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NFL Draft
EFS3000 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
1.1 Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford Georgia
Stafford has all the qualities that one looks for in a Franchise QB in the NFL: excellent arm strength, mobility, pocket awareness, and size. Stafford has spent his 3 year career in an NFL type offense, which also benefits him. The one drawback that some pundits keep referring to is his penchant for being a gunslinger and trying to force throws.
Alternatives: the Lions may take a LT with this pick, and hope that one of the top 3 QB's slides to 1.20 which they obtained from Dallas in the WR Roy Williams trade. The likelihood that any of the top 3 make it past Minnesota at 1.17 is very unlikely though.
1.2 St Louis Rams OT Jason Smith Baylor
The Rams are in dire need of replacements along the Offensive Line, especially given the recent release of longtime LT Orlando Pace. Jason Smith of Baylor is the best replacement option, a huge man with agility, power and strength who should be the longterm answer at LT.
Other options: the only other LT who may compete for the Rams favor is probably Eugene Monroe UVa.
1.3 Kansas City Chiefs LB Aaron Curry Vandy
Aaron Curry is the top rated LB at this time, he is ideally suited to play the SLB position but some scouts say he can also play WLB. His speed, quickness and strength allow him to play the strong side yet allow him to make back side pursuit plays. In addition, he is often cited as being very good in coverage of TE's and RB's in the flat.
Other Options: OT Eugene Monroe UVa, possibly as a long shot WR Crabtree.
1.4 Seattle Seahawks Eugene Monroe Virginia
Monroe may have the best feet in the draft and also has extermley long arms that he can use to find off DLmen. With Walter Jones getting up there in years it's best to have his replacement now. This will allow him to learn from one of the best T's in game for a year. He would be an upgrade over Locklear at RT and can transition back to LT in 2010. His strength is Pass Blocking but he can all learn to get the max out of his running blocking game.
Other options are : Michael Crabtree but with the addition of TJ Houshmandzadeh, its more likely to be the star OT.
1.5 Cleveland Browns DE Brian Orapko Texas
With only 17 sacks as a team in 2008, it comes as little surprise that we need help applying pressure to the quarterback. Orapko fits the bill. He is 6'4" and 260 pounds with great upper body strength.
A minor knee injury in 2007 has done little to slow him down as he posted 19 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks in his senior year.
His burst and quick closing ability will get him on the field early and he will start from day one. Although listed as a DE, we believe he can play in space and he will get a very long look at outside linebacker as a rookie.
Other possibilites: Everette Brown, DE Florida State and Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State
1.6 Cincinnati Bengals DT B.J. Raji Boston College
Cincy would prefer one of the two stud OT's, but have enough needs that they won't reach for head-case Andre Smith. Raji is the only elite DT in this draft, and should improve the Bengals terrible pass rush. Cincy has a couple young DT's already, but nothing like the monster Raji appears to be.
Other possibilities: Ole Miss OT Michael Oher, but this draft is deep at OT so they will probably wait and pick one up later. Beanie Wells is rumored to be very high on the Bengals board.
1.7 Oakland Raiders WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Raiders owner Al Davis is always thinking offence, and his team is desperate for someone to catch passes from gunslinger JaMarcus Russell. Crabtree isn't the fastest receiver on the board, but he's the one with the biggest upside. As bad as they are against the run, the Raiders have always favoured dynamic playmakers, which means a likely pass on one of the top defensive linemen or linebackers. The screw inserted in Crabtree's left foot recently to help a stress fracture heal won't scare them off.
Other possibilities: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri; DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
1.8 Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
This is probably the easiest pick for the Jags. They just had to release Matt Jones, who was their leading receiver last year. Maclin is 6'1" and 200 lbs. He ran a 4.44 40 yard dash at the combine. He can be dominate in the return game, and he is deadly with the ball in his hands.
Other possibilities: Andre Smith OT Alabama. This team could use a tackle, but Smith is scaring some teams away with his behavior. Aaron Maybin in another possibility if Crabtree and Maclin are off the board. I've also heard a rumor that Jags might take a QB here Sanchez or Stafford. I would be extremely surprised if they did that.
1.9 Green Bay Packers- DE Everette Brown FlaSt
With DT Raji gone, then a DE like Everette Brown makes sense here. He would play on the right side and probably be listed more as an OLB than DE because he doesnt have the size to play DE in the 3-4. He would be drafted for his pass rush skills, to provide some pressure on QB on the opposite of the ball from Aaron Kampman.
Other possibilities include OT A Smith Alabama and DB M Jenkins OSU, altho they need a CB more than a Safety.
1.10 San Francisco 49ers - QB Mark Sanchez USC
This is a hard choice for the 49ers. Sanchez should give the team their QB of the future. He can sit this year behind Shaun Hill. He only started 16 games in college, but USC runs a pro style offense.
The 49ers will also look at Aaron Maybin and Andre Smith, but in the end I think Sanchez is too good to pass up at pick 10.
1.11 Buffalo Bills-DE/OLB Aaron Maybin-Penn State
The Bills go to linebacker U to fill a huge need for them in edge pass rusher Maybin. Maybin is young and raw but will develop into a great pass rusher. He has already put on 20 lbs in the offseason.
Other Possibilities:OT Andre Smith,TE Brandon Pettigrew, RB Chris Wells
1.12 Denver Broncos - ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
Denver attempted to fill some holes in their leaky ship in free agency, but their sickly looking defence, which gave up a whopping 374.6 yards per game last season (29th in the NFL), still needs a lot of help.
With the Broncos set to play a 3-4 alignment, they are woefully short on talent at the linebacker spot. Maualuga is the best LB available at this point and, with his toughness and strength, should also help address their problems stopping the run.
Other possibilities: WHEN, not if, Cutler gets traded, they should get a pick higher than 12th, which they will have to use to get Stafford or Sanchez. If not Maualuga here, maybe they take a crack at Brian Cushing or even run stopping DE Tyson Jackson. CB Malcolm Jenkins saw his stock fall in the combine, but it would be intriguing to see him paired with Champ Bailey.
1.13 Washington Redskins - OT, Andre Smith - Alabama Crimson Tide
With an aging offensive tackle on one side of the line and an unproven commodity on the other, the positional choice is an easy one. Which player is a more difficult decision. After a heated debate, our owner pushes us to select Andre Smith and he becomes the pick.
Prior to the combine, Smith was a consensus top 10 pick.
Now, there are questions about his weight and desire to play in the NFL. His talent is quite clear. Smith has good lateral quickness for a big man - 6'4" and 325 pounds. He has the technique to handle the various pass rush moves he will see at this level. He is a quality blind side, seal blocker.
Our coaching staff prefers the lighter and quicker William Beatty, OT UConn. He is a terrific fit for the west coast offense. Beatty may be the most agile tackle in the draft, which is saying alot given the skills of Jason Smith.
Other possibilities: Brian Cushing, OLB USC and Larry English, DE Northern Illinois
1.14 (DB)Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Saints have needed secondary help for awhile now. Jenkins' versatility gives the team a much needed boost they can't ignore.
Possibility: Chris "Beanie" Wells
1.15 Houston Texans DE Michael Johnson Ga Tech
The Texans signed DE A Smith in FA, but the opportunity to add this guy with his size and athleticism is just too much to pass up. He will begin the year as a situational pass rusher but with A Smith and Johnson playing at same time as Mario Williams the Texans pass rush could be excellent.
Other Options: LB Brian Cushing could be on their radar, given the injuries to Adibi and Diles from last year.
1.16 SanDiego Chargers RB Knowshon Moreno Georgia
Even with LT in the fold I think it will bode well for the team to have a repacement in house. This can also keep LT healthy for the playoffs unlike the lawt few years. Sproles can't handle the full load and if LT goes down the will need 2 back to take the pressure off Rivers. Knowshon is a similar back to LT in the sense of change of direction and speed. This will allow the Chargers to keep the same offense in place.
1.17 New York Jets QB Josh Freeman Kansas State
With the seventeenth pick in the first round the New York Jets select Josh Freeman QB Kansas St. Freeman fills the Jets most immediate need at quarterback. With the success of Ryan and Flacco in 2008 the Jets should not hesitate at handing Freeman the reins in 2009 as long as he does not hold out. The Jets are built to win now and Freeman has the athletic ability that the Jets have been lacking at the quarterback position.
1.18 Chicago Bears : OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The Bears only have 2 starters coming back from last years offensive line. Oher will fall some because his combine performance was poor and he's perceived to be inconsistent in pass protection.
DE Larry English is another possibility. English is projected anywhere from 11 to mid second round and the Bears need a DE.
1.19 Tampa Bay Bucs WR Percy Harvin Fla
TB needs a playmaker at WR. Michael Clayton has not yet returned to his rookie year form and Antonio Bryant is a head case who plays well then blows up. There's not much behind them. Harvin is an explosive player who can catch and run like the wind and will be used to back the defense off of Derrick Ward, Earnest Graham, and Cadillac Williams and who might give Luke McCown (or the QB to be named later) a running chance to succeed. Harvin is a homeboy who went to school at Florida and who led the SEC in average rushing yards from scrimmage. He'll be used both as a receiver and on reverses and such.
Other possibilities include Darrius Heyward-Bey WR MD, who is in a similar mold as Harvin, except with maybe better hands, and Vontae Davis, the stud CB from Illinois. Ronde Barber isn't getting any younger, and with Phillip Buchanon leaving the team, the Bucs need another young CB to train to fill Barber's shoes. Look for the Bucs to take a CB later in the draft.
1.20 Detroit Lions DB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest
With the banishment after one season of Leigh Bodden, the Lions need to find someone who can play CB. Smith has improved greatly over the past 6 months and his stock is rising. He has the size and speed to compete in the NFL.
1.21 Philadelphia WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Va
Although they needed a rb more this is the beat available player and they can go need in 7 picks. As much as eagles fans would complaign the team is most likely to trade down with this pick.
1.22 OLB Brian Cushing USC
With the BPA of WRs and OTs off the board the Vikings see no other players at those positions worthy of the pick. So they decide to go with the overall BPA in Cushing. If the Vikes can not find a trading partner to trade down, they'll be fine with the 4-3 OLB in the fading Tampa 2 system to take up a spot in the near future.
Possibilities: WR Hakeem Nicks, C Max Unger, or Alex Mack
1.23 New England OLB Clay Mathews USC
The patriots were heart broken with Minnesota picking Brian Cushing at 1.22, so they now must decide to go inside with James Laurinaitis as a replacement for Teddy Bruschi or outside with Clay Mathews as the replacement for Mike Vrabel. Mathews gets the nod, since he is more athletic than Laurinaitis, and with the second pick in in the second round, the Pats may still have a shot at drafting Laurinaitis later on. Mathews is too good to last that long.
Other Possibilities include LB James Laurinaitis.
1.24 Atlanta Falcons TE Brandon Pettigrew OklaSt
This player comes with baggage but is far too talented to pass up this deep in the draft. It also addresses a position that is currently being headlined by Ben Hartsock. He will, without a doubt, be a significant upgrade. The team has many needs on defense but will be forced here to give Matty Ryan another weapon.
1.25 Miami Dolphins DB Vontae Davis Illiniois
The Dolphins need help in the secondary and are happy to see Davis fall this far. Davis is a great playmaker who will add an attitude to the Dolphins secondary.
Other Possibilities: ILB James Lauranitis, DT Jaron Gilbert
1.26 Baltimore Ravens DB DJ Moore Vanderbilt
Moore has the ability to contribute immediately for the Ravens. He will probably start as the fourth CB and as a return man but I don't doubt he'll also see action as a wide receiver. Look for him to challenge for rookie of the year possibly on offense and defense.
1.27 Indianapolis Colts - DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
Outside of their excellent defensive ends, the Colts were soft and inefficient in the middle of their defensive line last season. They couldn't stop the run and couldn't get to the passer. About all they could do was stand and watch.
A major upgrade is needed here and the DT talent drops off pretty quickly after Raji and Jerry, so, in this mock, I feel they must go defence with this pick. Jerry had 18 tackles for a loss in 12 games with Mississippi in 2008 and he added seven sacks. If he can come close to those numbers at the NFL level, the Colts would have a scary pass rush.
Other possibilities: Obviously with Marvin Harrison being cut, they will have to draft a receiver at some point. I just feel that class is deeper and they can probably get a usable one later in the draft. The elite offensive tackles are already off the board at this point, too, but they may make a risk/reward, project-type pick later in the draft.
1.28 Philadelphia Eagles OT Eben Britton
With age and FA losses, the Eagles take E Britton to play RT, freeing Stacy Andrews to move to LT. Britton is an agile OT for his size and fits the Eagles scheme very well. Expect him to start from Day 1.
Other possibilities: a RB if any of the top 3 are available at this slot or perhaps a WR that can stretch the field.
1.29 New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks UNC
The Gmen went defense in Free Agency, and with the status of Plaxico Burress still up in the air, and his reliability forever questionable, the Giants need to get a big guy as their go to receiver. At 6.1 210, Nicks is not as tall as Plax but has great hands and his ability to make the big catch is what seals the deal for the New York.
1.30 Tennessee Titans DT Evander Hood, Missouri
With very few holes, the Titans have the luxury of going for the best player available on the board. But with the loss of Albert Haynesworth in free agency, they might give the defensive tackle position a little more value. They can afford a bit of a reach and grab one of the biggest risers in Hood, who was impressive during his Pro Day workout and made himself a first-round possibility.
Other possibilities: DE Tyson Jackson or an even bigger reach if they value a wide receiver that they don't believe will be available at the 62nd overall pick in Round 2.
1.31 Arizona Cardinals RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
The Cardinals are one of only a few teams with a strong need at RB. However, considering their RB fiasco with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower last year, Chris "Beanie" Wells would be a perfect fit in their explosive offense.
Assuming the Cardinals are able to resolve their contract dispute with WR Anquan Boldin, the defending NFC champions could enter 2009 with Warner, Wells, Fitzgerald, and Boldin at the skill positions.
Other possibilities: RB Donald Brown, Connecticut, C Alex Mack, California and
RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
1.32 Pittsburgh Steelers OC A Mack Cal
Steelers take Alex Mack, OC California in a much needed OL upgrade. Mack is just the physical presence the Steelers need to solidify their offensive line.
Other possibilities include OC Max Unger.
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