NFL Mock Draft: Expect Four USC Trojans in the First 23 Picks

1. Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

2. Rams - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

3. Chiefs - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

4. Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia Tech

5. Browns - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

6. Bengals - Brian Orakpo, OT, Texas

7. Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

8. Jaguars - Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California

9. Packers - Aaron Maybin, LB, Penn State

10. 49ers - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

11. Bills - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Miami

12. Broncos - BJ Raji, DE, Boston College

13. Redskins - Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California

14. Saints - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

15. Texans - Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

16. Chargers - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

17. Jets - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

18. Broncos - Rey Mualuga, LB, Southern California

19. Bucs - Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State

20. Lions - Perla Jerry, DT, Mississippi

21. Eagles - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

22. Vikings - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

23. Patriots - Clay Matthews, LB, Southern California

24. Falcons - Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

25. Dolphins - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

26. Ravens - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

27. Colts - Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

28. Bills - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

29. Giants - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

30. Titans - Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

31. Cardinals - Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

32. Steelers - Eric Wood, C, Louiseville 

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Five of my biggest under-the-radar NFL Draft Headlines:

Why the Raiders will select Maclin over Crabtree, if given the opportunity.

One of Owner Al Davis' main priorities in this draft is a fast wide receiver.  Other than speed, Maclin and Crabtree are about even.  But, including speed, Maclin gets the edge over the Texas Tech receiver comparable to Lions' receiver Calvin Johnson.

Clay Matthews, a for sure pick if still available for the Patriots?

Matthews' dad, also named Clay, was coached under former Browns' assistant coach, Bill Belichick, from 1991-1995.  Now in New England, Belichick shouldn't hesitate to pick Matthews' son in the NFL Draft.

Broncos go defense with both picks? 

It's no secret Denver needs help on their line, and in their line backing corps.  With selections of Raji and Mualuga, the Broncos fill up those two voids in their defense, and can try to find a more legit starting running back in rounds two through four.

Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno: The only two running backs?

In a class that's not deep in running backs, the Saints and the Chargers both score by drafting the only two starter-worthy running backs in the draft.

Kenny Britt and Hakeem Nicks over Darius Heyward-Bey?

Heyward-Bey, out of Maryland, has a big frame, and decent speed, but that's not enough as the Terp can't find his way into the first round.