Final Mock Draft

1. Detroit – Matthew Stafford, QB, UGA

I don't know if he is the best player, but a team coming from the bottom up needs someone to become the face, even if Culpepper is the man to start this season. Not getting Cutler guarantees this pick. If they were guaranteed to get the #1 pick next year I would take Curry now and Bradford next year, but… Having gone back to watch his film, he has all the tools.

2. St Louis – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

LB is a need still, but the replacement for Orlando Pace is here. Some like Smith more, but he is a late riser and the tape may not be as strong for Smith as for Monroe.

3. Kansas City – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Chiefs need some playmakers on defense and Orakpo is a specimen. Some pundits have Curry going here, but I don't see him fitting the bill for KC. Orakpo is a speed rusher and the Chiefs desperately need some sacks. Curry is a chance here as well, but I still see DE is more of a need.

4. Seattle - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Offensive tackle is the talk, but with Peterson gone and Leroy Hill having off-field issues, the Seahawks can setup an impressive young LB group. Late mail has the Squaks interested in Sanchez, but is that a smokescreen??

5. Cleveland Browns – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Browns take the best player on the board and fill a need with the athletic OT.

6. Cincinnati – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The best WR will immediately fill Housh’s spot opposite Ocho Cinco.

7. Oakland – BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

The WR debate is on, but perhaps history shows Al Davis drafts big guys. They signed Khalif Barnes to handle the OL, now they take the DT to fill the gaping holes up front.

8. Jacksonville – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Jags will have seen some good things about his Pro Day and likely schedule him for a private workout. BJ Raji is still a chance, but the Jags front office are now stating a clear desire to still draft O Line even with Tra Thomas. What is with the Mark Sanchez talk. No chance I say. If Crabtree is on the board they take him.

9. Green Bay – Everette Brown, DE/OLB, FSU

The ideal player for the outside backer in the Packers 3-4 they are installing.

10. San Francisco – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

His Pro Day helped is stock and the Niners can't possibly think that Hill or Smith is still the answer.

11. Buffalo – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

The run on quality tackles has left the Bills looking defensive, so an end opposite Schobel is here to add the needed pass rush for Dick Jauron. If Andre Smith was on the board, things might turn.

12. Denver Broncos – Brian Cushing, LB, USC

Maybe they move up to get Sanchez. Maybe they see him fall into their laps. Otherwise they need someone for the 3-4 and Cushing works.

13. Washington – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

With Haynesworth on the inside and Jason Taylor gone, here is a fine pass rusher to spark the Redskins. Watching him against Alabama he was a beast.

14. New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State

Is he a CB or Safety? Who cares, the Saints need both and Jenkins is a great player.

15. Houston - Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State

Back to Back buckeyes. The first RB taken is Wells who fits the zone scheme in Houston better than Moreno and is a great complement to Slaton.

16. San Diego – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

An inside backer is needed for the 3-4 and the USC monster is a perfect fit inside.

17. New York Jets – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Maclin has deep speed and is a dynamic playmaker. He will give whoever the Jets QB is a field stretching target. Do they stretch for Freeman here? My thought is no, but if Sanchez was around... Ultimately, they should have taken Henne last year.

18. Denver (from Chicago) – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

More defensive help please, and with LB covered earlier, here is the perfect 3-4 fit.

19. Tampa Bay – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

Unless Sanchez falls, I think the Leftwich signing points to another position of need and the interior of the DL needs help.

20. Detroit – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

Time to give Stafford some more protection. Oher getting to Detroit is a lucky catch for the Lions.

21. Philadelphia – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Westbrook needs a running mate and with Buckhalter gone, Moreno fits the bill. The Eagles become even more dangerous now.

22. Minnesota – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Minnesota wet their pants at getting Harvin in to complement Berrian and Rice. With Harvin in the slot, Adrian Peterson becomes more of a weapon.

23. New England – Clay Matthews, LB, USC

Matthews is a good fit for the 3-4 and is a Belichick type of player, a possible replacement instantly for Vrabel. Perhaps they look at Larry English as well.

24. Atlanta – Vontae Davis, SB, Illinois

A top corner is needed in Atlanta to help them support the stronger offense. Brandon Pettigrew (OKSt TE) would be an intriguing pickup to help Matt Ryan.

25. Miami – Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

Value here by the truckload to improve the team on D. Alphonso Smith could also have a chance here.

26. Baltimore Ravens – James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio State

A CB is a good chance here, but how about a LB to learn from Ray. Plus, he was a top 15 pick a year ago and now probably unlucky to fall to this spot, but lucky for the Ravens.

27. Indianapolis – Ziggy Hood, DT, Missouri

The Colts need to fix their inside run defense and the big guy from the TIgers is the man. A WR like Nicks would be a strong possibility also.

28. Buffalo – Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

After trading Peters, they need someone to help the OL, so Britton seems likely. Don't discount Brandon Pettigrew if he is on the board.

29. New York Giants – Darius Hayward-Bey, WR, Maryland

We saw how they struggled without Plaxico, so now they need a big athletic target along with their little hands guys and Hayward-Bey is the deep threat.

30. Tennessee – Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC

The value here is too good to pass up as the Titans need a dependable guy.

31. Arizona – Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

The Cards need someone to run with Hightower, so Brown offers versatility in the run game and catching passes.

32. Pittsburgh – Alex Mack, OL, California

If the top CBs are off the board, this is a sure need for the Steelers to boost their OL.