MACK DRAFT 1.0

Dr. Donovan
March 14th 09

Round 1

1. Detroit (0-16) -Matt Stafford QB Georgia
Like most people, I’m struggling to figure out if the Lions go with a big name QB or a safe and solid OT. Know matter what the experts think, it’s all about how high the Lions are on Stafford. I like Stafford here and with the depth at OT; they can still get one later in the 1st round or even 2nd. This pick will also rely on what Denver decides to do with Cutler.

2. St. Louis (2-14) - Eugene Monroe OT Virginia
Most people have Jason Smith as the top OT (including myself earlier in the off-season) in this year’s draft but Eugene Monroe has shown me more and comes from a big time program that puts out a history of good offensive lineman. The Rams are close to pulling the trigger on the sexy pick in Crabtree but instead are smart to draft an offensive lineman.

3. Kansas City (2-14) – Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest
This pick is a no brainer to me. Curry can change the face of a defense by himself and with Herman Edwards running the 3-4 I think this is the guy he’s been waiting for.

4. Seattle (4-12) – Jason Smith OT Baylor
Seattle needs to buff up the offensive line big time and Jason Smith will help out immediately. They also are thinking about Crabtree here after going through the WR woes they had last year but realize it isn’t a vital need after signing Whosyourmomma.

5. Cleveland (4-12) – Malcolm Jenkins FS/CB Ohio State
Cleveland needs a tough young corner and Jenkins can come in a start in year one and make an impact. Their defense was like Swiss cheese last year and will hopefully make that their focus in this entire draft. Most have Jenkins at the FS position because of his combine numbers but he is still a good enough athlete on the field to play corner for now.

6. Cincinnati (4-11-1) – Brian Orakpo DE Texas
With OTs Monroe and Smith off the board already the Bengals will have to wait to fill there biggest need at offensive tackle later in the draft. They will NOT risk drafting another guy with a “buyer beware” tag (OT Andre Smith) unless they forgot what got them here in the first place. They instead go with a versatile guy who can play both the DE and the LB positions.

7. Oakland (5-11) - Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
The Raiders just can’t resist and why would they. Crabtree could be the next great receiver in this league. Al Davis just added another big name guy to a struggling offense. At least they shouldn’t have any problems selling seats in Oakland.

8. Jacksonville (5-11) - BJ Raji DT Boston College
Jacksonville should thank their lucky stars that BJ Raji fell to them. They desperately need a 4-3 DT and this is the best guy for the job.

9. Green Bay (6-10) – Everette Brown OLB/DE Florida State
This guy reminds me of last year’s Vernon Gholston but without the “Buyer beware” label. This is the perfect guy to play in the 3-4 defense opposite of Aaron Kampman who had 10 sacks last year despite double teams almost every down.

10. San Francisco (7-9) – Mark Sanchez QB USC
After San Francisco brought in Kurt Warner for an interview, it showed me the 49ers want a QB and want one now. Unless they see something in a QB in the later rounds I believe the 49ers go with the USC QB.

11. Buffalo (7-9) – Brandon Pettigrew TE Okl. St.
Some think Pettigrew will drop in the first round but if Buffalo is smart they will look at this guy and pull the trigger. With TO coming to the Bills I’m not sure if they stay on the offensive side of the ball anymore but this athlete is to good to pass up.

12. Denver (8-8) – Rey Maualuga LB USC
Depending on his pro-day, Maualuga should raise his draft stock back up. After getting hurt in the combine, he dropped significantly and most don’t think he can be a 3 down LB. I think he is one of the only LBs in this draft that was made for it.

13. Washington (8-8) – Andre Smith OT Alabama
Even though Andre Smith has obvious issues he is still a physical freak. He has the intangibles to be one of the greats in this league for a long time if he wants to. There in lies the problem. After what he’s pulled in the last year, it’s hard to see the personal motivation. That’s the ONLY reason he drops this far.

14. New Orleans (8-8) – Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia
Reggie Bush was having a great season last year until the injury. His biggest downfall is that we don’t believe he can carry the RB load. He showed us again he is better as a 1-2 punch and Moreno can be the other half. If the Saints don’t go with a cornerback, this is their guy.

15. Houston (8-8) – Brian Cushing LB USC
The Texans are one or two guys away from being a contender in this league. With the offense looking better and better each year, the Texans know that the only way they get over the hump is on defense. Look for them to bolster the D in the first few rounds especially.

16. San Diego (8-8) – Michael Oher OT Mississippi
Oher is the 4th OT in the top 20 to go in this year’s draft. The Chargers have been on the brink of the Superbowl for the last 4 years and with time not on their side, they elect to bolster the line and help their offense.

17. New York Jets (9-7) – Tyson Jackson DE LSU
The Jets need a WR and I could very well be wrong this pick as I think they look at WRs Jeremy Macklin from Missouri or Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina but with Rex Ryan being a player away from having a solid defense, I believe the Jets grab their WR in the 2nd round and take Jackson.

18. Chicago (9-7) – Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
The Bears haven’t had a name brand WR in years and now that the running game looks set they elect to go with Maclin. This guy brings a lot to the table and can be a playmaker for a long time in this league.

19. Tampa Bay (9-7) – Josh Freeman QB Kansas State
I can see the Bucs going 2 ways with this pick. They could either grab RB Beanie Wells or go with a QB. With a new head coach I think its more likely that they draft a new QB and Josh Freeman is #3 on my list and the only other QB I would even consider in the first round.

20. Detroit - from Dallas (9-7) – William Beatty – OT Connecticut
After drafting the future in Matt Stafford, the Lions need to get some guys to protect him. Teams will be coming at him at all directions and this pick has to be a tackle. After getting a good LB they can grab a CB in the 2nd round.

21. Philadelphia (9-6-1) – Robert Ayers DE Tennessee
I can see the Eagles trying to go for the defensive side of the ball with this pick. Even though Chris Wells is still available and the Eagles need another RB, Reid likes to draft the most important needs first and this includes a pass rushing DE.

22. Minnesota (10-6) – Darius Butler CB Connecticut
Vikings CB Antone Winfield’s contract expires next year and the Vikings need an impact guy in the secondary right now. The LB and DL positions are good but they could be great if the Vikings can find good players in the secondary in this draft.

23. New England (11-5) – James Laurinitis LB USC
Some experts seem to think Laurinitis will drop to the 2nd round after having a below average combine but I don’t see the Pats passing this guy up. All in all, Laurinitis is a football guy and Bellichek knows one when he sees one.

24. Atlanta (11-5) – Vontae Davis CB Illinois
Getting Davis here is a steal for the Falcons. These next 5 teams have huge holes at the CB position and we could very well see a trade with this pick. Otherwise this is a no-brainer for the dirty birds.

25. Miami (11-5) – Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
Nicks is a playmaker and a great hands catcher. Miami needs someone to compliment Ginn Jr. and with Chad Henne probably starting within the next few years, the Dolphins need more weapons in the receiving core.

26. Baltimore (11-5) – Aaron Maybin DE/LB Penn State
Although Maybin has dropped significantly in this draft, I still think he is the kind of guy defensive teams love. He can move around and pass rush that’s what the Ravens will continue to do (even after losing defensive mastermind Rex Ryan) if they are smart. This guy is the perfect fit and will have a chance to be groomed by Ray Lewis.

27. Indianapolis (12-4) – Peria Jerry DT Ole Miss
The Colts take a long hard look at a WR here to fill the void left by 11 year vet Marvin Harrison but elect to draft a more pressing need at DT. Jerry is the 2nd best DT in this draft and can fit the Colts 4-3 scheme well.

28. Philadelphia - from Carolina (12-4) – Percy Harvin WR Florida
Philly needs another weapon for Donovan McNabb beside DeSean Jackson. I can see them taking TE Jared Cook or an OT but I believe they go with a guy who is a playmaker and can return kicks as well. Coaches love 2 for 1 guys!

29. New York Giants (12-4) – Sean Smith CB/SS Utah
This pick depends on if the Giants think Ahmad Bradshaw can shoulder the load when Jacobs goes down, which he most likely will. I can see the Giants grabbing a WR before a RB with this pick but they can also get a decent WR in the 2nd round. They instead go with a guy who may be able to play the SS position or CB, which is a more pressing need at this point.

30. Tennessee (13-3) – DJ Moore CB Vanderbilt
This is most likely CB Nick Harper’s last year with the Titans and they need to fill a void when he is gone. Moore is a guy who can be groomed for a year and play the Nickel position as well. I would say they go with DT but they can get one in the late 2nd round.

31. Arizona (9-7) – Chris Wells RB Ohio State
The Cardinals will not pass up on Wells if he is still here at #31, which doesn’t seem likely. If Wells is gone they would most likely draft RB McCoy from Pitt. but Wells is the 2nd best RB in this draft hands down.

32. Pittsburgh (12-4) – Duke Robinson G Oklahoma
The Steelers don’t have any pressing needs so they will draft the best player that can help them in the future. The champs need to up the quality of their offensive line and Robinson is the best guard in the draft.