summond822
01-16-2009, 06:12 PM
First off let me say that some of these picks are not going to make fans of certain teams happy. I acknowledge that and I didn't even like some of these picks as I projected them, but I ended up going with who I thought would go where and how the draft would actually pan out.
Constructive criticism is always appreciated. I probably don't have all of the team's needs right or a player that you would have rather had at a certain spot than who I gave you.
Flipped a coin on the Eagles/Cardinals and Ravens/Steelers to see who would go where.
Some of these trades are out there, I'll admit. However, I felt the need to at least attempt it and until we are closer to the draft and actually have a feel for which teams plan to trade down and who is coveting what player. So, with that to the mock.
Trades:
Kansas City trades #3 to Cleveland for #5, 69 and a future 3rd
Seattle trades #4 to Buffalo for #11, 43 (2nd), and 107 (4th)
Denver trades #12 to Chicago for #18, 82 (3rd), 2010 3rd
New Orleans trades #14 to Tampa Bay for #19, 83(3rd), 147 (5th)
1. Detroit – Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
This is the normal pick. The only other thing that the Lions might do here is to pass on Stafford and try to take Sanchez by moving around with their other first rounder. However, in this case they take Stafford here and hope that a future LT falls to them at their second pick.
2. St. Louis – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Smith is considered by many to be the top OT in this draft. St. Louis gets someone who can play immediately on the right side and slide over to the left when Pace gets hurt again this upcoming season. The worst kept secret in the league last year was how bad the Rams wanted Jake Long.
3. Cleveland – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Cleveland needs a true #1 corner. They have doubts that he falls past Seattle, so they trade up to make sure they get their man.
4. Buffalo – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Seattle missed out on Jenkins and they don’t believe that any of the OT’s or Crabtree are worth this pick. So instead they trade down and pick up more picks. Buffalo on the other hand can’t resist moving up and grabbing the best LB prospect in this class and he ties down their OLB spot.
5. Kansas City – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Kansas City, once again attempting to become the darlings of the draft, are already moving around trying to get more picks. They traded down and still get a top DE prospect. Orakpo should help out their defense even as a rookie. He has pass rush skills that should be able to be stopped easily.
6. Cincinnati – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
It is tempting to give the Bengals Michael Crabtree here, since they likely lose Houshmanzadeh and the only thing that Ocho-Cinco catches with any regularity is publicity. However, I think that if they can manage to balance out their running game, they should get much better next season. They either decide to go with an OT here or they go running back. Since it has been proven that you can select productive running backs after round one, I believe that they go the OT route, even with their wealth already at the position.
7. Oakland – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
I am sorry Raider’s fans, but I am completely serious about this pick. Everyone knows that Al Davis puts more on physical skills than anything else, and Maclin fits his play-calling style of wanting to have vertical threats at WR. The smart pick here is to take one of the other remaining OT’s. If Davis decides to upgrade his defense and replace Nmadi (can’t get his last name right), then they may take Vontae Davis who is likely going to have a ridiculous showing at the combine. Percy Harvin may actually get consideration here, knowing how Davis loves him some speed. Everyone assumes that Crabtree will be the pick here (assuming he is here), but Davis favors speedy deep threats over bigger WR's.
8. Jacksonville – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The Jacksonville running game wasn’t that good this year. They takes steps to remedy that and in addition secure a top OT for the future. If they decide that Fred Taylor is at the end of his road, they may decide to take Knowshon Moreno or “Beanie” Wells.
9. Green Bay – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Well, with Mays going back to school, Green Bay is forced to look another direction than safety with this pick. I think that they take Maybin as an additional DE in their rotation this year, and a replacement as their ends get older.
10. San Francisco – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
I am assuming that Singletary’s emphasis is going to be on the defensive side. Another thought here is a RB to spell Gore, since I think that Singletary will run the ball a lot more to prevent opposing defenses from getting to Hill at will. They probably look for another RB in later rounds. Crabtree deserves some thought here because I don’t think that their WR’s have really shown much lately. Brown may be a better fit for a 3-4, but he should be able to get pressure off the edge.
11. Seattle – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Seattle has a luxury of choosing which position they want to upgrade. Having missed out of Jenkins earlier, they moved back. Now, they are closer to the spot where they could take B.J. Raji. However, they also have to look at some of the other spots of need. William Moore gets heavy consideration, but I don’t think that Seattle goes that route. Sanchez is almost affordable back at this position. Crabtree is not as much of a stretch as he is at 4. And Jason Smith allows them to upgrade their OL. At the end of the day, I think that they take Smith, as an eventual replacement for Jones and to immediately help improve their run game, even though I believe that defense is a bigger problem. Smith is also more likely to make an instant impact than any of the other players.
12. Chicago – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Denver doesn’t like what they see here, so they elect to trade down. Chicago trades up to grab a player that many consider a top 10 pick. Crabtree is more of a go up and get it type of WR and he has size. Something the Bear’s are lacking in their offense.
13. Washington – Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
As far as physical specimens go, Johnson has got to be up there among the list at DE. His motor has been questioned, and his production certainly hasn’t matched his potential. That said, Washington takes a flyer here and hopes that he will learn from Jason Taylor on the job next year, if Taylor comes back.
14. Tampa Bay – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Tampa Bay decides to jump in front of New York to select Mark Sanchez. Tampa Bay may decide to just sit and wait, but other than Minnesota I don’t see any team willing to jump ahead of anybody else for the players on the board here. Tampa Bay will have the option to either bring back Garcia for another year and let Sanchez sit behind him, or they can throw him into the fire immediately.
15. Houston – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Houston will likely lose a key part of their defense this year in Dunta Robinson. Vontae Davis is an electric player who is probably going to work out and gain himself this position. Houston may elect to go with William Moore or Alphonso Smith, but ultimately, I think this pick goes to defense.
16. San Diego – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
It’s feels strange giving San Diego a LB when they have such a good defense. However, they do need some help on the inside, and that is where Maualuga comes in. He will add another explosive hitter to that defense.
17. New York Jets – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Jets have some decisions to make next season. They are old at QB and RB. Their defense lived on luck at times this last year. Will they transition out of the 3-4 with Mangini gone? Doubtful, so they may look to add some more pieces to it here. However, I believe that with the uncertainty at the QB position, they add another RB to help carry the load with Thomas Jones, who is up there in years and may not have many more games left in the tank.
18. Denver – William Moore, S, Missouri
I penciled in Moore like 5 or 6 times already. I have changed my mind every time. However, this is the team that I ultimately see him going to. Whether it is at 12 or at a later position that they trade to, they need to fill the hole left by Lynch. Raji would also help them improve their defense that was, lets be honest, atrocious at times.
19. New Orleans – James Laurinitus, LB, Ohio State
New Orleans needs some help. They took Ellis last year, so Raji isn’t a need. Alphonso Smith is an option, but he is a bit undersized. I end up thinking that they take Laurinitus here as a replacement to Vilma.
20. Detroit (from Dallas) – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Well, an elite OT didn’t fall to Detroit, but they were still able to pick up someone who can be the blindside protector of Stafford for years to come.
21. Philadelphia – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Philadelphia has some leeway with where to go here. I think that they ultimately take Brandon Pettigrew to give McNabb another target to throw to. We all know that they didn’t have a consistent TE this year. Pettigrew may not be as flashy as Gresham would have been, but he will fill an obvious need, and is the most complete TE in the class. This years John Carlson perhaps?
22. Minnesota – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
If Sanchez had fallen here, I still don’t think that Minnesota would have taken him. Tavaris Jackson played well once he came in again and probably earned himself another year at least. I don’t really know where they decide to go with this pick. Perhaps it’s corner, in this case Alphonso Smith who is on the short side, but he is very physical.
23. New England – Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
If Sanchez falls to New England, they may decide to take him (doubtful), seeing as how the last USC QB they plugged in with limited college experience seemed to work out pretty well. I believe that they continue getting younger on defense, since you can only plug old guys into certain spots for so long before it all falls apart. They continue their tradition of strong LB player with Clint Sintim.
24. Atlanta – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Atlanta’s improvement this year caught many people off guard. This year they continue improving their defense. Raji is a load in the middle and should make an immediate impact.
25. Miami – Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Miami replaces Zach Thomas with Cushing. Cushing next to Porter should allow him to learn the nuances of the position and if he can stay healthy who knows how good Cushing could get.
26. Baltimore – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
It is easy to give Baltimore DHB, however I really think that they likely go with a LB here seeing as how both Suggs and Lewis are FA. Since there are no LB’s worthy of this pick, my next thought was CB since Rolle is getting up there. However, same problem. The next thing to do is to bring in a WR who can go up and get the ball and who will help Flacco’s development.
27. Indianapolis – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
Percy Harvin garners attention here since Marvin Harrison is looking like he might be over the hill. However, their defense is still undersize and without Bob Sanders in run support they really struggle. They take one of the top DT’s here in Jerry to upgrade their run defense.
28. Philadelphia (from Carolina) – Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Brian Dawkins has once again been showing us that he is amazing. The defense of Philadelphia has been lights out lately. Their offense could use some other playmaker’s besides Brian Westbrook, but taking Pettigrew opens up the field a little bit more and he will be able to block for Westbrook. This pick is a luxury pick, and I think that the luxury that they choose to spend it on is the eventual successor to Brian Dawkins. Delmas will be a physical force like Dawkins, and Dawkins can teach him the nuances of the position in the NFL.
29. New York Giants – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
The Giants offense really went downhill once Burress was taken out of the equation. There are really no big WR’s to replace Burress, and if they are smart they likely bring him back. With Jacobs a FA this year, they may decide to draft a big replacement, but I don’t think it will be in the first round. I think that they take an explosive playmaker in Harvin, who if it wasn’t for injury concerns would have been a Top 10 pick in the draft.
30. Tennessee – Darius Butler, CB, UCONN
Butler goes a little earlier than usual here, simply because there really isn’t much value for them at this pick. With Haynesworth potentially leaving, that is going to leave a huge hole in the middle of that defense that no DT in this draft could possibly fill. Instead, I went with the CB position since I don’t think there is the value here at LB.
31. Arizona – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Arizona’s surge through the playoff’s has been eye-opening to many people around the league. However, right now I think that they are overachieving, and their staff looks for ways to make them a more balanced team. Tim Hightower looks like he is only a short-yardage back, and James looked rejuvenated for a stretch, but it looks like he can’t carry the load for a full season. Moreno is a home run hitter and should pair well with Hightower.
32. Pittsburgh – Max Unger, OL, Oregon
Pittsburgh has made it this far by their defense. They still don’t really have the power back to team with Parker, but they did draft Mendenhall last year, so I think that he will have a crack at it. I think that they take Unger, someone who is capable of playing any spot on the line, to help bolster that line. Will Unger start next year? I don’t know, but I do know that his versatility will be welcomed in Pittsburgh.
Constructive criticism is always appreciated. I probably don't have all of the team's needs right or a player that you would have rather had at a certain spot than who I gave you.
Flipped a coin on the Eagles/Cardinals and Ravens/Steelers to see who would go where.
Some of these trades are out there, I'll admit. However, I felt the need to at least attempt it and until we are closer to the draft and actually have a feel for which teams plan to trade down and who is coveting what player. So, with that to the mock.
Trades:
Kansas City trades #3 to Cleveland for #5, 69 and a future 3rd
Seattle trades #4 to Buffalo for #11, 43 (2nd), and 107 (4th)
Denver trades #12 to Chicago for #18, 82 (3rd), 2010 3rd
New Orleans trades #14 to Tampa Bay for #19, 83(3rd), 147 (5th)
1. Detroit – Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
This is the normal pick. The only other thing that the Lions might do here is to pass on Stafford and try to take Sanchez by moving around with their other first rounder. However, in this case they take Stafford here and hope that a future LT falls to them at their second pick.
2. St. Louis – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Smith is considered by many to be the top OT in this draft. St. Louis gets someone who can play immediately on the right side and slide over to the left when Pace gets hurt again this upcoming season. The worst kept secret in the league last year was how bad the Rams wanted Jake Long.
3. Cleveland – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Cleveland needs a true #1 corner. They have doubts that he falls past Seattle, so they trade up to make sure they get their man.
4. Buffalo – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Seattle missed out on Jenkins and they don’t believe that any of the OT’s or Crabtree are worth this pick. So instead they trade down and pick up more picks. Buffalo on the other hand can’t resist moving up and grabbing the best LB prospect in this class and he ties down their OLB spot.
5. Kansas City – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Kansas City, once again attempting to become the darlings of the draft, are already moving around trying to get more picks. They traded down and still get a top DE prospect. Orakpo should help out their defense even as a rookie. He has pass rush skills that should be able to be stopped easily.
6. Cincinnati – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
It is tempting to give the Bengals Michael Crabtree here, since they likely lose Houshmanzadeh and the only thing that Ocho-Cinco catches with any regularity is publicity. However, I think that if they can manage to balance out their running game, they should get much better next season. They either decide to go with an OT here or they go running back. Since it has been proven that you can select productive running backs after round one, I believe that they go the OT route, even with their wealth already at the position.
7. Oakland – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
I am sorry Raider’s fans, but I am completely serious about this pick. Everyone knows that Al Davis puts more on physical skills than anything else, and Maclin fits his play-calling style of wanting to have vertical threats at WR. The smart pick here is to take one of the other remaining OT’s. If Davis decides to upgrade his defense and replace Nmadi (can’t get his last name right), then they may take Vontae Davis who is likely going to have a ridiculous showing at the combine. Percy Harvin may actually get consideration here, knowing how Davis loves him some speed. Everyone assumes that Crabtree will be the pick here (assuming he is here), but Davis favors speedy deep threats over bigger WR's.
8. Jacksonville – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The Jacksonville running game wasn’t that good this year. They takes steps to remedy that and in addition secure a top OT for the future. If they decide that Fred Taylor is at the end of his road, they may decide to take Knowshon Moreno or “Beanie” Wells.
9. Green Bay – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Well, with Mays going back to school, Green Bay is forced to look another direction than safety with this pick. I think that they take Maybin as an additional DE in their rotation this year, and a replacement as their ends get older.
10. San Francisco – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
I am assuming that Singletary’s emphasis is going to be on the defensive side. Another thought here is a RB to spell Gore, since I think that Singletary will run the ball a lot more to prevent opposing defenses from getting to Hill at will. They probably look for another RB in later rounds. Crabtree deserves some thought here because I don’t think that their WR’s have really shown much lately. Brown may be a better fit for a 3-4, but he should be able to get pressure off the edge.
11. Seattle – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Seattle has a luxury of choosing which position they want to upgrade. Having missed out of Jenkins earlier, they moved back. Now, they are closer to the spot where they could take B.J. Raji. However, they also have to look at some of the other spots of need. William Moore gets heavy consideration, but I don’t think that Seattle goes that route. Sanchez is almost affordable back at this position. Crabtree is not as much of a stretch as he is at 4. And Jason Smith allows them to upgrade their OL. At the end of the day, I think that they take Smith, as an eventual replacement for Jones and to immediately help improve their run game, even though I believe that defense is a bigger problem. Smith is also more likely to make an instant impact than any of the other players.
12. Chicago – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Denver doesn’t like what they see here, so they elect to trade down. Chicago trades up to grab a player that many consider a top 10 pick. Crabtree is more of a go up and get it type of WR and he has size. Something the Bear’s are lacking in their offense.
13. Washington – Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
As far as physical specimens go, Johnson has got to be up there among the list at DE. His motor has been questioned, and his production certainly hasn’t matched his potential. That said, Washington takes a flyer here and hopes that he will learn from Jason Taylor on the job next year, if Taylor comes back.
14. Tampa Bay – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Tampa Bay decides to jump in front of New York to select Mark Sanchez. Tampa Bay may decide to just sit and wait, but other than Minnesota I don’t see any team willing to jump ahead of anybody else for the players on the board here. Tampa Bay will have the option to either bring back Garcia for another year and let Sanchez sit behind him, or they can throw him into the fire immediately.
15. Houston – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Houston will likely lose a key part of their defense this year in Dunta Robinson. Vontae Davis is an electric player who is probably going to work out and gain himself this position. Houston may elect to go with William Moore or Alphonso Smith, but ultimately, I think this pick goes to defense.
16. San Diego – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
It’s feels strange giving San Diego a LB when they have such a good defense. However, they do need some help on the inside, and that is where Maualuga comes in. He will add another explosive hitter to that defense.
17. New York Jets – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Jets have some decisions to make next season. They are old at QB and RB. Their defense lived on luck at times this last year. Will they transition out of the 3-4 with Mangini gone? Doubtful, so they may look to add some more pieces to it here. However, I believe that with the uncertainty at the QB position, they add another RB to help carry the load with Thomas Jones, who is up there in years and may not have many more games left in the tank.
18. Denver – William Moore, S, Missouri
I penciled in Moore like 5 or 6 times already. I have changed my mind every time. However, this is the team that I ultimately see him going to. Whether it is at 12 or at a later position that they trade to, they need to fill the hole left by Lynch. Raji would also help them improve their defense that was, lets be honest, atrocious at times.
19. New Orleans – James Laurinitus, LB, Ohio State
New Orleans needs some help. They took Ellis last year, so Raji isn’t a need. Alphonso Smith is an option, but he is a bit undersized. I end up thinking that they take Laurinitus here as a replacement to Vilma.
20. Detroit (from Dallas) – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Well, an elite OT didn’t fall to Detroit, but they were still able to pick up someone who can be the blindside protector of Stafford for years to come.
21. Philadelphia – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Philadelphia has some leeway with where to go here. I think that they ultimately take Brandon Pettigrew to give McNabb another target to throw to. We all know that they didn’t have a consistent TE this year. Pettigrew may not be as flashy as Gresham would have been, but he will fill an obvious need, and is the most complete TE in the class. This years John Carlson perhaps?
22. Minnesota – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
If Sanchez had fallen here, I still don’t think that Minnesota would have taken him. Tavaris Jackson played well once he came in again and probably earned himself another year at least. I don’t really know where they decide to go with this pick. Perhaps it’s corner, in this case Alphonso Smith who is on the short side, but he is very physical.
23. New England – Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
If Sanchez falls to New England, they may decide to take him (doubtful), seeing as how the last USC QB they plugged in with limited college experience seemed to work out pretty well. I believe that they continue getting younger on defense, since you can only plug old guys into certain spots for so long before it all falls apart. They continue their tradition of strong LB player with Clint Sintim.
24. Atlanta – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Atlanta’s improvement this year caught many people off guard. This year they continue improving their defense. Raji is a load in the middle and should make an immediate impact.
25. Miami – Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Miami replaces Zach Thomas with Cushing. Cushing next to Porter should allow him to learn the nuances of the position and if he can stay healthy who knows how good Cushing could get.
26. Baltimore – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
It is easy to give Baltimore DHB, however I really think that they likely go with a LB here seeing as how both Suggs and Lewis are FA. Since there are no LB’s worthy of this pick, my next thought was CB since Rolle is getting up there. However, same problem. The next thing to do is to bring in a WR who can go up and get the ball and who will help Flacco’s development.
27. Indianapolis – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
Percy Harvin garners attention here since Marvin Harrison is looking like he might be over the hill. However, their defense is still undersize and without Bob Sanders in run support they really struggle. They take one of the top DT’s here in Jerry to upgrade their run defense.
28. Philadelphia (from Carolina) – Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Brian Dawkins has once again been showing us that he is amazing. The defense of Philadelphia has been lights out lately. Their offense could use some other playmaker’s besides Brian Westbrook, but taking Pettigrew opens up the field a little bit more and he will be able to block for Westbrook. This pick is a luxury pick, and I think that the luxury that they choose to spend it on is the eventual successor to Brian Dawkins. Delmas will be a physical force like Dawkins, and Dawkins can teach him the nuances of the position in the NFL.
29. New York Giants – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
The Giants offense really went downhill once Burress was taken out of the equation. There are really no big WR’s to replace Burress, and if they are smart they likely bring him back. With Jacobs a FA this year, they may decide to draft a big replacement, but I don’t think it will be in the first round. I think that they take an explosive playmaker in Harvin, who if it wasn’t for injury concerns would have been a Top 10 pick in the draft.
30. Tennessee – Darius Butler, CB, UCONN
Butler goes a little earlier than usual here, simply because there really isn’t much value for them at this pick. With Haynesworth potentially leaving, that is going to leave a huge hole in the middle of that defense that no DT in this draft could possibly fill. Instead, I went with the CB position since I don’t think there is the value here at LB.
31. Arizona – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Arizona’s surge through the playoff’s has been eye-opening to many people around the league. However, right now I think that they are overachieving, and their staff looks for ways to make them a more balanced team. Tim Hightower looks like he is only a short-yardage back, and James looked rejuvenated for a stretch, but it looks like he can’t carry the load for a full season. Moreno is a home run hitter and should pair well with Hightower.
32. Pittsburgh – Max Unger, OL, Oregon
Pittsburgh has made it this far by their defense. They still don’t really have the power back to team with Parker, but they did draft Mendenhall last year, so I think that he will have a crack at it. I think that they take Unger, someone who is capable of playing any spot on the line, to help bolster that line. Will Unger start next year? I don’t know, but I do know that his versatility will be welcomed in Pittsburgh.