ChiefsCountry.com

By Chad Reuter
Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com

NFL scouts and scouting administrators are causing contrails by criss-crossing the country to watch the top prospects practice and play. And despite the heavy weight some give the Combine tests, film and viewing players "on the hoof" still rules in most draft rooms.
Projecting which underclassmen will declare for the draft is a tricky business, as a couple of highly-rated players will decide to complete their eligibility, but history tells us that they drive the early depth of every draft. Each first round since 2001 has included at least 10 underclassmen, with 15 hearing their name during in the initial stanza last year. Typically about half of the top 10 picks are underclassmen.

Predicting potential free agents is also difficult, as 2010 will be an uncapped year unless a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is approved by the league and the players' association. If no agreement is reached, fourth and fifth-year veterans will be restricted free agents and teams will have two more tags to keep their best players.

Teams are listed below from worst record to best, with opponents' winning percentage used as the initial tiebreaker for teams with the same record. The league will use this method to determine slots 1-20 next April, with playoff results and teams' record/opponents' winning percentage setting the order of spots 21-32.


2009 NFL Mock Draft - 11/13/2009
Round 1
1. St. Louis Rams
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: This Golden Domer is the second-most efficient passer in major college football with 16 touchdowns, two interceptions and 8.91 yards per attempt. Sam Bradford's injury (and slight frame) may scare teams off, and Washington's Jake Locker is being told to stay in school one more year. Marc Bulger's on the down side of his career and Kyle Boller's no long-term solution.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee: Another Ed Reed in the making, Berry's a playmaker and last line of defense the Chiefs will covet.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: Suh is simply the most dominant player in the draft, and they're not looking for a quarterback after selecting Josh Freeman in the first round last year. Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims aren't getting the job done inside and Suh and Roy Miller should be a good tandem in 2010.
4. Detroit Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma: Grady Jackson is 36 and Sammie Lee Hill is unproven. The Sooners' relentless playmaker will contribute right away.
5. Cleveland Browns
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma: Despite the fact that he needs surgery on a separated right shoulder, Bradford has decided to head to the NFL. He hopes Dr. James Andrews can make him ready to throw for scouts after the Combine. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn weren't picked by coach Eric Mangini, so he'll probably want to bring in "his guy" and deal one or both of his current quarterbacks.
6. Washington Redskins
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas: McCoy has the intelligence and accuracy to be a very solid starting NFL quarterback, especially if the Redskins improve their line and receiving corps with other picks and free-agent signings. Jason Campbell's certainly not long for Washington -- and can Daniel Snyder pass on McCoy's cache?
7. Oakland Raiders
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida: Richard Seymour is scheduled to be one of the top free agents available and Greg Ellis is 34. Dunlap's combination of size and speed will be tempting to teams in the top 10.
8. Tennessee Titans
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama: Keith Bulluck turns 33 next spring, not too long after he's eligible to enter the free-agent market. If the Tennessee stalwart moves on to finish his career, a player like McClain could take over that leadership and production on the outside.
9. Buffalo Bills
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: Anyone expect soon-to-turn-36 T.O. to stay in Buffalo? I didn't think so. Josh Reed is also a potential free agent. Bryant's suspension and time away from the field shouldn't have a major effect on his draft status.
10. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State: LT Walter Jones' injury issues and age are catching up with him, so the Seahawks could pick a tackle here and shuffle the line to maximize the value of Sean Locklear, Max Unger and Ray Willis.
11. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)
Taylor Mays, FS, Southern California: Both safety positions are in need of upgrade, so coaches would have the luxury to find the best fit for this exceptional athlete.
12. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma: The Niners need to better protect their quarterback (whoever that may be in 2010) and give Frank Gore and Glen Coffee bigger holes to run through. Williams' strength makes him a top-notch prospect for the right side.
13. Miami Dolphins
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech: His combination of strength and quickness off the edge make him a potential Shawne Merriman-type player if he converts to a stand-up pass rusher. Jason Taylor is 35 and a probable free agent, Joey Porter is 32 and Matt Roth is injury prone.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida: Tebow is the most difficult player to project in April's draft because of the offense in which he plays. He has the athletic ability and intelligence to handle a pro-style offense, so proving it during an all-star game or postseason workout will be crucial. One thing's for sure: the Jacksonville-area native would put much-needed fannies in the seats.
15. Green Bay Packers
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia: Al Harris is 34, Charles Woodson 33 and depth is lacking behind them. Dowling's size and receiver-like hands are impressive.
16. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State: WR Brandon Marshall and OLB Elvis Dumervil won't get away if 2010 is uncapped, so look for Denver to bolster its line with Odrick. His size and athleticism make him a perfect candidate to play 3-4 defensive end at the next level.
17. New York Jets
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU: Braylon Edwards is a likely victim of an uncapped 2010, but he, Jerricho Cotchery and TE Dustin Keller could use a good foil in the slot, where LaFell has played this season. If he proves himself as a rookie, the Jets can then let Edwards leave in 2011.
18. Baltimore Ravens
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame: If Jimmy Clausen leaves early for the NFL, look for Tate to follow suit. Derrick Mason is 35, Mark Clayton is too inconsistent to reward with a large contract after next season and Kelly Washington might hit the street in March.
19. New York Giants
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida: Ten-year veteran starter Danny Clark may become a free agent, and the Giants like to keep their front seven stacked with talent. Spikes' ability to pressure the quarterback inside would alleviate pressure from the team's star defensive ends.
20. Houston Texans
Joe Haden, CB, Florida: Dunta Robinson is a potential free agent and scouts love Haden's speed, toughness and hand-eye coordination.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho: Improving the line's ability to protect QB Donovan McNabb would lengthen his career. Iupati's size and strength seems to fit coach/GM Andy Reid's ideal for offensive linemen.
22. San Diego Chargers
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech: L.T. looks every bit of 30 years old. Dwyer's combination of strength, vision and speed is formidable - and would be a 1-2 punch of he and Darren Sproles.
23. Arizona Cardinals
Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan: Replacing aging free agents-to-be Chike Okeafor (33) and Bertrand Berry (34) may be coach Ken Whisenhunt's top priority. Graham should make the switch to linebacker just like his former Michigan teammate, Lamarr Woodley, did for Pittsburgh.
24. Atlanta Falcons
Damian Williams, WR, Southern California: Michael Jenkins is inconsistent and looks to be a free agent, as does 33-year-old Brian Finneran. Bringing the elusive Williams into the fold with Roddy White, a healthy Harry Douglas and TE Tony Gonzalez should make QB Matt Ryan very happy.
25. New England Patriots
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama: Vince Wilfork is going to receive mega-offers if he is a free agent come March. If Cody is selected, fans will be reminded of tall but stout ex-Pat Ted Washington (though he only played 10 games for the team in 2003).
26. Dallas Cowboys
Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi: DeMarcus Ware signed a contract extension, but Anthony Spencer hasn't been the consistent pass rush threat the team needs to free up Ware. Hardy's size and closing speed will entice Jerry Jones at the Combine.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest: The Steelers' corners are the weakest part of their defense and veteran stalwart Deshea Townsend is 34. Ghee has the physicality and speed to play on Mike Tomlin's squad.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma: Injuries to Ben Utecht and Reggie Kelly (who is a probable free agent at 32) put the passing game in a bit of a bind. If he passes his Combine medical checks, Gresham will add another receiving threat for Carson Palmer as well as some good edge blocking for the running game.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: The Hawks desire a game-breaker at the running back position, and Spiller fits that bill. He could also return kicks and punts for a Seattle team struggling to make big plays on special teams.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State: 32 year-old Antoine Winfield is the team's only solid corner; Robinson has the speed to be an excellent cover corner.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri: Weatherspoon isn't the biggest linebacker in this draft, but fits the Colts' defense well enough to play inside if veteran Gary Brackett does not return or challenge Phillip Wheeler for starting spot outside.
32. New Orleans Saints
Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State: With Scott Fujita the team's only potential major free-agent loss in an uncapped year, the Saints may look to bolster that spot early in the draft. Bowman's strength and coverage skills will allow

A second mock draft where we pick Berry for Tenn.
We are going to pick B.O.B., because of to many holes.But Clarkie might dust the wallet off and help with FA.

I don't see us picking that high in the draft, but I could be wrong.

If we were to move up and get the 2nd pick and the Rams did take Clausen I think we take SUH. At least I hope we would.

It's the moving up in the draft that I doubt; I simply don't see us doing so. The only compensation I see good enough to move us up in the draft would be trading Charles. That, IMO, would be a colossal mistake.