4/17/09 Attempt Number 2

In light of new rumors since my last attempt, I decided to update. Enjoy! Feel free to leave comments on your team's selection. I always value input from the people that know their team the best!

1) Detroit Lions - Matt Stafford QB, Georgia


I am still not sold on Stafford here. My gut says it's Jason Smith (which would make more sense for the Leo's) but all of the chatter in the NFL world says that the Lions are currently focusing in on the Bulldog QB. Stafford definitely has talent, but the pressure to start him at some point this season could really be detrimental to his success. People are going to expect Matt Ryan success coupled with Miami Dolphin improvement. That's not going to happen folks.


2) St. Louis Rams - Eugene Monroe OT, Virginia

While Orlando Pace and Torry Holt are aging, they were two of maybe three (Steven Jackson being the other) individuals that other teams made sure they accounted for on offense. Now there gone. While Crabtree may be enticing, Marc Bulger can't take another year of being the other team's pinata. Steve Spagnuolo is all about defense, but he was also a part of five of the last seven NFC Championship games because his team always had a solid offensive line. I'm pretty sure he noticed. I'm sticking with Monroe over Smith because he is the more polished and ready to start of the two.


3) Kansas City Chiefs - Jason Smith OT, Baylor

The selection of Stafford by the Lions changes up the plans of the Chiefs. Regardless, the Chiefs are taking a lineman with the number three pick. If Stafford is taken by the Lions, they'll take which ever OT the Rams don't. If both Monroe and Smith are gone, look for NT B.J. Raji to be selected to give the defense a foundation for the 3 - 4. Smith and last year's second number one, Brandon Albert will be the fortress protecting the Cassel.


4) Seattle Seahawks - Aaron Curry LB, Wake Forest

I'll admit, I go back and forth on whether Curry or Crabtree lands here. On one hand, Curry will be perfect in the LB spot vacated by Julian Peterson as Curry was made to manhandle TE's. On the other hand, Crabtree and Houshmandzadah would give the 'Hawks a solid West Coast offense receiving core. It comes down to this: Crabtree is not $25 million better than Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, etc that could be had in the top of the 2nd round. Curry IS $25 million better than any true linebacker they would get in the 2nd. Case closed.


5) Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree WR, Texas Tech

Mangini had a man-crush on Vernon Gholston last year and he was burned. That's why he's avoiding Brian Orakpo here. This pick is with or without the trade of Braylon Edwards. The Browns need offense around Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson or Bernie Kosar or whoever they will start at QB. Kellen Winslow is gone, Jamall Lewis is about to collect social security, Edwards has had his fore arms replaced with an alligator's, and Donte Stallworth is too busy allegedly running over people. Since no running back or tight end is worth this spot. Crabtree is the clear choice.


6) Cincinnati Bengals - B.J. Raji DT, Boston College

The Bengals take the entire 10 minutes to decide between Andre Smith and Raji. While Carson Palmer definitely needs protecting, offensive tackles with starting ability are abundant this year. 335 pound defensive tackles with a quick burst are not. Hopefully Raji holds off on the Skyline Chilli and gives last year's number one Keith Rivers the protection he needs to be a true playmaker.


7) Oakland Raiders - Andre Smith OT, Alabama

Sure this pick is cliche. But some drafts have Jeremy Maclin and Michael Johnson going here. And they call Al Davis the crazy one? I think this is a very smart pick by Al. Everette Brown in a distinct possibility, as is Malcolm Jenkins. But in order for JaMarcus Russell to have any success, he needs to stay upright. Smith is a mauler and should open up holes for McFadden and Fargas as well. Tom Cable will get Smith's head on straight and get him motivated to prove to people that his combine was the aberration, not his incredible college career.


8) Jacksonville Jaguars - Malcolm Jenkins DB, Ohio State

Michael Oher or Mark Sanchez are definite possibilities here, but the addition of Tra Thomas helps along the offensive line. While Jenkins does not have the fastest 40 time, he has incredible instincts, is very quick out of cuts, and has the size to go up against tall receivers. Whether he plays cornerback or safety, he will team up with Rashean Mathis and Reggie Nelson to form a solid secondary. A trade down with the Broncos is a very real possibility as well.



9) Green Bay Packers Tyson Jackson DE, LSU

The top three tackles, Raji, Curry, and Jenkins are all long gone. That leaves Tyson Jackson, Michael Oher, Brian Orakpo, or a trade down (a GM Ted Thompson favorite) as options. Oher is good and Orakpo is too, but all three have similar rankings and DE is the position with the biggest void right now. Rush linebacker and offensive tackle prospects are abundant. Natural 5-technique, 295 pound defensive ends are not.


10) San Francisco 49ers - Mark Sanchez QB, USC

Coach Mike Singletary lives, breaths, and eats defense and intensity. But Sanchez is a leader and he will quickly win over the locker room with this team oriented attitude. With so many needs, obviously there are many possibilities for the 49ers to take. Orakpo, Oher, Aaron Maybin, or Everette Brown are all players Singletary may want to bolster his team. If it isn't Sanchez, I'd bet Orakpo.


11) Buffalo Bills - Brian Orakpo DE, Texas

Orakpo is billed as a "boom or bust" type of player and Oher would be a great replacement for Jason Peters is still on the board. But the pass rush was atrocious last year. While Aaron Schobel coming back from injury helps, 24 sacks from an entire defense on a season is not going to get it done. Orakpo teams with Schobel and Chris Kelsay for a decent set of defensive ends.


12) Denver Broncos Everette Brown DE/OLB, Florida State

Brown fills the pass rush role opposite Elvis Dumervil (assuming he can handle the spot to begin with). Even the great Champ Bailey can't cover someone long enough with Denver's current pass rush. Brown has great burst and will also be able to play defensive end on obvious passing downs while Denver transitions to the 3 - 4. Aaron Maybin is still here and I wouldn't be a surprise to see Denver take him either.

13) Washington Redskins - Michael Oher OT, Ole Miss

Dan Snyder got his man in Albert Haynesworth in free agency and now gets a top ten talent that falls to him in the draft. While offensive tackle is not exactly a "sexy" pick, Chris Samuels is starting to show some wear and tear and Oher's value is just too good to pass up.


14) New Orleans Saints - Chris Wells RB, Ohio St.

The Saints would be wise to find a trade down partner if they can find one. The first tier is long gone, and the second tier is barren or nearly empty depending on your personal opinion. The Saints decide to go with a big back to team up with Pierre Thomas and Mr. Kim Kardashian. Maybe coach Sean Payton creates a play where Wells is fullback for Reggie. He is used to following a large backside after all. Calm down Saint's fans, I'm just having a little fun with your 3.7 career average running back.

15) Houston Texans projected trade: Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB Kansas St.

Fearful that the Jets were going to take Freeman, the Bucs move up and send next year's third round pick and this year's fifth to the Texans. New coach Raheem Morris needs someone to commit to long term and Freeman is the guy. While defensive coordinator Jim Bates would love some players to accommodate the slow change away from a Cover 2 defense, they will have to wait. Don't be surprised to see Tampa trying to pry a Green Bay or Denver corner from those teams for a draft pick. Both teams played a press man coverage under Bates and have the corners with the skill set to make a transition.


16) San Diego Chargers - Ray Maualuga LB USC

The Chargers are just picking for value here. With Merriman and Phillips, they don't need another OLB, but inside they need a good 1st and 2nd down linebacker to strike fear into opposing runningbacks. Maualuga is just that. With Jamal Williams in front of him and the other team focusing on Merriman and Phillips, Maualuga will rack up ALOT of tackles. Peria Jerry is a possibility to replace an ineffective Igor Olshansky as well.


17) New York Jets - Darrius Heyward-Bey WR, Maryland

The Jets' fans throw a fit when Tampa Bay leap frogs them to grab Freeman. The loss of Laverneus Coles is rough and Jericho Cotchery is not good enough to be the only receiver of note. Unless of course you count Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith as actual receiving threats. I didn't think so. Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard improve the defense, so I look for Head coach Rex Ryan to look to improve the wide receiver and runningback depth.


18) Chicago Bears(trade)Broncos - Peria Jerry DT, Ole Miss

The Broncos have already added a pass rusher in Everette Brown, and now they aim to improve their horrendous defensive line depth. In hind sight, McDaniels wishes he would have moved up to take Tyson Jackson at nine and now Aaron Maybin. But in hind sight, getting in a public fight with your incumbent 25 year old Pro Bowl QB wasn't so great either. On the plus side, Jerry is flexible enough to play the 3-4 end position on early downs and defensive tackle on 3rd and long.


19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers projected trade: Texans - Aaron Maybin DE/OLB

The Texans trade down and Maybin is still there. While I think Maybin will have difficulty initially keeping on weight to play defensive end, his high motor will serve him well until his body fully matures and fills out. Some creative scheming will also help the Texans get the most from Maybin's skill set. Their defensive line is now set for the next 8 - 10 years.


20) Dallas Cowboys(trade)Lions - Robert Ayers DE, Tennessee

Schwartz got an offensive lineman with the first pick and now he gets a defensive lineman. Building a solid team has to start in the trenches and now the Leo's have a guy on both lines to build around. Ayers' pass rush will be extremely important in a division with young 4,000 yard QB's like Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler.

21) Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Cushing LB, USC


I know Eagle fans will boo this pick because, well they aren't happy unless they are complaining about something. But Cushing is a very solild talent that will surely add intensity to the Eagle linebacking core. I know Iggle fans were hoping for a runningback to team with Westbrook, but their runner of choice was Chris Wells. Knoshown Moreno is not the bruiser they are looking for. Cushing will excel in Jim Johnsons complicated pressure defense.

22) Minnesota Vikings - William Beatty OT, Conneticut

Other than the Eagles and Bills, no team was more excited by the Eagles acquisition of Jason Peters than the Vikings. Now they have no worries of them picking off Beatty right before them. Beatty will solidify the Vikes offensive tackle position and will have great competition across from him in practice every day from Jared Allen, Pat Williams, and Kevin Williams.

23) New England Patriots - Clay Matthews OLB, USC

Yeah, another cliche pick. You know all the reasons why Billy boy likes the Matthews family, his versatility, work ethic etc. While I don't like being yet another brick in the wall for the Patriots choice, I gotta agree with with it. The mesh of need with Matthews personable attributes makes him a likely choice. Combining Matthews with Jared Mayo really gives the Pats a young core to their linebacking unit to follow in the footsteps of great New England linebackers like Willie McGinnest, Ted Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Teddy Bruschi, etc.

24) Atlanta Falcons - Evander Hood DT, Missouri

Pettigrew is definitely an option here as many other mocks have him landing in the Dirty Birds' laps. While that clearly makes sense, the defense has holes that were exposed last year. Running a ball control offense is great if you have a defense that can get off the field to let you control the tempo of the game, and right now their is a huge hole right in the heart of that Falcon defensive line. There will be TE help available in the second and third. Hood will excel in coach Mike Smith's system and leadership.


25) Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis CB, Illinois

The Miami Marine Mammals are thrilled Davis is still on the board. He fits a GLARING need for the Dolphins. While his character has been called into question (justifiably), he poses too much value to pass up at a need position. Throw in the fact that four times a year the secondary will be chasing wide receivers like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Wes Welker, and Lee Evans, and secondary is a HUGE concern. Having Will Allen as your top corner is NOT exactly a positive. If Davis is not here, a wide receiver is definitely a possibility, but cornerback is the bigger hole right now.


26) Baltimore Ravens - Jeremy Maclin WR/KR/RB Missouri
Even though the Ravens picked up L.J. Smith and they have Todd Heap, I wouldn't be too surprised to see them pick Pettigrew either. But Maclin has some how fallen to the end of round one and the Ravens make sure his slide is never more. Maclin will eventually replace the steady Derrick Mason, but will start as the main returner and third receiver. Despite making it to the AFC Championship game, the Ravens do have a lot of "needs" and depth issues, so this pick could go on literally any position on offense (minus QB) or defense (minus nose tackle).



27) Indianapolis Colts - Knowshon Moreno RB, Georgia

The Colts have defensive issues (when don't they), and another WR would make sense to replace Marvin Harrison. But Bill Polian is all about value at need positions, ESPECIALLY when it comes to surrounding Peyton Manning will skill position talent. Moreno is absolutely the best "bang for the buck" here. When Addai went down, the Colts lost their multipurpose threat that has made them so dangerous since Manning took over at QB (see Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James). Moreno and Addai will make a great tandem. If Addai's injury slows him this year, Moreno will keep that explosive offense going as the underneath release valve for Manning.




28) Carolina Panthers(trade)Eagles(trade)Bills - Eben Britton OT Arizona

The Bills took a gamble that they could get an offensive tackle later after they took Brian Orakpo with the 11th pick. Lucky for them, Britton is here. While some argue he is more of a right tackle, I think he will be fine on the left side. Plus look at the bright side Bills fans. If he can't handle it, it's not like you have a franchise quarterback in harms way. (I know, a shot below the belt.)





29) New York Giants - Brandon Pettigrew TE, Oklahoma State

Wide receiver is definitely a need, but there are questions about the entire next tier including Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Juaquin Inglesias, and Brian Robiske. There is NO question in what you are getting with Pettigrew. A solid blocker, good hands, and decent burst for the position. Kevin Boss is a nice player, but Pettigrew and Boss together will make a solid two tight end set for the G-Men for the next ten years. Giving Eli another weapon and getting another blocker for Brandon Jacobs is oo much value to pass up.


30) Tennessee Titans - Max Unger OG/C, Oregon

The gaping hole known as Albert Haynesworth is not filled with this pick. Nor is the need for a competent wide receiver satisfied. But there is no one at this point to replace Haynesworth (don't you dare say Ron Brace) and the wide outs are not worth first round money. So the Titans add offensive line depth and the heir to Kevin Mawae to make sure that Chris Johnson has holes to utilize that blazing speed. No LenWhale will not get a compliment from me. Anyone else noticing he is finally starting to get in shape and it is a contract year?


31) Arizona Cardinals - Donald Brown, RB Conneticut

The Cardinals had a magical season last year. But if they honestly think that Larry Fitzgerald is going to be able to bail them out and be their entire offense all season, it will be another 50 plus years before they reach a championship game. Brown will actually want to be in Arizona unlike Edgerrin James and he has more talent than Tim Hightower.



32) Pittsburgh Steelers - Darius Butler CB, Conneticut

The defending Super Bowl champs have the luxury of taking a player for depth purposes. OG, OT, and CB are all possibilities. So they take the second consecutive Huskey because he is a better value at this point that Alex Mack, Damon Meredith, Duke Robinson, etc. The Steelers could still land one of those three or Phil Loadholt, or Troy Kropog at the end of the second round. James Laurinaitus wouldn't shock me either as the Steelers love the hard work ethic linebackers.



Other 1st round potential picks: James Laurinaitus, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Michael Johnson, LeSean McCoy, Larry English, Alphonso Smith, and Alex Mack.