Mock drafts

While Steve Wyche has the Lions taking Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick, Pat Kirwan thinks Detroit will be better served going with a different position of need at that spot.

» Kirwan: Lions' QB need can wait
» Dukes: Stafford has Cutler-like skills
» Davis: Plenty of OT talent

My pre-combine, pre-free agency mock draft looks a lot different than this version as combine performances, or lack thereof, affected perceptions. I still have Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford going No. 1 to Detroit, but that's hardly a lock. A good pro day on March 19, at which I will atttend, could make it one, though.

Alabama tackle Andre Smith's disappearing act at the combine hurt him, but if he interviews well and shows that he is in shape at his pro day and during private workouts for teams, I can't see Cincinnati, which just lost OT Stacy Andrews to free agency, passing. If Smith continues to falter, he still might not get past San Francisco at No. 10. Sure the Bengals need a WR, but they can get one in free agency or find a good one, like T. J. Houshmandzadeh-type Brian Robiskie, in the second round.

Though Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins didn't run a blazing 40 at the combine, I think coaches know he can play ball and could still be a top-five pick, even if he's moved to safety. Though the Raiders love speed, they need somebody who can catch for still-learning quarterback JaMarcus Russell, which is why I don't think Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree falls past Oakland at No. 7, despite his pending foot surgery that will leave teams guessing about his speed.

What is it GMs say? "The film doesn't lie." If that's the case, Crabtree is still the best receiver in the draft.

» Previous mock draft: Version 1.0

Mock draft: Round 1
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Previous pick
1.	Lions	Matthew Stafford	QB	Georgia	Matthew Stafford
		As much as they could address offensive line, defensive line and linebacker, Stafford's potential could be tough to bypass.
2.	Rams	Jason Smith	OT	Baylor	Andre Smith
		Smith looked fit, focused and professional at combine. Moved to the top of good tackle list.
3.	Chiefs	Aaron Curry	LB	Wake Forest	Aaron Curry
		They got their quarterback in Matt Cassel, and this gives them a defensive linchpin.   First Draft: Aaron Curry
4.	Seahawks	Eugene Monroe	OT	Virginia	B.J. Raji
		Moderate experience in zone-blocking scheme should help as 'Hawks transition to run-based system.
5.	Browns	Malcolm Jenkins	CB	Ohio State	Malcolm Jenkins
		Un-ideal 40 time could force move to safety, but Browns need help at both spots.
6.	Bengals	Andre Smith	OT	Alabama	Jason Smith
		Disappearance at combine added more red flags, but private interviews and solid pro day could quell fears about this talented player, who could take over at left tackle.
7.	Raiders	Michael Crabtree	WR	Texas Tech	Michael Crabtree
		Raiders love speed, but new coach Tom Cable knows ballers, and Crabtree -- despite foot surgery and unknown 40 time -- is a baller.
8.	Jaguars	Mark Sanchez	QB	USC	Eugene Monroe
		Not the biggest need, but there already is talk about grooming David Garrard's replacement.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Previous pick
9.	Packers	Brian Orakpo	DE/LB	Texas	Brian Cushing
		Biggest and best of the hybrid edge defenders. Packers must address this area as they move to 3-4 defensive set.
10.	49ers	Michael Oher	OT	Mississippi	Mark Sanchez
		Another run on offensive tackles moves Oher into top 10.
11.	Bills	Everette Brown	DE/LB	Florida State	Brandon Pettigrew
		The Bills love defensive playmakers, and Brown can add to a team whose division is stacking up on defense.
12.	Broncos	B.J. Raji	DT	Boston College	Rey Maualuga
		Tough and cerebral nose tackle could begin the process of strengthening the middle of the defense.
13.	Redskins	Brian Cushing	LB	USC	Brian Orakpo
		Help really is needed on offense, with RB Knowshon Moreno being a surprise option, but the lure of Cushing's versatility to complete defensive stockpiling is too tempting.
14.	Saints	Vontae Davis	CB	Illinois	Vontae Davis
		Saints tried, but failed to address this position in free agency, so it is a priority.
15.	Texans	Chris "Beanie" Wells	RB	Ohio State	Aaron Maybin
		Tried to sign Cedric Benson in free agency. Wells could be the big back to complement Steve Slaton.
16.	Chargers	Rey Maualuga	LB	USC	Knowshon Moreno
		Big-hitting thumper is too tempting to bypass.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Previous pick
17.	Jets	Jeremy Maclin	WR	Missouri	James Laurinaitis
		Loss of Laveranues Coles to free agency shifts focus to the most dangerous playmaker in the draft.
18.	Bears	Tyson Jackson	DE	LSU	Tyson Jackson
		Offensive line is a bigger need and OT Eben Britton could be the best fit, but Jackson could seriously help a defense in need.
19.	Buccaneers	Peria Jerry	DT	Mississippi	Peria Jerry
		Loss of Jovan Haye and desire to beef up the line makes landing a D-tackle a must.
20.	Lions	James Laurinaitis	LB	Ohio State	Michael Oher
		The defense was a sieve, the linebackers are undersized and the 6-foot-2, 244-pound Laurinaitis can provide some needed muscle and athleticism.
21.	Eagles	Eben Britton	OT	Arizona	Chris "Beanie" Wells
		Eagles have to use first of two picks in this round on an offensive tackle because someone may snap one up before their selection at No. 28.
22.	Vikings	Percy Harvin	WR	Florida	Jeremy Maclin
		The Vikings want a receiving threat, based on failed pursuit of Houshmandzadeh. May need a center if Matt Birk leaves via free agency.
23.	Patriots	Alphonso Smith	CB	Wake Forest	Louis Delmas
		Patriots could go with OLB/DE Larry English.
24.	Falcons	Larry English	DE/LB	Northern Illinois	Larry English
		Loss of two starting linebackers makes this a desperate need. A cornerback also is a priority. Patriots' pick could determine which way Falcons go.
Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School	Previous pick
25.	Dolphins	Robert Ayers	DE	Tennessee	Everette Brown
		Has the size (6-3, 272), motor and athleticism to play on the line and provide an aggressive push against the run and pass.
26.	Ravens	Max Unger	C	Oregon	Alphonso Smith
		Ravens could go wide receiver here with Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, but they need some interior grit after the free-agent departure of Jason Brown and Unger can bring it.
27.	Colts	Evander "Ziggy" Hood	DT	Missouri	Percy Harvin
		The Colts are trying to get bigger up front and this rising gap-plugger seems like an ideal fit.
28.	Eagles	Knowson Moreno	RB	Georgia	Eben Britton
		Jersey kid somehow falls to a team that would capitalize on his versatility and toughness. Don't be surprised, though, if Eagles try to move up into top 5 to grab one of the premier tackles in this draft.
29.	Giants	Hakeem Nicks	WR	North Carolina	Hakeem Nicks
		Big, strong and can make plays. Can fill void of, or complement, Plaxico Burress.
30.	Titans	Jarron Gilbert	DE	San Jose State	D.J. Moore
		Titans hoped to get combo DE/DT Chris Canty in free agency but lost out to the Giants, Gilbert is that combo type. USC DT Fili Maola, cousin of Baltimore DT Haloti Ngata, might be a reach, but is a possibility.
31.	Cardinals	LeSean McCoy	RB	Pittsburgh	LeSean McCoy
		Combination of tough, shifty, runner who also can catch the ball. Perfect fit for this scheme.
32.	Steelers	Alex Mack	C	California	Max Unger
		A sprained ankle kept him out of the combine so he's lost some luster. Pittsburgh doesn't care about luster. It likes tough guys, and Mack fits the bill.