NFL Mock Draft 3.5

Mock draft: Round 1
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Alternate Pick
1.	Lions	Matthew Stafford	QB	Georgia	Jason Smith
		After a winless season, the Lions desperately need a new face of the franchise. Stafford will be that guy to bring excitement back to the dismal Lions. Expect Culpepper to be the guy in 2009 but in 2010 expect it to be the Stafford show.
2.	Rams	Jason Smith	OT	Baylor	Eugene Monroe
		Rams desperately need a replacement for perennial pro-bowler Orlando Pace. Monroe should have a great career although the Rams could opt for Jason Smith. The Rams will need protection to aid a young receiving corps.
3.	Chiefs	Aaron Curry	LB	Wake Forest	Brian Orakpo
		The Chiefs will look to revamp a defense that ranked 30th in rush defense by drafting Curry. The safest pick in the draft, brings toughness, speed, and youth to the defense. Move allows Derrick Johnson to move back to the outside linebacker position.
4.	Seahawks	Eugene Monroe	OT	Virginia	Mark Sanchez
		After a sub-par year from Walter Jones. The Seahawks are convinced that they need to draft his future replacement. Expect him to play some RT until Jones decides to retire.
5.	Browns	Brian Orakpo	DE/LB	Texas	BJ Raji
		The Browns could use Orakpo’s versatility on the edge. Orakpo could line up as a LB or DE. Probably will play standing up for the Browns. Could be used like Charger’s LB Shawne Merriman.
6.	Bengals	Andre Smith	OT	Alabama	Eugene Monroe
		This pick could come back to haunt the Bengals because of Smith’s problems. But on film he’s the best left tackle and the Bengals allowed the 3rd most sacks in the league. Will be a boom or bust pick.
7.	Raiders	Jeremy Maclin	WR	Missouri	Michael Crabtree
		Al Davis has been desperately looking for an explosive playmaker at the WR and Maclin just might be his man. The speedster can return kicks and punts. Adds a deep threat that the Raiders have sorely missed.
8.	Jaguars	Michael Crabtree	WR	Texas Tech	Mark Sanchez
		The Jags are desperate for a playmaker at the WR position and Crabtree could have the immediate impact. Look for Crabtree to be the No.1 receiver from Day 1. Will learn a lot from veteran Torry Holt.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Alternate Pick
9.	Packers	Malcolm Jenkins	CB/S	Ohio State	Tyson Jackson
		Could either be a safety or corner but most likely a corner for the Packers. With aging corners, Jenkins could be a good fit because of his size and aggressive style. Expect Jenkins to play sparingly in his first year.
10.	49ers	Mark Sanchez	QB	USC	Aaron Maybin
		With a gaping hole at QB, the Niners’ pick their quarterback of the future. Sanchez has experience in a pro-style offense unlike former first rounder Alex Smith. Can be brought along slowly because of their depth at QB.
11.	Bills	Everette Brown	DE/LB	Florida State	Aaron Maybin
		Not exactly a need pick but the Bills can’t pass on Brown’s pure speed and athleticism. Could help a secondary full of ball hawks. Brown will have an immediate impact.
12.	Broncos	B.J. Raji	DT	Boston College	Peria Jerry
		The Broncos look to bolster the defense by starting in the middle. Raji brings some toughness to a shoddy defensive line. Should have a decent impact on a defense that ranked 27th against the rush.
13.	Redskins	Tyson Jackson	DE	LSU	Brian Cushing
		Redskins are looking for an end that’s solid against the run and pass and Jackson is the safest pick at DE. He’ll be helped by Haynesworth constantly commanding a double team. Could become an immediate starter.
14.	Saints	Vontae Davis	CB	Illinois	Chris Wells
		With the release of Mike McKenzie, the Saints will be looking for a corner. Davis is the most physically gifted corner in the draft and will bring playmaking ability to their secondary. He’ll have Sharper behind him which is perfect for a rookie corner. Expect him to be the No.1 corner at the start of training camp.
15.	Texans	Brian Cushing	LB	USC	Clay Matthews
		A smart and gifted Cushing is exactly what the Texans need on their defense. Coupled with Demeco Ryans could be one of the best young linebacking corps in the league. Texans could also opt for Beanie Wells as a compliment to Steve Slaton
16.	Chargers	Rey Maualuga	LB	USC	Knowshon Moreno
		Maualuga will give the Chargers a fearsome hitter in the middle something they have sorely lacked. With Merriman back may be the best linebackers in the AFC. May opt for Beanie Wells for an aging LT.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Previous pick
17.	Jets	Josh Freeman	QB	Kansas State	Percy Harvin
		Strong-armed QB may be a bit of a reach but his arm may be too much for the Jets too pass up. Will need a year to develop which is fine because the Jets still have Clemens and Ratliff. May be a starter by midseason. Could end up being a taller Daunte Culpepper.
18.	Broncos	James Laurinaitis	LB	Ohio State	Rey Maualuga
		The Broncos will stick with defense and take the most productive linebacker in the draft. Laurinaitis will fill a void immediately and become the starter. Will add toughness to a defense that desperately needs it.
19.	Buccaneers	Aaron Maybin	DE/LB	Penn State	Tyson Jackson
		Could play LB or DE but will probably be a DE once he adds more bulk. A dangerous edge rusher who will compliment Gaines Adams. Expect him to have an immediate impact against the less athletic right tackles.
20.	Lions	Michael Oher	OT	Mississippi	Robert Ayers
		The Lions get help at line to protect Matthew Stafford’s blind side. Lions could also go DE and pick Robert Ayers. Look for Oher to be a starter for day one.
21.	Eagles	Knowshon Moreno	RB	Georgia	Hakeem Nicks
		Moreno is the best back in this draft class. The Eagles will be elated to select Moreno with the 21st pick. Similar to Westbrook but isn’t quite the home-run threat. Will be perfect in an Eagles’ system that requires versatility from the RB position
22.	Vikings	Percy Harvin	WR	Florida	Josh Freeman
		A versatile player that can contribute immediately on kicks and punts for the Vikes. Should be a solid slot receiver in his 1st yr and KR/PR. Will be lethal inside a dome; similar to Steve Smith.
23.	Patriots	Clay Matthews	LB	USC	Alphonso Smith
		Pats could go corner but will stick with the safer pick in Matthews. Matthews has great bloodlines his grandfather, father, and uncle played in the NFL. Matthews is a cerebral player which is perfect for Belichick’s system.
24.	Falcons	Evander Hood	DT	Missouri	Darrius Heyward-Bey
		With the signing of Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons will look to beef up the middle of their defense. Hood will be a solid player and will provide the Falcons D with some much needed toughness. Expect Hood to be a situational player his rookie season.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Alternate Pick
25.	Dolphins	Kenny Britt	WR	Rutgers	Patrick Turner
		Britt is the kind of red-zone threat that the Fins’ are lacking. Parcells has a fixation with tall athletic receivers. Expect Britt to contribute immediately.
26.	Ravens	Darrius Heyward-Bey	WR	Maryland	Lesean McCoy
		With Mason aging, the Ravens are looking for a successor. Heyward-Bey will bring a deep-threat to an offense full of possession receivers. Expect him to be a situational player in his first year maybe used on kicks and punts.
27.	Colts	Peria Jerry	DT	Mississippi	Kenny Britt
		The new-look Colts look to beef up a line that finished 24th against the run. Jerry brings tenacity to a line known for its finesse and speed. Will be the starter from Day 1.
28.	Bills	Eben Britton	OT	Arizona	Louis Delmas
		With the departure of Pro Bowler Jason Peters, the Bills draft his replacement. Britton has the athleticism to compete with some great pass rushers in the AFC. Look for him to be the starter going into training camp.
29.	Giants	Hakeem Nicks	WR	North Carolina	Evander Hood
		With the release of Plaxico Burress, the Giants are desperate at receiver. Robiskie has great hands and is an excellent after the catch. Should be productive in his first season.
30.	Titans	Brian Robiskie	WR	Ohio State	Eben Britton
		Nicks would have been their ideal pick but with him gone they opt for the Buckeye. Robiskie gives Kerry Collins a dependable target they can get open. Will be the No.2 receiver going into the season.
31.	Cardinals	Chris Wells	RB	Ohio State	Lesean McCoy
		Edgerrin James’ days are numbered and the Cardinals are in need of a franchise back. Fortunately, Wells will still be on the board and he will be that franchise back. Splitting carries with Tim Hightower should help with his durability issues
32.	Steelers	Alphonso Smith	CB	Wake Forest	Max Unger
		The Steelers would like an offensive lineman but can’t pass on this solid corner. Smith brings explosiveness to an aging secondary and should contribute immediately. This may be Deshea Townsend’s last year in Pittsburgh.

NFL Mock Draft 2.5

Mock draft: Round 1
Pick Team Player Pos. School Alternate Pick
1. Lions
Jason Smith OT Baylor Matthew Stafford

The Lions follow in the footsteps of the Dolphins and draft the draft’s best tackle. The Lions could opt for Matthew Stafford but have a solid QB situation for the 2009 season. Smith will be a starter from Day 1.


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2. Rams
Eugene Monroe OT Virginia Jason Smith

Rams desperately need a replacement for perennial pro-bowler Orlando Pace. Monroe should have a great career although the Rams could opt for Stafford. The Rams will need protection to aid a young receiving corps.


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3. Chiefs
Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest Brian Orakpo

The Chiefs will look to revamp a defense that ranked 30th in rush defense by drafting Curry. The safest pick in the draft, brings toughness, speed, and youth to the defense. Move allows Derrick Johnson to move back to the outside linebacker position.


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4. Seahawks
Matthew Stafford QB Georgia Eugene Monroe

The Hawks’ draft for the future and select Matthew Stafford. Matt Hasselbeck is still a top 10 QB. Stafford will be brought along slowly and will learn from Hasselbeck. Expect Stafford to be the starter in his 2nd yr and he may play some during his rookie season.


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5. Browns
Brian Orakpo DE/LB Texas Everette Brown

The Browns could use Orakpo’s versatility on the edge. Orakpo could line up as a LB or DE. Probably will play standing up for the Browns. Could be used like Charger’s LB Shawne Merriman.
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6. Bengals
Andre Smith OT Alabama BJ Raji

This pick could come back to haunt the Bengals because of Smith’s problems. But on film he’s the best left tackle and the Bengals allowed the 3rd most sacks in the league. Will be a boom or bust pick.
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7. Raiders
Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri Michael Crabtree

Al Davis has been desperately looking for an explosive playmaker at the WR and Maclin just might be his man. The speedster can return kicks and punts. Adds a deep threat that the Raiders have sorely missed.
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8. Jaguars
Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech Mark Sanchez

The Jags are desperate for a playmaker at the WR position and Crabtree could have the immediate impact. Look for Crabtree to be the No.1 receiver from Day 1. Will learn a lot from veteran Torry Holt.
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Pick Team Player Pos. School Alternate Pick
9. Packers
Malcolm Jenkins CB/S Ohio State Tyson Jackson

Could either be a safety or corner but most likely a corner for the Packers. With aging corners, Jenkins could be a good fit because of his size and aggressive style. Expect Jenkins to play sparingly in his first year.
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10. 49ers
Mark Sanchez QB USC Aaron Maybin

With a gaping hole at QB, the Niners’ pick their quarterback of the future. Sanchez has experience in a pro-style offense unlike former first rounder Alex Smith. Can be brought along slowly because of their depth at QB.
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11. Bills
Everette Brown DE/LB Florida State Aaron Maybin

Not exactly a need pick but the Bills can’t pass on Brown’s pure speed and athleticism. Could help a secondary full of ball hawks. Brown will have an immediate impact.
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12. Broncos
B.J. Raji DT Boston College Peria Jerry

The Broncos look to bolster the defense by starting in the middle. Raji brings some toughness to a shoddy defensive line. Should have a decent impact on a defense that ranked 27th against the rush.
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13. Redskins
Tyson Jackson DE LSU Brian Cushing

Redskins are looking for an end that’s solid against the run and pass and Jackson is the safest pick at DE. He’ll be helped by Haynesworth constantly commanding a double team. Could become an immediate starter.
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14. Saints
Vontae Davis CB Illinois Chris Wells

With the release of Mike McKenzie, the Saints will be looking for a corner. Davis is the most physically gifted corner in the draft and will bring playmaking ability to their secondary. He’ll have Sharper behind him which is perfect for a rookie corner. Expect him to be the No.1 corner at the start of training camp.
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15. Texans
Brian Cushing LB USC Clay Matthews

A smart and gifted Cushing is exactly what the Texans need on their defense. Coupled with Demeco Ryans could be one of the best young linebacking corps in the league. Texans could also opt for Beanie Wells as a compliment to Steve Slaton
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16. Chargers
Rey Maualuga LB USC Knowshon Moreno

Maualuga will give the Chargers a fearsome hitter in the middle something they have sorely lacked. With Merriman back may be the best linebackers in the AFC. May opt for Beanie Wells for an aging LT.


Pick Team Player Pos. School Previous pick
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17. Jets
Josh Freeman QB Kansas State Percy Harvin

Strong-armed QB may be a bit of a reach but his arm may be too much for the Jets too pass up. Will need a year to develop which is fine because the Jets still have Clemens and Ratliff. May be a starter by midseason. Could end up being a taller Daunte Culpepper.
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18. Broncos
James Laurinaitis LB Ohio State Rey Maualuga

The Broncos will stick with defense and take the most productive linebacker in the draft. Laurinaitis will fill a void immediately and become the starter. Will add toughness to a defense that desperately needs it.
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19. Buccaneers
Aaron Maybin DE/LB Penn State Tyson Jackson

Could play LB or DE but will probably be a DE once he adds more bulk. A dangerous edge rusher who will compliment Gaines Adams. Expect him to have an immediate impact against the less athletic right tackles.
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20. Lions
Michael Oher OT Mississippi Robert Ayers

The Lions get help at line to protect Matthew Stafford’s blind side. Lions could also go DE and pick Robert Ayers. Look for Oher to be a starter for day one.


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21. Eagles
Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia Hakeem Nicks

Moreno is the best back in this draft class. The Eagles will be elated to select Moreno with the 21st pick. Similar to Westbrook but isn’t quite the home-run threat. Will be perfect in an Eagles’ system that requires versatility from the RB position
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22. Vikings
Percy Harvin WR Florida Josh Freeman

A versatile player that can contribute immediately on kicks and punts for the Vikes. Should be a solid slot receiver in his 1st yr and KR/PR. Will be lethal inside a dome; similar to Steve Smith.
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23. Patriots
Clay Matthews LB USC Alphonso Smith

Pats could go corner but will stick with the safer pick in Matthews. Matthews has great bloodlines his grandfather, father, and uncle played in the NFL. Matthews is a cerebral player which is perfect for Belichick’s system.
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24. Falcons
Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State Darrius Heyward-Bey

Pettigrew is this year’s best tight end and the Falcons haven’t had a decent tight end since the departure of Alge Crumpler. Falcons could go corner to fill a need but will probably wait until the 2nd rd to address it
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Pick Team Player Pos. School Alternate Pick
25. Dolphins
Kenny Britt WR Rutgers Patrick Turner

Britt is the kind of red-zone threat that the Fins’ are lacking. Parcells has a fixation with tall athletic receivers. Expect Britt to contribute immediately.
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26. Ravens
Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland Lesean McCoy

With Mason aging, the Ravens are looking for a successor. Heyward-Bey will bring a deep-threat to an offense full of possession receivers. Expect him to be a situational player in his first year maybe used on kicks and punts.
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27. Colts
Peria Jerry DT Mississippi Kenny Britt

The new-look Colts look to beef up a line that finished 24th against the run. Jerry brings tenacity to a line known for its finesse and speed. Will be the starter from Day 1.
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28. Bills
Eben Britton OT Arizona Louis Delmas
With the departure of Pro Bowler Jason Peters, the Bills draft his replacement. Britton has the athleticism to compete with some great pass rushers in the AFC. Look for him to be the starter going into training camp.
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29. Giants
Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina Evander Hood

With the release of Plaxico Burress, the Giants are desperate at receiver. Robiskie has great hands and is an excellent after the catch. Should be productive in his first season.
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30. Titans
Brian Robiskie WR Ohio State Eben Britton

Nicks would have been their ideal pick but with him gone they opt for the Buckeye. Robiskie gives Kerry Collins a dependable target they can get open. Will be the No.2 receiver going into the season.
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31. Cardinals
Chris Wells RB Ohio State Lesean McCoy

Edgerrin James’ days are numbered and the Cardinals are in need of a franchise back. Fortunately, Wells will still be on the board and he will be that franchise back. Splitting carries with Tim Hightower should help with his durability issues
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32. Steelers
Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest Max Unger

The Steelers would like an offensive lineman but can’t pass on this solid corner. Smith brings explosiveness to an aging secondary and should contribute immediately. This may be Deshea Townsend’s last year in Pittsburgh.