
The last group of picks in the Madden Mock Draft included some controversy over the Seahawks selection of Mark Sanchez. Ironically since then there have been developments which make it appear that Seattle is actually interested in taking Sanchez. It does make sense for the team as well as how it would benefit them in Madden.
Continue on for the Raiders, Jaguars, and Packers choices and leave your thoughts in the comments. Remember this is more about what players would improve the teams the most in Madden 10 and beyond than it is a prediction of who will be taken in the NFL Draft.
#7 – Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree – WR – Texas Tech

I have passed over the Rams, Seahawks, Browns and Bengals taking Michael Crabtree even though they have needs at the position. In the past I would have seen either the top WR or top RB as the most valuable rookie. However the ratings change philosophy has caused me to reevaluate my thinking in that regard.
It just finally made the most sense for Crabtree to fall into the Raiders lap. He’ll be the top rated receiver and possibly the top rated rookie. There was really no one else that would’ve made more sense here for Oakland.
#8 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Maclin – WR – Missouri

The Jags have a number of areas of need. The most pressing of which would be on the offensive line, wide receiver, middle linebacker, and defensive tackle. Because of that players such as Andre Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Rey Maualuga, and BJ Raji were considered.
I would think of Maclin as this year’s DeSean Jackson. He has the potential to be just as productive while getting on the field as a returner as well. Wide receivers with speed have always been the most beneficial for Madden outplaying their overall ratings. Even with the adjustments being made to the game to temper that I’d expect Maclin to be a valuable asset.
#9 – Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo – OLB – Texas

While the Packers could use an upgrade on the offensive line it is their change to a 3-4 defense that presents the best possible selection and that is at outside linebacker.
As Brian Orakpo is slipping from where he will probably be selected in the real draft he was the obvious choice. He’ll be situated to put up some gaudy stats (think how DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman transitioned their rookie seasons) and that could result in ratings boosts throughout the year.
Check back in a few days for the next three picks in the Madden Mock Draft!
April 5, 2009 at 7:22 pm
awsome i think that the texses lb will help out the pack pretty good. go bears!
April 5, 2009 at 11:24 am
Great picks pasta great insight. Im looking foward to Madden 2010
April 5, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Why only 3 at a time?
April 5, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Just spreading it out so I can provide new content every day. These type of articles are pretty time consuming. From considering who to choose for each team, to writing up the explanations, and doing the screenshots.
When I put up my actual real-life mock draft that will be the entire first round at once (won't do screenshots for every player)
April 5, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Just spreading it out so I can provide new content every day. There will be a few sets with four though at some point. These type of articles are pretty time consuming. From considering who to choose for each team, to writing up the explanations, and doing the screenshots.
When I put up my actual real-life mock draft that will be the entire first round at once (won't do screenshots for every player)
April 5, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I think the WR's will go the other way. As Maclin is faster. IT would be better for Jamarcus Russel's development to have a huge handed reciever, but Al Davis is an idiot.
April 5, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I drafted Crabtree and Maclin in my Madden franchise last night. For some reason, when you import them from your NCAA Footabll game, they both have huge dreadlocks.
April 5, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I'm done importing players from NCAA to Madden. I'm just expecting everyone to be like their real-life counterpart and I'm always dissappointed. Maybe Madden 10 can change that??
April 5, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Ya Oakland should take Crabtree but, I'm sure they will take Maclin and jags will take Crabtree. Crabtree is to slow for the Raiders (Even tho he is not that slow and they really should take him, Maclin is still a good pick up tho can't really go to wrong with any of those 2)
April 5, 2009 at 9:53 pm
orakpo though very good will not be the first OLB taken in the draft… that will be Aaron Curry
April 6, 2009 at 2:12 am
IMO I don't think Orakpo will be very good as a DE. I see him as a player who relies on his strength too much and at the NFL level your gym strength doesn't mean much if you don't have any weight in your back pocket. As a LB he has more upside but if they put him on the line I don't think his technique will serve hm any justice. I think he could excel in a 3-4 system or in the "elephant" role.
April 6, 2009 at 10:28 am
Who da hell made you the draft expert? Have you even seen Orakpo? He is a beast and a dominate football player. What do you mean "back pocket?" He's 270 POUNDS!!!! and still growing! Maybe you should get out of your mom's basement and catch some daylight
April 6, 2009 at 4:26 pm
It sounds like you've been stuck in your mom's basement for quite some time.
April 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Pasta I still think the browns will take Orakpo or they will now consider a WR. Crabtree with questions about his foot my fall behind Maclin.
April 5, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Pasta I know this is offtopic, but is there any information about the composure rating making it way back into NCAA this year. And will homefield and motivation really mean anything in the games unlike the past years games. I ask these questions for the next-gen versions ie. PS3 and Otherbox :p
April 6, 2009 at 12:03 am
Ah you're right. For some reason I was thinking of him differently, with Orakpo being the DE/OLB hybrid that works in a 3-4.
April 6, 2009 at 12:05 am
MLB opening niiiiiiight… time to fire up the show and kick back and play and watch some baseballlllll
ohh and I think Curry would be the first LB taken if theyre both on the board no matter what team is choosing
April 6, 2009 at 12:09 am
Oh ok that makes sense. Thanks for the reply, Pasta.
April 6, 2009 at 1:58 am
If Crabtree falls all the way to 7th expect several teams to try to move up to grab him. He's way too talented to get bypassed by the top 6 clubs.
April 6, 2009 at 6:46 am
in my perfect world the raiders swap the 7th pick for both the eagles first round picks and pick up darrius heyward-bey with one of them
but thats my perfect world
April 6, 2009 at 10:07 am
What is a WR going to do for da Raiders? Yall need a QB, offenisve line, defensive line, safties, 2nd corner and nickel corner, head coach and a new owner. So how is Darrius Heyward-Bey going to help them? They need to trade their whole team for 51 picks keep Nnamdi Asomugha and McFadden and start over.
April 6, 2009 at 10:43 am
Yeah I said it 51 DRAFT PICKS!!
April 6, 2009 at 2:34 am
Hey pasta, this isnt 100% related to the topic at hand, but when NCAA 09 came out I downloaded your rosters and those are the ones I've used ever since. I can't find BJ Raji for the life of me… He doesnt appear to be on the Boston College roster… any help?
April 6, 2009 at 10:25 am
How many times are you gonna ask this question Frenchyboy? Who cares if you can't find 1 guy out of 300 players for the draft. why don't you take 2 minutes to create him add him as a free agent and when you start up franchise maybe a team will pick him up or you can pick him up Frenchyboy.
April 6, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Wow man, seriously, I've maybe asked the question twice now and atleast a month apart. So why do you have to be a complete and total douchebag? Obviously you have a stick up your ass if you go off on someone because they asked a simple question.
April 6, 2009 at 10:41 am
Pasta how much are those ads paying you? I noticed they have increased tremendously. Quit the ol' day job huh? I played that weak boxing game online it was simply horrible had nothing to do with boxing. The graphics looked like atari on crack o.0. and the gameplay had about as much skill as taking a nap. That was some total BS Pasta. It's time to get some better sponsors. your site is good though I have to admit.
GO EA !
April 6, 2009 at 4:22 pm
apparently you didnt watch any raiders games. after they let go of hall chris johnson was a beast at the second corner. he shut down brandon marshall, andre johnson, steve smith, and the list goes on. the o line got way better towards the end of the season and if jamarcus sucks again this year then ill say we need another qb but its obvious that youre just a hater so thats how it is.
Who da hell made you the draft expert?
April 6, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Noone made him a draft expert, but he made himself into a douchebag
April 6, 2009 at 7:50 pm
If it's Madden then go with the fastest WR period. Speed kills in MAdden
April 6, 2009 at 10:29 pm
If Crabtree is on the board at #7, The Raiders would be fools not to take him. Al Davis likes to be good at the skill positions (but he seems to be allowing the raiders to get tough in the trenches). Great pick
Maclin at #8 is a good choice. Obviously, the Jags would like to see Crabtree fall into their laps but that seems unlikely. Maclin may be a small reach at this point but he has potential for sure and the Jaguars need help to their WR core.
Orakpo at #9 is an absolute steal for the Packers (being a Vikings fan i would really hate to see the draft shake out in this way). Personally I don't see 8 teams (look for a possible trade down with jags if he falls this far) passing on him. I see the Packers needing to settle for Everette Brown (Florida State) or Aaron Maybin (Penn State).
April 6, 2009 at 11:43 pm
orakpo……kampman….PASS RUSH!!!!!!!
April 9, 2009 at 3:31 am
Crabtree is not a top 10 pick damit!