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

After a brain-lock on my last mock draft, which failed to recognize the Jay Cutler-to-Chicago trade, here's how the new, improved marginally professional Tony Moss sees the first-round going:

1. Detroit Lions (0-16) - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (6-3, 228)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) - Jason Smith, T, Baylor (6-5, 305)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest (6-3, 247)

4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12) - Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia (6-6, 315)

5. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (6-3, 214)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas (6-4, 260)

7. Oakland Raiders (5-11) - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (6-1, 200)

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College (6-1, 323)

9. Green Bay Packers (6-10) - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State (6-4, 252)

10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (6-3, 225)

11. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU (6-5, 290)

12. Denver Broncos (8-8) - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State (6-3, 250)

13. Washington Redskins (8-8) - Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss (6-6, 325)

14. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 201)

15. Houston Texans (8-8) - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois (6-0, 204)

16. San Diego Chargers (8-8) - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia (5-11, 207)

17. New York Jets (9-7) - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (6-3, 206)

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) (8-8) - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss (6-2, 300)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (5-11, 195)

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) (0-16) - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC (6-2, 260)

21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) - Andre Smith, T, Alabama (6-4, 330)

22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Alex Mack, C, Cal (6-3, 316)

23. New England Patriots (11-5) - Clay Matthews, LB, USC (6-3, 240)

24. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC (6-3, 255)

25. Miami Dolphins (11-5) - Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut (5-10, 183)

26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee (6-3, 272)

27. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State (6-3, 240)

28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) (9-6-1) - Hakeem Nicks, WR, NorthCarolina (6-2, 210)

29. New York Giants (12-4) - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers (6-4, 215)

30. Tennessee Titans (13-3) - Evander Hood, DT, Missouri (6-3, 300)

31. Arizona Cardinals (9-7) - Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State (6-1, 235)

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Eben Britton, T, Arizona (6-6, 309)

Bubbling Under:

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (6-5, 265)

Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest (5-9, 193)

Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State (6-6, 250)

Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut (5-10, 210)

Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois (6-2, 255)

Louis Delmas, DB, Western Michigan (5-11, 200)

Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia (6-3, 256)

LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh (5-10, 198)

Max Unger, OL, Oregon (6-5, 309)

More Mocking

The latest installment of my 2009 mock draft for your perusal:

1. Detroit Lions (0-16) - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia (6-3, 228)
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) - Jason Smith, T, Baylor (6-5, 305)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest (6-3, 247)
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12) - Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia (6-6, 315)
5. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (6-3, 214)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas (6-4, 260)
7. Oakland Raiders (5-11) - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri (6-1, 200)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College (6-1, 323)
9. Green Bay Packers (6-10) - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State (6-4, 252)
10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (6-3, 225)
11. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU (6-5, 290)
12. Denver Broncos (8-8) - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State (6-3, 250)
13. Washington Redskins (8-8) - Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss (6-6, 325)
14. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 201)
15. Houston Texans (8-8) - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois (6-0, 204)
16. San Diego Chargers (8-8) - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia (5-11, 207)
17. New York Jets (9-7) - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (6-3, 206)
18. Chicago Bears (9-7) - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (5-11, 195)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) - Brian Cushing, OLB, USC (6-3, 255)
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) (0-16) - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss (6-2, 300)
21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) - Andre Smith, T, Alabama (6-4, 330)
22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Alex Mack, C, Cal (6-3, 316)
23. New England Patriots (11-5) - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC (6-2, 260)
24. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) - Clay Matthews, LB, USC (6-3, 240)
25. Miami Dolphins (11-5) - Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut (5-10, 183)
26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee (6-3, 272)
27. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State (6-3, 240)
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) (9-6-1) - Hakeem Nicks, WR, NorthCarolina (6-2, 210)
29. New York Giants (12-4) - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers (6-4, 215)
30. Tennessee Titans (13-3) - Evander Hood, DT, Missouri (6-3, 300)
31. Arizona Cardinals (9-7) - Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State (6-1, 235)
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Eben Britton, T, Arizona (6-6, 309)

Bubbling Under:

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State (6-5, 265)
Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)
Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest (5-9, 193)
Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State (6-6, 250)
Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut (5-10, 210)
Larry English, OLB/DE, Northern Illinois (6-2, 255)
Louis Delmas, DB, Western Michigan (5-11, 200)
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia (6-3, 256)
LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh (5-10, 198)
Max Unger, OL, Oregon (6-5, 309)

Cutler saga reeks of familarity

By now, you've probably already heard of Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler's recent trade request, the latest episode in a long-simmering feud between the petulant young signal-caller and new head coach Josh McDaniels. And if you're thinking this on-going soap opera sounds a lot like last year's overpublicized breakup between Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, there's plenty of reason to trust those instincts.

Favre and Cutler just happen to be represented by the same agent, Bus Cook, who's had his hand in plenty of other high-profile run-ins between clients and teams in the past. Cook not only brokered last summer's trade of Favre to the New York Jets, but attempted to pull the strings on a deal that would have sent then-Raider Randy Moss to the Pack in 2007 -- a move that helped trigger the acrimonous split between #4 and the organization. He was also instrumental in moving Steve McNair from Tennessee to Baltimore in 2006 and served as the architect of a nasty holdout between first-round washout William Joseph and the Giants back in 2003.

An excellent chronicle of Cook's rather controversial past business dealings can be found here at The Mile High Report, a well-run independent blog covering all things Broncos.

The general consensus of Cutler's public outrage (clearly driven by Cook) is that both quarterback and agent are posturing for a new contract that would make the soon-to-be 26-year-old Cutler the NFL's highest-paid player, and neither believes that the more cost-conscious new regime of McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders will be willing to fork over that kind of cash -- especially for a player they didn't draft. Although Cutler still has three years remaining on his rookie deal, remember that the league is currently headed for an uncapped year in 2010.

FYI, The Denver Post reported today that as expected, Cutler did not report for the first day of the Broncos' voluntary offseason training program.

T.O. to the Bills...surprising or not?

If you read this space yesterday you saw the Buffalo Bills ranked third, behind the Raiders and Bears, on our list of eight possible destinations for Terrell Owens. If you heard yours truly on one of various radio programs around the country in the past few days, you know that I thought there was a distinct possibility that T.O. would sign a one-year deal with the highest bidder/most aggressive suitor in order to rejuvenate his career, clear his name, and try to cash in for a bigger deal prior to 2010.

Well, Buffalo is the destination, and you can draw a straight line between our feeling that the lights aren't bright enough in Western New York to suit Owens and the fact that he indeed signed a one-year deal with the club. Whether he has a great year or continues his career descent in 2009, you'd have to call it an upset at this point if Owens plays more than a season with the Bills.

On paper, it's a decent fit for both parties. No one on the Bills staff has any negative past associations with Owens, Buffalo has long needed a target to offset the underrated Lee Evans, and Trent Edwards is a promising young quarterback who can get Owens the ball. And, just as it's a marriage of convenience for Owens, it is worth noting that Bills head coach Dick Jauron, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, and the rest of the team's embattled staff had to set up this potential dance with the devil heading into a year in which they must win.

We bet Owens will have a good season, because he came in with a lot of energy and had strong numbers in year one of previous stops with Philadelphia and Dallas. But we also bet that the Bills won't win enough in a division that includes the ascending Dolphins, mighty Patriots, and new-look (and high-payroll) Jets in order for Jauron to last into a fifth year. And if and when Buffalo makes its next head coaching hire - whether Owens is set to break the bank in free agency or not - the odds are strong that the new regime will include someone from the Parcells, Reid, or Walsh trees, and that "the player" won't be part of the next Bills program.

So get your Owens No. 81 jerseys while you can (if Owens can get the number away from current Buffalo No. 81 James Hardy, that is). They might not be on the shelves long.

As we see it, eight possible destinations for T.O.

When evaluating the possible NFL matches for recently released wide receiver Terrell Owens, first throw out any team employing a coach with direct ties to the Bill Parcells, Andy Reid, or Bill Walsh trees. Owens' name is mud in all three camps. Rule out places like Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and San Diego, where the likes of the Rooney family, Bill Polian, and A.J. Smith, respectively, aren't having any of T.O.'s shenanigans. Finally, eliminate (with some hesitation, based on the way GMs and coaches have been known to mislead) those who have explicity stated they have no interest in Owens since he hit the waiver wire. (Though Owens was reportedly spotted in Nashville this morning, we'll take the Titans at their word that they're not interested, at the moment.) Here's what you're left with, in order of most likely to least likely destinations:

1. Raiders - Did Owens wear out his welcome in the Bay Area? We may soon find out, because the Raiders need receiving help in a major way and don't generally care about a) overpaying declining players or b) character issues. Owens may not be thrilled with catching balls from JaMarcus Russell, but the Silver and Black could end up as his highest bidder/most interested suitor.

2. Bears - Some in the Chicagoland media have immediately dismissed the notion of Owens in a Bears uniform as ridiculous, but it's somewhat telling that we've yet to hear from GM Jerry Angelo or head coach Lovie Smith on the subject. This team perpetually needs receiving help, the lights would be bright enough in the Chicago media market to suit Owens, and Angelo and Smith don't have such job security that they can afford to dismiss the notion out of hand.

3. Bills - Other than maybe Green Bay, there wouldn't be a more incongruous match than the City of Buffalo and Terrell Owens. But the Bills are another target-challenged team with a coach and offensive coordinator on the hot seat, so they may try to get involved. Whether Owens would listen remains a major question, however.

4. Lions - Calvin Johnson is the main man in Detroit, but there's not much to complement him. Neither head coach Jim Schwartz nor offensive coordinator Scott Linehan have any direct links to Owens or his former troubles, and remember that Linehan once worked generally well with Randy Moss in Minnesota. Would Detroit throw a great deal more money at the wide receiver position? Would Owens consider moving to a rebuilding team? Two big questions.

5. Bengals - Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens on the same team? They would have to widen the doorways at the team's facility in order to accomodate both heads. But we know the Bengals don't care much about character, and we also know they just lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh to free agency. Of course, Cincinnati also isn't big on breaking out the checkbook.

6. Buccaneers - There is a loose tie between new Bucs OC Jeff Jagodzinski and some former T.O. troubles (Jagodzinski coached under former Atlanta OC Greg Knapp, who was a target of some Owens tirades while in San Francisco), but Tampa is not exactly rich in receiving talent and has a ton of money to spend. It looks like the team is set with Antonio Bryant as their No. 1 receiver, but you never know.

7. Panthers - Carolina appears pretty well set at receiver with Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad, but John Fox needs to win this year and doesn't have any close links to Owens and his past problems. A long shot, but you can't rule it out as of yet.

8. Cardinals - This would never have been a possibility had former T.O. nemesis Todd Haley not left for Kansas City, and is still a major long shot. Why would Arizona pay T.O. when they don't want to pay Anquan Boldin? Well, if they end up moving Boldin, inking Owens to a one-year "show-me" deal doesn't seem out of the question. And, for the chance to play with Kurt Warner in a pass-heavy offense, Owens just might take less money to rejuvenate his career.

Also, watch out for those Titans, who would have been high on this list had The Tennessean not reported that the team was uninterested.

Cassel trade puts Peppers in forefront

With the New England Patriots' trade of quarterback Matt Cassel to Kansas City over the weekend, the attention now turns to the other franchise player believed to be on the trading block, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. And apparently it wouldn't surprise anyone if the Pats are involved in another blockbuster deal that would somehow bring the disgruntled All-Pro to Massachusetts.

The idea was floated around in a recent column by the Boston Herald's John Tomase and actually makes a lot of sense. The Patriots now have three second-round picks in addition to their first-rounder (#23 overall) for the upcoming draft after shipping Cassel (New England also has San Diego's second-rounder as part of a draft-day deal last April). With the Panthers currently minus their first-round pick, there seems to be a match between the teams.

Also remember that New England sent veteran Mike Vrabel to Kansas City as part of Saturday's trade, leaving a void at one of the team's outside linebacker positions. Peppers has publicly stated his desire to play as a pass-rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense, so there's another possible link in the chain.

Of course, it's still uncertain as to whether the Patriots are one of the four teams Peppers and his agent recently submitted to the Panthers as desired destinations, even though many are speculating that's the case. And there's also the matter of Peppers agreeing to a contract. As a franchised player, the four-time Pro Bowler must sign his one-year tender (as Cassel did) in order to be traded.

Right now this is all simply conjecture, although there is some reason to believe such a transaction could conceiveably take place.

On a final note, we here at The Sports Network offer our hearts and prayers to the families of Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and ex-Lions defensive end Corey Smith. As I write this post, the two players remain missing of the Florida coast following a boating accident over the weekend.