Mock Draft 4.0

With the football season over, it is time for another Mock Draft. This time it is version 4.0. Newest updates listed first.

1. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

--Unless something dramatic happens, the Lions should go with Stafford. Think about the following...last year they passed up Joe Flacco (Gosder Cherilus), 2006 it was Jay Cutler (Ernie Sims), 2005 had Aaron Rodgers (Mike Williams), 2004 there was Ben Roethlisberger (Roy Williams). 2007 they got one right with Calvin Johnson...but still...we all know the Joey Harrington experiment failed. But, they need to move on and take a QB that they can build on.
--Nothing new has changed here. The Lions need a franchise quarterback and they need one right now! There are plenty of options for offensive lineman and they can grab one with their second pick. Stafford has all of the tools and looks like he could develop into a great quarterback.

2. St. Louis Rams -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

--I still think offensive line is the biggest need for the Rams. Crabtree should get some consideration too, but who will throw to him if the quarterback is laying on his back?
--Another pick with no change. The Rams clearly need help on the line and Smith, in my opinion, is the best prospect in the country. He will be a dominant force for years to come.

3. Kansas City Chiefs -- Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

--I am a believer that in some way, the Chiefs are going to end up with Matt Cassel. With that the next biggest need is the defensive line. Brown seems to be higher on the want list than Orakpo at the moment (and even more after the combine). Previous Pick: Brian Orakpo
--If I am the Kansas City Chiefs, I am sticking with Tyler Thigpen...at least for one more year. I think this is too high to take Sanchez and with McCoy and Bradford both going back to college, the Chiefs would be better off with Thigpen and getting a solid position player instead. Kansas City needs somebody that can generate pressure on the quarterback. With new GM, Scott Pioli, I think they will turn to a 3-4 defense. If they draft Aaron Curry, chances are they move him inside, therefore I see a DE. Orakpo didn't have a great game against Ohio State and isn't participating in the Senior Bowl. I will probably change this pick when I see a better option, but right now I say Orakpo.

4. Seattle Seahawks -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

--This is still too perfect for the Seahawks, who desperately need a playmaker. Crabtree could and should develop into a Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson type.
--Unless something goes wrong in the top three (like the Lions taking Crabtree number one), I see him ending up in Seattle. No wide receiver had more than 50 catches last year, and the leader, Bobby Engram is 36 years old. Outside of Deion Branch, the cabinet is bare.

5. Cleveland Browns -- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

--With McGinest and Davis both expected to leave via free agency, Curry makes the most sense with this pick...especially if they go with a 3-4 defense.
--The Browns definitely need help on their front seven. Most notably at linebacker and defensive end. If Curry goes before the number five spot, Orakpo or Brown would be the next choice for the Cleveland. Malcolm Jenkins could also be an option here depending on what happens with the first four picks.

6. Cincinnati Bengals -- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

--The Bengals need people to protect for Carson Palmer. There should be plenty of choices for them here to make a good pick.
--The reason for the Bengals struggles. They can't protect the passer and they can't run the ball. It all starts with the offensive line and they need this unit to improve vastly. Monroe would solidify the tackle spot and be a key component.

7. Oakland Raiders -- Jason Smith OT, Baylor

--Oakland still needs a couple of playmakers on offense. Jeremy Maclin would be an option here as well, but the offensive line struggled the past couple years and Smith is as good of choice as any. Previous Pick - Michael Oher
--The Raiders need offensive line help almost as bad as the Bengals. My guess here is that Monroe goes first, which would leave the Raiders to select Oher. If Crabtree somehow fell here or the Raiders could move up, he would be a perfect fit.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

--This would be a tough spot for the Jaguars if all three of the top lineman are gone. I would have a feeling that they would try to move down a few picks, but if not, I don't think they would mind this pick. Previous Pick -- Jason Smith
--I can't believe I have three lineman in a row...especially in the top 10. But, the Jaguars are yet another team who needs help on the line and guess which position has the most prospects? You guessed it, offensive tackle.

9. Green Bay Packers -- B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

--I think the only other option for the Packers at this point would be Orakpo. Raji continues to climb the draft board, especially after dominating the Senior Bowl.
--The Packers need some beef in the middle of their defense. Raji fits the bell and is a very good player. His stock continues to move up and with a good Senior Bowl performance, might even go higher.

10. San Francisco 49ers -- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

--This is probably still the best option for the 49ers. Sanchez can take a year or two to develop if Shaun Hill can continue to be a moderate quarterback.
--With Bradford back at Oklahoma and Stafford off the board, and the 49ers biggest need being a QB, Sanchez makes the most sense. Shaun Hill is not the long term answer and Sanchez could sit a year or two and develop. This would be a good situation for both teams.

11. Buffalo Bills -- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

--Buffalo has more glaring needs, but none fit the bill to be drafted this high. Orakpo can rotate at end for a couple of years before becoming a 3-down player. Previous Pick -- Everette Brown
--The Bills need some help to get pressure on opposing QB's. Brown would fit that need perfectly and would be a solid pick at number 11. His stock is also rising and with some good outings, could move into the top 10.

12. Denver Broncos -- James Laurinitis, ILB, Ohio State

--The Broncos need an upgrade at lineback in the worst way. If Maualuga is off the board, Laurinitis would be the next selection. Previous Pick -- Rey Maualuga

--If Maualuga makes it here, the Broncos should be estatic. The defense needs a major upgrade and the Broncos could always grab a running back in the second round. They would be hard pressed to pass on him.

13. Washington Redskins -- Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

--I think Maybin is more of a fit than Johnson is for the Redskins. Maybin can provide some instant pass rush and works well against the run. Previous Pick -- Michael Johnson
--Washington definitely needs help on the defensive line. Raji would have been the perfect choice, but he continues to move up with each performance. I still think Johnson would be the correct choice here.

14. New Orleans Saints -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

--The Saints need to load up on defense so the offense doesn't have to score 40 points for the team to win. Jenkins has the talent to become a shut down corner. Previous Pick -- James Laurinitis
--Another pick that stays the same. Laurinitis is hurting himself by not being in the Senior Bowl, but I still think the Saints can't afford to pass him up, especially if Vilma leaves.

15. Houston Texans -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

--The Texans need some help at the safety position, but this would be too high to grab anyone. If Johnson could play opposite of Super Mario, the Texans would boast a great pass-rushing combo. Previous Pick -- Malcolm Jenkins
--If Jenkins happens to slip this far, the Texans would more than gladly take him. They need help in the secondary and Jenkins can be a shutdown corner.

16. San Diego Chargers -- Chris 'Beanie' Wells, RB, Ohio State

--This is just a matter of who the Chargers like more. Knowshon or Beanie. With so many questions at the running back position, either one works right now.
--With LT starting to slow down and Darren Sporles heading towards free agency, the Chargers need to find a running back and find one fast. They really need a linebacker and help on the defensive line, but I don't think they can pass on the chance to take Wells or Knowshon Moreno.

17. New York Jets -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

--Even though Favre retired, I don't like the pick of a QB here. Josh Freeman has the best arm, but the Jets still have Kellen Clemens and Erik Ainge. I would guess they get a veteran QB that they can use for another year or two to see if either of those guys can develop.
--It wasn't complete Brett Favre's fault that the Jets collapsed. Their pass defense was horrible towards the end of the year and Davis could step right in and play.

18. Chicago Bears -- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

--The Bears need somebody to throw the ball to so they can take off pressure from Matt Forte and Devin Hester. Maclin has decent size and the speed to fit the billing. Previous Pick -- Aaron Maybin
--All the talk was that Maybin was going to stay in school. Well, he didn't. The Bears like to upgrade on their offensive and defensive lines and Maybin would be a good fit. They really need a receiver to go along with Hester...but the two best on the board are Maclin and Harvin. I think they would want more of a possession guy.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

--The new coaching staff has a couple of decisions to make. They could go after Josh Freeman to be the quarterback of the future, or they could find somebody already on the roster. If the do the latter, a Bryant/Harvin combination would be deadly. Previous Pick -- Jeremy Maclin
--With the emergence of Antonio Bryant last year, the Bucs need one more play-maker. Joey Galloway is not getting any younger and Maclin would be a good threat. I could also see them going after Moreno if he was still here, but Maclin is still the choice.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) -- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

--With so many holes to fill, it is tough to gauge what the Lions would do with this pick. The biggest needs (after QB) are offensive line and linebacker. If Oher is around, it would be very hard to pass him up. Previous Pick -- Eben Britton
--Taking Stafford first is the smart move, the second smart move would be to grab an offensive lineman. Britton has been up and down, but remains the best tackle on the board.

21. Philadelphia Eagles -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

--This would give McNabb another viable option in the passing game. If they can sign or trade for a play-making receiver, watch out!
--Donovan McNabb finally found a deep threat in DeSean Jackson. LJ Smith isn't a great tight end and certainly doesn't have the abilities of Pettigrew.

22. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

--With a pass rush of Tyson Jackson and Jared Allen, the secondary might not have to stay in coverage as long. This would be very intimadating for opposing quarterbacks! Previous Pick -- Alphonso Smith
--Sticking with Smith for this spot. Vikings need to upgrade their secondary to keep teams from throwing left and right, up and down, and everywhere else on them.

23. New England Patriots -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

--The other option here would be a cornerback. I think one can be found in the second round and Cushing would be hard to pass up.
--The Patriots linebackers are getting old. The secondary needs help as well. Cushing looks like a perfect fit for Patriots system and can inject some youth into the team.

24. Atlanta Falcons -- William Moore, S, Missouri

--Atlanta has three needs that they need to address, and safety is one of them. Moore is the best one in the draft and the Falcons should go on that route. Previous Pick -- Terrance Cody
--The Falcons have a big need for DT. Cody would be the perfect fit for this team and he would be able to force two blockers on him at all times.

25. Miami Dolphins -- Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

--Joey Porter had a great year, but how much more does he have left? English would be a nice option for the DE/LB hybrid role and could move to OLB after Porter retires. Previous Pick -- D.J. Moore
--The secondary needs a face lift and Moore can provide at least part of that. This would be a good starting point for this up and coming team.

26. Baltimore Ravens -- Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

--It's hard to say that the Ravens need help on defense, but if they really want to shore up, drafting a top cornerback would be that step. The corners are getting old and the young guys just don't have starter stuff. Previous Pick -- Percy Harvin
--The Ravens desperately need help at cornerback and receiver. With most of the top corners gone, Harvin would be a good weapon for Flacco to use.

27. Indianapolis Colts -- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

--Unless the Colts can sign Haynesworth, Jerry looks like the selection of choice, assuming he is still here.
--When Darren Sproles can through the MIDDLE of your defense, you know you have problems. Jerry would be a good fit and maybe will cause someone besides Bob Sanders to make tackles.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) -- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

--Who knows when Brian Westbrook is healthy or not. And when he is, they still can't gain a couple of inches when they need it. Moreno could definately change that. Previous Pick -- Duke Robinson
--The next need for Eagles is someone that can push the line forward so they can get a couple first downs when it is third and short. Robinson could fill that need on the interior.

29. New York Giants -- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

--Same here as before. A play-maker is needed to help out. Unless the Giants somehow get Chedder Plex back, Nicks would be the choice.
--We all saw what happened to the Giants when Chedder Plex left. The Giants need a big receiving threat and Nicks fits it perfectly.

30. Tennessee Titans -- Alex Mack, C, California

--If the Titans are smart, they take Mack here. Kevin Mawae has to be getting closer to retirement and Mack probably only needs one or two years to really develop into a great center. Previous Pick -- Victor Harris
--The Titans don't draft receivers, even though they really need them. The next biggest need is probably at corner. Harris stays at this spot for now.

31. Arizona Cardinals -- LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

--I am assuming Moreno and Wells will be off the board and that Edgerrin James will no longer be in Arizona. McCoy is the best option if all of that happens! Previous Pick -- Knowshon Moreno

32. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

--The Steelers biggest need is that offensive line. They need to spend a couple of draft picks to address this need and Britton would be the first step in helping to solve the problem! Previous Pick -- Alex Mack