ILoveMyLions
Footballguy
Listed below I put together some thoughts I had on the upcoming draft as I had some time the last day or so. Give thoughts, comments, criticisms as you see fit. I also added other possibilities of trading or other players they might be looking at. 1 Houston Texans – Reggie Bush RB, USC – Not a great fit and need for the Texans but the talent it too much to pass up here. Texans may look to trade out of this pick but the pressure may be too great to take a player at the #1 spot.Other Possibilities – QB Vince Young, Trade down2 New Orleans – Vince Young QB, Texas – Many are projecting Leinart here, but I think Young goes to give this franchise a face and put people in the seats which is the most important thing to New Orleans this year.Other Possibilities – QB Matt Leinart, Trade down3 Tennessee – Matt Leinart QB, USC – The heir apparent is in Tennessee now behind McNair. He should be a solid pro, but needs more surrounding him on offense.Other Possibilities – OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, LB AJ Hawk4 New York Jets - D’Brickshaw Ferguson OT, Virginia – The best OT in the draft and the biggest need for the Jets that has an aging O-line. He’s a great pass blocker, but does need to add strength in the run game.Other Possibilities – RB Deangelo Williams, LB AJ Hawk5 Green Bay – AJ Hawk LB, Ohio State – The best defensive player in the draft…enough said.Other Possibilities – RB Lendale White, DE Mario Williams6 Oakland – Mario Williams DE, NC State – The guy could be the next Julius Peppers and that is too hard to pass on.Other Possibilities – DB Michael Huff, Trade down7 San Francisco – Deangelo Williams RB Memphis – He is flying up draft boards right now after his performance in Mobile this week. The 49ers reportedly liked his work ethic and team attitude. I think he’s the pick here.Other Possibilities – TE Vernon Davis, Trade down8 Buffalo – Haloti Ngata DT, Oregon – The guy is a force and dramatically improves this defense up front. I think he’s a top D lineman who will be a multiple pro-bowler.Other Possibilities – DB Michael Huff, TE Vernon Davis9 Detroit - Michael Huff DB, Texas - This would be a solid pick for the Lions as Fernando Bryant is likely gone and has lived up to his billing in Detroit. This would give Detroit’s defense a boost and should solidify their secondary.Other Possibilities – LB Chad Greenway, Trade down, QB Jay Cutler10 Arizona – Vernon Davis TE, Maryland – The Cardinals have needs on defense as well as QB and O line, but Davis is a rare talent and too good to pass up here. He would really open up things in a passing game that has great vertical talent.Other Possibilities – QB Jay Cutler, Trade up11 St. Louis – Chad Greenway OLB, Iowa – He had a great showing this week at the Senior Bowl and solidified himself as a top pick. He will fit well with this defense and improve their coverage and run stopping ability.Other Possibilities – OT Winston Justice, DB Jimmy Williams12 Cleveland – Winston Justice OT, USC – A big need for the Browns as their O-Line could use the upgrade. Justice could play either tackle spot in the pros and will start right away.Other Possibilities – OT Eric Winston, DB Jimmy Williams13 Baltimore - Jimmy Williams DB, Va. Tech – Williams is too good to pass up and this defense gets richer in the secondary with this addition. He is able to play safety as well as corner at the next level.Other Possibilities – RB Lendale White, OT Eric Winston14 Philadelphia – Lendale White RB, USC – What an awesome rushing attack they would have next year here with this pick. White would be the perfect compliment to Westbrook and would help at team that had difficulty running the ball last year.Other Possibilities – LB Demeco Ryans, DE Tamba Hali15 Atlanta – Tamba Hali DE Penn State – He’s a little short, but has a great motor, good pass rush skills and top intangibles. He will be a productive player at the next level.Other Possibilities – OT Eric Winston, Trade up16 Miami – Jay Cutler QB, Vanderbilt – The dolphins could use this pick elsewhere, but I think QB is their biggest need. O-Line is a possibility here, but Cutler’s potential is too great to pass up here.Other Possibilities – LB Demeco Ryans, Trade up17 Minnesota – Demeco Ryans OLB, Alabama – With the top CBs off the board, the Vikings take the best defensive player available.Other Possibilities – S Ko Simpson, Trade down18 Dallas – Eric Winston OT, Miami – The aging O-Line of the Cowboys gets a boost from Winston here. He is recovering from surgery in 2004 and should be back to full form this season.Other Possibilities – OT Jonathan Scott, OG Max-Jean Giles, Trade down19 San Diego – Ko Simpson S, South Carolina –Simpson is rising up draft boards fast and would provide a safety in their secondary they haven’t had since Harrison left.Other Possibilities – WR Santonio Holmes, Trade down 20 Kansas City –Santonio Holmes WR, Ohio State – The Chiefs are in desperate need of a playmaker on the outside and Holmes certainly provides that. Holmes could replace the aging Kennison and give them a real deep threat that’s fearless.Other Possibilities – DE Mathias Kiwanuku, Trade down21 New England – Laurence Maroney RB, Minnesota – Dillon’s age really showed this year and Maroney would provide the Pats with a good replacement when Dillon steps down.Other Possibilities – Trade up, LB Ernie Sims22 Denver (f/WAS) – Mathias Kiwanuku DE, Boston College – He falls in the draft farther than some predict, but his talent and work ethic make him a good pick here. This is a need for the Broncos as their pass rush could improve.Other Possibilities – Trade up, TE Leonard Pope23 Tampa Bay – Broderick Bunkley DT, Fla. St. – He has really risen up draft boards in the last week or so and would fill a need since Sapp left a few years ag
ther Possibilities – Trade up, TE Leonard Pope, OT Jonathan Scott24 Cincinnati – Rodrique Wright DT, Texas – Wright is a good, hard nosed DT who can help the Bengals stop the run on defense.Other Possibilities – TE Leonard Pope, Trade up25 New York Giants – Ernie Sims LB, Fla. St. – Seems to always be in the right place at the right time. He would really fill a need here at LB for the Giants with his aggressive style. Other Possibilities – Trade down, OT Jonathan Scott26 – Chicago - Leonard Pope TE, Georgia – Pope would be a great addition to the Bears who could use some additional weapons on offense.Other Possibilities – Trade up, TE Mercedes Lewis 27 Carolina – Jonathan Scott OT, Texas – Scott falls a little in the draft due to his lack of strength in the running game, but this is something that can be developed over time. He has good measurables besides that and makes a good pick here.Other Possibilities - OG Max-Jean Giles, CB Tye Hill28 Jacksonville – Mercedes Lewis TE, UCLA – Another weapon for Leftwich as this team is poised for a run. Lewis is a very good receiving threat would help open the running game.Other Possibilities – DT Claude Wroten, Trade up29 Denver – Chad Jackson WR, Florida – This is a need for the Broncos as they have not been able to get any of their young WRs step up and Smith isn’t getting younger.Other Possibilities – Trade up, OLB Manny Lawson30 Indianapolis – Bobby Carpenter LB, Ohio St. – I think Carpenter slides into the first round with his combination of size, speed and toughness. He would be a great addition to the Colts linebacking core as they were manhandled a little in the playoffs.Other Possibilities – CB Tye Hill, LB D’Qwell Jackson, OG Max-Jean Giles*31 Seattle – Tye Hill CB, Clemson – The Seahawks could use another corner and Hill is a good cover player who would fit well in their secondary, clearly the weak spot of the team.Other Possibilities – CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Ashtoun Youboty*32 Pittsburgh – Ashtoun Youboty CB, Ohio St. – This may be a surprise pick for the Steelers, but with many of the linebackers and running backs they want gone, they continue to address their secondary which was burned at times this year.Other Possibilities – OG Max-Jean Giles, Trade up, OLB Manny Lawson
ther Possibilities – Trade up, TE Leonard Pope, OT Jonathan Scott24 Cincinnati – Rodrique Wright DT, Texas – Wright is a good, hard nosed DT who can help the Bengals stop the run on defense.Other Possibilities – TE Leonard Pope, Trade up25 New York Giants – Ernie Sims LB, Fla. St. – Seems to always be in the right place at the right time. He would really fill a need here at LB for the Giants with his aggressive style. Other Possibilities – Trade down, OT Jonathan Scott26 – Chicago - Leonard Pope TE, Georgia – Pope would be a great addition to the Bears who could use some additional weapons on offense.Other Possibilities – Trade up, TE Mercedes Lewis 27 Carolina – Jonathan Scott OT, Texas – Scott falls a little in the draft due to his lack of strength in the running game, but this is something that can be developed over time. He has good measurables besides that and makes a good pick here.Other Possibilities - OG Max-Jean Giles, CB Tye Hill28 Jacksonville – Mercedes Lewis TE, UCLA – Another weapon for Leftwich as this team is poised for a run. Lewis is a very good receiving threat would help open the running game.Other Possibilities – DT Claude Wroten, Trade up29 Denver – Chad Jackson WR, Florida – This is a need for the Broncos as they have not been able to get any of their young WRs step up and Smith isn’t getting younger.Other Possibilities – Trade up, OLB Manny Lawson30 Indianapolis – Bobby Carpenter LB, Ohio St. – I think Carpenter slides into the first round with his combination of size, speed and toughness. He would be a great addition to the Colts linebacking core as they were manhandled a little in the playoffs.Other Possibilities – CB Tye Hill, LB D’Qwell Jackson, OG Max-Jean Giles*31 Seattle – Tye Hill CB, Clemson – The Seahawks could use another corner and Hill is a good cover player who would fit well in their secondary, clearly the weak spot of the team.Other Possibilities – CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Ashtoun Youboty*32 Pittsburgh – Ashtoun Youboty CB, Ohio St. – This may be a surprise pick for the Steelers, but with many of the linebackers and running backs they want gone, they continue to address their secondary which was burned at times this year.Other Possibilities – OG Max-Jean Giles, Trade up, OLB Manny Lawson
.I am also confused by the Falcon pick of Hali. They had a big year for injuries on that DL, and replacements like Lavalai fared pretty well IMO. This unit led the league in sacks last year if I'm not mistaken. They really need the most help in the secondary, where they could use upgrades at safety and CB.I kind of like that Cutler pick to Miami, but since every draft I've read has them "surprising" everyone there, that means to me that it's never going to happen. Maybe it will, but ehhh... If no one bites on him in hte top 5 or 7, he'll probably fall to the middle of the 2nd or 3rd round, because it means he's not what everyone hyped him up to be.
