1. Miami, DT Glenn Dorsey LSU
Miami is getting older on defense and a young raw talent on the d-Line would help the years to come dramatically. Chris Long is also a consideration here if the Dolphins wish to trade Jason Taylor while he still has marquee value. Taylor is 33 years old, turning 34 this year.
2. St. Louis, OT Jake Long Michigan
with Orlando Pace's never ending injury concerns, help to solidify the line is needed. Long can play RT if needed, and if Pace goes down again they have a solid backup waiting in the wings.
3. Kansas City, QB Matt Ryan Boston College
Brodie Croyle showed some shines of light but is not the future at QB for KC. Ryan is the best QB prospect available from this class and will be capable of stepping right into the job if needed.
4. Oakland, DE Chris Long Virginia
This may be want over need, but if St. Louis passes up Chris Long, then this will be a smart pick. Long could be the foundation of Oakland’s D line with the departure of Warren Sapp and could also be used as trade bait to receive another first round pick and a few 2nd/3rd round picks.
5. Atlanta, QB Brian Brohm Louisville
I’m still not sold on Atlanta taking McFadden, and with Andre Woodson’s stock considerably falling going with the best QB available is what Atlanta should do.
6. New York Jets, RB Darren McFadden Arkansas***
This may be want over need but there are two upsides to drafting McFadden 1.) This will keep McFadden out of New England’s hands 2.) McFadden is very versatile and can be like their own Reggie Bush. (Kick Returns, lining up as a WR)
7. New England (From San Francisco), ILB James Laurinitis***
Laurinitis is a perfect fit because of his versatility to play any of the ‘backer positions. With Junior Seau 38 years old a young replacement is needed inside to play next to Adalius Thomas.
8. Baltimore, CB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio St.***
If Troy Smith is really the future of the Ravens, then finding a replacement for aging and injury prone Samari Rolle should be used for this pick. Andre Woodson could be picked up in the second round if Smith is not thought of the future for Baltimore.
9. Cincinnati, DT Sedrick Ellis USC
It doesn’t matter how good you offence is when you couldn’t stop USC’s offence. Plugging up the middle with the best 3-technique tackle available is a smart move. Ellis has really only had one strong year, so if you want a safe-pick, you may want to look elsewhere.
10. New Orleans, CB Antonio Cason
As much as Saints fans want Malcolm Jenkins, I doubt they trade up to get leaving Cason as the best corner still available. He can help a Saint’s secondary that was torched in the late parts of last year.
11. Buffalo, CB Aquib Talib Kansas
Buffalo’s pass d is really hurting and Talib can come in immediately and help.
12. Denver, S Kenny Phillips Miami
John Lynch is getting older and how much longer he can go is a big question. Getting younger and deeper at safety is the smartest pick here, considering the lack of talent at safety in this draft class.
13. Carolina, OT Sam Baker USC
The O-line is one of Carolina’s biggest needs along with safety and with uncertainty of who will be Carolina’s QB solidifying, the O-line would be the smartest pick. I would go with Baker, not necessarily because of skill but, he is the better zone blocker.
14. Chicago, OT Ryan Clady Boise State
Chicago would love to grab a QB, but none of the big 3 will make it past the top 10 except Andre Woodson, a second round pick. With the o-line getting older, getting youth is the best Chicago can do to improve. Safety would be another consideration, but there is not top talent at the spot.
15. Detroit, DE Calais Campbell, Miami
Detroit’s D is horrible altogether. They have Cory Redding, Shaun Rogers and Dewayne White on the D-Line who either plays great or horrible. Kalimba Edwards is probably going to be cut or traded, which means a premier pass rusher is needed on the outside.
16. Arizona, LB Keith Rivers USC
Linebacker would help a defense that is really slowing down Arizona’s progression. Vernon Gholston would help their D-line dramatically but, LB is the bigger need. There are also some impact linebackers in the later rounds that could help fill this void.
17. Minnesota, WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma***
Minnesota has one of the leagues top defenses, but on offence Minnesota is 1 dimensional. Tarvaris Jackson showed signs of growth throughout the year, and a legitimate threat at WR would help very much.
18. Houston, RB Rashard Mendenhall Illinois***
This was a tossup between Jonathan Stewart out of Oregon and Mendenhall. Ahman Green suffered many injuries last year, and young talent at RB could help Houston considerably. Gholston is the pick recommended by Houston fans here, but that would mean 3 straight picks on your D-line and personally I don't think that will happen, but then again what do I know?
19. Philadelphia, DE Vernon Gholston Ohio St.
Gholston is a steal this late, but with the lack of teams needing premier pass rushers Philly will be happy to take Gholston. Javon Kearse isn’t so young himself, and youth presence would be extremely profitable.
20. Tampa Bay, WR DeSean Jackson Cal***
Joey Galloway is 37 years old, and without a real stud ready to go addressing WR is the smartest move. Youth in the secondary would also be a smart, i.e. Aquib Talib
21. Washington, DE Derek Harvey Florida
Washington lacks a premier pass rusher and could really benefit from a presence like Harvey on the line. Phillip Daniels could retire soon being 33, and Harvey could immediately take his place.
22. Dallas (From Cleveland), CB Mike Jenkins CB
I drastically underrated Jenkins in the last draft, so know with the 2 premier corners gone and Cowboys secondary having many concerns, I expect them to take Jenkins.
23. Seattle, TE Fred Davis, USC
Seattle lacks the sure hands target at TE and with the best TE still available now would be the time to address the issue. Davis has gifted hands and would surely be able to start right away for Seattle.
24. Pittsburgh, OT Jeff Otah Pitt
Pittsburgh could improve run blocking, which at time lacked the ability to give Willie Parker running lanes. This is a safe pick this late.
25. Tennessee, WR Mario Mannigham Michigan***
I really like Jonathan Stewart at this pick, but with no skilled receivers for Vince Young to throw to except Tennessee to reach for Mario if he declares.
26. New York Giants, LB Al Highsmith LSU
Young and quick. Perfect for the Giant’s D
27. San Diego, NT Frank Okam Texas
A run stuffing interior lineman would greatly benefit San Diego. Imagine how good this guy could get trying to stop LT in practice.
28. Jacksonville, DE Quentin Groves Auburn
I really like Derek Harvey to the Jags, but he will probably go higher. I would not be surprised if Jacksonville trades up to Harvey. For now, Grove sis the best DE available.
29. Green Bay, CB Jeff King Penn St.
Mike Jenkins is the smart pick if he was available but since he is not, King would be my choice. I overrate King a lot because I think he can be a shutdown corner, only one way to find out.
30. San Francisco (From Indy), DT Kentwan Balmer North Carolina
As pathetic as San Francisco’s Offence is, all the impact WR’s are gone and may as well add a stud to help out the D.
31. Dallas, RB Felix Jones, Arkansas***
If Julius Jones departs via free agency, Dallas may consider using their 2nd first round pick to re-establish their 2 back tandem
NE-Forfeited
***Denotes underclassmen yet to enter the draft
