Lets get it started

[Saint33]

First mock of the year. 1 round, brief explanations. Broke into 2 posts because of length

1. DET - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

To be honest, I'm a little surprised at how many people on this board are repping Bradford over Stafford. I thought I was in a very small circle with this one. I'd be surprised if this pick wasn't a QB, sure OL and DL are large needs, but they can address either of those positions with their other 1st round pick.

2. STL - Andre Brown, OT, Alabama

I'd say it's between Brown, Crabtree and Curry on who the best player coming out of the draft is this year. St. Louis missed out on Jake Long last season, so Brown will be the pick here. He has some character concerns, which in the end may hurt him, so don't be too surprised to see Eugene Monroe this high if those concerns are reiterated throughout this process.

3. KC - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Not Stafford you ask? Well I'm not high on him, and coming from a fan who's very intently been watching Thigpen (considering KC stole him from my team) I've been incredibly impressed. The Chiefs traded away Jared Allen last year, and not only did he out sack any player on KC, HE OUT SACKED THE WHOLE TEAM!! In fact, KC had an NFL record low in sacks this season. They need Brain Or"sack"po more than they need a QB.

4. SEA - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

I don't think there's a more set in stone pick in this draft. I can't see any scenario where Seattle passes on Crabtree and I don't see anyone before them selecting him.

5. CLE - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio St.

Many on this board may not like Wells this high. Coming from a Viking fan, I'll tell you, injury concerns when it comes to a talent like Wells should be considered, but in the end you take the chance. Cleveland passed on Peterson, and went with the safer pick in Joe Thomas and you really can't argue that. However with Cleveland fans having the opportunity of seeing this kid from their own backyard in college, I think they'd be thrilled to pick him up. With all the publicity over the QBing problems in Cleveland were this year, overlooked was how poorly Jamal Lewis played.

6. CIN - Taylor Mays, S, USC

This pick is between Mays, Curry, and Everette Brown in my opinion. They need help at DT here, but there really isn't one worth this high, and Pat Sims actually fared well as a rookie. Curry is the best player, but they've drafted so many LBs high in the recent past, I'd imagine fans wouldn't be impressed. Plus, Mays is going to be one of the best S prospects for a long time if he comes out, and safety is a much larger need.

7. OAK - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

This all depends on whether they franchise Nnamdi Asomugha again or not. If not, CB will be a major issue and Malcolm Jenkins is the easy pick. However, if they do, Chris Johnson played well for them, so it's not worth this high of a pick. Tackle is the biggest need for them, so Monroe makes tons of sense here.

8. JAC - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

The Jags have the best defender fall right into their laps at number 8, and at a position of need. Curry can play inside or outside LB, so it's really up to the team on how they use him. He's probably best suited outside however, so moving Daryl Smith inside to replace Mike Peterson (who's in all likelyhood on his way out) would make a ton of sense.

9. GB - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Jason Smith or Malcolm Jenkins? Tough choice. Can you really pass up on Jenkins when you have 2 starting CBs so high in age? Well when you have a similar situation at OT, with one of those tackles set to be a free agency, a young QB that you've invested a lot in, and a solid prospect who fits your scheme perfectly like Jason Smith does, I think you can do it.

10. SF - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Don't get me wrong, Shaun Hill and JT O'Sullivan haven't been horrible. But neither of them is the future at the position. It'll be Singletary's first test: to see if he can find that franchise QB unlike Mike Nolan. Hill can be the stop gap for a year while Stafford learns, but this team's future will lie in the youngster's hands.

11. BUF - Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.

Buffalo disappointed me big time this year, considering I picked them as my biggest surprise team. They had a great start, but couldn't hold up. Lack of QB pressure was a huge reason. With another solid DE, Buffalo has one of the best defensive lines in football.

12. DEN - James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio St.

Denver didn't choke this year because of their lack of a running game, the passing game was easily enough to keep their offense in the game. It was their defense which killed them down the stretch. Laurinaitis may not be the popular pick, but he's safe, and Denver needs a MLB more than anything.

13. WAS - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

I've been waiting for Washington to draft a DE for a number of years now, and I think now is the time, whether or not Jason Taylor comes back. They could look to the offensive line as well, but I think Michael Johnson is better value here than the top Oliners, Michael Oher or Eben Britton.

14. New Orleans - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.

I hate having Jenkins fall this far, however if it were to happen, the Saints would be all over it. Jenkins and Tracy Porter could be a fantastic young tandem at CB for a long time.

15. HOU - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Houston's secondary is a mess, and they should target the best DB available. That happens to be Vontae Davis. Even though Fred Bennett is solid, Dunta Robinson is a FA, and Jacques Reeves proved he should not be starting by consistently getting burned this year.

16. SD - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

Imagine Maualuga inside with Shawne Merriman outside? That would be the most passionate pair of LBs on one team. Then you add Shawn Phillips and Stephen Cooper into the mix, and the Chargers become stacked at the LB position.

[Saint33]

17. NYJ - Jeremy Macklin, WR, Missouri

While Macklin gets the reputation of being a purely speed/return type of player, it really doesn't give him the credit he deserves. Macklin is not that. Compare him to Percy Harvin and you'll see the difference. While Coles and Cotchery are both solid #2 guys, the Jets lack that true #1 target, enter Macklin.

18. CHI - William Moore, S, Missouri

Two Missouri players in a row. Chicago has big issues at safety. Mike Brown is arguably the best player on the team, however he hasn't been able to stay healthy for any extended stretch of time. The rest of the players competing for the #2 spot aren't horrible options, however Moore would be an upgrade over all of them.

19. TB - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

I'm not quite as high on McCoy as many seem to be. He's the best DT prospect in a weak group, but he's not top 10 material. But at 19, TB gets great value here and a great player. Of course, he'll have to declare first.

20. DET (via DAL) - Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss

After going for the QB with the first pick, it's time for the Lions to look to their lines as their next step in this rebuilding process. The oline is a huge problem, and even though they drafted Gosder Cherilus last year, I felt that was a very large reach, and so far he's looked sluggish and lost. This is another deep draft of tackles, and although Oher isn't the most popular one, he's still a great prospect.

21. ARI - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Edge is most likely on his way out of the desert, and it's time to inject some youth into this running attack. They had a nice start with Tim Hightower, but Hightower is not an every down guy. Moreno makes a perfect complement, and the Cards would be crazy to pass up on him at this point.

22. PHI - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Philly is in danger of losing both starting tackles to FA this year. While one spot will most likely be manned by Winston Justice, the other tackle spot is up for grabs. They have 2 1sts this year, and it is a very deep draft at OT, so I'd be shocked if they didn't grab one this year.

23. MIN - Alex Mack, C, Cal

Minnesota needs a QB to compete with Tarvaris Jackson, they can't go in to 2009 with him as the unquestioned starter and no backup plan (and no, Gus Frerotte does not count as a backup plan). However the next best QB is probably Josh Freeman at this point, and it's a pretty big reach to grab him this high. The next issue is on the OL. Matt Birk has struggled recently, is a FA, and is likely to retire, and Ryan Cook has struggled mightily at RT. Artis Hicks did a very surprisingly good job in replacement duty at LT while Bryant McKinnie was suspended, so he could be the starter at RT next year. So that leaves Cook and 6th round pick from last year John Sullivan battling it out for C, so with the Vikings have a shot at drafting one of the best C prospects to come out in a long time (just as good as Mangold IMO) why not take him.

24. NE - Max Unger, OL, Oregon

New England is a tough team to figure out. However, OL help is a need, and Unger is the most versatile Olineman in the draft, which goes a long way in NE. While his natural position is C, NE could groom him at G or T.

25. ATL - Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma

For a team coming into the season with so many needs, I have to give Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff all the credit in the world. They really are in a position in this spot to go BPA. TE is still a need as well, so Gresham makes all the sense in the world here.

26. MIA - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

I torn between Smith and DJ Moore for the 3rd best CB. I can see an argument for both here. Honestly I went with Smith for no real reason other than that I had to pick one. Someone to watch out for in the future however: Captain Munnerlyn. He'll be rocketing up draft boards soon enough, mark my word.

27. BAL - Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

With Baltimore's 3 best LBs set to be FAs this off season, the chances they keep all three are slim. Sintim is a great fit for Baltimore, as he is aggressive and versatile.

28. IND - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

Although I think BJ Raji is probably the better player on the field, I think he has commitment level and attitude are a big issue. Not only that, but Jerry is much more prototypical of what the Colts look for at DT. This is one of those great fits that you love when making a mock draft.

29. PHI (via CAR) - Myron Rolle, S Florida St.

He's not getting a lot of attention yet, but he will. Rolle not only a great football player, but he's very intelligent, which I always love as an added bonus when scouting players. Rolle is actually one of my favorite players coming out this year. Maybe not talent wise, but in overall skill and intelligence. Philly would get a great replacement for when Brian Dawkins leaves with this pick

30. PIT - Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

Pretty straight forward here, Pittsburgh's OL has struggled this season, and Robinson is a great fit. Unless there is one of the better tackles left here, I think Robinson is the easy pick for the Steelers.

31. NYG - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

Year after year it seems I'm predicting the Giants to draft a LB, and yet year after year they don't (although in the end, I had the G-men taking a S last year). Well I'm going to keep the trend up, and pick Cushing to land here. I love Cushing, but something about him kind of gives me the Paul Pos/Dan Conner feeling. Although I think he's a solid 1st round pick, I have a feeling he'll end up being drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.

32. TEN - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St.

Clearly the Alge Crumpler signing didn't turn out. And Bo Scaife is still a solid option, but Pettigrew gives them so much more potential. They still are missing that big play reciever however, so Darrius Heyward-Bey or Percy Harvin would make some sense here as well, however Pettigrew offers that same big play potential, while adding a solid blocker to help out that solid run game.

[cubuffsman78]

Can't tell ya how much I dislike the Wells pick. I agree about his talent. The difference between him and Peterson is heart. Wells has no heart. Wells' injuries are mysterious.

What's wrong with your foot? It hurts. The doctors say they see nothing physically wrong. Well... it just hurts. I can't play.

Meanwhile, there are guys out there playing with screwed up ankles and partially torn muscles. No way is Wells a Top 5 pick. Moreno won't project that high either.

Did you watch the national championship? Gerald McCoy was dominant. He was the only Sooner defender who appeared ready to play the whole game. His display of strength and quickness was second to none. When a DT nails the pitch man on an option play behind the line of scrimmage, you know you're dealing with something special. He's a top 10 talent. Actually, make that top 5.

Moore is a much better prospect than Smith. Moore is one of the best athletes in this class. As for the Captain comment, if he shoots up draft boards then I'll give you credit, but he should have stayed in school. He did not have a very good season and he's terribly raw in coverage skills. I definitely can't see him reaching first round status.

Myron Rolle is a Top 15 talent. He's not far behind Mays. His dedication isn't to football and it will drop his stock considerably. I don't blame him for what he's doing. I admire him. But the fact is the Rhodes Scholarship could move him well into the second day of the draft.

Of Mack and Unger, I see only Unger being a first round pick. Mack isn't that type of player. He's not nearly as versatile as Unger.

[mrdv1]

Maualuga, McCoy, and Gresham all fall way far. I agree totally with Stafford faling a bit.

Wells, Johnson, and Britton are too high, and Jason Smith could be also. Oher is a better overall tackle IMO, but Smith is the better pass protector.

That all being said, Wells could end up there if he runs a 4.3 40.

Also, johnson has the physical gifts to go that high, but not the production. Production is big, Johnson plays well against average OT. He plays OK against good OT's. And when he's against the elites, or double teams, he's nothing special. Well every OT in the NFL that starts would be pretty elite in college. Johnson needs to bulk up, he's 6'7. He needs to get to the size of mario Williams. He should also watch film on Williams, because his pass rush reportoire is limited. A good showing at the senior bowl in one on ones and the game could raise him up a lot I beleive.

McCoy, had Oklahoma won, would have been the defensive player of the game. I watched him the whole time, and I can say i'm on the bandwagon for his as far and away the best DT in this draft... IF he comes out. If he does though, I see teams like green cincinnati and green bay taking long long looks at him.

[porky88]

Jason Smith to Green Bay is a great fit. I think Smith is the No. 2 tackle in the draft and will be on several boards by the time of the draft so I don't mind that at all.

I don't like Stafford either, but I think the Chiefs are going to jump all over him because he's got that John Elway like arm and those AFC West teams respect the heck out of Elway.

Although I like Orakpo a lot and I think he'd be a great fit and if Scott Pioli gets hired and brings in Josh McDaniels, Matt Cassel could surface in KC. Just throwing that out there so while I disagree with the pick now, I could see it in April pending what plays out.

I like Wells, but not even I think he's a top ten pick anymore. I don't even think 15.

Duke Robinson played his way out of the first round like I figured he would. Any first round talk of Robinson needs to be put to rest. He was awful against the Gators.

I think McCoy will go to either Cincy, Oakland, Jacksonville, or Green Bay. He's an elite talent.

Jermaine Gresham looked like a top 20 pick to me last night. I think he'll test out well too.

William Moore just doesn't have the type of following as he did going into the year. I think he's a late first at best, probably 2nd. He'll need to work his way back up.

I like Alex Mack. I think both he and Max Unger are first round talent. I don't think one is clearly better than the other either. I think both do certain things well. I think Mack is the better fit in Minnesota too.