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spt_2009_NFLmock.appDeck = "By Rotoworld's Evan SilvaThe Jay Cutler trade — and to a lesser extent transactions involving Plaxico Burress and Orlando Pace — have shaken up the NFL draft. Denver received the No. 18 overall pick from Chicago and may package it along with the 12th selection or another of the Broncos' five top-84 selections to move up for Mark Sanchez. It's too hard to predict draft-weekend trades in a mock, so we're just working with what out there now. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rowAlt = "#EEEEEE"; spt_2009_NFLmock.appNavStyle = 6; spt_2009_NFLmock.appLayout = 1; spt_2009_NFLmock.copyMargin = 3; spt_2009_NFLmock.copyBorder = 0; spt_2009_NFLmock.sHedStyle = "color:#003366;font-size:24px;font-family:times;"; spt_2009_NFLmock.sSubHedStyle = "color:#000000;font-weight:normal;padding-left:160px;text-transform:none;"; spt_2009_NFLmock.cellBorder = "#FFFFFF"; spt_2009_NFLmock.sColHedStyle = "background-color:000066;color:#ffffff;"; spt_2009_NFLmock.aColWidths = new Array(155,140,40,40,40,200); i=0; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows = new Array(); spt_2009_NFLmock.aColHeaderText = new Array("Team","Name","Pos.","Ht.","Wt.","College"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("1. Lions","Matthew Stafford","QB","6-2","235","Georgia"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "General manager Martin Mayhew's lack of urgency to upgrade at quarterback strongly indicates that he plans to draft one. He can't afford to wait until pick No. 20 because there's too good a chance that Stafford, Josh Freeman, and Mark Sanchez all will be gone. Detroit's offense will focus on going downfileld under new coordinator Scott Linehan, which elevates Stafford's cannon to Sanchez's more complete skill set."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("2. Rams","Jason Smith","OT","6-4","300","Baylor"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "The Rams are all but locked into an offensive tackle after cutting Orlando Pace. They could even draft two on the first day. St. Louis intends to run a balanced attack, and Smith comes from a pass-heavy offense. He's a better bet than Eugene Monroe because of his higher ceiling, nastier mentality, and cleaner injury history."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("3. Chiefs","B.J. Raji","DT","6-2","334","Boston College"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "New coordinator Clancy Pendergast's runs a 3-4 defense, which won't work without a true nose tackle. Interior linemen who can cover two gaps and collapse the pocket like Raji are rare enough to force the Chiefs' hand. Aaron Curry will get some consideration, but the Chiefs already have a similar player in Derrick Johnson. Raji's failed drug test is a concern, but teams know he's a good kid, very hard worker, and easily a top-five talent."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("4. Seahawks","Eugene Monroe","OT","6-5","310","Virginia"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Seattle can't possibly count on Walter Jones to be healthy coming off microfracture surgery at age 35. Right tackle Sean Locklear also has a history of knee woes and a serious toe injury ended his 2008 season. An ideal fit for new offensive boss Greg Knapp's zone-blocking scheme, the athletic Monroe could start at left or right tackle as a rookie."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("5. Browns","Michael Crabtree","WR","6-2","208","Texas Tech"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Donte' Stallworth isn't an impact receiver, and his impending loss for the 2009 season leaves Cleveland in a massive hole. Syndric Steptoe is next on the depth chart, and with Braylon Edwards in a contract year there's no bigger need area on the Browns' roster. Crabtree will be healed from foot surgery two weeks after the draft."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("6. Bengals","Aaron Curry","LB","6-2","247","Wake Forest"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Every team in the top five will look hard at Curry, but non-pass rushing linebackers don't go that early. Cincinnati needs a middle linebacker, where Dhani Jones is quite possibly the league's weakest starter. Curry played inside for the Demon Deacons on nickel downs and would transition smoothly into Marvin Lewis' theoretically physical scheme."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("7. Raiders","Darrius Heyward-Bey","WR","6-2","206","Maryland"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Heyward-Bey may be seen as a reach, but most Raiders first-round picks this decade have been. And with 4.3 speed at his size, Al Davis may not think No. 7 is too early for the draft's top deep threat. Heyward-Bey is bigger, faster, and comes from a more pro-style offense than Jeremy Maclin. He's a better bet to contribute right away."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("8. Jaguars","Mark Sanchez","QB","6-2","225","USC"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "GM Gene Smith remains committed to a best player available approach. Jeremy Maclin will be considered here if Jacksonville whiffs on free agent Torry Holt, but Sanchez will top the Jaguars' value board. An underclassman, Sanchez needs to hold a clipboard for a year before being thrown to the wolves and can do so behind David Garrard. The Jags also will also field calls from the Broncos, who are looking to move up."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("9. Packers","Brian Orakpo","DE","6-3","255","Texas"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "A 4-3 end in college, \"Rak Attack\" impressed scouts in linebacker drills at the Horns' Pro Day, and a 1.58 10-yard split proved that he has the explosiveness to rush with his hand up. The Packers' starter at right outside linebacker would be Brady Poppinga (zero sacks since 2006) if the season began today. Orakpo would be a value and fill a huge need."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("10. 49ers","Everette Brown","LB","6-4","252","Florida State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Signing right tackle Marvel Smith frees up San Francisco to draft defense in round one. Mike Singletary knows from his playing days that pressure is vital to defensive success, especially in the strict 3-4 scheme coordinator Greg Manusky intends to run. The Niners haven't had a double-digit sack guy since Andre Carter in 2002. Brown led the ACC with 13.5 last season."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("11. Bills","Robert Ayers","DE","6-3","270","Tennessee"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "No player's stock has risen like Ayers'. A dominant Senior Bowl, strong Combine, and this class' lack of true every-down defensive ends have catapulted Ayers to the No. 5 overall prospect, according to NFL Network's Mike Mayock. Mayock has the best handle in the business on NFL teams' thinking, and Buffalo was one of Ayers' first pre-draft visits. The Bills can't continue to rely on middling defensive ends Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay opposite Aaron Schobel."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("12. Broncos","Rey Maualuga","LB","6-2","260","Chargers"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Maualuga doesn't have elite cover skills, but that's less of a concern in the 3-4 defense Denver will use under new coordinator Mike Nolan. Nolan's best draft pick as 49ers coach from 2005-08 was Patrick Willis, another ferocious inside linebacker San Francisco took at nearly the same spot (No. 11). Denver must improve against the run."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("13. Redskins","Michael Oher","OT","6-5","330","Mississppi"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Opinions differ on Oher because of his passive off-field demeanor and supposed senior-year inconsistency. The question marks are nitpicky, however. Oher helped Ole Miss to its first bowl appearance since Eli Manning, and the Rebels were the only team to beat 2008 National Champion Florida. Oher has the size and athleticism to be a franchise left tackle. He'd start on the right for Washington initially, and eventually replace Chris Samuels on the left."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("14. Saints","Malcolm Jenkins","CB","6-2","235","Ohio State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "New coordinator Gregg Williams' defense has always required elite safety play (Sean Taylor, LaRon Landry, Blaine Bishop, Lawyer Milloy). Even after signing Darren Sharper, the Saints openly admit that safety is their biggest weakness. Jenkins would convert from corner, so Sharper could open the season starting if the transition doesn't go smoothly at first."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("15. Texans","Clay Matthews","LB","6-3","240","USC"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "The Texans like what they got from Zach Diles on the strong side early last season, but he's coming off a fractured tibia. Weak-side linebacker Xavier Adibi is also a promising prospect, but not a traditional run-stopper. Matthews is superior to both as an athlete and hitter, and would immediately start at either outside spot. A report that Matthews tested positive for steroids is a concern, but may be misinformation."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("16. Chargers","Andre Smith","OT","6-5","341","Alabama"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "San Diego is expected to consider a tailback here, but Smith is the better value and GM A.J. Smith shouldn't feel desperate for a No. 3 runner behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles. The 'Bolts aren't comfortable with Jeromey Clary at right tackle. Smith would at worst start immediately at right guard, where Mike Goff left in free agency."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("17. Jets","Jeremy Maclin","WR","6-0","198","Missouri"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "While Maclin certainly could go to Oakland or Jacksonville, NFL teams realize that spread offense receivers typically don't make huge first-year impacts. Maclin should help in the return game and as a slot receiver initially, but has no experience running pro routes and will likely struggle if rushed into a starting job. The Jets could ease Maclin in behind Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Brad Smith."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("18. Broncos (from Bears)","Aaron Maybin","DE","6-3","250","Penn State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Maybin rebounded from a lackluster draft combine by posting a ridiculous 10-foot-10 broad jump, a 40-inch vertical, and running in the 4.5-4.6 range at the Nittany Lions' pro day. It's unclear if that's enough to make him a top 12 pick. If it isn't, Denver has a hole at outside linebacker opposite Elvis Dumervil."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("19. Bucs","Percy Harvin","WR","5-11","190","Florida"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Tampa ends a receiver run with this class' truest home run hitter. New coach Raheem Morris emphasized the need for \"swagger\" at Tampa Bay's first offseason minicamp, and Harvin brings plenty of style and pizzazz. The Bucs are short on offensive speed opposite Antonio Bryant, and Harvin could immediately produce in the slot. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("20. Lions (from Cowboys)","Jarron Gilbert","DL","6-5","288","San Jose State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "The centerpiece of new coach Jim Schwartz's defense at Tennessee was Albert Haynesworth. Gilbert has the potential to grow into that type of player. He runs 4.81, which indicates Gilbert could stay highly explosive with significantly more weight. He also has the production to back it up after winning WAC co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("21. Eagles","Chris 'Beanie' Wells","RB","6-1","235","Ohio State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Wells has been projected as high as No. 6 to Cincinnati, but two-down tailbacks don't frequently go in the top half of the draft. Beanie's impressive offseason could vault him somewhere in the top 20, but if not the Eagles can't possibly pass. Brian Westbrook would be better suited for a Marshall Faulk-like late-career role with Wells as Philly's lead back."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("22. Vikings","Peria Jerry","DT","6-3","310","Mississippi"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Easily the SEC's top interior pocket pusher last season, Jerry collected a conference-best 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and helped the Rebels rank No. 4 nationally in run defense. Pat Williams is turning 37 and broke down last season. Jerry would play in a rotation initially, then start at the three technique in 2010 with Kevin Williams on the nose."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("23. Patriots","Connor Barwin","DE","6-4","252","Cincinnati"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "No team values versatility like New England, and Barwin has more than any first-round prospect. Teams that use a 3-4 defense love Barwin's potential as an outside linebacker after he posted 10 sacks as a senior rush end for the Bearcats. Barwin, whose profile is similar to Patriots castoff Mike Vrabel's, would battle Tully Banta-Cain and Pierre Woods for snaps opposite Adalius Thomas."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("24. Falcons","Brian Cushing","LB","6-3","253","USC"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Cushing's lack of ideal range, and possibly his failed steroids test, will likely knock him out of the top 20, but Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff showed last year that he's less concerned with measurables than performance. The Falcons drafted Curtis Lofton 37th overall after he ran 4.77 at the scouting combine. Cushing, who also runs in the 4.7-4.8s, would start immediately at weak-side linebacker."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("25. Dolphins","Sean Smith","CB","6-3","214","Utah"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Smith appears to have overtaken Vontae Davis as this year's No. 1 true cornerback prospect. The Dolphins' starters would be 31-year-old Will Allen (entering a contract year) and highly inconsistent Eric Green if the season began today. Smith, whose size, ball skills, and hip fluidity will make Bill Parcells drool, has a Nnamdi Asomugha-like skill set."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("26. Ravens","Hakeem Nicks","WR","6-1","215","North Carolina"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Baltimore's top three receivers (Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams) are all in contract years. Baltimore could use a defensive end behind 34-year-old Trevor Pryce, but has Dwan Edwards ready if Pryce breaks down. With sensational hands, route running skill, and preparation after playing in Butch Davis' pro-style offense, Nicks looks like a safer bet for rookie-year production than any receiver in this class. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("27. Colts","Knowshon Moreno","RB","5-10","207","Georgia"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Moreno can't get his 40-yard dash out of the 4.6 range, but his three-down ability will keep him in the first round. Indianapolis' most seasoned tailback behind Joseph Addai is Chad Simpson, an undrafted free agent with 15 career carries. Addai has also proved more effective in a committee role. Moreno would be a terrific value here."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("28. Eagles (from Panthers)","William Beatty","LT","6-6","307","Connecticut"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Todd Herremans, who nearly lost his starting left guard job last year, currently stands atop the Eagles' depth chart at left tackle. Andy Reid is a pass-happy coach and needs a better athlete to protect Donovan McNabb's blind side. Beatty needs to add strength, but possesses arguably as much long-term upside as Jason and Andre Smith, and Eugene Monroe. With a strong training camp, Beatty might be Philadelphia's opening-day left tackle."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("29. Giants","Brandon Pettigrew","TE","6-6","260","Oklahoma State"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Pettigrew had a disappointing offseason after being held out of the end zone as a senior. Big time players make big time plays and Pettigrew didn't in 2008. He'd be the perfect complement to catch-first starter Kevin Boss, though, and would help atone for Plaxico Burress' loss over the middle of the field. Kenny Britt will also be considered here. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("30. Titans","Vontae Davis","CB","5-11","203","Illinois"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Character issues were already a concern for Davis, making his alleged failed drug test at the scouting combine a bigger concern than for most. He's a superb tackler, however, and would fit ideally into Tennessee's zone-based secondary. The Titans don't want another Pacman Jones, but are desperate for corners and Davis would be too good a value to pass. "; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("31. Cardinals","Donald Brown","RB","5-10","210","Connecticut"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Arizona would love this scenario. While we can pretty safely expect this year's running backs to fall because none is the complete package, Brown might come closest. Last year's D-I rushing leader could be a liability in short-yardage situations, but the Cardinals have one of the better young goal-line backs around in Tim Hightower."; spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = new Array("32. Steelers","Eben Britton","OT","6-6","310","Arizona"); spt_2009_NFLmock.rows[i++] = "Pittsburgh hasn't given up on Tony Hills yet, but might be planning to draft the best offensive tackle available after sticking to its value board in 2008. Britton, who played left tackle in college, projects better on the right side as a pro. If the underclassman develops quickly, he could allow current Steelers RT Willie Colon, who's only 6-foot-3, to kick to guard."; // END editorial data