On the eve of draft day, nothing seems to be certain any more. Mock drafts usually don’t include trades, because they are essentially impossible to predict. That being said, it’s almost pointless to do a mock draft without trades because trades will happen. Therefore, for my second, and final, mock draft of this year, I will stick it all out on the line and attempt to predict some first-round trades as well.
Matthew Stafford (QB-Georgia)
With the new brass running the show, they will feel the pressure to prove that they are going to be running a different show than the one that produced an 0-16 season. While Curry may seem to be the “safest” pick in the draft (and is a slightly cheaper option), I can’t see the new administration passing on a potential franchise quarterback (particularly in a draft this shallow in quarterback depth).
Edit: I was right. As I was typing this post, the Lions signed Stafford to a 6-year deal.
Jason Smith (OT-Baylor)
St. Louis may give some thought to Curry and Crabtree, but in the end the decision will be to protect Marc Bulger’s blindside. They let Orlando Pace go this offseason, and don’t have a replacement for him on the roster. This serves as a good sign that they intend on picking an offensive tackle.
Eugene Monroe (OT-Virginia)
The surprise pick of the draft so far. Everyone thinks the Chiefs will pick Curry, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Yes, they need help at linebacker, but they also went out and signed Zack Thomas and Mike Vrabel. They are switching to a 3-4 and Curry’s best fit there would be at Inside Linebacker, the least valued position in a 3-4. Scott Pioli makes a move to protect his new franchise passer with a rebuilt Offensive Line, allowing Monroe to bookend Brendan Albert, a first round selection last year and another Virginia grad.
Mark Sanchez (QB-USC)
Seattle will be hearing trade offers for this pick all night as people will be looking to move ahead of Cleveland to take Sanchez. In the end, Seattle drafts Sanchez, but don’t be surprised if they trade him to someone for players and picks at a later point in the draft.
Aaron Curry (LB-Wake Forest)
Curry is a huge bargain at this point, as he has gotten consideration from each of the top 4 teams. Cleveland likes Sanchez and Crabtree, but their inability to move Braylon Edwards forces them to address the other side of the ball. Yes, they also run a 3-4, but their linebacking unit is downright dreadful, and Curry may be able to fill in at OLB for the time being.
BJ Raji (DT-Boston College)
Cincinnati needs help at every position. They give a serious look at Beanie Wells here, but opt for defense to improve their absolutely dreadful run defense. Raji fills a big hole and will be a much-needed playmaker. They will receive trade offers from people looking to move ahead of Oakland to take Crabtree, but won’t pull the trigger.
Michael Crabtree (WR-Oakland)
Tom Cable wants to go O-line but they also need receivers. They made a few moves on the O-line this offseason and will likely take someone to fill in there at the top of the second round. But for now, Crabtree is too good to pass up. Paired with JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, the Raiders might actually field a real football team for the first time in ages.
Andre Smith (OT-Alabama)
With all of the premier players gone, they won’t be hearing a lot in terms of trade offers at this point. They beef up their offensive line with Smith, who has the strength and skill to be an elite player, despite his miserable offseason. If David Garrard is their franchise quarterback, they need to find some way to protect him, and this is a great start.
Tyson Jackson (DE-LSU)
Green Bay gives Orakpo and Everette Brown serious looks as potential 3-4 OLBs, but they opt for rising talent Tyson Jackson. Green Bay doesn’t have anyone on their roster right now who can naturally play DE in a 3-4, so they snatch up the best player available at the position.
Brian Orakpo (DE-Texas)
While Orakpo could go as high as #3 to Kansas City, other issues take precedence for teams higher on the board and San Francisco is quick to snatch up a sturdy defensive end. If things fall according to my draft, San Fran will be deciding between Michael Oher, Everette Brown, and Orakpo.
Everette Brown (DE-Florida State)
Everette Brown (DE-Florida State)
Another team in need of pass-rushing help. Buffalo will get offers from people looking to move up to take Brown, or get ahead of Denver to take Josh Freeman, but they hold onto their pick and take someone who can be an instant force off the edge.
Josh Freeman (QB-Kansas State)
Josh McDaniels doesn’t want to risk Washington or the Jets having a shot at Freeman (not to mention other teams that could trade up) so they snatch him off the board at #12. Is this a little high for the gunslinger? Possibly, but if he develops into a Ben Roethlisberger-type quarterback (as many have said he could) then Denver won’t regret the pick.
(from Washington)
Rey Maualuga (LB-USC)
In the first trade of the draft, San Diego trades up with Washington in order to take Rey Maualuga from USC before the Texans get a shot at him. Houston is a team that could use some help in the middle of their defense, but San Diego wants it more and makes the move to get the USC stud first.
Malcolm Jenkins (CB-Ohio State)
With the San Diego trade, the wheeling and dealing commences, but New Orleans holds on to their pick to give themselves an upgrade in a secondary that got absolutely torched last season. Jenkins, who some think may be too lanky for corner, could also help out at safety where the Saints need help as well. This is an ideal situation for them and if Jenkins falls out of the top 10, the Saints may even look to move up a few spots to grab him.
(From Houston)
Aaron Maybin (DE-Penn State)
Houston pulls the trigger on a trade and the Patriots are able to move up and get the type of player who could be a devastating force for years to come in a Bill Belicheat defense. Maybin has the raw skill to be dominant, but lacks the experience to be a Top 10 pick. Look for people to be chomping at the bit to move up to take him though.
(from San Diego)
Michael Oher (OT-Ole Miss)
They could have taken Oher earlier, but are able to sucker the Chargers into trading and get a later round pick out of the deal. They take an Offensive Tackle to provide some help for Campbell and Portis. Their offensive line got banged up towards the end of last year, and it showed as Campbell’s numbers dropped off. Everyone likes to blame the QB for the issues with the offense, but when multiple offensive linemen go down with injury, it’s not always the QB’s fault, because the running game suffered too. Washington may look defense, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they took one of the USC linebackers.
(from New York Jets)
Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR-Maryland)
With the Jets, a team in need of a WR on the clock, the Giants make a move to trade up and pick possibly the most gamebreaking receiver in the draft. DHB has size, strength, and hands that will make him an excellent replacement for No-Catch-ico.
Brian Cushing (LB-USC)
The Broncos take Freeman with their first pick and are now free to turn an eye towards the ailing defense. They consider taking a running back, but their offseason acquisitions at RB make it a more sensible move to draft a defender, particularly a linebacker.
(from Tampa Bay)
Jeramy Maclin (WR-Missouri)
This is way too far for Maclin to fall, but with the needs that other teams have, he may get passed over (or he could go as high as #7 to Oakland or #8 to Jacksonville). But Minnesota is in need of some depth at WR so I could see them making a move up to take Maclin if he falls.
Eben Britton (OT-Arizona)
Detroit picked up their franchise passer with the #1 overall pick and now they need to protect him so he doesn’t get injured. Smart move here is to go either O-line or D-line. I’m banking on them going O-line as they have another pick at #33 when there should still be some solid defensive players available.
Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB-Ohio State)
Knowshon Moreno from Georgia might be a better fit for Philly’s offense, but Wells has Top 10 talent, and could very well go to someone like Cincy or Cleveland in the Top 10. He drops because of the relative short-term durability of running backs these days and Philly gets a steal at #21.
Peria Jerry (DT-Ole Miss)
Tampa could have snagged Jerry a few picks earlier, but like Washington did earlier in the day, they are able to take the player they wanted with a later pick and acquire an extra pick in a middle round. Jerry will be an instant help to the Bucs front 4 and take pressure off of Gaines Adams on the end.
Percy Harvin (WR-Florida)
Andre Johnson is the #1 receiver in Houston, no question. However, with that being said, a speedster like Harvin could find his nitch in a place like Houston where he will have time to grow and develop into a solid compliment to Johnson.
Clay Matthews (LB-USC)
The Falcons lost two of their starting linebackers from last season and only added one, which means they are in the market for another linebacker. Matthews is the third USC linebacker taken, and will be able to step in and play immediately for Atlanta.
Robert Ayers (DE/OLB-Tennessee)
Bill Parcells and his 3-4 defense love converted Defensive Ends to play OLB. Joey Porter can’t last forever and Ayers could see some playing time this season and be the long-term replacement once Porter decides to hang it up. The Dolphins are thrilled to have Ayers fall all the way to them, and their defense, which was solid last year, takes another step forward.
Vontae Davis (CB-Illinois)
The Ravens give serious consideration to Brandon Pettigrew with this pick, but Davis, once valued as a Top 15 pick, is too much of a value at a need position for them to pass up. The Ravens cut Rolle and McAllister this past offseason, and even though they came to terms with a few DB’s, there is still a hole there that a playmaker like Davis could fill.
Evander “Ziggy” Hood (DT-Missouri)
The Colts might like a receiver here to replace Marvin Harrison, but they NEED to get bigger and stronger at defensive tackle. Ziggy Hood is the best DT prospect left on the board, and it is doubtful that Ron Brace (BC) will make it to them in the second round, so the Colts pick up a DT here and wait until Round 2 for a Wide Receiver.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE-Oklahoma St)
Things couldn’t work out more perfect for Buffalo. They get a long-term tight end that can run-block and is solid running routes over the middle. With TO only signed to one year, he and Pettigrew won’t have the opportunity to feud the way TO and Witten did. With James Hardy also on the team, this could turn into a formidable receiving unit for Buffalo. Don’t be surprised if they look for a running back at some point in the draft since Marshawn Lynch is suspended for 3 games.
(from New York Giants)
Hakeem Nicks (WR-North Carolina)
Nicks is a big target with great hands and he will be an immediate help to the passing game, if there is a Quarterback to run it next year. The Jets could be involved in a trade to try and pry Sanchez away from Seattle, so keep an eye on that. Nicks will be a solid replacement for Laverneus Coles and will be a good long-term option in the Big Apple.
Darius Butler (CB-Connecticut)
Tennessee doesn’t really have any holes to speak of (besides at WR) but they have demonstrated in the past that they rarely take WR’s in the first round. Therefore, they pick up Darius Butler to play in the secondary alongside Cortland Finnegan to form one of the better young secondaries in the league.
Knowshon Moreno (RB-Georgia)
While there is a talented slew of running backs out there this year, none of them were overly impressive in the offseason, which is a cause for them to drop in the draft. A lot of good players are on the board for Arizona to take, but they opt for Moreno and give Edgerrin James his ticket out of town.
Alex Mack (C-California)
Mack exemplifies everything the Steelers love in a player and a person. He is versatile (can play any position on the line) and a humanitarian. He is a natural leader and will bring intensity and cohesiveness to an offensive line that only started clicking late last season. Mack would have a year to learn as Justin Hartwig plays out the last year of his contract, then be able to step in at either center or guard for the Steelers. They may also look at CBs and WRs here, though I doubt they take someone who will be a #3 WR in the first round of the draft.
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