Sideline Scouting

The NFL Draft is officially just 30 days away. On April 25th, we will begin a new era in the NFL with the likes of Matt Stafford and Aaron Curry joining the likes of Peyton Manning and James Harrison on the gridiron. With just a month to go, you can expect to see a barrage of mock drafts raining down from Sideline Scouting as we postulate our formula like it is an exact science.

While mocking the draft is far from an exact science, you can compete to win up to $500 in prizes by participating in Sideline Scouting’s very own Mock Madness! Click here to enter and submit your picks.

Now, the first round projections from Sideline Scouting’s very own Pete Dymeck.

1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford (Georgia)
If the Wonderlic test is of any indication, Stafford will be the top overall choice after he scored a 38 on the test.

2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
The release of OT Orlando Pace broadens the need for a left tackle in St. Louis.

3. Kansas City Chiefs - I/OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
Other positions hold more value than a linebacker but the acquisition of QB Matt Cassel only solidifies this pick for Kansas City.

4. Seattle Seahawks - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Seattle traded for DT Cory Redding and signed DT Colin Cole. That eliminates the need for DT B.J. Raji just as much as the signing of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh eliminates the need for WR Michael Crabtree. OT is their biggest priority.

5. Cleveland Browns - OLB/DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
On the down-low, HC Eric Mangini is making it pretty clear that he wants his own QB. A new regime typically translates to a new QB. Still, a Sanchez pick here is enticing but the Browns have bigger problems that begin on defense.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
HC Marvin Lewis coached Raji at the Senior Bowl and looked sharply interested in this former Eagle.

7. Oakland Raiders - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
Just look at Al Davis’ draft history. Maybin blew scouts away at the Penn State pro day with his improved athleticism after adding weight. Maybin is beginning to draw comparisons to Vernon Gholston but Maybin’s play on Saturday’s was much more impressive than Gholston’s.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
For those that don’t think Crabtree can fall this far, I easily recall RB Adrian Peterson sliding to this point a couple of years ago.

9. Green Bay Packers - OLB/DE Everette Brown (Florida State)
Quality depth and a pass rushing presence will be needed for the new 3-4 scheme in Packerland.

10. San Francisco 49ers - QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
Niners fans are not happy about the possibility of their team drafting Sanchez. The question begs to be asked — How far can he slide before someone trades up for him?

11. Buffalo Bills - DE Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech)
The fact of the matter is that Johnson boosted himself back into the first round after his pro day showing. Buffalo needs a quality DE bad and they haven’t been too shy to reach for a player before either.

12. Denver Broncos - OLB/DE Clay Matthews (USC)
After upsetting one of the best, young QBs in the league, we have no idea what Denver might do next. Matthews would “ideologically” fill a need here.

13. Washington Redskins - OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
With right tackle being a huge need and this team having an owner with more ego than smarts, expect them to do something crazy and reach for Smith at this juncture of the draft, despite Smith’s “Chris Farley”-like athleticism.

14. New Orleans Saints - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
Jenkins still might settle in at safety on the next level. This is a no-brainer for the Saints.

15. Houston Texans - RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State)
Houston filled needs with good free agency signings. Acquiring a powerful back to compliment Steve Slaton’s speed is high on their priority list.

16. San Diego Chargers - DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
Igor Olshansky is no longer a Charger and Jackson would fit their style of defense perfectly.

17. New York Jets - RB Knowshon Moreno (Georgia)
Thomas Jones is 31 and may hold out this summer. Rex Ryan was a party to the three-headed monster in Baltimore which helped guide QB Joe Flacco and the offense to a post-season berth.

18. Chicago Bears - OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss)
The Bears will need to take an OT in the first round for the second consecutive season. Especially since OT John St. Clair has now bounced from the Windy City.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
This seems like a foregone conclusion for Tampa Bay. It’ll make QB Josh Johnson’s stomach hurt though.

20. Detroit Lions (via DAL) - OT Eben Britton (Arizona)
Detroit can lock up its left tackle position with Britton. Gosder Cherilus on the right side isn’t bad either.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
This would be the fourth time in the last five drafts that Andy Reid has spent a first pick on a defensive lineman.

22. Minnesota Vikings - OT William Beatty (Connecticut)
A right tackle is mandatory for HC Brad Childress and company.

23. New England Patriots - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
Davis ran a 4.40-forty at his pro day but issues regarding his character and coverage skills will still cause him to slide.

24. Atlanta Falcons - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
Talks with TE L.J. Smith failed and then he bailed to Baltimore and signed with the Ravens. Pettigrew is surely a top ten talent.

25. Miami Dolphins - CB Darius Butler (Connecticut)
The staff in Miami has strong ties to UConn plus the ‘Phins lack any potential across from CB Will Allen.

26. Baltimore Ravens - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
The fact of the matter is that most draft pundits are coming back to their senses and acknowledging the fact that wide-out’s slide on draft day.

27. Indianapolis Colts - DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss)
It would be a shame if a player of his magnitude would fall into the laps of the Colts.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (via CAR) - OC/OG Alex Mack (California)
Another less-than exciting draft for Andy Reid and company. An interior lineman is needed though.

29. New York Giants - OLB Brian Cushing (USC)
Is it really fathomable that Cushing could go before Rey Maualuga? Yes! Linebackers have a strong tendency to fall on draft day, just like wide-out’s. Cushing would provide insurance for Michael Boley, just in case Boley doesn’t pan out.

30. Tennessee Titans - CB D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt)
Cornerback is this team’s strongest need, even after losing DT Albert Haynesworth.

31. Arizona Cardinals - ILB Rey Maualuga (USC)
Not a priority but HC Ken Whisenhunt brought the Pittsburgh philosophy with him to the desert — You can never have too many linebackers.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB/S Sean Smith (Utah)
Fills a growing void in the Steelers secondary.