1.
Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaThe Lions are in an interesting spot with the number one overall pick. Usually you go with the guy with the best chance to build around, and Stafford is that guy. Unfortunately there are questions concerning Stafford, none of which were answered in Indy. Fortunately for the former Bulldog signal caller, there is no better option for the Lions at this point, so Stafford gets the call.
2.
St Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OT, BaylorWith his Indy antics combining with questionable behaviors that lead to his being suspended for his Bowl game, former Tide tackle, Andre Smith has fallen to the third spot amongst tackles on my board. Conversely, since season’s end, Baylor’s tackle with the same sir name has done nothing but impress. Coming out of the combine, Jason Smith is now the best tackle on my board. The Rams really need to address the o-line, and I think Jason Smith will be the man.
3.
Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake ForrestWith Scott Pioli taking the reigns in KC, I am even more certain the team will not look to QB with this selection. Instead, they will look to get a cornerstone for their defense. Right now, the only playmaker at linebacker for the team is Derrick Johnson. Curry has the type of versatility the team could really use in its defensive rebuilding effort.
4.
Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas TechThe Seahawks have gone from good to bad in a hurry. They need to get Hasslebeck some weapons if this team is to get better, and there is no better weapon in this year’s draft than Crabtree. He lacks prototypical speed, but is big, strong, smart, fast enough, and has great hands. Despite the issues developing out of camp Crabtree with this foot injury, he is still a stud at wide out. He will immediately help this team open up the offense for new head coach Jim Mora Jr.
5.
Cleveland Browns – Brian Orakpo, DE, TexasThe Browns really underachieved in 08, and they will need to play better offense in 09 if they want to compete. Having said that, this team has a talented offense, and thus they need to draft on the defensive side of the ball to continue to improve. For a team that finished 08 with only 17 sacks, Orakpo could be a god send. At the combine, Orakpo put in an amazing performance. He moves on up the board as a result, and now looks to be Cleveland bound.
6.
Cincinnati Bengals – BJ Raji, DT, Boston CollegeThe Bengals need to be able to stop the run. BJ Raji can do that. No single player benefited more from his performance at the Senior Bowl than Raji. This kid proved he is worthy of a top ten selection with the way he played in Mobile. Marvin Lewis will love this kid’s mettle in the middle.
7.
Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe, OT, VirginiaThe Raiders have selected franchise type players during the last two years. Now they need someone to help keep Russell and McFadden upright. Monroe is very close to Jason Smith in talent and could be an anchor for this line for the future.
8.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Maclin, WR, MissouriThe Jags could look in many directions with this choice. They could look at linebacker but I don’t see Curry falling this far. They need some help on the o-line too, and Andre Smith could be a top line tackle. He would be an immediate upgrade over Khalif Barnes, and this could really help this team. However, in the end, the Jags still need help at the wide out position. Maclin is very talented, and could be the answer the team has been searching for the last few years. He provides an asset at both the wide out position and as a return man, and with Del Rio on the hot seat, this is a necessary move.
9.
Green Bay Packers – Andre Smith, OT, AlabamaGreen Bay needs help on both lines. Everette Brown will garner strong consideration as Dom Campers needs pass rushers to help build his defense around. Andre Smith however is a rare talent. His antics have hurt him in this draft, but his immense talent will prevail in the end, and the Pack will get their cornerstone to build the offensive line around.
10.
San Francisco 49ers – Mark Sanchez, QB, USCAlex Smith is officially a bust, and O’Sullivan is not the long term answer at QB. Sanchez is therefore the logical selection at this point. He put up good numbers at USC in his only year as a starter, but I agree with Pete Carroll, he should have returned to the Trojans for another season. Regardless, with Bradford going back to Sooner country, Sanchez is the number two signal caller on the board.
11.
Buffalo Bills – Everette Brown, DE, Florida StateBuffalo is in need of help at a few positions. In the end it will come down to Everette Brown or Brandon Pettigrew. I think Brown would win out in this situation because solid pass rushers are so rare and game changing. Brown has some great speed off the end, and could also play the run too.
12.
Denver Broncos – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSUWith the Broncos moving to a 3-4 defense, they will need bulk up front. Tyson Jackson is a big DE, and he is really the only elite 5-technique player in this draft. He makes a lot of sense for Denver.
13.
Washington Redskins – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn StateThe Redskins surprised a lot of folks with their strong early season play, before falling off in the second half. To make themselves more formidable in 09, they need to be better at the point of attack on defense. Maybin can get after the QB. With the Skins adding Albert Haynesworth and re-upping with DeAngelo Hall both on the first day of free agency, Maybin becomes another piece to this defensive puzzle.
14.
New Orleans Saints – Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio StateThe Saints spent last off season improving their front seven. Now with that high flying offense still in full gear, they need some help in the secondary. Greg Williams is the new DC in the Big Easy, and Malcolm Jenkins is the best prospect in this years class. Jenkins can play corner or safety. With a poor performance at Indy, Jenkins should still be on the board for the Saints at 14.
15.
Houston Texans – Percy Harvin, WR, FloridaOver the last few seasons, Houston has built themselves quite a young talented defense. They have Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, and Amobi Okoye to build around. The offense has been getting better too, especially with the addition of Steve Slaton last year. Unfortunately however, to stop the Texans, you just need to focus on Andre Johnson. The addition of Harvin could stop all of that. He is too good to leave in one-on-one coverage with no over the top help, and this will open up so many more opportunities for Schaub and the offense. Texans could be a definite playoff contender in 09 with Harvin on board.
16.
San Diego Chargers - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USCThe Chargers really underachieved in 08, and it was in large part because of the defense. Shawn Merriman will be back in 09, but adding a beast like Maualuga to the middle will really help this team step it up. The defense isn’t quite the same since Donnie Edwards left, and Big Rey fixes this issue… now.
17.
New York Jets – Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, MarylandSure, Rex Ryan is the new boss in town, and this should mean a focus on defense, but the Jets added Bart Scott in free agency, so now Ryan will be smart and help the team’s offense. Heywood-Bey set the combine on fire with his Wideout best, 4.3 second 40 yard dash. With Coles now gone, adding some speed on the outside would really help the Jets in ’09.
18.
Chicago Bears – Vontae Davis, CB, IllinoisThe Bears made out well last year with the selection of Tulane RB Matt Forte. He along with Kyle Orton give the offense something to build around. Considering the defense all of a sudden looks quite pedestrian, I expect the Bears to make their mark there. A few years back the combination of Tillman and Vasher looked primed to develop into one of the league’s best. Now, Peanut is hurt and Vasher has fallen out of favor, so enter Davis. Davis is a top notch cover man, but he has some commitment concerns. The Bears will like what they see enough though to take the jump.
19.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Clay Mathews, OLB, USCTampa needs some answers behind center, but Josh Freeman is too big of a reach here. Instead new HC Raheem Morris will give new DC Jim Bates something to build around. With the Bucs having cut both Brooks and June, they will need backers, and Clay Mathews is fast on the rise. A strong combine added to an already impressive post season, and Mathews continues to rise up draft boards.
20.
Detroit Lions via Dallas – James Laurinaitis, ILB, USCThe Lions have a lot of holes to fill, on both sides of the ball. Laurinaitis is simply a great ball player. He is not going to measure out well, and that is why he falls to the Lions here. Well what luck for them. Add him to a defense that already boasts Ernie Sims and you have the foundation for the future.
21.
Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Oher, OT, MississippiThe Eagles have an aging o-line. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan have both past their primes, and both could be playing elsewhere next season. Adding a player like Oher could be just what the doctor ordered. Oher has the talent to be a top ten pick, but he has been too inconsistent to bank on. He can develop into a real solid player at the next level though, and the Eagles will be willing to take the chance.
22.
Minnesota Vikings – Brian Cushing, LB, USCThe Vikes are a team who still has some holes to fill. The addition of Jared Allen to the defensive front helped out a bit, but the team still has needs to address. Upgrading at the outside backer position would be a great place to start. Cushing is an instinctive player who gets after the ball very well. He goes for the big hit a bit too often for my liking, he can still make waves. The Vikings could use a player with Cushing’s spirit on their team.
23.
New England Patriots – DJ Moore, CB, VanderbiltNo matter how many players the Pats seem to loose, they continually find themselves competitive in the AFC. Unfortunately, after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in the last bizzillion years, the Pats have some holes to fill. The secondary is a great place to start, and Moore is the right guy to start with. He can cover, and make plays ala Asante Samuel. Moore is also the type who could take it to the house when he picks it off too. This would be the first step back towards a playoff run in 09.
24.
Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma StateThe Falcons had a great season, but they need to fill some holes if they want to continue to improve. Giving Matt Ryan a weapon like Pettigrew makes this team even better. Not only is Pettigrew a solid receiver, but he is a top flight inline blocker too, making him the best TE in this year’s draft.
25.
Miami Dolphins – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North CarolinaThe Phins turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous. Adding a guy like Nicks to this offense will give them the possession type receiver they need to compliment Ted Ginn. The team may look for an upgrade a linebacker but with Nicks still on the board, the Phins will be too tempted to pass on him.
26.
Baltimore Ravens – Larry English, DE/LB, Northern IllinoisJoe Flacco has been impressive in his rookie season as the Raven’s signal caller. What he does in the future is going to be largely a result of what the team does to surround him with talent. The wide receiver position is still a question in Baltimore, as Mason nears the end of his playing days, and Clayton is really more of a #2 than a #1. Unfortunately, all of the top receiving threats are gone. Now the team will look to replace Bart Scott who bolted in free agency to the Jets, and a tweener like English could be the guy. In Indy this kid really stood out because of his spirit, and Baltimore loves guys with spirit.
27.
Indianapolis Colts – Perria Jerry, DT, MississippiThe Colts are a very good football team, and as long as Peyton Manning is in Indy, the offense will continue to roll. The defense has some areas where they could improve however. They really need a presence in the middle of that defensive front. Peria Jerry is an athletic big guy in the middle. Caldwell has his work cut out for him replacing a legend like Tony Dungy, but he is a good coach, and could make Jerry pay dividends.
28.
Philadelphia Eagles via Carolina – Knowshon Moreno, RB, GeorgiaWith their second pick in the first round, I expect the Eagles to look again at improving their offense. With the o-line having been addressed, the team could look to add another running back to help reduce Westbrook’s workload, and hopefully increase his chances of staying healthy. Moreno is a veritable steal at this point in the first round. He has the potential to be a real good back in this league, and he can catch out of the backfield giving him the edge in a system like Phily.
29.
New York Giants – Connor Barwin, OLB, CincinnatiThe Giants will have some decisions to make in the off-season that will effect what they do with this selection. I do not expect to see Plax back in New York next season, but I do expect the team to push hard to acquire a receiver like Anquan Boldin to replace him with. This leaves defense as the next area of need. Barwin is flying up draft boards due to outstanding showings at both the senior bowl and the combine. He has excellent speed, and has shown himself to be a smart player that Coughlin would love to have on his squad.
30.
Tennessee Titans – Alex Mack, C, CaliforniaThe Titans have done a great job this season. Their aggressive defense and a dominant run game has kept this team at the top of their game all season. They do however need to come to the realization that time has take its toll, and Kevin Mawae is getting on in years. It is time to bring in his replacement, and Mack is that guy. He is one tough customer, and he will be a great addition to this unit where he will have the opportunity to learn from one of the great Centers of this generation.
31.
Arizona Cardinals – Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio StateTrue, this offense is tremendous. Warner looks young again, and he has some serious weapons at the receiver positions. Edge unfortunately is no longer the player he once was, and although good, Tim Hightower is better suited for a short yard back. Wells has top 10 talent, so to get him at this point in the draft is larceny. Adding him to the backfield in Zona could mean great things for years to come.
32.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Unger, C/G, OregonWhen you are as talented as the Steelers are, you have a lot of options at 32. This team lost some talent last year on the offensive front with Faneca heading to New York. Obviously, the team continued to roll, but with the impending free agency of some other big fellas up front, Unger is a great choice for Sixburgh. Unger is a hard nosed kid who can play any of the interior positions on the line, and this is exactly the type of player the Steelers have continued to build around.
