I am happy to see all the late comers to the party. Mock drafts are popping up like internet ads now, which must mean it is the day before the NFL Draft. I look forward to spending time in my neighborhood bar, groaning at how off my mock draft was and how horrible some team's picks ended up being... but in the meantime.

If you all have seen my previous mock drafts, you know I abide by a handful of rules.

First, I'm not assuming any trades. The world is just far too crazy for that to happen. Yes, I know the chances of us getting through the first round without a trade is close to zero, but seriously, how many things do you want me to speculate on?

Second, an FA signings that occur between now and tomorrow will screw this blog up, so I'm not counting that either.

So, here we go!

Pick 1 - Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford - QB, Georgia
Hey hey! Looks like I got one right! This afternoon the Lions announced Stafford will be their first pick in the draft, and while hard contract numbers may not come until after tomorrow, he's still the guy. And don't fret for Dante Culpepper. Matt will need some time to mature, and not be thrown to the wolves.

Pick 2 - St. Louis Rams
Mark Sanchez - QB, USC
I know! I am in as much shock as anyone. I don't know how they think this makes the least amount of sense, but according to Steve Wyche of NFL.com, St. Louis has purchased a plane ticket to St. Louis for Sanchez on Sunday. Even if this is a dramatic smoke screen, it is an effective one, and Mark will likely be the number two pick, and the Rams may simply hold him hostage to get a deal they like (ala Eli Manning being drafted by the Chargers).

Pondering - I really hope this plan doesn't backfire on them. I'd hate to see Sanchez and Bulger on the sidelines arguing about who's turn it is to stand behind the awful o-line.

Pick 3 - Kansas City Chiefs
Eugene Monroe - OT, Virginia
I still really like Monroe to the Chiefs to build the o-line. He'll bump Branden Albert to RT, and Matt Cassel will feel safe and secure.

Pick 4 - Seattle Seahawks
Arron Curry - LB, Wake Forest
Curry just makes too much sense here to slide down any further.

Pick 5 - Cleveland Browns
Michael Crabtree - WR, Texas Tech
After the outright denials that Quinn will be traded, and the early drafting of Sanchez and Stafford, the Browns find themselves landing very happily on their other "it" guy. Goodbye Dante Stallworth, and get nervous Braylon Edwards.

Pick 6 - Cincinnati Bengals
Jason Smith - OT, Baylor
I just see the Bengals sitting there, looking confused for a moment as it sinks in that Smith actually fell to them. I can even say Ochocinco smiling at this turn of fortune.

Pick 7 - Oakland Raiders
Jeremy Maclin - WR, Missouri
I thought long and hard about this, and all the other players that might go to Oakland, but in the end, I think Maclin is their guy. Their comments that Crabtree was a "primadonna" only sealed it for me. If the top regarded receiver was here or not, Maclin is still their man.

Pick 8 - Jacksonville Jaguars
B.J. Raji - DT, Boston College
After the signing of Torry Holt, I think the Jags are more likely to think D, and Raji would be a stellar pick. I also think, however, that this might be the pick at this spot for another team. It is commonly believed that Raji won't make it past the Pack, so if it is not the Jags, another NFL team might be too tempted to trade into their spot and secure B.J.

 

Pick 9 - Green Bay Packers
Brian Orakpo - DE/LB, Texas
I think GB will jump on Orakpo in the hope that he will be a dynamic edge rusher in their transition to a 3-4.

Pick 10 - San Francisco 49ers
Andre Smith - OT, Alabama
Again, this is another situation where I think San Fran would be very happy with this pick, but I also think the Smith may get drafted at 10 even if the 49ers aren't the ones pulling the trigger and someone else moves into their place.

Pick 11 - Buffalo Bills
Michael Oher - OT, Mississippi
The last of the four major tackles won't make it past the team that traded away Jason Peters.

 

Pick 12 - Denver Broncos
Tyson Jackson - DE, LSU
Jackson has been one of the harder guys to pin down in this draft. First not even projected to be in the first round, now there is common debate about whether he'll make it out of the top 10. By twist of fate, he does, but the Broncos could use him, and he becomes the pick at 12.

Pick 13 - Washington Redskins
Everette Brown - DE/LB
First, let me say I feel bad for Campbell, and after seeing Cutler act the way he did, I think Campbell should be widely applauded for the way he's coped with the crazy rumors and half-assed attemptes to replace him in the off-season. ANYWAY, the Skins add more danger to their line by adding Everette Brown.

Pick 14 - New Orleans Saints
Malcolm Jenkins - CB/S, Ohio State
Since the beginning, I've said Malcolm is their man. It is still true today.

Pick 15 - Houston Texans
Clay Matthews - LB, USC
I'm also pretty locked in here, too. Texans need an OLB, he has connections to the organization and is a flexible, able player that would start out of the gates. What's not to love?

Pick 16 - San Diego Chargers
Rey Maualuga - LB, USC
Stupid Chargers. Jerks. Good pick.

Pick 17 - New York Jets
Percy Harvin - WR, Florida
I've had Freeman here from day one, but after hearing talk that the Jets aren't too worried about a little weed smokin', Harvin fill the hole left by Coles. I think they're sold.

Pick 18 - Denver Broncos
Ron Brace - DT, Boston College
Every draft has its reaches, and sadly, I can't help but think my team makes it. Reports are that the Broncs like Brace, and he's one of a small handful of DTs that can eat the middle in a 3-4 as a NT.

Pick 19 - Tampa Bay Bucs
Josh Freeman - QB, Kansas State
I never had a draft where Tampa Bay would have Freeman fall to them, and now that I do, I think they take him. He's got connections to Raheem and he could quickly be elevated to a new face of the franchise. And I don't want to hear any nonsense about Leftwich. He's past his prime, he makes bad choices throwing and his release is like molasses. McCown just has terrible timing as far as when he ends up on teams.

Pick 20 - Detroit Lions
Peria Jerry - DT, Mississippi
After trading away Rodgers last year and Redding this year, the Lions may want a DT. There has also been a spoken emphasis to get tougher in both lines. Jerry would go a long way to accomplishing that.

Pick 21 - Philidelphia Eagles
Knowshon Moreno - RB, Georgia
Yep. Same reasons as before.

Pick 22 - Minnesota Vikings
Eben Britton - OT, Arizona
Man, this is easy. Why did I change so many picks before?

Pick 23 - New England Patriots
Vontae Davis - CB
There have been character concerns raised about Vontae Davis, but the Pats seem to have the ability to get talented guys over that. They can boost their secondary with probably the best corner in the draft. It also doesn't help that many of their starters also have grandchildren and bingo nights (I kid, but only a little.)

Pick 24 - Atlanta Falcons
Brian Cushing - LB, USC
Cushing is going to be a nice, fierce addition to the depleated LB crew in the dirty.

Pick 25 - Miami Dolphins
Aaron Maybin - DE, Penn State
Maybin moves into Miami at a spot appropriate with the guy's talent and lack of experience. He could be a serious threat down in Miami.

Pick 26 - Baltimore Ravens
Darius Heyward-Bey - WR, Maryland
Since it seems that Baltimore isn't in the same pricing range as the Cards for the services of Anquan Boldin, Heyward-Bey is the pick here.

Pick 27 - Indianapolis Colts
Evander "Ziggy" Hood - DE/DT, Missouri
The Colts want bigger, better DTs, and with so few in the draft, they pull the trigger on Hood now.

Pick 28 - Buffalo Bills
Robert Ayers - DE, Tennessee
After addressing the O-line with their first pick, Buffalo can address their D with the 28th pick, and Ayers may be just the guy they are hoping for to line up down from Schobel.

Pick 29 - New York Giants
Hakeem Nicks - WR, North Carolina
It seems the buzz of trading WRs for first round picks has died down a bit, but it doesn't mean a team like the Giants aren't still in need.

Pick 30 - Tennessee Titans
Darius Butler - CB, Connecticut
There are rumors right now that the Titans and Cards might be in discussion for a RB/WR trade, possibly involving Chris Henry or LenDale White and Anquan Boldin. Regardless, it wan't affect the first round, exactly, save that if it IS LenDale, don't be surprised to see the Titans select Wells, and the Carndinals to select... someone else. Maybe Kenny Britt. I don't know. I'm not assuming trades, OK?

Fast and smart, Butler offers the Titans a starting nickle corner with tremendous upside. Playing against teams like the Colts encourages you to have a good set of corners.

Pick 31 - Arizona Cardinals
Chris Wells - RB, Ohio State
Yes, I have wells at 31 still. I guess we'll see tomorrow if I'm right that teams will likely let RBs slide.

Pick 32 - Pittsburgh Steelers
Max Unger - OL, Oregon
I like Max. I like Max in Pittsburgh. So... yep. That's the pick

And there it is. I hope you've all enjoyed my draft blogs, and can't wait to hear how you all think your team did in the draft! Here's to tomorrow, and the promise it brings!!!