1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The Tuna took all of the mystery out of the number 1 slot by signing Long to cornerstone the o-line in Miami. Now the only remaining questions is if the Phish will trade taylor to get a second pick in the opening round.
2. St Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
With the first pick decided, the Rams now have two shoppers for the number two spot. If they deal with New Orleans, Glenn Dorsey comes off the board. If they trade with Baltimore, Matt Ryan is the number two pick. If they stay with the pick, Chris Long becomes the choice.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The current talk in Atlanta is that they are happy selecting either Ryan or Dorsey with this pick, so regardless of what the Rams do, they will be pleased. With 4 picks in the top two rounds, I would be pleased too.
4. Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Al Davis still calls the shots in Oakland, and since we all know how much he loves speed and athleticism, you have to bank on either D-Mac or Vernon Gholston. The x-factor is if Chris Long were to slip down the board. Right now, I still say McFadden is the choice.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
With the trading away of Jared Allen, the Chiefs need to put pressure on the QB. This would make Gholston a tempting choice, but my guess is the Chiefs are hoping Chris Long falls to them. Should he still be on the board, he would be the choice. Otherwise, I see them choosing Dorsey, and then a o-lineman with their second pick in round 1.
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St
The Jets have had possibly the best offseason to date. They traded for stud DT Kris Jenkins, thus eliminating a need, and then added Alan Faneca, Calvin Pace, Tony Richardson, and Damien Woody all via free agency. Obviously they are going for it all. The three areas of need still to be addresses are the pass rush, a wideout, and some more secondary help. They chose Darrell Revis with their top pick last year, so I don’t expect them to go secondary. They may try and trade down to be in better position to choose a wide out, which I think is the best idea. But if they stay here, Gholston will be the choice. The Jets will bank that this kid will be able to hold up at the end in their 3-4 and get some pressure on the other team’s QB.
7. New England Patriots (from SF) – Keith Rivers, LB, USC
The Patriots have some needs in the secondary following the exodus of three former starters. They have some needs at linebacker too, as exposed by the Giants in the Superbowl last year. Rivers is the best athlete of any of the backers or corners on the board, and Pioli likes to choose the best player available.
8. Baltimore Ravens – Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
The Ravens three primary needs right now are QB, CB, and OT. It looks like they are trying to move up to two to grab Ryan. If this doesn’t happen, they will look to Leodis McKelvin or Branden Albert. Of these two, right now most teams would have Albert rated higher than McKelvin, and I think Ozzie will to.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
In this scenario, Marvin Lewis and the Benglas become beneficiaries of some free agency and trade moves they were not even involved with. Because of the Jets landing Jenkins, and the Falcons landing Turner, they can land Ellis, a top 5 talent, and a position of need, here at pick number 9. Ellis will immediate provide an upgrade to a defensive line that lost their biggest talent when Justin Smith left for the Bay.
10. New Orleans Saints – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Saints primary focus in this years draft will be defense, and they have already gotten started. They signed Randall Gay to help out their weak secondary, and then they addressed another gap by signing Dan Morgan, and trading for Jonathan Vilma to fill linebacking spots for them. Now, selecting Jenkins to also add to their secondary makes this defense immediately formidable, and make New Orleans, my way-to-early pick to win the NFC South.
11. Buffalo Bills – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St
The Bills are a team with a few needs this offseason. They answered their DT need with the trade for Marcus Stroud. They still however need some help at WR and CB. Devin Thomas is the fastest riser of the wide outs, and his size speed combination will allure the Bills into choosing him way to high at 11.
12. Denver Broncos – DeSean Jackson, WR, California
If there was one word to describe Jackson, it would be undersized. Because of his small stature, teams are questioning if he will be able to handle an NFL beating. Denver will not be scared off though. With Javon Walker in Oakland, and Brandon Marshall hurting, they really need an answer at WR, and Jackson, small size and all will fit the bill.
13. Carolina Panthers – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St
Carolina has two primary needs, and since they won’t be in position to choose Ryan to fill their QB need, they will look to Clady to fill a need on the o-line. Then they will likely look to trade up to a position to grab either Michigan QB, Chad Henne, or Deleware signal caller Joe Flacco.
14. Chicago Bears – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Last year the Bears offense struggled with troublesome play at QB, and no help via a running game. The team placed its faith in Grossman for at least another year with his resigning, so addressing the running game makes sense. Losing Thomas Jones hurt this team, as former first rounder Cedric Benson is looking to be a bust. Adding Mendenhall gives the Bears an excellent 1-2 punch at the RB position, and will really tire out opposing defenses.
15. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Detroit has made some nice strides this offseason addressing their awful secondary. They added former Buccaneer, Brian Kelly, and former Viking, Dwight Smith and re-upped with Travis Fisher. Despite Stewart’s surgery, teams are still loving this kid’s talent, and he is healing well, so I again see him back in round 1.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St
The Cards are a team with a few needs, but a good eye for talent. Although they will be tempted, they will not choose an o-lineman with this pick because they used a top 5 selection on a tackle last year. Instead, they will look to fill the void at corner that has been created by moving former first rounder, Antrell Rolle, to safety. No one has had a better off-season than Rodgers-Cromartie, and thus he becomes the selection.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota) – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Only a few days ago, it looked like KC may reach to choose Albert at 5 overall. Thanks to the trading of Allen, they can get a quality lineman at a value pick here at 17. Dorsey and Williams, would be a great combination for KC.
18. Houston Texans – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy St
The primary need for Houston this offseason was getting better at RB. They went out and signed former Titan Chris Brown to do just that. Now they can draft McKelvin here, and get great value. McKelvin’s “slide” is more to do with team preference than his talent, and Houston will be the beneficiary.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Philadelphia is a talented team, in a competitive division. The G-men made their bones last year via pass rush, and Philly will take a page from their book, and choose Harvey to replace Javon Kearse.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
The Bucs need more weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Joey Galloway has speed and size, but is really aging. Clayton has some size and good hands, but lacks big play ability. Despite a tough offseason for Kelly, the Bucs will be happy for this selection in the years to come.
21. Washington Redskins – James Hardy, WR, Indiana
The Jim Zorn era has begun in Washington, and we know Zorn like large wide outs. The speedsters currently donning Garnet will have a new addition to their platoon when the Skins select Hardy. He has good speed, good hands, but most of all, at 6'7", good size.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The Cowboys do not have very many needs, but because of the Brady Quinn trade, they will still have two first rounders. It is looking like the Boys will address OT and WR with their top picks this year. Jeff Otah can be an impact lineman with some good coaching, and the Boys do not have to rush him along.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
The Steelers are a talented team, who can go in a lot of different directions with this selection. Merling is a talent comparable with his former teammate Gaines Adams, who went in last years draft #4 overall. For the Steelers to get him in the 20’s is great value.
24. Tennessee Titans – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Vince Young needs some more weapons to help him impact opposing teams defenses. The Titans went out and added impact TE Alge Crumpler, who was inexplicably released from the Falcons, to help their cause. Now in the draft they will add Sweed. Limas is very talented, although he has had some struggles with injuries recently. I think in the end, he is still going to be a player at the pro level, and paring him with Young will pay great dividens.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
One of the primary focuses of the Hawks during this offseason had to be looking for the long term replacement for Alexander. They addressed this need by signing both TJ Duckett and Julius Jones, which will allow for Illini RB Rashard Mendenhall to fall further in round 1. Now they can focus on replacing DT Chuck Darby who the team has not resigned. Balmer is a big boy, and can really stuff the run, and keep blockers occupied to allow the linebackers like Tatupu and Peterson to make plays.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
This is a very good team that will only be getting better. Despite this, the team still has some needs. They went out and added WR’s Joey Porter and Troy Williams to try and give David Garrard someone to throw to. Unfortunately they still have holes on the defense at DE and LB, and they were exacerbated by the loss of Bobby McCray to New Orleans. Calais Campbell is an enigma. Some teams have him dropping down their boards, because despite talent there are some questions about his heart.
27. San Diego Chargers – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
The Chargers are a very good team. They did not always play like it this year, but they are a very good team. Not too many holes either. One of their only weaknesses is at safety, and Phillips is leading a weak class at the position. The fringe first rounder becomes the selection here late in round 1.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
As I mentioned earlier, the Cowboys will want to look to wide out with this pick, however, there is no one left worth choosing at this point. There is however value remaining, and Jones is that value. Owner Jerry Jones will jump at the chance to spell power back Marion Barber with fellow Arkansas alum and namesake Felix Jones.
29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) – Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
Last year the team selected Willis who is showing himself to be a stud. This offseason they have added talent all over the place, including WR Isaac Bruce, DE Justin Smith, LB Dontarrious Thomas and RB DeShawn Foster. Now they can choose Talib to pair with last years free agent acquisition Nate Clements, and build themselves a secondary to be proud of.
30. Green Bay Packers – Brandon Flowers, CB, Va Tech
Green Bay has a talented pair of starting corners, however the team has no depth behind them and the starters are getting older every day. Flowers has spunk, and his heart will be appreciated in Green Bay.
31. New England - Pick Forfeited
Thanks to spygate, the Pats are forced by the league to forfeit this pick.
32. New York Giants – Dan Conner, LB, Penn State
The Giants shocked the world with their Super Bowl win in January, then lost key pieces of their defense in free agency. With S Gibril Wilson, LB Kawika Mitchell, and LB Reggie Torbor bolting town there are now some holes on this championship defense. The addition of S Sammy Knight is effectively meaningless, as he is too old to be an impact player any longer. This is why this team needs Conner. Technically sound, but not flashy, this product of Linebacker U will bring hard work, grit and determination to this unit and will fit in well with incumbents Osi Umeniyora and Antonio Pierce.
Round 2
33. Miami Dolphins – Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
34. St Louis Rams – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
35. Atlanta Falcons (from Oakland) – Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
36. Kansas City Chiefs – Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
37. New York Jets – Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
38. Atlanta Falcons – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
39. Baltimore Ravens – Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
40. San Francisco 49ers – Sam Baker, OT, USC
41. New Orleans Saints – Fred Davis, TE, USC
42. Buffalo Bills – Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
43. Denver Broncos – Chilo Rachal, G, USC
44. Carolina Panthers – Joe Flacco, QB, Deleware
45. Chicago Bears – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
46. Detroit Lions – Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
47. Cincinnati Bengals – Dustin Keller, TE, Perdue
48. Minnesota Vikings – Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
49. Atlanta Falcons (from Houston) – Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
50. Philadelphia Eagles – Early Doucet, WR, LSU
51. Arizona Cardinals – Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
52. Washington Redskins – Cliff Avril, DE, Perdue
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
54. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
55. Tennessee Titans – Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
56. Seattle Seahawks – John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
57. Green Bay Packers (from Cleveland) – Duane Brown, OT, Va Tech
58. Miami Dolphins (from San Diego) – Justin King, CB, Penn St
59. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas St
60. Indianapolis Colts – Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
61. Green Bay Packers – Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
62. Dallas Cowboys – Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
63. New England Patriots – Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
64. New York Giants – Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas St.
