Thought I'd give you a good draft to read this time. Based on current draft order.
Thanks to www.sportslogos.net for the logos.
1. Cleveland Browns - QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame.The Browns win a coin flip with the Rams for first pick overall. I know Brady Quinn has not panned out. But there is no other direction the Browns can go here. The team is lost right now. They are without an identity, and no talent whatsoever on offense (or defense). Eric Mangini should be gone after the year, meaning the new regime can start over with a fresh face of the franchise. Personally, I like Clausen a lot better then Jake Locker, so that coin flip between the Browns and Rams is an important one.
2. St. Louis Rams - QB Jake Locker, Washington.The Rams are a little better off then the Browns, but not much. This will be the third straight year they have drafted second overall. If you saw the Rams game against the Saints you realize what many people have known for a long time; Marc Bulger must be replaced. It has been almost a decade since the Greatest Show On Turf, and St. Louis has returned to the garbage franchise that they were in the 90's. If they don't feel Locker is worth the second overall pick they could go with Suh and take a signal caller in the second round. That wouldn't be a bad idea either. But I don't think they can take that chance. They have to get a quarterback here.
3. Detroit Lions - DT Ndamukong Suh, NebraskaThe Lions seem nearly as bad as last year. But at least they got their drafting of a quarterback out of the way. So they can focus with this draft on drafting the best player available, since they still need help with pretty much every position on the field. And luckily for them, they get to take the possible best player in college football. Suh is a disruptive force who could lead defensive tackles in sacks. The Lions haven't had anyone worth a crap manning the middle since Shaun Rogers was there years ago.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
Like I have said many, many times, I have predicted Dunlap to the Bucs since my first mock draft in pre-season. And I haven't seen quite enough to change my mind. Dunlap has not had that impressive of a season, but I think he's a guy who'll shoot up the draft boards once the combine rolls around. As for the Bucs, they traded Gaines Adams and have pre-season Broncos cut Tim Crowder starting in his place. Defensive end is one of the many positions that desperately need a talent upgrade. Eric Berry would make a ton of sense here too.
The Chiefs have far greater needs then a safety, yes. Cornerback, more personell for the 3-4, especially a pass rusher, more offensive lineman, a new running back, a second receiver, etc. But as I advise with most bad teams, if you're this bad, just take best player available. And the most talented player in this draft happens to play safety. You don't see safeties drafted this high unless they are truly special. And Berry is. You see him compared to all the great safeties like Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. He will give the Chiefs defense an identity.
6. Oakland Raiders - S Taylor Mays, USCI keep wanting to give the Raiders the benifit of the doubt. But Al Davis has just been too bad at the draft to do that. From JaMarcus Russell to Darren McFadden to Michael Huff to Darrius Heyward-Bey. So he'll ignore all those holes on his team and draft yet ANOTHER safety high in the draft. No knock against Mays, who's cornerback speed plus linebacker build has teams drooling. It's just that the Raiders need to draft Russell Okung. Or draft Gerald McCoy. Or draft Derrick Morgan. Or draft Sam Bradford. But naah, they'll take another safety. Book it.
7. Seattle Seahawks - QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
The Seahawks win a coin flip with the Redskins. And that would be a very important coin flip at this juncture in the draft, because I think whoever wins that takes Bradford. Bradford's stock has dropped somewhat due to injuries, but I don't think he'll fall out of the top ten. Not with this many teams needing quarterbacks. If the Redskins win the flip and take Bradford, then I have the Seahawks taking another player here and getting their QB with the second pick. Either way, Matt Hasselbeck is nearing the end of the line and is unable to stay healthy anymore. It's time to move on.
8. Washington Redskins - OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma St.Okung is not a bad consilation prize if they can't get a quarterback. He is the top offensive tackle in a draft loaded with them. Long time great Chris Samuels is probably done with his career, so a replacement is of the utmost importance. Whoever they bring in at quarterback will appreciate the protection.
I see a theme developing with most of these horrible teams. They are horrible because they have holes everywhere. Nice logic, right? So the Bills, like the other teams, need to just go best available player here cause he will fill a hole. Buffalo has used first round picks on defensive tackles in the past with absolutely no success. They still have Marcus Stroud, right? He's as invisible as a 6'6, 330 pound man can be. So they try to bring in some help so they don't get run all over. Now only if they could score, too.
10. Tennessee Titans - DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia TechThe Titans are not as bad as their record shows. They have been much better lately and should continue to improve. However, they still have holes along the defensive line, mostly due to all those free agent deflections. A pass rusher to play opposite Kyle Vanden Bosch might be the most important need. Derrick Morgan is having an unbelievable season and is close to replacing Carlos Dunlap as my first defensive end off the board.
Like last year when the Niners took Michael Crabtree, this might be more of a luxury pick then a huge need. Patrick Willis is an elite middle linebacker and Takeo Spikes is doing fine enough as his counterpart. But Mike Singletary, one of the best middle linebackers of all time, might not be able to resist adding another great talent next to Willis. That would be quite an advantage in the 3-4 defense to have those two guys. Having another first round pick in a few picks makes this luxury easier to swallow.
The Broncos defense has predictably showed that they are not nearly as good as they played their first six games. The main reason? Simple. Not enough talent. The Broncos should have their pick of a pretty good defensive player. Cornerback might not be their first choice, but Haden is the best player on the board. Andre Goodman shouldn't really be a starter at this point, or any point, in his career.
I know this isn't as big a need anymore now that they added Braylon Edwards. But who knows how long Edwards will be in town. They have Jerricho Cotchery, a fine possession receiver, but still lack an explosive threat. Bryant is easily the best receiver in this draft, even with his off the field troubles, and would fill a huge need in New York.
Miami loses out on Dez Bryant, so they have to go a different direction. They have two good outside pass rushing linebackers in Jason Taylor and Joey Porter, but both are well into their 30's. It would be good to find someone to groom behind two future hall of famers. Greg Hardy is one of the best pass rushers in college and could convert to linebacker.
With this pick the Niners go ahead and fill a big need. There has been a huge hole opposite Joe Staley that free agent bust Marvel Smith has been unable to fill. The Niners want to be a power running team, and that starts with the offensive line.
Aaron Rodgers can tell you what the Packers biggest need is. If he can stay off his ass long enough to speak the words to you. The Packers once had one of the best lines in football, but they failed to draft replacements and now it is a mess. They can't neglect that position anymore.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been last in the NFL in sacks, despite using high picks on the position in the past. They can't give up. Somehow they have to generate a pass rush if they expect to have any success in this league. So they go to that well again, hoping Griffin will fare better then Derrick Harvey and Quinten Groves.
The Philadelphia Eagles spent the last draft giving Donovan McNabb additional weapons. That looks to have worked out very well. So this draft they can focus on the defense. First up? Middle linebacker. They added Jeremaih Trotter for the 78th time, showing how desperate they are to find a defensive signal caller. Spikes has had some trouble at Florida, but I think he's a sure fire first round talent at a position where players sometimes fall in the draft.
I thought the Falcons would take a step back this year, and it looks like I was right. They have a lot of talent, but they still have too many holes to be a great team. Especially on defense. Jamaal Anderson is a bust as a former high draft pick, so the Falcons are still looking for a pass rusher opposite John Abraham. Hughes is one of the best in college. He might be more suited for outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but he can rush the passer, and that's good enough for the Falcons.
Steve Slaton has shown next to nothing this year, reafirming scouts thoughts that he is simply a third down back. The Texans need a lead back if their offense is truly going to be elite. They're close already. Dwyer is the strongest, toughest runner in this draft and would give the Texans offense another dimension. And in turn will help out Slaton and make sure that Chris Brown never sees the field again.
The Ravens defense has really under performed this year. They still have talent, but one area of need is the secondary. They have failed to replace the Chris McAlister/Samari Rolle duo, using two cornerbacks who are more suited for nickle duty. The Ravens are good at knowing where they need upgrades and going after it in the draft, so I expect them to upgrade this position.
Some might think the Giants last need is the defensive line. But that's where the money makers are, and they want to make sure they keep it elite. Age has opened up a hole next to Chris Canty.
23. Arizona Cardinals - DE/OLB Ricky Sapp, ClemsonThe Cardinals are a good team who should easily win their division. But I can't take them seriously until they improve that defense. It starts with adding pieces to fit the scheme they are trying to run. The Cardinals need that pass rusher that all 3-4 teams could use to be successful. Sapp is a project but could be a good one eventually.
Jamal Williams great career is winding down, and a replacement will need to be found. Cody is a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle that I have sliding because he may be too big. If he can lose 20 pounds, he can shoot up into the top 15. Even Vince Wilfork and Casey Hampton, the elite 3-4 NT's, were taken around this spot. Cody's weight will always be an issue.
The Steelers offensive line has played better this year then last year. I still don't buy Max Starks as being that good. Even if he is, he's not worth the franchise money. Drafting his replacement would be a good idea.
Good teams that run the 3-4 are always a step ahead when drafting depth and future starters for the scheme. So the Cowboys draft Igor Olshansky's replacement here.
Ever since Shaun Alexander's demise the Seahawks rushing attack has been extremely mediocre. Spiller will add a dimension of excitement to an offense that has been extremely boring the last few years.
Tim Tebow is going to go somewhere in the first round. I have no idea who will take him, or what position they will play him at. The Patriots have three picks in the second round, and they are deep and good enough that they can take the ultimate luxury pick. Bill Belichick will have a lot of fun figuring out how to get Tim Tebow into this offense.
The Bengals offense is performing at a high level. So is the defense, meaning the Bengals can go after a spot that has been weak for a long time. Gresham is the only first round talent at the tight end position, and the Bengals could use an additional weapon for Carson Palmer.
The choice by the Seahawks to not pass on a QB with their first pick and take Mallett with their second pick works out well for the Vikings. They can take Brett Favre's successor without wasting a pick on Colt McCoy. I like Mallett, and quarterbacks in the AFC North are showing that you can be 6'5 or taller and still be successful. And with Favre looking like he has one or two more years left, Mallett can be eased into the starting role.
The Saints need outside linebackers, and depth all along the defense. But especially an outside linebacker. I can't remember the last time they had a difference maker at that position.
Marlin Jackson and Bob Sanders both can never stay healthy anymore. Both players have probably played their last game for the Colts. So depth in the secondary is needed.
Round 2
33. Cleveland Browns - RB Jahvid Best, California
34. St. Louis Rams - OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
35. Detroit Lions - OG Mike Iupati, Idaho
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - S Earl Thomas, Texas
37. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
38. Oakland Raiders - DE Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
39. Seattle Seahawks - S Nate Allen, South Florida
40. Washington Redskins - QB Colt McCoy, Texas
41. Buffalo Bills - QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati
42. New England Patriots (from Tennessee Titans) - DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Michigan
43. San Francisco 49ers - DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chicago Bears) - WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
45. New York Jets - DT Phil Taylor, Baylor
46. Miami Dolphins - WR Brandon Lafell, LSU
47. Carolina panthers - CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
48. Green Bay Packers - RB Joe McKnight, USC
49. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville Jaguars) - RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno St.
50. Philadelphia Eagles - OT Ciron Black, LSU
51. Kansas City Chiefs (from Atlanta Falcons) - DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
52. Houston Texans - DE Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida
53. Baltimore Ravens - WR Mike Williams, Syracuse
54. New York Giants - OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
55. Arizona Cardinals - OT Charles Brown, USC
56. San Diego Chargers - CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
57. Pittsburgh Steelers - DE Cameron Heywood, Ohio St.
58. Dallas Cowboys - DE/OLB Brandon Lang, Troy
59. Denver Broncos - QB Jevan Snead, Ole' Miss
60. New England Patriots - DE/DT Vince Oghobaase, Duke
61. Cincinnati Bengals - S Chad Jones, LSU
62. Minnesota Vikings - DT DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma
63. New Orleans Saints - DT Brian Price, UCLA
64. Indianapolis Colts - OLB Greg Jones, Michigan St.
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