By Paul M. Banks
For round 1 click here Click on the following highlighted/bold phrases to read our:
As always, you can check out my College Football and NFL blogs on the Washington Times.com by clicking the hyperlinked text.
For our NBA Mock Draft click here
And don’t even think of the Jags taking Tim Tebow here because, the Jacksonville season ticket holders have spoken, and they don’t want him. For more on that click here
Team Player Position School
33. St. Louis Golden Tate WR Notre Dame
I predict the Rams will grab their franchise QB in round one with the first overall pick; and complement him with a WR in round 2. There’s a drop-off from Bryant and Benn to Tate, when it comes to WR prospects, because there are many more questions about Golden than there are about Dez. Some wonder if Tate is too small. He measured below what they expected he would at the combine. Lowering his stock. Then he ran faster than expected, raising his stock; so I left him right back where he was before the combine.
34. Detroit Carlos Dunlap DE Detroit
The Lions have had a pretty rough go of it with their draft picks lately, so they’re due for another one to pan out, right? Dunlap’s DUI has hurt his stock immensely, but his pass-rushing skills and explosiveness will get him noticed. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the best combine, and he generated a couple more red flags. Still, he’ll be a good value here, and make a nice pairing with Suh from round one.
35. Tampa Bay Jahvid Best RB California
You can use the obvious pun on his name to describe his place in this year’s running back class. (After Ryan Mathews of course) He’s easily the second best RB, especially after that eye-catching 40 time he registered at the combine.
36. Washington Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts
The earthquake in Haiti hit this big man hard. He immigrated to the United States ’02 and most of his family still lives there. Hopefully for him, this April will bring some sunshine (and a big paycheck) into his life. Ducasse did not allow a sack last fall, and only allowed 4 during his career.
37. Kansas City Jared Odrick DT Penn State
Regarding the talents and abilities of Odrick himself, I asked him about the best part of his game, “I hate this question. I let people decide that for me. I just try to be a smart player. If you’re a smart player than you can play faster, more efficient and that’s really what I want to try and do,” Odrick said.
To read the complete profile and exclusive of Odrick click here
38. Cleveland Nate Allen S USF
The secondary is one of many areas where the Browns are desperate for help. Therefore, I don’t think it’s very far-fetched for them to go with a corner in round one, and a safety in round 2. Hopefully for their sake, one of the two pans out. Otherwise their 2010 season will be about as successful as Sarah Palin’s term as Governor of Alaska.
39. Oakland Cam Thomas, NT North Carolina
Raiders could use a play-maker to sharpen up their run defense. But I’m not sure this pick might end up making a whole lot of sense. Then again how many Raiders picks lately have made any sense? So then this might make perfect sense
40. San Diego John Jerry G Ole Miss
Going value here. JJ had one of the best combines around, and he’ll make a great addition to help block for whoever starts handling all the carries now available with Tomlinson’s departure.
41. Buffalo Dekoda Watson, OLB, Florida State
The 2nd fastest LB at the combine, and he has good size to boot.
42. Tampa Bay (from Chicago) Selvish Capers OT West Virginia
I would advise Tampa’s offensive backfield in the same manner I would a dude going out with a slutty girl- get/use some protection. And Capers is prospect with a stock on the rise. He’s not just big, but also agile and quick, even seeing time at Tight End during his stay in beautiful Morgantown.
43. Miami Terrence Cody DT Alabama
To read an in-depth profile and interview of Terrence Cody, click here
Cody is a big time anchor guy who could go higher if he got into shape (well he is in a shape- he’s round) throughout the combine and workout process. He is a perfect 3-4 true nose tackle, but scouts worry about his conditioning and stamina. By the way, the Dolphins could REALLY use a nose tackle. However, many wonder is can keep his weight under control enough to really be solid contributor in this league.
44. New England (from Jacksonville) Damian Williams WR USC
This will be Moss’ last season as a Patriot (and maybe even his last stop in the NFL). And after him, Edelman, and Welker they have NADA at WR. Williams was a big loser during combine week, but in this wideout class he’s still a winner, and will become a very rich man. Therefore, making him a winner in life. Because it America “it’s all about the Benjamins”
45. Denver Eric Decker WR Minnesota
So many receivers have seen their stock drop from Combine week that Decker has slid right into this spot. No one can deny his speed, athleticism, toughness, heart and desire for the game
For an in-depth profile, exclusive interview of Decker click here,
46. New York Giants Chad Jones S LSU
Safety is a primary need in Gotham and Jones is a hard-hitter who seems to have a nose for the ball. Unfortunately, he didn’t do himself any favors in combine week. But then again tradition dictates that safeties rarely get picked very high in the first round anyway- so he’s right where you expect him to be.
47. New England (from Tennessee) Navorro Bowman LB Penn State
The Pats’ struggles and injuries to the front seven this season have been a constant reminder that this draft will no doubt focus on the defensive side of the ball. Bowman’s stock dropped A LOT at the combine. There were questions about his character heading in, and now there’s a buzz about his lack of speed in the drills. Concerns have been strong enough to drop him out of the first round.
For an interview/profile of Bowman, click here
48. Carolina Darryl Clark QB Penn State
The Panthers had one of the worst quarterbacking situations in the NFL this past season, maybe they’ll address that first. Clark’s mobility, leadership and throwing accuracy make him a tantalizing prospect.
For a feature profile/interview of Clark click here
49. San Francisco Arthur Jones DT Syracuse
Jones’ is a gap filler and stronger than Arnold Schwarznegger during the height of his steroid using days. He is in a Pat Williams type run stopper that will be look like a man amongst boys at times. He plays hard on every play and is of the rare breed of football players that will never quit on any play. Unfortunately, Jones didn’t have the best combine week.
50. Kansas City (from Atlanta) Javier Arenas CB Alabama
Arenas, has a drive and work ethic that few can match. And most importantly, he doesn’t have the crazy streak possessed by his gun-toting relative. “Out of high school, I had probably like three solid offers, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, and I guess here the last week of the signing process. I never really thought about it giving me motivation, because regardless, I was going to go out there and give it my all, whenever I was working on the football field,” Arenas said.
To read an in-depth profile/interview of Gilbert Arenas’ cousin Javier, click here
51. Houston Tyson Alualu DE/DT California
The big, strong Polynesian has versatility (which should get him plenty of playing time on the next level) and a knack for penetrating the opponents’ backfields.
52. Pittsburgh Geno Atkins DT Georgia
Whatever diet Atkins is on, it’s working! Or his conditioning habits are…or both! Geno followed up an excellent Senior Bowl week with a stellar combine, kicking ass and taking names in both the speed and strength drills.
And if you’re interested in the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault case, and I’m assuming you are then you might want to read about the latest update involving his second accuser by clicking here.
53. New England Sergio Kindle DE/LB Texas
His ability to play multiple positions in the front seven is reminiscent of current Patriot Adalius Thomas (but Thomas may not be a Pat by the time Kindle arrives) Nevertheless, Kindle makes perfect sense as Foxboro has made no secret they’re going in a younger direction in the defensive front 7.
54. Cincinnati Jon Asamoah OG Illinois
To read an in-depth profile/exclusive of Asamoah click here.
Cincy could use some help at the guard position, and Asamoah is a great combination of strength, quickness and agility. As a UI grad, it’s frustrating to think about how poorly most Illini offenses have performed this decade given all the NFL talent they’re produced on the OL (Duke Preston, Brandon Moore, David Diehl, Ryan McDonald etc.) The squandering of talent drove the Illini community to drink heavily.
55. Philadelphia Ricky Sapp DE/OLB Clem
With Will Witherspoon now gone, Philly will need to address a need at weak-side linebacker. Sapp is so versatile, he may not fall this far, but if he does = perfect fit.
56. Green Bay Donovan Warren CB Michigan
For an in-depth profile of Warren click here
Does GB need help in the secondary? Did you watch that playoff game against Arizona? There’s your answer.
57. Baltimore Sherrick McMannis CB Northwestern
If McMannis has a good combine, he should land in the second round. He has great closing speed, but…scouts question his ability to stay healthy.
58. Arizona Daryl Washington LB TCU
Zona’s D hasn’t exactly been the strongest at times this season (especially against the pass, and in between the hashes. Enter Washington, who could fit in well on the inside and be a help in shutting down the short-mid range passing game
59. Dallas Mike Johnson G Alabama
Cowboys could use some help in the interior blocking department and Johnson should be the best on the board at this point.
60. Seattle Kyle Wilson CB Boise St.
The secondary is one of many areas where Seattle could use some serious help. I predict they’ll grab Berry in the first round with their first pick- yes I know safeties rarely get drafted so high, but you can find a better value pick at that spot- and they’ll follow it up with a three technique guy later in the first round.
At times in ’09, the Hawks secondary looked worse than those ugly ass, Ecto Cooler meets Digger Phelps’ highlighter covered in booger jerseys they wore versus the Bears early in the season. Wilson has both the measurables and the experience. He led Boise State with five interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 15 passes defended, tied for 18th best in nation. So with upgrades to both positions in the secondary, and the D line- it will be very different in ’10.
61. New York Jets Kameron Chancellor S Virginia Tech
Chancellor has said that he attempts to emulate the former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, and said, “[He was a] big safety, the prototype guy for the position. I’m a big safety, too, and I’ve just always wanted to be just like him. I don’t necessarily say I can be Sean Taylor before it’s over, but I think I can be just as good.”
62. Minnesota Jermaine Cunningham DE Florida
Cunningham isn’t as explosive as his teammate Carlos Dunlap but he is more reliable on a play by play basis. He gets to the quarterback with regularity and makes a lot of tackles in the run game as well.
63. Indianapolis Brandon Ghee DB Wake Forest
Ghee is a both physical and fast, especially in his backpedal.
64. New Orleans Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Hardy’s stock has fallen quite a bit lately, but he may be worth a flier here. It’s a very deep DE class, but Hardy still is one of the better prospects if you’re looking for a sack artist.
To read Round One click here
As always, you can check out my College Football and NFL blogs on the Washington Times.com by clicking the hyperlinked text.
For our NBA Mock Draft click here