2. WR Michael Crabtree: I’ve been higher on Crabtree than most since he entered college. I feel like he can be a star at the NFL level but a lot depends on how teams believe he is recovering. His route running needs to be more precise.

3. OT Jason Smith: Smith launched up draft boards as other lineman fell down them. He looks like the best overall lineman available in the draft, ahead of Eugene Monroe. It’s not very often a Baylor player goes this early in the draft.

4. OT Eugene Monroe: A few teams still feel like he is the best player in this draft (outside of Curry). He looks like a sure top seven pick unless something crazy happens between now and draft day.

5. QB Matthew Stafford: I’ve had Stafford as my top quarterback for a year now. He can be successful at the NFL level but he’s got to end up in the right situation (like all drafted players). Detroit  isn’t the place you think of what you think of success.

6. DT B. J. Raji: Did he fail a drug test at the NFL combine? No he did not and now it will not affect his draft stock. Raji is easily the best defensive lineman available in this draft and a clear top ten pick.

7. WR Jeremy Maclin: I’m not as high as everyone else is on Maclin, but he is one of the few players in this draft that you know will be able to fit in in a lot of different ways if you select him. He can return kicks or catch passes. Either way he’s going to get the football in the open field, and that’s scary.

8. QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez left USC too early but he’s still going to get a very nice paycheck for it. Expect Sanchez to go in the top 15 and get a starting position right away in most situations. Will he actually develop into a NFL QB? That remains to be seen but after studying him it’s clear he has all the talent he needs to make it.

9. OT Andre Smith: If you forget that he talked to a NFL agent too early and was suspended from the Sugar Bowl and his NFL combine issues then Smith is probably a top five player in this draft. The problem is that you can’t just push those potential character issues to the side.

10. CB Malcolm Jenkins: There is only one cornerback in this draft that can be counted on as a rookie to shut down NFL wide receivers next year. That one guy is Jenkins. Expect him to start right away, no matter where he ends up.

The main questions dealing with the NFL Draft at this moment are these:

• Will the Lions take Matthew Stafford #1 overall?
• If the Lions don’t take Stafford what happens to Stafford & Sanchez?
• In what order will Michael Crabtree & Jeremy Maclin go?
• Where will X-factor Andre Smith end up?

Here’s my best guess:

1. Detroit Lions: QB Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
The Lions need their franchise quarterback and Stafford (on paper at least) appears to be the guy that fit that profile. Aaron Curry is another option here, but in the past the Lions seem to always go for the flashy, best player on the board type player and they usually get burned.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
Last year the Rams got Chris Long, the defensive end from Virginia, instead of Jake Long to fortify their offensive line. Now they can get their offensive tackle as well. Smith has passed both Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher, and the other offensive tackles on most draft boards.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: LB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
How many times does the team with the third pick get the best player in the draft? Not very often. The Chiefs could also take Crabtree but this might be too good to pass up. Curry is going to be very good for years to come.

4. Seattle Seahawks: WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
This pick scares me because it makes too much sense to be true. Why wouldn’t the Seahawks get arguably the best player in the draft (aside from injuries) and their go to receiver?

5. Cleveland Browns: LB/DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
This one also looks to make sense.  Everyone thinks Orakpo should go to the Browns. The Texas defensive end would certainly give the Browns a pass rush, something that was completely missing in 2008.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
The Bengals would be ecstatic if this scenario played out. Without having to move up at all they could get arguably the best offensive lineman in this entire draft. Monroe would solidify an offensive line needing a lot of help.

7. Oakland Raiders: WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
Do I think Maclin is this good? No, I really don’t but we all know how Al Davis is. Maclin would be an all around playmaker for the Raiders and his selection would give Oakland a young QB, young RB, and a young WR all drafted in the last three years.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT B. J. Raji (Boston College)
We’ve all heard about Raji’s drug test (which he didn’t fail) and his up and down draft stock. Some believe he can go as high as #4 to Seattle, while others seem him going towards the bottom of the top ten.

9. Green Bay Packers: DE Everett Brown (Florida State)
This is the first really hard position to choose in the mock draft. Brown is one of the most athletic players in this draft out of Florida State and he gets the nod over Maybin and Tyson Jackson.

10. San Francisco 49ers: QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
This looks like the landing spot for Sanchez unless a team jumps ahead of the 49ers. Sanchez isn’t as experienced as most teams like their franchise quarterback to be but at this point San Francisco has to take a chance.

11. Buffalo Bills: DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
All these defensive ends are really a toss up. In my estimation Maybin is the third best available behind both Orakpo and Brown.

12. Denver Broncos: DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
Jackson has been harassing SEC quarterbacks for years and now he moves onto the NFL. The Broncos (like the Browns) can use any defensive help they can get. Adding Jackson would help by getting some pressure on the opposing quarterback, something Denver has lacked recently.

13. Washington Redskins: DE Robert Ayers (Tennessee)
Defensive ends and offensive tackles are always the most picked players in the first round of the NFL Draft. I still don’t know if I’ve ever seen five defensive ends go this fast in a draft. Washington has multiple options here but in my opinion they elect to take Ayers, who is flying up draft boards quicker than any other player.

14. New Orleans Saints: LB Brian Cushing (USC)
Cushing has actually passed his teammate Ray Mauluaga on most draft boards (rated off overall, not position since OLB & MLBs are completely different positions). Cushing seems to ALWAYS be in the right place at the right time. He tracks the football like a wild animal.

15. Houston Texans: CB Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
Secondary help in the AFC South? Imagine that. There’s probably a good chance this pick has a lot to do with Peyton Manning. Jenkins is the top corner in this draft and has the tools to become a shutdown cornerback in the NFL. That’s exactly what Houston needs.

16. San Diego Chargers: OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
A couple of weeks ago I never would’ve thought Smith could fall this far in the draft. He might not, but at this point he’s the biggest question mark in the draft. San Diego elects to go best available and takes Smith who has all of the talent in the world for an offensive lineman.

17. New York Jets: RB Knowshon Moreno (Georgia)
Moreno is a very versatile running back that can cut on a dime and has an explosive step once he gets into the open field. The Jets already have a running back that can make plays, Leon Washington, but they are lacking a guy who can make big plays every down.

18. Denver Broncos: LB Ray Maualuga (USC)
During college football season I could’ve seen Maualuga going in the top five of the NFL Draft. The teams at the top do not need a middle linebacker and it has affected his draft stock. Even with that there’s no doubt this would be a steal at #18 overall.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
I don’t think Freeman is worth a first round pick but the NFL is a copycat league. The Buccaneers need a quarterback and Freeman is the last one available until much later rounds. Tampa Bay takes Freeman here and begins a rebuilding project.

20. Detroit Lions: OT Michael Oher (Mississippi)
There was a point in time where Oher was the top rated draft prospect in this entire draft. Now the Lions could get him at #20 overall. If you are the Lions right here you’ve got to consider what could happen if you don’t take Stafford #1 overall. Is there any way you could get Curry and then trade up for Sanchez? It’s just something to think about. For now I think Detroit gets a big lineman to protect their franchise quarterback, Stafford.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: RB Chris Wells (Ohio State)
This is just a gut feeling. If you’re Philadelphia you’ve got a great running back in Brian Westbrook that makes more plays in the passing game (due to Andy Reid’s play calling) than in the running game. Wells would give Philadelphia a third down back and a great goaline back at least. If he developed into more (like he should) it would be a fantastic pick.

22. Minnesota Vikings: WR Derrius Heyward Bey (Maryland)
Everyone keeps leaving out Heyward Bey when they discuss this year’s best receivers. He’s extremely talent and will be a great NFL wide receiver. The Vikings should take him over Percy Harvin (who I love) so it’s hard for me to say that.

23. New England Patriots: LB Clay Matthews (USC)
How about three USC linebackers going in the top 23 picks in this draft? Is it just me or does Matthews seem like the kind of guy New England always drafts? He’s going to play well and be in the right place at the right time to make plays more times than naught.

24. Atlanta Falcons: TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
Pettigrew is the only tight end worth a first round pick in this years draft. He’s a dynamic playmaker and would give Matt Ryan another receiver to throw the ball to.

25. Miami Dolphins: WR Percy Harvin (Florida)
Once again this pick just makes too much sense to me. Miami loves running the “Wildcat” offense and Harvin is the ultimate wildcat. Plus you can give Harvin, who played football in the same state, and add Miami fans in the process.

26. Baltimore Ravens: WR Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina)
It seems like Nick’s crazy catch against West Virginia has helped launch him into the first round. There’s no doubt that he can be a very effective wide receiver and Baltimore would be getting great value here. A year after taking Joe Flacco they could add a potential star receiver for him to throw to.

27. Indianapolis Colts: DT Peria Jerry (Mississippi)
It seems like most of us mock draft ‘experts’ agree that this pick will either be Jerry or Evander Hood from Missouri. Jerry would help seal up the middle of the defensive line and plug up a big hole for Indy.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Eben Britton (Arizona)
Britton would be a steal this last in round one and it seems that Philadelphia loves taking lineman in the first round of the draft. After taking Wells earlier it would only make sense (based off of the Eagles past drafts) for them to go back to the line with their second pick.

29. New York Giants: LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State)
This is another best player available pick. Laurinaitis’ stock has fallen this offseason but he’s what Mel Kiper Jr. would call a “football player”. Basically that means he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win, including sacrificing his body.

30. Tennessee Titans: CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
A couple of months ago Davis looked like a potential top 15 pick. Now he’s just hoping to be taken at the end of round one. Davis is another corner that has the chance to be a shutdown defensive back in the NFL. The Titans don’t have many holes and adding someone to your secondary is never a bad choice.

31. Arizona Cardinals: RB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
I’ve had Arizona taking a running back since last offseason. The Cardinals need someone to help open up the passing game. If they could they’d throw it every down, but as we know the passing game starts with the running game.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: C Alex Mack (California)
Another pick that makes too much sense. He’s already visited with Pittsburgh and this is really the only glaring hole for the defending world champions.

We all know the story by now. Smith went to the NFL Combine overweight and not prepared for rigorous workouts. Then he left unannounced, which gave NFL scouts another reason to put a question mark by his name. Smith thought his pro day workout at Alabama would re-establish him as a top ten pick, but he was wrong.

What NFL Scouts saw was an overweight offensive lineman that wasn’t spectacular in any workout. Smith didn’t gain anything by the workout.

Now the debate begins. Smith was a great offensive lineman at Alabama and up until his last week on campus he was everything you could ever want and more from an offensive lineman. He was suspended from his last game at Alabama (versus Utah) because of negotiations with an agent. Then he messed up again.

If Smith falls out of the top ten will he be a steal? Or is this guy a definite bust?

Should the Bears draft Andre Smith? That’s what Kevin Allen of the Chicago Sun Times is wondering after the offensive tackle’s recent slide down draft boards. Smith is arguably the top talent in the draft, he’s just made too many mistakes to be drafted in the top ten.

Could QBs take an Aaron Rodgers type tumble? It’s something I’ve mentioned in previous posts, although I’m not all too sure it will happen.  Cliftin Brown of the Sporting News thinks both Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez have a reason to be worried.

Ranking the Running Backs: Who is the top running back in this year’s NFL Draft? I’ve stated in the past that I think it’s Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno and it appears King5’s Evan Silva agrees with me.

What if the Lions Don’t take Matthew Stafford? Once again here’s another possible look at a slide for Stafford that could send him flying towards the middle of round one. If this happens it will severly affect his bank account.

Smith’s draft stock is probably falling faster than anyone’s at the combine. A few weeks ago he appeared like one of the favorites to be the #1 pick to the Detroit Lions. Since then it has become more apparent that Detroit is looking to take Matthew Stafford with it’s top choice, but Smith was still widely considered a consensus top 10 pick at the lowest before this latest incident.

I will have more on the NFL combine shortly. What is everyone’s thoughts on Smith after two apparent mishaps in the last two months? It seems like a guy that had everything going for him couldn’t screw up a chance to be a top five pick, but apparently he has.

Everyone knew he would be.

By all means he was an offensive lineman, yes an offensive lineman, that won Alabama’s Mr. Football honor coming out of high school. Did I say he was an offensive line?

If you want to know how good Smith is, well that’s how good. And he was that good the entire time he was at Alabama. He started every game he wasn’t injured or suspended for (Utah).

Let’s break him down:

Run Blocking: 10
No doubt that this was always Smith’s strong suit at Alabama. When he was missing against Utah the Crimson Tide’s strength, their offensive line and uncontrollable running game, was stuffed.

Pass Blocking: 8
Smith’s one weakness might be pass blocking. He struggles with his footwork against speed rushers.

Awareness: 10
It’s not easy to judge the ‘awareness’ of an offensive lineman, but since Smith usually does pick up every blocker in his way I’d say he’s seeing the field just fine.

Overall Size: 10
Smith is an overpowering figure that probably scared the heck out of opposing defensive lineman over this three seasons at Alabama. I expect him to have the same affect on a lot of the defensive lineman he will face in the NFL after he gets a few years of experience behind him.

NFL Readiness: 10
If you’ve ever seen footwork of Smith then you know he’s an obvious top ten pick and it’s even arguable that he’s the most NFL ready prospect in this draft class.

Overall: 48
Smith’s name is going to be called very early in April and he’s earned it. He should have a very successful NFL career.

Vince Vitale from Ramblin’ Fan and Fan-Sided Blogs weighs in on who the Rams should be looking at in the upcoming 2009 NFL Draft.

Positions: C, MLB, SS, DT, WR, DE

Well when your team goes 2-14, and 5-27 in their last 32 games you have a lot of draft needs. On offense the St. Louis Rams were 31st in scoring with a lowly 14.5 PPG. The Rams were 27th in total yards, 26th in passing, and 25th in rushing. On defense the Rams were 31st in points allowed, 28th in yards allowed, 29th in rushing yards allowed, and 19th in passing yards allowed. So where should we, and where do we start?

Let’s go over one thing the St. Louis Rams desperately need, and that is improved quarterback play. Many fans would love to get rid of Marc Bulger but his 60+ million dollar contract pretty much ensures that the Rams will not select a QB in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Marc was 30th in QB rating behind such greats as Dan Orlovsky & JaMarcus Russell this year. In 2007 Marc also finished 30th behind Hall of Fame candidates Cleo Lemon & Tarvaris Jackson. The Rams need to protect Marc better and provide him with more weapons in 2009.

The Rams have the number two pick in the draft which can be quite costly as we reported here. With the second pick you need to select a franchise type player. The only player I see in that mode at the top of this draft is Michael Crabtree. As we stated in our earlier mock draft we love the selection of Crabtree with this pick. Crabtree can help improve the Rams offense, give Bulger a go-to receiver, and eventually replace Torry Holt.

I believe the Rams can get away without taking an OT with their first pick. I would like to see them pick up a solid center in the second or third round like Alex Mack, Max Unger, or Eric Wood. Remember Orlando Pace and Alex Barron each have a year left on their contract so if you draft on OT someone is going to ride the pine. At a 50+ million dollar price tag that will be a lot to spend on a backup. Remember the Rams have a large quantity in the O-line department already, including John Greco, Adam Goldberg, Mark Setterstrom, and Roy Schuening. Maybe with better coaching we could have a solid line.

So on one hand I would love to see the improved offense taking shape with a better line and Michael Crabtree. On the other hand the Rams need to be strong up this middle. I don’t like any defensive player coming out of this draft well enough to take at #2, however if we could move down I would be all for upgrading the middle of this D. Rey Maualuga is being talked about which would help two-fold as Will Witherspoon could then move to his natural position on the outside. Then what if the Rams could come back with the 35th pick in the draft and get a hammer at Safety like Patrick Chung.

Many 2009 mock drafts have the Rams taking an OT. Of the last 50 mock drafts posted on HailRedskins.com 44 of them have the Rams taking an OT, and 28 of those have the Rams taking Andre Smith from Alabama. I am not sold on Smith, I believe he is actually too large and slow especially to play LT in the NFL. Also his footwork is simply not good enough right now.

With a new coaching staff under Steve Spagnuolo and a new GM in Billy Devaney the Rams will first have to decide on which players they will keep, what free agents they are interested in and based on their philosophy what players they will draft. So hey nobody knows anything yet, but it sure is fun to talk Rams football in January.

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

Rank	Team	POSITION	Player
1		OT	Andre Smith
2		OT	Eugene Monroe
3		OT	Jason Smith
4		OT	Eben Britton
5		OT	Michael Oher

:Let’s break down what I think would happen at the top of the draft if the draft was today:

This feature will get easier and easier to do each week, and I will go farther in depth as the season progresses. Right now this is just early thoughts.

1. Detroit Lions (0-14): The debate is truly on for the Lions. Do they take one of the big offensive lineman at the top of the draft or do they take a QB? Maybe even another need position can be addressed.  Andre Smith looks like the most sure pick at the top of the draft, and he would help bolster an offensive line that hasn’t been able to get the running game going all season.  They could also take Oher, in my opinion the better pass blocker of the two offensive tackles. Then comes the fan favorite choice….picking a quarterback. Most NFL scouts think that Matthew Stafford is more NFL ready than Sam Bradford, but Bradford has been more accurate and has the most upside. If I had the #1 pick and couldn’t win a game along with having to deal with an unhappy fanbase I’d take the best player available. In this case he’s also the safest bet and that’s Andre Smith.

The Pick: Andre Smith (OT, Alabama)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): The Rams have tons of problems but they have a quarterback and a running back that they can trust in the future. They also have young receivers, including Donny Avery to help their offense grow in the future. Last season they took Chris Long, so this around it’s only fitting that they take a offensive tackle. With Andre Smith gone it makes the choice a lot simpler for the Rams. Michael Oher has to be the pick here for now.

The Pick: Michael Oher (Ole Miss)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-12): Now the debate continues for the Chiefs between Stafford and Bradford. Last time we had Kansas City taking Matthew Stafford (as I have all along). Since then Sam Bradford has led Oklahoma to the national championship game and has won the Heisman Trophy. Stafford’s Georgia Bulldogs have faded down the stretch and ended up in the Capital One Bowl instead of a BCS game after being ranked preseason #1. Stafford has the stronger arm but doesn’t read defenses as well as Bradford appears to. Stafford is the safer choice. I also think Stafford is the more likely to leave while Bradford is more likely to return.

More is coming up soon on numbers 4-10! And also very soon is a new NFL mock draft!

1. Detroit Lions (0-8): Lions fans weren’t very happy with my last mock draft when I had Ray Mauluaga going #2 overall to the Kitty Cats. The needs in Detroit are endless, that’s the problem. Is Dan Orlovsky the answer at quarterback or is Drew Stanton the answer? The problem is that Orlovsky has already been replaced by shoo-in Daunte Culpepper (even though he is injured as well) and Stanton hasn’t even been given a shot. So do the Lions go quarterback in the first round? Maybe even running back? The best choice is probably just to solidify their offensive line by drafting an offensive tackle, but which one? Michael Oher or Andre Smith? The more and more video I watch, the more I like Andre Smith from Alabama.

The Pick: Andre Smith (OT, Alabama)

2. Cincinnati Bengals (1-7): And as Bengal fan watching the 2009 NFL Draft you’d be pretty upset right now. The Bengals want Andre Smith. He would help their running game (finally a running game in Cincinnati) and help protect Carson Palmer. The Bengals two star wide receivers might actually be able to make plays if Palmer has time to throw. But don’t fear Bengals fans, because there are two great offensive tackles in this draft. Michael Oher wouldn’t been a top ten pick in last year’s NFL Draft, and now he’s finally leaving Mississippi. He could even almost be called a “steal” at #2 overall, if that’s even possible.

The Pick: Michael Oher (OT, Mississippi)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7): Everyone has the Chiefs taking a quarterback in the first round. It’s hard to determine right now if Herm Edwards thinks Brodie Croyle the QB of the future for the Chiefs, but it’s looking more and more likely that he isn’t. Tyler Thigpen hasn’t played well either and we’ve seen Damon Huard try to play quarterback the entire time he’s been in this league. Just to sum it up nicely, he’s failed. Matthew Stafford from Georgia would be a nice choice here, but he does need to tone his skills quite a bit.

The Pick: Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)