Final Draft of My Mock Draft

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB UGA

Stafford’s rocket arm and ability to work with a makeshift line will be invaluable to Detroit. It is interesting to note that last year was the final year of Bobby Layne’s curse. For those uninitiated, Bobby Layne helped Detroit win three championships and then was traded to Pittsburgh. Upset with the trade Layne is rumored to have said the Lions wouldn’t win for 50 years. Subsequently the Lions have had the worst winning percentage of any team over those 50 years of the curse. As aforementioned the last year of the curse ended with Detroit’s record setting 0-16 season. It is interesting to note that Stafford went to the same high school as Bobby Layne. Could Stafford be the chosen one, destined to bring the Lions out of the ashes? Just the prospect of this might be enough to convince me to draft Stafford, but only the Lions’ front office can make that choice.

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor

With the release of Orlando Pace the Rams have a gaping hole at OT. They missed out on Jake Long last year, but won’t miss out on an OT this year. Eugene Monroe is a possibility, but with Monroe’s injury history and upside as a run blocker will be invaluable to the Rams.

Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Previous Pick: BJ Raji DT Boston College

Curry and Tyson Jackson are possibilities. Raji is a darkhorse as the Chiefs have no player to clog up the middle of the 3-4. However, with Brian Waters in a holdout and the presence of a franchise QB (I still liked Thigpen more) makes the offensive line a need. Albert was drafted as a guard from Virginia. The only reason that Albert did not play LT for Virginia was that Eugene Monroe beat him out for the job. How often can someone draft a proven upgrade? Put Monroe on the Right and leave Albert on the left or move Albert to LG and put Monroe on the left where he belongs. Either way, this is a smart pick for the Chiefs.

Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

Previous Pick: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

I feel that the Seahawks are in a win now mode. They have numerous veterans over thirty and with a pick this high, I don’t feel the Seahawks use it to build for the future (Be it to replace Hasselbeck or Jones). Curry would make a great deal of sense, but why draft a 4-3 OLB with the 4^th overall? Crabtree can come in and make an immediate impact opposite TJ Houshmanzadeh. It can also free the Seahawks to fire Deion Branch and free up cap room.

Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Previous Pick: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest

I have no idea what the Browns will do with this pick. It could be any number of players. I am just going with the most logical pick here. The Browns were dead last in sacks and Orakpo is a sack machine. It makes so much sense to pick Orakpo that I doubt the Browns do it.

Cincinnati Bengals: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest

Previous Pick: Andre Smith OT Alabama

What do you do if everyone views your team’s character as a sham? You draft the player with undisputable character. Curry is taking a young leukemia patient with him to New York….How much classier do you get? Oh wait, you could offer to take less money to go #1 Overall to Detroit…how many people want to go to Detroit? Curry is a class act who appears to be the best thing since sliced bread (which Joe Paterno is older than). Curry will elevate the play of a lackluster defense for years to come on sheer reputation. Curry would be the best pick for a troubled Bengals team.

Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland

Previous Pick: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

The Raiders will be reaching for a wideout here. So, why reach for Maclin when you could get a bigger, faster, and taller WR in Heyward-Bey? Al Davis is eccentric enough to do this. Andre Smith makes a great deal of sense given Tom Cable’s compliments of him. However, no need is as pressing as WR for the Raiders.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri

Jones Drew is now the feature back in Jacksonville. Garrard needs a target and the Jags need someone to replace Jones Drew in the return game. Maclin is a dual threat that could elevate the Jags offense and help them return to the playoffs. However, don’t be surprised if this pick is traded for someone who wants to jump up and grab Mark Sanchez. The Jaguars might still be able to grab Maclin lower, or they could take an OT or the versatile Malcolm Jenkins.

Green Bay Packers: BJ Raji DT Boston College

Previous Pick: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

The Packer’s front office had said that it would be futile to start a 3-4 without a big NT. Raji fits the mold and will ease that transition big time.

San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher OT Ole Miss

Previous Pick: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

I had thought that the signing of Marvel Smith would negate the need for a tackle. However, Staley did not have the best year and Smith is injury prone. It would not be the best of ideas to go in with one young player and an injury prone veteran as your only bookends. Staley could be moved inside possibly as he is athletic. Oher would be a solid pickup to boost the Niners running game.

Buffalo Bills: Andre Smith OT Alabama

Previous Pick: Everette Brown DE Florida State

With Buffalo trading Jason Peters they have a desperate need at OT. The Bills will be ecstatic to see Smith fall to them. There are rumors that the Bills would go as far as to trade up for him. Smith fills a need and will be a solid OT for them for years.

Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson DE LSU

The Broncos are implementing a 3-4 defense and Jackson is the best 3-4 DE available. As 3-4 DE’s are hard to come by and the Chargers are eyeing Jackson, I have the Broncos picking the LSU DE here.

Washington Redskins: Mark Sanchez QB USC

Previous Pick: Michael Oher OT Ole Miss

So, for the record I disagree with this entirely. Sanchez may be a perfect fit for their offense, but Campbell is a solid QB. He manages the game better than most QB’s in the league. The Skins will get a solid QB, but at what price?

New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins CB/S Ohio State

Previous Pick: Chris Wells HB Ohio State

I know I insulted the Saints defense and I am sorry. However, when your QB almost breaks the single season passing record and you don’t make the playoffs…something is definitely wrong. So, with that said I’ll give the Saints the benefit of the doubt and have them draft a playmaker. Jenkins working on the same secondary as Darren Sharper will fortify the Saints secondary for a little while at least.

Houston Texans: Brain Cushing OLB USC

Previous Pick: Malcolm Jenkins CB/S Ohio State

The Texans need a defender. Who that is is anybody’s guess. I think that signing Antonio Smith negates the need for a DE. Having a LB to operate with Demeco Ryans would be a solid investment.

San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga ILB USC

The Chargers, as always, have phenomenal depth. This frees them up to draft whatever their heart desires. If Chris Wells were available I think he might be the pick because both LT and Sproiles are on very short term contracts. However, with Oher and Tyson Jackson gone the Chargers bring in Rey and bolster a solid linebacker corp.

New York Jets: Josh Freeman QB Kansas State

Previous Pick: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland

I don’t believe Ryan is satisfied with Clemens. The Jets have pursued every QB under the sun and may well try to get Campbell is the Redskins land Sanchez. Thus, I have the Jets selecting QB Freeman. We’ll see if they actually go this way, but for the moment I see it as their best option. Chris Wells may get a long look here as well.

Denver Broncos: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

Previous Pick: Mark Sanchez QB USC

Denver is installing a 3-4 and Maybin is a steal at this pick. The young sack generator will give them a valuable asset for their 3-4.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Robert Ayers DE Tennessee

Ayers has soared up draft boards and will be a veritable steal at this pick. Ayers opposite of Adams will give the Bucs defense a solid pass rush for years.

Detroit Lions: William Beatty OT Connecticut

Previous Pick: Eben Britton OT Arizona

The Lions picked Stafford up with their first pick. Now they need to protect him. I would say draft Laurinaitis here, but it is very possible that he’ll fall to them with the 33^rd overall. Britton is the better lineman, but Beatty is the more solid LT and that is definitely what the Lions need right now.

Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno HB UGA

First, the Eagles have two first round picks so they should select the most dynamic player available. Second, Westbrook had a lot of durability issues. Third, Buckhalter is gone. Fourth, Tony Hunt has not panned out for the Eagles as of yet. Drafting Moreno will be a great solution to help Westbrook remain fresh through the season and provide the Eagles with a strong running game in Westbrook’s absence. Moreno’s constantly moving feet and receiving ability will make it seem as if Westbrook had not left the huddle.

Minnesota Vikings: Eben Britton OT Arizona

Previous Pick: Vontae Davis CB Illinois

The Vikes have a gaping hole at RT. Their premier defense will hold for the moment. Harvin makes a lot of sense here, but with a premium on OT’s I think the Vikes arm Adrian Peterson with another fearsome blocker.

New England Patriots: Clay Matthews OLB USC

The Patriots have great needs at linebacker. Vrabel was traded to Kansas City. With that in mind, Clay Matthews’ stock is climbing, in large part due to his pass rushing ability. Many 3-4 teams will have their eyes on him. Matthews could be a perfect fit for the dynamic linebacker corp in New England.

Atlanta Falcons: Perria Jerry DT Ole Miss

Given the Falcons rough schedule I would say defense should be a priority. With that said the Falcons have a gaping hole in the middle of their defense. The Falcons selected Ryan over Dorsey last year, now they pick Jerry to fill that still present need.

Miami Dolphins: Vontae Davis CB Illinois

Previous Pick Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina

Guess what, TO is comin to town. Randy Moss is still hanging around and the Jets are looking to upgrade their pass attack. The Dolphins have a massive hole at CB and should address it early. Darius Butler may be the pick here, but Davis has the physicality that Bill Parcells loves from his players.

Baltimore Ravens: Percy Harvin WR Florida

Previous Pick: Brian Cushing OLB USC

Imagine an formation with Flacco at QB and Troy Smith and Percy Harvin flanked beside him…that prospect alone should force the Ravens to pick the sliding Harvin. Not to mention the fact that they need a WR to eventually replace the aging Derrick Mason.

Indianapolis Colts: Chris Wells HB Ohio State

Previous Pick: Percy Harvin WR Florida

How the mighty have fallen! Oh well, this works out for Wells, that’s for sure. The Colts front office identified the running game as a priority and the Colts have a policy to draft the best player available. Drafting Wells replaces Rhodes production and provides a backup plan if Addai has a bad year again.

Buffalo Bills: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State

When the mock drafting season began everyone had the Bills grabbing Pettigrew. Well, his value has dropped, but the Peters trade put the Bills in position to still draft him. Nothing is better for a young QB than a good TE. The Bills may have some difficulty run blocking and Pettigrew would help ease the loss of Peters.

New York Giants: Kenny Britt WR Rutgers

Previous Pick: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State

The Giants will more than likely land Braylon Edwards, but in the event they don’t I feel Britt is the pick. He is a solid run blocker and taller than Hakeem Nicks. Britt would be an adequate replacement for Burress, something the Giants definitely need.

Tennessee Titans: Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest

Previous Pick: Evander Hood DT Missouri

Hood is a reach. Nick Harper is 34 years old and in the last year of his contract. A corner is needed to bolster the secondary for the future. DE and DT could also be concerns, but I think at this pick a CB has the most value.

Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown HB Connecticut

Previous Pick: Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech

Edge wants out and Hightower is a powerback extraordinaire, but I doubt his ability to be a feature back. Hence, the Cardinals select a phenomenal prospect out of UCONN. He’ll provide Wisenhunt with the running game he has desired since he went to Arizona.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Darius Butler CB Connecticut

Previous Pick: William Beatty OT Connecticut

I feel dirty making this pick. It’s nothing against Butler, it’s just that the Steelers need offensive lineman. Max Starks is the only lineman left from the Super Bowl XL run. We need lineman everywhere. That being said, if Beatty falls here I feel he is a lock, but I do not see the Steelers drafting Alex Mack. The front office loves Hartwig and Kemo. Given the depth and quality of offensive lineman, we could find some in later rounds. Duke Robinson, Loadholt, or Eric Wood could be available at our next pick and the drop off in talent between them and Mack is not drastic. Now, to the pick itself. Bulter is every bit athletic as the Cromarties. He ran a forty in the 4.3’s, had a 48 in vertical, he dunks like crazy, and he makes phenomenal tackles on running backs. He also has added value in that UCONN put him on offense and he was pretty good there too. Drafting Butler gives us a corner to help Taylor, Townsend, and Gay and gives us a 4^th or 5^th receiver. Butler has phenomenal value here, which is why I have the Steelers picking him over an offensive lineman.