While Michael Johnson, Jeremy Maclin, or Malcolm Jenkins may very well be selected in the top 10, that doesn’t mean that I think they are worth top 10 picks. Therefore, realistic or not, I like Brian’s mock the best.

One thing I just noticed, sireric, if B.J. Raji is available at #11, I would probably take Raji. Do you think there is a big difference in talent and value between Raji and Brown?

On a side note, Malcolm Jenkins reminds me a lot of Antrel Rolle (drafted in the top 10 to play CB, but is a much better fit at FS). I think Jenkins’ best position in the NFL could be FS also. I wonder if Vonte Davis may end up being the first legitimate CB taken. Then again, I also thought DeSean Jackson was just another Roscoe Parrish.

Is reaching too hard for QB and will have a bust on his hands. Well, maybe thats harsh, but this feels like the year Alex Smith went number one, and QB is a weak position in this draft. If I was SF, I would look to FA and wait another year if need be, unless Detroit passes on Stafford I guess…and Detroit, well they should get the best OT just as Miami did. What Miami did should be their blue print, but they don’t have a Ronnie Brown

All the projections that I have seen and mock drafts, it seems that Brian is the closest to most mock drafts. The only question is what offensive tackle teams will take. Do they like Oher or Smith better? I have also read that the Rams might pick Crabtree, since his is supposed to prospect and teams think he might be the next Larry Fitgerald. And they also are looking at LB-Aaron Curry. I think they need a tackle since Orlando Pace’s day’s are numbered.
Look at all the first round busts that were receivers. And it turns out, Eddie Royal was the best WR last year of the rookie class. Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, etc. did nothing.

Didn’t check his email…..riiiggghhhhttttt……He must have put Mack at #11, and had his mock deleted :-)

Arguments can (and have) been made for those DEs. No big surprises here, except for sireric passing on Raji. Maybe Matt having Maybin going as high has #8, which seem a bit of a reach at this time.

Whoever thought McKelvin would fall to us at #11last year?
All four are within the realm of possibility, it is that uncertain.
It is a good year for OT’s, the most important line position, 4 in the first ten unanimously.
There is almost always one off the wall pick in the top half of the draft. Whom will it be this year? Let’s hope it is not the Bills again.
There is no Bruce Smith in this year’s draft but both Orakpo and Brown will be good NFL DE’s. Everywhere I look they are rated neck and neck. I think Brown has more upside until I see Orakpo’s ability to learn more moves. You have to think that Orakpo will do that in time. Both are disruptive. And isn’t it interesting that, once again, San Francisco’s pick will have a big bearing on the Bill’s first selection. If they choose a QB we might have the pick of the litter at DE. If they grab a DE, we just might get our second choice. This year, though, it won’t matter so much. If the consensus here matches OBD’s board, we will land a good DE prospect.
Side note. If Maybin goes ahead of Orakpo and Brown it will be because the team selecting him will play him initially at LB.

Detroit needs a safe pick that can anchor their line, especially since Culpepper is their projected QB right now.

St. Louis needs to replace Orlando Pace and shore up their line. Look at how poorly they played last year and their depth. Should be immediate help.

Kansas City – Is Tyler Thigpen the answer? We will know what Pioli thinks on draft day.

Seattle – if you saw the opening week game vs. Buffalo you know that the Seahawks need some WRs.

Cleveland needs help on defense. If there was a stud CB I see them going there but there isn’t really so I am going a backer to help out that unit.

Cincinnati needs some help on their pass rush just like we do. Maybin can get Big Ben, Brady Quinn and Flacco running all over the place.

Oakland went out of their way to get Dangelo Hall last year and then let him go. I think they still want a CB and this pick fills it even though it’s not the smartest pick and Jenkins isn’t necessarily a top 10 pick.

Jacksonville – again if you saw the game vs. Buffalo they were sorely lacking in Offensive line depth. They need it (as you can see by the unanimous pick here at B-lo Rumblings)

With Green Bay switching to a 3-4 they need a space eater. Raji is a space eater but they could go with Jerry here as well.

In San Fran, if Shaun Hill is the answer, what’s the question? It’s definately a reach and too high for Sanchez to go but he stays in Southern Cali.

Onto the Bills. I thought long and hard about putting a linebacker here since Schobel was coming back and Crowell is not. I’ll admit I think the Bills will sign a backer in free agency and will use a pick here on a DE of the future/present. Could be Brown, Orakpo, or Maybin.

With that all being said, I watch occasional college football. Maybe once or twice will I see these guys. I have never seen most of them so if I made a mistake, kill me.

I’d be happy with either brown or orakpo – good job guys.

is setting him up for failure.

1- Detroit Lions: Eugene Monroe OT Virgina – I really believe that the
new Lions brass feels the pressure on this pick. After the Matt Millen
tenure in Detroit, the new front office needs to make a good pick
here. They can’t afford another Joey Harrington, Carlos Rodgers or
Mike Williams, that is why they take the best OT in a deep OT draft.
I’m willing to bet that the Lions go hard after a guy like Matt Cassel
before the draft negating the need for a guy like Stafford.

2- St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor – Orlando Pace is on his last
legs and Mark Bulger needs to be protected to be effective.

3- Kansas City Cheifs: Brian Orakapo DE Texas – One of the few teams
that had fewer sacks then the Bills was the Chiefs. After dealing away
Jared Allen the Chiefs need to bring in an athlete to play on the side
opposite of Tamba Hali. Orakapo is a beast physically and could spark
the dormant Chief pass rush.

4- Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech – This one seems
like a no-brainer to me. Seattle needs an influx of youth and talent
at WR. Crabtree is both.

5- Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State – The Browns need
help on the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Curry could easily be
the pick here, but I think that the Browns tab the hometown boy as
their top pick.

6- Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith OT Alabama – The Bengals just got a
great look at what life is like without Carson Palmer, they need to
take steps to ensure that he stays healthy and on the field. Smith
could very well go higher but at least one of the top 3 OTs hould be
here for the Bengals to grab.

7- Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri – Jamarcus Russell
showed some good flashes last year, now he just needs a target on the
outside. Maclin is also the type of flashy speed guy that Al Davis
drools over…when he’s not drooling because he’s 175 years old.

8- Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Oher OT Ole Miss – The jags need o-
line help. Oher might be a bit of a reach here, but after seeing the
big three go before they get a chance to pick, the Jags grab the best
lineman left on the board.

9- Green Bay Packers: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest – The Packers would
love to grab a d-lineman here, but are so shocked that Curry is still
on the board that they grab the versital linebacker. Curry’s ability
to rush the passer make him almost as good as taking a DE here.

10- San Fransico 49ers: Matt Stafford QB Georgia – Is Shaun Hill the
long term answer? I think no.

11- Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown DE Florida State – I have mantained
that I like Brown and Orakapo as my top choices for the Bills, if this
draft plays out right the Bills should run the card up to the podium
as fast as possible.

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB Georgia – Either QB or OT here. I chose Stafford because the Lions still have 1st round pick from last year, Gosder Cherilus, to grow into the LT role. They’ve also been lacking a QB for longer than the Bills have. I’m not a huge Stafford fan, but he does have all the attributes a team like Detroit will be looking for.

2. St. Louis Rams: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech – OT may be a slightly bigger need for STL, but Crabtree is too good to pass on. With Torry Holt likely on his way out soon, the Rams desperately need a bigtime WR to replace him. I think Crabtree is better than any OT available.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Smith OT Baylor – Maybe it’s just me, but I think Tyler Thigpen has a pretty nice future. I’m also not convinced that Mark Sanchez is a top 3 pick. Therefore, I’m looking elsewhere for the Chiefs, specifically the OL. Adding two very talented OL in the past two drafts (along with Brandon Albert) will really help the Chiefs on their long and winding rebuilding road.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia – Crabtree should probably be #1 on the Seahawks wishlist, but with him gone, it’s time to add some youth to the OL. Walter Jones is coming towards the close of a spectacular career. The Seahawks need to get his talented replacement ASAP, Monroe will be just that.

5. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest – With Curry still on the board, this was an easy pick. The Browns need major help at LB, especially to help improve their putrid run D. Curry will be an immediate impact for them.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Oher OT Mississippi – Bengals QB’s were sacked 51 times this past year. Current LT Levi Jones has only been able to start 28 games due to injury the past 3 seasons. The Bengals need a lot of help, but first and foremost is protecting The Blind Side of Carson Palmer. Hahaha….

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri – This pick makes too much sense. With the Raiders love for talented speed guys, Maclin fits the bill. More importantly, JaMarcus Russell needs some targets in the passing game. Javon Walker? Nice job there guys. Maclin can team with young threats Chaz Schillens and Johnnie Lee Higgins, and old man Ronald Curry, to give Russell a talented enough group of WR’s to throw to.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Smith OT Alabama – The Jags need OL help pretty badly. Current LT Khalif Barnes has really regressed and David Garrard was beat up on all season. With the Jags running game also taking a hit, they need to get back to their smashmouth ways. Big Andre Smith seems like a pretty good fit for what the Jags like to do.

9. Green Bay Packers: BJ Raji DT Boston College – Another easy pick, IMO. With the Pack’s move to the 3-4 this offseason, they really need the monster NT to anchor the line. I can’t envision them looking on the offensive side of the ball and think they’ll be able to find a good 3-4 OLB prospect in round 2-3. Can you say perfect fit?

10. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez QB USC – Shaun Hill isn’t the long term answer for the 49ers. It’s time to man up and admit the Alex Smith disaster and get another franchise QB in there. Like John, I think it comes down to Sanchez and Everette Brown, with the franchise QB winning out.

11. Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown DE Florida State – Did you expect me to go any other way? Brown is the type of athlete the Bills need to add to their pathetic DL. He won’t be a full time player for a while, but his pass rush skills can be put to good use right away. DE is the team’s biggest need, and addressing it with a talent like Brown is the way to go.

whole DE class is overrated IMO, so if we can’t get our top rated DE I don’t like the pick….not sure who that is yet, Orakpo, Brown….I hope we get some excitement on draft day and a stud falls to us or a QB falls and a team wants to trade up

1. Detroit Lions (0-16): Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (JR)
Fresh off of the worst single season in NFL history, the Detroit Lions have begun revamping their franchise behind the front office duo of Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand as well as new head coach Jim Schwartz. This pick is going to be either a franchise quarterback or a franchise left tackle. The trick is, there is no consensus top tackle prospect available this year. Stafford has more raw ability than any quarterback available this year, and as long as the Lions don’t throw him into the starting role immediately, he should develop into a solid pro.
Other possible selections: QB Mark Sanchez, OT Andre Smith, OT Jason Smith, OT Michael Oher, OT Eugene Monroe

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (SR)
Steve Spagnuolo takes over the reins in St. Louis, where the Rams still have plenty of talented players but very few wins to show for it. Spagnuolo’s Rams will be an aggressive, physical bunch on both sides of the ball. But in order for the team to execute that philosophy, they need to get better in the trenches, particularly along the offensive line. New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will bring a West Coast-based offense to the Midwest, meaning that the Rams will need to find a lineman that can pass protect. Smith is the best pass-protecting left tackle prospect available this year.
Other possible selections: WR Michael Crabtree, OT A. Smith, OT Oher, OT Monroe

3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (JR)
Scott Pioli is the new boss in Kansas City, a franchise that has been down for a couple of years but now has direction to complement their solid young talent base. No matter who Pioli brings in as his new head coach, this pick will be a big one for Pioli, as it’s the first pick he’ll make out from under Bill Belichick’s shadow. It’s unlikely that Pioli will be so impressed with young QB Tyler Thigpen that he’ll miss an opportunity to take a solid QB prospect like Sanchez. There are plenty of routes that Pioli can take with this pick, but finally finding a franchise QB makes the most sense.
Other possible selections: WR Crabtree, OT A. Smith, OT Oher, OT Monroe, DE Brian Orakpo, LB Aaron Curry

4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (SO)
This Seahawks selection is going to be one of the easiest to project throughout the next couple of months. GM Tim Ruskell has always been a quirky drafter, subscribing to the "pundits be damned" theory and taking whoever strikes their fancy. C Chris Spencer and DE Lawrence Jackson are just two examples of left-field first-round picks that the Seahawks have made. But they’re also easy to read in certain situations as well, and that’s the case here. If Crabtree, the consensus top prospect available in the draft, is available, he’s the pick. If not, they’ll take the next best player available, whether that’s an OT or LB Aaron Curry.
Other possible selections: OT A. Smith, OT Oher, OT Monroe, LB Curry

5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest (SR)
The Browns have had one of the weirdest off-seasons of any team in the league. Owner Randy Lerner fired both GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel, and then went against common practice and hired former Jets coach Eric Mangini before bringing in a new GM (eventually a friend of Mangini’s, George Kokinis). Either way, this has a chance to work – as any front office structure can work – with sound drafting. Mangini values versatility in his 3-4 front, and there isn’t a more versatile defender available this year than the speedy, play-making Curry.
Other possible selections: RB Chris Wells, DE Everette Brown, DE Aaron Maybin, DE Orakpo, CB Malcolm Jenkins

6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia (SR)
Marvin Lewis is mad. Really mad. The Bengals head coach, director of several consecutive disappointing seasons in Cincinnati, has called out nearly every player on his roster in a strange attempt at off-season motivation. He’s going to coach tougher in 2009, and his team should reflect it – they’re going to become a physical football team that emphasizes the run and looks to build around their up-and-coming defense. Monroe isn’t exactly a road-grader in the running game, but with Carson Palmer returning from a shoulder injury, the Bengals would do well to draft a guy that can keep him healthy.
Other possible selections: WR Percy Harvin, OT A. Smith, OT Oher, DE Maybin, DE Brown, LB Rey Maualuga

7. Oakland Raiders (5-11): Andre Smith, OT, Alabama (JR)
Does anyone in the world know what’s going on in Al Davis’ brain? Better yet, does Al Davis know what’s going on in Al Davis’ brain? Now that the Raiders have removed the interim tag from head coach Tom Cable’s job title, the Raiders can focus on drafting their next first-round bust. Davis isn’t averse to drafting offensive linemen, and with a talent like Alabama’s Smith available, it’s very clearly his best option. But you can also bet that names like Crabtree, Harvin and Jenkins are running through Davis’ head – he does like his athletes. But ultimately, building around JaMarcus Russell makes the most sense.
Other possible selections: WR Harvin, OT Oher, DT B.J. Raji, LB Maualuga, CB Jenkins

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi (SR)
Was any team in the NFL a bigger disappointment than the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008? Not only did they whiff on pre-season Super Bowl expectations, they fell flat on their faces, knocking a couple of teeth out en route to a miserable 5-11 finish. David Garrard is a solid quarterback, but he needs more help offensively, particularly in his receiving corps and along the offensive line. With Crabtree off the board, Jacksonville is very likely to take their top-rated offensive tackle here. Right now, that guy is Oher, who I believe is the best tackle in the draft.
Other possible selections: WR Harvin, DT Raji, LB Maualuga

9. Green Bay Packers (6-10): B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College (SR)
Offense isn’t the problem in Green Bay. Playing behind first-year starter QB Aaron Rodgers, the Packers had one of the league’s most productive offenses, though they could probably stand to improve their rushing attack and perhaps their offensive line as well. But Green Bay’s defense was terrible in 2008, and with Dom Capers hired as the new defensive coordinator, big changes are coming to the Packers defense, most notably in scheme. Capers runs a 3-4, and currently, the Packers don’t have a massive player to hold their nose guard position. Raji is a natural fit in that role.
Other possible selections: RB Knowshon Moreno, DE Brown, DE Maybin, DE Orakpo, CB Jenkins

10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9): Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State (JR)
Want my honest opinion? The 49ers have the best young head coach in the league not named Mike Tomlin. How Mike Singletary wasn’t a head coach before 2008 is beyond me, but the Niners have themselves a good one now to move forward with. San Francisco will focus on getting tougher, more physical and more aggressive in the off-season; Singletary won’t have it any other way. Raji makes the most sense for the 49ers here, but with the big nose tackle off the board, expect Singletary to add a pass-rushing threat. Brown is the best DE prospect for the 3-4 this year, and he’ll be an immediate contributor.
Other possible selections: DE Maybin, DE Orakpo, LB Maualuga

11. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas (SR)
The Bills are one of the league’s toughest teams to figure. Even though they’ve built themselves a solid young core of talent over the past three drafts, the team still can’t improve. Dick Jauron as a general rule prefers to draft defensive players with his top picks, and with no center or tight end prospects worthy of a selection this high in the pecking order, Jauron won’t have to worry about offending anyone. Buffalo’s pass rush ranks amongst the league’s worst, so if one of the top three ends is available, that position will almost certainly be addressed. Orakpo is the favorite to land in Buffalo, even ahead of Brown.
Other possible selections: C Alex Mack, TE Brandon Pettigrew, DE Maybin

on GB. While Raji would be a good fit, I think Pickett can play over the ball. a 3-4 LB is more likely

Detroit takes QB #1. Has to. Sanchez or Stafford.

Brown or Orakpo at 11 would be OK with me compared to a"TE"or “C” I see in a few mock drafts on the net. Other good picks would be Raja, Curry (Dreaming) or trade down a few spot ( if QB’s are still on the board) and get Maybin or Maualuga. Mack in the 2nd..I hope.

First, it’s nice not to see any WRs picked by you guys this year; thank God. I was sick of that argument last year.

I think the QBs are both overrated to an extent, especially Sanchez. If I were Detroit and St Louis, I’d definitely go with the OTs.

Same for KC. I don’t think they need to go for Stafford. I think a new regime would be smart to build along the OL and shore up the defense before going QB.

As much as I hate WRs in the first round, Crabtree appears to be a good fit for Seattle. They have nothing there.

I like all of your guys picks for Cincy, and I think it’s impossible to predict Cleveland and Oakland. Glad I didn’t have to do that.

Jax is definitely a fit for an OL. No brainer there, as is Raji going to GB with their new 3-4.

SF is a tough one for me. You think Singletary would stress D, but I’m not sold on Hill, and this might be a good time for Stafford.

Which brings us to the Bills. And I vote, as I often will, to trade down. The trade chart I reference if from PFT, not the old Cowboy one. Trading down into the twenties should land you an extra second rounder at worst.

I’m surprised only one of you has Maybin going before we pick- whether you think he’s a top 5 level pick or not, I feel like too many people like him too much for him not to. Of course, if he could drop for a while and we could grab him later, I’d be ok with that too…

I think I side with MRW’s mock, for what that’s worth.

1. Detroit Lions: Andre Smith (OT – Alabama) – I originally had had
Matt Stafford plugged in here because rebuilding teams need a QB to
rebuild around. But, the only thing that drafting a pocket-passer
like Stafford will accomplish is ruining his career. Detroit is not
going to make the playoffs next year. They need to focus on building
their line first; otherwise, no quarterback is going to succeed in
those circumstances.

2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe (OT – Virginia) – The offensive
tackles are so hard to figure out this year and until one or two
separate themselves from the rest, it’s hard to tell who will go when.
 I could have went Crabtree here, St. Louis definitely needs help at
the WR position, but they’ve ignored their needs on the offensive line
for long enough.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Stafford (QB – Georgia) – Until they get
a new head coach, this is anybody’s guess. However, whoever the new
coach is won’t be tied to Thigpen and he’ll want to bring his own guy
in. It could be Stafford or it could be Sanchez, until we know, I’m
sticking with the top rated QB in the draft.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree (WE – Texas Tech) – Seattle’s
biggest need is WR. The best player left available is Michael
Crabtree. Moving on.

5. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry (LB – Wake Forest) – The hiring of
Mangini and the switch the 3-4 requires that Cleveland go out and get
multiple linebackers. They need help in the secondary as well, but as
the top rated LB in the draft, Curry is the best value here.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Oher (OT – Ole Miss) – The Bengals
have a drop-back passer and no one to block for him. They take their
highest rated blocker on the board (which could also be Jason Smith of
Baylor).

7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Johnson (DE – Georgia Tech) – This pick
should be offensive tackle Jason Smith, but when is Al Davis
conventional?! He likes “sexy” and taking another tackle near the top
of the draft is just not sexy. Raiders’ second biggest need is
defensive end.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Smith (OT – Baylor) – Four offensive
tackles in the first 8 picks? Believe it. The Jags quickly
capitalize on the Raiders mistake and take the last remaining top
offensive tackle.

9. Green Bay Packers: B.J. Raji (DT – Boston College) – Green Bay is
switching to the 3-4 this off-season. What’s every good 3-4 team
need? That right, a big-a$$ nose tackle.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Everett Brown (DE – Florida State) – I keep
going back and forth between Brown and quarterback Mark Sanchez. If I
were picking for the Niners (and here I am!), then I would take Brown.
 I have a feeling, the 49ers may go the other way though.

11. Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo (DE – Texas) – I’m not necessarily a
DE-in-the-first-no-matter-what guy, but I picked Orkpo for two
reasons: 1. This is a pre-free agency draft, therefore, DE is still
our biggest need; and 2. He represents the best remaining value on my
“big board.” I could have went Maybin here, being a PSU homer would
have made that easy, but I’m just not comfortable taking the redshirt
sophomore after one explosive season – at least, not yet anyways.

I’ve been slammed at work and haven’t been on my personal e-mail in over a week. Sorry for not getting on this sooner. If I had been really clever I would have caught up during the Super Bowl….but I was busy pulling to screw myself out of the work Super Bowl pool by rooting for Arizona. (My pool bet was Pittsburgh in a blowout so what do I know anyway?) As penance I put my half-baked rationale for the picks below:

1. OT Monroe
2. OT A Smith
3. DE Brown
4. WR Crabtree
5. LB Curry
6. CB Jenkins
7. DE Orakpo
8. DT Raji
9. LB Maybin
10. QB Stafford
11. LB Maualuga

1. Lions: I see them offering a bargin basement price to get out of this slot. I think the fans are smart enough not to want a QB to give the Harrington treatment to and the front office is going to be dead-set on being the anti-Millen. They’ll go smart over sexy if they can’t trade back (and then go smarter over sexy) and take their top lineman—offensive or defensive. If they can drop back 6-8 I think Raji might be the pick but at #1 their top rated OT….possibly Monroe.

2. Rams: The team has playmakers in Jackson and Holt. Sure, Holt is getting older but OSHA is about 2 more vicious hits away from making the Rams go without a QB. Inspired by the Lions, I can see the Rams sitting in place and taking their top rated offensive lineman. …possibly A Smith.

3. Chiefs: They lack the ammunition they had last year but I don’t see the Chiefs wanting to trade out of this spot. Their new front office will want a difference maker. The smart money is on a QB to build around but will Pioli see a Tom Brady in the top tier QBs? I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he goes looking for a Seymour type to put next to Dorsey. The Pats loved versatility so I can see the Chiefs ‘reaching’ for Everette Brown, particularly if he has a monster day at the combine.

4. Seahawks: Crabtree. Need I say more?

5. Browns: Mangini installed a 3-4 in New Jersey even though it didn’t fit his personnel at all. The Browns already run a 3-4, just not a very effective one due to their LBs. It’s an important key to the defense, an impact player and kind of a sexy pick all rolled into one: Curry.

6. Bengals: Palmer wasn’t killed last season but that’s mainly because he was injured for most of it. The offense has weapons; even Mucho Stinko is making happy noises. The coaching staff has one foot out of the door so I can see them going for impact over stability. To me that says defense. One way to shut down the run is to be able to play man-to-man coverage, which requires good corners. My guess at this point is that they get a running mate for their other young CB and go with Jenkins, mercifully taking the Ohio State product off the board before Buffalo picks.

7. Raiders: I’m tempted to put a punter here, just because we’re talking about Al Davis. In reality, I can see him wanting to go with whichever receiver runs fastest at the combine. If he’s not able to lead the parade anymore (health) or if common sense (i.e. the coaching staff and some mallets) gets the better of him I see them going for an impact defender: Orakpo

8. Jags: The offensive line was a mess in 2008, due primarily to 3 injuries to starters in the first week or two—all on the interior line. What are the odds of that happening again? Yes, the OTs could use upgrading as well but Del Rio is a defensive guy. The hideous drop in the rush defense rating will be his first priority. Raji is his man.

9. Pack: I can see steam pouring out of their ears as the Raji pick is announced. This scenario actually makes the Pack a candidate to move ahead of the Jags in order to get their guy. With their 3-4 plan in a shambles, look for them to drop back into the round and regroup. If that just isn’t an option (it should be with the top tier QBs still on the board) the DT slot gets a lick and a promise while the team picks up a versatile guy like Maybin.

10. 49ers: You know Singletary wants to take a google-eyed LB. With their QB situation a mess and the Alex Smith experiment officially over they take the first QB off the board—sparing us a 3 hour table watching spectacle a la Brady Quinn. An extremely disappointed (but hiding it well with ESPN’s info-babe) Stafford is their guy.

11. Bills: The top DE options are off the board as is the top LB and top DT. Lots of teams are calling about moving up and, this may be purely wishful thinking, Buffalo drops back since there really isn’t anyone to take at #11. If the board shakes out like the above and Buffalo doesn’t trade back, a guy like Maualuga fills a hole and is a fringe top 10 guy. It’s even worse of a situation for the Bills if a FA LB is signed before the draft. If 3-5 OLs don’t come off the board in the top 10 Buffalo could be in quite an uncomfortable spot if trading back isn’t in the cards.

I’m not sure what happened to my post there…..

Houston is #15, Chicago #18 and Philly is #21

If Alex Mack is not an option for us by how the draft falls for us then I very much hope that Eric Wood is our target at Center, to me those are the best two Centers by a decent margin over Unger, Caldwell and Luigs are not options for us based on Luigs being exposed as sloppy at the senior bowl and while Caldwell performed well I still do’nt like hearing that he should be in a pure zone blocking scheme and might not hold up well against the big Nose Tackles.. I’d very much prefer a trade down and take Mack in the 1st and add an extra high pick in the deal!—Again if not im hoping for Eric Wood.