| 3 |
Kansas
City
|
Aaron
Curry
|
Linebacker
|
Wake
Forest
|
 |
Historically, Scott Pioli has gone with
key defensive players in the first round (Vince Wilfork,
Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Jerod Mayo, Brandon
Meriweather) and recently signed Adalius Thomas, a
similar player to that of Wake Forest's Aaron Curry.
This make makes too much sense for it not to happen.
Curry is one of the safest picks in this year's
draft.
|
 |
| 4 |
Seattle |
Eugene
Monroe
|
Offensive
Tackle
|
Virginia
|
 |
Seattle may be the
biggest question mark in the draft right now. They
filled their needs in free agency and don't have a
glaring hole. With the future in question regarding left
tackle Walter Jones, it'd be in Seattle's best interest
to find his future replacement here in the draft.
Michael Crabtree would add another playmaker to the
offense while Chris Wells would bring a physical running
style that Seattle is looking for.
|
 |
| 5 |
Cleveland
|
Brian
Orakpo
|
Defensive End
|
Texas
|
 |
New head coach Eric Mangini has said that
the Browns will remain in a 3-4 defense under his watch.
He's also mentioned that outside linebacker is one
position that needs to be upgraded. One of Cleveland's
key players on defense is former Florida State defensive
end Kamerion Wimbley. It'd be a smart move for the
Browns to select another defensive end/linebacker to
play in the rush spot opposite Wimbley. The Browns
recently had a private workout with Orakpo and appear to
be high on him. |
 |
| 6 |
Cincinnati |
Andre Smith
|
Offensive
Tackle
|
Alabama
|
 |
I've been told that the Bengals are very
high on Andre Smith and they will make him the pick if
he is available. They badly need help on the offensive
line. The only other player that would be a good fit
with this pick would be B.J. Raji, who the team coached
in the Senior Bowl. |
 |
| 7 |
Oakland |
Michael
Crabtree
|
Wide
Receiver
|
Texas Tech |
 |
The Raiders filled
their need at left tackle with Khalif Barnes in free
agency. They need a wide receiver and at this point, its
just a question of which one it is. Some have said that
Al Davis won't take a receiver without getting a 40 time
on him. I don't buy it. If it ends up being true, then
good luck to the Raiders as they continue their streak
of being one of the worst teams in the last
decade.
|
 |
| 8 |
Jacksonville
|
Jeremy Maclin
|
Wide Receiver
|
Missouri
|
|
While many are
speculating that the Jaguars could be interested in Mark
Sanchez, I've been told that the speculation could be a
big smokescreen. This offseason Jacksonville cut both
Matt Jones and Jerry Porter, leaving the team with
virtually no one at wide receiver. I've also been told
that many teams at the bottom portion of the Top 10 as
well as the early 'teens are hoping that Jeremy Maclin
falls to them. His stock is pretty high right now. He'd
be a great fit with the Jaguars.
|
 |
| 9 |
Green Bay
|
B.J. Raji
|
Defensive Tackle
|
Boston College
|
 |
This pick is a no-brainer for the Packers
if B.J. Raji is available. An ideal nose tackle prospect
for Green Bay's 3-4 scheme, Raji would immediately be
able to come in and play right away. The Packers
desperately need bodies up front as they are lacking
serious depth along the defensive line. Malcolm Jenkins
or Everette Brown are two other options for the
Pack.
|
 |
| 10 |
San
Francisco
|
Everette
Brown
|
Defensive End
|
Florida
State
|
 |
There's talk that the 49ers are prepared
to pass on quarterback Mark Sanchez if he is available
at No. 10. San Francisco found their right tackle when
they signed Marvel Smith from the Steelers. With Jeremy
Maclin off the board and two of the top 3-4 outside
linebacker prospects still available, the 49ers go with
Brown here who could come in and provide a much-needed
pass rush for the team. |
 |
| 11 |
Buffalo
|
Robert
Ayers
|
Defensive
End
|
Tennessee
|
 |
The Bills' pass
rush was among the worst in football last season. They
desperately need to add a defensive end who is capable
of getting to the quarterback. Robert Ayers' stock is
extremely high right now. With the news that he recently
had a visit with the Bills, it appears that this would
be a perfect fit. Ayers would be an instant starter for
Buffalo if they took him here.
|
|
| 12 |
Denver |
Aaron
Maybin
|
Defensive
End
|
Penn
State
|
 |
The Broncos defense
was among the worst in the league this season. They
suffered from more injuries than any other team in the
league. Denver needs to add as many productive defensive
players as possible in this year's draft. Aaron Maybin
is a player whose stock is on the rise following his
great Pro Day. He'd be a great fit in the Broncos' new
3-4 defense as a rush linebacker outside.
|
 |
| 13 |
Washington
|
Rey
Maualuga
|
Linebacker
|
USC
|
 |
The Redskins beefed up their defensive
line big-time this offseason when they signed Albert
Haynesworth from the Titans. However, they still lack
depth at linebacker and they could really use a leader
and intimidating presence inside. Rey Maualuga would be
a perfect fit for them at inside linebacker and he'd be
an instant contributor for the team. |
 |
| 14 |
New
Orleans
|
Chris
Wells
|
Running
Back
|
Ohio
State
|
 |
The Saints signed Darren Sharper, Jabari
Greer, and Pierson Prioleau to add depth and starters in
their secondary. With three big signings, I get the
feeling that they aren't going to go with secondary
help. They need an outside linebacker, however they
could also use a big, powerful back who would take some
heat off of Reggie Bush. Adding Wells to an already
talented backfield would make this offense even more
exciting than it already is. Sean Payton has said that
Wells is a player they are considering. |
 |
| 15 |
Houston |
Clay
Matthews
|
Linebacker
|
USC
|
 |
I'm pretty sure that the Texans will take
Clay Matthews with the No. 15 pick if he is on the board
when they are selecting. They addressed their need at
defensive end by signing Antonio Smith, however they
still have a need at outside linebacker. Houston also
recently hired Bruce Matthews, the Hall of Fame uncle of
Clay Matthews, to work in their organization. Adding
Clay, who some feel could be the best of the three
first-round USC linebackers, would be a big help for the
Houston defense.
|
 |
| 16 |
San
Diego
|
Tyson
Jackson
|
Defensive
End
|
LSU
|
 |
From the outside looking in, it appears
that San Diego plans to enter the 2009 season with
Darren Sproles and LaDanian Tomlinson as its two running
backs. The Chargers lack depth on the defensive line,
and with Igor Olshansky leaving for Dallas, defensive
end has become a large need for the Bolts. Tyson Jackson
is one of the safer picks in this year's draft and would
immediately be able to come in and produce. |
|
| 17 |
New York
Jets
|
Mark
Sanchez
|
Quarterback
|
USC
|
 |
New York is
entering the 2009 season with Kellen Clemens as their
starting quarterback and Brett Ratliff as his backup. If
Sanchez falls, it'd be in the best interest of the Jets
to take him with this pick. He'd be able to sit the
bench for a year as he gains experience before taking
over the reins in 2010. Wide receiver is also a need, so
Hakeem Nicks or Darrius Heyward-Bey could be two
options.
|
 |
| 18 |
Chicago
|
Michael
Oher
|
Offensive
Tackle
|
Ole Miss
|
 |
The Bears essentially exchanged offensive
tackles this offseason went John St. Clair went to the
Browns and Kevin Shaffer signed with Chicago. While they
have last year's first round pick Chris Williams
entrenched at left tackle, the team has a hole at right
tackle, and Shaffer only appears to be a short-term
option. They also lost John Tait to retirement this
offseason. If Michael Oher were to fall to the Bears,
I'd expect to see them make him the pick as they
continue to re-build their offensive line. |
 |
| 19 |
Tampa
Bay
|
Josh
Freeman
|
Quarterback
|
Kansas
State |
|
With a whole new staff in place this
season, it's a bit hard to predict which way Tampa Bay
will go this offseason. From what I've been hearing, the
most likely option is Kansas State quarterback Josh
Freeman. Freeman is a very talented player in the mold
of Daunte Culpepper. The Buccaneers staff reportedly
would like to get younger at the quarterback position
and bring in a future franchise quarterback, which is
what Freeman would be capable of being. With new
offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, the former tutor
of Matt Ryan, the team could be more inclined to take a
quarterback and let him learn from Jags. |
|
| 20 |
Detroit (from
Dallas)
|
Malcolm
Jenkins
|
Cornerback
|
Ohio
State
|
 |
The Lions received this pick as a result
of the trade that sent wide receiver Roy Williams to the
Cowboys. The Lions need to add leadership and experience
to their defense. They signed Phillip Buchanon and
traded for Anthony Henry, however I think that they
could still use help in the secondary. Adding an elite
defensive back like Malcolm Jenkins would go a long way
towards upgrading the overall defensive unit in Detroit.
|
 |
| 21 |
Philadelphia
|
Brandon
Pettigrew
|
Tight
End
|
Oklahoma
State
|
 |
This is a pick that I am fairly confident
about. The Eagles let L.J. Smith leave via free agency
this offseason. They have Brent Celek, however they'd
like to add another tight end to their offense. Coming
into the offseason, Philadelphia's general manager Tom
Heckert said that he likes seeing tight ends who can
both block and catch the ball, and that there have been
too many hybrid tight ends entering the NFL. Pettigrew
is one of the most complete tight ends in the past few
years and would be a perfect fit in Philly. |
 |
| 22 |
Minnesota |
Percy Harvin
|
Wide Receiver
|
Florida |
|
I've been told that
the Vikings are high on Percy Harvin and would likely
take him if he lasts until No. 22. However, Harvin's
stock is high right now and he may not last that long.
Minnesota could also use the pick on a cornerback. The
Vikings plan on selecting the best player available with
this pick, but Harvin is a player to keep an eye on for
them.
|
|
| 23 |
New England
|
Connor Barwin
|
Defensive End
|
Cincinnati |
 |
Is there a better
fit than Connor Barwin to New England? The Patriots love
versatile players, and who better than a career tight
end-turned-defensive end to be their pick in 2009.
Barwin would be a great fit as an outside linebacker for
the Patriots and could also likely play some offense as
well for New England.
|
 |
| 24 |
Atlanta |
Peria
Jerry
|
Defensive
Tackle |
Ole
Miss
|
 |
Thanks to their excellent 2008 season,
Atlanta can afford to take the best player available
with this pick. Peria Jerry would fill one of the teams'
few needs as they could stand to upgrade at defensive
tackle. Jerry is a fringe first/second round pick and
could go later than this. Atlanta could also use help in
the secondary and at tight end. |
 |
25
|
Miami |
Darius Butler
|
Cornerback
|
Connecticut
|
 |
There's been a lot of talk that the
Dolphins need a cornerback and wide receiver. They have
shown interest in both Darius Butler as well as Hakeem
Nicks. Butler appears to be the best bet as of now. His
stock is soaring after a great Combine and Pro Day and
there appears to be a good chance that he'll be taken at
the end of the first round. |
|
| 26 |
Baltimore |
Darrius
Heyward-Bey
|
Wide
Receiver
|
Maryland
|
 |
The Ravens have
recently shown interest in Maryland wide receiver
Darrius Heyward-Bey. They need to add a big-play threat
to their offense who can chase down the deep balls that
Joe Flacco is capable of throwing. Cornerback doesn't
appear to be a big need anymore after the signing of
Dominique Foxworth.
|
|
| 27 |
Indianapolis |
Hakeem Nicks
|
Wide Receiver
|
North Carolina
|
 |
There's been plenty
of talk that the Colts could use the upcoming draft to
find Marvin Harrison's replacement. Hakeem Nicks is a
very nice prospect at the receiver position and would be
a perfect candidate to replace the potential Hall of
Fame receiver. Nicks is a tall possession receiver,
similar to that of Harrison. Kenny Britt is another
option.
|
 |
| 28 |
Philadelphia (from
Carolina)
|
Kenny
Britt
|
Wide Receiver
|
Rutgers
|
|
Philadelphia could
stand to continue to upgrade its receiving core. Kenny
Britt is a player that I like a bit more than others do
and I think that he could be a nice fit in Philadelphia.
Adding Pettigrew and Britt to their offense after
drafting DeSean Jackson last year would do a lot towards
upgrading to their offense.
|
 |
| 29 |
New York
Giants
|
Brian
Cushing
|
Linebacker
|
USC
|
 |
While they could use a receiver, there's a chance
that none of the elite ones of will be available here.
There's talk that the Giants like the three linebackers
out of USC and could use one of their first round picks
on one of them. I personally think that Brian Cushing
could last the longest of the three. He'd be a nice fit
at outside linebacker in New York, especially
considering he grew up in New Jersey. |
 |
30
|
Tennessee |
Jarron
Gilbert
|
Defensive
End
|
San Jose
State
|
 |
Losing Albert
Haynesworth to the Redskins was a rather large blow to
the Titans defense. However, they have depth there and
they could use their first round pick to upgrade the
unit. Jarron Gilbert has seen his stock rise
dramatically this offseason and could end up going
within the Top 32 picks.
|
|
| 31 |
Arizona |
Knowshon
Moreno
|
Running
Back
|
Georgia
|
 |
The Cardinals run
game was inconsistent, and at times non-existent this
season. Edgerrin James appears to be gone, and their
backup Tim Hightower profiles best as a short-yardage
back. Adding an elite talent at the running back
position, who is capable of carrying the ball 20+ times
per game would really help out the Cardinals offense and
would make the team even that much more dangerous than
they already are. Knowshon Moreno is a very good,
competitive back who would bring some excitement to the
Cardinals' run game.
|
 |
| 32 |
Pittsburgh |
William
Beatty
|
Offensive
Tackle
|
Connecticut
|
|
What used to be one of the strongest units
on the team, the Steelers offensive line has now become
one of the weaker units. The loss of guard Alan Faneca,
center Jeff Hartings, and now tackle Marvel Smith in the
past few years has really left the team with a big hole
on their offensive line. William Beatty is a talented
player who really saw his stock rise at the Senior Bowl
and could be a nice starter at the next level. He'd be a
great pick to help replace Smith at tackle. |
|
NCAA Scouting
