MMONTERO
09-28-2008, 03:00 AM
The mock order is based on current records and my power rankings with realistic playoff possibilities. So don't give the order crap as some teams (San Diego, Indianapolis, Jacksonville) probably won't be where they are when all is said and done.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The Bengals need lots of help on both sides of the ball but their biggest need is at running back where Chris Perry and Kenny Watson have not shown any ability to carry the load. Moreno would automatically force defenses to respect the run open passing lanes for Carson Palmer to throw in.
2. Kansas City Chiefs - QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
I seriously doubt Sam Bradford will leave but he is eligible for the draft and I assume for the purposes of this mock that if a player is eligible he will enter the draft. Bradford is easily the best quarterback in college football right now. I have previously complained about his small frame but his play speaks for itself. Already this year, he is 64 of 81 for 882 yards, 12 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. That is a mind-boggling completion percentage of 79% over the first four games. I don't care how bad your competition is (and TCU is not bad), those are solid numbers. Bradford will serve as the QB Kansas City needs so badly.
3. Cleveland Browns - CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
If there was one bright moment for OSU during their 35-3 beating at the hands of USC, it was Malcolm Jenkins's play on defense. This kid is a stud and is easily the best corner in this draft. #3 may be a tad high for a corner but for Cleveland, the value is there.
4. St. Louis Rams - T Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The Rams luck out as the best player in the draft falls to them at the fourth overall pick. Oher could start from day one at left tackle relegating the oft-injured Orlando Pace to the right side. One thing is for sure though. The Rams would be fools to trust the left tackle position to Alex Barron so they will be looking left tackle in 2009.
5. Detroit Lions - RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
The Lions have big needs on the defensive line but there is no one on the board worth picking for a Tampa 2 scheme. So they will "settle" for Chris Wells, a powerful back who has consistently dominated his competition when on the field. Wells and Kevin Smith will make a classic one-two punch in Detroit for a long time coming.
6. Houston Texans - FS Taylor Mays, USC
The Texans biggest need is in the secondary and Taylor Mays's triangle numbers and physical attributes are absolutely seductive for a team that needs improved play from their safeties. Mays needs to perform more consistently to justify being picked this high but he is easily the most gifted athlete in this draft class.
7. Miami Dolphins - DE/OLB George Selvie, South Florida
Selvie should be the #1 player on Miami's big board going into the 2009 Draft and they are extremely lucky that he falls to them at #7 overall. Selvie will make an absolutely fantastic rush linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.
8. Oakland Raiders - WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The Raiders should go left tackle here. But Al Davis is clearly senile and will force another bad pick on his team based solely on highlight reels. Hey, I guess it's an improvement over picking based on 40 times. Crabtree is a gifted athlete but I question how much football IQ it takes to go deep every single play.
9. Chicago Bears - FS Nic Harris, Oklahoma
The Bears have gotten away with bad safety play on the defense for too long but it has finally caught up to them as they currently have the 28th ranked pass defense in the NFL. Nic Harris is a complete beast of a safety who can only be ignored for so long. He should patch up one of the few holes on a very tough Bears' D.
10. New York Jets - WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Maclin has really impressed me this year, getting off to a great start in Missouri. The Jets need more production on deep routes as Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are basically possession receivers. Maclin will provide the 2009 Jets' QB a talented deep threat who should be able to improve his route running well enough to succeed in the NFL.
11. New Orleans Saints - OLB Brian Cushing, USC
The Saints have various defensive needs but Cushing is the best value here. His athleticism is unmatched in this draft class at the 4-3 outside backer position. Cushing should provide the Saints with a much needed boost to their linebacker position.
12. Minnesota Vikings - QB Curtis Painter, Purdue
The Vikings biggest need is at quarterback so I believe they will reach for the one that fits their system the best. It's hard to imagine that Painter will still be available in round 2 given the weakness of this class at the quarterback position. This may seem like a stretch but taking Joe Flacco at #18 overall was more of a stretch. Painter fits the West Coast offense like a glove.
13. Seattle Seahawks - RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
I don't see Julius Jones carrying the full load in Seattle and I don't think Jim Mora does either. DeMarco Murray will add a much-needed spark to Seattle's backfield. Murray is extremely underrated at this point in time but he has too much talent to be ignored forever. If he runs a low 4.3 at the combine look for his name in the first 20 picks of this draft.
14. San Diego Chargers - WR Percy Harvin, Florida
The Chargers have precious few needs on their team, the only major one being a right tackle. However, it's a bit early in the draft to take a right tackle so they will take a very talented wide receiver. Harvin is an absolute beast of an athlete who truly has the ability to take over a game. With Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson, Harvin will help to open up the Chargers offense a whole lot more than we have seen in the past.
15. Indianapolis Colts - DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
Walker has impressed me a lot during this season. He is clearly the best player on Georgia Tech's defensive line despite all the hype surrounding Michael Johnson. Walker is excellent at playing his gaps and rarely is caught out of position. He is also athletic enough to play in the Tampa 2 scheme at defensive tackle or defensive end which should appeal to Tony Dungy.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
A little bit of a reach won't stop the Jaguars from taking the best receiver available where they draft. Anyone who thinks Jerry Porter, Reggie Williams, and Troy Williamson are going to cut it for David Garrard is delusional. Heyward-Bey has looked better this year though he only managed two catches against the only ranked team the Terps faced (California).
17. San Francisco 49ers - DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
Greg Hardy will convert to the rush linebacker position in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. That should suit him just fine and he should turn out to be a real steal for the 49ers at this point in the draft.
18. Atlanta Falcons - CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Falcons need some more talent in their secondary and Vontae Davis is the best player available at this point in time. Davis should help make a young defense competitive in 2009.
19. Washington Redskins - CB Mark Parson, Ohio
Mark Parson put himself on the radar with a very strong performance against Brian Robiskie of Ohio State. For a Redskins' secondary in need of improvement, Parson should become an immediate starter in place of Carlos Rogers.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
The Buccaneers need a better pass rusher opposite Gaines Adams. Middleton is an extremely talented player who would probably be a top 5 pick if he played for a more competitive school.
21. New England Patriots - CB Macho Harris, Virginia Tech
The Patriots need improvement from their secondary in the worst way and Harris has looked very good thus far. Harris should start from day one and be a breath of fresh air from the start.
22. Arizona Cardinals - G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
The Cardinals will take Robinson giving them the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. Robinson will help pave the way for Tim Hightower for a long time.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - T Eugene Monroe, Virginia
The Eagles cannot believe Monroe falls all the way to them at 23rd overall and Andy Reid thanks Jesus for the run on tackles in last year's draft. This pick literally takes the Eagles four seconds to make.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - T Andre Smith, Alabama
The Steelers offensive line was broken, beat, and scarred for life during their game against Philadelphia. They will take the best player available on the offensive line.
25. Philadelphia Eagles - S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech
After Eugene Monroe falls all the way to #23 Andy Reid will get so drunk in celebration that ownership will choose to remove him from the selection process entirely and allow Jonathan Pickens, a local fan, to make the selection for them. Pickens will correctly deduce that Brian Dawkins is reaching the end of his career and will choose Kam Chancellor, a great safety from Virginia Tech. Eagles fans will boo the selection because they wanted Ricky Williams but Chancellor will go on to have a very good NFL career.
26. Green Bay Packers - C Alex Mack, California
Scott Wells may be decent but Alex Mack is a great center. The Packers need a little help on the interior line and Alex Mack can provide that more than ably.
27. Baltimore Ravens - WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
Robiskie is one of the best receivers in college football whether his stats show it or not and the Ravens could use some help at wide receiver. Robiskie will help replace Derrick Mason, whose time is growing shorter and shorter with every day that passes.
28. Tennessee Titans - ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
It's incredible that Maualuga falls this far but there just isn't that much demand for middle linebackers in the NFL right now. The Titans will love Maualuga's ability to fly to the ball and his athleticism though they may not love his coverage skills.
29. New York Giants - TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
Kevin Boss has not lived up to expectations and he will likely be replaced in 2009. Brandon Pettigrew is easily the most athletic tight end in this draft but needs to avoid any more trouble to be picked in the first round.
30. Buffalo Bills - TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
The Bills need an upgrade over Robert Royal and Gresham is the man for the job.
31. Denver Broncos - ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
The Broncos need an upgrade at middle linebacker and Laurinaitis is the best on the board. If he can improve his tackling technique, he has the potential to become one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
32. Dallas Cowboys - WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
Iglesias has put together a very solid year thus far in Oklahoma. If he keeps it up, he will be a first round pick come April.
1. Cincinnati Bengals - RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The Bengals need lots of help on both sides of the ball but their biggest need is at running back where Chris Perry and Kenny Watson have not shown any ability to carry the load. Moreno would automatically force defenses to respect the run open passing lanes for Carson Palmer to throw in.
2. Kansas City Chiefs - QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
I seriously doubt Sam Bradford will leave but he is eligible for the draft and I assume for the purposes of this mock that if a player is eligible he will enter the draft. Bradford is easily the best quarterback in college football right now. I have previously complained about his small frame but his play speaks for itself. Already this year, he is 64 of 81 for 882 yards, 12 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. That is a mind-boggling completion percentage of 79% over the first four games. I don't care how bad your competition is (and TCU is not bad), those are solid numbers. Bradford will serve as the QB Kansas City needs so badly.
3. Cleveland Browns - CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
If there was one bright moment for OSU during their 35-3 beating at the hands of USC, it was Malcolm Jenkins's play on defense. This kid is a stud and is easily the best corner in this draft. #3 may be a tad high for a corner but for Cleveland, the value is there.
4. St. Louis Rams - T Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The Rams luck out as the best player in the draft falls to them at the fourth overall pick. Oher could start from day one at left tackle relegating the oft-injured Orlando Pace to the right side. One thing is for sure though. The Rams would be fools to trust the left tackle position to Alex Barron so they will be looking left tackle in 2009.
5. Detroit Lions - RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
The Lions have big needs on the defensive line but there is no one on the board worth picking for a Tampa 2 scheme. So they will "settle" for Chris Wells, a powerful back who has consistently dominated his competition when on the field. Wells and Kevin Smith will make a classic one-two punch in Detroit for a long time coming.
6. Houston Texans - FS Taylor Mays, USC
The Texans biggest need is in the secondary and Taylor Mays's triangle numbers and physical attributes are absolutely seductive for a team that needs improved play from their safeties. Mays needs to perform more consistently to justify being picked this high but he is easily the most gifted athlete in this draft class.
7. Miami Dolphins - DE/OLB George Selvie, South Florida
Selvie should be the #1 player on Miami's big board going into the 2009 Draft and they are extremely lucky that he falls to them at #7 overall. Selvie will make an absolutely fantastic rush linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.
8. Oakland Raiders - WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The Raiders should go left tackle here. But Al Davis is clearly senile and will force another bad pick on his team based solely on highlight reels. Hey, I guess it's an improvement over picking based on 40 times. Crabtree is a gifted athlete but I question how much football IQ it takes to go deep every single play.
9. Chicago Bears - FS Nic Harris, Oklahoma
The Bears have gotten away with bad safety play on the defense for too long but it has finally caught up to them as they currently have the 28th ranked pass defense in the NFL. Nic Harris is a complete beast of a safety who can only be ignored for so long. He should patch up one of the few holes on a very tough Bears' D.
10. New York Jets - WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Maclin has really impressed me this year, getting off to a great start in Missouri. The Jets need more production on deep routes as Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are basically possession receivers. Maclin will provide the 2009 Jets' QB a talented deep threat who should be able to improve his route running well enough to succeed in the NFL.
11. New Orleans Saints - OLB Brian Cushing, USC
The Saints have various defensive needs but Cushing is the best value here. His athleticism is unmatched in this draft class at the 4-3 outside backer position. Cushing should provide the Saints with a much needed boost to their linebacker position.
12. Minnesota Vikings - QB Curtis Painter, Purdue
The Vikings biggest need is at quarterback so I believe they will reach for the one that fits their system the best. It's hard to imagine that Painter will still be available in round 2 given the weakness of this class at the quarterback position. This may seem like a stretch but taking Joe Flacco at #18 overall was more of a stretch. Painter fits the West Coast offense like a glove.
13. Seattle Seahawks - RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
I don't see Julius Jones carrying the full load in Seattle and I don't think Jim Mora does either. DeMarco Murray will add a much-needed spark to Seattle's backfield. Murray is extremely underrated at this point in time but he has too much talent to be ignored forever. If he runs a low 4.3 at the combine look for his name in the first 20 picks of this draft.
14. San Diego Chargers - WR Percy Harvin, Florida
The Chargers have precious few needs on their team, the only major one being a right tackle. However, it's a bit early in the draft to take a right tackle so they will take a very talented wide receiver. Harvin is an absolute beast of an athlete who truly has the ability to take over a game. With Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson, Harvin will help to open up the Chargers offense a whole lot more than we have seen in the past.
15. Indianapolis Colts - DT Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
Walker has impressed me a lot during this season. He is clearly the best player on Georgia Tech's defensive line despite all the hype surrounding Michael Johnson. Walker is excellent at playing his gaps and rarely is caught out of position. He is also athletic enough to play in the Tampa 2 scheme at defensive tackle or defensive end which should appeal to Tony Dungy.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
A little bit of a reach won't stop the Jaguars from taking the best receiver available where they draft. Anyone who thinks Jerry Porter, Reggie Williams, and Troy Williamson are going to cut it for David Garrard is delusional. Heyward-Bey has looked better this year though he only managed two catches against the only ranked team the Terps faced (California).
17. San Francisco 49ers - DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
Greg Hardy will convert to the rush linebacker position in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. That should suit him just fine and he should turn out to be a real steal for the 49ers at this point in the draft.
18. Atlanta Falcons - CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Falcons need some more talent in their secondary and Vontae Davis is the best player available at this point in time. Davis should help make a young defense competitive in 2009.
19. Washington Redskins - CB Mark Parson, Ohio
Mark Parson put himself on the radar with a very strong performance against Brian Robiskie of Ohio State. For a Redskins' secondary in need of improvement, Parson should become an immediate starter in place of Carlos Rogers.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DE Greg Middleton, Indiana
The Buccaneers need a better pass rusher opposite Gaines Adams. Middleton is an extremely talented player who would probably be a top 5 pick if he played for a more competitive school.
21. New England Patriots - CB Macho Harris, Virginia Tech
The Patriots need improvement from their secondary in the worst way and Harris has looked very good thus far. Harris should start from day one and be a breath of fresh air from the start.
22. Arizona Cardinals - G Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
The Cardinals will take Robinson giving them the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. Robinson will help pave the way for Tim Hightower for a long time.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - T Eugene Monroe, Virginia
The Eagles cannot believe Monroe falls all the way to them at 23rd overall and Andy Reid thanks Jesus for the run on tackles in last year's draft. This pick literally takes the Eagles four seconds to make.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - T Andre Smith, Alabama
The Steelers offensive line was broken, beat, and scarred for life during their game against Philadelphia. They will take the best player available on the offensive line.
25. Philadelphia Eagles - S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech
After Eugene Monroe falls all the way to #23 Andy Reid will get so drunk in celebration that ownership will choose to remove him from the selection process entirely and allow Jonathan Pickens, a local fan, to make the selection for them. Pickens will correctly deduce that Brian Dawkins is reaching the end of his career and will choose Kam Chancellor, a great safety from Virginia Tech. Eagles fans will boo the selection because they wanted Ricky Williams but Chancellor will go on to have a very good NFL career.
26. Green Bay Packers - C Alex Mack, California
Scott Wells may be decent but Alex Mack is a great center. The Packers need a little help on the interior line and Alex Mack can provide that more than ably.
27. Baltimore Ravens - WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
Robiskie is one of the best receivers in college football whether his stats show it or not and the Ravens could use some help at wide receiver. Robiskie will help replace Derrick Mason, whose time is growing shorter and shorter with every day that passes.
28. Tennessee Titans - ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
It's incredible that Maualuga falls this far but there just isn't that much demand for middle linebackers in the NFL right now. The Titans will love Maualuga's ability to fly to the ball and his athleticism though they may not love his coverage skills.
29. New York Giants - TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
Kevin Boss has not lived up to expectations and he will likely be replaced in 2009. Brandon Pettigrew is easily the most athletic tight end in this draft but needs to avoid any more trouble to be picked in the first round.
30. Buffalo Bills - TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
The Bills need an upgrade over Robert Royal and Gresham is the man for the job.
31. Denver Broncos - ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
The Broncos need an upgrade at middle linebacker and Laurinaitis is the best on the board. If he can improve his tackling technique, he has the potential to become one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
32. Dallas Cowboys - WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
Iglesias has put together a very solid year thus far in Oklahoma. If he keeps it up, he will be a first round pick come April.