Here's the first of our three mock drafts leading into the April 25-26 NFL Draft.

The next one will run a week from today, and the final, polished draft will run on the morning of the draft.

Unlike previous years, this draft is a hard one to handicap for a couple of reasons. One, there are no consensus, sure things at the top of the draft.

Secondly, there are new decision-makers at the top of the teams with the first three picks, so we don't have a track record on what they might do other than looking at how their previous clubs operated.

For instance, we could always count on Detroit's Matt Millen picking a wide receiver. Now, we're not sure what the Lions will do with the first pick.

Here goes:

1 Detroit Lions … QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia

Stafford, a true junior, does not have to play right away. He can play behind Daunte Culpepper for a year just as Culpepper sat out his rookie season as an understudy at Minnsota.

2 St. Louis Rams … OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia

The Rams need to replace Orlando Pace at left tackle. They're going to try to move Alex Barron from the right side, but he was no great shakes there, either, and he's in the last year of his contract.

3 Kansas City Chiefs … OT Jason Smith, Baylor

I know, I know. LB Aaron Curry of Wake Forest is the popular choice here, and goodness knows the Chiefs need help at linebacker _ or anywhere on the front seven. And Curry will be a solid player who would have a Donnie Edwards-like career. Nothing wrong with that.

But Curry, for all his ability, is not a pass rusher, and with the third pick, a linebacker has to be the second coming of Derrick Thomas. Especially when drafted by a team that had an NFL-record low 10 sacks a year ago.

Unfortunately, there is no pass rusher on the board worthy of that third pick. I fully expect the Chiefs to try and trade down a few spots, hoping there is a team coveting a player with that choice.

Then, the Chiefs can take a pass rusher with a later pick in the first round, and with a much-needed second-round pick acquired in the trade, choose an offensive tackle or one of the many linebackers who will be available.

But for this exercise _ I don't want to be making trades in a mock draft _ we'll match the best player with a glaring need.

Scott Pioli wants to build with big, fast and smart players. Smith, a converted tight end, is all three, and together with Branden Albert, can give the Chiefs bookend tackles for the next 10 years.

And Saturday's acquistion of veteran linebacker Zach Thomas, to go with previously acquired Mike Vrabel may fill the immediate need at linebacker for now.

4 Seattle Seahawks … LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

He’s an ideal replacement for the traded Julian Peterson.

5 Cleveland Browns … WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

Butter-fingered Braylon Edwards has one year left on his contract; Donte Stallworth faces legal issues stemming from his DUI wreck that killed a man.

6 Cincinnati Bengals … OT Andre Smith, Alabama

The Bengals need to find an heir to veteran left tackle Levi Jones has missed 18 games in the lat three years.

7 Oakland Raiders … WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Al Davis loves collecting players with speed and play-making ability. Don't let Maclin's 40 time at the Combine fool you. He'll look good in Raiders' black.

8 Jacksonville Jaguars … DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Raji is an ideal fit for the kind of defensive front Jacksonville plays. And he has the mean temperament coach Jack Del Rio loves.

9 Green Bay Packers …. OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss

Packers need to find protection for Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked 34 times last year.

10 San Francisco 49ers … DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State

Big 10 sack leader is one of the fastest risers on the draft board.

11 Buffalo Bills … DE Brian Orakpo, Texas

Bills managed only 24 sacks in ’08 as Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsey’s games fell off.

12 Denver Broncos … DE Tyson Jackson, LSU

Run on pass rushers continues; only six teams had fewer sacks than Denver’s 26 last year .

13 Washington … DE Everette Brown, Florida

Another sack-starved team (24 in ’08) made a mistake signing Jason Taylor last year.

14 New Orleans Saints … RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

Lots of defensive needs, but Saints need a tough inside ballcarrier.

15 Houston Texans … CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

Texans need help all over the secondary, and Jenkins could play corner or safety.

16 San Diego Chargers … LB Rey Maualuga, USC

Chargers hope he’s the second coming of Junior Seau.

17 New York Jets … QB Mark Sanchez, USC

New coaches like to begin programs with their hand-picked quarterback.

18 Denver Broncos (from Chicago) … QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State

Did anyone really believe Kyle Orton was going to be the future in Denver?

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers … LB Robert Ayers, Tennessee

They want Freeman but find a replacement for Derrick Brooks.

20 Detroit Lions (from Dallas) … OT Eben Britton, Arizona

Lions give Stafford some much-needed protecton.

21 Philadelphia Eagles …. TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

The departure of L.J. Smith necessitates taking Pettigrew, a solid blocker and receiver.

22 Minnesota Vikings … WR Percy Harvin, Florida

Harvin’s athleticism will open things up for an offensive dependent on Adrian Peterson.

23 New England Patriots … DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss

Jerry is the active tackle that Bill Belichick loves to use up front.
24 Atlanta Falcons … LB Brian Cushing, USC

The Falcons are revamping their defense and need to replace Michael Boley and Keith Brooking.

25 Miami Dolphins … Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

He’s the big, fast, physical receiver Chad Pennington needs on third down.

26 Baltimore Ravens … LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

He’ll step in for Bart Scott and learn from Ray Lewis

27 Indianapolis Colts … DT Ziggy Hood, Missouri

Hood is a good fit for the Colts’ Tampa 2 defense.

28 Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) … RB Beanie Wells, Ohio State

Brian Westbrook needs some relief; can Wells stay healthy?

29 New York Giants … WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers

Giants’ offense fizzled after the suspension of Plaxico Burress.

30 Tennessee Titans … WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

It’s almost a tossup between Britt and Nicks for two teams needing receivers.

31 Arizona Cardinals … RB Donald Brown, Connecticut

Exit Edgerrin James, enter the Big East Offensive Player of the Year

32 Pittsburgh Steelers … C-G Max Unger, Oregon

He can play any position on the line, even tackle in Pittsburgh’s scheme.