Here's a first round mock draft of ProFootball Weekly.
1. Detroit Lions
QB Matthew Stafford* / Georgia
The odds are against one-year wonders such as Mark Sanchez panning out in the NFL, and Stafford clearly has more physical tools. The key for new head coach Jim Schwartz will be finding an offensive coaching staff that can develop QB talent — something Mark Richt and his staff struggled to do at Georgia.
2. St. Louis Rams
OLT Eugene Monroe / Virginia
The Rams had targeted OLT Jake Long in last year’s draft but were forced to settle for DE Chris Long instead, leaving a gaping hole on an offensive line that needs to be completely rebuilt. The Rams should have their choice of tackles and will create another run on the position like there was a year ago. It would not be a surprise if Baylor’s Jason Smith wound up being the Rams’ top-rated tackle when the dust settles.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
OLB Everette Brown* / Florida State
New GM Scott Pioli is expected to put his stamp on the organization quickly and, having scouted for a 30-front most of his career, is expected to make the transition sooner than later. It may seem early for a pass rusher, but the Buccaneers seriously discussed drafting DeMarcus Ware in the week before the 2005 draft, when they wound up selecting Cadillac Williams, and instead now have a china doll in the backfield instead of the best defensive player in football. Not since the days of Derrick Thomas have the Chiefs had a pass rusher as dynamic as Brown. His character is very strong and will give Pioli comfort if he could get past the “bust” label that too many Florida State pass rushers have earned in the NFL.
4. Seattle Seahawks
OLT Jason Smith / Baylor
With Walter Jones not able to finish the season as a result of injuries, GM Tim Ruskell needs to begin thinking about securing the edges before he thinks about upgrading the QB position. The fast-learning Smith has the aggressive temperament to begin his career on the right side opposite a future Hall of Famer and eventually slide in at left tackle.
5. Cleveland Browns
RB Chris “Beanie” Wells* / Ohio State
After Vernon Gholston failed to get on the field even on special teams, Eric Mangini could be gun-shy about selecting another 3-4 rush linebacker projection. Jamal Lewis is not getting any younger, and in the black-and-blue AFC North division, the Browns sorely need a young bell cow to pound the rock inside to complement Jerome Harrison. Wells’ durability and practice habits could be issues that force his stock to slide. Still, there’s a good chance the Browns wind up with a Buckeye in the first round this year, as Wells’ teammate Malcolm Jenkins would fill a glaring need at cornerback and has the size and emotional leadership qualities so difficult to find in a cornerback.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
WR Michael Crabtree* / Texas Tech
With T.J. Houshmandzadeh hitting free agency and Chad Ocho Cinco’s mood changing every time the wind blows, the Bengals could rebuild the offense around a big-play receiver. Some questions have begun to emerge about Crabtree’s character, but owner Mike Brown has shown he is willing to roll the dice on immense talent.
7. Oakland Raiders
WR Jeremy Maclin* / Missouri
Al Davis selected JaMarcus Russell two years ago and must continue to find pieces to support his growth. Darren McFadden did not make nearly the instant impact that Adrian Peterson made in his first season, not surprisingly, but adding a versatile vertical threat like Maclin would open up the offense for Russell and McFadden and give the Raiders a dynamic group of triplets.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
OLB Aaron Curry / Wake Forest
With GM Gene Smith making the final call, expect the Jaguars to put a greater emphasis on character and recognize true value. Curry’s ability to interchange at any LB spot makes him extremely valuable for a defensive-minded head coach like Jack Del Rio.
9. Green Bay Packers
CB Malcolm Jenkins / Ohio State
With Charles Woodson likely to be transitioned to safety, as he was late this season when injuries struck the Packers’ secondary, the Packers need to bolster what was one of the NFL’s best secondaries. What better environment for a cornerback to be groomed than under the wing of a future Hall of Famer such as Woodson?
10. San Francisco 49ers
ILB Rey Maualuga / USC
Maualuga may not fit Mike Singletary’s character profile, but the Niners struck gold with the selection of a linebacker at the No. 11 spot two years ago and could have the game’s top inside linebacking tandem in the league by adding this fearless striker next to Pro Bowler Patrick Willis. What better way to begin the Samurai era by the bay than to bolster the middle of the defense?
11. Buffalo Bills
TE Brandon Pettigrew / Oklahoma State
The value of a complete tight end who can dominate as a blocker will not be lost on Dick Jauron and draft boss Tom Modrak, and after losing Kevin Everett to injury two years ago, the Bills need to address the TE position.
12. Denver Broncos
OLB Brian Orakpo / Texas
With new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan likely to install his preferred 30-front in Denver, it will be critical to have a pass-rushing dynamo off the edges, and Orakpo knows how to bring it.
13. Washington Redskins
OT-OG Andre Smith* / Alabama
Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen both are showing signs of their age and have been unable to stay healthy in recent years, creating a need to be addressed on the offensive line. Smith could wind up being best inside and begin his career at guard and potentially kick outside when needed.
14. New Orleans Saints
OLB James Laurinaitis / Ohio State
GM Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton had made the decision to draft A.J. Hawk four years ago before Reggie Bush surprisingly fell into their laps. Jonathan Vilma is coming off a fine season, but he could use more help on his flanks where Laurinaitis could be best. Laurinaitis never will be a thumper, but he is big, strong and fast and has all the intangibles that Payton seeks to bring a presence to the defensive side of the ball.
15. Houston Texans
DT B.J. Raji / Boston College
Gary Kubiak knows the value of a good lineman and has made a habit of drafting in the trenches since he took over the club. Amobi Okoye has turned out to be the flash in a pan that some evaluators thought he was in college, creating a pressing need inside. Raji has the strength to hold the point and enough quickness to create some pressure and could bring value at either DT position.
16. San Diego Chargers
LB Brian Cushing / USC
Cushing can play inside or outside and has the physical, all-out playing demeanor that a hardened, old-school GM such as A.J. Smith tends to fall in love with. With Shawne Merriman entering the final year of his contract and coming off injury, it’s time to beef up the linebacking unit.
17. New York Jets
QB Mark Sanchez* / USC
Brett Favre’s arm was dead at the end of the season, and the Jets could sorely use a live arm to throw in the strong Meadowlands winds. GM Mike Tannenbaum is starting fresh with a new head coach and could give the organization a new face, as well, with the spunky, young signalcaller.
18. Chicago Bears
DE Aaron Maybin* / Penn State
GM Jerry Angelo will be craving another taste of the Penn State apple after Michael Haynes turned out to be too much of a nice guy five years prior. Maybin has elite first-step quickness and could bring the edge burst that the Bears’ defense sorely lacked last season. With DL specialist Rod Marinelli now in tow, the Bears have the right man in place to develop pass-rushing talent.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DLE Tyson Jackson / LSU
With Kevin Carter entering what may be his final year, the Buccaneers have a mentor in place who could help groom Jackson into the rock they need on the left side to stop the power “0” and improve their run defense. Many league insiders have suggested the Bucs could be hesitant to ever draft another LSU defensive lineman after they had problems with Booger McFarland, but the Bucs do a good job of maintaining their poker face about their draft intentions.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
CB Vontae Davis* / Illinois
It is still highly debated what carries a bigger premium — a shutdown cornerback or an elite pass rusher. Physically, there is no more gifted cornerback in the draft than Davis. The question is whether he can be managed, and after having dealt with a loose cannon like Albert Haynesworth for so many years in Tennessee, here’s guessing that Jim Schwartz will think he can keep another high-maintenance, elite talent in line.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
OT Eben Britton* / Arizona
With Tra Thomas deteriorating fast and Jon Runyan hitting free agency, Andy Reid must address the OT position early. With two first-round picks this year, the Eagles are a prime player to package the picks to land their guy. All indications are that Winston Justice is a bust, but he could be given a chance on the left side, while Britton could plug the hole on the right. The demand for tackles could force Britton to be drafted sooner than his talent warrants similar to Sam Baker last year.
22. Minnesota Vikings
ORT Michael Oher / Mississippi
The Vikings’ most pressing need is clearly at quarterback, but with Brad Childress’ clock winding down, he will need to find a veteran quarterback who can help immediately. With ORT Ryan Cook’s short arms giving him too much trouble on the outside, the Vikings could use another tackle opposite Bryant McKinnie to clear holes for the game’s most competitive runner, Adrian Peterson.
23. New England Patriots
OLB Clint Sintim / Virginia
Jerod Mayo was a stallion inside in 2008, and the Patriots need to continue finding fresher legs for an aging group of linebackers. Sintim hails from one of the few programs that runs a 30-front similar to the Patriots’, and Bill Belichick could feel comfortable trusting that he knows every detail about Sintim from one of his former coaches, Al Groh.
24. Atlanta Falcons
DT Peria Jerry / Mississippi
GM Thomas Dimitroff fooled many prognosticators when he went against the Patriots’ philosophy of drafting defensive linemen and selected a surefire solution at the QB position, but expect Dimitroff to get back on course this year and plug the hole that remains in the middle of his defense.
25. Miami Dolphins
OLB Clay Matthews / USC
Joey Porter proved he could still rush the passer once he was moved to the weak side, but he is not getting any younger, and the Dolphins could use another spark on the other side where Matt Roth was OK. Matthews has the size, toughness, athletic ability and bloodlines to command strong attention from Fins grand poobah Bill Parcells.
26. Baltimore Ravens
OLB Larry English / Northern Illinois
With Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott hitting free agency at the same time, the Ravens could have a difficult time keeping the core of their LB unit intact. The most valuable piece of a 30-front is its edge rushers, and if English can be groomed under Suggs for a season, it could give the Ravens options next year.
27. Indianapolis Colts
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey* / Maryland
With Marvin Harrison on his last legs, the Colts’ offense was not quite as explosive last year. Heyward-Bey has the blazing speed to run by defenses and would be an excellent speed complement to Reggie Wayne.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)
CB Alphonso Smith / Wake Forest
With Lito Sheppard likely on his way out, the Eagles could use a third cornerback. Smith’s diminutive size will scare some teams, but he could be very efficient in Jim Johnson’s defense the same way Antoine Winfield has been for Johnson protégé Leslie Frazier in the same scheme in Minnesota.
29. New York Giants
WR Kenny Britt* / Rutgers
With Plaxico Burress not likely to return amidst legal trouble, the Giants need another big target for Eli Manning. GM Jerry Reese has shown he likes big-time talent with a swagger. Britt has never been short on confidence.
30. Tennessee Titans
QB Josh Freeman* / Kansas State
The Titans are in position to think about the future, and with solid receivers to be found in coming rounds, they could take a gamble on the only other bona fide passing prospect in the draft with Kerry Collins hitting free agency and not guaranteed to be back.
31. Arizona Cardinals**
RB Knowshon Moreno* / Georgia
Edgerrin James’ time has run out in Arizona, and Tim Hightower has shown he can handle some of the hard carries between the tackles. What the Cardinals could sorely use is a dynamic complementary back, and Moreno perfectly fits the mold of a tough Ken Whisenhunt-type back. Moreno’s talent suggests he should be drafted sooner, but with few teams needing a premier runner, backs could slide this year.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers**
C Max Unger / Oregon
The Steelers’ most glaring hole is on the offensive line. What better way to improve than select a five-position player who can be plugged in at any spot? Unger’s versatility could potentially bring him off the draft board in the first round, especially once the elite OT talent clears out early.
