Big Man Is a Smaller Risk: Jason Smith No. 1 to the Detroit Lions

Hi everyone.

It's been an interesting year, but it's that time again.

Yes, free agency is in full swing and the most fun part of the NFL offseason is coming up: the NFL Draft, Apr. 25-26. The reason why the draft is such fun, you ask? Simple: every team is important.

Yes, even the 0-16 Lions, because they control their own destiny at the top of the draft (the fact that they had to lose 16 games to get that pick and will again fade to nothingness is beside the point, right now they're important).

Now, without further ado, my mock draft, with a couple of projected trades along the way.

1. Detroit Lions: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

This Smith is the complete package at OT. He doesn't quite have the feet of a Eugene Monroe, but has all the other measurables, upper body strength chief among them, and also has the leg drive to finish blocks. Plug him in at left tackle from day one, and leave him there for the next 10 years.

The new front office in Detroit CANNOT afford to miss on this pick, and so they'll be obliged to take a lineman. Remember: Calvin Johnson can't get the ball if his quarterback is eating the turf (or stepping out of bounds freely).

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Eugene Monroe, like Jason Smith, is a top-flight prospect at the critical LT position. With the loss of longtime mainstay Orlando Pace this offseason, it's a no brainer: the Rams are obliged to take the top OT still on the board with this pick.

In my opinion, it's Jason Smith, if the Lions go quarterback, but Monroe is no slouch either: He's another 10-year starter.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

Depending on who you ask, Aaron Curry might be the best player in the draft.

B.J. Raji would be the historical pick here (with high picks, the Patriots, new GM Scott Pioli's former team, have gotten the likes of Ty Warren, Richard Seymour, and Vince Wilfork), but Glenn Dorsey was last year's pick and Curry is a phenomenal talent who is extremely versatile.

In other words, he's exactly what Pioli will look for.

4. Seattle Seahawks: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

What a shame for the Seahawks if the Lions pass up on Stafford- they're left to choose between Hasselbeck and none other than the man Detroit passed up. But even though Raji's a bit of a reach here, he's still a great option and is the consensus best interior defensive lineman in the draft.

I just don't think that at this point Seattle is going to be interested in anything other than trading down. Unfortunately for them, nobody is going to want this pick, so Raji's the best option left.

5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

Cleveland's pass rush was up there in terms of its ability to suck every week. The best way to fix that is not with a defensive back, but by fixing the poor pass rush. Orakpo is the best player available who can do that, at least in my opinion, although Everette Brown warrants consideration.

With Stafford still on the board, Cleveland might get a phone call from the Denver war room about Jay Cutler, but in my opinion, Cleveland needs to fix its defense NOW with this pick.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Talk about a risk. Andre Smith at this spot? Still, he's exactly what the doctor ordered from a positional standpoint for the Bengals—with the signing of WR Coles, they've effectively eliminated the possibility of taking Crabtree or Macklin with this pick.

Smith has all the talent in the world, maybe enough to make the Hall one day. But if he's as lazy as some people say he is...well, he could be out of the league in five years.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

If the Raiders were any other team, I would say they would trade down, but the Raiders are not any other team.

If Al Davis was any other owner, I would say the Raiders should be looking OT in this draft, but Al Davis is not any other owner.

In light of this, I think Davis will go with what he thinks is best- another home-run hitter for the offense, even when I think the 49ers would be extremely interested in trading, say, a fifth-round pick to swap with the Raiders in order to move up and take Stafford here (his price tag will be more manageable at No. 7 than it would be at No. 1).

Don't get me wrong: Macklin is a phenomenal player who has tremendous versatility and can add to any offense. But if the Raiders were to trade to No. 10, Macklin might still be there, and if he isn't, then it's virtually a lock that Michael Oher will be.

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