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
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