January Mock Draft

Alrighty, it's the first ever OTN Mock Draft. Your contributors have been hard at work putting this thing together, and it may take a few days to complete. We'll bring you the action kind of live, so follow along. The order is Garcia, Gaddis, Filzen.


1. Detroit Lions (JG) - Eugene Monroe - OT/Virginia
Andre Smith has showed some serious flaws, mainly not being able to handle speed rushers, and Michael Oher is for lack of a better word a big"cat". Monroe is the most complete tackle in the draft, and if the Lions learned anything from the Dolphins last year, it's that you build from both lines and around franchise bookend tackles. Although, that's assuming a lot because it is the Lions.


2. St Louis Rams (MG) - Andre Smith – OT/Alabama
I could see a quarterback going here, but I just think they need more line help so whoever they have behind center is not getting killed.


3. Kansas City Chiefs (NF) - Matthew Stafford - QB/Georgia
A couple of things with this pick. First, I don't think Stafford is going to be that good of a pro. Second, I'm not sure Stafford lasts this long, but I do know the Chiefs will take a quarterback. New GM and a new coach will want to put their stamp on an organization and selecting a quarterback here will buy them a couple of seasons. But,with this pick, they won't have to trot Tyler Thigpien or Brody Croyle out there every week.


4. Seattle Seahawks (JG) - Michael Crabtree - WR/Texas Tech
Seems like the biggest no-brainer in the draft. Seattle needs offensive playmakers and Crabtree is the most highly touted receiver and one of the more imposing playmakers in the draft.

5. Cleveland Browns (MG) - Everette Brown - DE/FSU
A great fit for the 34 defense who will go opposite kamberon wimberly. Mangani is going to build this team on the defense side first. They could also look at malcom jenkins here out of the ohio state or even a running back which they lack.

6. Cincinnati Bengals (NF) - Jason Smith - OT/Baylor
The Bengals need a lot of help in many positions. It was hard to pass up an OLB with the skills of Aaron Curry to help the defense, but protecting Palmer and opening up holes for their running game should be priority. The Bengals were at their best when Rudi Johnson was actually able to gain yards. Getting a big tackle to anchor the line and build around will be key to getting the running game going again and opening up the passing game. Since the top 2 tackles are gone, Smith is the pick.

7. Oakland Raiders (JG) – Malcolm Jenkins – CB/Ohio State
Nnamdi Asomugha is a free agent who looks like he’s a goner unless the Raiders slap a franchise tag on him. Even if they do keep him, this would give Oakland quite a formidable tandem in the secondary. The Raiders still don’t have a coach, so it’s difficult to get a gauge on where they’re going. If they announce that Tom Cable will get the interim tag removed and keep the job, I wouldn’t be shocked for him to push for Michael Oher here, since he was an O-line coach, but the Raiders like flashy players.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (MG) - Aaron Cury - OLB/Wake Forrest
He is too solid to drop past this point. This team could really use a Wr but have had some first round busts in the past. The old lb will pick a solid olb.

9. Green Bay Packers (NF) - Aaron Maybin -DE/OLB Penn State
I was chomping at the bit to select Maybin for the Packers when it appeared he would be available. While I say that, I was also thinking of perhaps Brandon Pettigrew at TE, Raji the DT, Orakpo another DE, or even Oher, but Maybin is too good to pass up right here. What a deal for the Packers, the year they bring in a new D coordinator and switch to a 3-4, a guy who would be perfect for the OLB role in that system is in the draft and available with this pick. Maybin has the size to play the run and speed to cover down field or rush the quarterback. He was the only player on the Penn State defense who seemed like he wasn't completely overmatched against USC in the Rose Bowl. I had been pining for a while for Ray Maualuga, but this is too early for him and he wouldn't have the impact on the defense like Maybin would.

10. San Francisco 49ers (JG) – Ray Maualuga – ILB/USC
The 49ers could use an upgrade from Jeff Ulbrich alongside Patrick Willis on the inside and Maualuga is the most pure 3-4 ILB in the draft. Plus he gets to learn the position from one of the best, Mike Singletary. The addition of Maualuga gives the 49ers scary good linebackers on the inside for years to come. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them look at Mark Sanchez or Jeremy Maclin here, but Singletary will push for more building to be done through the defense.

11. Buffalo Bills (MG) - Michael Oher - OT/Ole Miss
He might be dumb but he is a rather athletic tackle. It looks like the Bills are going with Edwards and I don't think Juaran will want to start over with a rookie QB so they pass on Dirty Sanchez.

12. Denver Broncos (NF) - Brian Orakpo - DE/Texas
This is now the third choice I have made for the Broncos. Originally I had them taking Jeremy Maclin to add another offensive threat to Jay Cutler's arsenal. Then, while I paused for a moment from my salivating over the thought of that offense, I remembered how bad the defense was last year. I mean really, really bad. So, after that revelation, I had my sights set on Vontae Davis from Illinois.

Look, I understand that they already have Champ Baily and Dre Bly in their secondary, but clearly they need help, and Vontae Davis is going to have an impact for whatever team drafts him next season, so it wouldn't be bad for them to draft him here and let Champ and Dre know that more seasons like the last will not be tollerated at all.

Then I thought maybe, just maybe their defensive problems were because they couldn't put pressure on the quarterback. Well, problem solved, as long as Orakpo can stay healthy. He definitely hasn't done that at Texas, but, if he stays on the field, he is a force. A speed rusher, who can also defend the run when needed, he could put enough pressure on the quarterback to ease the stress on Bly and Bailey.

***We changed order a bit here as it is harder than you would think to coordinate a mock draft on line in 2 different time zones when we are all working***

13. Washington Redskins (MG) - B.J. Raji - DT/Boston College
This team needs some defensive help. Raji is a big run stopper at plus 320. I imagine they would have really wanted Orapko who went one pick ahead because Jason Taylor did not deliver much last year. Not a flashy pick for Dan Sydner but let's hope he actually does something rational.

14. New Orleans Saints (JG) – Vontae Davis – CB/Illinois
Stop me if you’ve heard this before…the Saints defense was bad last year. The addition of Gregg Williams only helps them if they give him quality defenders to coach. Mike McKenzie once again suffered a season ending leg injury and is starting to wear down. Aside from McKenzie, the Saints have little to be desired in the secondary. I’m not sold on Davis, especially this high, but there’s always reach picks in the draft and the Saints are just the type of team to do it.

15. Houston Texans (NF) - Jeremy Maclin - WR/Missouri
Let's see, the Texans are pretty good on the defensive line anchored by Mario Williams, have a solid linebacking corps, and there isn't really anyone in the draft that I would want to take at this point in the draft to boost the secondary. On offense, Steve Slaton has entrenched himself in the backfield, and while Knowshown would be a nice pick here as a compliment, I see them going for the passing game. Once again Pettigrew from OK State could go here, but Owen Daniels is going to be a Pro Bowler before too long. Jeremy Maclin will be a nice speed receiver to compliment Andre Johnson well. Johnson can still make big plays and can draw defenders across the middle for deep balls to Maclin, who is fast, but will not be treading into linebacker territory.

16. San Diego Chargers (MG) - Knowshown Moreno - RB/Georgia
With ldt looking washed up and scroles being a free agent moreno is safe pick here. He can catch out of the backfield and is very similar to sproles. It would be interesting if they went with wells as a chane up back or even pettigew from ok state to cover when gates is hurt. They would really like maluga to slip so they could throw him in the middle. Moreno it is. He might not be a superstar but he will be damn good.

17. New York Jets (JG) - James Laurinaitis - ILB/Ohio State
The Jets could really use a QB, but they need to upgrade the interrior of their defense. I'm sure they'd like to add another defensive tackle as a backup plan to Chris Jenkins, or possibly so they could even shift him to end, but BJ Raji was the only ideal 3-4 nose guard in this draft. Laurinaitis would have been a top five pick. He's a mean interrior guy, but was exposed a bit in last year and in the Fiesta Bowl this year as a guy who lacks ideal speed for the NFL. He'll also need to shake the OSU linebacker bust stigma.

18. Chicago Bears (NF) - Percy Harvin - WR/Florida
I partyly made this pick to see how Gaddis would react. But, since I made it, here's why I think they will; their defensive line is still very solid, so I don't think they'd go for anyone there. They could use some help in the secondary since Mike Brown gets hurt every season, and could certainly go for a safety or cornerback if they feel any are good enough to take in this spot. I was thinking Brian Cushing from USC here to learn the defense and spell Urlacher and Hillemeyer and eventually take over, but instead went with an offensive threat.

The Bears established a running game last season with Matt Forte, and we know that Greg Olsen is a productive tight end. The addition of Harvin would allow them to move Hester back to being a full time special teams player so he can focus on scoring touchdowns again. Either that, or they could have the fastest wide receivers in the league, with no one to throw them the ball.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (MG) - Mark Sanchez - QB/USC
The bucs select mark sanchez. They finally are going to try and find a franchise quarteback and do it without bringing old washed up players. They need some more talent around him, but he should be a decent nfl qb.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) (JG) - Michael Johnson - DE/Georgia Tech
Jim Schwartz gets the next Javon Kearse/Mario Williams, freak pass rushign specialist. Very good value here for the Lions at 19. Actually, on second thought, theres no way this pick can happen, is there? After all this is the Lions we're talking about. Two good picks, or picks that make sense?

21. Philadelphia Eagles (NF) - Chris Wells - RB/Ohio State
I was really thinking Brandon Pettigrew once again, but they get more value with Wells. Westbrook simply cannot stay on the field for a full season, and by bringing in Wells to spell him, Westbrook becomes that much more dangerous. Pettigrew would be a nice addition and give McNabb another pass catching tight end, but Wells at this point in the draft makes sense to get a couple more productive years out of Westbrook and then take over for him full time.

22. Minnesota Vikings (MG) - Brandon Pettigrew - TE/Oklahoma State
Their current tight end is a guy that likes to show his weiner on tv. I can't speak for his johnson but he is a tall tight end who can stretch the D and take it to the house. None of the WRs are good enough to take here so a TE it is.

23. New England Patriots (JG) - Larry English - OLB/Northern Illinois
They need help in their secondary, but they didn't get any pressure on the QB last year and could upgrade the linebacker spot. Aside from Jared Mayo, all their guys are older (Vrabel, Bruschi, Seau) or have a history of injuries (Adalius Thomas). English couln't be blocked off the end in the senior bowl and could be a real sleeper.

24. Atlanta Falcons (NF) - D.J. Moore - CB/Vanderbilt
With Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Michael Turner, they have a pretty good offensive core coming together. That being the case, they turn to the defensive side of the ball with their first pick and go with a corner who can hopefully develop into a lock-down corner back. Brian Cushing may be the pick here as well, but which LB position would he play in the 3-4?

25. Miami Dolphins (MG) - Brian Cushing - LB/USC
He screams Parcells. He seems to love LBs and his teams normally have good linebackers. With the Dolphins playing a 3-4 he could play either inside or outside. Cushing didn't get the same hype as some of the other linebackers that played as USC (Rivers and Malaluga), but he is a great athlete who brings a lot of intensity to the game. This team could also really use a WR because they don't have much besides Ted Ginn, but I don't think any of the WRs are worth taking this high.

26. Baltimore Ravens (JG) - Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR/Maryland
Derrick Mason is a possesion guy. Mark Clayton looks like he could emerge as a real good receiver next year, but the Ravens have little else for Flacco to work with (what ever happened to Todd Heap, is he dead?). Heyward-Bey is quite possibly the fastest guy in the draft and would give the Ravens a legit downfield threat to take pressure off their run game.

27. Indianapolis Colts (NF) - Tyson Jackson - DE/LSU
The Colts are going defense with their first pick in the draft, no doubt. Although, Joseph Addai didn't look like the same player last year, nor did Reggie Wayne look anything like the 2007 Wayne, but there are still great weapons on this offense with Peyton Manning touching the ball every snap. Dwight Freeney will benefit from the selection of Jackson who can put pressure on the opposite side of the line as well, forcing teams to play one of them straight up. With 2 pass rushing defensive ends and Bob Sanders hawking balls and laying licks, the defense looks to be an area of strength.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (MG) - Peria Jerry - DT/Mississippi
I struggledon this because they probably could have used Tyson Jackson more thananyone else because they need some additional pass rush. They also needanother safety opposite Dawkins and he is getting up there in age, butthis is too early for William Moore. I think Peria Jerry is the bestplayer available at this point. He is not a big run stopper, but moreof a pass rushing and quick DT

29. New York Giants (JG) - Alphonso Smith - CB/Wake Forrest
The secondary is probably the Giants weakest area on defense, and Smith is a good value this late. They could opt to upgrade the offensive line here as well, and may be tempted to look at a WR, but Hakeem Nicks and Kenny Britt would be a bit of a reach at 28.

30. Tennessee Titans (NF) - Hakeem Nicks - WR/North Carolina
Too early at number 29, the Titans grab the sure-handed WR from North Carolina with their first round pick. Chris Johnson was an outstanding addition to the offense last season, but Kerry Collins needs more weapons. The Titans should be in a position to re-sign Albert Haynesworth, so their defense will be stout again. Here's how bad the Titans' receiving corps is, I can't think of one of them as I am writing this. Getting another offensive weapon in the first round should be priority to balance this team out.

31. Arizona Cardinals (MG) - Eben Britton - T/Arizona
Wayne Gandyneeds to go. He was getting schooled last night and if either Warner orLeinart is back there in the future, they need a better tackle. I couldsee them going after a G as well with Duke Robinson.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jermon Meredith - OT/South Carolina
Ben Roethlisberger got the crap beaten out of him this year. The Steelers O-line was noticably week this year, and the tackle position was noticably bad, I'm looking at you Max Starks. Being pretty well set everywhere else, the Steelers can take a chance this early on Meredith and hopefully get a starting tackle for years to come.


-until next time...