[BPD]

An introduction message from Bryan Douglass, Managing Editor of the Fanball Sports Network:

The 2009 season is in the books and the football universe has turned their eyes towards tomorrow. The Fanball Sports Network has put their first NFL season in the books as well and, like the faithful fans they support, our correspondents emerge with a desire to keep that momentum moving forward.

With that in mind and with the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine lurking in the distance, we have brought the group together for the launch of our talent evaluation season marked by the first annual Fanball Sports Network NFL Mock Draft.

Each of the team correspondents from our NFL family will take the reins of their particular franchises as we construct our own version of the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft... and for those of you in Chicago and Charlotte, while the fates have pushed you out of that moment of glory this season, we will not let you go without. ALL of our correspondents will be taking part as those teams relinquishing first-round selections will offer thoughts on what their teams may have done.

To enhance the experience we've opened multiple avenues for you to follow our progress.

Each selection will be announced and our progress will be updated throughout on this unique thread here at RotoJunkie.com, the preeminent sports community on the net and the home of Fanball's message-board mavens, and we would like to invite each and every one of you to comment, question, debate, and lobby for your NFL hopefuls right here in the thread with us. We've asked all of our correspondents to track the thread and if you have questions or thoughts to share, we'll make sure the boys come through to answer.

That's not all... during the draft our correspondents will be offering brief commentary following their selections here at RotoJunkie.com. However, you will also find an adjoining link attached to those selections on the thread. Those links will steer you back to our blogs where you will find extended commentary and analysis on those selections. Our correspondents have worked hard to give you thoughtful insights from the local scene throughout the season and we're looking to step up our game for our first-ever NFL mock draft. You'll find that extra effort on each of our blogs following each selection, and you'll have quick and convenient access to those offerings through our draft thread at RotoJunkie.com. We want to thank you for your support over this, our first year on the sports blog scene, and we keep that appreciation going by inviting you to enjoy this mock draft with us. Check in on the discussion here at RotoJunkie, hit up the blogs to read what your team's correspondent is thinking, and let us know what you think.

Enough is enough... let's get to it. Will Horton from RamsHerd.com will kick us off shortly with the first pick on behalf of the St. Louis Rams. Follow us right here and make sure you hit up the links for extended analysis on each pick.

Thanks for tuning in, and enjoy.

(BTW, if you ever have a comment, suggestion, complaint, anything at all about the mock draft, the Network, or any of our correspondents, please feel free to contact me via email at bdouglass@fanball.com.)

[BPD]

FANBALL SPORTS NETWORK
2010 NFL MOCK DRAFT

THE BIG BOARD

1) St. Louis Rams - Will Horton (RamsHerd.com) - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2) Detroit Lions - Josh Pung (RoarOfTheLions.com) - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3) Tampa Bay Bucs - Eric Schmidt (WhatTheBucs.com) - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

4) Washington Redskins - Ryan Estroninos (PaintItRedskins.com) - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

5) Kansas City Chiefs - (ChiefsChatter.com) - Joe Haden, CB, Florida

6) Seattle Seahawks - Jay Flannelly (FlockOfSeahawks.com) - Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan

7) Cleveland Browns - Ward Peterson (GridironBrownies.com) - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

8) Oakland Raiders - Stu Rosenberg (RaidersRadar.com) - Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

9) Buffalo Bills - Jon Munoz (BillsHerd.com) - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

10a) Chicago Bears (Chicago's pick goes to Denver) - Ismael Seguban (BearsHibernation.com, WHAT CHICAGO WOULD HAVE DONE) - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

10b) Denver Broncos - Bryan Douglass (BroncosStable.com, DENVER'S PICK) - Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

11) Jacksonville Jaguars - Nate Bruce (TealPower.com) - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

12) Miami Dolphins - Josh Baumgard (BlogWithAPorpoise.com) - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

13) San Francisco 49ers - Josh Russell (NinersNuggets.com) - CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

14) Denver Broncos - TO SEATTLE - Jay Flannelly (FlockOfSeahawks.com) - Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

15) New York Giants - Mike Farley (GmenDen.com) - Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

16a) Carolina Panthers (Carolina's pick goes to San Francisco) - James Dator (RealBitsOfPanthers.com, WHAT THE PANTHERS WOULD HAVE DONE) - Arrelious Benn, WR/TE, Illinois

16b) San Francisco 49ers- Dana Whipple (NinersNuggets.com) - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

17) Tennessee Titans - Brian Munson (HonkyTonkTitans.com) - Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

18) Pittsburgh Steelers - Dan Stack (SteelersMill.com) - Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

19) Atlanta Falcons - Mike Luchessi (DirtyBirdBlog.com) - Taylor Mays, S, USC

20) Houston Texans - Mike Kerns (DontMessWithTexans.com) - Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

21) Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Norrod (BengalsJaw.com) - Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

22) New England Patriots - Tim Magoon (PatsChowder.com) - Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

23) Green Bay Packers - Adam Burnett (PackingCheese.com) - Earl Thomas, S, Texas

24) Philadelphia Eagles - Joe Burt (EaglesHaveLanded.com) - Everson Griffen, DE, USC

25) Baltimore Ravens - Kevin Hanson (FootBaltimore.com) - Arrelious Benn, WR/TE, Illinois

26) Arizona Cardinals - Hunter Ansley (DesertFlock.com) - Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

27) Dallas Cowboys - Don Potts (RespectTheStar.com) - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

28) San Diego Chargers - Anthony Blake (ChargingBolts.com) - Brian Price, DT, UCLA

29) New York Jets - Joe Caporoso (TurnOnTheJets.com) - Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

30) Minnesota Vikings - Eric Thompson - (VikingsThrone.com) - Sean Weatherspoon, OLB/ILB, Missouri

31) Indianapolis Colts - Brooks Busch (ColtsChatter.com) - Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

32) New Orleans Saints - Mark Hooper (WhoDatBlog.com) - Ricky Sapp, DE/LB, Clemson


RULES:

- No trades.

- Coin flips for positions 10/11, 16/17, and 19/20 were decided by computer-generated coin flip and were witnessed by all FSN NFL staff members.

- First Round only.

- You will find EXTENDED ANALYSIS on these picks and much more on each of the Fanball Sports Network NFL sites. We will provide links to those blog posts for your convenience.

- In the two cases in which one team is turning over their first-round pick to another team, we are asking the correspondents of the ORIGINAL OWNER of the pick to submit a "What If" pick with analysis as well... just to insure your team is included!

- If you would like to engage in interactive commentary with our NFL correspondents as well as fellow fans, feel free to leave a reply here (you can also leave comments on any of the blog posts linked with each selection).

[ramsherd]

http://ramsherd.com/2010/02/14/with-...ll-mock-draft/

Roar of the Lions is on the clock!

[BPD]

Heard Mike Maiocco from the NFL Network on Dan Patrick late last week (actually, think Rich Eisen was guest hosting) and he moved Gerald McCoy to the top of his rankings, noting he has both players graded the same but feels McCoy's skills translate to the NFL "with more ease".

I don't think Will anticipated so much talk about Sam Bradford in his Twitter poll... ottoman has been strong behind Clausen throughout and talk of trading down is logical, but even I was a bit surprised to hear so many suggesting trade (either in moving down for picks or for players/picks) for Bradford should be a thought.

I would like to see who is trading up to take a shot at either DT... there are plenty of teams that could use him. If I were the Denver GM offering Brandon Marshall/10th for Donnie Avery/1st... I think local fans would be quick to grab torch and pitch forks but it would be exactly what the Broncos need.

[chancellor]

Originally Posted by BPD

I would like to see who is trading up to take a shot at either DT... there are plenty of teams that could use him. If I were the Denver GM offering Brandon Marshall/10th for Donnie Avery/1st... I think local fans would be quick to grab torch and pitch forks but it would be exactly what the Broncos need.

Why would the Rams do that?

[BPD]

I think most would suggest...

a) Bradford may be there at 10, Clausen may there at 10. Opinions vary a ton on when the QBs go... one guy on CBS has Bradford going to Washington at 4 with Clausen at 11. Another has Bradford at 7 and Clausen two picks later. If that was really the desire in this Draft... it's one team that could approach St. Louis and at least be considered.

b) Marshall would be viewed as an upgrade at WR and while I don't believe it to be true the local sentiment suggests Denver is ready to watch Marshall go away. Yahoo thinks he gets the franchise tag from Denver... sign/trade, taking a gamble on Avery and his health might seem like a better fit for Orton and his skills.

I'm not saying it has been rumored, just speculating on the team I cover more than anything... I think Denver would LOVE to have a shot at one of those DTs but I have no idea if Josh really wants to move up that high in the Draft, if St. Lou would care for that offer (or anything else Denver would propose) at all...

Was just wondering out loud.

[chancellor]

Originally Posted by BPD

Was just wondering out loud.

OK...with the two top DTs being so highly regarded, I can't see StL dealing #1 without something approaching a king's ransom, and Brandon Marshall certainly isn't that. He'll cost more than Avery, and almost certainly bring far more locker room headaches.

[BPD]

... if St. Louis is looking to trade down (and I think the response on Will's blog post about the picks suggests it needs to be considered... hard to argue with that) almost any team in the top 10 would be in need of that DT with the exceptions, possibly, of Washington (and we know they would NEVER make a headline move just to have a headline move... Snyder has never been known for his need for attention and praise, right Washington fans?!?!) and maybe Kansas City (they got burned on Dorsey... I think they would like to move away from him but he's still young).

King's ransom? Most teams that have been trying to trade top draft picks over recent seasons would tell you that's a pipe dream... you can't GIVE away the top pick. Teams don't want to spend the money, they don't believe the rise in talent is that great, and more than anything they trust their own abilities to not move up and pay extra and still get what they want. There isn't a team over recent seasons that hasn't sought offers for the #1 and they NEVER get offered the bounty you seem to think St. Louis is going to demand.

That said, I can't argue with your comments on Marshall though I would HAPPILY argue the numbers make the case for me.

Avery
'09: 47 rec, 589 yards, 12.5 per, 5 TDs
'08: 53, 674, 12.7, 3

Marshall:
'09: 101 rec, 1,120 yards, 11.1 per, 10 TDs
'08: 104, 1,265, 12.2, 6
'07: 102, 1,325, 13.0, 7

I'd suggest Denver is overpaying with Marshall/10 for Avery/1st but some in the Mile High would be OVERJOYED to take on the additional spending at the 1 and the SEVERE drop in WR production/health to add one of those DTs and have some semblence of a rush defense... but if the headaches are all you expect in return then you are right, St. Louis wouldn't do it.

[BPD]

Josh Pung, our Detroit Lions Correspondent, sent in his pick but has not formulated his analysis at RoarOfTheLions.com yet... once he does, he will come in and offer the link to the post.

Onward and upward!

[DetFan1979]

I went with Gerald McCoy, DT Nebraska for the Lions at #2.

http://roarofthelions.com/2010/02/15...anball-mock-1/

Detroit hasn't had a disruptive Defensive Tackle since Shaun Rogers departed to the Cleveland Browns. Even then, they didn't have DE's to take advantage of the double teams Rogers drew inside.

Last draft, the Lions got a gem in 4th rounder Sammie Hill out of Stillman College. He developed and improved thoughout the year and showed that he will be at the worst a consistent run-stopping big guy in the NFL. Now, with the selection of McCoy, the Lions will have a big pass-rushing DT to pair with him. See Roar of the Lions for a more extensive analysis, including other possible choices and why I didn't go with them.

[WhattheBucs]

http://whatthebucs.com/2010/02/15/wi...-overall-pick/

I had to go with the best player available and I wonder if that is the tact current management is going to take with the Bucs. Everyone always wants to draft down, but this is a very deep draft and the more selections you can get in the first 4 rounds the better.

[BPD]

Ryan John from PaintItRedskins.com sent in his pick, taking offensive tackle Russell Okung from Oklahoma State.

He's working on his analysis as we speak and will have a link to share shortly.

That puts Kansas City on the clock!

[DetFan1979]

Eric (whatthebucs)

Based on the picks Detroit and St. Louis made, I'm not sure that you had any real choice considering the next available prospects after Berry tend to lump together. One of the QB's may yet sneak up there to #1 and allow a choice at that #3 spot (yes Will, it is possible, though I agree with you highly unlikely and/or silly -- but a health Bradford at the combine could change minds in a hurry...)

I didn't mention this yet, but I think that if both McCoy and Suh are available I honestly don't know which the Lions would go with -- I don't know if it is as clear cut as everyone thinks... my .02

I'm also afraid I don't share your optimism about how the new Bucs staff will draft -- I think you should get ready for a reach "for need" I've always followed the Bucs as ex-division rivals in the old NFC Central, and feel for what you Bucs fans are going through. Hope I'm wrong!

[BPD]

We have our man for the Chiefs coming in shortly with the pick... but many of us were discussing this selection via our email thread and I wanted to bring that debate here for the Junkies.

A couple of us from the AFC West coverage team believe this scenario would be a WORST case scenario for KC. We think, barring trade or dynamic change, those defensive tackles go 1-2 in whatever order... the two picks that follow could go in any number of directions, but for KC to see the four players gone that we have seen selected here would be exactly what the fans in KC do NOT want to see.

They have so many needs that several players and positions came into the discussion... some believe that Berry would be the choice if he were to fall, others believe the offensive line is in dire need but the loss of Okung as an option throws that discussion into havoc as opinions differ so much on the guys that come after the top tackle, some suggest now is the time for KC to look at a quarterback, and more than a few mentioned Bama's Rolando McClain as the best option for this scenario in seeking the top upgrade for one of various needs.

We even had a couple of the boys throw Dez Bryant into the mix of candidates worthy of consideration.

Where in the hell is KC going with this pick?

[RespectTheStar]

I think if the draft unfolds as so the best pick for the Chiefs would be Rutgers OT Anthony Davis. After watching all of RU's games (RU Grad), I saw first hand the dominance that was Davis this season. Yes, he tends to take a few plays off but the dude is a monster and I suspect he will have a killer combine.

He might slip do to his undisclosed one game suspension this season. However, I bet he will impress scouts enough during the combine to justify a top 5 - 10 pick.

[Moonlight J]

Originally Posted by RespectTheStar

I think if the draft unfolds as so the best pick for the Chiefs would be Rutgers OT Anthony Davis. After watching all of RU's games (RU Grad), I saw first hand the dominance that was Davis this season. Yes, he tends to take a few plays off but the dude is a monster and I suspect he will have a killer combine.

He might slip do to his undisclosed one game suspension this season. However, I bet he will impress scouts enough during the combine to justify a top 5 - 10 pick.

Agreed. Davis is a manchild. I saw him up close in the bowl game and he was a human eclipse who owned the point of attack.

[WhattheBucs]

Originally Posted by DetFan1979

Eric (whatthebucs)

Based on the picks Detroit and St. Louis made, I'm not sure that you had any real choice considering the next available prospects after Berry tend to lump together. One of the QB's may yet sneak up there to #1 and allow a choice at that #3 spot (yes Will, it is possible, though I agree with you highly unlikely and/or silly -- but a health Bradford at the combine could change minds in a hurry...)

I didn't mention this yet, but I think that if both McCoy and Suh are available I honestly don't know which the Lions would go with -- I don't know if it is as clear cut as everyone thinks... my .02

I'm also afraid I don't share your optimism about how the new Bucs staff will draft -- I think you should get ready for a reach "for need" I've always followed the Bucs as ex-division rivals in the old NFC Central, and feel for what you Bucs fans are going through. Hope I'm wrong!

You must have misread my comments, I don't have much optimism at all surrounding how the Bucs will draft. GM Dominik has clearly stated they aren't going to be active in free agency and plan to build the team through the draft. I picked Berry because in this format there are no trades allowed, but I fully expect the Bucs to trade down in the first round, finding a team who is hot on a particular member of this years quarterback class. And I would not be shocked to see the Bucs trade the 2011 first round pick this year in order to gain more picks in this years draft given it's depth, the team's needs and uncertainty surrounding labor issues for the 2011 season.

[RyanJones]

It was fun going over the draft board and finding the right fit for the Chiefs.

With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select:

Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Currently, most experts are projecting Haden to fall anywhere between 7-15 but the same was being said of last year’s No. 1 pick Tyson Jackson out of LSU. Once the Chiefs — and the rest of the league — get a chance to get a good look at the Gators best defender (sorry, Carlos Dunlap) at the combine and then Florida’s pro day, you will see Haden skyrocket up draft boards.

You can find the full analysis (all 800+ words, sorry) here.

[BPD]

Wanted to pass this along... Ryan Jones covers the New Jersey Nets for the Network (ScorchingNets.com). During the season he also covered the Chiefs for us and did an OUTSTANDING job... but in running his own personal Chiefs blog and in wanting to insure his time wasn't too crowded, he decided to concentrate on his Nets.

So I asked him to come in and make the pick for us while I am in search of a replacement for ChiefsChatter.com. However, Ryan is still a valued member and his Chiefs blog is outstanding.

You'll find his analysis of the pick here:

http://www.kcchiefsblog.com/draft/fa...ork-mock-draft

Seattle is on the clock.

[onejayhawk]

I would be floored if Washington did not take a QB. Not.

Okung is a solid pick. It assumes Shanahan can coax something out of Campbell, but talent was never his problem. Its the reads and the decisions.

Haden is a decent pick for my Chiefs. The obvious move is a trade down, but that is impossible in this set up. Fandom seems to think a LB is the way to go, either JPP or McClain. Personally I am not yet sold on McClain. He had Cody blocking traffic for him at Alabama.

Less popular, but the direction I would lean, is to Dez Bryant. His interviews at the Combine will be critical, because he clearly has top 5 stuff. Dwayne Bowe regressed badly last season, so this is a direction of (possible) need, as well as value.

J