GCO Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is less than a week away. Here's my take on how things will shake out on Saturday:

1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
5. Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
6. Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
8. Jacksonville Jaguars - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
9. Green Bay Packers - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
10. San Francisco 49ers - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
11. Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
12. Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
13. Washington Redskins - Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
14. New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio State
15. Houston Texans - Clay Matthews, Jr.,LB, USC
16. San Diego Chargers - Everette Brown, DE/LB, Florida State
17. New York Jets - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears) - Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Brian Cushing, LB, USC
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22. Minnesota Vikings - Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
23. New England Patriots - Connor Barwin, LB, Cincinnati
24. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
25. Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
26. Baltimore Ravens - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
27. Indianapolis Colts - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
28. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina via Philadelphia) - Alex Mack, OG/C, California
29. New York Giants - Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
30. Tennessee Titans - Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
31. Arizona Cardinals - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Eric Wood, OG/C, Louisville

I really think the Saints will be eager to trade back, since they only have four picks in the whole draft. Teams to watch for that could trade around are Philadelphia, San Diego and NY Jets, depending on who falls around the Saints pick. I think New England will move around as well since they have so many selections, but I don't see them trying to move up ... but you never really know what's going to happen. The draft is crazy and my mock is similar to the thousands across the web. I went conservative and picked mostly on need and top player at a need, so they'll be a lot more surprises than what I've done here.

I think the Saints are targeting Malcolm Jenkins and it's crazy to think that his stock has fallen as much as some would believe. Last year, Saints fans wanted him but didn't think we could get him at #10, then he went back to school. This year, once again Saints fans love him but don't think he'll be available at #14. Before the combine, all the analysts had him in the top 10, now Mel Kiper thinks he could go in the 20s. What a crazy time for Jenkins.

For him to make it to the Saints, there are a couple of teams to keep an eye on. The Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos could also have their eye on him. If he makes it past those two, the Saints need to worry about someone trading up to take him ... someone like New England who is loaded with picks. If Jenkins isn't available look for the Saints to take someone like Aaron Maybin, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews or one of the running backs (Knowshon Mareno or Chris Wells).

Predictions for the rest of the Saints draft:

Rd 4 (#116) - Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech
Rd 4 (#118) - A.Q. Shipley, OG/C, Penn State
Rd. 7 (#222) - Joshua Mauga, LB, Nevada