by The GM on April 23 at 11:43AM
With just a few days until the start of the NFL draft, the first pick has already been decided. If you have been living under a rock and didn't know, Jake Long (OT, Michigan) has signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins. I think that this is a smart pick because anything that Bill Parcels does is pretty smart, and he doesn't fail too often. So, let's get to the picks. Feel free to leave your thoughts or "grades" for me as well. Also, don't forget to check out the Colt's Mock Draft that Bruce Paine and I did over at Cobra Brigade and go take a look at Rickhouse's mock draft on T.U.P!
1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long - OT - Michigan - This one is already settled and in the bag. I'm guaranteed to get at least one right!
2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - Dorsey will immediately help the front line. With Leonard Little and Adam Carriker (1st round, 13th pick last year) flanking him on the line, both the pass rush and run defense will drastically improve.
3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College - Now that Mike Vick is in prison and the triple headed quarterback of Joey Harrington/Byron Leftwich/Chris Redman didn't work, I think that Atlanta goes after their next franchise guy here. While I'm not 100% sold on Ryan's abilities, he fits a need and is the top rated passer in the draft.
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas - McFadden is considered the best player in the draft by many, but the first three teams don't really need a running back. Pairing McFadden with JaMarcus Russell could turn into a very potent offense.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Chris Long - DE - Virginia - Now that KC has traded away Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings, they can go after their young talent that they want. With this pick, they can pick up another young stud on defense and then continue to build their offensive line with the 17th pick that they acquired from the Vikings. I think Long makes plenty of sense here because he will fill the void left by Allen. I look for Long to be an immediate starter in this young defense.
6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis - DT - USC - I originally had Vernon Gholston here, but the more I thought about it, I talked myself into Ellis. He makes sense here, because the Jets are trying to shop their current DT, Dewayne Robertson. Vernon Gholston is also a possibility here.
7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston - DE/OLB - Ohio State - New England has plenty of directions they could go, but I think they would pick Gholston here, because he is the best player available and he fits a need. The linebackers are getting older, so helps bridge that transition and he can play just like Adalius Thomas. Can you imagine two guys like that, one on each side. That doesn't sound too good for the opposing quarterbacks.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Branden Albert - OL - Virginia - Baltimore has multiple needs in this draft. With Steve McNair retiring, they really need a franchise quarterback. I don't know that they would be willing to trade up to get him or if they would just want to sit and wait to see who falls to them. If they stay here, they will end up with Albert, who immediately improves their offensive line.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Clady - OL - Boise State - Clady will help improve their offensive line, but the Bengals would rather have Sedrick Ellis or perhaps Vernon Gholston. Maybe a trade up is in the works? Also, if I was Cincy, I would trade Chad Johnson and get those multiple picks.
10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers - LB - USC - New Orleans could use a DT, LB, or CB with this pick, but Ellis is gone and a corner is a stretch, so Rivers fits in this spot. He has played on a high level for a few years, so he knows what it takes to be successful. I think he is a great fit for the Saints.
11. Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida - I'm not buying the Bills taking a WR with this pick. It just doesn't make sense. There isn't a receiver that is good enough to be taken right here. Harvey fits a need and improves their defense. If Buffalo really wants a WR, they can either trade back into the first round or they can grab a quality guy with their second pick.
12. Denver Broncos - Jeff Otah - OL - Pittsburgh - Another guy to pave the way for the Broncos run game. Not a flashy pick, but effective.
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams - OL - Vanderbilt - If Harvey is gone, look for Carolina to address their offensive line. They could also possibly go after Rashard Mendenhall or trade back in hopes of a DE to fall to them.
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois - The hometown pick makes sense here. But, without a line to block for him or a quarterback to hand him the ball, this pick becomes pretty ineffective, pretty quick.
15. Detroit Lions - Jerod Mayo - LB - Tennessee - Detroit has a need for another linebacker, so Mayo makes sense here. He is a little bit of a stretch, but not much. If Mendenhall falls to this pick, then I could see Detroit take him here.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy - Arizona is trying to get back to the playoffs and to do so, they must improve their secondary. McKelvin makes sense here, because he is the highest rated CB in the draft and the other areas of need for Arizona are already selected.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota) - Aqib Talib - CB - Kansas - With this pick coming from the Jared Allen trade, I thought KC might try to improve their offensive line, but with no prospects worth taking here, Talib makes plenty of sense. He is a highly rated CB and return man that fits a need for KC. He also played at Kansas, so that would be a huge boost of local support. Not that KC needs it, but adding the local kid always is a plus, especially when he is good.
18. Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tennessee State - I know nothing about this kid, but he is the highest rated CB on the board and Houston has a need for one. It should either be him or Mike Jenkins with this pick.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Devin Thomas - WR - Michigan State - Philly could use a safety, but nobody is rated high enough to take here. They could be a possible trade partner for someone trying to get back into the first round to take a QB or a WR here. Thomas makes sense if they stick with this pick. Philly is usually one of the smarter teams in the draft, so I don't look for a bad pick.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Jenkins - CB - South Florida - Again, another hometown pick that fits a need. With the departure of Brian Kelly, CB is a must in this draft. Jenkins can come in and play right away opposite of Ronde Barber.
21. Washington Redskins - James Hardy - WR - Indiana - With the Redskins pushing hard to get Chad Johnson (and not getting him), the Redskins are in the market for a big play WR. Hardy is big, physical, and can stretch the field. He has strong hands and makes sense here. Defensive End is another possibility here.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones - RB - Arkansas - Jerry Jones loves the Arkansas running backs this year. He would love to have McFadden, but Jones fits the pick here. He will spell Marion Barber much like he did McFadden in Arkansas.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kentwan Balmer - DT - North Carolina - The Steelers continue to build their defense with this pick. DeSean Jackson makes sense here as well.
24. Tennessee Titans - Phillip Merling - DE - Clemson - The Titans need to improve on both sides of the ball. I don't see anyone immediately improving their offense with this pick, but Merling would instantly help on the defensive side of the ball.
25. Seattle Seahawks - DeSean Jackson - WR - California - The Seahawks could use some help with their WRs, but now with Shaun Alexander being released, I am almost tempted to say they will take Jonathan Stewart here.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kenny Phillips - S - Miami - I know that Jacksonville needs help on the D-line, but Phillips makes sense here because he can team with last year's pick, Reggie Nelson, and become one of the best safety duos in the NFL within a few years.
27. San Diego Chargers - Gosder Cherilus - OL - Boston College - Cherilus can come in and spell some of the older lineman that the Chargers currently have. He should become a starter by next season or year three at the worst case scenario.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Limas Sweed - WR - Texas - With Felix Jones being picked with the Cowboys' first pick, Sweed makes sense here. He can learn from two great WRs in Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. He is a big kid, that would work well in this passing attack.
29. San Fransisco 49ers - Malcolm Kelly - WR - Oklahoma - The 49ers need to start adding pieces to the offense and Kelly is a pretty big piece. He gives Alex Smith a nice target that knows how to run routes properly and can also stretch the field.
30. Green Bay Packers - Joe Flacco - QB - Delaware - Everyone loves this kid for some reason. I don't see it, but I could see Green Bay taking him here with this pick. They could also be major trade partners here with other teams trying to trade up for this pick.
31. New England Patriots - No pick - CHEATING
32. New York Giants - Tracy Porter - CB - Indiana - Porter fits an need for the Giants and he can also help out in their return game if needed. Porter won't demand an immediate starting role, so the Giants don't have to bring him along as quickly as Aaron Ross. Those two should make a good tandem by next season.
1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long - OT - Michigan - This one is already settled and in the bag. I'm guaranteed to get at least one right!
2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - Dorsey will immediately help the front line. With Leonard Little and Adam Carriker (1st round, 13th pick last year) flanking him on the line, both the pass rush and run defense will drastically improve.
3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College - Now that Mike Vick is in prison and the triple headed quarterback of Joey Harrington/Byron Leftwich/Chris Redman didn't work, I think that Atlanta goes after their next franchise guy here. While I'm not 100% sold on Ryan's abilities, he fits a need and is the top rated passer in the draft.
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas - McFadden is considered the best player in the draft by many, but the first three teams don't really need a running back. Pairing McFadden with JaMarcus Russell could turn into a very potent offense.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Chris Long - DE - Virginia - Now that KC has traded away Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings, they can go after their young talent that they want. With this pick, they can pick up another young stud on defense and then continue to build their offensive line with the 17th pick that they acquired from the Vikings. I think Long makes plenty of sense here because he will fill the void left by Allen. I look for Long to be an immediate starter in this young defense.
6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis - DT - USC - I originally had Vernon Gholston here, but the more I thought about it, I talked myself into Ellis. He makes sense here, because the Jets are trying to shop their current DT, Dewayne Robertson. Vernon Gholston is also a possibility here.
7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston - DE/OLB - Ohio State - New England has plenty of directions they could go, but I think they would pick Gholston here, because he is the best player available and he fits a need. The linebackers are getting older, so helps bridge that transition and he can play just like Adalius Thomas. Can you imagine two guys like that, one on each side. That doesn't sound too good for the opposing quarterbacks.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Branden Albert - OL - Virginia - Baltimore has multiple needs in this draft. With Steve McNair retiring, they really need a franchise quarterback. I don't know that they would be willing to trade up to get him or if they would just want to sit and wait to see who falls to them. If they stay here, they will end up with Albert, who immediately improves their offensive line.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Clady - OL - Boise State - Clady will help improve their offensive line, but the Bengals would rather have Sedrick Ellis or perhaps Vernon Gholston. Maybe a trade up is in the works? Also, if I was Cincy, I would trade Chad Johnson and get those multiple picks.
10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers - LB - USC - New Orleans could use a DT, LB, or CB with this pick, but Ellis is gone and a corner is a stretch, so Rivers fits in this spot. He has played on a high level for a few years, so he knows what it takes to be successful. I think he is a great fit for the Saints.
11. Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida - I'm not buying the Bills taking a WR with this pick. It just doesn't make sense. There isn't a receiver that is good enough to be taken right here. Harvey fits a need and improves their defense. If Buffalo really wants a WR, they can either trade back into the first round or they can grab a quality guy with their second pick.
12. Denver Broncos - Jeff Otah - OL - Pittsburgh - Another guy to pave the way for the Broncos run game. Not a flashy pick, but effective.
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams - OL - Vanderbilt - If Harvey is gone, look for Carolina to address their offensive line. They could also possibly go after Rashard Mendenhall or trade back in hopes of a DE to fall to them.
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois - The hometown pick makes sense here. But, without a line to block for him or a quarterback to hand him the ball, this pick becomes pretty ineffective, pretty quick.
15. Detroit Lions - Jerod Mayo - LB - Tennessee - Detroit has a need for another linebacker, so Mayo makes sense here. He is a little bit of a stretch, but not much. If Mendenhall falls to this pick, then I could see Detroit take him here.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy - Arizona is trying to get back to the playoffs and to do so, they must improve their secondary. McKelvin makes sense here, because he is the highest rated CB in the draft and the other areas of need for Arizona are already selected.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota) - Aqib Talib - CB - Kansas - With this pick coming from the Jared Allen trade, I thought KC might try to improve their offensive line, but with no prospects worth taking here, Talib makes plenty of sense. He is a highly rated CB and return man that fits a need for KC. He also played at Kansas, so that would be a huge boost of local support. Not that KC needs it, but adding the local kid always is a plus, especially when he is good.
18. Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tennessee State - I know nothing about this kid, but he is the highest rated CB on the board and Houston has a need for one. It should either be him or Mike Jenkins with this pick.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Devin Thomas - WR - Michigan State - Philly could use a safety, but nobody is rated high enough to take here. They could be a possible trade partner for someone trying to get back into the first round to take a QB or a WR here. Thomas makes sense if they stick with this pick. Philly is usually one of the smarter teams in the draft, so I don't look for a bad pick.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Jenkins - CB - South Florida - Again, another hometown pick that fits a need. With the departure of Brian Kelly, CB is a must in this draft. Jenkins can come in and play right away opposite of Ronde Barber.
21. Washington Redskins - James Hardy - WR - Indiana - With the Redskins pushing hard to get Chad Johnson (and not getting him), the Redskins are in the market for a big play WR. Hardy is big, physical, and can stretch the field. He has strong hands and makes sense here. Defensive End is another possibility here.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones - RB - Arkansas - Jerry Jones loves the Arkansas running backs this year. He would love to have McFadden, but Jones fits the pick here. He will spell Marion Barber much like he did McFadden in Arkansas.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kentwan Balmer - DT - North Carolina - The Steelers continue to build their defense with this pick. DeSean Jackson makes sense here as well.
24. Tennessee Titans - Phillip Merling - DE - Clemson - The Titans need to improve on both sides of the ball. I don't see anyone immediately improving their offense with this pick, but Merling would instantly help on the defensive side of the ball.
25. Seattle Seahawks - DeSean Jackson - WR - California - The Seahawks could use some help with their WRs, but now with Shaun Alexander being released, I am almost tempted to say they will take Jonathan Stewart here.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kenny Phillips - S - Miami - I know that Jacksonville needs help on the D-line, but Phillips makes sense here because he can team with last year's pick, Reggie Nelson, and become one of the best safety duos in the NFL within a few years.
27. San Diego Chargers - Gosder Cherilus - OL - Boston College - Cherilus can come in and spell some of the older lineman that the Chargers currently have. He should become a starter by next season or year three at the worst case scenario.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Limas Sweed - WR - Texas - With Felix Jones being picked with the Cowboys' first pick, Sweed makes sense here. He can learn from two great WRs in Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. He is a big kid, that would work well in this passing attack.
29. San Fransisco 49ers - Malcolm Kelly - WR - Oklahoma - The 49ers need to start adding pieces to the offense and Kelly is a pretty big piece. He gives Alex Smith a nice target that knows how to run routes properly and can also stretch the field.
30. Green Bay Packers - Joe Flacco - QB - Delaware - Everyone loves this kid for some reason. I don't see it, but I could see Green Bay taking him here with this pick. They could also be major trade partners here with other teams trying to trade up for this pick.
31. New England Patriots - No pick - CHEATING
32. New York Giants - Tracy Porter - CB - Indiana - Porter fits an need for the Giants and he can also help out in their return game if needed. Porter won't demand an immediate starting role, so the Giants don't have to bring him along as quickly as Aaron Ross. Those two should make a good tandem by next season.
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its the year of the raiders! =)