The Combine has come and gone and we are in the midst of Pro Days. I think it’s about time to revise my original Mock Draft. As you will see, there are quite a few changes. Enjoy!
1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)
I won’t change this until I hear they’re negotiating with someone. They could go with Curry if they want a playmaking linebacker, but they might decide to use a 5th round pick on that type of player.
2. St. Louis Rams – Eugene Monroe (T, Virginia)
No change here either. The Rams cut Orlando Pace, but they needed to address their O-line anyway. They could go with Jason Smith if they feel like his potential outweighs Monroe’s already polished skills.
3. KC Chiefs – Aaron Curry (LB, Wake Forest)
Again, no change. I figure they have to go with Curry. They’re switching to the 3-4 and could use all the quality LBs they can get. They addressed QB through the Cassel trade and can have him replace the aging Steve DeBerg.
4. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech)
Even with T.J., I say the Hawks go with Crabtree. He’s probably the #1 guy in the draft and signing another WR shouldn’t make them pass on him. If they take Crabtree, they might cut Branch. They would have a lot of money tied up in one position if they didn’t. With Peterson gone, it would be interesting to see what happens if Curry is still available. I wouldn’t mind them taking Monroe or Jason Smith if they’re available.
5. Cleveland Browns – Brian Orakpo (DE/OLB, Texas) (new)
The Browns need to take the best pass rusher in the draft and that is Orakpo. His stock has risen since the Combine. Although some question his ability to do anything but rush the passer and also his ability to provide a consistent effort. But hey, it’s Cleveland. Who the hell will care?
6. Cincinnati Bengals – Jason Smith (T, Baylor) (new)
They need to improve the O-line. Jason Smith might be the best T on some people’s boards, so it would be a good pick at #6. Plus, at the Combine he mentioned that he liked to physically assault the guy he was matched up with. If he does that off the field he’ll end up in trouble with the law. Perfect fit.
7. Oakland Raiders – BJ Raji (DT, Boston College) (new)
Michael Lombardi on NFL Network said there is no way Al Davis will take a receiver with this pick. He said he’ll go O-line or D-Line. I still think he’ll go with Maclin, but Lombardi did work alongside Davis, so I guess I’ll go with Raji.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Maclin (WR, Mizzou) (new)
Maclin can step in immediately and be the next first round WR bust in Jacksonville.
9. Green Bay Packers – Andre Smith (T, Alabama)
I’m going to stick with him here. I have heard mixed reviews from his pro day. Some people think it was awful, others think he did nothing to hurt himself any further. He did take his shirt off without being asked, which is odd, because his upper body is flabby and he has gross tits. Packers could go with Tyson Jackson from LSU because they need a true 3-4 DE and he is the only quality one in the draft. This would be a little high I think.
10. San Francisco 49ers – Aaron Maybin (DE/OLB, Penn State) (new)
I thought about having them take Mark Sanchez just so I could feel better about playing them next year, and that’s still an option. I could see them going OL or WR if one of the top guys fell to them.
11. Buffalo Bills – Popcorn (as in, get it ready) (new)
Could go with Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Okla St), but I think they can get a TE in the 2nd round and use this pick to improve their pass rush. So they’ll go Everrette Brown (DE/OLB, FSU). Although, I’ve heard Pettigrew compared to Jason Witten, so it’d be hilarious if they took him to piss off TO.
12. Denver Broncos – Mark Sanchez (QB, USC) (new)
Just throwing it out there. Could be a surprise pick if Cutler and Coach can’t get repair the relationship. I suggest they do a lock-in at the rec center and talk about their issues.
13. Washington Redskins – Michael Oher (T, Ole Miss)
I really like Oher and the Redskins need help on the line.
14. New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins (CB, Ohio State)
I originally thought this would be a surprise if he fell this far, but it seems pretty likely after a poor Combine. He looked better at his pro day, but concerns about top speed are still there. He might have to play FS in the pros.
15. Houston Texans – Brian Cushing (OLB, USC)
Some concerns are being raised as to whether or not Cushing can stay on the field for 3 downs. I think he should be able to as he develops. He can probably play inside or outside.
16. San Diego Chargers – Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) (new)
They need a replacement for Igor Olshansky. Jackson is the only legit 3-4 DE and would be a good fit for the defense.
17. New York Jets – Percy Harvin (WR, Florida) (new)
If Josh Freeman’s buzz continues to grow they might take him, but I think they’ll go for Harvin because of the playmaking abilities. He can line up in some different spots and help in the return game (probably).
18. Chicago Bears – Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland) (new)
They need a quality receiver to pair with Hester. I think Hakeem Nicks is a better receiver, but people like Heyward-Bey’s combination of size and speed.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois)
Freeman’s stock is rising and the new coach has experience with him from when he was at K-State, but I just don’t think they’ll make the pick.
20. Detroit Lions – Rey Maualuga (ILB, USC) (new)
Rey (I’m not on a first name basis, but it’s really annoying to type Maualuga) can bring some intensity to the defense. His draft position might be determined by how severe his hamstring injury is. I have heard that this pick could possibly be used in a package to trade for Jay Cutler. That would be a great move for the Lions as they could then focus on taking the top OT at #1.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia)
Gonna stick with this one for now. They would like an OT, so Eben Britton is an option.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Freeman (QB, Kansas State) (new)
Is Sage Rosenfels the answer? Yes. As long as the question is: who will not be starting for the Vikings by Week 8? Tavaris Jackson doesn’t seem to be developing, so I think the Vikings should take Freeman here.
23. New England Patriots – Clay Matthews (OLB, USC) (new)
His stock has been on the rise since the beginning of his Senior year. So the Pats will draft him and he’ll probably be awesome.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Robert Ayers (DE, Tennessee) (new)
This guy’s kind of a one-year wonder. He continued his solid year at the Senior Bowl where he had a great week of practice. Most mocks have him a bit higher.
25. Miami Dolphins – Alphonso Smith (CB, Wake Forest) (new)
Smith is undersized and did not run as fast as hoped at the Combine. But he is a playmaker with good ball skills.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Oklahoma State) (new)
They’ll probably pick a defensive player instead, but with Todd Heap steadily declining, Pettigrew would be the smart choice. Although, I just read that they signed L.J. Smith, so maybe they wouldn't use a first round pick on the position.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Peria Jerry (DT, Ole Miss)
The Colts need help at the position and Jerry seems to be moving up people’s boards. WR is an option here as well. They’ll just take the best player available.
28. Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton (T, Arizona) (new)
Britton has been getting some recent buzz. He will likely play RT in the pros.
29. New York Giants – Hakeem Nicks (WR, North Carolina) (new)
My East Coast draft scout says that Giants fans would like Hakeem Nicks. There is a good chance he’ll be off the board by this point, but he could drop to this spot.
30. Tennessee Titans – Evander Hood (DT, Missouri) (new)
He is generating some buzz and his nickname is Ziggy.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Wells (RB, Ohio State) (new)
I don’t think he’ll drop this far, but I couldn’t find any other spot for him. There's also a chance that the Cardinals will miss their pick. I could easily see the Cards' war room turning on draft coverage and when they aren't on the clock within the first 10 picks, they'll think the NFL forgot about them and close up shop. You can't blame them. Until now they had no idea there were more than 15 picks in the first round.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darius Butler (CB, UConn) (new)
Stock is on the rise. The Steelers lost McFadden to free agency, so they need to add a DB.
With their pick in the 2nd round, the Hawks will have some good options. It’s likely that they’ll have their pick of the safeties, which is a position I think we all would like them to address. If they don’t go with Crabtree at #4, I would like to see them take Brian Robiskie (WR, Ohio State). He doesn’t have great speed, but seems to do everything else well. I also have Laurinaitis now falling into the 2nd round, but if he does he won’t last too long.
