1.
Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaTeam Rebuilding often starts at the Quarterback position, and Detroit definitely needs to go back to the drawing board. New Head Coach, Jim Schwartz, needs a leader behind center, and Stafford is the top QB in this class. He is the most pro-ready, his arm is unparalleled, and he played against top notch competition all year long. Right now he is my #1.
2.
St Louis Rams – Andre Smith, OT, AlabamaThe Rams really need to address the o-line. Future Hall-of-Famer, Orlando Pace, has reached the end of a magnificent career, and Smith is the best o-line prospect in this year’s draft. He has ideal size, and amazing strength. In fact, he compares well to last years first overall selection, Jake Long.
3.
Kansas City Chiefs – Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio StateThe popular look will be for KC to choose a QB here, but I think Tyler Thigpen did a good job running that spread, and Mark Sanchez is too much of a reach at #3. If this team is to improve, they need to play better defense, and Malcolm Jenkins will help them do exactly that. He can play corner or safety at the next level, and this type of flexibility will be very valuable as the Chiefs try to improve.
4.
Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas TechThe Seahawks have gone from good to bad in a hurry. They need to get Hasslebeck some weapons if this team is to get better, and there is no better weapon in this year’s draft than Crabtree. He lacks prototypical speed, but is big, strong, smart, fast enough, and has great hands. He will immediately help this team open up the offense for new head coach Jim Mora Jr.
5.
Cleveland Browns – James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio StateThe Browns really underachieved in 08, and they will need to play better offense in 09 if they want to compete. Having said that, this team has a talented offense, and thus they need to draft on the defensive side of the ball to continue to improve. Laurinaitis is a tackle machine, and he has the makeup of a long time presence in the middle of a team’s defense. This would be a great selection for the Browns.
6.
Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Oher, OT, MississippiThe Bengals need to be able to stop the run. This has been a need for such a long time for this team but with McCoy heading back to Norman, the Bengals need to look at some other needs. Carson Palmer was hurt this year, and the Cincy backs did nothing all season long until Benson came to town. I think both have to do more with the o-line than anything else, and thus Michael Oher is the call. Oher right now has a slight edge on my board over Eugene Monroe, and thus gets the call in this mock.
7.
Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe, OT, VirginaThe Raiders have selected franchise type players during the last two years. Now they need someone to help keep Russell and McFadden upright. Monroe is pushing Oher for the number two tackle spot behind Smith, and the Raiders would be very excited to have a guy like this to build their line around.
8.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake ForrestThe Jags could look in many directions with this choice. They could look at Jason Smith from Baylor if they decide that o-line is their most pressing need, but I see linebacker as a bigger priority for this club. Curry has rare speed coming from the outside, and he can quickly become another Shawn Merriman type player in the pros. He is the type that, if he reaches his extreme potential, can be the cornerstone to build a defense around.
9.
Green Bay Packers – Jason Smith, OT, BaylorThe Pack needs help on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Jason Smith is a fast rising prospect in this class at tackle. He is big and strong, and moves his feet real well. His technique has improved greatly this past season and he is the guy who should get the call in Green Bay.
10.
San Francisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez, QB, USCAlex Smith is officially a bust, and O’Sullivan is not the long term answer at QB. Sanchez is therefore the logical selection at this point. He put up good numbers at USC in his only year as a starter, but I agree with Pete Carroll, he should have returned to the Trojans for another season. Regardless, with Bradford going back to Sooner country, Sanchez is the number two signal caller on the board.
11.
Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn StateMaybin is a pass rush machine, and although early in his career he may prove to be more situational in his first few years. Regardless, he has a great motor, and can turn the corner in a hurry. He will help push the Bills defense and start getting some pressure on opposing QBs.
12.
Denver Broncos – Knowshown Moreno, RB, GeorgiaShanahan is out in Denver, and thus will be the ban on drafting first round running backs. Moreno and Wells are the two top backs in the draft, and I see Moreno as the better pro. New Head Coach, Josh McDaniels is a creative offensive mind, and I believe that he will utilize his skills in a multitude of ways, and who knows, he could be like another former UGA product turned Denver Bronco, Terrell Davis.
13.
Washington Redskins – BJ Raji, DT, Boston CollegeThe Redskins surprised a lot of folks with their strong early season play, before falling off in the second half. To make themselves more formidable in 09, they need to be better at the point of attack on defense. With McCoy heading back to school, Raji moves into the number 1 spot for DTs in this class. He can hold his ground and stuff the run. This would be a welcome addition in DC.
14.
New Orleans Saints – DJ Moore, CB, VanderbiltThe Saints spent last off season improving their front seven. Now with that high flying offense still in full gear, they need some help in the secondary. DJ Moore has already declared for the draft, and he can certainly be they playmaker the team needs at corner. He covers well, and is always a threat to take it to the house when he pick one off.
15.
Houston Texans – Jeremy Maclin, WR, MissouriOver the last few seasons, Houston has built themselves quite a young talented defense. They have Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, and Amobi Okoye to build around. The offense has been getting better too, especially with the addition of Steve Slaton last year. Unfortunately however, to stop the Texans, you just need to focus on Andre Johnson. The addition of Jeremy Maclin stops all of that. He is too good to leave in one-on-one coverage with no over the top help, and this will open up so many more opportunities for Schaub and the offense. Texans could be a definite playoff contender in 09 with Maclin on board.
16.
New York Jets – Brian Orakpo, DE, TexasThe Jets really are a team with a lot of talent, so they can look a few different ways with this pick. In the end however it will come down to Percy Harvin of Florida or Orakpo of Texas. Despite the fact the their defense was a strength for them last year, the Jets could still stand to improve the pass rush a bit, and Orakpo gives them the weapon they need. He has a great first step, and a strong drive which could give the Jets a top 3 defense in 09.
17.
Chicago Bears – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSUThe Bears made out well last year with the selection of Tulane RB Matt Forte. He along with Kyle Orton give the offense something to build around. Consider the defense all of a sudden looks quite pedestrian, I expect the Bears to make their mark there. They would love to see Orakpo in Chicago, but with him off the board, they will select the next best pass rusher in Tyson Jackson. Jackson is an immense talent who can really be a disruptive force, but there have been some questions concerning his effort. If he quells these concerns he could be just what the doctor ordered.
18.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brian Cushing, OLB, USCDerrick Brooks is a future Hall-of-Famer, who has reached the end of his productive playing days. It is time for this defense to look to the future, and Brian Cushing could be the future of this defense. Paired with Barrett Ruud, the two could become the future to revive this once proud defense.
19.
Detroit Lions via Dallas – Rey Maualuga, ILB, USCMaualuga is actually more talented than his teammate who I just projected to go to the Bucs with the previous pick. With Maualuga, Jim Schwartz has his core to build a defense around by pairing him with Ernie Sims. If the Lions could walk away from the first round with Stafford and Maualuga they could have the earmarks for the future.
20.
New England Patriots – Vontae Davis, CB, IllinoisNo matter how many players the Pats seem to loose, they continually find themselves competitive in the AFC. Unfortunately, after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in the last bizzillion years, the Pats have some holes to fill. The secondary is a great place to start, and Davis is the right guy to start with. He can cover, and make plays ala Asante Samuel. This would be the first step back towards a playoff run in 09.
21.
San Diego Chargers – Peria Jerry, DT, MississippiThe Chargers have immense talent on both sides of the ball. Despite this talent, they had to beat the Broncos in week 17 to just make the playoffs. They need to do a better job at stopping the run and Jerry will take up space and plug up holes. The Chargers showed how beatable they are without Merriman.
22.
Minnesota Vikings – Everette Brown, DE, Florida StateThe Vikes are a team who still has some holes to fill. The addition of Jared Allen to the defensive front helped out a bit, but the team still has a need at the other end and at middle linebacker. Brown is the most talented of the remaining ends or middle backers, so he gets the selection here. His presence could give this defense a pass rush to be reckoned with, and really strengthen the front four of this defense.
23.
Philadelphia Eagles – Percy Harvin, WR, FloridaThe Eagles proved this season that they still can be a force in this league. Both Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are near the end of their careers though, and they will be in need of their replacements very soon. Unfortunately, there are no more premiere tackles left on the board. This will lead the Eagles to look to their second biggest need, which is wide out. Although Jason Avant has emerged as McNabb’s favorite target, they team still lacks real punch at the position. Considering what Harvin has meant to Tim Tebow at UF, this will be the Eagles selection.
24.
Miami Dolphins – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, MarylandThe Phins turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous. Now, with the addition of Heyward-Bey, the Phins have a shore handed receiving threat in their new Wildcat offense. Adding Heyward-Bey to this offense could make this team awfully explosive in 2009.
25.
Baltimore Ravens – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North CarolinaJoe Flacco has been impressive in his rookie season as the Raven’s signal caller. What he does in the future is going to be largely a result of what the team does to surround him with talent. The wide receiver position is still a question in Baltimore, as Mason nears the end of his playing days, and Clayton is really more of a #2 than a #1. Nicks is strong, fast, and gets after the ball well while it is in the air. He can be another weapon for Flacco to continue to develop around.
26.
Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma StateWhat this team has done this season is nothing short of amazing. Matt Ryan is proving all doubters, including me wrong with his amazing play. With Grasham heading back to Oklahoma next season, Pettigrew is the only first round TE talent remaining in round one. Adding Pettigrew to this team gives them another solid blocker up front who can also get into the action of the passing game too.
27.
New York Giants – Clint Sintim, OLB, VirginiaThe Giants were too good a team to exit the playoffs as early as they did. Their defense really let them down in the playoffs. They have revamped the secondary in recent years, and therefore, I see them looking to the middle of the defense this year. Since there is no great pass rush threat available, and Osi will be back next season, I think the team selects Sintim to shore up the OLB position. He is athletic, and can move all over the field to make plays. This can only help the G-Men moving forward.
28.
Indianapolis Colts – Sean Smith, CB, UtahThe Colts are a very good football team, and as long as Peyton Manning is in Indy, the offense will continue to roll. The defense has some areas where they could improve however. They could look for some more help at linebacker or D-tackle.. They could also stand an upgrade at corner, as Marlin Jackson is their only real weapon there right now. Smith is leaving the only D1 undefeated program in Utah, and he was a real factor for the Utes. Now lining up in Indy, he can show why he feels the Utes should have been given a national title shot.
29.
Philadelphia Eagles via Carolina – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio StWith their second pick in the first round, I expect the Eagles to look again at improving their offense. With Harvin now in the fold, the team could look to add another running back to help reduce Westbrook’s workload, and hopefully increase his chances of staying healthy. Wells is an absolute heist at this point in round 1. Although banged up a bit at Ohio St, his playing behind Westbrook should help both players stay healthy longer, and should the Eagles come out of the first round with both Harvin and Wells on their squad, how much better would that offense be?
30.
Tennessee Titans – Max Unger, C, OregonThe Titans have done a great job this season. Their aggressive defense and a dominant run game has kept this team at the top of their game all season. They do however need to come to the realization that time has take its toll, and Kevin Mawae is not the player he once was. It is time to bring in his replacement, and Unger is that guy. He is a hard nosed football player, just like Mawae, and will be a good long term answer to keep this team secure at the center position.
31.
Arizona Cardinals – LeSean McCoy, RB, PittsburghTrue, this offense is tremendous. Warner looks young again, and he has some serious weapons at the receiver positions. Edge unfortunately is no longer the player he once was, and although good, Tim Hightower is better suited for a short yard back. MCcoy is a shifty back who can also run between the tackles. He would immediately give this offensive backfield a much needed boost.
32.
Pittsburgh Steelers – William Moore, S, MissouriSure the defense is the strength of this team, but when you don’t have a lot of needs, you can select on talent alone. Sure the Steelers would look at possible candidates at the wide receiver position with Hines Ward moving along in age, but there really is no one available at this juncture who would not be too much a reach. Sure they have Big Hair Troy at safety, but is Ryan Clark really the best other safety the team could have? William Moore benefits greatly from Taylor Mays’ decision to return to USC, as he becomes the top safety in this years class. Then to wind up being selected by the Steelers, to play on Dick LeBeau’s defense, how nice is that for the talented young man from Mizzou.
