| Authored by Jeff Risdon - 18th April, 2009 - 12:04 pm
 Time for a different take on the mock draft process. Since I get peppered with questions all the time about what I think of certain players or teams and what they might do, I decided to create a "What Jeff Would Do" mock draft.
This is in no way indicative of any sort of reality; I have some players who will certainly be drafted in the Top 10 overall in my second round. This is more an exercise in fun, and hopefully answers some questions about who I really like and my thought process behind what direction I believe teams should go.
I know many of you like the "behind the scenes" minutiae, and the Jason Peters trade to the Eagles provides a great example. I initially wrote this Thursday night, and at #11 I had Brian Cushing headed to Buffalo. In the comments, I wrote the following:
"If they were to find a taker for Jason Peters, I would draft Jason Smith here instead."
So I had to stick to my guns and modify several picks to accommodate the trade. I had Smith falling to Washington, and Philly taking Louis Delmas at #28. The re-shuffling took almost an hour and was accomplished while playing about eight games of Chutes and Ladders with my 3-year old son Layne, who thinks the Bills should still take Cushing because he likes his ponytail and that Andre Smith should wear a bra like Mommy. From the mouths of babes...
Round 1
1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
The best, most NFL-ready player in this entire draft. Unlike the other positions which I would consider here (LT, QB), Curry is so vastly superior to any other player at his position, he's worth the shot here so the Lions can address those other needs later.
2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
The best overall tackle in the draft to the team with the most pressing need for one. A no-brainer, and I'm fairly certain they feel the same way.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
When you go out and get Matt Cassel and bring in the Cards OC as head coach, you had better give them more tools to run that wide open attack than Dwayne Bowe and, uh, hmmm... In that division with the passing attacks, the Chiefs need more bullets in the gun to try and keep up. The depth of pass rushers affords them this luxury.
4. Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
I love the idea of getting Sanchez a redshirt year, with the potential for more if he's ready. When your aging QB is saddled with a wonky back and an amazing talent like Sanchez is staring you in the face, you don't turn away. You kiss it on the lips and embrace the future.
5. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
I believe very strongly that Jenkins will be a Pro Bowl-caliber CB pretty quickly, and his tackling on the edge will be a welcome addition. It might be a little high for Jenkins, so I would do my best to trade down.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
I see Orakpo having the most success as a 4-3 DE, and the Bengals lack of sack production is their primary weakness. This is too high for any of the RBs in this draft.
7. Oakland Raiders: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
Despite the crying need to get JaMarcus Russell even one legit WR, the Raiders cannot afford to pass on such a gifted, if troubled, bookend tackle. Smith is a better run blocker than Jake Long already, and Long is a darn fine one. He's worth the character risk in my opinion.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Jacksonville needs at least 2 WRs, and Maclin brings the best size/speed package available. He's not a finished product, but that's why they're paying Jack Del Rio and David Garrard all that money.
9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
I'm not overly wild about Raji like some people, but I think he'd fit in very well in Green Bay. The atmosphere is right, and I like him anchoring the nose in their new-look 3-4 front.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
I am not sold on Shaun Hill as the answer at QB. I'm not sold on Stafford as a sure thing either, but the potential is certainly there. He offers everything Jay Cutler offers, minus the immaturity, and that chance is too good to bypass for a team that just might be a QB away from winning their weak division.
11. Buffalo Bills: Jason Smith, T, Baylor
They have to replace Peters up front, and the agile Smith will help buy Trent Edwards lots of time to find his cadre of weapons down the field. Why I'm down on Smith more than most everyone else: I'm not sold on his ability to sink his hips and create real push in run blocking.
12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
I love Jackson's versatility up front and how he sacrificed personal glory for the betterment of his team last year. Denver needs a lot more of that, and his superior size up front is an asset in a division with some pretty physical RBs.
13. Washington Redskins: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
I know they need youth on the OL, but when I look at the Skins the most pressing need I see is for defensive playmakers. I worry about Cushing's body-builder fragility, but he has the potential to make things happen for a defense that needs a lot more of that.
14. New Orleans Saints: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
With their only pick in the first 3 rounds, the Saints need to take the player with the highest ceiling at a position of need. That would be Matthews at OLB over any of the safeties or running backs, though I'm fairly convinced they are taking Beanie Wells.
15. Houston Texans: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
I've heard a lot of very savvy NFL people say, "If Smith were two inches taller he'd be a top 10 pick." That means he's got real legit skills, and the Texans need legit skills all over their weak secondary, even in 5'9" packages.
16. San Diego Chargers: Eben Britton, T, Arizona
Young tackles with Britton's ability to play either side and his mindset and power don't come around often enough, and the Chargers could use that.
17. New York Jets: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
The Jets sorely need a playmaking WR with size, no matter who is playing QB. Britt offers the size and big-play ability, and he's got the persona to fit in the Big Apple.
18. Denver Broncos (from CHI): Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
You know the old saying "If you've got 2 QBs, you don't have one", well, the Broncos have 6 RBs, none of whom are legit starters. I know the trend is for shared backfields, but Moreno offers so much more than anyone they have, and they now have a QB who needs a strong running game to succeed.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
Their defensive front scares no one, and in a division with running games like ATL and CAR feature, an upgrade up front is imperative.
20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Connor Barwin, DE/TE, Cincinnati
Look at what Barwin accomplished in just one summer of playing defense, factor in his freakish athletic ability and his All-Big East status as a tight end, and you've got yourself a real football player who can help you in a variety of ways. The Lions would live with his growing pains during the 2009 rebuilding year for the payoff down the line.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
I worry about his ability to play through pain, but when he's right Beanie has LT potential. Surely the Eagles cannot foolishly believe Brian Westbrook can handle 300+ touches and be upright for the playoffs?
22. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss
I see Oher as a RT in the NFL, and that's precisely what the Vikings need. If the draft played out this way I would be desperate to trade out of this pick.
23. New England Patriots: Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
I'm quite bullish on Allen, who backs up his swagger with great fundamentals and good size. Actually, if I were New England I would trade this pick and my top 2nd round pick to move up and take Malcolm Jenkins.
24. Atlanta Falcons: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Not their most pressing need (DB), but he's exactly what they need in the middle of their defense, plus he can cover well.
25. Miami Dolphins: Darius Butler, CB, UConn
If the Dolphins plan on matching up against the wide-open attacks in NE and BUF, they need to upgrade their secondary. Butler is the best available DB in terms of coverage and he's not averse to tackling, a requisite Parcells skill.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Alex Mack, C, California
Matt Birk isn't going to play forever, and Mack capably provides punch as the reserve G/C until his time comes.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Size up the gut is the biggest need in Indy, and Maualuga provides a totally different skillset and fierceness to the Colts defense. Their division is very run-oriented, and the Colts can't rely on Bob Sanders to make every single tackle once again.
28. Buffalo Bills (from PHI via CAR): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
I'm told they were strongly considering the massive Pettigrew at #11, so getting him here constitutes real value. He's not a great receiver yet and plods down the field, but his blocking is top notch and his size in the red zone is a major asset.
29. New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
He's not had a pretty offseason, but I can't help but look at his amazing bowl game and some other great performances as part of a strong WR corps and see Nicks being the best candidate to fill Plaxico's blood-stained shoes.
30. Tennessee Titans: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
What helped make the Titans defense special was their ability to incorporate young talent into the mix and get results. Ayers showed during Senior Bowl week that he can beat some talented tackles with more than just speed moves.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Percy Harvin, ATH, Florida
Harvin's durability and attitude concern me, but I remember commenting several times last season that the Cards badly needed a 3rd down back and underneath playmaker. That describes Harvin to a "T," and their locker room is strong enough to mold him.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vontae Davis, DB, Illinois
Replacing McFadden won't be as easy as it looks. Davis has the size and physicality the Steelers like in their corners, and their team dynamic should quell the concerns over his questionable motivation and work ethic.
Round 2
33. Detroit Lions: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State
34. New England Patriots (from KC): Andre Brown, RB, NC State
35. St. Louis Rams: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
36. Seattle Seahawks: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
37. Cleveland Browns: Donald Brown, RB, UConn
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Eric Wood, C, Louisville
39. Jacksonville Jaguars: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
40. Oakland Raiders: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
41. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
42. San Francisco 49ers: Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
43. Buffalo Bills: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond
44. Miami Dolphins (from WAS): Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
45. New York Giants (from NO): Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State
46. Houston Texans: Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech
47. New England Patriots (from SD): Fili Moala, DT, USC
48. Denver Broncos: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
49. Chicago Bears: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
50. Cleveland Browns (from TB): Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri
51. Dallas Cowboys: Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin
52. New York Jets: Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
54. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Owens, CB, San Jose State
55. Atlanta Falcons: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
56. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina
57. Baltimore Ravens: Sean Smith, CB, Utah
58. New England Patriots: David Veikune, DE, Hawaii
59. Carolina Panthers: Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona
60. New York Giants: Greg Isdaner, G, West Virginia
61. Indianapolis Colts: Jarrett Dillard, WR, Rice
62. Tennessee Titans: Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama
63. Arizona Cardinals: William Beatty, T, UConn
64. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Luigs, C/G, Arkansas
Round 3
65. Detroit Lions: T.J. Lang, T/G, Eastern Michigan
66. St. Louis Rams: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati
67. Kansas City Chiefs: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah
68. Seattle Seahawks: Herman Johnson, G, LSU
69. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Emmanuel Cook, S, South Carolina
70. Cincinnati Bengals: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss
71. Oakland Raiders: Austin Collie, WR, BYU
72. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cody Brown, LB, UConn
73. Green Bay Packers: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue
74. San Francisco 49ers: Darry Beckwith, LB, LSU
75. Buffalo Bills: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
76. New York Jets (from NO): Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
77. Houston Texans: Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty
78. San Diego Chargers: Cary Harris, CB, USC
79. Denver Broncos: Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina
80. Washington Redskins: Jamon Meredith, T, South Carolina
81. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss
82. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
83. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ): Phil Loadholt, T, Oklahoma
84. Denver Broncos (from CHI): Franz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic
85. Philadelphia Eagles: Deangelo Smith, DB, Cincinnati
86. Minnesota Vikings: Jason Williams, LB, Western Illinois
87. Miami Dolphins: Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest
88. Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Turner, WR, USC
89. New England Patriots: Richard Quinn, TE, North Carolina
90. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Underwood, DB, Cincinnati
91. New York Giants: James Casey, TE, Rice
92. Indianapolis Colts: Corey Irvin, DT, Georgia
93. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech
94. Tennessee Titans: Pat White, QB/ATH, West Virginia
95. Arizona Cardinals: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
96. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech
97. New England Patriots: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
98. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State
99. Chicago Bears: Ashlee Palmer, LB, Ole Miss
100. New York Giants: J.P. Wilson, QB, Alabama
--Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com |
