Here is my feeble attempt. Check it out also on my blog along with my final 2008 mock draft from last year.



1) Detroit Lions - Jason Smith OT, Baylor

Count me among those thinking the Lions are throwing up a smoke screen about claiming Matt Stafford's workout was "flawless". The addition of Smith actually gives Detroit a decent front line with the lineup of Smith, Backus, Raiola, Peterman, Cherilus. This should allow new coach Jim Schwartz to run the ball with Kevin Smith like he wants. Culpepper mans the spot for this year, but don't be surprised to see the new regime give Stanton and Henson an actual chance to play to make a decision on their abilities. Next year is a far better QB class and now whoever plays QB will actually get a full three seconds to throw to Calvin Johnson.


2) St. Louis Rams - Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia

While Orlando Pace and Torry Holt are aging, they were two of maybe three (Steven Jackson being the other) individuals that other teams made sure they accounted for on offense. Now there gone. While Crabtree may be enticing, Marc Bulger can't take another year of being the other team's pinata. Steve Spagnuolo is all about defense, but he was also a part of five of the last seven NFC Championship games because his team always had a solid offensive line. I'm pretty sure he noticed.


3) Kansas City Chiefs - B.J. Raji DT, Boston College

I know, I know. A nose tackle this early??? Many have Aaron Curry here and I agree that he is very talented. But the Chiefs are switching to a 3-4 defense and they already boast Mike Vrabel, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and now Zach Thomas at linebacker. How many more do they need? While last year's number one Glenn Dorsey slides to end in the 3-4, Raji will anchor the middle. Suddenly KC will have a viable defensive front seven. Watch for an offensive lineman in the second round and for Tony Gonzalez to get traded for an extra 3rd round pick to the Packers, Patriots, or Giants.


4) Seattle Seahawks - Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech

Ok, here is where the draft gets interesting. The latest buzz is Seattle eying up Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez. This makes sense to me if owner Paul Allen is willing to give Jim Mora Jr. time to restock the roster and suffer through two crappy years. I don't think ANYONE wants to do that, especially with a potential lock out in 2011. While receivers take time to develop, Crabtree is special and will step in initially as the third receiver behind T.J. Houshmandzadah and Nate Burleson and then potentially move to the number two spot. Defensive help is a possibility, but even with the trade of Julian Peterson, their linebackers are strong, they got Cory Redding and Colin Cole added to their defensive tackle rotation, and Patrick Kerney is still a beast. Since no corner is worth this pick, Crabtree it is.


5) Cleveland Browns - Aaron Curry LB, Wake Forest

The Browns didn't think they would be stuck with this delightful dilemma. Do they take the better pass rusher in Orakpo or the better overall player in Curry. After being burned by Vernon Gholston last year, Eric Mangini makes a good decision in obtaining Curry. Be aware however; if Crabtree falls because Seattle takes Stafford or Sanchez, Mangini catches him here over Curry due to the problems of Donte Stallworth, the traded Kellen Winslow, and the potentially traded Braylon Edwards.


6) Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Oher OT, Ole Miss

The Bengals watch in horror as their top four options are picked 1-2-3-4. Andre Smith and Brian Orakpo are possibilities here, as is a trade down. But keeping Carson Palmer upright and revitalizing a horrific running game has to be top priority to Marvin Lewis and the Bengals. Pass rush will wait to the second or third, as will another runningback.


7) Oakland Raiders - Andre Smith OT, Alabama

Sure this pick is cliche. But some drafts have Jeremy Maclin and Michael Johnson going here. And they call Al Davis the crazy one? I think this is a very smart pick by Al. Everette Brown in a distinct possibility, as is Malcolm Jenkins. But in order for JaMarcus Russell to have any success, he needs to stay upright. Smith is a mauler and should open up holes for McFadden and Fargas as well. Tom Cable will get Smith's head on straight and get him motivated to prove to people that his combine was the aberration, not his incredible college career.


8) Jacksonville Jaguars - Matt Stafford QB, Georgia

Ahhh yes. The battle between the coach that needs to win now, Jack Del Rio, and the GM just promoted in January of 2009, Gene Smith. Gee, guess who wins? Del Rio wants Jenkins to form a solid secondary with Rashean Mathis and Reggie Nelson. Smith sees the most value with taking the QB. Wide receiver, linebacker, and offensive tackle are all need areas as well, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Michael Oher or a trade down either. But with wide receiver and offensive tackle being talent rich at the end of the first/beginning of the second, that's where Jacksonville aims to gain one of those two.



9) Green Bay Packers projected trade: Broncos - Everette Brown DE/OLB, Florida State

Green Bay's brass think the Broncos are coming up for Sanchez. Nope. They are fine with game manager Kyle Orton and potentially a QB next year. Denver sends the cheeseheads the third round pick they received from Chicago for Jay Cutler. Brown fills the pass rush role opposite Elvis Dumervil (assuming he can handle the spot to begin with). Even the great Champ Bailey can't cover someone long enough with Denver's current pass rush. Brown has great burst and will also be able to play defensive end on obvious passing downs while Denver transitions to the 3 - 4. Brian Orakpo is still here and I wouldn't be a surprise to see Denver take him either.


10) San Francisco 49ers - Mark Sanchez QB, USC

The Gold Diggers finally exhale when they see the Bronco's take Brown instead of Sanchez. Coach Mike Singletary lives, breaths, and eats defense and intensity. But Sanchez is a leader and he will quickly win over the locker room with this team oriented attitude. With so many needs, obviously there are many possibilities for the 49ers to take. Jenkins, Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, or Ayers are all players Singletary may want to bolster his team. If it isn't Sanchez, I'd bet Maybin.


11) Buffalo Bills - Brian Orakpo DE, Texas

Orakpo is billed as a "boom or bust" type of player and Maybin is still on the board. But Maybin is too light to play defensive end full time. The Bills have a number of high draft picks already in the secondary so I don't see them adding another in Jenkins. Michael Oher is a possibility here as well if he falls. While Aaron Schobel coming back from injury helps, 24 sacks from an entire defense on a season is not going to get it done. Orakpo teams with Schobel and Chris Kelsay for a decent set of defensive ends.


12) Denver Broncos projected trade: Packers - Tyson Jackson DE, LSU

The Pack thought the Broncos coveted Sanchez and the Broncos thought the Packers wanted Brown. They were both wrong. The Packers wanted Jackson at nine and instead get their man and an extra 3rd at 12. General Manager Ted Thompson claims he likes the roster as it is, but counting on injury riddled Cullen Jenkins and Justin Harrell seems folly. Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly is facing possible suspension for supposedly possessing codeine. This clearly fills a hole. However, Thompson is all about taking value and Robert Ayers, Jenkins, Maybin are all still on the board. At this stage, I wouldn't be shocked to see another trade down if he has Jackson and the other three ranked approximately the same.


13) Washington Redskins - Brian Cushing LB, USC

Dan Snyder got his man in Albert Haynesworth in free agency and now gets a linebacker to benefit from all the double teams Haynesworth will see. London Fletcher is a great leader on and off the field but he is no spring chicken either. Offensive tackle is a possibility here as well, but is that really sexy enough for Danny boy?


14) New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins DB, Ohio State

The Saints cannot believe their luck. The best cornerback prospect AND the best safety prospect falls right in their laps. They'll worry about which position he'll play later, right now they're just thrilled with adding his talents. Cutting Mike McKenzie and the inconsistent play from Jason David lead to this acquisition. At worst he'll learn from Darren Sharper for a year before taking over the safety spot.


15) Houston Texans projected trade: Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB Kansas St.

Fearful that the Jets were going to take Freeman, the Bucs move up and send this year's third round pick and next year's fifth to the Texans. New coach Raheem Morris needs someone to commit to long term and Freeman is the guy. While defensive coordinator Jim Bates would love some players to accommodate the slow change away from a Cover 2 defense, they will have to wait. Don't be surprised to see Tampa trying to pry a Green Bay or Denver corner from those teams for a draft pick. Both teams played a press man coverage under Bates and have the corners with the skill set to make a transition.


16) San Diego Chargers - Ray Maualuga LB USC

The Chargers are just picking for value here. With Merriman and Phillips, they don't need another OLB, but inside they need a good 1st and 2nd down linebacker to strike fear into opposing runningbacks. Maualuga is just that. With Jamal Williams in front of him and the other team focusing on Merriman and Phillips, Maualuga will rack up ALOT of tackles. Peria Jerry is a possibility to replace an ineffective Igor Olshansky as well.


17) New York Jets - Darrius Heyward-Bey WR, Maryland

The Jets' fans throw a fit when Tampa Bay leap frogs them to grab Freeman. The loss of Laverneus Coles is rough and Jericho Cotchery is not good enough to be the only receiver of note. Unless of course you count Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith as actual receiving threats. I didn't think so. Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard improve the defense, so I look for Head coach Rex Ryan to look to improve the wide receiver and runningback depth.


18) Chicago Bears(trade)Broncos - Peria Jerry DT, Ole Miss

The Broncos have already added a pass rusher in Everette Brown, and now they aim to improve their horrendous defensive line depth. In hind sight, McDaniels wishes he would have taken Tyson Jackson at nine and now Aaron Maybin. But in hind sight, getting in a public fight with your incumbent 25 year old Pro Bowl QB wasn't so great either. On the plus side, Jerry is flexible enough to play the 3-4 end position on early downs and defensive tackle on 3rd and long.


19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers projected trade: Texans - Aaron Maybin DE/OLB

The Texans trade down and Maybin is still there. While I think Maybin will have difficulty initially keeping on weight to play defensive end, his high motor will serve him well until his body fully matures and fills out. Some creative scheming will also help the Texans get the most from Maybin's skill set. Their defensive line is now set for the next 8 - 10 years.


20) Dallas Cowboys(trade)Lions - Robert Ayers DE, Tennessee

Schwartz got an offensive lineman with the first pick and now he gets a defensive lineman. Building a solid team has to start in the trenches and now the Leo's have a guy on both lines to build around. Ayers' pass rush will be extremely important in a division with young 4,000 yard QB's like Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler.

21) Philadelphia Eagles - William Beatty OT, Conneticut

I know Eagle fans will boo this pick because, well they aren't happy unless they are complaining about something. But running back help will be there with their other first rounder. Beatty will not make it past the Vikings with the next pick. Beatty immediately becomes a starter at either the left or right side of the line, saving the "Iggles" from starting that revolving door known as Winston Justice. If Beatty is gone, then I could see them possibly taking Chris Wells, but the reason the Eagles have made five of the past seven NFC Championships is their dedication to both the offensive and defensive lines. I don't see that changing.

22) Minnesota Vikings - Jeremy Maclin WR/KR/RB Missouri

I'll admit, I struggle with this pick with Beatty off the board for the Vikes. Berrian is their speed guy, but I don't see the remaining wideouts being as talented as Maclin. Having said that, Maclin could be considered a poor-mans Ted Ginn Jr. which is a pretty scary proposition. In my mind, Maclin is the ultimate "boom or bust" type of prospects. Brandon Pettigrew wouldn't surprise me either as Kleinsasser and Shiancoe are effective but not upgradeable tight end options.


23) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews OLB, USC

Yeah, another cliche pick. You know all the reasons why Billy boy likes the Matthews family, his versatility, work ethic etc. While I don't like being yet another brick in the wall for the Patriots choice, I gotta agree with with it. The mesh of need with Matthews personable attributes makes him a likely choice. Combining Matthews with Jared Mayo really gives the Pats a young core to their linebacking unit to follow in the footsteps of great New England linebackers like Willie McGinnest, Ted Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Teddy Bruschi, etc.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Evander Hood DT, Missouri

Pettigrew is definitely an option here as many other mocks have him landing in the Dirty Birds' laps. While that clearly makes sense, the defense has holes that were exposed last year. Running a ball control offense is great if you have a defense that can get off the field to let you control the tempo of the game, and right now their is a huge hole right in the heart of that Falcon defensive line. There will be TE help available in the second and third. Hood will excel in coach Mike Smith's system and leadership.


25) Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis CB, Illinois

The Miami Marine Mammals are thrilled Davis is still on the board. He fits a GLARING need for the Dolphins. While his character has been called into question (justifiably), he poses too much value to pass up at a need position. Throw in the fact that four times a year the secondary will be chasing wide receivers like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Wes Welker, and Lee Evans, and secondary is a HUGE concern. Having Will Allen as your top corner is NOT exactly a positive. If Davis is not here, a wide receiver is definitely a possibility, but cornerback is the bigger hole right now.


26) Baltimore Ravens - Eben Britton OT Arizona

Even though the Ravens picked up L.J. Smith and they have Todd Heap, I wouldn't be too surprised to see them pick Pettigrew either. Neither Heap nor Smith are capable of strong run or pass blocking. But a TE that can block does you no good unless the guy next to him can too. The Ravens wanted Orlando Pace to come play right tackle for a year or two, since they lost out on him, why not get a guy that can play it for the next ten years? Despite making it to the AFC Championship game, the Ravens do have a lot of "needs" and depth issues, so this pick could go on literally any position on offense (minus QB) or defense (minus nose tackle).



27) Indianapolis Colts - Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia

The Colts have defensive issues (when don't they), and another WR would make sense to replace Marvin Harrison. But Bill Polian is all about value at need positions, ESPECIALLY when it comes to surrounding Peyton Manning will skill position talent. Moreno is absolutely the best "bang for the buck" here. When Addai went down, the Colts lost their multipurpose threat that has made them so dangerous since Manning took over at QB (see Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James). Moreno and Addai will make a great tandem. If Addai's injury slows him this year, Moreno will keep that explosive offense going as the underneath release valve for Manning.




28) Carolina Panthers(trade)Eagles - Chris Wells RB, Ohio St.

See Eagle fans, you get the runner you wanted anyway. Brian Westbrook is an incredible offensive weapon, but he is not the big strong back that Wells is. For years Philly has had Correll Buckhalter filling this role, but he wasn't that effective at it and now he is in Denver. The Eagles now have somebody to keep the chains moving when the weather gets colder and the field conditions are not as conducive to the stop and go style of Westbrook.



29) New York Giants - James Laurinaitus LB, Ohio St.

Wide receiver is definitely a need, but there are questions about the entire next tier including Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Juaquin Inglesias, and Brian Robiske. There is NO question in what you are getting with Laurinaitus. With all of the defensive lineman the Giants have, an instinctive linebacker like this Buckeye will only enhance the effectiveness of the G-men's D. A wide receiver can be had with one of their two second round picks. Laurinaitus just provides too much value.


30) Tennessee Titans - Projected trade Seahawks: Donald Brown RB, Conneticut

The gaping hole known as Albert Haynesworth is not filled with this pick. Nor is the need for a competent wide receiver satisfied. But there is no one at this point to replace Haynesworth (don't you dare say Ron Brace) and the wide outs are not worth first round money. So the Titans find a trading partner with the Seahawks and trade number 30 for number 37 and 105. Hasselback needs more weapons. Houshmandzadah and Crabtree are a great start to the WR core, but Maurice Morris and Julius Jones at running back was a disaster last year. Knowing that the division rival Cardinals had their eye on him, the 'Hawks move up to help their roster and leave their foes with a hole on theirs.


31) Arizona Cardinals - Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech

The Cardinals are dumbfounded that they lost their man to a division rival. The Cards will think about RB LeSean McCoy, but the athletic ability of Michael Johnson is too much to pass up. The Cards play a transition type defense, sometimes utilizing properties of both the 3 - 4 and the 4 - 3. This suits Johnson perfectly as he is athletic enough to play in space and big enough to play the end. While the Desert Birds have had their share of defensive lineman busts in the past, (see Andre Wadsworth, Wendell Bryant, and to some extent Calvin Pace) being afraid to take a chance because of past failures would be crazy.



32) Pittsburgh Steelers - Darius Butler CB, Conneticut

The defending Super Bowl champs have the luxury of taking a player for depth purposes. OG, OT, and CB are all possibilities. I'm going with Butler just because I feel he is a better value at this point that Alex Mack, Max Unger, Damon Meredith, Duke Robinson, etc. The Steelers could still land one of those four or Phil Loadholt, Troy Kropog, or Alex Boone at the end of the second round. Brandon Pettigrew wouldn't shock me either as he and Heath Miller would give the Steelers a nice two tight end set.



Other 1st round potential picks: Brandon Pettigrew, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Max Unger, LeSean McCoy, Larry English, Alphonso Smith, and Alex Mack.

I'm assuming it's a rotten egg then huh?

Nobody wants to even tell me how awful it is?

I don't think it's that far off. Don't think Ayers will go in the first round so Jackson could be the guy.

I know a number of people share your opinion on Ayers, but he and Orakpo are probably the closest things to a conventional 4 - 3 defensive end that won't get washed out. Maybin, Brown, English, etc are all roughly 250 pounds and while guys like Robert Mathis exist, they are usually just "pass rush specialists" ala John Abraham.

I'll commend you if only because you're one of the very few on here and other boards who's mock doesn't include us trading down for an extra 2nd rounder. I give you an "A" for originality.

I don't follow college football enough to critique you too much, actually. I'm not real sold on Brown, though.