Of the many surprises, several stood out more than the rest.

Ndamukong Suh drafted by Detroit Lions (NFL.com)

First, was the Jaguars selection of Tyson Alualu. Unless I am mistaken, nobody predicted that pick, and many people, including myself, thought he would not be in the first round at all. Perhaps, the Jaguars are looking to transition to a 34 front.  I figured they would go for Earl Thomas, but those Jags seem to beat to their own drum.

Undoubtedly, the second biggest surprise was the dynamic drop-off of Mel Kiper’s favorite player, Jimmy Clausen.   What was going on there?  I’m sure Todd McShay is gloating to Kiper because McShay had been warning us that this could happen. Perhaps, McShay will get to be on set next year, instead of the too-talkative Steve Young.

By the way, did anyone else who was watching the draft on ESPN think that Young talked too much, and Kiper too little?

Third big surprise was the Eagles trade up to get Brandon Graham.  I am a huge fan of Graham, and he absolutely deserves to go this high. But I didn’t think many teams felt the same way.

Fourth shocking event was the fact that Tim Tebow wound up getting a call from the Broncos at #25.   When the cameras switched to the Tebow party, somehow I thought he was celebrating in a room not unlike a dentist’s office.

The fifth surprise for me was the absence of Taylor Mays.  I guess all teams saw his lack of instincts and were afraid of taking him in the first round.

And the sixth thing that caught me off guard was how far Bryan Bulaga slipped.  Him going to Green Bay makes a lot of sense. But thought he would be scooped up no later than #9.

The final surprise was how aggressive the Detroit Lions have become in the Draft. They came away with two impact players in Suh and Jahvid Best.  If they had waited to see if Best was available at #34, I think they would have been disappointed.

Overall, I was very excited to watch the first round this year.  The new format was an excellent decision because it not only gives the GM’s a breather, but it also makes watching the Draft more palatable for fans. I look forward to more trades tomorrow!

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

What makes me enjoy watching Jaguars football games is their extraordinary physicality. They love to run the ball, and play tough defense. The defensive and offensive lines take precedence. That is why I believe they will look at Raji before any other player.

John Henderson and Marcus Stroud were once the most fearsome tackle duo in the league. Last season that pair split when Stroud went to the Bills, literally leaving a huge gap in the defensive line. Let’s face it, the Rob Meier experiment at DT didn’t go very well. So, now Jacksonville has the chance to correct that mistake.

B.J. Raji has the added bonus of being well-suited for a the nose tackle in the Jaguars new hybrid 3-4 defense. But if John Henderson is  good enough to play there, then Jacksonville may look in another direction.

-Malcolm Jenkins (DB/Ohio State)

NFL.com

Besides Rashean Mathis, the Jags are thin at the cornerback spot. They just cut Drayton Florence, who was a massive bust. It appears the team may be searching for another big, physical cornerback to play opposite of Mathis.

Although I believe Malcolm Jenkins is better suited for safety, he seems to fit too well in with the Jaguars. The Ohio State graduate is fantastic against the run, and plays physically at the line of scrimmage. Plus, he has a very similar build to potential teammate Mathis.

I know Jenkins had a bad combine, but he is still a quality player who seems custom made for Jacksonville.

-Rey Maualuga (ILB/USC)

NFL.com

Like Maualuga, Jack Del Rio is a former USC linebacker. He may insist on having the thunderous tackler playing the inside in his hybrid 3-4 scheme. Also, after dropping Mike Peterson, they may look for a fearsome presence in the middle. I agree this is a little high to choose a middle linebacker, but if the Jags believe Maualuga is a bonafide playmaker (which I think he is), then it isn’t a reach.

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

I had been on the fence about the Jaguars selecting an offensive lineman here. But a fellow blogger  (The Ghostwriter) struck a chord with me.

The physical play of the Jacksonville run game and pass attack are predicated on a solid offensive line. Because of injuries and age, the Jaguars line finished 25th in sacks allowed (42). Therefore, they just might try to pick an offensive lineman.

NFL.com

Michael Oher is a fantastic player but isn’t quite the value as Raji would be at number 8. I am inclined to think that the franchise might look to grab a tackle with their second round pick. But I figured i’d cover all the possibilities-and offensive lineman is one of them.

I’d have to say I originally thought I would place Andre Smith here because he strikes me as the type of player the Jags would love. But recent developments make that really hard to do.

Next on the clock : Green Bay Packers

Keep voting so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results. Great job so far.

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