Mock Draft:
1. Detroit Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia This is a given now that he's signed a contract... I don't particularly like this pick, especially for the price paid, but I suppose Detroit had to do it. I think Stafford has good arm strength, mobility, and experience, but I'm not sold on his mechanics or accuracy. I suppose that is something that can be fixed in the NFL though. It is good that he doesn't have as much mileage as some QBs coming out of college as a true junior.
2. St. Louis Jason Smith OT Baylor. Personally I would have taken Smith #1 overall. I think he's by far the best player in the draft and has the potential to be a Tony Boselli, Pace, or Ogden type player. He has very good mobility, excellent strength, and good technique. Reminds me of Joe Thomas but with a bit more strength and athleticism and a little less mobility and skills.
3. Kansas City Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest Great pick, excellent defensive player who will make a big impact.
4. Seattle Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. Probably the best QB in the draft, talent wise. I think it was a good decision to come out early, simply because the next draft is QB rich, and you never know about injuries etc. Look what happened to Leinart when he stayed an extra year.
5. Cleveland BJ Raji, DT, Boston College Solid pick, exactly what the Browns need to do, strengthen their defense, and the middle is a good place to start.
6. Cincinnati Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech While a lot of people think that Cincinnati will take a defensive player here, I think Crabtree is the pick. Losing Housh would be a huge loss and they need a replacement. I think they will address defense in later rounds.
7. Oakland Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri Speed kills, and Al Davis is going to go with the fastest player available. With Russell under center, this isn't a bad idea but I am not convinced going with a defensive player wouldn't have been a better option.
8. New England (trade with Jacksonville for a second and two third round picks) Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia The Patriots get help on the O-line, one of their weaker points. Jacksonville needs to address a lot of issues and this trade makes a lot of sense for them.
9. Green Bay Andre Smith, OT, Alabama Potentially more talented than Monroe, but baggage drops him to this spot.
10. San Francisco, Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi Sort of a reach at this spot, but the 49ers really need help on the O-line.
11. Buffalo Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU The most versatile defensive lineman in the draft.
12. Denver Brian Orapko, DE Texas Great value here for Denver, getting a very solid defensive end.
13. Washington Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Freeman is a supremely talented player, but he is raw and won't be able to make an impact for awhile. This is fine with Campbell under center.
14. New Orleans Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State Perfect replacement for Deuce McAllister.
15. Houston Brian Cushing, LB, USC. Very athletic linebacker, will be able to make players all over the field.
16. San Diego Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State San Diego can afford to take Maybin, who is raw and needs some time to develop.
17. New York Jets Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee. Not surprised to see Ryan take a defensive player
18. Denver Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia McDaniels is not Shanahan and understands the value of a good running back. Lots of potential here.
19. Tampa Bay Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State Probably the best cornerback in the draft, complete player, will be a great fit in TB.
20. Detroit Clay Matthews, LB, USC One of three USC linebackers to go in the first round
21. Philadelphia Donald Brown, RB, UConn Very fast and powerful. Brown is basically Correll Buckhalter without the knee injuries, and exactly what Philly needs to complement westbrook.
22. Minnesota Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State Perfect fit for the Vikings offense... now if they only had a QB...
23. New England Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois Belichick addresses the Patriots' two biggest needs, CB and OT.
24. Atlanta Rey Maluenga, LB, USC I think he might actually go higher, Atlanta gets a great solid linebacker with this pick.
25. Miami Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina Perfect fit for the Dolphins.
26. Baltimore Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers Baltimore really needs a WR also, and with Nicks off the board, Britt is the next best receiver.
27. Indianapolis Percy Harvin, WR, Florida The Colts like versatility, and Harvin can line up in the backfield as well as at WR.
28. Buffalo Ebon Britton, OT, Arizona Good fit to replace Peters.
29. Arizona (from NYG) Arizona trades Boldin for the Giants' first rounder, and takes Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest. With DRC on the other side, Arizona is set for the next 5 years at CB.
30. Tennessee Evander Hood, DT, Missouri The Titans get the replacement for Haynesworth at a much lower price
31. Arizona Darrius Heyward Bey, WR, Maryland The replacement for Boldin at a much lower price.
32. Pittsburgh, Max Unger, C, Oregon A perfect pick for the Steelers, who have few needs.