It’s a position the Green Bay Packers are almost surely set to address at some point during the draft. The question is: When?

If the team [...]]]> Now that we’ve sufficiently covered the cornerbacks – wait, aren’t they supposed to do the covering? Okay, bad joke I know – it’s time to move on to the outside linebackers.

It’s a position the Green Bay Packers are almost surely set to address at some point during the draft. The question is: When?

If the team feels Brad Jones is the answer, it might choose to simply find a backup for him later in the draft. But if the Packers aren’t sure Jones is the guy, long-term, at the position, it’s definitely possible that they will use a high pick on that spot. Either way, Green Bay needs someone to go opposite Clay Matthews to ensure Matthews doesn’t face double teams on every single snap.

So, if the Packers choose the latter of those two scenarios, who are some players they could be targeting? Well, let’s take a look, shall we?

(And, don’t worry, we’ll be back soon with a few more highly-rated outside linebackers.)

• Sergio Kindle, Texas

The numbers: 6-feet, 4-inches, 240 pounds…turns 23 in September…4.65 40-yard dash time and 25 bench press reps at the combine…second team All Big 12 as a defensive end in 2009…55 tackles, six sacks in 2009…16 sacks and one forced fumble for his career at Texas.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Kindle possesses most of the physical skills necessary for a 3-4 OLB. He’s a fantastic athlete who uses both speed and quickness to explode off the ball. He never stops coming at you and will be aggressive from start-to-finish (sound familiar?). He knows how to get the job done as a tackler, as well, something Green Bay needs more of. He’s got a natural knack for finding the quarterback and putting the pressure on.�

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: Kindle actually played defensive end last season for the Longhorns (he’ll be on OLB in the pros, though). Ends obviously don’t have the same coverage abilities as outside ‘backers do, meaning Kindle will be raw in coverage, at least initially. His elite athleticism has hurt him at times as he relies on it more than he should. His three-game suspension for a drunk-driving arrest in 2007 raises some character concerns.

Final thoughts: In many ways, Kindle would be the perfect compliment to Matthews. The Packers would have two relentless, hard-charging OLBs, each with a natural knack for finding the quarterback. While I worry a bit about Kindle’s lack of pure coverage skills, it’s not a major concern as Jones could still come on in nickel situations. I doubt Kindle’s on the board at No. 23, but if he is, the Packers would have to give him serious, serious consideration.

• Brandon Graham, Michigan

The numbers: 6-feet, 265 pounds…turned 22 years old this month…4.71 40-yard dash time and 31 bench press reps at the combine…first team All Big Ten as a defensive lineman in 2009…64 tackles, 10 sacks in 2009…28 sacks over his final three years at Michigan.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Remember in the movie “Miracle” when Herb Brooks says, “You don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone?” That quote stuck in my head while studying Graham. This is not to say Graham is completely lacking ability, of course, because he isn’t. He’s very strong, with decent enough burst, and is able to play both the run and the pass (key for a 3-4 outside ‘backer). But Graham’s two biggest assets, clearly, are his intensity and intelligence. He works both hard and smart, squeezing the most out of what he’s got.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: While Graham has good strength, he’s not the fastest guy around (and being just 6-feet tall makes him rather undersized for the position, as well). Like Kindle, he’s a bit of a tweener, having played both end and OLB at Michigan. He’s got short arms (32 1/4 inches), which could make it hard for him to disengage from tackles in the NFL. Also like Kindle, his coverage skills still need refining.

Final thoughts: Getting too caught up in a player’s physical atributes can be a dangerous game indeed. After all, despite his physical shortcomings, Graham was still able to get the job done in college. But that was college. As a pro, you have to wonder how good he can really be, given that he’s short, somewhat slow and cursed with short arms. He can work all he wants, but at the end of the day, I’m just not sure he’ll be more than an average player – “just a guy” in NFL terminology. He’ll likely still be on the board at No. 23, but the Packers should pass.

• Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

The numbers: 6-feet, 2-inches, 245 pounds…turns 23 years old in December…4.62 40-yard dash time and 34 bench press reps at the combine (improved those numbers to 4.52 and 35 for his pro day in March)…first team All Big 12 in 2009…103 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and one interception in 2009…12 sacks, four interceptions (two returned for scores) and three forced fumbles over his final three years at Missouri.

What he does that could work for the Packers: If Green Bay’s defense is, say, a seven overall in tackling, Weatherspoon’s presence alone would bring that number up to eight (maybe higher). Yeah, this guy’s that good at tackling. He’s an outstanding athlete, with great quickness, as well. When he’s asked to blitz, he closes fast. And if he hits you, look out, because it’s probably going to hurt. He’s highly intelligent, with a Matthews-like motor (he and Clay are also buddies, if you don’t know by now). No tweener label here – this guy’s a linebacker, through and through.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: While his coverage skills are not nearly as raw as though of Kindle and Graham, Weatherspoon still needs to improve in that area. His intensity has hurt him at times, as he becomes too aggressive and overpursues plays. He’s got good smarts, but needs to play faster. Some questions exsit as how how consistently he’ll shed blocks at the next level.

Final thoughts: Of the three players profiled in this post, Weatherspoon seems to be the most “Packer-ready,” meaning his skill set best fits what Green Bay is trying to do, defensively. He’s got the same athleticism as Kindle and the same non-stop attitude of Graham. His tackling skills would give the defense a big boost in that area and I think he’s a better coverage guy that some have suggested (plus, again, Jones could do that if he can’t). I also think he’ll be fine in terms of shedding blocks as his intensity and speed will likely be too much for a lot of tackles to handle. If the Packers keep their first round pick and don’t go offensive tackle – or all the tackles are already gone – Weatherspoon should be the guy.

That’s all for our first look at outside linebackers. Again, we’ll be back shortly with some more profiles.

-Chris Lempesis

Since our last mock, three weeks ago, there have been a handful of trades/signings that have caused this third mock to change. But more than anything, the array of pro days and increased overall chatter amongst “insiders” (which we at OBOD are definitely not) [...]]]> Two mock drafts down, two more to go until draft day (15 days from now!!).

Since our last mock, three weeks ago, there have been a handful of trades/signings that have caused this third mock to change. But more than anything, the array of pro days and increased overall chatter amongst “insiders” (which we at OBOD are definitely not) has had the biggest effect on this new mock.

What does it look like now? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

(By the way, the “Ocean’s Thirteen” reference is strictly a joke. I can guarantee this mock will not be as bad as that film. God help me if I’m wrong.)

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Monday’s release of Marc Bulger, coupled with Bradford’s very good pro day showing last week, make the likelihood that he goes to the Rams exponentially greater. They clearly need a guy and, while my doubts about Bradford remain, he’s the best of the bunch and a pick St. Louis can sell to its fans.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. Truth be told, I think the Lions would love to trade out of this spot. But I’m just not sure anyone will want this pick badly enough to make a move. In the event Detroit hangs on to the pick, Suh has to be the guy. He’s equally good against the run and the pass and would give the Lions a genuine difference-maker in the front seven, something head coach Jim Schwartz desperately needs.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. I’ve had the Bucs going with Eric Berry in my first two mocks. This time around, I think McCoy will be pick. The Bucs, much like Detroit, need an impact player along the line as they only recorded 28 sacks last season (tied for 26th in the league). McCoy isn’t quite as good against the run as Suh is, but his pass rush skills will allow him to make an immediate difference.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Sunday’s trade for Donovan McNabb eliminates any speculation that Washington will select Jimmy Clausen. That trade also leaves the ‘Skins with just one pick in the first three rounds and you have to think they’d love to trade down. Like the Lions, though, I doubt they find much interest. In that case, they’ll go with Okung, the best o-lineman in the draft and someone who can help cover McNabb right away.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. People seem to be cooling on Berry a little bit, and I’m not sure why. Forget about all the postseason workout stuff and just put on the tape. This kid’s a star in the making. Works out well for the Chiefs, then, as they need secondary help – particularly at safety – in a major way. In five years, we very well could be looking at Berry as the best player to come out of this draft.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. While questions initially existed as to how high Bulaga’s ceiling really is, he seems to be gaining momentum in recent weeks. His size (6-feet, 6-inches, 312 pounds) and the recent track record of former Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year winners (Jake Long, Joe Thomas) likely have a lot do to with this. Plus, Peter King reported in his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column this week that Seattle GM John Schneider – remember him? – loves Bulaga. Makes too much sense not to happen.

7. Cleveland Browns – Earl Thomas, S, Texas. Another change from my first two mock drafts comes in this spot, where I originally had the Brownies going with Florida corner Joe Haden. But last week’s trade for former Eagle Sheldon Brown crosses corner off Cleveland’s list of needs. The Browns will still look to upgrade their secondary, one of the worst in football in 2009, but will do so with Thomas. A bit undersized (5-feet, 10-inches, just under 200 pounds), Thomas makes up for it with dynamic playmaking skills and excellent speed.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida. Crazy Al loves measurables. Pierre-Paul has measurables (6-feet, 6-inches, 265 pounds, amazing speed). Crazy Al loves Pierre-Paul. Done and done.

9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Where Clausen lands is quickly becoming one of the big stories surrounding this year’s draft. Some think he could go top five, while others have him a bit lower. Put me in the latter group as I still think Buffalo is his likely destination. As I’ve said before, the Bills need hope of some kind, any kind. As of now, they have nothing. While my doubts about Clausen are even bigger than those of Bradford, he’ll definitely provide some hope.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. I’ve said all along this is where Bryant goes and I’m sticking to it. The Jags need a big-time threat in the passing game. And Bryant, despite some character issues (mainly listening to Deion Sanders), is the closest thing to a big-time wideout in this draft. He’s not overly fast, but is big and tough with very good hands. Could be an immediate impact player for Jacksonville.

11. Denver Broncos (from Bears) - Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. No movement here, either. McClain is by far the best ILB in this draft and a perfect fit for the 3-4 scheme that Denver runs (it’s the scheme he played in at Alabama). With a (presumably) healthy Jamal Williams eating up space in front of him, McClain should be able to punish ballcarriers for quite some time in Denver.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. Same position, different play for this pick as I originally had Miami going with UCLA’s Brian Price. I’ve got the Dolphins going with Williams this time, though, as he’s more of a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. He’s got the size (325 pounds) and strength to be a force at the position, good because Jason Ferguson is old (35) and will miss the first eight games of the year (performance-enhancing drugs).

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The 49ers will be doing cartwheels on draft night if Haden is indeed here, and I think he will be. His slight fall isn’t caused by anything he’s done (or hasn’t done), but rather because the teams above San Fran don’t really need a corner that badly. Haden is the best corner in this draft and should contribute right away.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Spiller seems to be rising in the eyes of some “insiders”, but really, I doubt he goes before this spot. That doesn’t mean he’s lacking potential to be very, very good, because he isn’t. I just don’t think anyone else will look running back before here. That’s a good thing indeed for the Seahawks as Spiller could be Bush 2.0 for Pete Carroll. With Bulaga and Spiller in the fold, Seattle’s offense should be much better next season.

15. New York Giants – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. As I’ve stated previously, I have it on good authority – and by “good authority”, I mean my good friend/Giants superfan Matt Anderson – that Big Blue would love to snag McClain with this pick. I’m not sure he’ll be there, though, and if New York can’t get him, it will go with Williams. He’s got solid upside and would provide an instant upgrade at right tackle – his likely spot in the pros.

16. Tennessee Titans – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas. The Titans struggled getting to the quarterback last season, their first without Fat Albert. That area looks to be even weaker now with Kyle Vanden Bosch’s departure to Detroit. In order to boost it back up, Tennessee will look to Kindle. At 255 pounds, you can forget about Kindle playing defensive end in the NFL. But as an outside linebacker, he brings much to the table, mainly his relentless nature and instinctive knack for getting to the QB.

 17. San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. My previous mock had Davis to the Niners with the 13th pick. I still think this is where he ends up, though he’ll have to wait a little bit longer now. Davis’ solid pro day showing put some of the doubts surrounding him to rest, but questions about his work ethic and weight still remain. He’s got potential to be very, very good – if he can get with a coach that stays on him at all times. Enter Mike Singletary.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho. I still can’t believe the Steelers won it all two seasons ago with such a weak offensive line. That group wasn’t a whole lot better last season, either, and Pittsburgh must improve up front if it hopes to get back into serious AFC contention. Iupati could definitely help that cause. A 6-feet, 5-inch, 330 pound beast, Iupati is a throwback type of lineman. No zone blocking schemes for this guy – he just wants to maul.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. I had Morgan going to Atlanta in my original mock. After a quick detour for our second mock, he’s back in Atlanta this time. Morgan is perhaps the best all-around defensive end in this draft. He’s solid against the run and a terror as a pass-rusher (12 sacks, two forced fumbles last season). His addition will be a big boost to Atlanta’s defense and should put the Falcons solidly back in playoff contention next season.

20. Houston Texans – Brian Price, DT, UCLA. Same position, different player for Houston this time around, as I previously had the Texans going with Penn State’s Jared Odrick. With Price still on the board, though, he’s likely the guy. He’s a hair better against the run than is Odrick, with equal pass-rushing skills. Houston hit a home run by taking a Pac-10 defensive player last season (USC’s Brian Cushing), so why not do it again?

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida. Toughness is lacking for the Bengals’ offense. That changes significantly with the addition of Pouncey, a physical, nasty lineman. He’s also intelligent, athletic and incredibly versatile (having played both guard and center for a big-time program). The Bengals could also look for another playmaker on offense here, but Pouncey is too good to pass up. They can grab a wideout in round two.

22. New England Patriots – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan. Again, little change at this spot. New England still needs to improve its pass rush and Graham will give the Pats the best chance to do that. He’s an incredibly smart player who never stops coming at you and just knows how to get the job done (averaging nine sacks a year over his last three seasons at Michigan). The Hoodie has never been scared off by tweeners and I doubt that changes now. He’ll love this guy.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC. As usual, I’ll go a little longer here as this is a Packers blog. First, as draft night nears, I’m becoming more and more certain that Ted Thompson will trade out of this spot. The Packers have a few holes to fill, and if Thompson can pick up a couple more selections in the first few rounds, he can pretty much fill them all. He can not do so if he hangs on to this pick. As for the idea of taking an outside linebacker here, I’d say it’s certainly possible. But Brad Jones has a lot of potential and I think the Packers will wait on that spot. Hence, if they keep the pick, they’ll have to go with a tackle and Brown is the best left on the board. Again, yes, he’s got weight left to put on, but his pass protection skills are already very good. He could be the guy for a long, long time. This team can not wait any longer to find its left tackle of the future and history shows you have the best chance of getting Pro Bowl talent at that position in round one.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. While trading Brown filled Cleveland’s void for a corner, it opened a void at that spot for the Eagles. Wilson has excellent ball skills, can play both man and zone and is an excellent return man. He’d look good opposite Asante Samuel. Philly is flush with picks after its two trades and can address its need for a pass rusher in the second round.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. Baltimore’s trade for Anquan Boldin originally had me thinking it would look defense with this pick. Then I remembered just how inconsistent/ineffective Todd Heap really was last season and changed my mind. Gresham has some concerns due to his knee injury from last season, but when you look at him on tape, it’s clear he can be a big-time playmaker. You can never give a young quarterback too many of those, right?

26. Arizona Cardinals – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. My first two mock drafts have had the Cards going defense, specifically outside linebacker. The recent addition of Joey Porter crosses that off the list, though, and I now believe Arizona will look to upgrade along the line. Campbell certainly has his share of question marks, but his upside is too much to pass on here. If anyone can get the most out of this guy, it’s Russ Grimm.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Taylor Mays, S, USC. Having recently cut Flozell Adams, it’s a good bet the Cowboys will be looking for his replacement at this spot. Unfortunately for them, the top six tackles are already gone. That being the case, Dallas will look to replace Ken Hamlin – also recently released – with Mays. Mays projects as a strong safety in the pros. In fact, he’s so big (230 pounds) and such a good tackler/hitter, some have suggested he could be moved to outside linebacker eventually. Either way, he’s got good value for Dallas here.

28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State. My first two mocks have had the Bolts going with Alabama’s Terrence Cody. This time around, though, I think Matthews is the pick. San Diego needs a presence in the run game, something Darren Sproles just doesn’t provide. Matthews is a good combination of power and speed and his lack of pass-catching skills wouldn’t be a problem with Sproles in the fold.

29. New York Jets – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri. The Jets are moving in the right direction, offensively, provided Mark Sanchez continues to develop. The defense is pretty damn good, too, but could use one more player, particularly another outside linebacker. Weatherspoon should quickly become a favorite of Rex Ryan’s. He’s a hard-hitting, hard-working linebacker who knows how to play the run and blitz the quarterback.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. I still think Minnesota wants to snag a corner with this pick, but I don’t think there’s anyone left on the board worth taking this high. The Vikes will then turn their focus to the d-line. The possibility of dual four-game suspensions for Pat and Kevin Williams, plus Pat’s age (38 in October), make upgrading that spot a priority. Cody has some issues (weight, focus, etc.), but if he’s reigned in, he could become a dominant run-stuffer in the pros. Minnesota looks for a back to compliment Adrian Peterson in round two.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State. The Colts will likely hope one of the top six tackles fall to this spot (previously, I had them going with Campbell, for example) as Charlie Johnson just isn’t the long-term guy at that spot. Since they are all gone, however, Indy will look to solidify itself at d-tackle instead. The Colts need to get an impact player between Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Odrick has decent size (306 pounds), recorded seven sacks last season and should help take some heat off those two.

32. New Orleans Saints – Carlos Dunlap, DE/DT, Florida. The recent release of Charles Grant leaves a void along the d-line for the defending champs (still feels weird writing that about the Saints). Dunlap lacks motivation at times – and has an unfortunate DUI arrest – but he’s also a monster talent. He recorded nine sacks in each of the past two seasons and, if New Orleans can keep a fire under him, it could end up with great value here.

One final note: This will be my last solo mock before the draft. Our final mock will be a three-man super mock, featuring Adam, Gene and myself. We’re going to run that the day before the draft, so stay tuned. It should be a lot of fun and will hopefully sound nothing like Asia (they were a super-group from the 80s…damn you kids).

-Chris Lempesis

(Plus, as you likely know, we LOVE doing mock drafts.)

Most of the “big fish” free agents have signed their respective deals and, as a result, some teams’ draft plans have changed. Our new mock has [...]]]> Now that we are roughly 12 days into free agency, it seemed like the perfect time to run an updated mock draft.

(Plus, as you likely know, we LOVE doing mock drafts.)

Most of the “big fish” free agents have signed their respective deals and, as a result, some teams’ draft plans have changed. Our new mock has certainly taken those moves into account as there are some major changes from our first mock.

What are those changes? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

1. St. Louis Rams -  Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. The biggest jump in this current mock belongs to Bradford (whom I previously had going to Buffalo at No. 9). Why the sudden rise? Well, from everything I’ve read, it just sounds like the St. Louis brass rather likes Bradford. Plus, it’s a lot easier to sell the selection of a quarterback No. 1 overall than it is a defensive tackle. I have my doubts about Bradford, but from a business standpoint, I can see where St. Louis is coming from.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. By signing Kyle Vanden Bosch and trading for Corey Williams, Detroit is definitely putting an emphasis on getting to the quarterback more. Those were both decent moves, but neither of those guys is a game-changer. Suh, on the other hand, surely could be. He’ll be NFL-ready from day one and could be head coach Jim Schwartz’s Haynesworth 2.0.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. While there is change with the top two picks, this song remains the same. In five years, Berry could very well end up the best defensive player to come out of this draft. Athletic, fast and rangy, he’s the type of do-it-all player who could make an impact on Tampa Bay’s defense right away. His playmaking numbers dipped a bit last season (just two picks as opposed to 12 combined in the two years previous), but don’t let that fool you. This kid’s for real.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Many analysts seem to think the ‘Skins will jump at Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen if he’s here. I disagree. New head coach Mike Shanahan has already said he wants Jason Campbell back. He’ll use 2010 to evaluate Campbell and see if he is, in fact, the future at quarterback. He’ll also give Campbell some added protection. Enter Okung, the most complete – and best – lineman in the draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. My previous mock had the Chiefs going with Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain as Okung, McCoy and Suh were all already gone. This time around, McCoy is available and I can’t see how Kansas City passes on him. He’s not overly big (just 295 pounds), but has explosive pass rushing abilities. Sure, the Chiefs whiffed on Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson didn’t do much as a rookie, but if they just keep taking d-tackles, one of them will hit, right? Maybe?

6. Seattle Seahawks – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. A replacement must be found for 35-year old Walter Jones. Originally, I had Rutgers’ Anthony Davis as that guy. But Davis’ weight issues and shaky combine (his character has come into question) make Bulaga the pick now. Some questions exist as to how high Bulaga’s ceiling really is. But the 6-feet, 6-inch, 312 pound Bulaga was also voted Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. A couple of recent winners of that award, Jake Long and Joe Thomas, have done pretty well in the pros and Bulaga should follow suit.

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden, CB, Florida. Another pick that has not changed since our first mock. The Brownies still need secondary help in a major way as they finished 29th in passing yards allowed per game (a whopping 244.7). Haden is, hands down, the best corner in the draft. He’s physical, aggressive and extremely fast and the Browns will jump at him here. Mike Holmgren will find his future quarterback later in the draft.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida. Yet another pick that has not changed, although this one is for different reasons, the biggest being I just do not want to climb into Al Davis’ head and try to figure out what he’s going to do. I’m just not man enough for that mission. I know he loves measureables and Pierre-Paul has those in abundance (6-feet, 6-inches, 265 pounds and lightening fast). Pierre-Paul could team with Kameron Wimbley, recently acquired from Cleveland, at OLB for the Raiders.

9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. As they can no longer get Bradford here, the Bills will jump at Clausen. Why? Brian Brohm, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, that’s why. That’s the quarterback group for the Bills as of now. None of those three bring any hope for the future, if you’re a Bills fan. And, as I said previously, that’s what Buffalo needs to give its fans here – some hope. Quite frankly, I have major doubts about Clausen as a pro, but I don’t doubt he’ll be the pick.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Everyone had the Jags going defensive end here before they signed Aaron Kampman. I always thought they’d go with Bryant and, well, I still do. Simply put, Jacksonville hasn’t had a gamebreaking receiving threat since the days of Jimmy Smith. Well, those days are long gone. Bryant is an athletic, tough wideout with very good hands who could loosen the strain on Maurice Jones-Drew.

11. Denver Broncos – Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Previously, I had Clausen going here. But, by acquiring Brady Quinn from Cleveland last weekend, Denver is no longer in the market for a quarterback (which is good because if things play out like I think, it couldn’t get one here anyways). The Jamal Williams signing beefs up the Broncos’ d-line, but they still have holes in the second level. McClain can remedy that as he is an absolute beast, particularly in stuffing the run.

12. Miami Dolphins – Brian Price, DT, UCLA. Nose tackle was a position of need for the Dolphins before 35-year old Jason Ferguson was suspended for the first eight games of the season (performance-enhancing drugs). Now, of course, it’s even more so, and I still think Price is the guy here. Price is similar in size – Ferguson’s 310 pounds and Price is 300 – and the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year also has the explosion to get into the backfield on passing downs. He’ll open things up for newly acquired ILB Karlos Dansby.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. Yes, the issues surrounding Davis aren’t necessarily good. But he’s also a 6-feet, 6-inch, 325 pound monster who is looked at by many as the best pass protecting lineman in the draft. In other words, his equally large upside will prevent him from falling as far as some analysts think. Plus, something tells me Mike Singletary can keep this guy in line. Just a hunch. 

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. With the combine Spiller had, Pete Carroll and Co. will be doing backflips if he’s still available here. A dual threat back, Spiller could be Pete’s new Reggie Bush (hopefully, minus the whole Kardashian thing). By nabbing Bulaga and Spiller, the Seahawks will have cleared up two of their biggest issues (offensive line and a lack of gamebreakers).

15. New York Giants – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. After chatting with my good friend (and huge Giants fan) Matt Anderson, I’m convinced New York will attempt to move up if it feels it’s in danger of losing McClain. But, since I’m not going to predict any trades here, I’ll stick with Big Blue selecting Williams. New York’s d-line wasn’t as good as many (myself included) thought it would be before last season. At 325 pounds and strong as a bull, Williams could go a long way towards fixing that.

16. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. Originally, I had the Titans addressing some of their needs along the o-line with Idaho’s Mike Iupati. But after losing Vanden Bosch, I now think Tennessee turns to the defensive front, where it struggled last season without Fat Albert. At 275 pounds, Morgan is right on the fence as far as where he can play in the pros (depending on whether or not he adds weight). With 12 sacks and two forced fumbles last season, Morgan could replace Vanden Bosch in a major way.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas. Having already upgraded at o-line with Davis, the Niners now turn their focus to finding a big-time playmaking safety in the secondary. Thomas’ size (5-feet, 10-inches, just under 200 pounds) isn’t exactly what you’d like at that position. But his numbers (63 tackles, eight interceptions last season) and speed definitely are. By taking Davis and Thomas, the Niners would walk away with a very nice first round haul.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho. Previously, Maryland’s Bruce Campbell was the pick here. But there are some fairly significant question marks on Campbell – like, if he’s so good, why did he receive no votes for All ACC-First Team last season? - and I think he’ll drop a good deal as a result. Still, the Steelers need o-line help badly. The 6-feet, 5-inch, 330 pound Iupati has the strength to be able to play, and flourish, right away. He could end up being very. very good. A typical Steeler pick.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas. With Morgan – the player I previously had them taking – off the board, the Falcons will turn to Kindle. At 255 pounds, he’ll play outside linebacker in Atlanta’s 4-3 scheme and he should be very good at that spot. He’s got great athleticism, knows how to get to the quarterback and could be for the Falcons what Brian Orakpo was for the ‘Skins last season.

20. Houston Texans – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State. I’m not sensing much change at this spot for Houston. As usual, the Texans are set, offensively. Again, as usual, their defense still needs more work if they are to finally get over the top and into the playoffs. Last year’s first rounder, linebacker Brian Cushing, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the team still needs one or two more pieces. Odrick (306 pounds with seven sacks last year) could very well be the nose tackle to open things up for Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida. Believe it or not, I actually left the Bengals off my first mock draft. I’m not sure how that happened, but if you’re a Bengals fan reading this, I am very sorry. Anyways, Cincinnati has major needs on the offensive line, particularly at center and guard. Lucky for them, Pouncey can play either of those spots in the pros. He’s also intelligent and plays with a mean streak that the Bengals’ offense sorely lacks.

22. New England Patriots – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan. The Pats did not, as some expected, end up with Julius Peppers. They also cut Adalius Thomas, making outside linebacker a huge priority. Truth be told, I think Kindle will be a better pro, but Graham is not a bad consolation prize at all. Over his last three seasons at Michigan, Graham averaged over nine sacks a season, with ever-improving tackle numbers. He’s got short arms, yes, but he’s also a hard-worker who comes at you on every play. The Hoodie will love this guy.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC. Since this is a Packers’ blog, I’ll go a little more in-depth here. The re-signings of Chad Clifton/Mark Tauscher, at first, had me thinking Ted Thompson might go in a different direction with this pick (i.e., defense). But when I thought about it more, I still think the team has to nab a left tackle of the future. Clifton could break down at any minute and, while we all love T.J. Lang, I’m beginning to think he’s strictly a right tackle. The Packers need someone who can step in if Clifton goes down (which you know he will, if only for a game or two at a time). At just 290 pounds, Brown must bulk up a bit before he’s game ready. But his athleticism and NFL-ready pass protection skills would cover him if forced to play right away. He’s got a ton of upside and could protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside for the next decade. At some point, this move has to be made. Why not here?

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Everson Griffen, DE, USC. Having whiffed on Kampman and Julius Peppers, the Eagles look to the draft to find their pass rushing end of the future. Previously, I had them going to Graham, but since he’s no longer available, they’ll go with Griffen. Not always the most motivated player, Griffen is still blessed with great athleticism and pass rushing skills. If the Eagles can keep a fire under his butt, he should be a productive player.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Carlos Dunlap, DT, Florida. Baltimore’s trade for wide receiver Anquan Boldin took care of its need for a big-time playmaker not named Ray Rice. That being the case, the Ravens will focus on d-line with this pick. Kelly Gregg is still very good, but will turn 34 during the season and the team needs to find a player to team up with Haloti Ngata for the future. There are some questions surrounding Dunlap (lack of motivation and a DUI arrest in particular). But he’s also had nine sacks in each of the past two seasons.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU. Having lost Dansby, you could argue that the Cards should go inside linebacker here. But since there are no real ILBs worth taking at this spot, they’ll stick with Hughes (whom I had them taking in our original mock). Clark Haggans and Chike Okeafor are both aging and merely decent and, with 26 sacks over his final two years at TCU, Hughes has shown a knack for getting to the quarterback.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. Again, I’m sticking with what worked the first time here. Flozell Adams, for all the hype and money, just isn’t very consistent in pass protection. Plus, he’s getting older, so the team needs to upgrade there for the future. Williams would have gone much higher if not for his subpar 2009 season, but he still has a lot of tools and could be a good pro, if he regains his 2008 form.

28. San Diego Chargers – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. In our first mock, I said this pick “could be surprising” considering the Bolts, at that point, still had Jamal Williams. Seeing as though Williams got cut (and signed with Denver), this pick is no longer a shock. In fact, it makes a lot of sense. San Diego needs its next Williams and “Mount Cody” could be just that, provided he stays motivated and keeps his weight down. Remember, Cody dominated for long stretches in the toughest conference in the country.

29. New York Jets – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri. The names change (previously I had Clemson’s Ricky Sapp here), but the position remains the same. Like I said before, it’s time for New York to just suck it up and admit that Vernon Gholston is a bust and find someone else to go opposite Calvin Pace at OLB. Weatherspoon is not the biggest linebacker, at just 245 pounds, but like his good buddy Clay Matthews, he’s an intense, non-stop player who is good in mulitple facets. He was a leader for Mizzou’s defense and you can never have too many of those.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. With the Williams sisters still on trial (and possible facing four-game suspensions), Minnesota could very well look d-tackle here. But with all of the first-round tackles already gone, the Vikings turn their attention to cornerback. Good idea as Antoine Winfield is getting older and Cedric Griffin could miss the first six weeks due to his torn ACL. Wilson is a bit small at 5-feet, 9-inches, but is an aggressive, playmaking corner.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Charlie Johnson was serviceable at left tackle last season, but is far from the long-term solution there. As I previously mentioned, there are some big questions surrounding Campbell. But he is also a freak, physically (6-feet, 7-inches, 310 pounds, with a sub-4.8 40 time). In fact, some think he’s got the most upside of any lineman in the draft. After a year of learning, he could protect Peyton Manning’s blindside for the rest of Manning’s career.

32. New Orleans Saints – Taylor Mays, S, USC. Darren Sharper’s knee injury/contract demands place his future in New Orleans in doubt. The team needs someone who can play right away in the event Sharper walks and that player could be Mays. Before last season, it would have been unthinkable to have him this low. But a bad 2009 season (just one interception) and doubts about his ceiling land him here. Still, Mays brings great value at this spot.

-Chris Lempesis

With the NFL scouting combine in full swing and free agency set to begin Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST, we at OBOD figured it would be a good idea to pull together an early mock draft. Like we said in our first mock last year, this baby is likely to change a ton [...]]]> Well, it’s time.

With the NFL scouting combine in full swing and free agency set to begin Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST, we at OBOD figured it would be a good idea to pull together an early mock draft. Like we said in our first mock last year, this baby is likely to change a ton between now and the NFL Draft (April 22-24). I will be handling the duties for this first mock; Adam and Gene will be weighing in with their thoughts in the weeks ahead.

You might be asking: Why don’t you guys just wait a little bit longer to write one then?

Answer: These things are just too damn fun to do. We can’t wait any longer.

Besides, we’ll be rolling out a least a few more of these between now and draft day, again, because mock drafts are just the best. And if you’re wondering why we haven’t yet ripped into the NFL for having the draft Thursday-Saturday this year? Don’t worry – we’re going to – very soon.

With that brief introduction out of the way, let’s tee this thing up, shall we?

As always, enjoy.

1. St. Louis Rams -  Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. The Rams have a defensive-minded head coach who loves to get pressure on the quarterback, particularly from the defensive linemen. It must have killed Steve Spagnuolo, then, to see his team finish with just 25 sacks, third worst in the league. Suh will be NFL-ready from day one and should instantly help remedy St. Louis’ blues (hey, did I just make a hockey reference by accident?).

2. Detroit Lions – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. Sort of a similar story here. Jim Schwartz is a defensive guy and likely hated the fact that Detroit went offense with both its first round picks last season. He wants – and needs – to find his Haynesworth 2.0 (i.e., a game-changing d-lineman). McCoy isn’t nearly as big as Fat Albert – just 295 pounds – but is a very good two-way lineman with explosive pass rushing ability.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. Everyone’s talking about Suh and McCoy right now. In five years, though, Berry could very well end up the best defensive player to come out of this draft. Athletic, fast and rangy, he’s the type of do-it-all player who could make an impact on Tampa Bay’s defense right away. His playmaking numbers dipped a bit last season (just two picks as opposed to 12 combined in the two years previous), but don’t let that fool you. This kid’s for real.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. Originally, I had the ‘Skins going with Sam Bradford. Then I read that new head coach Mike Shanahan wants Jason Campbell back. Good decision as Campbell, for all the dogging he takes from ‘Skins fans and the media, could be a good quarterback if given some actual protection. Enter Okung, the most complete – and best – lineman in the draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Consider this curveball No. 1 of the mock as McClain is looked at by many as a mid-first rounder. The Chiefs would likely love to land one of the top two tackles or Okung. But with those three off the board, they turn their attention to finding an impact inside ‘backer, something they desperately need. McClain is an absolute beast, particularly in stuffing the run. And, really, is it a reach if you grab an impact player who fills a need?

6. Seattle Seahawks – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. It’s been a great, potentially Hall of Fame-type run for Walter Jones. But he’s 35 now and breaking down, physically. A replacement must be found. Davis could be that guy, a 6-feet, 6-inch, 325 pound monster who is looked at by many as the best pass protecting lineman in the draft. Some wonder about his weight issues and love for the game, but his upside is too much for Pete Carroll and Co. to pass up here.

7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The Brownies need secondary help in a major way as they finished 29th in passing yards allowed per game (a whopping 244.7). Eric Wright is and up-and-comer on one side, but Cleveland has nothing on the other. Haden is, hands down, the best corner in the draft. He’s physical, aggressive and extremely fast and the Browns will jump at him here.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida. JP-P only played one year at South Florida and didn’t really record major numbers (42 tackles, six sacks and one interception). But what JP-P lacks in numbers, he makes up for in measureables (6-feet, 6-inches, 265 pounds and lightening fast). Well, we all know Crazy Al loves measurables. I’d say more, but really, to do so would be to try and crawl inside Davis’ head. Yeah, no thanks.

9. Buffalo Bills – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Brian Brohm, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yep – that’s the quarterback group for the Bills as of now. None of those three bring any hope for the future, if you’re a Bills fan. And, really, that’s what Buffalo needs to give its fans here – some hope. I have my doubts about Bradford (coming off a shoulder injury and played in a spread-style offense), but he will provide optimism.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State. Jacksonville hasn’t had a gamebreaking receiving threat since the days of Jimmy Smith. Well, those days were a looooooong time ago. Bryant is an athletic, tough wideout with very good hands who could loosen the strain on Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s got some character concers, but Jack Del Rio doesn’t strike me as a coach who would be swayed by that stuff.

11. Denver Broncos (from Bears) - Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Curveball No. 2 right here. While it’s true that Kyle Orton did a very solid job in his time as starter last season, he’s likely never going to be the type of quarterback who can get on a long playoff run. Who was Clausen’s coach in college? Charlie Weis, who previously was in New England with who? That’s right – Josh McDaniels. Clausen would know this offense and could spend a year or two being groomed behind Orton.

12. Miami Dolphins – Brian Price, DT, UCLA. The Dolphins need some help at nose tackle, where Jason Ferguson is now 35 years old. Price is similar in size – Ferguson’s 310 pounds and Price is 300 – and the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year also has the explosion to get into the backfield on passing downs. A meat-and-potatoes, Bill Parcells-type of pick right here.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa. The Niners are definitely a team on the up, but they could still use some help at o-line. Some questions exist as to how high Bulaga’s ceiling really is. But the 6-feet, 6-inch, 312 pound Bulaga was also voted Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. A couple of recent winners of that award, Jake Long and Joe Thomas, have done pretty well in the pros and Bulaga should follow suit.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos) – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Filling the offensive line void was key, but it didn’t help the fact that the Seahawks have a major lack of gamebreakers at the skill positions, offensively. Spiller, on the other hand, would help that very much. A dual threat back, Spiller could be Pete’s new Reggie Bush.

15. New York Giants – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. Heading into last season, the defensive line was looked at as perhaps the biggest strength for the Giants. Turns out it wasn’t. At 325 pounds and strong as a freakin’ bull, Williams is the type of player who can command double teams and open things up for players like Justin Tuck.

16. Tennessee Titans – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho. The Titans have some needs, defensively, but also have some holes along the offensive line. And since their best player is running back Chris Johnson, they need to ensure he has the best five guys in front of him in order to fully succeed. The 6-feet, 5-inch, 330 pound Iupati has the strength to be able to play, and flourish, right away. He could end up being very, very good.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas. In addition to o-line, the Niners could use a big-time playmaking safety in the secondary. His size (5-feet, 10-inches, just under 200 pounds) isn’t exactly what you’d like at that position. But his numbers (63 tackles, eight interceptions last season) and speed definitely are. He’s also a very hard worker – something you know head coach Mike Singletary will love.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. I’m still shocked the Steelers won the Super Bowl two seasons ago with that offensive line. Their current left tackle, Max Starks, is decent but not great. Campbell is a freak, physically (6-feet, 7-inches, 310 pounds, with a sub-4.8 40 time). In fact, some think he’s got the most upside of any lineman in the draft. He might not be NFL ready just yet, but he could sit behind Starks for a year if need be.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech. At 275 pounds, Morgan is right on the fence as far as where he can play in the pros (depending on whether or not he adds weight). Either way, Atlanta needs help at both these spots (particularly at defensive end, where Jamaal Anderson has been a major bust). With 12 sacks and two forced fumbles for a team that plays in Atlanta’s backyard, Morgan could help bolster the Falcons’ defense in a major way.

20. Houston Texans – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State. As usual, the Texans are set, offensively. Again, as usual, their defense still needs more work if they are to finally get over the top and into the playoffs. Last year’s first rounder, linebacker Brian Cushing, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the team still needs one or two more pieces. Odrick (306 pounds with seven sacks last year) could very well be the nose tackle to open things up for Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

22. New England Patriots – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas. This pick changes if the Pats, as some expect, end up with Julius Peppers. If they don’t, though, Kindle could be the guy here. At 255 pounds, he’s an OLB in the pros. He’s got great athleticism, knows how to get to the quarterback and could be for the Pats what Brian Orakpo was for the ‘Skins last season.

23. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC. Since this is a Packers’ blog, I’ll go a little more in-depth here. While the team could go in a few different directions (corner, outside linebacker and even safety) in this spot, finding a left tackle of the future is paramount of importance, even if Chad Clifton comes back for one more year. At just 290 pounds, Brown must bulk up a bit before he’s game ready. But his athleticism and NFL-ready pass protection skills would cover him if forced to play right away. He’s got a ton of upside and could protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside for the next decade. It’s a smart, safe choice, one that would pay off both now and in the long term.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan. The Eagles’ linebacking corps, as a whole, took a step back last season. Injuries played a part in that, of course, but still, Philly needs to reinforce the position. Over his last three seasons at Michigan, Graham averaged over nine sacks a season, with ever-improving tackle numbers. He’s got short arms, yes, but he’s also a hard-worker who comes at you on every play. Philly fans will love this guy.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Damian Williams, WR, USC. One thing struck me, more than anything, about the Ravens during last season’s Monday night game with the Pack: Their near total lack of playmakers on offense, outside of Ray Rice. That needs to change if they are ever going to make a serious run at a Super Bowl. Williams isn’t the biggest receiver at just 6-feet, 1-inch, but has very good speed and recorded over 1,000 yards receiving for the Trojans last year.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU. If Karlos Dansby is re-signed (and he should be), the Cards are fine at inside linebacker. They still need help on the outside, though, where Clark Haggans and Chike Okeafor are merely decent. Hughes played defensive end in college, but at 257 pounds, he’ll be moved to OLB in the pros. With 26 sacks over his final two years at TCU, he’s shown a knack for getting to the quarterback.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. In their playoff loss to Minnesota, the Cowboys showed their weaknesses along the o-line. Flozell Adams, for all the hype and money, just isn’t very consistent in pass protection. Plus, he’s getting older, so the team needs to upgrade there, at least for the future. Williams would have gone much higher if not for his subpar 2009 season, but he still has a lot of tools and could be a good pro, if he regains his 2008 form.

28. San Diego Chargers – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. At first glance, this pick could be surprising. After all, the Chargers have Jamal Williams at nose tackle and he is one of the best in the league. However, Williams turns 33 in April and is coming off a torn triceps injury that caused him to miss most of last season. They need a future and “Mount Cody” could be just that, provided he stays motivated and keeps his weight down.

29. New York Jets – Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson. It’s time for New York to just suck it up and admit that Vernon Gholston is a bust. That being the case, the J-E-T-S need someone to go opposite Calvin Pace at OLB. Sapp was never 100 percent, health-wise, last year, yet he still finished with five sacks. Once back at 100 percent, he could become the pass rushing threat New York’s defense needs to become great.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State. Antoine Winfield is still very good, but also getting up there in age. Cedric Griffin is steadily improving, but could miss the first six weeks due to his torn ACL suffered in the NFC Championship Game. Wilson is a bit small at 5-feet, 9-inches, but is an aggressive, playmaking corner. He wouldn’t be forced to matchup against great players right away, allowing him to learn the game. In time, he could be very, very good.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Carlos Dunlap, DT, Florida. I said before last year’s draft and I’ll say it again now: Yes, the Colts have two great ends in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Between them? Not much. Indy needs to upgrade at tackle and it must do so this season to lessen the strain on the two outstanding ends. There are some questions surrounding Dunlap (lack of motivation and a DUI arrest in particular). But he’s also had nine sacks in each of the past two seasons and can play tackle or end (in the event Freeney or Mathis gets hurt)

32. New Orleans Saints – Taylor Mays, S, USC. Before last season, it would have been unthinkable to have Mays this low. But a bad 2009 season (just one interception) and doubts about his ceiling land him here. With Darren Sharper getting older, the Saints need future insurance and Mays brings great value at this spot.

-Chris Lempesis