The Lions have been absolutely terrible this year and it looks like they might finally have reached rock bottom. On the bright side they will likely have a very high draft pick next April and with Matt Millen now gone a new era can finally begin.
Detroit has plenty of needs but with the #1 overall pick they have to land a true difference maker, which probably means a quarterback. Just a junior, Matthew Stafford is widely regarded to be the premier pro quarterback prospect in the college game and it looks like he will be at worst a Top 5 pick if he opts to come out early. At 6-3 and 237 pounds Stafford has a solid build and is a pretty good athlete but what really sets him apart from the rest of the pack is his amazing arm strength. Stafford isn't a finished product just yet but he has all the tools you look for and is potentially the type of guy you can build a team around. Offensive tackle and defensive end are also options but they can address them with their other first rounder. The Golden Rule of the NFL Draft is unless you already have a franchise signal caller you don't pass on one. Believe me when I say Orlovsky / Culpepper / Stanton aren't franchise quarterbacks.
Just when you think things can’t get any worse in Oakland they seem to find a way to lower the bar. The Raiders could really go in any number of directions here but offensive tackle appears to be the best match when you factor in both talent on the board and need.
Kwame Harris was brought in as a free agent but he is certainly not a world-beater so if Oakland could add a top left tackle it would allow them to move Harris to his more natural position on the right side of the line and send Cornell Green to the bench where he belongs. This draft features a couple of excellent senior offensive tackle prospects in Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher but Andre Smith could leapfrog both of them if he opts to come out early. A premier recruit coming out of high school, Smith needs to work on keeping his weight in check but he is a mauler in the run game and also possesses the feet and athleticism to excel in pass protection. The Raiders could also use a pass rusher and Michael Johnson is the type of rare athlete that Al Davis tends to fall in love and don't rule out Michael Crabtree or Malcolm Jenkins since Javon Walker & DeAngelo Hall were huge free agent busts.
Are the Chiefs going to win too many games for their own good? That may sound like a crazy notion but in order to land the franchise quarterback they so desperately need the Chiefs will probably have to “earn” a Top 3 pick and maybe even #1 overall. In this scenario they miss out on Matthew Stafford but are still able to land a nice consolation prize in Sam Bradford.
Even though he is just a redshirt sophomore Bradford might opt to leave school early for the pros and if he did the Top 10 could be within reach. It would be a rare occurrence though because there have only been two redshirt sophomore signal callers chosen in round one since 1992, Tommy Maddox and Michael Vick. Bradford has been sensational for the Sooners and while he may not have the strongest arm in the world he is more than adequate across the board when it comes to physical tools. However, unlike Stafford, who plays in a pro-style offense, Bradford works out of the shotgun in a hurry-up offense and that combined with his relative lack of experience could make the adjustment to the next level a little more difficult. A middle linebacker like James Laurinaitis could be a possibility here as well, although that would be a reach, but assuming they get a shot at a top quarterback that is the direction Kansas City should and will go in round one.
It’s hard to believe considering how bad they have been this season but the Bengals really don’t have very many glaring needs. Most Bengal fans would prefer an offensive lineman like Andre Smith here and that is certainly a possibility but keep in mind they already have a lot invested in Levi Jones (who is still just 29-years-old), Stacy Andrews and even Andrew Whitworth.
The weakness that really sticks out like a sore thumb in Cincy is running back, where Rudi Johnson was sent packing and Chris Perry was so disappointing he lost his starting job to Cedric Benson. All that stands in the way of Chris “Beanie” Wells becoming a Top 10 pick are those pesky durability concerns but, like Adrian Peterson, none of his injuries have been real serious and when he is healthy the guy is unstoppable. Because of the health factor Wells would be a somewhat risky pick, especially this early in the first round, but the Bengals simply must do something to resuscitate their once explosive offense and a potential stud running back like "Beanie" might be just what the doctor ordered. It also doesn’t hurt that Wells is a local Ohio product so he would bring this Bengals franchise some much-needed positive publicity. Even though they took Keith Rivers in round one last year a linebacker (James Laurinaitis?) is a possibility as well.
It’s no secret that if the Dolphins hadn’t take Jake Long with the #1 pick last year the Rams would have so they could very easily go offensive line here but you can make the case that cornerback is a more pressing concern.
St. Louis gets an “A” for effort because they have invested quite a few early round draft picks on the likes of Tye Hill, Ronald Bartell, and Jonathan Wade in recent years. Unfortunately those selections haven’t panned out and they once again rank near the bottom of the league in pass defense. Malcolm Jenkins surprised some when he opted to spurn the NFL and return to Columbus for one more season with the Buckeyes but that move looks to be paying off as he is now establishing himself as a Top 10 overall pick. Not only does Jenkins have the size (6-1, 201) and speed (4.45) to match up in coverage but he isn’t afraid to mix it up and hit someone either. When it comes to developing pro corners Ohio St. has an incredibly rich tradition and Jenkins will soon join fellow Buckeyes like Shawn Springs, Antoine Winfield, Nate Clements and Chris Gamble in the NFL. A linebacker like James Laurinaitis or Aaron Curry may be a possibility too.
The Niners have been one of the worst teams in the league for many years now so it’s difficult to single out any one area to blame for their losing ways. However, the offensive line has been a consistent problem area so it wouldn't hurt to bring in another stud blocker.
Most people know Michael Oher as the subject of Michael Lewis’ best-selling book “The Blind Side” but come next April he could have a new claim to fame: Top 10 pick. At 6-5 and 318 lbs. Oher certainly has the prototypical size you look for but it’s his athleticism, quickness and strength that lead many to believe he could be a franchise left tackle at the next level. In recent years we have seen D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Joe Thomas and Jake Long all go from probable first round picks to sure-fire early first rounders by going back to school for their senior campaigns and Oher will try to become the next blocker to follow in their footsteps. Despite investing a ton of money in Nate Clements the Niners still need some help at cornerback and Malcolm Jenkins would likely draw serious consideration here as well. Don’t sleep on a stud 3-4 pass rushing outside linebacker such as Michael Johnson or Brian Orakpo either.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH
In all honestly even upon close examination of the Seahawks depth chart it is pretty difficult to find many glaring weaknesses. It kind of makes you wonder how they have been so bad in 2008...
However, wide receiver has become a major problem in Seattle and they should have their pick of the litter at this point. Deion Branch seems to be hurt more often than not these days, Bobby Engram is going to be 36-years-old and none of their young pass catchers have stepped up. So who has been seeing a lot of action at wideout in Seattle this year? Koren Robinson, Billy McMullen, and Keary Colbert to name a few. Need I say more? Michael Crabtree might not have elite timed speed but when it comes to size, hands, ball skills, body control and ability to run after the catch he is pretty special. In just two short years Crabtree has solidified himself as a top pro prospect and if he opts to come out after his redshirt sophomore season he could be the first wideout drafted and a Top 10 overall pick. If they wanted to go in another direction William Moore would be an upgrade over Brian Russell at safety and Aaron Curry would be an option if they can't re-sign free agent Leroy Hill.
When they traded Leigh Bodden the Browns left themselves woefully thin at cornerback and outside of Eric Wright they might not have another starting-caliber cover guy on the roster. Sorry Brandon McDonald. With that being the case there is no question that corner is far and away the Browns most pressing need so they would have to be elated if either Malcolm Jenkins or Vontae Davis or fell into their lap.
At 6-0 and 204 lbs. with 4.4 speed and a sculpted physique Vontae Davis has everything you look for in a shutdown corner and if he decides to go pro after his junior year he could very easily be in the Top 10 mix. Davis also earns high marks in the bloodlines department as he is the little brother of San Francisco 49’ers tight end Vernon Davis, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. As a darkhorse keep an eye on local product Chris “Beanie” Wells because Jamal Lewis is going to be 30-years old next season and they really don’t have a quality backup or eventual successor in place. If they decide to part ways with Kellen Winslow next offseason a tight end could come into play as well. However, the bottom line is if there's any value left at corner when Cleveland's on the clock that's the direction they have to go.
It looks like the Texans are positioned pretty well here, with a number of top prospects available who would all address one of their most glaring weaknesses. It's just a matter of picking the right one.
Perhaps more than anything else the Texans want an upgrade at the defensive end spot opposite Mario Williams, where Anthony Weaver has been a major disappointment. Michael Johnson hasn't even been a starter for most of his college career but he is finally being given a more prominent role as a senior and scouts are drooling over his rare blend of size (6-7, 260), speed (4.65) and athleticism. However, if Johnson is a Top 10 pick it will be based more on potential than production. Brian Orakpo or Greg Hardy could come into play here as well if the Texans do indeed want to go the defensive end route. Houston could also use a top safety and William Moore would be light-years better than anyone they currently have. Don't rule out a linebacker such as Aaron Curry either. By all accounts though a pass rusher is at the top of the Texans wish list and they have never been shy about taking defensive linemen in round one so Johnson gets the nod.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: JAMES LAURINAITIS, ILB, OHIO ST.
Long-time stalwart Mike Peterson is due to become a free agent in the offseason and if that weren’t enough it also appears that his relationship with Head Coach Jack Del Rio is very close to being beyond repair.
James Laurinaitis isn’t quite the prospect that A.J. Hawk was coming out of Ohio St. and the Top 5 talk was probably a little overblown but he could still very easily crack the Top 10 overall. An intense competitor with great instincts, Laurinaitis will probably remind Del Rio of himself during his playing days. The Jaguars could also be in the market for some help at defensive tackle since Rob Meier has not proven to be a capable replacement for Marcus Stroud in the middle. Thanks to some mistakes on the free agent market Jacksonville also still has question marks at both wide receiver and cornerback. Jerry Porter has been a major disappointment after signing for big bucks and when you combine that with their usual cast of underachievers at wideout it’s pretty obvious that they need to give David Garrard some weapons. On the other side of the ball Drayton Florence looks like he is much better suited for the nickel role he played in San Diego so they may need to bring in a cover guy to start opposite Rashean Mathis.
Nobody has done a better job of working the draft process in recent years than the San Diego Chargers. In fact, 21 of their 23 starters are home-grown! There aren’t many holes in the Chargers starting lineup but they have had some issues at middle linebacker and Rey Maualuga would be a perfect fit for their 3-4 defense.
A big inside ‘backer with a physical presence and a nasty demeanor, Maualuga can be a bit inconsistent and will miss some tackles but he still has a lot of upside and when everything is clicking the guy can be flat-out dominant. Penn St. is known as “Linebacker U” but USC could give them a run for that title, with Maualuga joining past Trojan greats such as Junior Seau, Chris Claiborne, Lofa Tatupu and Keith Rivers. The Chargers also have some question marks on the right side of their offensive line with Mike Goff and Jeromey Clary so that could be a possibility here as well and don’t rule out a defensive lineman either since Igor Olshansky is due to become a free agent and there is not much depth at either end or nose tackle. At the end of the day Maualuga sure seems like a good fit here and he would be an upgrade over what they currently have at the position. Whatever they do it will most likely be the right move.
After using the #1 overall pick on Jake Long to shore up the offense last year the Dolphins and Bill Parcells can now turn their attention to the defense with their top pick in 2009. No matter where he has been Parcells has used early picks on impact linebackers, whether
it was Carl Banks with the Giants, Willie McGinest in New England, James Farrior with the Jets or DeMarcus Ware with the Cowboys, and that trend continues with this choice. Brian Orakpo is one of college football's true "Workout Warriors" and according to ESPN the Magazine he has just 8 percent body fat, bench presses 515 pounds, power cleans 380 pounds, runs the forty in 4.6 seconds and has a 42-inch vertical jump. Orakpo also gets the job done on the field though and a spectacular senior campaign has sent him shooting up draft boards around the league. Joey Porter has remerged as a Pro Bowler in 2008 but they could use an upgrade opposite him and Orakpo would be a nice fit. The Dolphins could also use some help at wide receiver and a top-notch cornerback but knowing the Tuna he would probably have a difficult time passing up guys like Orakpo and Rey Maualuga.
At first glance the Vikings would appear to be relatively set along the offensive line but upon further examination they might actually need a lot of help. Ryan Cook was a very questionable pick in the second round of the draft a few years ago and so far he has done
little to justify the teams confidence in him as he has struggled mightily at right tackle. Meanwhile left tackle Bryant McKinnie continues to get in trouble off-the-field and after serving a four game suspension earlier this year he could now be just one bad night away from a year-long hiatus. Coming into the 2008 season most scouts had Eugene Monroe rated as the top senior blocker in the country but he has struggled at times this year and his stock has slipped a bit. However, he would be an excellent value at this point in round one and I would not be at all surprised to see him back in the Top 5-7 picks when all is said and done. Just how good is the 6-6, 315 lb. Monroe? Well, it was his stellar play at left tackle that led to a future first rounder, Branden Albert, playing out of position at guard rather than outside at tackle like he does in the NFL. The Vikes will also be in the market for a quarterback but barring something crazy or unforeseen there won't be one available at this point.
Offensively the Saints appear to be set, especially after acquiring Jeremy Shockey to address their need at tight end, but there is still some work to do on defense. Jonathan Vilma was brought in to upgrade the linebacking corps and that was a nice addition assuming he is fully recovered from his knee injury, however Scott Shanle is a mediocre starter at best and there is little or no depth to speak of.
A four-year starter for the Demon Deacons, Aaron Curry has a terrific blend of size and speed and is equally effective against both the run and the pass. Not only has Curry been very productive but he also has a knack for making the big play, which is evidenced by the three interceptions he returned for touchdowns as a junior. Curry doesn’t get the type of national attention that he deserves but make no mistake about it he is going to be a first round pick and don’t be surprised if he winds up in the Top 10 overall when all is said and done because the scouts absolutely love him. Other than that New Orleans really doesn’t have too many glaring holes in their starting lineup and they will primarily be looking to add depth across the board, particularly in the secondary and maybe even at running back if they choose to let Deuce McAllister go.
The Broncos really have some major issues at safety and you could easily make the case that Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel are the worst starting duo in the league. William Moore could be a hot commodity on
Draft Day because a lot of teams need help at safety but if the Broncos do somehow get a shot at him it would appear to be a match made in heaven. A terrific all-around player, Moore has the speed (4.50) and ball skills to be a factor in coverage, which was evidenced by his 8 interceptions as a junior, but he also loves to come up to support the run and deliver the big hit. Not only is Moore a legitimate first round pick but he could even challenge for a spot in the Top 10 overall. If Dewayne Robertson continues to battle injuries Denver might still need some more help at defensive tackle and outside of D.J. Williams their once proud linebacking corps is now a bit underwhelming so that could be a consideration as well. Considering their struggles at running back this year don't completely rule out a top running back either. However, if Denver does get a shot at either William Moore or Taylor Mays they will almost have to pull the trigger.
The Jets did a very good job of addressing most of their glaring holes during the 2008 offseason but that doesn't mean they are without needs. Leading up to last year's draft the Jets were seriously considering both Darren McFadden and Jonathan Stewart, which makes sense since Thomas Jones is now 30-years-old, so running back could make sense here.
Knowshon Moreno burst onto the scene as a freshman last year and he has carried that momentum into this season, emerging as not only one of the best running backs in the country but also a top pro prospect. Teaming Moreno with Jones would give New York a potent 1-2 punch and provide their running game with a big play dimension they are currently lacking. You might be wondering how Moreno could declare for the 2009 NFL Draft since he is just a sophomore but he actually redshirted in 2006 which means it will have been three years since his high school class graduated, thus technically satisfying the NFL’s underclassmen eligibility rules. The Jets could also use an upgrade over Kenyon Coleman at defensive end, another safety to team with Kerry Rhodes or perhaps even a wide receiver with some size to compliment Laveranues Coles & Jerricho Cotchery.
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