Da Kirsch's Mock Draft

Longtime readers of this blog and any friend of mine know that I am a huge sports fan - and the NFL is the greatest sports league on this planet. This weekend is the NFL Draft, and I know of no better draft expert than my good friend, Yehuda "Da" Kirschenbaum. He has spent the last few months obsessing over the draft, reading every tidbit, finding every mock draft out there, and breaking down the players to figure it all out - and when I was curious who he thought my Cleveland Browns were drafting, he started rattling off all the picks until theirs. I asked him to write a mock draft of the first round, and here it is...

1) Texans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC*:

The most gifted player in the draft since Mike Vick will go #1. [The Texans would be wise to trade him - look how the Chargers did...]

2) Saints - Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina State*:

Would be the first pick if not for Reggie.

3) Titans - Matt Leinart, QB, USC:

Reunites with his old offensive coordinater in Norm Chow (71tds-15ints under Chow).

4) Jets - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia:

The Premier OL in the draft. The Jets need a lot of help and should start on the line.

5) Packers - A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State:

With Mario off the board they take the next best defender - not too shabby.

6) 49ers - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland*:

They need to get OL help but with Ferguson gone they get the second best athelete in the draft.

7) Raiders - Vince Young, QB, Texas*:

Al Davis must have done something for Young to have fallen to him. The steal of the draft.

8) Bills - Broderick Bunkley, DT, Florida State:

They need interior help badly and Bunkley gives them the better pass-rush option then Ngata.

9) Lions - Michael Huff, DB, Texas:

After drafting on offense the last 3 years they take one of the most versitle players in the draft.

10) Cardinals - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt:

His stock has risen immensely. A little risky here, but they need a QB of the future.

11) Rams - Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech:

A physical DB who can play corner or saftey, a hard hitter and great tackler.

12) Browns - Manny Lawson, DE/LB, North Carolina State:

This year's Demarcus Ware will fit in great in Romeo Crennel's defense.

13) Ravens - Winston Justice, OT, USC*:

They draft Ogden's successor while shoring up their line problems.

14) Eagles - Chad Jackson, WR, Florida*:

Had great workout numbers and shot up draft boards. With the departure of Owens, they go for a reciever.

15) Broncos - Deangelo Williams, RB, Memphis:

They need to fill the void at running back and the combo of Bell and Dayne isn't the answer.

16) Dolphins - Tye Hill, CB, Clemson:

A cover corner who makes up for his size (5'9") with great skills and a 40-inch vertical.

17) Vikings - Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State*:

They would love to trade down to get a QB, but they get Sims who has great athleticism to solidify their defense.

18) Cowboys - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon*:

A massive player who is a force in the run defense and a great fit for Parcell's 3-4 scheme.

19) Chargers - Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa:

With the rumors about Donnie Edwards they go for Greeenway and form one the best and youngest LB corps.

20) Chiefs - Jonathan Joseph, CB, USC*:

Plays the run well for a corner and is great in man to man, a good place to start for Herman Edwards.

21) Patriots - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota*:

They have needs elsewhere and Belichick always pulls a rabbit out of a hat, so can go many ways here.

22) 49ers - Eric Winston, OT, UM:

They focus on offense in the first round again and get Alex Smith's new best friend.

23) Buccaneers - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State*:

They get a receiver who can stretch the field and take some pressure off of Simms.

24) Bengals - Mercedes Lewis, TE, UCLA:

A big target with good hands gives them another red-zone option and elevates the passing game to the next level.

25) Giants - Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (FL):

The type of reciever they lacked all year is also an excellent return man. Might look to add on defensive line but would be a reach.

26) Bears - Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee:

They fill their need in the secondary with a physical back that eventually become a safety.

27) Panthers - Lendale White, RB, USC*:

They need a back that can carry the load were 7-1 when rushing over 100 yards last year.

28) Jaguars - Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State*:

Can develop into a great corner and will help solidify one of the league's top defenses.

29) Jets - Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State:

They use the pick they got from Abraham to get his replacement. I think they should draft Nick Mangold and solidify their line.

30) Colts - Joseph Addai, RB, LSU:

With the departure of James their biggest need is at RB and Addai is a fast and powerful back.

31) Seahawks - Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College:

With the addition of Julian Peterson they add depth to their DL and KIWI can develop into a star in the future.

32) Steelers - Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State:

They need to focus on getting replacements for Bettis and Randle El but they would be reaching at those positions so they grab one of the safest picks here in Mangold.