This one comes after several free agent signings and a few trades, as well as a lengthy conversation I had with a notable NFL insider regarding the plans of certain teams. Some random thoughts: New England sure is positioned to make deals with 4 picks between 23 and 55. That assures that if they want a player, they will be able to maneuver to get him. The Matt Cassel trade set the bar real low for other teams looking to trade prominent players and/or franchised players. That is bad news for teams like Carolina and Arizona, should they opt to try and deal Julius Peppers or Anquan Boldin. Note that the above random thought connects quite nicely with the Peppers portion of this one... I hear lots of chatter that the QBs could fall completely out of the 1st round, and I find that comically ignorant. When a relative stiff like Dan Orlovsky (no offense, Dan!) gets a 3 year, $9M deal as a backup, you cannot credibly tell me there isn?t a demand for quarterbacks with developmental upside. It might not be the teams in their current slots, but if Stafford and Sanchez slide out of the 1st round, I?m buying the first round for the entire bar at Buffalo Wild Wings on 44th Street in Grand Rapids on draft Sunday. Keep in mind that this represents what I believe teams would do if presented the scenario. That does not necessarily mesh with what decisions I would make if facing the same situations. Round 1 1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest No change at the top, as this pick seems more likely all the time. Signability and affordability, plus security against flopdom, make Curry the obvious choice over Matt Stafford and his agent, master of the QB holdout Tom Condon. 2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia Battle-tested against several current and future NFL pass rushers, Monroe has proven he has elite potential at tackle. The Rams are shopping aging stalwart Orlando Pace; if they get no takers, Monroe jumps right into his size 17 shoes. If Pace sticks around for one more year, Monroe mercifully ends the wretched Alex Barron experience at RT before making the move to LT in 2010. 3. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Smith, T, Baylor The more teams watch game film and talk to Smith, the more they like the converted TE with great feet and surprising punch. New GM Scott Pioli gambled big on Matt Cassel at QB, and he knows he needs to keep him comfortable with a strong OL. Smith has the athletic versatility to play either side as the new coaching staff assembles a line around him and last year?s 1st rounder, Brandon Albert. 4. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia Not where you expected Stafford or what you expected Seattle to do, eh? This concept hatched from an email exchange with an agent friend, who laid out both why Seattle would want Stafford (they need a new franchise definition and QB to take over for the unreliable back of Matt Hasselbeck) and also why this spot makes sense for any team to trade to get him (SEA got the WR they needed in Houshmanzadeh and misses the three players above that they covet). I agree completely with his assertion that some team will find Stafford?s Matt Ryan-like potential too hard to resist if given the opportunity. Two early theories, completely fabricated by me: DET trades #20 and #33 to move here, or DEN sends Jay Cutler and a later pick. 5. Cleveland Browns: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State The Browns really like Brown, in part because he showed he can make plays against the run and flashed the athletic ability to handle reasonable coverage assignments as the LOLB in their 3-4 front. They?ll have to pray he can have the immediate impact of fellow Seminole Kamerion Wimbley, only with much better long-term productivity. 6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, T, Alabama Cincinnati has long been a team that hasn?t shied away from off-field issues for on-field talent, and the very talented Smith will be too tempting to bypass even after his disastrous Combine. I won?t be surprised if he drops further, but when teams watch game film I believe a lot of his issues (almost all are agent-related) will go by the wayside for his top-shelf LT ability. 7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech When in the brief history of time has Al Davis ever passed on the chance to get a Grey Goose WR, or even a Popov-in-the-well WR for that matter? Though not as fast as others and unable to disprove that thanks to his foot surgery (I find that perfectly convenient for him), Crabtree never had any trouble getting open or making catches anywhere on the field in college. Pop quiz: now that Ronald Curry is a free agent, name any Raiders WR. Didn?t think so. You can bet Mr. Davis remedies that glaring problem and throws Jamarcus Russell a much-deserved bone. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College I can see the Jaguars going a number of different ways here, but Raji fills the most immediate need with the most NFL-ready talent in this range. If they decide that 3 first-day picks in a row along the DL is too much, they could take Malcolm Jenkins or perhaps Rey Maualuga to shore up the back part of the defense. I can also see them dealing down and taking Michael Oher or Peria Jerry in the range where a team trading up to get Mark Sanchez sits now. Or they could conclude that 31-year old David Garrard had one career season in 2007 and is merely a serviceable starter and take Sanchez (or Stafford if he falls) with this pick. 9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State The most common misconception that bugs me coming out of Indy: that Jenkins? poor 40 time is really hurting his draft stock. Here?s an inside tip on what teams want in corners: explosive agility, and the bigger the better. Jenkins had the best combined 3-cone/20-yard shuttle times of any player at the Combine. Can you say explosive agility? It doesn?t hurt that he?s one of the biggest DBs in this class. The only time a corner?s 40 time is important is when they get beat, and Jenkins proved time and again at Cornerback U. that he?s awful tough to beat. 10. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas The Niners desperately need to upgrade their pass rush if they truly want to contend in the pass-happy NFC West. Orakpo is a dynamic athlete who has shown he can take over games (ask Arizona State?s 2007 squad). One of the stars of Indy before he tweaked his hamstring, Orakpo does have durability concerns that could scare the Niners. But his potential is too tempting to pass up here. I now see this as the floor for Matt Stafford, and the Kurt Warner flirtation indicates they are serious about adding a QB, perhaps here. 11. Buffalo Bills: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC I?ve talked to several NFL personnel and evaluators who all believe that Matthews has the highest NFL potential of any of the great USC defenders of the current team. His work ethic, tenacity, and explosiveness both inside and outside set him apart and give Buffalo exactly what they need--an impact player in the defensive front. His father readily (and quite adeptly) played both DE and OLB depending on the defense, and young Clay has a lot of the old man in him. He?s the type of player the Buffalo fans will love and embrace, and that?s not insignificant for that fiscally strained franchise. 12. Denver Broncos: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland The latest Brandon Marshall police blotter proves the Broncos cannot rely on his services long-term. If they hope to appease Jay Cutler after the wild trade rumors (still a possibility according to one well-placed source), they need to get him a reliable downfield target and big-play receiver. DHB was the stud of the Combine with his 4.3 40 and overall workout prowess, and he flashed enough during his Maryland career to be compared by one publication to, ahem, Brandon Marshall. This pick will look a whole lot better to Broncos fans when Commish Goodell hits Marshall with an 8-game suspension. 13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss The Redskins don?t have a starting linemen under age 32, and both tackles are close to the proverbial wall. Oher has a very high ceiling but needs a lot of work on his footwork and countermoves. After addressing the defensive needs via free agency, expect Vinny Cerrato to try and bolster an offense that often lacked punch. 14. New Orleans Saints: Brian Cushing, LB, USC Bringing back Jon Vilma was an important move, but he needs more dynamic help on the outside. Enter Cushing, a physical freak who can blitz, cover, and hit, though his production at USC left something to be desired. Sleeper Pick: Peria Jerry 15. Houston Texans: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia The Texans hit a home run with Steve Slaton last year, but they need a more physical complement and a major upgrade in depth. Moreno?s downhill style is a great balance, and his receiving skills make him a good fit for Kubiak?s offense. This pick would give them a very similar backfield to Carolina, the envy of the league. I wouldn?t rule out a trade down to continue bolstering their secondary, which just completed the 2nd worst 3-year pass defense in NFL history. 16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC Rey often gets compared to Junior Seau, and the Chargers biggest need is someone to play Seau?s old spot of ILB and intimidating run crusher. If he?s off the board, they will be players for Louis Delmas or Beanie Wells, but likely not at this slot. 17. New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC I love Jets fans, because no matter who I slot to them, half love it and half hate it. After all they?ve added on defense, the Jets simply cannot tell their fans that their team is basically the Vikings of 2008, except Tarvaris Jackson would be the clear-cut starter in New York. Sanchez might not be ready right away, but his ceiling is 50 floors above anything they?ve got. 18. Chicago Bears: Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri Chicago fans might very well toss GM Jerry Angelo off Navy Pier if he doesn?t address their inept WR situation. Maclin isn?t the most polished route runner, and his durability bears questioning, but his game-breaking speed at his size reminds compares favorably to Bernard Berrian, the best WR the Bears have had in years and sorely miss. Expect the Bears to draft at least two wideouts, though they won?t reach if a better DE, interior OL or S is available at any spot. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss Their serious courtship of Haynesworth indicates just how serious they are about beefing up the defensive front. Jerry is more than a space-eater, as he proved very active and agile against some very good SEC offensive lines. He replaces Jovan Haye, who went to TEN to replace Haynesworth. 20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan One of the key components to the Lions overhaul is adding leadership and desire. Delmas showed more leadership in two days in Mobile--he was holding secondary meetings on the sidelines-- than any Lions defender has in years. It helps tremendously that Delmas is a major asset against the run and is the best safety on the board by a wide margin. The Lions need physically and mentally tough talent, no matter the position, and Delmas represents the biggest talent that fits those characteristics at this point. 21. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State Verbatim copy from the last mock... 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: Alex Mack, C, California This is only if Matt Birk departs (late edit--Birk signed with the Ravens just before this went to press), because no team can tie up that kind of $$ at the center position. Longtime readers will recall my flowering praise of Nick Mangold, who has largely lived up to the billing for the Jets. I think Mack is significantly better coming out of college than Mangold was. If he?s gone, Jared Cook would be a great fit. So would Alphonso Smith or Vontae Davis. 23. New England Patriots: Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cincinnati Bill Belichick replaces Mike Vrabel with a guy who scouts almost unanimously compare to, well, Mike Vrabel. A converted TE who already generates consistent pressure despite being far from a finished product, Barwin?s attitude and versatility have him soaring up draft boards. He?s also an accomplished special teamer and this is a team that has paid Larry Izzo to strictly play special teams for a decade. If the Julius Peppers deal goes down, the Panthers would take the similar Larry English with this pick. 24. Atlanta Falcons: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest Atlanta?s secondary got by on smoke and mirrors quite often in 2008. That?s not to say there isn?t talent, but Smith represents a major upgrade and legit playmaking ability at the corner. Don?t let his size (or lack thereof) fool you--he can play the run just fine and has a lifetime of experience battling taller WRs. 25. Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina Bill Parcells loves the confident, dynamic, big-play wideouts, and his Dolphins don?t have anyone remotely close to that on their roster. Enter Nicks, a tall, strong, sure-handed receiver who can change the way defenses play against them. A birdie has chirped to me they love Connor Barwin if he?s here. 26. Baltimore Ravens: Vontae Davis, CB/S, Illinois Davis has every physical attribute that makes teams salivate, and at times he has translated that into shutdown corner ability. There are concerns over his drive and passion, but Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can do wonders on that front. There is simply too much potential here for Davis to fall too far. 27. Indianapolis Colts: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State His poor Combine showing aside, Laurinaitis is exactly what new coach Jim Caldwell was talking about when he talked about getting bigger, tougher, and nastier up the gut. Stout against the run with vicious hitting that creates fumbles, and capable dropping in coverage and on delay blitzes, Baby Animal shares a lot of characteristics with Brian Urlacher, though his range and speed aren?t that great. Sleeper Pick: Ziggy Hood 27. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): Eben Britton, T, Arizona According to one NFC South assistant coach, Britton provided the best answer of the Combine. When asked what his plan of attack was in pass protection, Britton answered ?Plant him in the ground and make him cry for his mother?. I haven?t verified that quote with Britton, but that kind of nastiness, not to mention his size and ability to play either side make him real attractive to the Eagles. Many Philly fans will bemoan them not using either 1st rounder on a RB, but this is a franchise that has its own drummer playing the draft music. 29. New York Giants: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers The Giants offense was exposed without Plaxico, and with his status cloudy, GM Jerry Reese knows he needs to address the problem. Britt is a legit field stretcher with great size and a knack for playing better when the chips are all in. The chips are always all in for the Giants. After taking care of their defensive needs via free agency and with no Giant-type linemen on the board here, this pick looks a lot clearer. 30. Tennessee Titans: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee A 4-3 edge rusher whose stock continues to rise, Ayers fits in well with what the Titans like to do defensively. The Titans are another team that tends towards the best player available on their board, and I?m told they are quite high on Ayers. 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. And yes, that is carbon copied from the last mock. 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Jackson, DL, LSU Another unchanged pick, though I?m starting to doubt whether the versatile Jackson will still be on the board here. If he?s gone, the Steelers will take the best player on their board from the following positions: C, CB, T, and DT. They would love Alex Mack or Eben Britton. Round 2 33. Detroit Lions: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State 34. New England Patriots (from KC): Chris ?Beanie? Wells, RB, Ohio State 35. St. Louis Rams: Evander ?Ziggy? Hood, DT, Missouri 36. Seattle Seahawks: William Beatty, T, Connecticut 37. Cleveland Browns: Percy Harvin, ATH, Florida 38. Cincinnati Bengals: Jared Cook, TE/WR, South Carolina 39. Oakland Raiders: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois 40. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State 41. Green Bay Packers: Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State 42. San Francisco 49ers: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt 43. Buffalo Bills: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss 44. Denver Broncos: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia 45. Miami Dolphins (from WAS): Eric Wood, C, Louisville 46. New York Giants (from NO): Asher Allen, CB, Georgia 47. Houston Texans: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut 48. New England Patriots (from SD): Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State 49. New York Jets: Fili Moala, DT, USC 50. Chicago Bears: Pat White, QB, West Virginia 51. Cleveland Browns (from TB): Cody Brown, LB, Connecticut 52. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech. With this being their 1st pick, expect Jerry Jones to swing big for Johnson, an underachiever with tremendous potential as a pass rusher. 53. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Smith, DB, Utah 54. Minnesota Vikings: Franz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic 55. New England Patriots: Max Unger, C/G, California 56. Atlanta Falcons: James Casey, TE, Rice 57. Miami Dolphins: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State 58. Baltimore Ravens: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma 59. Carolina Panthers: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah. With their 1st pick the Panthers look to address the spotty pass rush with a quality edge rusher who isn?t afraid to tack inside. 60. Indianapolis Colts: Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon 61. New York Giants: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State 62. Tennessee Titans: Mitch King, DT, Iowa 63. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati 64. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin Round 3 65. Detroit Lions: Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State 66. St. Louis Rams: Deangelo Smith, DB, Cincinnati 67. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina 68. Seattle Seahawks: Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama 69. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Ron Brace, DT, Boston College 70. Cincinnati Bengals: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut 71. Oakland Raiders: Kenny McKinley, WR, South Carolina 72. Jacksonville Jaguars: Herman Johnson, G, LSU 73. Green Bay Packers: Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama 74. San Francisco 49ers: Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona 75. Buffalo Bills: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue 76. Denver Broncos: Scott McKillop, LB, Pittsburgh 77. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas 78. New York Jets (from NO): Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma 79. Houston Texans: Derek Pegues, S, Mississippi State 80. San Diego Chargers: Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty 81. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ): Ashlee Palmer, LB, Ole Miss 82. Chicago Bears: Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia 84. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida 85. Philadelphia Eagles: Patrick Turner, WR, USC 86. Minnesota Vikings: Jamon Meredith, T, South Carolina 87. New England Patriots: Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech 88. Atlanta Falcons: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond 89. Miami Dolphins: Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest 90. Baltimore Ravens: David Veikune, DE, Hawaii 91. Carolina Panthers: Captain Munnerlyn, LB, South Carolina 92. Indianapolis Colts: Sherrod Martin, CB, Troy 93. New York Giants: Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin 94. Tennessee Titans: Louis Murphy, WR, Florida 95. Arizona Cardinals: Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State 96. Pittsburgh Steelers: Austin Collie, WR, BYU Click here to discuss this mock on our forums. --Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com