Glauber Nation Mock Draft - Part I
It's time.
With a month to go before the April 25-26 draft, we offer our first Mock Draft.
Of course, I will guarantee you that our "final answer" mock, which will be published in the April 24 newspaper, will feature a handful of changes from this mock. And I guarantee you I will piss off at least one person on the desk when I call in at 8 p.m. the night before to revise a pick based on late-breaking information.
I apologize in advance.
Here goes. Feel free to agree, disagree or accuse me of pulling a Bob Mantz and taking psychadelic drugs before compiling this list. And if you really feel motivated to discuss the mock, join us in a live chat today at 11 a.m.
1. Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia. New coach Jim Schwartz making noises about taking Jason Smith, but if he's convinced about Stafford, he'll go QB.
2. Rams: Jason Smith, T, Baylor: Rookie coach Steve Spagnuolo needs a replacement for Orlando Pace.
3. Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Chiefs have a QB with Matt Cassel, so it's time to beef up the defense with this play-making linebacker.
4. Seahawks. Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia. Walter Jones is 35 years old.
5. Browns. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College. Eric Mangini needs a big man in the middle to anchor his defensive line.
6. Bengals. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri. We're also hearing the Bengals are looking at offensive line, but they also need youth at receiver, since starters Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles are over 30.
7. Oakland Raiders. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. Raiduhs always love big, fast receivers.
8. Jaguars. Michael Oher, T, Mississippi: David Garrard was helpless last year due to awful pass protection.
9. Packers: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Packers' pass rush is a mess.
10. 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. Not certain yet that the 49ers are in love with Sanchez, but they do need help at the position after seeing Alex Smith fizzle.
11. Bills: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. Pettigrew a terrific receiver who will immediately upgrade the offense.
12. Broncos: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State. Broncos' defense hasn't been good in years.
13. Redskins. Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC. 'Skins would get immediate help with Maualuga.
14. Saints. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State. Saints are desperate for a shutdown corner.
15. Texans. Brian Cushing, OLB, USC. Cushing a terrific outside 'backer who would complement DeMeco Ryans.
16. Chargers: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State. Bolts re-signed LaDainian Tomlinson and franchised Darren Sproles. But they still need to prepare for life after LaDainian.
17. Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State. Darrius Heyward-Bey a possibility here, but new coach Rex Ryan won't soon forget the success the Ravens had with rookie QB Joe Flacco. Not that Ryan would go with Freeman immediately; it gives him a chance to develop while either Brett Ratliff or Kellen Clemens gets the job in 2009. (Obviously, we're factoring in that the Jets don't pull off a trade for Jay Cutler.)
18. Bears. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland. Bears desperately need a burner after losing Bernard Berrian to the Vikings last year.
19. Buccaneers: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. Bucs tore apart the defense because of age. Jackson can be a young building block.
20. Lions (from Cowboys): Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. Excellent cover corner can boost Lions' anemic secondary.
21. Eagles: Andre Smith, T, Alabama. Eagles lost tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.
22. Vikings: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia. Vikes can improve an already solid defense with Sintim.
23. Patriots: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State. Pats need to start rebuilding an aging defensive line.
24. Falcons: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC. Falcons said goodbye to veteran OLB Keith Brooking.
25. Dolphins: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi. Bill Parcells never met a big, strong defensive lineman he didn't like.
26. Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest. Ravens need secondary help after dumping Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister.
27. Colts: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida. Marvin Harrison's replacement?
28. Eagles (from Panthers): Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia. Brian Westbrook turns 30 this year and is coming off knee surgery.
29. Giants: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State. Time to start thinking about an heir apparent to Antonio Pierce. They need a receiver, too, but the elite ones are gone. Maybe a Kenny Britt of Rutgers in the second round, or else a bold move for Braylon Edwards.
30. Titans: Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois. Jevon Kearse can't stay healthy.
31. Cardinals: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee. Cardinals were thin and aging along the DL last year.
32. Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California. Mack a good value this low in the round.
(Los Angeles Times photo)
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Comments (15)
I would rather trade out of the first round than taking a bust like James Laurintis. He has bust written all over him!!!
Kudos on your promptness, 7AM on the dot it was.
Now, as far as your insanity...
Jets... maybe the lesson Ryan learned was that a starting QB can just be someone given a chance, not just a rookie. Odd he would make it a Three-way competition, things would be bedlam. The media would go nuts constantly asking about if the rookie was the starter, why draft a rookie, blah blah blah (gotta be careful of that media). A rookie QB makes NO sense here.
Dolphins... Sure Parcells has met PLENTY of big, strong DLs he didn't like. He either made sure they never got onto his teams, or got rid of them as soon as possible. I'm not disputing the pick, just the statement.
Giants... Think they'd give up on Goff already? Or the other young LBs? Remember, it was Reese who chose most of the young LBs. And to be playcaller/leader of the defense takes more than physical ability. Goff got hurt, but was still able to learn and watch. Only way this happens is if Reese truly feels Laurinaitis is the absolutely correct guy, and frankly, with Reese, that pick could go for ANY position if he had that much faith in the draftee. I must say, I do like your part about Britt though, I like him too (purely in a good for the Giants way.).
Maclin over Crabtree?
LTmLT: Fair point on Flacco/Freeman, and I made a clarification in the text. I'm not saying Ryan would go with Freeman this year, just that if the Jets like his upside (which they do), they can go with Clemens or Ratliff for now and then develop Freeman for down the road.
Adam: Don't forget, it's the Bengals who are drafting. That said, there are some scouts who see it as Maclin over Crabtree anyway.
But Mr. Glauber,
Clemens and Ratcliff are not "for now" guys, like a Patrick Ramsey /Culpepper/ Leftwich or other old hand starter would be. Both of those QBs need playing time and to establish themselves as well. Why bring in a 3rd unestablished rookie to compete. They may as well dump Clemens and Ratcliff now, bring in an old hand, then draft Freeman if they were so high on Freeman.
"Fair point on Flacco/Freeman"... does this mean you felt my other points weren't fair? ;)
No way Coach Schwartz,defensive coordinator with Titans and schooled by Jeff Fisher,selects Stafford. Besides,those of us down here who have watched himknow he will be a bust.
interesting picks... I think the one thing that could be the biggest variable outside the earliest picks... is the Browns and Raji... If they get Shaun Rogers in the fold, I think they focus elsewhere on either the OL or at DE and that will shake things up a bit. There's so many variables surrounding just them... What if Braylon goes to the Giants... then Maclin or Crabtree have to be right up at the top of their board too...
I'd hate to see the Jets take a QB in the first round (the only one who I think is worth it is Sanchez and it's only because the risk/reward is WAY bigger than the others). I'd rather see the Jets finally get that big fast receiver in Heyward-Bey. Any of the linebackers from USC would be solid as well though...
Kinda funny how we all really have no idea what will REALLY happen, but it's still fun to guess regardless...
How far Newsday has come that it can use "piss off" as a verb. Come on, Bob.
There is no chance the Gmen go linebacker in round 1, after last years draft, the Giants if they don't go reciver, will for sure go tackle, after Kareen Mckenzie proved he's nearing the end.
Bob,
I agree with your thinking in terms of getting Freeman for a down the road development project; however, why if you were the Jets would you draft a development project in the first round and have to pay him big bucks to sit on the bench? The Jets have quite a few holes to fill on the Defensive line as well as at the WR position. I agree that if there is a QB in the draft that has the skills and can be mentored and developed to become Joe Namath over time, you have to take that chance, but not in the first round. With the money invovled, you need to get a starter in the first round, not a project. I see the Jets either trading out of 17 and stock piling picks, or getting that big time WR they have not had for quite sometime.
I really do think the Lions are taking Jason Smith because of past history with first round QB flops on that team and like Tom says, Stafford isn't that good, yet. I don't think Freeman will be around for the Jets because the Broncos are going to take him first. Larinaitus has been a bust but maybe he will work within the Giants system, might as well take him considering he used to be rated higher. I'm sure he can be a special-teams player if nothing else and at that spot you're not getting an immediate starter anyway for the most part.
If Harvin or Moreno are there when the Giants Pick - they need to take
either right away. Laurinaitis will not be drafted in the 1st round.
505 Likes MOCK Drafts
1. Lions: John Tavares, hey....it's a hockey town
2. Rams: Bekins Moving and Storage. The NFL is talking expansion again..Back to LA
3. Chiefs:Charles Wang....hey....they wanna be a hockey town.
4. Seahawks:Courtney Love...the grunge crowd from Kurt Cobain's days are grown up now and represent an excellent marketing demographic.
5. Browns: Jim Brown. I bet the guy could still kick Mangini's ass.
6. Bengals: Tim Gunn...The Bengals have needed wardrobe help for years now.
7. Oakland Raiders: Alex Rodriquez. He was a HS QB and would be a perfect fit for an Al Davis team.
8. Jaguars: Hernando de Soto...couldn't think of anything else for that part of FLA, and this franchise still needs to be discovered.
9. Packers: Wilt Chamberlain....nobody packed meat like the Big Stilt
10. 49ers: Sean Hannity...how much fun would it be to see THAT GUY on the Left Coast?
11. Bills: Scot "Scud" Norwood....I can never get enough of "wide right". Bring him back.
12. Broncos: Dr. Phil..Settle this Cutler issue once and for all.
13. Redskins: The Titans Cheerleaders.
14. Saints: Barack Obama....Shouldn't the SAINTS have THE ONE?
15. Texans:George Lopez...every Texan I know has a smart ass Latino working in their house...so should this team
16. Chargers: Lawrence Taylor. YOU WANT AN LT? YOU GOT HIM.
17. Jets: Brett Favre....doesn't everybody love summer reruns?
18. Bears: Rod Blagojevich ...with all the money they make, it's time NFL players started PAYING for their starting positions
19. Buccaneers: Elizabeth Swann. No relation to Lynn...I just can't get enough of Keira Knightley in a pirate outfit.
"shivers me timber".
20. Lions (from Cowboys): Victor Hedman...hey..it's still a hockey town
21. Eagles: T.O......why the hell not? It was fun the 1st time.
22. Vikings: Al Franken...any state dumb enough to elect this guy for Senate deserves him as a number 1 draft pick
23. Patriots: Bill O'Reilly, a Pinhead for the Patriots.
24. Falcons: Cesar Millan....WOOF WOOF.
25. Dolphins: Gloria Estefan....long overdue for a return to pop glory, and so are the Dolphins.
26. Ravens: William Kunstler...Ray Lewis is overdue for another heinous crime
27. Colts: And outdoor stadium. Cuz football should not be played indoors in the Midwest. If their neighbors to the east and west can do it (CLE, CHI) so can they. Wussies.
28. Eagles (from Panthers): Weightwatchers. Andy Reid is getting out of control.
29. Giants: Keith Olberman....anything to get him off of TV.
30. Titans: The Redskin's Cheerleaders
31. Cardinals: Chicago Norm. Everyone loves a good Prodigal Son Story.
32. Steelers: Black N Gold...cuz he needs a good paying job to make up for the pasting he took after the ABB concert.
Just my opinion....from two time zones away.
I think 505 won the weekly comment award with this one and I'm not 2 time zones away.
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