Josh's NFL Mock Draft: Round One.

1. Detroit Lions: Jason Smith OT, Baylor

The Lions need a franchise quarterback, but they also need an offensive lineman.

The reason the Lions had to play third-stringers Dan Orlovsky and Daunte Culpepper at quarterback in the first place was because the offensive line couldn’t protect Jon Kitna and Drew Stanton.

The Lions could draft Matthew Stafford or Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but it doesn’t matter how good Stafford and Sanchez are if their team’s offensive line can’t provide any protection.  Either one would get sacked repeatedly and be forced to make throws under pressure.

With that in mind, Smith would be a great fit at left tackle, opposite second-year tackle Gosder Cherilus.  

If the Lions really are desperate for a quarterback, they can draft Kansas State’s Josh Freeman at No. 20, look to trade for a QB like Brady Quinn or sign Michael Vick if he’s out of prison.

2.  St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

With Orlando Pace gone, the Rams need a new left tackle if they want to keep quarterback Marc Bulger healthy.  Monroe can start on the Rams line for years to come.

3.  Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

The Chiefs get an all-around great linebacker to complement Mike Vrabel.  Curry is the most NFL-ready prospect in this draft.

4.  Seattle Seahawks: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Seahawks need a lot of help with pass and rushing defense.  They still need a pass-rushing defensive end. Orakpo’s specialty and ideal position is as a four-three defensive end, which is exactly what he will play for the Seahawks.

5.  Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Browns need another pass-catcher. Badly.

Donte’ Stallworth faces as many as 15 years in jail on vehicular manslaughter charges in Florida. Braylon Edwards might be traded.

Joe Jurevicius was released in March. Josh Cribbs isn’t even a No. 2 wide receiver.

By drafting Crabtree, the Browns get more than a No. 2 receiver: They get a Larry Fitzgerald.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Bengals recently signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson, so Boston College’s B.J Raji isn’t likely to go here.  

Smith, on the other hand, is a great fit.  If the Bengals’ O-line had protected Carson Palmer last season, the offense wouldn’t have struggled so much.

Smith can protect Palmer while also being a tremendous run blocker for Cedric Benson

7.  Oakland Raiders: B.J. Raji,  DT, Boston College

One reason the Raiders defense gave up 159.7 yards rushing per game last season was because it lacked a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle. 

Raji is just that. He could start from Game one, and greatly help the Raiders defense against the run.

8.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Current quarterback David Garrard seems like he could be a one-year wonder.

If Stafford doesn’t start immediately, the Jaguars could groom and develop him for a season.  Or they could trade Garrard for a wide receiver.

9.  Green Bay Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

The Packers need a defensive end to replace Aaron Kampman, who will move to outside linebacker in the team’s new three-four scheme.

Maybin fits there. He can also play linebacker if the team moves Kampman back to the line.

10.  San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

The space-eating Oher would be a great fit at right tackle, opposite Joe Staley.

Oher would provide great protection for either Shaun Hill or Alex Smith, who are competing for the starting quarterback job.

11.   Buffalo Bills: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

Aaron Schobel is getting old and missed 11 games last year, though he’s adamant that he can still play well.

We can’t say that much about the other side of the defensive line and that spot is Ayers’ for the taking.

12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Tyson Jackson is an ideal fit at three-four defensive end, which he will play in the Broncos defense.

13. Washington Redskins: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

It seems like the Redskins want anybody to be their quarterback besides Jason Campbell. 

If they choose Sanchez, they can trade Campbell away for a second or third-round draft pick and use it to get a defensive end.

14.  New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Saints need help at cornerback and safety, and the 6’1” Jenkins can play either position.  

Some believe the Saints should take Chris Wells—another Buckeye—and use him as a power back with Reggie Bush.  

However, Iowa tailback Shonn Greene should still be on the board in round three.

15. Houston Texans: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

The Texans need a safety as well, so Western Michigan's Louis Delmas could be another choice here.  

But the Texans would like an outside linebacker, and Matthews would be a great complement to middle linebacker Demeco Ryans.

16.  San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC

The Chargers want a big-hitting linebacker, and Maualuga is just what they ordered.  

Arizona State offensive tackle Eben Britton could be the pick if Maualuga is off the board.

17.  New York Jets: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Jets would be thrilled if Maclin fell this far.  He is a receiver with great speed, and is another great weapon for whoever the Jets’ quarterback will be.

18.  Denver Broncos: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Because of injuries, the Broncos had to rely on backup running backs for most of last year, and never had a true starter.

They all were successful because former coach Mike Shanahan was good at developing tailbacks. We don’t know if Josh McDaniels can do the same.  

Wells is a powerful running back, and possesses speed as well. He should start immediately.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Everette Brown, DE, FSU

The Bucs could use help at defensive tackle, but they need a pass rusher more. Brown can also play outside linebacker if needed.  

It would almost be a steal to get Brown at No. 19, because he’s drawing interest from teams higher up, including the Redskins at No. 13.

20.  Detroit Lions: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

Jerry will replace the hole left by Corey Redding after Redding was traded to the Seahawks.  He should improve Detroit’s D-line and run-stopping greatly.

21.  Philadelphia Eagles: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

Britt isn’t the third-best wide receiver in this draft, but the Eagles should pick him over Percy Harvin and Darrius Heyward-Bey.  

Harvin has been described as being in “Percy Harvin Land” by scouts, and could end up being a Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson type. The Eagles already had to deal with one Owens, and likely don't want another.

Heyward-Bey is not as big as Britt and has sometimes been described as having inconsistent hands, while Britt has been more consistent in his workouts.  

Philly also needs a big receiver like the 6’3” Britt to go along with 5’10” DeSean Jackson.

22.  Minnesota Vikings: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Heyward-Bey is the fastest receiver in this draft, with a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.  

He’ll fit well with No. 1 receiver Bernard Berrian, and can help new quarterback Sage Rosenfels if Rosenfels wins the starting job.

23.  New England Patriots: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Pats really missed Asante Samuel last year.  They won’t miss him this year with Davis lining up at cornerback.  

Outside linebacker Brian Cushing also is a possibility here.

24.  Atlanta Falcons:  Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

The last of the USC linebacker trio will replace Michael Boley at linebacker to restore some roar to Atlanta’s defense.

If Peria Jerry is still on the board, the Falcons could take him instead.

25.  Miami Dolphins: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

The Dolphins need a wide receiver and cornerback. Wideouts are plentiful this year, and they can get a good one in the second round.  

The same thing can’t be said about the cornerbacks. Draft Butler in the first round and pick a receiver among Ohio State’s Brian Robiskie, UNC’s Brandon Tate, or Georgia’s Mohamed Massaquoi in the second.

26.  Baltimore Ravens: James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State

The Ravens are built on defense and need to find a replacement for Bart Scott, who signed with the Jets.  

The team also needs a quality receiver, and should still be able to get one in the second round.

27.  Indianapolis Colts: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

The Colts need “Ziggy” to help with run-stopping and take some pressure off Dwight Freeney in pass rushing.  A new middle linebacker would be nice, too.

28.  Buffalo Bills:  Eben Britton, OT,  Arizona

After trading away Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, this is the only logical pick, unless the Bills want Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew that badly.

29.  New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

The G-Men need a replacement for Plaxico Burress.  Their ideal fit would’ve been the 6’3” Michael Crabtree or the 6’3” Kenny Britt.  

Neither of them should be left by now and the 6’1” Nicks is the most Burress-like of the remaining wide receivers.  He also has the best hands of anyone in the draft.

30.  Tennessee Titans: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Harvin might slip because of his attitude, but there is no way he should slip out of the first round.  

The Titans lack a No. 1 receiver.  Harvin can be that, and also run the Wildcat formation for Tennessee.

31.  Arizona Cardinals: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

It seems Edgerrin “Edge” James has lost his edge, while Moreno definitely still has his.  

Moreno is a speedy and athletic running back that will look great alongside the powerful Tim Hightower.

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California

The Steelers’ only weak point won’t be weak anymore with Mack at center.  

He not only plays his position well but also helps solidify the middle of the line, and should help make both guards into better lineman.

I'm not going to be able to respond for a few weeks but feel free to comment with feedback and criticism anyway, and I'll try my best to respond.

Thanks, Josh