My Pissed Off Mock v 3.0

My third weekly mock draft installment comes a day early because I'll be away from the computer for much of tomorrow. I cut down on comments here to save time unless the picks changed. If you're interested in reading my back reasoning, see last week's mock: http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/3/6/783430/my-pissed-off-mock-v-2-0

Last week there was rumblings about mocks being useless. Of course they are! But it's the offseason so why not, it makes the draft more fun.

1) Lions - Jason Smith - Baylor - OT

I had Smith here in my first mock but bumped him because I didn't think the Lions were gonna move Jeff Backus (who, despite comments made on NN, I still feel and believe the Lions to still feel, is a very solid player). He is aging though, and all indications are the Lions will build their lines through this draft and not QB.

Previous Pick: Jason Smith/Aaron Curry

2) Rams - Eugene Monroe - Virginia - OT

Last week's comment: The Rams also need help in the trenches (and everywhere else for that matter). With Orlando Pace and Alex Barron unlikely to make it past this season, if they do make it to this season, the Rams' number one priority has to be the OL. I've read that the Rams have been high on Monroe for a long time which is why I've put him in this slot. That being said, there are a number of ways that the Rams could go. With the possible impending release of Torry Holt, the Rams could select Crabtree to pair with Donnie Avery which would be a good combo of speed and possession. Or, the Rams could go defense and take B.J. Raji who would be an upgrade over their current starters. Keep Crabtree on your radar at this pick, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go here, pending future moves.

Pace has since been cut only further clearing the way for Monroe.

Previous Pick: Monroe

3) Chiefs - Aaron Curry - Wake Forest - OLB

I'm still not sold on Raji as a top 3 pick and I think Curry  won't fall past the Chiefs with the top two tackles off the board.

Previous Pick: Aaron Curry/B.J. Raji

4) Seahawks - B.J. Raji - Boston College - DT/NT

This pick, as I see it, could go one of three ways: Michael Crabtree, Raji, or Stafford. The hawks lost Rocky Bernard and another DT this offseason and could use a stout D-lineman. The signing of TJ Housh makes WR a little more stable but they still may have a hard time passing up Crabtree. Stafford would be an interesting selection here as the QB of the future, giving him a year or two to sit behind the rapidly aging and deteriorating Matt Hasselbeck. The other serious contender here would be an OT but only if it's Monroe or Jason Smith. Despite what some people think, I believe that Andre Smith has firmly worked himself out of the top 6 (and further if it weren't for Al Davis).

Previous Pick: Michael Crabtree/Jason Smith

5) Browns - Everette Brown - FSU - DE/OLB

I had some solid (in my mind) reasons for putting Crabtree here in last week's mock, but I think that with Mangini at the helm defense is a higher desire and priority. A lot of mocks have Brian Orakpo going at this slot but according to Don Banks, the Browns aren't high on him and so here he gets replaced by the other premier DE/OLB tweener, Brown.

Previous Pick: Raji/Crabtree

6) Bengals -  Brian Orakpo - Texas - DE/OLB

Last week's rationale: The Bengals get the pass-rusher they desperately need. I'm surprised that Orakpo gets past the Browns who are reportedly very high on him, but then again, the Browns are surprised to see Crabtree still on the board. If they pass on Crabtree then this pick could be Crabtree too (though [more] unlikely, with the signing of Coles), Andre Smith, Michael Oher (reach) Everette Brown [no longer an option], or even a DB.

Previous Pick: Orakpo

7) Raiders - Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech - WR

For two weeks I had Andre Smith being selected in this spot, but that was two weeks of Crabtree being off the board and before Smith's pro-day. I can't see Davis passing on Crabtree.

Previous Pick: Andre Smith

8) Jaguars - Jeremy Maclin - Missouri - WR

I had the Jags going DB here the last two weeks despite there not being a DB deserving of the 8th slot. While I don't think that the Jags are afraid to reach for a player they like I think that Matt Jones' recent run ins with the law have cleared the way for a WR to fall here. If Crabtree were available they would grab him in a heart beat, but instead they pick the speedy game-breaker from Mizzou. Andre Smith is a real possibility but I don't see Del Rio, nearing the end of his chances in Jacksonville, taking a flyer on him.

Previous Pick: Mike Jenkins/Vontae Davis

9) Packers - Michael Jenkins - Ohio State - CB/S

The pack need help on D just about anywhere. The problem is they find themselves picking just outside of the top tier of players. Though I don't like him, I think they pick Jenkins to provide aid for their aging secondary. Aaron Maybin is still a possibility even though I think he is in no way a top-ten player.

Previous Pick: Maybin/Brown

10) 49ers - Aaron Maybin - Penn St. - OLB

I had Michael Oher in this spot last week and while I still wouldn't mind him, the word from draftniks is that he may be slipping all the way into the second round. I doubt this will happen but I think the Niners will wind up with other players rated higher on their boards. Who that player is, though I have no idea. However, looking through the prospects, I can't envision this being anyone other than Aaron Maybin. I don't want to draft him but I don't see a more realistic option right now, expect this pick to change as the top of the draft changes. In my heart of hearts I still don't think the Niners take Andre Smith, I just don't feel it. He doesn't seem like a Mike Singletary player in the slightest.

Previous Pick: Rey Maualuga/Oher

11) Bills - Clay Mathews Jr. - USC - OLB

Last Weeks Rationale: I'm still very high on Mathews who has one of, if not the, top pedigrees in the draft. Much to my ego's delight, he's been steadily rising up draft boards and I still think he comes to rest here, just outside of the top ten. Maualuga is an option here, but more and more people are saying that Mathews is actually the top Trojan LB.

Previous Pick: Mathews

12) Broncos - Rey Maualuga - USC - ILB

Last Weeks Rationale: You know that the first thing Mike Nolan will miss after leaving SF is Patrick Willis. Therefore, the first thing the Broncos do is go out and get a poor-man's P-Willy. Maualuga doesn't have Willis' speed or knack for the ball, but he's a ferocious hitter who should thrive in the 3-4 and may actually be a bit better than Willis at causing turnovers. I really can't see any conceivable way that RM falls past number 12.

Previous Pick: Everette Brown/Maualuga

13) Redskins - Brian Cushing - USC - OLB

Last Weeks Rationale: For those of you who will be sad when Al Davis finally leaves the NFL, just know, we'll still have Dan Snyder. The run on USC linebackers finishes up one-two-three, with Cushing who will be a solid, if not spectacular, player for years to come. I previously had James Laurinaitis at this spot but his stock has been slipping and while I think he, too, will be a decent player, I, and I believe most teams, have Cushing now graded higher. Another option in this slot would be Tyson Jackson who could replace the departed Jason Taylor, but I'm going with a hunch that the Skins go linebacker. [I think Andre Smith could be an option here but I think Snyder does the smart thing for once and steers clear.

Previous Pick: Laurinaitis/Cushing

14) Saints - Vontae Davis - Illinois - CB

It seems more and more likely that the Saints see one of the top two DBs fall to them at 14 and it seems more and more likely that they take that player.

Previous Pick: Davis/Jenkins

15) Texans - Tyson Jackson - LSU - DE

Last Weeks Rationale: This pick could go in a number of different directions but Jackson will be one of the top-rated players available at this position and would provide good stability across from Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye. If a better OL prospect was available here the Texans might jump on them. Another option that I don't feel anyone has been discussing would be a RB to complement Steve Slaton, but Knowshon Moreno and Beanie Wells are more similar to Slaton that to a power back and I don't think the Texans go for either of them here, opting to pick up a bigger back later in the draft.

Previous Pick: Jackson

16) Chargers - Michael Oher - Ole Miss - OT

I think Oher's free fall stops here as the Chargers pick a tackle who will be successful in the NFL on one side of the line or the other.

Previous Pick: Oher/Britton

17) Jets - Mark Sanchez - USC - QB

Last Weeks Rationale: In my last mock, I said that the Jets weren't sold on the QBs in the draft and that's why they pick Maclin. However, I've been reading different things lately and now think the Jets won't let Sanchez pass. Some people think that the Jets will go for a RB, usually Beanie Wells, but with Thomas Jones still having a year or two in him and Leon Washington chomping at the bit to get more touches, I think the Jets hold off in that area. [word on the street is that the Jets are comfortable with Bret Ratliff at QB. I don't buy it. Unless they sign Jeff Garcia (a real possibility I think) they go QB here].

Previous Pick: Maclin/Sanchez

18) Bears - Peria Jerry - Ole Miss - DT

I go back and forth between thinking the Bears could do any number of things but I think DL is their most pressing need and I neglected Jerry, a good player, by not putting him in the first round of my last mock. I think he falls here.

Previous Pick: Peria Jerry

19) Bucs - Mathew Stafford - Georgia - QB

Last Weeks Rationale: Even without the QB-loving Gruden, the Bucs go QB here, a desperate need if they neglect to re-sign Jeff Garcia, which it looks like they won't. New regimes mean new QBs and Raheem Morris is ecstatic to have the potential number one pick slide to them a la Aaron Rodgers.

Previous Pick: Stafford

20) Lions - Evander Hood - Missouri - DT

In last week's rationale I listed a number of options who, in this weeks mock, are no longer available. If the Lions hadn't just selected Jason Smith I would have thought that maybe they would have taken a shot at Andre Smith here, but instead they shore up the DL.

Previous Pick: Hood

21) Eagles - Andre Smith - Ole Miss - OT

Andy Reid's love for big men wins out and I have faith that if anyone can whip Smith into shape it'd be Reid. The battered Donovan McNabb thanks Reid on both knees for this pick.

Previous Pick: Eben Britton/Chris Wells

22) Vikings - Hakeem Nicks

Last Weeks Rationale: The options here are pretty straightforward: go WR or CB. In my last mock I had the Vikes taking Percy Harvin, but that was when Maclin wasn't on the board. Right now I think that the need to upgrade Sidney Rice is more pressing than Cedric Griffon or Antoine Winfield. While most people have Maclin graded higher, Hakeem Nicks complements the other Vikings WRs better and will be an outstanding target and security blanket for Tarvaris Jackson (or Sage Rosenfels).

Previous Pick: Harvin

23) Patriots - Clint Stintim - Virginia - 3-4 OLB

Last Weeks Rationale: With the signing of Fred Taylor, RB no longer is the pressing need that it was a few weeks ago and the Pats are free to upgrade elsewhere. With the departure of Mike Vrabel, the Pats need to shore up their linebacking corp (anyone think that Tully Banta-Cain is gonna do that?). The Pats reach a bit for a player that fits their scheme perfectly. [the other option would be Larry English but I think Stintim is more up the pats' alley]. 

Previous Pick: Donald Brown/Stintim

24) Falcons - Larry English - Northern Illinois. - OLB

Last week's pick, Maybin, is no longer available leaving the Falcons to go with English.

Previous Pick: Brandon Pettigrew/Maybin

25) Dolphins - Jeremy Maclin  - Missouri - WR

The Dolphins need all kinds of help for a playoff team and Laurinitis could be the next Zach Thomas; not flashy. But pro-bowl caliber (I think he'll stop at just not flashy, but that's just me).

Previous Pick: English/Maclin

26) Ravens - Sean Smith - Utah - CB

Last Weeks Rationale: Nothing has changed about this pick from last time. If Maclin [he isn't] is still on the board in this slot I'd expect the Ravens to select him instead. Percy Harvin could be an option or if one of the second tier OLBs falls this far.

Previous Pick: Smith

27) Colts - Brian Robiskie -Ohio St. - WR

Last Weeks Rationale: I stand by my pick from my last mock, I think Robiskie is a perfect fit for the colts and he allows Anthony Gonzalez to stay in the slot. If Nicks falls to this slot I highly doubt he goes any further. DT is also an option but I like Robiskie better than Peria Jerry [no longer available] .

Previous Pick: Terry Robiskie (chuckle)

28) Eagles - Chris Wells - Ohio St. - RB

They passed on him at 20 but get him here.

Previous Pick: Nicks/William Beatty

29) Giants - Knowshon Moreno - Georgia - RB

Last Weeks Rationale: With the departure of Derrick Ward and the possible return of Plaxico Burress, the Giants can take both a need and a highly rated player by selecting Knowshon Moreno. Kenny Britt or Darrius Heyward-Bey are both options here as well, as is a CB.

Previous Pick: Cushing/Moreno

30) Titans - Alex Mack - California - C

Last Weeks Rationale: Same player, same reasons. Jeff Fischer is loathe to draft WRs in the first round and Nate Washington's signing means this streak will likely continue another year. CB could be an option to replace the aging Nick Harper.

Previous Pick: Mack

31) Cardinals - Donald Brown - Uconn - RB

Last Weeks Rationale: The Cards are desperate for another RB and they barely miss out on the one of the top two backs. Brown will be a nice complement for Tim Hightower who's a solid back but can't carry the load by himself. Michael Johnson is a real option here as well as the Cards have a history of drafting talented but underperforming college players in this area of the draft, and if he played up to potential he would be an absolute steal.

Previous Pick: Moreno/Brown

32) Steelers - Duke Robinson - Oklahoma - G

Last Weeks Rationale: With the last pick of the first round, the Steelers can do whatever the heck they want. For pure fun, I'd be interested in seeing what would happen if they drafted Percy Harvin and tried to assimilate him into their offense. James Laurinaitis [off the board] fits the Steeler blue-collar mold but they have more pressing needs and I think the Steelers try to shore up OL depth first and take Robinson.

Previous Pick: D.J. Moore