mock 1.5

[mrdv1]

I know i said i wasn't going to release another till after the superbowl, but with all the underclassman declared now I figured i'd post a rough draft of round 1 with no explainations. Have at it.

1.Detroit Lions – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
2.St. Louis Rams – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
3.Kansas City Chiefs – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
4.Seattle Seahawks – Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State
5.Cleveland Browns – Aaron Maybin, OLB, Penn State
6.Cincinnati Bengals – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
7.Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
8.Jacksonville Jaguars – Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC
9.Green Bay Packers – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
10.San Francisco 49ers – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
11.Buffalo Bills – James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State
12.Denver Broncos – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
13.Washington Redskins – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
14.New Orleans Saints – D. J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
15.Houston Texans – Brian Cushing, LB, USC
16.San Diego Chargers - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
17.New York Jets – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
18.Chicago Bears – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
19.Tampa Bay Bucs – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
20.Detroit Lions – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
21.Minnesota Vikings – Victor Harris, CB, VaTech
22.Philadelphia Eagles – Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
23.New England Patriots – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
24.Atlanta Falcons – Max Unger, OL, Oregon
25.Miami Dolphins – Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
26.Indianapolis Colts – Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
27.Philadelphia Eagles– Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia
28.Pittsburgh Steelers– Russell Okung, OL, Oklahoma State
29.New York Giants– Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
30.Tennessee Titans– Eben Britton, OT, South Carolina
31.Baltimore Ravens– Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
32.Arizona Cardinals– Lesean McCoy, RB, Pitt

[NYJets30]

I like this mock. There are only a few problems I have with it:

Really dislike the Chiefs picking Crabtree. They have good weapons with Bowe and Gonzalez. The Chiefs board should be Stafford, Andre Smith, Curry, Orakpo, Maybin

Stafford falling to San Fran was more believable when we thought Bradford was coming out, but now I think a team will take Stafford in the top 5, if not top 3 since the QB pool got more shallow.

I like Raji, but that might be a bit high for him at this point. He's a guy who is going to need to interview well, otherwise he might get some "bad attitude, lazy work ethic" red flags

I know we dont predict trades in our mocks, but Detroit will probably move up for Sanchez if they dont take a QB at 1

Marks over Peria Jerry is fine, I just think Jerry is a great fit for Indy

I'm not buying Okung over Duke Robinson.

I'm not opposed to the Giants taking a WR, but I think Kenny Britt would be the perfect replacement for Plax. They can probably get him in the 2nd, so I dont see them going WR in the first

[porky88]

I don't think Matthew Stafford is falling to San Francisco. I think he should. I think he should fall to the Jets, but it probably won't. I think to many teams like the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Rams are going to be in need of a quarterback of the future.

Like wise with Mark Sanchez at No. 17. I don't think he'll fall that far. He's way to good of a prospect in my opinion. He's poised, accurate, and has the size to really be a good pro.

I don't mind Chiefs taking Michael Crabtree. I think they might trade Tony G in the off season and Crabtree and Dwayne Bowe would compare to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in my opinion. If they bring in a 3-4 regime though, Aaron Maybin and Brian Orakpo is going to be hard to pass up.

I like the Knowshon Moreno to Chargers pick. It's something I've been thinking about too.

I thought Atlanta's offensive line was really good this year. I'm not sure they need to take Max Unger. He's a good player, but they have a lot more needs on the defensive side of the ball and I think at tight end too.

I think Peria Jerry is a solid first rounder right now at least.

Brandon Pettigrew is as well in my opinion.

I don't think Victor Harris is a first round pick. He had some hype going into the season, but D.J. Moore, Alphonso Smith, Malcolm Jenkins, and Vontae Davis are better in my opinion.

I thought a lot of the picks made sense.

[kevmvp]

The best chance the Jets had of grabbing Sanchez was if Bradford came out. I see both Sanchez and Stafford going in the top 10.

The Giants wont draft a WR in the first and I dont see them going the small route at that posistion either. They like the Jets need a big target out there. They have guys like Smith and Hixon who are ok and they are going to get Manningham more involved in the Offense next year. I got a feeling if Plax isnt going to jail that he will be a Giant next season. But if not then I could see the Giants drafting a guy like Kenny Britt or another big WR in the second while taking a LB in the first.

New GM and new coach in KC means a new QB in my opinion and I think they will look to the draft to find one.

[mrdv1]

Originally Posted by NYJets30 Really dislike the Chiefs picking Crabtree. They have good weapons with Bowe and Gonzalez. I like Raji, but that might be a bit high for him at this point. I know we dont predict trades in our mocks, but Detroit will probably move up for Sanchez if they dont take a QB at 1 Marks over Peria Jerry is fine, I just think Jerry is a great fit for Indy I'm not buying Okung over Duke Robinson. I'm not opposed to the Giants taking a WR, but I think Kenny Britt would be the perfect replacement for Plax.

-I have crabtree there for a few reasons. First, he;s the best player in the draft. Second, if they do decide to go with tyler thigpen and dont draft stafford, why not give him another awesome target. true Bowe is good and gonzo is solid, but it would give them possibly the best wr duo in the league. When's the last time you could say that about KC? They did just draft Albert, so they wont take a LT. Maybin only fits the 3-4 IMO. Curry is enticing, but I have him going to st louis at 2. Orakpo is the only other option I see then, and crabtree is a better player. DE might be the bigger need, but what they really need is to have their qb succeed, and crabtree helps that big time, no matter who the qb is. I dont like stafford much, and dont think hell go that high, so for me it comes down to crabtree vs orakpo, and crabtree is the better player. Thats why i put him there.

- the Raji pick was one I thought about for a while. It is a little high now, but I think he'll end up the top DT of the draft. Denver's run defense is pourus, and I've also heard some rumors that Denver could be thinking about switching to a 3-4, which i could easily see with guys like jarvis moss and elvis dumervil, and McDonald who has DE experience. Drafting Raji gives them flexability to run either scheme, because Raji is NT material.

-Agreed

-why?

-eh, we'll see what happens

- I actually agree with you a lot about kenny britt. He would be a great replacement for plax... only thing is I think Plax will be back. The other note is that even if plax is back, their other wr's rnt very good n e way. Smith is up and coming yes, but no where near as dynamic as Harvin. Harvin would be used all over, as im sure theyd get him involved in the running game a bit as well. He's a perfect compliment to Plaxico if he comes back as well. The other wr's they have aren't anythign special. Old Amani Toomer is my man, he's reliable as anything, but hes got 2 years left tops. And dont get me started on Hixon, mr. drop every other ball thrown to me and cower when i go over the middle. Sinorice Moss can't stay healthy also. When you have the talent that the giants do, you can afford a bit of a luxury pick like harvin. Now, say plax doesn't come back, then I agree go for kenny britt at 45. But, if there is no one good left at 30, why not take harvin too? honeslty, if he's the BPA, I wouldn't be upset, hes an awesome player. Other options though could be Sintim if he falls, Britton at tackle, or a LB, who they would be reaching for at that point.

[mrdv1]

Originally Posted by porky88 I I think Peria Jerry is a solid first rounder right now at least. Brandon Pettigrew is as well in my opinion. I don't think Victor Harris is a first round pick. He had some hype going into the season, but D.J. Moore, Alphonso Smith, Malcolm Jenkins, and Vontae Davis are better in my opinion.

- can you elaborate more on why?

- I don't really like him as a first round pick. He's had some background issues, but I'll admit I do have to look at him more.

- Victor Harris. The way I see it is that he's an underrated player. I think he's got really good cover skills. He's undersized, but wait and see how he does at the senior bowl before you pass judgement on that pick. I think his stock is going to rise up to put him ahead of Smith. Call it a hunch but I just have a feeling he's going to perform.

[mrdv1]

Originally Posted by kevmvp ...the Giants drafting a guy like Kenny Britt or another big WR in the second while taking a LB in the first.

ok... which linebacker? Sintim, he should be gone. Maualuga? JLaur? Curry? Cushing? All them will definately be gone. After that who is there? don't get me wrong, I agree they need a LB, but who the heck are they going to take? There's really weak depth at LB after the top guys, and I don't think they are dumb enough to reach for someone. As for wr, see my response to the first reply, but Harvin is Dynamic. When you get a shot at a playmaker like that, you take him, especially when you have question marks at that position, which they do.

[mrdv1]

As for the QB situation everyone is talking about, look at this

As you know, we don't do trades. so to look at the top 17 here are the teams that could draft qb's

Detroit
St. Louis
KC
Seattle
San Fran
NYJ

I don't think I have to explain any other teams in the top 17 on why they wont take a qb.

Detroit - They won't go qb because they opt to get the LT first. A number of people on this forum have said go for smith over stafford.

Rams - Bulger doesn't get enough credit, and still has a couple of good years. Also, rumor has it rex Ryan is the leading candidate for the job, and if he gets it, he'll be salivating over Aaron Curry because of his talent and ability to play wherever in whatever scheme.

Seattle - Hasselbeck was injured. I mean, when healthy, he's great, are they really going to just throw him under the bus because he got hurt for one season? I just don't beleive they'll go qb, they have other needs, OL and secondary being the biggest, along with wr possibly.

KC - I've already stated that I think they will stick with thigpen. A qb is very possible here though. I could see a team trading up as well, but remember, no trades.

So, if I have KC not going qb, and im not predicting trades, the only teams left that are going to take a qb in the top 17 are the 49ers and jets.
Do I agree those qb's could and should go higher? yes, i do. But, when you look at this mock from my perspective, it should be apparent why I have them at those spots. So now lets speculate. I could see KC swapping with San Fran to get an extra pick, with the 9ers getting choice qb, and KC getting leftovers or a defensive player (v. davis, JLaur, DJ Moore, or brian cushing) and an extra second rounder out of it. I think You'll see the jets look to move up, and the team I see possibly trading out is jacksonville, who could probably get Maualuga, Jlaur, DJ moore, or V. Davis at 17 and be perfectly happy. In additon, Seattle is another team you could see trade down with san fran or NYJ, in which case they would grab a guy like Oher, Monroe, or Smith at 10 or 17.

[michael]

I would love it if Moreno went to the Chargers. I think he is the type of player and person who never stops getting better. I think when you draft a player almost half of the evaluation should be based on character, because that is what seperates people, and Moreno has great character. I think he could be a special back.

[cubuffsman78]

Russell Okung is a junior and is returning to school.

I have no problem seeing Stafford drop to 10. I don't think a team should draft a QB so high unless they are absolutely sold on him. I think a lot of teams will doubt him.

I also like the Crabtree pick. I think St. Louis could pull the trigger on him. He is the best player available. Period. That's why he goes there. Period. Everyone is going to preach need. Believe it or not, both the Chiefs and Rams have need at the WR position. Is it a blaring need like other positions? No. But it is a need. Take the best player available at a position of need. The Saints didn't need a RB a couple years ago. They still took Reggie Bush because they graded him the best player available. Crabtree is not a bad pick there and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I remain a doubter of ranking Jenkins so high. I just don't think he's that elite of a CB. Top 15? Ok. Top 5? Too high. I could see the Seahawks going Orakpo instead.

I don't know that Raji is worth the 12th pick. He's definitely a first rounder right now, but I'd rather see him closer to 20. That is a difficult pick to project right now though.

I don't mind Cushing in the Top 15. I think he's terribly underrated and will make several teams pay for passing on him. The Texans don't need a LB, though. Morlon Greenwood is a solid OLB next to Ryans and Zach Diles actually led Houston in tackles of the season until he got injured. He still finished second despite missing eight games. Think CB. Or even DE.

Let me make this clear. I love Victor Harris. (Not Romantically) He's my favorite CB in the draft. I think his cover skills are phenomenal. Speed is the issue, which is sad. It shouldn't be. On film, he's shown great recovery speed and he's fairly physical. If he can run a good 40, he'll jettison up boards.

I still don't like Philly taking a RB in the first round. Just can't see Andy Reid pulling that trigger.

If Arizona got McCoy with the last pick of the first round, it'd be the steal of the draft. I think he'll be far gone before then. Arizona's presence at the end of the first could put a fourth RB in the mix for the first round though. Maybe Shonn Greene or even Donald Brown.