GOM Mock Draft

Round 1

1. Darren McFadden - The Co.

Analysis: This pick is essentially a lock. The Co. traded for the No. 1 overall with full intention of taking DMC. Though you can't realistically expect a Peterson-type impact, this guy does have the chance to be special. Oakland will make strides on offense and McFadden will be a key part of that.

2. Rashard Mendenhall - Chuckie's Champs

Analysis: The Champs are in a tough spot here. There really isn't a player, from a fantasy perspective, worth taking this high. They will seriously consider trading out of this pick, but if they're unable to do so, then Mendenhall is the pick based on his NFL upside. Though, he might not make much of an impact in his rookie year playing behind Parker.

3. Matt Forte - Lakeshow

Analysis: Some might be surprised by this pick, but you really shouldn't be. Have I seen this man take a handoff? No. But sources within the Bears organization say he was going to seriously compete with Cedric Benson for the starting spot in training camp, and now it seems with the most recent legal news surrounding the disappointing Texas product, Forte might be handed the job.

4. Jonathan Stewart - BTR

Analysis: This pick makes sense for a number of reasons. The team is relatively thin at the running back position since the departure of LT, and assuming a bounce-back year from Steve Smith, the WR corp is rock solid. Not to mention Stewart is challenging DeAngelo Williams for his starting job.

5. James Hardy - Top Guns

Analysis: Of all the WRs in this class, Hardy has the best chance to produce in his rookie year. He'll be a nice compliment to the speedy Lee Evans, and should be a monster near the goal-line.

6. Kevin Smith - Top Guns

Analysis: Having just addressed the WR position, the Guns will move their attention to the backfield. Smith had a very productive college career and should take over the starting role in the Detroit backfield after the release of Kevin Jones.

7. Limas Sweed - Keep It

Analysis: With the uncertainty surrounding Marvin Harrison, the team will be looking to acquire a potential replacement. Hines Ward's best days are behind him and Sweed can step up and form a nice WR combo with Santonio Holmes in a good offense. His size, as with Hardy, will create huge mismatches in the red zone. This is an extremely good value pick at this point in the draft.

8. Malcolm Kelly - Off in the Woods

Analysis: The recent departure of Roy Williams means the team will need to address the starting spot opposite Andre Johnson. Kelly, despite his pre-draft decline, has all the tools to become a productive NFL receiver. I see him as a boom or bust prospect who is certainly worth the gamble.

9. Chris Johnson - Top Guns

Analysis: An absolute speed demon who was highly productive in college, Johnson will form a nice thunder and lightning pair with LenDale White. But, he has the potential to be a whole lot more, as indicated by the Titans selecting him in the first round. I flat out love this pick for the Guns.

10. Devin Thomas - Frizz's Boys

Analysis: A superb judge of talent when it comes to the GOM draft. Not sure I can think of one draftee that turned out to be a bust. That's why this pick makes sense for Frizz. Thomas slipped a little on draft day, but he's got exceptional tools and should fit nicely into the West Coast system in Washington. He'll pair up with Dwayne Bowe and the plethora of running backs on the roster.

11. DeSean Jackson - Hangin' With

Analysis: How could Jackson slip this far? Well, there are concerns about his bulk and durability at the NFL level and everyone will question if he'll ever become more than a solid punt-returner. But Hangin's roster is loaded, with no apparent holes, so this pick is a nice gamble for him.

12. Mario Manningham - Top Guns

Analysis: Perhaps no player had a worse pre-draft campaign. Once considered the first WR off the board, Manningham's stock plummeted after he admitted to using marijuana, ran a 4.6 40 at the Combine, and scored a 6 out of 40 on the Wonderlic Test. Also some people, including this writer, feel he wasn't even the best WR on his college team. However, he's too good a talent to pass up this late in the first round. He'll take over for his Michigan counterpart opposite Plaxico Burress.

13. Felix Jones - Keep It

Analysis: You can't argue with taking a back that was selected in the first round. Jones is super quick, but just as was the case at Arkansas, he'll be backing up a stud in the Big D. He's the best available on the board, but might not get enough carries in his rookie season to warrant fantasy attention.

14. Jamaal Charles - Team Dime

Analysis: An insurance policy for Larry Johnson, who is coming off season-ending foot surgery. The team desperately needs WR help, but if Lachey doesn't move up, then the logical choice is to take Charles.

15. Early Doucet - Keep It

Analysis: This a luxury pick for Keep It. Doucet, who used to be 1st round material, but fell leading up the draft, makes a perfect selection for the March Madness pick. He'll be playing behind Fitzgerald and Boldin, but the Cardinals pass so frequently that he should see a decent number of balls. And, if the oft-injured Boldin were to go down, Doucet would see a nice jump in production.

Notable Second Round Picks:

16. Matt Ryan - Top Guns

Analysis: The Guns would be well-served to wait on taking Ryan until the second round.

17. Fred Davis - BTR

Analysis: New York Jet Dustin Keller is always an option here, but Davis has better name recognition and the USC product should pan out better than Dominique Byrd did.

18. Steve Slaton - Dawlinators

Analysis: Slaton was a college phenom looking to make a name for himself in the pros. He could become a MJD-type.

19. Ray Rice - Top Guns

Analysis: Blue collar guy. Great fit for this team as he should eventually slide into a flex spot.