NFL FanHouse Mock Draft 4.0

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 4 of the FanHouse mock draft follows. And we'd like to stress "mock."

1. Lions: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
The Lions could justifiably go in three different directions, but the defense has not gotten enough quality attention in free agency or past drafts. Curry is a safe pick, and he's a good fit. (Previously: Matt Stafford)
-- Bruce Ciskie
2. Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Orlando Pace is out and Alex Barron is just a stopgap at left tackle. (Previously: Jason Smith)
-- Matt Snyder
3. Chiefs: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Tony Gonzalez (staying put ... for now), Dwayne Bowe and Crabtree would give Matt Cassel three big-play weapons. (Previously: Aaron Curry)
-- Ryan Wilson
4. Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Same as it ever was. (Previously: Eugene Monroe)
-- Will Brinson
5. Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/LB, Texas
Kamerion Wimbley desperately needs the help. (Previously: Brian Orakpo)
-- RW
6. Bengals: B.J. Raji, NT, Boston College
Should help the Bengals' putrid defense. (Previously: Michael Crabtree)
-- BC
7. Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Al Davis likes big, speedy wideouts, and Maclin's actually faster than Crabtree. (Previously: Jeremy Maclin)
-- Adam Gretz
8. Jaguars: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
There's also a need at left tackle, but the team decided to go into 2009 without Reggie Williams and Matt Jones, and there's a gaping chasm at wideout. Of course, there's a chance DHB could be the next Troy Williamson, who, coincidentally, is already on the roster. (Previously: Michael Oher)
-- WB
9. Packers: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn St.
You may have heard about the Packers going to a 3-4 defense. It's not going to work well unless they can find some people to rush the passer who aren't named "Kampman". (Previously: Everette Brown)
-- BC
10. 49ers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Tempted to take Stafford since he's fallen quite a bit -- very tempted, actually -- but I just don't think the 49ers invest top money into another quarterback after missing on Alex Smith so horribly. May not be the best thought process, but, eh, it's the 49ers. (Previously: Andre Smith)
-- AG
11. Bills: Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.
It's a recurring theme: 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: Tyson Jackson)
-- WB
12. Broncos Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Jay who? (Previously: B.J. Raji)
-- Josh Alper
13. Redskins: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Jon Jansen vows to keep his job, but age and injuries are conspiring against him. (Previously: Rey Maualuga)
-- MS
14. Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
Fred Thomas isn't walking through that door. (Previously: Malcolm Jenkins)
-- Tom Mantzouranis
15. Texans: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Because Texans commenters to my blog keep crushing me to take Matthews over Brian Cushing. Prefer a trade down though. (Previously: Brian Cushing)
-- Stephanie Stradley
16. Chargers: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
You can never have too many pass rushers. (Previously: Aaron Maybin)
-- WB
17. Jets: Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
If they don't trade for Cutler, this could change to Josh Freeman or Mark Sanchez, but they need dynamic receivers either way. (Previously: Darrius Heyward-Bey)
-- JA
18. Bears: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
I would rather have DE, OL, or WR here, but no one at those positions makes sense value-wise. Plus, Nathan Vasher isn't reliable anymore. (Previously: Clay Matthews)
-- 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: Peria Jerry)
-- AG
20. Lions: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Just can't pass up Sanchez here. (Previously: James Laurinaitis)
-- 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. (Previously: Brandon Pettigrew)
-- RW
22. Vikings: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Harvin can play just about anywhere, and he's also willing to return kicks and punts. (Previously: Hakeem Nicks)
-- RW
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: Larry English)
-- 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 him break through. (Previously: Robert Ayers)
-- RW
25. Dolphins: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
Miami would love to get a wideout here, but with all the first-round talents off the board, Cushing isn't a bad consolation prize. (Previously: Percy Harvin)
-- AG
26. Ravens: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Like Miami, Baltimore could use a big-play wide receiver, but Maualuga can be groomed to replace Ray Lewis. (Previously: Alphonso Smith)
-- RW
27. Colts: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
Hood fills an obvious need along the defensive line. (Previously: Brian Robiskie)
-- MS
28. Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Philly would consider the first round a success if it could land Pettigrew and Moreno. (Previously: Knowshon Moreno)
-- RW
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: Kenny Britt)
-- BC
30. Titans: Darius Butler, CB, UConn
D.J. Moore had a poor pro day and Butler has more upside. (Previously: D.J. Moore)
-- RW
31. Cardinals: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State
Because Edgerrin James wants out of Arizona. (Previously: Beanie Wells)
-- MS
32. Steelers: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
He's undersized, but physical. More importantly, he's a play-maker. (Previously: Alex Mack)
-- RW

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-25-2009 @ 2:36PM

yungyung said...

Why do the chiefs get Crabtree and pass up Orakpo they have enough weapons on offense, the Rams have a better chance of drafting Crabtree. Also no way do the Broncos trade Cutler to get nothing but Stafford. I don't see Lions picking Sanchez for some reason, and the Bengals won't pass up Oher to get Raji #6 overall, that's a little high for him.

3-25-2009 @ 3:08PM

ajinthematrix8 said...

I really dont see the broncos drafting stafford. It looks like things are finally being worked out between Jay and the front office. Besides McDaniels has already stated that no matter what happens between now and the draft that Jay will stay with the broncos.

The pick is horrible, and even if Jay was traded i dont think that would be the likely pick. If i had to guess right now who the broncos would take it would probably be tyson jackson.

BTW: No way in hell Derious Heyword Bey is a top 10 pick...he's gained 15 lbs since the combine. Jacksonville is much smarter than that.

Horrible mock IMO

3-25-2009 @ 3:38PM

Egalitare said...

Finally a mock that places both QBs at a proper risk/reward level. But I'm going to guess that two teams are going to pull the trigger on both of them sooner than you project here.

Well, they can't say you didn't warn them.

3-25-2009 @ 3:49PM

Steel Wheel said...

I've read that Alphonso Smith is not only undersized but slow as molasses. That coupled with Pittsburgh's schemes I don't see Smith as a viable option here. As much as I like Mack I still say the Burgh trades out of this spot...just a feeling.

3-25-2009 @ 6:14PM

Adam said...

Hm, I think this mock is actually pretty good, based on recent events. Things might change, but I think conventional wisdom up to this point has Cutler leaving Denver on draft day. The QBs aren't top-10 picks, and they go to teams who will need them.

Aaron Curry is really the only player who deserves to be taken #1, even though a lot of people don't think any LB deserves it. I think that's crap, since a good LB can be as important as any other player on the team.

The only thing I question are those receivers being taken so high, but if the Raiders and Jags need them, why not? They don't deserve it, but teams gotta get what they need.

Of course, in reality, most mocks are wrong based on the simple fact that trades of picks and players happen on draft day, and that could change everything. There have been more trades in recent years than ever, and I doubt that will stop this year.

3-25-2009 @ 6:22PM

billy said...

possibly the worst mock draft i've ever seen

3-25-2009 @ 7:04PM

nc0gnet0 said...

Best Mock up to date. No way the Lions take a QB first, their fans will be demanding he start from day one and that is a recipe for failure and the kiss of death for a new staff. With Curry and recent free agent additions, the Lions D becomes formidable and attention can be payed to the offense with the next three picks.

3-26-2009 @ 12:16PM

DAN said...

al i have to say ( Lions )go DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD !!!! you didan't have a problem scoring points , you had a problem stopping teams from scoring points

3-25-2009 @ 7:16PM

wvictorson said...

Pat White should be in the top 25.

3-25-2009 @ 7:18PM

Tom said...

Tight end from South Carolina (Cook) is a friggin monster. Outdid every tight end in the combines. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go in first round to the Eagles over Pettigrew. Cook has more speed and fits right in with the West Coast offense of the Eagles. They have been looking for someone like him for years since picking LJ (my toe hurts) Smith.

3-26-2009 @ 1:52PM

Michael said...

Cook is not much of a blocker, which is what the Eagles would be lloking for in a 2nd TE b/c Celek & Shoebel don't block all that well. That's why Pettigrew makes the most sense, if they take a 1st round TE. If not, I think the kid from Southern Miss is a good one in rd 2 or 3. They need a TE that can hold the edge for some of their outside runs.

3-25-2009 @ 7:58PM

Leon Garrison said...

The chiefs should be thinking defense. They lost most of there games in the 4th quarter this year. They have3 good recievers, they need to replace the defensive line.

3-25-2009 @ 11:37PM

bears0492 said...

I don't see the bears drafting a CB that high. They like Corey Graham and are counting on him improving. Plus, if they didn't think Nathan Vasher could still return to form, they would have released him by now.

I see them either drafting a WR (now that the bears got OT Kevin Shaffer)or trading down.

3-26-2009 @ 10:52AM

Pat said...

With so much of a need for Defense I can't see the Broncos taking someone on the other side of the ball little lone a QB. And that is even if they dump (trade) Cutler.

3-28-2009 @ 6:17AM

Barry Gomes said...

Why would niners take another tackle?If Staffords there he's a niner.Oh and Gretz stay on the east coast where you belong dill weed.Where's your 5 super bowl trophies.I forgot it just gretz.Another thing Alex is only 24 and has been thru 5 ocs' so how does that translate to HORRIBLE pick.dill weed.