64) Miami – OG Chilo Rachal (USC)
The Dolphins need serious renovations on the offensive line. Justin Smiley (guard) was brought in from San Francisco to hold down one spot. For as many needs as they have this is probably their best combination of need and value. He could be the final piece to their starting line puzzle.

65) St. Louis – WR Andre Caldwell (Florida)
Most people wouldn’t expect the Rams to need a wide receiver, especially with pass happy offensive coordinator Mike Martz long gone. However, their top two receivers will be 30 when the season starts and tight end Randy Michael will be 29. The time to breed a replacement isn’t when these guys are all 32+ years old. Bruce was cut and signed with rival San Francisco. If Arizona, Seattle and San Francisco weren’t thinking of adding a corner they will be after this pick. Plus, they can reunite the Caldwell brothers.

66) Kansas City – DT Pat Sims (Auburn)
Their run defense is poor. Backup James Reed was released and Turk McBride, one of two tackles drafted last year, is being used outside at end. By all accounts Sims should not be on the board at this point and they will snatch him up.

67) Carolina (via NY Jets) – SS/FS Thomas DeCoud (California)
Someone needs to play free safety on this team. They signed Terrence Holt, but he’s best known for being the brother of a stud wide receiver. At best DeCoud is a future starter, at worst he’s a versatile backup with special teams value.

68) Atlanta – TE Fred Davis (USC)
They signed Ben Hartsock to “replace” star Alge Crumpler. The good news is that he set career highs in receptions and yards last year. The bad news is that he caught 12 passes for 138 yards and in four pro seasons hasn’t scored once. Davis was very productive in his senior year with three games over 110 yards while leading the Trojans in receiving overall following the departures of Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett. His value dips a little because he won’t give much of anything in the blocking department and there are questions about his ability to be coached at the pro level. The Falcons take the value.

69) New England (via Oakland) – WR Jordy Nelson (Kansas State)
This is going to be one of those picks that will make their opponents cringe. They aren’t in a bad situation at wide receiver after retaining Randy Moss and Jabar Gaffney, but Donte’ Stallworth has left for Cleveland. Former second round pick Chad Jackson is looking like a bust at this point. If they want to keep up their high octane attack an addition could happen. By the way, is it not amazing that last year Tom Brady had five more touchdown passes than Minnesota, Miami, Buffalo and Tennessee combined? Nelson has great athleticism as a former high school track star and is coming off a monster senior season. He has some toughness and is a decent blocker. Many have compared him to current Patriot Wes Welker, but with a bigger frame.

70) Chicago (via San Francisco) – ILB/OLB Tavares Gooden (Miami, FL)
Most of this draft will be focused on their offense and for good reason. I think it is smart business to grab an extra linebacker just in case. I’m not saying the rumors of Urlacher retiring are true and they did just lock up Lance Briggs, but they don’t want to be caught short handed if an injury occurs. Gooden has versatility and was athletic enough in high school to throw a discus nearly 200 feet, finishing among the nation’s top 10.

71) Jacksonville (via Buffalo/Baltimore) – SS Josh Barrett (Arizona State)
Their defense has been their heart and soul. Sammy Knight was fantastic this season, but he’s gone to the Big Apple. Gerald Sensabaugh played 2 games last year before hitting injured reserve. He was signed to a one year deal. They took Reggie Nelson (Florida) last year and need a solid player to pair him with. Barrett is a good fit. It is amazing that a player his size (nearly 6’2” and over 220) can run the 40 in the mid 4.3s.

72) Buffalo – TE Brad Cottam (Tennessee)
The tragic injury to Kevin Everett has created a hole and not to be insensitive but honestly they would have needed a tight end anyway. Now they’re desperate after signing Teyo Johnson, a second round bust with Oakland who caught 26 passes over three seasons from 2003-2005. Then they went back to the Raiders for a player so good (Courtney Anderson) the struggling Silver & Black dumped him on Detroit and Atlanta where he played 4 games last year without catching a pass. Did they learn nothing from watching Doug Jolley waste away with the Jets after he was traded there from Oakland? Somewhere Rickey Dudley is working on his comeback and hoping the Bills give him a look. As a team Buffalo had just 12 TD passes all year. Robert Royal and Michael Gaines were both part of the passing game, but now Gaines is gone to Detroit and another threat would upgrade their offense. Cottam can be an imposing threat. He was a star at the combine checking in at 6’7” and 271 pounds while running a 4.68 in the 40. He also shined at his pro day and seems to have done enough to overcome his “injury history” tag with great athleticism, but it could still wind up dropping him on draft weekend. The Bills have to love his height given their small receivers.

73) Kansas City (via Denver/Minnesota) – C Mike Pollak (Arizona State)
This trade of Jared Allen is looking better all the time. Now the Chiefs wind up with the top center. They are overhauling their offensive line in a big way and Casey Wiegemann will be allowed to leave in free agency as part of their youth movement. Pollak showed well at the combine including a quick 40 (4.99) and was stronger than most anticipated. He looks like the clear cut top center prospect and might not even last this long.

74) Carolina – RB Kevin Smith (Central Florida)
DeAngelo Williams has carried the ball only 121 and 144 times in two seasons. Out of 29 games as a pro he has just three games with more than 17 carries and with DeShaun Foster gone to San Francisco someone has to help him share the load. I don’t know if they can risk waiting too long for a player in that role given their emphasis on the running game. In Smith they get someone who carried the ball an astounding 450 times as a senior in 14 games, a number that would extrapolate to 514 NFL carries or about 25% more than the all-time single season record. He would be a great addition to the offense.

75) San Francisco (via Chicago) – OG Roy Schuening (Oregon State)
The offensive line that paved the way for Frank Gore’s 1,695 rushing yards in 2006 had their share of problems this year. Gore’s average rush dropped from 5.4 to 4.2 although some of that can be attributed to his health. Justin Smiley is gone to Miami and Larry Allen (36) has all but retired.

76) Detroit – OLB Shawn Crable (Michigan)
Two starting linebackers (Lehman and Bailey) left in free agency. Lone returning starter Ernie Sims has been a tackling machine in his two years with the team, but the same can’t be said on the other side. It never hurts to bring in a local Wolverine.

77) Cincinnati – RB Matt Forte (Tulane)
The Bengals have enough picks to get pretty creative in this draft. When value meets a need they have to strike. Their luck with running backs is almost as bad as it is with linebackers. Kenny Watson has no business leading this team in rushing. Rudi Johnson might be wearing down and recent picks Chris Perry and Kenny Irons have serious injury clouds hanging over their head. Forte adds the ability to catch passes. He had 103 receptions for 985 yards in 43 games, not to mention his 2,127 yards rushing as a senior with 23 touchdowns.

78) New Orleans – DT Marcus Harrison (Arkansas)
They need to toughen up the middle of their defensive line. Even if Brian Young was also retained he’ll turn 31 in July while Hollis Thomas is 33. Harrison’s character is an issue, and with such a recent transgression I have struggled to determine when teams will take a chance. Many believe he’s a second round prospect. I would think the fourth round is appropriate and ultimately I split the difference.

79) Houston – DE Jason Jones (Eastern Michigan)
The Texans are looking for someone to add as a bookend to former #1 overall pick Mario Williams, a guy many once thought would be the NFL’s version of Sam Bowie although it has not turned out that way. In a pass rush happy draft Jones might not make it out of day one, but if he does they can’t pass on him.

80) Philadelphia – OT Duane Brown (Virginia Tech)
There is some youth on the Eagle offensive line, but their starting tackles are into their 30’s. William Thomas has gotten so old that in 2006 he asked people to quit calling him by his nickname (Tra). Donovan McNabb was sacked 44 times and for a mobile quarterback that is a high number. It appears 2006 draft pick Winston Justice was a miss after a heavily publicized drubbing at the hands of Osi Umenyiora.

81) Arizona – CB Antwaun Molden (Eastern Kentucky)
The Cardinals had a pretty good defense statistically, but weren’t able to translate their yardage ranking (#17) into keeping teams from scoring (#27). Perhaps a pass defense that finished #28 can take a lot of that blame. Opponents converted 40.1% on third down against them. Antrel Rolle is moving into the spot vacated at free safety when Terrence Holt was cut meaning multiple additions are likely in this draft. Molden is a fast rising prospect.

82) Kansas City (via Minnesota) – OT/OG John Greco (Toledo)
The offensive line makeover continues. It is their biggest problem and gets the most attention in a draft bolstered by the Jared Allen trade. With the tragic passing of Heath Benedict, Greco moves up a bit as one of the better versatile offensive linemen in this draft. He was a tackle in college and could shift inside.

83) Tampa Bay –RB Ray Rice (Rutgers)
It’s a nice story to bring back Warrick Dunn and Carnell Williams is still in play for this season, but I look for them to seek a mid-round addition for insurance at running back. At an even 5’8” Rice might not at first glance appear as someone able to wear down a defense or carry a big load. However, he had 335 and 380 rushes over the past two seasons for the Scarlet Knights for an average of 27.5 per game and 5.32 yards per rush. He could be another Maurice Jones-Drew who also plays in the Sunshine State. Although projected as high as the end of day one his height might ultimately cause him to drop down the board with many other capable players at the position who don’t have that limitation.

84) Washington – OLB Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech)
London Fletcher is a tackling machine having topped 119 eight seasons in a row spanning three different teams. However, he’ll turn 33 this spring and the time to replace him is before he collapses at midfield from exhaustion. The man has 1,229 career tackles for crying out loud. By midseason Randall Godfrey will be 35 and Marcus Washington 31 meaning they have to add some youth at linebacker to team up with Rocky McIntosh and H.B. Blades from the past two drafts. Adibi winds up getting dragged down the draft board by his lack of size, but on an active Hokie defense he consistently added a couple sacks and interceptions per season with his tackle numbers going up each year. 

85) Tennessee – CB Terrell Thomas (USC)
The Titans have to address replacing Adam Jones long term, especially if Reynaldo Hill leaves in free agency. Nick Harper was just a knee jerk reaction to the Jones suspension, and will turn 34 by the start of the season. One backup Herndon couldn’t work his way up the depth chart and was cut. A bright spot has been Finnegan, a seventh round gem from 2006.

86) Seattle – WR Mario Manningham (Michigan)
The Seahawks were a train wreck at wide receiver last year due in large part to injuries. How exactly did Hasselbeck throw for 3,966 yards? D.J. Hackett is gone to Carolina, Bobby Engram will be 36 by the end of this season and Deion Branch is always hurt. Manningham had an extremely productive senior year with 7 games over 100 yards including a stretch of six in a row during Big Ten play averaging 7.2 receptions for 130.5 yards with 10 total touchdowns. He ran a slow 40 (4.6 range) at the combine which could hurt his stock a little bit, but improved at his pro day. Lying to scouts and then later admitting it isn’t exactly going to boost his stock either. This is a big drop for him, but it’s a chain reaction. There are other good players who teams will turn to, coupled with the receiver needy teams who take him off their board and suddenly here he is.

87) Detroit (via Cleveland) – ILB Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt)
The heart of their defense has been missing a presence at middle linebacker for some time now and Teddy Lehman has left for Tampa Bay. Goff ran a fast 40, fifth best at the combine where he showed quickness and ability to cover a lot of ground in the drills.

88) Pittsburgh – OG/OT Mike McGlynn (Pittsburgh)
They lost Alan Faneca on the heels of losing long time center Jeff Hartings to retirement prior to the 2007 season which ended four decades of excellence for them at the position. That loss was addressed by signing Justin Hartwig off Carolina’s scrap pile to compete with the disappointing Sean Mahan who now seems to be a center/guard backup. They signed Chris Kemoeatu to a one year deal which likely means they will seek competition for him in the draft. The versatile hometown guy is a perfect fit.

89) Jacksonville – DT Red Bryant (Texas A&M)
This is a nice value selection. Marcus Stroud has been dealt to the Bills. The Jaguars need to start stifling the run with regularity again. They replaced aging Grady Jackson with Jimmy Kennedy which has very little impact on their situation. Imagine John Henderson having a strong player next to him. I’m not sure Bryant falls this far but two of the other teams interested (Oakland, San Diego and Cleveland) don’t have picks in the second or third round. They might be trading up to acquire him. Tearing his ACL in 2006 is one factor which could hold down his value, but it seems like every defensive tackle in this draft has some sort of negative issue in their closet.

90) Chicago (via San Diego) – QB Andre’ Woodson (Kentucky)
Their quarterback play has been atrocious. When the defense and special teams stopped dominating the roof fell in. Griese was given his chance and turned it over multiple times in 4 of 6 extensive appearances. He has been dealt to Tampa Bay. Grossman being invited back for a one year contract is the equivalent of meeting a date for coffee. Not exactly a marriage proposal. Orton was given one last uneventful look and that was smart. Saying he’ll compete for the starting job is comical. Woodson is worth this investment. Some are still fighting for his value in the third round, but there is really no buzz surrounding him whatsoever. His stock has dropped from middle of round 1 to long term project and the word “terrible” was uttered at his pro day workout according to reports. I know he had some great games at Kentucky, but some players can look like stars in college and not project to the next level when the scouts break them down. This season they can mess around with Grossman and Orton while they figure out what Woodson can do.

91) Green Bay – RB Steve Slaton (West Virginia)
Ryan Grant saved their season at running back with 92.9 yards rushing during their final 10 games. After fumbling twice in the playoffs against Seattle he plowed through the snow for 201 yards, but then the Giants shut him down to the tune of 13 carries for 29 yards. They didn’t have an alternative as no other back ran the ball in the game. Rookie Brandon Jackson was handed the job for the first two games and carried the ball 32 times for a paltry 75 yards (2.34 average). Vernand Morency seems like a backup and was given a one year deal to stick around until someone better puts him out of a job. Here he is. Slaton’s height (5’9”) will limit his options as a pro in this running back rich draft. However, he had nearly 4,000 yards rushing for the Mountaineers in three seasons and never fewer than 18 total touchdowns.

92) Dallas – FS Quentin Demps (UTEP)
The Cowboys have an extra first round pick and not a lot of team needs which allows them to make a luxury selection here. A lot of people feel Roy Williams is overrated although it is hard to argue with his 506 tackles in six seasons and 19 interceptions. Backup Keith Davis is gone so they need another safety. Roy’s coverage skills are the problem and it has been discussed that he will come out on obvious passing downs. Enter Demps who specializes in coverage.  

93) Indianapolis – TE Craig Stevens (California)
They love their tight ends and Ben Utecht left for Cincinnati. Stevens impressed at the combine in the 40 (4.65) and by leading tight ends with 27 reps of 225 on the bench press. If he hadn’t been playing with receivers DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan in college he would have caught a lot more passes.

94) New England – SS Craig Steltz (LSU)
There is some uncertainty at strong safety where Rodney Harrison is one more injury from retirement. Tank Williams was brought in for depth. Steltz hauled in 10 interceptions over his final 25 games for the reigning BCS champs. He should help them on special teams and eventually could start.

95) NY Giants – WR Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech)
New York is a quality receiver short for when Toomer retires (soon) and in case Burress gets hurt. This year’s rookie Steve Smith looks like a keeper while Sinorice Moss, well, not so much. Royal basically kicks him off the roster. He is similar in size/skills to DeSean Jackson (California) with a cheaper price tag. Last year he was one of the top punt returners in the FBS averaging 14.7 yards on 31 returns. Moss was great in that department in college, but hasn’t returned a single punt for the Giants. In 2007 veteran cornerback R.W. McQuarters handled all but one punt return, but had a long of 27 and an anemic average (7.6).

96) Washington (compensatory) – SS Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame)
When a player of Sean Taylor’s caliber dies it is impossible to replace him on the field or off of it. I said in a previous version that selecting a player early (day one) might put undue pressure on that player trying to fill Taylor’s shoes. A former boxer, Zbikowski can deliver a hit.

97) Cincinnati (compensatory) – WR Lavelle Hawkins (California)
On paper the Bengals have (or had) some of the best receivers in the league. Too bad the game isn’t played on an XBOX 360. I wrote “Chris Henry always gets into trouble” weeks ago and now he has been cut two more incidents later. Chad Johnson is disgruntled and begging for a trade. His former Oregon State teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh might be their #1 going into the season. Doug Gabriel was a nice addition to the depth chart if he can keep his nose to the grindstone. At Cal Hawkins was overshadowed by DeSean Jackson, but over the past two seasons was fairly close to him in production. With better play at quarterback I think he would have posted better numbers and he’ll certainly get that having Carson Palmer throwing him the ball. Hawkins also returned 42 kickoffs last year for Cal so he adds some special teams value.

98) Atlanta (compensatory) – OT Tony Hills (Texas)
They have to hit the offensive line in this draft and now that a few holes elsewhere have been filled it is time for action. All three of their passers this past season suffered at least 6 sacks, 47 in all. Wayne Gandy is probably finished at age 37 and it’s tough to name even one other person on their offensive line.

99) Baltimore (compensatory) – OT Oniel Cousins (UTEP)
Jonathan Ogden is as close to retirement as an active player can get. Even if he comes back for another season it is almost certainly his last. The Ravens also released long time center Mike Flynn meaning they must make additions to their offensive line. Their other primary needs are quarterback and cornerback. The talent available relative to pick value for both will be better suited for their next pick. One scenario they might consider is trading down to the 9-12 range and taking quarterback Brian Brohm (Louisville).

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