1. Detroit – Matt Stafford.
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe. The Rams have already taken a project OL in the past 5 years in Alex Barron. He has done OK but the Rams can’t afford to draft another project. Monroe is the most NFL ready to play LT right now. Jason Smith could end up being better down the line, but for now I think the Rams go with Monroe to replace Orlando Pace.
3. Kansas City – Aaron Curry. The rumor in the last week is the Seahawks are considering taking Mark Sanchez at the 4th spot. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Chiefs created that rumor in an attempt to get teams to trade up to their spot to get Sanchez. This is the spot I could see a trade in the top 10 picks. If the Chiefs stay here, they pull the trigger on Curry who fits perfectly into the 3-4 defense.
4. Seattle – Jason Smith. Walter Jones is getting long in the tooth and the Seahawks need his replacement. Smith has the most upside of any lineman in the draft and can learn from Jones. I don’t see the Seahawks pulling the trigger on a QB that started fewer than 20 games with the 4th pick in the draft.
5. Cleveland – Brian Orakpo. The Browns need help rushing the passer. Orakpo is a hybrid type of DE/OLB that with some reps could develop into a beast in both the run and pass game.
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith. The Bengals have shown that character may not be that big a deal to them and Smith definitely provides some pop in the offensive line. He is arguably the second most talented player for his position in the draft and fills a definite need position.
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree. I think the Raiders are going to sit at 7 and have this draft fall right into their laps. Crabtree could potentially be the top overall pick if he was healthy but with the injury he will slide and I think end up in the Raiders’ lap.
8. Jacksonville – B.J. Raji. The Jags were known for their physical defense when they were playoff contenders. With the loss of Marcus Stroud that physical presence has really taken a hit. Raji is the most physical player in this draft and if he makes it to the Jags he will not make it further.
9. Green Bay – Aaron Maybin. The Packers really need pass rushing and even though I think Maybin this high is a reach, the Packers are going to pull the trigger on the best pass rusher they can get with this pick.
10. San Francisco – Malcolm Jenkins. The 49ers pick is tough to project because Mark Sanchez wouldn’t surprise anyone here but the team has a lot of holes, especially on defense. Jenkins would be great value here so I think the Niners pull the trigger on him.
11. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew.
12. Denver – Peria Jerry. This pick makes sense because it fills the Broncos biggest need. However, if Denver is starting at Mark Sanchez that could prove too much for them to pass up on.
13. Washington – Brian Cushing. I’ve seen this pick in a few other mocks and it makes sense because Cushing is a big, athletic OLB that would immediately provide pass rushing skills and a physical nature to the Redskins defense.
14. New Orleans – Rey Maualuga. I don’t see why this guy would slide out of the top 15. He is big, physical and moves well for his size. He is durable, a good leader on the field and the closest thing to Ray Lewis that I’ve seen since Jonathan Vilma.
15. Houston – Vontae Davis. Davis is a great coverman and would be a great compliment to Dunta Robinson.
16. San Diego – Tyson Jackson. The Chargers defense took a big step backward last year with Shawne Merriman on the sidelines. Jackson gives them improved pass rush from day one.
17. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez. Sanchez sliding to this spot might be a long shot but I think his lack of experience is going to factor in. I also think teams will hesitate to draft a QB any higher than they have to because of the money that may be necessary to secure him long-term once he develops.
18. Denver – Everett Brown. The Broncos need pass rushers, especially as they move to the 3-4 scheme. Brown can immediately provide pass rush and speed as a standup outside linebacker.
19. Tampa Bay – Jeremy Maclin. This guy is going to slide. I hesitate to even put him this high. He isn’t big enough and appears to be another Ted Ginn type that may not have the physical strength necessary to be a true stud at the NFL level.
20. Detroit – Michael Oher. The Lions got their QB and now they get a tackle. I think Oher may eventually wind up at RT because I’m not sure he has the feet and agility to play LT, but he looks pretty dominating as a run blocker.
21. Philadelphia – Chris Wells. The Eagles need a running back that can run with force between the tackles, not another undersized quick back. For this reason, I think they pull the trigger on Wells not Knowshon Moreno. I think the interest they’ve shown in Moreno is legitimate, but I also think that if Wells is available they will take him.
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin. Harvin provides a pretty wide skillset, immediately helping the return game and providing a great weapon in the slot. The Vikings have some big outside WRs, so Harvin makes sense as a guy that can line up in the slot and get yards after the catch.
23. New England – James Laurinaitis. This guy just has Patriots written all over him. He will be a great addition to a defense that is aging and will team with last year’s top pick Jerod Mayo to add plenty of pop to the front seven.
24. Atlanta – Larry English. Teams are growing enamored with these types of athletes. English is not as good as Demarcus Ware or Merriman, but he has a similar look to his game.
25. Miami – Darius Butler. Good value and fills a definite need for the Dolphins with Butler who is probably the best true cover corner in this draft.
26. Baltimore – Darius Heyward-Bey. The Ravens will go local with Heyward-Bey who wows scouts with his athletic ability. He may end up being another workout wonder guy though who can’t put it together on the field, but at this point in the draft there are no sure things. He will be a nice target for Joe Flacco to throw to.
27. Indianapolis – Alex Mack.
28. Buffalo – Wiliam Beatty.
29. New York Giants – Brian Robiskie. This would prove to be one of those “Ah-Ha” moments in the first round where a team reaches a bit. I think Robiskie will prove to be the second best WR in this draft and could be a Reggie Wayne type of player.
30. Tennessee – Hakeem Nicks.
31. Arizona – Knowshon Moreno. The rich get richer? Wow, did I really say that about the Cardinals. Moreno is going to slide because I think teams are going to be worried about his durability at the NFL level.
32. Pittsburgh – Duke Robinson.
2. St. Louis – Eugene Monroe. The Rams have already taken a project OL in the past 5 years in Alex Barron. He has done OK but the Rams can’t afford to draft another project. Monroe is the most NFL ready to play LT right now. Jason Smith could end up being better down the line, but for now I think the Rams go with Monroe to replace Orlando Pace.
3. Kansas City – Aaron Curry. The rumor in the last week is the Seahawks are considering taking Mark Sanchez at the 4th spot. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Chiefs created that rumor in an attempt to get teams to trade up to their spot to get Sanchez. This is the spot I could see a trade in the top 10 picks. If the Chiefs stay here, they pull the trigger on Curry who fits perfectly into the 3-4 defense.
4. Seattle – Jason Smith. Walter Jones is getting long in the tooth and the Seahawks need his replacement. Smith has the most upside of any lineman in the draft and can learn from Jones. I don’t see the Seahawks pulling the trigger on a QB that started fewer than 20 games with the 4th pick in the draft.
5. Cleveland – Brian Orakpo. The Browns need help rushing the passer. Orakpo is a hybrid type of DE/OLB that with some reps could develop into a beast in both the run and pass game.
6. Cincinnati – Andre Smith. The Bengals have shown that character may not be that big a deal to them and Smith definitely provides some pop in the offensive line. He is arguably the second most talented player for his position in the draft and fills a definite need position.
7. Oakland – Michael Crabtree. I think the Raiders are going to sit at 7 and have this draft fall right into their laps. Crabtree could potentially be the top overall pick if he was healthy but with the injury he will slide and I think end up in the Raiders’ lap.
8. Jacksonville – B.J. Raji. The Jags were known for their physical defense when they were playoff contenders. With the loss of Marcus Stroud that physical presence has really taken a hit. Raji is the most physical player in this draft and if he makes it to the Jags he will not make it further.
9. Green Bay – Aaron Maybin. The Packers really need pass rushing and even though I think Maybin this high is a reach, the Packers are going to pull the trigger on the best pass rusher they can get with this pick.
10. San Francisco – Malcolm Jenkins. The 49ers pick is tough to project because Mark Sanchez wouldn’t surprise anyone here but the team has a lot of holes, especially on defense. Jenkins would be great value here so I think the Niners pull the trigger on him.
11. Buffalo – Brandon Pettigrew.
12. Denver – Peria Jerry. This pick makes sense because it fills the Broncos biggest need. However, if Denver is starting at Mark Sanchez that could prove too much for them to pass up on.
13. Washington – Brian Cushing. I’ve seen this pick in a few other mocks and it makes sense because Cushing is a big, athletic OLB that would immediately provide pass rushing skills and a physical nature to the Redskins defense.
14. New Orleans – Rey Maualuga. I don’t see why this guy would slide out of the top 15. He is big, physical and moves well for his size. He is durable, a good leader on the field and the closest thing to Ray Lewis that I’ve seen since Jonathan Vilma.
15. Houston – Vontae Davis. Davis is a great coverman and would be a great compliment to Dunta Robinson.
16. San Diego – Tyson Jackson. The Chargers defense took a big step backward last year with Shawne Merriman on the sidelines. Jackson gives them improved pass rush from day one.
17. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez. Sanchez sliding to this spot might be a long shot but I think his lack of experience is going to factor in. I also think teams will hesitate to draft a QB any higher than they have to because of the money that may be necessary to secure him long-term once he develops.
18. Denver – Everett Brown. The Broncos need pass rushers, especially as they move to the 3-4 scheme. Brown can immediately provide pass rush and speed as a standup outside linebacker.
19. Tampa Bay – Jeremy Maclin. This guy is going to slide. I hesitate to even put him this high. He isn’t big enough and appears to be another Ted Ginn type that may not have the physical strength necessary to be a true stud at the NFL level.
20. Detroit – Michael Oher. The Lions got their QB and now they get a tackle. I think Oher may eventually wind up at RT because I’m not sure he has the feet and agility to play LT, but he looks pretty dominating as a run blocker.
21. Philadelphia – Chris Wells. The Eagles need a running back that can run with force between the tackles, not another undersized quick back. For this reason, I think they pull the trigger on Wells not Knowshon Moreno. I think the interest they’ve shown in Moreno is legitimate, but I also think that if Wells is available they will take him.
22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin. Harvin provides a pretty wide skillset, immediately helping the return game and providing a great weapon in the slot. The Vikings have some big outside WRs, so Harvin makes sense as a guy that can line up in the slot and get yards after the catch.
23. New England – James Laurinaitis. This guy just has Patriots written all over him. He will be a great addition to a defense that is aging and will team with last year’s top pick Jerod Mayo to add plenty of pop to the front seven.
24. Atlanta – Larry English. Teams are growing enamored with these types of athletes. English is not as good as Demarcus Ware or Merriman, but he has a similar look to his game.
25. Miami – Darius Butler. Good value and fills a definite need for the Dolphins with Butler who is probably the best true cover corner in this draft.
26. Baltimore – Darius Heyward-Bey. The Ravens will go local with Heyward-Bey who wows scouts with his athletic ability. He may end up being another workout wonder guy though who can’t put it together on the field, but at this point in the draft there are no sure things. He will be a nice target for Joe Flacco to throw to.
27. Indianapolis – Alex Mack.
28. Buffalo – Wiliam Beatty.
29. New York Giants – Brian Robiskie. This would prove to be one of those “Ah-Ha” moments in the first round where a team reaches a bit. I think Robiskie will prove to be the second best WR in this draft and could be a Reggie Wayne type of player.
30. Tennessee – Hakeem Nicks.
31. Arizona – Knowshon Moreno. The rich get richer? Wow, did I really say that about the Cardinals. Moreno is going to slide because I think teams are going to be worried about his durability at the NFL level.
32. Pittsburgh – Duke Robinson.
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