The First Mock Draft of the Season

First, let me apologize to everyone for not staying up to date this past season. As many of you know, my wife gave birth to my daughter in October, and since I have been quite busy. But as this college season comes to a close, my blogging has returned, and I want to re-kickoff my work with the first mock draft of the season.

For those who are new, or simply don't remember, he are the rules. Right now every underclassman is eligible according to me. Until the declaration day passes, every draft eligible prospect is included. Also, the draft order is based on record, until everything finalizes. Lastly, remember that although there will be trades, this mock does not take draft day trades into account.

So with no more prelims, lets get down to business...



1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Team Rebuilding often starts at the Quarterback position, and Detroit definitely needs to go back to the drawing board. Depending on who the next coach is, will help determine the direction of this franchise, however, as of now, you cannot pass on Stafford. He is the most pro-ready of the QB’s in this class. 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, Alabama

The 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 years 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 State

The popular look will be for KC to choose a QB here, but I think Tyler Thigpen did a good job running that spread. 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 Tech

The 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 State

The 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 – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Bengals need to be able to stop the run. This has been a need for such a long time for this team. They have a hole in the middle of their front seven, and McCoy projects as the top line plug in this class.







7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The Raiders have selected franchise type player during the last two years. Now they need someone to help keep Russell and McFadden upright. Oher’s star is starting to fall a bit, however, as of right now, I still have him as the number two tackle on my board, and thus heading off to Oakland with pick 7.






8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forrest

The 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, Baylor

The 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 pushing Oher for the number two spot on my board.





10. San Francisco 49ers – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

Understand me please. I do not think Bradford will still be on the board at 10 as someone would pull the trigger on a deal to trade up, but hey, these are the rules to my mock. Alex Smith is officially a bust, and O’Sullivan is not the long term answer at QB. Bradford is an immense talent who with the proper coaching can develop into a franchise QB in the NFL.





11. Buffalo Bills – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

Maybin 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 start getting some pressure on opposing QBs.






12. Denver Broncos – Knowshown Moreno, RB, Georgia

Shanahan 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. Depending on who gets the nod in Denver, they will love to 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 – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

As today began, I had only three QB’s with a first round grade. Now after watching the Rose Bowl, I have to add Sanchez to this group. He was awesome today, and showed all the skills that Washington needs at the QB position. With Gibbs gone, the Campbell experiment can end, and Sanchez can come in to Zorn’s offense and help put up some more points.





14. New Orleans Saints – DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

The 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 – Taylor Mays, S, USC

Houston will look long and hard at Jeremy Maclin with this pick to try and take some focus off Andre Johnson. Despite this need though, Mays will be the selection, as his hard hitting, ball hawking style will immediate improve a secondary that leaves too many options open for the opposition. Williams, Okoye, Ryans, and now Mays… hows that for a defense.





16. New York Jets – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Thomas Jones is a real good running back, and Jericho is a legit weapon at the wide receiver spot. Coles and Stuckey however, are not drawing any attention away from these two, and thus Maclin is the choice. He will stretch a defense and is a great route runner. He will provide whomever QBs the Jets in 09 with another legit weapon, and this could be the difference for this almost playoff team.






17. Chicago Bears – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virgina

The Bears would have been looking for a QB, but Kyle Orton showed he can get the job done behind center. Instead, the team will look to Monroe to protect Orton, and allow him to jell with last year’s selection Matt Forte.





18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Derrick 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, USC

Maualuga is actually more talented than his teammate who I just projected to go to the Bucs with the previous pick. 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, Illinois

No 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 – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

The 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 Raji will take up space and plug up holes. The Chargers showed how beatable they are without Merriman. Now with him back and Raji there, watch out AFC.





22. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

True, 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. Wells is an awesome force at the running back position, and this offense would be the best in the league with his addition.






23. Philadelphia Eagles – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

The Eagles proved this season that they still can be a force in this league. Tra Thomas is near the end of his career though, and they will be in need of his replacement very soon. Okung is a beast at the point of attack, and he could be the long term replacement for him. It is also possible that they look to either Percy Harvin to help at wide out or CJ Spiller to take some carries away from Westbrook and maybe keep him healthy.





24. Minnesota Vikings – Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

One of the biggest problems the Vikes have right now is consistency at the QB position. Tavaris Jackson has a lot of talent but can’t seem to put it together and be the consistent answer. Tim Tebow is Mr. Consistency. Tebow is smart and multi-dimentional, and this could take some of the focus off AP in the backfield, and that could really push the Vikes to the next level.





25. Atlanta Falcons – Jermaine Grasham, TE, Oklahoma

What this team has done this season is nothing short of amazing. Matt Ryan is proving all doubters, including me wrong with his amazing play. Now give this kid Gresham at TE and there is no telling what this team could do. Gresham can block and catch, and along with Roddy White, really stretch out defenses.






26. Miami Dolphins – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Like the Falcons, the Phins turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous. If they can add another weapon for Pennington to throw at this team could be outstanding. Heyward Bey has great size, great hands and would be the perfect compliment to Ted Ginn’s great speed.







27. Baltimore Ravens – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Ravens are a team that continue to live by their defense. Orakpo is an excellent end. He can rush the passer, and stop the run. He can help keep this defense from getting too old, and as long as that happens, this team will be in the mix.







28. Philadelphia Eagles via Carolina – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

As I mentioned during their earlier pick, CJ Spiller would be a consideration at 23. Now at 28, the Eagles still get their man. Brian Westbrook is an awesome NFL running back, but he is struggling to stay healthy. This team needs him in the lineup to be successful though, so finding another back to take some carries is a must. Spiller is a talent with home run potential. He also packs some power behind his frame. He is just what the doctor ordered to keep the Eagles offense running smoothly.





29. Indianapolis Colts – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

The 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 two areas where they could improve however. They could look for some more help at linebacker. They also needs some help stopping the run. Cody will be the best of all the available DT’s and LB’s at this juncture, and thus I believe is the selection.





30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The Steelers are really a complete football team with no glaring holes to fill. Because of this, they have the freedom to select the best player on the board at this point. Tyson Jackson is that player. He has great potential as a complete player at the next level, and the LSU product will be a great addition to this already stout defense.






31. New York Giants – Greg Hardy, DE, Mississippi

Despite being the class of the NFC, the Giants still have some holes on the roster they need to fill. They need a wide out that can replace Plexico, and they need some more depth at DE. There is no wide out worth the selection here, and the G-men may look to trade down, however, if they stay, Hardy become the choice. He can be the depth the team needs when Osi comes back next year.






32. Tennessee Titans – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The 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 will however need to help push their passing game to the next level to keep themselves there. Brandon Pettigrew will help the run game with their blocking, and he can give either Collins or Young an additional target to throw to.