The Path To the Draft

Mock Draft - Version #3

2009-04-22T13:42:00.001-07:00

Another week, another trade affecting the 1st round. Ive updated to show the Bills at #28 as well as made some additional moves throughout the 1st round.

Changed picks denoted with ***

1) Detroit Lions - Matt Stafford - QB Georgia ***

Update: The Oakland Press is reporting that the Lions are close to a deal with Stafford. This is probably my safest pick on the board.

2)St. Louis Rams – Eugene Monroe OT Virginia ***

Comment: The Rams seem desperate to get out of this spot. Several rumors have been floated about who they plan to take here. Likely just so they can get somebody willing to trade up to get them. Assuming nobody bites, they will grab the #1 OT on their board. At this time it sounds like Monroe has surpassed Smith as #1 for St. Louis.

3)Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Comment: The Chiefs can go a number of ways with this pick as they have numerous needs. The one area they wont go is QB of course with Mr. Cassel now at the helm. The safest bet here is to take the most game ready player in the draft in Aaron Curry. Another possibility is a trade down with somebody looking to get ahead of the Seahawks to take a QB.

4) Seattle Seahawks - Jason Smith OT Baylor ***

Comment: I previously had the Hawks taking Sanchez, but I think if Smith falls to them, they would prefer the stud OT over a QB. This pick makes some sense as Walter Jones is returning from season ending knee surgery and isn’t getting any younger.

5)Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree- WR Texas Tech ***

Comment: Ive reverted back to my original pick as it looks like Edwards will in fact get traded. Crabtree was said to have had a less than stellar meeting with Mangini, but with only a couple days until the draft, who can believe anything coming from within the teams themselves.

6)Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith - OT Alabama ***

Comment: The Bengals would love to see Monroe or Smith here. They have a shot, but only if Seattle doesn’t take one. In this scenario, the Bengals grab another high talent guy with character issues. Considering he was a possible 1st overall pick only a couple months ago, this pick has a lot of upside.

7)Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri ***

Comment: It looks like Crabtree wont be around when the Raiders pick at 7 so instead they grab the best available WR.

8)Jacksonville Jaguars - Malcom Jenkins -DB Ohio St. ***

Comment: The Jags need to go WR with the loss of Jones in the off-season, but with none available they plug a hole on defense with the best CB/S in the draft.

9) Green Bay Packers - BJ Raji - DT Boston College

Comment: With the Packers moving to a 3-4 next year, the Pack is thrilled to see Raji still available at #9. There are alot of tweener DE/LB that would fit well for them, but a true nose tackle is exactly what they need.
UPDATE: If Sanchez is still available here, look for the Packers to trade back as their phone will likely be ringing off the hook at #9.

10) San Fransisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez QB USC ***

Comment: Now that the Alex Smith experiment is officially over, the Niners go back to the well for another QB. Sanchez is already a West Coast guy and that has to count for something.

11) Buffalo Bills – Brian Orakpo - DE/OLB Texas ***

Comment: With the trade of Peters just last week to the Eagles, the Bill have a lot of options with this pick. I don’t like Oher to go this high, so the Bills will likely target an O-lineman at #28.

12)Denver Broncos - Everette Brown - DE/LB Florida State.

Comment: The Broncos are another team who will be making the switch to a 3-4 and they need tweeners like Brown to help in the transition. He is a perfect fit. If Orakpo is still available at #10, look for the Broncos to try and get ahead of the Bills.
Update: With the trade for Cutler the Broncos now have two midrange picks and will likely be very active on draft day. Do not look for them to take a QB in the first round as they know its their D that needs the most help.

13)Washington Redskins - Michael Oher - OT Mississippi

Comment: The Redskins saw their O-line get a little long in the tooth last year and they spent big money on the D-line in free agency. OT is their pick and Oher is the best one left.

14) New Orleans Saints – Brian Cushing LB USC ***

Comment: The Saints need help on defense and they need it badly. The Saints go with the 1st USC LB off the board. A CB here is a possibility with Vontae Davis being the best still available.

15)Houston Texans - Rey Maualuga, LB - USC

Comment : The Texans can solidify their LB core for years to come with the hardest hitting Trojan in the draft.

16)San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno - RB Georgia

Comment: This gives the chargers a three headed monster at RB next season, but its obvious that Tomlinson will be playing in his last season in San Diego this year.

17)NY Jets - Percy Harvin - WR Florida

Comment: With Coles gone and nobody to replace him, the Jets now have nobody to throw or catch the ball. With no QBs worth of this pick, the Jets grab the best WR left.Update: Josh Freeman has been all over draft boards lately with some insiders predicting he is gone by 15 so he is definitely a possibility here.

18) Denver Broncos - Aaron Maybin - DE/OLB Penn State ***

Comment: The Broncos grab two DE with their first rounders. One to play with his hand on the ground and another to step back and play LB.

19) Tampa Bay Bucaneers - Josh Freeman QB Kansas St. ***

Comment: I struggled with this pick because I really don’t think he is a 1st round QB. That being said, the Bucs love collecting QBs so this pick wouldn’t surprise me at all.

20) Detroit Lions - Eben Britton - OT Arizona
Comment: The Lions got their QB at #1 and now have a tackle to protect him and their 2nd year RB.

21) Philiadelphia Eagles - Chris Wells - RB Ohio St.

Comment: Westbrook looks like he will fall apart any minute now. He still flashes greatness, but it's obvious he is over the hill. Look for Wells to be the heir apparent in the Philly running attack.

22) Minnesota Vikings - Darrius Heyward Bey - WR Maryland

Comment: After a 4.3 40, the Vikings cant resist grabbing the WR they couldn't get in free agency.

23) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews - LB USC

Comment: Third USC LB goes to a team with a great system and aging LBs (with the exception of Mayo). He steps into a situation where he could put up the best numbers of the three great USC LBs.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Peria Jerry - DT Mississippi

Comment: Falcons need D-line help and Jerry is the man to provide it. LB is also an area of need but Laurinaitis is not as big a help as Jerry will be.

25)Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis - DB Illinois

Comment: The Dolphins need DBs and feel very lucky he is still around at 25. Otherwise, look for Alphonso Smith to go here if Davis is already gone.

26) Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Pettigrew - TE Oaklahoma St.

Comment: With an aging and often injured Todd Heap, the Ravens look for youth with a great TE who can block and catch.Update: The Ravens may need some help at corner and Darius Butler is looking better and better with this pick everyday.

27) Indianapolis Colts - James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St.

Comment: LB seems to always be an area of need for the Colts. Laurinaitis is an immediate upgrade.

28) Buffalo Bills - William Beatty - OT Connecticut ***

Comment: With the trade for Peters the Bills now need a tackle to step in and fill out the line. I have the Bills taking the same player the Eagles took in my last mock. Beatty really grades out as a 2nd rounder, but as last year OTs are in demand and several guys with 2nd round talent go in the 1st.

29) NY Giants - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers ***

Comment: NY fans will love the addition of Britt who steps in to help fill the hole left by Plax.

30)Tennessee Titans - Darius Butler - DB Connecticut

Comment: The Titans needs DT,CB and WR. But as the always seem to need WR I dont think they go that way here. Butler is big and is fast enough, so they make him their boy.

31) Arizona Cardinals – Tyson Jackson DE - LSU

Comment: They lost Antonio Smith in free agency and try to put a band-aid on a pretty weak pass rush with a physical freak in TJ. Great value for him at #31.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers -Alex Mack OG/C - California ***

Comment: On occasion you see a C/G taken in the first round. Alex Mack is special enough for that to happen this year and fills a need for the Superbowl champs.

Mock Draft #2

2009-04-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Its been a couple weeks since my first mock and already it is obsolete after the blockbuster trade involving Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton. Let me know what you think.

Changed picks denoted with ***

1) Detroit Lions - Matt Stafford - QB Georgia ***

Update: Matt Stafford apparently had a good workout for the Lions and all signs are now pointing to Stafford as the 1st overall pick.

2)St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith OT Baylor ***

Comment: Stephen Jackson just hasn't had the room to run in since Orlando Pace lost his edge. They love that the Lions take a QB so they can get the #1 OT.
The Rams have let it be known that they would be more than happy to trade out of this spot. With rookie contracts being such cap hogs these days, who wouldnt. Sorry St. Louis but I doubt there will be any takers.

3)Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Comment: The Chiefs can go a number of ways with this pick as they have numerous needs. The one area they wont go is QB of course with Mr. Cassel now at the helm. The safest bet here is to take the most game ready player in the draft in Aaron Curry. Another possibility is a trade down with somebody looking to get ahead of the Seahawks to take a QB.

4) Seattle Seahawks - Mark Sanchez QB - USC

Comment: With Hasselbeck being week to week throughout '08 and father time not being in Matt's favour, the Seahawks draft their QB of the future in Mark Sanchez.

5)Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo - DE Texas ***

Comment: Now that the Edwards trade talks have cooled off, I no longer like them to grab a WR.
Orakpo is a workout wonder and has shot up the draft boards. Mangini couldnt resist Gholston last year, and he wont be able to resist Orakpo now.

6)Cincinnati Bengals - Eugene Monroe OT Virginia ***

Comment: The Bengals in 2 years went from having one of the better O-lines in the league to having it be the #1 area of concern. With the Lions taking a QB instead of a OT, the Bengals benefit with one of the top to linemen falling to them. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals use Levi Jones if they draft their LT of the future. Update: With the signing of Tank Johnson BJ Raji looks less likely here. OT for the Bengals is a foregone conclusion. Crabtree is still available and the Bengals may have an opportunity to trade back with somebody looking to get ahead of Oakland.

7)Oakland Raiders - Michael Crabtree- WR Texas Tech ***

Comment: There has been talk of the Raiders traiding for Chad Johnson which if it happens would have the Raiders going another direction with this pick. They wont be trading another 7th overall pick for a WR after the disaster that was Randy Moss. The trade talk just solidifies their interest in a WR.

8)Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri ***

Comment: My last mock had them going CB but that was only because the top 2 WRs were off the board. They released Matt Jones and there was little else to throw to on the team last year. Maclin is the obvious choice.

9) Green Bay Packers - BJ Raji - DT Boston College

Comment: With the Packers moving to a 3-4 next year, the Pack is thrilled to see Raji still available at #9. There are alot of tweener DE/LB that would fit well for them, but a true nose tackle is exactly what they need.

10) San Fransisco 49ers - Andre Smith - OT Alabama ***

Comment: I liked the Niners to grab a QB here but it doesnt look like there will be any available at #10. Smith gives the Niners the #1 rated OT at the end of the college season with the tenth pick in the draft. He may look out of shape, but he gets the job done.

11) Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin - DE/OLB Penn State ***

Comment: The Bills D took a step back last year and Maybin fills a great need for the Bills as a solid pass rush can hide weakness elsewhere.

12)Denver Broncos - Everette Brown - DE/LB Florida State.

Comment: The Broncos are another team who will be making the switch to a 3-4 and they need tweeners like Brown to help in the transition. He is a perfect fit. If Orakpo is still available at #10, look for the Broncos to try and get ahead of the Bills.

Update: With the trade for Cutler the Broncos now have two midrange picks and will likely be very active on draft day. Do not look for them to take a QB in the first round as they know its their D that needs the most help.

13)Washington Redskins - Michael Oher - OT Mississippi

Comment: The Redskins saw their O-line get a little long in the tooth last year and they spent big money on the D-line in free agency. OT is their pick and Oher is the best one left.

14) New Orleans Saints - Malcom Jenkins -DB Ohio St. ***

Comment: The Saints need help on defense and they need it badly. Seeing the #1 CB still there at #14 is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Saints.

15)Houston Texans - Rey Maualuga, LB - USC

Comment : The Texans can solidify their LB core for years to come with the hardest hitting Trojan in the draft.

16)San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno - RB Georgia

Comment: This gives the chargers a three headed monster at RB next season, but its obvious that Tomlinson will be playing in his last season in San Diego this year.

17)NY Jets - Percy Harvin - WR Florida

Comment: With Coles gone and nobody to replace him, the Jets now have nobody to throw or catch the ball. With no QBs worth of this pick, the Jets grab the best WR left.
Update: The Jets have been poking around Miles Austin to replace Laverneous. They would give up a 2nd if they get him so this pick likely becomes QB Josh Freeman if that materializes.

18) Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson - DE LSU ***

Comment: The Broncos grab two DE with their first rounders. One to play with his hand on the ground and another to step back and play LB.

19) Tampa Bay Bucaneers - Robert Ayers - DE Tennessee

Comment: The Bucs need help on defense after some bad collapses last year. They consider Freeman at QB, but do the wise choice and grab Ayers.

20) Detroit Lions - Eben Britton - OT Arizona ***

Comment: The Lions recently got a veteran LB in Julian Peterson and can now focus further on the pass rush. Tyson Jackson is a good fit.

21) Philiadelphia Eagles - Chris Wells - RB Ohio St.

Comment: Westbrook looks like he will fall apart any minute now. He still flashes greatness, but it's obvious he is over the hill. Look for Wells to be the heir apparent in the Philly running attack.
22) Minnesota Vikings - Darrius Heyward Bey - WR Maryland

Comment: After a 4.3 40, the Vikings cant resist grabbing the WR they couldn't get in free agency.

23) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews - LB USC

Comment: Second USC LB goes to a team with a great system and aging LBs (with the exception of Mayo). He steps into a situation where he could put up the best numbers of the three great USC LBs.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Peria Jerry - DT Mississippi

Comment: Falcons need D-line help and Jerry is the man to provide it. LB is also an area of need but Laurinaitis is not as big a help as Jerry will be.

25)Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis - DB Illinois

Comment: The Dolphins need DBs and feel very lucky he is still around at 25. Otherwise, look for Alphonso Smith to go here if Davis is already gone.

26) Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Pettigrew - TE Oaklahoma St.

Comment: With an aging and often injured Todd Heap, the Ravens look for youth with a great TE who can block and catch.
Update: The Ravens may need some help at corner and Darius Butler is looking better and better with this pick everyday.

27) Indianapolis Colts - James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St.

Comment: LB seems to always be an area of need for the Colts. Laurinaitis is an immediate upgrade.

28) Philiadelphia Eagles - William Beatty - OT Connecticut

Comment: Just like last year, the run on tackles continue. Eagles get the RB and OT they were looking for in round 1.

29) NY Giants - Brian Cushing LB - USC ***

Comment: Brian steps into the Sam spot in the Giants 4-3 and completes the run on USC LBs.

30)Tennessee Titans - Darius Butler - DB Connecticut

Comment: The Titans needs DT,CB and WR. But as the always seem to need WR I dont think they go that way here. Butler is big and is fast enough, so they make him their boy.

31) Arizona Cardinals - Michael Johnson -DE Georgia Tech

Comment: They lost Antonio Smith in free agency and try to put a band-aid on a pretty weak pass rush with a physical freak in TJ.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers -Alex Mack OG/C - California ***

Comment: On occasion you see a C/G taken in the first round. Alex Mack is special enough for that to happen this year and fills a need for the Superbowl champs.

2009 NFL Mock Draft #1

2009-03-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

1) Detroit Lions - Jason Smith OT Baylor

Comment: The Lions have been beat up too much lately to take a chance with this pick. Instead of going for the high reward QB option, they take the safety of the best OT available.

2)St. Louis Rams - Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Comment: Stephen Jackson just hasn't had the room to run in since Orlando Pace lost his edge. They would love to get Jason Smith here, but they are happy to settle for Monroe.

3)Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest

Comment: The Chiefs can go a number of ways with this pick as they have numerous needs. The one area they wont go is QB of course with Mr. Cassel now at the helm. The safest bet here is to take the most game ready player in the draft in Aaron Curry. Another possibility is a trade down with somebody looking to get ahead of the Seahawks to take a QB.

4) Seattle Seahawks - Mark Sanchez QB - USC

Comment: With Hasselbeck being week to week throughout '08 and father time not being in Matt's favour, the Seahawks draft their QB of the future in Mark Sanchez.

5)Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree - WR Texas Tech

Comment: The Browns have admitted to shopping Braylon Edwards who had a terrible 2008. This pick would allow that trade to happen and help give support to the QB of the future, Brady Quinn.

6)Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith - OT Alabama

Comment: The Bengals in 2 years went from having one of the better O-lines in the league to having it be the #1 area of concern. The Bengals would love one either Monroe or Smith here, but are happy getting the #1 OT prospect pre-combine. Smith will likely slot in at RT to start '09.

7)Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin - WR Missouri

Comment: The Raiders needs help at WR. Not even Randy Moss could help them but maybe Maclin can. The obvious other choice here is Crabtree but the feeling is that the Raiders like Maclin more and will take him even if Crabtree is available.

8)Jacksonville Jaguars - Malcom Jenkins DB Ohio State.

Comment: With BJ Raji still available it will be hard for the Jags to pass, but as CB is a bigger area of need they grab the best in the draft.

9) Green Bay Packers - BJ Raji - DT Boston College

Comment: With the Packers moving to a 3-4 next year, the Pack is thrilled to see Raji still available at #9. There are alot of tweener DE/LB that would fit well for them, but a true nose tackle is exactly what they need.

10) San Fransisco 49ers - Matt Stafford - QB Georgia

Comment: The Niners have other needs but they cant pass up a possible franchise QB at #10.

11) Buffalo Bills - Brian Orakpo - DE Texas

Comment: The Bills D took a step back last year and Orakpo fills a great need for the Bills as a solid pass rush can hide weakness elsewhere.

12)Denver Broncos - Everette Brown - DE/LB Florida State.

Comment: The Broncos are another team who will be making the switch to a 3-4 and they need tweeners like Brown to help in the transition. He is a perfect fit. If Orakpo is still available at #10, look for the Broncos to try and get ahead of the Bills.

13)Washington Redskins - Michael Oher - OT Mississippi

Comment: The Redskins saw their O-line get a little long in the tooth last year and they spent big money on the D-line in free agency. OT is their pick and Oher is the best one left.

14) New Orleans Saints - Brian Cushing -LB USC

Comment: The Saints need help on defense and they need it badly. They grab Cushing here as the best true LB available.

15)Houston Texans - Rey Maualuga, LB - USC

Comment : Back to back USC LBs solidify defenses that desperately need their help. I like Peria Jerry here until the Texans signed Shaun Cody.

16)San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno - RB Georgia

Comment: This gives the chargers a three headed monster at RB next season, but its obvious that Tomlinson will be playing in his last season this year.

17)NY Jets - Percy Harvin - WR Florida

Comment: With Coles gone and nobody to replace him, the Jets now have nobody to throw or catch the ball. With no QBs worth of this pick, the Jets grab the best WR left.

18) Chicago Bears- Eben Britton - OT Arizona

Comment: With Forte the centerpiece of the offense, the Bears need a decent O-line so they can showcase him. The Bears are thrilled Britton is still here.

19) Tampa Bay Bucaneers - Robert Ayers - DE Tennessee

Comment: The Bucs need help on defense after some bad collapses last year. They consider Freeman at QB, but do the wise choice and grab Ayers.

20) Detroit Lions - Tyson Jackson - DE LSU

Comment: The Lions recently got a veteran LB in Julian Peterson and can now focus further on the pass rush. Tyson Jackson is a good fit.

21) Philiadelphia Eagles - Chris Wells - RB Ohio St.

Comment: Westbrook looks like he will fall apart any minute now. He still flashes greatness, but it's obvious he is over the hill. Look for Wells to be the heir apparent in the Philly running attack.

22) Minnesota Vikings - Darrius Heyward Bey - WR Maryland

Comment: After a 4.3 40, the Vikings cant resist grabbing the WR they couldn't get in free agency.

23) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews - LB USC

Comment: Third USC LB goes to a team with a great system and aging LBs (with the exception of Mayo). He could put up the best numbers of the three.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Peria Jerry - DT Mississippi

Comment: Falcons need D-line help and Jerry is the man to provide it. LB is also an area of need but Laurinaitis is not as big a help as Jerry will be.

25)Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis - DB Illinois

Comment: The Dolphins need DBs and feel very lucky he is still around at 25. Otherwise, look for Alphonso Smith to go here if Davis is already gone.

26) Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Pettigrew - TE Oaklahoma St.

Comment: With an aging and often injured Todd Heap, the Ravens look for youth with a great TE who can block and catch.

27) Indianapolis Colts - James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St.

Comment: LB seems to always be an area of need for the Colts. Laurinaitis is an immediate upgrade.

28) Philiadelphia Eagles - William Beatty - OT Connecticut

Comment: Eagles get the RB and OT they were looking for in round 1.

29) NY Giants - Hakeem Nicks - WR North Carolina

Comment: WR is an area of need now that Burress is facing gun charges. This will of course change if they can wrestle Braylon Edwards from the Browns.

30)Tennessee Titans - Darius Butler - DB Connecticut

Comment: The Titans needs DT,CB and WR. But as the always seem to need WR I dont think they go that way here. Butler is big as is fast enough, so they make him their boy.

31) Arizona Cardinals - Michael Johnson - DE Georgia Tech

Comment: They lost Antonio Smith in free agency and try to put a band-aid on a pretty weak pass rush with a physical freak in Michael Johnson.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers - Alphonso Smith - CB Wake Forest

Comment: The Steelers dont have a glaring need so they will probably grab the best of OL/CB/LB here. Smith has a tonne of talent but his size will cause him to go late 1st, early 2nd.