16 San Diego Chargers
(8-8) Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
17 New York Jets
(9-7) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18 Denver Broncos
(9-7, Pick via Bears) Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(9-7) Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
20 Detroit Lions
(9-7, Pick via Cowboys) Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
21 Philadelphia Eagles
(9-6-1) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
22 Minnesota Vikings
(10-6) William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
23 New England Patriots
(11-6) Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
24 Atlanta Falcons
(11-5) Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
25 Miami Dolphins
(11-5) Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
26 Baltimore Ravens
(11-5) Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
27 Indianapolis Colts
12-4) Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
28 Buffalo Bills
(Pick via CAR, PHI) Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
29 New York Giants
(12-4) Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
30 Tennessee Titans
(13-3) Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois
31 Arizona Cardinals
(9-7) LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh 32 Pittsburgh Steelers
(12-4) Alex Mack, C, Cal

With the 30th pick in the Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Arizona Cardinals select:

***Chris Wells, RB, OSU***

Why the Cardinals chose Wells as per DraftCountdown.com:

The Cardinals might be the only team in the league that counts running back as one of their top Draft Day priorities, but that could work out well for them as there should be some excellent options on the board here. There is certainly a chance that Knowshon Moreno will be long gone by this point but running backs do tend to slide a bit and unless a team goes against the grain and takes one even though it’s not a glaring need, a la Pittsburgh with Rashard Mendenhall last year, he could still be available late in round one.

There are some who feel Moreno is one of the ten best players in this entire draft and in some ways he is similar to Cadillac Williams in that he doesn’t have elite size or speed  but makes up for it with outstanding instincts and vision. If Wells and Moreno are both gone Arizona could turn their attention to Donald Brown or LeSean McCoy. The Cardinals could also use an upgrade at center and after the way James Harrison abused Mike Gandy in the Super Bowl they have to at least consider bringing in a new left tackle as well. Keep an eye on outside linebacker here too because even though the Cards have some solid options like Travis LaBoy and Chike Okeafor they really don’t  have that impact pass rusher at  the position.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the clock.

With the 32nd pick in the Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Pittsburgh Steelers select:

***Fili Moala, Defensive Tackle, USC***

I had a hard time with this pick.  Everyone knows that the Steelers need offensive line help.  However, all of the offensive tackles that I was interested in are gone.  William Beatty was borderline, but I ultimately decided that he didn’t deserve a first round selection.  The only interior lineman that I thought was worth a 1st round pick was Alex Mack, but he was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles (curse you!!!!).

I looked hard at defensive backs.  I absolutely love Sean Smith, and he would have been my selection had I not taken Moala.  The Steelers lost Bryant McFadden in free agency, so CB is a need.  However, backup William Gay is ready to start, so that need isn’t as pressing as it may seem.  We definitely need depth at both CB and safety, but we can take care of that later in the draft.

I was ecstatic when the Arizona Cardinals took [Chris] “Beanie” Wells with the 31st pick.  Now I won’t have to explain not taking him to Steelers fans who are dying for a “power back”.  Besides, we took Rashard Mendenhall last year.  2008 was essentially a redshirt year for him.

Ultimately, I couldn’t overlook the fact that all of the Steelers’ defensive line starters are over 30 years old.  Aaron Smith will be 33 this season.  His days are winding down, and Dick LeBeau‘s system is complex.  Few players start on the Steelers’ defense in their first year.  We need to bring in Smith’s replacement now to give him a year to learn, and prepare him to take over in 2010.

Fili Moala is a 6’4″, 303 lbs. defensive tackle who has started 38 games in one of the best programs in the country (USC).  I have Moala rated as the 3rd best defensive tackle in the draft.  However, I have him rated right below Tyson Jackson as the 2nd best 3-4 defensive end in the draft.  Moala’s knock as a defensive tackle is that he is more of a run stopper than a pass rusher.  He just doesn’t get enough sacks.  However, he is lauded for his rare strength, and his ability to collapse the pocket and make tackles despite fighting off double teams.  Hmmmm, a 300 lb. run stopper who can handle double teams and collapse the pocket.  Sounds like a 3-4 defensive end to me.  Aaron Smith’s successor has been found.

The Detroit Lions are on the clock.

I’ll post a synopsis of the first round in a few.