- Thread starter
- #1
DC4
#TeamHeat
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2007
- Messages
- 12,042
- Reaction score
- 30
Argh, I wanted DHB on the Dolphins so bad, I hope the Bears pass on him.1. Detroit Lions (Record: 0-16): Matthew Stafford*, QB, Georgia
This will be an excruciating decision for the Lions. On one hand, they need a franchise quarterback and there isn't enough depth in this year's class to feel good about the chances of finding one at No. 20 with the pick they acquired from Dallas in the Roy Williams trade.
On the other hand, Stafford does not grade out as high, in our opinion, as Matt Ryan did a year ago, and eight of the past 11 underclassmen quarterbacks drafted in the first round have either been outright busts or failed to meet expectations. This is the type of franchise-defining decision that could make or break the career of new G.M. Martin Mayhew.
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Smith has emerged as the top offensive lineman in the 2009 class. The former tight end possesses the agility, power and work ethic to solidify the left tackle position in St. Louis for many years.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Tyler Thigpen might not be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Chiefs, but it's hard to imagine new GM Scott Pioli veering from the "Patriot way" he learned in New England. DE/OLB Brian Orakpo and DT B.J. Raji are other possibilities, and beefing up the offensive line isn't out of the question, either. But the Chiefs spent a pair of first-round picks on those spots last year and Pioli hit a home run with the first-round pick of linebacker Jerod Mayo in New England last season. Most importantly, Curry is the best defensive player in this year's draft and displays the versatility that Pioli looks for.
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-12): B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Michael Crabtree appears to be the obvious choice for a Seahawks team in desperate need of a playmaker at wide receiver. There's far more depth at wide receiver in this class than there is at defensive tackle, though, and a top priority for the Seahawks this offseason is to find a difference-maker at defensive tackle.
5. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
Orakpo exited the combine as the top hybrid DE/OLB in the 2009 class. His pass-rushing skills would be a welcome addition to a Cleveland defense that notched just 17 sacks in 2008.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Depending on how things shake out at wide receiver for the Bengals during free agency, Michael Crabtree could be a strong possibility here. However, the Bengals need to solidify their offensive line and Monroe is clearly the next-best option at offensive tackle. He's not a classic mauler by any means, but Monroe is a fluid athlete for his size and will do an excellent job of protecting QB Carson Palmer.
7. Oakland Raiders (5-11): Michael Crabtree**, WR, Texas Tech
Team Crabtree hasn't done itself any favors with the recent handling of the wideout's foot injury. Still, it is hard to imagine the draft's best athlete falling out of the top 10 picks even if he doesn't ever run a 40-yard dash for NFL scouts. This would be a steal for Al Davis and the Raiders.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Jeremy Maclin**, WR/RS, Missouri
The Jaguars are in the market for an offensive tackle but Andre Smith might be too risky at this point. The team has pressed all the wrong buttons at wide receiver for years now, but Maclin could finally provide the solution. He possesses the type of game-breaking speed to open things up for QB David Garrard and the Jaguars' offense. Maclin also has tremendous potential as a return man.
9. Green Bay Packers (6-10): Everette Brown*, DE/OLB, Florida State
The Packers could use a young pass-rusher like Brown to complement Aaron Kampman at outside linebacker in Dom Capers' newly implemented 3-4 scheme. The team could also use this pick on Raji if he's available.
10. San Francisco 49ers (7-9): Andre Smith*, OT, Alabama
Smith's stock was falling a bit even prior to his antics at the combine. Now he will be lucky if a team in the top 10 throws him a parachute. The 49ers could use his services opposite LT Joe Staley, but they will need to be convinced that Smith is ready -- both mentally and physically -- to immediately contribute at a high level. If not, Michael Oher is another possibility at tackle. The team also has needs at quarterback and wide receiver that it could address with this pick.
11. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Aaron Maybin**, DE/OLB, Penn State
Maybin's showing at the combine was a bit disappointing. He's an undersized end with excellent pass-rushing skills but limited experience. The Bills are in a position to develop a player like Maybin, who could be used strictly as a situational rusher early in his career.
12. Denver Broncos (8-cool.gif: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
The Broncos need to bulk up along the front in order to make a smooth transition to the 3-4 scheme. They could use this pick on a linebacker, but Jackson is the only elite five-technique in this draft class.
13. Washington Redskins (8-cool.gif: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
The Redskins' offensive line is aging in a hurry. Offensive tackles who move like Oher does do not last long on draft day; it wouldn't surprise us to see him come off the board in the first half of the first round. Oher is inconsistent but is also extremely talented.
14. New Orleans Saints (8-cool.gif: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Jenkins could fall out of the top 10 following his subpar showing at the combine. He's still an outstanding all-round defensive back, but his below-average speed and questionable burst out of his backpedal might make him a better fit at free safety in the NFL. Regardless, the Saints would welcome his playmaking skills at either position if he falls in their lap.
15. Houston Texans (8-cool.gif: Mark Sanchez*, QB, USC
This is obviously a bit of a surprise selection. However, Texans starter Matt Schaub has had some durability issues and the Texans just sent backup Sage Rosenfels packing. Sanchez would be a great value at this point in the first round, and his inexperience would not be a factor because the Texans have the time to develop him properly as a backup early in his career.
16. San Diego Chargers (8-cool.gif: Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
The Chargers would also have to consider RBs Knowshon Moreno and Beanie Wells at this point. Depending on Maualuga's hamstring injury and individual workouts, though, he could be a good value in the middle of the first round. His size and explosive nature would make him a great fit at inside linebacker in the Chargers' 3-4 defense.
17. New York Jets (9-7): Vontae Davis*, CB, Illinois
Davis' stock is dropping after he failed to impress teams both on and off the field during the combine. The Jets are in need of a corner to start opposite Darrelle Revis; Davis has the natural ability to fill that void if he works at it and takes to coaching at the next level. Needless to say, Davis has boom-or-bust qualities that will scare several teams away on draft day.
18. Chicago Bears (9-7): Darrius Heyward-Bey*, WR, Maryland
The Bears need a receiver capable of stretching the field vertically. Heyward-Bey ran a combine-best 40-yard dash time of 4.30 seconds. Enough said.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Percy Harvin*, WR, Florida
Harvin is one of the true enigmas in this draft class. He comes with durability baggage and lacks a true niche on offense. However, there might not be a more dynamic weapon on the board. Tampa now has holes to fill all over, so why not take a shot on Harvin's playmaking potential?
20. Detroit Lions (from 9-7 DAL) (0-16): Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
The Lions' focus will likely shift to the defensive side of the ball here if Stafford is the No. 1 overall pick. Matthews is screaming up draft boards after a strong combine workout. He is a tough and instinctive defender with great versatility, and he would upgrade Detroit's pass rush and overall playmaking ability on the strong side.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1): Chris Wells*, RB, Ohio State
It will be interesting to see where Wells finally lands in the first round. There's no question he has top-10 running skills, but there are a handful of reasons he could drop this far, including durability concerns, a mediocre 40 time and almost no experience in the passing game.
22. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi
The Vikings will take the best available athlete here, regardless of position. Jerry is among the top available prospects on our board in this scenario, and he makes sense for the Vikings considering their tenuous situation at defensive tackle (possible suspensions for Pat Williams and Kevin Williams). Jerry is not as big as the Williams tandem, but he has excellent quickness and could prove to be a good complement on passing downs even when all three are in the lineup.
23. New England Patriots (11-5): Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
Cushing did not perform as well as expected at the combine but he's still a nasty football player. His versatility and toughness would fit well in New England.
24. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Delmas is arguably the most underrated prospect in the draft right now. In our opinion, he's the only safety worth selecting in Round 1, assuming Jenkins is listed as a corner. TE Brandon Pettigrew is also a strong possibility if available here.
25. Miami Dolphins (11-5): Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati
Yes, this might be too high for Barwin, but don't be shocked if he sneaks into the final few picks of the first round. His versatility is intriguing, and he's flying up several teams' draft boards after strong showings at both the Senior Bowl and the combine.
26. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
This is a tough decision for the Ravens. ILB James Laurinaitis simply isn't the right guy to play in the Ravens' scheme, and if the team is going to use this pick on a wide receiver it would have to be one with the vertical speed to take advantage of QB Joe Flacco's rare arm strength. Smith becomes the best available option at this point because he's the top cornerback on the board, but the Ravens would likely go in a different direction if Maualuga or Heyward-Bey falls here.
27. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Hakeem Nicks*, WR, North Carolina
We think Nicks will ultimately emerge as the second- or third-best receiver from the 2009 class. Nicks does not have blazing speed, but he did run the 40 in the 4.4-second range and is a sturdy pass-catcher with exceptional hands.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from 12-4 CAR) (9-6-1): Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
OT Eben Britton would be a strong possibility here, but the Eagles would have a tough time passing on Pettigrew if he's available at pick No. 28. Pettigrew's stock is dropping after he ran a 4.85 in the 40, but he's still the best all-around tight end in this class and would complement incumbent TE Brent Celek well.
29. New York Giants (12-4): James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
Laurinaitis has too many physical limitations to go in the top half of the first round, but he would be a solid value at this point. If he were to step into the starting lineup as a rookie, it would allow Mathias Kiwanuka to remain at defensive end. The Giants will also be in the market for top available prospects at wide receiver and defensive tackle with this pick.
30. Tennessee Titans (13-3): Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
The Titans have other needs at wide receiver and defensive tackle, but Ayers would be a far better value than any player available at those positions. Ayers did not have a great combine workout and is a bit of a one-year wonder, but he is a 272-pound end with impressive quickness and power. He could potentially serve as a contributing backup in a three-man rotation with Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch early on before developing into a full-time starter.
31. Arizona Cardinals (9-7): Knowshon Moreno**, RB, Georgia
The Cardinals would be thrilled if the most complete back in the draft falls to them here.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Eben Britton*, OT, Arizona
The Steelers have some decisions to make in free agency regarding their offensive line. The use of this draft pick will likely depend on how those shake out, but assuming they are in the market for a tackle on draft day, Britton would project at right tackle or right guard. He played left tackle in college, and while he's not a great athlete, Britton has a sturdy build and good functional strength.
