NFL Draft Blog

32. Indianapolis - Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State: Hey fans, let's introduce the new Brandon Stokely. Like last year they land a good player late in the first round, but unlike last year they really didn't need a WR in the first round. If this is about value and needs, then I really don't like this pick. Gonzalez is a second round player and this draft has a boat load of talented receivers, and yet after all that, I still can't say this pick was that bad. He will be productive right away, even as their 3rd WR.
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31. Chicago - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami:You know me, I'm not big of Tight Ends, but at the end of the first round, this is a good pick. Olsen began as a wideout and still has the speed of a wideout. The Bears run an offense that really needs a strong receiving tight end and Olsen is that. A skitterish offense and quarterback at Miami, kept him fromreally producing great numbers, but he could really be productive in Chicago quickly.
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30. San Diego - Craig Davis, WR, LSU: A pick more out of need, but a player far less productive than this spot suggests. Dwayne Jarrett at USC was the productive receiver in the entire draft while playing for a national power and yet he remains available. Played 2nd fiddle to fellow 1st round pick Dwayne Bowe, but when you run a 4.4 after the season like Davis did, then GMs will drool. Again, this draft has so many goo dplayers these picks don't seem all that bad, until yo factor in who they left on the board to grab Davis.
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29. Baltimore - Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn:Very smart choice. The Ravens have been unbelievably good on draft day for several years with the exception of the idiotic choice of Kyle Boller several years back. Grubbs will start from day one and is a very strong player. They've revamped their running game with Jamal Lewis out and Willis McGahee in. Once Staley went at #28, this pick was easy - but still good.
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28. San Francisco (from NE) - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan:This draft has really shaped up well for the niners. Solid pick here, wouldn't expect greatness from Staley, but he should not need to be replaced for the next 6 years or so. His on-field work was simply OK, while playing against lower-level competition and yet he became a fast-riser as the weeks led up to the draft. I can't analyze this pick though without mentioning that the Niners got taken by the Pats on this trade - San Francisco gave NE their 1st rd pick in '08 and their 4th rd pick this year for this selection - a selection that NE wanted to use on defense and since there wasn't a player on the board that they liked, they found a sucker.
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27. New Orleans - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee: Meachem may have been the best player on the board or close to it, but this really was not an area of need. Devery Henderson is more than capable of stepping in for the departed Joe Horn and they needed playmakers on defense. Things really didn't go the wya the Saints would've hoped with a top-flight cornerback no longer available - (Chris Houston was a possibility but a reach at 27). But don't cry for the Saints - their offense was strong already and he'll be on the field early in the season.
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(4:40) 26. Dallas (from Philly) - Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue: The Cowboys moved back into the first round to grab Spencer, who isn't an overwhelming talent, but the Cowboys have done well recently with Marcus Spears and especially DeMarcus Ware. They expect Spencer to provide the same pass rush opposite Ware. Jerry was back in charge and he netted Spencer and Cleveland's 1st rd pick in '08 for their 3rd and 5th rd picks. Seems pretty good to me.
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(4:05) 25. Carolina (from NY Jets) - Jon Beason, LB, Miami:Kind of surprised they didn't go wideout here after they made the earlier move with the Jets. Maybe a bit undersized, but has experience at several linebacking spots at the U. Tremendous athlete though and Carolina does have a serious need at linebacker so he'll step right in and allow them to finally realize the Dan Morgan is just too banged up to expect contributions from.
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(3:50) 24. New England - Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami:Ton of talent although maturity lagged way behind. On the field, there is really very little not to like about Meriweather. Has spent time at multiple positions in the secondary, has great speed and is a strong hitter. This is a rich getting richer type of move for the Pats, provided Meriweather stays on the straight and narrow and I believe he will do that, playing alongside a bunch of pros and winners in NE.
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23. Kansas City - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - It's hard to do, but congrats to KC for just sitting back and letting the player they wanted fall right in their lap. He's a big target, used to playing on the big stage; he was the go-to-gut for Jamarcus Russell and yet still has room to get even better. Even without the benefit of a pass-happy offense, he showed continued progress throughout his college career. He immediately becomes the top wide receiver on the Chiefs roster.
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(3:22) 22. Cleveland (trade from Dallas) - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - The Cowboys grab the 36th pick and the Browns 1st rd pick next year, the Browns get a 2nd player on the NFL's original list of 6 invitees to New York for the draft. Quinn was visibly upset by what had unfolded here on draft day. Only 5 players in New Yokr for the draft and he was the last one there for the last couple of hours. At 22, I think Quinn is very good value, but in reality it cost the Browns a very good player at 36 this year and next year's first round pick is likely going to be a potential pro bowler. I'm one of the few who thinks Quinn will be alright in the NFL, but this does seem like a lot to get him.
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(3:07) 21. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida - This is an example of noted the draft pool and recognizing your team needs. They wanted a safety and at 17, Griffin, Nelson and Brandon Meriweather were all available, so they pulled the trigger on what I thought at the time was an unbelievable deal. And the was before this pick was made. They got 21, 86 and 198 from Denver just to move back 4 spots and get the 2nd best safety in the draft in my mind. Nelson has been bouncing all over the board for months, but there is no way he shouldn't have been a first round pick and unfortunately for the Texans a team in their division made a nice move and a nice selection here.
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(2:55)20. New York Giants - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas - Back-to-back Longhorns from a secondary that truthfully was torched much of the year in '06. They let the other New York team make the big splash with the trade, but I'm sure in their minds they got the better player anyway at the same position. Ross can help them in the return game possibly as well and he, like Hall, could very easily be more productive in the pros than he was in college. Like this pick a lot.
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19. Tennessee Titans - Michael Griffin, S, Texas - Good player and another Longhorn for Vince Young to hang out with, but not sure that he was their best choice here. So many holes, but it appears they fell cornerbacks and wide receiver will be there at 50 & 80 when they select again. He's a big hitter, but didn't show the cover skills you'd like from your safety. He may be what they need and like last year with Donte Whitner going 8th to Buffalo, they figured take the guy you like if he's there and don't worry f some others feel you reached.
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18. Cincinnati- Leon Hall, CB, Michigan - . Leon Hall dropped b/c of poor games to end the season against Ohio State and USC.
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17. Denver (from Jacksonville) - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida - Denver seemed determined to move up from 21 and it took three picks (21, 86 & 198) to move up just 4 spots. If Moss remains on the straight and narrow - a big if - but if that's the case, then he could easily be the second best end in this draft behind only Gaines Adams. Still think it might be a bit high to grab him and the Broncos should have held firm and risked that he'd be there at 21, rather than trade three picks to get him at 17.
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16. Green Bay - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee - Might be the first reach of the first round, but not much of one. Seems like they had other more pressing needs, but they are getting a good player. Big motor and obviously motivated by his playing through the torn biceps muscle a year ago against the eventual National Champions Florida Gators. The Pack had to go with their back-up plan b/c Lynch went 12th.
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15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State: I have to say these teams so far are doing a fantastic job of picking players that make sense for them. Pittsburgh has been a linebacker factory for the last 15 years and I'll make the trade of hot head Joey Porter for newcomer Timmons any day of the week. Timmons goes from one factory (FSU) to another in Pittsburgh and new coach Mike Tomlin will throw him right in there.
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(2:31) Still getting caught up here and again the talk around Reliant Stadium is that the Texans did very well and probably made the right call by not moving the pick and selecting a player that should anchor the line. His locker is already waiting for him, #91 will be drawing wisdom from longtime NFL'er N.D. Kalu, who'll be right by his side....alright back to the picks....
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14. New York Jets - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh: The Jets obviously were very high on Revis, since they moved up from 25 to get him. Many thought it'd be for Leon Hall, not me. I'm much higher on Revis than Hall, so I like the choice. Even though I'm not so sure they had to jump up this high to get it done.
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13. St. Louis Rams - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska: Not too sexy of a pick, but is exactly what the Rams need from this draft. They need D-line help badly. He'll be solid, but probably not ever headed to Hawai'i - unless he buys a ticket ( or gets into TV). They really need help with Leonard Little getting older and Jimmy Kennedy pulling a disappearing act from time to time.
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(1:45) Texans fans have another young player to look forward to in Amobi Okoye. Just wrapped up an exclusive conversation with Texans General Manager Rick Smith which you can catch on sportsradio610.com and he was geniunely pleased and surprised that he was there on the board. New defensive coaches Frank Bush and Jethro Franklin are two guys that likely had a lot to say about this selection. Now let's get caught up on the rest of the draft doings....
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12. Buffalo - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California: Absolute need pick here with their dismissal of broody Willis McGahee. This also means Lynch isn't going to Green Bay. They could have gone CB here, but I like this pick. I'm higher on Lynch than most - I still think there is a mjor drop-off in running backs after Lynch and I think he's home run hitter - much moreso than McGahee. I don't consider this a reach at all.
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11. San Francisco - Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss - This year's DeMeco Ryans. He is all-over-the-field. Played in the best conference in college and was the arguably the best defensive player in the SEC. Might not be the biggest area of need, but they have been zeroed in on Willis since the season ended and adding good players with very little bust risk is also going to help the team
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(1:07) 10. HOUSTON - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville - For those of you listening on SportsRadio 610 - you heard the cheers from the crowd at the draft party. Trying to make sure that they have a very strong front seven on defense. Mario, DeMeco and now Okoye, to go with Weaver and others - Richard Smith and Frank Bush and the rest of the defensive coaching staff now has the tools hopefully to create more pressure on the QB. Remember this is just a 19-year old kid, who works and works and works. Not even that raw all things considered.
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(12:52) 9. Miami - Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio St....more on him in a minute
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(12:50)Now we're less than 30 minutes away from the Texans pick and the possiblities at least appear to be coming into focus. A couple of scenarios...
1. field calls for 15 minutes and then draft Amobi Okoye
2. trade with Denver to acquire #21, #56, and potentially #70 or #86.
3. trade with NE to acquire #24 or #28 (but NE only has #91st pick to offer as well)
4. draft Patrick Willis.
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(12:40) 8. Atlanta - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas: As I just got finished saying, Anderson might have slipped on one team's board (Washington), but the Falcons disagreed. He fits an obvious need, he was very productive last year, not so much prior to that. He's probably the guy that compares most closely with last year's number one pick Mario Williams. He could emerge as the best DE from this draft in a couple of seasons, but he could also make Falcons fans very unhappy that he only shows up for a handful of plays a game
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(12:28) 7. Minnesota - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma:I think this is the second best talent in this year's draft and just too talented to pass up. He goes here with literally zero pressure on his shoulders since Chester Taylor is already there and a workhorse. This looks a lot like the situation in Chicago a couple of years ago when Cedric Benson was grabbed by the Bears early in the draft despite the presence of Thomas Jones. Well a couple years later Jones is out and Benson is the lead dog - that will happen here - maybe sooner than a couple of years away.
btw - very very quiet on the Texans front. They need Brady Quinn to go at #9, whether it's the Dolphins or not. The more players they don't want that go before them - the better.
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(12:18) 6. Washington - Laron Landry, S, LSU:Great player, but was this the biggest need for the Redskins. He'll be a star and he'll help the 'Skins, but their defensive line was an area of need and they passed over Jamaal Anderson and Amobi Okoye. That might be an indication that these 2 players aren't nearly as highly thought by the teams as they are by the drafniks - or at least this team anyway.
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(12:06) 5. Arizona - Levi Brown, OT,Penn State: Many of the experts were saying that the Cardinals had Brown higher on their board than Thomas. He's more athletic and could fit the system in Arizona a little better than Thomas. With Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm now on staff in Arizona - this pick really has their stamp on it. He played on a line that wasn't really all that successful and he showed glimpses of mental lapses, i.e. taking plays off. Again, this is a better fit than say Adrian Peterson, but might not be as great in the NFL.
4. Tampa Bay - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson: This is a potential defensive rookie of the year. Probably hard for Gruden to pass up on QB Brady Quinn, but 6 or 7 quarterbacks is a bit ridiculous. Adams has the speed to chase down quarterbacks and is a big-time playmaker with a hard-driving motor. Very good choice for the Bucs.
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(11:42) 3. Cleveland - Joe Thomas, OT,Wisconsin:Fishing appealed to Thomas more than attending the draft in New York and here's why - he's going to Cleveland. This is their guy. Expect the Browns to look at a QB or RB later today with their 2nd and 3rd pick today. Thomas is as highly rated a tackle as there has been over the last decade. While Robert Gallery from Iowa, drafted early by the Raiders, was similarly rated, he's provides a nice example of what you can't always see in a college tackle that suggests problems in the NFL. As usual lots of talk about movement and so far there is none and each of the three teams to make picks thus far have landed an immediate impact future Pro-Bowler.
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(11:34) 2. Detroit - Calvin Johnson, WR, Ga. Tech:Best WR prospect in a decade. As good as advertised. Even at NFL level should not be able to be blanketed by just one defender. Size, speed, hands, strength - he's got it all. And has experience being the go-to-guy on on a team with virtually no other weapons. That won't be the case in Detroit with Roy Williams - or in Tampa Bay - where the rumors suggest he will still end up. Hard to pass up OT Joe Thomas, a 10-year franchise solidifying tackle, but the Lions may turn this into more help for the team if they move Johnson
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(11:20) 1. Oakland - Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU: No surprise here. Big, strong-armed QB who could very easily start right away for the Raiders. If not right away probably around the same time that the first quarterback in last year's draft took over. (That would be Vince Young in Tennessee in Game 6 taking over for Kerry Collins.) Russell is no different than any other young quaterback in that he will need time to get acclimated to the NFL and he'll have to learn how to read defenses. This is the right pick for the Raiders - Russell has the ability to become an elite level quarterback at the NFL level- even though Calvin Johnson would have been nice.

That puts the Detroit Lions on the clock and everyone thinks Tampa Bay GM Bruce Allen is going to pull the trigger and make the deal for this pick....but....detroit is ready...