Draft Dog's 2010 NFL Mock Draft

We have just updated out 2010 Mock NFL Draft. What do you guys think? Comment are welcome. Some recent additions due to their excellent play this season is North Carolina junior defensive tackle Marvin Austin. If Austin (6' 3" 305 lbs) enters the 2010 NFL Draft he will be a prize, his size, strength and athletic ability are on par with Oklahoma's highly regarded Gerald McCoy.

The other junior addition is Penn State junior center Stefan Wisniewski. I have my doubts that he will enter the draft as a junior, but if he does could be a pro bowl center or guard in the NFL within a couple years. You might not know about Wisniewsi now, but you will. A lot of NFL teams will pass on Wisniewski in the first round, centers rarely get selected that high, but the teams that pass on him will regret it later.

South Carolina senior outside linebacker Eric Norwood has also been added. I could see an NFL team selecting Norwood with a late, first round pick. He is the perfect fit in a 34 defense and can rush the passer or fall back into pass coverage. He is a blue collar player that gives 110% on every play.

I have also added Oklahoma senior tight end Jermain Gresham. Yes I know he will miss the 2009 season with a knee injury, but he should be back at close to 100% for the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. You see every week in the NFL how important the tight end position is and Gresham is a rate talent. He would be a good fit for the New York Giants.

College Football Matchups Week Four

Image: LB Eric Norwood, South Carolina

Thursday night’s matchup (September 24^th) should be fun. Ole Miss plays South Carolina and all eyes will be on QB Jevan Snead, but the NFL scouts will also be closely watching a few other players. Most notable is Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy. The supremely talented Hardy (6’ 4” 265 lbs) has had difficulty staying healthy and it’s time for him to put up or shut up. If he doesn’t start performing soon his stock will drop for this 2010 NFL Draft. Tonight he should dominate as he will going up against mediocre offensive tackle Quintin Richardson (6’ 3” 283 lbs).

DE Greg Hardy has potential, but the defensive player that is playing the best hails from South Carolina in the form of linebacker Eric Norwood (6’ 1” 252 lbs). Norwood stands out on film with big play after big play. So far this year he has recorded 17 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), 4 sacks, and last week against Georgia he returned an interception for a touchdown. When he rushes, Norwood might be going up against massive Ole Miss offensive tackle John Jerry (6’ 5” 350 lbs). Jerry is a mauler and will likely be playing guard in the NFL next year.

This weekend (26 September 2009) there will be some excellent individual matchups when Georgia Tech plays North Carolina (NC). Keep an eye on the super talented North Carolina linebackers MLB Quan Sturdivant (6’ 3 230 lbs) and OLB Bruce Carter (6’ 3” 228 lbs). They will have their hands full stopping Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer, but Dwyer isn’t having a great year because he came into the season a little heavy and doesn’t look as quick as he did last year. NC junior defensive tackle Marvin Austin is a beast, with 6’ 3” 305 pounds of size he will be playing on Sunday very soon. Austin should dominate red shirt sophomore offensive guard Joseph Gilbert (6’ 4” 288 lbs).

Georgia Tech also has a supreme defensive player in junior safety Morgan Burnett (6’ 1” 210 lbs), If he (Burnett) covers North Carolina’s junior WR Greg Little it could get interesting. Little has outstanding size at 6’ 3” 220 lbs and has recorded 15 catches for 135 yards and 1 TD so far this year.

Florida should destroy Kentucky, but we will get to see some interesting individual matchups. Florida’s rushing QB Tim Tebow against powerful run stuffing Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson (6’ 4” 252 lbs). If Florida’s massive, talented OG Mike Pouncey (6’ 5” 320 lbs) gets out on MLB Micah Johnson, Florida could have a big night rushing the ball.

Also two of the best cornerbacks in the nation will be on the field, Kentucky’s CB Trevard Lindley and Florida’s CB Joe Hayden. Lindley will likely be matched up with Florida’s leading receiver Riley Cooper (6’ 3” 215 lbs). He (Cooper) has 13 catches for 212 yards and 1 TD, but he has an impressive 16 yards per catch average. Florida’s impressive CB Joe Hayden will likely be matched up with Kentucky’s leading receiver, young Randall Cobb (5' 11" 191 lbs), who already has 13 catches for 167 yards and 2 TDs.

The other matchup I want to see is how well one of the top fullbacks in the nation, Kentucky’s Fullback Joe Conner (5’ 11” 238 lbs) does against one of the best linebackers in Florida’s Brandon Spikes. Conner is an excellent blocker, but gives up some size to the powerful Spikes (6’ 3” 246 lbs).

Illinois vs. Ohio State could be a good game and we might see Illinois talented WR Arrelious Benn finally have a break out game. Benn is tall, fast and silky Smooth, but he will likely be covered by one of the better corners in the nation in Ohio State’s Chimdi Chekwa (6’ 0” 189 lbs), but Benn is 6’ 2” 220 lbs and will be a tough match up for the smaller Chekwa. If you like offensive line play take a look at one of the best guards in the nation in Jon Asamoah (6’ 5” 315 lbs). Asamoah is currently Mel Kiper’s top rated senior offensive guard. He will likely be going against Ohio State defensive tackle Dexter Larimore (6’ 2” 300 lbs).

The Iowa Hawkeys are pretty beat up right now and will have trouble upsetting the Nittany Lions two years in a row. The Hawkeys will likely not have the best offensive tackle in the Big 10 in Bryan Bulaga and will miss him in both the running and passing game. Often injured, starting TE Tony Moeaki will also likely not play. One of the key matchups when Iowa has the ball will be Iowa guard Dace Richardson (6’ 6” 305 lbs) against all world defensive tackle Jared Odrick (6’ 5” 306 lbs). Odrick is a beast and If the Hawkeys can’t get Odrick blocked they will be in for a long day. Dace Richardson is an interesting NFL Draft Prospect; he came to Iowa as a highly prized recruit and started out as a tackle. He suffered from numerous injuries and missed his entire junior season. He is trying to resurrect his career at guard and so far this year he has looked very good.

College Football Match-Ups

Image: WR Andre Roberts

This week (19 September 2009) of college football will provide us with some interesting match ups. Not just the teams, but if you look closer you will see some prime time NFL prospects squaring off against each other. How these prospects perform against other top talent will give NFL scouts a closer look at their future NFL potential.

BYU vs. Florida State:

One of the elite cornerbacks in the nation (Patrick Robinson) will be trying to shut down the awesome passing attack of BYU quarterback Max Hall. Florida State's Robinson (5' 10" 194 lbs) is a ball hawk, but he will have his hands full with Hall, who has a quick release and an impressive 71.4 completion percentage. Hall will take some risks though, he has already thrown 3 interceptions. It's going to interesting to see who matches up with BYU TE Dennis Pitta, because at 6' 5" 248 pounds he is used like a receiver, but is too big and strong for most defensive backs.

Florida vs. Tennessee:

This game should be a blow out in favor of Florida, but an interesting match up to watch is a couple NFL prospects in Florida DE Carlos Dunlap against Tennessee left tackle Chris Scott. Both of these guys will be playing on Sunday very soon and both have elite size. Dunlap weighs in at 6' 6" 290 pounds and Scott at an impressive 6' 5" 345 pounds. I will give the nod to Dunlap who might be too quick for Scott, but if Scott gets his hands on Dunlap he should be able to drive him downfield.

California vs. Minnesota:

Small (5' 9" 191 lbs), but super quick and talented cornerback Syd' Quan Thompson will try to shut down the Gophers primary target in WR Eric Decker. He (Decker) measures in at 6' 2" 215 pounds and will have a serious size and strength advantage, but Thompson is quicker and faster. Decker is 90% of the Gophers passing attack and If Thompson can cover Decker one on one, it will give The Golden Bears a real advantage in this game. This should be a fun match up because Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber has no problem throwing it to Decker even if he looks covered.

Virginia Tech vs. Nebraska:

One of the best guards in the nation against one of the best defensive tackles. In the trenches is where football is won or lost and if Virginia Tech OG Sergio Render (6' 3" 319 lbs) can't stop Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh (6' 4" 300 lbs) it could be a long day for the Virginia Tech offense. Render is playing very well and Suh is off to a great start in 2009 already recording 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The Citadel vs. Princeton:

Formerly Division 1A and now called the FCS (Football Championship Series). The FCS always pumps out quite a bit of little known, but blue chip NFL talent. One of the best receivers in the FCS is The Citadel wide receiver Andre Roberts and this week he will be matched up against one of the better corners in the FCS in Princeton CB Cart Kelly (6' 0" 180 lbs). Kelly is very experienced, starting 21 straight games, but he is no match for Roberts blazing speed. If Princeton gives Kelly some safety help over the top though, Roberts could be managed. Cart Kelly looks like a free agent type to me in the NFL, but Roberts could be drafted as high as the 3rd or 4th round with a strong 2009 season. Princeton is wary of Roberts after last seasons game. Last week in a losing effort against 21st ranked North Carolina, Roberts finished with 10 catches for 30 yards.

Thoughts on College Football’s Opening Week

1. After the first week I didn’t see a college football team on the field that can compete with Florida. USC has a freshman quarterback and hasn’t been tested yet, Oklahoma lost, Ohio State struggled and Texas gave up 101 rushing yards to a mediocre Louisiana-Monroe team. Alabama, maybe, but they don’t have Tim Tebow at quarterback. Did I mention Florida’s 6’ 6” 290 pound defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

2. Oregon’s RB LeGarrette Blount is a bonehead. He went from a sure fire 2010 NFL Draftee to out of football all together. That has to go down in history as the most expensive sucker punch in history.

3. Let’s stop making it a big deal when an FCS (formerly division 1AA) team upsets or almost upsets a BCS (formerly division 1) team. Yes it was shocking last year when Appalachian State upset Michigan, but we had better get used to it. In this first college football weekend, three FCS teams won against BCS schools: The Richmond Spiders defeated Duke, Villanova defeated Temple and Williams and Mary defeated Virginia. UNI almost upset Iowa (17-16), and Massachusetts almost upset Kansas State (21-17). This isn’t a fluke; the FCS has some very good teams. Appalachian State, Richmond, Montana and Northern Iowa could compete against any BCS team in the country.

4. There is a new entry in the Heisman Trophy Race, enter BYU quarterback Max Hall. His (Hall) rise emerged at the same time as Sam Bradfords’ Hiesman Hopes fell. Not only did BYU upset Oklahoma, but Hall outplayed Bradford throwing for 329 yards and 2 TDs. Bradford left the game with a shoulder injury and might miss a few weeks.

5. Was Oklahoma over rated? Their two best offensive players are injured, (QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham). The only returning starter on their offensive line is RT Trent Williams and the only returning receiver is sophomore Ryan Broyles. The defense was supposed to be the strength of this team but BYU QB Max Hall shredded the secondary.

6. Nick Saban is a good coach. His team has heart and they play well in the fourth quarter. Alabama’s 34-24 win over 7^th ranked Virginia Tech on the road was impressive. Most college football teams like playing patsies early as a tune up game and most coaches would never risk a game of that difficulty so early in the season, Saban is not like most coaches and he likes to challenge his players early.

7. Let’s wait a few games before we put USC quarterback Matt Barkley in the college football hall of fame. The 56-3 victory over San Jose State was impressive and his stats were stellar: the 18 year old freshman completed 15 of 19 passes and threw for 233 yards and one touchdown and his QB rating was 199.32. But it’s only one game folks; let’s see how he does next week, in prime time at Ohio State.

8. For more coverage on college football’s opening weekend be sure to check out NFL Draft Dog’s recently launched Risers and Fallers Column, which will highlight, throughout the season, the college football players that are either helping or hurting their future NFL Draft stock.

2009 NFL Predictions

A look into the future by Daryl Breault:

AFC East: New England 10-6, Miami 10-6, New York Jets 5-11, Buffalo 3-13North: Baltimore 13-3, Pittsburgh 9-7, Cincinnati 4-12, Cleveland 2-14South: Jacksonville 11-5, Tennessee 10-6, Indianapolis 8-8, Houston 8-8West: San Diego 12-4, Kansas City 6-10, Denver 4-12, Oakland 3-13

NFC East: Philadelphia 10-6, New York Giants 10-6, Dallas 7-9, Washington 6-10North: Green Bay 13-3, Minnesota 10-6, Chicago 8-8, Detroit 4-12South: New Orleans 10-6, Atlanta 10-6, Tampa Bay 6-10, Carolina 5-11West: Seattle 9-7, San Francisco 7-9, Arizona 6-10, St. Louis 4-12

Wild Cards: Miami and Tennessee; Minnesota and Atlanta;

Play-offs

Wild Card Round: AFC: Jacksonville over Miami; New England over Tennessee; NFC: Minnesota over Seattle; New Orleans over Atlanta;

Division Round: AFC: San Diego over New England; Baltimore over Jacksonville; NFC: Green Bay over Minnesota; New Orleans over Philadelphia;

Championship Round: AFC: Baltimore over San Diego NFC: Green Bay over New Orleans

Super Bowl: Green Bay 24, Baltimore 20