1.
It’s no secret that the Dolphins are looking to shop their first overall pick, but it does not seem that there will be any takers. So now the organization must decide what position they need to shore up the most. They could look to the impressive Matt Ryan considering that all they have is John Beck. They could draft Jake Long and have a sound offensive line. They could also draft a DT to take care of the middle of the DL. I think all of these are viable options, but I feel that Chris Long is the hands down best pick for
2.
The Rams are tough to figure out mainly because they love to smokescreen. The high ranking officials wined and dined Jake Long. ESPN’s Matt Mosley the Rams love Gholston. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Dispatch cites that Head Coach Scott Linehan said “We really like him (Glenn Dorsey) a lot. We've got to make sure on a lot of stuff on him. I think you've got to see him work out." All three are feasible, but I go with Gholston for a few reasons. First, drafting Jake Long at second overall would be nice “IF” Orlando Pace goes down. I don’t think with the second overall a contingency player should be taken. Second, Gholston has the possibility to play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. Carriker and Clifton Ryan share this in common. The Rams like versatile players. Third, Gholston has killed every workout he has come across and would be a handful for any offense. Gholston seems to be a player made for the Rams.
3.
4.
The Raiders will most likely look to trade this pick as they have gone on a ridiculous spending spree. However, I don’t mock with trades so, I have the Raiders taking Dorsey. Dorsey did respectable at his pro day and has shown no signs of injury. He managed to regain his top player status and so the Raiders would not mine taking him with the 4th overall. If they move Tommy Kelly to the inside, then the Raiders can put Dorsey in the rotation with Warren and have a pretty sound D-Line. See my previous post for why they shouldn’t take McFadden.
5.
Herm Edwards has stated that offense is a priority for the draft, which makes sense considering that the Chiefs were near the bottom in almost every offensive stat. I would say that if McFadden falls here, it might be worthwhile for them to trade the pick to the highest bidder, but if that falls through working on their abysmal offensive line would make perfect sense. Clady is the next best thing to Jake Long as far the O-line goes, so it makes sense to go after him here. They could be tempted to take Ellis here, but the offense must be a priority.
6.
The Jets have been very aggressive in the off-season giving themselves a very impressive offensive line. Now if they draft McFadden and have him in a tandem with Thomas Jones, the Jets could very well be a contender again. Having McFadden takes stress off of every position on the offense. Thomas Jones will run better being part of a tandem, whichever quarterback plays will have a strong running game to back them up, and McFadden is a back that requires very little blocking. Needless to say Run DMC would make this Jets offense very dangerous.
7.
Had Laurinitus entered he would have been the hands down pick for the Pats, but he did not and the Patriots are faced with drafting elsewhere. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay have both left for “Greener” pastures and so CB seems to be the pressing need, even if they sign Ty Law. Mcklevin can help make an immediate impact on an almost perfect team.
8.
Matt Ryan is still on the board and this causes the Ravens to look through their options at QB. However, the Ravens look at providing their aging, injury prone CB crew with some depth and youth. However, the Ravens are not copping out in the least. DRC seems to be just as much of a playmaker as his relative in San Diego and will help revitalize a fearsome defensive unit.
9.
A defensive player definitely comes off the board here. With Dorsey going to
10.
The Saints had a mediocre run defense that was hurt by their 30th ranked pass defense. Even though they signed Randall Gay they should still look to add talented depth at the CB position and Mike Jenkins, with a 4.38 and a 34 in. vertical, can at times appear to be the best CB in this draft class. The Saints would be ecstatic to see the USF man fall to them.
11.
It seems obvious that the Bills need a large, talented receiver to help their young QB and take some coverage away from the dynamic Lee Evans Limas Sweed is 6’4’’ 216lbs seems to fit the bill (pun intended) in
12.
Matt Liepsis has retired and why not grab Williams who formerly blocked for Jay Cutler. I could see them going elsewhere in this draft, possibly going after a defensive player. The OT depth is considerable in this draft and the Broncos did draft OT Ryan Harris in the 3rd last year to possibly take over this role.
13.
I previously had the Panthers taking Kenny Philips, but the signing of Terrence Holt means that a safety can be pursued later on in the draft. Look for them to pursue Josh Barrett out of
14.
When Jeff Otah was available here previously I had the Bears grab him, but now he isn’t and so the Bears have two choices. Go after a receiver or take the Boston College QB here. Previously I stated that Orton meant that the Bears have stability and could pursue a QB later in the draft. However, with the offensive line talent off the board and the receiver talent lackluster, the Bears will look to add Matt Ryan. Orton can run the team while Ryan learns the ins and outs. Ryan can then turn a mediocre offense into a great one and will be a great QB for the Bears for a long time.
15.
Jon Kitna got sacked 51 times and the Lions had the 31st worst rushing game. However, these stats could be misleading considering the nature of the Mike Martz offense. This could mean offense may not be a priority, especially considering the Lions had one of the worst defenses in the league. If the Lions had not gone after Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly I would say corner should be a priority, but it no longer is. Then, Kevin Jones was fired so it would appear that the Lions may be after a dynamic half back and Mendenhall is just that. Mendenhall has the running and pass catching ability to really help improve the offense.
16.
The Cardinals would like to move Antrel Rolle to safety with Adrian Wilson. Acquiring Talib would make that move easier. I could also see the Cardinals taking Jonathan Stewart because of his rare combination of speed and power, but I say they pass on RB in the first and get a spell back in the second or third.
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18.
Every time I come to the Texans pick in this draft I pause and wonder if they would take a risk on Stewart. Every time, however, Aqib Talib has been on the board and I just consider him the best pick for the Texans. However, now Talib is off the board and the Texans have to deliberate. Keith Rivers is still on the board, but the signing of Chaun Thompson negates that pick. The Texans do have Ahman Green and Chris Brown. Ahman won’t be around forever and Brown is a stopgap. Stewart’s rare combination of speed and power would make him a back par excellence for
19.
Philly was a pretty good team last year, they are just in the most competitive division in the NFL. When Mcnabb is healthy, he is pure magic. His main problem was being sacked so much…44 times. That could be an offensive line problem, it could be a problem with receivers getting open, or it could be a Mcnabb problem. The only reason I have them going after Devin Thomas is that Philly was so aggressive in going for a receiver. Desean Jackson is still on the board, but Philly already has a speed demon in Kevin Curtis, so the big receiver could be very helpful. He can be a release valve for Mcnabb when he is in trouble. Devin Thomas may just be the best receiver in this class and the Eagles would love to land him.
20.
21.
The Redskins have actually been very smart thus far in the off-season and it’s amazing. For once, the Skins might actually build through the draft! If they do, it would be wise to put some youth into the defensive line and give Andre Carter a partner on the Dline. One of my friends who is a Redskin fan believes beyond any doubt that Ocho-Cinco will be traded to the Skins, and so if that is true, provided that this pick is not in the trade, then the Skins should go D-line, receiver having been taken care of. However if the trade does not happen then the Skins should still go after D-line, it being a glaring need.
22.
The Cowboys have two picks in the first round and need a running back, wide receiver, and a cornerback. I have them going for James Hardy here because before they get to pick again, they have the receiver needy Titans going. The Titans would love to draft James Hardy, a big target, who can get open easily, for their scrambling QB. So, the Cowboys have to draft him now if they want him. Hardy is a big receiver who could benefit greatly from the advice (such as it is) of the sizeable Terrell Owens.
23.
I have been looking forward to this pick for two years. For two years I have said the Steelers should go after a good offensive lineman in the draft. I can’t really complain though. Santonio Holmes was a great pickup. No good lineman was available in the 2007 first round to the Steelers so Lawrence Timmons made sense. It was cruel fate though to see our second round pick come up with Ryan Kahlil, the versatile center from USC, on the board only to see Lamar Woodley come off. I was upset, but it seems that Woodley will be a good player so once again I cannot complain. Signing Hartwig will probably move Mahan to guard, but remember that Hartwig has been hurt. If he goes down Mahan will have to return to center. Plus, I have my hesitations about Mahan in the first place. Albert will bring dynamic youth that will force everyone on the line to step up.
24.
The Titans need to open up their offense. Running Lendale White up the middle and the occasional play action pass does not make an NFL offense (clearly). Vince Young was used to running multiple receiver formations in
25.
I have heard rumors that the Seahawks would like to draft an OT to be the eventual replacement for Walter Jones, but Gosder Cherilius is the only OT that has first round value. So, the Seahawks take a look and DT. Kerney dominated offensive lines with a mediocre interior crew. DT is the only weak point in this tenacious defense so the Seahawks look to land Balmer and make their defense one of the most imposing in the NFL.
26.
The Jaguars have a very talented team. There only weak point would be DE.
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28.
See the Cowboys previous pick for background.
29.
The 49ers have desperate needs at linebacker. Their needs are even more pressing considering they run a 3-4. Connor could provide an immediate impact and play multiple positions. Rivers is the more talented linebacker prospect, but Connor has more experience in the middle, where the departure of Derek Smith has left a considerable void. Connor has also played the outside and could easily move their and make an impact. Connor may be a better prospect than Posluszny who, before getting hurt, was looking like he would have been in the running for Defensive Rookie of Year. Willis and Connor in the middle would be a fearsome combination to run against.
30.
Woodson and Al Harris play well, but are also aged. Al Harris looked desperate against Burress in the playoff game. Will Blackmon is not the ideal nickel back. Nick Collins had gotten hurt for part of the season. Reggie Smith was a safety who moved to corner recently, and played well. He is projected to be a great prospect at either position in the NFL. Reggie Smith could provide a good secondary with the depth it needs, not to mention a future. Reggie Smith is very physical and no one press covers like Al Harris. Smith can immediately help the Pack defense and learn from two of the premier corners in the league.
31.
The Giants have glaring holes in their linebacker corps. Torbor and Mitchell are gone and Danny Clark is not a permanent solution. Kiwanuka played well for the little time that he was in and may be able to be counted on for one OLB position. Rivers would provide depth and could probably win the starting job in a competition with Danny Clark. The Giants linebacker corps would thus be strengthened considerably.
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