gregjcross
Footballguy
1. MIAMI: DE Chris Long, Virginia
It is certainly not easy to have to choose between five or six studs that are all needed badly. The Dolphins make a strong choice and set their defense in the right direction for the next decade with Chris Long. I expect t the Fins to add further to the defense in round two, barring the availability of a quarterback like Jeff Brohm at pick #32.
2. ST LOUIS: OT Jake Long, Michigan
A very difficult choice here as they desire two positions, DE and OT. But despite the fact that OLB/DE Vernon Gholston is available, the Rams know they need a safe choice and that they can find a defensive lineman later in the draft to pair with recent early draft choices in Adam Carricker and Claude Wroten.
3. ATLANTA: Glen Dorsey, DT LSU
It is too hard for the Falcons to pass on this impressive gap filler considering new HC Mike Smith spent four years with DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson in Jacksonville. This choice should help free up linebackers Michael Boley and Keith Brooking to play at all pro levels.
4. OAKLAND: RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
This is where the draft swings. Don't believe for a second the smoke screen from HC Lane Kiffin at last week's NFL meetings, "We wont take a running back..." They will review the impact that a starting runner of this talent can make and Al Davis is very likely to put a Silver and Black #5 jersey on Darren McFadden. This pick allows the Raiders to move Justin Fargas back to his rightful place as a solid back-up who will push McFadden throughout camp.
5. KANSAS CITY: QB Matt Ryan Boston College
Another little shock hits the floor in New York with this swing pick. Ryan will not free fall as the Chiefs cannot ignore the quarterback position with a top prospect staring at them. HC Herm Edwards realizes the Brodie Coyle experiment has to end. The offensive line will be addressed later in the draft with a strength in numbers approach.
6. NEW YORK JETS: OLB/DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
The Jets are estatic that a value such as Gholston falls to them and gives them an excellent pash rushing tandem with Calvin Pace. Mangini adds Darrell Revis, David Harris and Gholston in a two year run that greatly improves the Jets future prospects. The rest of the draft will need to consider offensive threats that create life for this team, lets think RB Chris Johnson in round 2.
7. NEW ENGLAND: OLB Keith Rivers, USC
This is the biggest surprise yet, but it shouldn’t be. The Patriots know how critical an intelligent and athletic linebacker is in their defense and that the aging stars they have in Ted Bruschi, Junior Seau and Mike Vrabel cannot last forever. The Patriots likely will eye a value-based CB prospect later in the draft.
8. BALTIMORE: OT Ryan Claddy, Boston College
A natural pick with Jon Ogden's pending retirement. Other needs are present too but the draft is more than one round.
9. CINCINNATI: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Like a gift from seventh heaven, the Bengals will not even take a breath before running to the podium to take big Sed Ellis who will help their ailing defense. HC Marvin Lewis needs a player that steps in right away before the rest of the team slips into mediocrity. The secondary is now fixed and the running game has bodies that do not warrant a first round selection though they might be tempted.
10. NEW ORLEANS: LB Jarrod Mayo, Tennessee
Lots of speculation about where the Saints may or may not be going but their offense is solid and their defense needs help in every way. The health of Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan are anything but guaranteed for September and the Saint secondary has already been addressed in free agency.
11. BUFFALO: CB Dominique Rogers Cromartie, Tennessee State
The Bills look for value at this pick and pass on a weak group of wide receivers
12. DENVER: RB Rashard Mendenhall ,Illinois
This is not an easy choice with linebackers and many other talented players available but Mendenhall has the exact running style that Mike Shannahan wants and has the talent that is way too tempting to pass on here.
13. CAROLINA : OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
The Panthers recognize the top two running backs are gone, that there is no franchise future quarterback value to be found and that a young OT is crucial to their plans. Otah becomes a natural choice considering the lack of quality line play of the Panthers during the two previous seasons
14. CHICAGO : RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
Chicago is quite disappointed to see Otah go but won’t fret. Jonathan Stewart is a beast of a prospect that will give them a legit power runner for cold weather and teh hard turf by the lake.
15. DETROIT: S Kenny Phillips, Miami
Coach Marinelli is in a must win situation in the next nine months, and he will build the team in his own image seeing that the Matt Milllen philosophy has comprehensively failed outside of nabbing excellent wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. In this draft, Jarrod Mayo is gone, the Lions need toughness and savvy, and Kenny Phillips fits the bill. The Lions could go defense again in round two as there are plenty of holes at end and at linebacker. See them end the draft with a pair of second-level running backs to replace Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett, the way Jimmy Johnson would do it.
16. ARIZONA, CB Leodis Mckelvin Troy
HC Ken Wisehunt and the Cardinals are pleased to grab a building block, even if from a small school, for its secondary. McKelvin is a talented player who should have gone a few picks earlier. The Card defense will start looking like a winner with Antrell Rolle and Adrian Wilson getting together in the middle of the field at safety while McKelvin locks down the opponents lead wide out.
17. MINNESOTA DE Derek Harvey Florida
A very tough pick to project, but the Vikings cannot pass on the talent of Harvey especially as DE Kenechi Udezie has not been able to get to the quarterback during the last four seasons. THe Vikings are much more set at wide receiver than most think considering the maturing of Sidney Rice and the addition of Bernard Berrian. They may spend the whole draft in the trenches or take a big time tight end in the second round.
18. HOUSTON CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
The Texans are close to panic after watching McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart go earlier, but having a fall back option such as Mike Jenkins helps them replace the injured Duntae Robinson and gives them critical depth.
19. PHILADELPHIA: WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
This is the easiest pick the Eagles could have considered as they can move Kevin Curtis into the slot on passing downs or if Thomas develops quickly, bench or trade Reggie Brown.
20. TAMPA BAY: QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
John Gruden and Bruce Allen have positively influenced the rebuilding of the Bucs. While the team emphasized defense in 2007, they flip back to offense in round one. While Jeff Garcia is clearly the starter in 2008, Brohm can be groomed for the future.
21. WASHINGTON: WR Early Doucet , LSU
With a strong defense, quarterback and running game in place, the Redskins ignore common wisdom and reach for Doucet, a polished receiver that catches everything in order to make up for their underachieving crop of pass catchers. Two or three reach picks in the first round happen every year and Doucet seems to warrant attention based on his production rather than combine numbers.
22. DALLAS: WR Desean Jackson, California
The Cowboys are tempted by Felix Jones and Limas Sweed but they fall in love with Desean Jackson’s blazing speed and ability to immediately complement Terrell Owens and help them on special teams. They better hope he is not the next Troy Edwards, RJ Soward or Troy Williams.
23. PITTSBURGH , OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
The Steelers never ignore the most important position and are in position to take a strong tackle here and reduce the sacks being taken by Ben Roethlisberger.
24. TENNESSEE: WR Limas Sweed, Texas
The Titans make sure that the wide receiver run continues by taking a big Longhorn target for Vince Young to play with.
25. SEATTLE: TE Fred Davis, USC
The Hawks want an offensive weapon to help the middle and Davis is in a natural position for an immediate starting position.
26. JACKSONVILLE: DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
The Jaguars are highly tempted by some o f the large defensive tackles and offensive linemen available but HC Jack Del Rio opts for their first legit pass rusher in years, since second round gem Tony Brackens. Jaguars will be desparate to replace Marcus Stroud later in the draft or hit on a young wide receiver should Mike Walker not shake injuries.
27. SAN DIEGO: RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
The Chargers are excellent at finding talent in all rounds and at this point time talent aligns perfectly with need, as they soon compare the potential of Felix Jones to their starter, Ladanian Tomlinson
28. DALLAS: CB Aqib Taliq, Kansas
Jerry Jones is greatly surprised to see his “Hog darling” RB Felix Jones go one pick ahead , but a contingency plans kick in and Taliq fills the void as a perfect first round talent. Dallas will not trade up as having two sweet picks puts them one step closer to the big conference title march in January.
29. SAN FRANCISCO: DE Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
The 49ers have sweat out the entire first round, watching the talent rapidly deplete yet they still get their shot at a solid DL. The 49ers may be tempted to get offensive talent but they need a strong defensive core and someone in front of their superstar linebacker Patrick Willis.
30. GREEN BAY G Branden Albert, Virginia
The Packers continue their craft in stocking and building solid young talent, and Albert fits the bill. They have few other needs though the secondary is aging with Charles Woodson and they lack a real threat at Tight End.
31. NEW YORK GIANTS DT Pat Simms Auburn
The Giants surprise everyone by not going secondary or wide receiver, taking the mammoth Simms to build further their strength up the middle, what led them to a Super Bowl victory.
wow that was tiring!
It is certainly not easy to have to choose between five or six studs that are all needed badly. The Dolphins make a strong choice and set their defense in the right direction for the next decade with Chris Long. I expect t the Fins to add further to the defense in round two, barring the availability of a quarterback like Jeff Brohm at pick #32.
2. ST LOUIS: OT Jake Long, Michigan
A very difficult choice here as they desire two positions, DE and OT. But despite the fact that OLB/DE Vernon Gholston is available, the Rams know they need a safe choice and that they can find a defensive lineman later in the draft to pair with recent early draft choices in Adam Carricker and Claude Wroten.
3. ATLANTA: Glen Dorsey, DT LSU
It is too hard for the Falcons to pass on this impressive gap filler considering new HC Mike Smith spent four years with DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson in Jacksonville. This choice should help free up linebackers Michael Boley and Keith Brooking to play at all pro levels.
4. OAKLAND: RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
This is where the draft swings. Don't believe for a second the smoke screen from HC Lane Kiffin at last week's NFL meetings, "We wont take a running back..." They will review the impact that a starting runner of this talent can make and Al Davis is very likely to put a Silver and Black #5 jersey on Darren McFadden. This pick allows the Raiders to move Justin Fargas back to his rightful place as a solid back-up who will push McFadden throughout camp.
5. KANSAS CITY: QB Matt Ryan Boston College
Another little shock hits the floor in New York with this swing pick. Ryan will not free fall as the Chiefs cannot ignore the quarterback position with a top prospect staring at them. HC Herm Edwards realizes the Brodie Coyle experiment has to end. The offensive line will be addressed later in the draft with a strength in numbers approach.
6. NEW YORK JETS: OLB/DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
The Jets are estatic that a value such as Gholston falls to them and gives them an excellent pash rushing tandem with Calvin Pace. Mangini adds Darrell Revis, David Harris and Gholston in a two year run that greatly improves the Jets future prospects. The rest of the draft will need to consider offensive threats that create life for this team, lets think RB Chris Johnson in round 2.
7. NEW ENGLAND: OLB Keith Rivers, USC
This is the biggest surprise yet, but it shouldn’t be. The Patriots know how critical an intelligent and athletic linebacker is in their defense and that the aging stars they have in Ted Bruschi, Junior Seau and Mike Vrabel cannot last forever. The Patriots likely will eye a value-based CB prospect later in the draft.
8. BALTIMORE: OT Ryan Claddy, Boston College
A natural pick with Jon Ogden's pending retirement. Other needs are present too but the draft is more than one round.
9. CINCINNATI: DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Like a gift from seventh heaven, the Bengals will not even take a breath before running to the podium to take big Sed Ellis who will help their ailing defense. HC Marvin Lewis needs a player that steps in right away before the rest of the team slips into mediocrity. The secondary is now fixed and the running game has bodies that do not warrant a first round selection though they might be tempted.
10. NEW ORLEANS: LB Jarrod Mayo, Tennessee
Lots of speculation about where the Saints may or may not be going but their offense is solid and their defense needs help in every way. The health of Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan are anything but guaranteed for September and the Saint secondary has already been addressed in free agency.
11. BUFFALO: CB Dominique Rogers Cromartie, Tennessee State
The Bills look for value at this pick and pass on a weak group of wide receivers
12. DENVER: RB Rashard Mendenhall ,Illinois
This is not an easy choice with linebackers and many other talented players available but Mendenhall has the exact running style that Mike Shannahan wants and has the talent that is way too tempting to pass on here.
13. CAROLINA : OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
The Panthers recognize the top two running backs are gone, that there is no franchise future quarterback value to be found and that a young OT is crucial to their plans. Otah becomes a natural choice considering the lack of quality line play of the Panthers during the two previous seasons
14. CHICAGO : RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
Chicago is quite disappointed to see Otah go but won’t fret. Jonathan Stewart is a beast of a prospect that will give them a legit power runner for cold weather and teh hard turf by the lake.
15. DETROIT: S Kenny Phillips, Miami
Coach Marinelli is in a must win situation in the next nine months, and he will build the team in his own image seeing that the Matt Milllen philosophy has comprehensively failed outside of nabbing excellent wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. In this draft, Jarrod Mayo is gone, the Lions need toughness and savvy, and Kenny Phillips fits the bill. The Lions could go defense again in round two as there are plenty of holes at end and at linebacker. See them end the draft with a pair of second-level running backs to replace Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett, the way Jimmy Johnson would do it.
16. ARIZONA, CB Leodis Mckelvin Troy
HC Ken Wisehunt and the Cardinals are pleased to grab a building block, even if from a small school, for its secondary. McKelvin is a talented player who should have gone a few picks earlier. The Card defense will start looking like a winner with Antrell Rolle and Adrian Wilson getting together in the middle of the field at safety while McKelvin locks down the opponents lead wide out.
17. MINNESOTA DE Derek Harvey Florida
A very tough pick to project, but the Vikings cannot pass on the talent of Harvey especially as DE Kenechi Udezie has not been able to get to the quarterback during the last four seasons. THe Vikings are much more set at wide receiver than most think considering the maturing of Sidney Rice and the addition of Bernard Berrian. They may spend the whole draft in the trenches or take a big time tight end in the second round.
18. HOUSTON CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
The Texans are close to panic after watching McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart go earlier, but having a fall back option such as Mike Jenkins helps them replace the injured Duntae Robinson and gives them critical depth.
19. PHILADELPHIA: WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
This is the easiest pick the Eagles could have considered as they can move Kevin Curtis into the slot on passing downs or if Thomas develops quickly, bench or trade Reggie Brown.
20. TAMPA BAY: QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
John Gruden and Bruce Allen have positively influenced the rebuilding of the Bucs. While the team emphasized defense in 2007, they flip back to offense in round one. While Jeff Garcia is clearly the starter in 2008, Brohm can be groomed for the future.
21. WASHINGTON: WR Early Doucet , LSU
With a strong defense, quarterback and running game in place, the Redskins ignore common wisdom and reach for Doucet, a polished receiver that catches everything in order to make up for their underachieving crop of pass catchers. Two or three reach picks in the first round happen every year and Doucet seems to warrant attention based on his production rather than combine numbers.
22. DALLAS: WR Desean Jackson, California
The Cowboys are tempted by Felix Jones and Limas Sweed but they fall in love with Desean Jackson’s blazing speed and ability to immediately complement Terrell Owens and help them on special teams. They better hope he is not the next Troy Edwards, RJ Soward or Troy Williams.
23. PITTSBURGH , OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
The Steelers never ignore the most important position and are in position to take a strong tackle here and reduce the sacks being taken by Ben Roethlisberger.
24. TENNESSEE: WR Limas Sweed, Texas
The Titans make sure that the wide receiver run continues by taking a big Longhorn target for Vince Young to play with.
25. SEATTLE: TE Fred Davis, USC
The Hawks want an offensive weapon to help the middle and Davis is in a natural position for an immediate starting position.
26. JACKSONVILLE: DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
The Jaguars are highly tempted by some o f the large defensive tackles and offensive linemen available but HC Jack Del Rio opts for their first legit pass rusher in years, since second round gem Tony Brackens. Jaguars will be desparate to replace Marcus Stroud later in the draft or hit on a young wide receiver should Mike Walker not shake injuries.
27. SAN DIEGO: RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
The Chargers are excellent at finding talent in all rounds and at this point time talent aligns perfectly with need, as they soon compare the potential of Felix Jones to their starter, Ladanian Tomlinson
28. DALLAS: CB Aqib Taliq, Kansas
Jerry Jones is greatly surprised to see his “Hog darling” RB Felix Jones go one pick ahead , but a contingency plans kick in and Taliq fills the void as a perfect first round talent. Dallas will not trade up as having two sweet picks puts them one step closer to the big conference title march in January.
29. SAN FRANCISCO: DE Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
The 49ers have sweat out the entire first round, watching the talent rapidly deplete yet they still get their shot at a solid DL. The 49ers may be tempted to get offensive talent but they need a strong defensive core and someone in front of their superstar linebacker Patrick Willis.
30. GREEN BAY G Branden Albert, Virginia
The Packers continue their craft in stocking and building solid young talent, and Albert fits the bill. They have few other needs though the secondary is aging with Charles Woodson and they lack a real threat at Tight End.
31. NEW YORK GIANTS DT Pat Simms Auburn
The Giants surprise everyone by not going secondary or wide receiver, taking the mammoth Simms to build further their strength up the middle, what led them to a Super Bowl victory.
wow that was tiring!
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Though it i dont understand why you wrote against the grain, seems pretty standard to me.
RB is not a need in the 1st. DT, OT, CB is. I really think they trade down into the 2nd, pick up some picks and get a rb like forte or choice later.
RB is not a need in the 1st. DT, OT, CB is. I really think they trade down into the 2nd, pick up some picks and get a rb like forte or choice later.
