Everyone's got their own opinion on how the draft might fall. Here's my stab on how it will all pan out, or at least what I would do if I were in charge of all 32 teams simultaneuously.
1. Oakland Raiders – Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech
No one knows for sure what rattles about in the great recesses of Al Davis’ brain. My gut tells me Daunte Culpepper is somehow going to end up in Oakland when the draft is over. I know the Raiders offensive line was not pretty last season, but I wonder how much that had to do with Aaron Brooks and an offensive coordinator well passed his prime. The Raiders defense is playoff ready. Pair Johnson, Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Lamont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes, and Culpepper with a fresh offensive philosophy and the Raiders have a chance for a much improved football team.
2. Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with Detroit) – Joe Thomas OL Wisconsin
I think this is probably a trade situation for the Lions. The Cardinals desperately want OL Joe Thomas. The Lions like DE Gaines Adams, but would like to pay him less than #2 money. The Cardinals finally let the disappointing Leanord Davis walk. Thomas will step right in at either tackle position and provide Edgerrin James with a little room to run the football. Remember that Matt Leinert is a left handed QB, so Thomas may end up as a right tackle.
3. Cleveland Browns – Jamarcus Russell QB LSU
Browns GM Phil Savage fell in love with the gun slinger at his personal workout in Baton Rouge. RB Adrian Peterson is also a possibility here despite the 1 year contract signed by former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis. The only question is whether head coach Romeo Crennel would fell comfortable going into a “hot-seat” season with a rookie QB at the helm.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Amobie Okoye DT Louisville
The Bucs would be crushed if the 1st three picks went in this fashion and would likely look to trade the pick. Seeing no takers, they take the defensive player with the most upside in Okoye, who should be a perfect fit as a quick penetrating tackle in the Tampa 2 defense.
5. Detroit Lions (projected trade with Arizona) - Gaines Adams DE Clemson
Surprise, surprise….Matt Millen does not take a WR. Adams is everything you’d want in a DE less about 15 pounds. Adams though appears to be the anti-Mario Williams pick, a defensive end who made memorable plays in most every game he played in his college career. He reminds me a lot of ex-Vikings QB terrorizor Chris Doleman.
6. Washington Redskins – Laron Landry S LSU
The Redskins have done a terrible job wasting picks on restricted free agents and trades. Thus the Skins have only 5 picks in this draft, and only one pick in the 1st 4 rounds. Talk of dealing this pick to the Bears for LB Lance Briggs has died down a shade. Depending upon the organization’s opinion of QB Jason Campbell, I can’t rule out a surprise selection of Brady Quinn here.
7. Minnesota Vikings – Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
I’m not buying the organization’s confidence in Tavaris Jackson. I thought he was a reach last season in the second round. The Vikings desperately need a good PR pick, as their owner is proving to be a bit on the cheap side. RB Adrian Peterson might be more popular pick with the fans, but Quinn can become the poster child for team desperate for an image makeover.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
Atlanta will probably consider moving a ton of their picks to go after native son Calvin Johnson, but in reality that price is probably too steep. Landry is a big time impact player and could learn a lot working along side Lawyer Milloy in the Falcons secondary.
9.Miami Dolphins – Levi Brown T Penn State
Miami might have to consider moving up to take a crack at Brady Quinn, but if they are thwarted in that effort, Brown makes sense as a bookend to Vernon Carey.
10. Buffalo Bills (projected trade with Texans) Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma
In a trade that will live in infamy (maybe), the Bills give up one of their two 3rd round selections to move up 2 slots to take their Willis McGahee replacement.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Ted Ginn Jr. WR Ohio State
The 49ers spent the majority of their free agent dollars on the defensive side of the ball. Now they look to help the offense. Ginn’s impact may be felt in the return game alone his rookie year, but he at least gives Alex Smith a deep threat in an otherwise pedestrian receiving corps. Robert Meachem is another possibility here.
12. Houston Texans – Leon Hall CB Michigan
The Texans would probably try to trade back again in this position, but finding no takers, take whoever they feel is the best available secondary option.
13.St. Louis Rams – Patrick Willis MLB Ole Miss
My early favorite for defensive rookie of the year, Willis fills an obvious void in a fairly talent barren front seven.
14. Carolina Panthers – Alan Branch DT Michigan
The Panthers won’t be happy to see Willis off the board a spot ahead of them and won’t see a ton of value for this pick. With the uncertainty of DT Kris Jenkins status with the team, the Panthers look for a giant load in the middle. TE Greg Olsen out of Miami is another possibility.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Adam Carriker DE Nebraska
Carriker has ideal size to be a versatile end in coach Randy Tomlin’s new defenses. Tomlin wants to mix up 3 and 4 man fronts and Carriker is capable of playing multiple positions.
16. Green Bay Packers – Marshawn Lynch RB California
Vernand Morency currently heads the Packers RB depth chart. No more information is necessary.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Reggie Nelson S Florida
One of the best play-making defenses adds another giant piece to the puzzle. Nelson and Donovan Darius would form an incredible duo on the back line.
18. Cincinatti Bengals – Paul Posluszny LB Penn State
The Bengals have two needs….defense and great character. They kill two birds with one stone with this selection. Posluszny is a great guy, and will man the MLB position for the next decade. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays faster than his senior season, as he was still bouncing back from a knee injury.
19. Tennessee Titans – Darelle Revis CB Pittsburgh
Despite having more cap room than 30 other teams in the NFL, the Titans did very little to improve their 8-8 team through free agency. They would love to get Vince Young some help at WR, but Pac Man Jones impending suspension makes a secondary pick prudent.
20. NY Giants – Robert Meachem WR Tennessee
Amani Toomer is not getting any younger. Meachem gives the Giants the speed to compliment the size of Plaxico Burress.
21. Denver Broncos – Robert Timmons OLB Florida State
With Al Wilson’s neck injury, the Broncos have moved DJ Williams outside meaning they need another athlete to replace him at OLB. CB is also a possibility here.
22. Dallas Cowboys – Dwayne Bowe WR LSU
Terry Glenn is getting older. You never know when Terell Owens might decide to hang it up. Bowe is an underrated player who plays faster is pads than he runs on the track.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Joe Staley T Central Michigan
The Chiefs need a WR, but with the retirements of Willie Roaf and Will Shields and the departure of Jordan Black to Houston, the OL must be addressed.
24. New England Patriots – Michael Griffin S Texas
This might be Rodney Harrison’s last season in the NFL, and he can’t be counted on to stay healthy for an entire year. Depending on the contract negotiation with CB Assante Samuel, CB could also be a possibility.
25. New York Jets – Aaron Ross DB Texas
Hank Poteat is currently slated to start at corner for the Jets…..not any more.
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Jon Beason LB Miami
The Eagles acquired Takeo Spikes to man one side of the field. Beason is fast enough to cover the weak side allow MLB Jeremiah Trotter to be the designated blitzer.
27. New Orleans – Chris Houston CB Arkansas
The Saints have to replace Fred Thomas in the secondary. Houston didn’t make a ton of plays on the ball for the Hogs, but he can run with anyone.
28. New England Patriots – Dwayne Jarrett WR USC
With a 2nd 1st round selection at their disposal, the Patriots roll the dice on the ultra productive Jarrett. Jarett’s stock has been hurt by fellow Trojan Mike Williams’ failure in the NFL more than anything. With the addition of Donte Stallworth in the off season, Jarett’s production next season would be gravy.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Ben Grubbs G Auburn
The Ravens really have to consider taking a QB here, but I’m guessing they will wait until the 2nd round to address that situation.
30. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Merriweather S Miami
What a luxury it is to have the most talented roster in the NFL. With the most fierce front 7 in football, the Chargers look to add a volatile but talented playmaker to their secondary.
31. Chicago Bears – Greg Olsen TE Miami
Desmond Clark has played well for the Bears, but Olsen’s speed and natural athletic ability will be too tempting to pass up.
32. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Spencer DE Purdue
A Dwight Freeney clone…extremely fast, undersized and likely a terror on the RCA Dome turf.
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