Mock Draft

(1) Detroit Lions - QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
The Lions, fresh off the worst season by a team in NFL history, need a new face to lead their franchise. At this point in time, Stafford is essentially the undisputed #1selection in this draft. He led a great Georgia offense and, although his team underachieved, Stafford has the best professional potential of the quarterbacks in this class. The Jon Kitna/Dan Orlovsky/Daunte Culpepper/Drew Stanton approach certainly will not translate to success this year, so Stafford is a no-brainer. He has great size, a powerful arm, good accuracy, some mobility, and the intangibles to succeed in the NFL. With the impact Matt Ryan made in Atlanta, I definitely expect the Lions to make this selection.

(2) St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith, Baylor
The Rams need help in a lot of areas. They could certainly use help on the defensive side of the ball, but their biggest need going into this draft is along the offensive line. They need to protect Marc Bulger to keep him healthy and to open up holes for Steven Jackson. Orlando Pace, one of the best offensive tackles of this generation, was recently cut by the team. Alex Barron, who I really liked when he came out in 2005, has been an utter disappointment and cannot even be fully counted on to anchor the right tackle position. That is why Smith makes so much sense here. Although I really like Eugene Monroe and believe he will be a top-flight left tackle in the NFL, Smith has emerged as the best offensive tackle in this class. Smith had a very good senior season and simply has made the most of the draft process. He performed admirably at the Combine, measuring in at 6'5" and 304 pounds, running a 5.22 second 40 yard dash, and putting up 33 reps of 225 pounds. Smith can step right in and start at left tackle for the Rams; they need an immediate starter because Pace was just released. Smith has the size, athleticism, pedigree, and prowess in the passing and running game to develop into a top-flight left tackle in this league. This pick makes too much sense.

(3) Kansas City Chiefs – LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
I initially had the Chiefs reaching a little and selecting Mark Sanchez here, but the team solved their need at quarterback by trading the #34 pick to the Patriots for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. With that major acquisition, the Chiefs have a lot more options with this pick. Other than Aaron Curry, the only other players that would really make sense here are Eugene Monroe and Michael Crabtree. The Chiefs have addressed those needs in the past in two drafts with the selections of Dwayne Bowe and Branden Albert in the first round in the 2007 and 2008 drafts, respectively. Curry is arguably the best player in this draft and the top player on my top 100 and can fit into any scheme. Kansas City will be transitioning to the 3-4 defense this year and, though I believe Curry would be an even better fit in the 4-3, he will still be a dominant playmaker in any defense. After Kansas City's moves thus far, Curry won't make it past this pick.

(4) Seattle Seahawks – OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Michael Crabtree seemed like a lock to go here until the Seahawks invested in T.J. Houshmanzadeh with a five year, $40 million contract. The Seahawks have a lot of talent for a team picking #4 overall, but they certainly wouldn't pick another receiver and pay him a ton of guaranteed money when there are talented players available who fit their needs a lot better. This pick basically comes down to Eugene Monroe and B.J. Raji. The Seahawks have an elite left tackle in Walter Jones and a very solid right tackle signed long-term in Sean Locklear, but this very well could be Jones' last season. The Seahawks also are a little underwhelming at the defensive tackle position. Brandon Mebane is one of the more underrated defensive tackles in the league and Colin Cole was brought over as a free agent from the Packers. Red Bryant also could develop into a solid starter after being highly regarded coming out of Texas A&M last year. Monroe and Raji both should be immediate starters in the NFL, so the team really can't go wrong with either. In the end, though, Monroe makes more sense because he is the higher rated prospect, plays a more valuable, coveted position, and fills more of a long-term need. He can learn behind one of the best in the game, Walter Jones, and then fill his shoes and start on this team for the next 10 years.

(5) Cleveland Browns – DE/OLB Everette Brown, Florida State
One of the things that caused the absolute underachievement of the Cleveland Browns was the overall play of their defense. They acquired Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, but those moves did not have their expected impact because the secondary and pass rush were both very weak. While I believe secondary is a much bigger need for the Browns, there really isn't a defensive back worthy of this selection. I really like Malcolm Jenkins, but his workouts simply didn't warrant him being a top five pick, while Vontae Davis is too raw to be picked this high. On the other end of this spectrum are pass rushers; both Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo are available here. It is commonly said that an improved pass rush will result in an improved secondary, and both of these players will provide instant pass rush in the NFL. I think both of these players are excellent, but I grade Brown slightly higher because of the variety of moves he has to get to the quarterback. He is a very polished pass rusher, while Orakpo, though very productive in college, relied on his pure strength and athleticism to get to the QB. Brown had a phenomenal junior season, racking up 13.5 sacks. He was born to play in the 3-4 scheme and would be a great fit opposite Kamerion Wimbley in the Browns' defense. Malcolm Jenkins could be a realistic option here if he improves his 40 time and performance in drills at his pro day, but Brown makes the most sense right now.

(6) Cincinnati Bengals - DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
The Bengals really are a mess right now. Carson Palmer is coming off major injury, T.J. Houshmanzadeh is gone, Chad Johnson had arguably his worst season as a pro, the offensive line was weak and underwhelming, and the defense was porous. Basically, the team can afford to pick the best available player here. If Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, the two top offensive tackles in this draft, are available, one of them will be Cincinnati's selection. However, if both are gone, B.J. Raji makes the most sense. The defensive line is the base of the defense and therefore the key to stopping opposing offenses. After making a very good pick with Keith Rivers last year, Raji would be another piece to the puzzle. He is a big, dominant force with surprising athleticism and pass rush ability and will be a rock solid nose tackle for years to come. He would look great next to Domata Peko is the team's only legitimate starter at the position, although Pat Sims does have some potential. If Monroe and Smith are gone, Raji will be the pick.

(7) Oakland Raiders – WR Michael Crabtree
The Raiders could go in a few different directions with this pick, but I expect the Raiders to add another important piece to their offense. This will be either a wide receiver or an offensive tackle. I have said if previous mocks that if Michael Crabtree fell to #7, the Raiders would take him almost undoubtedly. With Crabtree's injury, although it isn't too major, he should be available here now. He is one of the greatest college receivers ever, and who knows how much he could have accomplished if he had stayed in college for his remaining two years of eligibility. I don't think Al Davis will be able to help himself if Crabtree falls here, and it would be one of the few picks the Raiders have made over the yeras that I've agreed with. The team signed Javon Walker to a massive contract last year, but that doesn't make him a #1 receiver. Ashley Lelie and Drew Carter have not worked out as reclamation projects, and Johnnie Lee Higgins will be a slot receiver at best. JaMarcus Russell needs a legitimate #1 receiver, and Crabtree would fit that role. He won't impress with his workout numbers, but his collegiate accomplishments speak for themselves. This is a no-brainer.

(8) Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
With four offensive tackles that could potentially go in the top 10 in this draft, I would be extremely surprised if the Jaguars don't take one of Monroe, Oher, or Andre or Jason Smith. Khalif Barnes is set to become a free agent and likely won't be back, so the Jaguars should look to address the position in the first round. Unless one of the top prospects like Curry or Crabtree are available, Oher makes a lot of sense here. Although some draft analysts feel that Oher isn't one of the top three tackles right now, I still believe that he has the tools to be a franchise left tackle. He has outstanding size, strength, athleticism, and overall potential. Some are concerned with his pass blocking ability and feel he would be better off at guard, but, in my opinion, he showed fantastic ability in college and will translate that success to the pros. Oher has been able to jump every obstacle in his life so far and I see no reason why he won't succeed in the NFL.

(9) Green Bay Packers – DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
The Packers are transitioning to a 3-4 defense this year, and they will need some new personnel to run it well. The two best projected 3-4 defenders in this draft, Everette Brown and B.J. Raji, are off the board. The Packers are depending on Ryan Pickett to hold down the nose tackle spot, while the team really has no quality option opposite Aaron Kampman at the outside linebacker position in this scheme. Brian Orakpo was extremely productive at Texas and has phenomenal athletic tools. Orakpo produced 11.5 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss last year, and also may be better against the run than Everette Brown. He will test very well at the Combine and has shot further up draft boards as the draft approaches. He tested very well at the Combine and should be able to provide an instant pass rush, whether he lands in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

(10) San Francisco 49ers – QB Mark Sanchez, USC
The 49ers have been building a pretty solid young core on both sides of the ball, but they are still thin at some positions. I said previously that if Mark Sanchez fell this far, the 49ers would select him. The 49ers thought that they had found the answer to their problems at the quarterback position when they took Alex Smith out of Utah in 2005 with the #1 overall pick. However, Smith has been a huge disappointment and lost his starting job last year. Smith has put up 19 touchdowns with 31 interceptions in his career and recently took a huge pay cut to return to the team. Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan shared duties at quarterback for the 49ers last year and, though the team showed signs of life down the stretch, they are not the solution to the team's issues. Mark Sanchez put up fantastic numbers at USC and has a gunslinger's mentality. Although there are questions about his collegiate experience and his ability to read defenses, he has the potential to be a top-flight NFL quarterback. Sanchez comes from a pro-style offense and produced terrifically at USC when he had the chance to play. Though they don't want to give up on Smith, it would be extremely difficult to pass on Sanchez here.

(11) Buffalo Bills – LB Brian Cushing, USC
The Bills started off strong last season, but faltered down the stretch due to many different reasons, one of the most glaring being a lack of pass rush. The team has some solid depth at the position, but no impact player outside of Aaron Schobel. Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney underachieved, and it's very realistic that one of them will be released to save salary cap space. Chris Ellis was drafted in the third round in last year's draft, but he didn't make much of an impact and is still a project. The four players only combined for seven total sacks last year, and Schobel, Kelsay, and Denney all have expensive long-term contracts. Unforunately, Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo are both off the board here, so the Bills will have to look at other options. One of the team's glaring needs right now is for an outside 'backer. It has been rumored that Paul Posluszny could move to outside linebacker, which would then allow for the Bills to take Rey Maualuga here. Maualuga wouldn't fit into the Tampa 2 very well, but he is simply a playmaker. At the present time, Brian Cushing makes the most sense. He lined up all over the field at USC and did whatever was asked of him; the only real flaw I see with him is his durability. If Cushing can stay healthy, he will be an impact player next year for whatever team that drafts him. It is very possible that the Bills bring back Angelo Crowell or sign a guy like Cato June, but until that happens Cushing will be my projection here.

(12) Denver Broncos – DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
The Broncos missed the playoffs last year because of their extremely porous defense. Their defense couldn't stop anyone down the stretch, and they even have to adjust to a 3-4 defense this year. I believe Rey Maualuga and Malcolm Jenkins are the best defenders available, but the team actually has the linebacker position fairly settled and it's more important to address the front seven. Jackson is a great base end who can do it all, and fits perfectly into the 3-4 scheme. The Broncos' defense line is one of the worst in the league right now, but Jackson would be a tremendous addition. Whatever happens, it will be certain that the Broncos go defense with this selection.

(13) Washington Redskins – OT Andre Smith, Alabama
The Redskins are an aging team that has not lived up to expectations recently. Daniel Snyder continues to make flashy moves and spend a lot of money to try to make it back to the playoffs, but the results haven't been impressive. One place where this aging is very apparent is along the offensive line. The starters at the tackles are Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen, and neither is getting any younger. Jansen's time as a starter is probably over or close to it, and Samuels struggled through injuries last year. Andre Smith is extremely talented, but has slipped a little (or a lot, depending on who you talk to) due to a lot of questions about his weight control and character. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism is hard to find, though, and his college experience cannot be denied. He started all three of his seasons at left tackle in the ultra-competitive SEC and was a part of a very successful Alabama team this past year. Smith is a fantastic run blocker and can more than hold his own in pass protection. He is one of the riskiest picks in this draft, but he could be a pretty special left tackle if he lives up to his potential. All of his poor decisions as of late are certainly eye-opening, but Smith would be an infusion of youth on the Redskins' offensive line and would likely start right away on the right side in place of Jansen. Andre Smith has a high bust factor, but I don't see the Redskins caring for some reason.

(14) New Orleans Saints – FS/CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
The Saints still need defensive help; their offense has always been able to put up points, but they haven't learned how to win games defensively yet. The Saints' secondary is arguably the weakest part of their team, and Jenkins is the best defensive back in this draft. After the Saints signed Jabari Greer, Jenkins would start at free safety for the Saints. He didn't have a good Combine, which is why he has fallen, but his talent and performance in college with Ohio State cannot be denied. Ohio State has a history of producing great NFL defensive backs and I've always really liked Jenkins. The Saints picked up Sedrick Ellis last year and Laurinaitis would be another important piece to the core.

(15) Houston Texans – CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
The Texans have a lot of issues in the defensive secondary. Taylor Mays would have been an ideal fit here had he declared for the draft this year, but unfortunately he didn't. So, the Texans will have their choice of Vontae Davis and William Moore if they decide to address that area. Vontae Davis has obvious talent and has pretty good bloodlines; he and San Francisco's Vernon Davis are brothers. He has pretty good size at around 6'0", 200 pounds and also is extremely athletic. Although there are some questions about his character and on-field discipline, his physical tools cannot be denied. If the Texans are willing to put in the work to develop him and live with the lumps, Davis could turn out to be even better than Malcolm Jenkins. However, there is also a very realistic chance that he busts. If Davis is available here, I expect the Texans to take him unless there is a prospect available that they cannot pass up. Dunta Robinson is injury-prone, and Jacques Reeves, DeMarcus Faggins, Fred Bennett, and David Pittman aren't really fit to be starters in this league. Jeremy Maclin is a big possibility here, but Davis makes more sense.

(16) San Diego Chargers – ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
The Chargers, as usual, don't have a lot of needs going into the draft. If Maualuga falls to the Chargers, I can't see them passing him up. He is an excellent fit for the 3-4, and the Chargers could use another playmaking linebacker, especially on the inside. Tim Dobbins, Derek Smith, Matt Wilhelm, and Brandon Siler are all solid players, but Maualuga would certainly be an upgrade over any of those players to start next to Stephen Cooper. He was a great playmaker at USC and could bring even more swagger to a Chargers defense already full of playmakers. I can't really see the Chargers going in any other direction with this pick with the players available. Maualuga simply makes too much sense.

(17) New York Jets – WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
After the Jets' spending spree last year, they really don't have a lot of needs. Quarterback is arguably their biggest need, but this is a bit high for Josh Freeman. Of the prospects available, it would likely come down to Jeremy Maclin and Chris Wells. The Jets have a bigger need at wide receiver after Laveranues Coles was released; Jerricho Cotchery is not a number one receiver. Jeremy Maclin was an extremely productive receiver for Chase Daniels at Missouri over his two year career there. He redshirted his true freshman year, so he only had two years of collegiate experience. He isn't a finished product at receiver, but he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and has been very productive. As long as the Jets acquire a new quarterback, Maclin will be a great addition and will contribute in many ways. Wells would be enticing, but Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are adequate at running back.

(18) Chicago Bears – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
The Bears were surprisingly able to produce pretty well passing the ball this year with Kyle Orton at quarterback and uninspiring wide receiving corps of Brandon Lloyd, Mary Booker, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and Rashied Davis. Darrius Heyward-Bey, though not very productive in college, was one of the top performers at the Combine. He has flown up draft boards and should now be the third receiver selected behind Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin. DHB is more physically talented than any of the current Bears receivers and, if he lives up to his potential, will combine with Greg Olsen and Hester to give Orton a pretty good arsenal of weapons. The Bears added an important piece to their offense last year in Matt Forte, and Heyward-Bey could be another important piece.

(19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
In earlier mocks, I projected a wide receiver going here. Percy Harvin would make a lot of sense here and would fill a need for the team. However, with Freeman rising up draft boards, the lack of a surefire starting quarterback on the Bucs' roster, and a new coach, it all makes too much sense. Freeman is soaring up draft boards due to his performance at the Combine and his combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism. Joe Flacco made his way up to being picked 18th by the Baltimore Ravens, so this wouldn't be unrealistic by any means. Brian Griese is a journeyman backup, Josh Johnson may have more of a future as a receiver, and Luke McCown looks like he'll never be a starter in this league.

(20) Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
In my previous mock, it was a tough decision here among Brian Cushing, Peria Jerry, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. With Cushing and Heyward-Bey gone, I will go with the only of the three still available. The Lions traded defensive tackle Cory Redding along with a 5th round pick for Julian Peterson to fill the hole opposite Ernie Sims, so going defensive tackle with this second first round pick now makes even more sense. Jerry is a fantastic penetrator with great quickness off the line. Some have compared him to Tommie Harris, but he certainly isn't as physically talented or dominant as Harris is. Jerry's age is also a concern; he'll be 25 years old as a rookie. Jerry has some potential downsides, but he is the best player available here at a position of need for the Lions. With a ton of needs, Detroit needs to pick the best available player and will even entertain moving up or down with this pick.

(21) Philadelphia Eagles – RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State
The Eagles don't have a ton of needs; they will likely essentially go with the best player available approach. The best player available here is Chris Wells and, though it looks like the Eagles are set at running back with Brian Westbrook, he is injury prone and the Eagles have very little behind him. Wells will have an immediate impact on the team that drafts him due to his elite combination of size, speed, power, and home-run ability. He complements Brian Westbrook perfectly and would allow for the Eagles to go with a running back-by-committee approach and run the ball more often. With no more overly enticing options available, Wells would be the pick.

(22) Minnesota Vikings – WR Percy Harvin, Florida
Outside of Adrian Peterson, the Vikings were below average last year. The team threw money at Bernard Berrian last year to bring him into the fold, but he didn't make the expected impact. The team traded for Sage Rosenfels this offseason but, in order for him or incumbent Tarvaris Jackson to succeed, he will need plenty of weapons around him. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor make up arguably the greatest rushing attack in the league, and Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice are both capable receivers. However, another big time threat would certainly be welcomed into Minnesota. Percy Harvin was simply a playmaker at Florida over his three year career there. He isn't the most polished receiver, but he contributed by returning, receiving, and running the ball. I don't exactly know how Harvin would be utilized by the Vikings, but teams will jump on the ability to draft a player like Harvin who should be able to make an immediate impact. Playmakers are always coveted in the NFL, and Harvin certainly fits under that classification. I could see the Vikings drafting Eben Britton here to take over the right tackle spot, but Harvin will make more of an immediate impact with the team and players like him are harder to find.

(23) New England Patriots – ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
I strongly believe that if Laurinaitis had declared for the 2008 Draft as a junior, the Patriots would have selected him at #7 overall. They reached a little for Jerod Mayo instead at the pick, but he was an instant sensation for the Patriots and was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. There are plenty of quality hybrid outside linebackers left, and at least one will be available when the Patriots pick again at #34. Larry English, Michael Johnson, Aaron Maybin, and Clint Sintim all are still available. Laurinaitis would team with Mayo to provide one of the greatest inside linebacker combos in the NFL and would allow for one of the league's oldest defenses to get younger and more athletic. He is one of the most productive linebackers in the history of college football, and his accomplishments rival that of his former teammate A.J. Hawk. He is a tackle machine and would certainly be utilized to his greatest potential by the well-oiled machine that is the New England Patriots coaching staff. I could see the Patriots picking one of the outside linebackers mentioned above here, but Laurinaitis is the best value at a need position for the Patriots.

(24) Atlanta Falcons – TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
The Falcons offense improved immensely from 2007 to 2008, mainly due to the additions of Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. The team surprised everyone and made the playoffs, and they don't have a whole lot of holes this offseason. There are a lot of positions, though, where they can improve. Their team isn't particularly strong in many areas, although they are adequate in all. After losing Alge Crumpler last offseason, though, the Falcons are below average at the tight end position. Justin Peelle was the team's leading tight end in the receiving department with a paltry 15 catches for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. Pettigrew isn't an elite talent, but he is certainly the top tight end in this draft. He is an outstanding blocker to go along with being an athletic, dependable target in the passing game. Pettigrew doesn't have great vertical speed, but he has just about everything teams are looking for in a tight end. I'm confident that he'd step right in the the Atlanta offense and contribute solid numbers by being the underneath target of Matt Ryan. This pick makes a lot of sense, and Atlanta would be pretty excited if the best tight end in the draft fell into their laps here.

(25) Miami Dolphins – DE/OLB Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
Bill Parcells has historically loved picking linebackers that fit within his 3-4 scheme. I previously had Aaron Maybin as the pick here, but he fell a bit after a disappointing performance at the Combine. Both Maybin and Larry English slipped a little bit due to disappointing workout numbers, so that will open the door for Michael Johnson to rise a little bit. Michael Johnson is one of the best talents in this draft, and if he lives up to his potential he could wreak havoc for years to come. Johnson's upside is huge, and he could be a star if he develops correctly. He has a fantastic frame and tremendous athleticism and had a pretty productive senior season. His production hasn't always matched his outstanding ability though; he didn't even start for the Yellow Jackets until his senior year. Johnson is an enigma, but could be a steal at this point. Joey Porter was extremely productive last year for the Dolphins, racking up 17.5 sacks. Matt Roth, however, could stand to be upgraded upon. All signs point to the Dolphins spending this pick on an outside 'backer, and Johnson is the best available. It is very possible that the Dolphins would spend this pick on a wide receiver if Jeremy Maclin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, or Percy Harvin somehow fall, and Kenny Britt would even be a possibility if those three are all gone. Johnson makes the most sense, though, with those wide receivers off the board.

(26) Baltimore Ravens – CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
Previously, I anticipated the Ravens' biggest needs to be at linebacker and center. The Ravens were able to bring back Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, though they lost Bart Scott, which somewhat solidifies the linebacking corps. All signs pointed to the Ravens losing Jason Brown in free agency, and they did; however, they brought in Matt Birk to handle duties at center for a very reasonable price. Chris McAllister was released earlier in the offseason and Samari Rolle is set to be released very soon by the team for financial reasons. Though the team signed Dominique Foxworth to a big deal and Fabian Washington is a capable corner, they have very little behind those two and will be in big trouble if injuries hit. Also, Washington will be a free agent at the end of the year and will generate a lot of interest on the open market. The team will need one or two more capable corners and a future starter; Alphonso Smith would be able to step into the nickel role and excel. He isn't the biggest or fastest corner, but he was a big time playmaker on that Wake Forest defense and has all the ability to be a great NFL corner. Vontae Davis will go ahead of Smith because of his natural physical tools, but Smith is the safer pick and should be better right off the bat in the NFL. Eben Britton is also a possibility here, but the Ravens have Jared Gaither, Adam Terry, and Willie Anderson at the tackles, which is more than adequate.

(27) Indianapolis Colts – DT Evander Hood, Missouri
One of the Colts biggest weaknesses last year was their defensive line, specifically at defensive tackle. Eric Foster and Keyunta Dawson, their starters down the stretch, are certainly below average. The Colts would much prefer if Peria Jerry were available here, but he has risen up draft boards and may not be available here. Evander Hood is rising rapidly up my board; Hood performed very well at the Combine and was extremely consistent in college. He may even be giving Jerry a run for his money as the second best defensive tackle in the draft. This is a slight reach and the Colts tend to take the best player available, so I am hesitant to put Hood here. The Colts have neglected the position for a couple of years, though, and they are now left with a cast of late round draft picks, undrafted free agents, and cast-offs from other teams. Hood fits right into the Cover 2 scheme, as he is a fantastic penetrator with great quickness off the line. I expect Hood to be a solid, consistent starter in this league for years, and the Colts would fill a need in the process. There are better players available, specifically Knowshon Moreno and Eben Britton, but the Colts are fairly set at the running back and offensive tackle positions. This pick is set to change a lot before the draft; nothing is even close to set in stone here.

(28) Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – OT Eben Britton, Arizona
The Eagles signed Shawn Andrews' brother, Stacy, in free agency, but still have a gaping hole at left tackle. Winston Justice certainly hasn't panned out since coming into the league as a highly touted second round pick out of USC and cannot be trusted as a starter. Stacy Andrews is a natural right tackle, and Shawn Andrews has made his impact in this league as a guard rather than a tackle. Eben Britton is a powerful tackle with a projectable frame and, most importantly, the versatility to play either tackle position. His athleticism is a bit questionable, which may hinder his ability to play the left side in the pros. However, his verstality and proficiency in all facets of the game will up his value a bit. Britton is essentially a finished product and should be able to start right away in the NFL. Andy Reid loves drafting linemen in the first round, so this selection would make a lot of sense. I could definitely see William Beatty going here rather than Britton, though, as Beatty is a pure left tackle prospect with much better athleticism than Britton.

(29) New York Giants – RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
The Giants, one of the best and deepest teams in the league, don't have a lot of needs. Going into the offseason, they needed to add a player or two to their front seven; the Giants accomplished that in free agency. Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard are two underrated players who will be great additions to the Giants already-dominant defense. Therefore, the Giants' main needs are on the offensive side of the ball. Wide receiver comes to mind first, as Plaxico Burress' status is extremely uncertain. Kenny Britt is available here and is certainly a possibility, but he isn't the best player available. The unquestioned best player available at this point is Knowshon Moreno. Moreno is somewhat similar to Marshawn Lynch; he has pretty good size and will run a decent 40 but also shows fantastic power and great ability catching the ball out of the backfield. Moreno is up there among the top prospects in this draft, but running backs have lost a lot of value in this league due to the committee approach that has taken over the league. After the Giants lost Derrick Ward to the Buccaneers in free agency, the Giants' depth at the running back position was challenged. The only viable option behind the injury-prone Brandon Jacobs is Ahmad Bradshaw, so they need another complementary back. Knowshon is not a complementary back, but he is by far the best value here and will make an immediate impact as the lightning to Brandon Jacobs' thunder.

(30) Tennessee Titans – WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
The Titans' biggest need, with the loss of Albert Haynesworth to Washington, going into the draft is defensive tackle. At this point, there isn't really a defensive tackle available who is worth this selection. 330+ pound Ron Brace is the only real potential option, but he would be a reach here. As in every one of my mocks over the past couple years, the pick happens to be a receiver. I've like Kenny Britt for awhile now; he has the size, speed, hands, and productivity to be a big-time contributor in the passing game. The Titans need some weapons to complement their elite running game, and Britt could be a playmaker for Kerry Collins or Vince Young. Justin Gage provides no deep threat due to his lack of speed, Brandon Jones is an average receiver, Justin McCareigns isn't a threat in the passing game, and Lavelle Hawkins really didn't contribute as a rookie. Nate Washington, an addition this offseason, is more of a complementary receiver than a #1 target. I could see the Titans being players in the Shaun Rogers trade talks, so we'll see what happens as the draft approaches.

(31) Arizona Cardinals – C Alex Mack, California
The Cardinals really need help at running back, but running backs have very low value in the league currently, and the team should be able to find a quality option in the second round. Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower are average, but there are worse options. James still has the vision and ability to hit holes that made him so good in Indianapolis, and Hightower showed that he is able to be a short yardage back. The Cardinals can pick up more of an all-around guy like LeSean McCoy or Donald Brown in the second round and could even move up to assure they are able to draft one of them. Alex Mack is one of the few "sure" things in this draft; he has all the tools and will be a dominant anchor for years to come. Lyle Sendlein is nothing special and is easily replaceable, especially with a player of Mack's caliber. It is very possible that the Cardials pick Brown or McCoy and address other positions later, but Mack is the best available value at a position of need. William Beatty is also a possibility; the Cardinals currently have the mediocre Mike Gandy penciled in to start at left tackle and Beatty is an athletic, talented blindside protector.

(32) Pittsburgh Steelers – CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
The Steelers are set at most positions on their football team, as they were able to retain almost all of the players from their Super Bowl-winning squad of last year. I believed for awhile that this pick would be an offensive lineman, as Chris Kemoeatu and Max Starks were both set to become free agents. However, the team was able to keep both of those players, so the offensive line isn't quite as big of a need. Cornerback has become a bigger issue for the team, as Bryant McFadden departed as a free agent and there is little depth behind starters Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend. The team has little in terms of quality young talent at the position, so addressing the secondary would make a lot of sense here. Moore is an undersized corner, but makes up for his size limitations with speed, athleticism, hands, and the ability to contribute in run support. He had 12 total interceptions over his last two years of college due to his athleticism, smarts, and technique. Other than his size, I don't see any significant weakness in Moore's game, although his slight frame and lack of elite top-end speed could scare some teams off. Max Unger, Duke Robinson, or Darius Butler will also be considered here, especially if the Steelers are a little scared of the concerns I detailed above.