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FINAL
UPDATE! - April 24, 2009 - 9:59 pm ET |
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1 | Lions | | Quarterback | |
| As
of 7:50 ET on Friday night as write this, Stafford has yet to agree to deal with
the Lions. Regardless, I believe he will end up in Detroit. The Lions know they
are in full rebuilding mode and there is no better way to win back your fans than
by giving them the hope of having a new face of the franchise. Stafford is their
guy, with or without a prearranged contract. | |
2 | Rams | | Offensive
Tackle | |
| Despite
late arriving rumors that the Rams are interested in Mark Sanchez, I'm sticking
with the pick I've had for most of the offseason. The Rams most successful seasons
in recent memory have centered around a dominant offensive line which all started
with Orlando Pace. With Pace now in Chicago, its time to find a new franchise
left tackle. | |
3 | Chiefs | | Outside
Linebacker | W.F. |
| Rumors
are swirling that Scott Pioli doesn't want to select a linebacker 3rd overall
and would prefer to add a defensive lineman. While a trade down is a very real
possibility, the Chiefs simply can't afford to reach for Tyson Jackson here. The
money awarded to the 3rd-overall selection is far above the pay grade for a 3-4
defensive lineman. | |
4 | Seahawks | | Quarterback | USC |
| The
Seahawks could very well pull the trigger on Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith if one
of them is on the board. However, this is a franchise that doesn't expect to pick
near the top of the draft very often. With that in mind, selecting a franchise
quarterback while they have that opportunity is the smart move, allowing Sanchez
to sit and learn for at least a year. | |
5 | Browns | | Defensive
Tackle | B.C. |
| After
souring on Michael Crabtree the Browns turned their attention to defense with
this selection. Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, Tyson Jackson are all options but
Raji should be the selection. It remains a possibility that Shaun Rogers demands
a trade and the Browns need to be prepared. If he stays, Rogers is athletic enough
to move to defensive end. | |
6 | Bengals | | Offensive
Tackle | |
| The
Bengals are set to draft an offensive lineman with this pick assuming one of the
top three prospects is on the board. Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe both figure
to be available leaving Cincinnati with a difficult decision. Monroe is the far
safer choice. However, Smith may have more upside and is rumored to be the one
favored by the Bengals. | |
7 | Raiders | | Wide
Receiver | Missouri |
| Odds
are Al Davis will select a receiver with speed to burn with this selection. That
makes Jeremy Maclin, Darius Heyward-Bey and maybe even Percy Harvin options. In
the end, Maclin should be the pick. He's the safest choice of the three and the
most NFL-ready. Oakland needs to give JaMarcus Russell a playmaker and Maclin
should fill that role. | |
8 | Jaguars | | Offensive
Tackle | |
| Even
if Michael Crabtree is on the board, the Jaguars should focus on the offensive
line with this selection. Either Monroe, Jason Smith or Andre Smith should fall
and wind up in the Jacksonville. The wildcard with this selection in the Jaguars'
desire to trade down. A team like Buffalo could try to trade up in an effort to
land a left tackle. | |
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9 | Packers | | Defensive
End | |
| The
Packers are likely to target a defensive player that suits their new 3-4 defense
with this selection. However, its difficult to determine who it will be because
so many players fit that description and have value here. They should end up with
Jackson, however, given the lack of quality players suited to line up at end in
the 3-4 scheme. | |
10 | 49ers | | Wide
Receiver | Texas
Tech |
| Thanks
to his "diva" attitude Crabtree is falling, and it could be even further
than this (although I'm not brave enough to be the one to officially predict that).
The 49ers have other needs, but Crabtree's value is simply too much to pass up
here. This would give the 49ers quarterback a legitimate weapon with which to
work in 2009. | |
11 | Bills | | Defensive
End | Texas |
| The
Bills could certainly be tempted by Michael Oher, but they appear to be in content
to target a defensive lineman with this selection. Their pass rush was nonexistent
in 2008, and fixing that is clearly a priority for them in the draft. Orakpo is
one of the few defensive ends in this draft class that have the potential to make
an impact as pass rusher in a 4-3 defense. | |
12 | Broncos | | Defensive
End | Tennessee |
| The
Broncos would love to get their hands on B.J. Raji or Tyson Jackson (or Mark Sanchez
even) but all of those scenarios appear unlikely. If none of them are available
the Broncos may need to reach for Ayers, who is the last potential 1st-round pick
who is a good fit as a defensive end in the Broncos newly implemented 3-4 defense.
| |
13 | Redskins | | Defensive
End/Linebacker | Penn
State |
| The
Redskins defense looked dominant at times in 2008, but the glaring piece missing
was a dominant pass rusher. Jason Taylor failed to fill that role, and now they
looking to find someone via the draft. Maybin is a classic defensive end/linebacker
'tweener but should be able to help the 'Skins improve upon their 24 sacks regardless
of where he lines up. | |
14 | Saints | | Running
Back | Ohio
State |
| The
Saints know that if they become a legitimate contender in the next few years it
is going to be a result of their dominant offense. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas
are an adequate pair, but the Saints really need a bruising running back like
Wells to be the "thunder" to Bush's "lighting." If Wells is
gone, expect his teammate Malcolm Jenkins to be the selection. | |
15 | Texans | Brian
Cushing | Outside
Linebacker | USC |
| The
Texans have made it very clear that they will target a defensive player with this
selection, specifically a USC linebacker. This pick should end up being either
Matthews or Brian Cushing, but it would appear that Cushing has the higher grade
on most teams draft boards. The Texans really can't go wrong with either player. | |
16 | Chargers | | Inside
Linebacker | USC |
| With
Tyson Jackson and Robert Ayers both off the board, the Chargers should focus on
landing a linebacker with this selection. Inside linebacker is the greatest need
in San Diego and Maualuga would be an excellent addition to their defense. He's
a bit of a boom-or-bust type prospect, but his energy would work well between
Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman. | |
