1. DET- Matthew Stafford, QB Georgia- At some point a team has to measure whether the anticipation factor of bringing in a top notch big name QB is more important than drafting a player that can play immediately. The negotiations going on between these two parties seem to indicate that a young QB is important to the franchise.
2. STL- Jason Smith, OT Baylor- By selecting Smith, they improve on the o-line instantly. This guy offers more athleticism than the other OT prospects as he is a former tight end. Props to the underdog Big XII school Baylor for producing such a talented player.
3. KC- Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest- I realize the team has other needs and could trade out but finding a partner will be tough because so much money is involved in the pick. Curry has only one perceived weakness- pass rushing skills. I say draft a sound tackler and let him be mentored. Also Curry is a great character guy which I always love.
4. SEA- Mark Sanchez, QB USC- It will either be Sanchez or Eugene Monroe here. They could be throwing out a smoke-screen to enhance trade possibilities by saying they want Sanchez. By drafting him though, the new coaching staff buys some extra time for developing the team into a solid contender.
5. CLE- B.J. Raji, DT Boston College- This guy is pretty quick for a nose tackle, so much that new coach Eric Mangini could put him at d-end in the 3-4 scheme while Shaun Rogers is still on the roster. Rogers though has complained several times and could possibly be on his way out sooner or later.
6. CIN- Eugene Monroe, T Virginia- The team needs o-line help drastically. Having Monroe fall to them would be great because the next best OT- Andre Smith comes with baggage whereas Monroe doesn’t. He will be able to come in and start as a rookie.
7. OAK- Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech- Everyone says that Al Davis is obsessed with speed and thus Jeremy Maclin fits this pick. I think Davis also loves play-makers and big name guys. Crabtree simply is great with the ball in his hands and would be another nice young addition to the team’s offense.
8. JAC- Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri- The team needs wide receiver help very badly and Maclin provides an instant home-run threat. Can Maclin instantly start? It might be a stretch but hopefully he can at least be the slot guy for the time being while dominating on special teams as a return guy.
9. GB- Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB Texas- The team is switching to the 3-4 and needs edge rushers. Orakpo appears to have the ability to lineup as an outside linebacker in the new defense and get to the quarterback from early on in his career. Orakpo is rated as the best pass rusher on the board and Green Bay would be delighted if he falls this far.
10. SF- Everette Brown, DE/OLB Florida State- This guy has a tremendous blend of size and speed and should help the 49er 3-4 allignment at least as a rusher from day 1. Having a solid defense would go a long way toward getting the team back toward playoff contention and Brown immediately adds some athleticism.
11. BUF- Tyson Jackson, DE LSU- The team needs pass-rushing help and offensive line help. This pick will either be a offensive tackle or a pass rusher. Jackson fits in a 3-4 scheme a little better in my opinion but he can still flat out get to the quarterback. He is one of those guys that might be better in the NFL than in college.
12. DEN- Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB Penn State- Maybin eases the transition to the 3-4 defense because he can also get to the passer. The Broncos could go several directions with this pick but Maybin is highly ranked on many boards and looks like a good pick here.
13. WAS- Andre Smith, T Alabama- Smith is a super talent with question marks about his character. Washington could trade up for Sanchez but could upgrade their o-line here if they stay put.
14. NO- Malcolm Jenkins, DB Ohio State- Jenkins has great ball skills which the Saints secondary lacks to a large degree. Jenkins will probably play safety but is talented and versatile. This pick makes a lot of sense though the Saints might pick up a running back here.
15. HOU- Brian Cushing, LB USC- The team’s defense seems just a couple upgrades away from being dominant to a large degree. The secondary needs upgrades but Cushing is a solid pickup that helps the team’s tackling ability.
16. SD- Rey Maualuga, LB USC- The team could go a lot of ways here but adding this solid player to the current linebacker core is scary to think about. Shawne Merriman could tutor Maualuga while he learns the game at a higher level.
17. NYJ- Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State- This team could very well trade up for Sanchez as well but if they stay put Freeman is definitely on their radar. They can afford to let him develop while Kellen Clemons plays for a short time. Drafting a quarterback would make sense for the new coaching staff to develop.
18. DEN- Clay Matthews, LB USC- The Broncos could go a lot of ways with this pick including trading up for Sanchez because reports are the team really wants him. If they don’t move they could continue to make the transition to the 3-4 that Mike Nolan, the d-coordinator runs.
19. TB- Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss- The team needs just an upgrade or two on the d-line to make the unit dominant and take pressure off Gaines Adams. Jerry fits the 4-3 scheme they run very well because of his combination of strength and quickness.
20. DET- Michael Oher, T Ole Miss- Oher could very well be gone by this spot but the team needs to upgrade the trenches and Oher is highly rated. They could just as easily draft a different O-tackle if Oher is gone. Defensive line is also a possibility here.
21. PHI- Beanie Wells, RB Ohio State- The team needs to take some pressure off Brian Westbrook and Wells can take handoffs from day 1. Wells has the strength to run inside well and this makes a lot of sense. This pick could really upgrade the Philly offense to an elite status.
22. MIN- Eben Britton, T Arizona- The Vikings could take a receiver here but Britton seems like a good fit especially when Bryant McKinnie could be getting on their last nerve. Why not continue to upgrade the o-line so Adrian Peterson can continue to dominate?
23. NE- James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State- The team could very well trade up because they own so many picks. This guy could upgrade the linebacking core and provide some youth that is needed. He is a great tackler who can help the special teams as well.
24. ATL- Ziggy Hood, DT Missouri- This guy is rising on draft boards and can immediately help the defense get better. They are putting together a solid young core of players and Hood adds to this strategy.
25. MIA- Hakeem Nicks, WR NC- On film this guy looks unstoppable with great hands, possibly the best in the draft. His overall speed is the only concern but Nicks can come in and get first downs for the Dolphins right away. The team needs a possession receiver to compliment Tedd Ginn Jr. and Nicks could be that guy.
26. BAL- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland- He has elite speed and solid size to go along with it. The Ravens could go a lot of ways here but why not add another receiver with Derrick Mason aging?
27. IND- William Beatty, T UConn- The O-line looked a little worse last year and protecting Peyton Manning plus upgrading the run game should be a priority. Beatty has some athleticism and can play right away. The team simply needs a better run game and adding a running back could also be done here. The team also needs d-line help but no one fits the spot value-wise here.
28. BUF- Darius Butler, DB UConn- The team could do a lot of things with this pick including o-line help but Butler adds some solid athleticism to the secondary that got hurt by free-agency. Butler could combine with Leodis McKelvin to make a solid young secondary.
29. NYG- Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers- The team needs a wide receiver more than anything by far. They could very well trade for a veteran but Britt makes sense here if they don’t move. Britt is a solid receiver that simply makes first downs and fights for the ball in the air.
30. TEN- Robert Ayers, DE Tennessee- Although the team needs help on the interior d-line more, Ayers immediately adds to a solid amount of pass rushing skills to the team with an already nice d-line. Ayers can play freely on third downs as a rusher without huge amounts of pressure on him which is ideal.
31. ARI- Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia- While it doesn’t seem possible that he can fall this far, running backs are a plenty in this draft and many teams are already set. Moreno can create a nice one-two combo with Tim Hightower next year because Edgerrin James could very well not be around.
32. PIT- Alphonso Smith, DB Wake Forest- The team doesn’t have amazing corners and could use an upgrade. Many players could go here including an o-lineman but Smith is a solid player that can play as the nickel back right away.
