Top 15 Picks

#1. No Surprise Pick Here, Detroit Lions at #1, Matthew Stafford

Stafford is a strong-armed, poised gunslinger with intelligence. He can make all the throws on the field and has a tremendous upside if he can cut down on some of his errant ones. Stafford is a franchise quarterback who would form a nice nucleus with second year running back Kevin Smith and one of the league’s top wide receivers, Calvin Johnson. Picking a quarterback here to build a team around makes a lot of sense for an organization currently at rock bottom coming off an 0-16 season.

#2. Replacing the Old, St. Louis Rams at #2, Jason Smith, OT from Baylor

Jason Smith is a very intriguing left tackle prospect for the Rams here at the second selection. He has great size, strength, and athleticism with phenomenal measurements. Smith would be a great replacement for recently released tackle, Orlando Pace. I know one thing, Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson would be thrilled with this selection.

#3. Solidifying the Core, Kansas City Chiefs at #3, Aaron Curry, LB from Wake Forest

Picking Curry here makes all the sense in the world given new GM Scott Pioli’s ‘Patriot Way’ philosophy. Curry is a sound player in every aspect, as his intangibles are almost flawless. He put up staggering numbers every year at Wake and his recent combine numbers are just as impressive. This selection would help solidify what could become a dominant linebacker core in Kansas City, adding Curry to Derrick Johnson and Mike Vrabel.

#4. Anchoring the Line, Seattle Seahawks at #4, Eugene Monroe, OT from Virginia

Monroe is a perfect replacement for the aging Walter Jones as a franchise tackle. During Seattle’s Super Bowl run a few years back, the team’s constant was the team’s dominance on the offensive line. Jones and Steve Hutchinson controlled the line of scrimmage, and Seattle lost this advantage as Jones aged and Hutchinson departed for Minnesota. Monroe’s size and athletic ability makes him the ideal pick here.

#5. Building Around Quinn, Cleveland Browns at #5, Michael Crabtree, WR from Texas Tech

This pick may come as a surprise to many people, as Crabtree’s injury and Cleveland’s defensive needs seem to go against this selection. However, with the departure of Kellen Winslow, Donte Stallworth’s dicey situation at the moment, the release of Joe Jurevicius, and Braylon Edwards’s inconsistency, Crabtree could be a savior to young Brady Quinn. Quinn has yet to prove himself, but he needs weapons around him to become a stud quarterback. This is an example of drafting need over best player available.

#6. Getting Defensive, Cincinnati Bengals at #6, Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB from Texas

Because the majority of the Bengals’ woes last season came on the offensive side of the ball, some expect them to take an offensive lineman here. Before Alabama tackle Andre Smith’s fleeing of the scouting combine and his less than impressive pro day, he would have been considered a steal at this pick. However, circumstances changed and I see the Bengals going with the best player on the board, Orakpo. He is a physical specimen and a monster coming off the edge. He would make this defense better instantly, and after the loss of Justin Smith last season, he would be the rock on the defensive line that this team so very much needs.

#7. Fortifying the Line, Oakland Raiders at #7, B.J. Raji, DT from Boston College

Raji is a run-stopping defensive tackle whose size and strength create havoc in the backfield. He is a player who could land much earlier or even later then this pick, no one really knows. Raji wont pile up sacks, but can be a force for many years on an Oakland defensive line that is less than impressive. Many feel that Oakland will look for a receiver at this pick, but head coach Tom Cable is a “trenches” guy who understands the value of controlling the line of scrimmage.

#8. Top 10 Pick Without Top 10 Talent, Jacksonville Jaguars at #8, Jeremy Maclin, WR from Missouri

I personally don’t value Maclin as a top ten receiving talent, but the Jaguars are desperate for any talent and depth at the position. Maclin is extremely athletic,and can contribute in the return game right away. It may take several years for Maclin to develop into a number one receiver, as I see him in a similar mold to Ted Ginn Jr. Regardless, the Jaguars may select based on glaring needs after losing troubled receiver Matt Jones recently.

#9. Fitting the New Scheme, Green Bay Packers at #9, Everette Brown, DE/OLB from Florida State

Brown would be a great fit in Green Bay’s new 3-4 scheme. He has a good motor and comes off the edge with brute force. If Green Bay does indeed decide to address this position here, it will come down between Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and Brown. I give Brown the edge because of his measurables, but it is truly a toss-up. Brown would fit in very nicely with AJ Hawk and the Packers young front 7.

#10. Percy Goin’ Early, San Francisco 49ers at #10, Percy Harvin, WR from Florida

This may come as a surprise to many people with tackle Andre Smith still on the board, but I see San Francisco looking for a receiving threat. Going 10th may be too high for Harvin, but I believe San Francisco goes this direction with their selection. Harvin is a rare type of athlete, whom when given the ball running or receiving, can take it to the end zone at any time. Frank Gore is the only real offensive threat on this team, and they don’t have a playmaker at the receiver for either Shaun Hill or Alex Smith.

#11. The Need for Speed, Buffalo Bills at #11, Aaron Maybin, OLB from Penn State

Aaron Maybin is player whose stock has risen significantly over the past month or so. He is a pass rushing linebacker who would fit in nicely with Kawika Mitchell and Paul Posluszny. The Bills need more speed on defense, and Maybin is a guy who can come in day 1 and help put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He has the talent to be a real star in this league if he is developed the right way.

#12. Broncos Pick Sanchez Regardless of Cutler, Denver Broncos at #12, Mark Sanchez, QB from USC

No, the loss of Cutler is still the main reason they would pick Sanchez, but there are some other factors involved. Sanchez makes perfect sense if he falls all the way to #12 as the Broncos are once again looking for a franchise quarterback. Orton is a game manager, but in order for Denver to take the next step in the future they need a guy who can put the offense on his shoulders. McDaniels had success with former USC quarterback Matt Cassel who played under the same pro style offense in college just like Sanchez.

#13. Protecting the Quarterback, Washington Redskins at #13, Andre Smith, OT from Alabama

I see the Redskins picking up a tackle with the 13th pick because they need a lot of help along the offensive line. If the Redskins do want to continue with Jason Campbell, although they’ve shown a lack of confidence with the Cutler trade talks, they might want to help protect his blind side. If Smith falls to 13th the Redskins could pick up a great value steal.

#14. Upgrading the Secondary, New Orleans Saints at #14, Malcom Jenkins, CB from Ohio State

The Saints need some defensive back help after continuously having one of the worst secondary’s in the past few years. Therefore, Malcolm Jenkins should fall into their lap at the 14th pick who can immediately start as of day one. Jenkins is an ideal pick for the Saints because he can play corner or safety with great coverage instincts. The Saints need to address the cornerback position in the draft.

#15. Adding to the Firepower, Houston Texans at #15, Chris Wells, RB from Ohio State

Chris Wells would be a great addition to add power to an already high flying attack featuring Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Steve Slaton. Chris Wells would make a great change of place compliment to Steve Slaton, which ultimately would make Matt Schaub’s job much easier.

The Rest of the Best

#16. San Diego Chargers- Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California

#17. New York Jets- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

#18. Denver Broncos- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

#19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

#20. Detroit Lions- Tyson Jackson, DE, Louisiana State

#21. Eagles- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

#22. Minnesota Vikings- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

#23. New England Patriots- Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California

#24. Atlanta Falcons- Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

#25. Miami Dolphins- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

#26. Baltimore Ravens- D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

#27. Indianapolis Colts- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

#28. Buffalo Bills- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

#29. New York Giants- Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois

#30. Tennessee Titans- Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers

#31. Arizona Cardinals- Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

#32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Sean Smith, CB, Utah

Let us know what you think!