Mock Draft Version 2.0
1. Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford / Georgia -- I still think they'd be smarter to take Jason Smith or Aaron Curry, but it looks like Stafford is going to be the pick here. It does surprise me that they haven't finalized a contract, but I suppose there's no real reason for them to hurry.
2. St. Louis Rams: OT Jason Smith / Baylor -- The Rams are ecstatic to get the draft's top-rated tackle after missing out on Jake Long last year. It'll be hard for Steve Spagnuolo to pass on Aaron Curry, but the Rams' QBs took a beating last year behind their patchwork line. With Orlando Pace getting cut and bust Alex Barron on his way out either this year or next, this pick is a no-brainer. The addition of Smith along with Jason Brown should provide a nice foundation for the smashmouth running game Spags wants to employ.
3. Kansas Shitty Chiefs: LB Aaron Curry / Wake Forrest -- For the second year in a row, the draft's best defensive prospect falls in KC's lap. Flip a coin between Curry and Eugene Monroe, but the draft's safest pick will be a tempo setter on defense for the next decade, and the squaws are desperate for an identity on that side of the ball. Curry brings the toughness and versatility that Scott Pioli is sure to covet.
4. Seattle Seahawks: QB Mark Sanchez / USC -- I'm still not convinced that the Squawks won't take an OT here, but for now I'll go with the McShay report. With Dirty's lack of experience, it does make sense to sit him at least a year, and Hasselbeck is a more than capable bridge and mentor.
5. Cleveland Browns: WR Michael Crabtree / Texas Tech -- Look for the Browns to move Braylon Edwards on draft day after nabbing the ideal replacement. They could really use Malcolm Jenkins or one of the top edge rushers to bolster that defense, but those needs can both be addressed with lower picks in this draft. They could also address receiver later, but Crabtree's just too good to pass on. His penchant for catching absolutely everything will be an extremely welcome relief after Edwards' inconsistency.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Eugene Monroe / Virginia -- Bengals fans breath a collective sigh of relief as the team fills its biggest hole without having to take a chance on another questionable character, Andre Smith. With the departure of Willie Anderson and Stacey Andrews over the past two years, and the decline of Levi Jones, the Bengals are desperate for tackles that can help keep their banged-up franchise quarterback in one piece.
7. Chokeland Faders: WR Jeremy Maclin / Missouri -- The Fade has arguably the worst receiving corps in the league, and they need to give the $35 million tub of guts some legit weapons to work with if they expect him to ever develop into a competent NFL starter. Maclin has the deep speed that Al Davis covets, and he offers explosive potential in the return game to a team that needs big plays anywhere it can find them. An OL or DL could also be the choice here, but receiver is the most immediate need.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT B.J. Raji / Boston College -- The Jags filled their need at OT with veteran Tra Thomas, and are reportedly close to signing Torry Holt. Filling those immediate needs allows them some flexibility, and Raji represents a monster upgrade over the warm bodies that tried to replace Marcus Stroud inside last year. Raji's ability to split gaps with his quickness should help bolster a sagging pass rush that's been the Achilles heel of an otherwise tough defense. If the team isn't sold on Raji, Andre Smith could be the pick here.
9. Green Bay Packers: DE/OLB Brian Orakpo / Texas -- The Pack could also look at Smith, but Orakpo's character will sway Ted Thompson. He gives them an edge rusher with tons of upside for their switch to a 30 front defense. Everette Brown and Malcolm Jenkins are also possibilities for this pick.
10. San Francisco 49ers: DE/OLB Everette Brown / Florida State -- The Niners need impact players on defense, and coach Mike Singletary will love Brown's explosiveness and solid character. His addition gives the team another speed rusher to pair with the emerging Parys Haralson. Brown can start out splitting snaps with the disappointing Manny Lawson.
11. Buffalo Bills: OT Andre Smith / Alabama -- In an example of perfect symmetry, the Bills replace a supremely talented monster of a tackle with questionable motivation and maturity with a very similar player. Smith is too talented to fall much further than this, and the Bills are forced to take a chance on him after the Jason Peters trade opened a gaping hole at the most important position on the offensive line. This team doesn't care about character anyways (see Marshawn Lynch and Terrell Owens), and Smith is exactly the kind of enormous mauler they want on the O-line. Aaron Maybin will be considered here also, but Smith fills the more pressing need.
12. Denver Broncos: DE Tyson Jackson / LSU -- In my heart I really suspect that Doogie wants to go offense with this pick and could very well take Knowshon Moreno, but for the purposes of this mock I'll assume we make the logical selection and take a guy that should step in right away and be a building block for our new 3-4 defense for the next decade. A tough, experienced, durable performer from the SEC, Jackson looks like one of the draft's safest picks. He brings the size and schematic versatility that a New England coach should respect, and helps fill a gaping hole that Denver has suffered from for the past decade.
13. Washington Redskins: DE Aaron Maybin / Penn State -- Maybin seems to have saved his stock with a good Pro Day performance. The Skins continue to revamp their defensive line with an outside speed rusher to complement the monstrous Albert Haynesworth inside. Washington could also look at Brian Cushing here, but durability concerns cause them to pass. Michael Oher will also be intriguing, but their need is at right tackle, and Oher doesn't project well to that side.
14. New Orleans Saints: CB/DB Malcolm Jenkins / Ohio State -- The Saints will also consider Cushing, but Jenkins just looks like a safer pick. With the emergence of Tracy Porter and the signing of Jabari Greer this isn't an immediate need, but Jenkins is too good to pass on. He provides depth to a unit that has been a disaster area, and could start at safety if they don't think they need him at cornerback. Sean Payton will love Jenkins' toughness and work ethic.
15. Houston Texans: DE Robert Ayers / Tennessee -- After watching Mike Shanahan's teams fail because of pitiful defensive lines, Gary Kubiak continues to invest in the position. The Texans need an end to capitalize on the constant double teams drawn by Mario Williams, and Ayers offers some pass rush ability from a base end that also has the size and strength to set the edge in the run game. They might even slide him inside on passing downs. Houston could also look at Vontae Davis here, but his questionable maturity and focus will likely make them go another direction.
16. San Diego Sparklers: LB Rey Maualuga / USC -- The Sparkies have been looking to upgrade the ILB position ever since Donnie Edwards left, and the SoCal product Maualuga brings a lot of nastiness and ability, and should be an instant fan favorite. Running back could be a possibility here, but they probably feel that Tomlinson has another year or two.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by elsid13
