NoLogoNeeded NFL Mock Draft Picks 3-5

Keeping up with the NoLogoNeeded NFL Mock Draft Among Blogs, I bring you picks three through five from the web.

"With the third pick of the 2009 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select:Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake ForestHaving 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 TechI don’t really like college football. Any sport that doesn’t have aplayoff system won’t easily win my attention or respect, so I don’t followthe game that closely. Under normal circumstances, I’d tell you that blogslike Field Gulls, Seahawk Addicts or Seahawks Draft Blog could give you abetter, more informed opinion than I could.But these are not normal circumstances, and Michael Crabtree is not atypical player. Even after addressing our desperate need at WR by signingT.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle will select the best player available: Thegame-breaking Crabtree.As an NFC West fan, I get to watch Larry Fitzgerald torch my Seahawkstwice a year. In 2008, I got the added bonus of watching Fitz almost carryArizona 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 threatthat Fitzgerald is right now.Even with his foot surgery, and even after being revealed as 6’1″ insteadof 6’3″, drafting Crabtree is the best shot the Seahawks will have overthe next few years to get “their Fitzgerald.”Selecting Crabtree isn’t just a “build for the future” move, either. WithHoush across from him, a (hopefully) healthy Branch in the slot, buddingPro-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. MichaelCrabtree is the player most likely to help make that happen in this year’sdraft 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?