| Published:
Apr 25, 2009 8:18 AM EST |
Untitled Document
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2010
NFL Mock Draft by Jess Silk |
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| This mock draft has a total score of
115 from
23 users for an average of
5
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| Picks 1-16
| 17-32
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1.
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| The Detroit Lions will finally have a franchise quarterback with the selection of Matthew Stafford. The first thing that comes to mind in concern to Stafford is his rocket arm that can stretch the field. The thought of pairing such a quality with a fantastic receiver such as Calvin Johnson should bring Detroit fans hope, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Stafford just seems to have all the makings of a very good quarterback in this league. His experience in college in a pro-style offense in a challenging conference also makes him very ready for the National Football League. Aside from the need for a true left tackle that can protect Stafford and allow current Lion Jeff Backus to switch from left tackle to left guard, Detroit’s offense would have the potential to be very explosive, considering that the Lions would have the aforementioned talents as well as a solid right side of the offensive line and a stud running back, Kevin Smith. Despite the plethora of defensive needs for Detroit, it still must be a priority for the Lions to find a left tackle early on in the draft that can protect Stafford. If Detroit adds such a player, this Lions offense could be great for years to come. |
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| The primary debate with this selection is in concern to which one of the top two left tackles the Rams will take, Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe. This is a close race, but Jason Smith appears to be the frontrunner to go to Saint Louis. While Smith’s learning curve may be slightly longer in comparison to Monroe, he is less injury prone and has a slight edge as a run blocker. Smith should anchor that Rams offensive line for a decade and then some, as is expected of a tackle chosen in the top five nowadays. The Rams have the worst offensive line in the NFL and desperately need a player of Smith’s caliber to lead the unit. Solely position need is not what will dictate this pick though, nor should it any other selection. Reaching in the draft to fill needs fails more often than not; teams try to find a balance between need and value or talent. Smith, who is without a doubt a top five prospect in this draft, gives the Rams both great value and fills a glaring hole. |
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3.
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| The new regime in Kansas City, lead by general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley, brought in linebacker Mike Vrabel and quarterback Matt Cassel in exchange for their 2009 second round pick. Despite the praise the Chiefs received for making this move, a closer glance at the transaction makes it more perplexing. Tyler Thigpen, the starting quarterback of the Chiefs at the time of this trade, ran a highly potent Chiefs passing attack, especially from the middle of the regular season to its conclusion. Thigpen, who was not inserted as the starter as early in the season as Cassel was for the Patriots, came very close to Cassel’s touchdown and interception totals, with Thigpen throwing for 18 scores and 12 picks in comparison to Cassel’s 21 and 11, respectively. Any label of “one year wonder” or “system quarterback” that Thigpen received can also be applied to Matt Cassel. Perhaps this closer glance is what opted Todd Haley to tell Thigpen that he would still compete for the starting job. Either way, Kansas City has the quarterback position settled, as well as a gamebreaker in receiver Dwayne Bowe, an underrated talent in receiver Mark Bradley, an improving offensive front and a speedy running back in Jamaal Charles. Despite trading Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta and the uncertainty of Larry Johnson, the Chiefs have some pieces to work with on offense. The defense is clearly the unit that needs more help, and Aaron Curry, widely considered to be a top five talent in this draft, can enter and lead this defense from day one. Curry, if plugged into a 3-4 defensive scheme, projects to play as one of the inside linebackers. Despite this, and the fact that he did not rush the passer often in college, he has this capability, and, with coaching, practice and experience, can vastly improve when in this area when given the opportunity. Scott Pioli, who was part of the decision to select linebacker Jerod Mayo last year for the Patriots, will hope to find a similar immediate defensive leader in Curry. |
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| Should Aaron Curry or Jason Smith not be available to the Seahawks, which is likely, Seattle would likely choose between the following three players if it could not maneuver a trade out of the number four spot in the draft: Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez. Although Seattle added wide receiver T.J. Housmandzadeh in the offseason, it’s generally inconsistent, aging and injury prone wide receivers copse could use a surefire gamebreaker such as Crabtree. However, I view him as the least likely of the aforementioned three to go to Seattle. As for Sanchez, despite his great potential, I believe the talk of Sanchez to Seattle is a smokescreen to increase other teams’ desire to trade with Seattle. Matt Hasselbeck is expected to be back to full strength this year, and the Seahawks believe he still has years left in him to continue to be the very effective signal caller that he can be. Seattle left tackle Walter Jones is nearing retirement and the Seahawks could use a special player along their offensive front. Monroe would be more of a value pick than a need pick, but he can come in and contribute nonetheless. Monroe can be a franchise tackle and, coupled along with the adding of Houshmandzadeh, can help get this offense back to its productiveness of prior years. |
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| The Browns have needed impact players in the front seven on defense ever since their return to the league, and common sense would point to adding one here. They desperately need not only a pass rusher at that left outside linebacker spot, but an every down player who can do it all. Of the available players here who could potentially fill this void, Aaron Maybin and Everette Brown would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but the value here with them is no where near compared to what Cleveland would be getting with Crabtree. In fact, Maybin and Brown are risks with later picks anyway, as it is questionable whether they can consistently produce in the NFL. As for Brian Orakpo, the consensus choice here, Orakpo is much better suited to play the 4-3. When you watch Orakpo, you know you are watching a defensive lineman, not a linebacker. That said, he is althletic enough to make the transition, but doing this would strip him of many qualities (besides pass rushing) that he has as a defensive end. What most affects this trade, though, is the status of current Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards. If Edwards is moved to a team such as the Giants, Eagles or possibly a third unknown buyer, Crabtree makes complete sense here. Aside from Edwards, the Browns have David Patten, Joshua Cribbs and Syndric Steptoe at wide receiver. This already is an area of need and shipping away Edwards makes it a number one priority to find a go-to guy. Crabtree is the real deal and has skills reminiscent of Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. He is the undisputed top wide receiver in the draft, and giving the Browns quarterback a target such as Crabtree makes everything easier for that quarterback and intern the whole offense. Should the Browns not trade Edwards, this pick may change. However, if they do trade Edwards, they could pick from a pool of late first round to early second round players who can fill that void as a 3-4 outside linebacker. |
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6.
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| Cincinnati should absolutely be looking to add a franchise left tackle here, but if Smith and Monroe are gone, the prospects of doing this should greatly decrease. The top two available tackles then would be Andre Smith of Alabama and Michael Oher of Mississippi, neither of which merit being taken sixth overall, for various reasons. Neither possesses the elite pass blocking ability that the Bengals would be looking for from a tackle taken number six overall. With Cincinnati’s second round choice, they can find a quality left tackle to protect Carson Palmer, or move up from that choice into the first round to do so, similar to what the Falcons did in acquiring Sam Baker last year. However, with Cincinnati still seeing Brian Orakpo on the board, they should not pass up on adding this defensive talent. Orakpo, whose skills can be maximized in a 4-3 scheme, immediately brings great pass rushing ability to a defense that finished very strong, except for in that area. The Bengals have needed a legit every down end to do this for quite some time, and Orakpo will finally quench that thirst. With this addition and the vast improvement on defense last year, this unit looks like it could be very good next season, something never expected of a Bengals defense. |
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7.
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| After drafting quarterback JaMarcus Russell and running back Darren McFadden with top ten picks in the past two drafts, the Raiders will look to yet again add another offensive playmaker with a high pick. Oakland has not had a consistent, legit receiving threat for JaMarcus Russell since he entered the league, and his development will surely hinge on having targets such as Jeremy Maclin. Maclin brings excellent speed and playmaking ability to a receivers corpse that has rising players such as Chaz Schilens and Johnnie Lee Higgins. Consider Maclin, those receivers, tight end Zach Miller, a talented stable of running backs and an improving offensive front that added Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele, and JaMarcus Russell will have little excuse this year to fail, if indeed he does start over Jeff Garcia. |
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| This number eight spot has been widely expected as a pick likely for a trade in order for a team to acquire Mark Sanchez, and this seems to makes sense, especially if the trade was between the Jaguars and the Redskins. However, even if Sanchez does fall to here, if the Jacksonville’s offers are not overwhelming and elite talent B.J. Raji is still available, he would be awfully difficult to pass up. This defense became soft after losing Marcus Stroud, and pairing Raji with John Henderson would bring back that fearsome element in the heart of the defense. This would also make the defensive ends much better, as Raji and Henderson would be a handful for opponents to handle. Youngsters such as Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves should show a leap of progress should Jacksonville choose to add the Boston College standout. While still having several needs, adding Raji would be a very wise move for a defense that needs his impact. |
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| The Packers boasted a prolific offense last season led by the underappreciated Aaron Rogers. If Green Bay’s defense could have even been average, the Packers may have even made the playoffs. Instead, the often-torched unit caused the Packers to lose ten games. The transition to the 3-4 scheme makes was not necessary, but the Packers do have personnel which can adapt to this scheme. Cullen Jenkins has the perfect build for a defensive end in this alignment, and Ryan Pickett will be handed the nose tackle duties. Aaron Kampman will be moved to outside linebacker and A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett will handle the two inside linebacker positions. A player of Maybin’s caliber would give Green Bay a very talented unit and add a spark to the pass rush. Maybin’s quickness and ability to rush the passer showcased last season gives the Packers a shot in the arm on defense. |
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10.
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| Should Maybin or Orakpo fail to fall to number ten overall, and the 49’ers are comfortable with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith at quarterback, then I expect coach Mike Singletary to strongly vouch for going with Jenkins here. The 49’ers have been consistently burned in past years against opposing teams passing games, and Jenkins would provide leadership and fantastic ball skills to the secondary, whether it be at safety or cornerback. With San Francisco, I believe Jenkins would start at free safety from day one and make an immediate impact. An improving front seven coupled with Jenkins leadership in a currently poor secondary and Mike Singletary’s coaching could vault the 49’ers to becoming a very good defensive team. For whatever reason, few other mock drafts have Jenkins slated here, but nonetheless it would be a very smart move. Considering San Francisco did add Marvel Smith in free agency and has the versatility of Chilo Rachal, adding a right tackle such as Andre Smith or Michael Oher is not a greater need than getting an impact secondary player, not to mention Jenkins value would be greater than Oher’s and he would be certainly a safer pick than Smith. |
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11.
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| The trade of left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles obviously leaves a huge vacancy at that spot for the Bills. Buffalo has taken of risks of similar significance in the recent past, such as drafting Marshawn Lynch a few years ago or signing wide receiver Terrell Owens this offseason; it would be difficult to believe a front office with such a track record would pass up on adding a potential man handler at left tackle. Smith can maul opponents as well as push pass rushers around; while he does not possess the footwork or quickness in pass protection that an ideal left tackle would have, he still should be able to excel at the position. Similar questions arose last season in concern to Jake Long, and so far it has not seemed to be much of an issue. The primary concern about Andre Smith is his character. His leaving the combine early coupled with several other concerns such as being out of shape and lacking good work ethic have raised questions about the monstrous lineman. Despite this, should Orakpo and Maybin not be available, passing up on Smith would be difficult for a Bills team that needs his contributions and ability. |
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| While it may seem surprising that the Broncos would pass on Mark Sanchez if he fell to number twelve, coach Josh McDaniels has been a key contributor in the success of two quarterbacks not taken high in the draft: Tom Brady and Matt Cassel. There is no reason to think he cannot also help mold Kyle Orton into a successful quarterback. Orton fits the new Denver system very well; it is very similar to the system he had great success in at Purdue in college. On top of this, Orton brings intangibles of leadership, toughness and great work ethic which contribute to him being known as a winner. Orton moves from a team in which he already had success to a team with better weapons, a better offensive line and a system better suited for him, and yet some still believe the Broncos should go with a rookie quarterback instead. The truth is, Denver’s defense has been consistently terrible in past years and these two first round picks should be used to improve the unit. Tyson Jackson has the size, strength and disruptive aggressiveness that is ideal for an end in the new Denver 3-4 scheme. It would not be surprising at all if the Broncos go defense with both first round picks. |
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| It is very likely that the Redskins will try and trade up in order to draft Mark Sanchez, but they possibly may not have to do so. Washington has positions in which it needs to address, including improving their defense by adding a pass rusher and an impact adding youth and depth to the offensive line. However, if owner Daniel Snyder has the final say in the decision, which he does, he will go for Sanchez if he sees him as the superstar quarterback that Sanchez supposedly can become. |
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| New Orleans finally is piecing together a defense that can make them true contenders, and an impact outside linebacker such as Brian Cushing is exactly the next piece they need. Should Malcolm Jenkins fall to number fourteen, he would be awfully difficult to pass up. However, a secondary of Darren Sharper and Roman Harper at safety and Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter at cornerback is much improved from last year. This does not mean the secondary does not need attended to in the draft, because it still does, but replacing one of New Orleans’ average outside linebackers with Cushing could put this front seven over the top. A Saints team with a good defense should be a scary thought for the rest of the league. |
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| Houston is one of the most difficult picks to predict, especially after their signing of outside linebacker Cato June, who will come in and start for the Texans. At the other outside linebacker spot, hopes are high for Xaiver Abidi and Zach Diles, so the Texans are likely to address other defensive needs. Like New Orleans, if Malcolm Jenkins were available here, he would be extremely difficult to pass on, considering he could be a ball hawk at free safety for Houston, something this team desperately needs. However, with Dunta Robinson, Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves at cornerback, a secondary player without that versatility is unlikely to go here, although Darius Butler and Vontae Davis are slight possibilities. The signing of defensive end Antonio Smith helps out greatly at defensive end, but Smith may not play up to the golden standard he set for himself in the playoffs last year, not to mention that just having Smith and Mario Williams at ends surely would not get the job done. Adding Ayers to that rotation would finally give Houston legit threats opposite Williams and make the Texans a team to be feared when it comes to getting after the quarterback. Houston has looked to the direction of one-year-wonders in college before in the draft and had success, and they can do so with Ayers. |
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| The pick here for San Diego will likely be a choice between linebacker Rey Maualuga and running back Chris Wells, with possibly tackle Michael Oher coming in third. This offense is now based around Phillip Rivers, not the running game or LaDainian Tomlinson. With Tomlinson having an offseason to get healthy and Darren Sproles returning, San Diego will have everything it needs in the running game except the presence of a power back, which can be found in later rounds. At linebacker, Shawne Merriman returns, immediately making those around him better. The Chargers also added Kevin Burnett to play inside. However, two of the following three are slated to start on the inside: Burnett, Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm. Having those three man two inside spots would work decently, but it would be tough to call those interior linebackers anything more than above average altogether. By adding Maualuga, the Chargers add a hard-hitting, ball-seeking linebacker who instills a level of toughness and intensity in the middle. This also enables for more competition among the aforementioned three to compete for the other spot. Rather than having above average middle linebackers, the Chargers could make it one of their strengths. Taking all this into consideration plus preventing division rival Denver from grabbing Maualuga should amount to the Southern California linebacker making a short move to San Diego. |
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Picks 1-16
| 17-32
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Untitled Document
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This mock draft has a total score of
115 from
23 users for an average of
5 |
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