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Round 1
1 Miami Dolphins - Sedrick Ellis DT, USC: The popular pick is Chris Long but I dont see Long as a fit in Parcell's 3-4. He may have played it in college but at the NFL level Long would have to be stronger, heavier and more stout at the LOS to play as a DL, and would have to be lighter and faster to play as a LB. Sedrick Ellis is a powerful player and also has the quickness to shed blocks and rush the passer.
2 St. Louis Rams - Chris Long DE, Virginia: Now this is a great fit... The Rams are still re-building their DL which they started doing with Adam Carriker last year. However they still need to make changes at both DE spots and at DT next to Carriker. Leonard Little and La'Roi Glover are aging and James Hall was a non-factor last year. Long will give them a 2 dimensional player that will be solid against the run and will provide a solid pass rush from the DE spot.
3 Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan QB, Boston College: Atlanta currently has Chris Redman penciled in as their starter which is simply not good enough. The Falcons have a good young WR corps and a newly acquired RB, Ryan will have plenty of weapons to work with.
4 Oakland Raiders - Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio St. - The Raiders currenly have a major need at DE opposite Derrick Burgess since they let Brayton and Chris Clemons go in FA. Gholston however will be a major upgrade over both. He combines speed and power that should provide the Raiders D with at least 10 sacks as a rookie. In my opinon Gholston is the next Dwight Freeney, or close to it anyways.
5 Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long OT, Michigan - KC gets the player they wanted all along and finally replace Willie Roaf. Long gives the Chiefs a mauler at LT who can also protect well against the pass which is what they have missed since Roaf retired.
6 New York Jets - Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas - McFadden will pair up with Thomas Jones to complete the smash mouth offense Mangini and Schottenheimer are building. McFadden should thrive splitting carries with Jones and running behind a re-built offensive line that includes D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Allan Faneca, Nick Mangold and Damien Woody.
7 New England Patriots - Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU - Belichick loves his linemen early in the draft and with this pick he gets one of the most dominating players at his position in years. Dorsey is a powerful DT that holds his ground against the run and collapses the pocket on opposing QBs. Sure the Pats have a lot of talent on the DL already but adding Dorsey will give them a rotation that will keep everyone fresh amd doing what they do best.
8 Baltimore Ravens - Andre Woodson QB, Kentucky -- Woodson is one of my favourite players in the draft but for some reason he doesnt get much attention. That changed recently when he impressed scouts at his pro-day. The Ravens will get a smart, poised QB with a rocket arm.
9 Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers OLB, USC - There isnt a single position on the Bengals D that isn't in need of an upgrade. They consider Derrick Harvey here but instead take the top LB on the board in Keith Rivers. They will still have the worst D in the league next year.
10 New Orleans Saints - Leodis Mckelvin CB, Troy St.: The Saints secondary continues to be their achilles heal. CB is where they should start and Mckelvin gives them an instant upgrade over both Mike Mckenzie and Jason David.
11 Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey DE, Florida: This was a tough pick, I was very close to putting down Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but in the end it comes down to pass rush, especially in our division. Harvey is a very quick player that has a knack for getting to QBs. He also added weight for the combine which should help him hold his ground better against the run. At the end of the day though good against the run or not the Bills need a more consistent pass rusher opposite Schobel. Kelsay still has a lot to prove.
12 Denver Broncos - Dan Connor LB, Penn.St.- After they released Ian Gold it was obvious that the Broncos were going to address the LB position in the draft. They are almost certainly moving DJ Williams back to his natural OLB position which leaves a void a MLB. Connor gives the Broncos toughness, instincts, tackling and leadership qualities. He should also give them more of a presence in the middle of their defense.
13 Carolina Panthers - Rashard Mendenhall RB, Illinois - Mendenhall has a great combination of size, speed and power which the Panthers will need now that they are only left with DeAngelo Williams in their backfield. Williams is good but Mendenhall gives Carolina 2 backs with different skill sets.
14 Chicago Bears - Malcolm Kelly WR, Oklahoma - The Bears have no one left at WR except for Devin Hester who has yet to prove himself as a consistent offensive player. Marty Booker's best days are behind him. Kelly is big, fast and has the best hands in the draft.
15 Detroit Lions - Ryan Clady OT, Boise St. - Its about time the Lions address their OL, particulary the OT position. Clady can come in and start right away on the left side and give Kitna time to throw, at least more than the 1.5 seconds he was afforded last season.
16 Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell DE, Miami- Arizona desperately needs help at DE. Bertrand Berry is solid but Antonio Smth doesnt provide a consistent pass rush. Calais Campbell is probably the biggest risk that may provide the biggest reward. He has a ton of potential and his size alone at 6'8 295is intriguing.
17 Minnesota Vikings - Philip Merling DE, Clemson - The Vikings have terrible luck with drafting first round DEs but they cant ignore their pass rush issues for another year. Merling is a good fit with the Vikings D, he is a good pass rusher but is also solid against the run.
18 Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee St. - DRC could be the best all around athlete in the draft. He tore up the combine and showed excellent cover skills during senior bowl week and in the game itself. The only reason I dont have him as the first corner taken is that he hasn't played against top competition on a consistent basis.
19 Philadelphia Eagles - James Hardy WR, Indiana - Philly desperately needs a big WR that can command double coverage and free up their other WRs. Hardy is huge at 6'6" 220, has good speed and has great hands and body control. He should be an instant redzone weapon for McNabb.
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed WR, Texas - Tampa is another team that is desperate to add another playmaker to their WR corps. Joey Galloway had a great year but for their offense to really take off they will need another weapon on the other side. Sweed is a big, tall WR that can separate downfield and use his size to make tough catches. He should start day one for the Bucs.
21 Washington Redskins - Kenny Philips S, Miami - With the tragic passing of Sean Taylor the Skins are forced to address the void at the S position as best they can. What better way to fill the void then to draft a ball-hawk like Kenny Philips from THE U.
22 Dallas Cowboys - Devin Thomas WR, Michigan State - Devin Thomas is a very productive WR that combines great size at 6'2 215 and blazing speed which was on display at the combine. This is a bit of a luxury pick for Dallas but they can afford it.
23 Pittsburgh Steelers - Kentwan Balmer DT, NC - Balmer is a complete player that is quick enough to be a pass rusher and strong enough to clog running lanes. At 6'5 298 he has the perfect size and frame to play DE in a 3-4. The Steelers are pretty thin on the DL and Balmer would be a major upgrade.
24 Tennessee Titans - Aqib Talib CB, Kansas -- Like Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib is a gifted athlete that loves to make plays. He is a solid cover corner with great size and ball skills. Pacman although talented will probably never see the field for the Titans again. Talib can be a better player than him anyways.
25 Seattle Seahawks - Chris Williams OT/OG, Virginia - Williams is a great athlete with great size that can play both as a T and as a G. Seattle's run game has not been the same since Hutch left which has made their offense 1 dimensional. Williams can come in and start right away at either RT or LG.
26 Jacksonville Jaguars - Desean Jackson WR, Cal - The Jags are done with big clumsy WRs and possibly the top playmaker that the WR is still available. The knock on Jackson is his size but they have plenty of that already. This pick provides the Jags with an explosive WR that can stretch the field and who is also extremely dangerous as a kick returner.
27 San Diego Chargers - Mike Jenkins CB, South Florida - You can easily make an argument for Jenkins being the top corner and the first taken but in my opinion the CBs I have going ahead of him have more upside. The Chargers simply have no needs so this qualifies as a luxury pick for them that will pay off in the future. He can also take over the nickel corner role that Drayton Florence held.
28 Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones RB, Arkansas - Felix Jones ran behind McFadden during his time at Arkansas but when he was in there was virtually no drop off. Jones is a complete RB that runs with good power and great speed. The combination of Barber and Felix Jones will be even better than Barber and Julius. How could Jerry not take him anyways... same school same name.
29 San Francisco 49ers - Pat Sims DT Auburn - The 49ers need to continue to address their DL. Justin Smith was a good signing but its not enough to solidify their defense. Pat Sims is strong at the point of attack and is also quick enough to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield. He should start day 1 at either the nose or at DE.
30 Green Bay Packers Antoine Cason CB, Arizona- Cason maybe the best all - around corner in the draft. He is a great tackler and plays very well in coverage. Green Bay has 2 great corners but they are both nearing retirement/decline. Cason will sit for one year and start in '09.
31 New England Patriots - Some Justice
32 New York Giants - Erin Henderson OLB, Maryland - Henderson is an excellent all-around OLB that plays sideline to sideline and is a solid tackler. The Giants lost 2 OLBs in FA so this pick makes perfect sense and will add some more youth and talent to an already talented defense.
Round 2
33 Miami Dolphins - Quentin Groves OLB/DE, Auburn - Miami continues to re-build their defense and add a pass rushing OLB that fits perfectly in Parcell's defense. Groves can play standing up and can also play with his hand on the ground as a DE. Groves will be Miami's version of DeMarcus Ware.
34 St. Louis Rams - Early Doucet WR, LSU - The Rams let Isaac Bruce go in FA and Torry Holt is 31. Doucet is the perfect receiver for the Rams system. He runs great routes, is a good runner after the catch and he also blocks well in the run game. Doucet can play the #2 role for the Rams until Holt is gone.
35 Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Flowers CB, VA Tech - The only reason Flowers fell to the 2nd round was his 4.58 40 time at the combine. Had it been sub 4.4 like the other top corners in the draft he might have gone #1 among corners. Other than his straight line speed Flowers has it all, ball skills, tackling and great instincts. KC let go of Ty Law and Surtain is over 30. Flowers should start day one.
36 Atlanta Falcons - Jeff Otah OT, Pittsburgh - This is a great value pick for the Falcons who desperately need help at LT. Otah should compete right away as the starter with Wayne Gandy. If he doesn't start day one he will by mid-season.
37 New York Jets - Andre Caldwell WR, Florida - The Jets need more weapons on offense to help out their young QB. Caldwell is a burner with great hands and run after catch ability. The Jets can use him in the slot until they decide what they will do with Coles and Cotchery.
38 Oakland Raiders - Craig Steltz SS, LSU - The Raiders are not happy with their S situation at all. Stuart Schweigart was benched last season and everyone in Oakland has been waiting for Michael Huff to play up to his potential. In Steltz the Raiders get a fiery competitor in their secondary that delivers big hits and is always around the football. Steltz is also a great leader and posessed a high football IQ.
39 Baltimore Ravens - Tracy Porter CB, Indiana - Baltimore needs to add some talented youth to their CB depth and do so with Porter. Porter has good height at 5'11 and combines that with top end speed. I think the Ravens stick with Rolle and McCallister for one more year and start Porter in his second year.
40 San Francisco 49ers - Lavelle Hawkins WR, California - San Fran has to take their WR corps more seriously and provide Alex Smith with some targets. Darrell Jackson is ok but they need more. Hawkins has decent size with room to add more weight, great speed and solid hands.
41 New Orleans Saints - Trevor Laws DT, Notre Dame - Between the Senior Bowl and the Combine Trevor Laws vastly improved his draft status going from somewhere in round 3 to the top of the second round. Actually, I personally view Laws as a top 32 prospect but he drops to the Saints because the teams most in need of DL help are 3-4 teams. Laws is a very quick DT that sheds blocks with a variety of moves and has a non-stop motor.
42 Buffalo Bills - Dustin Keller TE, Purdue - Keller is one of the most exciting players in the draft. He has elite speed for a TE and his run after catch ability is electrifying. Keller may not be a devastating blocker in the run game but Buffalo has that in Robert Royal. Keller is the pass catching TE Bills fans have been waiting for for years.
43 Denver Broncos - Frank Okam DT, Texas - The Broncos continue to address their biggest weakness and draft one of the best run stuffers in college football. Okam can also get after the QB a little but he is brought in mainly to move Denver out of the bottom of the league in run defense.
44 Carolina Panthers - Brandon Albert OG, Virginia - Carolina has had a stable but unspectacular OL over the last few years and the recent release of Mike Wahle leaves a large void at LG. Brandon Albert is considered one of the top OL in the draft and certainly the top interior OL available. Albert would play next to Jordan Gross who moved from RT to LT for next season.
45 Chicago Bears - Dre Moore DT, Maryland - This pick is perfect for the Bears. They are very thin at DT and their DL has not been as dominating since losing all their depth to FA (Scott, Boone, Johnson). Moore is the prototypical cover 2 DT that combines power, speed which he uses well to get after QBs and also has a high motor. If Moore does land in Chicago he and Tommie Harris will be a dominating duo.
46 Detroit Lions - Lawrence Jackson DE, USC - Even when the Lions had Shaun Rogers their DL had trouble creating pressure on opposing QBs mainly due to inconsistency at DE. Jackson should provide the Lions with more consistency off the edge which should help their DTs get more production.
47 Cincinnati Bengals - Chris Ellis DE, Virginia - Cincinnati signed Antwan Odom in FA which should help their pass rush but they also lost Justin Smith. Selecting Chris Ellis will give the Bengals 2 DEs that can get after the QB and solidify one of the worse pass defenses in the NFL.
48 Minnesota Vikings - Fred Davis TE, USC - Its about time the Vikings address the TE position with some real talent. Vicante Shiancoe is not a receiving threat that can stretch the field. Adding Davis will not only give Tarvaris Jackson a security blanket and redzone threat but will also keep defenses from stacking the box on AP.
49 Atlanta Falcons - Red Bryant DT, Texas A&M - After releasing Grady Jackson mid-season and letting Rod Coleman go in FA Atlanta will have to add to their DT rotation. Red Bryant is massive at 6'5 328 but he can also move pretty well as evidenced by his 4.98 40 at the combine. He can take over as starter by mid-season.
50 Philadelphia Eagles - Ray Rice RB, Rutgers - Philly obviously has a great RB in Brian Westbrook but there isn't much behind him. Ray Rice has been one of the most productive RBs in college football over the last 2 years and would give the Eagles a powerful option at RB with excellent speed.
51 Arizona Cardinals - Shawn Crable OLB, Michigan - Crable is almost a replica of Calvin Pace who the Cards lost in FA. He can come in an pick up right where Pace left off and maybe even improve on his 6.5 sacks.
52 Washington Redskins - Mario Manningham WR, Michigan - Sure he didnt have a great 40 time but the tape doesn't lie. Manningham runs great routes and plays fast. On top of that he has great hands and is very elusive with the ball in his hands. He would be an instant upgrade over Randle El who will be moved back into the slot where he belongs.
53 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Michael Oher OT, Mississippi - The Bucs can use some help on their OL particularly at the OT position. Oher is a big man that excels in both pass protection and opening holes in the run game.
54 Pittsburgh Steelers - Adrian Arrington WR, Michigan - Ben R. has been saying publicly that he wants a bigger target to throw to and I agree with him. Arrington is a big physical WR with strong hands. He doesnt have elite speed but he has enough to get open and use his frame to block DBs out. In my opinion he should start as the #2 WR and move Holmes into the slot.
55 Tennessee Titans - Eddie Royal WR, VA Tech - Royal is not a huge receiver at 5'10 180 but he is one of the fastest and most explosive in this year's draft. With a big target in Justin Gage already on the roster Royal will give Vince Young a deep threat and a player that can find holes in the defense when Young takes off which is what the Titans offense has been missing.
56 Seattle Seahawks - Martellus Bennett TE, Texas A&M - Seattle gave up on the troublesome Jerramy Stevens and have been looking for a replacement since. Marcus Pollard is not the answer and neither is Heller. Bennett is massive at 6'7 255, with great hands, speed, and is also a very good run blocker. He can come in and contribute 6 or 7 TDs as a rookie.
57 Green Bay Packers - Steve Slaton RB, West Virginia - Slaton is one of the top all-around backs in the draft and would normally be a first rounder if it wasn't for all the other RBs that came out this year. Either way, the Pack can afford to make a bit of a luxury pick here and add some depth to their backfield. Brandon Jackson and Morency proved they weren't dependable enough and the trend in the NFL these days is to have 2 capable RBs.
58 Miami Dolphins - Cliff Avril OLB/DE, Purdue - With all the Jason Taylor trade talk and the fact that Parcells likes to re-build his linebacking corps with hybrid pass rushers the Dolphins select exactly that in Cliff Avril. Avril joins Anthony Spencer, Shaun Philips and Rosevelt Colvin as the next 3-4 pass rusher from Purdue in the NFL.
59 Jacksonville Jaguars - Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College - Gosder Cherilus may be the best run blocking OT in the draft but he falls this far into the second round due to questions about his pass protecting ability as a LT. With good coaching he can become a good LT since he does have the tools at 6'7 315 and very long arms but he projects more as a RT or even a guard due to his elite run blocking ability. Either way Jacksonville needs help at both G and OT.
60 Indianapolis Colts - Ali Highsmith OLB, LSU - When you watch Highsmith on tape he is one of the best OLB in the draft but in the NFL only certain teams can use him in their scheme due to his size at 6' 226. The Colts are one of those teams that value speed and playmaking in their cover 2 which is a perfect fit for Highsmith.
61 Green Bay Packers - Reggie Smith CB, Oklahoma - They already drafted Antoine Cason in the first round but taking Reggie Smith at this point in the draft is great value. You also have to consider that both Woodson and Harris are over 30 and they will have to groom their replacements soon.
62 Dallas Cowboys - Terrel Thomas CB, USC - There's no question about Terrence Newman as their #1 corner but bringing in some competition for Anthony Henry is a good idea. After letting Jacques Reeves go in FA they will also need a nickel corner. The loser of the competition can play nickel.
63 New England Patriots - Charles Godfrey CB, Iowa - The Pats obviously need to add to their secondary after losing Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson and also considering Rodney Harrison's age. Godfrey is a big physical corner with elite speed who can also come up and support the run. He also spent time playing safety at Iowa his first 2 years so he could make the switch for the Pats if need be.
64 New York Giants - Quentin Demps S, UTEP - After losing Gibril Wilson to FA the Giants will look to fill the void at S through the draft. Although the safety class is weak this year Demps at this point in the draft is great value that can start by mid-season if not day 1. He has nice size at 6'0 206 and great speed which he uses well in coverage. Demps can also return punts and kicks which gives him added value.
1 Miami Dolphins - Sedrick Ellis DT, USC: The popular pick is Chris Long but I dont see Long as a fit in Parcell's 3-4. He may have played it in college but at the NFL level Long would have to be stronger, heavier and more stout at the LOS to play as a DL, and would have to be lighter and faster to play as a LB. Sedrick Ellis is a powerful player and also has the quickness to shed blocks and rush the passer.
2 St. Louis Rams - Chris Long DE, Virginia: Now this is a great fit... The Rams are still re-building their DL which they started doing with Adam Carriker last year. However they still need to make changes at both DE spots and at DT next to Carriker. Leonard Little and La'Roi Glover are aging and James Hall was a non-factor last year. Long will give them a 2 dimensional player that will be solid against the run and will provide a solid pass rush from the DE spot.
3 Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan QB, Boston College: Atlanta currently has Chris Redman penciled in as their starter which is simply not good enough. The Falcons have a good young WR corps and a newly acquired RB, Ryan will have plenty of weapons to work with.
4 Oakland Raiders - Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio St. - The Raiders currenly have a major need at DE opposite Derrick Burgess since they let Brayton and Chris Clemons go in FA. Gholston however will be a major upgrade over both. He combines speed and power that should provide the Raiders D with at least 10 sacks as a rookie. In my opinon Gholston is the next Dwight Freeney, or close to it anyways.
5 Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long OT, Michigan - KC gets the player they wanted all along and finally replace Willie Roaf. Long gives the Chiefs a mauler at LT who can also protect well against the pass which is what they have missed since Roaf retired.
6 New York Jets - Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas - McFadden will pair up with Thomas Jones to complete the smash mouth offense Mangini and Schottenheimer are building. McFadden should thrive splitting carries with Jones and running behind a re-built offensive line that includes D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Allan Faneca, Nick Mangold and Damien Woody.
7 New England Patriots - Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU - Belichick loves his linemen early in the draft and with this pick he gets one of the most dominating players at his position in years. Dorsey is a powerful DT that holds his ground against the run and collapses the pocket on opposing QBs. Sure the Pats have a lot of talent on the DL already but adding Dorsey will give them a rotation that will keep everyone fresh amd doing what they do best.
8 Baltimore Ravens - Andre Woodson QB, Kentucky -- Woodson is one of my favourite players in the draft but for some reason he doesnt get much attention. That changed recently when he impressed scouts at his pro-day. The Ravens will get a smart, poised QB with a rocket arm.
9 Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers OLB, USC - There isnt a single position on the Bengals D that isn't in need of an upgrade. They consider Derrick Harvey here but instead take the top LB on the board in Keith Rivers. They will still have the worst D in the league next year.
10 New Orleans Saints - Leodis Mckelvin CB, Troy St.: The Saints secondary continues to be their achilles heal. CB is where they should start and Mckelvin gives them an instant upgrade over both Mike Mckenzie and Jason David.
11 Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey DE, Florida: This was a tough pick, I was very close to putting down Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but in the end it comes down to pass rush, especially in our division. Harvey is a very quick player that has a knack for getting to QBs. He also added weight for the combine which should help him hold his ground better against the run. At the end of the day though good against the run or not the Bills need a more consistent pass rusher opposite Schobel. Kelsay still has a lot to prove.
12 Denver Broncos - Dan Connor LB, Penn.St.- After they released Ian Gold it was obvious that the Broncos were going to address the LB position in the draft. They are almost certainly moving DJ Williams back to his natural OLB position which leaves a void a MLB. Connor gives the Broncos toughness, instincts, tackling and leadership qualities. He should also give them more of a presence in the middle of their defense.
13 Carolina Panthers - Rashard Mendenhall RB, Illinois - Mendenhall has a great combination of size, speed and power which the Panthers will need now that they are only left with DeAngelo Williams in their backfield. Williams is good but Mendenhall gives Carolina 2 backs with different skill sets.
14 Chicago Bears - Malcolm Kelly WR, Oklahoma - The Bears have no one left at WR except for Devin Hester who has yet to prove himself as a consistent offensive player. Marty Booker's best days are behind him. Kelly is big, fast and has the best hands in the draft.
15 Detroit Lions - Ryan Clady OT, Boise St. - Its about time the Lions address their OL, particulary the OT position. Clady can come in and start right away on the left side and give Kitna time to throw, at least more than the 1.5 seconds he was afforded last season.
16 Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell DE, Miami- Arizona desperately needs help at DE. Bertrand Berry is solid but Antonio Smth doesnt provide a consistent pass rush. Calais Campbell is probably the biggest risk that may provide the biggest reward. He has a ton of potential and his size alone at 6'8 295is intriguing.
17 Minnesota Vikings - Philip Merling DE, Clemson - The Vikings have terrible luck with drafting first round DEs but they cant ignore their pass rush issues for another year. Merling is a good fit with the Vikings D, he is a good pass rusher but is also solid against the run.
18 Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee St. - DRC could be the best all around athlete in the draft. He tore up the combine and showed excellent cover skills during senior bowl week and in the game itself. The only reason I dont have him as the first corner taken is that he hasn't played against top competition on a consistent basis.
19 Philadelphia Eagles - James Hardy WR, Indiana - Philly desperately needs a big WR that can command double coverage and free up their other WRs. Hardy is huge at 6'6" 220, has good speed and has great hands and body control. He should be an instant redzone weapon for McNabb.
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed WR, Texas - Tampa is another team that is desperate to add another playmaker to their WR corps. Joey Galloway had a great year but for their offense to really take off they will need another weapon on the other side. Sweed is a big, tall WR that can separate downfield and use his size to make tough catches. He should start day one for the Bucs.
21 Washington Redskins - Kenny Philips S, Miami - With the tragic passing of Sean Taylor the Skins are forced to address the void at the S position as best they can. What better way to fill the void then to draft a ball-hawk like Kenny Philips from THE U.
22 Dallas Cowboys - Devin Thomas WR, Michigan State - Devin Thomas is a very productive WR that combines great size at 6'2 215 and blazing speed which was on display at the combine. This is a bit of a luxury pick for Dallas but they can afford it.
23 Pittsburgh Steelers - Kentwan Balmer DT, NC - Balmer is a complete player that is quick enough to be a pass rusher and strong enough to clog running lanes. At 6'5 298 he has the perfect size and frame to play DE in a 3-4. The Steelers are pretty thin on the DL and Balmer would be a major upgrade.
24 Tennessee Titans - Aqib Talib CB, Kansas -- Like Rodgers-Cromartie, Talib is a gifted athlete that loves to make plays. He is a solid cover corner with great size and ball skills. Pacman although talented will probably never see the field for the Titans again. Talib can be a better player than him anyways.
25 Seattle Seahawks - Chris Williams OT/OG, Virginia - Williams is a great athlete with great size that can play both as a T and as a G. Seattle's run game has not been the same since Hutch left which has made their offense 1 dimensional. Williams can come in and start right away at either RT or LG.
26 Jacksonville Jaguars - Desean Jackson WR, Cal - The Jags are done with big clumsy WRs and possibly the top playmaker that the WR is still available. The knock on Jackson is his size but they have plenty of that already. This pick provides the Jags with an explosive WR that can stretch the field and who is also extremely dangerous as a kick returner.
27 San Diego Chargers - Mike Jenkins CB, South Florida - You can easily make an argument for Jenkins being the top corner and the first taken but in my opinion the CBs I have going ahead of him have more upside. The Chargers simply have no needs so this qualifies as a luxury pick for them that will pay off in the future. He can also take over the nickel corner role that Drayton Florence held.
28 Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones RB, Arkansas - Felix Jones ran behind McFadden during his time at Arkansas but when he was in there was virtually no drop off. Jones is a complete RB that runs with good power and great speed. The combination of Barber and Felix Jones will be even better than Barber and Julius. How could Jerry not take him anyways... same school same name.
29 San Francisco 49ers - Pat Sims DT Auburn - The 49ers need to continue to address their DL. Justin Smith was a good signing but its not enough to solidify their defense. Pat Sims is strong at the point of attack and is also quick enough to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield. He should start day 1 at either the nose or at DE.
30 Green Bay Packers Antoine Cason CB, Arizona- Cason maybe the best all - around corner in the draft. He is a great tackler and plays very well in coverage. Green Bay has 2 great corners but they are both nearing retirement/decline. Cason will sit for one year and start in '09.
31 New England Patriots - Some Justice
32 New York Giants - Erin Henderson OLB, Maryland - Henderson is an excellent all-around OLB that plays sideline to sideline and is a solid tackler. The Giants lost 2 OLBs in FA so this pick makes perfect sense and will add some more youth and talent to an already talented defense.
Round 2
33 Miami Dolphins - Quentin Groves OLB/DE, Auburn - Miami continues to re-build their defense and add a pass rushing OLB that fits perfectly in Parcell's defense. Groves can play standing up and can also play with his hand on the ground as a DE. Groves will be Miami's version of DeMarcus Ware.
34 St. Louis Rams - Early Doucet WR, LSU - The Rams let Isaac Bruce go in FA and Torry Holt is 31. Doucet is the perfect receiver for the Rams system. He runs great routes, is a good runner after the catch and he also blocks well in the run game. Doucet can play the #2 role for the Rams until Holt is gone.
35 Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Flowers CB, VA Tech - The only reason Flowers fell to the 2nd round was his 4.58 40 time at the combine. Had it been sub 4.4 like the other top corners in the draft he might have gone #1 among corners. Other than his straight line speed Flowers has it all, ball skills, tackling and great instincts. KC let go of Ty Law and Surtain is over 30. Flowers should start day one.
36 Atlanta Falcons - Jeff Otah OT, Pittsburgh - This is a great value pick for the Falcons who desperately need help at LT. Otah should compete right away as the starter with Wayne Gandy. If he doesn't start day one he will by mid-season.
37 New York Jets - Andre Caldwell WR, Florida - The Jets need more weapons on offense to help out their young QB. Caldwell is a burner with great hands and run after catch ability. The Jets can use him in the slot until they decide what they will do with Coles and Cotchery.
38 Oakland Raiders - Craig Steltz SS, LSU - The Raiders are not happy with their S situation at all. Stuart Schweigart was benched last season and everyone in Oakland has been waiting for Michael Huff to play up to his potential. In Steltz the Raiders get a fiery competitor in their secondary that delivers big hits and is always around the football. Steltz is also a great leader and posessed a high football IQ.
39 Baltimore Ravens - Tracy Porter CB, Indiana - Baltimore needs to add some talented youth to their CB depth and do so with Porter. Porter has good height at 5'11 and combines that with top end speed. I think the Ravens stick with Rolle and McCallister for one more year and start Porter in his second year.
40 San Francisco 49ers - Lavelle Hawkins WR, California - San Fran has to take their WR corps more seriously and provide Alex Smith with some targets. Darrell Jackson is ok but they need more. Hawkins has decent size with room to add more weight, great speed and solid hands.
41 New Orleans Saints - Trevor Laws DT, Notre Dame - Between the Senior Bowl and the Combine Trevor Laws vastly improved his draft status going from somewhere in round 3 to the top of the second round. Actually, I personally view Laws as a top 32 prospect but he drops to the Saints because the teams most in need of DL help are 3-4 teams. Laws is a very quick DT that sheds blocks with a variety of moves and has a non-stop motor.
42 Buffalo Bills - Dustin Keller TE, Purdue - Keller is one of the most exciting players in the draft. He has elite speed for a TE and his run after catch ability is electrifying. Keller may not be a devastating blocker in the run game but Buffalo has that in Robert Royal. Keller is the pass catching TE Bills fans have been waiting for for years.
43 Denver Broncos - Frank Okam DT, Texas - The Broncos continue to address their biggest weakness and draft one of the best run stuffers in college football. Okam can also get after the QB a little but he is brought in mainly to move Denver out of the bottom of the league in run defense.
44 Carolina Panthers - Brandon Albert OG, Virginia - Carolina has had a stable but unspectacular OL over the last few years and the recent release of Mike Wahle leaves a large void at LG. Brandon Albert is considered one of the top OL in the draft and certainly the top interior OL available. Albert would play next to Jordan Gross who moved from RT to LT for next season.
45 Chicago Bears - Dre Moore DT, Maryland - This pick is perfect for the Bears. They are very thin at DT and their DL has not been as dominating since losing all their depth to FA (Scott, Boone, Johnson). Moore is the prototypical cover 2 DT that combines power, speed which he uses well to get after QBs and also has a high motor. If Moore does land in Chicago he and Tommie Harris will be a dominating duo.
46 Detroit Lions - Lawrence Jackson DE, USC - Even when the Lions had Shaun Rogers their DL had trouble creating pressure on opposing QBs mainly due to inconsistency at DE. Jackson should provide the Lions with more consistency off the edge which should help their DTs get more production.
47 Cincinnati Bengals - Chris Ellis DE, Virginia - Cincinnati signed Antwan Odom in FA which should help their pass rush but they also lost Justin Smith. Selecting Chris Ellis will give the Bengals 2 DEs that can get after the QB and solidify one of the worse pass defenses in the NFL.
48 Minnesota Vikings - Fred Davis TE, USC - Its about time the Vikings address the TE position with some real talent. Vicante Shiancoe is not a receiving threat that can stretch the field. Adding Davis will not only give Tarvaris Jackson a security blanket and redzone threat but will also keep defenses from stacking the box on AP.
49 Atlanta Falcons - Red Bryant DT, Texas A&M - After releasing Grady Jackson mid-season and letting Rod Coleman go in FA Atlanta will have to add to their DT rotation. Red Bryant is massive at 6'5 328 but he can also move pretty well as evidenced by his 4.98 40 at the combine. He can take over as starter by mid-season.
50 Philadelphia Eagles - Ray Rice RB, Rutgers - Philly obviously has a great RB in Brian Westbrook but there isn't much behind him. Ray Rice has been one of the most productive RBs in college football over the last 2 years and would give the Eagles a powerful option at RB with excellent speed.
51 Arizona Cardinals - Shawn Crable OLB, Michigan - Crable is almost a replica of Calvin Pace who the Cards lost in FA. He can come in an pick up right where Pace left off and maybe even improve on his 6.5 sacks.
52 Washington Redskins - Mario Manningham WR, Michigan - Sure he didnt have a great 40 time but the tape doesn't lie. Manningham runs great routes and plays fast. On top of that he has great hands and is very elusive with the ball in his hands. He would be an instant upgrade over Randle El who will be moved back into the slot where he belongs.
53 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Michael Oher OT, Mississippi - The Bucs can use some help on their OL particularly at the OT position. Oher is a big man that excels in both pass protection and opening holes in the run game.
54 Pittsburgh Steelers - Adrian Arrington WR, Michigan - Ben R. has been saying publicly that he wants a bigger target to throw to and I agree with him. Arrington is a big physical WR with strong hands. He doesnt have elite speed but he has enough to get open and use his frame to block DBs out. In my opinion he should start as the #2 WR and move Holmes into the slot.
55 Tennessee Titans - Eddie Royal WR, VA Tech - Royal is not a huge receiver at 5'10 180 but he is one of the fastest and most explosive in this year's draft. With a big target in Justin Gage already on the roster Royal will give Vince Young a deep threat and a player that can find holes in the defense when Young takes off which is what the Titans offense has been missing.
56 Seattle Seahawks - Martellus Bennett TE, Texas A&M - Seattle gave up on the troublesome Jerramy Stevens and have been looking for a replacement since. Marcus Pollard is not the answer and neither is Heller. Bennett is massive at 6'7 255, with great hands, speed, and is also a very good run blocker. He can come in and contribute 6 or 7 TDs as a rookie.
57 Green Bay Packers - Steve Slaton RB, West Virginia - Slaton is one of the top all-around backs in the draft and would normally be a first rounder if it wasn't for all the other RBs that came out this year. Either way, the Pack can afford to make a bit of a luxury pick here and add some depth to their backfield. Brandon Jackson and Morency proved they weren't dependable enough and the trend in the NFL these days is to have 2 capable RBs.
58 Miami Dolphins - Cliff Avril OLB/DE, Purdue - With all the Jason Taylor trade talk and the fact that Parcells likes to re-build his linebacking corps with hybrid pass rushers the Dolphins select exactly that in Cliff Avril. Avril joins Anthony Spencer, Shaun Philips and Rosevelt Colvin as the next 3-4 pass rusher from Purdue in the NFL.
59 Jacksonville Jaguars - Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College - Gosder Cherilus may be the best run blocking OT in the draft but he falls this far into the second round due to questions about his pass protecting ability as a LT. With good coaching he can become a good LT since he does have the tools at 6'7 315 and very long arms but he projects more as a RT or even a guard due to his elite run blocking ability. Either way Jacksonville needs help at both G and OT.
60 Indianapolis Colts - Ali Highsmith OLB, LSU - When you watch Highsmith on tape he is one of the best OLB in the draft but in the NFL only certain teams can use him in their scheme due to his size at 6' 226. The Colts are one of those teams that value speed and playmaking in their cover 2 which is a perfect fit for Highsmith.
61 Green Bay Packers - Reggie Smith CB, Oklahoma - They already drafted Antoine Cason in the first round but taking Reggie Smith at this point in the draft is great value. You also have to consider that both Woodson and Harris are over 30 and they will have to groom their replacements soon.
62 Dallas Cowboys - Terrel Thomas CB, USC - There's no question about Terrence Newman as their #1 corner but bringing in some competition for Anthony Henry is a good idea. After letting Jacques Reeves go in FA they will also need a nickel corner. The loser of the competition can play nickel.
63 New England Patriots - Charles Godfrey CB, Iowa - The Pats obviously need to add to their secondary after losing Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson and also considering Rodney Harrison's age. Godfrey is a big physical corner with elite speed who can also come up and support the run. He also spent time playing safety at Iowa his first 2 years so he could make the switch for the Pats if need be.
64 New York Giants - Quentin Demps S, UTEP - After losing Gibril Wilson to FA the Giants will look to fill the void at S through the draft. Although the safety class is weak this year Demps at this point in the draft is great value that can start by mid-season if not day 1. He has nice size at 6'0 206 and great speed which he uses well in coverage. Demps can also return punts and kicks which gives him added value.
" ~ yordad
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