NFL Mock Draft: Detroit Won't Pick Stafford No. 1

Here is my first Mock Draft. Obviously this mock will change multiple times prior to the real NFL Draft depending on how the prospects perform at the combine, college pro days, and the signing of free agents.

In this mock, I refrain from making trades and I also have quarterbacks slipping due to teams outside of the top three not needing one. However, I highly doubt that both of the quarterbacks will fall out of the top five, let alone the top 10.

But due to team needs that’s exactly how this mock shakes out. So without further delay, here is my first mock draft.

1- Detroit—Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

Here’s the short and sweet version: Detroit is beyond horrific.

Not only were they one of the worst teams in NFL history last year, but they have no impact players on their roster outside of Calvin Johnson. This pick goes against most experts' picks of Matt Stafford here at No. 1 overall.

The Lions want out of this pick so bad, but nobody wants to trade up for it. So, look for the Lions to draft the Best left tackle available and sign a veteran stop gap quarterback for this season.

There is a deeper crop of QBs coming out next year and you never know, if Mark Sanchez slips out of the top 10 and Detroit rates him high enough, look for them to trade up from No. 20 and snag him.

2- St. Louis—Andre Smith, OT Alabama

The team has a new defensive minded coach. However, any good coach knows that the game is won in the trenches. Look for Spagnoulo to pick the big mauler out of Bama to sure up his offensive Line and grab players for his defense with later picks. (If Crabtree runs in the 4.4 forty range at the combine, this pick will be sought after by teams looking to trade up to get him).

Smith's recent disappearance act is probably a little ruse cooked up between St. Louis and Smith for both of their benefit. Smith has way too much upside. I know the knock on him is his feet work, his lack of being in the entire state with the rest of his team while they were losing in the Sugar Bowl, and this unusually bizarre disappearance act. 

But franchise left tackles are the most sought after human beings on the planet. When Smith gets his act togethar and works out individually for the team, the Rams are not going to let him get past them for a few trivial things like leaving the combine. You know his agent is already spinning this thing right now anyway.

3- Kansas City—Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

This is just a hunch feeling here, but look for new coach Haley, the former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator, to draft the No. 1 rated prospect available to pair with Dwayne Bowe.

This coach made a name for himself in the desert with Fitz and Boldin. Why wouldn’t he try to recreate that magic in Arrowhead. (Look for KC to trade Larry Johnson on Draft Day. Maybe to Arizona for Boldin).

The stress fracture does not play any part whatsoever. Any draft pundit who says that the stress fracture should be a factor in having Crabtree drop in the first round should have his head examined. Do not listen to that person again, about anything, even if they're warning you about a safe that is about to drop on your head.

Say back to them, "weren't you the guy who thought Crabtree would drop, man what were you thinking."

4- Seattle—B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

The Seahawks said their prayers and took their vitamins just like the Hulk told them to do, however they pick just one spot too late in this mock. Pick No. 4 is too high to draft Maclin and the Hawks ponder the thought of drafting Stafford to groom behind Matt Hasselback. But they play it safe and draft the rising DT out of B.C. (Could also pick OT).

5- Cleveland—Aaron Curry, OLB Wake Forrest

I think terrorist have infected the water at the Patriots football facilities with a rare weight gaining virus. Look at the coaches that have come from Belichek’s staff for proof (Belichek, Weiss, Crennel, and now Mangini). Look for Man-genius today, Man-goneious tomorrow to add some playmakers to the Browns lack luster defense.

6- Cincinnati—Jason Smith, OT Baylor

Ok, it’s still too early for Maclin, however Cincinnati will be in dire need of a WR once T.J. Houshyourmama leaves via free agency and he is the next best WR available. In this mock no QB has been drafted yet, so come draft day this spot would be where a team like San Francisco or Buffalo would be using a lot of their free night and weekend minutes phoning Cincinnati for a chance to move up and grab a QB.

Cincinnati still lands the o-Line help they desperately need. (Carson Palmer does a back flip and Cincinnatians’ hate you Taylor Mays).

7- Oakland—Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

The Raiders are on the long road to nowhere, lead by a new coach Tom Cable and a bumbling idiot of an owner Al Davis. The new Coach will want to have some input on this pick, but we all know that will not be the case here. Al Davis chooses who ever runs the fastest out of Malcolm Jenkins, Vontae Davis, and Jeremy Maclin.

8- Jacksonville—Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

The Jags recently released free agent busts Jerry Porter (WR) and Drayton Florence (CB), as well as 11 year vet Fred Taylor (RB). It’s too early in the Draft to pick the next available WR, Percy Harvin, and no team wants to spend the money it will cost the No. 8 pick to for RB Knowshon Moreno to split time with Maurice Jones-Drew. So I have the Jags picking the overrated Jenkins over the better prospect Vontae Davis.

9- Green Bay—Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB Penn State

The Packers will be switching to a 3-4 defense with new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. They will need to pick up a space eating NT either via free agency or at some point in the draft. They could also look at getting younger at the CB position with Davis.

However, I went with Maybin here to give them that 3-4 rush linebacker. Dom Capers will have flash backs to his days in Carolina, as the head coach of the Panthers, with the unstoppable Kevin Greene rushing the passer.

10- San Francisco—Mathew Stafford, QB Georgia

In all likelihood Stafford will be long gone by now. However, he is available in this mock and Mike Singletary wastes no time in acquiring his franchise QB of the future.

11- Buffalo—Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

It seems like yesterday that Buffalo used a top 15 pick on a running back. However with the recent arrest of Marshawn Lynch, the RB position becomes an immediate need for the Bills.

This is Lynch’s second run in with the laws, after he was arrested last year for leaving the scene of an accident with a pedestrian. Look for the NFL to suspend Lynch and for the team to possibly cut ties with their former first round pick.

12- Denver—Rey Maualuga, LB USC

The Broncos run defense is pathetic. Their Linebackers outside of D.J. Williams can’t tackle. Maualuga will be the Band-Aid to cover the massive hole in the middle of the Broncos defense.

13- Washington—Michael Oher, OT Mississippi

If it was up to team owner Daniel Snyder, Chad Johnson would have been a Redskin last year and Cincinnati would have been picking in this spot and for Washington again in 2010.

It’s too bad that the Bungles are too poorly run to have cut ties with Johnson. So, due to Snyder being allergic to draft picks and enchanted by veterans, the Skins only have two picks through roundd four (Rd1 and Rd 3 picks). Look for the skins to provide depth and a future starter for their aging offensive tackles.

14- New Orleans—Vontae Davis, CB Illinois

For years the Saints have been overpaying below average cornerbacks for their meager defense and it has shown. The Saints get a steal here if Davis lives up to his potential.

15- Houston—Mark Sanchez, QB USC

The Texans traded the farm a few years ago to pry Matt Schaub away from the Falcons. Since then, Schaub has not lived up to his contract and hasn’t been healthy. In a low risk, high-reward pick I have Houston picking Sanchez.

Sanchez being picked outside the top 10 wouldn’t cost the Texans an arm and a leg contractually. Hopefully this either lights a fire under Schaub’s ass or helps ship him out of town.

16- San Diego—Chris Wells, RB Ohio State

With Darren Sproles becoming a free agent and hints that Charger GM A.J. Smith might cut LT, running back becomes a priority for the Bolts. Wells is a big bodied back with speed who would fit nicely platooning with either of the previously mentioned backs. He shouldn’t break down sharing the load. (this was written before his 40 time, but still might hold true).

17- NY Jets—William Moore, S Missouri

This pick is the hardest to peg down. The Jets need upgrades at QB, WR, CB, S, DE, and RB (depth). However no one left in the draft at this point is a guaranteed “step right on the field and play” type player. Also, there are a lot of rumors of Ravens players defecting from Baltimore to join ex-defensive coordinator Rex Ryan over in the Garden State.

Moore would make a nice tandem with Kerry Rhodes, even though he had a bad senior bowl and his stock is falling.

18- Chicago—Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

Orakpo is an overrated pass rusher that is a little inconsistent. The Bears upgrade their defensive line with a young pass rushing end that most mocks have being drafted in the top 15.

19- Tampa Bay—LeSean McCoy, RB Pittsburgh

Tampa thought they were locking down the RB position for the foreseeable future when they drafted Cadillac Williams a few years ago. However, since an outstanding rookie season, the wheels have fallen off. Williams tore knee ligaments two years ago and again tore ligaments in the opposite knee at the end of this past season.

With Williams probably in an ambulance out of town, why not take a shot at McCoy? He could very well turn out to be the best back in this draft.

20- Detroit—Everette Brown, DE Florida State

With their first pick they solidified the offensive Line. Now with their second pick the first round, they shore up the D Line with a good edge rusher in Brown. (If Sanchez/Stafford makes it out of the top 10, look for Detroit to package this pick in a trade up for him).

21- Philadelphia—Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State

L.J “Hands of Stone” Smith will have his one-way ticket out of town. Pettigrew is the pass catching TE that Smith should have been.

22- Minnesota—Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State

Minnesota is hurt the most by Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford, and Tim Tebow heading back to school. They will not even catch a whiff of the top two QBs. Josh Freeman makes sense here, although coach Brad Childress doesn’t have much time left in the Big Minn if he doesn’t start winning soon.

Freeman is a project that Childress will probably not be around to see if he blossoms. (CB D.J. Moore or Alphonso Smith possibility here too).

23- New England—Brian Cushing, LB USC

Cushing is too good for the Pats to pass up. He showed good versatility at USC lining up at multiple positions. The Pats linebackers, besides Jerod Mayo, are up there in age and Cushing could play inside or outside in the 3-4 defense.

24- Atlanta—Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss

Hotlanta used a DT by committee scheme last year and DT is their biggest need heading into the offseason. Unfortunately, I think Jerry is overrated and his stats were a product of playing next to a great DE Greg Hardy in college.

25- Miami—Larry English, DE/OLB Northern Illinois

Bill Parcells drafts defense like it's going out of style. Also, Joey Porter is about 400 years old. Outside linebacker or corner is probably their biggest need, but if I’m Parcells, I look to Bring back the Sunshine State’s own Percy Harvin to pair with Teddy Ginn.

Please, someone tell me how you cover that speed?

26- Baltimore—Tyson Jackson, DE LSU

This pick—like the Jets pick—is shrouded with mystery. You won't know what the Ravens need until the dust of free agency settles. They already cut CB McCalister and could potentially lose Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Terrell Suggs. If they lose one or more LB’s look for Laurinaitis here.

27- Indianapolis—Percy Harvin, WR Florida

The Colts' biggest need the past two years has been defensive tackle. However, the two big DTs are off the board and the Colts could always reach for Senderrick Marks. However, they also might make Marvin Harrison a cap casualty. Anthony Gonzalez could move over to the No. 2 receiver, leaving Harvin to play the slot.

28- Philadelphia—Eben Britton, OT Arizona

Andy Reid can’t resist taking at least one offensive lineman in the first round. Nuff Said!

29- NY Giants—James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State

The G-Men need to upgrade their linebacking core due to Antonio Pierce getting up there in age and their OLBs aren’t too impressive. Also look for a cornerback if a linebacker is not available, with the G-Men possible shifting Terrell Thomas to safety.

30- Tennessee—D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbilt

The Titans should draft Hakeem Nicks here, but for some reason without fail they never spend a first round pick on a wideout. They instead turn to the defense to upgrade another position of need and select the next available corner.

31- Arizona—Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina

With the top running back off the board, the Cards turn to the WR position. Anquan Boldin wants out of the desert and the addition of Nicks could help accommodate that.

32- Pittsburgh—Alex Mack, C California

The Super Bowl Champs draft the best interior lineman available to help keep Big Ben on his feet.

That's it I have to go. To see some more check out www.beatbythenudge.com