Where Does LT Belong

Today LaDanian Tomlinson’s tenure in San Diego came to a close. I always hate to see legendary players forced to go to another team, but that is how this business works. It is especially disheartening to know that LT, who gave the Chargers and their fans so much, had his last carry as a Charger met with boos…It’s a shame. Anyhow, San Diego’s loss is another team’s gain, but who could that be? In this article I will explore my ideas of potential landing spots for LT and in what capacity he would be most effective.

Many argue that the years are showing on LT and his tires are wearing. While that may be the case, I would not say that his decline in yardage was all his fault. Pro Bowl Center Nick Hardwick was gone most of the year and his absence hurt San Diego’s run blocking ability considerably. Also, Philip Rivers really came on this year and the Chargers switched gears to a passing team. LT also was hit with the injury bug early and most running backs are not nearly as effective as they can be when they are hurt. So, I would not say LT’s poor yardage was necessarily all his fault.

That being said, I do not necessarily think that you hand LT the keys to your franchise’s running game. I see parallels to LT’s situation to that of Jerome Bettis’ last years in Pittsburgh. For years Bettis was THE running back in Pittsburgh. As time wore on he became less effective as an every down back. However, as a third down back and particularly as a goaline/short yardage back….there was none better. Bettis provided a valuable situational role for Pittsburgh, while at the same time mentoring young Willie Parker. I remember watching a video of Bettis on the sideline telling Parker to stick to the middle and hit those lanes hard and fast. I see LT as a player who could fill that type of Bettis role. LT still had 12 touchdowns this year and most of them came in the goal line/red zone. LT could provide a considerable amount of guidance to any young running back while contributing as a Bettis type player. LT has a few years left and could make a big impact on the right team.

So the question becomes what team would LT make the largest impact on? One team I would like to see LT go to would be the Cleveland Browns. I am a big believer in history repeating itself and if Cleveland signs LT then they would be repeating it. Three years ago the Browns signed Jamal Lewis, a worn out elite who was believed to be done. Cleveland almost made the playoffs that year on Jamal Lewis’ back. LT could have a similar effect in Cleveland. Cleveland’s offensive line is the best part of that team. Cleveland appears to want a new QB and that new QB would benefit substantially having LT behind him. Also, LT is breaking records every game. That would get national attention and put people in the seats. LT could bring a lot of positive attention to a Cleveland team in desperate need of it.

Another team desperate for a solid running back…Detroit! With Kevin Smith’s week one status unknown, LT becomes a phenomenal option. If I was LT, I would not go to Detroit considering their oline and defense, but LT would bring a safety in the box and take one off of Calvin Johnson, who gets triple covered up and down the field. Detroit, although an unlikely spot, would benefit greatly from LT’s services.

LT says he wants to be a contender…well I have two darkhorse candidates that would be great landing spots for the future hall of famer. The first would be the Redskins. The Redskins had a great defense last year, but no offense. Clinton Portis is supposed to be coming back, but I am sure Shanahan would not mind bringing in LT and giving him Portis’ money…don’t forget that Shanahan dumped Portis once before. Shanahan has turned mediocre running backs into gods; imagine what he would be able to do with a running back of LT’s caliber. LT could provide veteran leadership to what is more than likely going to be a young offense. He would also take stress off of whoever Washington’s next QB will be. Washington’s offense could be renewed and could propel the Skins deep into the playoffs.

The other darkhorse contender….Pittsburgh! Although LTs price may be a bit high, if Tomlin really wants to commit to the power run, it would serve him well to bring on LT. Mendenhall has difficulty running in between the tackles. He always bounces out runs. It works, but it’s not power football and our line is not fast enough to support that type of running. However, LT could power run and mentor Mendenhall much in the way Bettis mentored Willie Parker. LT would fit in well with the Steelers, but his price would probably be higher than what the Rooneys are willing to pay.

There are plenty of other teams that could use LT’s services. I am just trying to point out places where he could have considerable impact that are not necessarily obvious. A reunion between Brees and Tomlinson is possible, but unlikely given Thomas’ Super Bowl performance (the guy did not know how to get tackled). Denver and the Patriots could definitely benefit from some red zone help. The Texans could use some veteran leadership, but seem opposed to adding any at running back. The point is, LT still has a lot in the tank and any team would be foolish to not entertain the idea of Tomlinson on their roster.

Third Draft of My 2009 Mock Draft

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB UGA

As the draft draws closer I still feel Stafford is the Lions pick. His rocket arm and ability to work with a makeshift line will be invaluable to Detroit. It is interesting to note that last year was the final year of Bobby Layne’s curse. For those uninitiated, Bobby Layne helped Detroit win three championships and then was traded to Pittsburgh. Upset with the trade Layne is rumored to have said the Lions wouldn’t win for 50 years. Subsequently the Lions have had the worst winning percentage of any team over those 50 years of the curse. As aforementioned the last year of the curse ended with Detroit’s record setting 0-16 season. It is interesting to note that Stafford went to the same high school as Bobby Layne. Could Stafford be the chosen one, destined to bring the Lions out of the ashes? Just the prospect of this might be enough to convince me to draft Stafford, but only the Lions’ front office can make that choice.

St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith OT Baylor

With the release of Orlando Pace the Rams have a gaping hole at OT. They missed out on Jake Long last year, but won’t miss out on an OT this year. I think Stafford is a darkhorse pick for them here if the Lions pass on him. Bulger is getting up there and is pretty battered. However, Freeman or Pat White could be available with their next pick. Plus, it is a poor decision to put a rookie behind a bad Oline. If the Lions take Smith, look for the Rams to take Eugene Monroe.

Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Raji DT Boston College

I almost had the Chiefs take Aaron Curry, then they signed Zach Thomas. Thomas will play in the middle with Johnson, Hali and Vrabel can play outside, and Demorrio Williams and different draft pick could fill in all round. It makes no sense to start a 3-4 without a nosetackle in the middle. Raji is a stellar prospect who along with Vrabel and Thomas’ veteran leadership will make the Chiefs’ transition to the 3-4 a smooth one.

Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

Previous Pick: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest

Walter Jones is 35 and coming off a serious injury. Mark Sanchez might be an option, but I think it is a poor decision to sit a rookie behind a bad oline, just ask the 49ers. So, the Seahawks take Monroe and shore up their oline for years to come.

Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest

Previous Pick: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Rumors are abound that the Browns will trade off their entire offense…I find them a little suspect. The PR the Browns got from drafting Quinn was great. Hometown boy makes good would be just what the Browns need, not Derek Anderson. Drafting Crabtree here would make a lot of sense especially if the Browns do trade Braylon Edwards. However, the Browns Achillies heel has been their defense and Curry is the best linebacker prospect in years, why not draft him and stop selling off a good offense.

Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith OT Alabama

Previous Pick: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

The Bengals desperately need an OT. Why Andre Smith and not Oher? The Bengals seem to not have a problem with troubled athletes. The just signed Tank Johnson (which eliminates the need for BJ Raji), Chris Henry is still on roster, and Leon Hall just got in trouble for drunk driving. If you remove Andre Smith’s questionable offseason, he is by far the best OT in this draft. The Bengals will have no problem making this adjustment and will bring Andre on board.

Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

Russell needs a target. Can you imagine an offense with Jamarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, and Michael Crabtree? If the Raiders could get a decent line they could have an unstoppable offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri

Jones Drew is now the feature back in Jacksonville. Garrard needs a target and the Jags need someone to replace Jones Drew in the return game. Maclin is a dual threat that could elevate the Jags offense and help them return to the playoffs. However, don’t be surprised if this pick is traded for someone who wants to jump up and grab Mark Sanchez.

Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Texas

Previous Pick: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

Kampman will be transitioning to OLB in the 3-4 and Poppinga will be operating opposite of him. Malcolm Jenkins would be a nice option for the Packers, but drafting Orakpo would be a major pass rushing upgrade.

San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

Previous Pick: Andre Smith OT Alabama

The signing of Marvel Smith somewhat negates the need for an OT. I could still see the 49ers going OT given Smith’s injury history, but for the moment the Niners upgrade their pass-rush with the young Aaron Maybin.

Buffalo Bills: Everette Brown DE Florida State

Previous Pick: Brian Cushing OLB USC

Aaron Schoebal is on the mend, but it wouldn’t hurt to draft a DE. With the tackles in the AFC East, the Bills will need multiple pass rushers to hold back these offenses. A large reason for New York’s success over New England was the depth in the passrush the Giants were able to keep up. Drafting Brown would not only insure Schoebal, but provide a constant passrush.

Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson DE LSU

Previous Pick: Everette Brown DE Florida State

The Broncos are implementing a 3-4 defense and Jackson is the best 34 DE available. As 3-4 DE’s are hard to come by and the Chargers are eyeing Jackson, I have the Broncos picking the LSU DE here. This pick could be used on Sanchez or Beanie Wells, but I think Jackson gets the nod first.

Washington Redskins: Michael Oher OT Ole Miss

The Skins are looking to upgrade their oline. Derrick Dockery helps, but adding a premier OT would make the Redskins line that much better. A solid line will go a long way towards helping Jason Campbell elevate his play and bring the Skins back to the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints: Chris Wells HB Ohio State

The Saints could draft corner Vontae Davis or S/CB Malcolm Jenkins here. However, defense is obviously not the Saints’ strong point. The weakpoint on the Saints high caliber offense is the rushing game. Pierre Thomas shows some promise, but I’m not sold yet. Deuce is gone and Bush is recovering from a serious injury. Wells would help make a stacked offense even better and provide the Saints some insurance for their abysmal rushing attack.

Houston Texans: Malcolm Jenkins CB/S Ohio State

Drafting a Safety in the first round would help stop the run and slow down the air attack. Seeing that Jenkins is being projected to be a safety in the NFL, the Texans could get a steal with this pick. It’s rare to have a premier cover safety and Jenkins would upgrade the Texans secondary considerably. A lot of people have the Texans pursuing Brian Cushing, but with Cato June, Thompson, and Abidi the need for an OLB is not terribly pressing.

San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga ILB USC

Previous Pick: Tyson Jackson DE LSU

The Chargers, as always, have phenomenal depth. This frees them up to draft whatever their heart desires. If Chris Wells were available I think he might be the pick because both LT and Sproiles are on very short term contracts. However, with Wells and Tyson Jackson gone the Chargers bring in Rey and bolster a solid linebacker corp.

New York Jets: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland

The Jets front office is adamant about the QB competition they already have, so I doubt Sanchez gets picked here. With Coles’ departure the Jets could use a deep threat wideout. Bey ran a great 40 and at 6’3 he could be a great target for whatever QB eventually takes over under center. Many have Harvin here, but teams are cooling on him and the Jets loved Heyward-Bey.

Denver Broncos: Mark Sanchez QB USC

Do I believe that the Broncos will draft Sanchez, not necessarily. Do I know where he is going to go…not in the slightest. Some team will trade up to get Sanchez and totally ruin my mock draft. So, to minimize the damage, I’ll send him to Denver. The Broncos may draft him, which would make sense given Orton only has one year left on his contract. However, I put Sanchez here to minimize the damage, because chances are a trade for Sanchez will go through Denver.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Robert Ayers DE Tennessee

Previous Pick: Mark Sanchez QB USC

The Bucs signed Leftwich which negates the need for Mark Sanchez. The Bucs can now address their defense. Ayers has soared up draft boards and will be a veritable steal at this pick. Ayers opposite of Adams will give the Bucs defense a solid pass rush for years.

Detroit Lions: Eben Britton OT Arizona

The Lions picked Stafford up with their first pick. Now they need to protect him. I would say draft Laurinaitis here, but it is very possible that he’ll fall to them with the 33^rd overall. Britton will be a good pick up and help shore up a shaky Lions O-line

Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno HB UGA

First, the Eagles have two first round picks so they should select the most dynamic player available. Second, Westbrook had a lot of durability issues. Third, Buckhalter is gone. Fourth, Tony Hunt has not panned out for the Eagles as of yet. Drafting Moreno will be a great solution to help Westbrook remain fresh through the season and provide the Eagles with a strong running game in Westbrook’s absence. Moreno’s constantly moving feet and receiving ability will make it seem as if Westbrook had not left the huddle.

Minnesota Vikings: Vontae Davis CB Illinois

The Vikings have two solid starting corners, but Winfield is getting older. Drafting his eventual replacement and having Winfield tutor him is a good idea. Plus there is an added bonus that Davis will be a solid nickel back for the Vikings, something necessary given Cutler’s arrival in Denver, the Packer’s wideouts, and the strong arm QB’s that could be in Detroit. If Britton falls here, he may get a look (so might Beatty), but I think corner is a priority here.

New England Patriots: Clay Matthews OLB USC

The Patriots have great needs at linebacker. Vrabel was traded to Kansas City. With that in mind, Clay Matthews’ stock is climbing, in large part due to his pass rushing ability. Many 3-4 teams will have their eyes on him. Matthews could be a perfect fit for the dynamic linebacker corp in New England.

Atlanta Falcons: Perria Jerry DT Ole Miss

Previous Pick: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State

It would not surprise me to see the Falcons take Pettigrew with this pick. Given the Falcons rough schedule I would say defense should be a priority. With that said the Falcons have a gaping hole in the middle of their defense. The Falcons selected Ryan over Dorsey last year, now they pick Jerry to fill that still present need.

Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Kicks WR North Carolina

Previous Pick: DJ Moore CB Vanderbilt

A CB would be very valuable to the Dolphins, but none has solid value here. There will be a few solid corners later in the draft. Right now the Dolphins need to arm Pennington with more weapons. The Dolphins visited Nicks and liked what they saw. The receiver with the XXXL gloves should be the Dolphins pick, provided they don’t want to reach for a corner.

Baltimore Ravens: Brian Cushing OLB USC

Previous Pick: Rey Maualuga ILB USC

Cushing is a dynamic player who can play inside, outside, and a little DE in the 3-4. That kind of versatility is very hard to come by which will make Cushing a steal here for the Ravens.

Indianapolis Colts: Percy Harvin WR Florida

Here is a quote from Colts GM Polian: "I've always approached the draft as take the best player no matter what the position is. Don't worry about filling a need, you can do that later in the draft. Take the best player in the first two rounds, whoever he is." Despite the recent qualms about his character that player would be Harvin. Harvin’s playmaking ability could elevate the Colts offense to unbelievable heights. Harvin, Wayne, Gonzalez, and Clark would be a fierce set of targets for MVP Peyton Manning.

Philadelphia Eagles: Alex Mack C Cal

The Eagles signed Stacy Andrews and plan on moving pro bowl guard Shaun Andrews to tackle. So now the Eagles have a void on the interior of the line. Mack would be great for the Eagles if for no other reason than he was one of the few linemen that could hold back BJ Raji. The Eagles would do themselves a favor by drafting Mack. However, it should be noted that this pick will probably be part of some trade, so chances are Mack will not be an Eagle.

New York Giants: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State

Previous Pick: Kenny Britt WR Rutgers

Pettigrew is a solid tight end. His run blocking is a particularly excellent part of his game and a running team like the Giants could use all the run blocking tighends possible. This pick might get traded as well, but if Pettigrew gets to the Giants I don’t see them passing up on him.

Tennessee Titans: Evander Hood DT Missouri

Previous Pick: Perria Jerry DT Ole Miss

With the departure of Haynesworth the Titans have a gaping hole in the middle of their defense. Hood is the best DT available and as such the pick for the Titans.

Arizona Cardinals: Michael Johnson DE/OLB Georgia Tech

The Cardinals’ offense is not what lost them the Super Bowl. With the departure of Antonio Smith the Cardinals need to fill a void. The athletic Johnson could go a long way towards not only improving the Cardinals defense, but help the transition to a 3-4 defense. I would not be surprised if Johnson was gone by this point though. His athleticism is astonishing. How many DE’s do you know that are used as gunners on punt coverage?

Pittsburgh Steelers: William Beatty OT Connecticut

The Steelers are paying Max Starks another $8 million…while I’m not the biggest fan of this, it was a smart move. Starks has been a starting tackle for two Super Bowl teams and despite a few mental errors in pass-blocking, he is a truly solid tackle who has destroyed some of the leagues premier defenders. I wished we had kept Simmons and let the Jets sign Kemo. However, I still see a need along the Oline. An OT would make sense as we fired Marvel Smith. If Beatty plays well enough the Steelers could move Colon to guard, Starks to the right side of the line, and have a pretty solid line for Ben to do that voodoo that he does so well.

Detroit’s Martin Mayhew: Bringing Detroit From Zero to Hero

Detroit’s Martin Mayhew: Bringing Detroit From Zero to Hero

The Lions off season has been quiet but phenomenally effective. Their first move was hiring Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as their new head coach. The Lions defense was atrocious and bringing in the coordinator of one of last year’s best defenses was a brilliant move. Then, bringing in Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator was an equally brilliant move. Linehan is eager to prove himself after his failures in St. Louis and will bring considerable experience to the Lions offense…not to mention that he has worked with Lions QB Daunte Culpepper. Former Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham will bring equally valuable experience as the Lions defensive coordinator. Overall, Mayhew ensured the Lions will have a strong coaching staff.

Free Agency has been relatively quiet for the Lions. Grady Jackson was their only really big buy. However, in signing him the Lions were able to part ways with Corey Redding and bring on pro bowl OLB Julian Peterson. Peterson will not only provide the Lions with a great linebacker, but a veteran who the defense can rally around in critical situations. Mayhew also traded veteran Jon Kitna to the Cowboys for Anthony Henry. Henry does not have great value as a CB, but the Lions are showing a willingness to experiment with him at safety. If this conversion works out the Lions would have successfully upgraded their secondary. Already, the Lions defense looks a lot stronger than it did last season, although it is tough to get any worse.

Now Mayhew stands at the precipice of having one of the best offseasons a GM can have. He has in his possession the 1^st overall pick, the 20^th overall pick, and the 33^rd overall pick. With these three picks, Mayhew has a lot of leeway to rebuild the Lions. He could draft a QB, like Stafford or Freeman, a lineman like Jason Smith or Eben Britton, or the best defensive player available. The possibilities at Mayhew’s feet are endless. However, I would suggest Mayhew pulls the trigger on one more trade.

Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels are growing further and further apart and a trade seems likely. If Cutler is put on the block, the Lions should (pun intended) pounce on him. With 1/11^th of the picks in the first 33, Mayhew has the most power in negotiations. Using the draft pick value chart I am suggesting the following trade. The highest a QB was taken in 2006’s NFL Draft (the one Cutler was taken in) was Vince Young third overall. The value for the third overall pick is 2200 points. Seeing as Culter has made it to a pro bowl, but not the playoffs, I would value him at 2300 points. The first overall pick is worth 3000 points which means Denver has to make up for 700 points. Denver could give their 12^th overall pick to the Lions, worth 1200, making the Lions owe 500 points. The Lions then could add their 33^rd overall to the trade which is worth 580. Even though the Lions would be giving 80 more points than Denver would give, those points would make up for any ambiguity over Cutler’s value. Here’s the breakdown of the trade:

Detroit Get:

Cutler (2300), 12^th overall (1200) 3500

Denver Gets:

1^st Overall (3000), 33^rd Overall (580) 3580

This trade works out for Denver who gets three picks in the first two rounds (two of them at the start of those rounds) and the Lions get a franchise QB in Cutler, trade out of the 1^st overall, and still have two first round picks. If Mayhew pulls the trigger on such a trade, not only will the Lions have a solid QB situation, they will be free to pursue any player that they want and not be pressured into taking Stafford. Cutler and Calvin Johnson would make a dynamic duo for the ages. Mayhew has put Detroit’s rebuild on solid ground and if he pursued this trade, he would have shortened that rebuild by a few years.

The Bush Anomaly

In 2006, most mock drafters had the Texans selecting Reggie Bush with the 1^st overall pick. I myself made that pick. However, low and behold, the night before the draft the Texans signed Mario Williams. Thus every mock draft was either ruined or had to be altered considerably. The Texans had considerable pressure on them to draft Reggie Bush, but they refused and picked Mario Williams, who has worked out very well for the Texans ever since. As I study the Detroit Lions this off-season, I see a lot of similarities in their situations.

The Lions just came off of the worst year any NFL team has ever had. Most of the time when a team does as bad as the Lions did the offense gets the brunt of the blame. The Lions offense wasn’t spectacular and rightly does deserve some of the blame. Kitna went down early in the season and none of the other QB’s seemed to know what was going on. They even brought Daunte Culpepper on board midseason and started him with what had to have been a playbook smaller than Techmo Super Bowl’s. However, looking at the Lions’ roster I see a lot of promise on the offense. Culpepper had a 4 to 6 touchdown to interceptions ratio, one rushing touchdown, and one lost fumble. However, the defenses he played against, without any practice, were Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Tennessee, and Minnesota. Culpepper did admirably against the premier defenses. With former Minnesota offensive coordinator Scott Linehan working with the Lions and the “Superfreak” Calvin Johnson, Culpepper could see a revival of his career. The Lions have Culpepper, two young QB’s who could pan out for the Detroit, a strong receiver corps, and a decent running back in Kevin Smith. The offense seems to be on the right path.

The Lions have a new GM and Coach. I could definitely see them taking Matt Stafford and starting a new era. However, the offense is not what lost Detroit 16 games. Detroit’s defense was dead last against the run, in points allowed, and total yardage per game. Detroit needs a defense before it can ever hope to have a chance at winning again. If you don’t believe the Lions have a commitment to defense, why would they have hired Titans D-Coordinator Jim Schwartz as the Head Coach? The Lions would do themselves a great deal of good if they drafted defensive early.

So, what do the Lions do? It’s anybody’s guess at this point. The Lions need to turn things around if they ever hope to be a winning team. Does that mean taking the top rated offensive player in the draft class? Or does that mean they need to revamp their atrocious defense? The same questions were asked about the Texans in 2006. Just as the Texans were under a great deal of pressure to take Reggie Bush, the Lions will see a lot of pressure to select Matt Stafford. However, I think with the steps the Lions have taken via their new coaching staff and Culpepper, they have taken themselves out of the Matthew Stafford race. If that is the case then I believe the Bush Anomaly will go into effect.

When the Texans resisted pressure and selected Mario Williams that provided the Saints with an opportunity they did not take into consideration. It was assumed since the 2005 regular season game in which the Saints beat the Texans that the 1^st overall pick would be the dynamic Reggie Bush. With him now an option the Saints were left with little choice but to take the USC running back. It seemed the perfect steal for a Saints team in as much a need of repair as that Texans team. I think that if the Lions do not pick Stafford, the Rams will be forced to take a strong look at the Georgia QB and at Marc Bulger. The Rams will possibly receive a first round pick for trading Torry Holt and will have the 34^th overall pick, so taking a QB with the 2^nd overall, a QB that should have been taken by the NFL’s worst team, would not be a bad idea at all. This year’s draft could see a return of The Bush Anomaly: A highly touted offensive player, two teams in need of major revamping and strong defensive talent in the top 5. It would not surprise me at all if the Lions did not select Matt Stafford with the 1^st overall pick and if they don’t I think it will force the Rams to take a long look at Matthew Stafford and perhaps put the Bush Anomaly into effect.

2009 NFL Mock Draft: My First Draft

So I begin the mock draft season. This mock will probably be very different as more and more drafts are made. Free agency and the combine haven’t even happened yet. Draft stocks will rise and fall, teams will address needs via free agents. This off-season will be a great one and I await free agency with great excitement. I have confidence in my picks. A habit I cannot seem to shake is my stubbornness over QB picks as you will see when Tampa Bay selects USC’s Mark Sanchez. Oh well, I stand by my picks in this, my first draft of my mock draft.

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford QB UGA

A lot of people think that the Lions should hold off on drafting a franchise QB until next year when McCoy and Bradford come in. However, I disagree with that mentality. Holding off picking a franchise QB, when you went 0-16, screams that you are willing to settle for another losing season. Every year a team should want to win it all. The Lions had the worst year ever! They need a QB and they need him now. I think Stafford is their best option. Stafford has had experience behind makeshift offensive lines and his arm is ridiculously accurate up to 25 yards. Stafford has the strongest arm I have seen in a while, but he has trouble hitting the deep ball. With time, he can learn and having Calvin Johnson to bomb it to doesn’t hurt either. It might not be a bad option, provided they have the money to do so, for the Lions to keep Culpepper around to show Stafford how to be a strong arm QB in the NFL. Stafford could be a great QB for the Lions and in all honesty…he can’t make the Lions any worse.

St. Louis Rams: Andre Smith OT Alabama

Some people are reporting that the Rams scouts are lobbying for the Rams to take Michael Crabtree. It’s not a bad idea given that Torry Holt is getting older. However, if Andre Smith does well in the combine the Rams should jump on Smith. It is tough to have a solid tackle. The Rams missed out on Jake Long last year and they should definitely pick Smith up this year.

Kansas City Chiefs: Eugene Monroe OT Virginia

A LOT of people have the Chiefs taking Mark Sanchez. I have faith in Tyler Thigpen who emerged from the QB carousel he shared with Croyle and Huard and was a bright spot on the Chiefs. An off-season with Thigpen as the starter would go a long way towards his development. Kansas City could go in any direction with this pick. Curry would make a lot of sense given this defense’s dire need for a playmaker. However, I have them selecting Oher. I think that if Andre Smith remains the best OT, the Chiefs would be happy to bring in Eugene Monroe who came from the same alma mater as Branden Albert, who was great playing out of position. Monroe at LT would move Albert to RG and the Chiefs’ line would be that much more solid. They would run better and Thigpen would have more time. Monroe is a smart pick.

Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech

The Seahawks had an abysmal passing game this year. There are arguments to defend the Seahawks though, Hasselbeck was hurt, wide receivers were hurt, the running game had a tough time. The simple fact is that Rookie TE Jon Carlson led the Seahawks in receiving. While having a TE lead in receiving is not necessarily a bad thing (cite Tony Gonzalez), its not ideal. A healthy Hasselbeck and Michael Crabtree would go a long way towards reviving the Seahawks offense which would bring life back to the entire team, only one year removed from a playoff run.

Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest

This pick was almost as tough as Kansas City’s pick. Cleveland has needs all over the defense and Jamal Lewis had a rough year. Many people say that Curry is an ILB in a 3-4. However, I think he could play on the outside in a 3-4. My concern with this pick is that the Browns’ two ILB’s totaled 244 tackles. The Browns need an OLB and if Curry can do that then he should be the hand down pick, but if he is a mismatch for that role, then the Browns would be better served going after Orakpo or Maybin.

Cincinnati Bengals: BJ Raji DT Boston College

The Bengals continue to need defensive players. Raji’s stock has seen a major rise in the Senior Bowl. The Bengals need an offensive lineman too, but the defense should be a priority. With Palmer back the offense should do better making defense the priority. Raji would go a long way to freeing up the ends and clogging running lanes.

Oakland Raiders: Brian Orakpo DE Texas

I got burned last year having the Raiders make the smart pick. So, this year, I have them making a different pick. They should draft Jason Smith of Baylor, but they will probably go after the dynamic Orakpo. I am pouting a bit. Orakpo is a smart pick as he is a beast. Burgess is getting older and the Raiders had the 31^st worst rush defense in the league. Orakpo would be great and fill the need that would have been filled by Gholston last year.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Oher OT Mississippi

The Jaguars coached the Senior Bowl and Oher by extension. Oher has a phenomenal work ethic and is very talented. Oher would definitely help the Jaguars get through the o-line injuries that plagued them. Some people are down on Oher, but his love of the game and a good combine should raise his stock.

Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State

With Al Harris having a rough time and Woodson being moved to safety there is a huge hole open at cornerback. If Jenkins makes it this far the Packers should thank their lucky stars and pick him immediately.

San Francisco 49ers: Everette Brown DE/OLB Florida State

The 49ers have had it rough at OLB. Manny Lawson, while one of the fastest linebackers in the league, has been injury prone. Brown could go a long way towards helping a good 49ers team become better. In response to those who have Sanchez going to the Niners here I will be writing a piece on that soon enough because the topic is too large for this venue.

Buffalo Bills: Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St.

The Bills have young talent all around that roster. A lot of people like them taking a defensive player, but I think that Pettigrew would bring coverage over the middle away from Evans and Hardy. A good TE could help the offense immensely.

Denver Broncos: Ray Maualuga ILB USC

The Broncos need defensive help. Maualuga is one of the best ILB’s in this draft. Maulauga will go a long way towards upgrading their linebacker corp. His power blitzing and coverage ability will be a great asset to any team that would draft him, especially Denver.

Washington Redskins: Jason Smith OT Baylor

The Redskins had a lot of offensive line injuries. The line had a rough time and drafting Smith would help and be an upgrade over Jon Jansen who the Skins are looking to replace. As far as drafting a d-lineman goes, they do have Jason Taylor still!

New Orleans Saints: Vontae Davis CB Illinois

Once again the Saints defense is a draft priority. They could easily draft Laurinaitis, especially if they don’t sign Vilma. However, Jason David is not the best corner and McKenzie is getting up there. Drafting the physical Davis would help against the pass as well as the run.

Houston Texans: William Moore S Missouri

Little known fact, the Texans were 4^th in passing! I couldn’t believe it. With those numbers and Slaton running well the offense should not be a priority. However, the Texans allowed a lot of yards and points on the other side of the field. Drafting a Safety in the first round would help stop the run and slow down the air attack. A safety is a very smart choice for the Texans.

San Diego Chargers: Knowshon Moreno HB Georgia

This pick assumes the following: That the Chargers will allow Darren Sproles to depart via free agency and that the Chargers are looking for LT’s eventual replacement. Knowshon Moreno would be a perfect compliment to LT and down the road his screen and receiving ability will prove invaluable to Philip Rivers who figures to be the future weapon of the franchise.

New York Jets: Tyson Jackson DE LSU

The Jets defense should upgrade their front seven and Jackson appears to be the best 3-4 DE in this draft. CB could also be a priority with this pick given that the Jets hired Ty Law to start mid season. However, I think a DE with the athleticism of Jackson is rare to come across and the Jets should capitalize quickly.

Chicago Bears: Percy Harvin WR Florida

A large part of Orton’s receiving yards went to tight ends and Matt Forte. Hester showed great development as a WR, but Lloyd, Davis, and Booker are not enough to compliment the speedster. Percy Harvin could provide a dynamic spark to an uncomplicated offense. The Bears could also choose to upgrade their pass defense, but I see the playmaker Harvin as an invaluable asset to Chicago.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Sanchez QB USC

Mark Sanchez is a good QB. It broke my heart to watch him rip apart Penn State’s secondary. He shows great ability and has many physical gifts. That being said, I feel that he justifiably drops to Tampa Bay here. Thigpen is good for Kansas City. Orton is good for the Bears. I’ll explain the Niners QB situation soon enough. If Favre does retire the Jets might conceivably go after a franchise QB. Garcia will be 39 this season and the ownership has shown reluctance to bring him on board. If they do bring Garcia back, taking Sanchez should still be an option. I question Sanchez’s maturity and endurance. A year learning the system behind a veteran QB would be of great benefit to Sanchez and help Tampa Bay immensely. Sanchez just might be the perfect fit for Tampa Bay.

Detroit Lions: James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State

Detroit is fortunate to have two first round picks in this draft. Detroit was dead last against the run. Laurinaitis was a born tackler whose instincts will serve Detroit very well. If a corner slips they’ll have great value here. Aaron Maybin is still on the board, but the Lions have a great deal of DE’s on roster. The Ohio State grad will help the Lions on their road to recovery.

Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Wells HB Ohio State

First, the Eagles have two first round picks so they should select the most dynamic player available. Second, Westbrook had a lot of durability issues. Buckhalter is a good running back, but not a gamebreaker. Tony Hunt has not panned out for the Eagles as of yet. Drafting Wells will be a great solution to help Westbrook remain fresh through the season and provide the Eagles with a strong running game in Westbrook’s absence.

Minnesota Vikings: Josh Freeman QB Kansas State

The Vikings made it into the playoffs and had one position hold their playoff run back. That position, QB. Tavaris Jackson threw an interception that gave the Eagles control in the game. He also had a 42% completion percentage. The playoffs can be rough on a QB, but minus a 4 touchdown performance against the Cardinals, Jackson had a mediocre regular season. I think that if the Vikings want to win and soon, they should draft Freeman. Freeman is becoming my favorite prospect. His rocket arm, mobility, and experience in a pro-style offense make him a rare commodity at QB. Childress can get a second chance at drafting a “Mcnabb” type quarterback. The Vikings a;sp have needs along the O-line if Birk leaves and in the secondary, but the most immediate need in my eyes is QB.

New England Patriots: Brian Cushing OLB USC

Cushing has had a rocky collegiate career. Injuries and accusations of steroid abuse could haunt him in the draft. However, Cushing is a dynamic athlete. He played multiple positions defensively that make him versatile. Many have him pegged as a 4-3 linebacker, but I think he could handle the Patriot’s 3-4 defense as he played a little DE in a hybrid 3-4. Cushing could easily fill any position on the Patriot’s linebacker squad and the Patriots would be lucky to have him on board.

Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry DT Mississippi

The Falcons passed on Glenn Dorsey for Matt Ryan, a decision I initially disagreed with but I was soon forced to eat crow. So, now that the Falcons have their QB, they shore up their d-line with Jerry

Miami Dolphins: Aaron Maybin DE/OLB Penn State

The Dolphins have a few defensive needs. DJ Moore would have good value here. However, Maybin has fallen this far and I think Parcells will not resist having a sack machine like Maybin working opposite from Joey Porter. This would also free up Roth to take ILB in the event Crowder departs. All in all if Maybin falls this far (which I think he may given his little amount of experience) the Dolphins should definitely pick him up.

Baltimore Ravens: Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri

The Ravens were top five in many categories, but one of those was not passing. Arming Joe Flacco with a dynamic WR should be a priority. Jeremy Maclin could be just that and provide Flacco with someone besides Mason to throw to.

Indianapolis Colts: Fili Moala DT USC

This is a reach and there is debate over whether he or Auburn’s Mark is the third best DT. However, DT is the Colts greatest need and with as good a team as the Colts have, they can afford to reach a little on this pick.

Philadelphia Eagles: Eben Britton OT Arizona

Philly could potentially lose both of its OT’s in the offseason this year. This makes OT a priority. If they feel like gambling they will select Wells first and then grab a OT. If they don’t want to gamble I suggest grabbing Britton and then grabbing the best available running back, which could be Pitt’s McCoy. Either way, Philly needs an OT and could definitely use a spell back for Westbrook.

New York Giants: Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech

This pick will depend on the Giants intentions towards Mathais Kiwanuka. If they keep him at DE they would likely target an OLB, but if they move him back to linebacker they will probably go DE. I have them taking Michael Johnson. Those who doubt Johnson’s athleticism should know he played gunner on punts. Kiwanuka could make a return to OLB and Johnson could provide the Giants with the DE depth they so crave.

Tennessee Titans: Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland

Collins did a great job managing the game for the Titans. However, there is still a need for a dynamic receiver. Heyward-Bey and his huge frame would be great for Collins and eventually Vince Young.

Arizona Cardinals: Lesean McCoy RB Pittsburgh

This pick could be very different if Edge stays around. Many people say the Cardinals don’t need an HB with Hightower around, but I beg to differ. Hightower is good and a phenomenal redzone running back, but his yards per carry was 2.8. That does not scream franchise running back to me. The Cardinals get McCoy who could help continue the postseason trend of the Cardinals actually running the ball.

Pittsburgh Steelers: George “Duke” Robinson G Oklahoma

Most people have the Steelers taking an offensive lineman…thank God! I had the Steelers taking a HB in the first round last year, but I didn’t think the front office would ignore the oline as much as they did! Carl Nicks of Nebraska was on the board forever! Well now they can make it up to the fans. Some people have the Steelers taking Alex Mack. That’s not a bad idea as he appears to be versatile enough to play multiple positions and was the most capable of handling BJ Raji in the senior bowl. However, Alabama’s Caldwell or Penn State’s Shipley could be available later and they would fill just as much of a need as Mack. If Robinson is available he should be the definite pick. Robinson is a fierce run blocker who has great initial burst and strength perfect for a pulling guard which the Steelers desperately need. Robinson, an upgrade over Kemo in my opinion, would fill a big need and go a long way towards protecting Ben. However, the front office should not placate us with this pick. Three offensive linemen have contracts coming up and I am not enthused about keeping any of them. Offensive lineman in the free agency would be nice in addition to drafting more than just Duke or Mack. The Steelers got to the Super Bowl in spite of our line, not because of them…most of the time it has to be the other way around.