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We all have read almost 21531 mock drafts on Bleacher Report (ok maybe not that many). Here is my final mock draft before the actual draft which takes place in less than 12 days.
1) Jason Smith, OT, Detroit Lions.
Analysis: Why? It's easy, Lions need the SAFEST pick for their crumbling fan base and franchise. They cannot afford to take a QB at No. 1 and let him be an epic failure.
The Lions will select Jason Smith, who is a converted TE, has the best feet in the draft and is a franchise Left Tackle. Book him and Gosder Cherlius at the tackles and let Kevin Smith run his way to 1000 yards for the next couple years if healthy.
2) Eugene Monroe, OT, St Louis Rams.
Analysis: There was no secret that the Rams were coveting Jake Long in last year's draft. They let go Orlando Pace and have Alex Barron heading into a free agency year. They need stability up front for Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger to have a chance in '09.
3) Aaron Curry, ILB, Kansas City Chiefs.
Analysis: Curry is the best PLAYER in this year's draft. Better than Crabtree, Stafford, Smith, Monroe and etc. He is the perfect defensive force that new GM Scott Pioli wants in KC. Curry and Johnson along with Dorsey would give KC some much needed punch on defense.
4) Mark Sanchez, QB, Seattle Seahawks.
Analysis: A lot talk has been that the 'Hawks will take WR Michael Crabtree. However, with the signing of WR TJ Houshmandzadeh this offseason, I think Seattle can't afford to give two starting WR's mammoth salaries. Hasselbeck is in his last year with Seattle and Jim Mora wants a QB who has leadership skills and knows how to win big games.
5) Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Cleveland Browns.
Analysis: Orakpo is the second best defensive pass rusher on the board. He is very strong and quick to the ball. Orakpo would give Wimbley much needed relief on the outside and helps him go single coverage vs the opposing team's tackles.
6) Andre Smith, OT, Cincinnati Bengals.
Analysis: Smith's stock has been falling worse than the Dow Jones in recent months. He has questionable work ethic, and discipline. However on a team like the Bengals he would be the perfect fit. Palmer is coming off a torn rotator cuff and needs time to throw to his only target now in Chad Johnson.
Smith is the most gifted OT in the draft and with the right people around him he could be the steal of this year's draft in another two or three years.
7) B.J. Raji, DT, Oakland Raiders.
Analysis: A lot of people have Al Davis taking Crabtree here. No I do not because in the past 20 years Davis has taken only ONE WR in the first round. His name? Tim Brown. The Raiders run defense is just atrocious and needs help on the defensive front. Raji is the best inside lineman in this year's draft and can cause havoc in Oakland.
8) Everette Brown, LB/DE, Green Bay Packers.
Analysis: Packers implemented a new 3-4 defense this past off season. They have two choices, Aaron Maybin who is 20 and doesn't have the NFL body just yet or Brown who can dominate his opponents with a quick step and has a great motor.
Brown has the intangibles to be a star in this league, and GB needs a player to produce now rather than three or four years down the line.
9) Michael Crabtree, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Analysis: Wow the Jaguars must be laughing at the way the draft has turned out. They have two choices, take the franchise QB in Matt Stafford or the potential future all pro WR in Michael Crabtree. Del Rio takes the WR for his offense.
They have the OL, QB who they just signed to a huge extension and the RB in Maurice Jones-Drew. Crabtree at the ninth spot is like Fitzgerald at the three spot back in 2004.
10) Aaron Maybin, DE, San Francisco 49ers.
Analysis: I am a diehard 49er fan, I know we need the franchise QB. However we also need a pass rush. I can't see Issac Sponaga line up at LE anymore. Maybin is 20 years old, ran a 4.59 and had a 10x10 broad jump. With this selection Mike Singletary gets the game changing pass rusher that this team desperately needed.
11) Robert Ayers, DE, Buffalo Bills.
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