Mock Draft 2.0

Well, a few of my picks are looking pretty lame right now because the Lions appear to be serious about letting Culpepper compete for the starting QB position, and the Bucs just signed Byron Leftwich.  This completely changes things, so I had to revise my mock. (be gentle)

UPDATE: Since a few people were upset I took the easy way out on the Colts pick, I updated it with whom I want the Colts to draft.

I made a lot of changes and I'll specify the previous pick just for the heck of it.  Here goes!

1. Detriot Lions: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (previously Matt Stafford)
So I read that the Lions are interested in giving veteran QB Dante Culpepper a chance to become the starting QB, which basically throws a stick in my spokes in terms of draft strategy.  I'm not going to argue with that decision, and honestly, I think it may be a pretty good idea.  Culpepper used to be one of the best QBs in the league for a few years back at the turn of the century.  It was probably due to the fact he was just lobbing balls up to Randy Moss, but still, he had to be somewhat accurate right?  Right?!  Anyways, there's no doubt that the Lions are going to find a franchise QB sometime, but it doesn't look as if that time is now.  They could be holding out until next year to pick up Bradford, which would be an insanely better pickup than Stafford, but we'll just have to wait and see. So that basically leaves me with taking a stud defensive player, or a franchise OT.  And obviously, 10 times out of 10, a franchise OT is going to win.

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia (previously Jason Smith)
The position didn't change, just the player.  Pace is gone, they need a franchise OT more than anything.  I could see them taking Raji, which would help their pass rush, but they also need to be able to run the ball and protect Marc Bulger so he doesn't die.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest (previously Eugene Monroe)
If you aren't aware, the Chiefs are another team jumping on the 3-4 bandwagon, which means they need to overhaul their defense.  They picked up Vrabel from the Pats in a trade, but Vrabel is getting old as balls and is only a temporary solution.  They are also in need of a good NT to anchor their d-line, but I think they could find someone later in the draft to fill this position.  The bottom line is, Aaron Curry is too good to pass up.  He's the best defensive player in the entire draft by a mile so the Chiefs have to take him.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas (previously Aaron Curry)
They pass rush is horrible, Orakpo will help this.  Doesn't hurt that he is pretty good.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

7. Oakland Raiders: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

9. Green Bay Packers: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State (previously Clay Mathews, to the dismay of monstersbox)
Not much of an explanation needed.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Mathew Stafford, QB, Georgia (previously Eben Britton)
I think their o-line needs more work than anything, hence the previous pick being Eben Britton.  But with Stafford dropping this far, this is great value for a QB who a lot of people is top 5 talent, whatever that means.  Their QB situation is a big mess as well, and now that they will have solved this issue, they can move on and shore up the o-line.  They already have a great running back to take some of the heat off of Stafford, and there's no doubt that with Singletary running the show, their defense will be top-notch in a few years.  I think this is could be a better situation for Stafford to be in anyways.

11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State (previously Brian Orakpo)
Biggest need?  Pass rush.  BPA?  Maybin.  Where's my Staples easy button?

12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU (previously Brian Cushing)
The Broncos entire defense including their overrated corners need to be overhauled, since they are another one of the 259259825 teams to convert over to a 3-4 defense this season.  He would fill the role of a solid 5 technique DE in a 3-4, which would make their d-line a little bit more stout up front.  With the addition of a good NT, their d-line will be substantially better.

Also, I'm aware the the different numerical techniques that we often refer to here are kind of confusing so I'll break it down real fast. If a DT lines up directly over the center, or on either outside shoulder of a center, that's considered a 0 technique.  If a DT is lined up on the inside of either guard, that's referred to as a 1 technique.  But instead of calling them 0 and 1 technique DTs, they are just refered to as a NT.

If a DT is lined up directly over a guard, that's a 2.  If they line up on the outside shoulder of either guard, that's a 3.  If they line up on the inside shoulder of a OT, that's a 4.  If they line up directly over an OT, that's a 5 (which is where Jackson would play).  And it just continues down the line.  Hopefully that clears up any confusion as far as the different techniques go.  But don't confuse that with the different gaps, such as an A gap, or B gap, etc.  Gaps are used to determine assignments.  Like a NT could be responsible for either A gap (there's two, one on each side of the center) on any given play.  For a NT though, it's usually based on which side of the offensive formation is the strongside.  Anyways...

13. Washington Redskins: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (previously Andre Smith)
This is more of a Dan Snyder move than picking Andre Smith.  It doesn't appear as if they are too happy with how Jason Campbell has progressed as their starting QB, especially considering they were trying to pick up Jay Cutler.  I could easily see them taking Sanchez here with all of the hype he is getting as of late.  It wouldn't necessarily be a bad move, but I only say that because I don't like Sanchez.

14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State (previously Vontae Davis)
Their secondary is a mess, and depending on where they want to play Jenkins, he'd be an upgrade regardless.

15. Houston Texans: Darius Butler, CB, UConn (previously Darius Butler)
This is the Texans biggest need, and Darius Butler would be a perfect fit.  No questionable character issues, not attitude problems, just a guy that performs, and he'll need to when he faces Peyton Manning twice a year.

16. San Diego Chargers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama (previously Malcolm Jenkins)
I could have gone Darius Butler here, but I think someone who is more versatile like Malcolm Jenkins would have benefited them a bit more.  There isn't a safety in the draft worth picking up this early, so I went with ol' trusty, an OT.  Their line could use some upgrades anyways, and Andre Smith is a great OT prospect.

17. NY Jets: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

18. Denver Broncos: Clay Mathews, OLB, USC (previously Brian Pettigrew)
I still ended up taking him monstersbox, eat it!  But I agree, the 18th pick seems like a more reasonable place to take him.  With the addition of Tyson Jackson and Clay Mathews, their defense is starting to look a lot better.

19. Tampa Bay Bucs: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
They just signed Byron Leftwich, which kind of threw me off a bit here, but I still think this is the right choice.  Byron isn't that good, but yet for some reason, when he played for Roflsburger last year everyone forgot his horrible play with the Jaguars and started hyping him up like he is so great but just got screwed out of his starting spot.  If the Bucs decide to go with him as their starter, they'll quickly find out why he hasn't been starting for the last few years.

20. Detroit Lions: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
I love this pick, which is why I stuck with it.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
I noticed a lot of Eagles fans were whining about how much they don't want Wells, and I think they're nuts.  He is the perfect compliment to Westbrook, it would make no sense to pass up on him.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois (previously Everrete Brown)
The more I looked at my last mock, the more I thought how crazy it would be for Brown to drop this far.  It's possible, just highly improbable.  So I went with the next best thing here, a CB.

23. New England Patriots: Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati

24. Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

25. Miami Dolphins: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia (previously Aaron Maybin)
The Phins need a pass rush like Belichick needs a video camera.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

AND NOW, WITH THE 27TH PICK IN THE 2009 NFL DRAFT...
You know it's really hard just settling on one player.  I'd like to draft 4 or 5 different guys here.  But ultimately the decision was very easy in the end.  Polian has no formula for the draft, and anyone who thinks he does is just flat out wrong.  No one really ever knows who he is going to draft, because unlike him, we don't know the ins and outs of what's going on in the organization.  But if I were to guess, I really don't see much of a chance of Polian taking a DT here.  There's just something about taking a UT in the first round over the plethora of amazing o-line talent just waiting here that bothers me.  And if someone like Moreno or Laurinaitis fall, how could you not want one of these guys over someone like Ziggy Hood?  Eh, oh well, I'm just stalling.  So let's get on with the guy I'm going to draft, cool?
...THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SELECT ALEX MACK, CENTER, CALIFORNIA!
That's my pick and I'm sssssstickin too it.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (previously Patrick Chung)
I decided Patrick Chung was too much of a reach and that Pettigrew would help the Eagles running game immensely with his blocking skills.  Not only that, but it gives McNabb another receiving threat like he has been asking for.  They also need an OT to take the place of Runyan, but I think they can find some good talent later on.

29. NY Giants: Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

30. Tennessee Titans: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

31. Arizona Cardinals: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
I don't care what anyone says, this pick is awesome.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alponsho Smith, CB, Wake Forest

Alrighty then, give me your thoughts.