Super Mario Round 1 Mock 1/28

[Blake]

1. Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia

Its either a QB or a tackle #1, and the Lions take their QB of the future who rides the pine learning, while letting Orlovsky and Stanton take the beating in 2009 until the line is complete.

2. St. Louis Rams
Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle, Virgina

Pace is on his last leg, and Monroe is the closest thing to replacing Pace in this draft class.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Curry, Linebacker, Wake Forest

Scott Pioli will want to take the BPA on defense to beef it up and create more turnovers. He gets one of the best defensive players in this draft and give Tyler Thigpen another shot at QB. Don't be surprised to see them take a QB on later though.

4. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech

A match made in heaven. The Seahawks have needed a true #1 WR for years, and they have the #1 WR this year fall in their lap.

5. Cleveland Browns
Malcolm Jenkins, Cornerback, Ohio St.

Head coach Eric Mangini took a CB in round 1 2 years ago and knows the value of having good CB play. Eric Wright needs some help in the secondary and will give the browns a great cornerback tandem.

6. Cincinnati Bengals
Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

The run on tackles begins. The Bengals line has been awful all year and Levi Jones can play left tackle for a year until Andre Smith finds out if he is LT material.

7. Oakland Raiders
Michael Oher, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

A perfect selection to help out their previous 2 first round picks. Oher needs some work, but is better than Harris on day 1.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jason Smith, Offensive Tackle, Baylor

The biggest needs are o lineman and a MLB to replace Peterson when they get rid of him. Jason Smith is the best tackle left and will be great for both Garrard and MJD.

9. Green Bay Packers
Everette Brown, Linebacker, Florida St.

Dom Capers is going to want some players to implement the 3-4 defense and rush OLB is the hardest player to get. Everette will go to OLB and learn to rush the passer standing up. A mighty task that Capers has seen fail before.

10. San Francisco 49'ers
B.J. Raji, Defensive Tackle, Boston College

49ers 3-4 defense needs a shot in the arm and some strength at the front lines. They don't have a true NT for their 3-4 and they hope to get one here.

11. Buffalo Bills
Brian Orakpo, Defensive End, Texas

The Bills have been against drafting a DE since Schobel has been taking up alot of cap but with a new D line coach I think they will take a chance on the biggest riser at the combine.

12. Denver Broncos
Rey Maualuga, Linebacker, U.S.C.

The Broncos need to add toughness to a defense that was ranked very low in a lot of categories.

13. Washington Redskins
Michael Johnson, Defensive End, Georgia Tech

The Redskins need a young DE in the worst way, and some will say this is a reach, or after the combine they will say its a steal. Either way they get their DE of the future.

14. New Orleans Saints
James Laurinaitis, Linebacker, Ohio St.

I don't think the Saints will keep MLB Jonathan Vilma due to it costing a first rounder, and his knee issues. Would rather have Rey but get the next best linebacker.

15. Houston Texans
Vontae Davis, Cornerback, Illinois

The Texan's might possibly lose Dunta Robinson and will need more help at corner. They also need help at DE and safety but are forced to get the BPA with Davis who is possibly better than Jenkins.

16. San Diego Chargers
Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Missouri

The Chargers take the best WR left in Maclin who is a dual threat to run or catch the ball. The Chargers could go in a lot of directions but opt for more offense in case LT is out.

17. New York Jets
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, U.S.C.

Bret Favre wont be around much longer and if Sanchez is available I see him being drafted here.

18. Chicago Bears
Alex Mack, Center, California

The Bears love to be able to run the ball and Mack is a perfect candidate to play Guard and then transition to Center when Kreutz is down or out.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eben Britton, Offensive Tackle, Arizona

They need help in the worst way at Tackle. Maybe a little high for Britton but its never stopped teams from taking a player before. He will start right away. Could also go linebacker.

20. Detroit Lions (f/DAL)
Brandon Pettigrew, Tight End, Oklahoma St.

Pettigrew will give the motor city kitty's a #1 option to dump off to to avoid pressure. He is great for the run too basically giving them an extra tackle or pass catching TE.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (f/CAR)
Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, Florida

Might be a bit much after the production they got out of Dexter Jackson last year, or it could be the start of something special as they play off each other to get open.

22. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Cushing, Linebacker, U.S.C.

A good all around linebacker is needed here. Someone who can play the run and be fast enough to follow the back out of the backfield.

23. New England Patriots
Aaron Maybin,Linebacker, Penn St.

A nice fit for their 3-4 scheme and Maybin once stronger and bigger should be a sack specialist for a long time. They also have Clint Sintim to think about.

24. Atlanta Falcons
Tyson Jackson, Defensive End, L.S.U.

A big body D line prospect who can play DE or DT for a 4-3 team. This should work out well for the Falcons who need help up front.

25. Miami Dolphins
Clint Sintim, Linebacker, Virgina

Another perfect fit for a 3-4 team to get their OLB pass rusher. Porter had a great year, but that's no reason to bring in young talent who can possibly learn from Porter.

26. Baltimore Ravens
Chris Wells, Running Back, Ohio St.

I was pretty unimpressed with the RB's that Baltimore trots on to the field each weak. And Wells has the size and speed that Baltimore generally likes to use to hammer their opponent.

27. Indianapolis Colts
Peria Jerry, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss

Indy gets great value here which is not good for the other AFC south teams with Peria Jerry to plug in the middle of their D line. Jerry will need to get stronger though to realize his potential. They can also look at a corner here.

28. Philadelphia Eagles
William Moore, Safety, Missouri

With their second round pick they take a chance on William Moore who they hope with some coaching by Brian Dawkins can get back to the way he was during his Junior year at Mizzou. the Eagles love his size and potential.

29. New York Giants
Chase Coffman, Tight End, Missouri

Kevin Boss has been great for the Giants, and they know the value of multipurpose players are. Coffman at 6'6" 245 lbs caught 90 balls for 987 yards and 10 TD's.

30. Tennessee Titans
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Wide Receiver, Maryland

The Titans need a #1 WR bad and take a 6'3" 203 lbs stud to be that #1. As long as the Titans can mold him correctly he should be a great player.

*31. Arizona Cardinals
Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia

I don't think the Cards need more offense but at #31 how do you pass on Moreno? James should be out the door and Arrington and Hightower will just have to hope he gets hurt.

*32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Duke Robinson, Guard, Oklahoma

The Steelers o-line has gotten beat up over the year they have had. An interior lineman is a need and Robinson is a great value at the end of the first. Should take a guard spot on day one and probably will never give it up until he hangs them up.


Well this was fun for me. Have fun ripping it apart.

[TimeKiller]

Congrats on having the most realistic draft scenario I've seen thus far. Good job.

I like the pick for the Texans in this scenario even if D-Rob does resign...though I think that puts Molden, Bennett, and Reeves in a race for "Who will be the first to offer themselves up as a free safety?"

[Goatcheese]

I would rather the Texans draft a great football player over a great athlete.

[disaacks3]

I just don't see 2008 repeating itself with that many OTs taken that early or that fast. (4 of the first 8 picks?)

It'll be interesting to see what the Combine / Pro Days bring to shake things up this year.

I'm all for the Texans getting the FS/CB that they desperately need, but (unfortunately) the D-Line isn't as good as it should be yet. New coaching is great, but additional playmakers could make all the difference at a potential playoff run.

[bah007]

I like Vontae Davis because he is an elite athlete and he has had playing time at both CB and FS.

But he will be selected in the 1st round this year based purely on potential. We are talking about a guy that was benched this season for lack of effort despite being the team's best player.

I don't think the Texans can afford a "potential" pick in the 1st round. We need playmakers and if we do take Davis, we better have interviewed the hell out of him and made damn sure that his heart is in it.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by disaacks3

I just don't see 2008 repeating itself with that many OTs taken that early or that fast. (4 of the first 8 picks?)

I think this crop of elite tackles is even better than last years. Sam Baker and Gosder Cherilus shouldn't have been drafted in round 1.

Originally Posted by disaacks3

It'll be interesting to see what the Combine / Pro Days bring to shake things up this year.

I'm all for the Texans getting the FS/CB that they desperately need, but (unfortunately) the D-Line isn't as good as it should be yet. New coaching is great, but additional playmakers could make all the difference at a potential playoff run.

So who would you have taken? Peria Jerry maybe?

[Blake]

Originally Posted by Goatcheese

I would rather the Texans draft a great football player over a great athlete.

Ok. So who would you have taken and why?

[Blake]

Originally Posted by bah007

I like Vontae Davis because he is an elite athlete and he has had playing time at both CB and FS.

But he will be selected in the 1st round this year based purely on potential. We are talking about a guy that was benched this season for lack of effort despite being the team's best player.

I don't think the Texans can afford a "potential" pick in the 1st round. We need playmakers and if we do take Davis, we better have interviewed the hell out of him and made damn sure that his heart is in it.

That makes sense as ive seen the way Vernon Davis responds poorly to authority. He and his brother could be immature people which needs to be verified before taking him. Would you have taken someone else had the draft panned out this way?

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

That makes sense as ive seen the way Vernon Davis responds poorly to authority. He and his brother could be immature people which needs to be verified before taking him. Would you have taken someone else had the draft panned out this way?

If I were in charge, I would be calling everybody who had an interest to move in front of the Jets and take Sanchez.

My first priority would be to trade the pick. If that doesn't happen, I would take Cushing.

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Ok. So who would you have taken and why?

Your draft doesn't fall very well for the Texans, with their ideal targets off the board. A trade down would be the best option, but you obviously can't project that in a mock. With the players still on the board, and stuck at 15 I would target Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest. He doesn't have elite size, and only good speed, but what he is, is an outstanding football player. All the guy does is make plays, as you can see by his 15 INTs in the last 2 seasons. He can excell in either man, or zone, and is atleast an average corner in run support.

Davis is an elite athlete, but like Vernon, he's not such a great football player. He doesn't make alot of plays, or even put himself in good position to make alot of plays. He's more of a zone corner, and imo would be exposed in a man cover scheme unless he puts in alot of effort, and gets with the right coaches.

If you don't like Smith (some folks can't get past the height, I was one of them till I really watched him play) Brian Cushing is a guy moving up boards. He reminds me alot of Rosevelt Colvin in his early years with the Bears, blitzing from his OLB position, and putting his hand down in obvious passing situations.

2001 69 tackles 10.5 sacks
2002 64 tackles 10.5 sacks

Chris Wells could be an option. A big pounder to team up with Super Steve would give us a great tandem. His injury history gets overhyped, but it's not really that serious. Wells gives us a guy who not only beats down defenses, and picks up the tough yards, but he can break off big chunks of yardage too.

Peria Jerry is certainly an up and commer who has alot of people talking. Most people don't expect the Texans to pick up a 3 tech with Okoye here, but they've said this season the defense will be playing upfield(in the backfield) so two quick penetrating DTs could be exactly what they want. Having a DT penetrate into the running lane can do as much, or more as having a 350lbs wall standing in the way. That's certainly something that Jerry can do. That's actually when the Texans defense looked best against the run this season. When Okoye, or Del-Robinson shot through their gap, the player was pretty much over.

I see Alex Mack as more of a late-fringe first rounder, but he's definately a guy who can make this team alot better. He has the size, strength, and football IQ to make the middle of the O-line a strength.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Ok. So who would you have taken and why?

My pick comes frrom the complete opposite side of the spectrum. I want the safest pick. First I would try and trade down a few spots. Whether I could or not I would go with Max Unger. Hey locking down the anchor of our offensive line with a stud C who is versitale enough to play 4 positions on our line for the next decade is worthy of the #15 pick IMO. There really is no negative on this guy. The only one that is even brought up is strength and I believe that has been overplayed. Besides strength is fixable. Unger is a safe pick which at this stage in our team development is a must IMO.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Congrats on having the most realistic draft scenario I've seen thus far. Good job.

I like the pick for the Texans in this scenario even if D-Rob does resign...though I think that puts Molden, Bennett, and Reeves in a race for "Who will be the first to offer themselves up as a free safety?"

Bennett has the tools and body type for FS. That's what he projected as out of college.

Originally Posted by bah007

If I were in charge, I would be calling everybody who had an interest to move in front of the Jets and take Sanchez.

My first priority would be to trade the pick. If that doesn't happen, I would take Cushing.

Cushing is a guy I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. His body changed way too rapidly to be natural.

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

Cushing is a guy I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. His body changed way too rapidly to be natural.

Didn't our own JJ grow 4 or 5 inches in a year, or two? Extreme physical changes are not unheard of.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by Goatcheese

Didn't our own JJ grow 4 or 5 inches in a year, or two? Extreme physical changes are not unheard of.

It's not that he hit a growth spurt, he lost every ounce of fat and became chiseled out of granite. His head got bigger as well. No thanks.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

Bennett has the tools and body type for FS. That's what he projected as out of college.

Cushing is a guy I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. His body changed way too rapidly to be natural.

According to HT.com Bennett is 6 flat 197, Molden 6-1 197. Body type, if not the tools for Molden too. At safety D. Barber is 6, 218...just saying if either of those guys could put on 20 lbs. of muscle I'd be really interested in seeing what they have as safeties.

I've seen some before/after pics of Cushing. A little too much mustard on that burger.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

According to HT.com Bennett is 6 flat 197, Molden 6-1 197. Body type, if not the tools for Molden too. At safety D. Barber is 6, 218...just saying if either of those guys could put on 20 lbs. of muscle I'd be really interested in seeing what they have as safeties.

I've seen some before/after pics of Cushing. A little too much mustard on that burger.

I just say Bennett 1st because I've seen more of his body of work. Moulden I haven't seen much of.

The before/after pic's are pretty damning.

[Goldensilence]

Not really sure what the obession with this board on changing one of our Corners to FS. Doesn't happen often sucessfully. Unless we address LB in FA pound for pound IMO our best value is taking a LB. I'm not sure where Larinitus will end up going but I think it's a real possibility he'll be there at 15 for us.

Obviously a lot will be more clear once we see the results of the combine. As in reference to the pick you made I don't think we are hurting at CB and I don't see Dunta leaving unless he asks for unrealistic money.

[Wolf6151]

I think that Vontae Davis in the 1st round would be a good selection. If we lose Dunta then CB will be a major team need and even if Dunta stays, I think it's clear that he's lost a step of speed and quickness and a second quality CB would be really nice to have.

Alphonso Smith would be another good choice.

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Not really sure what the obession with this board on changing one of our Corners to FS. Doesn't happen often sucessfully. Unless we address LB in FA pound for pound IMO our best value is taking a LB. I'm not sure where Larinitus will end up going but I think it's a real possibility he'll be there at 15 for us.

Obviously a lot will be more clear once we see the results of the combine. As in reference to the pick you made I don't think we are hurting at CB and I don't see Dunta leaving unless he asks for unrealistic money.

http://profootballfocus.com/by_posit...ass=&teamid=13

I'm actually starting to think a real #1 shutdown corner is one of the Texans top 4 needs, along with Safety, DE, and DT. We have D-Rob, who is a good #2, and Reeves who could be a really good nickle, but none of our guys look like top flight #1s.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by Goatcheese

http://profootballfocus.com/by_posit...ass=&teamid=13

I'm actually starting to think a real #1 shutdown corner is one of the Texans top 4 needs, along with Safety, DE, and DT. We have D-Rob, who is a good #2, and Reeves who could be a really good nickle, but none of our guys look like top flight #1s.

I think athletic LB's are a need. A big need.