NFP Monday Mock Draft

With the NFL in the middle of free agency, team needs are literally changing by the hour, which makes draft projections especially difficult at this time. Here is the National Football Post’s fifth mock draft of the season:

(Note: As a result of weekend trades, the New England Patriots will now have the 34^th pick after trading Matt Cassel, and the Cleveland Browns will select 50^th after trading Kellen Winslow.)

1.     Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Lions are coming off an 0-16 season and need to find a franchise quarterback to build around. Stafford is an intelligent kid with all the physical tools to develop into a NFL-quality passer.

2.     St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

The Rams have already started addressing their offensive line via free agency with the signing of G/C Jason Brown. Expect them to continue upgrading their O-line in the draft with an LT like Monroe.

      3.     Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

With the trade for QB Matt Cassel, the Chiefs can now sit back and select the best player available. Curry should make an instant impact on the Kansas City defense.

4.     Seattle Seahawks: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree is still a possibility, but with the Seahawks courting T.J. Houshmandzadeh, wide receiver may no longer be a need. Raji is the draft’s top interior defensive lineman and fills the void left by DT Rocky Bernard.

5.     Cleveland Browns: Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State

Brown is an explosive, quick-twitch lineman who should fair well standing up as an outside linebacker and attacking off the edge. He’s the kind of pass rusher head coach Eric Mangini needs for his 3-4 defense.

6.     Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Bengals need to address their offensive line, but OT Anthony Collins played well at the end of last season and could bid for a starting job. The Bengals need to add a playmaker to their defensive line, and Orakpo is an ideal fit as a pass rusher in their 4-3 scheme.

7.     Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

The Raiders could go with OT Jason Smith, who would be an ideal fit in Tom Cable’s zone blocking scheme. But with a talent like Crabtree still on the board, he might be too tempting for the Raiders to pass up.

8.     Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Jaguars are one of the few teams in need of adding a potential starting left tackle to their roster. Smith has possibly the most upside of any lineman in the draft and possesses the athleticism to consistently reach the edge on the outside.

9.     Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB/FS, Ohio State

Obviously, Jenkins didn’t run as well as he hoped at the Combine, but he’s a tough, physical defensive back who has the versatility to line up anywhere in the secondary. With Brown, Orakpo and Raji all off the board, expect GM Ted Thompson to opt for Jenkins.

10.  San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

The 49ers need to add some talent to the right side of their offensive line, and Oher has the size and power to make it work. I don’t think Oher has the type of instincts you want from a left tackle, but he should be a mainstay on the right side.

11.  Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State

The Bills need to add a quick-twitch defensive end this who can reach the edge and attack upfield. Maybin has an impressive first step and will certainly add to the Bills’ sack total next season.

12.  Denver Broncos: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan ideally would like to add a nose tackle or pass rusher at this stage in the draft. But with no one on the board, the Broncos will opt for Maualuga. He has the size and power to be a force inside and should grow into the type of leader the Broncos are searching for on defense.

13.  Washington Redskins: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Smith’s stock has taken a hit the past couple weeks, however, I simply can’t see him falling past the tackle-starved Redskins at No. 13. He possesses impressive size and has the versatility to play on either side of the line.

      14.  New Orleans Saints: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

The Saints desperately need to improve at the cornerback position, and Davis offers as much upside as any DB in the class. He’s a bit raw but has the size, speed and ball skills to develop into a productive corner at the next level.

15.  Houston Texans: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

Just because the Texans signed DE Antonio Smith doesn’t mean a defensive lineman is out of the question here. Ayers is one of the top prospects in the draft and simply hasn’t received the kind of attention he deserves. Teams can never have too many pass rushers, and Ayers has the upside to make an impact.

16.  San Diego Chargers: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

The LaDainian Tomlinson situation looks unsettled in San Diego, and even with the promise of Darren Sproles, the Chargers need to find a bigger back to complement him in the future. Enter Chris Wells, who has the size, power and foot quickness to become a real factor at the next level.

17.  New York Jets: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

The Jets aren’t convinced they have the answer at quarterback, and bringing in a talent like Sanchez could go a long way in determining the franchise’s future. He has the physical and mental tools you look for in a QB with the mindset to handle the tough New York media.

18.  Chicago Bears: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Bears need to upgrade their offensive tackle position, and Britton is the type of long, physical prospect the Bears crave. He has the versatility to play on either the right or left side and could form a strong duo with 2008 first-round pick Chris Williams.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

With the news that the Buccaneers have an interest in Raiders running back Michael Bush, expect Tampa Bay to bypass the RB position in the first round and opt for a playmaking wideout. The Buccaneers need to add more of a vertical threat to their passing game, and Heyward-Bey and his 4.3 speed fit the bill.

20.  Detroit Lions: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

The Lions need to improve the interior of their defensive line, and a talent like Jerry would go a long way. He possesses an explosive first step and makes a living in opponents’ backfield. He has a motor that runs non-stop and could become a real force on the Lions’ defense.

21.  Philadelphia Eagles: William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

Even with the signing of OT Stacy Andrews, the Eagles still need to find someone to man the left side of their offensive line if they want to keep Shawn Andrews at guard. Beatty is a gifted athlete with long arms and smooth footwork; he has the ability to become a mainstay at left tackle.

      22.  Minnesota Vikings: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

The Vikings traded for QB Sage Rosenfels on Friday and now have a legitimate threat quarterback for their passing game. Adding a talent like Maclin would allow the Vikings to create even more mismatches in the pass game and become more explosive on offense.

23.  New England Patriots: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

Even with Matthews’ more publicized teammate, Brian Cushing, still on the board, I expect the Pats to opt for Matthews. He’s a hard-working, intelligent kid who displays impressive athleticism for the position.

24.  Atlanta Falcons: Sean Smith, DB, Utah

The Falcons need to add a tight end to the roster, but I expect them to opt for a pass-catching threat in the second round. Smith has the ability to come in and make an instant impact at either safety or corner in the Falcons’ secondary.

25.  Miami Dolphins: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

The Dolphins have more glaring needs, but with a talent like Cushing falling into their laps at No. 25, he seems too good to pass up.

26.  Baltimore Ravens: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

With the Ravens losing ILB Bart Scott to free agency and the loss of Ray Lewis still a possibility, Baltimore may be praying that a talent like Laurinaitis falls to them on draft day. Laurinaitis is an instinctive defender who should be able to make an instant impact in the Ravens’ 3-4 defense.

27.  Indianapolis Colts: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Harvin is still developing as a wide receiver, but his combination of speed and athleticism would make him downright deadly in the Colts’ passing offense. Indy will be in search of a wideout now that Marvin Harrison is gone; Harvin could thrive in the Colts’ offense.

28.  Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

Pettigrew might be falling on some draft boards because of his lack of top-end speed. However, the Eagles are in desperate need of a tight end who can handle the point of attack vs. defensive ends on the outside.

29.  New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Nicks is a level-headed player who doesn’t draw much attention, but he gets the job done. He’s a great route runner and should create good chemistry with QB Eli Manning over the middle.

30.  Tennessee Titans: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

Hood’s stock is at an all-time high after a strong Senior Bowl showing and a downright impressive Combine performance. The Titans are in need of an interior defensive lineman after the loss of Albert Haynesworth, and Hood has the ability to contribute from day one.

      31.  Arizona Cardinals: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Running backs always tend to slip on draft day, and the 4.57 40 time produced by Moreno at the Combine will likely force him to slip a bit more. But he’s one of the draft’s top 20 prospects and will be an ideal fit in the Cardinals’ spread attack.

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California

Even with the re-signing of guard Chris Kemoeatu, the Steelers still need to add more talent and depth to the interior of their offensive line. Mack is a tough lineman with the versatility to play center and guard. He’s a safe value at the end of round one.

Second Round

33.  Detroit Lions: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Head coach Jim Schwartz needs to add talent to the defensive line, and the paring of Jerry and Johnson is a good start.

34.  New England Patriots: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

A tough cover man who can play both man and zone.

35.  St. Louis Rams: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

Smith is one of the draft’s more fluid corners and adds an instant upgrade to the Rams’ secondary.

36.  Cleveland Browns: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

An ideal 5-technique defensive end for the Browns’ 3-4 defense.

37.  Seattle Seahawks: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

McCoy adds some big-play potential to a run game that’s in desperate need of a difference-maker.

38.  Cincinnati Bengals: Max Unger, C/T, Oregon

A great value as the Benglas need to upgrade the center position. Unger also has the versatility to kick out to tackle, as well.

39.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

Adds some much-needed girth next to DT John Henderson.

40.  Oakland Raiders: Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cincinnati

Barwin has been soaring up draft boards lately and will definitely help improve the Raiders pass rush next season.

41.  Green Bay Packers: Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State

An intriguing 5-technique end who’s loaded with upside.

42.  Buffalo Bills: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss

The type of vertical threat the Bills need at tight end.

43.  San Francisco 49ers: Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

Has the pass-rush ability to help the 49ers on third down.

44.  Miami Dolphins: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

The Dolphins need to add more playmakers at wide receiver, and Britt has the potential to develop into a No. 1 type wideout.

45.  New York Giants: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina

An explosive TE prospect who can provide a vertical threat to the Giants’ tight end position.

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