NFL Draft: Stafford Not First Overall, Mack Finishes First Round

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

I have set up my official mock draft.  This is assuming none of the teams trade which will not happen, but that makes everything complicated if you predict that part of the draft. I will present my choice, and explain why I chose (or why I think the team would choose) a particular player.

1. Detroit Lions select OT Jason Smith.

The Lions should choose Jason Smith because of the recurring thing that happens over the years in the NFL Draft: bust.  It's a scary word to a GM and Matthew Stafford shows the makings of a possible bust.  Just the word "possible" would scare me.

The Lions canNOT afford to draft ANOTHER bust. 

That leaves out any WR in the first round so...Jason Smith, while not a sure thing either, could follow the route of Jake Long and Joe Thomas in turning their teams into 10 win seasons (by no account am I predicting the Lions to do that...or close).

2. The St. Louis Rams select OT Eugene Monroe.

Not Michael Crabtree, for the same reason as stated above.  BUST.  I think Crabtree is the real deal, but many people feel the same about all first round receivers.  Plus they have a dire need for OT with Orlando Pace leaving.

3. Kansas City Chiefs select LB Aaron Curry

Cassel made my choice about...ooh.. 10,000x easier.  QB position...? Check (Whether your sold on Cassel or not, KC is and that is all that matters). Curry was projected here before Cassel came (but that was assuming Lions take Stafford) and nothing has changed.

4. Seattle Seahawks select WR Michael Crabtree

They select him for two reasons: depth and talent.  They need his depth and his certainly his talent is irresistible.  Last season, they had to sign Koren Robinson in the middle of the season because their first three options were injured.  That would convince me to get more receivers.

5. Cleveland Browns select QB Matthew Stafford

Yes, they have Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, but personally for me that solidifies the argument.  They aren't the answer at QB for the Browns.  They are good enough to teach him what NOT do in the NFL.  And what's so bad about a little competition anyway.

6. Cincinnati Bengals select DT B.J. Raji

They pick him because he's still available, even though WR is more pressing. Raji goes to the Seahawks and then the Bengals will select Crabtree.  My justification is their need especially since the Bengals are running a 4-3 and have no legitimate No. 2 option there.

7. Oakland Raiders select WR Jeremy Maclin

As a Mizzou Tiger fan, I would hope he could creep into the Top Five.  That just won't happen while Crabtree is here.  Raiders will go with a skill position, because JaMarcus Russel has no threat at wide out.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars select CB Malcolm Jenkins

Todd McShay has the Jags selecting Crabtree.  He won't fall that far.  If Maclin falls then they will select him (I hope they don't because they either have bad luck with receivers or are terrible at tutoring them into the game).  Jenkins would fill a need at DB.

9. Green Bay Packers select DE Brian Orapko.

They did install a 3-4 recently, but they will find somewhere for this talented d-lineman to go after he fell.

10. San Fransisco 49ers select QB Mark Sanchez

Well, they do have Shaun Hill and Alex Smith.  Smith, however is probably a bust and Hill may have been springing the pigskin all over the place because of Mike Martz.  Sanchez could a least give them a long-term option.

11. Buffalo Bills select DE Aaron Maybin

Bills need a pass rusher.  I hear Maybin is pretty good at that.

12. Denver Broncos select RB Chris Wells

This may be too high, but so is the other guy they want in Tyson Jackson and seeing as they have no No. 1 RB threat, Wells seems like the guy.

13. Washington Redskins select DE Robert Ayers

Ayers is drafted too high here, but the Redskins love him.  They also need a DE.

14. New Orleans Saints select CB Vontae Davis.

Is anybody questioning this move?

15. Houston Texans select LB Clay Matthews.

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