Regan21286's Mock Draft

1.Detroit - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Lions could go with LT but Schwartz knows the value of having a good QB. Backus is a decent though much maligned stopgap which has many people thinking Smith or Monroe. At this stage, the Lions need someone to rally around and Stafford's as good as any for their system. With a good chunk of OT's in this year's draft, they can afford to wait till later to get one. QB's are a different story.

2.St. Louis - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

With Pace's leaving, the already disastrous Ram OL gets even worse. There's a reason their QB's have been eating astroturf and making daily trips to the doctor's office. Smith could use a little more size but his technical skills will allow him to manage on his own against rushers. S-Jax will get his yards. Rams need someone to help Bulger get his.

3.Kansas City - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The LB crew for the Chiefs was underwhelming and they have a group of aging veterans. But I think they'll wait later to draft a LB and here they'll try to fix a WR crew that fields only Dwayne Bowe as a notable. Crabtree's style of play should be a good complement to Bowe's deep threat. Curry is a strong possibility but the inability of the Chiefs to find a suitable sidekick for Bowe warrants this pick.

4.Seattle - Mark Sanchez, QB, U$C

The Seahawks have been very interested in Sanchez especially on his Pro Day performance. Sanchez is a great QB for a WCO system, where it's all about timing and rhythm, that the Hawks use and Matt Hasselbeck is showing wear and tear. There's a reason they spent a lot of time with the U$C QB. Seneca Wallace has fared well but isn't an appealing option next to a franchise signal caller like Sanchez. This best suits the Hawks in the long run because Sanchez will peak right when Hasselbeck hangs it up.

5.Cleveland - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas

Mangini won't hesitate to use this pick of Orakpo. The Browns LB's have played poorly or not at all and Orakpo could fix that. He can make an immediate impact and fits well as an OLB in a 3-4. The Browns didn't rush the passer well and that comes up Orakpo's alley. Like Gholston, he's going to need to make a transition.

6.Cincinnati - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Curry is everything the current Bengals's haven't been. Superb character and incredible intangibles. He's athletically gifted and ready to be an immediate starter. There's little that hasn't already been said about this fine LB prospect.

7.Oakland - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

If Tom Cable's running the show, Monroe will be the pick. He's an ex-OL coach who's preferences mirrors that of Monroe. The Raiders did sign Khalif Barnes and have a very underrated LT in Mario Henderson but Monroe will be too good to ignore. Maclin may be a small reach and DT could need work. But Cable's an OL guy and he loves the position.

8.Jacksonville - Rey Maualuga, LB, U$C

The LB crew for the Jags is abysmal and Del Rio goes with a fellow LB from his alma mater. Playmaking is a rarity for the Jags since Peterson left and Maualuga brings exactly that. He's someone who can blitz and drop back, two entities missing last year.

9.Green Bay - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Jackson is a great fit for what the Packers aim to do. Has the size and upside they need at 3-4 DE to compete with the Packers converted DT's. They may also look at Raji but I think they can live with Pickett and Jolly in the middle.

10.San Francisco - BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

Sopoaga has been on and off for the 49er's and often needs a breather. Raji will accomplish that and he could drop over his recent allegations. Singletary wants toughness and that's up Raji's alley. They could go DE or OLB but Raji gives them a stout run stuffer on the line.

11.Buffalo - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

After trading away Jason Peters, they find a big gaping hole in their OL at LT. Oher is a boom or bust player who the Bills will probably take a gamble on like most other things.

12.Denver - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

With the Bronco pass rush in disarray, they turn to Ayers to give them a quick jolt. Reid and Peterson aren't appetizing choices and Ayers has good athleticism and upside to warrant this pick. Brown doesn't quite fit the new 3-4 but Ayers has the size and experience to do so. Broncos are gambling and this could be one.

13.Washington - Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

The DE that better suits the Redskins D falls here. After years of under-performing DE's and a poor pass rush last year, Brown could give them someone of note. Brown is a strong pass rusher who could even start for this depleted team.

14.New Orleans - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, OSU

Greer and Gay have their issues and Porter is just starting to come on. McKensie isn't getting any younger either. Saints finished pretty poorly against the pass last year and with them having heavy interest in Ohio State products, could go with Jenkins. Jenkins can play either CB or FS, another position of need considering Roman Harper and Darren Sharper have each lost a step.

15.Houston - Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State.

What they really need is a DT in case Johnson continues to underperform and Okoye regresses or gets moved to DE. But no DT is worth picking here or can drop here. The Texans have a good young LB crew backed up by veterans so Cushing/Matthews may wait. Maybin is a bit of a tweener that they can either shift to SLB who can blitz or a sidekick DE to Super Mario.

16.San Diego - Brian Cushing, LB, U$C

Chargers had some LB woes inside. Cushing is a talented LB who could be insurance in case Merriman doesn't return. He's an effective blitzer and underrated in coverage which suits the Chargers well.

17.New York - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Moreno comes in to a chorus of Jets boos from those clamoring for a more sexy pick. But with Thomas Jones hitting that golden age and Leon Washington crying for a new contract, Moreno can come right in and be a physical runner. Even if Washington is re-signed, the two make a good thunder and lightning combo.

18.Denver - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

The Broncos need DE's and they're willing to pick a 2nd one to give the current converting DT's some competition for the 3-4. He has athleticism to play the position and that's enough for them to choose him with this pick.

19.Tampa Bay - Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

Lots of ways they can go here. A DE to help out Gaines Adams and replace Kevin Carter, a QB that Raheem Morris has extensive connections with, or a DT to stop the run. Tampa had real issues against the run and with a guy like Jim Bates calling the shots defensively, Jerry is the right pick for them. Chris Hovan is aging, Ryan Sims showed hints, but Jerry solidifies things. At DE, Greg Stylez White is still a good pass rusher and Jimmy Wilkerson displayed a very strong surge with 5 sacks in only a few starts. Bates and the staff are very gushing over him and he's dropped 20 pounds to play LDE, where he is left-handed.

20.Detroit - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Britton has potential and the tools to be an effective LT. Could likely learn next to Jeff Backus. Is rather raw but he could have time if Backus holds the fort for another year. After selecting Stafford, they need someone to protect him in the future.

21.Philadelphia - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin completes his fall to an Eagles team that has faced injuries under Brown and Curtis. A dynamic playmaker, he essentially becomes a twin with DeSean Jackson for the Eagles receiving corps that sees a lot of balls headed their way.

22.Minnesota - Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

After trading for Sage Rosenfels, the Vikings don't quite have a good enough WR crew to complement. They've been known to gamble on WR's for better or worse. Berrian is a good speed receiver and Wade is a solid slot WR, but Sidney Rice has underperformed. In comes another WR project who's raw. But Childress's neck is on the line for the offense outside of AP, Berrian, and Shiancoe.

23.New England - Clay Matthews, OLB, U$C

With Seau aging and Vrabel gone, the Patriots love drafting LB's especially one with such connections to the Patriots HC. Belichick coached Clay Matthews II with the Browns and will have good reason to pick III. III is a good fit for the Patriots D and displays everything the Pats are looking for. Belichick is no stranger to liking familiarities (much like Parcells). They were very high on Zak DeOssie.

24.Atlanta - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

Mike Peterson is aging, Lofton had a great year though could still use some help, and Coy Wire outplayed Michael Boley against the run but is a backup at best. James Laurinaitis brings to the team a rangy and stout LB to cover the run and make tackles. He could be a good Brooking replacement.

25.Miami - Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

Parcells and Co. have hard-ons for LB's. They will draft LB/DE even if they have every the All-Rookie and All-Pro's out there. They will draft them until all 53 players on the roster are LB's. Well, ok, maaaaybe not that much. But they want LB's. With English and others taken, Sintim becomes their pick. Can drop back in coverage well and is a decent tackler. Al Groh knows Parcells and will give nothing but praise for Sintim. And he's a LB? That's good enough for Parcells and Co.

26.Baltimore - Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

The Ravens WR corps is just abysmal. Not as much as ours was but still bad. They have a WR capable of spreading the field in Clayton. But now they need someone who can replace Mason in slant routes and that medium-long range. Nicks fits the profile to a T. Flacco can find him running the right routes and getting open.

27Indianapolis - Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois

The Colts will be intrigued by English and will take a flyer to see if he can play well in a 4-3. They want to get a little bigger in the LB corps and want someone to give Philip Wheeler some competition. Enter English.

28.Buffalo - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The Buffalo Bills need a TE like Pettigrew to give Bent Edwards a safety valve he's lacked for years. Pettigrew is a good blocker and an underrated receiver who can fill that role and replace Robert Royal on that motley of poor receiving TE's.

29New York - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

Giants need a WR. They also need one tall enough who can leap for Eli's gliding floaters. When the Giants lacked that tall WR, Eli's production dipped and interceptions rose as his lofty passes sailed past receivers. Britt has an attitude (though not the diva people make him out to be) but one this team could use a bit of. And he won't shoot himself.

30.Tennessee - Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

They lost Haynesworth. And right now they have a glut of undersized DT's who can't push past paper at times. That's why they reach a bit for DT Ron Brace, who has the size and style of play similar to Haynesworth's. Brace is a good run stuffer and has underrated footwork to warrant this need pick.

31.Arizona - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Wells's durability issues find him dropping this far and he's a good complement to Tim Hightower. He's a power runner with a bit more agility than Hightower at a position that the Cardinals have a high need for.

32.Pittsburgh - Max Unger, C/OG, Oregon

Max Unger has the traits Steelers fans have known for years. Hard-working blue-collar player who is physical and versatile. Will need to bulk up a bit to play at the next level but he has the tenacity the Steelers OL has lacked last year.

Rest of Miami's picks:

2(44) CB Sean Smith – Plus size corner is an intriguing project for a team that could use some help at CB.
2(56) DE Paul Kruger - It's the Utah 2nd round for the Phins, who nab a good 3-4 DE and pass rusher.
3(87) NT Dorrel Scott – Nose tackles are a premium and the FO needs someone to replace Ferguson and give Soliai some competition
4(108) CB Keenan Lewis – Lewis is a physical corner who likes to mix it up with WR's
5(161) WR Patrick Turner – Plus size WR who runs good routes and is a slower Keyshawn Johnson? Suits Bill.
6(181) OG Jaimie Thomas – Guard depth could use some work and FO is looking at Maryland projects intensely
7(214) LB Robert Francois – Underrated but physical LB could be a ST stud.
7(237) RB Josh Vaughan – Small School RB could turn heads.

 

He could play the OLB position like Roth but I think he does have the frame to bulk up and be something special at DE. The few weeks at TC will really determine his final role.

 

Pretty much. If every team picked the way everyone else wants them to, we wouldn't need GM's.

 

I usually put one out though this year was a bit delayed from normal. Originally I considered Nicks because I like him over the rest but with this FO, I felt there was no chance for a WR early unless someone said the wrong name over the phone to the commish's office. If we had Nicks first (or the extremely rare chance of getting Britt), I'd be very happy. Likely not happening but it's how I see it unfolding.