1.) Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford
Quarterback- Georgia
- This pick very well could be traded. The Lions have stated many times that they are willing to ship away the number one overall pick, but it’s still up in the air if anyone will want that pick knowing the amount of money that comes with it. I originally had Jason Smith going here, but after seeing how determined the Lions are to scout quarterbacks for this draft; Stafford seems to be a logical choice. Mark Sanchez’s stock is increasing every day, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the player the Lions settled on either. For now, I’m sticking with Stafford just like all the other people in the world are doing.
2.) St. Louis Rams
Jason Smith
Offensive Tackle- Baylor
- The past few drafts have shown us that taking the offensive tackle route with your first early pick seems pretty safe. Jake Long, Joe Thomas, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and even Robert Gallery have become solid starters in this league. The Rams could use all the help they could get just about anywhere on the field, and there’s no better place to start than the offensive line. Jason Smith’s stock has soared over the past few months, and has solidified himself possibly as the number one tackle on the board along with Eugene Munroe. Smith would instantly be plugged in to the left tackle spot to replace the famous Orlando Pace in St. Louis.
3.) Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Curry
Middle Linebacker- Wake Forrest
- Scott Pioli knows a thing or two about building a successful franchise, and it would be no shocker if Kansas City pulled a winning season out of its behind in 2009. Drafting the right key players on defense that could make tremendous impacts was just the style Pioli had in New England which made them into a dynasty this decade. Curry would make an impact right off the bat. He’s just the linebacker you look for; one that could play inside or outside while being an extreme playmaker. Even coming out of a rather small college football program, Curry was still able to make a name for himself and climb draft boards. If he falls this far, it seems like the most obvious choice to me.
4.) Seattle Seahawks
Eugene Munroe
Offensive Tackle- Virginia
- Jim Mora and his brand new staff look to make their first year in Seattle a success by building up the lines. Free Agency focused more on the defensive lines with such additions as Corey Redding and Colin Cole, while the draft I feel will focus more on the offensive line. Munroe will be the eventual replacement of Walter Jones, but until then he will fit right in at the guard position. This will help beef up the run game which Mora and new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp love so much. Michael Crabtree is another option, but with the recent signing of T.J Houshmandzadeh I just don’t see it happening.
5.) Cleveland Browns
Brian Orakpo
Defensive end- Texas
- The Browns have themselves one young and solid secondary, but they really can’t showcase it with such a weak pass rush. In last year’s off-season big money was used to bring in Corey Williams and Shaun Rodgers, but obviously that wasn’t enough. The linebackers didn’t do their part either, and it played a huge role in the downfall of Cleveland’s defense. Orakpo will be able to kill two birds with one stone. Being the premier pass rusher in this year’s draft, they’d be getting themselves a future star and would have a huge boost in two units. Would Mark Sanchez be an option here? Eric Mangini has stated he doesn’t like Brady Quinn as the starter at the moment, but by drafting Sanchez he’d be not only causing too much of a competition at quarterback with him, Quinn, and Anderson, but he’d be also passing up on a player of Orakpo’s caliber.
6.) Cincinnati Bengals
Michael Crabtree
Wide Receiver- Texas Tech
- Easily one of the hardest choices to break down in the draft. The Bengals could go several ways with this pick. Defensive tackle is an option, but that seems unlikely now with the signing of Tank Johnson. They would love an offensive tackle, but with Smith and Monroe already off the board their choices are limited. Here though, I beleive they'll go the route of best player on the board, and that's Michael Crabtree. He fits a decently big need too. Laveranues Coles was signed, but he's an average number two at best. Chad Ocho Cince is their number one, and it's even rumored he will be traded. In this situation, I see them not being able to pass up the talent of Crabtree.
7.) Oakland Raiders
Jeremy Maclin
Wide Receiver- Missouri
- Al Davis will be in tears that Michael Crabtree is gone. No worries though, there are plenty of wide receivers in this draft that have the potential of being future stars. As you can tell, I'm beginning to think the Raiders will take the best receiver availble. Defensive end or offensive tackle would also make sense, but that isn't the Al Davis way. Therefore, it comes down to either Maclin and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Bey may have the better speed, but Maclin overall has more talent and would be able to help the Raiders in more ways. Might as well flip a coin though.
8.) Jacksonville Jaguars
Darius Butler
Cornerback- Connecticut
- The Jaguars have a glaring need at wide receiver, but is it worth taking Darrius Heyward-Bey at this spot? I don't think so. In fact, I'm more than 50% sure this pick will be traded to either the Redskins or Broncos for Mark Sanchez. The Jaguars would be reaching for someone this high with the needs they have, and they might as well gather up some picks for a team that needs a quarterback. However, since it's extremely difficult to predict trades I'll have them settling for Butler for now. Rising up draft board because of his freakish talent, Butler would be a huge improvement over what they had last year in the defensive backfield with Drayton Florence.
9.) Green Bay Packers
B.J Raji
Defensive Tackle- Boston College
- Luckily for this team new to the 3-4 scheme, they’ll be able to grab their franchise 3-4 nose tackle without having to trade up. Ryan Pickett is a solid defensive tackle, but it would be hard for him to operate the nose tackle spot. Enter Raji, who is perfect the role. Some dark clouds have surrounded Raji lately regarding Marijuana issues, but if it doesn’t get too bad before draft time you can lock this pick up. Raji would never get past Green Bay at this point considering how valuable he could be to the new defense.
10.) San Francisco 49ers
Mark Sanchez
Quarterback- USC
- How confident do I feel with this pick? Probably less than 60%. Why? Well, I don’t think Mark Sanchez will slip this far in the draft. Also, I’m not so confident the 49ers want to draft a quarterback in the first round with other needs to fill. Shaun Hill isn’t trash. He is very capable of being the starter of that team. Due to the impossible task of trying to predict trades, I have Sanchez going here for now. If he does indeed fall here, the value is too good to pass up for new coach Mike Singletary. Sanchez has been rising up boards fast lately, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a team like the 49ers take a stab at him.
11.) Buffalo Bills
Aaron Maybin
Defensive End- Penn State
- The number one glaring need for the Buffalo Bills last season, and for the past five seasons for the last matter, has been a lack of pass rush. They have several options here including Robert Ayers, Larry English, Michael Johnson, and Aaron Maybin. Now orginally, I had the Bills taking Michael Johnson here. I have seen the Bills taking many risks this off-season (trading Jason Peters away, signing Terrell Owens) so I could easily see them reaching this early for Johnson. Recently though, I have just been getting an instant rush to change this pick before it's too late. Maybin has been rising up draft boards and could easily climb as high as number eleven.
12.) Denver Broncos
Tyson Jackson
Defensive End- LSU
- It was disturbing to watch the Broncos defense last season. Teams ran circles around them and new coach Josh McDaniel’s is aware of this. They have two first round choices in the wake of the Jay Cutler trade, and if they don’t trade up for Mark Sanchez they’ll take automatically take the best defensive player on the board. Tyson Jackson is the perfect fit for their new 3-4 scheme and would immediately improve the trenches. The huge body out of LSU will be the first selection out of many that will be made on defense. However, don't be suprised if they use this pick to trade up for Mark Sanchez. Do I think it will happen? No- but it's realistic. They already have Kyle Orton, a very capable quarterback.
13.) Washington Redskins
Andre Smith
Offensive Tackle- Alabama
- It’s no secret the Redskins have offensive line trouble, and they’d love to sink their teeth into a player who was highly regarded as the top player in the draft a few months ago. After being extremely lazy and running the 40 with his shirt off (which I still find absolutely hilarious), Smith has dropped on draft boards. Why should Dan Snyder care though? He always loves himself the big name player, and Smith fills that resume. See the Albert Haynesworth deal as well. It would fill a need and turn on Snyder, so it seems to make sense. Yet again, this pick could very well be used to trade up to get Mark Sanchez. Be prepared.
14.) New Orleans Saints
Brian Cushing
Outside Linebacker- USC
- With the recent signings of Darren Sharper, Pierson Prioleau, and Jabari Greer I just don’t see the Saints drafting someone in the secondary. They also have Tracy Porter returning from injury next season. Instead I feel they focus on beefing up the line backing core with the selection of Brian Cushing. This may seem a bit early, but Cushing seems like the perfect fit for the Saints defense. With him and Vilma side to side, New Orleans’s would begin to have that legit defense they have been searching for almost every season. Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis as stated would make sense as well, but in my opinion they could be set with Sharper and Greer.
15.) Houston Texans
Malcolm Jenkins
Cornerback- Ohio State
- We have seen Jenkins stock in the draft slip quite a bit the last few months after a bad 40 time and such, but I bet the Texans would be very happy to see such a talent fall to them mid way through the first round. Not only could Jenkins play corner, but he’d also be able to fill a need at safety in Houston. His versatility makes him very valuable. Once thought out to be a top five pick, the Houston Texans could possibly be getting the steal of the draft with this one.
16.) San Diego Chargers
Michael Oher
Offensive Tackle- Ole Miss
- Almost every mock draft I have done over the years states the Chargers rarely have any glaring needs, but in this year’s draft I’m finally confident about a weakness they may have. The Chargers offensive line is solidified on the left side, but not so much on the right. The tackle spot was operated by Jeromey Clary and he did a poor job with it. With the drafting of Oher the Chargers would finally have stability throughout the line, making Phillip Rivers even more lethal. If not, I could easily see the best 3-4 pass rusher get selected here. You never have enough pass rushers in the lineup. Igor Olshansky was a disappointment last season and Shawne Merriman is coming back from a season ending injury so they may take that route.
17.) New York Jets
Josh Freeman
Quarterback- Kansas State
- It's time for a new era in New York. Yes, they could easily go offensive line or wide receiver with this pick, but after the whole Brett Favre thing last year I feel it's time for the Jets to grab a new image for themselves in the draft. Since one of the top quarterbacks in the draft falls to them I see them having no choice but to draft him. Kellen Clemons or Brett Ratlif isn't going to win you playoff games. With a new coach and a new era in the Big apple, I see no way Rex Ryan passing on a new signal caller.
18.) Denver Broncos
Rey Maualuga
Inside Linebacker- USC
- With their first pick from the Jay Cutler trade, the Broncos continue to try and prepare that disastrous defense they have with the best linebacker in this year’s class. Maualuga has suffered through some off field stuff so it’s no surprise he may slip this far, but the Broncos would be happy to have him. Actually, they’d be happy to have anyone to play defense. The USC standout was the heart and soul of the Trojans elite defense and he’d be able to bring leadership and heart to a team in soar need of it. With the additions of Maualuga and Jackson, the Broncos would be half way to repairing their joke of a defense.
19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Robert Ayers
Defensive End- Tennessee
- I can honestly say the Byron Leftwich signing a week ago totally screwed up my whole mock draft. That's ok though, I really didn't see the Buccaneers drafting a quarterback. I don't know why, but it seems like the Bucs history suggests they would go a different route. Rumor has it the Bucs would love to go defensive end here, so I could see either Robert Ayers, Michael Johnson, or Everrette Brown being the pick. Ayers stock increased dramatically after Merrill Hodge stated he'd be the best defensive player in this draft. He could easily fall to the second round, but I don't see the Bucs passing on a terriffic 4-3 pass rusher.
20.) Detroit Lions
Peria Jerry
Defensive Tackle- Ole Miss
- I really like the moves new assistant general manager Martin Mayhew is making and this would be another smart situation to fill a huge gaping hole at defensive tackle. Trading for linebacker Julian Peterson brought some speed and pass rush ability to the defense, but shipping away Core Redding, although he has been a disappointment, really left them no choice but to draft a defensive tackle early. Jerry is a solid pass rusher and run stuffer which would really be a huge help next to recently signed Grady Jackson. Although they won’t be a playoff team, we will see the Lions take baby steps into becoming contenders again after a solid draft with many picks in the first few rounds by Mayhew (hopefully for Lion’s fans sake).
21.) Philadelphia Eagles
Knowshon Moreno
Running Back- Georgia
- I’m surprised Andy Reid didn’t pull out all his hair when seeing multiple times his team fail to convert on a 3rd or 4th and 1. It cost them many games, most notably their game against the Bears when they couldn’t convert four times on the goal line. With the best running back on the board, the Eagles won’t hesitate to draft him as the back up behind the often injured Brian Westbrook. What makes me even more confident about this pick is that there are several rumors floating around that the Eagles love Moreno. How could you not? He has all the tools to be a star in this league, and is pretty solid in everything. The only thing that scares me is the Eagles history of taking linemen, but with so many picks they can wait until later.
22.) Minnesota Vikings
Ebon Britton
Offensive Tackle- Arizona
- The right tackle spot of the Vikings offensive line has been trash the past two seasons and needs an instant upgrade. Britton has been rising up boards this month so it’s not a reach by any means. With Britton anchoring the ride side, the Vikings will have an elite line and hopefully protect Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels enough to become Super Bowl contenders.
23.) New England Patriots
Everette Brown
Defensive End/ Linebacker- Florida State
- The Patriots always do a great job at filling holes on the roster, but one remains after trading away outside linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs. One player who has similar talents to Vrabel is the linebacker out of Penn State Everette Brown. His stock has been down as of late, but I feel the Patriots would be gaining an instant steal at this point of the draft. Brown could go easily in the 10-20 range, but due to teams addressing other needs he just fills in the hole for Mike Vrabel.
24.) Atlanta Falcons
Vontae Davis
Cornerback- Illinois
- Obviously the trading for Tony Gonzalez eliminates any chance they take Brandon Pettigrew, therefore I have them addressing an even bigger need. The Falcons defense stepped up big time last season, but they were still killed at times through the pass. Vontae Davis has the skills to be a top ten pick, but slips down here for teams having other needs. He'll need some tweaking in his game, but he'll become better along with the whole young Falcons roster.
25.) Miami Dolphins
Sean Smith
Cornerback/ Safety
- Even after going from 1-15 to 11-5, the Miami Dolphins still have plenty of areas to address in the draft. Bills Parcells is smart enough to see a player that could help you in big ways, and Sean Smith can do just that. His ability to play both cornerback and safety makes him very valuable to this defense and he would start from day one. They will finally have a legit cornerback besides Will Allen on the defense.
26.) Baltimore Ravens
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Wide Receiver- Maryland
- I don’t feel 100% confident with this pick, but it seems like the best situation for the team. The last two receivers the Ravens drafted in the first round were Travis Taylor and Mark Clayton, and I think we know how both of them turned out. However, this is a new Ravens regime, and second year coach John Harbaugh would love to grab quarterback Joe Flacco a deep threat. Derrick Mason can fit that role, but he’s getting up there in age and will need to be replaced soon. Another pick that would make sense would be Ebon Britton to be the eventual replacement of the aging Willie Anderson.
27.) Indianapolis Colts
Evander Hood
Defensive Tackle- Missouri
- Easily the biggest hole on the Colts roster. I’d be sick and tired of constantly being run all over if I was a Colts player. It seems like every year no matter what they do they have defensive tackles problems. Well, this needs to change fast, especially being in a division with running backs such as Chris Johnson, LenDale White, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Steve Slaton. Evander Hood could slip to the second, but he wouldn’t make it to the Indianapolis. The Colts can’t afford to settle on someone with less talent later on. It’d be easier to fix the need now and take another lesser need in the second.
28.) Buffalo Bills
Brandon Pettigrew
Tight End- Oklahoma State
- The Tony Gonzalez trade to Atlanta may have been a great thing for the Bills. Now, that is one less team they have to worry about to take Brandon Pettigrew. Without a doubt Pettigrew is the best tight end in this draft and would be a gigantic upgrade over what the Bills have now. All the past first round tight ends have been great in one area, but weak in another. Well Pettigrew is the total package, and may end up being the best of the past five or so years when it's all said and done.
29.) New York Giants
Clay Matthews
Linebacker- USC
- Antonio Pierce last season was all alone at linebacker talent wise. Michael Boley was signed from Atlanta this off-season, but more help is needed. The additions of Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty show the Giants are trying to get an elite pass rush back (not to mention the return of Osi Umenyiora), and Clay Matthews would be the icing on the cake. This would complete any problem the front seven has, and give the defense the glamour it had during its Super Bowl run in 2007.
30.) Tennessee Titans
Alphonso Smith
Cornerback- Wake Forest
- Jeff Fisher has a great eye for talent, but we always seemed to be surprised with his first round pick. You never know what direction he’ll turn to. With this year’s draft though I don’t see a similar trend, but I do see them going with a player who some people think would fall to the second round. Smith has great coverage skills, but has dropped on boards due to his lack of height. He would be perfect for the Titans scheme though, and would be a great backup to Nick Harper who is on the wrong side of 30. A classic Jeff Fisher pick.
31.) Arizona Cardinals
Donald Brown
Running Back- Connecticut
- Kurt Warner is one elite running back away from having the dream quarterback job. He’s throwing to Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston, he’s playing in the warm weather of Arizona, he’s throwing against weak secondaries in Seattle, St. Louis, and San Francisco six times a year, and drafting a player of Brown’s caliber would just finish the dream. He’d be able to move the chains and take some pressure off Warner more than Edgerrin James or Tim Hightower did. It’s just a blessing that he fell this far in the draft. He has been a rising talent this past month. He's not simply amazing in one area, but like Moreno he's solid and above average in just about everything. I think people are finally confinced he's a first round talent, as are the Cardinals.
32.) Pittsburgh Steelers
Alex Mack
Center- California
- The Steelers organization aren’t idiots when it comes to drafting. No team has had better success in the draft than the Steelers over the past ten seasons. Why do you think they’re picking 32nd in the draft? They’ll avoid any character issues and be sure to fill their biggest need at the same time. Alex Mack fits the mold of what the Steelers are known for; Tough gritty football players who come to play every week. The Steelers won the Super Bowl despite having a putrid offensive line, but with the addition of Mack they’d be well on their way to repairing their biggest weakness.