With a
good amount of Pro Days done, there has been some moving and shaking
amongst the prospects. The Combine is still fresh in scouts’ minds.
With so much activity already in free agency, many top needs have been
filled. With that, here is my latest projection:
1.
Oakland-JaMarcus
Russell, QB, LSU
Russell is bigger, has a stronger arm, and has better
measurables than Brady Quinn, which is all Al Davis wants. He had a
phenomenal
Pro Day, and answered questions about footwork. Plus, he could go down
as the
best QB sneaker of all time.
2.
Detroit- Joe
Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
From his combine performance, this could be the safest pick
in the draft. However, with his pre-draft hype, it’s reminding me an
awful lot
of Robert Gallery.
Let’s hope for Matt Millen’s sake he turns out to be the franchise
tackle
everyone thinks he’ll be. This is going to depend on whether or not Detroit
trades down, which is very likely. They also could take Quinn, but it
doesn’t
matter who is throwing passes if they don’t have any time to throw.
3. Cleveland- Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma
With a 4.36 40, Peterson locked up his spot in the high part
of round one. Easily the top back in the draft and maybe the top player
(people
forget he ran for 1100 yards and 12 td’s in 7 games this season) in the
whole
class. Cleveland needs a
back, and Peterson
has everything you need in a Pro Bowler. He also would be running
behind a
revamped O-Line. Peterson and Jamal Lewis will make a nice combo.
4. Tampa Bay- Calvin
Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Freak of nature, plain and simple; 6’5 239 lbs and ran a
4.35 which an 11-7 inch broad jump. That is nasty. Tampa
Bay
becomes the luckiest team in
the history of the draft (maybe a little overstated). Questions
surround
whether or not a team trades up and takes Johnson (or Peterson), but
unless
someone is willing to give up their whole draft and players Tampa
should NOT budge. Johnson is a truly unique prospect, and the Bucs
should worry
about a team trading up to snag him.
5.
Arizona- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Explosive athlete that can change games with his speed and
quickness. Arizona had
no threat
off the edge last year and Adams is a great
talent.
6.
Washington- Jamaal
Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Again, no pass rushing threat last year. This will help out the
secondary as
well. Anderson was
dominant at
times this season. Gets great penetration and can is a solid anchor
against the
run.
7. Minnesota- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Most people think they should take a receiver, but I don’t
think any other receiver is worthy of this high of a pick. Tarvaris
Jackson
isn’t the answer and the Vikings brass really blew that pick last year.
Quinn
is a good player that could turn into a great player.
8.
Houston- LaRon
Landry, S, LSU
Had possibly the most impressive workout in the combine,
showing speed that I did not think he possessed. I was not a believer
in Landry,
but I now think he can play in this league. Houston
needs safety help badly.
9.
Miami- Reggie
Nelson, S, Florida
Explosive and attacks the ball. Miami’s
D is just old and boring. Will team with Jason Allen and Channing
Crowder to
form a solid young nucleus of talent. His 4.35 at Florida’s
Pro Day brings his stock back up.
10.
Atlanta- Alan
Branch, DT, Michigan
Both of Atlanta’s
DT’s are old and slowing down. Branch is an outstanding run clogger
that will
hide the Falcons smaller LB’s. Great power player. Stock is falling due
to
questions about his cardiovascular shape.
11. San
Francisco- Ted
Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
I do not like Ginn as a receiver in the NFL. He is dangerous
as a returner, but still raw as a receiver. San Fran does need a
playmaker so
it makes sense, and his speed is top notch.
12.
Buffalo- Patrick
Willis, LB, Ole Miss
With London Fletcher-Baker (that’s going to get old typing
that every time) jetting to Washington
in free agency, the Bills have to address their huge void at LB. May be
a bit
of a reach but Willis is a playmaker that is worth the pick.
13. St.
Louis- Adam
Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Leonard Little can’t stay on the field and no one knows who
their other DE is (I had to look it up, it’s Victor Adeyanju). Carriker
brings
a big, physical body and surprising athleticism. Solid upgrade.
14.
Carolina- Amobi
Okoye, DT, Louisville
Okoye is an extremely talented player, and is still raw.
Once he develops he’s going to be an animal. Carolina’s
DT’s are always hurt, and Okoye would bring in some great energy.
15.
Pittsburgh- Jarvis
Moss, DE/OLB, Florida
With Porter leaving, Pittsburgh
needs help at OLB, and Moss can step in as a DeMarcus Ware-type player.
Brings
athleticism and speed on the outside.
16.
Green Bay-
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
One of my most confident picks. The Packers need youth at
RB, and Lynch is special. The total package with size, speed and hands.
17.
Jacksonville- Levi
Brown, OT, Penn State
Brown is a mauling tackle who will fit in best at RT, and
instantly improve the performance of a porous OL. Even
with the signing of Tony Pashos, Brown is
great value and surely improve the offensive line.
Great strength and frame.
18.
Cincinnati- Leon
Hall, CB, Michigan
Yes, I know. I’m thinking the same thing you are. Why don’t
they take Olsen? I’ll tell you why. Because Cincinnati
just doesn’t take TE’s in the first round.
19.
Tennessee- Dwayne
Jarrett, WR, USC
The Titans have to pick a receiver, and this will depend on
Jarrett’s performance at USC’s Pro Day. If he runs sub 4.6 I think
he’ll be the
pick. I don’t think he compares to Mike Williams at all expect that
they both
played WR at USC and they’re above 6’4. Tennessee
might surprise some people and go with Chris Houston as an insurance
policy to
Pacman.
20. New York Giants-
Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
New York’s
pass defense was pathetic. Houston
has absolutely ridiculous physical attributes, with blinding speed and
amazing
strength. Instant starter.
21. Denver- Tank Tyler, DT, NC State
The signing of Dan Wilkinson is obviously temporary. Tyler
has outstanding strength and build. Will be a solid clog in the middle
of the
DL.
22. Dallas Cowboys- Dwayne
Bowe, WR LSU
Surprise pick here. While Dallas
kept Terry Glenn, he can’t go forever. Also, Terrell Owens isn’t
getting
younger and has had multiple surgeries on that hand. Oh yeah, he’s had
some
character problems, too. Bowe should not last this long, but if he does
he’s
got all the attributes to be a number 1 wideout.
23.
Kansas City-
Robert Meacham, WR, Tennessee
Please. Take a wide receiver. Now. Meacham has outstanding
tools. He has great speed but showed he can go over the middle. Perfect
pick.
24. New
England- Darrelle
Revis, CB, Pitt
I like him better than Houston
but I think Houston’s
combine puts
him ahead. Revis did greatly improve his stock with a 4.37 40 at his
pro day,
and is a very physical player. With the uncertainty from Asante
Samuel’s
contract issues, this makes sense.
25. New York Jets- Aaron
Ross, CB, Texas
The Jets’ corners are just not good. They lack physicality
and recognition skills. Ross has great polish and instincts. He’s a top
notch
player and the Jets get a steal.
26.
Philadelphia- Brandon
Meriwether, S, Miami
Meriwether’s value here is better than any of the LBs, and
is a huge upgrade over Sean Considine. He has great speed and
athleticism and
can hit like a cement truck.
27. New
Orleans- Marcus
McCauley, CB, Fresno State
Big, physical, and fast. Has all the tools to eliminate one
side of the field. Could take over immediately in a shaky secondary.
28. New England- Buster Davis, LB, FSU
They need youth at LB. Bad. Davis
is small, but NE has embraced slight players and turns them into stars.
He has
outstanding instincts and athletic ability.
29. Baltimore Ravens- Joe
Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Their O-line is getting old, and this is a gift for Staley
to fall to them. He will be given a year or two to develop and could
turn into
an All-Pro down the line.
30. San
Diego- Sidney
Rice, WR, South Carolina
San Diego
lacks
a deep threat. Actually, they just lack a receiving threat. Rice has
the big
play ability, size, and speed to become a franchise receiver.
31.
Chicago- Greg
Olsen, TE, Miami
Desmond Clark is a decent TE, but lacks the playmaking
skills Olsen possesses. Great speed and hands and overall talent.
32.
Indianapolis- Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State
Indy needs a run stuffing DT, and Pitcock is rising up draft
boards with an excellent combine. Good size and strength.
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