Mock Draft

It's time once again fellow NFL fans.


JVZ's first mock draft of the season. I know the anticipation must be killing you all, so I won't waste any more time.


1. Detroit Lions select Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
I know the consensus pick is QB Matt Stafford, but I believe the Lions take the safer route, and take one of the best tackles on the board. I was going to put LB Aaron Curry here, but the Julian Peterson trade put the ki-bosh on that.
2. St Louis Rams select Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
Shocker of the draft, the Rams choose not to go with the OTs after Stafford falls to them. A risky choice, but he can learn under Marc Bulger for a couple of years before he needs to step into the spotlight.
3. Kansas City Chiefs select Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
The Chiefs have made all of the right moves so far this offseason, now they take who many think is the safest pick in the draft. Curry fills a need, and immediately improves the defence.
4. Seattle Seahawks select Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
With Stafford off the board, the Hawks fill another immediate need, which is a replacement for again LT Walter Jones. Monroe is very talented, and could fill multiple depth positions right away.
5. Cleveland Browns select Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
The Browns should stick to their 3-4 defence this year, so expect them to make a move for a solid pass rusher. Orakpo has shown great skill in workouts, and should greatly improve the defence.
6. Cincinnati Bengals select Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State
Most people say B.J. Raji goes here, but I think DTs are easier to find in the later rounds. Brown is a stud pass rusher who should flourish oppositie Antwan Odom. Also a possiblity is a receiver.
7. Oakland Raiders select Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
General consensus pick for this one. Crabtree was a dynamic receiver in the Big 12, and with the recent flops at the position in Oakland, they will look to improve at a key position in the draft. Could be a great weapon for young QB JaMarcus Russell.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars select Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Some people see Mark Sanchez here, but after the release of Matt Jones, I think they have to re-evaluate their WRs. Key point...they don't really have any. Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt are the starters...Yuck.
9. Green Bay Packers select Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
They need some help at the tackle position, as they have lost a lot of talent over the years. Even if he doesn't start right away, he will be the eventual replacement for Mark Tauscher.
10. San Francisco 49ers select Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
With J.T. O'Sullivan gone and shaky performances from Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, the selection of a QB here would be a good one for the niners. Sanchez put up huge numbers last season at USC, but he was only a one year starter.
11. Buffalo Bills select Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
May be a reach at #11, but the Bills have been lacking a weapon at the TE position for a long time. With the addition of T.O., the Bills could have an explosive offense. They could also go with a DE.
12. Denver Broncos select B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Broncos have had a brutal defensive line for a long time, and Raji could help for sure. I believe they are switching to a 3-4, Raji will fill the need for a NT. He is a beefy run stuffer who could rush the passer in some situations.
13. Washington Redskins select Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
The Redskins picked up Albert Haynesworth to give them a dynamite defensive line. Then the boneheads released Jason Taylor. They need to get a new pass rusher with this pick. Maybin fills a need.
14. New Orleans Saints select Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Saints are in dire need of DBs after the failed signing of Jason David a few years ago. Jenkins is the best CB in the draft, and he should step into the starting lineup fairly early.
15. Houston Texans select Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Many people see an RB here, but I feel Jackson would fill more of a need. The Texans are one end away from having a stellar young d-line, and Jackson would fit the bill. He is also big enough to shift inside on passing downs.
16. San Diego Chargers select Ray Maualuga, LB, USC
More productive than teammate Brian Cushing, Maualaga fills a need for the Chargers. With him in the middle, and the return of Shawne Merriman, should five the Chargers a very good LB corps.
17. New York Jets select Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
The fastest man at the combine should step right into the Jets lineup. After the release of Laverneous Coles, the Jets are in need of a serious down-feild threat. DHB just needs to prove he can catch the ball consistantly.
18. Chicago Bears select Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Character issues plummet Smith down the board, but the Bears will be overjoyed to get him here. Smith is a beast, but has struggled in workouts. Should form a solid bookend team with last year's first rounder Chris Williams.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
After losing out on the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes, the Bucs need another option at DT. Jerry would be a great fill in for the departed Jovan Haye. Should provide a decent pass rush from the tackle position. A steal at 19.
20. Detroit Lions select Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Freeman is jumping up draft boards, and after the Lions passed on a QB at #1, they need one here. Freeman has a huge arm,and is athletic enough to stay alive behind a porous d-line. A developmental project who will sit for his rookie year and learn from Culpepper.
21. Philadelphia Eagles select Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Eagles will love to get thier new offensive toy here. Wells is a bellcow RB who will become a great complement for Brian Westbrook. Hopefully he can fix his durability issues, or he could become Correll Buckhalter.
22. Minnesota Vikings select Brian Cushing, LB, USC
The obvious choice would be a WR, but Cushing would fill a need as well. They have little depth in the LBs, and Cushing was very productive in college.
23. New England Patriots select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Pats need DBs, and Davis is a very solid one. Sure, there are some character issues here, but the Pats can control him. They would also love an LB here, and if a solid one falls, they will surely scoop him up.
24. Atlanta Falcons select Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
Nicks has been jumping up the boards after impressive workouts. The Falcons would also love a solid LB to fall to them, but WR is a need as well. Why not add another toy for young QB Matt Ryan?
25. Miami Dolphins select Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Let the run on WRs begin. The Dolphins have been brutal at the position for a while. With Harvin and 2007 first round pick Ted Ginn, the Dolphins could have a very dangerous receiving corps.
26. Baltimore Ravens select Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Britton will hopefully take over the OT position in Baltimore, as they need depth and starters on both sides. This is lower than he is expected to drop, but a focus on skill positions gives the Ravens a great bookend for their line.
27. Indianapolis Colts select James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
The Colts rarely spend early picks on defence, but this guy will be a great addition. Could become the captain of the defence right away, and fills a glaring hole in a up-and-coming defensive unit.
28. Philadelphia Eagles select Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
Oher fills a glaring hole for the Eagles, who got their RB stud earlier. With Tra Thomas gone, Oher would likely step in right away. It is unlikely however to have this guy drop to them at 28.
29. New York Giants select Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
The G-Men are in need of some receivers if they are to return to the elite, and the hometown boy from Rutgers would get a chance to start right away. But, there are many young WRs on the team, so they can't miss on this one.
30. Tennessee Titans select Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
With Haynesworth taking off, they are in dire need of a new DT. Hood is a 300-lb beast who could definetly step in and take over the line of scrimmage. If they can get him motivated as much as Haynesworth, he should be successful.
31. Arizona Cardinals select Clay Matthews, LB, USC
The Cardinals filled their CB need with the signing of Bryant McFadden, so now they can focus on a new pass rusher for their 3-4 defense. Matthews has the size and speed to take over for one of the veterans they have.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers select Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State
The Steelers are getting old on the d-line, so they need to address this at the bottom of the first. Gilbert has the size and strength to step into the 3-4 defence and be successful.