DNoz29
Bench Warmer
1. Detroit - OT Jason Smith, Baylor
- Smith separated himself from the rest of the pack at the combine. He's the most athletic of the tackles and should be the cornerstone the Lions need on their offensive line.
2. St. Louis - MLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
- The Rams need Curry. He is the play-making, run-stopping MLB the Rams have lacked for quite some time. If Detroit doesn't take him at No. 1, there's no way they can pass on him.
3. Kansas City - DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
- With the recent acquisition of Matt Cassel, it takes the Chiefs out of the QB market. Also by acquiring Vrabel, it confirms the Chiefs are going to a 3-4 defense. Raji is the best NT prospect in the draft, which is something the Chiefs don't have in their current personnel.
4. Seattle - OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
- Even after signing Houshmandzadeh, the Seahawks could still go with Crabtree at No. 4. However, it makes them even more likely to go with an eventual replacement for Walter Jones.
5. Cleveland - DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
- The Browns need help in the pass-rushing department, and Orakpo might be the best pass-rusher in this draft. I think he could be better as a 4-3 DE, but he could pull off the 3-4 OLB job.
6. Cincinnati - OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
- Oher, once thought of as the No. 1 pick, has the most potential of any OT in this draft. He could start from day one on either side of the line.
7. Oakland - WR Michael Crabtree*, Texas Tech
- Despite the injury concerns, there is absolutely no way Al Davis passes on Crabtree. And by the way, WR is a need for Oakland.
8. Jacksonville - QB Matt Stafford*, Georgia
- The first surprise pick, the Jags grab Stafford, who many are mocking to go No. 1. David Garrard didn't exactly impress last season after signing his big deal and the Jags might not be able to pass up the best QB prospect in this draft.
9. Green Bay - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin*, Penn St.
- Loads of potential here, Maybin seems to be the prototypical 3-4 OLB in this draft. The Pack need that speed rusher while converting to a 3-4 defense.
10. San Francisco - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
- Surprise pick No. 2. Heyward-Bey had an outstanding combine and the Niners need a talented WR in the worst way. I know they're going to be a run-first team, but they'll need someone who can get behind the defense to open up the field.
11. Buffalo - DE Everette Brown*, Florida St.
- The Bills need a TE, but there's no TE worthy of this pick. Instead, they grab one o the premier pass-rushers in this draft. Brown has all the skills to succeed in the NFL.
12. Denver - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
- A poor combine caused Jenkins to fall and many to question whether or not he could be a starting NFL cornerback. Denver is willing to take a chance on him, as he still has lots of talent.
13. Washington - OT Andre Smith*, Alabama
- Speaking of poor combines, Smith made one of poorest decisions anyone has ever made at the combine. Despite that fact, the Redskins take a chance on him, as they have a massive void at RT.
14. New Orleans - CB Vonte Davis, Illinois
- After failing to land a CB in free agency, the Saints take the best pure CB in this draft. Davis has good size and should help the New Orleans' secondary.
15. Houston - WR Jeremy Maclin*, Missouri
- Maclin, like Crabtree and Heyward-Bey, has loads of talent. He is exactly what the Houston passing game needs.
16. San Diego - MLB Rey Maualuga, USC
- He injured his hamstring at the combine, but the Chargers still need help at linebacker. Maualuga is the best 3-4 ILB in the draft and should thrive in San Diego's defense.
17. N.Y. Jets - QB Mark Sanchez*, USC
- The Jets cannot pass on their QB of the future. Sanchez could still go a lot higher than this, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he falls to No. 17.
18. Chicago - DE Michael Johnson*, Georgia Tech
- Johnson is as physically gifted as they come, and the Bears and Lovie Smith are drooling over the possibilities.
19. Tampa Bay - DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
- With Sanchez off the board and TB signing Derrick Ward, the Bucs fill a need on the interior defensive line. Jerry is the second-best DT in the draft.
20. Detroit (from DAL) - QB Josh Freeman*, Kansas St.
After passing on Stafford and Sanchez at No. 1 and trading Jon Kitna to Dallas, the Lions target Freeman as their QB of the future. He is raw, but so is the rest of the Detroit roster. And throwing to Calvin Johnson won't hurt Freeman's chances of success.
21. Philadelphia - OT Eben Britton*, Arizona
- William Thomas is a free agent and Jon Runyan is coming off surgery -- Philly needs a tackle. Britton is the fifth tackle to go in the first, as the position is deep.
22. Minnesota - CB D.J. Moore*, Vanderbilt
- While not many CBs impressed at the combine, the Vikings are still inclined to upgrade their secondary. Moore is one of the better CBs available.
23. New England - ILB Brian Cushing, USC
- Cushing is versatile, which is the staple of the Patriots. They need to get young at LB in a hurry. Cushing would play ILB in the Pats' defense.
24. Atlanta - TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
- This is the surest pick of the 1st round. The Falcons need a guy to replace Alge Crumpler and while Pettigrew didn't have a great combine, he is still the guy for the Falcons.
25. Miami - WR Hakeem Nicks*, North Carolina
- With Ted Ginn, the Fins need a big WR they can turn to for a clutch reception. Hicks has the best hands in the draft and should fit in well with the Dolphins.
26. Baltimore - C Alex Mack, California
- After losing Jason Brown to the Rams, the Ravens grab the best center prospect in quite some time.
27. Indianapolis - WR Percy Harvin, Florida
- After losing Marvin Harrison, the Colts need to replenish their WR corp. Harvin is the most versatile WR in the draft and Peyton Manning could have some fun with that.
28. Philadelphia (from CAR) - RB Chris Wells*, Ohio St.
- After grabbing the OT they so desperately needed, the Eagles turn to the ground game. Wells should be the bruising RB the Eagles need to complement Brian Westbrook.
29. N.Y. Giants - MLB James Laurinaitis, Ohio St.
- The Giants have a stacked D-Line. Plugging in Laurinaitis behind the front four could have excellent results.
30. Tennessee - CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
- The Titans grabbed Nate Washington in free agency, so they decide to help the secondary. With Pro Bowlers Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin, Smith would be a nice addition and could learn from these guys.
31. Arizona - RB Knowshon Moreno*, Georgia
- With Alex Mack off the board, Moreno is undoubtedly the pick here (or another RB). He weighed in a little heavier than expected at the combine, which probably contributed to his slower-than-expected 40-time. However, he is immensely talented and should help the non-existent Cardinal running game.
32. Pittsburgh - DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
- Pittsburgh can do whatever it chooses with this pick. It can take the BPA or fill a need. Luckily, it kills two birds with one stone.
- Smith separated himself from the rest of the pack at the combine. He's the most athletic of the tackles and should be the cornerstone the Lions need on their offensive line.
2. St. Louis - MLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
- The Rams need Curry. He is the play-making, run-stopping MLB the Rams have lacked for quite some time. If Detroit doesn't take him at No. 1, there's no way they can pass on him.
3. Kansas City - DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
- With the recent acquisition of Matt Cassel, it takes the Chiefs out of the QB market. Also by acquiring Vrabel, it confirms the Chiefs are going to a 3-4 defense. Raji is the best NT prospect in the draft, which is something the Chiefs don't have in their current personnel.
4. Seattle - OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
- Even after signing Houshmandzadeh, the Seahawks could still go with Crabtree at No. 4. However, it makes them even more likely to go with an eventual replacement for Walter Jones.
5. Cleveland - DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
- The Browns need help in the pass-rushing department, and Orakpo might be the best pass-rusher in this draft. I think he could be better as a 4-3 DE, but he could pull off the 3-4 OLB job.
6. Cincinnati - OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
- Oher, once thought of as the No. 1 pick, has the most potential of any OT in this draft. He could start from day one on either side of the line.
7. Oakland - WR Michael Crabtree*, Texas Tech
- Despite the injury concerns, there is absolutely no way Al Davis passes on Crabtree. And by the way, WR is a need for Oakland.
8. Jacksonville - QB Matt Stafford*, Georgia
- The first surprise pick, the Jags grab Stafford, who many are mocking to go No. 1. David Garrard didn't exactly impress last season after signing his big deal and the Jags might not be able to pass up the best QB prospect in this draft.
9. Green Bay - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin*, Penn St.
- Loads of potential here, Maybin seems to be the prototypical 3-4 OLB in this draft. The Pack need that speed rusher while converting to a 3-4 defense.
10. San Francisco - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
- Surprise pick No. 2. Heyward-Bey had an outstanding combine and the Niners need a talented WR in the worst way. I know they're going to be a run-first team, but they'll need someone who can get behind the defense to open up the field.
11. Buffalo - DE Everette Brown*, Florida St.
- The Bills need a TE, but there's no TE worthy of this pick. Instead, they grab one o the premier pass-rushers in this draft. Brown has all the skills to succeed in the NFL.
12. Denver - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
- A poor combine caused Jenkins to fall and many to question whether or not he could be a starting NFL cornerback. Denver is willing to take a chance on him, as he still has lots of talent.
13. Washington - OT Andre Smith*, Alabama
- Speaking of poor combines, Smith made one of poorest decisions anyone has ever made at the combine. Despite that fact, the Redskins take a chance on him, as they have a massive void at RT.
14. New Orleans - CB Vonte Davis, Illinois
- After failing to land a CB in free agency, the Saints take the best pure CB in this draft. Davis has good size and should help the New Orleans' secondary.
15. Houston - WR Jeremy Maclin*, Missouri
- Maclin, like Crabtree and Heyward-Bey, has loads of talent. He is exactly what the Houston passing game needs.
16. San Diego - MLB Rey Maualuga, USC
- He injured his hamstring at the combine, but the Chargers still need help at linebacker. Maualuga is the best 3-4 ILB in the draft and should thrive in San Diego's defense.
17. N.Y. Jets - QB Mark Sanchez*, USC
- The Jets cannot pass on their QB of the future. Sanchez could still go a lot higher than this, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he falls to No. 17.
18. Chicago - DE Michael Johnson*, Georgia Tech
- Johnson is as physically gifted as they come, and the Bears and Lovie Smith are drooling over the possibilities.
19. Tampa Bay - DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
- With Sanchez off the board and TB signing Derrick Ward, the Bucs fill a need on the interior defensive line. Jerry is the second-best DT in the draft.
20. Detroit (from DAL) - QB Josh Freeman*, Kansas St.
After passing on Stafford and Sanchez at No. 1 and trading Jon Kitna to Dallas, the Lions target Freeman as their QB of the future. He is raw, but so is the rest of the Detroit roster. And throwing to Calvin Johnson won't hurt Freeman's chances of success.
21. Philadelphia - OT Eben Britton*, Arizona
- William Thomas is a free agent and Jon Runyan is coming off surgery -- Philly needs a tackle. Britton is the fifth tackle to go in the first, as the position is deep.
22. Minnesota - CB D.J. Moore*, Vanderbilt
- While not many CBs impressed at the combine, the Vikings are still inclined to upgrade their secondary. Moore is one of the better CBs available.
23. New England - ILB Brian Cushing, USC
- Cushing is versatile, which is the staple of the Patriots. They need to get young at LB in a hurry. Cushing would play ILB in the Pats' defense.
24. Atlanta - TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
- This is the surest pick of the 1st round. The Falcons need a guy to replace Alge Crumpler and while Pettigrew didn't have a great combine, he is still the guy for the Falcons.
25. Miami - WR Hakeem Nicks*, North Carolina
- With Ted Ginn, the Fins need a big WR they can turn to for a clutch reception. Hicks has the best hands in the draft and should fit in well with the Dolphins.
26. Baltimore - C Alex Mack, California
- After losing Jason Brown to the Rams, the Ravens grab the best center prospect in quite some time.
27. Indianapolis - WR Percy Harvin, Florida
- After losing Marvin Harrison, the Colts need to replenish their WR corp. Harvin is the most versatile WR in the draft and Peyton Manning could have some fun with that.
28. Philadelphia (from CAR) - RB Chris Wells*, Ohio St.
- After grabbing the OT they so desperately needed, the Eagles turn to the ground game. Wells should be the bruising RB the Eagles need to complement Brian Westbrook.
29. N.Y. Giants - MLB James Laurinaitis, Ohio St.
- The Giants have a stacked D-Line. Plugging in Laurinaitis behind the front four could have excellent results.
30. Tennessee - CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
- The Titans grabbed Nate Washington in free agency, so they decide to help the secondary. With Pro Bowlers Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin, Smith would be a nice addition and could learn from these guys.
31. Arizona - RB Knowshon Moreno*, Georgia
- With Alex Mack off the board, Moreno is undoubtedly the pick here (or another RB). He weighed in a little heavier than expected at the combine, which probably contributed to his slower-than-expected 40-time. However, he is immensely talented and should help the non-existent Cardinal running game.
32. Pittsburgh - DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
- Pittsburgh can do whatever it chooses with this pick. It can take the BPA or fill a need. Luckily, it kills two birds with one stone.