NFL Mock Draft Update

1. Detroit Lions

Matt Stafford QB

Georgia

Stafford held his own at the NFL Scouting Combine by showing off his skills, strength and poise. He isn’t the best player overall in this draft but he does have a bright future at the QB position. The Lions are finding that the number one pick isn’t nearly as valuable as it might seem. Nonetheless, Detroit needs a quarterback and will likely bite the bullet with Stafford

2. St. Louis Rams

Jason Smith OT

Baylor

At 6’5″, 305 lbs. Smith has great size but he will wow people with his athletic ability. The converted tight end is extremely agile and quick and will defend against speed rushers very well. Smith’s showing at the combine has likely helped him up draft boards around the league and is now getting consideration as the best Offensive Tackle available in some scout’s rankings. With Pace gone in St. Louis, there is little doubt that the Rams plan to make good use of this year’s top heavy OT crop.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Aaron Curry OLB

Wake Forest

Curry is being called the safest pick in this year’s draft. His size, speed and strength all translate very well to the NFL game and will make an immediate impact on which ever team’s lap Curry falls into. Kansas City couldn’t ask for a better fit in this year’s draft than Aaron Curry.

4. Seattle Seahawks

Eugene Monroe OT

Virginia

Eugene Monroe’s stock is on the rise after a very solid showing in Indianapolis and due to the meteoric fall of Andre Smith. However, Monroe has great talent. His skills and ability were the reason that Branden Albert (15th overall pick in 2008) was a guard in college. Albert is now a starting tackle for the Chiefs. The Seahawks were the early destination for Michael Crabtree but the signing of T.J. Houshmanzadeh likely means that Seattle is going to focus on its less glamorous, but more glaring needs on the offensive line.

5. Cleveland Browns

Michael Crabtree

WR

Texas Tech

The stress fracture and subsequent surgery has many scouts, coaches and GM’s, well, stressing about his value. However, the last two years of game film will likely ease some of that stress. The injury shouldn’t affect his value but it may cause team’s to proceed cautiously. With the Brown’s actively shopping Braylon Edwards, Crabtree could step into his spot right away.

6. Cincinnati Bengals

Brian Orakpo

DE

Texas

Orakpo has the tools to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Cincinnati has some definite holes to fill but Orakpo is a good start. If he and Tank Johnson both pan out, the Bengal d-line could make the rest of the defense dramatically better.

7. Oakland Raiders

Jeremy Maclin

WR

Missouri

Maclin has a great skill set. He has good hands, great speed and agility. He can help a team in the passing game, the return game and was also a very effective option out of the backfield on occasion. His combine performance locked him in as the 2nd best receiver available in the draft and would improve an offense that was very inconsistent last season.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Michael Oher

OT

Ole Miss

Oher is finally getting more buzz about his skills and NFL potential than about the Michael Lewis book that was written about him. He looked great at the combine and the Senior Bowl and should definitely be a top ten pick in 2009. Jacksonville may be tempted here to select Jeremy Maclin to replace their TROUBLED wide receiver corps, but Oher has to be the pick.

9. Green Bay Packers

B.J. Raji

DT

Boston College

Raji is the best interior defensive lineman in this draft however the recent report of a positive test for marijuana has had some affect on his draft stock. Considering the last time a stud defensive tackle saw his draft stock fall due to a positive drug test at the combine (Warren Sapp). The Packers would be lucky to have someone so talented to fall to them at the ninth pick. The problem is that Ted Thompson will be bombarded with phone calls about potential trades if Mark Sanchez is available at number nine. With his propensity to trade down, this pick could be Sanchez for a team like Denver, Washington or the Jets.

10. San Francisco 49ers

Mark Sanchez

QB

USC

Sanchez’s decision to participate in the drills at the Combine was a good one. Not only did it show an eagerness to prove himself as an elite prospect but he was able to silence many of his critics. His performance not only locked him into the first round but will likely be a top 15 pick. If the 49ers do jump at Sanchez it will likely signal the major error they made with Alex Smith, but passing on Sanchez would be likely more foolish than the Smith pick 5 years ago.

11. Buffalo Bills

Rey Maualuga

LB

USC

Maualuga has been slipping in many mocks, mostly due to other names rising. Don’t let that fool you. Maualuga is an animal on defense and should be a top 15 pick in this year’s draft. The Bills could look at taking Andre Smith here since they just traded Jason Peters to Philadelphia, but the lack of defense in the second half last year will sway the Buffalo war room in that direction with this pick.

12. Denver Broncos

Aaron Maybin

DE

Penn State

Maybin has the talent to be great in the NFL. He also has great versatility to play as a speed rush defensive end or to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Denver needs help at both positions so Maybin is a good fit at #12.

13. Washington Redskins

Andre Smith

OT

Alabama

Andre Smith is very large (6’4″, 330 lbs.) and is going to be a great run blocker in the NFL. His antics at the combine were troubling but his upside has made many scouts and GM’s forget about that lapse in judgment. The Redskins are said to be in the Mark Sanchez sweepstakes so this pick may go to another team, but if Sanchez, Maybin and Maualuga are gone, they will grab smith.

14. New Orleans Saints

Malcom Jenkins

CB

Ohio State

Jenkins has been given the benefit of playing behind a very good defensive front during his college career but that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented. OSU’s history of producing good CB’s will continue with Jenkins. The Saints could be a good team if they could prevent the big play, Jenkins can help that problem right away.

15. Houston Texans

Vontae Davis

CB

Illinois

Malcom Jenkins gets all the hype of a Big Ten CB but Davis has the better upside. His recovery speed is what is going to make him a great corner in the NFL. I’m not sure why the Texans were only 8-8 last season as they don’t have that many glaring holes. Depth and talent in the defensive backfield will be a good boost though.

16. San Diego Chargers

Robert Ayers

DE

Tennessee

Ayers is difficult to project because the tape on him is relatively inconsistent. He proved that he is a great practice player at the Senior Bowl. In order to succeed in the NFL, he needs to bring his practice intensity to game day. The Chargers need much more production out of their down lineman and Ayers could be more reliable option than what they currently have.

17. New York Jets

Knowshon Moreno

RB

Georgia

Moreno is a blend of speed, agility and muscle and can provide any team with a great home run threat out of the backfield. He has amazing downfield moves and can make just about any defender look foolish. Thomas Jones isn’t getting any younger and I doubt that anyone in the Jets organization truly believes that Leon Washington can handle the job on his own. Moreno would definitely add a new wrinkle to the Jets offense.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)

James Laurinaitis

LB

Ohio State

Laurinitis likely would have been taken in the top 10 in last year’s draft, but his slipping has little to do with his own play. He brings great energy to the field and is always around the ball. Denver needs a hard nosed playmaker in the middle of the field and Laurinaitis fits the bill.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eben Britton

OT

Arizona

Britton is a big man and can anchor an offensive line. He will have to work on his footwork, but he has the raw skills to be great. I was extremely certain that the Buccaneers had their sights on Brandon Pettigrew, but the acquisition of Kellen Winslow Jr. nullifies that thought. Tampa Bay also has plenty of defensive holes to fill as well and may go that route with this pick.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)

Brian Cushing

LB

USC

Cushing has plenty of question marks to go with his talent, there is quite a bit of debate as to whether he will translate into an OLB in a 4-3 scheme or ILB in a 3-4. However as GM’s watch him on the field, those question marks will likely be forgotten. Cushing’s draft stock will likely hinge on his medical records and team interviews rather than his measurables. Detroit’s second pick is extremely difficult to predict because they need so much.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Wells

RB

Ohio State

Wells is a downhill runner that doesn’t shy away from contact. He has deceiving speed which allows him to break away from opposing linebackers. “Beanie” is working very hard to toss the reputation that he is injury prone. Wells could be the more physical back that the Eagles need to compliment Brian Westbrook. It is worth noting that this pick might end up being property of either Arizona or Cleveland if the Eagles trade for Braylon Edwards/Anquan Boldin.

22. Minnesota Vikings

Darius Butler

CB

Connecticut

Butler has gone from being a sleeper pick that few people were talking about to a top 3 corner in the draft. He is very fundamental and has a ton of field experience due to his status as a three year starter. The Vikings could really use another top notch corner in the mix to prevent a big drop off if Antoine Winfield does leave via free agency next year.

23. New England Patriots

Larry English

LB

Northern Illinois

English’s size will likely lock him into being an OLB in the NFL but his stock is on the rise nonetheless. His stats and accolades in the MAC shouldn’t be downplayed, his ethic is pure. Belichick’s scheme will suit English well and will get the most out of his versatility.

24. Atlanta Falcons

Everette Brown

DE

Florida State

Everette Brown is an extremely agile defensive lineman. There is talk about his game translating to the OLB position in the NFL which would likely best utilize his versatility. The Falcons would probably like to take a defensive back here, but with Jenkins, Davis and Butler all off the board they would be reaching to grab someone like DJ Moore or Alphonso Smith. Brown can help them up front and apply some pressure in the backfield.

25. Miami Dolphins

Brandon Pettigrew

TE

Oklahoma State

At 6’6″, 260 lbs. Pettigrew creates a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses, no matter who is throwing him the ball. He can be a great asset to the offense in the short and intermediate passing game. Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano both know how valuable a great receiving tight end can be to an offense and it is unlikely they would let him slip by at #25 even with Nicks and Heyward-Bey still on the board.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Percy Harvin

WR

Florida

Harvin is possibly the best athlete in the draft. He has amazing speed and is surprisingly strong for his stature. His game likely translates to becoming a slot receiver in the NFL but he can line up anywhere if asked. John Harbaugh has to be pleased with last year’s first round pick, Joe Flacco. Giving him a young target to allow him to grow is just the next step in the progression.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Darrius Heyward-Bey

WR

Maryland

Heyward-Bey went into the combine with the title as a big physical receiver. He can now add “lightning fast” to that resume. His 4.30 makes him the fastest offensive player available. He needs to work on catching the ball with his hands more, but his size and speed make him extremely attractive. The Colts could use Heyward-Bey as a receiver to stretch the field vertically and hope he morphs into an every route receiver like Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison did.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina through Philadelphia)

Clay Matthews

LB

USC

Matthews has joined his USC teammates as a first round prospect after a great work-out at the Combine.  The Bills taking two linebackers in the first round might seem like a stretch, but it is the team’s biggest position of need and Matthews and Maualuga could cause chaos for opposing blocking schemes.

29. New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks

WR

North Carolina

Nicks is a big, physical receiver that has bear paws for hands. He catches everything thrown to him. His breakout season for Butch Davis at UNC has made him a must see at the combine for NFL GM’s. The Giants have filled their needs on defense through free agency which means they are expected to turn their efforts to finding a wide receiver in the draft. Nicks is a good start.

30. Tennessee Titans

Peria Jerry

DT

Ole Miss

Peria Jerry is extremely quick and agile for a 312 lb. man-child and gets into the backfield with regularity. The biggest knock on Jerry is his lack of sheer strength. At the Senior Bowl he upped his stock into a late first round prospect. The Titans biggest loss this off-season was that of Albert Haynesworth’s defection to Washington. Drafting Jerry can help fill the void left by the Pro-Bowl Defensive Tackle.

31. Arizona Cardinals

Donald Brown

RB

Connecticut

Brown is very similar to a very successful running back taken in last year’s draft, Matt Forte. He has plenty of experience and is very smart on the football field. He is very patient to find the hole and uses a quick burst to eat up yardage in bunches. He is rising up draft boards very quickly. The Cardinals thought they had their running back position answered with Tim Hightower, but he wasn’t able to handle the starting gig. Brown can team with Hightower to make the running game far more effective.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers

DJ Moore

CB

Vanderbilt

Moore dealt with a lot of injuries last season but was still a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award as one of the nation’s best defensive backs. He has shown an ability to make good reads and get good breaks on the ball, racking up 11 interceptions over the last two seasons. The Steelers can address their depth issues at defensive back with this pick and Moore will help in the nickel and dime packages immediately.

Alphonso Smith

CB

Wake Forest

Tyson Jackson

DE

LSU

Max Unger

C

Oregon

Alex Mack

C

Cal

LeSean McCoy

RB

Pitt

Sean Smith

DB

Utah

Shonn Greene

RB

Iowa

Connor Barwin

DE

Cincinatti