Happy Birthday Sean Taylor…

1ST ROUND

1. CAROLINA- Cam Newton QB, Auburn*

2. DENVER-Marcell Dareus DT, Alabama*

3. BUFFALO- Von Miller OLB, Texas A&M

4. CINCINNATI- AJ Green WR, Georgia*

5. ARIZONA- Blaine Gabbert QB, Missouri*

TRADE ALERT: DALLAS SENDS #9 & #71 (3rd) to CLEVELAND for #6 overall

6. DALLAS (From CLE)- Patrick Peterson CB, LSU*

7. SAN FRANCISCO- Nick Fairley DT, Auburn*

8. TENNESSEE- JJ Watt DE, Wisconsin*

9. CLEVELAND (From DAL)- Julio Jones WR, Alabama*

10. WASHINGTON- Tyron Smith OT, USC*

11. HOUSTON- Robert Quinn DE/OLB, North Carolina*

12. MINNESOTA- Da’Quan Bowers DE, Clemson*

13. DETROIT- Prince Amukamara CB, Nebraska*

14. ST. LOUIS- Aldon Smith DE, Missouri*

15. MIAMI- Ryan Mallett QB, Arkansas*

ONLY 1 SENIOR IN FIRST 15 PICKS!

16. JACKSONVILLE- Ryan Kerrigan DE, Purdue

17. NEW ENGLAND (From OAK)- Anthony Castonzo OT, Boston College

18. SAN DIEGO- Cameron Jordan DE, California

19. NY GIANTS- Mike Pouncey C/G, Florida

20. TAMPA BAY- Justin Houston DE, Georgia*

21. KANSAS CITY- Nate Solder OT, Colorado

22. INDIANAPOLIS- Gabe Carimi OT, Wisconsin

23. PHILADELPHIA- Jimmy Smith CB, Colorado*

24. NEW ORLEANS- Corey Liuget DT, Illinois*

25. SEATTLE- Jake Locker QB, Washington

26. BALTIMORE- Torrey Smith WR, Maryland*

27. ATLANTA- Derrek Sherrod OT, Mississippi State

28. NEW ENGLAND- Muhammad Wilkerson DE, Temple*

29. CHICAGO- Adrian Clayborn DT, Iowa

30. NY JETS- Phil Taylor NT, Baylor

31. PITTSBURGH- Cameron Heyward DE, Ohio State

32. GREEN BAY- Mark Ingram RB, Alabama*

NOTES

- The DAL/CLE trade makes too much sense for both teams.  I could see Holmgren moving around a lot in this draft.

- Most of the 1st round picks will have ‘Public Relation’ implications because teams are focused on keeping fans happy during lockout.

- The only QB I’d want in the first round is Ryan Mallett.  Otherwise, I’m taking my top rated defensive lineman.

- There’s so much talent at defensive line for BOTH 4-3 and 3-4.

- If Cleveland stays at #6 they could still take Patrick Peterson.  The team believes in the best player available philosophy.  The domino effect would send Tyron Smith to Dallas and Julio Jones to Washington.

- JJ Watt is likely to go in the top 15, but the teams targeting defensive ends in the top 15 all run 4-3 schemes that demand athletic/smaller ends.  Watt is 6’6 292. and fits best in a 3-4 scheme.  But Tennessee’s scheme demands athletic five-technique defensive tackles that play primarily inside.  If Fairely is available, they will consider him.

- Jake Locker is hard to place.  He’s not a top 15 pick on any board and he’s a reach if he is taken that high (but it is possible).  Pete Carroll was the only head coach to attend his Pro Day.  Washington Huskies to Seattle Seahawks.

- Best Value in the 1st round: Aldon Smith,  Muhammad Wilkerson, Gabe Carimi