Notes From Lombardi: Mock Draft

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

17 April 2009

QUOTE:  “Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society.  Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence.”  ~ Sen.  Ted Kennedy

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS... “You know at some point you have to do this – I got to that point,” Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. “The thing that made it hard is not because I'm second guessing, 'Is it the right decision?' But I enjoyed it so damn much. I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything. I appreciate all of the people who are and were such an important part of the most enjoyable, most fun anyone could have.  That great life with the teams, the players, the coaches, the owners, the league.  My broadcasting partners Pat (Summerall) and Al (Michaels). The production people and the fans is still great. It’s still fun and that’s what it makes it hard and that’s why it took me a few months to make a decision.”

John Madden was always ahead of the curve -- whether it was coaching or broadcasting, he had his own identity. He had a unique ability to share his football knowledge with the everyday fan and make it entertaining. His personality on and off the screen was the same -- he loved the game and the people who went with it. NBC is fortunate to have someone as talented and prepared as Cris Collinsworth waiting in the wings to take over.  Cris is a hard working, smart person who is candid with his thoughts and beliefs. He’ll make Sunday nights as enjoyable as Coach Madden always did. 

Today is mock draft day. Hope you enjoy it.   

MOCK DRAFT NO. 2

1.    Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia -- The Lions must find a way to fix the most important position on the field. 

2.    St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, LT, Virginia -- To me, the Rams’ line is their most pressing need.  This pick is available for any team who wants a lineman.   

3.    Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest -- It wouldn’t surprise me if the Chiefs tried to trade down and gain some other picks. I know they like Tyson Jackson, but not here. 

4.    Seattle Seahawks: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC -- Too much value to pass for Seattle. The Seahawks can groom him for the future and make sure the franchise never has another downturn. 

5.    Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech -- If they trade Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn, the Browns may end up with three first-round picks in this draft. I think Sanchez is also an option here. 

6.    Cincinnati Bengals: Jason Smith, LT, Baylor -- They might be tempted to take Andre Smith here, but since Jason Smith makes it to them, the Bengals go with the more complete Smith. 

7.    Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland -- Heyward-Bey’s speed is too tempting for the Raiders to pass up. 

8.    Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama -- The Jags have to find a way to improve their offensive line and Smith is a talented player. 

9.    Green Bay Packers: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi -- The Packers might be tempted to draft Tyson Jackson, whom I hear they love. Oher is a hot commodity in the draft right now.  Hard to pass on a legitimate left tackle, although I know they need defense.

10.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (trade with San Francisco): Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State -- The Bucs know they have to be aggressive to get their quarterback of the future.  The 49ers move when Oher is taken. 

11.  Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas -- The Bills have to generate a rush, and last year Aaron Schobel was not well. 

12.  Denver Broncos: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College -- The Broncos have to rebuild their defense and specifically their defensive line. Getting Raji is a huge bonus.   

13.  Washington Redskins: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri -- The ‘Skins must find a playmaker to go with Moss and help their quarterback make plays. I know they drafted wideouts last year, but they still need playmaker. 

14.  New Orleans Saints: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State -- Might be tempted to go with Malcolm Jenkins, but the Saints must find a way to convert short-yardage plays and need a big back to handle the chore. 

15.  Houston Texans: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee -- Ayers can play all over the front and is capable of playing in any scheme.  He’ll help with inside pressure. 

16.  San Diego Chargers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State -- The Chargers can go in many directions, but the key is to find a safety with range and ball skills. 

17.  New York Jets: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State -- Other than Dustin Keller, there’s not a tight end on the roster. They’d love a wideout, but there are risks with taking Percy Harvin. One thing about the Jets, the pick is always a surprise. 

18.  Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU -- Two defensive linemen make sense for the rebuilding Denver defense. 

19.  San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State -- He helps their pass rush and can fit into their style of defense very well. 

20.  Detroit Lions: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi -- A big tackle to help the Lions’ defense slow down the run and get more physical. 

21.  Philadelphia Eagles: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State -- The Eagles love pass rushers, and Brown slipping to this spot will be too tough to pass up. 

22.  Minnesota Vikings: Brian Cushing, OLB, USC -- Cushing can play all three-linebacker spots in the Vikings’ defense. 

23.  New England Patriots: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois -- The Patriots would love a rusher, but with their age in the secondary, it might be hard to pass this talented athlete. 

24.  Atlanta Falcons: Evander “Ziggy” Hood, DT, Missouri -- The Falcons need to find more talent in their defensive line. John Abraham had half the team’s sacks in ‘08. 

25.  Miami Dolphins: Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois -- English gives them a power player off the edge who can play on all three downs. 

26.  Baltimore Ravens: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers -- A big wideout with good speed is something the Ravens need.  Might trade this pick for Boldin. 

27.  Indianapolis Colts: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia -- The Colts need a defensive tackle, but Moreno might be too good to pass up at this point. They struggled to run the ball in ‘08. 

28.  Philadelphia Eagles: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona -- The Eagles must repair their offensive line, and Britton is the last tackle with versatility. 

29.  New York Giants: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss -- The Giants need a wideout, but Nelson’s size/speed ratio is off the charts. He would give them a major dimension in the passing game. 

30.  Tennessee Titans: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut -- An excellent athlete who fits the Titans’ defensive style.  

31.  Arizona Cardinals: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC -- A versatile defensive player who can play in the Cards’ scheme and rush off the edge. 

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State -- The Steelers love his athletic talent. If they go with a defensive lineman, they’ll take him. 

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