NFL Mock Draft Wrap-Up: Who Is Your Team Going to Take?

Feb 18, 2009 – 11:00 AM

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We've reached draft season, the time of year where Mike Mayock, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay become you're best friends, and it's possible to spend 10 hours a day mulling over draft scenarios.

You may have your opinion on who is the best draft expert, but there's also something to be said for the wisdom of crowds. Why look at one mock draft when you can look at 10? We compiled the results from 10 of the most respected mock drafts on the Internet to see if there is agreement on who each team will pick. We'll do this several times before the draft arrives to give you an idea of what players and what positions look to be your team's best bets.Expect to see the next wave of mock drafts after the scouting combine show some significant changes, and we'll get a new shuffle once free agency begins, but this is a good snapshot of conventional wisdom in the middle of February.

Here are the 10 mock drafts we surveyed:

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks
National Football Post
Draft Countdown
Football's Future
Walter Football
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper ($)
NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang
NFL Draft Scout's Chad Reuter
Scout.com
ESPN.com's Todd McShay ($)

For each team, the number of votes is listed in parentheses after the player's name. If no three of the mock drafts could agree on a player, then that team is listed as having no consensus.

1. Detroit Lions	Consensus Pick: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia (6)
Other picks: Andre Smith (2), Mark Sanchez (2)
The Analysis: Most draft experts believe the Lions will try to flush away the memories of the Matt Millen era by drafting a quarterback. Eight of the 10 mock drafts have the Lions taking a quarterback, while the other two have the Lions taking offensive tackle Andre Smith.

2. St. Louis Rams	Consensus Pick: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia (4)
Other picks: Jason Smith (2), Andre Smith (2), Michael Crabtree, Michael Oher
The Analysis: With Orlando Pace turning season-ending injuries into a yearly tradition, nearly everyone thinks that the Rams will take an offensive tackle, but everyone has a different idea of who the Rams will take. Considering that nine of the 10 mock drafts have the Rams taking a tackle, this pick will likely solidify once the combine and individual workouts take place. Monroe is the safest bet at left tackle, which is why he leads the way right now.

3. Kansas City Chiefs	Consensus Pick: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest (4)
Other picks: Matt Stafford (2), Mark Sanchez (2), Everette Brown, Eugene Monroe
The Analysis: The Patriots love linebackers, so the logic is that Scott Pioli will bring the same approach to Kansas City. It doesn't hurt that Curry is just about the safest pick in this draft. Of course, the Chiefs could also go the quarterback route if they aren't sold on Tyler Thigpen, especially if Stafford takes a two-pick slide,

4. Seattle Seahawks	Consensus Pick: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (7)
Other picks: Eugene Monroe, B.J. Raji, Malcolm Jenkins
The Analysis: The Seahawks didn't have one receiver reach 500 yards last season, so Matt Hasselback needs some help. Getting a chance to take a receiver who draws Larry Fitzgerald comparisons is the obvious choice. Some drafts have Raji sliding into the teens, so he would be a surprising pick this high.

5. Cleveland Browns	Consensus Pick: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest (3)/Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (3)
Other picks: Everette Brown (2), Beanie Wells, Aaron Maybin
The Analysis: The Browns defense was awful in 2008. Curry would do a lot to help that, although the Browns' problems can't be solved by any one player. Brown or Maybin could also be brought in to perk up a poor pass rush, while Jenkins would fill a hole in the secondary. With Jamal Lewis aging, Beanie Wells would give the Browns a long-term replacement, but they have more pressing needs.

6. Cincinnati Bengals	Consensus Pick: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama (3)/Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (3)
Other picks: Brian Orakpo, Beanie Wells, Everette Brown, Eugene Monroe
The Analysis: A lot of these mock drafts are going to sort themselves out over the next couple of months as everyone starts to figure out which offensive tackles they like the best. The Bengals need a offensive tackle, so Andre Smith would give them a run-blocking monster with questionable feet while Jason Smith gives them a higher-upside left tackle with less physicality.

7. Oakland Raiders	Consensus Pick: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (4)
Other picks: Michael Oher (2), Michael Crabtree (2), Andre Smith, Brian Orakpo,
The Analysis: The Raiders are always hard to predict, largely because they change coaches seemingly every year, but even more so because Al Davis may believe that it's still 1975. The Raiders love speed, so Maclin (or Crabtree, if he falls somehow) is the logical pick. The Raiders offensive line has been a disaster too, so picking the third-best tackle isn't a bad choice either.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars	Consensus Pick: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (3)/Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia (3)
Other picks: Andre Smith, Aaron Curry, Michael Oher, Malcolm Jenkins
The Analysis: And we're on round four of the offensive tackle jumble. Monroe could be the No. 1 tackle taken or the fourth. Of course, the same could be said of either Smith or even maybe Michael Oher. The Jaguars just cut free agent bust Drayton Florence, which gives them a need at cornerback as well.

9. Green Bay Packers	Consensus Pick: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (3)
Other picks: B.J. Raji (2), Aaron Curry (2), Michael Johnson, Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown
The Analysis: This is where the draft consensus starts to wobble. The Johnson pick seems most puzzling as he might slide to the back of the first round. Jenkins is a logical assumption here as the Packers had pass defense issues. Raji would give the Packers a nose tackle to lead their switch to the 3-4.

10. San Francisco 49ers	Consensus Pick: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (3)
Other picks: Matt Stafford (2), Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin, Andre Smith, B.J. Raji, Jeremy Maclin
The Analysis: Can the 49ers draft a high first-round quarterback while they're still taking the cap hit for their last first-round quarterback? Apparently most draft experts think so.

11. Buffalo Bills	Consensus Pick: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas (3)
Other picks: Brandon Pettigrew (2), B.J. Raji (2), Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin, Jeremy Maclin
The Analysis: Buffalo has a pretty decent offense and solid secondary, but as these potential picks show, there is some need for some front-seven help. There's some debate as to whether Orakpo, Maybin or Brown is the best defensive end available, but Orakpo gets the edge right now. Pettigrew would give the Bills their best tight end in years, if Buffalo goes in a different direction.

12. Denver Broncos	Consensus Pick: Rey Maualunga, LB, USC (7)
Other picks: B.J. Raji (2), Knowshown Moreno
The Analysis: In none of the 10 mock drafts surveyed did Maualunga go any higher than the Broncos' 12th pick, but there is a strong feeling that he won't slip past No. 12. Considering the complete bloodbath that took place in Denver on Tuesday, Raji also makes sense if he slips down to No. 12, since the Broncos' defensive line needs help as well.

13. Washington Redskins	No Consensus
Other picks: Brian Orakpo (2), B.J. Raji, Eben Britton, Michael Oher, Peria Jerry, Brian Cushing, Everette Brown, Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe
The Analysis: We finally have reached a pick where there is no solid inkling of what's going to happen. The Redskins have to get younger on the offensive line, which explains the Oher/Monroe/Smith/Britton picks. Orakpo or Brown would be a pass-rushing replacement if Jason Taylor's current contract is too rich for the Redskins. Jerry or Raji would help the interior of the Redskins' defensive line, while Cushing would likely be the second USC linebacker off the board. Expect to see this list of possibilities whittled down over the next month or so.

14. New Orleans Saints	Consensus Pick: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois (5)
Other picks: Brian Cushing (2), Malcolm Jenkins (2), D.J. Moore
The Analysis: Eight of the 10 draft experts think the Saints will take a cornerback and there is complete agreement that the Saints will go for defense. In a draft where most likely all, or all but one of the top cornerbacks will be on the board at pick No. 14, that gives them a lot of options. Davis has arguably the highest upside of any of the available corners, although Jenkins is higher on some boards.

15. Houston Texans	Consensus Pick: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State (4)
Other picks: Brian Cushing (2), Brian Orakpo, Michael Johnson, Everette Brown, B.J. Raji
The Analysis: Mario Williams needs help, and almost every mock draft seems ready to help him. Orakpo/Johnson/Brown would be the speed rusher to bookend with Williams, while Raji would give the Texans a solid defensive tackle. Cushing is the outlier here, but he would give the Texans a big boost at outside linebacker.

16. San Diego Chargers	Consensus Pick: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State (3)/Knowshown Moreno, RB, Georgia (3)
Other picks: Rey Maualunga (2), Tyson Jackson (2)
The Analysis: If the Chargers end up franchising or otherwise re-upping Darren Sproles, we may see a dramatic change on mock draft lists over the next couple of weeks. But with the assumption that Sproles is gone, the draft experts expect to see the Chargers pick between the top two running backs in this year's draft. Jackson makes his first appearance on the draft in part because he's a great fit for a 3-4 defense.

17. New York Jets	Consensus Pick: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (3)
Other picks: Mark Sanchez (2), Jeremy Maclin (2), Tyson Jackson, Knowshown Moreno, Vontae Davis
The Analysis: There are a lot of wide receivers who rate as mid- to late first-round options. The Jets are one of the teams who could take advantage of that, with Harvin's speed and big-play ability earning the nod, partly because there is an expectation that Maclin won't fall this far. Sanchez would give the Jets another option to replace Farve.

18. Chicago Bears	No Consensus
Other picks: Larry English (2), Tyson Jackson (2), Percy Harvin (2), Brian Orakpo, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Mark Sanchez, Jeremy Maclin
The Analysis: The Bears have desperate needs at wide receiver and quarterback and they also need to fix a sagging pass rush, which means there is no real clear pick here. Harvin, Maclin and Heyward-Bey are picks from experts trying to slot the best available wide receiver, while English, Jackson and Orakpo are the same kind of picks to help the defense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Consensus Pick: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi (3)
Other picks: Josh Freeman (2), Beanie Wells (2), Knowshown Moreno, Tyson Jackson, Darrius Heyward-Bey
The Analysis: The Bucanneers have been known for their great defensive lines, but that is more reputation than reality right now, which explains why Jerry would be a good fit. No mock draft has Sanchez sliding this far, so if they are to pick a first-round quarterback it's likely Freeman, who has some helium. Taking Wells or Moreno would be a sign that the Bucs are not comfortable with Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams.

20. Detroit Lions	Consensus Pick: James Laurainitis, LB, Ohio State (3)
Other picks: Vontae Davis (2), Rey Maualunga, D.J. Moore, Everette Brown, William Beatty, Michael Johnson
The Analysis: What do you get for the team that needs everything? Maybe a linebacker to improve a putrid defense, but Davis or Moore might fill an even bigger need, as Detroit's secondary was horrendously bad in 2008.

21. Philadelphia Eagles	Consensus Pick: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (4)
Other picks: Beanie Wells (2), Michael Oher (2), Jason Smith, Eben Britton
The Analysis: Pettigrew is a slam dunk as the best tight end on the board, and he would help give the Eagles a big-play threat that can terrorize Cover 2 defenses. But the Eagles' offensive tackles are making Brett Favre look young, so adding an offensive tackle looks like a good pick as well. If Jason Smith does slide this far, it's hard to believe he wouldn't be the pick here, but it's also hard to believe he'll be sitting there at pick No. 21.

22. Minnesota Vikings	Consensus Pick: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt (3)
Other picks: Josh Freeman (2), Brandon Pettigrew, Michael Oher, Vontae Davis, Max Unger, Hakeem Nicks
The Analysis: Everyone knows that the Vikings are in need of a quarterback, but does Freeman really fill the Vikings' needs? This isn't a team that is aiming to win in 2011, it's built to win now and Freeman won't help that. Moore would, as he would be a nice compliment to underrated cornerback Antoine Winfield. Oher would step in at right tackle to fill what has been a weak link on a solid line.

23. New England Patriots	Consensus Pick: Brian Cushing, LB, USC (3)
Other picks: Aaron Maybin (2), Clay Matthews Jr. (2), Alphonso Smith (2), James Laurinaitis.
The Analysis: Last year the Patriots took linebacker Jerrod Mayo in the first round, but most everyone thinks the Patriots will be back for more. Six of the 10 mock drafts have the Patriots taking a linebacker with Cushing, a second USC linebacker to come off the board. All 10 mock drafts have the Patriots taking a defensive player, which makes a lot of sense.

24. Atlanta Falcons	Consensus Pick: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (3)/Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois (3)
Other picks: Peria Jerry, Sean Smith, Tyson Jackson, Brian Cushing
The Analysis: The Falcons have a lot of needs on defense (linebacker, safety and defensive tackle), but Pettigrew would be the last piece to what could be an explosive Falcons offense. On the other hand, English would give John Abraham a much-needed pass rushing partner.

25. Miami Dolphins	No Consensus
Other picks: Clay Matthews Jr. (2), James Laurinaitis (2), Darrius Heyward-Bey (2), Aaron Maybin, D.J. Moore, Alphonso Smith, Alex Mack
The Analysis: Clearly there is a lot of mixed opinion about the Dolphins approach to the first round. There's the option of a linebacker (Matthews/Laurinaitis) or a wide receiver (Heyward-Bey), or a pass-rushing defensive end (Maybin) or a cornerback (Moore/Smith) or a center (Mack). In other words, no one has an idea yet.

26. Baltimore Ravens	No Consensus
Other picks: Alphonso Smith (2), Sean Smith (2), Kenny Britt, Clay Matthews Jr., Vontae Davis, D.J. Moore, Hakeem Nicks, Jeremy Maclin
The Analysis: It was apparent in the AFC Championship game that Derrick Mason is the Ravens' only real receiving threat, so Joe Flacco desperately needs some other targets -- which is why Nicks, Britt or Maclin (if somehow he slid this far) are possibilities. But after dumping Chris McAlister, the Ravens are also in dire need of cornerback help, and could need linebackers depending on which of their three starting linebackers leaves in free agency. The Smiths, Davis or Moore would fill the cornerback hole.

27. Indianapolis Colts	Consensus Pick: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi (5)
Other picks: Percy Harvin (2), Sen'Derrick Marks, Fili Moala, Hakeem Nicks
The Analysis: The Colts have traditionally worried little about filling their defensive tackle holes -- last year they managed to get through much of the season with a 255-pounder starting inside. But most mock drafts have the Colts finally adding some much-needed beef, whether its Jerry, Marks or Moala. Even assuming the Colts cut Marvin Harrison, the Reggie Wayne-Anthony Gonzalez duo isn't a bad set of receivers, but the thought of having Percy Harvin lining up in the slot is enough to make some draft experts add more strength to an already solid position.

28. Philadelphia Eagles	No Consensus
Other picks: Knowshown Moreno (2), Eben Britton (2), Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy, William Beatty, Michael Oher, William Moore, Duke Robinson
The Analysis: Even though there is no consensus pick, there is a pretty strong consensus on which ways the Eagles may go, even with the complicating factor of the Eagles having two first-round picks. Philadelphia could pick the best available running back or the best available offensive lineman. There's a lot of debate at who those guys will be, which explains why the picks are all over the board. One interesting thing to note is that in five of the 10 mock drafts, only one running back is off the board when the Eagles pick at No. 28, so if the Eagles see Knowshown Moreno or Beanie Wells still on the board at No. 21, they can likely wait until No. 28 to take them, as there's no team between the two picks that has a dire need at running back.

29. New York Giants	Consensus Pick: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina (4)
Other picks: James Laurinaitis (3), Michael Johnson, Larry English, Clint Sintim.
The Analysis: With Plaxico Burress facing charges and likely taking a train out of town, Nicks would give the Giants a physical rookie receiver to try to fill those shoes. There are other receivers with bigger upsides, but Nicks may be more NFL ready, which explains why he's the most likely pick. A lot of mock drafts have the Giants adding a pass rusher, which seems a little puzzling on a team with other needs, but Laurinaitis, English or Sintim would help upgrade the linebacker corps.

30. Tennessee Titans	Consensus Pick: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (3), Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (3)
Other picks: Michael Johnson, Robert Ayers, Alphonso Smith, Alex Mack
The Analysis: For a team that finished with the AFC's best record, the Titans had a historically bad No. 2 receiver in Justin McCareins. Heyward-Bey or Harvin would be the big-play threat to compliment Justin Gage. If the Titans don't go for a wide receiver, Ayers or Johnson would add another pass rusher, or Smith would give the team more help for a very good secondary. The Mack pick is because veteran center Kevin Mawae is getting old, but Leroy Harris should be able to fill that role eventually, so it's not a great need.

31. Arizona Cardinals	Consensus Pick: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh (7)
Other picks: Knowshown Moreno, Hakeem Nicks, Larry English
The Analysis: With Edgerrin James heading out of town, nearly everyone thinks the Cardinals will take the best remaining running back. Moreno and Beanie Wells are off the board in most every scenario which leaves McCoy as the logical pick. If Moreno does slide to No. 31, which only occurred in one mock draft, he'd be a steal for the Cards.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers	Consensus Pick: Alex Mack, C, California (5)
Other picks: Max Unger (2), Duke Robinson, William Beatty, Tyson Jackson
The Analysis: When your top four offensive tackles are free agents and your line was nothing special last year, there's pretty clearly a glaring need. In nine of the 10 mock drafts, the Steelers are expected to take a lineman, but they likely will be left without any tackle that carries a first-round grade. That explains why Mack is the likely pick. If the Steelers take Mack, he'd likely compete for a starting guard job in 2009, then slide over to center in 2010 when Justin Hartwig's current deal expires.