Here's a look at a new first round.

 

1. Detroit Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Lions have a ton of needs but quarterback should be number one on their draft shopping list. Matt Stafford has all of the tools you look for in a top quarterback with his arm strength, pocket presence, and experience in a pro style offense.

Some say he struggles with accuracy and field vision but on tape he keeps his eyes downfield and makes extremely accurate throws. He will be the Lions pick come April.

 

2. St. Louis Rams: Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss

There is no longer a clear-cut number one offensive tackle in the draft so I thought I’d break this down systematically. The formula for the Rams breaks down into two parts to draft one of the top four offensive tackles vying for the number one spot (Michael Oher, Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe, and Jason Smith).

Their No. 1 need is a pass blocking tackle.

That takes Andre Smith out of the equation since he is a run block first type of tackle. Their second need in a tackle is one that can also play the right side. Monroe and Jason Smith are pure left tackles and would be a little overwhelmed on the right side.

Enter Michael Oher. He showed a nasty demeanor in the run game at the Senior Bowl and will be groomed to play the left tackle spot by Orlando Pace.

 

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia

Using the method in the St. Louis Rams draft pick, I’ve figured out something: I’ve had the wrong tackle going here this whole time. Andre Smith is a run blocking tackle who struggles a little with speed. Branden Albert also struggles with speed and struggles with his footwork and agility.

Eugene Monroe is a prototype left tackle that can block just about any pass rusher in the game. With Monroe and Albert on the same line, Chiefs fans will be reminiscent of the Will Shields and Willie Roaf days.

 

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

I had an interesting debate the other day with a guy who thought the Seahawks should select B.J. Raji with the fourth overall pick. I’m not buying it.

Michael Crabtree is easily the number one prospect in the NFL draft and can be mentioned in the same breath as Larry Fitzgerald, Carlos Rogers, Andre Johnson, and Calvin Johnson, though he was probably the No. 1 prospect ever and most draftniks were saying the same thing back in 2007. Crabtree has the size, hands, strength, route running ability, YAC ability, and the ability to catch in traffic to be a top five receiver in the league someday.

 

5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas

The Cleveland Browns had one glaring problem all season and that was their pass rush, or lack there of. Kamerion Wimbley has disappointed since his stellar rookie season and may need some competition to get him to step up. Brian Orakpo is comparable to Vernon Gholston as a workout warrior, but Orakpo is a seasoned veteran who can come in and start right away.

A lot of Cleveland fans want a corner but a lot of the struggles the Browns had in coverage is because the quarterback had seven seconds to throw.

 

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, LT, Alabama

Going for the best value on the board while mixing in their need for offensive line help, the Bengals will decide between Andre Smith and Jason Smith. A pass blocking specialist is needed and Jason Smith fits that bill. But why not him?

Because Cincinnati has a power run scheme, one where Andre Smith can maximize his abilities. He is a bit raw as a pass blocker but all the skills are there for him to flourish.

 

7. Oakland Raiders: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

Looking around in mock draft circles I have found one odd thing: I’m the only one who thinks Malcolm Jenkins will go to the Raiders. Everybody knows Al Davis LOVES his physical freaks so why doesn’t Jenkins fit the bill? He’s 6’1", weighs around 210 lbs., and runs in the low 4.4’s.

With axing of DeAngelo Hall and the possibility of losing both Nnamdi Asomugha and Chris Johnson in free agency, they need to draft a star corner. One thing I’d like to vent about. A ton of people have the Raiders selecting a left tackle while noting Mario Henderson played extremely well down the stretch.

Hmm...That’s funny, because he played extremely well at the beginning of the year when Kwame Harris was out. Maybe that’s not a coincidence.

 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith, LT, Baylor

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