MOCK DRAFT (January 16th, 2009)

Here is my “Early Edition” Mock Draft which includes a few updates from readers like you. Now that we know the complete list of underclassmen who have declared we can begin breaking down Positional Rankings. These Rankings will be posted soon.

For now here is my updated Mock. Enjoy!

 

TEAM

PLAYER

SCHOOL

POS

PHOTO

1

Michael Oher

OLE MISS

OT

* Detroit needs help everywhere and with two picks in the 1st Round they can focus on OHER here and take a top DT at pick 20. I know QB is the sexy pick but it starts in the trenches. OT is the safest pick and comes with an * that DET will be fixing the QB problem via Free Agency.

2

Eugene Monroe

VIRGINIA

OT

* The Rams were miserable on offense in 08. The defense wasn’t the greatest either but with Pace hurt every other game there is a definite need for one of the elite O-lineman in this year’s draft. MONROE is a beast and could play RT until Pace decides to retire. Other possibilities include Malcolm Jenkins and Aaron Curry.

3

Andre Smith

‘BAMA

OT

* Kansas City traded away Jared Allen and it showed in 08. No pass rush led to many bad defensive performances for KC. Thigpen played well so taking a QB here might be difficult for the new GM and with no high profile DE in this years draft I have KC taking a standout OT even though 2 have gone off the board already. SMITH should drastically improve the running game in KC.

4

Malcolm Jenkins

OHIO STATE

DB

* The Seahawks have no identity on offense and even with Matt Hasselback healthy he cannot do it all himself. Seattle needs a RB but most importantly a WR. Crabtree makes sense here but I went with JENKINS because Seattle also needs DB help and Malcolm can step in Day 1 and contribute. A WR can be found in the later rounds (maybe not as good as Crabtree but Jenkins could be the next Champ Bailey)

5

Aaron Curry

WAKE FOREST

LB

* I have Cleveland taking Curry here because he is the #1 rated LB in this years draft. He can play inside or outside and can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3. These skills make him very special and Cleveland is in dire need of a pass rusher. CURRY fits the bill perfectly and should make an impression from day 1. Other possibilities include Maualuga or Crabtree.

6

Rey Maualuga

USC

LB

* The Bengals should have 1 goal for 2009 – Protect Carson Palmer. With the top 3 OT’s off the board it would be difficult for Cincy to take an OT here. (They will pray that a QB goes in the top 3) Since Curry is gone I have the Bengals taking MAUALUGA who I beleive is an absolute beast. He can play next to old teammate Rivers and cause complete chaos.

7

Michael Crabtree

TEXAS TECH

WR

* Oakland could go many ways with this pick and it makes sense to focus the attention to defense. But this is the Raiders we are talking about so they will take the high profile pick and this year that guy is CRABTREE.  WR is a need in Oakland so this pick is not a bad one as Crabbtree should rise to the ranks of elite WR’s (even if he is a Raider)

8

Jeremy Maclin

MISSOURI

WR

* What a disappointing 2008 season. The Jags need their offense to stay healthy and they need David Garrard to play better. Garrard needs some help and cannot depend on MJD on every play. They have no big play WR and if MACLIN was brought in they could establish a down field threat they have been missing for years.

9

Brian Orakpo

TEXAS

DE

* The Packers have the pieces on offense to make a big splash in 09 but they need to improve their defense. Both corners are getting old in GB and so Vontae Davis is a possibility here but I went with ORAKPO to shore up the DL unit and attempt to stop the run. Brian was a Sack master at Texas and should give this dead defense some CPR.

10

Mark Sanchez

USC

QB

* The 49ers need a franchise QB. Stafford is still available but SANCHEZ is the hometown hero and my #1 rated QB. He has the arm to be a franchise QB; he just lacks the experience/starts. Alex Smith might be shown the door due to his high salary and with the emergence of Shaun Hill SANCHEZ could sit for a year and take over the team in 2010.

11

Matt Stafford

GEORGIA

QB

* Buffalo needs a playmaker on offense and with Crabtree off the board I went with a QB here. STAFFORD has all the tools to excel in the NFL so if he falls outside of the Top 10 he will be to hard to pass up for Buffalo. The Bills have no threat at QB and need a franchise guy to command the offense.

12

BJ Raji

BOSTON     COLLEGE

DT

* The Bronco’s had an explosive offense in 08 but still trailed many of their games late. Defense was the biggest problem (even more so than using 7 or 8 RB’s) Plugging up the middle has been a problem for the Denver defense for years and they need a run stuffer desperately. RAJI is my DT off the board and I think he deserves it. The DT class isn’t the strongest this year but he is a stud and should showcase that at the Combine.

13

Jason Smith

BAYLOR

OT

* Washington fell apart towards the end of 08 and while many people are pointing the finger at the offense I think the whole team just packed it in early. The Redskin running game is solid due largely in part to the stellar OL but that OL is getting old. SMITH would be a value and depth pick here at #13. He could start from day 1 and could push a veteran to the bench.

14

Vontae Davis

ILLINOIS

DB

* The Saints had a QB throw for 5000 yards, they find a RB in P. Thomas and still they are unable to stop anyone on defense. The Saints need a shut down corner on their defense and DAVIS should be a stud at the next level. If he falls this far the Saints fans should be very happy as there is talk of him overtaking Jenkins at #1 DB by the Combine.

15

Aaron Maybin

PENN STATE

DE

* Houston needs some help on defense and MAYBIN can be the explosive player they need to generate sacks. He is very quick but he is also very raw so this could very much so be a developmental pick depending on how Houston would use him. Regardless the defense needs a boost so the best Defensive player available should be taken here.

16

James Laurinitus

OHIO STATE

LB

17

Everette Brown

FLORIDA STATE

DE/LB

18

William Moore

MISSOURI

S

19

Tyson Jackson

LSU

DE

20

Sen’Derrick Marks

AUBURN

DT

21

Chris “Beanie” Wells

OHIO STATE

RB

22

Percy Harvin

FLORIDA

WR

23

Clint Sintim

VIRGINIA

LB

24

DJ Moore

VANDERBILT

DB

25

Michael Johnson

GEORGIA TECH

DE

26

Darius Heyward-Bey

MARYLAND

WR

27

Peria Jerry

OLE MISS

DT

28

Brandon Pettigrew

OKLAHOMA STATE

TE

29

Brian Cushing

USC

LB

30

Eben Britton

ARIZONA

OT

31

Knowshon Moreno

GEORGIA

RB

32

Duke Robinson

OKLAHOMA

OG