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Beasty's Mock Draft: Version 1.0
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I think you all pretty much know the drill for Mock Drafts so here it goes:
1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford (Georgia) It's quite likely that the Lions will take a quarterback after dismal performances from Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, and Daunte Culpepper, this past season. Over the next three months, expect the team to breakdown and compare Stafford and USC's Mark Sanchez. In the end, I think they decide to select Stafford, who has the bigger arm and has far more experienced than Sanchez, who has started just one full collegiate season.
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Andre Smith (Alabama) If the Rams are to become relevant again, they'll need a great offensive tackle to anchor their offensive line and replace the great LT Orlando Pace for the 2009 NFL Season. Alabama's Jason Smith has continued to rise on draft boards over the last couple weeks and I think he has the potential to become a great left tackle in the mold of guys like Pace and Jonathan Ogden.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - QB Mark Sanchez (USC) With new general manager Scott Pioli now calling the shots, he'll want to select his quarterback of the future to build around. Sanchez, who has a big arm and a nice feel to the game, could potentially become the cornerstone of the Kansas City franchise. Look Pioli to go for potential over immediate production with the pick of Sanchez.
4. Seattle Seahawks - WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) Last season, Seattle's struggles were due in large part to a poor offensive line and a lack of talent at the wide receiver position. They might be tempted to select one of the offensive tackles, but Crabtree is too good of a play maker to pass up. He will be a great weapon for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck because he is both big and fast with nice, soft hands.
5. Cleveland Browns - OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest) The Browns seem to have their offense in place with Brady Quinn under center, but they have plenty of holes to fill on the defensive side. Secondary may be their biggest need, but there really isn't a cornerback worth taking this high in the draft. So in the end, they'll nab Curry, who is just a freakish athlete and be able to make plays for their defense immediately.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Jason Smith (Baylor) Carson Palmer is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but he has had trouble staying healthy over the past few seasons. To protect Palmer, look for the Bengals to use this pick on a left tackle. They'll have to consider Smith, Ole Miss' Michael Oher, and Virginia's Eugene Monroe, but I think they're going to fall in love with Smith’s exceptional athleticism.
7. Oakland Raiders - OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss) The Raiders are always a wild card come draft day with Al Davis calling the shots. While Davis has a tendency to draft flashy skill guys, this JaMarcus Russell-led offense is going nowhere until it learns how to protect the quarterback. That said Oher best fits the bill as a big pass blocking left tackle.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia) The Jaguars had a lot of offensive line issues in 2008 so look for them to nab Monroe who will help increase the production of proven stars such as QB David Garrard and RB Maurice Jones-Drew.
9. Green Bay Packers - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College) The Packers are getting older in their secondary so don't be surprised if the nab a cornerback in the first round. However, Raji is a perfect fit for the Packers. After working out really well at the Senior Bowl, Raji has shown he is the best DT in the entire draft. With Green Bay switching to a 3-4 defense, they'll need some defensive line help and someone who can eventually become a dominant NT in the NFL. Raji is that guy.
10. San Francisco 49ers - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) The 49ers need playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and Maclin certainly fits that bill. Over the past two seasons, Maclin became one of the best all-purpose threats in the entire nation while leading Missouri to back-to-back ten win seasons. If Sanchez is still on the board here, look for them to address their quarterback needs but if not, then Maclin could be the guy.
11. Buffalo Bills - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State) The Bills would love to improve their defense with a guy like Raji but they also need some help on offense, especially at tight end. Pettigrew is a safe pick with his ability to block and catch the ball, and should be a nice fit for Dick Jauron's run-heavy offense.
12. Denver Broncos - MLB Rey Maualuga (USC) The Broncos had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2008 so look for them to seek major upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. In order to build a nasty front seven, look for them to add the intimidating Maualuga to fill up a huge whole at middle linebacker.
13. Washington Redskins - DE Everett Brown (Florida State) The 'Skins could use one of the four offensive tackles, but with all of them off the board, look for them to snag the best available defensive lineman available in Florida State's Everette Brown. Brown is a bit undersized but his ability to rush the passer could allow him to make an immediate impact in D.C.
14. New Orleans Saints - CB Malcom Jenkins (Ohio State) The Saints have tried and tried again to fix their cornerback problems via free agency but have had little success (see: Jason David). Now, I think they'll decide to fix the problem in the draft by selecting Jenkins.
15. Houston Texans - DE Paul Kruger (Utah) The Texans need a defensive end to play alongside Mario Williams, and Kruger seems to fit the bill. He's quick out of his stances and knows how to get pressure on the quarterback.
16. San Diego Chargers - RB Knowshown Moreno (Georgia) The Bolts need some help at running back with LT slowing down and Darren Sproles proving that he's not an every down back even if he does re-sign with the team. Therefore, look for them to take Moreno, who would be a steal at this point. Knowshown is a solid runner but his receiving abilities make him a perfect fit for a San Diego team that likes to throw. If Moreno is off the board then look for them to draft LeSean McCoy from Pittsburgh.
17. New York Jets - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois) While a big play threat at either RB or WR is tempting, the Jets desperately need another corner to play alongside Darrelle Revis.
18. Chicago Bears - WR Percy Harvin (Florida) The Bears desperately need a playmaker on offense to help out Kyle Orton. With Harvinlining up alongside Devin Hester, defenses might have a lot of trouble slowing down these Midway Monsters.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB Chris Wells (Ohio State) The Bucs need a dependable running back with Ernest Graham and Carnell Williams in and out of the lineup seemingly every week due to injury. Therefore, look for them to target either LeSean McCoy of Pittsburgh or Chris Wells of Ohio State with this pick. In the end, Wells is the more experienced back and should fit well into their system.
20. Detroit Lions - OLB Brian Cushing (USC) After ranking last in nearly every major statistical defensive category, the Lions will surely need some help on defense if they are to ever become a viable contender in the NFC North. Therefore, look for them to select Cushing, who is a versatile defender and should be able to contribute immediately. After starting four years at USC, Cushing has played DE and MLB in addition to his regular position at outside linebacker. This versatility and experience should allow him to make an instant impact in Detroit.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Donald Brown (Connecticut) The Eagles could use another running back to complement Brian Westbrook, who has battled injuries these past few seasons. Despite a perceived lack of toughness and strength, Brown would be an excellent fit in Philadelphia due to his breakaway speed. I see Brown, who was also the nation's leading rusher in 2008, as this draft's version of Matt Forte.
22. Minnesota Vikings - OT Eben Britton (Arizona) It is widely anticipated that the Vikings will bring in a veteran QB such as Donovan McNabb or Jeff Garcia to fill the void at quarterback. As a result, they'll be able to select the best player available. Britton appears to be that guy and could take over the starting spot on the right side as soon as training camp begins.
23. New England Patriots - OLB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) Generally speaking, the Patriots tend to draft the best available player and the Ohio State linebacker seems to be that guy here at number twenty-three. Laurinaitis is a versatile linebacker and would certainly fit in with New England's defensive philosophy.
24. Atlanta Falcons - S Patrick Chung (Oregon) The Falcons must take the necessary steps to improve a pass defense that ranked a dismal 21st in the entire NFL. Chung is a hard-hitting safety who could help Atlanta break up passes deep down field.
25. Miami Dolphins - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland) If the Dolphins are going to take the next step as a franchise, than they must take the necessary steps to improve an offense that ranked just 21st in points scored. Their running game is top-notch with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but they could use another wideout like Heyward-Bey to help out Chad Pennington.
26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest) While the Baltimore defense was among the league's best last season, they're starting to get a little old and the futures of Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott, are up in the air. Also, the depth at corner was made quite apparent late in the playoffs.
27. Indianapolis Colts - WR Kenny Britt (Rutgers) With Marvin Harrison on the decline, the Colts will need a third wide receiver to complement Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. Britt has some pretty good size and speed and could certainly provide a nice, downfield target for QB Peyton Manning.
28. Philadelphia Eagles - TE Chase Coffman (Missouri) If Donovan McNabb is ever going to win a Super Bowl as the quarterback of the Eagles, than the front office must finally acquire some offensive weapons for the ten year veteran. Coffman would finally give McNabba "go to" tight end that would also free up receivers Reggie Brown and DeSean Jackson on the outside.
29. New York Giants - DE Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech) After a devastating playoff loss at the hands of the Eagles, it became quite clear that the G-Men needed a suitable replacement for the retired Michael Strahan, who is now an analyst for Fox Sports. Johnson would be by far the best defensive end here so expect New York to draft the former Yellow Jacket.
30. Tennessee Titans - DT Evander Hood (Missouri) With the futures of both Albert Haynesworth and Jevon Kearse up the air, the Titans will need some help on the defensive line so it would appear as if Hood makes a lot of sense at number thirty.
31. Arizona Cardinals - RB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh) Before the Cardinals' amazing Super Bowl run, a frustrated Edgerrin James stated publicly that he wanted out of Arizona. Even after doing an admirable job during the playoffs, I think that he's still going to get his walking papers so look for them to draft a running back here.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - C Alex Mack (California) Unless they want their franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to get his head cut off, than the Steelers are going to need to shore up their offensive line. Mack is arguably the top center in the entire draft so expect them to get some help for Big Ben.
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