NFL Mock Draft

Figured since I am going to be on the draft floor, might as well throw my hat in the ring and write a mock draft. I will limit it to the top 11 picks so I don't look like a big loser.

1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford - QB - Georgia
The Lions will take another QB of the future at the top of 2009 draft. The Georgia QB might not be the top pick in other drafts, but the Lions need a franchise player and Stafford will try to be that player.

2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
The Rams have many gaps on both sides of the ball at the moment, but the last time they were good, they started by drafting a franchise LT (Orlando Pace), and this seems like a good place to start over.

3. KC Chiefs - Aaron Curry - DE - Penn St.
In desperate need of another pass rushing lineman since the loss of Jared Allen. One of the best athletes in the draft he will make the players around him better including last year's first round selection DL Glenn Dorsey.

4. Seattle Seahawks - Matt Sanchez - QB - USC
Sanchez has been climbing draft boards, and many pundits consider him better than Stafford, but with only one year starting at USC, he might not be ready for prime time that the Lions need. The Seahawks can let Sanchez learn for a year or two under Matt Hasselbeck, and that will make him the choice here.

5. Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
The Browns have many needs and there has been much talk about trading WR Braylon Edwards. If that happens they opt to go WR, but defence wins championships and Orakpo will complement big body Shaun Rodgers well in the trenches.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - Eugene Monroe - OT - Virgina
The Bengals get a gift here with Monroe falling to them at #6. Once again, the Bengals had success when they had a franchise left tackle (Anthony Munoz) and they hope that Monroe can be that guy for them. The other OT available is Andre Smith, but after he had problems during the scouting combine and at his Alabama pro day, the Bengals who have had some bad personalities lately would be good to stay away from him.

7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin - WR - Missouri
Al Davis no matter how old loves speed and therefore Maclin will be the guy for the Raiders. He will be a great target for JaMarcus Russel or new QB Jeff Garcia. He needs to the playmaker for the Oakland team and bring a spark back to the black hole.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - BJ Raji - DT - Boston College
Until two days ago the Jags were looking to take a wide receiver, probably Michael Crabtree, but after the acquisition of Torry Holt, choosing a WR can probably wait till the second round. Instead they will go with Boston College big man BJ Raji to solidify the defence against tough running AFC oppenents.

9. Green Bay Packers - Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
Although defence is probably a greater need, the Packers go oline to protect their greatest investment - QB Aaron Rodgers. Even though Smith had the problems during the combine and pro day, look for the tradition and hard working veteran tackle like Mark Tauscher to groom Andre Smith into a pro bowl caliber tackle.

10. San Francisco 49ers - Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
The 49ers started the "system" team phenomenon with the west coast offence, so drafting a "system" wide receiver shouldn't be a problem for them. Crabtree will make whoever is the QB in San Francisco that much better.

11. Buffalo Bills - Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss
The Bills continue to add name recognition to their roster by taking Oher. The subject of Michael Lewis's 2006 book Blind Side, he has disappointed slightly as Ole Miss as he wasn't as dominant as expected. Still a great run blocker, he will need to improve his pass blocking some, but he will immediately fill the spot vacated by Jason Peters who was recently traded to Philadelphia.

Other Notable first round players that could move up into the top 11;
Everette Brown - DE - Florida St. - Could be a one year college wonder, so teams are being a little cautious.
Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU - Another pass rusher that could help 3-4 defenses.
Beanie Wells - RB - Ohio St. - A big back with speed, will help whoever drafts him. He will most likely be the first RB taken.
Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas St. - A big QB with potential. More likely will go in the 15-20 range, but he has caught the eye of the 49ers, also he was invited to NY to attend the draft so maybe the NFL knows something the rest of us don't.
Clay Matthews - LB - USC - Matthews comes from great football pedigree and will make some team very happy in the mid first round.