NFL Mock Draft (Part I)

One man's best guess four months before the draft:

1. Detroit: Sam Bradford*, QB, Oklahoma - Where do we begin? Coming off an 0-16 season, the Lions can go in pretty much any direction here. If I were running the team, I would trade down to accumulate more picks. However, it's too soon to forecast trades so my guess is that Detroit will go after the best quarterback in the draft.

2. St. Louis: Andre Smith*, OT, Alabama - On Marc Bulger's behalf, I beg the Rams to take the bookend from Alabama. On irony's behalf, I beg the Rams to take him. It has been rumored that Smith was suspended for his team's bowl game because of inappropriate contact with an agent. Remember, this accusation was also made against the second overall pick in 2006, Reggie Bush.

3. Kansas City: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas - After trading Jared Allen prior to the 2008 season, the Chiefs struggled to generate any consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Orakpo showed this season that he was the best defensive end in all of college football.

4. Seattle: Michael Crabtree*, WR, Texas Tech - Seattle has been looking for a solid, dependable wide receiver for years. Crabtree will be the best thing to happen to the city of Seattle since Kevin Durant was drafted by the Sonics. Hopefully, things turn out better for Seahawk fans.

5. Cleveland: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest - The Browns' offense lacks consistency. The defense lacks almost everything. Curry, a playmaker, will help.

6. Cincinnati: Aaron Maybin*, DE, Penn State - Maybin was one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country. The Bengals can use the help.

7. Oakland: Jeremy Maclin*, WR, Missouri - Maclin, a player I discussed last week, is an explosive wideout who would provide a nice deep threat for JaMarcus Russell.

8. Jacksonville: Chris Wells*, RB, Ohio State - Wells would be a huge upgrade over Fred Taylor and in order to be dominant in the NFL, teams must have two backs. He would be the thunder to Maurice Jones Drew's lightning.

9. Green Bay: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State - The Packers pass defense really struggled last year, and Jenkins solidified himself as the top corner in the nation with a great season.

10. San Francisco: Matthew Stafford*, QB, Georgia - If Stafford lasts until the 10th overall pick, the 49ers can thank Tyler Thigpen. Had Thigpen continued to struggle running Kansas City's offense, Stafford would be gone seven picks before this spot. Personally, I think the comparisons to John Elway are way off base. He never dominated the college game the way Mark Richt had hoped.

* = Underclassman, has not declared for draft thus far.



This blog was created to form a medium of exchange where sports fans can share ideas, beliefs, and opinions. The creator has written for a number of websites and has appeared on ESPN Radio as an NFL Draft, MLB Trade Deadline and Fantasy Sports Analyst. He can be reached at mjs3131@hotmail.com

Nine Predictions for '09

1. Cleveland will stand atop the sports world in 2009 as the Cavaliers and Indians win the NBA Title and World Series, respectively.

2. The Tennessee Titans will win the Super Bowl (although my bank account wouldn't mind seeing the Chargers or Vikings prove me wrong); the Montreal Canadiens will take home the Stanley Cup.

3. College championships will be won by the following teams:
-Football: Oklahoma Sooners (preview to come this week)
-Basketball: Pittsburgh Panthers
-Baseball: Vanderbilt Commodores

4. After Jeff Moorad's offer for the San Diego Padres falls through, a consortium led by a no-name blogger from New York will swoop in to purchase the team.

5. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford will be selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in April's NFL Draft (first Mock Draft to follow this week). Bradford will lead the Lions to at least as many victories as the team had in 2008, zero.

6. Brett Favre will retire. For good.

7. Matt Holliday will be the hottest name at the MLB Trading Deadline but will not get dealt. He will then be the most coveted free agent at year end (article to follow in the coming days).

8. ESPN will finally come to its senses and fire Stephen A. Smith. The sports world will rejoice as one.

9. Much to the chagrin of loyal reader georgekaplan, Shawn Kemp's name will not appear again in this blog during 2009.



This blog was created to form a medium of exchange where sports fans can share ideas, beliefs, and opinions. The creator has written for a number of websites and has appeared on ESPN Radio as an NFL Draft, MLB Trade Deadline and Fantasy Sports Analyst. He can be reached at mjs3131@hotmail.com