First Round Mock Draft with In-Depth Analysis

It's been awhile since I updated my last mock draft. I felt the need to change a few picks around.

This will be only a one-round mock draft. I will be posting my full seven-rounder in mid-to-late April.


1. Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia

I've had Michael Johnson, Aaron Curry, Sam Bradford, Aaron Curry, Andre Smith, and Matthew Stafford all being choices for the first pick. Sam Bradford decided to come back to Oklahoma, so that won't happen.

I feel that the Lions will go with the Falcons route. Draft a quarterback first, and an offensive tackle second.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith, Offensive Tackle, Baylor

The Rams decided to cut Orlando Pace a week or so ago. This choice was made due to his high salary. St. Louis' offensive line is pretty pathetic. Alex Barron has potential, but he seems like a waste to me. Jason Smith will be the leader of the offense for years to come.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, Middle Linebacker, Wake Forest

Even though the Chiefs traded for Mike Vrabel, I still feel that they need a young linebacker to help out the defense. Aaron Curry is the best defensive player in the draft by far and away.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle, Virginia

The Seahawks told reporters that the focus for the first round is to get a dominant offensive tackle. With the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the wide-receiver position is okay. The offensive line is what needs to be fixed.

5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Texas

Cleveland lost one of their best defensive players in Andra Davis. He is now a part of the Denver Broncos. The Browns focus of the draft needs to be on defense. Brian Orakpo would be a great pass rusher for a team that lacks a true presence besides Shawn Rogers.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

Despite making one of the dumbest decisions ever, I still feel that Andre Smith is a top-10 pick. He is a talented football player. The Bengals are desperate for offensive line help.

They would risk taking a high pick on a possible locker-room distraction.

7. Oakland Raiders- Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

Jump for joy Raiders fans, you're getting the guy you wanted. It's sad to see that a player as talented as Michael Crabtree has to fall this far. The Raiders could have a really good offense with JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden/Justin Fargas, Zach Miller, and Michael Crabtree.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, USC

I've heard from several Jacksonville websites that the Jaguars are considering drafting a quarterback in the first round. David Garrard only has one year left on his contract, and he's getting up there in age.

Mark Sanchez will be the future of the franchise if they draft him.

9. Green Bay Packers- Aaron Maybin, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Penn State

The former Penn State star had a decent combine, but impressed scouts at Penn State's pro day. He ran a 4.59, and weighed in at 253 pounds. He will look to add on more weight if he wants to play defensive end.

10. San Francisco 49'ers- Everette Brown, Defensive End, Florida State

I'm sorry Mike Singletary, you missed out on Kurt Warner and now Mark Sanchez, or Matt Stafford. The 49'ers could use some help on the defensive line. Everette Brown will solidify the defensive end position.

11. Buffalo Bills- Robert Ayers, Defensive End, Tennessee

The Bills only forced 24 sacks last year. If you didn't know already, that is pathetic. Aaron Schobel is still a good football player, but he's getting older and wearing down physically. Robert Ayers will be the future of the defense.

12. Denver Broncos- Tyson Jackson, Defensive End, LSU

Josh McDaniels did a tremendous job at filling the major needs on the Broncos roster. The only area that concerns me right now is the defensive end spot. Elvis Dumervil is solid where he's at, but the other side has no player with starting potential.

13. Washington Redskins- Michael Oher, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

The Redskins need a young and talented anchor for the offensive line. Michael Oher may be a little early for the No. 13 pick, but I feel that he will be a good football player. He is a make-or-break type player.

14. New Orleans Saints- Malcolm Jenkins, Free Safety, Ohio State

Malcolm Jenkins had a very disappointing combine, his stock fell quite a bit due to it. The Saints filled a need at cornerback with Jabari Greer. The free-safety spot is still left vacant. Josh Bullock and Kevin Kaesviharn split time there last year.

15. Houston Texans- Michael Johnson, Outside Linebacker, Georgia

Michael Johnson has been compared to Julius Peppers by many people. His stock often rises and then falls. I don't see him falling out the top-20 picks. He is very strong and is a great pass rusher.

16. San Diego Chargers- Rey Maualuga, Middle Linebacker, USC

Rey Maualuga played college ball at USC which is very close to San Diego, California. He is too good to pass up here. The top offensive tackles are off the board anyways. I considered B.J. Raji going here, but the need for another linebacker is much greater.

17. New York Jets- Chris Wells, Running Back, Ohio State

Thomas Jones is 31 years old, he has likely played his last season for the New York Jets. Leon Washington is a talented running back, but not an every-down-runner. Chris Wells is a big and physical running back.

18. Chicago Bears- Eben Britton, Offensive Tackle, Arizona

The Bears offensive tackles are pretty awful. Between Chris Williams, Frank Omiyale, and Cody Balogh, they have one combined start. If the Bears can land yet another talented young offensive tackle they will have a great running game.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- B.J. Raji, Defensive Tackle, Boston College

Finally! Finally, B.J. Raji has been drafted. I expect him to take a fall in this years draft. The need for defensive tackles aren't that important. The Buccaneers do not need a running back or a receiver in the first round.

20. Detroit Lions from Dallas- William Beatty, Offensive Tackle, Connecticut

Like I said, the Lions will take an offensive tackle with their second first round pick. They drafted Gosder Cherilus in the first round of last year's draft. William Beatty and Gosder Cherilus can make a good tandom on the offensive line.

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Paul Kruger, Defensive End, Utah

Automatically you disagree with this pick. Look at the Eagles draft history. They have selected a defensive lineman in the first for 4 of the last 5 years. The Eagles need an every-down left end who can make an impact.

22. Minnesota Vikings- Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Missouri

I had the Vikings taking Hakeem Nicks a few days ago. If Jeremy Maclin is available, the Vikings must take him. The only down-side if that Maclin returns kicks. Minnesota signed Glenn Holt who will likely be doing that job.

I can see Maclin returning punts though instead.

23. New England Patriots- James Laurinaitis, Middle Linebacker, Ohio State

I have had the Patriots selecting Laurinaitis for a long time now. New England still needs another linebacker. They traded Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs, it was the right thing to do. Laurinaitis and Jerod Mayo will be scary to face in a few years.

24. Atlanta Falcons- Brandon Pettigrew, Tight End, Oklahoma State

The Falcons failed to sign L.J. Smith. That is a good thing. Nobody wants a tight end who can't catch the ball when he's wide open. Brandon Pettigrew is easily the best tight end in the entire draft.

25. Miami Dolphins- Vontae Davis, Cornerback, Illinois

The Dolphins lost Andre Goodman to the Denver Broncos. They have no cornerback that is worth starting across from Will Allen. Bill Parcells has spent two of ten first round picks on a cornerback.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Hakeem Nicks, Wide Receiver, North Carolina

Derrick Mason is nearing the end of his career. Mark Clayton is showing potential but he's not a No. 1 wide receiver. Hakeem Nicks is a physical wide receiver who has been compared to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

27. Indianapolis Colts- Peria Jerry, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

I have had the Colts taking a defensive tackle for months now. Peria Jerry is too good to pass up at this point. Indianapolis hasn't had a true defensive tackle for years now. Peria will likely start from day one.

28. Philadelphia Eagles- Jamon Meredith, Offensive Tackle, South Carolina

The Eagles have told reporters that they plan on drafting an offensive tackle in the first round. Jamon Meredith is the best one available at this point. I see his stock in the second round, but the Eagles will take a chance on him early.

29. New York Giants- Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia

The Giants lost Derrick Ward to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. They succeeded with the "three-headed monster" last season. Knowshon Moreno seems too good to pass up this late in the first round.

30. Tennessee Titans- Darius Butler, Cornerback, Connecticut

The Titans won't likely draft a wide receiver in the first round after signing Nate Washington. They lost Chris Carr through free-agency. They need to address the depth situation in the secondary.

31. Arizona Cardinals- Donald Brown, Running Back, Connecticut

Tim Hightower impressed a lot of people during last year's season. The problem is that he isn't an every-down runner. Donald Brown is pretty small, but he's much more physical than he looks.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alex Mack, Center, California

The Steelers have a few needs that they need to address in the first round. The offensive line is the main problem on the 2009 Super Bowl winners. If Ben Roethlisberger wants to have a long career, he must get somebody that wants to block for him.