1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford (Georgia)
The word we are getting is that this pick is basically set in stone. Nothing too sexy about it. Expect a contract to be finalized in a week or two between the Lions and Stafford.
2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
Cemented into this position, we think that Jason Smith could be the next Duane Brown. Remember, Duane Brown was a surprise first round pick by the Houston Texans a year ago that blossomed into an every game starter at left tackle after converting to that position from tight end at Virginia Tech.
As we all know, Smith journeyed down a similar path as he converted from tight end to left tackle at Baylor.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Our first change at the top of the draft in weeks! Monroe played under HC Al Groh at Virginia. Al Groh worked with new Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and new Chiefs HC Todd Haley previously with the Jets. Let’s not forget that the Chiefs drafted OT Branden Albert, a Virginia product, last year in the first round. Are you connecting the dots?
Aaron Curry is being billed as a “can’t miss” prospect but that is a farce as their are no “can’t miss” prospects. It is being revealed that while this organization likes what they see in Curry, the safer pick is Eugene Monroe. Fundamentally-speaking, football games are won upfront.
4. Seattle Seahawks - OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
The Seahawks have stated that they are set with Walter Jones & Sean Locklear at the tackle positions. They also acquired DT Cory Redding via trade and signed DT Colin Cole, relinquishing the need for a DT right away. Add in the fact that DT Brandon Mebane is coming of age.
The trade of Julian Peterson to the Detroit Lions opens up a slot at weakside linebacker for Seattle. D.D. Lewis is slotted to start unless the ‘Hawks do something like draft the best player available, Aaron Curry.
5. Cleveland Browns - OLB/DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
The addition of a pass rusher is needed in Cleveland. The Browns are set to visit with Brian Orakpo shortly and if all goes as planned, he will be the new regime’s first choice in the draft. Add in the fact that new HC Eric Mangini has compared Orakpo to Vernon Gholston, and we have a prophesy waiting to be fulfilled.
Remember, Gholston was drafted in the first round of the 2008 draft by the New York Jets. The head coach of that team was Eric Mangini.
6. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
The truth is… I hate this pick. Andre Smith has not deemed himself worthy of a first round pick but the Bengals need for an offensive lineman will make Who-Dey fans scream in horror when they hear Smith’s name called on draft day.
We are in the business of mocking the draft, as in predicting on how it will pan out, not where we think a player should get drafted if we were pulling the levers.
7. Oakland Raiders - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin
Derrick Burgess is an able-bodied pass rusher but his best days are probably behind him. The rest of the depth at defensive end is incredibly suspect. Maybin added lean muscle and improved on his workout numbers from the combine by flashing his speed at the Penn State pro day. Al Davis loves workout warriors and he has one here.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
We are 85% sure that the Jaguars will trade out of this pick. It is no secret that they do not want to pay anyone top ten dollars. Add in the fact that they have too many holes to fill and this spot gives draft analysts’ everywhere headaches. Still, considering that they have not traded this pick, they get the best long-term value with Jenkins, a guy who is ready to step in and play now.
9. Green Bay Packers - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
Justin Harrell, a former first round pick at DT, will be lucky to make the roster in 2009. The new 3-4 scheme will demand serious attention at nose tackle and Raji is capable of being “that” guy.
10. San Francisco 49ers - DE/OLB Clay Matthews (USC)
Mike Singletary, the new, full-time head coach for the San Francisco 49ers wants winners. He is right, you can’t win without winners and he would get a winner with Matthews. Clay Matthews, a former walk-on at USC, is the epitome of what HC Mike Singletary is looking for.
11. Buffalo Bills - DE Everette Brown (Florida State)
This is an easy pick for the Bills, as long as they don’t screw it up. A pass rusher is needed and it is extremely important that they do not pass on our top pass rusher in this draft.
12. Denver Broncos - DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
This former LSU stand-out has the perfect frame and technique to play DE in a 3-4 scheme. The Broncos can stabilize their foundation on defense with this pick. We at Sideline Scouting are advocates for building a defense and letting the offense come around.
13. Washington Redskins - QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
The relationship between QB Jason Campbell and the front office in D.C. is beginning to fray. His contract expires after 2009 and he is not getting an extension. The Redskins are bringing Mark Sanchez in for a second private workout. Campbell is not attached to HC Jim Zorn either.
The Redskins believe they are set on defense with DT Albert Haynesworth so look for them to address the horrid QB situation.
14. New Orleans Saints - WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
Wide receivers have a tendency to slide on draft day. This is not a need whatsoever for Crabtree but HC Sean Payton probably would not pass up on this opportunity. Imagine QB Drew Brees throwing the ball to Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, Lance Moore… and Michael Crabtree.
15. Houston Texans - OLB Brian Cushing (USC)
Houston adds another weapon to their defense, one which will be very exciting to watch in 2009. The added dimension of Cushing to this defense is necessary and addresses the biggest need for this growing franchise.
16. San Diego Chargers - OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss)
With no viable option at defensive end here, the Chargers fail to pass on the best offensive tackle remaining. In regards to Oher, we think he should be a top ten selection.
17. New York Jets - RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State)
This pick would help the Jets win now instead of waiting for QB Josh Freeman to develop. Add in the fact that Thomas Jones may be heading for a holdout. Expect to see a less-than illustrious camp battle between Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff for the starting QB job.
18. Denver Broncos (From Chicago) - DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss)
First Tyson Jackson, second Peria Jerry. Jerry is my favorite defensive lineman prospect outside of Everette Brown. He plays with the smarts of Warren Sapp mixed in with the tenacity of Kevin Williams.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
No franchise is hungrier for a QB than the Bucs.
20. Detroit Lions (From Dallas) - OT Eben Britton (Arizona)
Eben Britton is too much of a boom or bust prospect for our liking but he adds stability to the offensive line (on paper, at least).
21. Philadelphia Eagles - OT William Beatty (Connecticut)
This pick would allow Todd Herremans to stay at guard but do you really think the Eagles will keep two first rounders? Beatty is also a local product as he played at William Penn HS in York, Pennsylvania.
22. Minnesota Vikings - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
A right tackle or cornerback fills a need here. Davis has better value than Eben Britton.
23. New England Patriots - ILB Rey Maualuga (USC)
Tedy Bruschi turns 35 soon so drafting Maualuga to pair up with Jerod Mayo only makes sense.
24. Atlanta Falcons - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
The Falcons’ TEs caught only a small percentage of the passes thrown by Matt Ryan a year ago.
25. Miami Dolphins - CB Darius Butler (Connecticut)
Andre Goodman’s departure leaves a lot to be desired at cornerback for the Tuna.
26. Baltimore Ravens - WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
They desperately need a WR. In a year or two, Maclin will be Roddy White-good.
27. Indianapolis Colts - DT Jarron Gilbert (San Jose State)
Forget the fact that Gilbert hails from San Jose State. He would help ease the woes at tackle for Indianapolis from day one.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (From Carolina) - DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
Andy Reid has never drafted a running back in the first two rounds of a draft. Only once has he drafted a wide receiver in the first round. Andy Reid has also drafted just one tight end in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
29. New York Giants - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland)
Heyward-Bey is the anti-Plaxico Burress. He has more speed but is rough around the edges with his route running. Heyward-Bey also gives the Giants more options at spreading the field than Burress did.
30. Tennessee Titans - OLB/DE Larry English (Northern Illinois)
The Titans have an unusual draft history under Jeff Fisher. While they do reach for players they want desperately, the value for a cornerback or defensive tackle is not too good right here. With that said, we have them plucking the best available player left in the draft.
31. Arizona Cardinals - RB Donald Brown (Connecticut)
Donald Brown is making a strong case for the first round, at Knowshon Moreno’s expense. But hey, it is not Brown’s fault that Moreno keeps running 4.60-forty times.
For the record, the forty time is as overrated as Ryan Leaf was coming out of Washington State.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - OC/OG Max Unger (Oregon)
Secondary help is possible here but we are going back to the thought that the Steelers should protect their biggest investment better. Sure, the makeshift offensive line from a year ago helped protect QB Ben Roethlisberger “good enough” to win the Lombardi Trophy but they could take two steps in the right direction with the selection of Max Unger.
Unger has experience at center, guard, and tackle. Although, he would better fit the Steelers blocking scheme on the interior.
Pete Dymeck is the owner of Sideline Scouting.