Colin Dowling
Footballguy
Things are finally sorting out. This is 2 rounds (as the rest will be) b/c I think that a lot of discussion/disagreement can be resolved when you see who your team could grab in round 2. KC is a perfect example, getting a top-flight CB and a huge OT in the first 2 rounds. 
. Anyway, have at it...
1. Miami - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - Dorsey would be a good choice too, but I think it's a quarterback and Ryan is the best of the bunch. As I've said before, if you were to compare the QBs going in round one, my view is that the comparisons would be as follows: Ryan = Carson Palmer, Woodson = Leftwich (not b/c of skin color but b/c he isn't very mobile, is most comfortable from the gun, and has a long delivery), and Brohm = Chris Simms. The Dolphins had plenty of bad luck with injuries and wit the '72 team finally being shut up this season, and will look to jump-start the once proud franchise with a new face. That won't be John Beck.
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - This is kind of like getting two top-notch 1st rounders for one as Adam Carriker can now move back outside full time. My opinion is that Dorsey is great against the pocket and merely good against the run. The good news is that improving against the run is easier then improving in the pass-rush. Dorsey doesn't have the size to be a true lane-clogger, but his agility is underrated (even as a top-2 pick) and will be magnified on the turf, and a couple years of seasoning should make the Rams D a lot tougher to run on.
3. NYJets - Darren McFadden - RB - UA - "The Jets have other problems!" "Thomas Jones can still run!" "We need more O-line help!" "Let's draft a true franchise QB!" "McFadden's legs are skinny!" Did I miss any? McFadden's not slipping out of the top-3, especially when the #3 pick belongs to the largest media market in the sport and the New England Patriots are 2 picks away. Plus, the O-line talent in this draft between picks 40 and 100 is the deepest of any position with no fewer then 20 guys who are better then everyone on the Falcons O-line (I'm only slightly exaggerating). There will be plenty of time to get linemen later, and the Jets aren't paying top-3 money to a 2nd tackle when they're already paying for D'Brick.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Long - OT - UM - The Falcons line is bad. Worse then bad. Long is the best of the bunch this year, but my opinion is that he's a good tackle but not ever likely to be a Pace, Ogden, Jones type. However, when dealing with the lack of talent in Atlanta on the line, he'll be a marked improvement and help their 2nd round pick (*spoiler*) flourish.
5. New England - Chris Long - DE - UVA - Rich. Get. Richer. But hey, at least the Niners have Joe Staley! This draft has about 6 or 7 really strong DEs and about 10 or 12 more who will play on Sundays. That said, Long is the best of the bunch by far.
6. Baltimore - Andre Woodson - QB - UK - New coach, new quarterback. I don't understand the rub on Woodson. He has the best mechanics of any prospect in half a decade, plays very well against tough competition, and near single-handedly carried a basketball school to a top-10 ranking at one point in the season. He can make ALL the throws, tosses a great deep ball as the deep-out, and has phenomenal size. I compared him to Leftwich earlier, which I think is fair. (Try and remember that less then 12 months ago, Leftwich was a top 12 fantasy QB throwing to Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford.)
7. Kansas City - Malcolm Jenkins - CB - OSU - Corner is very weak in this draft wherein OL is deep, which I think will lead KC to taking a corner first and shoring up the line later.
[first shot of Brohm in the Greenroom...still laughing and loving life...]
8. Oakland - Sedric Ellis - DT - USC - Sapp is getting old and the Raider D, believe it or not, isn't all that bad. Ellis will add plenty of girth to the middle.
9. Cincinnati - Kenny Phillips - S - UM - They'd much rather have Ellis, but Phillips is hardly a bad consolation prize. Compared to former UM safeties, he's not a hitter like Taylor nor a ballhawk like either Reed or Taylor. However, Phililps (as a collegian) has a better sense of the play then either of those two did and should make a fine field general for the Bengals.
10. Chicago - Ryan Clady - OT - BSU - Cut Cedric Benson! Draft Mendenhall! You know, RON TURNER HAS ILLINI TIES! Not happening. Benson was bad, but the O-line was wretched. Clady is a solid tackle who should get snaps right away to help the Bears keep the defense out of the backfield. Put me in the camp that also thinks Rex Grossman is back.
11. Arizona - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - UI - Anyone else think that a talented two-headed running game would have the Cards, and not the Vikings, poised for the playoffs? Me too. There will be people on the boards who try and fool themselves in to thinking Mendenhall is as good as McFadden or in for a better career. Don't buy it. That said, with Kevin Smith not coming out, Mendenhall should clearly be RB2 in this draft.
12. Denver - Keith Rivers - LB - USC Rivers has been up and down, but when he's on his game, he's a beast.
13. Carolina - Phil Loadholt - OT - OU - I expect Loadholt to race up boards come draft time. He's got great size and has had a solid season. Carolina has plenty of issues on the offensive side of the ball, but they need help up front first and foremost.
[shot of Brohm looking somewhat concerned, but still forcing a smile....]
14. Detroit - Derrick Harvey - DE - UF - Harvey reminds a bit of Jevon Kearse. He has excellent speed off the corner and while he takes plays off on occasion, he is better against the run than many ends.
15. Philadelphia - Vernon Gholston - DE - OSU - Gholston is a tackling machine capable of taking over games from the end position. If Kearse becomes a cap-casualty, Gholston would be a nice addition.
16. New Orleans - Frank Okam - DT - UTexas - I realize that I have Okam higher then most, but he is every bit as agile as Dorsey and has better size. Think: Albert Haynesworth or John Henderson. He's a big lane clogger and gets his rangey arms in the way of LOTS of passes. Some will say he went too early; I think 16 is actually a "slip."
17. Buffalo - Dan Conner - LB - PSU - Sometime soon, the scrappy folks in Buffalo are going to have everything come together all at once and they're going to be REALLY good, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Conner has a great motor and sheds blocks very well. A nice find at 17.
[shot of Brohm looking white as a ghost...]
18. Houston - Calais Campbell - DE - UM - seriously? Yup. 4 straight 1st rounders on Dline. And it is going to pay HUGE dividends in the years going forward as Mario and Campbell agitate Manning and VY (among others).
19. Washington - Marcus Griffin - S - UTexas - I'm not sure why Griffin isn't getting more love at Safety. This is a position that the Redskins relied on heavily, and matched with Laron Landry, they can rely on the safety position again. Griffin has good coverage ability and while he isn't an especially heavy-hitter, he is a solid tackler and reads the field very well.
20. Tennessee - Limas Sweed - WR - Texas - Forget the VY connection, even though the two were excellent together at Texas. Sweed is the most athletic receiver in the draft. No, he may not have the speed/moves of Jackson or Manningham, but he makes tough catches in traffic and has excellent "get the ball near me and I'll catch it" -ness. Sweed has a number of catches that look like Fitzgerald's Pitt highlight tape and while highlights are highlights, his ability to do something the Titans receivers can't do (catch the ball when a DB is nearby) makes him a better pick here then other WRs. Sweed spent part of the year injured, but that will be a thing of the past come draft day.
21. Minnesota Quentin Groves - DE - Auburn - [espn]Cue a shot of Brian Brohm in the Greenroom in 3...2...1...[/espn] Groves is far too inconsistent for my liking, but when he's "on", he's every bit as good a pass rusher as Harvey or Long. Erasmus James can't stay healthy, so the Vikings need to start making plans for improving the rush-ends. As for Brohm, Trarvrarirs Jackson has the Vikings on the cusp of the playoffs despite having very raw talent to throw too. What else do you want from the 2nd year man?
[shot of Brohm chugging a bottle of tequila...]
22. Seattle - James Laurinaitis - LB - OSU - This may be a hair low for the Road Warrior's son, but when Laurinaitis is at his best, he's really stinking good. The Seahawk's defense is fairly inconsistent in my opinion, so the addition of this type of mid-field talent should be a big help.
23. Dallas - Mike Jenkins - CB - USFThere are some people who think Jenkins is the better corner in the draft. I'm not sold that any of the CBs will develop in to shutdown guys, but at least 3 of them should be 3 down players.
24. Pittsburgh - Aqib Talib - DB - KU - File this pick under, "We're not winning in the AFC until we figure out how to slow down the passing games of Indy, New England and <gulp> Cleveland." Talib can play a couple positions in the D backfield.
25. Tampa Bay - Brian Brohm - QB - Louisville - ...and the long suffering nightmare is over. Gruden will get extended this season after winning his 2nd division title in 3 years. As a result, he gets to choose a player that will probably be top-15 on many boards to groom behind Jeff Garcia.
26. New York Giants - Jake Ikegwuonu - CB - UW - The Giants D has been solid this season, especially up front. Adding a cover corner like Ikegwuonu should help all around.
27. San Diego - Antoine Cason - CB - UA - The Chargers are finally starting to play the kind of football - on D and O - that many were expecting from them. Cason might have gone higher in last year's draft, but he should still sneak in to the top 40.
28. Jacksonville - Lawrence Jackson - DE - USC - It seems like Jax is always trying out new DEs and new WRs. This year is no different.
29. Green Bay - Cliff Avril - DE - Purdue - Getting some top-flight talent opposite Kampman should pay huge dividends.
30. San Fransisco - Jeff Otah - OT - Pitt - San Fran still needs help up front if they're ever going to make the jump to contender.
31. Dallas - Adarius Bowman - WR - OSU - A case can be made for Bowman as WR1. As it is here, Dallas benefits.
(I'll offer comments on the 2nd rounders as requested. Briefly, I LOVE Boone to KC. Same with Pressley to Cincy. Same with Tribble to Philly and Robertson to Tennessee)
1. Miami - Chris Ellis - DE - VT
2. NYJets - Sam Baker - OT - USC
3. Atlanta - Colt Brennan - QB - UH
4. St. Louis - Gosder Cherilus - OT - BC
5. Baltimore - Tony Hills - OT - Texas
6. Kansas City - Alex Boone - OT - OSU
7. Oakland - Jonathan Stewart - RB - UO
8. San Fransisco - Desean Jackson - WR - Cal
9. Chicago - Reggie Smith - DB - OU
10. Cincinnati - DeMario Pressley - DT - NcSt.
11. Denver - Malcolm Kelly - WR - OU
12. Carolina - Dennis Dixon - QB - Oregon
13. Detroit - Red Bryant - DT - Texas A/M
14. Philadelphia - DeJuan Tribble - CB - BC
15. Arizona - Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
16. Buffalo - Earl Bennett - WR - Go Dores
17. Houston - Martin Rucker - TE - Mizzou
18. Washington - Mario Manningham - WR - UM
19. New Orleans - Jon Heffney - S - UT
20. Minnesota - Brian Johnston - DE - GW
21. Tennessee - Darrell Robertson - DE -GTech
22. Cleveland - Ray Rice - RB - RU
23. Pittsburgh - Marcus Harrison - DT - UA
24. Tampa Bay - Ken Iwebema - DE - Iowa
25. NYGiants - Steve Slaton - RB - WVU
26. Miami (via SD) - Keenan Burton - WR - UK
27. Seattle - Duke Robinson - OG - OU
28. Jacksonville - Early Doucet - WR - LSU
29. Indianapolis - Courtney Greene - S - Rutgers
30. Dallas - Josh Barrett - S - ASU
31. Green Bay - King Dunlap - OT - Auburn
32. New England - Phillip Wheeler - LB - Georgia Tech
. Anyway, have at it...1. Miami - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - Dorsey would be a good choice too, but I think it's a quarterback and Ryan is the best of the bunch. As I've said before, if you were to compare the QBs going in round one, my view is that the comparisons would be as follows: Ryan = Carson Palmer, Woodson = Leftwich (not b/c of skin color but b/c he isn't very mobile, is most comfortable from the gun, and has a long delivery), and Brohm = Chris Simms. The Dolphins had plenty of bad luck with injuries and wit the '72 team finally being shut up this season, and will look to jump-start the once proud franchise with a new face. That won't be John Beck.
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - This is kind of like getting two top-notch 1st rounders for one as Adam Carriker can now move back outside full time. My opinion is that Dorsey is great against the pocket and merely good against the run. The good news is that improving against the run is easier then improving in the pass-rush. Dorsey doesn't have the size to be a true lane-clogger, but his agility is underrated (even as a top-2 pick) and will be magnified on the turf, and a couple years of seasoning should make the Rams D a lot tougher to run on.
3. NYJets - Darren McFadden - RB - UA - "The Jets have other problems!" "Thomas Jones can still run!" "We need more O-line help!" "Let's draft a true franchise QB!" "McFadden's legs are skinny!" Did I miss any? McFadden's not slipping out of the top-3, especially when the #3 pick belongs to the largest media market in the sport and the New England Patriots are 2 picks away. Plus, the O-line talent in this draft between picks 40 and 100 is the deepest of any position with no fewer then 20 guys who are better then everyone on the Falcons O-line (I'm only slightly exaggerating). There will be plenty of time to get linemen later, and the Jets aren't paying top-3 money to a 2nd tackle when they're already paying for D'Brick.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Long - OT - UM - The Falcons line is bad. Worse then bad. Long is the best of the bunch this year, but my opinion is that he's a good tackle but not ever likely to be a Pace, Ogden, Jones type. However, when dealing with the lack of talent in Atlanta on the line, he'll be a marked improvement and help their 2nd round pick (*spoiler*) flourish.
5. New England - Chris Long - DE - UVA - Rich. Get. Richer. But hey, at least the Niners have Joe Staley! This draft has about 6 or 7 really strong DEs and about 10 or 12 more who will play on Sundays. That said, Long is the best of the bunch by far.
6. Baltimore - Andre Woodson - QB - UK - New coach, new quarterback. I don't understand the rub on Woodson. He has the best mechanics of any prospect in half a decade, plays very well against tough competition, and near single-handedly carried a basketball school to a top-10 ranking at one point in the season. He can make ALL the throws, tosses a great deep ball as the deep-out, and has phenomenal size. I compared him to Leftwich earlier, which I think is fair. (Try and remember that less then 12 months ago, Leftwich was a top 12 fantasy QB throwing to Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford.)
7. Kansas City - Malcolm Jenkins - CB - OSU - Corner is very weak in this draft wherein OL is deep, which I think will lead KC to taking a corner first and shoring up the line later.
[first shot of Brohm in the Greenroom...still laughing and loving life...]
8. Oakland - Sedric Ellis - DT - USC - Sapp is getting old and the Raider D, believe it or not, isn't all that bad. Ellis will add plenty of girth to the middle.
9. Cincinnati - Kenny Phillips - S - UM - They'd much rather have Ellis, but Phillips is hardly a bad consolation prize. Compared to former UM safeties, he's not a hitter like Taylor nor a ballhawk like either Reed or Taylor. However, Phililps (as a collegian) has a better sense of the play then either of those two did and should make a fine field general for the Bengals.
10. Chicago - Ryan Clady - OT - BSU - Cut Cedric Benson! Draft Mendenhall! You know, RON TURNER HAS ILLINI TIES! Not happening. Benson was bad, but the O-line was wretched. Clady is a solid tackle who should get snaps right away to help the Bears keep the defense out of the backfield. Put me in the camp that also thinks Rex Grossman is back.
11. Arizona - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - UI - Anyone else think that a talented two-headed running game would have the Cards, and not the Vikings, poised for the playoffs? Me too. There will be people on the boards who try and fool themselves in to thinking Mendenhall is as good as McFadden or in for a better career. Don't buy it. That said, with Kevin Smith not coming out, Mendenhall should clearly be RB2 in this draft.
12. Denver - Keith Rivers - LB - USC Rivers has been up and down, but when he's on his game, he's a beast.
13. Carolina - Phil Loadholt - OT - OU - I expect Loadholt to race up boards come draft time. He's got great size and has had a solid season. Carolina has plenty of issues on the offensive side of the ball, but they need help up front first and foremost.
[shot of Brohm looking somewhat concerned, but still forcing a smile....]
14. Detroit - Derrick Harvey - DE - UF - Harvey reminds a bit of Jevon Kearse. He has excellent speed off the corner and while he takes plays off on occasion, he is better against the run than many ends.
15. Philadelphia - Vernon Gholston - DE - OSU - Gholston is a tackling machine capable of taking over games from the end position. If Kearse becomes a cap-casualty, Gholston would be a nice addition.
16. New Orleans - Frank Okam - DT - UTexas - I realize that I have Okam higher then most, but he is every bit as agile as Dorsey and has better size. Think: Albert Haynesworth or John Henderson. He's a big lane clogger and gets his rangey arms in the way of LOTS of passes. Some will say he went too early; I think 16 is actually a "slip."
17. Buffalo - Dan Conner - LB - PSU - Sometime soon, the scrappy folks in Buffalo are going to have everything come together all at once and they're going to be REALLY good, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Conner has a great motor and sheds blocks very well. A nice find at 17.
[shot of Brohm looking white as a ghost...]
18. Houston - Calais Campbell - DE - UM - seriously? Yup. 4 straight 1st rounders on Dline. And it is going to pay HUGE dividends in the years going forward as Mario and Campbell agitate Manning and VY (among others).
19. Washington - Marcus Griffin - S - UTexas - I'm not sure why Griffin isn't getting more love at Safety. This is a position that the Redskins relied on heavily, and matched with Laron Landry, they can rely on the safety position again. Griffin has good coverage ability and while he isn't an especially heavy-hitter, he is a solid tackler and reads the field very well.
20. Tennessee - Limas Sweed - WR - Texas - Forget the VY connection, even though the two were excellent together at Texas. Sweed is the most athletic receiver in the draft. No, he may not have the speed/moves of Jackson or Manningham, but he makes tough catches in traffic and has excellent "get the ball near me and I'll catch it" -ness. Sweed has a number of catches that look like Fitzgerald's Pitt highlight tape and while highlights are highlights, his ability to do something the Titans receivers can't do (catch the ball when a DB is nearby) makes him a better pick here then other WRs. Sweed spent part of the year injured, but that will be a thing of the past come draft day.
21. Minnesota Quentin Groves - DE - Auburn - [espn]Cue a shot of Brian Brohm in the Greenroom in 3...2...1...[/espn] Groves is far too inconsistent for my liking, but when he's "on", he's every bit as good a pass rusher as Harvey or Long. Erasmus James can't stay healthy, so the Vikings need to start making plans for improving the rush-ends. As for Brohm, Trarvrarirs Jackson has the Vikings on the cusp of the playoffs despite having very raw talent to throw too. What else do you want from the 2nd year man?
[shot of Brohm chugging a bottle of tequila...]
22. Seattle - James Laurinaitis - LB - OSU - This may be a hair low for the Road Warrior's son, but when Laurinaitis is at his best, he's really stinking good. The Seahawk's defense is fairly inconsistent in my opinion, so the addition of this type of mid-field talent should be a big help.
23. Dallas - Mike Jenkins - CB - USFThere are some people who think Jenkins is the better corner in the draft. I'm not sold that any of the CBs will develop in to shutdown guys, but at least 3 of them should be 3 down players.
24. Pittsburgh - Aqib Talib - DB - KU - File this pick under, "We're not winning in the AFC until we figure out how to slow down the passing games of Indy, New England and <gulp> Cleveland." Talib can play a couple positions in the D backfield.
25. Tampa Bay - Brian Brohm - QB - Louisville - ...and the long suffering nightmare is over. Gruden will get extended this season after winning his 2nd division title in 3 years. As a result, he gets to choose a player that will probably be top-15 on many boards to groom behind Jeff Garcia.
26. New York Giants - Jake Ikegwuonu - CB - UW - The Giants D has been solid this season, especially up front. Adding a cover corner like Ikegwuonu should help all around.
27. San Diego - Antoine Cason - CB - UA - The Chargers are finally starting to play the kind of football - on D and O - that many were expecting from them. Cason might have gone higher in last year's draft, but he should still sneak in to the top 40.
28. Jacksonville - Lawrence Jackson - DE - USC - It seems like Jax is always trying out new DEs and new WRs. This year is no different.
29. Green Bay - Cliff Avril - DE - Purdue - Getting some top-flight talent opposite Kampman should pay huge dividends.
30. San Fransisco - Jeff Otah - OT - Pitt - San Fran still needs help up front if they're ever going to make the jump to contender.
31. Dallas - Adarius Bowman - WR - OSU - A case can be made for Bowman as WR1. As it is here, Dallas benefits.
(I'll offer comments on the 2nd rounders as requested. Briefly, I LOVE Boone to KC. Same with Pressley to Cincy. Same with Tribble to Philly and Robertson to Tennessee)
1. Miami - Chris Ellis - DE - VT
2. NYJets - Sam Baker - OT - USC
3. Atlanta - Colt Brennan - QB - UH
4. St. Louis - Gosder Cherilus - OT - BC
5. Baltimore - Tony Hills - OT - Texas
6. Kansas City - Alex Boone - OT - OSU
7. Oakland - Jonathan Stewart - RB - UO
8. San Fransisco - Desean Jackson - WR - Cal
9. Chicago - Reggie Smith - DB - OU
10. Cincinnati - DeMario Pressley - DT - NcSt.
11. Denver - Malcolm Kelly - WR - OU
12. Carolina - Dennis Dixon - QB - Oregon
13. Detroit - Red Bryant - DT - Texas A/M
14. Philadelphia - DeJuan Tribble - CB - BC
15. Arizona - Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU
16. Buffalo - Earl Bennett - WR - Go Dores
17. Houston - Martin Rucker - TE - Mizzou
18. Washington - Mario Manningham - WR - UM
19. New Orleans - Jon Heffney - S - UT
20. Minnesota - Brian Johnston - DE - GW
21. Tennessee - Darrell Robertson - DE -GTech
22. Cleveland - Ray Rice - RB - RU
23. Pittsburgh - Marcus Harrison - DT - UA
24. Tampa Bay - Ken Iwebema - DE - Iowa
25. NYGiants - Steve Slaton - RB - WVU
26. Miami (via SD) - Keenan Burton - WR - UK
27. Seattle - Duke Robinson - OG - OU
28. Jacksonville - Early Doucet - WR - LSU
29. Indianapolis - Courtney Greene - S - Rutgers
30. Dallas - Josh Barrett - S - ASU
31. Green Bay - King Dunlap - OT - Auburn
32. New England - Phillip Wheeler - LB - Georgia Tech
But I'm thinking Phil will go for some DL depth as well. Hopefully the defense will be the focal point in FA allowing Savage to go BPA again in the 2nd rnd. 
The Steelers o-line lousy and losing Faneca isn't going to improve things...
