Sportmeisters NFL Mock Draft: 2.0

1. Detroit Lions

Sportmeister Justin: Matthew Stafford, QB: With not many elite QBs in this year’s draft class, Stafford is the clear cut best QB in the draft, and the Lions struggled all year to find a signal caller.

Sportmeister Ryan: Jason Smith, OT: Have passing options in Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton, need a solid O-Line to establish a running game before looking into a QB.

2. St. Louis Rams

SJ: Jason Smith, OT: Smith emerged as an elite left tackle in the combine.

SR: Eugene Monroe, OT: A consensus top five OT, the Rams need to bring in a good young fixture of the future, even more so now that Orlando Pace was released.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

SJ: Aaron Curry, LB: With new GM Pioli coming from the Patriots a defensive player is guaranteed here but the Chiefs invested in the defensive line last year and need an LB this year.

SR: Aaron Curry, LB: Top LB on the block, Butkus Award winner, Chiefs need an OT but will fall back on another team need.

4. Seattle Seahawks

SJ: Michael Crabtree, WR: Seahawks need a play maker to compliment T.J. Houshmanzadeh.

SR: B.J. Raji, DT: Their two biggest weaknesses are O and D-line, I like Raji in this spot.

5. Cleveland Browns

SJ: Brian Orakpo, DE: Browns could not put pressure on opposing QBs last year and this is a welcome addition.

SR: Brian Orakpo, DE: Originally I had they wouldn’t make the jump to an OLB (which is where he’ll play in the NFL), but after his combine performance, I’m convinced of the switch.

6. Cincinnati Bengals

SJ: Eugene Monroe OT: Once a strength of the team the tackle position is in much need this year.

SR: Michael Crabtree, WR: Really a toss-up right now between Crabtree and Maclin, but Crabtree is the healthier prospect to take at this spot, and it’s not worth reaching for a team need.

7. Oakland Raiders

SJ: B.J. Raji, DT: The Raiders need some help on the front line, and I think Raji is the highest rated DT available here.

SR: Jeremy Maclin, WR: His 4.46 40-yard speed notwithstanding, the Raiders need a big name for JaMarcus Russell to throw to, and with Al Davis there, you know he’s grabbing a big name offensive guy.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

SJ: Vontae Davis, CB: With the signing of William Thomas, the Jags will need to pick a corner and Malcolm Jenkins is slipping in the draft rankings.

SR: Malcom Jenkins, CB: The team’s biggest weakness, and even though Jenkins had a weak combine, he still is the top CB, and should make up for his poor combine showing at Pro Day to solidify this spot.

9. Green Bay Packers

SJ: Everette Brown , DE: A pass rushing specialist and the Packers ranked last in the league with sacks.

SR: Aaron Maybin, DE: With the Packers switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4, the spot is perfect for a DE who can switch back and forth, a la Jason Taylor, to help the team make the adjustment.

10. San Francisco

SJ: Mark Sanchez, QB: The 49ers wouldn’t have tried to so hard for Kurt Warner if they didn’t want a QB.

SR: Michael Oher, OT: He’s quick, but raw. If there is anyone who could turn him around, it’s Mike Singeltary.

11. Buffalo Bills

SJ: Brian Cushing, OLB: The Bills need to improve their defense in many aspects.

SR: Everette Brown, DE: With Aaron Schobel returning, throwing another DE on the line should help improve a pass rush that was 26th last year.

12. Denver Broncos

SJ: Tyson Jackson, DE: The Broncos need to desperately improve their defense.

SR: Brian Cushing, OLB: Originally I had the other USC LB here, but the Broncos would be better spent drafting an outside guy here, and Cushing is fast.

13. Washington Redskins

SJ: Andre Smith OT: Despite his flaws, he’s still a huge talent, and the Redskins need some O-Line help.

SR: Michael Johnson: DE: The DE position was a huge bust for Washington this season, and with two guys over 30, it makes sense to go for a young DE here.

14. New Orleans Saints

SJ: Malcolm Jenkins, CB: Even though Jenkins did terrible at the combine the secondary woes of the Saints need to be addressed.

SR: Vontae Davis, CB. While the Saints could use some LB help, Davis is just the smarter pick for a weak secondary.

15. Houston Texans

SJ: Clay Matthews, OLB: The Texans have a good core on offense and need to strengthen their defense.

SR: Perria Jerry, DT: They shored up the other side of the D-line in free agency, and with Jerry in the middle, the stage is set for some big sack numbers in Houston.

16. San Diego Chargers

SJ: Michael Oher, OT: Chargers need a LB but with the big names gone they will strengthen the O-line to establish a better running game

SR: Rey Maualgua, ILB: Your right, the Chargers do need a linebacker, and Maualgua, despite an injured hamstring, will fit perfectly in San Diego’s 3-4 scheme.

17. New York Jets

SJ: Chris Wells, RB: The Jets need a RB to replace Thomas Jones, who is old.

SR: Mark Sanchez, QB: That’s right, Matt Stafford is still on the board, taking even longer than Brady Quinn. I feel Sanchez is more NFL ready than Stafford, especially in the throwing department

18. Chicago Bears

SJ: Eben Britton, OT: The Bears need a right tackle to replace John Tait because of retirement.

SR: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR: No need to grab an injury-prone clone of Devin Hester like Percy Harvin, the 6'2" Heyward-Bey will fit in just fine.

19. Tampa Bay

SJ: Josh Freeman, QB: Originally, we thought they would need an RB, but the Bucs have found an insurance plan for Cadillac and need to get a QB here.

SR: Josh Freeman, QB: The difference here, besides the 6-6 frame, is he was coached at Kansas State by Bucs coach Raheem Morris.

20. Detroit Lions

SJ: William Beatty, OT: Thanks to his combine performance he is now a first-round pick

SR: Matt Stafford, QB: Who would have thought he would fall this far? The Lions couldn’t pull the trigger on him earlier, but will take him at a reduced price here.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

SJ: Robert Ayers, DE: The Eagles need a DE that can play every down.

SR: Knowshon Moreno, RB: The Eagles are thin at O-Line, but there isn’t one here to pull the trigger with. I see them filling the thin running back slot now and grabbing a lineman later

22. Minnesota Vikings

SJ: Tyson Jackson, DE: He will complement Jared Allen nicely.

SR: Phil Loadholt, OT: A beast at 6'8", he could take up the entire side of the line to make holes for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

23. New England Patriots

SJ: Darius Butler CB: Butler will help in gaining field position in the return game and will give a much needed spark to the Patriots.

SR: Clay Matthews, OLB: Despite not being a starter, he has all the right tools to come in and be effective immediately.

24. Atlanta Falcons

SJ: Rey Maualuga, ILB: The LB core is old and needs to be revitalized.

SR: Brandon Pettigrew, TE: Most people don’t think he’ll fall this far, but I do. He will be a perfect safety valve in the middle for QB Matt Ryan next year.

25. Miami Dolphins

SJ: D.J Moore, CB: The Dolphins need a playmaker on defense.

SR: Percy Harvin, WR: We all know how much the Dolphins love the Wildcat, and with the speed of Harvin and Ginn, the Dolphins will fly in 2009.

26. Baltimore Ravens

SJ: Jeremy Maclin, WR: Baltimore needs a playmaking WR.

SR: Kenny Britt, WR: Agreed on needing a WR, but I like the size of Britt (6’4’’) over other options.

27. Indianapolis Colts

SJ: Percy Harvin, WR: The Colts are going to need to replace Marvin Harrison.

SR: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB: While a receiver would be the smart pick, the injury history of their running game necessitates this pick.

28. Philadelphia Eagles

SJ: Alex Mack, C: The Eagles have a huge need to upgrade their O-Line.

SR: Eben Britton, OT: Here’s the lineman I told you they would find later, and at 6'5", 309, he’s hard to miss.

29. New York Giants

SJ: Knowshon Moreno, RB: The loss of Ward means that the Giants need another back and Moreno could be a good receiver out of the back field.

SR: Hakeem Nicks, WR: The Giants need a WR, point blank.

30. Tennessee Titans

SJ: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR: The Titans need some more weapons in the passing game

SR: Alphonso Smith, CB: He’s quick and powerful. The ACC all-time interception leader will fit right in at Tennessee.

31. Arizona Cardinals

SJ: Alphonso Smith CB: Arizona needs definite improvements in their secondary.

SR: LeSean McCoy, RB: The Cardinals have only one RB on the roster, so look for the shifty McCoy to be the best option here.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers

SJ: Sean Smith, S: Ryan Clark is old and in his last year of his contract.

SR: Tyson Jackson, DE: He’ll blend in well in Pittsburgh’s strong 3-4 that led to their Super Bowl title.