My First Mock Draft, Stafford #1 To Lions

1. DETROIT - QB Matthew Stafford (UGA):

Simple really, if Detroit decides to pass on Stafford and go with Jason Smith at OT, then Detroit will again be in the same position this time next year. Go ahead and take Stafford, who has better arm strength than anyone in this or next year's draft, and let him sit until he is ready.

Update: It seems to be a done deal now.

2. ST. LOUIS - OT Jason Smith (Baylor): 

The Rams need a lot of help, but you cant pass up on Jason Smith. He has the possibility of being the next Orlando Pace, and the leader of the Rams line. Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson are begging the Rams to take the big OT, and I believe they get their wish! The Rams gave up 45 sacks last season, and ranked 26^th in rushing, and 25^th in passing offense.

3. KANSAS CITY - LB Aaron Curry (WF):

The Chiefs gave up 27.5 points per game last season, and allowed opposing running backs almost 160 yards a game! Curry is the best linebacker in the draft, by far! Easy pick here, get some help on Defense!

4. SEATTLE – QB Mark Sanchez (USC): 

Interesting spot here for the Seahawks, ranked 29^th in total offense last season, and 18^th in total defense. Rumors are that they will not pass up on Mark Sanchez, who is a west coast guy, but only has 16 collegiate starts to his credit, playing in the offense happy PAC-10. Hasselbeck is not getting any younger, so look for the Seahawks to add Sanchez to the roster.

5. CLEVELAND – WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech):

Everyone thinks that Cleveland will go defense with this pick, which makes sense, seeing as how they only registered 17 sacks last season. However, the Browns did rank 14^th against the pass last year, but a horrible 28^th against the run!

They gave up over 150 yards per game to opposing runners.  So will a hybrid DE/OLB Brian Orakpo help? Probably not, here is my first surprise of the day.

As bad as the Browns were on defense last year, they were just as bad on Offense! Cleveland QB’s threw for 148 yards per game, which won’t cut it.

They lose Kellen Winslow to the Bucs, and have a talented WR in Braylon Edwards. The Browns don’t have many playmakers left; it makes sense to add WR Michael Crabtree to that offense, to take pressure off the young QB’s and Braylon Edwards.

This will also open up the running game a bit with two studs at receiver. A guy like Crabtree is very hard to pass on, especially when Stallworth is going to jail. The offensive minded Mangini goes with offense here.

6. CINCINNATI - OT Andre Smith (Alabama): 

This is a perfect fit for the Bengals, another guy with questionable character, and a bad work ethic, coming in to be on the same field as Chad “Ocho-Cinco” Johnson. Smith is a monster talent, if he keeps his mouth shut, then it will be a great pick!

7. OAKLAND - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri):

I hate to see a good guy like Maclin get caught up in the Raider nation. This seems to be a lock, the speedy Maclin hooking up with the powerful arm of JaMarcus Russell. If Russell could ever get his act together, then it could be a deadly combo.

8. JACKSONVILLE – OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia):

Monroe is a great talent. Some experts have him as the second best OT in the draft. Jacksonville could go defense here, but with Sanchez gone, and both big play receivers off the board, it makes sense for them to take the best player available, and at this point, it looks to be Monroe.

9. GREEN BAY - DE Brian Orakpo (Texas): 

The Packers are going to address the Defense with this pick. They will have options; they could go with Orakpo, Tyson Jackson of LSU, or one of the big DT’s. Orakpo brings a big motor, and is a workout warrior! He can play DE or be a 3-4 OLB, which the Packers are moving to. So Orakpo could fill the need at DE or OLB, wherever the Packers feel he will be best.

10. SAN FRANCISCO – DE Tyson Jackson (LSU):

Singletary was probably hoping for Mark Sanchez or Crabtree to fall to number 10. I don’t see this happening, so the Niners need some help on the defensive front. Tyson Jackson is a big DE who can come in and help against the run right away. This will help free up the LB’s in San Francisco to make more plays.

11. BUFFALO – OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss):

The Bills traded Jason Peters to the Eagles just a few weeks ago, creating a huge hole in the line at left tackle. Michael Oher will be the perfect fit, and the anchor of the Bills line for a very long time. A huge guy, with a great story! I’m sure the Bills are praying that one of the big OT’s fall to number 11.

12. DENVER - DT B.J. Raji (BC): 

Raji is a great talent, and would immediately step in and help out this depleted defense. Denver has a lot of needs, but DT is a must, and they are lucky to have the best one in the draft waiting at number 12. The 6’1 334 pound lineman will be a perfect fit for the new 3-4 scheme.

13. WASHINGTON - DE Everette Brown (FSU):

Brown is considered one of the best pass rushers in the draft. He is a very quick DE who really gets after the passer. He will be very good in his rookie year, since the Skins added Albert Haynesworth inside. Brown will get a lot of 1-1 situations with OT’s, where his speed will allow him to be successful right away.

14. NEW ORLEANS - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois):

Davis is considered one of the most athletic guys in the draft, but many question his character. The younger brother of San Francisco TE Vernon Davis, is a great cover guy due to his athletic ability. The Saint need help on defense, bad! The Saints need help, and if Davis can keep a good attitude, he will be in New Orleans for a long time!

15. HOUSTON – CB/FS Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State):

Lets face it, there arent many players in the Texans secondary. Dunta Robinson needs some help. The defensive line is a very good one; the LB’s are pretty good. The Texans were 17^th against the pass last season. Jenkins can come in right away and make a difference. They have a few options here, but I believe they should take Jenkins to help improve the defense.

16. SAN DIEGO - LB Rey Maualuga (USC):

Can you imagine Maualuga in the middle, with Shawne Merriman on the outside? That is a deadly defense! Maualuga would be an instant upgrade and bring a lot of energy that already features multiple pro-bowlers.

17. NY JETS – QB Josh Freeman (Kansas):

The Jets need a quarterback. No one believes that Kellen Clemens is the answer. With Brett Favre leaving, and only 3 QB’s on the roster, the Jets will sit at 17 and hope Freeman falls to them. Do not be surprised if the Jets move up the charts and work a trade for Sanchez if they can get a deal done. Because I am not sold on Freeman, and honestly feel he has bust written all over him.

18. DENVER - DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee): 

Ayers is a very athletic DE who did not impress in college. Ayers is known to have a high motor and great work ethic.

I believe he is a perfect example of someone who came in and had impressive workouts and a great combine and will be drafted because of his size and speed, not because of his football skills. Denver needs help on the Dline, and he will fit nicely.

19. TAMPA BAY – WR Darius Heyward-Bey (Maryland):

Joey Galloway is gone, along with a lot of other veterans. Cadillac Williams and Kellen Winslow are the only weapons on a team that has no QB. The Bucs are hoping that Freeman will fall to them. Heyward-Bey is a physical freak who can stretch the field. Tampa needs a big play threat if they want to have a chance next year.

20. DETROIT - OT Michael Beatty (UConn):

The Lions have a lot of needs, and since they drafted their new franchise player in Stafford, they need someone to protect him. Beatty is the best available OT left in the first round.

21. PHILADELPHIA – RB Chris Beanie Wells (Ohio State):

A lot of people have Knowshon Moreno going to the Eagles here, but Westbrook and Moreno are almost identical. Wells is more of a power type back that the Eagles need to run between the tackles. If he can stay healthy, then the Eagles will have a good one, two punch in Westbrook and Wells.

22. MINNESOTA - OT Eben Britton (Arizona):

The Vikings have a solid running game and a good strong young tackle can only help that and a weak passing attack as well. Britton really has the size at 6-6 and over 300 pounds to be a good offensive lineman. His play improved when he was switched to left tackle at Arizona.

23. NEW ENGLAND - LB Clay Matthews (USC):

Another USC linebacker is taken here. The Patriots have a very old, and weak LB group. Matthews is a great pass rusher and an athletic freak. Matthews fits the mold for the Patriots and would be a great addition to the defense.

24. ATLANTA – LB Brian Cushing (USC):

Just say no to Brandon Pettigrew!  The Falcons do not need to draft a TE this early in the draft. The defense needs to be addressed first! With the departures of Brooking, and Boley, there is a huge need for Falcons LB’s. Cushing is a high motor guy form USC who can step in and play right away next to Curtis Lofton.

25. MIAMI – WR Percy Harvin (Florida):

The Dolphins add the most exciting player in the draft to their offense. Harvin will fit in nicely with the “wildcat” offense that Miami will run with Brown and Williams. Harvin will eventually take over for Ricky Williams and create a lot of mis-matches for the offense. Harvin has had some character issues in the past few months, and we will see if Bill Parcells will be able to handle the pressure again.

26. BALTIMORE – WR Kenny Britt (Rutgers):

The Rutgers need a guy to help out Joe Flacco. This offense needs one more target to make them very scary! Britt has been called the best route runner in this year’s draft.  It just seems like the right fit, since Britt has been catching passes from Flacco this winter.

27. INDIANAPOLIS - DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss):

The Colts add a big man in the middle. Their defense needs a big man up front to take up space so Freeney and Saunders can have more freedom on the line. Jerry is the perfect man for the job. If Perry isn’t available at #27, then look for DT “Ziggy” Hood from Missouri here.

28. Buffalo – TE Brandon Pettigrew (OSU):

Buffalo adds T.O. to their offense, and has the opportunity to add a very good TE to the mix. JP Losman or Trent Edwards now have some very nice weapons on the field with them. If they can keep T.O. quiet, and the young guys develop, watch out for this offense!

29. NY GIANTS - WR Hakeem Nicks (UNC):

The Giants lose Plaxico Burress for stupid reasons, like shooting yourself. So Eli needs another playmaker and Nicks is a big target who can run! He averaged 23 yards a catch before his ACL injury. He is worth the risk and the Giants need his big play ability.

30. TENNESSEE - CB Darius Butler (UConn):

The Titans have a very good defense, and not too many holes. They would like a receiver to fall to them here, but with all the big play makers off the board, look for the Titans to take Butler from UConn. A big, fast corner who plays the run very well.

31. ARIZONA - RB Knowshon Moreno (UGA):

Edgerrin James is leaving, or wants out, who knows? The Cardinals will get a huge steal if they land Moreno at #31! He fits perfectly their offense.

A great pass catcher and solid pass blocker. He loves to catch screens and have the ball in his hands in the open field. The Cardinals will also use Hightower to run the ball between the tackles until Moreno is able to take the full load.

32. PITTSBURGH – C Alex Mack (Cal):

The Steelers are looking to improve upfront. Alex Mack is no question the best center in the entire draft. Some experts say he is ready to step in and start for any team that drafts him. Pittsburgh will go Oline with their first pick. They do not need any skill players, and they are ranked #1 on defense.