1. Detroit Lions: T Andre Smith, Alabama
You can't throw and you can't run if you don't have the time to make something happen. With a little more time in the pocket, Dan Orlovsky and Calvin Johnson will make sweet music together-- they might end up with 4 wins. Smith can anchor the O-line for years to come.
2. St. Louis Rams: T Jason Smith, Baylor
Orlando Pace has little-to-no gas left in the tank, and Smith is beastly enough to replace him. He's a powerful tackle who can open the door for Steven Jackson and protect Marc Bulger.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Sure, they have more pressing offensive needs, but a defense with Curry, Glenn Dorsey, Derrick Johnson, and Tamba Hali is a scary young defense. With Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez shouldering the load and a maturing Dwayne Bowe on the deep strike, they're a good-looking surprise team.
4. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
He's rated below Michael Crabtree on most draft boards, so why wouldn't they go with Crabtree?
Answer: Matt Hasselbeck is growing older, and still injury-prone; backup Seneca Wallace has a stronger, less-accurate arm that rewards a speedier reciever. It's a slightly kooky reason, but there you go. (Also, I'm not certain of Tim Ruskell's eye for talent; he drafted Marcus Trufant at 11th overall.)
5. Cleveland Browns: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
He won't last past five, I'm sure of that, and barring a trade-up, Cleveland will leap at the chance to put him on a deadly-potent offense alongside Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jamal Lewis, and Derek Anderson.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: DE B.J. Raji, Boston College
At this point, he's the best defensive player on the board in a draft heavy with O-linemen, and could help shore up their run defense. With Carson Palmer back and Chad Johnson still wearing stripes for the time being, they'll probably pick up their secondary offensive threat in, say, round 2.
7. Oakland Raiders: T Michael Oher, Ole Miss
The Raiders need help in so many places that I literally just took this pick out of a hat. It makes sense, though, with a talented young RB, a QB with serious upside, and a leaky-as-a-colander offensive line.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: T Eugene Monroe, Virginia
The #1 target in Jacksonville is, at this point, either Matt Jones or Jerry Porter-- not good options at wideout. However, with the best two wide receivers off the board, they can get more mileage out of a good offensive lineman instead.
9. Green Bay Packers: QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
Aaron Rodgers has proven to be a very capable quarterback thus far, but grabbing the best one on the board could work to Green Bay's advantage as they at least block the Bears.
10. San Francisco 49ers: DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State
I'm not sure that the Niners will pull the plug on QB and former #1 Alex Smith just yet. A defensive star works better than choosing Mark Sanchez of USC, and Maybin has the potential to be a Jared Aleen-type end.
11. Buffalo Bills: QB Mark Sanchez, USC
A top-round pick still beats Trent Edwards or J.P. Losman, though not necessarily by much; Sanchez will probably coast into training camp before having to fight for a starting job.
12. Denver Broncos: RB Knowshon Moreno
The Broncos haven't had a franchise runner since Terrell Davis retired, and it makes more sense to draft a good runner than to let the offensive line make some unknown into a temporary star.
13. Washington Redskins: DE Brian Orakpo, Texas
It makes no sense that they would draft a linebacker or corner as they already have good ones. Orakpo is the best end on the board.
14. New Orleans Saints: CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Jenkins is the best corner in this draft, and the Saints can use help at that position.
15. Houston Texans: DE Everette Brown, Florida State
Line him up opposite Mario Williams and stand back. Rey Maualaga is still available, by the way, but it makes no sense to draft someone who would just sit behind Pro Bowler DeMeco Ryans.
16. San Diego Chargers: MLB Rey Maualaga, USC
It's a tossup between Maualaga and James Laurinatis, but Maualaga is a better run defender, and a definite upgrade on Matt Wilhelm. Plus, a huddle with Maualaga and Shawne Merriman would be one loud, scary, firing-up huddle.
17. New York Jets: G/T Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
He can play either guard or either tackle spot, and will help the Jets' interior rush.
18. Chicago Bears: OLB Clint Sintim, Virginia
With Lance Briggs still unhappy, Sintim could be a great insurance policy. He could probably even start on the other side.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Darius Heyward, Maryland
Their run game is quite solid, and the hodgepodge of QB's is not quite cleared out, but Jeff Garcia, Bruce Gradkowski, and Chris Simms can all throw the ball; the problem is, there's nobody to throw to. Heyward will help them out here.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas, in the Roy Williams trade): WR Percy Harvin, Florida
One might think the Lions had learned their lesson with first-round wideouts (see: Mike Williams), but Harvin is versatile enough to play running back and good enough to be a second wideout.
21. Philadelphia Eagles: T Eben Britton, Arizona
An underrated tackle from an excellent program; with Jon Runyan slated to clear out after the seaon, Britton could take over and do quite nicely.
22. Minnesota Vikings: S Will Moore, Missouri
Darren Sharper isn't getting any younger. Moore won't replace him, but could be a more-than-adequate replacement.
23. New England Patriots: T Will Beatty, UCONN
The Pats don't have any holes, they could stand to take a good backup.
24. Atlanta Falcons: MLB James Laurinatis, Ohio State
Laurinatis will learn under Keith Brooking and eventually take over for him, giving the Falcons a talented young defensive cornerstone.
25. Miami Dolphins: CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
Davis is the second-best corner in this draft, and will help out a sorely-lacking 'Fins defensive backfield.
26. Baltimore Ravens: OLB Brian Cushing, USC
Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are set to walk; Cushing could be just as good, and not as expensive.
27. Indianapolis Colts: DT Perria Jerry, Ole Miss
He'll help the Colts the only place they need it-- run defense. He plays like Jamal Williams of the Chargers, soaking up blockers and throwing his weight about.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): C Alex Mack, Cal
He's a quick-but-strong interior lineman. They don't particularly need the help, but he's an upgrade.
29. New York Giants: DE Mike Johnson, Georgia Tech
Michael Strahan is retired, and Osi Umienyora isn't the most durable of guys. Johnson provides some stability and skill on the edge.
30. Tennessee Titans: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
He's the best tight end in the draft, and better than Bo Scaife; the Titans don't have any holes to fill so they can afford to draft him.
31. Arizona Cardinals: RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State
Edgerrin James is aging, and Tim Hightower and JJ Arrington aren't starters. Look for Wells to put a little gas in their ground game.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Tyson Jackson, Louisiana State
Again, a team without holes to fill; Jackson is very good and could probably even press Brett Keisel for the second starting job.
Subscribe to this blog
