A Shot in the Dark: My Attempt at a Mock Draft

They want Matt Ryan an I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see them trading up to get him, but I’m not predicting trades here. Without Ryan there they’ll look at defensive backs and offensive lineman. With McKelvin gone it’ll come down to Brandon Alberts or Ryan Clady. The versatility of Alberts pushes him up and is the reason he has flown so far up the boards.

This is the guy they want and they need and if he’s here it shouldn’t take them long to make this pick. Ellis has made a strong impression in pre-draft workouts and could move up out of the Bengals reach, but I only see that happening if teams get gun shy on Dorsey and I’m sure the Bengals aren’t opposed to settling for him if need be.

Ideally, this pick would be Ellis or McKelvin. And McKelvin is still a very likely possibility as the Pats pick was a bit of a reach. But if it plays out this way than it comes down to Keith Rivers or one of the Cornerbacks, Cromartie or Jenkins. The popular pick is a cornerback, but I think it’ll be Rivers. He has all the tools and the ability to play inside or outside.

Everything I see, read and hear is saying these guys are sold on taking a WR. This pick is an assumption that before the draft rolls around they will realize there just isn’t a WR worthy of this high if a pick. Devin Thomas is to unproven on the field and Malcolm Kelly isn’t showing anything in workouts. Taking Jenkins to replace Clements simply makes the most sense and I hope Buffalo can see that.

They want a DT but I doubt they’ll be willing to trade up to get one, though you never know with these guys as they’ve done it before (Jay Cutler). With no DT worth taking they’ll have many options including, Derrick Harvey, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, Chris Williams, a number of WR’s, and the guy I ultimately think they’ll settle on, Clady. They’re lucky to find him here and won’t hesitiate to snatch him up.

They want an Offensive Lineman. But with Clady and Alberts gone and Derrick Harvey still here I think the temptation is to strong and they pass on Chris Williams and Jeff Otah. Harvey is turning in some very impressive workouts and his speed rushing skills would be an ideal pair with the strong Peppers.

It won’t be easy for them to pass on Mendenhall with this pick, but they need offensive line help and they need it bad. They’ll be deciding between Chris Williams and Jeff Otah, but I think they go Williams as he is more ready to step right in and contribute. Otah is still a work in progress.

The Lions have a tough decision on their hands here. If Derrick Harvey is here I think he would edge out anyone else. But he isn’t here and so it comes down to Mendenhall and Mayo. The Lions love Mayo and have been targeting him for the 2^nd Round all the way, but now he is flying up the boards and they won’t likely get him in the 2^ndRound. I think this is a battle of who Millen wants (Mendenhall) and who Marinelli wants (Mayo) and I believe Marinelli wins out on this one as he did with picking Ernie Sims.

They’ll be holding their breath during the Lions pick and I don’t think will be able to pass up Mendenhall. What a running back duo this will give them and really complete their offense. They need a defensive back, but they can get one in the second round, they can’t pass up Mendenhall.

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