Early NFL Mock Draft

Sorry, I have been a little lazy since the New Year. Lets start off with my Top 10 of my NFL Mock Draft.

1. Detroit - Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia. I don't think a QB is a slam dunk, but I think they will lean towards Stafford due to his big arm and ability to get the ball down field to Calvin Johnson. Johnson has shown he has the ability to be a great one and getting a QB that can get the ball down field should be a priority. They also have the 20th pick in the first round and will have the chance to shore up some other holes. I am sure they would love to trade the pick, but teams haven't been willing to jump up in the last half decade.

2. St. Louis - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama. The Rams desperately need to upgrade their OL and protect Marc Bulger. Andre Smith can play RT while Orlando Pace is still around and then move to LT when he retires. Smith has some issues with dealing with agents and getting suspended for the Sugar Bowl, but his overall skills will be hard to pass up for a team that needs to get better on the OL. They might also look hard at Michael Crabtree with Torry Holt slowing down and wanting out of town.

3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest. New GM Scott Pioli has learned from his Patroit days, that drafted a QB high isn't the only way to survive in the NFL. Tyler Thigpen played well enough to get another shot next year, before Matt Cassell becomes available in the near future. Also, I assume that they will move from a 4-3 formation to a 3-4 with Pioli and rumored new head coach Todd Haley. They will need someone to get after the QB in that system and Curry can give them that.

4. Seattle - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. The Seahawks desperately need a playmaker at WR to give Matt Hasselbeck a chance to get them back among the elite in the NFC. Deion Branch showed that he has a chance to return to being a very good player, but he is too small to be considered a true #1 WR. Crabtree is the best WR in the draft and can be a nightmare for DB's with his ability to shield defenders with his body and make acrobatic catches. While not a burner, he can get separation with his quickness and burst.

5. Cleveland - Michael Jenkins, CB, Ohio State. The Browns could really use a franchise back, but none are rated as high as Jenkins. New head coach Eric Mangini is a defensive guy and the Browns need to shore up a bad pass defense. Jenkins has NFL prototype size for a CB and played at a big time program. The locals should also love this pick with a Buckeye staying home.

6. Cincinnati - BJ Raji, DT, Boston College. The Bengals desperately need to upgrade the DL and Raji was the talk of the Senior Bowl. Last year they desperately wanted USC DT Sedrick Ellis and some believe Raji can be even better because he is bigger. Raji was unblockable by almost all accounts at the Senior Bowl. He is rising and at the combine can really cement himself in the Top 10.

7. Oakland - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia. The Raiders need to get better at LT and Monroe is a natural fit. Monroe was so good in college that Brandon Albert, Chiefs LT that was a first rounder last year, had to play G for the Cavaliers. The Raiders need to upgrade their pass rush and Al Davis loves speed, but LT was a major problem area last year and Monroe is the best player on the board.

8. Jacksonville - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor. The Jaguars had all kinds of problems on the OL last year and Smith would help them out greatly. Jack Del Rio loves to run the ball and getting a player like Smith would allow him to continue that. This pick would make 3 OL in the Top 8.

9. Green Bay - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas. The Packers need to get better at rushing the passer. Aaron Kampman is a beast, but outside of him, no one has shown the ability to consistently get to the qb. The release of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila during the season only makes this spot more urgent to fill. A good secondary would only get better if the pass rush improves.

10. San Francisco - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. The 49ers need a franchise QB to make people forget about the Alex Smith project. Sanchez would fit perfectly in a West Coast Offense with his accuracy and ability to move around in the pocket. It will be interesting to see who Mike Singletary chooses as his Offensive Coordinator. Sanchez only started 16 games in his college career and will need to sit and learn for at least a year. The 49ers should be able to allow that with Shaun Hill showing late last year he is an adequate stopgap type.

Tomorrow picks 11-20.