The Real Mock Draft...BJ Raji Moving Up Quickly on Draft Boards

Every team is looking for that franchise player. Will your team get that guy? Here are my top 10 picks.

1. Detroit/Matthew Stafford/Quarterback/Georgia

The Lions need to turn their team around as soon as possible, and a franchise QB like Stafford would be their best bet. Also look for the slight possibility of Aaron Curry being selected here at No. 1.

New head coach Jim Schwartz loves his linebackers, and Aaron Curry just happens to be the best player at any position in the draft.

2. St. Louis/Malcolm Jenkins/Cornerback/Ohio State

I really can't see the Rams staying with the No. 2 pick, because they would love a big left tackle to anchor their offensive line, and they could get someone like that by trading down to a No. 6 or 7 draft slot.

With that said, the Rams' secondary is one of the worst in the NFL, and I can't see them passing on Jenkins here if they maintain this pick.'

3. Kansas City/Mark Sanchez/Quarterback/USC

OK, lets look at the reality here. Tyler Thigpen is an... entertaining quarterback for a lack of a better term, but entertaining doesn't win championships. I can't think of another NFL team besides Detroit that he would be starting for if he wasn't on the Chiefs.

Mark Sanchez is a proven all-around QB. (I could also see them trading with Cleveland down to No. 5, and maybe have a guy like Derek Anderson involved.)

4. Seattle/Michael Crabtree/Wide Receiver/Texas Tech

If the Seahawks wouldn't have franchised Leroy Hill, Aaron Curry would have been a definite bet here to be picked at No. 4.

However, they did tag Hill, and Michael Crabtree is your top option here now. He is an extraordinary playmaker, and that is what they have been missing in Seattle for a long time.

5. Cleveland/B.J. Raji/Defensive Tackle/Boston College

This was the hardest pick I had to make. The Browns would love an Aaron Curry to take over for Willie McGinest.

However, their defensive line was just plain sad last year. Raji would be a great fit at defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, or nose tackle if Cleveland want to keep Shaun Rogers at the end position.

6. Cincinnati/Jason Smith/Offensive Tackle/Baylor

This was another hard pick. With four tackles possible to picked here, and Aaron Curry still riding the draft boards, (and don't forget Jeremy Maclin to possibly come in for the two superstar wide receivers at the end of their contract in Cincy) Smith seemed to be the safest pick here.

The only reason this pick was hard was because Jason Smith didn't attend the Senior Bowl.

7. Oakland/Andre Smith/Offensive Tackle/Alabama

The Raiders are in desperate need of a playmaking wide receiver such as Jeremy Maclin. They could easily trade up for someone like Michael Crabtree, but its hard to have a dominant offense with little or no protection.

Smith could go as high as No. 2, and if he slips this far, he is not getting past Oakland.

8. Jacksonville/Aaron Curry/Linebacker/Wake Forest

I know what you are saying... FINALLY THE BEST PLAYER GETS DRAFTED! Well, that's true. The Jaguars are not sold on their current linebackers.

Justin Durant is an emerging star, but that is only one of three linebacker positions. Curry could be the leader of this team for years to come (Jeremy Maclin, again, is an option here).

9. Green Bay/Brian Orakpo/Defensive End/Texas

With Green Bay moving Aaron Kampman to OLB in the new 3-4 scheme, the Packers are almost forced to draft an end. Orakpo is very strong and aggressive.

Everette Brown from Florida State, Michael Oher, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew are also top options here.

10. San Francisco/Brian Cushing/Outside Linebacker/USC

The 49ers could use help at many positions. However, they seem determined on adding another linebacker, and Cushing would be the way to go.

Maclin, Brown, and safety William Moore are the next best things for San Francisco.