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

The Packers most glaring need on draft day is their defensive line.  They are currently understaffed and undersized for new defensive coordinator Dom Capers‘ 3-4 alignment and will definitely try to alleviate this in the draft.

That was pretty obvious, but I can’t give everything from the post away here…

…the Packers do have talented linebackers.  Nick Barnett, tweeting his way back from a severe knee injury, will be in the middle, but the question is who will start with him.  A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar, and Brady Poppinga are all solid linebackers, but are all more suited for the 4-3 defense.  I expect Capers and Mike McCarthy to rotate the linebackers in and out and really mix up the looks they will give the offense.

Linebackers…what’s next?

The Packers drafted Josh Sitton in 2008 to hopefully compete for a starting job and they also signed Duke Preston in one of their free agent moves this offseason.  It seems as if McCarthy and Ted Thompson are trying to breed competition to get the best starting lineup they can get.

Hopefully that breeding has some offspring.

Thompson is a notorious mover on draft day, making unexpected trades (ie trading out of the first round in 2008) and making unexpected picks (Aaron Rodgers in 2005).  That being said, there is no sure pick for the Packers at #9.  I have said in some posts on Lombardi Ave that I want the Packers to get either Brian Orakpo or B.J. Raji at #9, or Malcolm Jenkins, the one everyone has the Packers picking, if Raji or Orakpo are gone.  It seems logical that the Packers will go defense, given their personnel is ill-suited for a 3-4 defense currently.

Check out NFL Mocks for the rest of the preview and for other teams’ needs as well.

The Packers find themselves back in the top ten for the first time since 2006 when they selected linebacker A.J. Hawk.  It appears with the switch to the 3-4 defense, the Packers will go defense again in the top 10.  With Ted Thompson calling the shots, I wouldn’t rule anything out.  If I’m calling the shots, I go for Brian Orakpo and pick him if he’s available.    It’s no secret (or it would be if I posted more…I apologize) that I love Orakpo.  Even if he is a workout warrior, I feel his skill set could transition very well into Dom Capers‘ 3-4 scheme.  He gives the Packers a body opposite Aaron Kampman that can do serious damage to the quarterback.  He wants the sacks, and he’ll get them.  It will obviously take him time to develop, but the defense will need time to develop too, creating a great match.

After Orakpo, having B.J. Raji drop into the Packers’ lap would be nearly as good.  Picking up Raji would be great for a currently-overmatched defensive line.  Throwing his big body down in the trenches would clog space and free up Nick Barnett and whoever else plays in the middle for the Packers next year (Desmond Bishop? Brandon Chillar? A.J. Hawk?).  There is question about Raji’s character and reported failed drug test at the combine which could deter Thompson who loves his high character guys.  Also, many mocks have Raji going #8 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The sexy mock draft pick for the Packers is Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.  It seems like nearly every mock has the Packers picking up the Buckeye with the “Al Harris and Charles Woodson are old; they need fresh blood” reasoning, ignoring the fact Tramon Williams had a great season in 2008 filling in for an injured Harris and Thompson drafted Pat Lee last year.  We all remember how everyone had the Packers picking one of a plethora of cornerbacks last year.  And what did they do?  Traded out of the first round and picked wide receiver Jordy Nelson.  I didn’t see that one coming.  At all.  I don’t really see that big of a reason for the Packers to pick Jenkins.  If Orakpo and Raji are gone, then sure, Ted, go for it.  But please don’t take Jenkins over one of those two.

If all three of the aforementioned players are gone, I see the Packers taking Florida State defensive end Everette Brown.  He’s shooting up draft boards.  In the later rounds on defense, Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson is an athletic freak and could definitely be a second round pick if his stock keeps dropping like I hear it is.  At defensive tackle, Evander Hood, Ron Brace, and Sen’Derrick Marks are the top picks for the Packers, based on where they are projected to go, as late-first round or second-round picks.  Tyson Jackson from LSU has had his name floated around the Packers due to his versatility on the defensive line, while Robert Ayers has been named as a possibility.  Although with Ayers, we all remember what happened last time Thompson took a defensive lineman from Tennessee with a high pick…yeah, let’s not go there.

After Orakpo, none of the other highly touted linebackers (USC’s threesome, James Laurenaitis) really seem to fit the MO the Packers want to have their defense to have.  Also, the secondary is ridiculously crowded, so I see Jenkins as the only legitimate pickup for that group.  All of this being said, if the Packers go defense at #9, they better get a #98 jersey ready for Orakpo.

1. Lions: waynefontes.com — MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIA
2. Rams: turfshowtimes.com — EUGENE MONROE, OT, VIRGINIA
3. Chiefs: kcchiefsnews.com — AARON CURRY, LB, WAKE FOREST
4. Seahawks: davekriegsstrikebeard.com — MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH
5. Browns: nologoneeded.com — REY MAUALUGA, LB, USC
6. Bengals: bengalstripes.com — JASON SMITH, OT, BAYLOR
7. Raiders: silverandblackpride.com — JEREMY MACLIN, WR, MISSOURI
8. Jaguars: jaguarsgab.com — B.J. RAJI, DT, BOSTON COLLEGE
9. Packers: lombardiave.com — BRIAN ORAKPO, DE/OLB, TEXAS
10. 49ers: ninersnation.com — EVERETTE BROWN, OLB, FLORIDA STATE
11. Bills: buffalorumblings.com — CLAY MATTHEWS, OLB, USC
12. Broncos: milehighreport.com — MALCOLM JENKINS, CB, OHIO STATE
13. Redskins: curlyr.blogspot.com  — ANDRE SMITH, OT, ALABAMA
14. Saints: canalstreetchronicles.com —  BRIAN CUSHING, OLB, USC
15. Texans: houstondiehards.com — MICHAEL OHER, OT, OLE MISS
16. Chargers: bolthype.com — EBEN BRITTON, OT, ARIZONA
17. Jets: thejetsblog.com — TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU
18. Bears: blogdownchicagobears.com — DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, MARYLAND
19. Buccaneers: bucem.com — PERCY HARVIN, WR, FLORIDA
20. Lions (from Dallas): waynefontes.com — AARON MAYBIN, DE, PENN STATE
21. Eagles: igglesblog.com — VONTAE DAVIS, CB, ILLINOIS
22. Vikings: vikingsragnarok.blogspot.com — MARK SANCHEZ, QB, USC
23. Patriots: patriotsdaily.com — KNOWSHON MORENO, RB, GEORGIA
24. Falcons: falcoholic.com —CLINT SINTIM, LB, VIRGINIA
25. Dolphins: thephinsider.com — LARRY ENGLISH, LB, NORTHERN ILLINOIS
26. Ravens: ebonybird.com —KENNY BRITT, WR, RUTGERS
27. Colts: 18to88.com — PERIA JERRY, DT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
28. Eagles (from Carolina): igglesblog.com — ALEX MACK, OL, CALIFORNIA
29. Giants: bigblue101.com — HAKEEM NICKS, WR, NORTH CAROLINA
30. Titans: musiccitymiracles.com — D.J. MOORE, CB, VANDERBILT
31. Cardinals: raisingzona.com — CHRIS WELLS, RB, OSU
32. Steelers: steelerstoday.com — FILI MOALA, DT, USC

Round 2 is starting now!

With the ninth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select:

***Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas***

With the new 3-4 scheme in town, the Packers desperately need a good outside pass rusher to play opposite Aaron Kampman.  Orakpo provides that strong force from the outside to succeed.  All of the great 3-4 defenses in the NFL have “that guy” that can make plays, from James Harrison in Pittsburgh to Terrell Suggs in Baltimore.  Orakpo will be able to help anchor the Packers linebacking corps for a long, long time.

Most people have the Packers picking Ohio State corner Malcolm Jenkins with this pick, including most “experts.”  While that makes sense given the age of starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris, there is still youth behind them.  Tramon Williams (despite his contract situation) filled in admirably when Harris was out with the spleen injury in 2008 and the Packers drafted Pat Lee in the third round in 2008 as well.  If they pick a corner, they’ll do it in the second, third, or fourth rounds.  We don’t want another Ahmad Carroll on our hands.

The player I feel the Packers need the most is B.J. Raji from Boston College.  Raji is big and strong, and can move decently.  I feel he would provide a great anchor to the 3-4 scheme.  None of the tackles the Packers have on the roster currently are the right type for Dom Capers‘ defense, and Raji could provide a Casey Hampton-like presence in the middle and be the nucleus of that defensive line and defense for years to come.  However, I will take a terror from the outside in Orakpo as well.

The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock.

Your thoughts on this pick PackerNation?

With the third pick of the 2009 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select:

Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

Having addressed their quarterback need in the Matt Cassel trade, look for the Chiefs to address the other side of the ball with the third overall pick.  Todd Haley could be tempted to draft a wide receiver ([Michael] Crabtree) given his coaching history but linebacker remains their most pressing need on defense, besides defensive end.  This being a weak draft for defensive end, linebacker Aaron Curry is the most logical pick for the Chiefs. 

The Chiefs have declined to re-sign starting linebackers Rocky Boiman and Pat Thomas and have released veteran Donnie Edwards making them somewhat thin at the position.  They have traded for Mike Vrabel, which would obviously be a great mentor for the young Curry. 

The Wake Forest product is an absolute must if the Chiefs plan to move to a 3-4 defense, Curry on one side and Derrick Johnson on the other would provide the necessary pass rushing personnel for a team that set the record for the least amount of sacks in a season. 

The Seattle Seahawks are on the clock.

With the fourth pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select:

Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

I don’t really like college football. Any sport that doesn’t have a
playoff system won’t easily win my attention or respect, so I don’t follow
the game that closely. Under normal circumstances, I’d tell you that blogs
like Field Gulls, Seahawk Addicts or Seahawks Draft Blog could give you a
better, more informed opinion than I could.

But these are not normal circumstances, and Michael Crabtree is not a
typical player. Even after addressing our desperate need at WR by signing
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle will select the best player available: The
game-breaking Crabtree.

As an NFC West fan, I get to watch Larry Fitzgerald torch my Seahawks
twice a year. In 2008, I got the added bonus of watching Fitz almost carry
Arizona to a World Championship. Housh isn’t Fitz. Neither is [Deion] Branch or
[Nate] Burleson… Hell, even Steve Largent wasn’t the dominant big-play threat
that Fitzgerald is right now.

Even with his foot surgery, and even after being revealed as 6’1″ instead
of 6’3″, drafting Crabtree is the best shot the Seahawks will have over
the next few years to get “their Fitzgerald.”

Selecting Crabtree isn’t just a “build for the future” move, either. With
Housh across from him, a (hopefully) healthy Branch in the slot, budding
Pro-Bowler John Carlson at TE, and Matt Hasselbeck throwing the ball,
Crabtree could make an immediate impact as Seattle’s “home run” threat.

The Seahawks aim to return to the top of the NFC West in 2009. Michael
Crabtree is the player most likely to help make that happen in this year’s
draft class.

Our hosts, the Cleveland Browns, are on the clock.

With the fifth pick in the draft, the Cleveland Browns select:

***Rey Maualuga, LB, USC*** 

A big reason behind why we decided to start this mock draft was because we were annoyed at the national media. Most mock drafts on the NFL Network and ESPN has the Browns selecting Malcolm Jenkins.

Sure, the Browns need help on defense and the secondary was inconsistent, but the cornerback position is the least of the team’s problems. In 2008, the Browns defense allowed an average of 151.9 yards rushing per game. The Browns lost to the Bengals 14-0 on Dec. 21 as Cedric Benson ran for 171 yards on 38 carries and back-up quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was 5-for-9 passing for 55 yards.

First and foremost, the Browns need to look to trade down and obtain some more draft picks. This will prove impossible since that’s the goal of most teams. The Browns also would be interested in Aaron Curry, but he is long gone.
 
With new coach Eric Mangini, the Browns will stick with the 3-4. So linebacker is the Browns’ biggest need in the draft.  The Browns need an edge pass rusher to fill Willie McGinest‘s position, but outside linebacker is one of the deepest positions in this draft.  That brings us to the void in the middle of the defense left by the departure of Andra Davis.

Maualuga is a nasty middle linebacker, the type of player that can bring attitude to a defense that sorely needs an identity. He is built perfectly to line up in the 3-4.  Peter King called him Ray Lewis, Jr. and Jon Gruden said Maualuga is the type of player to build a defense around.

Maualuga is known for his big hits and aggressive style of play. That should fit perfectly on the strong side of the Browns 3-4 defense next to D’Qwell Jackson. Pairing Jackson’s sideline-to-sideline speed with Maualuga’s power behind the mammoth Shaun Rogers, should make the Browns strong up the middle and help them slow down the opposition’s rushing attack.
 
Can you name a Pro Bowl defensive lineman or cornerback from the successful 3-4 defense in Pittsburgh? In Baltimore? No. But you can reel off a list of who’s who of linebackers.  It’s time the Browns start making the some names of their own.

Our AFC North rivals south on I-71, the Cincinnati Bengals, are on the clock.

Three more picks until the Packers are up on the clock.  Who is going to be there for us?

1. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College – Raji is a big space-filling defensive tackle that the Packers need to anchor their 3-4 defense for years to come.  Raji can move (5.13 40) for a big man and showed talent while in college.  The 6-1, 337-pound defensive lineman also said he hoped he was on the Packers radar for the draft.

2. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas –  With the Packers looking for a hybrid DE/OLB, Orakpo could join a great linebacking corps.  He is a menace to opposing tackles and his only goal is to get to the quarterback and take him down.  This is the type of aggression the Packers need on their defense, a gamer that can team with Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, and Aaron Kampman.

3. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – I’m not too fond of the Packers drafting Jenkins at No. 9 as I feel there is enough depth in the defensive backfield and the Packers can probably pick up an additional corner later in the draft, much like what they did with Pat Lee last year.  Also, Jenkins’ combine performance was disappointing, which raises some questions about him.

4. Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State – Some say that Brown is a little too small for a 3-4 scheme, but he has shown he is smart enough to play in it.  He is raw athletically and can make plays wherever he is lined up on the field and has been forecasted by some as a Top 5 talent.

5. Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech – The first word that comes to mind when Johnson is mentioned is freak.  At 6-7, 266, he has intimidating size that could definitely come in to play when playing in the 3-4.  He is freakishly athletic, as I saw him make some amazing plays in college at Tech.  He was the juggernaut of that defense, rushing the quarterback, stopping the run, and even dropping into coverage.  His versatility could make him very desirable for the Packers at No. 9, even though I have seen some mock drafts without him in the first round.

Tune in next week for the revised top five, based on happenings, as free agency starts tomorrow!

Why is speed such an important commodity for the Packers? Well with the switch from the 4-3 defense to the 3-4 defense, the duties of the cornerbacks change. In Dom Capers‘ new scheme, the corners are expected to play more zone and help in run support, as opposed to the in-your-face man-to-man that typified Bob Sanders‘ 4-3 defense in the past. The Packers will need their corners to be able to range quickly to cover their zone and to get up to the line quickly for run support.

There is too much emphasis on speed at the combine, I’ll definitely admit that. I mean, on the field, you aren’t going to be able to get down into your sprinter’s stance in your shorts and skin-tight shirt and track shoes and take off running. You’re going to be wearing pads and in some cases holding a football. That shows some part of how these times are inaccurate, but there is some merit to it. Aaron Curry, the top linebacking prospect in the draft ran in the 4.5s. Jenkins, thought to be the top cornerback prospect, ran in the 4.5s. Now, based on that, which one would you take? I’d definitely go with Curry.

Vontae Davis of Illinois moved himself up, showing up Jenkins by running a 4.49. Could the Packers reach for Davis at No. 9? Most likely not. I don’t even see the Packers going with Jenkins at No. 9 even if he had run well. The Packers have Al Harris, Charles Woodson, and Tramon Williams as quality corners. It’s hard to get three quality corners in this league, and with more youth behind them, adding Jenkins could just create a problem.

Look for the Packers to go defensive line or offensive line. More on this tomorrow…