17 | Jets | | Wide
Receiver | |
| Jerricho
Cotchery has developed into a reliable receiver and may be on the verge of becoming
a star. However, he doesn't have the speed to stretch the field, which is the
role Laveranues Coles filled the past few years. Heyward-Bey is extremely raw,
but is clearly the most physically gifted receiver in this year's draft class.
| |
18 | Broncos | | Defensive
End | LSU |
| Even
with the addition of B.J. Raji with the 12th selection, the Broncos could still
add a defensive lineman here. Josh McDaniels is likely to take a page out of the
Patriots book and build the defense around the big boys up front. With Raji at
tackle and Jackson at end, the Broncos will be taking a major step towards fixing
the defense. | |
19 | Bucs | | Quarterback | Kansas
St |
| Raheem
Morris coached Freeman at Kansas State in 2006 and Freeman clearly made a lasting
impressive. Morris has nothing but great things to say about Freeman and appears
willing to make him his quarterback in Tampa. Its unlikely that Freeman will come
off the board earlier than this, making him close to a sure thing for the Bucs.
| |
20 | Lions | | Defensive
End | Tennessee |
| The
Lions primary focus with this selection has to be taking the best available defensive
player. Its tough to determine who that may be, but Ayers figures to be on the
board and would be a major upgrade at defensive end. The Lions are focusing on
building a bigger, stronger front seven and the 6'4", 277 pound Ayers certainly
fits the bill. | |
21 | Eagles | | Running
Back | Georgia |
| If
the Eagles hope to find a future replacement for Brian Westbrook it's going to
have to be with this pick. Moreno and Donald Brown are the only legitimate options
that fit the mold of the type of running back Andy Reid likes, and neither will
be available in the mid-second round. Brandon Pettigrew is another realistic option.
| |
22 | Vikings | | Offensive
Tackle | Arizona |
| A
growing trend in the NFL Draft is teams reaching for offensive tackles in the
late first round. This year the guy likely to benefit on draft day Eben Britton.
He's raw, but very athlete and has the ability to compete for the starting job
at right tackle in Minnesota. Receiver is also a need here, and Kenny Britt could
be a target. | |
23 | Patriots | | Cornerback | Ohio
State |
| This
may seem too good to be true for the Patriots, but its possible that Jenkins falls
because of a lack of need for cornerbacks this year. If he's on the board, the
Patriots should waste no time adding him to the fold. He may lack the speed to
be an elite cover corner, but he's an ideal fit for the Patriots defensive scheme.
| |
24 | Falcons | | Outside
Linebacker | USC |
| The
Falcons are reportedly enamored with USC's trio of linebackers and will be content
to take whoever falls to them with this selection. In this scenario, Cushing's
the guy and will fill the role left by the departure of Keith Brooking. The Falcons
are also in the market for a tight end, and Brandon Pettigrew could be an option
here. | |
|
25 | Dolphins | | Outside
Linebacker | NIU |
| Bill
Parcells has a love affair with all the top outside linebackers this time of year,
and Larry English could be the lucky guy this April 25th. Even if the Dolphins
bring back Jason Taylor, a young outside linebacker will still be a need. The
Dolphins may also consider a wide receiver or cornerback here. | |
26 | Ravens | | Wide
Receiver | Maryland |
| Wide
receiver is the biggest need in Baltimore, but there's likely to be much better
value on the board at cornerback. The departure of Chris McAlister opens up a
major hole - one that Dominique Foxworth is definitely not capable of filling.
Davis is a physical specimen, but still raw, which could lead to him falling to
the Ravens. | |
27 | Colts | | Defensive
Tackle | LSU |
| The
Colts primary focus this offseason should be to upgrade their run defense. Jerry
is an athletic defensive tackle that fits perfectly into the Colts defensive scheme.
If Jerry is off the board, the Colts could reach for Evander Hood or Ron Brace.
Another option is running back. Joseph Addai's injuries in 2008 raises some concern
about his durability. | |
28 | Bills | | Tight
End | |
| The
Bills are definitely in the market for a tight end in the first few rounds and
may be interested in Pettigrew here. Defensive end is a greater need, but players
such as Michael Johnson and Connor Barwin are likely to be available in the second
round. However, if the Bills pass on Pettigrew he won't be around much longer.
| |
29 | Giants | | Wide
Receiver | Rutgers |
| Until
the Giants acquire Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, I have to assume they're
sticking with the initial plan of targeting a wide receiver with this selection.
Britt is a comparable receiver to Braylon Edwards. Like Edwards, he has the size
to be a possession receiver but has enough speed to stretch the field when needed.
| |
30 | Titans | | Inside
Linebacker | Ohio
State |
| The
Titans have a clear need at wide receiver, but its an area that Jeff Fisher simply
doesn't believe in addressing in the 1st round. Aside from that, there isn't a
glaring need which means they could simply take the best available player. In
this scenario that player is Laurinaitis, who would immediately compete for the
starting job. | |
31 | Cardinals | | Running
Back | UConn |
| The
Cardinals have a clear need for a running back to compliment Tim Hightower. Donald
Brown and Knowshon Moreno are both great fits and rate considerably higher than
the options available to Arizona in the 2nd round. Tight end is also a need, which
could be filled if Brandon Pettigrew is still on the board. | |
32 | Steelers | | Center/Guard | Louisville |
| The
Steelers allowed 49 sacks a season ago and have done nothing to improve their
offensive line this offseason. Wood has worked out with the Steelers as a guard
and were reportedly impressed. His versatility is an added bonus, having played
guard at Louisville. Max Unger would also be a realistic option here. | |
