The Halftime Huddle Mock 10

We’re just a week away from the 2010 NFL Draft (don’t forget, this year the draft expands to three days and starts in primetime on Thursday, April 22). While the top of the draft board hasn’t changed, the Washington Redskins’ trade for former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will have a resounding impact on the rest of the first round.

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
(Previous HTH Projection: Bradford)
Since our last mock draft, it seems that Sam Bradford is an even bigger lock to become the next quarterback of the Rams. St. Louis was not a factor in the McNabb trade talks, and the team also released longtime starter Marc Bulger. Look for the Rams to try and work out a deal with Bradford before the draft, and don’t be surprised if Bradford follows the recent paths of Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, and Mark Sanchez by being the opening day starter as a rookie.

2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
(Previous HTH Projection: Suh)
The Lions could go with an offensive lineman here to help protect their own franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, but in the end, Suh’s talent is too enticing to pass up. With a deep pool of offensive linemen in this draft, the Lions can wait until the second round to start addressing the offensive line, and take Suh here.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
(Previous HTH Projection: McCoy)
Tampa Bay will be glad to take whichever defensive tackle the Lions pass up on. Suh and McCoy will have their careers compared to one another for the next 5 years, and both could make an immediate impact in 2010.

4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
(Previous HTH Projection: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame)
The shocking trade that landed Donovan McNabb in Washington has an immediate effect on the draft, as the Redskins no longer have a need at quarterback. Instead, the Redskins will now turn to trying to protect their newly acquired star by selecting the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Okung.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
(Previous HTH Projection: Berry)
Many draft gurus see Kansas City going after an offensive lineman at number five, but Berry has the potential to be the difference maker on defense that the Chiefs are looking for. I see the Chiefs going for the impact player early and focusing on their lines (both offensive and defensive) in the later rounds.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
(Previous HTH Projection: Okung)
Seattle will be the first team (outside of the Redskins themselves) to be directly affected by the McNabb trade. The Seahawks would have loved for Russell Okung to fall to them here, but the fact that he is off the board does not change their need for offensive line help. Look for them to turn their attention across the state of Oklahoma to grab Williams.

7. Cleveland Browns – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
(Previous HTH Projection: Joe Haden, CB, Florida)
The Redskins weren’t the only team to have their draft needs changed thanks to a trade with the Eagles – the Browns also reduced their need for a number one cornerback by acquiring veteran Sheldon Brown. With the high quality offensive linemen coming off the board fast, the Browns will look to strengthen their own line by selecting Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
(Previous HTH Projection: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa)
Oakland always finds a way to deliver draft day excitement, and their rumored pursuit of McNabb shows that they are ready to move past the JaMarcus Russell era. While the Raiders have other needs that would be better off addressing here, it would surprise nobody to see the team reach out and select Clausen here.

9. Buffalo Bills – CJ Spiller, RB/KR, Clemson
(Previous HTH Projection: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma)
If Clausen doesn’t go to Oakland, he could easily wind up in Buffalo. However, with Clausen projected to go to Oakland and Marshawn Lynch reportedly on his way out of Buffalo, the Bills stay in the backfield and select the dynamic CJ Spiller. Spiller could not only have an immediate role on offense with the Bills, but also become an impact kick returner as well.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
(Previous HTH Projection: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State)
Jacksonville still needs a wide receiver, but the off-field issues surrounding Dez Bryant may force the Jaguars to back away. The Jaguars also need a dominant pass rusher, and Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan may fit that mold. In his junior season, Morgan recorded 12.5 sacks, which is only 1.5 less than the entire Jacksonville roster in 2009.

Be sure to check with Halftime Huddle for all the latest news and analysis leading up to, during, and after the NFL Draft.

Josh Cohick
Halftime Huddle contributing writer

Could the Lions Surprise in 2010?

Parody. Over the last decade, it has defined the landscape of the NFL. Of the 12 teams that made the playoffs after the 2008 season, only six of them returned to the postseason in 2009. The Miami Dolphins memorably went from 1-15 in 2007 to AFC East division champions in 2008. The New Orleans Saints went from last place in the NFC South in 2008 to Super Bowl champions in 2009. Turnarounds like the Dolphins and Saints experienced in the last 2 seasons seem to happen every year in the NFL – although not always to such a drastic extent.

Could 2010 be the year for the Detroit Lions?

The Lions have not reached the playoffs since 1999. Since then, the team has been a consistent occupant of the NFL basement, including their 0-16 season in 2008. The Lions struggled again in 2009, only managing two victories (against the Redskins and Browns). While it was another disappointing season for fans in the Motor City, there were glimpses that showed the Lions may be a lot closer to a resurgence than their record would indicate.

The Lions seem to have found their franchise quarterback in last season’s number one overall pick, Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw for 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his rookie season, but showed improvement throughout the season, including a 422 yard, 5 touchdown performance in the team’s victory over Cleveland. The Lions also have a great target for Stafford in wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has caught 21 touchdowns in his three-year career.

However, Stafford and Johnson did not have the entire season to develop chemistry as both players missed time due to injury. This was a problem for the entire Detroit offense – at various points in the season, the team was without their number one quarterback, wide receiver, running back (Kevin Smith), and tight end (Brandon Pettigrew). While it is uncertain if Smith and Pettigrew will be ready for the beginning of the season – both are recovering from torn ACLs – this young core of players (along with the addition of free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson) could make for the most exciting Lions offense since Barry Sanders retired.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions finished last in the league in total yards and points allowed per game, but compared to 2008, both totals were improved under first year head coach Jim Schwartz. Detroit made defense a priority early this offseason, signing former Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch within the first hours of free agency. The Lions are also expected to improve their defensive line in this month’s NFL Draft with the selection of either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy.

There is no question that the Lions will have a lot of work to do in order to become a playoff contender in 2010. The NFC North will play teams from the AFC and NFC East, but the Lions will have the advantage of playing the Patriots, Jets, and Eagles at home. The Lions could also stand to gain ground on the rest of the division with games against St. Louis and Tampa Bay. However, if the key components on offense can stay healthy and if the newly revamped defensive line can live up to expectations, the Lions could be the surprise team of the 2010 campaign.

Josh Cohick
Halftime Huddle contributing writer

Donovan McNabb

There seems to be a lot of talk about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb about whether or not he should be traded or kept in Philly. Let’s take a trip down memory lane shall we. He was drafted 2nd overall in the 1999 draft out of Syracuse University. In his 12 year career there are only four seasons he has started and completed 16 games. His total quarterback rating is only 86.5. He has completed a total of 2,801 passes out of 4,746 attempts. The Eagles Media Guide reports that, “McNabb holds the NFL record for most consecutive completions with 24 during a two game span in 2004”. He has thrown for a total of 32,873 yards with an average of 222.1 yards per game. He has thrown 216 touchdowns and has run for 28 with his longest being 54 yards back in 2000. Even though he is a good quarterback and has been to 6 Pro Bowls, the question is can the Eagles really afford to keep him? The question has nothing to do with money, but rather his health. So far it seems that each year he is playing hurt. Whether or not that it is the truth, if the Eagles want to win a Super Bowl they should put McNabb as the backup QB and make Kevin Kolb their starting quarterback. They also could let McNabb go and select a quarterback at the 2010 Draft to take the starting role too. Either way if the Eagles want to win Super Bowls they cannot do it with McNabb as their starter.