First Entry/Mock Draft

As an introduction to the blog of The Anti-Sports Guy I want to lay the groundwork of this blog down. First of all, this is not a blog aimed at taking down Bill Simmons, the self proclaimed Sports Guy. I actually enjoy most of his columns and podcasts. This is also not designed to simply argue sports with anyone. You have your opinion and that's wonderful, but I created this because I wanted an outlet to express mine to people. The reason for the name is that unlike Simmons, I hate all Boston sports. Nothing makes me happier than seeing Tom Brady get lost for the season or watching the Red Sox lose to the Rays last year. Boston seems to have quickly forgotten all the years they struggled in baseball and football, and the fans of the city are becoming cocky. The cycle will come back and bite them soon, and when it does, I'll be ready. As well as hating Boston, I also won't be doing the same type of pop culture commentary commonly found with the Sports Guy. Again, while I enjoy when he does it, I don't pay enough attention to MTV or whatever to really make any social commentary.

Now that we have that out of the way, it's time for the real business of the blog. This is The Anti-Sports Guy Mock Draft 1.0. Some of you may know that I will be attending the 2nd day of the draft this year on April 26th. Hopefully by the 24th I will be up to 3 rounds, but I will be done with at least 2 rounds before it happens. Without further ado, with the first pick in the NFL Draft...

(If two positions given, the one I believe they will play is in bold)

1. Detriot Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
This is a no brainer first overall pick. Look at what Matt Ryan did for the Falcons. If you think Stafford can develop into the same type of pro as Ryan, not necessarily immediately, but eventually, then you have to take him. I just pray this isn't Michael Crabtree for the Lions fans of the world.

2. St. Louis - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
After the release of Orlando Pace this pick is basically a lock if the Lions take Stafford. My personal belief is that Jason Smith will take a year to truly develop into a great LT. He won't be a Joe Thomas/Jake Long/Ryan Clady type of guy. The converted TE plays mean and with quick feet, but I'm not convinced the technique and coaching has been adequate.

3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Easily the best defensive player in the draft, Curry will provide an immediate spark to a defense that was lackluster. Curry will never amaze you with his workouts like a Vernon Gholston type, but he will be there every day working hard.

4. Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
This is a pick that could go a number of ways. They could use a guy like Sanchez since Hasselbeck is getting up there. They could also benefit from someone like Beanie Wells, although at 4 he would be a huge reach. I could see any number of defensive front seven guys being taken here as well to compliment what they have. However, after coming back from microfracture surgery Walter Jones may say he's healthy, but look at Amare Stoudamire and tell me that one year is enough to recover.

5. Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
Orakpo is a physical freak who could fit well into almost any scheme, but with Mangini coming to Cleveland, the Browns will be implementing a 3-4, making Orakpo a great rush linebacker. If the Browns are able to unload Braylon Edwards don't be surprised to see Crabtree or Maclin here.

6. Cincinatti Bengals - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
This is a pick that probably isn't very popular, but unlike above with Braylon, I believe that at some point before the start of the season Chad Ocho Cinco will be traded. With the loss of T.J. Houshmanzadeh they can't really afford to keep Carson Palmer so ill equipped. Crabtree is the best player in the draft at any position, although he may need some time to develop. However, his overall skill set and football intelligence will serve him well.

7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Ahh the Raiders. This pick could go a number of ways, including Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe if he falls (and if he does he will be here), or Darrius Heyward-Bey. Al Davis loves speed and size, so while Maclin is the better overall player, Heyward-Bey fits the mold. If JaMarcus Russell is going to have a chance to succeed as a Raider he must get some talent around him, and a big time WR would go a long way.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal
The question with this pick is very simple, do the Jaguars believe David Garrard is the answer? If this was last year before the draft, I would say yes, but after the disappointing season he had, I would venture to guess no. Picking Sanchez allows them to start Garrard this year and maybe next while they groom the QB of the future. Sanchez could be like Aaron Rodgers in his clipboard role while trying to learn the position.

9. Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
This pick assumes that Raji did not test positive for marijuana at the combine as he and his reps are claiming. He fits as a 3-4 NT or as a 4-3 DT with the ability to play two gaps. Character issues are what have him at 9 instead of around 5 where his talent dictates he be drafted. He had academic problems and a positive marijuana test at BC that can't be ignored. Hopefully he can keep his nose clean and be a productive player.

10. San Francisco 49ers - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
This pick is more a pick of attrition than of desire. While Maybin projects as a good pass rusher, any of the four picks before them would be better options for the 49ers than Maybin. This pick will fill a need for San Fran that they won't be able to find later in the draft, and is the only decent value for them.

11. Buffalo Bills - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
With Jason Peters on the outs and possibily holding out once again, the Bills would be wise to find someone willing to pay the money Peters wants and trade him for whatever they can get. Peters is overrated, yet wants to be the highest paid LT in the league, so there is no way to settle this without finding a suitor who thinks he's worth the investment. Unfortunately Andre Smith comes with some baggage himself, but hopefully he can clear that up and mature a bit and fulfill his immense talent at the NFL level.

12. Denver Broncos - Brian Cushing, OLB, Southern Cal
Cushing will be able to fit into Denver's new 3-4 by playing inside or outside. His versatility will come in handy, allowing him to see the field more often. Learning from D.J. Williams will also advance his progress. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tyson Jackson here, as he is the only 3-4 end worthy of being selected on the first day. However, unless he goes to San Diego, there would be no other team that would take him before they pick again at 18, and San Diego has more pressing needs than DE.

13. Washington Redskins - Rey Maualuga, ILB, Southern Cal
London Fletcher can't play forever, and Maualuga would be the best value here at 13. He's a downhill run stopper who can hit with the best of them, and while he may be graded as stiff by the scouts, he has a knack for the big play in the pass as well as the run. He's the perfect Redskin type, the same mold as Lavar Arrington, but with better discipline.

14. New Orleans Saints - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Saints should be taking Malcolm Jenkins, but will probably look to take a RB to compliment Reggie Bush, and Beanie Wells is that guy. Sean Payton knows offense, and he will be looking to replace Deuce McAllister, even though Pierre Thomas seemed to be more than adequate last season. My bold prediction, Beanie Wells will be a major bust, and might never have a 1000 yard season in his entire career.

15. Houston Texans - Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State
The Texans need help at safety, and Malcolm Jenkins can be an immediate starter at the FS position as a rookie and help sure up the defensive backfield. His speed "problem" will make him better suited for safety, but his ball skills and work at corner in college will make him better suited to play deep coverage as a FS rather than trying to be in the box as a SS. I do believe Jenkins would fit well in most defenses as a CB as well, but until he adjusts I think he's better suited to play safety right away.

16. San Diego Chargers - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The Chargers need to sure up the OT position with McNiell regressing last year (yes even with the Pro Bowl appearance, he didn't deserve it) and Jeromey Clary only signed for one year. L.J. Shelton was brought in, but at 33 he's only a stop gap in case one of these two get injured. Oher is inconsistent, but with the right surroundings and coaching he could develop in a year or two into a premeir LT in the NFL.

17. New York Jets - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Percy Harvin screams bust. He is undersized, often injured, riddled with character problems, and comes from a terrible lineage of Florida WRs. The Jets could use him as a returner, but his role as a Z-back style player will limit his impact for a more conservative coach like Rex Ryan. I wouldn't be surprised to see Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, or Kenny Britt here, or a player like Josh Freeman if they aren't sold on Kellen Clemens this season.

18. Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson, DE, Louisiana State
This would be the dream scenario for the Broncos, which I am hoping for. If Jackson slips past both the Chargers and Jets he would be a welcome fit into the new 3-4.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Josh Freeman is a scary prospect at QB, and violates my most important rule for evaluating a QB for the NFL. If he wins in college, he's more likely to win in the pros. You can apply this logic to most of the good MAC QBs of the past decade, along with pretty much all of the top guys that are playing right now. That doesn't mean he has to win a national or conference championship, but two straight seasons of 5-7 doesn't inspire confidence. People will make excuses, but the truth is that his entire value is about his arm strength, but not his intangibles. He's more Jeff George than John Elway.

20. Detroit Lions - Clay Matthews, OLB, Southern Cal
This pick will help solidify the LB core than already got a boost with Julian Peterson being traded to Detroit. I truly believe that Matthews could move inside and become the heart of that defense with his gritty play and undervalued athleticism. Anyone that doesn't think he's an athlete just needs to go to nfl.com and watch the video of the USC linebackers during their pro day. While that's important, it's his play on the field that has been the catalyst for his rise from mid-round prospect to first rounder.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Brian Westbrook will be 30 when the season starts, so the Eagles need to think about their future at the RB position. Moreno will allow them to keep the position filled for years to come. While he won't outrun most secondaries, he has great vision and can make plays with his array of moves to gain the yards needed. He is the best back in the draft and will get the chance to prove it this season.

22. Minnesota Vikings - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Darrius Heyward-Bey has jumped up draft boards after his impressive combine. Couple that with his great size and he has the looks of a marquee WR in the league. However he never really developed at Maryland, and that scares me. His former teammate Vernon Davis amazed scouts with his measurables as well but hasn't become the TE he was supposed to be. Any team that picks Heyward-Bey should be careful about what they are getting.

23. New England Patriots - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Patriots are always a difficult team to project, but with Leigh Bodden and Ellis Hobbs starting at CB, Davis would fit well into the Belicheck system. Normally the Pats are associated with taking lineman on either side of the ball early in the draft, but in recent years they've trended towards the skill positions, and with the right attitude and system Davis could be the next Asante Samuel for the Patriots. That would be unfortunate for me, but let's hope his me-first attitude infects the locker room somehow.

24. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Just look at Altanta's depth chart and see TE, and that will explain this pick.

25. Miami Dolphins - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Robert Ayers will probably be higher in my next mock draft, but for now I'll keep him down here. He's difficult to project because he seems to be able to play DE in a 4-3 and 3-4, but also OLB in a 3-4. Tennessee has a good tradition of sending defensive lineman to the NFL, which has helped Ayers stock. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes as high as 11 to Buffalo, but for now he'll stay here.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Everyone seems convinced that if Alphonso Smith were 3 inches taller he would be a lock as the top CB in the draft. I say why does he need to be taller, if the skills are there, he can make up for the height problems. He has 21 career INTs, which should be enough for any team to say that he will succeed. The Ravens seem to embrace playmakers on their defense as well, so Smith fits. A WR like Nicks here would also make a lot of sense.

27. Indianapolis Colts - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
I'll defer to Mel Kiper on this pick, who in a recent podcast said that Jerry fits the Colts system better than any other player fits any system in the first round. That speaks volume to his value to a team like the Colts. When their defense played well 3 years ago they won a Super Bowl, so they know how important clogging that middle can be for the rest of their guys.

28. Philadelphia Eagles - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Even with the addition of Stacy Andrews the Eagles are dangerously thin at OT. With Oher being taken by the Chargers, and not really having a chance to get past Detroit, the Eagles can afford to wait only until 28 to get their tackle, and Britton is the best one available. Some might hope for Will Beatty, Jamon Meridith, or Phil Loadholt, but Britton is the guy.

29. New York Giants - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Until Hakeem Nicks was able to gain 14 pounds in a month he was the guy here, but concerns about his weight problems probably have cost him a couple million dollars. Kenny Britt will be the player attempting to fill Plaxico Burress' role. While he's talented, I don't think he's that much of an upgrade of Domenik Hixon, and probably won't be worth the pick.

30. Tennessee Titans - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Everette Brown has risen and fallen on draft boards since the start of the process. He started as a late round prospect who rose up after some decent workouts. But after more evaluation and consideration for the success for Florida State DE's in the NFL he seems to be sliding back down into place. Brown can be put in on obvious pass rushing situations early for Vanden Bosch to start, and will probably be groomed to replace Kearse.

31. Arizona Cardinals - Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
The Tim Hightower experiment really didn't work well for the Cardinals, and with Edgerrin James getting older, they need to find a feature back. Donald Brown will provide a solid runner with a good pass catcher out of the backfield. His vision isn't elite, but outside of a zone-blocking scheme he will be able to find success with the help of a veteran presence. Should Brown go as high as New England expect either LeSean McCoy or Larry English.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C, California
There is a lot of speculation over which interior lineman the Steelers will select, with a lot of people believe Eric Wood from Louisville to be the choice, but the best talent in the country at center is Mack. I wouldn't be surprised to see a player like Duke Robinson either, but he projects later in the 2nd or even the 3rd, so he should be available later if they wish to get him.