Smashmouth Football League Articles

1.1 - WR Brandon Marshall

No change here - this one is a no-brainer. You don't trade up to first overall in a class like this unless you really know who you want (or you're the Titans). Marshall is a 6'4", 230 lb, 99 SPD phenom and will instantly give Michael Vick another elite deep threat to complement last year's Top 5 pick WR Braylon Edwards.


1.2 - OLB A.J. Hawk

The Saints are in a tough spot here. I think they could use an OT here like D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but they currently have last year's first round pick Marcus Johnson developing at the LT spot, meaning they would have to move Ferguson to RT, costing him a potential -5 AWR hit. In the end I think they decide to stick with Turley and just go BPA, who unfortunately is an OLB. Hawk will be a great player, but I have to think the Saints were hoping to select a position here with a greater impact.


1.3 - WR Cory Rodgers

Breck traded up to this spot, making the risky move of shipping out his future 1st round pick in his first year in Philadelphia. While I have little doubts he will try to move this pick up into draft night, if he stays with the selection I can't see it being anyone other than WR Cory Rodgers. Paired with WR Jon Olinger the duo would give new QB Eli Manning a pair of elite weapons to work with, and Breck the same kind of high powered offense he built in Carolina.


1.4 - OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Now that the Texans are officially not interested in Matt Leinart anymore, the question is who will they take here? I think they make the smart move to sure up their offensive tackle position. While they actually already have two young talented OTs, I don't think either is a natural fit at RT, and Ferguson is just too good of a talent to pass up. They can then move Adrian Jones inside to the LG spot where he can work to open up holes for new running back LT.


1.5 - DT Haloti Ngata

Despite two straight losing seasons, the Ravens don't actually have a ton of holes on their team as they still have a pretty stacked roster. So where does Norbert go with the 5th overall pick? I'm starting to agree with Will here that this will be the homer pick in Ngata. It's a big hole for Norbert, and he hasn't made any effort to fill it so far this season at least that I have noticed. The talent is there to justify a first round selection, but the AWR has me staying far away personally.


1.6 - QB Matt Leinart

The big question in league circles after the Texans announced their intentions to pass on Leinart was how far he could slide. I think Tampa will have no issues ending his slide at pick #6. While they do have Marc Bulger already, he's almost nearing 30 years of age already and Leinart could possibly reach his attribute levels by the time he turns 24. There are some cases where I think it makes sense to stick with what you've got rather than draft a young QB - this is not one of them.



1.7 - OT Quinn Ojinnaka

Ojinnaka was the pick for Rock and the Seahawks in my 1.0 mock, and I don't see anything that will make me change my mind here. Rock loves the athletic specimens and that is exactly what Ojinnaka is. While there is some concern about he would perform at RT as a rookie, that's the only spot he could play as Walter Jones appears to have the LT spot locked down in Seattle.


1.8 - MLB Leon Williams

Here's another familiar pick in MLB Leon Williams for the Colts. I considered looking elsewhere for Indy - potentially a CB - but Williams is too talented and the position is too big of a need for them to pass up here. Of course it's always possible they could prefer D'Well Jackson, but regardless I think they will see what the top MLBs did as rookies last year and want to find the same kind of success with their own.


1.9 - OT Marcus McNeil

There's a few different directions the Panthers could go with this pick, but without a surefire talent at the LT spot it makes sense to grab the last remaining elite tackle in this class. McNeil has all the tools to be a cornerstone RT one day, and the situation in Carolina sets him up perfectly to develop on the left side until he's ready.


1.10 - CB Tye Hill

I promise things start to shake up a little bit more after this one, but the selection here for the Panthers is Tye Hill again. They have a ton of experienced CBs, but they all lack athleticism and playmaking potential. Hill gives them an instant infusion of that while, like McNeil, entering a very player friendly atmosphere and scenario to develop in.


1.11 - DE Darryl Tapp

Although Neal listed Tapp as one of his broken players, he also listed him as one of his Top 5 player and as being too good to pass up talent-wise. I think Neal has to be thrilled to land this broken player here at pick 11, as he was looking to re-tool his defensive line this season anyways. Not many expected Tapp to make it out of the Top 10, but the Vikings will gladly take it.


1.12 - CB Marcus Maxey

The Texans are going all-in at the top of the draft this year as they now have traded their Future 1st round pick to move up to the 12th spot. It's a bold move for a team that is looking at starting one very young QB or the other, and I'm not quite sure who or what they are targeting here. One large area of need for the team though is some talent at cornerback, and Maxey is just that. He's raw for sure, but his athleticism is off the charts and he should help the Titans compete against the high flying offenses in their division.



1.13 - OLB Thomas Howard

Howard slides even further in this mock, much to the delight of Seahawks GM Rock Hewko. I usually see him going for the extremely high SPD linebackers, many times at the expense of strength, but I don't think he's going to complain about Howard's 84 SPD/86 STR combo. He will need some seasoning before he is a reliable starter, but once he puts it together he is going to be a monster.


1.14 - MLB D'Qwell Jackson

D'Qwell Jackson once again falls to the defending AFC Champions here as they find the replacement for star MLB Teddy Bruschi. Jackson isn't the most physically gifted player you will find in the class but he is one of the most steady and reliable. He compares very favorably to the Rams Odell Thurman who had a standout rookie season in 2005.


1.15 - WR Maurice Stovall

Last year I mocked WR Vincent Jackson to the Jets, and this year I am going with Stovall. Jets GM Kevin Mullendore tends to covet these big, tall, strong WRs, and after missing out on Jackson last year I don't think he will think twice about snatching up Stovall. While he's not quite as big as Jackson at 220 vs. 240, he still has the build and muscle to bully cornerbacks in the run game.


1.16 - OT Ryan O'Callaghan

I tried to look for a different pick for the Falcons, but I think they really need the help along the offensive line. There's a bit of a gap between Ferguson/McNeil and the rest of the class, but O'Callaghan represents a decent middle ground. He has good athleticism to go with his mammoth size and strength and I think he can be a cornerstone body guard for Trent Green well into the future.


1.17 - WR Todd Watkins

The 49ers managed to find a decent amount of success last year after trading away T.O., but with the rest of their WR corps not getting any younger it seems a fitting time to inject some youth into the room. Watkins seems to fit the build that 49ers GM Peter Fenger likes - good size and strength with a healthy dose of athleticism. Watkins gives second year QB Kyle Orton a new target that he can grow with for the next decade.


1.18 - DE Mario Williams

When the Broncos were at pick 1.3 I mocked them a DE, and I'm going to do the same once again. Williams won't be everyone's cup of tea, and I don't know if he will be Olivier's either, but there's no doubt the athleticism and talent is there. He may need a season or two to really get his bearings under him, but the Broncos are on a course of development so he will have time.


1.19 - OG Davin Joseph

I can imagine Daren cursing out Olivier for taking Mario Williams one selection before him this late into the first round, but ultimately he's going to have to pivot and find another worthy selection. I considered an OLB to complete the LB overhaul in Miami this year, but I think Daren continues to build his offensive line after trading away a couple pieces recently. Joseph is a great talent and can play either guard position.


1.20 - CB Antonio Cromartie

Many thought Comratie could be the first overall pick this year, or at least top five, but in the end questions about his top end speed and commitment to the game see him slide all the way into the 20s. He's going to take some work to ever realize his full potential, but if the Bears are willing to put the time in this pick could really pay off. It might not be the biggest need for Chicago, but they don't have a ton of holes and it is a good value pick. I also think it positions them nicely to move on from Al Harris in a season or two.


1.21 - OLB Jamar Williams

Another pick, another player Neal can't believe fell to him. He has Jamar Williams listed in his top ten talent wise, and while I am not as high on him or the position I do see the reason for excitement. There's not a ton of crazy athletic linebackers in this league (yet), but Williams is certainly going to be one of them. There are some concerns to be had about his size and strength, but he should be a weapon in both coverage and rushing the passer.


1.22 - MLB Abdul Hodge

The Broncos appear to have moved on from last year's splash signing Jamie Sharper, and they have positioned themselves perfectly to replace him here. While they could have opted to do so with pick 18, I think waiting makes more sense for them given the number of strong talents still on the board. Hodge isn't overly athletic or big, but he is very ready to play and lead a defense from day one. He should be an instant success for the Broncos in the Odell Thurman mold.


1.23 - SS Roman Harper

We are finally running out of starting roles to spend our first round picks, but SS is still a need after this season when it's likely we move on from Dawkins. This is a very strong safety class and Harper brings elite size, awareness, and strength to the table. He will be an instant force in the run game when he steps on the field.


1.24 - OLB Chris Gocong

It's becoming very clear the Minnesota Vikings have positioned them well to really land some talent in this draft, and it doesn't stop here. I see them continuing to build the defensive side of the ball here with another OLB pick. While Manny Lawson could be the pick here, I know Neal really values STR at the position which is why I have Cocong edging him out for the selection.


1.25 - WR Miles Austin

It's no secret the Browns want a wide receiver after trading Tyrone Calico earlier this off-season. Rumor has it that they traded for this pick just so they could use it to entice teams to trade them one, but if they don't find what they are looking for via trade they can easily find one in the draft. Austin is raw but otherwise has everything most GMs look for in a receiver - size, strength, and athleticism. He won't be as good as Calico but he can certainly make an impact in Cleveland.


1.26 - SS Tyrone Culver

The Bears are on the clock again, and I think this is the right time for them to address their need at the SS spot. There are more ready to play safeties in this class, but none as talented as Culver. IMO he is the 1A to Roman Harper's 1B, it just depends if you want the size/strength or a little more athleticism. He will fit right in with the bruising Chicago defense and can start from day one.


1.27 - CB Josh Lay

The Giants have a pair of reliable cornerbacks already, but the cupboard is pretty bare after that. Give the importance of the position it never hurts to start restocking the cupboard early and often. I struggled choosing between Lay and Jimmy Williams for them, but ultimately I think Williams' SPD is too much of a gamble. Lay will be a supreme athlete by the time he is done progressing from rookie/sophomore boosts and I think is a good value selection here near the tail end of the first round.


1.28 - FS Anthony Henry

The safety position has long been a need for the Cowboys, and I think this is the perfect class for them to address it. This pick came down to either Henry or SS Antoine Bethea, but I think the Cowboys opt for the added athleticism.


1.29 - SS Antoine Bethea

With Henry off the table the Panthers quickly snatch up Bethea with the very next pick. The Panthers likewise have long needed help at the safety position, and Bethea has the potential to be one of the more talented ones in the entire league. Leo continues his strong start in Carolina by patching some holes left by the previous regime.


1.30 - OLB Manny Lawson

The Bengals have a large hole to fill at the ROLB spot after trading star LB Takeo Spikes to the Miami Dolphins, and Lawson is just the guy to bring in to replace him. He isn't as strong as spikes, but he has great athleticism and a towering 6'6" frame that is a huge plus covering tight ends. I don't usually consider OLB to be a good value pick but I think this is great value here to find a player with his talent late in the 1st.


1.31 - CB Jimmy Williams

The Patriots are on the clock again. What do they need? Nothing. Well, almost. I considered going with an OG here as I think it would be a great pick for them and their run-first offense, but ultimately the CB position carries more value and they don't exactly have a full cupboard at the position. Aaron Beasley is on his last legs and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Williams fell in the 1st round due to concerns about his top end speed, but I don't think Travis will have any issues developing him into the best player possible.


1.32 - WR Demetrius Williams

It's the last pick of the first round and once again the Panthers are on the clock. I think at this point one of the receivers left on the board is too tempting for Leo to pass up and he brings in an upgrade for Griese/Brunell. He could choose Travis Wilson or Santonio Holmes here, but I think he goes with the more appealing size/athleticism combo of Demetrius Williams.