Matthew Stafford to Detroit Lions, But at What Cost?

The Detroit Lions have selected Matthew Stafford with their first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.  Stafford signed a six-year deal worth $41.7 million guaranteed.  The deal could be worth as much as $78 million dollars.

This deal mean that Stafford will be making more money that Matt Ryan. 

The question that should be asked right now is whether the Lions made another big draft day mistake.

Matt Ryan proved last season that he is a franchise quarterback that is worth a lot of money.  The Lions have decided that Stafford is better than that.

This is a huge problem.  Matthew Stafford hasn’t played a down in the NFL and could be the next Joey Harrington, David Carr, or Tim Couch for all we know. 

The NFL needs to do something about this.  Veteran players should be getting $41.7 million guaranteed, not these kids who may never be relevant in the league. 

If the Lions honestly think that Stafford will be a better quarterback this season than Matt Ryan was last season fine, but I’m not buying that at all.  This is meant in no offense to Matthew Stafford, but what Matt Ryan did last season just doesn’t happen.  It was a freak occurrence that you can’t count on seeing again. 

Since 1999 28 quarterbacks have been taken in the first round of the NFL draft, only 9 have been named to a pro-bowl.  One of those nine was Vince Young.  Another was Daunte Culpepper (not that Culpepper wasn’t good for a while, but he wasn’t long lasting at all). 

If you are paying someone this much money, you expect him to be a pro-bowler.

If a player proves himself right away, renegotiating is not uncommon in professional sports.  Why all this money up front?  Why has the number one pick become such a burden?  When did it all start?

I would love to be paid $41.7 million dollars to sign a contract.

Stampede to the NFL Draft, the Night Before

Ah, the 2009 NFL Draft is nearly here. It is the eve of the draft (actually very incredibly early the morning of for us East Coasters). Everyone is getting itchy to find out who their favorite team will be selecting over the next two days. Much has been said for the past few months about the draft, so how much more can be said?

A lot, I suppose, but most of it rehashing. However, this is one last chance to get the ideas and thoughts about the draft prior to the kickoff. I have discussed in previous articles the need for a pass rush upgrade and also a tight end who will factor into the passing game positively.

There is also the glaring needs along the offensive line. Who will start at the tackle positions next season? Obviously Langston Walker will be one, barring injury or some other major event. Will he be playing left or right tackle? Who will be the other bookend? Demetrius Bell, a seventh round pick from last draft? Kirk Chambers who has seen some playing time?

Or will it be a rookie such as Andre Smith, Michael Oher, or possibly Phil Loadholt?

Also, who will be the starting left guard? Will it be the aforementioned Kirk Chambers, free agent acquisition Seth McKinney, or another unforseen free agent? Or yet again, could it be a rookie such as Duke Robinson, Max Unger, or Eric Wood?

There are a lot of questions leading up to 4:00 pm Saturday. Only time will tell the answers. That will not stop football fans anywhere from debating, so here are three highly important questions for the Buffalo Bills coming into the first round (not including the offensive line questions posed above).

1. Who will be brought in to address the pass rush? Will it be defensive end, defensive tackle, or linebacker? Possibilities in the first round include Florida State end Everette Brown, Texas end Brian Orakpo, Penn State end Aaron Maybin, Tennessee end Robert Ayers, Boston College tackle B.J. Raji, and USC linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews.

Other names that could be called include Richmond end Lawrence Sidbury, Jr., Houston end Philip Hunt, and Cincinnati end/linebacker Connor Barwin.

My personal favorite throughout the majority of the draft talk had been Brown, but doing some research into Sidbury has changed that. He’s bigger than Brown, yet still faster and shows up big in big games (three and a half sacks in the championship game against Montana).

I think he would be a very nice addition at either twenty-eight or forty-two to help the pass rush.

2. Will the Bills draft a strong-side linebacker? If so, who will it be? The Bills’ actions during free agency would seem to show that they are unhappy with the current SLBs on the roster, talking to a number of them and signing one (Pat Thomas).

However, Thomas is not the solution, he is a good depth signing. This question actually ties into the first one with some of the possibilities fulfilling both requirements, such as Cushing and Barwin.

There are other possibilities, however. Some draft gurus have had Aaron Curry falling recently for unknown reasons, but if he falls to eleven, I think the Bills would have a very hard time ignoring him.

Both USC linebackers are still options. Later in the draft, Jason Williams from Western Illinois is an intriguing prospect, along with Zack Follett from California.

I like Clay Matthews, especially at twenty-eight, but I have a feeling that I might hear his name called at eleven, depending on how the first ten picks shake out.

3. Which of the many tight ends will the Bills take? Most people have the Bills taking Brandon Pettigrew at either eleven or twenty-eight. I would be more open to taking him at the latter rather than the former.

However, he is not my favorite tight end in the draft. I would prefer a tight end such as Southern Mississippi’s Shawn Nelson who has both the production and shown blocking ability at the Senior Bowl or Mizzou’s Chase Coffman who has the ability to gash defenses in the middle of the field.

Pettigrew will most likely command a first round pick; Nelson could command either a second or third while Coffman will likely go in either the third or the fourth, barring an unforseen run on tight ends.

Other tight ends to keep an eye on are James Casey out of Rice, Jared Cook out of South Carolina, and once-elite and unfortunately injured for his senior season Travis Beckum from Wisconsin.

So that is it for me, folks! After the Day One picks are done, I will be offering my analysis of the Bills’ three picks (unless they trade, at which point it could be more or less), plus my overall thoughts about the draft. Let’s go Buffalo!

2009 NFL Draft First Round Running Blog

Welcome to the 2009 NFL Draft everyone!

The action will be fast and furious as the chess games begin between front offices and war rooms as teams begin to build towards training camp and hopefully a successful NFL season.

I haven’t missed a draft since 1999 and being able to write about it and provide my personal opinion and analysis is something that every sports fan should have the opportunity to do.

1. Detroit Lions

Pick: Matthew Stafford/QB-Georgia

Analysis: No drama here as Stafford signed a six-year, $78 million contract ($41.7 million guaranteed) on Friday evening to become the Lions’ new franchise quarterback.

Stafford’s record deal makes him the highest paid quarterback picked first overall in NFL history. 

Announcing Stafford as the No. 1 overall pick kind of takes the anticipation out of the beginning of the draft but now the real games begin.

Lions fans will now wait a few hours for the 20th pick as they should another key need to build for Stafford’s long-term success.

Stafford will enter the season as the backup to Daunte Culpepper.

Keep refreshing this page as I will be providing breaking news on picks and trades the instant they happen.

Lions Select Matt Stafford: New Front Office, Same Problems

It’s now official, with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select quarterback Matthew Stafford from the University of Georgia.

The Lions will shell out the largest contract ever to a draft pick, with a six-year, $41.7 million deal, which could end up being worth as much as $78 million if he meets all of the team’s goals.

This contract is now the largest to any draft pick ever, exceeding the five-year, $57.5 million contract for Jake Long by the Dolphins and the six-year, $72 million contract of Matt Ryan by the Falcons.

All this sounds significant, but in the end, it is just another chapter in the book that is the Detroit Lions’ futility.

The Lions have made the move that will give them the most publicity, but it again, is the wrong choice for the team.

Stafford will be joining a team that has the offensive line skill of the average high school team. Instead of making the move that was best for the team, they made the popular move, and it will cost them more than $78 million.

This team has significant holes on it, and one of the more glaring ones is the quarterback position, but this year’s quarterback class is not exactly the draft class of 1983.

The major choices were all juniors at their respective colleges, and do not necessarily have the experience needed to run a NFL offense.

Stafford has a great arm, but while a junior at Georgia he didn’t necessarily have a stellar season worth the first overall pick.

The other major quarterback option is USC junior Mark Sanchez, whose stock continues to rise because of his experience at USC, his attention to detail and his ability to successfully run through his checkdowns.

However, the quarterback position is not where the Lions needed to spend their first pick. That position belonged to the offensive line and Jason Smith.

Smith, from Baylor, would have been an excellent and well-informed pick for the Lions. But then again, thinking the Lions are capable of a well-informed pick is like the oxymoron of “military intelligence.”

With the addition of Smith, the Lions O-line would have been solidified and would have provided the Lions current quarterbacks with the protection they would need to excel.

Following the drafting of Smith, the Lions should have next looked to the linebacker position. Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry was the best available, but he won’t fall to the Lions at number twenty.

Curry was the popular choice by people in Detroit. In fact, while the Lions were holding the press conference to reveal their new logo, there was a large crowd of fans outside of Ford Field chanting for the team to draft Curry with their first pick.

With the addition of Curry, the Lions would have had the best linebackers in the league. The corps currently includes Ernie Simms and Julian Peterson; the addition of Curry would have taken it to an entirely new level.

Curry has been evaluated as being able to step into a defense and perform to his abilities in his first season. This quick learning curve would have come in handy for the linebackers as they could easily bring Curry up to their levels.

Instead, the Lions could look to bring in another linebacker at number 20. Mel Kiper’s Big Board shows the Lions’ options at that point could come down to a choice between two excellent backers. USC’s Rey Maualuga and Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis.

Both Maualuga and Laurinaitis are exceptional linebackers, but Kiper has Maualuga going to the Lions at number 20. This may be a good decision, but Laurinaitis may be an even better one.

Laurinaitis has had intense experience at Ohio State, not discounting the experience Maualuga gained at USC, but the Big 10 is a different beast than the Pac-10.

The Big 10 consistently rolls out the most successful NFL linebackers, more than any other conference in Division I college football.

The Lions have made their bed in selecting Stafford, all that is left now is for the next fan walkout on a game or a new website popping up asking Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. to fire Mayhew.

But perhaps, the typical Lions fan cynicism is unwarranted. Maybe this front office knows a bit more of what they are doing. But in the pits of their stomachs, Lions fans are seriously wondering if Stafford is the right man for the job.

Come to Think of It: Anquan Boldin Demands Lessen, Your Move Chicago Bears

According to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, the Arizona Cardinals are now willing to take less to part with disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Are you listening, Jerry Angelo?

Despite lowering their demands to a second round pick and “other considerations,” the Chicago Bears are not one of the teams said to be interested in the Pro Bowl receiver.

Per ESPN.com, “The Arizona Cardinals continued to entertain offers for Anquan Boldin on Friday, with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles showing serious interest.”

The report goes on to say that “The Cardinals have also fielded calls from the New York Jets and New York Giants, the sources told Paolantonio.”

Now, I really have to question why the Bears aren’t at least kicking the tires on this one.

If the Bears really are considering using their second round pick in the draft to select a wideout, why not trade that pick and acquire a sure thing instead?

Now I don’t know what else it might take, in addition to the second round pick, for the Bears to get Boldin. But why not find out?

Given the history of second round receiver picks, it does not make sense for the Bears to expect an immediate hit from that selection. Longer term, it is even more doubtful that the player will ever appear in a Pro Bowl.

Yet there is a Pro Bowl player just waiting to be had, while Jerry Angelo and his staff talk about trading down in the draft.

I’m not saying that the Cardinals would trade Boldin to the Bears just because they want him, but they should at least inquire about the possibility.

Angelo has staked his reputation on the success of newly acquired QB Jay Cutler, so you would think he would do everything in his power to provide Cutler with the tools he needs to be successful.

Anquan Boldin would look really good in blue and orange.

Hello, Jerry Angelo, your receiver is calling, will you accept the charges? Hey, one bold move deserves another, come to think of it.

Are the Cleveland Browns Asking for Too Much for Edwards?

As the draft nears closer, the Braylon Edwards to the Giants talks are dying down, much to my displeasure. I have talked about this trade in two other articles and still think it would be a crime for the Giants to decline a trade for Edwards.

The trade talks are dying down though, and it’s because the Browns are asking for too much in the Giants’ minds.

The Browns want a first, second, or third round pick and Mathius Kiwanuka for Edwards.

The Giants believe this trade is too much, but I don’t. I think this would be a great trade for my G-men.

Lets take a look into this.

The Giants would most likely use their first round pick to draft a receiver, if they decided not to trade for one. This pick would probably get them Darrius Heyward-Bey out of Maryland, Hakeem Nicks out of North Carolina, or Kenny Britt out of Rutgers.

To start off for the Giants to be in position for Heyward-Bey they would need to trade up, because he is a projected 15-20 pick.

So how did Heyward-Bey do at Maryland?

In his four years at Maryland, Heyward-Bey put up 138 receptions, 2,089 yards, and 13 touchdowns. This includes his stats in 2008 with 42 receptions, 609 yards, and five touchdowns.

These stats may seem bad for a potential No. 1 receiver, but Heyward-Bey did this in a not so great Maryland offense.

He also shows great hands and speed, which would make him a great receiver in any NFL system.

Then there is North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks. In 2008 with UNC, Nicks had 68 receptions, 1,222 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Hakeem Nicks has the stats over Heyward-Bey, but the Maryland receiver posted the fastest 40 yard dash time out of all the wide receivers.

Nicks does come in at 6″0, 212 pounds though and comes in with great height and strength. We have seen how Eli Manning can work with this and the Manning to Nicks combo could be dangerous.

If this trade was to go down as planned, the Giants would most likely be giving up Mathias Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka has been a good depth player as he can play defensive end or linebacker.

It is all up hill from now on though for Kiwanuka as he recorded a record high 51 tackles last year with eight sacks.

The second round pick the Giants would give to the Browns would most likely go towards the Giants drafting a linebacker, as that is one of their top needs.

The price for Braylon Edwards would be worth a good young receiver and a linebacker, but now back to the main question of is it worth it?

And I still think it is.

Last season with the Browns was a disappointing season to some NFL fans, but I still think it was a good season for Edwards. He had 55 receptions, 873 yards, and an eye opening three touchdowns.

This is still a good season, but what if the Giants were to pick up the Braylon Edwards of 2007?

The 80 reception, 1,289 yards, 16 touchdowns, and Pro Bowl Braylon Edwards. This guy could be the guy we get, which is something that would be much greater than what we could get from Hakeem Nicks or Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Braylon Edwards did have a problem dropping the ball last season, but the Giants do have a very good coaching system and this could be fixed. When Tiki Barber played for the Giants, he had a bad fumbling problem.

The Giants coaches worked with Tiki and they fixed it, making Barber a much more effective running back.

So the day before the draft, Jerry Reese and the rest of the Giants management may be thinking about whether this trade is worth pulling the trigger on, and trust me, it is.

When All of the Sports World Align

Like the summer solstice or an eclipse, which will occur on Saturday, is a rare and an once in a year event.  The four major sports, football, basketball, baseball, and hockey will take place this weekend.

Football will hold its draft, baseball will play a full slate of regular season games, and both basketball and hockey will continue their playoffs.

If there is something that has to be done tomorrow like mowing the yard or perhaps some spring cleaning, get it done before 10 a.m. (CST).

That’s when the marathon that is the draft kicks off, and Detroit will be officially on the clock. Then at noon, basketball and baseball will begin its full day of games. Then at 2 p.m., Pittsburgh and Philadelphia continue their series and the road to Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Then on Sunday, NASCAR will get involved at noon in Talladega. The NFL draft will wrap up when the last pick in the draft, a.k.a. Mr. Irrelevant is selected and baseball, basketball, and hockey will continue their schedule as well.

The downside to all of this is that Spring has sprung for most of the country and it is hard to sit on the couch for much of the day, though I have a feeling most of us will.

2009 NFL Mock Draft: Version 2.0

Here is my last and final mock draft. I wish I could do a second round, but I do not really have the time.

My first is here for your perusal, however, and I have included later picks for the teams that do not have first round picks.

 

First Round

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Already in negotiations, looks like a deal will get done.

 

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Have heard that it is down to Smith and Monroe but that the Rams prefer the former Cavalier.

 

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Safest pick in the draft, and the Chiefs won’t pass up on him.

 

4. Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

Hasselback is getting old, it’s about time to find replacement.

 

5. Cleveland Browns: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

The best 3-4 end, he’s rocketing up draft boards.

 

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

He’s taken a bit of a tumble, and I am among those that believe he is overrated.

 

7. Oakland Raiders: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Just don’t think that Crabtree is fast enough for Al Davis.

 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Even with signing of vet wideout Torry Holt, there should be no hesitation here.

 

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Green Bay would love Andre Smith, but will settle for Raji.

 

10. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

Could see Oher here, but they can’t pass up the premier pass rusher.

 

11. Buffalo Bills: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

Out goes Jason Peters, in comes Michael Oher.

 

12. Denver Broncos: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State

Would love Tyson Jackson but will settle for a 3-4 linebacker.

 

13. Washington Redskins: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

Dan Snyder must be real upset he couldn’t get Sanchez.

 

14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB/FS, Ohio State

Fairly easy pick if Jenkins is still there.

 

15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Cushing is most athletic of USC linebackers and better than the over-hyped Matthews.

 

16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC

He’s got work ethic issues, but if they’re fixed, he’s real special.

 

17. New York Jets: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Thomas Jones is not getting any younger.

 

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State

Look at that: The Broncos get two 3-4 linebackers and improve their defense.

 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

Heard that they are very locked in on Freeman.

 

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Smart move to take a QB and then protect him.

 

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

An absolute steal at 21 for the Eagles.

 

22. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Takes a bit of a fall based on teams’ needs, and Vikings are ecstatic.

 

23. New England Patriots: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

A much better corner than Vontae Davis.

 

24. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

Can really fix their defensive line with Jerry in the middle.

 

25. Miami Dolphins: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

Maybe a little overrated, but should work well with Parcells.

 

26. Baltimore Ravens: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

I think he is the best pure receiver after Crabtree.

 

27. Indianapolis Colts: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

With Jerry gone, they’ll go for next-best defensive tackle.

 

28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia via Carolina): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Could have reached for him at 11 but can still get him at 28.

 

29. New York Giants: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Mistake not trading this for Edwards, as Heyward-Bey is most overrated player in this year’s crop.

 

30. Tennessee Titans: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Work ethic issues, but too talented to not take risk on.

 

31. Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

Talented running back who could be a No. 1 option in a year or two.

 

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California

Smart pick here for the Steelers.

 

49. Chicago Bears: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Could see him falling, and the Bears would love that.

 

52. Dallas Cowboys: William Moore, S, Missouri

Take a strong safety to replace Roy Williams.

 

59. Carolina Panthers: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah

With Julius Peppers holding out, smart move to get depth.

USC ‘Backers Ready to Make NFL Draft History

Up to the eve of the 2009 NFL draft, Mark Sanchez has occupied the media focus among USC entries. But at some point during the pre-draft ritual of hyping and highlighting the biggest names, three of his Southern California teammates got themselves in line to make NFL draft history.

When the stock of Clay Matthews escalated during the evaluation period, it lifted his projection to the first round, where he joins fellow former-Trojan linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. If Saturday proves the predictions to be correct, it will be the first time in NFL draft history that three ‘backers from a single program are selected in the first round.

Now, prepared to be even more impressed?

Look at the 2009 Trojans draft package, and you’ll see that three of the first-round projections (Sanchez, Maualuga, and Cushing) are former Rose Bowl MVPs, having won either offensive or defensive honors.

And searching the rest of the Trojans up for selection, you’ll also find a fourth. Linebacker Kaluka Maiava was the 2009 Rose Bowl defensive MVP and is projected to go anywhere between the second and fourth rounds tomorrow.

When the dust settles on Monday, the NFL will have four new linebackers from the University of Southern California, and they’ll join the well-established Keith Rivers and Thomas Williams (2008), Lofa Tatupu (2005), the aging Willie McGinest (1994), and Junior Seau (1990).

The greatest thing about all this, though?

The pipeline looks to keep flowing, as the Trojan youth movement has the team prepared to showcase another young and talented corps for the 2009 college football season. Undoubtedly, they’ll eventually feed the future NFL.

Running back is historically the glamour position of the program; I mean, they receive national recognition as “Tailback U.”

But in the era of Pete Carroll and under the guidance of linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., the Trojan linebackers have emerged as the NFL’s most wanted.

 

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!

My Final Mock Draft: A Sucker Punch At The Top

It has been about three weeks since I wrote my three part mock draft, and a lot has changed since then. A flurry of moves has altered some teams draft priorities, or at least it appears that way.

-The Atlanta Falcons traded for future HOF TE Tony Gonzalez, essentially filling their only need on offense with one of the leagues best.

-The Chicago Bears sold their souls, I mean traded, for former Broncos QB Jay Cutler (When you lose your first game, and the death threats pour in, your going to wonder why you had to open your petulant mouth Jay).

-The Philadelphia Eagles traded for All-Pro T Jason Peters, and now have a great young line that can stay together for many years to come.

-The Jacksonville Jaguars signed WR Torry Holt, and as a Seahawks fan, I know how good this guy is. He basically murdered us on a routine basis.

-The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed QB Byron Leftwich, who I believe will be the Bucs’ starting QB, ending speculation about drafting Kansas State QB Josh Freeman. They also traded for Cleveland Browns TE Kellen Winslow, essentially ending their pursuit of Oklahoma TE Brandon Pettigrew.

-Cincinnati Bengals signed DT Tank Johnson. Now, you may act surprised but I would mark this as a draft altering move. I would bet my bottom dollar Boston College DT BJ Raji will not be a Bengal.

-The Houston Texans signed LB Cato June, quelling speculation that they may take one of the USC trio of LB’s.

 After taking all those moves into account, here is how my new mock draft shakes out.  I hope you enjoy.

Note: I will include potential trades at the bottom, and the changes that will occur if those trades commence. I would like to be at least half right you know?

 
1- Detroit Lions- Mathew Stafford, UGA, QB

They are in ongoing contract talks and it seems highly unlikely they would spend No. 1 money on LB Aaron Curry. Trading out is just not going to happen as well.

2- St Louis Rams- Jason Smith, BAY, OT

He is the top rated tackle, and they let go of Orlando Pace, so a perfect match.

3- Kansas City Chiefs- Tyson Jackson, LSU, DE

He is the best 3-4 DE in the draft, and Jackson has soared up to this spot based on that. An extreme reach, and Chiefs fans will feel “sucker punched”.

4- Seattle Seahawks- Aaron Curry, WFU, LB

I can only pray that they take WR Michael Crabtree, as snagging him would give them without question the deepest four WR set in the league. If Curry is still here, and a QB desperate team like the Redskins doesn’t overpay to nab Sanchez, then this is the most likely pick.

5- Cleveland Browns- BJ Raji, BC, DT

The Browns have a disgruntled blob of a DT in Shaun Rogers. Getting Raji would give them an immediate starter, and security in case Rogers whines his way out of town.

6- Cincinnati Bengal’s- Eugene Monroe, UVA, OT

People don’t seem to remember that Stacy Andrews is gone and there is a gaping hole at tackle.

7- Oakland Raiders- Jeremy Maclin. MIZZ, WR

Al Davis is a fossil and does not realize that Michael Crabtree is still on the board, he will make the mistake of drafting someone inferior.

8- Jacksonville Jaguars- Beanie Wells, OSU, RB

Maurice Jones Drew is a stud, but I don’t think he can do it all by himself, Wells here, or Moreno, will be the perfect complement.

9- Green Bay Packers, Andre Smith, ALA, OT,

They have a need, and he fills the need, end of story.

10- San Francisco 49ers- Michael Crabtree, TTU, WR

The 49ers will have a wet dream if Crabtree falls here

11- Buffalo Bills- Aaron Maybin, PSU, DE

The Bills already addressed needs at TE and WR, and one could argue for T Michael Oher here, but there are also going to be tackles available like William Beaty there at pick No. 28. They can find a guard later as well.

12- Denver Broncos, Brian Orakpo, UT, DE

The Broncos should feel thrilled if he falls here. It most likely won’t happen, but hey, maybe I at least get the position right.

13- Washington Redskins, Mark Sanchez, USC, QB

I highly doubt Sanchez falls this far, I only put him here because I believe they will trade up for him, thus making the Redskins the team he goes to.

14- New Orleans Saints- Knowshon Moreno, UGA, RB

The Saints need some thunder to go with lighting RB Reggie Bush.

15- Houston Texans- Malcolm Jenkins, OSU, CB

He gives the Texans a good value pick and a guy who can step in and start from day one.

16- San Diego Chargers- Robert Ayers, TENN, DE

I’m not as sold on Ayers as much as some other people are, but he has been flying up Mock Draft boards. He would fill the void left by DE Igor Olshansky.

17- New York Jets- Josh Freeman, KSU, QB

On top of them needing a QB, Freeman just sounds like a god Jets name, honestly.

18- Denver Broncos- Rey Maualuga, USC, LB, could either be Cushing Matthews, Maualuga here

They addressed the DL, they already revamped the secondary in Free Agency, and now they can start to fill the holes at LB

19- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Everette Brown, FSU, DE/LB

They need to revamp the defense. Brown slides a bit here and the Bucs get great value by snagging him.

20- Detroit Lions- Michael Oher, MISS, OT

They got the QB, now they need to protect him.

21- Philadelphia Eagles- Donald Brown, UCONN RB

They already got their tackle, now they need to find a complement for RB Brian Westbrook. They could go for a LB here as well, maybe Brian Cushing out of USC.

22- Minnesota Vikings- Brandon Pettigrew, OSU, TE,

Shocker! But really? Who’s their TE again?

23- New England Patriots, Brian Cushing, USC, LB

Any of the three USC LB’s could go to any team who seeks a LB in this mock. Failing to trade for Peppers leaves the team with one hole, and it’s at LB, could either be Cushing Matthews, Maualuga here

24- Atlanta Falcons, Peria Jerry, MISS, DT

The Falcons will choose a DT, a LB, or a DB, plain and simple. But since were not in the war room, we don’t know who they prefer. Jerry would pair with Babinuex to give them a good young duo up the middle.

25- Miami Dolphins, Vontae Davis, ILL, CB

Most mocks I have seen have them going LB, or WR. Those could be a possibility as well.

26- Baltimore Ravens- Clay Mathews, USC, LB,

Ravens need to fill the hole left by LB Bart Scott. Could either be Cushing Matthews, Maualuga here

27- Indianapolis Colts- Darrius Heyward-Bay, UM, WR

He falls here and gives Reggie Wayne a perfect blazing complement.

28- Buffalo Bills- Phil Loadholt, OU, OT

They take care of having to unload Peters by getting even bigger at the tackle position.

29- New York Giants- Hakeem Nicks, UNC, WR

I’m smug because I know this is the pick, unless there’s a trade.

30- Tennessee Titans, Larry English, NIU, DE

I have no clue what to pick now that the Anquan Boldin rumors are intensifying. Javon Kearse is old, but English could even sit if needed. A center is a possibility here too.

31- Arizona Cardinals, Ebbon Britton, AZ, T

Wayne Gandy is getting old and the Cardinals get his replacement here. RB a strong possibility as well.

32- Pittsburgh Steelers, Alphonso Smith, WFU, CB

Fills void left by CB Bryant McFadden departure. They could go with an OL here as well.

 
Notable Possible Trades (and the changes for the team trading)

 Washington Redskins to Seattle, Jacksonville, Green Bay, select: Mark Sanchez

 Kansas City Chiefs (2nd round) to, Buffalo Bills (1st round), select: Brandon Pettigrew

 Cleveland Browns to NYG select: Alphonso Smith

 New York Jets to Seattle, Jacksonville, Denver, select: Mark Sanchez

 Denver Broncos to Seattle select: Mark Sanchez

 Buffalo Bills to Jacksonville select: Andre Smith

 Arizona Cardinals to Denver Broncos select: Knowshon Moreno

 New England Patriots to New Orleans select: Any USC LB

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