Knowshon Moreno, Donovan McNabb, Mike Shanahan and David Garrard enter pivotal seasons where they will be scrutinized if they do not perform at a high level.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
RealGM Search
Seven weeks of NFL play are complete, and the college football season is over half complete. That means we have enough time and game film to make more informed guesses and more accurate draft projections.
This mock includes several underclassmen, but not all that you?ll see prominently mentioned in other mocks. Most notable are the omission of QB's Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. I will not include them in mock drafts unless they declare. If you must know, I would peg Bradford as a top 12 pick and Tebow in the 20-30 range.
The draft order is my projection for the final NFL standings. Hey, that?s half the fun!
I have included some commentary based on popular demand. Thanks to all of you who actually take the time to read this and offer opinions, even the negative ones.
1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Whoever takes over running this team needs to quickly establish an identity, and choosing a franchise QB is a great place to start. With the WR and RB positions already in place, Stafford walks into a similar situation to Matt Ryan in Atlanta.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Forget that the Bengals chose LB Keith Rivers with their first pick last year; Mike Brown is keenly aware his team needs both toughness and a marquee attraction. Playing for Ohio State up I-71 builds in appeal for a LB who has perennial Pro Bowl potential. If Marvin Lewis hasn?t quit already, he will love this pick.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: George Selvie, DE/OLB, South Florida
Forget his meager stats this season as he has played hurt and faced double (sometimes triple) teams on every snap. Selvie is an explosive, athletic edge rusher who can fill the giant hole left by the Jared Allen trade.
4. St. Louis Rams: Michael Oher, T, Mississippi
The ?Blind Side? boy has finally started to meet all the outrageous hype, improving his footwork and tenacity in his senior season. He can either learn for a year under Orlando Pace, perhaps while playing guard, or step in and take over as the key part of the offensive rebuild.
5. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Any team that signs Ashley Lelie and actually plays him extensively is desperate for WR help. Crabtree has outstanding size, exceptional hands, and does all the little things that nobody currently on the Raiders except Ron Curry is aware needs to be done. Compares well with Calvin Johnson although not quite as tall or fast.
6. Houston Texans: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Texans desperately need someone in the defensive backfield who does more than occupy space. Jenkins will leave Cornerback U. with a better overall rating than Antoine Winfield or Nate Clements, and his playmaking knack will be a huge boost for what is consistently the least talented secondary in the league.
7. Seattle Seahawks: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Dynamic game-changer with size, speed, hands, and confidence. In short, precisely what the Seahawks need most on offense. Would be my favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year if this actually happens.
8. Cleveland Browns: Chris ?Beanie? Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Browns cannot rely on Jamal Lewis beyond 2009, and Beanie is every bit as naturally gifted as Adrian Peterson or Darren McFadden. Putting Wells behind that exceptional OL is a defensive coordinator?s nightmare, and with Lewis still around, Wells won?t face inordinate pressure to dominate from Day One.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
Smith might be the most improved top-shelf player in America, showing better base strength, footwork, and ability to find defenders in space. The Niners sorely need OL help if they want any chance of effectively running Mike Martz?s offense, and Smith could bookend with Joe Staley to provide a very talented pair of tackles.
10. Miami Dolphins: SenDerrick Marks, DT, Auburn
Marks has emerged as a dynamic presence with an outstanding blend of strength and quickness, leading the nation in tackles for loss. He has the bulk to man the edge in a 3-4 front, and he would give the Dolphins a bevy of young talent up front.
11. New York Jets: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Rock solid SAM backer with outstanding instincts and the strength to back it up. Probably not the Jets biggest need but pair him across from Calvin Pace and next to David Harris, and the Jets have a formidable, versatile, playmaking LB corps.
12. Green Bay Packers: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Explosive edge rusher who has fared really well against top-level competition (ask Eugene Monroe), Johnson is athletic enough to move all around the formation a la Jason Taylor. KGB is all but done, and Johnson provides a younger, taller, faster version who already has better inside countermoves than KGB has ever shown.
13. Baltimore Ravens: Vontae Davis, DB, Illinois
The Ravens would likely use his strong coverage skills and outstanding instincts at CB, but he has the range, power, and size to also play safety at a high level.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays has not been real productive this season, but his freakish athletic tangibles and strong experience keep his value high. The Falcons need lots of help in the secondary, and Mays has the pedigree and game to step right in and contribute.
15. Minnesota Vikings: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
Stud LT who will likely grade out higher than former teammate D?Brickashaw Freguson. By selecting him, the Vikings can finally show enigmatic Bryant McKinnie the door. Why does Monroe fall to here, you ask? Watch him when UVA picks up the tempo; his conditioning, both physical and mental, are questionable.
16. New Orleans Saints: Alex Mack, C, California
His hallmark is his athleticism, but Mack possesses all the tools to be a top-notch NFL center right away. His style of play is in the Jeff Faine mold, and the Saints miss him more than they like to admit. Mack?s ability to make second-level blocks makes Reggie Bush happy.
17. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
He is not an NFL-caliber receiver yet, but Pettigrew does have nice hands and the ability to run after the catch. A devastating blocker already, Pettigrew reminds many of Vernon Davis. To me that?s a negative, but much like Davis, the potential is there for Pettigrew to be a top-flight TE. The Lions haven?t had one of those since Charlie Sanders.
18. San Diego Chargers: Terrance Cody, NT, Alabama
The Chargers' D just isn?t the same now that Jamal Williams is on the downside. Enter Cody, who has looked very much like a younger, quicker version of Williams in his brief time at Bama. His stock very much depends on how the NFL feels about his lack of experience if those pesky rumors about his inability to get academic eligibility at JUCO are true.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Stout but speedy and not lacking confidence, Smith has emerged as a strong cover man with a knack for stripping the ball. He?s not a #1 CB, but the Jags already have one of those in Rashean Mathis.
20. Washington Redskins: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Devastating hitter who plays like his hair is on fire, Maualuga is viewed by some as the next Junior Seau or Ray Lewis. He isn?t as fast or instinctive as either of those legends, but he would bring size and intimidation to the Skins' defense.
21. Chicago Bears: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Harvin might seem redundant with Devin Hester already on the roster, but the Florida dynamo is a more natural offensive weapon, both as a slot WR and as a potential 3rd down RB. He?s also good insurance as a return man in case Hester starts fumbling every 7th attempt again.
22. New England Patriots: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Longtime FSU observers favorably compare Brown to Peter Boulware, who racked up 52 sacks in his first 5 seasons. Very physically similar to Mike Vrabel, whom he should eventually replace.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Another pick probably lower than you?ll see elsewhere, but the early indications I?ve sought out are that the market for RB's is low and the 1st round risk too high when comparable talent at ?safer? positions is available. Moreno reminds me a great deal of Kevin Jones when he was 100% healthy, which is a big compliment.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Fast, smooth wideout with great hands and a good feel for beating press coverage. Has just enough size to play outside, just enough quickness to play in the slot. The Bucs are chronically searching for impact WR's, and Heyward-Bey could be the guy to end that search.
25. Denver Broncos: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Upwardly mobile junior has demonstrated great range and fierce-but-sound tackling technique in 2008. The Broncos would be happy with either attribute, and the hands he flashed in the LSU game might make this pick look awfully low come April.
26. Buffalo Bills: Auston English, DE, Oklahoma
English hasn?t played a lot but has made a strong impression when he?s been on the field, an aggressive all-around end who gets off blocks extremely well. Physically similar to Ravens OLB Jarrett Johnson, that versatility would be a welcome addition to the Bills defense.
27. Indianapolis Colts: BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
The Colts showed their desperation for DL beef by trading for John McCargo, which was voided by injury. Raji is from the same mold as McCargo, a stout 1-gap hole plugger who has just enough burst to cause problems in the backfield if he?s not double-teamed. Hopefully, he can avoid the injuries that derailed McCargo, the 26th overall pick in 2006.
28. Arizona Cardinals: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Jackson is one of those prospects that scouts always seem to be excessively harsh in evaluating. He?s not great at anything, but he?s good enough at everything to have a nice career. Putting him as a 3-4 end plays to his advantage as he fits best as a 5-technique who has the quickness to break inside on the guard and the power to bull the tackle. Good insurance for the injury-prone Bert Berry although not as dynamic.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jason Smith, T, Baylor
The Steelers' OL is the biggest need, and gentle giant Smith offers versatility; he is probably best-suited at RT but could make a capable LT or even LG if needed.
30. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
The Eagles can no longer rely on Brian Westbrook staying healthy, and Westbrook isn?t much of a pile-driving interior runner. That?s where Spiller excels, and he is also a good receiver out of the backfield, a prerequisite for any Eagle back.
31. Tennessee Titans: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
More than the workout wonder he?ll be made out to be by the ignorant latecomers, Orakpo has thrived with more playing time and increased hustle. He is not unlike the man he?d replace in the Titans' lineup, Javon Kearse.
32. New York Giants: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas
Nearly every description you?ll hear about Luigs includes the phrase ?agile tactician?. Not quite as physical as Alex Mack, but Luigs can also play some guard, which is the sort of versatility the Giants covet.
Round 2
33. Detroit Lions: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
34. Cincinnati Bengals: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
35. Kansas City Chiefs: Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama
36. St. Louis Rams: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
37. Oakland Raiders: Ciron Black, T, LSU
38. Houston Texans: Antonio Coleman, LB, Auburn
39. Seattle Seahawks: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
40. Cleveland Browns: Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
41. San Francisco 49ers: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
42. Miami Dolphins: Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State
43. New York Jets: Brooks Foster, WR, North Carolina
44. Baltimore Ravens: Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
45. Green Bay Packers: Trevor Canfield, G, Cincinnati
46. Atlanta Falcons: Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
47. Minnesota Vikings: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
48. New Orleans Saints: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
49. Dallas Cowboys: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
50. New England Patriots (from SD): Bruce Johnson, CB, Miami FL
51. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
52. Washington Redskins: Eric Wood, C, Louisville
53. Chicago Bears: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
54. New England Patriots: Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee
55. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
56. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dannell Ellerbe, LB, Georgia
57. Denver Broncos: Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State
58. Buffalo Bills: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
59. Indianapolis Colts: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss
60. Arizona Cardinals: Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut
61. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan
62. Carolina Panthers: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
63. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
64. New York Giants: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue
