1 OT Andre Smith Alabama Jr. 6-4 330 Sure, it'd be a sexier No. 1 pick if I went with Georgia junior quarterback Matthew Stafford, but I'm not yet at the point where I can see the winless Lions taking anything that resembles a risky pick with the very first selection of the Jim Schwartz era. Plenty of questions remain about Stafford's readiness to play quickly in the NFL, and my early read is the Lions will play it safe and start rebuilding their roster from the lines out. Smith, Virginia's Eugene Monroe and Mississippi's Michael Oher are all in the discussion when it comes to divining the top-rated offensive tackle. 2 OT Eugene Monroe Virginia Jr. 6-6 315 The Rams missed out on offensive tackle Jake Long with the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, but they're assured of coming away with one of the upper tier tackles this time around. St. Louis needs an heir apparent for Orlando Pace, whose body has started to betray him in recent years. Monroe's game might not be as highly regarded as Smith's or Oher's, but he's a cleaner pick who comes with fewer question marks regarding his character, maturity and size. 3 QB Matthew Stafford Georgia Jr. 6-3 228 Screaming in my head as I make this pick is the reality that taking a first-round quarterback is not exactly the Scott Pioli way (see Brady, Tom, and Cassel, Matt). But the Chiefs quarterback situation has been a nightmare since Len Dawson or so, and that might make for a scenario in which Pioli makes an exception. With Tyler Thigpen playing serviceably last season, the Chiefs could afford to give Stafford the year or so of development that everybody seems to think he needs. Then again, finding another quality offensive tackle to pair with Branden Albert is much more Pioli-like. 4 WR Michael Crabtree Texas Tech So. 6-3 214 This could be a pick that doesn't change between now and April 25's first round. In the perfect marriage of need and draft slot, the receiver-starved Seahawks should find Crabtree waiting. All you need to know at the moment is that Crabtree has conjured up comparisons to Cardinals all-world receiver Larry Fitzgerald with his blend of size, hands, athleticism and ability to make yards after the catch. 5 DB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State Sr. 6-1 201 Eric Mangini's Browns (still getting used to that) could go a lot of different ways in the five spot, but it's going to be a defensive pick. The home-state hero Jenkins would give Cleveland's shaky cornerback situation an infusion of talent, but you can make a strong case for help in the pass rush (DE/LB Brian Orakpo of Texas) or maybe at linebacker (USC's Rey Maualuga). 6 DE/LB Brian Orakpo Texas Sr. 6-4 260 The Bengals could really use help at offensive tackle or running back, but their need for an impact defensive end probably trumps everything. "O-Sack-Po" is the consensus top-rated end, and his blend of speed, size and athleticism earned him both the Lombardi Award (nation's best lineman) and the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player). 7 OT Michael Oher Ole Miss Sr. 6-5 318 Oher has obvious talent, but he also has just enough red flags attached to his name to make him an ideal Raider. Oher has some maturity issues to address in the predraft scouting process, but he's a gifted pass and run blocker who would give Oakland a book-end protector for quarterback JaMarcus Russell. 8 OLB Aaron Curry Wake Forest Sr. 6-3 247 Curry is a do-it-all linebacker who should walk right into an impact role in Jacksonville's defense. He can run 4.6, find the ball all game long, and gives the Jaguars a natural replacement for soon-to-be ex-Jag Mike Peterson. Another option would be the draft's other first-round offensive tackle, Baylor's Jason Smith. 9 DE Michael Johnson Georgia Tech Sr. 6-7 260 The Packers defensive line and pass rush is priority No. 1, and while we're not certain Green Bay projects Johnson as a 3-4 end in their new Dom Capers-led defensive formation, we do know Johnson's size and ability to shed blockers would seem a natural fit for that position. 10 QB Mark Sanchez USC Jr. 6-3 225 While I'm well aware that new 49ers head coach Mike Singletary likes Shaun Hill's game quite a bit, if they grade Sanchez highly enough it'll be hard to pass on the one-year USC starter. He needs some time to mature as a quarterback, but that's where Hill figures to be the short-term answer for the 49ers while Sanchez watches and learns for a while.
11 TE Brandon Pettigrew Oklahoma State Sr. 6-6 260 The Bills have to get more potent on offense, as the final 10 games of their once-hopeful 2008 season painfully exhibited. For the longest time they've needed a tight end who can both make plays in the passing game and add enough of a blocking presence to justify his role in the lineup. Pettigrew has the perfect combination of those skills, and will offer a reliable underneath option for quarterback Trent Edwards. 12 ILB Rey Maualuga USC Sr. 6-2 260 The Broncos obviously need to think defense first, and the former Trojan would be a nice fit for Mike Nolan's new 3-4 formation. He's an explosive tackler who can chase down the ball, but he's big and physical enough to play inside and handle what a 3-4 inside linebacker has to fight through. The Broncos could also be tempted to get the nose tackle that makes a 3-4 system work, and Boston College's B.J. Raji should be available to them. 13 DT B.J. Raji Boston College Sr. 6-1 323 The Redskins need talent injections on both lines, and they easily could go for an offensive tackle like Jason Smith of Baylor with this pick. But Raji would also be a nice get for a defensive line that made far too little impact in 2008. Raji is more than just a space-eating run-stuffer. He has surprising agility and has shown the ability to penetrate the backfield and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. 14 OLB Brian Cushing USC Sr. 6-3 255 The Saints defense needs playmakers and Cushing is a versatile talent who can hold up in both run defense and pass defense, and he has a knack for coming up with the key play at the key moment. This could be a bit high for Cushing, but he's the kind of winning player some teams are willing to stretch a bit for. 15 DE Aaron Maybin Penn State So. 6-4 236 The best value in the middle of the round should be at defensive end, where the choice might boil down to Maybin or Florida State's Everette Brown. The Texans need someone opposite Mario Williams who is capable of drawing some attention away from their leading sacker. Maybin is a quality edge rusher, but at 245 pounds he probably needs to get bigger to stay on the field for all three downs. 16 RB Chris "Beanie" Wells Ohio State Jr. 6-1 237 A lot depends on what unfolds with running back/return man Darren Sproles, and obviously LaDainian Tomlinson. But if San Diego needs another runner, Wells might be too highly-rated to pass up. He has some durability issues to battle, but he has talent to burn and would be an excellent replacement for Sproles as a change-of-pace back. 17 CB Vontae Davis Illinois Jr. 6-0 204 My sense is new Jets head coach Rex Ryan will think defense first, especially since there's no quarterback worthy of first-round selection at this point. Davis would give New York another potential front-line cornerback to pair with Darrelle Revis, although his game might need a year of polishing at the NFL level. 18 WR Jeremy Maclin Missouri So. 6-1 200 Maclin could vault himself up the board and beyond the Bears reach if he runs great at the NFL Combine, but if he's still around at No. 18, Chicago should jump on him with the hopes he can develop into the No. 1 receiver they have long needed. Maclin can stretch the field vertically, and it's intriguing to think of teaming him with fellow speedster Devin Hester. 19 WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Maryland Jr. 6-3 206 The Bucs could use another pass rusher or help in the interior line, so home-state product Everette Brown, an explosive edge rusher from Florida State, could be the choice. But with Joey Galloway's age and Michael Clayton's potential free agency, Tampa Bay could also stand another receiver opposite Antonio Bryant. 20 DE Everette Brown Florida State Jr. 6-4 252 With so many needs, the Lions could go about five ways with their second first-rounder. Pick any spot on defense and it could use an upgrade. Brown would give a boost to the pass rush, but a cornerback like D.J. Moore of Vanderbilt or Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest makes sense too. Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis is also tempting because proven playmakers are in short supply in Motown.
21 OT Jason Smith Baylor Sr. 6-5 305 The Eagles will be thrilled if Smith lingers this long, because given the age of offensive tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas (who are both in line for free agency), a little youth at that position is imperative. Smith could be long gone by now, but he's definitely one of the four tackles who carries a first-round grade. 22 CB D.J. Moore Vanderbilt Jr. 5-10 182 The Vikings aren't going to get a franchise quarterback in the first round of this year's draft, not at No. 22, so cornerback seems to be the position of need that fits the value at the bottom third of our board. Moore is a great athlete with excellent closing speed and good instincts. 23 CB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest Sr. 5-9 190 The Patriots have a need at safety, but Missouri's William Moore might be the only first-round possibility, and he has had a disappointing start to his Senior Bowl week and might end up projecting to linebacker in the NFL. That could prompt the Patriots to take another cornerback, after choosing two in last year's draft -- Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite. 24 DT Peria Jerry Ole Miss Sr. 6-2 295 Having wisely passed on LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey in favor of Matt Ryan last year at No. 3, the Falcons are still in the market for a youthful option on the defensive interior line. Jerry is a high-motor, quality athlete with the ability to both hold the point of attack against the run and create some pressure in the opposing backfield. 25 LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State Sr. 6-3 240 Though some critics believe he played his best ball earlier in his collegiate career as a Buckeye, Laurinaitis is a solid and polished product who should make a quick and easy transition to the NFL. His technique is well developed and his field awareness and intangibles are two of the best parts of his game. He could be a longtime pro in the Zach Thomas mold for Miami. 26 CB Sean Smith Utah Jr. 6-3 214 The Ravens have to get younger at cornerback, where Chris McAllister has probably played his last game in Baltimore and Samari Rolle has had durability issues. Smith is a junior with good height and strong bump and run skills. Coming off a quality showing in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama, his stock has risen of late. 27 DT Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn Jr. 6-1 295 Defensive tackle has been an obvious trouble spot for the Colts the past few years, and it should get first-round attention from the Colts at this point. Marks is the kind of undersized, but quick first-step athlete Indy has long gravitated to in its Cover Two defense. He can get off the ball and makes plays in the gaps. 28 RB Knowshon Moreno Georgia So. 5-11 207 With a second first-round pick this year, isn't it time the Eagles gave themselves another legitimate option in the backfield to go with the over-used Brian Westbrook? Moreno is the second of the two first-round grade running backs in this draft, and he runs with great instincts and vision, often creating space where there isn't any. 29 WR Hakeem Nicks North Carolina Jr. 6-2 210 Finding a tall receiver who gives them a replacement for Plaxico Burress should be Job 1 for the Giants in this year's first round. Nicks runs great routes, and while he doesn't have difference-making speed, he's as fast as he has to be to get open and make plays downfield. 30 WR/RB Percy Harvin Florida Jr. 5-11 195 After watching their offense go into shutdown mode after running back Chris Johnson was injured in the divisional round loss to Baltimore, the Titans know they have to get more weapons in the receiving game. Harvin is a rare talent who could create monstrous matchup problems for defenses. He runs with explosion, and his receiving skills improved noticeably in 2008. 31 * RB LeSean McCoy Pitt So. 5-11 210 With Edgerrin James headed out of town, and Tim Hightower not an every-down back, the Cardinals should reload their running game with McCoy, who is right on that first-/second-round bubble. McCoy is elusive for a runner his size, and he's expected to run a sub-4.5 at the combine. 32 * G Duke Robinson Oklahoma Sr. 6-5 335 The Steelers offensive line didn't keep them from making the Super Bowl, but upgrades are still required. Robinson is a big body who plays equally well in pass protection and the run game. Pittsburgh needs to protect Ben Roethlisberger better, and its running game took a step back this season too.
The Jets could go for a CB since we don't have a clear #2. But I think the best way to help our pass defense is to go with a guy who can rush the passer. So I'd prefer Everette Brown if the board fell that way.
I would be happy, I like Davis, but if we went this direction I wonder about the pass rush helping out so that Revis and Davis would not be having to cover downfield for a long time
Jets need to think LB and D-Line Men first. Rey Mauluga and Tyson Jackson are the only options I can think of being there for us. But I would think about Jeremy Maclin as well. He is what we need. A playmaker at receiver
You like to "stop reading" don't you man? I can't see the Jets drafting Maclin now that Rex Ryan is the head coach here. He wants to play a physical game. I don't necessarily think we're looking for playmakers, we're just looking for football players.
I hear you on that one, but he also said in his PC that we are going to attack on both sides of the ball and Maclin is that type of player that would help in that area, but I believe it will be defense first and like I said Jackson or Maualuga should be there.
I got no problem with that mock Davis is a nice pick he could be there but why is it that everyone thinks Nicks is a first round prospect. I could name three other receivers who are better than he is
I would be very happy with Davis, but like others said I'd rather see us take Brown if he slides. Brown, Davis and T. Jackson are three of the top targets on my board and I'd be happy with any of them.
picture this. everette brown. kris jenkins. shaun ellis. vernon gholston. david harris. BIG NAME FA[insert: KARLOS DANSBY].calvin pace. that front seven. is a coaches dream. a trend that i would like to see them do again this year, like trading up the last two years to get keller/gholston, ferguson/mangold. IF I WAS A GM: how about they trade away a 2nd and 3rd pick for Vontae Davis. im not trying to put all the eggs in one basket, or all the investment in two quality players. but it worked with mangold/ferguson. they were arguably the best at their positions. and mangold is the best center in the league, while ferguson isn't elite but he is solid. just imagine a draft that the Jets get both brown/davis, or brown/curry, etc etc. the idea remains the same. draft up to get the best possible players in their positions.
YES!!!!!!!! :up: hell yes. fuck a draft. i want to get the meanest motherfucker and let him loose. i like your thinking.
not this year.new coach ahs to get as many of his types in as possible.plus you do that to many times and you end up with no depth or projects to develope.i'd like to see them move down a few spots and get some extra picks
