Mucking Up the Mock -- April 14 Update

Eleven days and counting until the mock drafts get shredded in favor of the real one, and the time between now and April 25 is likely to see a frenzy of posturing, positioning and actual activity. I debuted my first-ever mock draft yesterday, but since it ran a number of developments have threatened to shake it up.

So what's happened to my mock draft today? Let's take a look...

·Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Giants and Browns are closing in on a deal that would send WR Braylon Edwards to New York before the draft. The effect of this would drastically alter the first round, making it more likely that the Browns take a receiver at No. 5 and less likely that the Giants would take one at No. 29. The Giants could look for a linebacker or offensive tackle instead. Cleveland is said to be bringing Jeremy Maclin in for a workout this week, but would also have to look at Michael Crabtree.

·Matthew Stafford is apparently telling people his selection at No. 1 by the Lions is a done deal, indicating that perhaps he and Detroit and close to agreement on a contract. If this is true, it solidifies the top pick in the mock and possibly the top two, as Jason Smith would then be available for the Rams to take at No. 2

·Trade rumors about Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez have surfaced again, with Atlanta the rumored destination. Still tough to imagine the Chiefs dealing Gonzalez, but if he became a Falcon, Atlanta probably wouldn't take Brandon Pettigrew.

·The Packers are working out Greg Paulus, which would shore up their major hole at point guard but do little to help them on the lines. This has no impact on the first round of the draft, but is funny.

With these developments in mind, here's the way the mock would look if I had to do it again, off the top of my head, today, assuming the stuff referenced above all actually happens. (Yesterday's picks in parentheses.)

1. Lions: Matthew Stafford (Stafford)
2. Rams: Jason Smith (Smith)
3. Chiefs: Aaron Curry (Curry)
4. Seattle: Eugene Monroe (Monroe)
5. Browns: Michael Crabtree (Brian Orakpo)
6. Bengals: Brian Orakpo (Andre Smith)
7. Raiders: Jeremy Maclin (Crabtree)
8. Jaguars: B.J. Raji (Raji)
9. Packers: Aaron Maybin (Maybin)
10. 49ers: Mark Sanchez (Sanchez)
11. Bills: Andre Smith (Everette Brown)
12. Broncos: Tyson Jackson (Jackson)
13. Redskins: Robert Ayers (Ayers)
14. Saints: Chris "Beanie" Wells (Wells)
15. Texans: Brian Cushing (Cushing)
16. Chargers: Everette Brown (Rey Maualuga)
17. Jets: Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maclin)
18. Broncos: Josh Freeman (Freeman)
19. Buccaneers: Peria Jerry (Jerry)
20. Lions: Michael Oher (Oher)
21. Eagles: Knowshon Moreno (Moreno)
22. Vikings: Eben Britton (Heyward-Bey)
23. Patriots: Clay Matthews (Matthews)
24. Falcons: Louis Delmas (Brandon Pettigrew)
25. Dolphins: Malcolm Jenkins (Jenkins)
26. Ravens: Hakeem Nicks (Nicks)
27. Colts: Evander Hood (Hood)
28. Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew (Britton)
29. Giants: Rey Maualuga (Kenny Britt)
30. Titans: Kenny Britt (Vontae Davis)
31. Cardinals: Donald Brown (Brown)
32. Steelers: Alex Mack (Mack)

As promised, we are all about the reader interaction here, so here's a sample of some of the feedback from yesterday's mock:

From "Adam," on the Redskins: "I'd be happy to get Ayers, but the two biggest holes are SSLB and OT, so I think that's where our first pick will go."

Adam, if Andre Smith slips down to 13, the Redskins would do well to grab him. I still think somebody's going to get a steal in Smith, though his pre-draft behavior makes him look a little like a rockhead.

From "Philip," in reference to the admittedly bizarre scenario that had Jeremy Maclin falling to the Jets at 17: "I would be shocked to see Maclin still on the board #13, much less #17. I think the lowest he'll go is #8 to Jacksonville. Both Oakland and the Jags need a WR in the worst way. I would actually predict Maclin to the Raiders and Crabtree to the Jags."

Phillip, I agree that Maclin probably can't fall that far, but I disagree on the order in which he and Crabtree should be picked. I'd take Crabtree first, given the choice between the two. Crabtree might be the best player in the draft. I mean, other than Curry.

Have at it, folks. More tomorrow.