Sharpe's official 1st round mock draft (part 2)

Hello again all Broncos fans!

Now that I am moving beyond Broncos picking territory, I assume that the interest will wane in my rationale behind the picks.  So, I'll still put it up there but leave it much shorter.

Enjoy!

Pick #19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

They need a Warren Sapp-type player again.  Even though this is not a position of terribly huge need for them, they get good value.  There is no QB available worth taking at 19, and I remain of the opinion that their WR corps is not as bad as it is sometimes portrayed, especially if Kellen Winslow stays healthy.

Pick #20: Detroit Lions

Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC

If he lasts this long, you can bet that the Lions will pick him up.  They are in desperate need of a vocal leader on defense, they can afford to take the (IMO) gamble on ReyRey, and he fits an area of need and will start right away.  No-brainer as it stands.

Pick #21: Philadelphia Eagles

Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State

Many mocks have them taking Moreno here, but I can't see them pairing a guy of Moreno's style (i.e., lateral agility) with Westbrook, who has much the same skill set.  It comes down to whether or not they are looking for a replacement for Westbrook, or an injury insurance policy/spell back.  Wells is an ideal fit in the latter scheme, while Moreno is the better overall back and would fit better with the former scheme.

Pick #22: Minnesota Vikings

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

I'll say it outright that I'm not as high on him as others are.  That being said, I think he is still a solid player and an excellent fit for the Vikes.  They already have a deep threat in Berrian, they have a height threat in Sidney Rice, an emerging TE in Schianco, and they have a super-stud RB in Peterson.  All they need now is a Reggie Bush-type playmaker to really open up the field and divert attention from the trainwreck behind center.  I was one of those who was willing (perhaps even excited) to give Tarvaris Jackson a chance last year, but he's run out of those.  In light of that, there is NO WAY they take Freeman here-- he's a developmental project, which they just got burned by.  Harvin is the sensible choice for them here.

Pick #23: New England Patriots

Darrius Butler, CB, Connecticut

This was a really tough one.  They need RB help, but the Patriot Way is to use a committee and they've already been burned by Maroney in the first round.  They need OLBs, but usually they either hit late on those guys or get some in free agency.  Besides, there really isn't a 3-4 OLB at this spot worth taking.  This pick is one they will definitely pair with their 2nd rounder at #35 overall, and I would not be at all surprised to see them aim for Sean Smith, Clay Matthews, or Darrius Butler with either of the two.  Butler is the one least likely to drop, so I say they go for him here.

Pick #24: Atlanta Falcons

Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DT, Missouri

Being in a division with Carolina, they've got to shore this position up and ever since Grady Jackson left it's been wanting.  Hood is a guy with a high motor and intensity that will challenge opposing O-lines.

Pick #25: Miami Dolphins

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

This one was really tough.  I wanted to give them a WR here, but Parcells' history shows it's just not likely, especially with Ginn, Jr. showing definite promise.  Tons of people here are drinking the Sean Smith kool-aid, and while I think the guy is special, he is not NFL-ready by any means.  He's allowed his superior athleticism in a weak conference to get him by so far, and while he can be great at the next level, he is not better than Smith right now.  Smith brings excellent hands and superb change of direction to a secondary that lost two of its starters to us.

Pick #26: Baltimore Ravens

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

He is a star playmaker going to a team that needs it badly at WR.  They've got a good QB in Flacco; now let's give him someone to throw to.  I think that if Wells is available they will look long and hard at him here-- they've got to know that Ray Rice is still finding his legs and Willis McGahee is winding down.  CB is a bigger need, but with Smith and Butler gone, they have no other options.  If either of those guys is available here, they go defensive instead.

Pick #27: Indianapolis Colts

Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

They need run-blocking linemen badly, and although the problem is more on the interior than the outside, Britton will still upgrade a position of need immediately.  They also need DT help, but they will get a small, light guy in a later round to supplement that hole.

Pick #28: Buffalo Bills

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The biggest no-brainer of the draft, if he's available here.  The Bills need a playmaker at TE, and Pettigrew is as close to the complete package as they come.  He will instantly provide an outlet for Trent Edwards and reliable blocking to boot.  Tough to lose Jason Peters for him, though.

Pick #29:  New York Giants

James Laurinitis, ILB, Ohio State

Another easy call.  If he's still around here, and Heyward-Bey is off the board, they go with Urlacher part deux.  Laurinitis is a very special football player who is fantastic value here, and while the Giants have what is arguably the best defensive line on paper in NFL history right now, they need help on the inside with Antonio Pierce starting to show signs of decline.

Pick #30: Tennessee Titans

Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

And Titans fans everywhere heave a sigh of relief.  This guy fits in with them perfectly: he's got fantastic hands and is ultra-reliable.  He doesn't have elite speed, but that's not relevant with Kerry Collins throwing the ball and Chris Johnson in the backfield.  They need help here, and Nicks is the guy.

Pick #31: Arizona Cardinals

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The steal of the draft, no question.  This guy is an elite talent in the mold of LT, and for him to be available at the end of the first round is a crime, but there are a plethora of teams picking ahead of the Cards who either 1) don't need an RB, 2) don't want a first-round RB, 3) don't need an RB with lateral agility, or 4) have much more glaring needs elsewhere.  If this happens, it is another Superbowl for the Cards, no question.

Pick #32: Pittsburgh Steelers

Alex Mack, C, California

And thus ends Miami's streak of first-rounders.  The Steelers had the Silk Curtain at O-line this year, and desperately need an anchor of Mack's caliber.  He will be a perennial Pro-Bowler, and is a great addition at this spot to a team with few real holes.

Whew!  And I'm spent.  Let me know what you think of this one and the first half!  Thank you all for playing.