NFL FanHouse Mock Draft 3.0

The draft has become one of the biggest events of the year for NFL fans. Maybe because everybody's a winner on draft day, or maybe because hope springs eternal and all that. Whatever the reason, we're fully trying to horn in on the action. Round 3 of the FanHouse mock draft follows. And we'd like to stress "mock."

1. Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
Quarterback is one of many needs, so Detroit could go in any number of directions here. (Previously: Matt Stafford)
-- Bruce Ciskie
2. Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Now that the team has released Orlando Pace, left tackle is more a priority than ever. (Previously: Eugene Monroe)
-- Matt Snyder
3. Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
An immediate starter who would benefit from playing alongside veteran Mike Vrabel. (Previously: Aaron Curry)
-- Shane Bacon
4. Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Seattle signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, which means it can pass on Michael Crabtree to upgrade the offensive line. Walter Jones has a few good years left, but Monroe is the safe pick here. (Previously: Michael Crabtree)
-- Will Brinson
5. Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
Kamerion Wimbley could use some help at outside linebacker, and with Shaun Rogers clogging up the middle, there should be plenty of opportunities for sacks. (Previously: Malcolm Jenkins)
-- SB
6. Bengals: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Cincy has other needs, but Crabtree would give Carson Palmer a No. 1 receiver who doesn't need mood-stabilization medication. (Previously: Jason Smith)
-- BC
7. Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Shockingly, Big Al passed on Terrell Owens but Oakland still needs a big-play wide receiver. (Previously: Jeremy Maclin)
-- Adam Gretz
8. Jaguars: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The team signed Tra Thomas to play left tackle, but at 35, he's a one-year solution. (Previously: Michael Oher)
-- WB
9. Packers: Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.
After what happened last season, defense is Green Bay's biggest need. (Previously: Brian Orakpo)
-- BC
10. 49ers: Andre Smith, OL, Alabama
Smith is still a top-10 pick and he'll bookend Joe Staley nicely. (Previously: Everette Brown)
-- AG
11. Bills: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
As we wrote in Mock Draft 2.0 -- different guy, same story: Schobel's not getting any younger and it's hard to pass up a talent like Maybin here. (Previously: Aaron Maybin)
-- WB
12. Broncos: B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
Defense remains a priority, at least until Jay Cutler decides to take up handball full time. (Previously: B.J. Raji)
-- Josh Alper
13. Redskins: Ray Maualuga, LB, USC
Washington upgraded the defensive line in free agency and Maualuga would do the same for an aging linebacker corps. (Previously: Eben Britton)
-- MS
14. Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
Jenkins fills a huge need in the secondary and New Orleans might be shocked to see him still on the board at No. 14. (Previously: James Laurinaitis)
-- Tom Mantzouranis
15. Texans: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
To recap from Mock Drafts 1.0 and 2.0: in real life, Houston probably tries to trade down, but there's certainly room on the roster for a really good linebacker. (Previously: Brian Cushing)
-- Stephanie Stradley
16. Chargers: Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn St.
Tomlinson is back in the fold and now the Chargers can focus on finding Shawne Merriman a rush buddy. (Previously: Tyson Jackson)
-- WB
17. Jets: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Laveranues Coles asked for his release and the Jets weren't interested in Terrell Owens. (Previously: Vontae Davis)
-- JA
18. Bears: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Adding an athletic linebacker to Lovie Smith's Cover-2 scheme is the safe pick here. (Previously: Andre Smith)
-- MS
19. Buccaneers: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
Getting pressure in the backfield was a problem last season and Jerry would help anchor the middle of the defense. (Previously: Darrius Heyward-Bey)
-- AG
20. Lions: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Just like last time, Ernie Sims would appreciate the gesture. (Previously: Ray Maualuga)
-- BC
21. Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St.
L.J. Smith wasn't re-signed and while Brent Celek was a pleasant surprise, Pettigrew is the best tight end in the draft. (Knowshon Moreno)
-- Enrico Campitelli Jr.
22. Vikings: Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
Sage Rosenfels will need a reliable downfield target, and Adrian Peterson will appreciate Nicks' blocking abilities. (Brandon Pettigrew)
-- JJ Cooper
23. Patriots: Larry English, LB, Northern Illinois
New England used free agency to add depth at cornerback and it will use the draft to replace Mike Vrabel. (Previously: D.J. Moore)
-- AG
24. Falcons: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Jamal Anderson has been, to put it nicely, a disappointment. Maybe adding another pass-rushing end will help break through. (Previously: Clay Matthews)
-- JC
25. Dolphins: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Harvin would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins' Wildcat scheme. (Previously: Hakeem Nicks)
-- AG
26. Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
To repeat: Chris McAlister has been released and Samari Rolle is in the twilight of his career. (Previously: Alphonso Smith)
-- SB
27. Colts: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio St.
Robiskie plays more like Anthony Gonzalez than Marvin Harrison, but he's a superb route runner with great hands. Peyton Manning won't have any trouble getting him the ball. (Previously: Peria Jerry)
-- MS
28. Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Philly would consider the first round a success if it could land Pettigrew and Moreno. (Previously: Brian Robiskie)
-- EC
29. Giants: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
With Plaxico Burress' legal issues still unresolved, the Giants could choose to draft a big down-the-field target for Eli Manning. (Previously: Percy Harvin)
-- BC
30. Titans: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
With all the top defensive linemen off the board, Tennessee bolsters the secondary. (Previously: Robert Ayers)
-- JC
31. Cardinals: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
Because Edgerrin James wants out of Arizona. (Previously: Beanie Wells)
-- MS
32. Steelers: Alex Mack, C, California
Eben Britton or William Beatty could be options at offensive tackle, but Mack offers more versatility -- he can play guard while Justin Hartwig capably mans the center position. (Previously: Alex Mack)
-- JC

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

3-11-2009 @ 1:13PM

mathesond said...

As much as I would like to see the Eagles ad TE/RB help, I just can't see them not taking a lineman with at least of of their picks. I just doesn't look right, dammit!

4-04-2009 @ 8:13PM

marcoisec said...

I would love to see the Iggles get them both or Wells and Pettigrew but you know Fat Boy. Between Big Macs he'll screw up this first round. They can get a tackle in the 2nd round by trading their 53 pick and their 4th and 2 of their 3 5th round picksto the Lions to get to 33 in the 2nd round. The Lions need all the picks they can get. Fat Boy says they have the talent now to fill the tackle slots.

3-11-2009 @ 1:28PM

joshhalfwiler said...

vontae davis not in the first round? really?

3-11-2009 @ 1:56PM

Chris said...

You might have to start Mock Draft 3.0.1, because there is NO way that Mark Sanchez doesn't go in the first round.

3-11-2009 @ 2:44PM

Adam said...

Yeah, I'd say the Bucs or the Niners will take Sanchez.

The only other thing I'd question is Beanie Wells to the Cards. With them being primarily a passing team, they don't really need to use a first rounder on a RB. Plus, Wells was a complete non-factor in Ohio State's passing game, so taking a RB who doesn't catch doesn't seem like a good idea for the pass-happy Cards.

I think the Jets will take Wells to take pressure off their crappy QBs and to help Thomas Jones. He's more suited to that type of offense.

3-11-2009 @ 2:16PM

ouwoodywood said...

i cant wait for the real draft. the bengals will trade that pick before selecting crabtree

3-11-2009 @ 2:39PM

H to the B said...

parcells crew won't be down with harvin.. we need a more hakeem nicks type wr

3-11-2009 @ 4:19PM

On a related note, Andre Smith had his pro-day, and did pretty poorly. I don't think he was in the top 10 in any of the stats.

3-11-2009 @ 4:31PM

Redskins0492 said...

There is no way the Bears take a LB. If we have any positions that aren't needs, then that would be it (and DT). I see them taking an OT like Eben Britton or a WR like Nicks.

3-11-2009 @ 5:18PM

Matt Snyder said...

I figured someone would come screaming LANCE BRIGGS BRIAN URLACHER.

Hunter Hillenmeyer isn't a great linebacker, plus, he's coming off an injury-riddled campaign where he had only 14 tackles in 13 games.

Matthews is going to be a star, so why pass on the opportunity to put together an absolutely studly linebacking crew in favor of reaching for either guy you mentioned? I'll take the can't miss over the maybe any day.

3-13-2009 @ 6:07PM

reptar75 said...

couldnt agree with u more, way too many holes to address a strength, why not just draft another tight end and have the best threesome tight end combo in the league, linebacker doesn't make sense

3-11-2009 @ 5:20PM

LongshotX said...

What a horrible Mock draft. Here is my top ten.

1. Detroit Lions – Aaron Curry – LB – Wake Forest
2. St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith – OT – Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs – Eugene Monroe – OT – Virginia
4. Seattle Seahawks – Micheal Crabtree – QB – Georgia
5. Cleveland Browns – BJ Raji – DT – Boston College
6. Cincinnati Bengals – Brian Orakpo – DE – Texas
7. Oakland Raiders – Jeremy Maclin – WR – Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Matt Stafford – QB – Georgia
9. Green Bay Packers – Alphonso Smith – CB – Ohio State
10. San Francisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez – QB – USC

3-11-2009 @ 5:38PM

1. Detroit Lions - Aaron Curry - LB - Wake Forest
2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
4. Seattle Seahawks - Micheal Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
5. Cleveland Browns - BJ Raji - DT - Boston College
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin - WR - Missouri
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Matt Stafford - QB - Georgia
9. Green Bay Packers - Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
10. San Francisco 49ers - Mark Sanchez - QB - USC

fixed

3-11-2009 @ 5:33PM

Snyder, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about, seeing as Nick Roach started the last several games, and has been all but declared next year's starter.

Sure, he's not anything special, but he's good enough, considering he's the 3rd LB (who comes out during Nickel). At this point, the Bears have more important needs such as OT, DE, FS, and WR. Taking a LB would clearly not address any of those problems.

Screaming BRIAN URLACHER AND LANCE BRIGGS? Yeah, I definitely did that smartass. And, try and find where I mentioned that HH was a great LB. Actually, don't, since I'm not sure if you're smart enough to realize I was being sarcastic in that last statement. You said it yourself, he was injured.

We might take a LB on DAY one, but there's no shot that they take a LB in ROUND 1.

If you can't get the gist of my post, it's that if you don't know what you're talking about, just don't talk.

3-11-2009 @ 5:41PM

C'mon. I try to have a discussion and you elevate it by getting personal? That's a bit childish. I watched every snap last year, and I don't buy into Roach as being a permanent solution.

I didn't say you specifically screamed Brian Urlacher/Lance Briggs. I said I figured I'd get some of it. (Though I now see I did word it in a manner which could be misconstrued. I'm sorry about that)

I also didn't say you said anything about Hillenmeyer. I was making the connection that Matthews would replace Hillenmeyer (or Roach, if you wish).

The Bears definitely have more pressing needs, as I outlined in the offseason roadmap:

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/20/chicago-bears-qb-not-the-top-priority/

But, there's really no one special at any of those positions available for me to pick at that spot, in my view. I also believe Matthews is a star, and that you shouldn't gamble on a need when you can grab a sure thing.

You may disagree, but that's no reason to start picking a fight on here. That's, again, childish. We can have a discussion as adults, who are both Bears fans. We should be allies.

3-11-2009 @ 7:12PM

John said...

The dumbest thing the lions can do would be waste the number one pick on a linebacker lol,,,,,,,,wow, is millen still there?? get a pair of offensive tackles, and build a team

3-11-2009 @ 7:24PM

MIKE said...

stafford should be drafted by bears, lions won't spend the money,grossman is as good as gone and orton can't get the job done

3-11-2009 @ 9:33PM

I agree that we should be on the same side as fellow Bears fans. After reading the first sentence of your former post, it seemed to me like you were trying to peg me as an idiot. It just seems like we had misunderstandings all around.

Either way, I can see how that pick could be justified, I just personally don't agree with it.

3-12-2009 @ 10:40AM

Michael said...

Dude, like mathesond said, there's no way the Eagles do not take a lineman, more specifically a tackle in the 1st round (unless they're thinking of making the Andrews brothers bookends, then they go guard). And although I like Moreno, I don't see them taking a RB that early either.

4-04-2009 @ 8:22PM

Mike, The way Reid eats Big Macs maybe he should play line again. I agree, they will screw up this first round like you will never believe. Watch for a name you have never given though too! TE, RB and WR should be the first 3 picks and then OL, CB and S. Banner is a puppet of Lurie's.

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