1. Detroit Lions – QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia (M, T, K)

They missed out on the Cutler sweepstakes and drafted the most NFL ready QB in this year's draft. Peyton Manning is already calling for him to be the Day 1 starter in the hopes that he can break the season record for interceptions by a rookie (currently standing at 28 - held by none other than the former goofy looking Vol).

2. St. Louis Rams – OT Jason Smith, Baylor (M, T, K)

With Orlando Pace and Tory Holt out of St. Louis, the Rams begin their offensive remodeling project with the athletic lineman out of the Big 12. The former tight end should enable QB Marc Bulger to spend more time on his feet and less time on the injured list.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – DE Tyson Jackson, LSU (M)

Kiper nailed this one hours before the draft. Think he had any inside info? The Chefs new GM Scott Pioli went a little out of character and took Jackson at #3 when they could probably have traded down in the Top 10 and still got their man. Regardless, it was obvious KC had Jackson pegged as their target to join last year's first rounder Glenn Dorsey (also of LSU) along their 3-4 defensive front.

4. Seattle Seahawks – LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (M)

With a somewhat aging linebacking corps, the Hawks picked up arguably the best defensive player in this year's draft. You should be seeing his name on the Pro Bowl roster in the next few years.

5. New York Jets (from Cleveland) – QB Mark Sanchez, USC (M – Kind of. He had the Browns drafting him #5)

The Jets were owners of the 2009 marquee draft day trade by trading up 12 spots to nab their new Franchise QB. Sanchez really couldn't have asked for a better situation as he's joining a playoff caliber team with ample offensive talent in the nation's #1 media market. No pressure!

6. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Andre Smith, Alabama (M)

Just 7 years ago, the Bengals surprised a lot of the experts by taking OT Levi Jones with the 10th pick when they already seemed set at both tackle spots. Jones developed into a Pro Bowl player but has been hit hard by injuries the last 2 seasons leading to his release this off-season. Big Papa Smith should be the decade-long fixture at LT that Levi couldn't become for Cincy.

7. Oakland Raiders – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

It's so painstakingly obvious that Al Davis still has the final (and only?) opinion in the Raiders front office. The man loves offense and for the third straight year he indeed took an offensive player with a Top 10 pick. It wasn't a bad choice considering the talent at wideout returning to the team this year, but there was near unanimous consent that Heyward-Bey was no higher than the third best wideout in this class and was projected to be a late first rounder.

Enter Al Davis.

Al: &Al wants the speed guy.&
Tom Cable: &OK, Al. Should we try to get some value for the #7 pick by trading down?&
Al: &No trades. Al want speed guy.....NOW!&
Tom: &Well we could use some more quality picks. We could pick up another 3rd rounder or maybe even a 2nd rounder by trading into the middle of the 1st.&
Al: &Quiet you. Draft speed guy right now or tomorrow you'll be a highly paid Towel Boy.&

Another note of the Raiders: It's as if they draft without researching what other teams may do. Getting the player you want is fine, but get some value for your early draft picks. In the second round, they drafted Ohio safety Mike Mitchell who had the resume of a late Day 2 pick (or undrafted free agent!) on most team's draft boards. He is known for being one of the fastest at his position just like Heyward-Bey. Speed is nice, but football is not a track meet. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars – OL Eugene Monroe, Virginia (K)
Ugh. There wasn’t a team that underachieved as much as the Jags last season considering the talent on both sides. With such a glaring need at wide receiver, I'm amazed they didn't jump at the chance to take Crabtree unless they were scared by past first round flops (Reggie Williams, Matt Jones). Monroe is a solid pick filling another team need, however.

9. Green Bay Packers – DT B.J. Raji, Boston College (M, T)

Very logical pick for the Packers as this was the biggest hole left on a talented team. The NFC North should be a fun 3 team race all next season (sorry Motown).

10. San Francisco 49ers – WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

What a steal! Crabtree was the top player on my draft board. Mikey Singletary is running the show with a run first offense and a band-aid at QB. Crabtree will make whatever scrub that's slinging the passes for the Niners look better, but expect either Bradford, McCoy or even Tebow to be holding up the San Fran #1 jersey in New York next April.

11. Buffalo Bills – DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State (T, K)

Buffalo is optimistic about the future of Trent Edwards and have their starters in place at the skill positions on offense. Now its time to help out the defense. Maybin has a great first step and can wreak some havoc coming off the edge.

12. Denver Broncos - RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

This pick really shows the mindset change of the new regime. Under Shanahan, the Broncos wouldn't dream of 'wasting' a first round pick on a running back because he believed any RB would succeed in his zone blocking scheme. Josh McDaniels obviously puts a little more evidence on the runner rather than the blocker. I thought this pick was a bit of a reach.

13. Washington Redskins – DE Brian Orakpo, Texas

The Redskins filled a big need and got great value by getting a solid pass rusher who's been battle tested in the offense-heavy Big 12.

14. New Orleans Saints – CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State (M)

Excellent pick for the Saints. There's been a lot of speculation that he'll move to safety because of his strength and slower than expected 40 time, but the Saints need him on the outside to cover the likes of Steve Smith and Roddy White.

15. Houston Texans – OLB Brian Cushing, USC (T, K)

One year, the Texans actually will make the playoffs. With Shaub, Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton and Owen Daniels on offense and a stockpile of high round draft picks on defense, it HAS to happen one of these days. Brian was very consistent for the Trojans and could play inside or outside in the 3-4 alignment.

16. San Diego Chargers - DE/OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois

I definitely agree with the Bolts drafting for defense, but I thought they needed to upgrade at inside LB in their 3-4 alignment. With Merriman coming back from injury and Shaun Phillips on the as the other outside pass rusher, it looks like someone will eventually be playing out of their best position. English was also a reach in the middle of the first round while Clay Matthews, Laurinaitis, Maualuga and Robert Ayers were all still hanging around.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New York Jets through Cleveland) - QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State (M)

As a Bucs fan, I have my doubts about this pick. Firstly, Raheem Morris sounded like a giddy teenage girl with his mancrush of this kid. In post-draft interviews, he was quoted as saying he would've taken him if he had the #1 overall pick and compared him to the likes of Peyton Manning. I'm bewildered why he thought he needed to trade up and real glad he only traded up 2 spots if he graded him as the top talent in the draft. My other theory is the Glazers wanted a 'franchise' QB who they could use to market the team around after cutting so many popular veterans. Freeman played on some talent-lacking K-State teams, but it was also in the defense-deprived Big 12 (in the Big 12 North, too). It's hard to bash the pick until he's had 2 full starting seasons.

18. Denver Broncos – LB Robert Ayers, Tennessee (M – Kind of. He had them taking Ayers at #12 and had them taking a RB in Round 1.)

The pickup of Ayers is a good start for a defense littered with temporary plug-ins. The team is switching to the 3-4 and did some spring cleaning of underperforming and miscast defensemen. Ayers has been playing outside 'backer in the early camps and has impressed with his pass rushing. The Broncs would've been better served spending both 1st rounders to build up the D.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (from Tampa Bay through Cleveland) - WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Maclin had huge value falling to this spot. Coach Andy Reid later said the team had different plans for their first rounder, but couldn't pass up on a talent like Maclin. The Eagles offense could be pretty scary if Maclin contributes right away like DeSean Jackson did as a rookie. McNabb has always had the arm to stretch the field and with two burners on the outside and Brian Westbrook, there's limitless play-calling potential.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas) – TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

Pettigrew is a fine player, but there's a massive difference in the impact a tight end will bring compared to upgrades at other positions on a team that's got as many holes as a golf course. The Lions would've been better served drafting OT Michael Oher here to give new QB Stafford better protection and find value at TE in the later rounds.

21. Cleveland Browns - C Alex Mack, California

Boring. I feel the same way about the center position as I do about tight ends in the first round (to go along with kickers and punters). Their value to a team isn't as great as say a solid OT in Oher, a stud running back in Beanie Wells, or an all-around playmaker like Percy Harvin. The new coach in town definitely wasn't under orders to excite the fan base through the draft.

22. Minnesota Vikings – WR Percy Harvin, Florida (T)

Harvin is a threat to score every time the ball comes his way. With only a couple scrubs at QB, Coach Brad Childress will have to think of some creative ways to get Harvin his touches. How the hell does Favre pass up the chance to bomb it deep to Harvin? Mark it down: the Vikes crush the league in 20+ yard runs next season (and for many to come).

23. Baltimore Ravens (from New England) – OT Michael Oher, Mississippi

GM Ozzie Newsome is one of the best talent evaluators in the league and found the heir to the left side of the O-line that's been filled for over a decade by Jonathan Ogden.

24. Atlanta Falcons – DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi

Two Ole Miss products in a row! Jerry provides a good pass rushing presence in the interior of the defensive line for Mike Smith's up-and-coming band of kids.

25. Miami Dolphins – CB Vontae Davis, Illinois

Well at least I called the position right for the 'Fins pre-draft. Davis was a shut down corner in the Big 10 and should be starting by mid-season.

26. Green Bay Packers (from Baltimore through New England) - OLB Clay Matthews, USC

With the Pack also switching to the 3-4, Matthews provides a solid presence on the outside. With A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and now Matthews, who will step up and be the star pass rusher of the group?

27. Indianapolis Colts – RB Donald Brown, Connecticut

Brown must've had a stellar visit with Colts with Wells still available and Addai on roster. Sure depth was needed, but an effective starter is already in place and quality runners are frequently found in later rounds. A head-scratcher of a pick with needs elsewhere.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia - originally from Carolina) – C Eric Wood, Louisville

With the trade of Jason Peters, the Bills needed help on the offensive line. OT Eben Britton would've been a reach at this stage of the draft, but so was Wood. Buffalo should've traded down or gone defense with this pick.

29. New York Giants – WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (T)

Perfect pick for the Giants. Nicks is a true #1 receiver that will help make New Yorkers move on from the Plaxico era.

30. Tennessee Titans – WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers

I wonder if the Titans were really high on Britt or couldn't pull off a trade to jump ahead of the Giants. I really think Nicks is leaps and bounds ahead of Britt in talent and just about every talking head knew the Giants wouldn't pass on him. Britt could surprise me though. At 6'3&, he gives QB Collins a bigger target on the outside and more dependability across the middle.

31. Arizona Cardinals – RB Chris Wells, Ohio State

The Cards pulled off the second biggest heist of the draft (after Crabtree) by landing the bruising Wells at the bottom of the 1st round. A football fan needs to look no farther than the Kurt Warner stat lines during last year's playoffs to realize that there was no running game to speak of. With a lot of the young talent on the team returning and the addition of 'Beanie', another Super Bowl run could be in the works. They just better hope all the whining about new contracts doesn't become a distraction.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers – DT Evander Hood, Missouri

The Steelers could afford a luxury pick after winning the Super Bowl and returning a good chunk of their team. Hood provides depth and fresh legs behind starter Casey Hampton and may even be able to slide to end if needed.

Some pre-draft stat predictions and results:

1) Three of the top 5 picks from Texas schools.
X - wrong! Hell the third pick from a Texas school wasn't taken until pick 13.

2) The QB and all 3 linebackers from USC taken in the first round (yet they still lost to Oregon State because a freshman RB ran all over them)
X - was close though. Rey Rey Maualuga lasted only 6 picks deep into the 2nd round.

3) Three skill position players drafted from Ohio State in Round 1.
Checkmark. It's too bad this group of seniors didn't have a seasoned Terrelle Pryor leading the offense to help out in their BCS games.

That's all for Mock Draft - The Epilogue. I can only imagine the highs and lows of a Draft War Room on that fateful day in April. No team outside of the Top 5 can accurately project who's still going to be around by the time they're on the clock. Desperation trades or disappointment are often the result. We'll have to fast forward 5 years to see who emerges as the superstars of this draft class and which ones got a fat paycheck to be a marginal player.