NFL Draft: How the Top 10 Should Look

Take the salary slots out of the equation and here’s how the top ten of the NFL should look.

No. 1 Detroit - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

You don’t go 0-16 without glaring needs on both sides of the ball.  I know conventional wisdom says take either Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, or even Tackle Jason Smith, but the Lions ranked dead last in virtually every defensive category last year.

To start the healing process they need to get better on that side of the football.  Curry is the best defensive player in the draft and he’d impact that unit immediately.

No. 2 St. Louis - Jason Smith, T, Baylor

St. Louis has allowed an average of 48 Sacks the past five seasons.  With Orlando Pace moving on, adding a Tackle is a no-brainer. Virtually every mock draft I’ve seen has Smith going to the Rams so it appears we’ll have a match. Smith is big, strong, and athletic. He won’t single-handedly solve the Rams’ offensive line issues, but he’s a start.

No. 3 Kansas City - Brian Orakpo, LB/DE, Texas

The Chiefs recorded a staggering ten Sacks last year.  Once upon a time the Chiefs had a player, Derrick Thomas, record seven Sacks in one game.  While he isn’t going to replace what Jared Allen gave them, Orakpo would inject some life into that feeble pass rush. 

No. 4 Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia

I know what you’re thinking. The Seahawks and Michael Crabtree seem like a perfect marriage. I agree they need help in their passing game, but the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh at least put a Band-Aid on that problem.

They also need help in their Running game, and while I was tempted to pair them with Knowshon Moreno or Beanie Wells, I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and add a Tackle that should improve both aspects of the Seahawks Offense.

No. 5 Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

He’s just too much of a talent to pass here.  You have a young QB in Brady Quinn that could use a reliable weapon since Braylon Edwards has suspect hands and Kellen Winslow was shipped to Tampa Bay.

His stock has dropped with the injury and being shorter than originally thought, but I put more stock into what he did on the field.

No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith, T, Alabama

Smith is a guy that looked to be taken in the top two a few months ago. So much has changed. So he doesn’t look good with a shirt off. He’s undisciplined. He’d fit right in with the Bungles. Seriously though, he’s got talent.

The Bengals were sacked 51 times last year. Carson Palmer is coming off an injury. Seems like a good fit to me.

No. 7 Oakland Raiders - Everette Brown, LB/DE, Florida State

The Raiders need to get to the Quarterback. Plain and simple. To quote UPS, that’s what Brown can do. Aaron Maybin may have more upside, but the Raiders need to get a guy who’s ready now. Raider Nation has waited long enough.

No. 8 Jacksonville Jaguars - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

The Jags weren’t the same team without Marcus Stroud, who left for Buffalo. Raji, all 337lbs of him, would help the Jags D get their mojo back. He’s a run stuffer. In a division with Joseph Addai, Chris Johnson, LenDale White, and Steve Slaton, Raji is just what the Doctor ordered.

No. 9 Green Bay Packers - Aaron Maybin, LB/DE

With the Packers switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme, Maybin is a great fit to plug in at OLB and let him get after the QB. Green Bay had just 27 Sacks in a division that featured Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, Jon Kitna, Drew Stanton, and Drew Henson.

Not exactly your powerhouse of NFL signal callers. 

No. 10 San Francisco 49ers - Matthew Stafford 

The 'Niners crashed and burned with Alex Smith so I could see their hesitation in taking a QB in the top 10. Without the guaranteed top ten dollars though, the Niners would take another stab at adding a franchise QB.

Stafford has all of the physical tools and smarts to play at this level. As the 10th pick he wouldn’t have the top pick pressure.

This article was originally published at LestersLegends.com.