1. Detroit Lions
- Stafford, Matthew, QB Georgia
The Lions lost out on the Jay Cutler sweepstakes because they couldn't offer the Broncos a temporary solution at QB in return. This will force them to take Stafford with the 1st overall pick. Stafford is a gifted passer who has the ability to make all the big league throws. He probably needs a year to sit and learn before becoming effective, but given that time and some protection from his o-line, Stafford will be connecting for TD's with Calvin "Megatron" Johnson frequently. |
2. St. Louis Rams
- Smith, Jason, OT Baylor
Orlando Pace seemed like he was never on the field the past couple years. I can see Steven Jackson's frustration from all the way over here. The rams pick Jason Smith with the 2nd overall pick and move towards solving their horrendous offensive line problems. Jason Smith has the huge up side, talent, and work ethic needed to be an elite book-end in the NFL. |
3. Kansas City Chiefs
- Curry, Aaron, OLB Wake Forest
In my opinion Aaron Curry is the surest pick in this whole draft. The Chiefs could use some playmaking ability on their defense, and Curry is all that and a bag of chips. He will have a Patrick Willis type impact in his first season. |
4. Seattle Seahawks
- Sanchez, Mark, QB USC
Mark Sanchez's stock has been ON FIRE as of late. People really starting to buy into his personality, leadership skills, and understanding of the game. All those intangibles packaged together with above average arm strength, incredible accuracy, and excellent mobility behind the line of scrimmage, and you have the heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck. Let Sanchez sit and learn the west coast offense for 1-2 years, and allow him to flourish after Hasselbeck finishes balding. |
5. Cleveland Browns
- Raji, BJ, DT Boston College
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| Yes indeed. Over the past week or so, the Browns seem to keep indicating that wide receiver is becoming a bigger and bigger need. Braylon Edwards has got one year left on his deal and might not be back next season, Kellen Winslow was traded to Tampa Bay, and Donte Stallworth is probably going to prison. The Browns select Michael Crabtree with the 5th overall pick. Crabtree is a Larry Fitzgerald clone, and is probably more athletically talented than Fitz when Fitz came out of college. Crabtree and Braylon will cause defensive secondaries a ton of matchup problems while providing Brady Quinn with the targets he needs to be a successful QB in the NFL. |
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6. Cincinnati Bengals
- Monroe, Eugene, OT Virginia
It is simple. Cincinnati needs to protect the QB. Carson Palmer needs to stay healthy if this team has any chance of being good this upcoming season. Eugene Monroe is just a shade below Jason Smith, and will go on to protect Carson Palmer's blind side extremely well. |
7. Oakland Raiders
- Smith, Andre, OT Alabama
Al Davis loves fast players. The raiders can't go into next season with Johnny Lee Higgins being their leading receiver. Enter Jeremy Maclin, playmaker extraordinaire. Maclin ran a 4.4 at an overall slow combine, on a bad leg. He has legitimate 4.3 speed if not faster. Maclin paired with Run DMC in the backfield gives Oakland two big playmakers to dominate opposing defenses. |
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Crabtree, Michael, WR Texas Tech
The Jags Run defense has never been the same since Marcus Stroud left. Raji will plug up the run in the Jags D and help force some more 3 and outs. More touches for MJD eqauls more wins for the Jags, its that simple. |
9. Green Bay Packers
- Orakpo, Brian, DE Texas
The packers benefit from Mark Sanchez's rise up the draft board. Brian Orakpo is the best DE in this class and will be an even better rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense. He had amazing workouts and really turned it on in his senior season at Texas. Orakpo will help take some pressure off of linebackers Nick Barnett and AJ Hawk, allowing them to roam free and stop the ball. |
10. San Francisco 49ers
- Maclin, Jeremy, WR Missouri
Maybin is an elite pass rusher with HUGE upside. His quick first step and ability to get to the quarterback will allow him to flourish in the pass rushing role right away. He will only continue to get better. Don't buy the knocks on his size and versatility. Maybin is a great kid who will be a great pass rusher in this league for years to come. |
11. Buffalo Bills
- Maybin, Aaron, DE Penn State
Robert Ayers has really flew up big boards in recent weeks. He is different from the majority of DE's in this class, as he is the more prototypical 4-3 wide receiver. The Bills pass rush has been terrible in recent years. Ayers is quick enough to provide a solid pass rush, and big enough to stop the run off the edge. The only concern is that he is kind of a one year wonder in college. Hopefully he will pan out. |
12. Denver Broncos
- Jackson, Tyson, DE LSU
Hey did you hear?....The Broncos traded Jay Cutler! What???!!!!
Ideally I think the Broncos will want to get Mark Sanchez, but its looking more and more like its not going to happen. It might turn out better for them this way, because the team has a lot of holes outside of QB they need to address.
Tyson Jackson is a perfect fit for DE in the 3-4. He has great size, but moves extremely well for his physique. Jackson can plug up blockers on the outside and let the bronco linebackers make some plays.
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13. Washington Redskins
- Ayers, Robert, DE Tennessee
Andre Smith has played the draft process as poorly as anyone can play it, and for that his stock has plummeted out of the top 5. With that being said, I still think Andre Smith can be a dominant player in this league. He is a sure fire right tackle, and with the right coaching and motivation, he can realize his awesome potential at LT. For being a big kid, he has a weak upper body, and his footwork needs some coaching too, but overall Andre Smith can be a good tackle in this league. Clinton Portis will be helped out a lot by Smith's run blocking prowess, and may finally start to see some more double digit rushing TD seasons. |
14. New Orleans Saints
- Jenkins, Malcolm, CB Ohio State
Malcolm Jenkins' stock fell down because of poor workouts. He showed that he wasn't as fast as advertised and didn't have the hip fluidity most people thought he possessed. Jenkins fits in nicely as a free safety for the saints for the above reasons. His ball skills and tackling ability are better suited at FS in man coverage, where he can roam free and make plays on the ball. In zone schemes I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop down to play corner in packages with excess DB's. All in all the saints address a need in the secondary by adding Jenkins. Some people have projected Beanie Wells going here to be the power complement to Reggie Bush, but I don't really buy it. Pierre Thomas proved himself to be a strong running back, and with he and bush in tow, the Saint's offense will remain potent. |
15. Houston Texans
- Cushing, Brian, OLB USC
The Texans lack a legitimate outside linebacker and really need someone who is quick enough to bring pressure on blitzes from the outside. Mario Williams cannot be the only one on defense who is a threat to the QB. |
16. San Diego Chargers
- Oher, Michael, OT Ole Miss
Everette Brown is undersized and doesn't have great length. This makes me feel like he is best suited as an OLB in the 3-4. What he does well is rush the passer and put pressure on the offensive line with his speed. No one knows how much longer the Chargers will be able to keep Shawn Merrimen on the payroll, and we all saw how much their defense struggled with out the pressure that he brings. Adding someone like Brown will really help out the secondary and prepare san diego for the possible departure of Shawn Merriman. |
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