Rick Gosselin's final mock draft

[AdamJT13]

By Rick Gosselin
The Dallas Morning News

1. Detroit
Matthew Stafford
QB, Georgia
Team Needs:
QB, MLB, TE, DT
Comment: Bobby Layne was a Pro Bowl quarterback the last time the Lions won a championship in 1957. Detroit hasn’t had an elite quarterback or won a championship since then. Stafford gives the franchise hope for the future.

2. St. Louis
Jason Smith
OT, Baylor
Team Needs: OT, WR, MLB, QB
Comment: The Rams had the second pick of the 2008 draft and took the safest player on the board in DE Chris Long. St. Louis repeats that philosophy in this draft by taking W.T. White’s Smith. The Rams need to replace Pro Bowl LT Orlando Pace.

3. Kansas City
Tyson Jackson
DE, LSU
Team Needs: LB, OT, WR, TE
Comment: New GM Scott Pioli is retooling the Chiefs’ defense in the image of the 3-4 scheme he left behind in New England. The Patriots love those LSU linemen and so does Pioli. He also sees some Ty Warren in Jackson.

4. Seattle
Aaron Curry
OLB, Wake Forest
Team Needs: WR, LB, LT, RB
Comment: The Seahawks finished 30th in defense in the NFL last season. The best player in the draft slides to Seattle at four. Curry also addresses a pressing defensive need: He makes plays on both sides of the line.

5. Cleveland
Michael Crabtree
WR, Texas Tech
Team Needs: WR, Pass rusher, S, OL Comment: Like Seattle, the Browns benefit from a sliding value. Crabtree, of Carter, has been compared to Larry Fitzgerald. If the Browns trade Braylon Edwards, they would need Crabtree. If they keep Edwards, Crabtree would make him better.

6. Cincinnati
Andre Smith
OT, Alabama
Team Needs: DT, LB, Pass rusher, OT
Comment: Smith showed up at the combine overweight and then performed poorly at his pro day. All that said, he’s still the most talented tackle in the draft. He started as a freshman in the SEC and won the Outland Trophy as a senior.

7. Oakland
Jeremy Maclin
WR, Missouri
Team Needs: WR, OT, S, DL
Comment: Tim Brown was a Pro Bowl play-maker for a long time for the Raiders. Maclin is Tim Brown 20 years later. Of the four top wideouts on this draft board, Maclin will have the greatest impact as a rookie because of his return skills.

8. Jacksonville
Eugene Monroe
OT, Virginia
Team Needs: LT, DT, CB, RB
Comment: The Jaguars are in dire need of a left tackle since Khalif Barnes left in free agency. Monroe would be an upgrade at the position. He won the Jacobs Trophy as the best blocker in the ACC in 2008.

9. Green Bay
Malcolm Jenkins
CB, Ohio State
Team Needs: DE, LB, OT, CB
Comment: The Packers have two Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson, but both are in their 30s. With Detroit expected to draft Stafford, and with Jay Cutler now in the division, Green Bay had better load up on pass defenders.

10. San Francisco
Michael Oher
OT, Mississippi
Team Needs: OT, DT, pass rusher, WR
Comment: The 49ers ranked 27th in rushing and allowed 55 sacks last season. If San Francisco can’t block, it doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback — Shaun Hill, Alex Smith or Joe Montana. Oher allows the 49ers to move Joe Staley to RT.

11. Buffalo
Aaron Maybin
DE, Penn State
Team Needs: LT, pass rusher, S, TE
Comment: Left tackles will have left the board before the Bills could go on the clock. The next priority is upgrading the pass rush. Buffalo mustered only 24 sacks in 2008. Maybin had 12 on his way to Big Ten defensive player of the year.

12. Denver
B.J. Raji
DT, Boston Col.
Team Needs: DE, DT, OLB, WR
Comment: New coach Josh McDaniels is overhauling the defense, installing a 3-4 scheme after releasing four starters from a year ago. He needs size, and the best defensive tackle in this draft falls into his lap at 12.

13. Washington
Mark Sanchez
QB, USC
Team Needs: OL, DL, LB, QB
Comment: After failing to land Jay Cutler, Commanders owner Dan Snyder explored his options all week for possible trade-ups for Sanchez. Jacksonville is a potential partner at 8. Snyder needs a QB to compete in the NFC East.

14. New Orleans
Vontae Davis
CB, Illinois
Team Needs: CB, S, RB, OLB
Comment: The offense is Super Bowl-ready with Drew Brees. But the defense needs lots of help, especially at cornerback. The Saints ranked 23rd in pass defense. Davis gives New Orleans much needed size and ability there.

15. Houston
Clay Matthews
OLB, USC
Team Needs: OLB, CB, pass rusher, RB
Comment: Why not? Bruce Matthews carved out a Hall of Fame career in Houston. There’s a positive vibe attached to the Matthews name in Houston. He is the son of Clay and nephew of Bruce Matthews.

16. San Diego
Brian Cushing
OLB, USC
Team Needs: RB, LB, DE, WR
Comment: Better players equal better defense. The Chargers finished 25th in defense last season. The return of Shawne Merriman and the selection of Cushing would dramatically improve both the linebacking play and the scheme.

17. New York Jets
Darrius Heyward-Bey
WR, Maryland
Team Needs: TE, QB, WR, OT
Comment: With the departure of Laveranues Coles in free agency, the Jets need speed opposite Jerricho Cotchery. Heyward-Bey is the fastest player in the draft with a 4.25 clocking in the 40.

18. Denver
Brian Orakpo
DE, Texas
Team Needs: DE, DT, OLB, WR
Comment: Taking B.J. Raji at nose tackle at 12 would give the Broncos a building block in the run defense in the new 3-4 scheme. Orapko would give the Broncos some much-needed pass rush. They managed 26 sacks last year. Orakpo had 12.

19. Tampa Bay
Robert Ayers
DE, Tennessee
Team Needs: DE, DT,
CB, WR
Comment: New coach Raheem Morris hired Jim Bates to run the defense, and he loves to rotate his ends and tackles. So you need quantity as well as quality up front. The Bucs managed 29 sacks last season.

20. Detroit
Brandon Pettigrew
TE, Oklahoma St.
Team Needs: QB, MLB, TE, DT
Comment: QB Matthew Stafford was the first step toward building a playoff-caliber offense in 2010. Pettigrew is the next step. Include WR Calvin Johnson and RB Kevin Smith, and the Lions may actually score some points in 2010.

21. Philadelphia
Knowshon Moreno
HB, Georgia
Team Needs: DL, OL, TE, RB
Comment: Emmitt Smith gave the Eagles fits in the 1990s in the NFC East. Moreno would give Philadelphia an Emmitt clone to attack the Cowboys. Moreno is the most complete back in this draft — a triple-threat, just like Emmitt.

22. Minnesota
Josh Freeman
QB, Kansas St.
Team Needs: CB, OL, WR, QB
Comment: With Aaron Rodgers emerging in Green Bay, Jay Cutler now in Chicago and Matthew Stafford on his way to Detroit, there’s a sense of urgency for the Vikings to find a quarterback. Freeman could be the answer.

23. New England
Peria Jerry
DT, Mississippi
Team Needs: DT, DE, TE, QB
Comment: Bill Belichick won two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and three more as head coach of the Patriots with a dominating defensive front. You can never have enough quality linemen.

24. Atlanta
Darius Butler
CB, Connecticut
Team Needs: CB, DT, S, TE
Comment: Like NFC South lodge brother New Orleans, Atlanta has an offense that’s playoff-ready with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. But the defense needs help, and the glass-smooth Butler provides it.

25. Miami
Paul Kruger
DE, Utah
Team Needs: CB, WR, OLB, TE
Comment: Elite pass-rushers are few and far between in this draft. Kruger qualifies as elite but is off a few draft boards medically because he has one kidney. One kidney slow down Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie any at Arizona in 2008.

26. Baltimore
Rey Maualuga
MLB, USC
Team Needs: RT, WR, pass-rusher, CB
Comment: Bart Scott left in free agency, leaving a hole at inside backer alongside Ray Lewis. Over the next two years, Lewis can teach Maualuga the Ravens way, and the legacy of Pro Bowl inside backers in Baltimore would be secure.

27. Indianapolis
Beanie Wells
HB, Ohio State
Team Needs: S, LB, WR, P
Comment: With Dominic Rhodes leaving in free agency, the Colts need a second back to pair with oft-injured Joseph Addai in the rotation. Wells would represent a substantial upgrade with his 5.8-yard career average and 30 TDs.

28. Buffalo
Max Unger
C, Oregon
Team Needs: LT, pass-rusher, S, TE
Comment: Buffalo missed out at left tackle at the top of the draft, but Unger is a nice consolation prize. He’s one of the three elite centers in the draft, a Bills weakness in 2008, and also has college experience at left tackle.

29. New York Giants
Ziggy Hood
DT, Missouri
Team Needs: WR, LB, CB, KR
Comment: The most-talented team in the NFC takes the best player available. New York’s defensive tackles are stout run players, but Hood would inject a pass-rush threat into the mix, with 141/2 career sacks at Missouri.

30. Tennessee
Alphonso Smith
CB, Wake Forest
Team Needs: WR, CB, G, DL
Comment: Smith is the most productive cornerback in this draft but has the worst measurables — he’s 5-9 and runs a 4.50 in the 40. The same knocks kept Brandon Flowers out of the first round in 2008, but he made the all-rookie team.

31. Arizona
Donald Brown
HB, Connecticut
Team Needs: RB, LB, OL, KR
Comment: The Cardinals reached the Super Bowl but found themselves a running game away from the Lombardi Trophy. Arizona finished last in the NFL in rushing with an aging Edgerrin James. Brown, the NCAA rushing champ, brings fresh legs.

32. Pittsburgh
Eric Wood
C, Louisville
Team Needs: OL, WR, CB, S
Comment: QB Ben Roethliserger and HB Willie Parker are Pro Bowl play-makers who absorb too much of a beating behind a porous blocking front. Wood started 49 consecutive games at Louisville and can also play guard.

Teams without a first-round pick

49. Chicago
Eugene Chung
S, Oregon
Team Needs: WR, S, DT, DE
Comment: The Bears and Cowboys share the same shopping list, but Chicago drafts two picks higher than the Cowboys. So the Bears will get first crack at any sliding safety or wide receiver the Cowboys may covet.

51. Dallas
Andy Levitre
G, Oregon State
Team Needs: WR, S, OL, LB
Comment: Levitre started three years at left tackle in the Pac-10 but is rated the best guard on the draft board. Some teams project him as a center. That’s his value — he can play all five positions across the front.

59. Carolina
Lawrence Sidbury
DE, Richmond
Team Needs: DT, DE, CB, OL
Comment: With the status of Pro Bowl pass-rusher Julius Peppers in limbo, the Panthers need some insurance at defensive end. Sidbury is the last end on this draft board with any speed — 4.53 in the 40.

 

[silverbear]

If Sidbury is still on the board and the Cowboys take Levitre, I'm gonna do something ugly... for that matter, if they take Levitre at pick 51, my dog probably won't come near me for 2 or 3 days...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I wouldn't mind Levitre one bit

do you have last year's mock by Goose as a comparison?

 

[28 Joker]

I just looked at this on the DMN site.

2 WRs go in round 1. That isn't a big surprise projection to me. I think some of those WRs are overrated for round 1.

Max Unger goes in round 1.

Giving Andy Livitre to Dallas is Gosselin telling us the Cowboys really do like Unger, imo. I'm not going to complain about offensive line help. I sure would like Massaquoi, too.

The Bears pick makes sense, too. They are looking for a big safety. I read that tonight. Plus, Mike Wallace said the Bears really like him.

It is still going to be interesting. The run on WRs will start early in round 2. There is going to be a ton of them picked. It would be a shame not to get one you like, imo.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

thanks WG

or should I be afraid? afterall, I just tried to impersonate a mod, hmmm, you have the gears turning in my head

 

[theogt]

Guard? We've got 3 starting quality guards on the team. We better not draft a guard.

And wow, his mock last year was terrible -- of course, it was a weird year and most people's mock was terrible.

 

[AdamJT13]

I wouldn't mind Levitre one bit

do you have last year's mock by Goose as a comparison?

He was down a little for his mock last year, but he still tied for 11th out of 94 mocks scored by The Huddle Report. Most people have never heard of the 10 guys who beat him.

Here it is --




Team Needs Selection
1. Miami OT, OLB, WR, QB Jake Long, OT,
Michigan
Comment: Long was a four-year starter at Michigan. With a new five-year contract from the Dolphins, expect him to extend his starting streak to nine consecutive years. Look for him to mix in a few Pro Bowl appearances.
2. St. Louis OT, DT, CB, WR Chris Long, DE,
Virginia
Comment: The Rams covet Long and the Falcons covet Glenn Dorsey, but on most draft boards the order is flipped. Don't be surprised if the Falcons trade up one spot for the right to select Dorsey. That would solve a problem for both teams.
3. Atlanta MLB, QB, OT, DT Glenn Dorsey, DT,
LSU
Comment: If the Falcons don't come away with Dorsey, they will explore trading down. New coach Mike Smith has a defensive background and saw what dominant defensive tackles did for his old team, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
4. Oakland OL, DL, offensive speed Darren McFadden, HB,
Arkansas
Comment: Al Davis is a size/speed advocate. McFadden fills the bill. The Raiders also would entertain a pass rusher, Chris Long, if he falls, and Vernon Gholston. In the end, the Raiders take the best value on the board.
5. Kansas City DE, OT, CB, KR Chris Williams, OT,
Vanderbilt
Comment: The Chiefs have two glaring needs – offensive tackle and defensive end with the departure of Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Allen. If they wait on the offensive tackle, they miss out. Six could go in the first round.
6. NY Jets CB, OT, DE, QB Vernon Gholston, DE,
Ohio State
Comment: The Jets managed only 29 sacks last season. They need to tackle more quarterbacks and force more turnovers to again become a contender in the AFC East. Gholston is the best pass rusher in this draft with 14 sacks in 2007.
7. New England DL, LB, CB, OT Sedrick Ellis, DT,
Southern California
Comment: Ellis doesn't fit the 3-4 defensive scheme of the Patriots, but his arrival would give them the option of playing some 4-3. He's the best defensive player on the board, and coach Bill Belichick rarely passes up value.
8. Baltimore QB, CB, OT, WR Matt Ryan, QB,
Boston College
Comment: If Ryan doesn't slide to the Ravens at No. 8, they will explore trading out. With the retirement of Steve McNair, quarterback shot to the top of the list of priorities. Ryan posted a 25-7 record at Boston College.
9. Cincinnati DT, WR, RB, DE Derrick Harvey, DE,
Florida
Comment: When you rank 27th in the NFL in defense, just about any defender you draft is an instant upgrade. The Bengals have an opening at end with the departure of Justin Smith in free agency. Harvey is a definite upgrade.
10. New Orleans DT, CB, LB, TE Leodis McKelvin, CB,
Troy
Comment: If the Saints fail to trade up for Ellis, they will look to upgrade themselves at cornerback. McKelvin is the most physical of the corners and also the best kick returner in the draft.
11. Buffalo WR, CB, LB, TE Devin Thomas, WR,
Michigan State
Comment: The NFL's 30th-ranked passing attack needs to get bigger, stronger, tougher, more talented and more productive on the flank. Thomas is the most physical receiver in this draft, not to mention the most talented.
12. Denver OT, DE, RB, KR Ryan Clady, OT,
Boise State
Comment: Mike Shanahan has always been able to help average backs flourish because he fielded one of the NFL's best offensive lines. But his current offensive front doesn't push anyone around. Enter the 6-6 Clady.
13. Carolina DE, OT, TE, RB Jeff Otah, OT,
Pittsburgh
Comment: Watching the New York Giants win a Super Bowl reminded Panthers coach (and former Giants assistant) John Fox what it takes to win in the NFL. Dominate both sides of the ball. Otah is the best run blocker in this draft.
14. Chicago OT, WR, RB, TE Branden Albert, OL,
Virginia
Comment: The Bears played power football on the way to the Super Bowl in 2006. But there was a power shortage in 2007 when the Bears finished 30th in the NFL in rushing. Better blocking will make Cedric Benson a better runner.
15. Detroit Defense, RB, OT Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB,
Tennessee State
Comment: Like the Bengals, anyone the Lions draft on the defensive side of the ball would be an upgrade. Rodgers-Cromartie is the most athletic corner on the board blending size (6-1), speed (4.33) and play-making ability.
16. Arizona RB, CB, LB Mike Jenkins, CB,
South Florida
Comment: The Cardinals need to tighten up the NFL's 28th-ranked pass defense. Jenkins is the most ready to play of the three elite cornerbacks in this draft. If you can't play pass defense in the NFC West, you cannot succeed.
17. Kansas City DE, OT, CB, KR Keith Rivers, LB,
Southern California
Comment: The Chiefs want a defensive end, but Rivers is just too good a value to pass up here. He's the slider and would give them a superb set of bookends at linebacker along with Derrick Johnson.
18. Houston OT, CB, Pass rusher Rashard Mendenhall, HB,
Illinois
Comment: Houston is desperate for an offensive left tackle, but the draft board drains five of them before the Texans can go on the clock. Like Rivers, Mendenhall is just too good a value to pass up here.
19. Philadelphia OT, DL, CB Aqib Talib, CB,
Kansas
Comment: With big receivers Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owens dominating in the NFC East, the Eagles need a big cornerback to combat them. Talib is that guy in this draft at 6-0½, 202 pounds.
20. Tampa Bay Offensive speed, CB, DT Jonathan Stewart, HB,
Oregon
Comment: Had Stewart not undergone toe surgery in March, he likely would have been a top 10 pick. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2007 and would ease the burden on quarterback Jeff Garcia to make all the plays that win games.
21. Washington DE, DT, OL, WR Phillip Merling, DE,
Clemson
Comment: When you have a 35-year-old starting defensive end, you need to start looking for his replacement. North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer also is a consideration here, but the need is at end, not tackle.
22. Dallas RB, WR, CB, OL Felix Jones, HB,
Arkansas
Comment: Jones can be the type of speed complement to Marion Barber that Julius Jones was these last few years. Felix Jones led the NCAA with an average of 8.7 yards per carry and also averaged 29 yards on kickoff returns.
23. Pittsburgh OT, CB, WR, RB Jerod Mayo, LB,
Tennessee
Comment: The Steelers have 10 starters back from the NFL's top-ranked defense. Linebacker Clark Haggans departed in free agency. This pick marries ability with need – Mayo can be a walk-in starter for the Steelers.
24. Tennessee RB, WR, G, TE James Hardy, WR,
Indiana
Comment: The Titans are desperate for play-makers to lighten the offensive load of quarterback Vince Young. At 6-5, Hardy can provide Young a huge target, so his inaccuracies as a passer won't be as glaring.
25. Seattle OL, DL, CB, WR Chad Henne, QB,
Michigan
Comment: If you don't see any immediate help on the draft board, select someone who can brighten your future. The Seahawks have no glaring holes. But Matt Hasselbeck is 33 this season. Henne gives them security at quarterback.
26. Jacksonville DT, DE, CB, LB Quentin Groves, DE,
Auburn
Comment: The Jaguars took a couple hits up front, losing end Bobby McCray in free agency and trading tackle Marcus Stroud. On a draft board with so little speed, Groves stands out as a blazer with his 4.57 40 clocking.
27. San Diego OT, RB, CB, DL Gosder Cherilus, OT,
Boston College
Comment: The Chargers have only two offensive tackles currently on the roster. Like left tackle Marcus McNeill, Cherilus could become a walk-in starter at San Diego. He started 51 consecutive games at Boston College.
28. Dallas RB, WR, CB, OL Brandon Flowers, CB,
Virginia Tech
Comment: Flowers is the most technically sound of the five top cornerbacks in this draft. But he's also the smallest (5-9½) and slowest (4.59 speed in the 40). He broke up 18 passes in 2006 and 14 more in 2007.
29. San Francisco WR, OL, DL, QB Kentwan Balmer, DT,
North Carolina
Comment: Like Rivers to Kansas Cty at 17, Balmer is a case of sliding value. Coach Mike Nolan's background is on defense, but the 49ers have struggled on that side of the ball. You can never have enough quality defensive linemen.
30. Green Bay CB, Pass rusher, TE, OT Dustin Keller, TE,
Purdue
Comment: The Packers must do everything in their power to give Aaron Rodgers a chance to succeed at quarterback. You do that by upgrading the supporting cast. Keller is the best pass-catching tight end in this draft.
31. NY Giants OT, WR, CB, Safety Tyrell Johnson, S,
Arkansas State
Comment: The Giants lost starting safety Gibril Wilson in free agency to the Raiders. Johnson is the fastest (4.43 speed) of the three elite safeties in this draft and the best ballhawk with 13 career interceptions.

OTHER TEAMS WITHOUT FIRST-ROUND SELECTIONS:
SECOND ROUND
47. Minnesota WR, OT, CB, Safety Eddie Royal, WR,
Virginia Tech
Comment: The Vikings traded away their first pick in the Jared Allen deal. Quarterback Travis Jackson could use some speed on the flank, and Royal also gives them an elite kick returner. That allows them to compete with the Bears.
59. Indianapolis OL, DL, WR, Pass rusher Mike Pollak, C,
Arizona State
Comment: Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday is 33 years old this season. No one in the NFL drafts and develops linemen like the Colts, who started a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round draft pick on the Super Bowl championship team.
FOURTH ROUND
122. Cleveland Pass rusher, ILB, CB, WR Mario Manningham, WR,
Michigan
Comment: The Browns traded away their first pick to Dallas, their second pick to Green Bay and third pick to Detroit. Cleveland had good luck with one wideout from Michigan – Braylon Edwards. They'll get Manningham at a discounted rate.

 

[28 Joker]

I missed Darius Heyward-Bey, so that is 3 WRs projected in round one. Still, it is less than the 5 or 6 being projected by some experts.

I still think it's going to be interesting. I wouldn't rule out a WR at 51.

I still think Massaquoi could be the pick.

Mike Jenkins at 25. What a steal. Getting a RB like Felix Jones at 22 was a steal, too. Arizona really liked him. I'm sure Dallas was nervous.

He picked a player comparable to Unger in terms of versatility.

Greg Ellis has that big salary. Sidbury will be interesting, too.

I still think Dallas could go in several directions. Of course, you all don't need me to tell you that.

 

[arglebargle]

I had forgotten that Goose was part of the crowd that had so many WRs going in the first round last year. He predicted 4....there were none...

 

[Bluefin]

I wouldn't rule out a WR at 51.

I still think Massaquoi could be the pick.

I think that'd be too early for Mass.

If we want a wideout, I'd rather trade up a bit if Hakeem Nicks is there.

They were teammates a year apart in high school.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I'll take any OL help we can get,,, those guys are ridiculously over rated, Barber just makes them look good by breaking the first 2 tackles in the backfield. This team would be infinitely better if it had a dependable running game.

 

[AdamJT13]

Just because it's Friday nite and I'm bored..

That wasn't his final mock last year, that was his second mock (of the three he does).

 

[WoodysGirl]

That wasn't his final mock last year, that was his second mock (of the three he does).

Dangit...I can never master this site's advanced search function.

 

[BAT]

Antonio Rogers-Cromartie?

Eugene Chung?


Dang, Goose, get an editor. And make sure its not the same one Mac Engel uses.

 

[Achozen]

Guard? We've got 3 starting quality guards on the team. We better not draft a guard.

And wow, his mock last year was terrible -- of course, it was a weird year and most people's mock was terrible.

Yep. Holland played solid enough until he got hurt.

I don't know why it took so long for him to see the field. He's ten times better than Procter.

 

[AdamJT13]

I had forgotten that Goose was part of the crowd that had so many WRs going in the first round last year. He predicted 4....there were none...

He had two receivers in the first round in his final mock.

 

[BAT]

Did Dallas even bring in Levitre for a look? Where did Goose have Alex Mack going?

 

[Spectre]

:ralph:

 

[Tobal]

Anything that puts Procter further down the bench id AOK for me. Holland and Levitre could play guard and Levitre could play center..... He keeps Procter from being active on game day.... Super intelligent playerm but is this a reach? Seems like he's a third rounder

 

[alancdc]

I hope Moreno doesn't go to the EAGLES.