DFTM NFL Draft Preview, Part 1

I love the NFL draft. And in loving the draft I found it necessary to throw my own perspective and opinions into the conversation. My preview is going to be different than those out there, however. I'm going to play GM for each team and state what I think they should do, not what they're going to do. I'm not trying to predict these picks but simply give out my opinion of the first round.


1. Detroit Lions__Jason Smith, Tackle, Baylor
The Lions, who are coming of the most miserable season the NFL has even seen, need to make this number one pick count. Popular speculation has them choosing QB Stafford and though that may be okay I see Smith being a premier Tackle and even the best QB prospect in the world would struggle if he's not protected. The Lions will waste the pick in my mind if they don't take Smith.

2. St. Louis Rams__Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia
Marc Bulger's days in St. Louis are numbered. The Rams have been building for the future and if Stafford falls to them I can't see them passing on him. They need O-Line help having traded future Hall of Famer Pace to the Bears but they also need to find a replacement for Bulger who, as I see it, wont be doing it much longer.

3. Kansas City Chiefs__Aaron Curry, Linebacker, Wake Forrest
The Chiefs were terrible on D last season and need to continue building with young talent like Curry. Simple and plain Curry is the best defensive prospect in the draft. I believe he will have the same impact linebacker Patrick Willis had for the Niners two years previous with whatever team takes him. The Chiefs should not take anyone else if Curry is available.

4. Seattle Seahawks__Eugene Monroe, Tackle, Virgina
This offseason the Seahawks grabbed wideout T.J. Houshmanzada to give aging quarterback Matt Hasselbeck a big time target. Now they need to protect him with a young talented tackle. This is the best value for the Seahawks in my opinion. I see them needing another wideout and a future replacement for Hasselbeck but those can both be found with the same kind of value in the later rounds.

5. Cleveland Browns__Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech
I wanted to have the Browns to select Brian Orakpo to solidify their defensive line, however, the Browns wideout core is an absolute mess with Edwards wanting out, Stallworth's legal issues, and nobody really behind them. This team looked promising the last couple seasons and they need to continue that bright future in building a team for the future.

6. Cincinnati Bengals__Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Missouri
The Bengals need to protect their franchise, Carson Palmer. They need O-Line help or new weapons. Since in my mock the big O-line help at this position have been taken they need to pair Ocho Cinco with a fresh face. Maclin will be good in the NFL and a young gun may motivate 85. Later in the draft the Bengals must find O-Line help though or Carson will be dust in the wind.

7. Oakland Raiders__Andre Smith, Tackle, Alabama
The Raiders need to continue building their core on offense. They have Russell and McFadden, now they should draft a solid lineman to block for they're future stars. The organization is chaotic but they have quality young talent on the team and could be a couple of years away from contention if they built correctly.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars__B.J. Raji, Defensive Tackle, Boston College
Last season the Jaguars dealt away pro bowler Marcus Stroud and The plan backfired on them. Without his running mate John Henderson appeared half the player he was with Stroud. The Jaguars need to pick up Raji if he is still available to sure up their front four. If this were to happen the Jaguars d-line would be quite a force to be reckoned with.

9. Green Bay Packers__Brian Orakpo, Defensive End, Texas
The Packers were great on offense last season. The cause of this team picking at this spot was the terrible defense that went on field every Sunday for the Pack. This year they are moving to a 3-4 scheme and picking up Orakpo, who would flourish as a 3-4 rush end, should be a franchise changing move for Green Bay.

10. San Fransisco 49ers__Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, USC
This is a no-brainer to me but it's evidently not to the 49ers who claim they have no interest in Sanchez. They don't seem to understand that they don't have a number one quarterback and will probably pass on Sanchez if he's still here at this spot. If they did choose Sanchez, however, they'd have a franchise QB for years to come and could then begin to build on that success later in the draft.