Updated 2/25/09 This mock represents one scenario of two that are floating in my head. In this version, the QBs and RBs slide much further than most expectations. This also downplays the poor Combine performances of some higher-profile players (A. Smith, Jenkins, Crabtree) but acknowledges upward movement on some of the workout standouts who have some positive game films to back them up (E. Brown, J. Gilbert, M. King). This far out from the draft, before the teams have held their private workouts and meetings with players, any mock draft is more an exercise in educated guessing than precision forecast. I like to think I?m very good at reading between the lines, but in many cases the lines aren?t quite defined just yet. As always, this represents what I believe the individual teams would do if presented with the scenario given. This does not always mesh with what I would do if I were making the picks. Round 1 1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Why Curry? I don?t believe they have real interest in Matt Stafford for a couple of reasons. Foremost is that new GM Martin Mayhew realizes they are much more than a 50% shot at a franchise QB away from being good. Second, Stafford is represented by Tom Condon, the agent who was responsible for the Eli Manning draft trade and the holdouts of Brady Quinn and many others. You can carve this in marble: The Lions will not draft anyone unless they have a deal worked out before the draft. I also know the Lions believe Curry is a special, once-in-a-generation talent at a position they have chronically lacked. Detroit?s defense has ranked dead last two years in a row and desperately needs an infusion of talent with athletic ability and size. The depth at tackle and the affordable availability of more proven youngish QBs like Derek Anderson or Byron Leftwich seals the deal for Curry. 2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, T, Baylor One of the stars of the Combine, Smith is the classic example of how a product of a low-profile program can vault himself up draft boards with strong offseason workouts and interviews. On film, Smith often looked fantastic, but teams questioned his measurables and his school. He answered those questions with aplomb, and the Rams will happily reward him by using Orlando Pace as a mentor while plugging the athletically capable Smith at RT for a year. 3. Kansas City Chiefs: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State Exactly what Dr. Pioli ordered for his first draft pick in KC, a freakishly athletic pass rusher who can line up at OLB or DE, a critical attribute for a team that is debating a transition to the 3-4 front. More productive as a Seminole and showing a greater passion for the game than Kamerion Wimbley, Brown can step in and immediately help one of the worst pass rushes in league history. It also helps bring out the best in last year?s 1st rounder, DT Glenn Dorsey, who struggled in part because teams had no fear to jam the middle on him. 4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech The cynic would say, ?Just what Seattle needs--another WR with injury problems?. But Crabtree demonstrated special ability in college, a dynamic that the Seahawks simply cannot ignore, not even with Crabtree?s foot problem. The Panthers took Jonathan Stewart last year under similar circumstances and were handsomely rewarded, and don?t think the Seahawks brass doesn?t know that. 5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas The sack artist from Texas has played some 3-4 OLB for the Longhorns and did not look out of place. He is perfect for what ails the Browns defense--a genuine pass rush threat who has the athleticism to be effective in coverage and the strength to set an edge against the run. His presence could do wonders for Kam Wimbley, who has just 10 sacks in his last 35 games after netting 10 in his first 13. Don?t buy into the RB speculation here, though Malcolm Jenkins is a distinct possibility. 6. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri This pick stems from a conversation I had in Indy with a Bengals staffer regarding their future. I?m reading between some lines, but let?s just say those of you living Over the Rhine shouldn?t expect any of the terrific triumvirate of WRs of the past few years beyond next season, if not sooner. Look for them to answer the LT problem with Andrew Whitworth and address replacing him inside later. Maclin has the game-changing big-play ability as both a receiver and return man that this team sorely needs, even if Ocho Cinco is still around. However, if Jason Smith is still on the board, I believe he would be the pick. 7. Oakland Raiders: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia The Raider revitalization continues with this smart pick, as Monroe is ready to start at LT for a team in dramatic need of pass protection. His maturity and strong performances against several current and future NFL ends are big selling points, as is the fact he faced a 3-4 defense in practice every day, something no other player can claim. My gut tells me Al Davis would prefer either Maclin or Crabtree, and Al has a way of getting what he wants, for better or worse. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Smith, T, Alabama A lot of people are very down on the giant tackle after his brutal Combine, but I?ve talked to some actual NFL coaches and insiders and they are willing to grant him some slack for being young and dumb and making a terrible choice in agents. How he responds in team interviews and at his pro day will go a long way towards saving his bacon or becoming a fatback sandwich. The Jaguars are desperate at T after the Khalif Barnes experiment failed, and before his issues in Indy, Smith was the clear-cut #1 tackle based on on-field play. Sleeper Pick: Matt Stafford. 9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State His physical style of play is perfect for what the Packers like to do, even with Dom Capers? new scheme. His playmaking gifts and size set him apart, and he turned in outstanding shuttle drill times, the most critical drill for CBs. During Senior Bowl week, a Packers assistant told me they might not draft one offensive player this year, save a mid-rounder on the right O-lineman. Jenkins would represent a great leadoff pick as the new face of their new defense. 10. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC The first QB off the board at #10 sure seems like a stretch, but there are two mitigating factors at work that make this a very real possibility. First is that both Sanchez and Stafford are juniors, and the stigma on underclassmen QBs grows nastier all the time. Second is that a lot of the teams picking near the top have either a QB in place (STL, GB, CIN, JAX, OAK) or more pressing needs than developing a QB with over a 50% chance of failure. San Francisco does have a potential QB in place in Shaun Hill and got royally burned by underclassmen Alex Smith, but new coach Mike Singletary craves leadership and a dynamic presence. Sanchez certainly provides that potential, so much so that the Niners simply cannot look this gift horse in the mouth. 11. Buffalo Bills: Clay Matthews, DE/OLB, USC This is probably higher than you?ll see young Matthews in most mocks, but both in Mobile and in Indy, the buzz on his upside and potential was deafening. His lineage provides security, but it?s his full toolbox of pass rush moves and his athletic versatility to play with his hand down or standing up that elevates his stock. Buffalo badly needs to upgrade the pass rush without sacrificing run defense, and Matthews is the perfect fit for that task. Sleeper Pick: Vontae Davis 12. Denver Broncos: BJ Raji, DT, Boston College He could very well be long gone by this spot, as this represents the absolute lowest Raji will go. A legit 0- or 1-technique tackle who can command double teams and still get into the backfield, Raji is the immovable object for which the Broncos defense cries out. Getting bigger and tougher up the gut is a stated goal of the new regime, and you don?t get any bigger than Raji. If he?s gone, Rey Maualuga or Vontae Davis (as a safety) are possibilities. 13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss This pick is somewhat predicated on my strong belief that they will sign Albert Haynesworth to shore up the defensive front. That would shift the need-o-meter to finding someone under age 30 worthy of starting on the OL. Oher has flashed the potential to be a great one, but he must improve his footwork and tenacity. He makes a good value fit for a team that will have to replace both tackles in the near future. 14. New Orleans Saints: Alex Mack, C, California Mack has been my Saints pick in most every edition of mock drafts this offseason, and nothing I?ve seen or heard gives me any compelling reason to change it now. Mack?s proven ability to get out and pancake defenders at the second level and downfield is very attractive to a team that runs a lot of short passes, reverses, and draw plays. Sleeper Pick: Larry English 15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing, LB, USC Coming off a season where he proved he could both stay on the field and actually use his amazing athletic prowess to make an impact, Cushing is exactly what the doctor ordered in Houston. The Texans need to get Mario Williams some help rushing the QB and Demeco Ryans some help in run defense. Cushing has the potential to do both. 16. San Diego Chargers: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia This is predicated on San Diego severing ties with LT, which may or may not happen. Moreno would make an excellent sledgehammer to Darren Sproles? greased piglet, with his between-the-tackles power and wiggle. His hands are an asset in Norv Turner?s offense too. If they keep LT, then this pick looks to go WR or LB. This slot could be quite attractive to a QB-needy team looking to usurp the Jets and Bears if (as is the case presented here) one of the top two QBs is still on the board. 17. New York Jets: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina I talked to a few different Jets staffers and insiders and I was surprised at how they all downplayed the interest in taking a 1st round QB. It could be a giant snow job, but in this version I?ll buy into it. No matter who is their QB, he will need a major upgrade at WR. Nicks isn?t the fastest wideout but his hands are superb and he has a proven knack for the big play. Two Jets people told me that the #1 quality they are looking for in a WR is consistency getting open and actually catching the ball. That gets Nicks the nod over the others here. If they choose to go CB, Alphonso Smith is the pick. 18. Chicago Bears: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland The offensive star of the Combine was a borderline 1st/2nd rounder heading into town but left as a surefire 1st with bigger upside than most anyone expected. As one Bears beat writer told me, ?Our wide receivers are worse than any expansion team? and that is GM Jerry Angelo?s top priority. DHB had an up-and-down college career but his ups are probably higher than any WR in this draft class. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Percy Harvin, WR/RB/KR, Florida Harvin has track star speed, amazing lateral quickness, and proven versatility as both a WR and out of the backfield. The offense needs better playmakers for new QB Luke McCown, and Harvin looks like he?ll fit as a Reggie Bush-type player in the NFL. His Gator roots and positive personality will be welcomed with open arms in both the locker room and the fanbase. 20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia Yes, I copped out and gave Stafford the Brady Quinn treatment. I don?t really think Stafford will last until the 20th overall pick, but rather I believe the Lions will deal a little and move up a few spots to ensure they get their potential franchise QB (see the comments at #16). At this range, the pressure on Stafford is infinitely lowered, not to mention his signing bonus, which is not insignificant in Detroit. In prior incarnations I had Josh Freeman or Nate Davis here, but the Lions do not see either guy as a 1st round pick anymore. If they surprise and take Stafford #1, they would take exactly 4 seconds to choose Maualuga here. 21. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State I called Pettigrew ?Bubba Franks with attitude? in my TE Big Board summary, and I?ve heard that used on Sirius NFL radio and in an ESPN.com draft chat. Give credit where credit is due, my friends...the LJ Smith era is over and Brent Celek is well-suited to be a #2 TE. Pettigrew can step right in as a giant red zone target and significantly upgrade the perimeter run blocking, which might actually keep Brian Westbrook on the field for 16 games. 22. Minnesota Vikings: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC A domineering presence in the middle who turns the term ?big hitter? into a terrible understatement, Maualuga fits right in with the physically imposing nature of their defense. 14 different players have started at LB in the past 3 seasons, so depth and stability are important. Rey?s range and instincts are questionable, but when you can put him behind the Williams Wall, that eliminates a lot of margin for error. Sleeper Pick: Jared Cook. 23. New England Patriots: Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan Delmas tops the safety position with a wider margin than any other player has at any position. A physical run-stuffer who oozes leadership and has decent ball skills, Delmas is the type of high football IQ player and worker that Belichick loves. He?s not great in coverage, but neither was Rodney Harrison, the guy he?s replacing. 24. Atlanta Falcons: Vontae Davis, CB/S, Illinois All the measurables are there--size, speed, quickness, strength. And at times during his Illini stint, Davis played the part of premium lockdown CB. Most people in Indy see him as a safety/CB hybrid in the Brandon Merriweather vein, and the Falcons have needs at both CB and S, so Davis can choose his own destiny. His work ethic and football IQ are questionable, and some big birdies told me he did little to dispel those doubts at the Combine. A good teaching coach like Mike Smith welcomes the challenge, and the potential rewards are certainly worth the fairly high risk on Davis. 25. Miami Dolphins: Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois Fins fans, here is the replacement for Jason Taylor, and the similarities are strong. MAC defensive end who has the strength and will to anchor the edge against the run, the quickness and instincts to drop into coverage, and the speed and relentlessness to make life miserable for opposing QBs--that?s both Taylor and English. He?s not as lithe or polished as Taylor, but English is tailor-made for the 3-4 OLB/DE role. 26. Baltimore Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest The Ravens need for youth at CB is several years in the making, and Smith has the type of man coverage skills that should allow him to step into the Chris McAllister role right away. He?s shorter and less physical than what teams ideally want, but he showed outstanding coverage skills and instincts in Mobile and during his lengthy tenure in Winston-Salem. 27. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): William Beatty, T, Connecticut The prize for allowing CAR to pick Jeff Otah last year is a tackle who is the antipode of man-mountain Otah; Beatty is a very quick, very agile, light-legged left tackle in the D?Brick Ferguson mold. That is a departure for the Eagles from Thomas and Runyan, but if Beatty continues to fill out his frame (he?s gained 15 functional pounds since their bowl game) without losing athleticism, he will be an above-average starter for the next decade just like the aging Thomas. 28. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss New coach Jim Caldwell stated in an interview that his primary goal this offseason is to get bigger on defense. Jerry is the widebody they hoped they were getting in Booger McFarland. During his Rebel tenure, Jerry showed Kevin Williams-like skill at times. The Colts would be ecstatic if that comparison doesn?t look asinine two years from now. 29. New York Giants: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina Another Combine star, Cook looks more like an oversized WR than a traditional TE. Think Eli Manning couldn?t use a guy who can stretch the field down the middle and keep the safeties from helping over the top on the outside? They already have the strong #2 TE in Kevin Boss that affords Tom Coughlin the luxury of a unique weapon like Cook. 30. Tennessee Titans: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State One of the losers of Indy, Maybin is a prolific speed rusher who had great success in college getting around the edge and finishing with flair. His disappointing speed and quickness numbers at the Combine play into the worst fears already surrounding him: he?s one-dimensional and might not have the physical ability to translate that dimension from college to the NFL. But the Titans have a long history of coaching up guys like that and striking gold, and Mabyin?s potential is golden. 31. Arizona Cardinals: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh McCoy ahead of Beanie?!? Two reasons why: 1. McCoy really impressed with his passion for the game and toughness by working out despite being legitimately very ill at the Combine, whereas Wells babied (that?s the widespread NFL perception, don?t kill the messenger!) a foot injury and made life miserable for his coaches while he was injured, and 2. Speed. The primary desired attribute for RBs nowadays is speed, and McCoy comes across on film as faster than Wells. McCoy fits with what the Cards are looking for with his receiving skills and more willingness to share the position with Hightower. 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Jackson, DT/DE, LSU Copied straight from my last mock version: Jackson disappointed a lot of Bayou Bengal faithful because he never emerged as a big-time sack artist. But scouts I?ve talked to like how Jackson worked at his lower body strength and ability to get off blocks. He fits best as a 3-4 DE playing 5-technique, and the Steelers need fresh young talent in their rotation up front. Their fans might covet a tackle here, but early indications are the Steelers are not real high on the second tier tackles in this draft, not at this slot anyways. Round 2 33. Detroit Lions: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee 34. St. Louis Rams: Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State 35. Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State 36. Seattle Seahawks: Chris ?Beanie? Wells, RB, Ohio State 37. Cleveland Browns: Asher Allen, CB, Georgia 38. Cincinnati Bengals: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State 39. Oakland Raiders: Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut 40. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers 41. Green Bay Packers: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State 42. San Francisco 49ers: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah 43. Buffalo Bills: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss 44. Denver Broncos: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia 45. Miami Dolphins (from WAS): Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama 46. New York Giants (from NO): Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma 47. Houston Texans: Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State 48. New England Patriots (from SD): Eben Britton, T, Arizona 49. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State 50. Chicago Bears: Emanuel Cook, S, South Carolina 51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fili Moala, DT, USC 52. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State 53. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Smith, DB, Utah 54. Minnesota Vikings: James Casey, TE, Rice 55. New England Patriots: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt 56. Atlanta Falcons: Ziggy Hood, DT, Missouri 57. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas 58. Baltimore Ravens: Dannell Ellerbee, LB, Georgia 59. Carolina Panthers: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue 60. Indianapolis Colts: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut 61. New York Giants: Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin 62. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State 63. Arizona Cardinals: Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin 64. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Wood, C, Louisville Round 3 65. Detroit Lions: Jamon Meredith, T, South Carolina 66. St. Louis Rams: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati 67. Kansas City Chiefs: Ashlee Palmer, LB, Ole Miss 68. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina 69. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State 70. Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia 71. Oakland Raiders: Deangelo Smith, DB, Cincinnati 72. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State 73. Green Bay Packers: Greg Isdaner, G, West Virginia 74. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech 75. Buffalo Bills: Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama 76. Denver Broncos: Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina 77. Washington Redskins: Christopher Owens, CB, San Jose State 78. New York Jets (from NO): Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland 79. Houston Texans: Mitch King, DL, Iowa 80. San Diego Chargers: Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida 81. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ): Deangelo Smith, S, Cincinnati 82. Chicago Bears: Pat White, QB, West Virginia 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Patrick Turner, WR, USC 84. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona 85. Philadelphia Eagles: Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty 86. Minnesota Vikings: Jason Watkins, T, Florida 87. New England Patriots: Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida 88. Atlanta Falcons: Cary Harris, CB, USC 89. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington State 90. Baltimore Ravens: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond 91. Carolina Panthers: Nate Davis, QB, Ball State 92. Indianapolis Colts: Austin Collie, WR, BYU 93. New York Giants: Ladarius Webb, DB, Nicholls State 94. Tennessee Titans: Franz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic 95. Arizona Cardinals: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss 96. Pittsburgh Steelers: Herman Johnson, G, LSU Click here to discuss this mock on our forums. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com