32 |
Dolphins |
Chad Henne |
Quarterback |
Michigan |
|
Bill Parcells has a certain type of quarterback and Chad Henne fits the mold. He's a tall, smart pocket passer, similar to guys like Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde. The Dolphins aren't going to take a risk on Matt Ryan in the first round, partially because they know a guy like Henne or Joe Flacco will be available here and the drop-off in talent is minimal at best. |
|
33 |
Rams |
Malcolm Kelly |
Wide Receiver |
Oklahoma |
|
This is a fairly easy decision for the Rams if Kelly falls. His stock has taken an unfair hit due to one poor workout. He still deserves to be at or near the top of every team's draft board at the receiver position. Its hard to imagine a guy that many thought would be selected 11th overall just a few weeks ago would fall this far, but the Rams certainly won't complain. |
|
34 |
Falcons |
Trevor Laws |
Defensive Tackle |
Notre Dame |
|
If the Falcons select Matt Ryan in the first round, they'll have to address their need for a defensive tackle somewhere in the 2nd round. Trevor Laws is easily the next best available tackle and could be an excellent fit next to Trey Lewis on the defensive line. Of course, with three 2nd round picks, the Falcons are a prime candidate to move back into the first round. |
|
35 |
Chiefs |
Antoine Cason |
Cornerback |
Arizona |
|
Ty Law is gone and Dimitri Patterson is currently the favorite to start opposite Patrick Surtain. I simply can't believe the Chiefs are feeling comfortable with that situation. Obviously they can't reach for a corner in round one, but it is their biggest need. If a player like Cason is available in the early second round, they can't afford to pass him up. |
|
|
|
James Hardy |
Wide Receiver |
Indiana |
|
A running back would be tempting here, but Jonathan Stewart is too similar a running back to Thomas Jones and they aren't ready to give up on Jones after just one season. The Jets have to find some consistency at receiver and it doesn't look like its coming from Coles or Cotchery. Hardy has the size to be an immediate force in the red zone, if nothing else. |
|
37 |
Falcons |
Dan Connor |
Linebacker |
Penn State |
|
The Falcons need a left tackle, but there just isn't one available here. A team as bad as the Falcons needs to simply take the best available player at this point in the draft, and Connor would almost be a no brainer here. He could compete with Stephen Nicholas for immediate playing time and may be Keith Brooking's long term replacement at inside linebacker. |
|
38 |
Ravens |
Joe Flacco |
Quarterback |
Delaware |
|
The retirement of Steve McNair may force the Ravens to select a quarterback in the first two rounds. Obviously Matt Ryan is an option, but they appear to be learning towards holding off until the second round. Thinking behind that is all about value. The difference between Ryan and Flacco is minimal, but the money different between a QB selected 8th and 38th is huge. |
|
39 |
49ers |
Andre Caldwell |
Wide Receiver |
Florida |
|
I personally believe Caldwell is nothing more than a workout warrior, but his 4.35 forty time at the combine forces teams to consider him a serious deep threat. And that's exactly what the 49ers need. If they don't pull the trigger on a receiver like Malcolm Kelly in the first round, expect Caldwell, Doucet, and Jordy Nelson to be the Niners targets here. |
|
40 |
Saints |
Curtis Lofton |
Inside Linebacker |
Oklahoma |
|
The Saints have two major needs: defensive tackle and linebacker. With neither one addressed in the first round they absolutely must land one or the other here. Trevor Laws will be high on their list, but Lofton is a good second option. He's verasailte enough to play inside or outside, making him a good value and a good bet to find his way onto the field in '08. |
|
41 |
Bills |
Fred Davis |
Tight End |
USC |
|
Kevin Everett was supposed to be the Bills future at tight end, but last season's tragic injury has derailed that plan. Davis is a very similar player to ever, and possibly even more of a threat as a receiver. He has good size and strength and is a willing blocker, which the Bills also value in a tight end. A receiver is another option here if they don't go that route in round one. |
|
42 |
Broncos |
Tavares Gooden |
Outside Linebacker |
Miami FL |
|
The Broncos can't be too excited about Niko Koutouvides as their potential starter at middle linebacker next season. He's serviceable for a short period, but just isn't the type you want as a leader on your defense. Gooden doesn't have much experience at inside linebacker, but is athletic enough to make the transition if the Broncos see fit. |
|
43 |
Panthers |
Brian Brohm |
Quarterback |
Louisville |
|
Its likely that someone trades up for Brohm, but the Panthers will glady take him if he falls. The Panthers aren't dead set on taking a quarterback but they do like both Brohm and Matt Ryan and are willing to select on if the value is right. At the 43rd pick the value is definitely right for a guy once considered a potential top ten pick, if not number one overall. |
|
44 |
Bears |
Matt Forte |
Running Back |
Tulane |
|
The Bears know that Cedric Benson isn't going to be come the running back they though the were going to get, and they're ready to begin the process of moving on. They've showed a good deal of interest in Forte and he would appear to fit their style perfectly. He's a big running back with the size and strength to carry the load in Chicago. |
|
45 |
Lions |
Sam Baker |
Offensive Tackle |
USC |
|
The Lions aren't going to get a future franchise left tackle at this point in the draft, but they can upgrade their offensive line here. Baker has experience at left tackle and right tackle. He could compete with Jonathan Scott for the starting right tackle job, but if he loses out he'll be capable of coming off the bench at any position except center. |
|
46 |
Bengals |
Lawrence Jackson |
Defensive End |
USC |
|
The Bengals would have to love the thought of landing Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson with their first two picks. It may seem like a desperate move to take two defensive linemen in the first two rounds, but that's exactly what the Bengals are. The loss of Justin Smith create a major void at defensive end and Jackson would step right in. |
|
47 |
Vikings |
Aqib Talib |
Cornerback |
Kansas |
|
Talib's stock has fallen considerably due to character concerns. He is still a playmaker, however, and begins to regain value as he falls down the draft board. The Vikings are attempting to build a dominant defense and they're almost there. Talib adds to the depth at cornerback and may even compete for a starting job right from the get go. |
|
48 |
Falcons |
Tracy Porter |
Cornerback |
Indiana |
|
As of right now it looks like Von Hutchins will be lining up opposite Chris Houston at cornerback for the Falcons. Not exactly the ideal scenario for the Falcons. Porter is undersized, but doesn't play like it. He could be a steal in the second round. The Falcons will also consider an offensive tackle and may trade up for Sam Baker. |
|
49 |
Eagles |
Tyrell Johnson |
Safety |
Arkansas St |
|
Sean Considine and Quintin Mikell are set to battle for the starting strong safety position in training camp, and the Eagles might as well throw another name into the ring. Johnson is fast rising up the draft board and may be the second safety to be selected. He has the size and athleticism to step right into the NFL and be a difference maker. |
|
50 |
Cardinals |
Justin King |
Cornerback |
Penn State |
|
Former first round pick Antrel Rolle is making the switch to free safety for 2008, opening up a hole at cornerback. Eric Green and Rod Hood are penciled in as the starters at corner for now, but that position is very much up for grabs. King is an unbelievable athlete, but never lived up to potential at Penn State. He could be a steal here, but just as easily could be a complete bust. |
|
51 |
Redskins |
Duane Brown |
Offensive Tackle |
V. T |
|
The Redskins entire starting offensive line is over the age of 30. Its a solid line, but that age has to be concerning. Brown can provide the depth and youth they're looking for. He has good value at this point and could be Jon Jansen's eventual replacement at right tackle. The 'Skins will also be looking for a good value at defensive end here. |
|
52 |
Bucs |
Jason Jones |
Defensive End |
E. Michigan |
|
The Bucs addes Gaines Adams in the first round last year and he appears to have a bright future, but he'll need some help. They also acquired 31 year old Marques Douglas from San Francisco to fill the void at the other end position, but he is a short term option only. Jones is a big lineman, the perfect compliment to the smaller, faster Adams on the other side. |
|
53 |
Steelers |
Jamaal Charles |
Running Back |
Texas |
|
The Steelers have shown a great deal of interest in running back that are expected to go in the first or second round rounds, indicating that they're in the market for someone to share the load with Willie Parker. Charles is a similar running back to Parker, but they're not looking for a change of pace back, just someone to share the carries. |
|
54 |
Titans |
Chris Johnson |
Running Back |
E. Carolina |
|
The Titans could be going after a running back in the second round for the second year in a row. Chris Henry didn't quite work out, and this time around they're targeting a small, faster running back. Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson have both drawn interest from the Titans and if either one is on the board here, Jeff Fisher should waste no time making the selection. |
|
55 |
Seahawks |
Roy Schuening |
Offensive Guard |
Oregon St |
|
The Seahawks may have finally found a replacement for Steve Hutchinson. Schuening is obviously a long ways off from becoming Hutchinson, but he does have that potential. He's a tough, nasty lineman with the raw size and strength to dominate. In Seattle, he'll have the immediate opportunity to step into a starting role at either left or right guard. |
|
56 |
Packers |
Martellus Bennett |
Tight End |
TexasA&M |
|
This is a slight reach, but the Packers need a tight end. Donald Lee did a nice job last year, but there is no depth at the position and Aaron Rodgers is going to need another target in the passing game if he's going to be effective. Bennett and John Carlson are both options here, but Bennett gets the nod because he's a better option as a receiver. |
|
57 |
Dolphins |
Cliff Avril |
Outside Linebacker |
Purdue |
|
This is a slam dunk pick for the Dolphins. Avril, a college defensive end, is the perfect fit at outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. Jason Taylor's future with the team is questionable and Joey Porter may not be around much longer either. If Avril is available here, its a no brainer. If he's going, they should look for the next best linebacker or defensive end. |
|
58 |
Jaguars |
Pat Sims |
Defensive Tackle |
Auburn |
|
You really can't overestimate the effect that losing Marcus Stroud will have on the Jaguars if they can't adequately replace him. They already have mediocre defensive ends, but were getting by off of the dynamic duo inside - Stroud and John Henderson. Sims comes with some baggage off the field, but the Jaguars are in position to take a risk. |
|
59 |
Colts |
Xavier Adibi |
Outside Linebacker |
V.T |
|
The Colts don't have a glaring need, but if Adibi is available he looks like a perfect fit in Indy. He's the type of undersized, athletic linebacker that Tony Dungy loves. The Colts are confident in their current linebackers, but if Adibi impresses he could certainly win a starting job over Freddie Keiaho or Tyjuan Hagler. |
|
60 |
Packers |
Ray Rice |
Running Back |
Rutgers |
|
Ryan Grant came out of nowhere to be one of the league's top running backs in 2007. With no Brett Favre this season, the Packers will have to lean on Grant even more, and he doesn't have a reliable running back to share the load. Rice isn't the change of pace back that the Packers still need, but he's tough and has the ability to carry the load if asked. |
|
61 |
Cowboys |
DaJuan Morgan |
Safety |
NC State |
|
Ken Hamlin did a nice job at free safety, but he is definitely one of the weaker links on an otherwise very solid Cowboys defense. Morgan may not challenge for a starting job, but he will provide quality depth and should help out on special teams. The Cowboys may look for a cornerback here, but there it isn't worth reaching for one. |
|
62 |
Patriots |
Mario Manningham |
Wide Receiver |
Michigan |
|
The Patriots draft strategy is all about value, and that is why Manningham will catch their attention here. His stock has fallen consistently over the last few months due to poor workouts and admission of marijuana use. The Pats are willing to take a chance on Manningham here in hopes that he can replace the departed Donte Stallworth as the third receiver. |
|
63 |
Giants |
Jeremy Zuttah |
Offensive Guard |
Rutgers |
|
The Giants aren't looking for a major instant impact player here. They'll settle for a guy like Zuttah that can provide some quality depth on the offensive line. He has experience at nearly every offensive line position and will provide some much needed depth primarily at guard and center. A season can be derailed by offensive line injuries, and the Giants are thin there. |
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