I think he could be a damn good receiver. He's not a good blocker though. I agree that "can't block" is extreme but in the case of what we use on offense, I think his lack of blocking skills have merit in disputing whether or not they spend the 21st pick on him. And I really just do not buy that Brat is going to change his offense after all these years.

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='akiliMVP' date='22 April 2010 - 03:42 PM' timestamp='1271965348' post='880377']
Fair enough.

I do know Utecht was not drafted by them

I don't think what the Bengals did 30 years ago has any bearing on today.

It's not that I don't like Gresham. I think he could be a damn good receiver. He's not a good blocker though. I agree that "can't block" is extreme but in the case of what we use on offense, I think his lack of blocking skills have merit in disputing whether or not they spend the 21st pick on him. And I really just do not buy that Brat is going to change his offense after all these years.
[/quote]

I looked, but I can't find a scouting report on Tony Gonzalez.....


I would be interested to see what they said about his blocking back then...

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Tigers Johnson' date='22 April 2010 - 04:40 PM' timestamp='1271968828' post='880417']
I looked, but I can't find a scouting report on Tony Gonzalez.....


I would be interested to see what they said about his blocking back then...
[/quote]



Tony is exactly who he reminds me of.


I'm not saying Gresham is a great blocker now. IMO he does have the build and strength to be one, and he's a gamechanger. The coaches recognize that, which is why he's under serious consideration.


And yes, I think he and Coffman can fit and succeed on the same Bengals team.