GOM Mock Draft 1.0

Today, we'll be releasing the first installment in our series of mock drafts leading up to the GOM Draft. All players have declared, the Combine is over and barring trade, GOM rosters have been set. I'll stick to just a top 10 mock to avoid the watered-down analysis of the late round picks that results this early in the off-season. Also, since the NFL free-agent market is still sorting itself out, I'll exclude non-rookies from consideration.

1. Nators - Michael Crabtree, WR: I wouldn't expect any surprises with this pick, unless another prospect landed in an ideal fantasy situation in the NFL. Crabtree has the biggest upside in this draft. And, even though he didn't measure out well at the Combine, he's still in the mold of a Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson.

2. Champs - Knowshon Moreno, RB: Sources close to the team have this pick being heavily shopped, and it makes sense for the organization if they intend to bring in an elite WR. Derrick Ward's signing in Tampa gives the team some flexibility at RB, and shifts their immediate attention to the WR position. From a value standpoint, this #2 slot should be a RB, and the NFL draft will go a long way in determining which back comes off the board first.

3. Knights - Jeremy Maclin, WR: This pick is another candidate to be traded before the draft in order for the team to bring in a proven playmaker at WR. If it's kept, Riggs must fill a need over best available and select Maclin. He's eerily similar to the game-breaking DeSean Jackson if put in the right situation, with even better receiving skills coming out of college, and currently grades out as the best WR on the board behind Crabtree.

4. Nators - Chris Wells, RB: If Beanie falls to this spot, the Nators will have walked away with, arguably, the best WR and RB in the draft. Walton would be ecstatic with this selection as there's no question this pick is slated to be a RB. Wells assumes to be a very solid, albeit not very flashy, back at the next level. He'll be a very good producer who will bolster the current Nators RB corps.

5. Oceans - LeSean McCoy, RB: Danny and Co. may have found themselves a gem at #5. I see McCoy being a cross between Chris Johnson and Felix Jones, and when all is said and done in '09, he just might end up being the most valuable rookie of the season. The team could look at WR here, but with the success of last year's RB class, it's hard to pass on a potential flex monster.

6. Frizz - Percy Harvin, WR: This will be a very interesting pick in the draft. Everyone should be taking a page from Frizz's book when it comes to the draft process. He has molded his franchise around running backs, and rightfully so, but with seven on the current roster, it seems apparent he'll be targeting a wideout. Harvin is a dynamic player who could step in and fill the void at WR/TE as he would round out the starting roster nicely. However, don't expect one of the first three RBs to fall past this spot because Frizz always goes with the true value pick.

7. Champs - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR: I don't know much about this guy, but from everything I've read he'll start his career as a project. However, some scouts feel he has the best physical tools of any WR in this class and could develop into a legit #1 WR in the NFL. With the developing youth on the Champs roster, Hummmm Gerry Lambeau has the luxury of waiting a few years on this guy.

8. Keep It - Andre Brown, RB: A WR would make sense here, but I'm just not sold on anyone left on the board. A free-agent WR who lands in a nice starting situation could also be an option, but for now I see Keep It taking a chance on an upside RB. Brown has the frame of an every-down back in the NFL, has nice hands out of the backfield and should turn out to have a more productive pro career than he did at NC State. I could also see the team moving out of this pick for a solid veteran WR or packaging it to move up and get one of the top rookie WRs.

9. Hangin - Hakeem Nicks, WR: This pick will likely turn out to be a bust, but since Hangin's roster is loaded, he can take a chance on a rookie WR and hope to strike gold. Again, I know very little about this guy other than what I've read, but it appears he's the next best available at the position. The more likely scenario for Hangin' here is to test the free-agent market and acquire a spot-starter. Also, don't rule out Stafford or Sanchez after the trade of backup Kurt Warner.

10. Top Guns - Shonn Greene, RB: Greene is likely to be a situational runner in the NFL, but if he gets drafted by the right team, he could become a serviceable flex guy. The Guns are set at RB1 & 2, but Earnest Graham's value took a hit when the Bucs signed Derrick Ward. Greene could eventually fill that role for the defending champs.

-Dime