Another mock (ery) draft -- Picks 1-10

Here's my stab at trying to figure out what's going to happen in the first round of this weekend's draft. For a bit of fun, I've made the added attempt of predicting a few trades with the potential of taking place.

You can also view our esteemed NFL editor Tony Moss' latest mock here.

1) Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
It appears as if the lowly Lions have zeroed in on Stafford and have made some inroads into reaching a contract agreement with the Georgia quarterback. I wouldn't be surprised if a deal is announced prior to Saturday's proceedings. Detroit should be able to fill holes at middle linebacker and offensive tackles with its two other high picks (#20 and #33).

2) St. Louis Rams -- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
As Tony mentioned in his most recent column, there's not a whole lot of thinking to do about this one. The Rams sorely need a blind-side protector for Marc Bulger and have a choice between two terrific prospects in Smith and Virginia's Eugene Monroe. Smith gets the nod here due to his superior athleticism and possible concerns about Monroe's previous knee problems.

3) Washington (from Kansas City) -- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (projected trade)
Chiefs GM Scott Pioli desperately wants to trade out of this slot, and no team is more willing to mortgage its future than the Redskins, who were open to dealing this and next year's first-round picks when Jay Cutler became available. Sanchez is Daniel Snyder's newest object of desire, and the feeling here is the impulsive Redskins owner will do whatever it takes to land the talented (and marketable) young signal-caller.

4) Seattle -- Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
There's been a lot of talk that the Seahawks are targeting Sanchez to groom as Matt Hasselbeck's eventual successor, but that may just be a smokescreen to ensure they get the player they really want in Curry. The Butkus Award winner, considered by some draftnicks as the most complete player in this year's class, would be a perfect replacement for the departed Julian Peterson in Seattle's 4-3 alignment.

5) Cleveland -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
The Browns have tons of holes to fill and a dearth of picks at their disposal. By taking the glue-fingered Crabtree, Cleveland would be able to ship the stone-handed Braylon Edwards in exchange for some additional choices. Even if the Browns decide to hold onto Edwards, there's a real need for more playmakers with Kellen Winslow and Donte' Stallworth no longer on the roster.

6) Cincinnati -- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The Bengals have plenty of needs and options here, but Monroe would be the safest and most sensible pick. The team lost right tackle Stacey Andrews to free agency and left-sider Levi Jones has started only 28 games the last three years due to injuries. Cincinnati has got to find healthy and able bodies to protect Carson Palmer.

7) Oakland -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
The first real curve ball here, but it wouldn't be that surprising if the always-unpredictable Raiders grab the talented but raw Heyward-Bey, considered a mid first-rounder in most circles, to bolster a weak wideout corps. The early-entrant certainly fits the Al Davis profile (he led all WR's by running a 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine), and the Raiders privately worked him out earlier this month. Ideally, Oakland would trade down and make this pick in the teens, but the team may have trouble finding a partner willing to move into the top 10.

8) Jacksonville -- B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Jaguars' run defense really suffered when the team traded Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud to the Bills prior to last season and Raji, the premier interior stuffer among this year's crop, would go a long way in solving that problem. The 337-pound tackle does have some character concerns -- and the Jags have been burned by off-field player problems in recent years -- but Raji's unique and unquestioned talent will probably keep him in the top 10 picks.

9) Green Bay -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
The Packers are switching to a 3-4 look on defense and need big bodies up front for the new scheme, and the fast-rising Jackson would be a perfect fit. Although the 6-foot-4, 296-pounder doesn't have the overwhelming athleticism or explosion typically found in a top 10 pick, he's viewed as a safe selection and a good character guy that should appeal to conservative Packers' GM Ted Thompson.

10) San Francisco -- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
Although the 49ers will surely entertain the thought of grabbing a pass rusher such as Texas' Brian Orakpo, Florida State's Everette Brown or Penn State's Aaron Maybin here, the word is the team is really high on Oher and wouldn't hesitate to grab the gifted tackle at this spot. Although he's far from a finished product, there's little debate among scouts that the former Ole Miss star certainly has an elite, albeit unpolished, skill set.

Tomorrow: Picks 11-21