Wednesday, March 4, 2009

NFL Mock Draft - Round 1 (Take 2)

A lot has changed the first mock draft was published.

Andre Smith may have fallen off the deep end; it was discovered Michael Crabtree's foot required surgery; we realized Malcolm Jenkins will need to move to safety... and that was only the news pertaining to the top five prospects in my initial mock draft.

Let's get to the new and improved mock.

Round One

1. Detroit: Matthew Stafford, Georgia, QB - Stafford established himself as the class of the position at the Combine. If the Lions choose to address this need with the first overall pick - and I think they will - Stafford will be their guy.

2. St. Louis: Jason Smith, Baylor, OT - Smith makes the biggest jump of any prospect (20th to 2nd) after an impressive showing at the Combine.

3. Kansas City: Eugene Monroe, Virginia, OT - I love the storyline of Monroe and last year's first rounder from Virginia, Branden Albert, protecting Matt Cassel.

4. Seattle: Aaron Curry, Wake Forest, LB - Curry dominated the Combine and is now considered by many to be the draft's top prospect. After Seattle's signing of WR T.J. Housyourdaddy and Michael Crabtree's imminent surgery, the two no longer look like the perfect match they were a few weeks back.

5. Cleveland: Andre Smith, Alabama, OT - In Eric Mangini's first year at the helm of the Jets, he selected two offensive lineman in the first round. I realize Smith has not had a great few weeks, but his talent is undeniable, and he can slide into the right tackle position for the Browns. A trade down (or up) certainly makes sense here.

6. Cincinnati: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, WR - The Bengals replace Housyourdaddy with Crabtree. Not a bad deal for them although they have a lot more needs than just this.

7. Oakland: Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, WR - Al Davis has always been enamored with speed, and Maclin has plenty of it.

8. Jacksonville: B.J. Raji, Boston College, DT - A great run-stuffer but I still question why he never dominated in college like his skills indicate he would.

9. Green Bay: Brian Orakpo, Texas, DE - If he can prove he's healthy at UT's Pro Day, Orakpo would help revamp a struggling defense at Lambeau.

10. San Francisco: Mark Sanchez, USC, QB - This Kurt Warner hunt seems like it's heading for an ugly ending. It would behoove the '9ers to focus on the long term future (Sanchez) instead of a short term solution (Warner).

11. Buffalo: Michael Oher, Ole Miss, OT - The whole Jason Peters mess won't solve itself. Time to move on for the Bills.

12. Denver: Peria Jerry, Ole Miss, DT - The Broncos solidified the linebacking corps and secondary with recent free agent signings. Now, it's time to work on the patchwork D-Line.

13. Washington: Everette Brown, Florida State, DE - Jason Taylor out, Everrette Brown in.

14. New Orleans: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, CB / S - Jenkins won't slip this far if he improves his 40-time at Ohio State's Pro Day, but for now, he fits here.

15. Houston: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland, WR - After a blazing 40 at the Combine, DHB (allow me to be the first to coin that nickname) proved he's could be a great complement to all-world wide receiver Andre Johnson.

16. San Diego: Rey Maualuga, USC, LB - Will Shawne Merriman be back at full strength? The Chargers protect themselves in case he isn't.

17. New York Jets: Sean Smith, Utah, CB - Doesn't trading this pick for Jay Cutler work for everyone? If not, Smith solidifies the secondary.

18. Chicago: Percy Harvin, Florida, WR - The Bears need more playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and Devin Hester cannot be the number one option through the air.

19. Tampa Bay: Aaron Maybin, Penn State, DE/LB - Maybin had a terrible showing at the Combine but the Bucs would be thrilled to see him drop this far.

20. Detroit (from Dallas): Brian Cushing, USC, LB - Jim Schwartz would be the mayor of Detroit if this scenario plays out.

21. Philadelphia: Chris Wells, Ohio State, RB - The Eagles lost Correll Buckhalter in free agency but could replace him with Wells.

22. Minnesota: Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, WR - Whether it's Tarvarris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, Gus Frerotte or my mom playing QB for this team, they need weapons through the air. And yes, my mom could probably do a better job than those three.

23. New England: Clay Matthews, USC, LB - A hard working, fast riser, Matthews reeks of the Patriots.

24. Atlanta: Vontae Davis, Illinois, CB - After a disappointing junior year, Davis failed to change the minds of scouts at the Combine, but his physical skills are undeniable.

25. Miami: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, LB - A Bill Parcells-type player. Measureables are average but the playmaking cannot be denied.

26. Baltimore: Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest, CB - He's short but could be the best corner in the draft. He also has the intangibles that are appealing to Ozzie Newsome and Co.

27. Indianapolis: Tyson Jackson, LSU, DE - An up and comer, Jackson has really impressed recently.

28. Philadelphia (from Carolina): Alex Mack, California, C - Great value.

29. New York Giants: Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi, TE - Kevin Boss just won't cut it.

30. Tennessee: Robert Ayers, Tennessee, DE - The Titans are impossible to predict (see Johnson, Chris) but the hometown Ayers seems reasonable here.

31. Arizona: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia, RB - The Cards need three things to compete again next season: Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and a dependable running game.

32. Pittsburgh: Will Beatty, UConn, OT - The Steelers figure to take the best offensive lineman available. For my money, that's Beatty.

No comments:

Post a Comment