http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NF ... 041009.htmAsterisk (*) indicates a junior.
1. Detroit Lions
QB Matthew Stafford*, Georgia
After losing out on the Jay Cutler sweepstakes and watching a division rival get much stronger at the QB position, the Lions need to address a position that new head coach Jim Schwartz admittedly said, upon taking the job, has not featured a star talent on the Lions’ roster since Bobby Layne.
2. St. Louis Rams
OLT Jason Smith, Baylor
Big, tough, strong, physical and supercompetitive, Smith has the temperament new head coach Steve Spagnuolo is seeking to establish a tough-minded identity. If the Rams can deal Alex Barron on Draft Day, Smith would step in from Day One on the left side.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
OLT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
GM Scott Pioli has shrewdly been wheeling and dealing and reshaping the roster since arriving, already acquiring a franchised quarterback from New England. More moves could be on the way, and it would not be a surprise if the Chiefs found a way to get out of a top-five pick, which few GMs have been able to pull off in recent years. However, if they stay put, adding protection for Matt Cassel would have to be a priority.
Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
4. Seattle Seahawks
RB Knowshon Moreno*, Georgia
Surprising to outsiders, yes. Surprising to NFL evaluators, not at all. Moreno grades out as a top-10 talent, and in a weak draft not featuring elite difference-makers, he could be the most likely to resurrect a struggling offense, take pressure off aging QB Matt Hasselbeck and make the Seahawks instantly competitive on offense again. With whispers growing that GM Tim Ruskell is facing a must-win year, it will be important to kick off the Jim Mora era with a bang, and who would be better than the early favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
5. Cleveland Browns
CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Big, smart, tough, versatile, competitive — if Malcolm Jenkins does not fit the profile of an Eric Mangini-style defensive back, I don’t know who does. The Browns are still weighing their options and have not made a final decision among a handful of players they are considering, but within the coming weeks, it’s very easy to figure out who Mangini is most likely to fall in love with. Jenkins will be a Pro Bowl cornerback in Mangini’s defense.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
OLT Andre Smith*, Alabama
With a minimal investment having been made in Cedric Benson, some veteran executives are convinced Beanie Wells will warrant a look at this spot. However, an offensive lineman makes the running game go much more quickly than a big, injury-prone back. With Levi Jones on the outs, the Bengals need to seriously address the OT position and will likely do so with their first two picks.
7. Oakland Raiders
WR Jeremy Maclin*, Missouri
Maclin is big, fast and electric with the ball in his hands. He plays considerably faster than his timed speed, similar to Bears WR-RS Devin Hester, who sparkled in the eyes of Al Davis three years ago, and Maclin is every bit as field-fast once he gets moving. He has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver and top-flight return man and has proven the last two years that he can make a quarterback look much better than he is. Don’t rule out Percy Harvin for an owner who had no problem giving $60 million to a quarterback with zero passion who was ready to retire after his initial contract.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Big, strong and physical and best-suited for a 4-3 defense, Curry could provide the leadership desired on a team too short on it. Curry may not fill a great need, but GM Gene Smith will be seeking the best player, not filling the biggest need.
9. Green Bay Packers
DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
The key to a 3-4 front is the five-technique position anchored by underrated Ty Warren in New England. Jackson may not be flashy, but he is big, strong, tough and durable and would be a great fit for Dom Capers’ new 3-4 front.
10. San Francisco 49ers
WR Michael Crabtree*, Texas Tech
If the Niners do not stop Crabtree’s free fall, it could continue until a splashy owner such as Dan Snyder becomes enthralled. Crabtree is a great receiver, but he is not an elite athlete, and too many questions about his work ethic could affect his draft status.
11. Buffalo Bills
DE Aaron Maybin*, Penn State
Maybin has lined up on both the right and left sides, which would be a big plus for the Bills, and he possesses the initial burst to trim the corner and bend the edge. High on the Bills’ wish list is a pass-rushing dynamo who could bring more pressure, and Maybin fits the bill.
12. Denver Broncos
QB Mark Sanchez*, USC
With Jay Cutler sent packing, the Broncos will be well-positioned to land a quarterback with their first pick. It’s possible Sanchez goes sooner, but if he does not, he has the quick arm and feet comparable to another former USC quarterback whom head coach Josh McDaniels was seeking to become the face of his franchise. Sanchez may be short on starts, but he had 16 more than Matt Cassel at USC.
13. Washington Redskins
DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
With Albert Haynesworth collapsing the pocket from the inside, the Redskins could have one of the most explosive fronts in football with the addition of Orakpo.
14. New Orleans Saints
OLB Brian Cushing, USC
Cushing fits the mold of a Joe Vitt linebacker — big, strong, passionate and high-motored. He has the ability to play inside or outside and could step into the starting lineup immediately on the strong side to improve the Saints’ run defense.
15. Houston Texans
DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Gary Kubiak has proven how much he values defensive linemen with the selections of Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye in the top 10, shortly after the Texans had spent their top pick on Travis Johnson. Despite signing Shaun Cody and Antonio Smith, the Texans’ D-line still could use a massive clogger in the middle to plug the run.
16. San Diego Chargers
ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
The Chargers need to invest in their LB corps, and Maualuga has the strength, striking ability and defensive temperament that appeals to an old-school GM such as A.J. Smith.
17. New York Jets
QB Josh Freeman*, Kansas State
There’s a good chance Freeman is gone in the top 15 picks. The Jets would be very lucky to be able to stay put and land the only remaining top-flight passer in the draft, especially as Ben Roethlisberger comparisons are growing among evaluators grinding more on Freeman’s tape.
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)
OLB Robert Ayers, Tennessee
Key to Mike Nolan’s 3-4 front are rush linebackers who can leverage the edge, and Ayers possesses the toughness, aggressive temperament and all-out style of play to endear himself to the Broncos’ brass.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi
If it were not for Jerry’s injury history, he could warrant consideration in the top 15 picks. His motor never stops and he knows how to work edges to come free. He would be a great fit in the Buccaneers’ defense.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
OT Michael Oher, Mississippi
How much the Lions truly are placing more value in psychological testing, as Martin Mayhew mentioned after moving into the GM role, may be put to the test at the 20 spot, where it’s possible Oher could still be sitting. He has the physical tools to start at left tackle for a long time — the big question is whether he possesses the desirable mental makeup for a team to feel comfortable pulling the trigger on him early.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey*, Maryland
With DeSean Jackson on one side and Darrius Heyward-Bey on the other, the Eagles could really open up the short passing game for Kevin Curtis and Brian Westbrook. Nothing would appease Donovan McNabb more than adding another receiver.
22. Minnesota Vikings
CB Darius Butler, Connecticut
The Vikings recently locked up Cedric Griffin long term, but Antoine Winfield is not getting younger and Marcus McCauley regressed. Butler’s addition could give the Vikings a much-needed cover man for their nickel defense, which has become increasingly important with more offenses seeking to go four wide.
23. New England Patriots
TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
If any team is in position to draft the best available talent, it is the Patriots, who excel finding great value late in the first round. Pettigrew’s blocking prowess could be a huge benefit to an offensive line still very average on the edges.
24. Atlanta Falcons
LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
A top-10 pick Laurinaitis is not, and he may not have lived up to the huge expectations placed upon him entering his senior season. Nevertheless, he is a great football player with the intangibles desired to continue pushing the Falcons toward an NFC South crown.
25. Miami Dolphins
OLB Clay Matthews, USC
Bill Parcells loves NFL pedigree, and Matthews has plenty of it. He has a similar frame to DeMarcus Ware coming out of Troy, and he could turn out to be a havoc-wreaking rush linebacker in a "30" front.
26. Baltimore Ravens
OT Eben Britton*, Arizona
The Ravens were in the market for Orlando Pace and still have questions on the offensive line that need to be answered with a young quarterback in need of protection.
27. Indianapolis Colts
WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
With Marvin Harrison having departed, the Colts need to add another receiver to allow Tom Moore to go to his preferred four- and five-WR sets. Robiskie would be a reach here, but Bill Polian had no problem reaching for Anthony Gonzalez and could be comforted by Robiskie’s mental makeup and polish.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)
OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
The Eagles need to find a replacement for Tra Thomas, with Winston Justice never having earned any confidence from the staff, and Loadholt has the size and arm length to be functional, with the way Andy Reid protects his tackles.
29. New York Giants
DE Everette Brown*, Florida State
The Giants have more pressing needs than adding another pass rusher, and FSU’s track record may not sit well with the Giants’ brass. Yet, their continuing focus on building inside out brought a Super Bowl trophy to New York, and they could have a difficult time passing on a pass rusher like Brown.
30. Tennessee Titans
C Alex Mack, California
With Kevin Mawae on his last legs, the Titans need to consider getting younger, and Mack has the size, smarts and toughness desired by OL coach Mike Munchak.
31. Arizona Cardinals
RB Beanie Wells*, Ohio State
Ken Whisenhunt’s offense requires a bell-cow back, and while Tim Hightower showed some promise, he was benched late in the season for Edgerrin James and did not prove he could handle a full workload. Wells would upgrade the position and allow the Cardinals to send James packing.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Vontae Davis*, Illinois
The Steelers may be more likely to focus on other needs, but they could still use some help in the secondary. Davis possesses the size, toughness and physical style preferred by Mike Tomlin.
