MACK DRAFT 2.0

Dr. Donovan

1. Detroit (0-16) -Matt Stafford QB Georgia
The Lions are making their 2nd good move as an organization after getting rid of Matt Millen. They are making Matt Stafford and Aaron Curry bid to be the #1 pick. This will assure they get the best value and price for their guy. I see them announcing Stafford’s name followed by a chorus of boos echoing throughout Music City Hall.

2. St. Louis (2-14) - Jason Smith OT Baylor
The Rams are close to pulling the trigger on the sexy pick in Crabtree but instead are smart to draft an offensive lineman. It is rumored that they are shopping this pick as well. Smith makes more sense than Monroe here because he is a better run blocker and Spagnulo is relying through Steven Jackson. I still stand by my opinion that Monroe is the better player though.

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 Kansas City running the 3-4, I think this is the guy he’s been waiting for. If they don’t pick this guy here, Kansas City has some serious issues in the scouting department.

4. Seattle (4-12) – 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. Seattle needs to buff up the offensive line big time and Monroe 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) – Brian Orakpo DE Texas
This guy has been steadily dropping after his pro-day workout and the fact that he is a 3-point stance guy which is a huge risk, ala Vernon Gholsten. The Brown’s need help on defense at almost every position so it would be smart to choose the best player on defense with this pick and I still think Orakpo is that guy.

6. Cincinnati (4-11-1) – Andre Smith OT Alabama
I don’t like this pick anymore than you do but we all know that some team has fallen in love with Andre Smith and if I had to guess, it would be the Bengals. This guy has had problem after problem but still has very good game film. He would be a top three pick if he wasn’t an idiot.

7. Oakland (5-11) - Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech
The Raiders would love one of the top 3 OTs but with them being gone I would look for them to do one of 2 things, trade down to get a speedster like Darius Hayward-Bey or take Michael Crabtree here. Crabtree could be the next great receiver in this league and they shouldn’t have any problems selling seats in Oakland for the next few years.

8. Jacksonville (5-11) – Mark Sanchez QB USC
While I don’t think Jacksonville takes Sanchez at this pick, I do see them trading down and allowing another team to grab him here. It would surprise me if Sanchez falls below this pick. If Jacksonville keeps this pick I see DT BJ Raji going here.

9. Green Bay (6-10) – Malcolm Jenkins FS/CB Ohio State
Jenkin’s stock is sliding but he is still the top guy on my board at this position. The Packers secondary is getting old and Jenkins can play both the Safety and CB spots if necessary.

10. San Francisco (7-9) – Aaron Maybin DE/LB Penn State
I’m personally not as high on this guy as a lot of people but the numbers don’t lie. This guy is a legit pass rusher and a very versatile player and the 49ers need help at both the DE and LB position.

11. Buffalo (7-9) – Brandon Pettigrew TE Okl. St.
Since Buffalo snagged Philly’s other 1st rounder, they now have the option of getting the guy they wanted early and still shoring up their defense with the other pick. Pettigrew may drop to the 20s but I personally can’t drop a top 10 player that far.

12. Denver (8-8) – BJ Raji DT Boston College
Denver should thank their lucky stars that BJ Raji fell to them. I’m not very high on this guy but he’s the best guy at this position in a VERY weak DT class.

13. Washington (8-8) – Brian Cushing LB USC
Cushing is just a plain ol workhorse. This guy doesn’t take plays off and has one of the best motors out of any LB in this draft. Look for the 49ers to go heavy on defense in this draft.

14. New Orleans (8-8) – Chris “Beanie” Wells RB Ohio State
Since I’ve said from the beginning, Reggie Bush cannot carry a full load and with Duece McCallister gone the Saints need a 2 headed monster. Bush and Wells would make the most sense and this offense should shine this year again.

15. Houston (8-8) – Clay Matthews 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) – Rey Maualuga LB USC
What player first comes to mind when thinking about the Chargers in the 90s? Junior Seau. This is the next big LB from USC and the Chargers know how valuable Seau was for many years.

17. New York Jets (9-7) – Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri
The Jets need a WR badly. They upgraded their defense but shouldn’t wait until the 2nd round to grab their wide-out. They have got 2 options here: Maclin or Hakeem Nicks. Also, don’t be surprised if they trade up or down to get their guy. They are rumored to want a QB.

18. Denver Broncos (9-7) – Tyson Jackson DE LSU
This guy is a stud and will be a great pass rusher. He is a heavy riser and may not be here but if he is expect Denver to grab him. He’s athletic and very quick off the ball and can size up any OT.

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 Knowshon Moreno 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) – Michael Oher OT Mississippi
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. Oher is the 4th OT in the top 20 to go in this year’s draft. The Lions have upgraded their offense significantly in this first round. Time for defense from here on out!

21. Philadelphia (9-6-1) – Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia
Despite Andy Reid’s history of not drafting RBs in the first round, the Eagles can’t pass up on Moreno if he is still here at #21. Brian Westbrook needs a compliment guy or you can give him 2 or 3 more years tops.

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) – Darrius Hayward- Bey- WR Maryland
Baltimore has been in the hunt for a playmaker at WR. Rumors have swirled that they wanted Braylon Edwards, Torry Holt and Anquon Boldin. This tells me the Ravens are desperate for a speedster.

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. Buffalo Bills - Robert Ayers DE- Tennessee
Buffalo has a tremendous first round, unlike other years, and gets 2 immediate starters. Weve been saying it for years but this may be the year they break out. Oh yea, they got TO…..nevermind.

29. New York Giants (12-4) – Kenny Britt WR- Rutgers
The Giants need a WR and Percy Harvin and Britt are left for the 1st round. Britt can say ‘thank you” to Harvin for the xtra dough because the Giants would have grabbed Harvin until the failed test incident.

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) – Donald Brown RB - UCONN
I think Brown would be the perfect back for the Cardinals right now. He is a guy who can catch out of the backfield and will compliment Highsmith perfectly.

32. Pittsburgh (12-4) – Max Unger C Oregon
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.