Draft Steals, Part 1

As it always is in the NFL Draft, some teams did awful (Raiders), some teams did average (Chiefs), and a small handful of teams made away like bandits (Bears).
Lets recap the teams who grabbed the biggest steals of this draft.

San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree-WR (1/10)

• The most talented player in the draft slipped past 6 teams who could have really used a star wide out. Did teams not learn their lesson when this happened with Adrian Peterson?

Arizona Cardinals: Chris "Beanie" Wells-RB (1/31)

• Getting the most dominating and skilled running back in the draft with the 31st pick? I don't think I need to explain why this constitutes "steal".
  

Cincinnati Bengals: Rey Maualuga-LB (2/38)

• At the beginning of the season, he was a projected top 10 pick. He played as good or better than the other 2 USC linebackers, no charecter concerns really. Just another case of teams over analyzing a player. 31 NFL teams will regret this.

Carolina Panthers: Everette Brown-DE (2/43)

• He had been projected to go in the top 5 before the combine, did well there but dropped. Projected in the top 10 before his Pro Day, did great there but once again dropped. Projected in the top 20 before the Draft but dropped all the way to half way through the 2nd round. Makes sense right?

Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Johnson-DE (3/70)

• Any time you can get a top 5 talent, regardless of work ethic or motor, at the 70th pick, you know you just did something good.
  

New York Giants: Andre Brown-RB (4/129)

• Had he had one less injury at NC State, you would be looking at a top 25 pick. The Giants will use this young man to replace the departed Derrick Ward and will hardly even notice he's gone.

Carolina Panthers: Duke Robinson-OG (5/163)

• An absolute beast on the O-line. Took some plays off last year but now that he's playing for a contract and with a chip on his shoulders, he'll go back to looking like the projected mid-first rounder he was before the 08-09 season.

Thats all for now, don't want to make these too long. I'll be back tomorrow with part 2 of the NFL Draft thievery

Are the Lions making a mistake taking the QB?

In today's NFL, teams are getting so caught up with finding a great Quarterback that they are willing to shell out ridiculous money year in and year out just for a shot at getting the second coming of Peyton Manning. But have they taken the need for a great Quarterback and turned it into a debilitating, franchise-crippling disease?

The simple answer, is yes.

Now I'll be the first to admit that I think history in sports relating to future events is greatly overblown, just because the Timberwolves have gone 0-3 all-time against the Clippers on January 3rds doesn't mean they won't beat them the next time they play on that date, but with the progression of players and performance, its different.

In the 15 drafts prior to 2006 (1991-2005)-I'm not going to 2008, 2007, or 2006 because those palyers aren't fully developed- 35 Quarterbacks have been taken in the 1st round. Out of those 35, only 13 went on to become quality starters in the NFL.

So while the Lions do have a small chance of drafting a productive player at QB, why wouldn't they invest their money in a player with a much higher liklihood of success like an Aaron Curry? 1st round linebackers (especially outside) are one of, if not the safest position to draft high. And, if the Lions can really improve their team over the next few years, starting with lineman and linebackers, when they do finally draft a quarterback, he won't be thrown in right away and be asked to be the savior. He'll just have to manage games, much like Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco did last year.

Big Trade

A huge trade just went through in the NFL today. The most decorated tight end in history, Tony Gonzalez, was traded by the Chiefs to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2010 2nd round pick.

I really thought the Chiefs could have gotten more for him. I know he is getting on in the years (he's 33) and its been said that he'll only play 1, maybe 2 more years, but players say that all the time though, but then end up playing until their very last drop of talent is drained from their body. It really wouldn't surprise me if he plays 3 or 4 more seasons honestly. Even if he does only play next season, what do the Chiefs have to show for it? A forty catch per season WR? a 4 or 5 sack player? A special teamer?

I know that the Chiefs weren't going to get a 1st and a 3rd for him, they wouldn't get just a 1st either, but I'm almost positive that they could have bargained a little more and squeezed a 4th or 5th round pick out of the Falcons.

NFL Mock Draft 2009-Round 2 (4/20/09)

The (projected) second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...

• Detroit Lions: James Laurinaitis-LB, Ohio State
• New England Patriots: Connor Barwin-OLB/DE, Cincinnati
• St. Louis Rams: Hakeem Nicks-WR, North Carolina
• Cleveland Browns: Clint Sintim-OLB, Virginia
• Seattle Seahawks: Donald Brown-RB, UCONN
• Cincinnati Bengals: Max Unger-C, Oregon
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Darius Butler-CB, UCONN
• Oakland Raiders: William Beatty-OT, UCONN
• Green Bay Packers: Louis Delmas-FS, Western Michigan
• Buffalo Bills: Jared Cook-TE, South Carolina
• San Francisco 49ers: DJ Moore-CB, Vanderbilt
• Miami Dolphins: Ron Brace-DT, Boston College
• New York Giants: Fili Moala-DT, USC
• Houston Texans: Sean Smith-CB/FS, Utah
• New England Patriots: Jarron Gilbert-DE/DT, San Jose State
• Denver Broncos: Patrick Chung-S, Oregon
• Chicago Bears: Brian Robiskie-WR, Ohio State
• Cleveland Browns: LeSean McCoy-RB, Pittsburgh
• Dallas Cowboys: Duke Robinson-OG, Oklahoma
• New York Jets: Shonn Greene-RB, Iowa
• Philadelphia Eagles: Shawn Nelson-TE, Southern Mississippi
• Minnesota Vikings: Phil Loadholt-OT, Oklahoma
• Atlanta Falcons: William Moore-S, Missouri
• Miami Dolphins: Larry English-DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
• Baltimore Ravens: Lawrence Sidbury-DE/OLB, Richmond
• New England Patriots: Jamon Meredith-OT, South Carolina
• Carolina Panthers: Sen'Derrick Marks-DT, Auburn
• New York Giants: Tyrone McKenzie-OLB, South Florida
• Indianapolis Colts: Derrick Williams-WR, Penn State
• Tennessee Titans: Alphonso Smtih-CB, Wake Forest
• Arizona Cardinals: Paul Krugar-DE/OLB, Utah
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Andy Levitre-OG, Oregon State

Stay tuned for round 3 tomorrow!

NFL Mock Draft 2009-Round 1 (4/19/09)

After researching team needs and rosters a little deeper over the past couple of days, I've changed around some of the picks. The draft as I see it...

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford-QB, Georgia
2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith-LT, Baylor
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry-OLB, Wake Forest
4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe-LT, Virginia
5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo-DE/OLB, Texas
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith-T, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree-WR, Texas Tech
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Sanchez-QB, USC
9. Green Bay Packers: BJ Raji-DT, Boston College
10. San Fransisco 49ers: Jeremy Maclin-WR, Missouri
11. Buffalo Bills: Michael Oher-LT, Ole Miss
12. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson-DE/DT, LSU
13. Washington Redskins:Aaron Maybin-DE, Penn State
14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins-FS/CB, Ohio State
15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing-LB, USC
16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga-ILB, USC
17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman-QB, Kansas State
18. Denver Broncos: Everette Brown-DE/OLB-Florida State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peria Jerry-DT, Ole Miss
20. Detroit Lions: Robert Ayers-DE, Tennessee
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris "Beanie" Wells-RB, Ohio State
22. Minnesota Vikings: Eben Britton-LT, Arizona
23. New England Patriots: Clay Matthews-OLB, USC
24. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Johnson-DE, Georgia Tech
25. Miami Dolphins: Vontae Davis-CB, Illinois
26. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Heyward-Bey-WR, Maryland
27. Indianapolis Colts: Evander "Ziggy" Hood-DT, Missouri
28. Buffalo Bills: Brandon Pettigrew-TE, Oklahoma State
29. New York Giants: Kenny Britt-WR, Rutgers
30. Tennessee Titans: Percy Harvin-WR, Florida
31. Arizona Cardinals: Knowshon Moreno-RB, Georgia
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Mack-C, Cal
    

NFL Draft-Broncos

And the award for the team with the biggest offseason drama goes to....the Denver Broncos for their role in the Jay Cutler crisis. The fact that Jay wanted a trade and got so upset just for being thrown around in trade talks is pretty ridiculous if you ask me-all though the Broncos did get a pretty good haul in return for him-netting QB Kyle Orton, 2 first round picks (18th in 2009, and the Bears #1 in 2010), along with the 84th pick in this draft in exchange for the unhappy Cutler and a 6th round pick.

This trade doesn't hurt the Bronco's offense as much as you may think. Kyle Orton thrived in this same style offense in college, has two dynamic playmakers to throw to in Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall, they have a nice stable of runningbacks, and they have a slightly above average O-line. The big worry, is on defense. They were one of the worst teams statistically on that side of the ball, letting opponents run all over them and their weak 4-3 D. So now, they move to the 3-4 with hopes that they will be able to stop somebody at least occasionally.

In addition to the trade for Kyle Orton, the Broncos have been the busiest team in the Free Agent market, signing 12 new players so far including QB Chris Simms, RBs LaMont Jordan, JJ Arrington, and Correll Buckhalter, LB Andra Davis, and Saftey Brian Dawkins. They also let several players go to find new teams, but most of them were defensive players who don't fit their new scheme.

So onto the Draft now, with the 12th overall pick the Broncos could go a few different ways. Tyson Jackson, a run-stuffing DE from LSU, could be the pick and be an essential part of their new defenese, Everette Brown could be the dominate pass-rushing OLB for the scheme, or they could build for the future and select USC's 1 year wonder Mark Sanchez at QB.

With their second 1st round pick (18th) I think the Broncos will draft a player who can help in them defend their opponents passing game. A physical freak of a cornerback, Vontae Davis, could be available to them at this pick.

Their remaining picks (2/48, 3/79, 3/84, 4/114, 5/149, 6/185, 7/225, and 7/235), expect possibly 6 or so of the picks to be used on the defensive side of the ball. Boston College's Ron Brace, Georgia's Corey Irvin, and Utah's Sean Smith are all possibilties in the 2 to 3rd round range.

THE PICK(s): 1/12: Mark Sanchez-QB, USC and 1/18: Vontae Davis-CB, Illinois

*The Broncos could trade up to the 8th pick to select Mark Sanchez if he is still available

NFL Draft-Bills (Update)

Now that the Bills have trade LT Jason Peters for the Eagles second 1st round pick (28th) and 4th round pick (), plus their 2010 6th rounder, their draft board changes.

Now in the 1st round at pick 11, I have them picking Brandon Pettigrew and at pick 28 the pick is Clay Matthews of USC.

NFL Draft-Bills

The Bills started out last season on fire, getting of to a 5-1 start, but they fizzled down the stretch, winning only 2 of their final 10 games and finishing with a disappointing 7-9 record. A lot of this, in my opinion, is the coaching. It doesn't matter who you play, to win 5 of 6 is impressive and it requires talent, so what do you think happened? Sure, some of it falls on the players and how they performed, but a top tier coach is someone who can get everyone to play at their best no matter the score and no matter the record and I just don't think Dick Jauron is that guy.

The Bills have had a pretty average offseason, they added some good depth with players like Drayton Florence and Geoff Hangartner, along with the signing of Terrell Owens-which is exactly what Trent Edwards and Lee Evans needed (He really isn't that bad of a charecter anymore, ESPN needs stories so anytime he breathes its news), but they kind of balanced that out with the releasings and non-resignings of a few players like Angelo Crowell, Derrick Dockery, and Robert Royal. Also of note, star LT Jason Peters is very unhappy with his contract situation and as unhappy as they would be about doing so, they may have to eventually trade him.

In the 1st round (pick 11), the Bills will probably go for one of these two positions: Tight End or Defensive End. The 11th overall pick may be a bit too high for the top TE in this class, Brandon Pettigrew, but I wouldn't knock the pick if it happens. He's a very good, reliable pass catcher-although he won't absolutely break a game open-and he is an absolutely dominating blocker from the TE spot. If they select him here, they could groom him into being their LT of the future maybe. When it comes down to it though, I think DE is the choice as 3 or 4 very solid pass rushers will be available at this pick (Robert Ayers, Everette Brown, Michael Johnson, and maybe Aaron Maybin) and the Bills need all the help getting to the QB they can get.

In the second round (pick 42) the Bills will definitely pick Brandon Pettigrew if he somehow falls to them, but if he doesn't, the possible positions that will be addressed are O-line and OLB. Possible picks would be Max Unger, the C/G player from Oregon, or OLB Clint Sintim from Virginia.

With their remaining picks (3/75, 4/110, 5/147, 6/183, and 7/220) look for the Bills to add at lease 1, but possibly 2 or 3 offensive lineman, a pass rusher, a TE maybe, and some defensive back help.

THE PICK: Robert Ayers-DE, Tennessee

The NFL broadcast booth won't ever be the same.

John Madden, one of the most influential and well known figures in all of football thanks to his 30 years in the booth and his Madden Football video game franchise, has announced his retirement so he can spend more time with his grand kids.

While I'm still disappointed that we won't be hearing that voice talking about Brett Favre anymore, I'm glad he will get to enjoy a care-free life now, getting to be around people he knows and loves whenever he wants.

NFL Draft-49ers

If only, if only. That's what many 49ers' fans are thinking after their dreadful 2005 and 2006 drafts. In the 1st round of the '05 draft, they selected QB Alex Smith over Aaron Rogers who fell to Green Bay and just threw for just over 4,000 yards last year (as opposed to Alex Smith's zero, zip, and nada). In the 2nd and 3rd rounds they did well, selecting David Baas and Frank Gore, but other than that, there are no impact players or even back up material players really.
Then in '06, they selected workout wonder Vernon Davis, a TE out of Maryland over such players as; Donte Whitner, Ernie Sims, Haloti Ngata, Kameron Wimbley, and Antonio Cromartie, then selected OLB/DE Manny Lawson with the 22nd pick ahead of players like Davin Joseph, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, Mathias Kiwanuka, and DeMeco Ryans. If you add up the total number of players they drafted that are worth a crap in that draft, you would come out with a big, fat, goose egg. (They did right the ship a bit in '07 with the drafting of a star MLB in Patrick Willis and a great Tackle in Joe Staley)

The Niners current roster isn't anything to oogle after-although I think they have some under the radar players like QB Shaun Hill-and while they've added a handful of free agents, none of them are expected to really help. The 49ers, like many teams, are putting their eggs in the "build through the draft" boat apparantly, and will need a little bit of their 2007 magic for that to work.

With the 10th pick, the 49ers could go a number of ways-QB, DT, DE, WR, Tackle, OLB, or safety-so there's no telling what they will do. Me personally, I think they will try to upgrade their defense instead of going with the sexy Mark Sanchez pick (Coach Singletary loves Shaun Hill) and if they do, I expect it to be a pass rushing OLB. Aaron Maybin, Everette Brown, and Brian Cushing are all possibilities.

In the second round (pick 43) I think the Niners will go for a safety, provided Western Michigan's Louis Delmas is still there. If he isn't, DJ Moore, Marcus Freeman, or maybe even an inside linebacker are possibilities.

With their remaining picks (3/74, 4/111, 5/146, 5/171, 6/184, 7/219, and 7/244), San Francisco will probably target their RT position, find a run-stuffing DE, try to get younger at their LB spots, and maybe find a speedy backup running back for Frank Gore like Glenn Coffee or Antoine Smith

THE PICK: Aaron Maybin-DE, Penn State

NFL Draft-Packers

The Packers are currently in the middle of completely reconfiguring their defense. They are switching from a team that was suited very well for the 4-3, but now they are a member of the 3-4 club. They are pretty much set on offense, except they could maybe use another runningback and a little extra depth at the Tackle spots. On defense though, they need some of everything, Nose tackle, run-stuffing DE's, another pass rushing OLB, and they have 2 ILBs who have no business being in a 3-4 (although they are great in the 4-3).

Surprisingly though, thusfar in free agency the Pack haven't added a single player on the defensive side of the ball and let 330 pound DE/DT Collin Cole sign with the Seahawks.
Some players I see the Packers taking a run at before the free agency period is over are, some older Defensive Ends: Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday, and Orpheus Roye (they don't have a lot left, but they can still hold blockers and stop the run better than their other ends) and some young players like Antwan Lake and Dwan Edwards
Nose Tackles: Ryan Sims
Outside Linebackers: Jason Taylor (he worked some as a 3-4 LB when in Miami), Roderick Green, Antwaan Peek, and Carlos Polk.
Now, as you are probably well aware, none of these players are really impact players anymore, but in a 3-4 system, I think they could so a servicable job-which is all the Packers can really hope for.

In the draft, with the 9th overall pick, I would be absolutely shocked if the pick was for anything except for their front 7. They could go with a DE/OLB like Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin, or Brian Orakpo if he falls, but my money is on NT BJ Raji.

With their 2nd round choice (pick 41), look for the Packers to try and find a NT, OLB, or DE. If they can't land Raji at the 9th overall spot, BC's other DT Ron Brace is a solid option, as is OLB Connor Barwin, Larry English, Marcus Freeman, and DE Fili Moala.

The remainder of their picks (3/73, 3/83, 4/109, 5/145, 6/182, 6/187, and 7/218) could very well all be spent on defensive players, although that is highly unlikely. I except them to use 5 of their 7 remaining picks on defense (1 of which will be used on the cornerback position), with the other 2 picks being a RB and a very versatile lineman who can play at least 3 of the O-line spots.

THE PICK: BJ Raji-NT,BC

NFL Draft-Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many people last year...just not in the way they would have liked. A lot of the experts were saying that Jacksonville could even be a dark horse superbowl team, instead they finished with a very disappointing 5-11 record. You could attribute their poor record to either the tragedy that struck them just before the season (Richard Collier getting shot 9 times and having a leg amputated, thus ending his playing career), injuries all along the O-Line, their rookies not contributing (Derrick harvey and Quentin Groves combined for 6 sacks), or spotty QB play. Whatever it was, the Jags hope it gets turned around, and fast.

I think that they aren't far off. They have lost a great lockerroom guy in Fred Taylor, they couldn't afford to keep a guy who has sharply declined 5 million a year, but they did rid themselves of problematic LB Mike Peterson and the troubled Matt Jones. These moves could be thought of as "rebuilding" moves, but if you look a little closer, thats not the case. They still have one of the best RBs in football in Maurice Jones-Drew who will be complemented by 2 other solid backs in Greg Jones and Chauncey Washington, a good game manager at QB, a good TE and an improving O-Line on offense coupled with some really nice, young talent on their front 7.

In the first round, with the 8th overall pick, I am expecting the Jags to go for a really talented perimeter player (WR or CB) seeing as they already shored up their tackle spot with the signing of Tra Thomas. Vontae Davis would be the only real possibility of a CB at pick #8, but that would be quite a reach for a player who should go around 18th or later, so that leaves one option really-Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. He would provide an instant spark to their return game and they could really expand their playbook with him-although it may take him a year or two to get his route running down.

With their second pick, (39th overall) the Jags could be looking to lock up a good corner. Prospects such as UCONN's Darius Butler, Vandy's DJ Moore, or possibly even Utah's Sean Smith who could also work some at a safety spot-are possible selections.

The remainder of their draft (3/72, 4/107, 5/144, 6/180, 7/232, 7/250, and 7/253) will be focused mainly on depth. Any position save for QB are possibilties seeing how they have almost zero depth throughout their team.

THE PICK: Jeremy Maclin-Missouri, WR

NFL Draft-Raiders

Over the last handful of years, one single individual has put a team in more of a mess than any of us could even think of. His name...is Al Davis, owner of the now sad sight that is the Oakland Raiders. He's gone after ridiculous, no one thinks they will pan out draft picks (Tyler Brayton), signed people that don't even know if they want to play anymore (Javon Walker), drafted purely on a 40 yard dash time (too many to just point out one), and signed players who absolutely don't fit in their scheme (Warren Sapp-top 5 4-3 DT ever, mediocre at best 3-4 DE).

So far this offseason, Weird Al has been moderately silent (for him), apart from his ongoing squabbles with former coach Lane Kiffin and signing CB Nnamdi Asomugha to ridiculous money. They have signed a few mid tier free agents, all 3 happen to play 1 of the Tackle postions, signed a backup QB in Jeff Garcia (that could work out well) and traded for Dolphins C Samson Satele and have lost 2 players to the Dolphins and 1 to the Eagles.

It really doesn't matter though, the Raiders are still hopeless as a franchise until Al Davis decides he won't run the team anymore. This team has no direction-they have the talent of a rebuilding team with an owner that expects to make the Superbowl every year. Its just not going to happen. They do have a pretty solid stable of RBs to build around though in Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, and Justin Fargas with a QB who has really only 1 year under his belt.

With their 1st pick (7th overall) the Raiders will be very tempted to draft a skill position player who runs fast, like Jeremy Maclin, but if the draft goes as I plan and Crabtree is still around, I just can't see them passing him up.

In the 2nd round (pick 40) I'm predicting the Raiders selecting a player who could actually end up being a solid end in the 3-4 or a really good tackle in a 4-3 scheme in Jarron Gilbert, oh and he is an athletic freak so Weird Al will be more than happy to pick him.

With their remaining picks (3/71, 4/126, and 7/216) look for the Raiders to draft the best available non-trench player. Is it smart? Probably not, but thats what has become of the Raiders thanks to this idiot.

THE PICK: Michael Crabtree-WR, Texas Tech

NFL Draft-Bengals

The Bengals haven't drafted especially well in the last 5 years (17 players from those drafts are no longer in the NFL) so its no surprise to see them picking so high. Granted, losing Carson Palmer for most of the year and having him when he was definitely not even close to healthy (elbow) hurt them a ton, dropping their offense from 7th in passing yards, 10th in total yards, and 11th in points to 30th in passing yards and dead last in total yards and points and leaving them to rely on a defense that hasn't been good in a long, long time.

The health of Carson Palmer's throwing elbow is obviously the biggest thing to watch for this upcoming season, but I don't think it will affect the Bengals draft board very much as they will look to upgrade their offensive and defensive lines and the rest of the defensive side of the ball.

Also, will Chad Ocho Cinco be able to return to his old self, will Laveranues Coles be able to effectively replace TJ Houshmandzadeh, and will Cedric Benson be able to be as effective as he was over the last few weeks?

With the 6th overall pick in the draft, I expect the Bengals to go for a LT that can replace the departed Stacey Andrews and the oft-injured Levi Jones. They could also choose to bolster their pass rush by selecting a DE like Brian Orakpo if he's still around or Everette Brown or their run D with BJ Raji, even though he would be much better suited for a 3-4 defense.

In the 2nd round (pick 38), look for them to do the same thing as in the first round, pick either an offensive or defensive lineman. Possible choices are BC's Ron Brace, Georgia Tech's Michael Johnson, or Cal's Alex Mack.

Their remaining 9 picks (3/70, 3/98, 4/106, 5/142, 6/179, 6/209, 7/215, 7/245, 7/252) will be used on at least 1 more offensive or defensive lineman, 2 linebacks, a safety, a QB, a running back, possibly a tight end and and a return man/WR.

THE PICK: Andre Smith-OT, Alabama

NFL Draft-Browns

I really dont know what to make of the Browns. Are they as good as they were in 2007, are they the team we saw suck it up last year, are they somewhere in between? I personally think that they are somewhere inbetween those two extremes, slightly leaning more towards the 2007 side though. I think that Brady Quinn will be a servicable QB in the league sooner rather than later, Braylon Edwards will figure out that its the wide recievers job to catch the ball, not batt it down, and their defensive will begin to get a stop every now and again.

They've definitely not been productive personal wise, trading Kellen Winslow Jr. for a couple draft picks and haven't done anything else note-worthy. They did, however, hire who I think is one of the best coaches in football in Eric Mangini..although apparently Shaun Rogers wants a trade now because of this. If they do, for some unGodly reason trade him, I don't think it will really shake up their draft board much, but it would really make me question the decision makers in the organization because they would only be adding another hole to an already porous defense.

The top needs for the Browns are; a pass-rushing OLB, a RB, CB, RT, and thanks to Donte Stallworth's intoxicated manslaughter charges, WR.

In the 1st round (5th overall pick) look for the Browns to fill their biggest need-the pass rushing OLB. Choices like Texas' Brian Orakpo and FSU's Everette Brown will both be available and either would be a solid pick. In the end though, I say it is Orakpo.

In the 2nd round, pick 36, look for the Browns to make a play on either a running back with some speed, or a conerback. LeSean McCoy or Darius Butler are possible choices.

With their remaining picks (2/50, 4/104, and 6/177) look for them to select either a RB or CB-whichever wasn't picked with their 1st second round pick, a Right Guard or Right Tackle (or someone who plays both), and a Wide Reciever.

THE PICK: Brian Orakpo-OLB/DE, Texas

NFL Draft-Seahawks

The Seahawks are a team whose returning (and newly added) talent is far better than what their record showed last year, okay maybe not far better but at least...better. Injuries to many of their key offensive figures last season like Matt Hasselbeck, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch, Walter Jones, and others really hampered their chances of making any noise at all.

This year, Matt Hasselbeck, the most important player for the Hawks and his balky back should be back close to 100% and he has a new reciever to throw to in TJ Houshmandzadeh who should replace all the priduction and then some of oft-injured Bobby Engram who is now a member of the Chiefs. Walter Jones is still a large (slight pun intended) question mark due to his microfracture surgery, and much of the Seahawks success will depend on how well that knee holds up over the course of the season.

Now on to the draft. The Seahawks, like many teams, could go any number of directions with this pick. They could go for a QB to groom and eventually replace Hasselbeck, they could go WR to improve its recieving corps, they could try to bolster their pass rush with a solid DE, or the most likely choice, they could select a Tackle to help solidify their line in the short run and take over for the aging Walter Jones in the long run.

In the second round, they will probably be looking for either a solid WR such as Kenny Britt, a D-lineman such as Tennessee's Robert Ayers, or a RB if Knowshon Moreno, LeSean McCoy, or Donald Brown falls to them.

The Seahawks have 8 more selections after the second round (3/68, 4/105, 5/137, 6/178, 7/213, 7/245, 7/247, and 7/248). In the 3rd and 4th rounds, look for them to draft an OLB and a high potential QB (hello Rhett Bomar), then they will finish out their draft with a DT, cornerback, and maybe a really quick reciever who they can plug in as a kick returner in the mean time.

THE PICK: Eugene Monroe, OT-Virginia

NFL Draft-Chiefs

The Chiefs are quietly building something...well mediocre I guess. They've added a good to potentially great QB in Matt Cassel, have a solid #2 RB in Jamaal Charles, one of the best young wideouts in Dwayne Bowe, and players like Tony Gonzalez, Derrick Johnson, and a bevy of talent from last years draft.
Still, the Chiefs are not with out their holes (O-Line, D-Line, another WR, and the safety spots) and they could use some depth at other positions (RB, TE, LB).

With the 3rd overall pick, the Chiefs could go in a few directions. They could draft a LT like Jason Smith if he falls or Eugene Monroe, they could surprise everyone and pick the uber-talented Michael Crabtree to play alongside Dwayne Bowe, or they could pick the best overall defensive player in Aaron Curry. Personally, I would draft Crabtree to give Cassel two legit targets he can throw to for many years to come, but in the end I think the pick will be Curry and there is no shame in that. He and fellow OLB Derrick Johnson will form one of the best OLB tandems in the NFL from the get-go.

The Chiefs dont have a 2nd round pick due to the trade with NE for QB Matt Cassel, who should play a fair amount better than any 2nd rounder they could have picked anyway, so instead they will have to make due with picks 3/67, 4/102, 5/139, 6/175, 7/212 and 7/256. They will be looking to heavily upgrade their offensive line and find a defensive lineman who can really get to the quarterback with these picks, and I also think they will try to find a RB who can split time with Jamaal Charles so they can kick malcontent Larry Johnson out of town. A player like Iowa's Shonne Green comes to mind in Round 3...

THE PICK: Aaron Curry-OLB, Wake Forest

NFL Draft-Rams

The Rams are in a pretty difficult situation. They have little talent on either side of the ball, a pathetic excuse for an O-line, and a 1st time head coach. Sure they have some talented players like...Steven Jackson (injury-prone) and Donnie Avery (inconsistent) and a few others like Chris Long and Oshiomogho Atogwe-but no where near enough players to contend.

They also have released their two most well known players in Torry Holt and Orlando Pace.

So in short, this team has more than its fair share of needs to fill and it will attempt to do just that in the upcoming draft.

With their 1st pick (2nd overall), I think they will try to shore up their offensive line with a LT that has the potential to be a mainstay there for a decade or more, however, if the Lions pass on Stafford, they could draft him or they may even select USC product Mark Sanchez, but when its all said and done, I'm confident LT Jason Smith of Baylor is the pick.

In the 2nd round (35th overall) look for the Rams to try to attain either a possesion wideout (Kenny Britt, Hakeem Nicks) to compliment the speedy Donnie Avery, or maybe linebacker if a player like James Laurinaitis falls in their laps.

For the rest of their draft, (3/66, 4/103, 5/160, 6/196, and 7/211) the Rams will draft a mix of O-lineman and defensive players. I think in either rounds 4 or 5, they will draft a QB as insurance and eventually replacement for the fragile and detereorating Marc Bulger such as Stephen McGee or Graham Harrell.

THE PICK: Jason Smith-OT, Baylor

NFL Draft-Lions

Ah Detroit...where should we start with you?



You have no Quarterback

You only have 1 reliable reciever

You have no offensive line

You have no Tight Ends

Your D-Line is terrible

Your Linebackers are just as bad

You don't have a return threat

And...you released the player you traded one of the best DTs in the game for (Leigh Bodden) and now you hardly have a secondary.



They do however have a (very) small group of youngs players that they can build around in RB-Kevin Smith(22), WR-Calvin Johnson (23), OT-Gosder Cherilus (24), and LB-Ernie Sims (24). Everyone else on the team, in my opinion, is expendable. Also, they have signed a handful of mediocre free agents, including DT Grady Jackson-who is far past his prime, and LB Julian Peterson who is also on the downside of his career.

In the draft with the 1st overall pick, expect the Lions to take Georgia product Matthew Stafford. I'm not sold on him, but barring some unforeseen circumstances he will be the pick.

With their 2nd pick, the 20th overall selection, look for the Lions to draft either an offensive or defensive tackle or conerback-players like Michael Oher, Eben Britton, Peria Jerry, and Vontae Davis are likely choices.

The first pick of the 2nd round, the Lions will probably be looking at those same positions minus the one they drafted and MLB too. James Laurinaitis, Michael Johnson, and William Beatty are possibilities.

From their on out, the Lions have 8 more draft picks (65, 82, 101, 137, 174, 192, 210, and 255). For each of those picks, I see them picking either a very versatile player who can backup multiple spots, or simply the best available player regardless of position seeing how they have so many holes to fill.

Tomorrow I'll post my view on what the Rams should do and will give my top 5 players by position for the draft plus possible sleepers and busts.

THE PICK(s): 1/1: Matthew Stafford-QB, Georgia 1/20: Michael Oher-OT, Ole Miss