Who will NOT be available at #10?

[SB49er4life]

If the Lions pass on Stafford, he could go for a free-fall to the mid 1st round, just like Aaron Rodgers did a few years go.

I haven't seen a great deal of Aaron Curry, and I don't put a lot of stock into stats, but I DO have to question why so many feel he could be an OLB in a 3-4 when he wasn't really that productive at rushing the QB in college. I understand he may not have been asked to rush the passer much and he MAY be good at it, but I have no reason to think so if he hasn't shown it.

There's also a decent chance all 4 of those OT's will be gone, since all the teams in the Top 10 could use one prett badly.

[Max_Power]

1.) Matt Stafford
-I can't envision him NOT being drafted by the Lions. Even if by the 1% chance they don't, someone will likely draft him in the top 5. Someone will trade up.
2.) Michael Crabtree
-He's the consensus top prospect in this draft. Even if he bombs at his Pro Day he will not fall anywhere past #7. Could also go as high as #2.
3.) Aaron Curry
-Widely considered the safest pick in the draft and for good reason. His versatility could make him a good fit for any team in the league. I honestly can't see any teams that he couldn't start right away for. There is no way he falls past #8. Could go as high as #2 depending on how much the Rams covet him.
4.) B.J. Raji
-The only elite or close to elite DL in the draft. Could easily go as high as #4 and will not fall past #9. The Packers are sure to be drooling at the idea of potentially picking him up.

Bonus: At least 2 of the 4 OT's.
-Who knows how this will pan out. It all depends on who is picking. All four have their positives and all four have their negatives. A lot can happen from now until then, but there is no doubt in my mind that at the very minimum at least TWO will not be available by #10. Possibly even three.

Feel free to make your predictions.

[WehaveVD]

Won't be there:

1.Crabtree, Monroe, Stafford,Curry, and Jenkins!

[WhistlingMtn]

Won't be there:

1.Crabtree, Monroe, Stafford,Curry, and Jenkins!

Jenkins could be there, otherwise, yea those are the 4 that have no shot at being at 10.

Raji also has a 90% chance of going to Green Bay should he last that long.

[OsBoogie]

Crab/Monroe/Staff/Curry/Raji/J.Smith

[49ersforlife5x]

Within the next couple of days, I will post my early top 10 mock draft. Right now, before free agency, everything is so difficult to judge. Teams are going to lose players, and teams are going to gain players, so right now it's basically just a guessing game.

However, I think I've seen a few probables.

[majesstik1]

If the Lions pass on Stafford, he could go for a free-fall to the mid 1st round, just like Aaron Rodgers did a few years go.

I haven't seen a great deal of Aaron Curry, and I don't put a lot of stock into stats, but I DO have to question why so many feel he could be an OLB in a 3-4 when he wasn't really that productive at rushing the QB in college. I understand he may not have been asked to rush the passer much and he MAY be good at it, but I have no reason to think so if he hasn't shown it.

There's also a decent chance all 4 of those OT's will be gone, since all the teams in the Top 10 could use one prett badly.

Stafford won't fall out of the top 10. He's the most gifted QB in this class...and this is a very weak class for QBs. His competitive market value is high.

Aaron Curry would be a Sam in the 34, not a Will or PRS. I saw a lot of him this year, and don't understand where this "safest pick" label comes from. He's not a rare talent and he's not always a sure tackler. He's got some physical gifts, he's just not as special as some people make him out to be.

[Bivouac]

Stafford won't fall out of the top 10. He's the most gifted QB in this class...and this is a very weak class for QBs. His competitive market value is high.

Aaron Curry would be a Sam in the 34, not a Will or PRS. I saw a lot of him this year, and don't understand where this "safest pick" label comes from. He's not a rare talent and he's not always a sure tackler. He's got some physical gifts, he's just not as special as some people make him out to be.

To me, he's a weakside 4-3 OLB in a system like Seattle or Philadelphia, who are constantly sending five at the quarterback.

I think he's a pretty safe pick, but how many teams in the Top 10 are looking for a pass-rushing linebacker, who's too small to play in a 3-4? Curry's position is probably the lowest priority of just about every team drafting that high. I think he drops a little further than where he sits on draft boards and someone trades up to get him.

[dm77]

1.) Matt Stafford
-I can't envision him NOT being drafted by the Lions. Even if by the 1% chance they don't, someone will likely draft him in the top 5. Someone will trade up.
2.) Michael Crabtree
-He's the consensus top prospect in this draft. Even if he bombs at his Pro Day he will not fall anywhere past #7. Could also go as high as #2.
3.) Aaron Curry
-Widely considered the safest pick in the draft and for good reason. His versatility could make him a good fit for any team in the league. I honestly can't see any teams that he couldn't start right away for. There is no way he falls past #8. Could go as high as #2 depending on how much the Rams covet him.
4.) B.J. Raji
-The only elite or close to elite DL in the draft. Could easily go as high as #4 and will not fall past #9. The Packers are sure to be drooling at the idea of potentially picking him up.

Bonus: At least 2 of the 4 OT's.
-Who knows how this will pan out. It all depends on who is picking. All four have their positives and all four have their negatives. A lot can happen from now until then, but there is no doubt in my mind that at the very minimum at least TWO will not be available by #10. Possibly even three.

Feel free to make your predictions.Great thread. I think everyone's dream picks will be gone. Raji. Orakpo, Crabs, etc. It's time to get real with what will be left to choose from... Maybe Maclin, Moreno, and couple leftover OTs will be there. :nothingtoadd:

[Showme9er]

Interesting question. I have been thinking about this the last couple of days and here is my list:

First five - no chanceStafford
Crabtree
Two of top three OL
Curry (although I was intrigued with what Maj had to say)

Not likely
Raji - seems to be rising up the boards
3rd OT
Jenkins

Probably Available
Brown
Oher
Orakpo
Sanchez
Maclin
Maybin

With this scenerio we may get lucky and have one of the three listed in my not likely list fall to us. I think we go with BPA unless we fill the hole in FA (right tackle) then it would not make sense by adding depth with the 10th pick. If all the "not likely" are gone I would prefer 1) Maclin 2) Brown 3/4) Orakpo or Maybin not sure yet 5) Oher 6 Sanchez. Actually a few more may be on my list before Oher and Sanchez.

All in all, we are in a great spot. Can't wait until the draft.

Jenkins

[BladeX]

1.) Matt Stafford
-I can't envision him NOT being drafted by the Lions. Even if by the 1% chance they don't, someone will likely draft him in the top 5. Someone will trade up.
2.) Michael Crabtree
-He's the consensus top prospect in this draft. Even if he bombs at his Pro Day he will not fall anywhere past #7. Could also go as high as #2.
3.) Aaron Curry
-Widely considered the safest pick in the draft and for good reason. His versatility could make him a good fit for any team in the league. I honestly can't see any teams that he couldn't start right away for. There is no way he falls past #8. Could go as high as #2 depending on how much the Rams covet him.
4.) B.J. Raji
-The only elite or close to elite DL in the draft. Could easily go as high as #4 and will not fall past #9. The Packers are sure to be drooling at the idea of potentially picking him up.

Bonus: At least 2 of the 4 OT's.
-Who knows how this will pan out. It all depends on who is picking. All four have their positives and all four have their negatives. A lot can happen from now until then, but there is no doubt in my mind that at the very minimum at least TWO will not be available by #10. Possibly even three.

Feel free to make your predictions.

I think Curry could drop to 10 easily considering there is no real bluechip LB and a quality player at that position can be had later on. He isnt the prospect Willis was (11th pick) and there have been better prospects than Willis drafted around there.

[thedynasty]

I think Curry could drop to 10 easily considering there is no real bluechip LB and a quality player at that position can be had later on. He isnt the prospect Willis was (11th pick) and there have been better prospects than Willis drafted around there.

Curry is considered a blue chip lb. He also plays OLB which is more is valuable to teams than ILBs. Curry is widely considered the safest pick in the draft and is scheme diverse (Can play olb, ilb in either 4-3,3-4 schemes). There are no guarantees but the chances of him falling out of the top 10 are pretty slim.

[majesstik1]

To me, he's a weakside 4-3 OLB in a system like Seattle or Philadelphia, who are constantly sending five at the quarterback.

I think he's a pretty safe pick, but how many teams in the Top 10 are looking for a pass-rushing linebacker, who's too small to play in a 3-4? Curry's position is probably the lowest priority of just about every team drafting that high. I think he drops a little further than where he sits on draft boards and someone trades up to get him.

Weakside LBs are responsible for a lot of space, running down plays from behind, and blitzing. That's not really Curry's game. He's at his best when the play comes to him, rather than attacking behind the LOS. He's a read and react guy, and is very good in coverage. That spells 43 or 34 SAM to me, or a 34 Mike.

[SING'S BOXERS]

I could see us leapfrogging GB to get Raji, if he's still there by pick #8

[49ersfaith4ever]

I still think Raji has a good chance to fall to #10 because Green Bay is losing Mark Tauscher this year so I think if one of the top OT's fall to them they will take him because they will want to protect Rodgers who they firmly stood behind when they got rid of Old man Favre.

[thedynasty]

I still think Raji has a good chance to fall to #10 because Green Bay is losing Mark Tauscher this year so I think if one of the top OT's fall to them they will take him because they will want to protect Rodgers who they firmly stood behind when they got rid of Old man Favre.

you have to consider the fact that they are making a scheme change on defense. They'll have to get players that fit as well.

[Showme9er]

Concerning Raji being available at #10, I think it may depend on what happens this week at the combine. If he has a good showing, I could see him being projected in the top 5.

[SB49er4life]

Weakside LBs are responsible for a lot of space, running down plays from behind, and blitzing. That's not really Curry's game. He's at his best when the play comes to him, rather than attacking behind the LOS. He's a read and react guy, and is very good in coverage. That spells 43 or 34 SAM to me, or a 34 Mike.

I haven't seen much of Curry, but pretty much every scouting report I've read on the guy say the same things... which tells me he wouldn't be ideal for WOLB in the 3-4.

I don't think he would do THIS team much good, because we are already set with Manny Lawson as our coverage ace/run stopper. If we are gonna draft a LB at #10, it better be a pass rusher, or else we are just going sideways.

[JaketheSnake]

3/4 of the tackles, Stafford, Aaron Curry, Crabtree... That's the only definites.

[Max_Power]

I still think Raji has a good chance to fall to #10 because Green Bay is losing Mark Tauscher this year so I think if one of the top OT's fall to them they will take him because they will want to protect Rodgers who they firmly stood behind when they got rid of Old man Favre.

That's if the Chiefs (now a 3-4), Seahawks, Bengals and Jags pass on him just to get to the Packers. I think he has almost a 0.001% of falling to #10.

[Zhero06]

That's if the Chiefs (now a 3-4), Seahawks, Bengals and Jags pass on him just to get to the Packers. I think he has almost a 0.001% of falling to #10.

Hawks will likely pass on Raji as they have a rising star in Brandon Mebane and have bigger needs elsewhere. Bengals will pass on him for OL help as their starting RT went down with an ACL injury (he was on his way out anyways) and the rest of their OL blew anyways. Chiefs will pass on him for DE/OLB help and I doubt that they've given up on Dorsey already. Jags need LB more than they do another DT so they'll likely pass. As for the Packers, it just depends who else is on the board.

[BladeX]

Curry is considered a blue chip lb. He also plays OLB which is more is valuable to teams than ILBs. Curry is widely considered the safest pick in the draft and is scheme diverse (Can play olb, ilb in either 4-3,3-4 schemes). There are no guarantees but the chances of him falling out of the top 10 are pretty slim.

Not by my definition, granted I've only seen a few of his game but he's not elite IMO. He reminds me of DJ Williams from Miami in many respects and like I said, with the talent at LB this year teams can address that position outside the top 10. Im not making the case he is gonna fall, just that I wouldnt see it as a huge surprise.

Who do you think in the top 10 is a lock to draft him?

[SB49er4life]

Hawks will likely pass on Raji as they have a rising star in Brandon Mebane and have bigger needs elsewhere. Bengals will pass on him for OL help as their starting RT went down with an ACL injury (he was on his way out anyways) and the rest of their OL blew anyways. Chiefs will pass on him for DE/OLB help and I doubt that they've given up on Dorsey already. Jags need LB more than they do another DT so they'll likely pass. As for the Packers, it just depends who else is on the board.

There is an excellent chance that the Chiefs take Raji with their pick. Don't forget that under Pioli, the Patriots used three 1st rd picks on DL... but on the contrary, they took Glen Dorsey real high last year.

And the Jags' pick could be a toss up. Their defense hasn't quite been the same since they lost Marcus Stroud in the middle.

As for the Packers', I don't think anyone on their team right now is remotely qualified to handle NT duties.

Who knows, if he is as real as you guys say he is, he might just go to St. Louis... far fetched, because they are gasping for OL help, but a possibility nonetheless.

[thedynasty]

Not by my definition, granted I've only seen a few of his game but he's not elite IMO. He reminds me of DJ Williams from Miami in many respects and like I said, with the talent at LB this year teams can address that position outside the top 10. Im not making the case he is gonna fall, just that I wouldnt see it as a huge surprise.

Who do you think in the top 10 is a lock to draft him?

everyone from Kiper to Mcshay to Mayock (who i respect alot) say he's the safest pick in the draft. very few flaws in his game. He could go as high as number 2 to the rams, the chiefs seem like a logical destination at 3.

i honestly can't think of a team in the top 10 that wouldn't take a look at him including the niners. If he makes it past the the chiefs, i see Cleveland as a very strong possibility and i don't think he'd make it past jacksonville.


Curry is viewed by some as the elite prospect of the 2009 draft. A hard-hitting, playmaking extraordinaire in the mold of Tennessee Titans star Keith Bullock, Curry leaves Wake Forest as a three-time all-conference selection, an All-American and the recipient of the 2008 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/aaron-curry?id=79842#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-overview

Won the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker, as a senior...Brother Patrick Pinkney was a quarterback at East Carolina...Was a four-year starter in the ACC...In 2007 he took all four of his interceptions back for touchdowns, with an average return of 56.5 yards...Could play outside or inside in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme...A marvelous all-around player who is effective in every aspect of the game...As good as any linebacker prospect to come along in recent memory...A legitimate Top 10 talent who should be one of the most highly rated players available for the 2009 NFL Draft.
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/Aaron-Curry.php


number 1 senior player according to Mayock
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d41ead

also

“I’m a big believer that Aaron Curry might be the safest pick in the entire draft,” Mayock said. “I hate to say that, but when you’re sitting at (No.) 3, the thing you can’t afford to do is make a mistake. Worst-case scenario: He’s got to be a good football player. Aaron Curry is that kind of guy.

“He played (strong side) linebacker in college. He dominated the tight end. But I could very easily see him converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker because he can rush the passer well, he drops in coverage well. He’s a fifth-year kid. He’s mature. I just think he’s the safest guy out there.”
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1028585.html


the guy returned 3 of 4 picks in 07 for tds. I don't see him being a bust or dropping much if he goes outside the top 5. He's the number 1 lb no matter where you look.

[Formerlurker]

I think Detroit may surprise everyone and take an offensive lineman at No. 1 intead of Stafford. Then they can get a QB with their second first rounder or even at pick No. 33.

I think Aaron Curry, Matthew Stafford, and Michael Crabtree are locks for being gone in the top nine picks. I think at least two OTs will be gone, but it is far from certain which two. Other than those guys, anyone else could drop to us at 10.

If Detroit passes on a QB and goes line, then KC will take Stafford at 3. That would give us a choice of Sanchez, whatever OTs are left out of Andre Smith, Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Oher, or whatever good defensive linemen or linebackers are left on the Niners' board. If Andre Smith, Jason Smith, or Eugene Monroe are there, I hope we take one of them, and pass on Sanchez. It's not that I don't like Sanchez. I do. I just don't like taking another Junior QB in the first round.

[NinerCapHell]

I think Detroit may surprise everyone and take an offensive lineman at No. 1 intead of Stafford. Then they can get a QB with their second first rounder or even at pick No. 33.
Pick #20 will end up in NE for Cassel.