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Notes From Lombardi: First Round Mock

Michael Lombardi

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FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

The names are essentially the same, but the order has changed between my first mock draft almost two weeks ago and today’s projected first round. I still believe the Lions will begin their rebuilding with a quarterback, but offensive tackle is a critical position, and I have three going in the first six.

*Please note:  this mock reflects a trade at #11 that I am PROJECTING.

1.     Detroit Lions:  Matthew Stafford    QB    Georgia:  A rebuilding team has to start by addressing the quarterback position.

2.     St. Louis Rams:  Aaron Curry    OLB    Wake Forest:  The Rams could go in any direction.  They need players

3.     Kansas City Chiefs:  Eugene Monroe    LT    Virginia:  Can play right or left tackle, a perfect fit for the Chiefs.

4.     Seattle Seahawks:  Jason Smith    LT    Baylor:  The Seahawks need to upgrade their offensive line.

5.     Cleveland Browns:  Brian Orakpo    DE/OLB    Texas:  Sanchez may be a possibility here.

6.     Cincinnati Bengals:  Andre Smith    OT    Alabama:  The Bengals never seem to care about character issues.

7.     Oakland Raiders:  B.J. Raji    DT    Boston College:  The Raiders need to stop the run.  What better way than by drafting a top-flight run defender.

8.     Jacksonville Jaguars:  Mark Sanchez    QB    Southern Cal:  Sanchez will be the Jaguars’ quarterback of the future.

9.     Green Bay Packers:  Tyson Jackson    DE    LSU:  Drafting a front-seven defensive player here is a must.

10.  San Francisco 49ers:  Aaron Maybin    DE/OLB    Penn State:  The 49ers need to find somebody who can rush from the outside.

11.  New York Jets (via trade):  Josh Freeman    QB    Kansas State:  The Jets trade up to address their need at quarterback.

12.  Denver Broncos:  Robert Ayers    DE    Tennessee:  One of the best front-seven players in this year’s draft.

13.  Washington Redskins:  Michael Crabtree    WR    Texas Tech:  The Redskins need help along the offensive line, but they need a playmaker to pair with Santana Moss just as much.

14.  New Orleans Saints:  Malcolm Jenkins    CB    Ohio State:  A versatile player who can play inside and out.

15.  Houston Texans:  Peria Jerry    DT    Mississippi:  The second best defensive tackle in the draft.

16.  San Diego Chargers:  Knowshon Moreno    RB    Georgia:  The Chargers have depth at running back this year, but will they have it in 2010?

17.  Buffalo Bills:  Brandon Pettigrew    TE    Oklahoma State:  The Bills need a tight end that can block as well as catch.

18.  Chicago Bears:  Jeremy Maclin    WR    Missouri:  The Bears have to add a playmaker to this offense.

19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Everette Brown    DE    Florida State:  The Bucs need a rusher from the edge to play wide in their new defense.

20.  Detroit Lions:  Eben Britton    OT    Arizona:  The Lions have to draft a tackle and move Backus inside.

21.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Michael Oher    OT    Mississippi:  He will be a project, but is the last top-tier offensive tackle available.

22.  Minnesota Vikings:  Percy Harvin    WR    Florida:  Harvin can make plays in all phases of the game.

23.  New England Patriots:  Larry English    DE    Northern Illinois:  Has the potential to be a real force off the edge.

24.  Atlanta Falcons:  Clay Matthews    OLB    Southern California:  Has the capabilities to play all three downs.

25.  Miami Dolphins:  Brian Cushing    OLB    Southern California:  A Jersey player for the Jersey boss.

26.  Baltimore Ravens:  Ziggy Hood    DT    Missouri:  A young, athletic defensive lineman.

27.  Indianapolis Colts:  Jarron Gilbert    DE    San Jose State:  A big, quick, athletic defensive lineman.

28.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Shawn Nelson    TE    Southern Mississippi:  Nelson is an athletic tight end that can block.  Something the Eagles have been missing.

29.  New York Giants:  Kenny Britt    WR    Rutgers:  A size-speed wide out.

30.  Tennessee Titans:  Vontae Davis    CB    Illinois:  An athletic corner who fills a need for the Titans.

31.  Arizona Cardinals:  Donald Brown    RB    Connecticut:  A young, athletic running back that will fit the Cardinals offense.

32.  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Max Unger    C    Oregon:  The Steelers need a young offensive lineman, and Unger can fill that void nicely.

Comments

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Jason
Mar 25, 2009
05:04 PM

Why would the Bills trade away the 11th pick to a division rival? Doesn't make sense.

JD
Mar 25, 2009
05:10 PM

No Rey Maualuga in the first round???

Jake D
Mar 25, 2009
05:30 PM

No Chris Wells Either?

omar
Mar 25, 2009
05:34 PM

makes no sense....why would the Jets want Freeman when you have three untested qb's and add a fourth...to have another brad smith??? Jets are gonna picks wells or moreno with 17

WoodyG
Mar 25, 2009
05:40 PM

GB will pick an OLB (Maybin) before a DE. OLB is also a need for GB & OLB has a much more dynamic impact on a 3-4 than DE. DE in the 3-4 is pretty much a rotational position. Not worthy of a #9 pick.

AB
Mar 25, 2009
05:49 PM

These things will always draw criticisms, but the biggest "no way" pick I see is Crabtree to Washington. After they picked 3 second round pass catchers last year with Zorn...he has a lot riding on those investments and won't pull the plug so soon

James
Mar 25, 2009
05:49 PM

St. Louis passes on their highest-rated OT? Cleveland with a QB when they already have Quinn and Anderson? Didn't the Redskins draft Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly last year, so why would they go after Crabtree?

I'm all for differing opinions, but this one seems a little strange.

Chad M.
Mar 25, 2009
06:03 PM

I hope for the Lions' sake that they don't pick a QB. History has proven that there is a much greater risk of QB failure/bust when forced to start on a team with as many holes as the Lions have. (There are only so many Peyton Mannings in the world that can carry a terrible team and even he struggled severely in his first season.) Better to go for a franchise LT. Safer pick and a definite need.
Besides, the Lions will have a top 3 pick again next year and there will be a few very good QB's available.

mark F
Mar 25, 2009
06:13 PM

Woody I'm not sure if I agree with that. The 3-4 requires a lot of force from it's DE's.

I see it as a critical position.

Sixburgh08
Mar 25, 2009
06:17 PM

Im really tired of everyone being lazy and just putting Center to the Steelers at 32. Kevin Colbert has said numerous times they have to get younger on the DL. Myabe even a DB.

Why draft a center in the first round in a center deep draft? Also the steelers OLine is very very young as it is. The steelers always draft for positions they cant fill through Free Agency, and that would be DB and DTS this year.

John
Mar 25, 2009
06:40 PM

The Jets are going to trade up to 11 to pick a QB? Do you pay any attention to what is being said by Rex Ryan? Maybe you believe he is just blowing smoke but I think you have been smokin somethin funny.......

Rob C.
Mar 25, 2009
06:45 PM

I have to believe if Maualuga is there at 23 the Pats will take him. This is a deep draft for DE/OLB. They can always grab one in the second round.

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