1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
This year’s draft doesn’t really have great talent at the top and there isn’t a clear cut #1. Fortunately for the Lions almost anyone they pick will make them better. They’re in the market for a QB and they will follow the trend of most drafts where the top QB is selected. Stafford has all the talent to succeed however he still needs a lot of work. His consistency is terrible and he has yet to emerge as a leader. He is the top QB talent and the Lions can’t count on Dante Culpepper past this upcoming season.
2. St. Louis Rams – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
The Rams are in the same position as the Lions except with a few more veteran players that still contribute. Their offensive line has been in decline ever since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2001. Orlando Pace was just cut and Alex Barron never lived up to his potential. Smith looks like the best linemen this year so expect him to go here.
3. Kansas City Cheifs – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
Scott Pioli knows how to build teams and he will start with the defense. Curry is one of the best all around LBs to come out in the past decade and he has the tools to play either 3-4 0r 4-3. He will join a defense that is depleted at LB and that has some good talent around him to help him grow.
4. Seattle Seahawks – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn St.
The Seahawks have an aging team that will need a good draft to rebuild the foundation that Mike Holmgren created. Had Michael Crabtree been healthy I could see them drafting him, but based on last year’s draft and his latest foot injury along with the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh I expect him to drop. The Seahawks already deal with too many injuries at WR. Maybin will come into a defense looking for a spark. They still have Patrick Kearny however he’s coming off an injury-shortened season and he’s not getting any younger. Maybin will collapse the pocket and get to the QB consistently, which is something the Seahawks need.
5. Cleveland Browns – Malcolm Jenkins, DB, Ohio St.
I think Eric Mangini wants a LB in this spot however there isn’t really anyone he can take. Curry is gone and the next group of LBs shouldn’t be drafted for a little while. He also doesn’t want to take a chance on another hybrid player like Orakpo (just think about Gholston last year and how inconsistent Wimbley already is). He will take a defensive back to improve a secondary that took a huge hit when Leigh Bodden was traded last year. Jenkins has the versatility that is praised in a Belichickian style defense with his size and athletic ability and should make a good addition to a stale Browns defense.
6. Cincinnati Bengals – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virigina
Life on the Cincinnati offensive line hasn’t been the same since Eric Steinbach left for the state rival Browns. Levi Jones has clearly past his prime after a few bad injury breaks and Stacy Andrews in no way deserved the Franchise tag he received last year. Monroe can step in and provide the protection Carson Palmer needs to find his talented receivers down the field.
7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Al Davis likes offense. A lot. He’ll take Michael Crabtree to be his top receiver after a failed season from Javon Walker. It’s that simple.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
The Jaguars are better than their 5-11 record indicates. They didn’t have the same consistency on a defense that lost Mike Peterson (in essence after his benching) and Marcus Stroud. Drayton Florence also failed as a starter and Gregg Williams’ defense schemes didn’t work out well. B.J. Raji will restore the massive interior that Jacksonville once touted and will bring back some consistency to the defense. Don’t be surprised to see a CB taken here as well.
9. Green Bay Packers – Brian Orakpo, LB, Texas
The Packers have a tough road ahead as they switch to the Zone Blitzing 3-4 defense of Dom Capers. They know one OLB in Aaron Kampman but using A.J. Hawk in that capacity is not a great idea. He should be on the inside instead of on the edge so that means the Pack needs one more outside man. They have some fairly good backups but Orakpo can be made into a versatile OLB after a season or so of situational pass rushing.
10. San Fransisco 49ers – Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Singletary would rather spend this pick on a defensive player but I think their need at WR is too great. Maclin has great physical attributes and should add the spark that their offense needs. Mark Sanchez will also be considered at this spot but not taken since Shaun Hill can fill in for at least a little while longer.
11. Buffalo Bills – Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
The Bills hit their pick last year with McKelvin, who started off slow but turned it on at the end of the season. They will stay on the defensive side of the ball and add the aggressive LB from USC. His intensity should bring back the Bills defense from years past that allowed them to be a contender for the wild card each year.
12. Denver Broncos – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
McDaniels might be a great offensive mind but he knows he needs a slot receiver to succeed with his scheme. Both Wes Welker and Troy Brown in New England were like a HB at WR because they could gain 10 yards after getting the ball near the line of scrimmage. Harvin played in a Florida offense where he filled many roles where he would be asked to gain yards after the catch. McDaniels would rather have defense but Harvin will be to hard to pass.
13. Washington Redskins – Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.
The Redskins continue to struggle getting to the QB consistently. Andre Carter is a good but not great pass rusher and Jason Taylor just didn’t seem comfortable in their defensive scheme. Brown will need some work to add bulk and improve against the run but he will be a welcome addition to a team looking to pressure the QB.
14. New Orleans Saints – Beanie Wells, HB, Ohio St.
The Saints just dumped their only viable running game. Sure Reggie Bush is nice as a change of pace, but they need the power run game that Duece McAllister to be successful with Payton as coach. Wells is the power back they need to stay consistent on offense.
15. Houston Texans – Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
The Texans desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball. They signed Antonio Smith, which should help on the defensive line, now they need to look at LB. Morlon Greenwood was recently released and the Texans still need a third starter to go along with DeMeco Ryans and Zach Diles at the other linebacker spots. Matthews has been shooting up draft boards and could end up at this pick after a great senior campaign and solid combine results.
16. San Diego Chargers – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Once thought of as the top player let alone top lineman, Smith will drop due to character concerns after his suspension from the National Championship and strange departure from the Combine. His pass blocking skills will be of concern too but his size and ability in the run game are too good for the Chargers to pass up after some struggles in the run game. He could shore up an offensive line that once helped the Chargers win but now holds them back.
17. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Jets fans’ prayers will be answered when Sanchez drops due to other investments in QBs by the teams before them. The Chiefs trade for Cassel will cause him to drop into the middle of the round along with inconsistent play on a great team. In either case, the Jets don’t want to admit it but they have no answer at QB. Sanchez might have to step in right away but he has talent around him to help him succeed.
18. Chicago Bears – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
The Bears need to fill some major holes and their defensive line had plenty of those last year. The Bears were terrible against the run and will need to bulk up in order to be more consistent. Jackson has the athleticism to play end to stop the run but can move inside to rush the passer as well.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
I don’t know what the Buccaneers “new direction” is (especially one that doesn’t include a fine player in Derrick Brooks) but I wouldn’t be shocked if a player like Ronde Barber, whose contract and abilities are not what the Bucs want right now, isn’t included. He’s gotten older and his skills are at the point where he only finds success in the Cover 2 role. Smith will add the youth and vitality that Morris is looking for on his defense.
20. Detroit Lions – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Here come the Lions again. They have a lot of issues and corner is one of them. They made a mistake by releasing Leigh Bodden so they will have to make up for it. Davis has been up and down in terms of where he falls but he is widely accepted as first round talent. He’s had some on-field issues so I’m not sure how well he’ll do in the NFL, but the Lions certainly know how to pick massive failures.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The Eagles will be giddy when they see Oher drop to them at number 21. Their offensive line needs a makeover and has just lost one of its most consistent members in William Thomas. Oher has the potential to be the best left tackle in the NFL however he still has some growing left after only beginning football as a junior in high school.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St.
The Vikings have a solid all around team in all aspects except for one: QB. They can’t catch a break. The Jackson experiment is officially over and the Rosenfelds experiment should last even shorter (remember that game against the Colts when he was with the Texans? Exactly). Josh Freeman has been rocketing up draft boards with his arm strength and measurables. I think you’ll see a situation like the Eagles where a QB has been crowned the starter but they decide it’s already time to think ahead.
23. New England Patriots – Brian Cushing, LB, USC
The Patriots have gotten lucky the past few weeks since Cushing’s former teammates have left him out of the limelight. Everyone gawks at Maualuga while Matthews has been impressive at workouts and has stood out from the shadow of being the “other” USC LB. I think Cushing could be the best of all three. He has the ability to rush the passer from the outside while also playing the middle spot in the 3-4, which the Patriots desperately need now that Bruschi has lost most of his athletic ability. Belichick will love his versatility and gladly take him here.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
The Falcons had a fine season last year but still have many holes to fill. They will be down a couple of veteran LBs next season so whoever they are replaced with will need extra help from the defensive line. They also need to be stouter on the inside and that’s where Perry comes in. He should provide a little more consistency to their interior line.
25. Miami Dolphins – Alex Mack, C, Cal
The Dolphins were greatly displeased with their interior line. Satele just doesn’t show the aggressive nature to battle with 3-4 Nose Guards like Kris Jenkins and Vince Wilfork. He was absolutely manhandled and they want someone with a little more toughness. A rookie center might not be Parcells’ cup of tea but at least Pennington is there to help him along.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Darrius Heyward-Bay, WR, Maryland
Joe Flacco has thus far proven me wrong. I said he would be awful. He had a fine rookie season (not Rookie of the Year like he won, but still solid). He won’t get better, however, until he gets a downfield threat. Heyward-Bay showed his speed at the combine and he’s exactly what the Ravens need to spark an offense led by one of the better minds in football Cam Cameron.
27. Indinapolis Colts – Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
The Colts have a lot of decisions to make this year and a bad draft to do it with. They hate the kind of players this year’ has to offer. They prefer smaller, quicker players. Unfortunately their defensive end situation is all set and they don’t like their LBs all that big. When in doubt, they draft receiver. Nicks has some good skills and should blend well with Wayne, Clark, and Gonzalez.
28. Philadelphia Eagles – Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
The key to the Eagles defense during the Jim Johnson era has been the pass rush from their defensive line. They have a lot of talented players there and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them add on to it like the Giants did in the early 2000s (already had Strahan and added Tuck, Umenyora, and Kiwanuka). Ayers good size (272 lb. at DE) should also benefit the team in run support.
29. New York Giants – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma St.
The Giants have solidified their defense via free agency so they will turn to offense in the draft. Pettigrew is a fine receiver but better yet a very solid blocker, something tough to find in many college TEs anymore. With him and Kevin Boss the Giants should be able to provide bigger sets for Brandon Jacobs and gain a little more freedom in their offensive play calling.
30. Tennessee Titans – Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
The Titans lost their defense with Albert Haynesworth signing in Washington. He was the heart and soul. He allowed Kyle Vanden Bosch to be single teamed, provided consistent pass rush, and plugged the middle. The Titans will try to replace him with Ron Brace who should do well in the run game. The big question with him is how well he plays without another great DT next to him.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Knowshon Moreno, HB, Georgia
How did Moreno fall this far? To answer that question, look back to the drafts where Aaron Rodgers fell to the Packers and when Brady Quinn dropped to the Browns. In those two seasons, most teams had something at QB already. They either had a project, a proven veteran, a former first round pick, or other person blocking a team from pulling the trigger on a new QB. The same is true this year. Not only has HB become a less important position, most teams have some semblance of a solid backfield. Moreno will go to a team that hasn’t had a run game since Otis Anderson went to the Giants in the 80’s.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
The Steelers have few weaknesses outside of their offensive line. Unfortunately the only lineman of worth at this pick went to the Eagles at pick number 28. They will shore up their secondary that lost Bryant McFadden by adding Butler.
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