I resisted doing one of these because I fail to see what purpose they serve. If a person gets more than 1/3 of the first 32 picks correct, it's cause for celebration, it simply doesn't happen that often, even with the so-called experts. I got several comments that made the bizarre comparison that by not having a 'mock' draft on this site somehow meant I was a cowardly sissy-boy.....or something along those lines. Actually, it was suggested I might be lacking certain spherical objects that ultimately define manhood. That comment, by the way, was from a lovely lady.  Hmmmmmm.  This is why I don't have open comment boards. But this is a new blog & never let it be said I don't respond to suggestions, especially from those of you who really should listen to your parole officer & go back on your medication.

I have a couple of readers who played darts with me & they might remember I was pretty good. I'm throwing darts here. I know what each team needs, but I'm going to miss just slightly on many of these picks. Trying to anticipate trades is nearly impossible as well. They can screw up even the best 'mock' draft, if there is such a thing. If I get more than 16 right, I want comments, emails, telegrams & phone calls saluting my expertise.  If I get less than 10 right, hey, I told you it was a dumb idea, what am I Kreskin?

This 'mock' draft will include a few trades, not because they're likely to be consummated, but because I want my 'mock' draft to stand out against all other 'mock' drafts. So without further delay, I promise I won't say 'mock' anymore,  here we go.


1. Detroit Lions---Mathew Stafford---QB---Georgia---The Lions need almost everything & have another 1st round pick, #20 overall. Unfortunately there won't be a quarterback who can play in '09 at #20. Take Stafford.

2. St. Louis Rams---Jason Smith---OT---Baylor---Orlando Pace is gone, they are desperate for a left tackle & Smith is the best prospect.

3. Buffalo Bills(from Kansas City)---Eugene Monroe---OT---Virginia---The Bills traded LOT Jason Peters last Friday & ROT Langston Walker has been a disappointment, so getting a player of Monroe's caliber is a must.

4. Seattle Seahawks---Mark Sanchez---QB---USC---Matt Hasselback has missed playing time with back problems the past 2 seasons & he's 33 years old. They might trade this pick to Washington, who wants Sanchez as well.

5. Cleveland Browns---Michael Crabtree---WR---Texas Tech---The Browns' receiving corp has been decimated, Kellen Winslow was traded, Donte Stallworth is going to prison, Joe Jurevicius retired & Braylon Edwards is going to be traded to the Giants. This looks like a no-brainer, so they'll pick a linebacker right?

6. Jacksonville Jaguars(from Cincinnati)---Jeremy Maclin---WR Missouri---Jags WR corp was wiped out by drug abuse, lousy talent evaluation & poor play. They desperately need a playmaker like Maclin. After Crabtree & Maclin, there's quite a dropoff, so trading up 2 spots is the right move for Jax.

7. Oakland Raiders---Andre Smith---OT---Alabama---The Raiders wanted Crabtree or Maclin, they need a D-lineman & an offensive tackle. Smith's troubled past fits right in with Oakland's style.

8. Cincinnati Bengals(from Jacksonville)---Brian Orapko---DE/OLB---Texas---The Bengals' pass rush was almost 'Kansas City-bad', just 17 sacks, they move down 2 spots, still get their pass rusher plus another pick.

9. Green Bay Packers---B. J. Raji---NT---Boston College---The best DT/NT in this year's draft & it's a major need with the move to a 3-4 defense.

10. San Francisco 49ers---Aaron Curry---LB---Wake Forest---The Niners need a safety, a wide receiver & a right tackle but I can't see how  coach Mike Singletary, himself a Hall of Fame linebacker, can resist taking the best defensive player in the draft who has slipped this far.

11. Kansas City(from Buffalo)---Aaron Maybin---OLB---Penn State---This was a very tough choice between Maybin & Tyson Jackson. The Chiefs need proper D-linemen in their new 3-4 scheme, but they need a speedy pass rusher like Maybin even more. Don't like the fact he's only started for one season though.

12. Denver Broncos---Tyson Jackson---DE---LSU---This is the type of defender needed in a 3-4 defense.

13. Washington Redskins---Robert Ayers---DE---Tennessee---The Skins need outside pressure to go with mega-millionaire, Albert Haynesworth. Not as sexy as getting Sanchez, but it's the right move.

14. New Orleans Saints---Malcolm Jenkins---CB---Ohio State---Jenkins has all the skills needed but he lacks speed. Still, he's the best at this position & the Saints badly need a corner.

15. Houston Texans---Brian Cushing---LB---USC---He can play all 3 LB spots & flies all over the field.

16. San Diego Chargers---Chris "Beanie" Wells---RB---Ohio State---The Chargers need a guard, defensive end & a right tackle, but LT's near the end & it's very questionable if Darren Sproles can stay healthy for a full season, given his size.

17. New York Jets---Darius Heyward-Bey---WR---Maryland---The Jets need a QB(is this Josh Freeman's spot?), a speed receiver & a cornerback.  Heyward-Bey is scary-fast & has big time 'bust' potential, but then again, so does Josh Freeman.

18. Denver Broncos(from Chicago)---Everette Brown---OLB---Florida State---The first installment of the Jay Cutler trade. The Broncos need defense, defense, defense.

19, Tampa Bay---Peria Jerry---DT---Mississippi---Might be a bit of a reach, but it's their #1 priority & since they signed Byron Leftwich to compete with Luke McCown, I don't see Freeman going here either.

20. Detroit(from Dallas)---Michael Oher---OT---Mississippi---The Lions 1st installment for the Roy Williams trade last season. Lions want to move LOT Jeff Backus to the right side, now they can.

21. Philadelphia Eagles---Knowshon Moreno---RB---Georgia---They need a TE who can block & I considered Brandon Pettigrew here, but with Brian Westbrook's age & injury history, a runner who can also catch the ball is the pick.

22. Arizona Cardinals(from Minnesota thru Baltimore)---Donald Brown---RB---Connecticut---Need an every down back to pair with short yardage specialist, Tim Hightower. Used the pick they received in a trade for Anquan Boldin plus a mid-rounder to move up believing New England wanted Brown too.
 
23. New England Patriots---Rey Maualuga---ILB---USC---Maybe not Belichick's type of player, but Bruschi & Seau are at the end of the line & pairing Maualuga with Jerod Mayo gives the Pats a formidable twosome inside for years.

24. Atlanta Falcons---Clay Mathews---OLB---USC---They need a defensive end, a nose tackle & a safety as well, but Mathews can provide real playmaking ability the Falcons currently lack.

25. Miami Dolphins---Hakeem Nicks---WR---North Carolina---The Phins also need a NT, a cornerback & interior offensive linemen so I made this pick knowing Mr. Parcells probably won't spend a first round pick on a wideout.  But they need someone who can consistently catch the ball & move the chains.  Ted Ginn hasn't been all they hoped.

26.Minnesota Vikings(from Baltimore thru Arizona)---Josh Freeman---QB---Kansas State---Vikes knew they could move down & still get a developmental quarterback who could mature into something great.

27. Indianapolis Colts---Evander "Ziggy" Hood---DT---Missouri---The Colt DT's get pushed around too much & provide little pass rush. They need to get bigger & stronger at this position.

28.Kansas City Chiefs(from Carolina thru Philadelphia & Buffalo)---Eben Britton---OT---Arizona---Big, strong, smart left tackle who would be moved to the right side.

29.Cleveland Browns(from New York Giants)---Larry English---DE/OLB---Northern Illinois---Browns pass rush doesn't scare anybody.  It just got better.

30.Tennessee Titans---Percy Harvin---WR---Florida---Rumored to have tested positive for pot at the combine so Harvin may have to overcome that as well as questions about his durability. The Titans need speed & Harvin has it to burn.

31. Arizona Cardinals---Brandon Pettigrew---TE---Oklahoma State---Doesn't stretch the field, but is a dependable possession receiver & for a tight end, a very tough, willing blocker.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers---William Beatty---OT---Connecticut---Left tackle, Marvel Smith departed in free agency, his replacement, Max Starks, had the franchise tag put on him & the right tackle situation hasn't been resolved either. Beatty needs about 15 pounds of muscle & a lot of weight room work, but he doesn't have to step in & play right now.