Sayre's NFL First Round Mock Draft: Stafford Is Lions' Man

With two days until the NFL Draft, anticipation is mounting, and the team who holds the first pick in the annual selection process (the Detroit Lions) has already apparently made their decision.

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford; Quarterback, Georgia

Once the draft order was finalized, I put Stafford in the number one slot to Detroit.  While the pick changed to Andre Smith and Aaron Curry at one time or another, I always had a gut feeling that the gunslinger from Georgia was their man.  Sure enough, Steve Wyche of NFL.com is reporting that Stafford and the Lions are close to a deal, and that particular deal could be finalized by Wednesday night.

Stafford had previously told some close friends that he was close to a deal with Detroit, and that it was worth in the ballpark of $40 million in guaranteed money.  Surely, he will be the last number one pick to cash in like that.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith; Offensive Tackle, Baylor

It is becoming apparent that St. Louis is interested in a left tackle, whether it is Smith or Virginia's Eugene Monroe. I happen to believe that Smith is the best offensive line prospect available, and he would be a great fit in St. Louis who recently released new Bears offensive tackle Orlando Pace.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe; Offensive Tackle, Virginia

Kansas City did well in last year's draft to get Branden Albert, and now they need to go after his former teammate at Virginia in Monroe. The addition of Monroe would allow Albert to go back to his natural position at right tackle, and would solidify Kansas City's bookend of tackles for the next decade plus.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Aaron Curry; Outside Linebacker, Wake Forest

This would be the absolute best case scenario for the Seahawks. They can either take Curry or USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, and with the recent departure of Julian Peterson, I think this pick will be Curry, no doubt.  Seattle could use an offensive tackle as well, and Andre Smith is a darkhorse.

5. Cleveland Browns:  B.J. Raji; Defensive Tackle, Boston College

This pick seems like a no-brainer, especially now that Raji's reported marijuana test has been cleared up. Cleveland would love to improve their run defense by having Raji line up at nose tackle, and move Shaun Rogers out to defensive end, where he is free of double teams to make more plays.  

6. Cincinnati Bengals:  Andre Smith; Offensive Tackle, Alabama

The Bengals are going to need to keep Carson Palmer healthy if they want any chance of competing in 2009, and adding Smith is a good way to start. Smith was potentially the number one pick at one point, and would be great value here.

7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree; Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

JaMarcus Russell desperately needs weapons if he wants to avoid "bust" status, and adding Crabtree would be a great start. Crabtree compares favorably to Larry Fitzgerald in terms of his ability to go up and get the ball, but lacks elite speed. Oakland could shock the world and take Jeremy Maclin here instead of Crabtree, simply because he is faster.

*Projected Trade—Jacksonville trades their first round pick (eighth overall) to the Washington Redskins for their first round pick (13th overall) and their second round pick in 2010.

8. Washington Redskins (from Jacksonville):  Mark Sanchez; Quarterback, USC

This trade makes sense on multiple levels. Jacksonville isn't staring a "can't miss" player in the face here, and Washington would like to move on from the Jason Campbell era after a failed attempt to acquire Jay Cutler.

9. Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo; Hybrid DE/OLB, Texas

The Packers are making the transition to the 3-4 defense, and having Orakpo fall into their laps with this pick would be a dream scenario for them.  Orakpo is widely regarded as the best hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker the draft has to offer, and he would form a great quartet with Aaron Kampman, A.J. Hawk, and Nick Barnett.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Maybin; Rush Linebacker, Penn State

Maybin will fit in perfectly with the San Francisco 49ers and linebacker guru Mike Singletary. Maybin will combine forces with Patrick Willis and Parys Haralson to form a fairly formidable linebacker duo.

11. Buffalo Bills: Michael Oher; Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

Now that Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters is gone to Philadelphia, the Bills need to address this position early. Oher would be a steal here, and has the potential to be a dominant left tackle for the next decade.

12. Denver Broncos:  Tyson Jackson; Defensive End, LSU

From what I'm hearing, the Broncos are really interested in Jackson.  Denver is switching to the 3-4 defense, and needs an elite five-technique defensive end to begin the transformation. Jackson fits that bill.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Washington): Jeremy Maclin; Wide Receiver, Missouri

Jacksonville acquires an extra high pick in next year's draft, and they still get the receiver they covet here at the 13th overall slot. After failed attempts with former first round picks Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, Jacksonville gets a fresh start here with Maclin.

14. New Orleans Saints: Chris Wells; Running Back, Ohio State

The Saints released long-time power back Deuce McAllister, and while Pierre Thomas showed some flashes of brilliance last year, Wells would be a significant upgrade of the thunder to Reggie Bush's lightning.

15. Houston Texans:  Malcolm Jenkins; Defensive Back, Ohio State

How about this for a defensive core: Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, Dunta Robinson, DeMeco Ryans, and Malcolm Jenkins? The Texans' defense has slowly grown over the last couple of years, and this move could help put them over the top.  This franchise appears poised for its first playoff appearance ever.

16. San Diego Chargers:  Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

This pick would give the Chargers one of the top groups of linebackers in the entire NFL. Maualuga would join Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman to become one of the most disruptive forces in the league.

17. New York Jets:  Josh Freeman; Quarterback, Kansas State

In my humble opinion, I think this is much too high for Freeman, but the Jets are in need of a franchise quarterback desperately, and Freeman could potentially be that guy. Jets fans will boo this pick, but New York is obligated to make it with no other glaring areas of need.

18. Denver Broncos:  Knowshon Moreno; Running Back, Georgia

The Broncos do not have an elite running back, and Moreno is simply too good of value to pass on at this point. Denver still has three more picks in the top 84, and likely would use one on a running back anyways.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peria Jerry; Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

The Buccaneers made a statement this offseason by completely renovating the defensive side of the ball, and the most glaring hole was left at defensive tackle. Gaines Adams needs some help up front, and the pass-rushing Jerry could help fill Tampa Bay's defensive tackle void.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Robert Ayers; Defensive End, Tennessee

Detroit traded away its top defensive lineman Cory Redding to the Seahawks, and there is a pretty big hole to fill up front for them.  Ayers is a run stuffing defensive end who has the biggest boom or bust potential of any defensive player in the draft.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew; Tight End, Oklahoma State

The Eagles would love to trade this pick along with some others for Anquan Boldin, but I don't see it happening. I think Boldin is going to stay in Arizona. That being said, the Eagles go after the next best alternative by solidifying their tight end position. They got a Pro Bowl left tackle in Jason Peters, and Pettigrew is a solid receiving option for Donovan McNabb.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Eben Britton; Offensive Tackle, Arizona

Head coach Brad Childress was enamored with Britton, and it would appear as though Minnesota is in a good spot to get him. Britton would start immediately at right tackle for the Vikings, and would help protect Tarvaris Jackson and/or Sage Rosenfels.

23. New England Patriots: Clay Matthews; Outside Linebacker, USC

This is the best case scenario for the Patriots. From what I have heard, they love both Matthews and his teammate Brian Cushing, and would be happy with either. I think they will go with Matthews here.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Brian Cushing; Outside Linebacker, USC

After the acquisition of Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons now are free to address their defense in this draft. Curtis Lofton, Mike Peterson, and Brian Cushing would form an excellent linebacker trio.

25. Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Nicks; Wide Receiver, North Carolina

Nicks has been compared to Anquan Boldin, and there is no doubt the Dolphins would love to have him as the complement to Ted Ginn Jr. Nicks has excellent hands, and is a very tough, physical receiver.

26. Baltimore Ravens:  Everette Brown; Rush Linebacker, Florida State

Brown could benefit greatly from the tutelage of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, and would keep the pass rush mentality of the Ravens' defense in tact even with the loss of Bart Scott. 

27. Indianapolis Colts: Larry English; Outside Linebacker, Northern Illinois

The Colts need a playmaker at outside linebacker, and English could very well be that guy. He has excellent athletic ability, and finds himself making plays in the backfield more often than not.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia through Carolina): Conor Barwin; Defensive End, Cincinnati

The Bills would love to upgrade their pass rush with this pick, and with Barwin, that is exactly what they do. He has great versatility, and would be an excellent addition to Buffalo's defense.

29. New York Giants: Kenny Britt; Wide Receiver, Rutgers

Plaxico Burress out, Kenny Britt in. The Giants always draft well, and this pick is no exception. Britt is a big receiver with good speed, and he could potentially be the number one target that Eli Manning needs to succeed.

30. Tennessee Titans: Percy Harvin; Wide Receiver, Florida

Despite the questions of character, I think Harvin is the guy the Titans need to pick here. He has phenomenal playmaking abilities, and game-changing speed. Think about the mismatch problems they could create with Harvin and Chris Johnson on the field at the same time.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown; Running Back, UConn

Edgerrin James wants out, and Tim Hightower is not going to be an every-down back.  Donald Brown brings great character and great physical tools to the Arizona backfield, and he could really flourish as a receiver in Arizona.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vontae Davis; Cornerback, Illinois

This would be the steal of the first round, and Pittsburgh would love to have Davis fall into their laps. Bryant McFadden would not be missed if he is replaced by the physical Davis.