ROUND 1
1. Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
I hate Matthew Stafford, think he will fail, and think Jim Schwartz will fail if he makes this pick. Of course, I thought the same things about Matt Ryan.
2. St. Louis Rams-Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Somebody has to replace Orlando Pace.
3. Kansas City Chiefs-Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Matt Cassell gives the offense hope; Aaron Curry will do the same for the D.
4. Seattle Seahawks-Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Walter Jones isn't getting any younger (or is he? no, he isn't) and they Housh's arrival makes Crabtree unnecessary.
5. Cleveland Browns-Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
This pick is based upon the assumption that Braylon Edwards is traded.
6. Cincinnati Bengals-Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
Some pass-rushing to replace that dude from Georgia who got paralyzed...David Pollack! I knew I knew who he was.
7. Oakland Raiders-Jeremy Macklin, WR, Missouri
He's fast, he's a wideout, he is going to play for Al Davis.
8. Denver Broncos (from Jacksonville)-BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
(Denver trades the 12, 79, and 235 picks to Jacksonville for the number 8 pick)
Denver starts rebuilding their defense from the inside (and front) out.
9. Green Bay Packers-Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
The Packers need someone to rush the passer in their new 3-4, and I guess this guy's good at that.
10. San Francisco 49ers-Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
Alex Smith is a bust and Shaun Hill puts up stats without wins; Sanchez finally replaces the yawning hole left by Jeff Garcia's withdrawal.
11. Buffalo Bills-Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Pass rush is also a need here, but with the acquisition of TO, the Bills' offense needs to produce now.
12. Washington Redskins (from Denver via Jacksonville)-Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
(Washington trades the 13, 150, and 186 picks to Jacksonville for the number 12 pick)
Washington gets the maligned but talented Smith to infuse some youth onto an aging, deteriorating unit.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Washington)-Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Jacksonville takes advantage of Denver's desire to move ahead of Green Bay for Raji and Washington's desire to make sure the Jags didn't take Smith to pick up some extra picks. Unfortunately, no one else will want to move into this spot, so the solid yet unspectacular (and one-year wonder) Ayers is the pick, as this is too high for any of the remaining receivers.
14. New Orleans Saints-Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Wells replaces Deuce McAllister as the big back to spell Reggie Bush. A part-time role is probably best for Wells, who was one of the more notorious boom-or-limp -to-the-sideline players in the nation.
15. Houston Texans-Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
In a bit of a shocker, the Texans fill their need for a corner with Davis, not Malcolm Jenkins. I think Jenkins will probably be the better player, but the Texans seem like the kind of team that would be scared off by Jenkins's slow 40 time.
16. San Diego Chargers-Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
Maybin will serve as the pass-rushing complement to Shawn Merriman that the Chargers proved last year they desperately need.
17. New York Jets-Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Bay replaces Laveranues Coles and will help take pressure off Jericho Cotchery and whoever is throwing him the ball.
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)-Rey Maulauga, ILB, USC
Denver continues to solidify their front 7, adding Maulauga to Raji to form a stout core.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Even with the signing of Byron Leftwitch, the Bucs need a QB of the future. Freeman is that man.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)-Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
Jerry gives Jim Schwartz a beast to develop up front, ala Albert Haynseworth in Tennessee.
21. Philadelphia Eagles-Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Although he isn't the big back needed to complement Brian Westbrook, Moreno has the skill set to eventually replace Westbrook as the focal point of the offense and to at least let him get a little bit more rest.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Minnesota)-Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
(Cleveland trades Brady Quinn to Minnesota for the 22 pick)
Although it would be hard to pass on the hometown boy Malcolm Jenkins, the Browns opt to solidify their terrible linebacking corps with the son of the last great Browns linebacker.
23. New England Patriots-Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
Like always, the Patriots get their man. Cushing's versatility (as well as his durability issues) fit in splendidly in Bill Belichick's complicated defense.
24. Atlanta Falcons-Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State
Although they have bigger needs along the defensive line, the Falcons can't pass on the slipping Jenkins, whose versatility and intelligence will more than make up for his lack of top-end speed. Steal of the draft.
25. Miami Dolphins-Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Jackson was built to play defense end in a Bill Parcells 3-4.
26. Baltimore Ravens-Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Harvin is the type of athlete the Ravens love; hopefully he will pan out better than their other 1st round receivers (Mark Clayton, Travis Taylor).
27. Indianapolis Colts-Evander Hood, DT, Missouri
A bit of a reach by the Colts, but at this point in this draft, picks are going to be dictated by need, and the Colts need some fresh blood on the interior of their D-line.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)-Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Oher will help solidify a line that struggled with short-yardage situations last season.
29. Cleveland Browns (from NY Giants)-Alex Mack, C, Cal
(Cleveland trades Braylon Edwards to New York Giants for picks 29 and 129)
Not a sexy pick, but Mack replaces the barely mediocre Hank Fraley and sticks it to the Steelers, who reportedly were targeting Mack.
30. Tennessee Titans-Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut
Butler is the kind of ball-hawking corner the Titans love.
31. Arizona Cardinals-Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cincinnati
A relative unknown (to me at least), Barwin is a converted tight end with the speed to play linebacker and the size to play end. That kind of versatility should fit in well with the Cardinals 4-3/3-4 hybrid, aggressive D.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Britton can play both sides of the line and will provide depth for the most maligned Super Bowl champion offensive line ever.
ROUND 2
33. Detroit Lions-James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
A smart player with leadership qualities, he will help lead the turnaround on the Detroit defense. As an Ohio State fan who has watched him his entire career, however, I can only hope that Lions fans enjoy seeing him getting completely devoured by downfield blocks.
34. New England Patriots (from Kansas City)-Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
It is disgusting how things always work out for the Patriots. If they end up with Cushing and Delmas on draft day, I'm going to puke.
35. St. Louis Rams-Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
A pass-rushing fiend in the mold of Mathias Kiwanuka for new coach Scott Spagnuolo to play with.
36. Cleveland Browns-Sean Smith, CB/S, Utah
A giant (6-4) to help out the diminutive duo of Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright, Smith has the speed to play outside, the size to play safety, and can even be used on blitzes.
37. Seattle Seahawks-Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Although small (5'9"), Smith has the ball skills and speed to be an effective corner, and will fit in nicely in the nickel with Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings.
38. Cincinnati Bengals-Max Unger, C, Oregon
Another boring pick by an Ohio team that fills a big hole.
39. Carolina Panthers (from Jacksonville)-D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
(Jacksonville trades picks 39, 72, and a 2010 1st round pick to Carolina for Julius Peppers)
The Panthers use Peppers's discontent to trade back into the upper part of the draft and snatch Ken Lucas's replacement.
40. Oakland Raiders-William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
Having already goten a receiver to help Jamarcus Russell, Al Davis now works on giving Russell enough time to bomb it deep to Macklin.
41. Green Bay Packers-Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Brace should anchor the nose for the new 3-4 Packers defense, or at least be a significant part of a rotation with Ryan Pickett and Justin Harrell.
42. Buffalo Bills-Clint Sintim, OLB, Virginia
A pass-rusher to take the pressure off of Aaron Schobel.
43. San Francisco 49ers-Patrick Chung, S, Oregon
A bruising hitter, Chung should become a favorite of coach Mike Singletary.
44. Miami Dolphins (from Washington)-Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
A solid receiver with size who should open up the deep game for Ted Ginn.
45. New York Giants (from New Orleans)-Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
Despite franchising Brandon Jacobs, the Giants take Brown to replace the departed Derrick Ward and provide a little flash to Jacobs's bruising thunder.
46. Houston Texans-Fili Moala, DT, USC
A large, active man who should draw double teams and free up Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.
47. New England Patriots (from San Diego)-Brian Robiske, WR, Ohio State
The Patriots usually avoid drafting receivers, but Robiske fits so nicely into the role vacated by Jabar Gaffney that I just want to see it happen. Besides, with this many picks so high in the draft, maybe Bellichick will splurge a little on welcoming back Tom Brady (although we all know he is going to trade down from every single one of these picks, accumulating 5 more picks in the 1st 3 rounds of next year's draft, leaving us all wondering how the Patriots keep getting so many draft picks.)
48. Denver Broncos-Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon
Byrd possesses good cover skills and can help Champ Bailey transition from dominant to merely very good. Byrd is also an excellent return man.
49. Chicago Bears-Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
After investing so much in Jay Cutler, the Bears had better get someone for him to throw to. While he isn't Plaxico Burress, it is important to remember that Britt isn't Plaxico Burress yet.
50. Cleveland Browns (from Tampa Bay)-LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh
With the acquisition of so many extra picks, the Browns have the luxury of grabbing Jamal Lewis's eventual replacement (possibly as soon as this year).
51. Dallas Cowboys-Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
It isn't the typical Cowboys razzle-dazzle pick, but Robinson fills a big need on an aging line.
52. NY Jets-Jamon Meredith, OT/G, South Carolina
A versatile player who has lined up at both tackle spots as well as guard during his career, Meredith will provide excellent depth along the offensive line.
53. Philadelphia Eagles-Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma
Iglesias is tailor-made for the West Coast offense, which the Eagles just happen to run.
54. Minnesota Vikings-Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona
A versatile mighty-mite (5'8"), Thomas can score the ball running, receiving, or returning. He will provide some explosion from the slot and on runbacks.
55. Kansas City Chiefs-James Casey, TE, Rice
(Atlanta trades pick 55 to Kansas City for Tony Gonzalez)
The Chiefs trade Gonzalez for his replacement, another freak athlete who comes with the added bonus of extreme versatility (having played defensive end, safety, quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, and whatever else Rice needed from him).
56. Miami Dolphins-Jarron Gilbert, DE/OLB, San Jose State
A small school athletic freak, Gilbert has the potential to be as disruptive as another Bill Parcells small school draftee, DeMarcus Ware.
57. Baltimore Ravens-Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati
With the departures of Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister, the Ravens could use some help in the secondary. Mickens is the type of ballhawk the Ravens love, and has potential to be a shutdown corner.
58. New England Patriots-Andre Brown, RB, NC State
A dynamic pass-catching back to eventually replace Kevin Faulk.
59. Carolina Panthers-Lawrence Sidbury, Jr., DE/OLB, Richmond
Sidbury lacks the size to be an every-down player; however, he possesses enough pass-rushing ability to help ease the loss of Julius Peppers.
60. New York Giants-Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
Kevin Boss was a bit of a disappointment last season. Cook has the athletic gifts and receiving skills to be an absolute monster over the middle for the Giants offense.
61. Indianapolis Colts-Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State
The Colts seem to like Ohio State players (Mike Doss, Anthony Gonzalez, Quinn Pittcock), and Freeman should fit in nicely in their Tampa-2 defense.
62. Tennessee Titans-Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
Williams may not develop into a number one wideout, but he possess the size and athleticism to be a big time playmaker someway, be it on kick returns or end-arounds.
63. Arizona Cardinals-Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
Greene should come in and replace Edgerrin James as the primary back. He is not the pass-catcher James is, but he is much more of a power runner, which should add a different dimension to the explosive Arizona attack.
64. Pittsburgh Steelers, Eric Wood, C, Louisville
Having missed out on Alex Mack, the Steelers fill their center slot with Wood, who is only really a slight step down from Mack. Along with Eben Britton, Wood should help solidify the porous Steelers line.
ROUND 3
65. Detroit Lions-Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
The Lions pick up this massive beast (6-8, 332) to initially man right tackle but he could be groomed into Jeff Backus's replacement on the left side.
66. St. Louis Rams-Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU
Beckwith has the versatility to play inside and out, he is probably better suited to be a run-stuffing inside linebacker, allowing the more explosive Will Witherspoon and Chris Draft to move outside.
67. Kansas City Chiefs-William Moore, S, Missouri
A hard-hitting ballhawk, Moore should be the back-end enforcer the rebuilt Chiefs defense needs.
68. Seattle Seahawks-Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
The Seahawks snatch up the disgraced former Sooner to be Matt Hasselback's heir apparent.
69. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)-Darcel McBath, S, Texas Tech
McBath should be able to step into the void left by Roy Williams's release.
70. Cincinnati Bengals-Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty
Cedric Benson is not the answer at RB, so Jennings should be able to contribute from day one.
71. Oakland Raiders-Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
Marks is a stout run stuffer to plug into the middle of a porous Oakland defensive line.
72. Carolina Panthers (from Jacksonville)-Herman Johnson, G, LSU
Johnson's mauling style should fit right in with the run-oriented Panthers.
73. Green Bay Packers-Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland
Barnes is fast with good size and should help the aging Charles Woodson and Al Harris.
74. San Francisco 49ers-Paul Kruger, DE/OLB, Utah
Kruger should add some pass rush to Mike Singletary's D.
75. Buffalo Bills-Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin
Can play guard or tackle; will provide depth and flexibility should Jason Peters depart. A four-year starter at Wisconsin, Urbik will also provide some leadership.
76. New York Jets (from New Orleans)-Pat White, QB/WR/RB, West Virginia
A versatile athlete, White should prove to be a dangerous playmaker wherever he lines up.
77. Houston Texans-Mohammed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia
The Texans may have finally found the complement to Andre Johnson, as Massaquoi has the size, skill, and smarts to be a tremendous NFL player.
78. San Diego Chargers-Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
Ingram provides insurance in case Antonio Gates's injury problems continue. Much like Gates, Ingram is an athletic pass catcher who is a legitimate weapon.
79. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Denver)-Louis Murphy, WR, Florida
A tall burner, Murphy will give the Jags the deep threat they've lacked since the days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell.
80. Washington Redskins-Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida
McKenzie can play inside and out, and may be able to replace the departed Marcus Washington.
81. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Martin Sharrod, CB, Troy
Ronde Barber is getting old and Sharrod should be able to step into the nickel and contribute.
82. Detroit Lions (from Dallas)-Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss
Nelson gives Matt Stafford a safety valve over the middle.
83. Green Bay Packers (from NY Jets)-Gerald Cadogen, OT, Penn State
The Packers need help at right tackle, and Cadogen may be their man.
84. Denver Broncos (from Chargers)-Jasper Brinkley, LB, South Carolina
A big linebacker who can lineup next to Mauluaga and bolster the Denver interior.
85. Philadelphia Eagles-Richard Quinn, TE, North Carolina
Quinn is the blocking tight end this team has lacked, and should help convert those 3-and-1s the Eagles struggled with last year.
86. Minnesota Vikings-Troy Kopog, OT, Tulane
Another team taking an offensive lineman. How exciting!
87. Miami Dolphins-Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State
A tall corner who excels in man-to-man coverage.
88. Baltimore Ravens-Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest
A ferocious hitter, Vaughn should fit right in with the physical Ravens D.
89. New England Patriots-Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
Yet another weapon for Tom Brady to find in the passing game.
90. Atlanta Falcons-Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama
The Falcons again just go with a tremendous value pick, getting Johnson to be the future field general for their defense.
91. New York Giants-Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State
Played both tackle spots in college, but projects to guard in the pros. Gives the Giants depth and flexibility on the O-line.
92. Indianapolis Colts-Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State
Ringer should be able to fill in for the 3-4 games Joseph Addai will miss.
93. Carolina Panthers-Kevin Ogletree, WR, Virginia
Yet another receiver to try and lineup opposite Steve Smith.
94. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Tennessee)-Alex Magee, DT/DE, Purdue
(Pittsburgh trades picks 96 and 205 to Tennessee for picks 94 and 242)
Magee should develop into a stout DE in the Steelers 3-4.
95. Arizona Cardinals-Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, LSU
A talented but troubled player, Arizona may get a steal.
96. Tennessee Titans (from Pittsburgh)-Scott Dorrell, DT, Clemson
Dorrell is a talented player who underperformed in his senior year.
97. New England Patriots (compensatory pick)-Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
The Patriots lose half of their secondary to injury every year, so Allen adds needed depth.
98. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory pick)-David Bruton, S, Notre Dame
A good leader who will at least be a special teams dynamo.
99. Chicago Bears (compensatory pick)-David Veikune, DE, Hawaii
Adds depth to a defensive line that really underwhelmed last year.
100. New York Giants (compensatory pick)-Christopher Owens, CB, San Jose State
A mentally-tough corner who could become a fan favorite.
