Nagai’s Mock Draft [4/11/09]

By Nagai

1 Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford QB

There were 2 big names people wanted on the Lions’ boards – Matthew Stafford and Aaron Curry. I figured as good as Curry is, their LB core is better than their QB situation. I like Stafford too, I actually think he’s the real deal, so I went with him.

2 St. Louis Rams – Eugene Monroe OT

The great thing about this pick was that when I got to their boards, they already had a thread based on who the members think should be their pick at 2nd overall. They actually had a vote and though Curry was very close to winning it, Eugene Monroe came from behind and won it. I like the Rams drafting offense more anyways, I think it’s important to develop one side of the ball first and get a formula going.

3 Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry LB

Yeah, no surprise. Curry’s probably the best talent in this year’s draft, the Chiefs’ hit a home run.

4 Seattle Seahawks – Jason Smith OT

Yeah I know Crabtree’s here, but it looks like the peeps at Seattle think that guaranteeing the quality of the OL is more important. Hey, any move protecting Hasselbeck is a winner in my book.

5 Cleveland Browns – Everette Brown 34 OLB

Some may be slightly surprised at this pick, with Orakpo still on the board. Well, don’t be. Orakpo is ranked higher than Brown overall but Brown is the better candidate as a 34 OLB. His smaller size actually works in his favor here as Orakpo’s more stiff in space. Browns would love to have him.

6 Cincinnati Bengals – Michael Oher – OT

Is it just the boards I visit, or is this becoming a theme? No.1 step to fixing an offensively orientated team is the O line. The folks at cincy seemed to agree.

7 Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree WR

I laugh at everyone who thinks Maclin will go over Crabtree here. The Raiders’ always take the flashiest pick? Well flashy is a loose term my friend. If taking a punter was flashy to you then why not the top rated WR in the draft?

8 Jacksonville Jaguars – Mark Sanchez QB

I was very surprised at the number of people who wanted a new QB. Most boards I go to aren’t as high on drafting a QB as the media portrays it (guys at Seattle would be a good example). Sanchez would sit well with lots of people in Jacksonville methinks.

9 Green Bay Packers – BJ Raji DT

I hate doing mocks for GB, I really do. TT drafts by BPA and it’s BPA by his own board, which is always different to everyone else’s. Either way, a NT for a new 34 team is always pretty sweet. I think they can grab some corners later in the draft, it’s a pretty good year for them. Good DT’s though, especially NT’s are much more scarce this year.

10 San Francisco 49ers – Brian Orakpo DE

San Fran needed a pass rusher last year, They need a pass rusher this year. Orakpo is a real athletic talent, so he fits in well.

11 Buffalo Bills – Andre Smith – OT

I don’t think Smith is a dick head, he’s just a bit young and makes mistakes. His recent interviews have been good I heard. The Bills also have holes on the Dline but I think with TO going to Buffalo and Trent Edwards still progressing, the smartest decision would be to protect him. Don’t want to start some TO drama now.

12 Denver Broncos – Rey Maualuga LB

LB is by far their biggest need. They could’ve drafted 2 LB’s in the first round and the fans could still be happy. Rey Maualuga seems to be a big hit with a lot of teams so don’t be surprised if he goes a bit earlier than people epected.

13 Washington Redskins – Brian Cushing LB

I was surprised at how few people wanted a pass rusher here. Well, at least they wanted a LB first. Fans win.

14 New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins CB

Easy pick. Saints need a CB, Jenkins fall right into their lap. Next!

15 Houston Texans – Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells RB

Another team that wanted Maualuga. The top 3 guys on Houston draft boards were Maualuga, Wells and Vontae Davis. A smarter member pointed out the arrival of Cato June and the potential of that LB core. At corner they have Dunta Robinson they just think that he may leave next year. They also drafted a guy in the 3rd round last year. With the depth in this draft for corners, I think Wells makes the most sense.

16 San Diego Chargers – Tyson Jackson 34 DE

Oh you shoulda seen the Maualuga orgy on those boards. Good god it was too much. Too bad he’s not available here. There are a lot of guys that are against this pick, but then again they all seem to be Maualuga fans and quite honestly, a lot of them didn’t understand the importance of a 34 DE. There were still enough guys who wanted Tyson Jackson (I think he was 2nd behind Maualuga) for me to pull the trigger.

17 New York Jets – Jeremy Maclin WR

Maclin wasn’t on THAT many people’s wish lists in NY, but then again these were ‘realistic’ lists and most people didn’t expect Maclin to drop to them. A lot of fans were hoping for a WR like Hakeem Nicks instead. Quite honestly, I think if those fans were presented with this situation, they would take Maclin too. I think he was still mentioned on every 3rd list. BTW, there’s a huge love fest for Jarron Gilbert of all people. he was there on practically every big board, and they only asked for their top 3! Once again though, most of them assumed that Maclin won’t be there.

18 Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Knowshon Moreno RB

Shanny’s gone, no more RB factory. I really doubt that Selvin Young will be good enough in Joshy’s eyes. Knowshon fills a big void.

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Aaron Maybin 34 OLB

Apparently, Tampa’s switching to a 34. Maybin ‘dropped’ quite a bit to get here. He’s an undersized DE that dropped back into coverage well in College. Tampa fans complained about a lack of pass rush. Done deal.

20 Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – Peria Jerry DT

The reason I didn’t give Jerry to Tampa was because Jerry did not look like a 34 DE. Detroit will take him though. Happily.

21 Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton OT

Eagle forums were kinda crappy. I actually based this pick on what I gathered from Eagle fans here in H2H. Need an OT? Merry Christmas.

22 Minnesota Vikings – Percy Harvin WR

I read “If Harvin dropped to us, we’ll be insane not to grab him” and lots of people agreeing to that statement. If only all the picks would be this easy.

23 New England Patriots – Larry English 34 OLB

They said that they like Butler or English (I think this was based on something one of their players said). I like English as a player, I think he’ll be a good fit with the Pats.

24 Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew TE

Matty ice wants more weapons. Pettigrew fits the bill.

25 Miami Dolphins – Vontae Davis CB

Probably the most athletically gifted corner in the draft falls to Miami who needs help in the secondary. I think Ben will like this one.

26 Baltimore Ravens – Hakeem Nicks WR

I think they would be pretty happy if they were just one spot up. WR is still a need for them though, especially with Flacco there developing.

27 Indianapolis Colts – Evander ‘Ziggy’ Hood DT

Colts need a DT. Hood is a good pass rusher with smarts and a motor. What else can the Colts ask for from a pick?

28 Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) – Donald Brown RB

Philly wants a complimentary back to Westbrook. Moreno would’ve been a perfect fit but he’s long gone. I say grab a back for the ever popular 1-2 punch anyways. Brown’s no Jerome Bettis, but he can still break some tackles.

29 New York Giants – Kenny Britt WR

This was a difficult pick. It was either a WR or a LB. The giants have plenty of projects at WR, but I don’t think any of them are legitimate no.1 guys. Britt doesn’t need to do that straight away, but he does have the potential to do so.

30 Tennessee Titans – Robert Ayers DL

Did I screw this one up? Ayers is dubbed the best defensive player in this draft by my boy Mike Mayock. I dunno, maybe he shoulda gone to Atl or something. The main reason he dropped is that most teams wanting a DE want a pass rusher and not a run stuffing DE. Ayers can probably create more of a pass rush than people realize, that is at least if Mayock is right. He’s not quite a 34 DE build either. Anyways, Tennessee doesn’t need him, but since when does Tennessee draft by position? His versatility should win them over

31 Arizona Cardinals – LeSean McCoy RB

Zona could surprise and take Ron Brace as their NT here, but then again, offense is their base and Edge is getting old. They don’t have a home run hitter either at RB so McCoy should fit right in.

32 Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Unger C

Versatile, smart and athletic at a position of need. Why not

There you have it, I’m open to changes btw, so hit me up if you have advice. Just for fun, here’s a few things I learned during this mock.

I learned that:

1. What revived Andre Smith’s draft stock may be more than his interviews. More people were talking about him because of his ummmm… feminine side.