JGalligan
Footballguy
Well, first off, hopefully mock drafts haven't been banned or outlawed or anything while I've been gone. I was surprised to find precisely zero of them with the help of the search function AND a quick, ADHD scroll-down the front page of the Shark Pool topics. Probably missed about 2-3 threads, but hey -- its not like its the end of the world right? Hopefully that's yes..
Anyway, as long as it's okay I figured I'd use my round one mock draft with commentary in here to serve as a springboard for further discussion. An incredibly important thing you have to realize about this mock draft is that it exists in a world where Matthew Stafford does NOT go number one. I explain why, but if that last statement just gave you butterflies and caused you slight dizziness than you might want to just go and eat a crustless grilled cheese sandwich and doodle in a notebook instead. There is no hope left for you.
All of the selections that follow are ones that I would make should I have been in the drivers seat for each selection. A large portion of the mock will look familiar to others out there, especially since there's a fair amount of picks that are pretty much all but set in stone already. However there are still others that might not make sense to you if you don't try and think outside of the box and against what all of the mock "experts" are saying then your damn head may well explode. For instance, I have Brandon Pettigrew going in the first round (and I'm damn proud of it!) but won't get going on that as there is a fairly lengthy rant already waiting for you once his number comes up.
Before we get started though, this is meant to promote discussion. There's going to be some disagreements and there's going to be some highly emotional and debatable ones as well. Would you really want it any other way?
I explained in length about a third of the picks and just have the picks themselves for the others. You'll see that this works a lot better since I apparently can't write something about an NFL topic without it being at least 545 words long. But it's still pretty long though, so feel free to print this baby out and bust it out for the dropping-a-deuce time of day. I don't know why but I've been told I create some very riveting, bathroom stall reading.
Regardless of where you read it though, as always, enjoy and feel free to disagree vehemently in your replies!
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1. Detroit Lions
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
It seems like everyone and their ex-girlfriends, plumbers, cousins, florist thinks that the Lions are absolutely, positively going with Matthew Stafford at number one. While this is definitely possible and largely the smart bet out of all scenarios, I’m going to educate you a little bit O.K.?Stafford’s skills are undeniable — the kid has an absolute gun of an arm and all of the intangibles that shout out “great professional quarterback”. However, the Lions currently have one absolutely starter ready QB in Daunte Culpepper, one potentially capable QB in Drew Henson and one potential FRANCHISE QB in Drew Stanton! Have we forgotten that the Lions spent a second round pick in 2007 on this guy? He played in three games in 2008, completed more than 50% of his passes, threw one TD and has YET to throw his first career interception! Say what you want about Henson and how the front office probably just keeps him on the roster to warm the bench instead of any actual talent, but Stanton — how could the Lions NOT take a chance with this kid when it would mean they could fill oh-so-many other vital holes in the process?
Am I the ONLY person who gets worked up about this or what? Am I missing something here?
The only logical explanation is that the Lions coaching staff and/or scouting department do not feel that Stanton is franchise QB material. But not only is three career games way too small of a sample size, he did nothing in those three games to even warrant being thrown out of the debate!
I’m calling a Mario Williams in 2006 here and say that the Lions shock everyone and take the best sure-thing offensive tackle on the board in Jason Smith.
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2. St. Louis Rams
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
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3. Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
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4. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
What’s that? A gamble you say? Nay, nay -- absolutely not I say!Sure, the Seahawks could take an offensive tackle here, but I think they roll the dice with Crabtree — and by roll the dice, I mean, wait patiently for 6-8 weeks until he has everyone head butting their refrigerators following a ridiculously impressive workout. Everyone’s forgetting that this kid was labeled as the premier wide receiver talent in this years crop and who was said to be a one-of-a-kind, can’t-pass-up-on type talent.
So, he has a minor problem with his foot and people are calling for his head in the second round? No dice my friend. No dice.
Besides, with the recent signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Seahawks are one wide receiver away from having a 2009 receiving corps that is the EXACT opposite of their 2008 one. As you surely remember, the 2008 Seahawks WR corps was hit by the bubonic plague which in turn forced the Seahawks quarterbacks to have to throw the ball to complete and utter bum-bums. Take a look at this potential receiving corps for this year and then tell me this would be a stupid pick:
Deion Branch, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson and Michael Crabtree.
Yes, please!
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5. Cleveland Browns
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
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6. Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
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7. Oakland Raiders
Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
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8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
What, too early? Maybe, but how about you tell me what portion of the offense the Jaguars passing attack has sorely missed these past two seasons. Besides any semblance of pass protection. Yes, that’s right! A tight end!A lot of people have been turned off by Pettigrew’s performance at the Combine, but since when have we judged career potential by Combine performance while blatantly ignoring years of game tape? He wasn’t a pass-catching tight end machine in college or anything, but seriously, was anyone? ANTONIO GATES DIDN’T EVEN PLAY FOOTBALL IN COLLEGE! NOT ONE SNAP!
So let’s just shush with all of the remarks about how there’s no way he could be utilized as a pass-catching threat in the pros. He’ll be utilized by whosoever job it is to utilize him and unless their a moron they’ll experiment with Pettigrew as an offensive weapon.
That will be all.
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9. Green Bay Packers
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
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10. San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
The amazement that you’re feeling right now upon reading Matthew Stafford’s name penciled into a number ten spot in a mock draft is the product of mass media brainwashing. You’ve been constantly pumped full of opinions that say that he HAS to go number one — there’s just no other way! Well, let me tell you something.If the Lions choose to go another route and the Rams pass up on him at number two, Stafford will NOT be taken until at LEAST the tenth overall pick in the Draft. Yes, the odds of this happening are smaller than him being taken at one or two, but the NFL Draft is a finicky bizzotch. As are mock drafts. Basically this is because that as soon as one team goes against the grain and takes someone whom their own scouting department and front office tells them to instead of what ESPN predicted and as soon as this happens, since hardly any people thought that it would happen — boom! There goes your mock draft. Boom! There goes what you thought would happen on Draft Weekend. Boom! There goes the nachos you put into the microwave with aluminum foil you jackass!
Nobody ever remembers Mock Drafts. Ever. Is there a Hall of Fame Internet shrine of accurate mock drafts? I wouldn't doubt it but nothing that could stand the tests of actual society. So instead of preaching 90% of what the other ones are preaching, I’m going to try and go the alternate route and try and look at the entire thing from outside the box. If it happens? Awesome, I’m a genius. If it doesn’t happen? Whatever. I won’t lose any sleep over it and will absolutely have an incredible time making fun of myself in a recap post. It's what I do!
Whatever you do though, don’t go thinking that Stafford is going to be going number one just because Mel Kiper Jr. is saying so. That guy lost touch with reality several years ago. Don't get me wrong, he knows his shiz, but he’s as stubborn as me AND my father put together times eleven. And that’s pretty frigging stubborn.
Just be prepared for the reality that will take place if he ISN’T taken number one. Everyone thought Reggie Bush was going first back in 2006, too. Look what happened! Mario Williams was taken first instead and it was THE CORRECT CHOICE to boot! Imagine that!
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11. Buffalo Bills
Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
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12. Denver Broncos
Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
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13. Washington Redskins
Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
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14. New Orleans Saints
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Saints need a cornerback and Jenkins is arguably the best available out of this years crop. What more can I say?Okay fine… I’d feel too guilty if I had just left it at that!
Back on the topic though, opinions vary as to who the top cornerback in this years crop is and while Jenkins was believed to be the #1 cover man heading into the Combine, his less-than-stellar footwork didn’t do much to shut the book on the matter. So basically, whose picked here will depend on whomever the Saints scouting department has ranked as the first CB on their board. It could be Alphonso Smith, it could be Vontae Davis or it could be (as I suspect) the Mr. Jenkins that I have listed right here.
Not to get that into it cause I could go on for days, I think we put WAY too much emphasis on how players do at the Combine. I’m NOT saying it’s a waste of time — only that I think we blow the things that happen there out of proportion. For instance, the Combine is a great way to gauge a players speed and hands and agility and the like, but we need to start factoring in things like nerves, bad days and some good old-fashioned fudge ups! Shouldn’t several seasons of game tape be worth a heck of a lot more than a few drills, a benchpress and a 40 yard dash in Indiana? OF COURSE IT SHOULD!
So that’s why I have Jenkins listed here — to make a long story short. He had the best career at his position in college and has the most pro potential in my opinion. You can agree, you can disagree and you could even question how many chestnuts I have — but the fact of the matter is that game tape gives you a story over a much longer period of time and that is free from outside influences such as a bad day or a screw up. The Combine results serve a purpose, but I’m afraid we’ve begun to measure a player’s career potential with how well he did there.
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15. Houston Texans
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
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16. San Diego Chargers
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Commence the bashing/debate/chit-chat/discussion/heckling and stay-tuned for the slightly less controversial Part 2!
Anyway, as long as it's okay I figured I'd use my round one mock draft with commentary in here to serve as a springboard for further discussion. An incredibly important thing you have to realize about this mock draft is that it exists in a world where Matthew Stafford does NOT go number one. I explain why, but if that last statement just gave you butterflies and caused you slight dizziness than you might want to just go and eat a crustless grilled cheese sandwich and doodle in a notebook instead. There is no hope left for you.
All of the selections that follow are ones that I would make should I have been in the drivers seat for each selection. A large portion of the mock will look familiar to others out there, especially since there's a fair amount of picks that are pretty much all but set in stone already. However there are still others that might not make sense to you if you don't try and think outside of the box and against what all of the mock "experts" are saying then your damn head may well explode. For instance, I have Brandon Pettigrew going in the first round (and I'm damn proud of it!) but won't get going on that as there is a fairly lengthy rant already waiting for you once his number comes up.
Before we get started though, this is meant to promote discussion. There's going to be some disagreements and there's going to be some highly emotional and debatable ones as well. Would you really want it any other way?
I explained in length about a third of the picks and just have the picks themselves for the others. You'll see that this works a lot better since I apparently can't write something about an NFL topic without it being at least 545 words long. But it's still pretty long though, so feel free to print this baby out and bust it out for the dropping-a-deuce time of day. I don't know why but I've been told I create some very riveting, bathroom stall reading.
Regardless of where you read it though, as always, enjoy and feel free to disagree vehemently in your replies!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. Detroit Lions
Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
It seems like everyone and their ex-girlfriends, plumbers, cousins, florist thinks that the Lions are absolutely, positively going with Matthew Stafford at number one. While this is definitely possible and largely the smart bet out of all scenarios, I’m going to educate you a little bit O.K.?Stafford’s skills are undeniable — the kid has an absolute gun of an arm and all of the intangibles that shout out “great professional quarterback”. However, the Lions currently have one absolutely starter ready QB in Daunte Culpepper, one potentially capable QB in Drew Henson and one potential FRANCHISE QB in Drew Stanton! Have we forgotten that the Lions spent a second round pick in 2007 on this guy? He played in three games in 2008, completed more than 50% of his passes, threw one TD and has YET to throw his first career interception! Say what you want about Henson and how the front office probably just keeps him on the roster to warm the bench instead of any actual talent, but Stanton — how could the Lions NOT take a chance with this kid when it would mean they could fill oh-so-many other vital holes in the process?
Am I the ONLY person who gets worked up about this or what? Am I missing something here?
The only logical explanation is that the Lions coaching staff and/or scouting department do not feel that Stanton is franchise QB material. But not only is three career games way too small of a sample size, he did nothing in those three games to even warrant being thrown out of the debate!
I’m calling a Mario Williams in 2006 here and say that the Lions shock everyone and take the best sure-thing offensive tackle on the board in Jason Smith.
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2. St. Louis Rams
Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
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3. Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
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4. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
What’s that? A gamble you say? Nay, nay -- absolutely not I say!Sure, the Seahawks could take an offensive tackle here, but I think they roll the dice with Crabtree — and by roll the dice, I mean, wait patiently for 6-8 weeks until he has everyone head butting their refrigerators following a ridiculously impressive workout. Everyone’s forgetting that this kid was labeled as the premier wide receiver talent in this years crop and who was said to be a one-of-a-kind, can’t-pass-up-on type talent.
So, he has a minor problem with his foot and people are calling for his head in the second round? No dice my friend. No dice.
Besides, with the recent signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Seahawks are one wide receiver away from having a 2009 receiving corps that is the EXACT opposite of their 2008 one. As you surely remember, the 2008 Seahawks WR corps was hit by the bubonic plague which in turn forced the Seahawks quarterbacks to have to throw the ball to complete and utter bum-bums. Take a look at this potential receiving corps for this year and then tell me this would be a stupid pick:
Deion Branch, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson and Michael Crabtree.
Yes, please!
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5. Cleveland Browns
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
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6. Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
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7. Oakland Raiders
Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
What, too early? Maybe, but how about you tell me what portion of the offense the Jaguars passing attack has sorely missed these past two seasons. Besides any semblance of pass protection. Yes, that’s right! A tight end!A lot of people have been turned off by Pettigrew’s performance at the Combine, but since when have we judged career potential by Combine performance while blatantly ignoring years of game tape? He wasn’t a pass-catching tight end machine in college or anything, but seriously, was anyone? ANTONIO GATES DIDN’T EVEN PLAY FOOTBALL IN COLLEGE! NOT ONE SNAP!
So let’s just shush with all of the remarks about how there’s no way he could be utilized as a pass-catching threat in the pros. He’ll be utilized by whosoever job it is to utilize him and unless their a moron they’ll experiment with Pettigrew as an offensive weapon.
That will be all.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9. Green Bay Packers
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10. San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
The amazement that you’re feeling right now upon reading Matthew Stafford’s name penciled into a number ten spot in a mock draft is the product of mass media brainwashing. You’ve been constantly pumped full of opinions that say that he HAS to go number one — there’s just no other way! Well, let me tell you something.If the Lions choose to go another route and the Rams pass up on him at number two, Stafford will NOT be taken until at LEAST the tenth overall pick in the Draft. Yes, the odds of this happening are smaller than him being taken at one or two, but the NFL Draft is a finicky bizzotch. As are mock drafts. Basically this is because that as soon as one team goes against the grain and takes someone whom their own scouting department and front office tells them to instead of what ESPN predicted and as soon as this happens, since hardly any people thought that it would happen — boom! There goes your mock draft. Boom! There goes what you thought would happen on Draft Weekend. Boom! There goes the nachos you put into the microwave with aluminum foil you jackass!
Nobody ever remembers Mock Drafts. Ever. Is there a Hall of Fame Internet shrine of accurate mock drafts? I wouldn't doubt it but nothing that could stand the tests of actual society. So instead of preaching 90% of what the other ones are preaching, I’m going to try and go the alternate route and try and look at the entire thing from outside the box. If it happens? Awesome, I’m a genius. If it doesn’t happen? Whatever. I won’t lose any sleep over it and will absolutely have an incredible time making fun of myself in a recap post. It's what I do!
Whatever you do though, don’t go thinking that Stafford is going to be going number one just because Mel Kiper Jr. is saying so. That guy lost touch with reality several years ago. Don't get me wrong, he knows his shiz, but he’s as stubborn as me AND my father put together times eleven. And that’s pretty frigging stubborn.
Just be prepared for the reality that will take place if he ISN’T taken number one. Everyone thought Reggie Bush was going first back in 2006, too. Look what happened! Mario Williams was taken first instead and it was THE CORRECT CHOICE to boot! Imagine that!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
11. Buffalo Bills
Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12. Denver Broncos
Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
13. Washington Redskins
Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
14. New Orleans Saints
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Saints need a cornerback and Jenkins is arguably the best available out of this years crop. What more can I say?Okay fine… I’d feel too guilty if I had just left it at that!
Back on the topic though, opinions vary as to who the top cornerback in this years crop is and while Jenkins was believed to be the #1 cover man heading into the Combine, his less-than-stellar footwork didn’t do much to shut the book on the matter. So basically, whose picked here will depend on whomever the Saints scouting department has ranked as the first CB on their board. It could be Alphonso Smith, it could be Vontae Davis or it could be (as I suspect) the Mr. Jenkins that I have listed right here.
Not to get that into it cause I could go on for days, I think we put WAY too much emphasis on how players do at the Combine. I’m NOT saying it’s a waste of time — only that I think we blow the things that happen there out of proportion. For instance, the Combine is a great way to gauge a players speed and hands and agility and the like, but we need to start factoring in things like nerves, bad days and some good old-fashioned fudge ups! Shouldn’t several seasons of game tape be worth a heck of a lot more than a few drills, a benchpress and a 40 yard dash in Indiana? OF COURSE IT SHOULD!
So that’s why I have Jenkins listed here — to make a long story short. He had the best career at his position in college and has the most pro potential in my opinion. You can agree, you can disagree and you could even question how many chestnuts I have — but the fact of the matter is that game tape gives you a story over a much longer period of time and that is free from outside influences such as a bad day or a screw up. The Combine results serve a purpose, but I’m afraid we’ve begun to measure a player’s career potential with how well he did there.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
15. Houston Texans
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
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16. San Diego Chargers
Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Commence the bashing/debate/chit-chat/discussion/heckling and stay-tuned for the slightly less controversial Part 2!
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Excellent stuff man, thank you! 
