Mock Draft- Part I- Picks 1-10

New URL. Same horrible prognosticating. Despite some feeble attempts at Mock Drafts in the past, I'm back at it this year with even less of a clue of what's to come. As technological advances make information so readily available, team executives exploit the media's love affair with the NFL draft by spreading false rumors and posturing. Every team is guilty of it. Each of the last two year's the Giants did not conduct private workouts with the men they tabbed as first round selections (Aaron Ross and Kenny Phillips). A team wants a guy to drop to them? Hype up potential injuries (see: Beanie Wells and foot). Trying to lower a team's ability to deal a disgruntled superstar? Adamantly state you have no interest in said player. With that in mind, here are three trades that I think make a lot of sense, but are by no means even remote possibilities.

3 Potential Blockbuster Trades:
1) Redskins receive: #3 pick from Chiefs to select Mark Sanchez
Jets receive: Jason Campbell from WAS
Chiefs receive: #13 pick from Washington, #17 pick from NYJ

2) Packers receive: #23 pick and 3rd round from Patriots
Patriots receive: #9 pick from Packers to select DE/LB Aaron Maybin

3) Browns receive: 2nd, 5th and 2010 4th from Giants
Giants receive: WR Braylon Edwards

This year could be the year where a lot of teams are on the move. Several teams are loaded with 2nd day picks and could use them as ammo to grab the players they target. If every team holds their pick (which I believe is 100% not going to happen), this is how it might look:

1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford, QB, UGA-
Why: Got one! The Lions have already agreed to a 6-year deal with Stafford.

2. St. Louis Rams- Jason Smith, T, Baylor
Why: With the departure of long-time, future hall-of-fame LT Orlando Pace, the Rams are in need of a blindside protector for year's to come. Even though this is a top-heavy draft for Tackles, Smith seems to be the safest of the elite. High character, good frame, and productive in a top tier conference (Big XII).
How else it could go: Rumors have been circulating tying the Rams to Mark Sanchez. Reports have surfaced the Rams even have arranged for Sanchez to fly to St. Louis on Sunday. With all the money they have tied in to Marc Bulger, it's hard to see Sanchez become a Ram. They could like one of the other tackles (Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher). I wouldn't be surprised if the Rams deal this pick.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Why: Jackson has been shooting up draft boards in recent weeks. He'd be the book-end of a line that features another first rounder from a couple years ago Tamba Hali.
How else it could go: Chiefs should look long and hard at LB Aaron Curry. They've added veterans like Mike Vrabel who could help shape Curry in to a perennial Pro Bowler. This is another pick I wouldn't suprise to be shopped as new GM Scott Pioli would love some additional picks.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Why: There are several directions the 'Hawks can go in with this pick. They need the heir apparents to LT Walter Jones, QB Matt Hasselbeck, and someone to pair with new acquisition TJ Houshmandzadeh. That said, Eugene Monroe, Mark Sanchez, or Michael Crabtree would not be surprising in this spot. However, Seattle could plug Curry in to a talented LB corps that already features Lofa Tatupu, LeRoy Hill, and an aging Julian Peterson.
How else it could go: The Seahawks are a real power team of the first round. If they select a Tackle, there could be a mad scramble to move up and take one of the two remaining elite tackles on the board. If they show genuine interest in Sanchez, teams could be trying to get up to #3 to select ahead of them.

5. Cleveland Browns- BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
Why: Eric Mangini is a hard-nosed, defensive-oriented guy. He'd love to have another big body on the D-line and Raji projects well on the interior of a 3-4 defense. If their rumored interest in Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka holds any weight, they are clearly looking to upgrade their defensive front.
How else it could go: If they are bracing for the loss of Braylon Edwards, they could go Crabtree here. Reportedly they found Crabtree to be a diva during the interview process, but that could be a smoke screen to coax teams in to believing they want to hold on to Edwards.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Why: Ochocinco is not getting any younger and the Bengals lost TJ Houshmandzadeh to free agency. Having a young talent to take some pressure off 85 could rejuvenate his interest in playing football and give Carson Palmer another playmaker. If pre-draft coverage is any indicator, Crabtree was wearing a Cincinnati Reds cap. I'm just saying...
How else it could go: If Smith or Monroe are available, the Bengals could be interested in keeping Carson Palmer upright. The last thing the Bengals need is another diva Wide Receiver. If the reports on Crabtree are true, he would not be a good fit for the Bengals.

7. Oakland Raiders- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Why: Al Davis loves downfield threats. Maclin may be the best available in this draft. He had a very accomplished college career which seperates him from Maryland's Darius Heyward-Bey.
How else it could go: DHB is a burner. Many people feel Al Davis wouldn't be afraid to reach to get even more speed.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
Why: Jaguars expected to be a playoff contender last year but fell flat on their face because they couldn't protect David Garrard. While Garrard has slimmed down this offseason to become more agile, a big body on the O-line could be the move to make them a contender again.
How else it could go: The Patriots have reportedly made an offer for this pick but been turned away. Depending on how the first 7 picks go, the Jags may look to move back. If they stay in this spot and don't focus on the line, they could look at Crabtree, Maclin, or Heyward-Bey.

9. Green Bay Packers- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Why: The Packers are stacked with young playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but need their defense to step up to become an elite team. New coordinator Dom Capers plans to switch to a 3-4 but they lack the ends to make this system work.
How else they could go: They could look to draft a young corner to be the heir apparent to Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Names that could surface are Malcolm Jenkins or Vontae Davis. One of the hybrid ends Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown could also be an option.

10. San Francisco 49ERS- Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss
Why: Franchise tackles are hard to come by. They think they found one with Joe Staley a couple seasons ago, but they could use a true blind-side protector. Who better than the main focus of "The Blind Side".
How else they could go: If Sanchez slides, they could use a franchise QB. The California kid could be a smart marketing move for a franchise that has fallen far from grace. A few of us his former teammates, most notably Rey Maulauga or Clay Matthews, could be great options to team with superstar LB Patrick Willis.