MY FINAL 2009 NFL MOCK DRAFT!

1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford: After going 0-16 the Lions “earned” this year’s top selection. Detroit cleaned house hiring a new GM, new head coach and have gutted half of their roster. With their winless season in the books there are a lot of areas of need and I think a case can be made that they need to bring in the best player in this draft. So for me that player is Aaron Curry, who I think can play ILB in a 4-3. I will get to Curry more as I have him going to KC at #3, but there is no chance the Lions bring him in. I don’t think many experts would kill the Lions if they did make that pick, but it is likely not to happen. If you look at the history of the Draft LB’s never go #1, as the economics around the #1 pick prices the LB’s out of the market. As bad as Detroit’s Defense was, I don’t think they break the bank for an ILB, especially since they have Ernie Simms and now Julian Peterson. Another way to go would be to take the best OT, the same route that Miami took last year with Jake Long. This too is also a very safe way to go about it, and probably the most practical. Depending on who they like between Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith, they could grab either L OT to play opposite last years 1st rounder Gosder Cherilus. This is the way I would go if I were the Lions, however, no matter how much they posture, I doubt they do this either. Since October I have had Matthew Stafford here and now in late March I still think he goes to Detroit. When it comes down to brass tacks teams have shown time and time again that when you don’t have a Franchise QB in the fold, and you have a high draft pick; more often than not that team will always take a QB. In this league the QB play rules all (which is why they get the big bucks) and to even have hope that you are going to be a playoff contender, you need leadership and production from the QB position. Frankly, it is the most important position in all of sports. We all know how bad the Lions are at QB, and it’s not just this year, they have been bad to average at QB for a very long time, making this pick even more dire for this Franchise. There is a lot to like about Stafford. He has a rifle of an arm, very similar to Jay Cutler; he can make all of the throws necessary and can put some major zip on his balls. He has good (not great) height and intangibles. But what has me slating him here also is that he was a 3 year starter for a very good Georgia team in a Pro style Offense. From what I have been reading, scouts seem to think he has a good understanding of the game, which lends itself to an easier transition from College to the Pro’s. His 38 on the Wonderlic also helps him a bit as it shows he is smart. Unlike Mark Sanchez, Stafford has a lot of tape to look at and there is less uncertainty with him because of his experience. However, with that being said I do have some concerns with Stafford. He played erratic at times at Georgia (sometimes versus inferior competition), his accuracy is not ideal and at times he gets into funks where he struggles. If taken by Detroit he will likely start on Opening Day, and unlike Matt Ryan, I don’t think he is as ready as one would like. Because of the economics surrounding this pick; and because of the high need at QB for Detroit, I think they will select him first. For Detroit’s sake I hope he isn’t another cautionary tale of a Junior QB who can’t live up to the #1 pick hype as they really need to strike gold in this years Draft to be respectable.

2. St. Louis Rams-Jason Smith: The Rams made it clear last year when they vested so much interest in Jake Long that they wanted to get better and younger at OT. Now that they have finally released Orlando Pace it is almost a certainty that they will be drafting an OT with their #2 pick. Because I have Stafford going #1 the question is who do they take: Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe? Part of me says it is better to take Monroe because he has a lower floor and will at worst be a highly productive L OT. However, Jason Smith has a real special upside and I think a team like the Rams will fall in love with it. The former TE has a great 6’5 frame, long arms and tremendous athleticism. He plays very light on his feet and moves very well laterally. His ceiling is much higher than Eugene Monroe’s and he projects to be a very talented OT in the NFL. With all of that being said he isn’t as safe as a pick as Monroe or OLB Aaron Curry. However, I think St Louis is in a position to grab their highest rated player, and I think that player will be Jason Smith.

3. Kansas City Chiefs-Aaron Curry: Many believe it is a foregone conclusion that Aaron Curry will land in KC. I think this would be a blessing for Kansas City who probably has him #1 on their board. Many are calling Curry the “safest pick” this year, and for good reason, he is in my opinion the very best player in this entire class. He has everything you could want in a football player. He is big, strong, competitive, a good tackler/big hitter and a smart player. Hands down the best LB prospect we have seen in many years, Curry projects to be a very solid Pro Prospect. Curry offers very good versatility as he can play inside and outside linebacker in both the 4-3 and the 3-4. From his history in New England, Scott Pioli has shown that he loves that type of versatility in LB’s. There are some other players who are in play at this spot (namely Eugene Monroe and Brian Orakpo), but I really can’t see Kansas City passing on Curry. With Matt Cassell at QB and Aaron Curry at LB, the Chiefs have their future in place on both sides of the ball, which is a major improvement from their sorry state this time last year. The Chiefs have gone from down right embarrassing, to suddenly promising very quickly, namely if they draft Curry here.

4. Seattle Seahawks-Eugene Monroe: Seattle has been a major player in Free Agency which has caused my pick for them to change numerous times. At first I had them going with Crabtree, but that died with the TJ “Who’s Yo Mama” signing. Then I had them picking up BJ Raji, which also died when they signed Colin Cole and traded for Corey Redding. So unless a miracle happens and Aaron Curry were to fall past Kansas City my pick here is Eugene Monroe. Outside of Curry this is probably the safest pick in this draft. Monroe is a gifted L OT who has great frame, strength and experience (he is the reason Branden Albert played OG at Virginia). But what I like about him most is his feet. He has true L OT feet. He is deceptively quick, strong at the point of attack and has all of the tools to excel at the next level; and will likely be force at his position for a decade. Virginia Offensive Lineman have become very dependable in recent drafts and I think Monroe compares very favorably to former top 5 pick D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The Hawks have Walter Jones in place at the left side and have a tandem of Sean Locklear and recently re-signed Ray Willis at the right spot. What I can see is the Seahawks moving Monroe over to the OT spot until Jones retires and then making him their franchise L OT. You cannot lose with a pick like this, and I will tell you it isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility that Eugene Monroe might go to St Louis at #2, or even Detroit at #1.

5. Cleveland Browns-Brian Orakpo: Many people are calling Brian Orakpo the next Vernon Gholston, which I think is ludicrous. Orakpo and Gholston share one thing in common: both are absolute specimens. Orakpo is an absolute beast of a man, with the type of speed, strength, size and ability that screams DeMarcus Ware type of potential. However, the difference between Orakpo and Gholston is that Orakpo has proven on the College level that he is a consistent player with a track record for success. I like Orakpo here as I think he adds a Pass Rush dynamic to Cleveland’s 3-4 that has been severely lacking. As the heir apparent to Willie McGinnest, Orakpo would pair up well opposite former first rounder Kamerion Wimbley to make for a formidable Pass Rush. Unlike many others I am very high on Orakpo and think he is more than just a work out wonder. With Eric Mangini in the fold, the Defense for Cleveland will need to rely on pressure, making this pick that much more sensible.

6. Cincinnati Bengals-BJ Raji: Deep down inside Cincinnati really wants Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith to fall to them, but I just don’t see that happening now that I have Seattle going with Eugene Monroe after they plugged their needs at WR and DT in Free Agency (see Houshmanzadeh, Cole and Redding). So at this point the true candidates are Andre Smith and BJ Raji, and for Cincy my money is on Raji. Granted the Bengals need a L OT as bad as anyone, but I cannot see them passing up on the best DT in this class for another bad character guy like Andre Smith. Raji is hands down the # 1 Defensive Lineman in this class, and in my opinion the second best Defender behind Aaron Curry. He is large at 6’1, 330 lbs but don’t confuse him as a sheer space eater. Raji is highly athletic, blessed with great feet and quickness. He can play multiple shades as a DT and has a good amount of upside as he is not one dimensional. Basically he can stuff the run and get to the passer. Cincinnati’s Offense was bad last year, but a lot of that was due to Carson Palmer being injured. Their Defense, namely their front 4, isn’t very good and adding a top 10 talent like Raji makes a whole lot of sense. As I mentioned before the Bengals are in dire need of an OT, so Andre Smith is in play here as well. A real wild card is Crabtree, but with Ocho Cinco on the books and two WR’s drafted early last year, I don’t see the Bengals going for a wide out.

7. Oakland Raiders-Andre Smith: Three weeks ago this would have been considered Al Davis’s dream scenario, and many thought that the chances of Michael Crabtree falling to him were very slim. However, that was then and this is now, and from all indications the Raiders are looking like they wont roll the dice on Crabtree because they don’t have a solid 40 time on him, which apparently (according to the well informed Mike Lombardi) is a deal breaker for Al Davis. With that thought process in mind, I think the Raiders should disregard their desire to grab another Offensive skill player and look to fortify their O Line. Andre Smith has tons of caution tape surrounding him. He has absolutely sabotaged his stock since December as he got suspended for his Bowl Game, went AWOL at the Combine and had the gall to take his shirt off at his workout and show his man boobs and jelly like physique. With all of that being said, if you watch him on tape, Andre Smith looks like a quality L OT. This is a major area of concern for Oakland as they don’t currently employ a true L OT. The Silver & Black have invested top picks in both JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, but will not see any dividends if they don’t have the horses up front to protect these playmakers. Drafting Crabtree or Maclin wont make a difference if Russell isn’t given the time to get the ball downfield. Andre Smith at worst is a high quality starting R OT, and has the ability to be an All Pro L OT. His strength and weight issues are a bit of a concern, but his ceiling is soo high that I can see Al Davis being enticed to draft him. As we get closer to Draft Day Andre Smith will rise to top 10 consideration once again for two simple reasons: 1) When a player has undeniable natural talent (see his tape, his feet and his arm length) their questionable character is often overlooked; 2) the economics of a top10 draft pick money is to steep to pay a WR. Unless that player is Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald (Crabtree is not in that class) the money invested is usually fools gold. QB, DE and OT are the premiere positions in the NFL and for the Raiders they need to take their money and address their awful Offensive Line. Besides, since when has Al Davis shuddered from taking a guy with a bad rap?

8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Michael Crabtree: This is a dream scenario for Jacksonville. Although they have struck out horribly with 1st round WR’s in the past, I think they would no doubt go back to the well once again if Crabtree were to fall to #8. Jacksonville has some major holes at WR and could use a #1 target heading into this season. Not since the glory days of Jimmy Smith have the Jaguars had a quality #1 wideout and Crabtree’s ability is too much to pass on. Crabtree was a mortal lock to go top 5, and his stock is now falling hard. I get the concerns on him as I have my own doubts on Crabtree. First off, he played in a gimmicky Pass happy Offense at Texas Tech, which certainly inflated his stats. Secondly, Crabtree measured in at 6’1, not the 6’3 he was billed at when playing in Lubbock. Thirdly, I have always doubted Crabtree’s speed. When you watch him on tape, he seems to get chased down from behind more often than one would like. Rumor is he would probably post a 4.6 40, which to me is dangerous if you want to draft a guy in the top 10. And lastly, and this is the least of my concerns, he is coming off of an injury. Now with all of that negativity I just threw out, why do I have him here? He is just too good for a lot of the above to matter. He has amazing hands and catches everything thrown in his direction. He uses body like no one else I have seen in College and can separate from CB’s. He is physical enough to get off the press and also is very accomplished at running routes. I think teams have reservations about drafting WR’s in the top 10 because of the financial commitment involved, but since the top tier OT’s are off the board I cant see the Jags going in a different direction. A legit possibility here is Mark Sanchez as David Garrard failed miserably this past year. However, Jack Del Rio is coaching for his job this year, and although I am sure he is fond of the Trojan QB, I cannot see him betting his career on a Junior QB. The Jags are in win-now mode and Crabtree gives their Offense a legit playmaker at WR that they desperately lack.

9. Green Bay Packers-Everette Brown: The Packers are moving from the 4-3 to the 3-4 with Dom Capers now running their Defense. The Packers transition actually won’t be that difficult with the players they have in tow. However, they will still need to focus this Draft on getting the right type of players for their new scheme. They will notably need new players at OLB where the Packers will currently have to rely on Aaron Kampman (converted 4-3 DE) and Brady Poppinga. I think Kampman will figure it out in the 3-4, but I do have my concerns about Poppinga as a Pass Rusher. Everette Brown is the best pure Pass Rusher in this draft, and his ultimate fit is in the 3-4. Brown is a terrific athlete with great quickness and explosion and under-rated strength. A true tweener, he has good size, and more importantly he has great closing speed off of the edge. I don’t like him very much as a 4-3 DE as I think he is too undersized and I don’t think he is very good against the run. As a Pass Rush OLB though he has a real high value, and I think he is a real good fit for Green Bay. True Cheesehead fans will be very nervous if Brown is taken here as they still have nightmares of Jamal Reynolds, a very similar Seminole DE who was a huge bust. However, Brown is better than Reynolds and the circumstances are night day. If they were drafting Brown to play the R DE in a 4-3 I would be nervous, but not as an OLB in the 3-4. Keep an eye on Andre Smith if he starts to fall as OT is an area of concern. A sleeper is Malcolm Jenkins who could fill in at CB, but his 40 time probably killed his hope to de drafted in the top 10. The only other scenario I can see for Green Bay is a trade down for a team who wants Sanchez. The Packers would love to move down, and they are probably one of the only teams with the right positioning to attract any offers.

10. San Francisco 49ers-Mark Sanchez: If Sanchez lasts this long this should really be a no brainer for the Niners. What scares teams about Sanchez is that he didn’t have a lot of starting experience at USC and is still a bit raw. Junior QB’s are a risky proposition enough, but when you have one with less than 20 starts under his belt, it becomes even scarier. The key with Sanchez is that he is going to have to sit his first year. The Niners have Shaun Hill and Alex Smith in place and could afford to wait it out for Sanchez, which is a major reason why he is so attractive here. I know it is going to be tough for the Niners to take a chance on another Junior QB as the Alex Smith selection really did set them back 3 years. But at the end of the day, more often than not, you just cannot be a playoff caliber team without a star at QB. If not Sanchez for some reason then go after Maclin.

11. Buffalo Bills-Aaron Maybin: To be truthful, I am not high on Maybin. I think he is highly overrated and undersized. He lacks a true position as he is not fluid/athletic enough for the 3-4 and I also believe that his lack of size (240 lbs) doesn’t lend itself well to the Pro Game as a fist in the ground 4-3 DE. He bulked up for the Combine a bit and looked out of place. However, Scouts love this guy because his initial burst and quickness is really special. Personally I don’t think Penn St DE’s are safe bets, but believe me there are teams that love this guy and he appears destined for a top 15 pick. With that in mind I can see a team like Buffalo wanting to upgrade their Pass Rush by adding a sheer talent like Maybin here. If I were Buffalo I would trade down for multiple picks and target a guy like Brandon Pettigrew in the late teens. However, in a Mock Draft it is not prudent to predict trades and therefore I have the Bills gambling on a Prospect with major boom or bust potential. Buyer beware…

12. Denver Broncos-Tyson Jackson: Denver could go in multiple directions with this pick, but you have to believe that they are going to go Defense early this year, and probably often. The Broncos have spent a lot of money this Off Season, yet I don’t know that they have added very many pieces that translate well into the 3-4 that Mike Nolan likes to deploy. Tyson Jackson is this years prototypical 3-4 DE/T. At 6’4, 295 lbs, Jackson can hold his own at the point of attack and is underrated for his ability to apply pressure. Jackson offers some versatility here, as he could slide inside to DT in 4-3 formations, which is another spot that the Broncos need help at. An ILB like Maualuga will be awfully enticing, but the signing of Andra Davis makes that less likely. A CB like Jenkins and Davis will also be tempting, but Jackson’s scheme versatility fills a very big void in the Denver D Line. But with Cutler now gone to Chicago and Denver picking here and at number 18, the Broncos could and maybe should trade up to get Mark Sanchez for their future franchise quarterback. We will see what happens on draft day.

13. Washington Redskins-Michael Oher: Oher is tough, strong and has a great frame for the position. He has considerable upside still as he has real good feet, very long arms and plays with nice balance. He excels in Pass Pro and once he locks his mitts on a defender he normally controls the line of scrimmage and handles his job. He may not project to be an All-Pro L OT, but I see him being a very real solid R OT in the NFL. The Redskins don’t need a L OT with Chris Samuels in the fold, but desperately need help opposite him on the Right side. Oher would fit well with Washington and fill a major void for them, and I actually see him as a very safe pick here, and a Day One starter. Many people think because he was raised in utter poverty Michael Oher will loose focus once he signs a contract, and I think that is extremely short sided. Truth be told, Oher was brought up in an upper class household in high school and has been a celebrity in Mississippi since his freshman year. The limelight is definitely not a new thing for this kid. He stayed through his Senior year at Ole Miss showing his dedication, and if he was a truly selfish he would have came out as a Junior and would of went ahead of the likes of Gosder Cehrilus and Sam Baker. I think this is the smart move for the Skins as they will have an impact player if they take Oher here as R OT is arguably their biggest need with Jon Jansen and Sam Heyer currently in the fold for the Skins.

14. New Orleans Saints-Brian Cushing: A lot of people have mixed emotions on Brian Cushing. Some think he is a clone of a younger Mike Vrabel; only effective in a 3-4 scheme. Others think he is a tremendous OLB with good speed, and natural instincts to get by in a 4-3. I guess I am in the middle on this, but am a little biased as he is my favorite prospect this season. I love the way he plays the game. He is highly instinctive, has the best motor in this class, is a tremendous tackler/hitter/rusher and has the height/speed/size necessary to play a 3-4 OLB and a 4-3 OLB in the NFL. I like him for New Orleans as I feel this team has very poor OLB’s currently in place and that Cushing provides a major upgrade for them. Unlike most of the experts (outside of the brilliant great Mike Mayock) I think Cushing is a 3 down OLB and I think he could translate to success in a 4-3 as a Sam LB. The Saints could also go CB here with my 2 highest rated guys (Jenkins & Davis) still on the board. However, I think that would be foolish. They have poured too much money into their Secondary over the past 2 years and a 1st round draft pick would add more of a wrench than a solution for them at this point. Adding another decent 7 figure player alongside veterans like McKenzie, Greer & Gay and also high draft picks like Porter and Young is financial suicide. Therefore, I think, albeit a bit of a reach, the Saints will take Brian Cushing. A sleeper to look out for is Beanie Wells, as Reggie Bush would like a strong/aggressive runner to compliment his style. owver, New Orleans's Offense was not the problem at all last year and Defense is where they need to get better. Cushing is an upgrade over both Scott Fugita and Scott Shanle.

15. Houston Texans-Malcolm Jenkins: Malcolm Jenkins has fallen a bit this Draft off-season, most notably because his 40 time has been in the 4.5-4.6 range. Apparently that makes him less of a talent in many eyes and will push him out of the top 15. However, I have watched Jenkins play football for several years and I think he is a real nice player who is a sure fire 1st rounder, and likely would have been last year as well had he declared. He has great size, terrific technique and he will play faster than he times. He isn’t a burner, but he is smart and a good cover man. Like many Buckeye CB’s before him, I see his game translating well into the NFL. Houston franchised Dunta Robinson, and for good reason, they have only one decent player outside of him in Fred Bennett. Jenkins could be a long term solution at CB for the Texans secondary, and if CB isn’t an option many feel he could potentially play Free Safety. While I think that is an overreaction, if Houston wanted to they could plug him there as well as all they have is Domonique Barber in place currently. Regardless, Malcolm Jenkins is a nice value here and his versatility fills at least one, if not two, voids for the Texans.

16. San Diego Chargers-Jeremy Maclin: I don’t think WR is very high on the need list for the Chargers, but if Jeremy Maclin were to fall this far they would be foolish not to grab him. I have written in the past and still contend that Jeremy Maclin is not far behind Michael Crabtree as the best WR in this draft. Maclin has real nice speed at 4.4, but what separates him from other burners his ability to make plays and get yards after the catch. A natural with the ball in his hands, Maclin is dynamic with a knack for finding the End Zone. If Maclin is to fall past San Francisco at #10 there will likely be a scenario where a team trades up to get him, be that as it may, should he fall to the Chargers I could see them grabbing him for sheer value purposes. Opposite Vincent Jackson, Maclin is an improvement over both Cris Chambers (age) and Buster Davis (still unproven). Not to mention he could spell Sproles as a Return Man. Another option for San Diego here could be ILB Rey Maualuga or Tyson Jackson (should he be available), but as my board plays out the Chargers get richer with Maclin.

17. New York Jets-Percy Harvin: I have real mixed emotions on Harvin. I think he is dynamic; in the Reggie Bush mold as far as making plays with the ball in his hands. However, I have 2 major concerns: 1) I don’t know how polished of a WR he is as he comes from the gimmicky Spread Option from Florida. 2) He has an injury history that is hard to ignore. With that being disclaimed, his value for a team like New York is nice. I can see him being a nice deep threat opposite Crotchery and I think he can be a player similar in production to DeSean Jackson. There is some hesitance here though as his injury history does scare me a bit, but for the Jets they need playmakers at WR, and he is certainly the best available. Another very strong option here is Josh Freeman at QB. I don’t like the Jets’ odds if they start opening weekend with either Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff. However, I will tell you as far as right away production is concerned, I don’t know if Josh Freeman is an upgrade this year. This New York team has invested a lot of money and hope into becoming immediate contenders and I think drafting a QB in the First Round sends mixed messages to the fans and also to the organization. My guess is that they will try for Cutler (and will subsequently fail), then they will grab a veteran QB (Leftwich perhaps) and rely on Rex Ryan’s Defense to get them through. This bodes better for a pick like Harvin than it does for Freeman.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)-Robert Ayers: A lot of people are going to have an Offensive selection here, and I can’t really blame them. QB, WR and primarily Right OT are all major areas of high need for a Bears team that has been quiet this Free Agency period. However, I have Jerry Angelo filling in another weak position for the Bears with DE Robert Ayers. Truthfully, the Chicago Bears Defense was getting by more on reputation last year than on production as they were ranked 17th in total yards and 16th based upon points. The Run D was very good (5th in the NFL), but against the Pass they were ranked 30th. Rather than pile on the Bears Secondary, I think the problem stems from a lack of a Pass Rush more than anything else. The Bears mustered only 28 sacks last season with Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown combining for 11, and reserve DE Mark Anderson only coming up with 1. For a team that can stop the run so well the Bears are going to need better production from their DE’s to give their Offense a chance to win closer games and to keep the D off of the field. Robert Ayers is a fast riser on many boards as he has done nothing but add to his stock this year. A bit of a one year wonder, Ayers blew up at the Senior Bowl as the most dominating Pass Rusher at the contest. But where he caught his buzz this year was when Tennessee played Alabama and the film doesn’t lie, he completely outplayed Andre Smith. He has an excellent burst off of the line and can be handful at 6’3, 280 lbs. He is extremely quick for his size and some teams are even flirting with him as an OLB in a 3-4. An explosive and also a strong player, Ayers will go higher than most think as he is a real nice prospect at a position of high value. Knowing Jerry Angelo’s draft history tells us that he will likely draft a lineman with this pick. If that is the case then this is between Eben Britton and Ayers, which to me makes this decision that much easier. For all of those hoping that the Bears draft Josh Freeman, don’t hold your breath. If the Bears really wanted a QB they would be trying harder to get Jay Cutler. I think the organization is fairly comfortable with Kyle Orton and will likely not make a move on a QB early this Draft. A WR is a possibility but with Harvin and Maclin off of the board, the rest of the bunch are a little too risky to take here at #18. The Bears are built to win with Defense, adding to their team strength and bolstering some youth and talent to their Pass Rush makes a lot of sense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Josh Freeman: Sorry Buc fans, I have to break it to you, your team is rebuilding. It may not be obvious, but you are rebuilding and trying to get younger. Firing Jon Gruden, letting Monte Kiffin and Jeff Garcia walk and cutting some of the best players that ever strapped up a chin strap for your franchise is evidence enough for me. Truthfully, the reason Morris is the new coach, and not Gruden is mostly because he (Gruden) never planned past his current season and didn’t have a clear cut future at QB. Although Josh Freeman is a decent sized reach here it makes sense for this team. In any other year Freeman would be a borderline 1st rounder, but this year, because of the weak crop at QB, he propels himself to a sure fire 1st round grade. Don’t get me wrong, he is a nice player and I can see why there is intrigue with him. First off, his arm is nice. He also has good athleticism and I think he can move well enough in the pocket to make plays. He is tough and confident and given the proper caching could be a poor man’s Ben Roethlesberger. However, he has a lot of work before he gets to that point and certainly will need some time before he gets throw into the fire. From everything I am reading the Bucs are in love with this kid. And Morris has the unique perspective of being around Freeman when he was at Kansas St to know if he is worth the selection. I see Freeman going here if available and being the QB of the future for Tampa Bay, Don’t be surprised if they actually have to move up to get him as there is no bigger need than at QB for the Bucs and teams like New York might be looking to get him as well.

20. Detroit Lions-Rey Maualuga: Detroit is going to have to look hard at Defense early in this Draft as they were with no question the worst Defense in the NFL last season. They need help at all levels of the Defense so taking the best available Defensive player is the way to go here at #20. Rey Maualuga, outside of Curry, is the best 4-3 LB in this class. He hits like a ton of bricks and plays with a high motor from sideline to sideline. Far better against the run than versus the pass, Maualuga is another decorated Trojan LB who is a tackling machine. Physically he has all of the measurables you would want, but what I love about him is that he plays with a nasty demeanor and is also highly instinctive. One downside on Maualuga is that he is a bit of a liability on 3rd down, but I think in the box he is major upgrade and well worth the #20 pick. Adding a guy like this exponentially improves your Run D. OT, DE and DT are all very big needs for Detroit, but this Trojan LB is the best Defensive player on the board and has real nice value at #20. With him, Ernie Simms and Julian Peterson in the fold, the Lions have a very good LB corps heading into 2009.

21. Philadelphia Eagles-Knowshon Moreno: The Eagles need the following: WR, OT, TE, S. So of course I have them going with a RB in Knowshon Moreno. The reason being is that I really love him as a Prospect and I think that it would be a major mistake to pass him up for this team, and mostly for where they are right now as an Offense. Let’s be honest, the Eagles lost 2 games last year because they could not convert on the ground. They are awful at running the football, and I am sick of them being this uber-West Coast Offense using the short pass as an extension for their ground game ALL THE TIME. This works during the regular season against sub .500 teams for the most part, but it gets you killed in cold weather in the Playoffs. They could get away with this in the past when they had a healthy Brian Westbrook, but the sad truth is that he cannot be depended upon to be healthy 16 games a year anymore. And another humbling truth is that if the Eagles ever want to get back to the Super Bowl, while Donovan McNabb is still their QB, they will need to stop being so one dimensional and create a running game. I have Knowshon Moreno here because I think he fits better than Chris Wells (who I actually think is a better RB). Moreno isn’t a burner, but he is an elusive runner with great vision and the ability to make people miss (Wells is a thumper, which is not a match for Philly). Also, Moreno is nice in pass Pro and as a Pass Catcher out of the backfield (big plus for Philly right there). But don’t pigeon-hole Moreno with a slashing type of RB, as he can also mix up and play physical. He is the type of player than can push through a pile as well. Moreno can take 33% of the burden off of Brian Westbrook, extend his career and health and at the same time grind out the yards they need on the ground. My one knock on Moreno is that he timed slow at both Indy and at his Pro Day and it makes me wonder if he is an example of the dreaded “Great College RB/Marginal Pro” syndrome. I don’t think he is that, but that is definitely out there with him. I am also really high on Brandon Pettigrew (I have see-sawed between the 2 quite a bit) here for Philly, but at the end of the day I think Moreno adds a different dimension to their team that will help them more. Plus, there is a lot of depth at TE this year and they can grab a solid one in Round 2 or 3.

22. Minnesota Vikings-Brandon Pettigrew: Brandon Pettigrew is hands down the best TE prospect in this class and is the total package. At 6’5, 265 lbs Pettigrew has great size and strength for his position. He ran 4.8 at Indy and so what; he isn’t that type of player. He is more in the mold of Heath Miller and will be a TE who can do it all. He is an excellent blocker, a sure handed pass catcher and will create mismatches with LB’s and in Red Zone situations. He isn’t a Dallas Clark type of H-Back, he is a true good old fashioned TE who will block as much as he will run routes. Minnesota has far bigger needs than at TE, but they cannot pass on Pettigrew here as his value is just too good. Minnesota could opt for a R OT (Eben Britton) or a WR (Darius Heyward-Bey/Hakeem Nicks). However, none of these guys is as sure of a thing as Pettigrew. The need at R OT is very serious for the Vikings, but Pettigrew actually is a solution to that problem as well. The Vikings could use Pettigrew to help Ryan Cook on the line of scrimmage as Pettigrew is an excellent blocker and can hold his own. Pettigrew would have to be accounted for on all plays and will make Defensive Coordinators more cautious on aggressive blitzing. Whether it is Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson, a guy like Pettigrew is a huge addition as they need security on the line and another weapon. Pettigrew answers both of those needs.

23. New England Patriots-Larry English: I really like the potential of Larry English. Mike Mayock compares him to Lamar Woodley which is more than enough praise for me. He is a tenacious pass rusher who I think is underrated because he played for Northern Illinois. Best suited as a 3-4 OLB, English could add that Pass Rush dimension that was lacking for the Pats last year. No offense to Mike Vrabel, but he had a hard time getting to the QB last year and with him now playing in KC a new Pass rushing addition is needed in New England. I think English provides that and will be a big success in the NFL. A player like Vontae Davis will be awfully intriguing here, but it appears New England will hold off on drafting a CB here (very typical) as they signed some vets in Free Agency, and will instead look to upgrade their 3-4 LB corps.

24. Atlanta Falcons-Vontae Davis: The Falcons were a very nice story last season, but the truth is that they overachieved on Defense. A case can be made that there is major work still to be done in their Secondary and in their D Line, and I think that should be their focus in Round 1. CB is still a major area of need for this squad and with Vontae Davis still on the board it will be very hard for them to pass on his talent. Vontae Davis (just like his brother Vernon) is a freak of an athlete. At 5’11, 200 lbs he ran a 4.49 40 and benched 225 lbs 25 times. He is one of the better athletes in this entire class, and can turn his hips and run with the best of them. From a measurables standpoint he is an elite prospect, but what holds him back is that he, like his brother, is more of a workout warrior than a true football player. When I say that I mean that he is not always consistent, as he has questionable work ethic and gets by more on sheer talent than on his football IQ and on being instinctive. In shorts, Davis is a top 10 pick, but in pads I don’t know if he is worth a top 15 selection as his bust potential is very real. However, at #24 he is a tremendous steal and his pure athletic ability is worth the slight gamble to take him, especially for a CB needy team like the Falcons. Chris Houston appears to be a keeper for Atlanta, but outside of him there are major question marks surrounding the CB depth. If Davis can tap into 75% of his potential he is a lock for one of the top players in this class, but that is assuming he can reach that point. In the NFL there is a large premium on height/weight/speed, and at his position Vontae Daivs is aces all around, so his value here is more than nice. A sleeper here is Peria Jerry as the Atlanta DT rotation really needs some help.

25. Miami Dolphins-Clay Matthews: The biggest need for the Dolphins is at WR, and the obvious pick here is Darius Heyward-Bey or Hakeem Nicks. However, knowing who is drafting for a team is as important as identifying a need, and with that being said I cannot see the Big Tuna (Parcells) taking a WR with his # 1 pick. Rather, I see Parcells going with a player more in his mold, which fits Clay Matthews to a tee. Matthews, although an initial walk-on, should not be misconstrued as an overachiever. He proved he was good enough by playing for a USC team stacked with 1st round LB’s and also showed his merit by blowing away scouts at the Combine. Coming from a family with deep blood lines in the NFL, Matthews is the essence of a ‘football player’. He is a true “system” player and will only fit well in the 3-4. For the Fins I could see him pushing Matt Roth for time and ultimately being a replacement or a starter opposite Joey Porter. For their 3-4 Matthews holds a lot of value here. Another option here is Darius Butler at CB, James Laurinitus at ILB or Hakeem Nicks at WR. But at the end of the day, Matthews feels like the best pick for Parcells and the Fins.

26. Baltimore Ravens-Darrius Heyward-Bey: Joe Flacco and his big arm helped propel the Ravens from a Defensive only squad, to a major playoff force. If I am the Ravens I look to continue the investment in my Offense and Flacco by surrounding him with more weapons. Darius Heyward-Bey is a bit of a risky pick as he represents the age old dilemma of potential vs. production. DHB has all of the physical tools one could want at WR. He is fast (4.3 40), has nice size (6’1, 210 lbs) and is naturally very athletic. However, he was not a consistent playmaker at Maryland and there are times where he went the whole game without touching the ball. I think his inability to be a top notch College WR stems from Maryland’s ineptitude on Offense and am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. One thing is for sure, Baltimore needs a speed WR like DHB. Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason are not getting any younger, and promising youngster, Demetrius Williams, is a free agent next year. Adding a weapon like DHB here makes some sense to upgrade their WR corps and mostly as an investment for the future. An ILB like James Laurinitus is my wild card here as Bart Scott bolted town, but DHB is a better value for Baltimore.

27. Indianapolis Colts-Peria Jerry: Indianapolis is known to draft the best player period, but I think this year they are going to go for a position of need in the 1st round. Many mocks have them going WR here, but not me, I have always had them taking a DT and I think if Peria Jerry were to fall to them they would be ecstatic. Peria Jerry is perfect for the Tampa 2 Defense Indy likes to run. Jerry is a non-stop motor player who can play both the run and the pass. In the Tampa 2, DT’s have a responsibility to pass rush as well as eat up space, and I think Jerry can offer that type of game. A good value here in Round 1, Jerry is my 2nd highest rated DT in this class. With the cast of characters in place on Indy’s D Line (namely at DT) this pick makes all the much more sense. Don’t be surprised if a WR like Hakeem Nicks is taken here, and another sleeper is ILB James Laurinitus, as Gary Brackett is getting a little long in the tooth at ILB.

28. Philadelphia Eagles-Eben Britton: Jon Runyan looks as if he will not be retained for his services in Philly next year and that leaves a gigantic hole at OT. If Runyan is not back the Eagles absolutely have to draft an OT with one of their first round picks. Eben Britton actually reminds me a lot of Runyan. Both are definitely OT’s, both play with a nasty streak and both are true technicians. Britton doesn’t have a whole lot of upside, but his floor is good enough to be taken as the 5th OT in this talented class. Truth be told he is really only a first rounder because of the high need at this position, and he is probably no more than a OT because he lacks quick feet and long arms. However, what he lacks in natural ability he makes up for in how he plays (through the whistle, aggressive) and in football IQ as people are raving about his leadership ability and his awareness. He would be a nice addition for Philly who needs to address this spot on their O Line immediately.

29. New York Giants-Hakeem Nicks: It seems like a foregone conclusion that the G Men are drafting a WR with pick #29 this year. 4 months ago I thought there would be no way this would be the case as they have a lot invested in guys like Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham and Domenick Hixon, let alone their 2 stars (Burress and Toomer). But with a solid Free Agency at other needs (OLB, DT, DE) and the release of Plaxico and Amani Toomer (potential retirement) WR went from a strength to a question mark for New York. So with WR being the area they go, it comes down to Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt. Personally, I think Britt is better for this team; but there is too much diva in him for my taste. I think the Giants are tired of the me-first WR act and I think that hurts Britt’s chances. Too bad, because at 6’2, 215 lbs Britt is that tall WR that they would like to use to emulate Plaxico. Hakeem Nicks is another great solution though as he also has good height and decent speed. What I really like about Nicks is his body control, ball-skills/hands and ability to get YAC (yards after the catch). Either of these guys would be a nice pick-up for New York, but for me I can see them going with Nicks over Britt. A sleeper here would be Louis Delmas.

30. Tennessee Titans-Darius Butler: Many will have Tennessee taking a WR here, and with Kenny Britt still on my board I was highly tempted. However, I think Tennessee will look to add to their strength which is their Defense. Darius Butler is a real nice CB prospect from UConn who as we get closer to Draft day will likely catch some steam. Butler is highly athletic with nice size (5’11) and under-rated speed. He is a fluid athlete who is also the cousin of Willis McGahee. The Titans do have a big need at CB opposite Cortland Finnegan as Nick Harper has definitely lost a step, not to mention the very little depth behind him. I probably have Butler going higher than most, but his raw ability is very enticing. The Titans are pretty stacked personnel wise, and although a DE like Michael Johnson or a WR like Kenny Britt will be awfully hard to pass up, I think they will look to add youth and quality to their Secondary. There isn’t a whole lot the separate the top 4-5 CB’s this year and grabbing one of those guys is a good idea as their will likely be run on CB’s after Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis are off of the board by the late 1st to early 2nd round.

31. Arizona Cardinals-Chris Wells: The Edgerrin James era in Arizona is officially over and the Cardinals would love for a talent like Beanie Wells to fall to them at the end of Round 1. In all fairness to Beanie Wells his drop isn’t a knock on his talent, but more so the fact that teams aren’t very RB needy this off-season. Wells is a North-South runner who can hit the hole fast and drag defenders with him. He is a strong RB at 235 lbs and is also very fast for that type of size. He probably would be drafted much higher if he didn’t have a history with injuries. Very similar in a lot of ways to Jamal Lewis when he first came out of school, I can see Beanie Wells being a starter in the NFL whose value is even bigger in Red Zone situations. He would be a terrific compliment to Tim Hightower and would give Ken Whisenhut that power RB he hasn’t had since his days in Pittsburgh. It is very rare that a talent like Wells would go in late round 1, and if he does fall Arizona shouldn’t hesitate to grab him here.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alphonso Smith: 1 month ago I would have had the champs taking Offensive Lineman with all of their first 3 picks, but that was then and this is now. Pittsburgh showed a lot of confidence in their hogs upfront and basically is bringing back the whole squad next year. With that in my thought process I can see the Steelers addressing their CB group instead in this Draft, especially since Bryant McFadden bolted to Arizona. Alphonso Smith is a real good player, who if he was 5’11 (instead of 5’9) would be a top 15 pick. He is a fluid athlete with great instincts, speed and also has very fluid hips. He is a tough competitor who plays hard and isn’t afraid to man-up. At the tail end of Round 1 he is a bit of a reach, but is my best CB left on the board and a real good player. He most likely will fill in only in Nickel his first year, but I can see him being a contributor down the road. The other real possibility for the Steelers is at Center, where both Alex Mack and Max Unger make a legit case as 1st round Centers (very rare). But at the end of the day, I see them addressing their open need at CB before their need at Center.

I hope everyone enjoys. This is my last installment of my mock draft. NFL Draft is April 25th and 26th and we will see then how my picks pan out.