It's been far too long since my last post. This has been a true labor of love - I've always felt overwhelmed to keep updating all the time, and being in New England there is a lot to write about. But I've realized I don't need to write 1000 word breakdowns of what went on that day or week, so here is to revitalizing the blog.
This is my favorite time of year. Traditionally I've done Mock Drafts that were written, with really long descriptions. They took me forever because I put a lot of thought into every pick and explained each. This year I am switching it up a bit. I used ESPN's Mock Draft machine and will post my 1st Round Mock and give thoughts and insights into some of the picks. I did this for a very specific reason - it used to take me so long to finish that sometimes major trades happened while I was writing. I'd have to shift things around and that is very tough since each pick depends on the last.
So here we go. My first round mock:
Earlier this week I had my mock done and then Buffalo went and traded OT Jason Peters to Philly (giving them another 1st round, #28) and it shifted everything. Oh and you may have heard: the best TE (numbers wise) in NFL history was just traded from the Chiefs to the Falcons.
Stafford is a foregone conclusion, right? Right. Detroit needs someone to believe in like Atlanta did with Matty Ryan. They need Stafford to be the savior. Or at least they think they need him. Maybe all they need to do is not draft a wide receiver with the 1st overall.
If the Rams didn't have Chris Long they would be after Curry here, but Smith is a want and a need because of Orlando Pace's exit.
Curry is the hype in the draft - awesome character, great build and speed, but can he pass rush? KC needs it.
Seattle is that mystery team in the top 5 - do they go Sanchez or do they stay with Hasselbeck and snag Crabtree? Could be interesting.
Cleveland likely snags Mr. Crabtree, especially if they ship Braylon Edwards off the the Giants for Kiwanuka and a future 1st rounder. That deal probably won't be happen but I've been surprised before.
Cincy needs to protect Palmer, so Monroe is a no brainer. I would have said Andre Smith but people question his maturity level. And do you blame the Bengals for not taking a chance with a potential character issue?
Defensive Ends fly off the board in picks 8-10. Flip a coin. Any could land on any of these teams.
Andre Smith is a great value here. Sure he's immature, but he can play. Protecting Edwards to give him enough time to get to Owens and Lee Evans and company is paramount to succeed in the AFC East.
Raji is fantastic value here with Denver. Could go top 10 easily.
Ayers is like a Jevon Kearse type - that Tweener that has speed and presence. Washington would kill to get Sanchez, but they'll likely have to kill many GMs to get him. And that is unlikely. Kinda.
Cushing was dumbed a New Jersey Meathead by Mike Mayock at the Combine. And loved it. He's a thumper, smart, fast, and trains with Joe DeFranco. Awesome work ethic, and I'd be stupid happy if somehow he fell to the Pats at 23. But he won't.
Houston would snag Raji here but he won't be there. Jerry is the 2nd best DT in the draft, and it's a bit of an early reach but its a need and he is talented so I can see this happening.
Jenkins is a shutdown corner. San Diego has Cromartie, Weddle, and Jammer in their secondary, so why would they take Jenkins? Because they are drafting for best available right here. They need a pure Right Tackle. But there isn't one even close in this area of the draft. Jenkins will be great for Nickel and Dime packages.
With Rex Ryan as the coach for the Jets now, I had a tough time. Do they go defense? Or offense? They really need a QB, but do they take Josh Freeman? I think they address other needs first and hope for pulling in a veteran QB from around the league and maybe using a 5th round pick on a QB. That's why they go WR here. Coles is gone, and Heyward-Bey is solid.
Speaking of Freeman, Denver takes him here. Why? Because McDaniels thinks he can use him now. He needs to use him now. He thinks he fits into his system and he is the only QB left probably for a few rounds that can likely run his system effectively. He wants Sanchez and likely could package Denver's 1st round picks together and slide into the top 5, but will Sanchez be there? Yes...if they give those picks to Seattle. Other than that all bets are off.
Matthews is a solid pick. His pedigree is untouched - his father and uncle both played forever in the NFL as did his grandfather if I'm correct. He's smart, grew up all around football at a high level and fits an aging LB Corps in Tampa.
Oher is what Detroit needs - provided they take Stafford with their #1 pick. Protect your investment.
Moreno is so talented it's almost shocking he is this far down the board. It's all based on need for the most part in the top part of the draft, and interestingly enough, the Eagles need another RB, one that can stay healthy. He'll work in tandem with Westbrook who is is modeled after. Awesome fit.
Minnesota lacked the deep threat, someone that can make you miss. They also lack a good QB and they let Cutler get away. They'll go with Harvin here.
The Patriots are the hardest team to read. If you look at 10 mock drafts you'll see 10 guys in that spot. My gut says they take Laurinaitis here. My brain says they might opt for Donald Brown because of the uncertainty about Maroney. Personally, I doubt that - they picked up Fred Taylor, and have Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and the emerging Benjarvis Green-Ellis. I think Maroney will bounce back, but if not, those are good insurance policies. They need to get younger at defense and hit another home run like they did with Mayo last year. With this pick they can do that.
Atlanta made a huge upgrade on offense getting Tony G, and they need safety help. Delmas is the best available so why not make the move?
Miami could use another CB to shore up their secondary, and Davis helps with that. He has speed and size, and he's a competitor. Just like his brother in San Fran, Vernon Davis.
Baltimore loved Todd Heap. I say loved because it's like he's been slowly dying on the field (and my fantasy teams) for the last couple years. They need to go TE here for Flacco, he needs a reliable TE and Pettigrew falls into their lap because of Tony G going to Hotlanta.
Indy needs a DT. Simple as that. Evander Hood is the 3rd best (behind Raji and Jerry). He may be a little reach here but he is talented and has some size, plus he fits their need.
Buffalo lucks out again here - Marshawn Lynch is in trouble with the NFL, they trade a OT, get a solid one in Andre Brown, they get TO, and now they get what I think is the best most complete back in the entire draft in Donald Brown. They should be a force to reckon with this season on offense.
The Giants are preparing for life without Plaxico, which is why they are trying to get Braylon Edwards. Only they don't want to pay for him it seems. Oh well, you need to give something to get something right? If they don't get him, Hakeem Nicks is the pick. Bet on it. Houshmazilly.
Tennessee needs a little more defensive firepower. They will be hurting losing their big man up front in Haynesworth but there are no stud DT up the middle here so they go LB and take Rey Maualuga. He's smart, levels people and can cover. Word has it they might be working on a trade to Arizona for Boldin, so if they do, don't be shocked if they give up a LB to get him and take Maualuga here.
Arizona needs a sturdy game breaking RB that is young. Beanie Wells has that explosion, he has the hands. Coach Ken will love him.
Pittsburgh takes a OT. Because it's an unsexy pick. And they always do that.
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