updated 1-17-2012
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel – OT – Texas A&M – Scouting Report
The Chiefs picked the wrong year to implode. They desperately need a franchise quarterback, especially with a new coach and GM on board, but no one is worthy of the first-overall pick. In fact, there may not even be a quarterback worthy of the first round. While it won’t fix anything for the short term, the best move is to settle for either Joeckel or Werner and hope to answer the quarterback question next year.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Bjoern Werner – DE – Florida State – Scouting Report
The Jaguars are in nearly the same position as the Chiefs. Blaine Gabbert has yet to impress and the new regime has no reason to give him the benefit of the doubt. But he’s still young and has yet to be surrounded by the support a young, developing quarterback deserves. Given the Jaguars glaring hole at defensive end, Werner or Moore would be a safe alternative to reaching for a quarterback.
3. Oakland Raiders – Damontre Moore – DE – Texas A&M – Scouting Report
With Richard Seymour set to become a free agent and unlikely to return to Oakland, the Raiders most glaring need is the defensive line. In addition to Seymour, Matt Shaughnessy, Andre Carter and Desmond Bryant are also set to hit the open market. Moore is a physical pass rusher who would immediate upgrade the Raiders relatively weak pass rush.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dee Milliner – CB – Alabama - Scouting Report
Unless the Eagles want to be the first time to grab a quarterback (unlikely considering Chip Kelly’s offense and the talent on the board) they’re hoping someone else does to allow Luke Joeckel to fall to them. But if Joeckel is off the board, Milliner makes the most sense. This pick becomes even more likely if the Eagles cut ties with one of their expensive and underachieving cornerbacks.
5. Detroit Lions – Dion Jordan – DE – Oregon – Scouting Report
The Lions may be a candidate to trade up if they’re interested in landing Werner or Moore, both of whom would be excellent fits to replace Kyle Vanden Bosch, who seems to have reached the end of the road, and/or Cliff Avril who is a free agent. If they can’t land one of the top two ends Jordan and Mingo become options. Both have elite potential as pass rushers but Jordan has more experience under his belt and is a safer bet to contribute immediately.
It has become clear that Redskins go as Griffin goes, which means he needs to learn to protect himself. Griffin was knocked out of the game last week, and complained about the Rams taking cheap shots at him the week before. While injuries are sometimes out of your control, Griffin needs to learn that he can take himself out of dangerous situations.
The Chicago Bears spent an early 4th-round pick on Temple’s Evan Rodriguez, a tight end who they intended to convert to fullback. It would have been an early selection for any fullback, but especially for one with limited experience at the position.
Houston Texans 1st-round pick Whitney Mercilus was expected to be used as a pass-rush specialist this season, but he’s failed to carve out a niche for himself in the Texans defensive scheme so far.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Coby Fleener, at least in part, due to his connection to Andrew Luck. And so far, the strategy has worked. Fleener has developed into Luck’s safety net – when all else fails, Luck checks down to Fleener.
The Tennessee Titans presumably drafted Kendall Wright in the 1st round with the hope that he would add a new dimension to their offense.
The New York Jets have used Aaron Maybin as their pass rush specialist this season, and so far it’s not going well.
