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FINAL UPDATE!!! (7:30pm 4/27) |
1 |
Raiders | JaMarcus
Russell | Quarterback | LSU | | The
Raiders have thrown up all sorts of smoke screens, but in the end, I fully expect
them to stay put in the number one spot and select Russell. While Calvin Johnson
is tempting, they can't go forward another year with such a huge hole at quarterback.
Russell has the strong arm that will allow the Raiders to throw downfield early
and often in his career in Oakland. | | 2 |
Lions | Calvin
Johnson | Wide
Receiver | G.
Tech | | In
the end I don't see Calvin Johnson being a Detroit Lion. However, I do foresee
a situation emerging where they select him and then work out a deal with the Bucs
or Falcons. In the end, I believe Tampa lands Johnson, likely in exchange for
Gaines Adams and some picks, but look out for Atlanta offering Patrick Willis
and 2 second rounders. | | 3 | Browns
| Brady
Quinn | Quarterback | Notre
Dame | | I'll
save my criticism of this pick until after they make it official, but it looks
like the Browns are going this direction. Despite the fact that owner Randy Lerner
denies pushing GM Phil Savage to fo this direction, it is begining to look like
Savage will take Quinn anyway. You also have to wonder if they might try to trade
down. | | 4 | Bucs | Gaines
Adams | Defensive
End | Clemson | | If
the Lions select Johnson the Bucs should take Gaines Adams for two reasons. Number
one, because the Lions are targeting him and he could easily be offered up in
a trade. And number two because even if they can't pull off a trade Adams fills
a need for them at the defensive end position. Joe Thomas may be an option if
they lose interested in Johnson. | | 5 |
Cardinals | Joe
Thomas | Offensive
Tackle | Wisconsin | | If
Joe Thomas is on the board here I will be shocked if the Cardinals waste any time
turning in their Card. Their offensive line needs some serious help to open holes
for Edgerrin James and to keep Matt Leinart on his feet. Thomas is the guy that
can solve those issues. However, they are rumored to love Levi Brown, so you can't
rule out them trading down. | | 6 |
Redskins | Amobi
Okoye | Defensive
Tackle | Louisville | | The
Redskins are looking to trade down but I don't see that effecting my projection
for them. Whether their picking 6th or 9th the 'Skins seem to be targeting either
Okoye or Jamaal Anderson. They had a franchise worst 19 sacks in 2006 and Okoye
has the rare ability to get to the quarterback from the defensive tackle position. | | 7 | Vikings
| Adrian
Peterson | Running
Back | Oklahoma | | Rumors
are swirling today that Peterson needs another surgury and that he may not be
ready to take the field until the season opener. At this point, that info is meaningless,
as each team has already done their homework on his and the Vikings are prepared
to take him should he fall this far. If he's gone, look for them to target Landry
or Jamaal Anderson. | | 8 |
Falcons | LaRon
Landry | Safety | LSU | | If
Landry is on the board the Falcons will almost certainly jump at the chance to
give DeAngelo Hall some help in their secondary. They will give a long hard look
at Levi Brown, because Wayne Gandy doesn't figure to last much longer as their
left tackle, but in the end Landry is simply too good to pass up and he should
have an instant impact. | | 9 |
Dolphins | Levi
Brown | Offensive
Tackle | Penn
State | | The
Dolphins will be working phones all morning in an effort to land Brady Quinn,
but in the end if the Browns want him, the Dolphins won't be able to offer enough
to move up that high. The should sit here and select Brown or Jamaal Anderson
insteadn. Brown is a legitimate franchise left tackle, in the mold of Seattle's
Walter Jones. | | 10 | Texans | Jamaal
Anderson | Defensive
End | Arkansas | | This
certainly won't be a very popular pick if the Texans select a defensive end for
the second year in a row, but I think it is a smart move. I think Anderson has
the potential to be a Jason Taylor type defensive lineman and would make an excellent
addition to their line. There are also rumors of them swapping picks with Denver. | | 11 | 49ers | Patrick
Willis | Inside
Linebacker | Mississippi | | How
can you pass on Willis at this point? While many have Adam Carriker projected
here, Willis would be a huge upgrade over current inside linebackers Derek Smith
and Brandon Moore and he has tremendous value here, while Carriker would be a
slight reach. In the event that Willis is already off the board, Carriker is the
pick. | | 12 |
Bills | Leon
Hall | Cornerback | Michigan | | Many
Buffalo fans will be disappointed to see Willis already off the board, but they
shouldn't be too concerned. They're still in great position to land Leon Hall,
Darrelle Revis or Marshawn Lynch, all of whom fill a major need. Hall appears
to be the top guy on the board, but look out for Revis, who has made a late rise
up the rankings. | | 13 |
Rams | Darrelle
Revis | Cornerback | Pittsburgh | | A
few weeks ago I would have guessed Alan Branch is their guy here, but it now looks
like he's falling down the board. For the second year in a row the Rams now appear
to be targeting a cornerback. Revis has risen up the draft boards the past few
weeks and he is a legitimate top fifteen pick that could team with Tye Hill to
give the Rams a talented secondary. | | 14 | Panthers
| Reggie
Nelson | Safety | Florida | | Greg
Olsen would look like the smart pick, but John Fox doesn't put much value in the
tight end position. With Mike Minter planning to retire after this season, the
Panthers are in great position to land his replacement here and get a guy that
can immediately provide depth at both safety and corner and be a playmaker in
their secondary. | | 15 |
Steelers | Lawrence
Timmons | Linebacker | Florida
St. | | I
agree with those that say the Steelers are prepared to pick Darrelle Revis, however,
it is a very real possibility that he is off the board already. In that event,
the Steelers should be ready to take Timmons. He is a perfect fit for the Tampa
2 defense, which Tomlin figures to switch to eventually. In the meantime, he can
provide depth at inside linebacker. | | 16 | Packers
| Marshawn
Lynch | Running
Back | California | | This
has been one of the few picks that has remained constant through much of the offseason.
GM Ted Thompson doesn't necessary want to take a running back here, but he's in
a situation similar to the Raiders. Even if someone is higher on their board,
sometimes a need at a key position can bump a guy up and that is the case here. | |  
17 | Jaguars | Adam
Carriker | Defensive
End | Nebraska | | The
Jags are a difficult team to predict because they often reach for a position of
need or a guy that they have rated higher than most. In this case, conventional
wisdom says they need to take one of the top three defensive ends or Reggie Nelson.
With Carriker being the only one left it looks like a no brainer, but don't be
shocked if they reach for a safety. | | 18 | Bengals | Jon
Beason | Linebacker | Miami
FL | | The
Bengals have to use this pick on the defensive side of the ball, and with a few
linebacker available, that would be the smart move. Beason has experience at inside
and outside linebacker and could provide some much needed depth at the position
in Cincinnati. And possibly most importantly, he has managed stay out of trouble
while at Miami. | | 19 |
Titans | Ted
Ginn Jr. | Wide
Receiver | Ohio
State | | Personally,
I think this is a long way for Ginn to fall, but it looks likely. Teams are concerned
about his durability and route running, but his speed alone can change a game.
He is exactly the type of receiver that Vince Young needs: someone that can really
stretch the field like current stars Steve Smith, Santana Moss and Lee Evans. | | 20 | Giants | Paul
Posluszny | Outside
Linebacker | Penn
State | | I'm
not real high on Posluszny, but it looks like the Giants are. With Kawika Mitchell
and Gerris Wilkinson slated to line up as their starting outside linebackers,
they could certainly use a guy like Posluszny. Other options could include a cornerback
like Aaron Ross, and you certainly can't rule out Joe Staley as a potential franchise
left tackle. | | 21 |
Broncos | Alan
Branch | Defensive
Tackle | Michigan | | I
really can't believe that Branch is going to fall this far, but it is looking
like a very real possibility. If he is on the board here the Broncos should waste
no time adding him to the underachieving defensive line. His presence in the middle
could really open things up on the outside for their pass rushers. Don't rule
out the taking a linebacker here either. | | 22 | Cowboys | Dwayne
Bowe | Wide
Receiver | LSU | | Its
tough to say exactly which receiver the Cowboys are targeting here, but it appears
either Bowe, Dwayne Jarrett or Robert Meachem will be heading to Dallas. Of those
three, Bowe has the best combination of size and speed and draws some comparisons
to T.O. With Owens and Glenn getting up their in years this is a smart pick. | | 23 |
Chiefs | Joe
Staley | Offensive
Tackle | C.
Michigan | | The
once dominant Chiefs offensive line has been seriously depleted due to retirements
in the past year and they never properly prepared for this scenario. Staley has
all the tools to become a franchise left tackle and would be an excellent addition
in KC. Also, look out for them to go after a defensive tackle like Branch, if
he falls, or Justin Harrell. | | 24 | Patriots | Brandon
Meriweather | Safety | Miami
FL | | Its
rumored that the Patriots are very high on Meriweather and would love to land
him with the 24th pick. Rodney Harrison is slowing down and there's no telling
how much longer he will last. Belichick likes to be prepared for these things,
and this is the perfect opportunity to find his replacement for the future and
add some nice depth for now. | | 25 |
Jets | Greg
Olsen | Tight
End | Miami
FL | | Greg
Olsen has a chance to go in the top fifteen, but if the Panthers pass on him he
could suffer a serious free fall. Should he be available here, I expect the Jets
to jump all over him. They tried to use their tight ends a year ago, but they
just didn't have the talent at the position that they would have liked and Olsen
is a major upgrade. | | 26 |
Eagles | Michael
Griffin | Safety | Texas | | The
Eagles are said to be considering both Meriweather and Griffin, and it looks like
at least one of them should be on the board here. Safety isn't a huge need for
the Eagles, but the departure of Michael Lewis does leave a fairly significant
hole at strong safety and Griffin could certainly compete with Sean Considine
for that starting role. | | 27 |
Saints | Justin
Harrell | Defensive
Tackle | Tennessee | | Justin
Harrell is a big, physical defensive tackle and now that he is fully recovered
from a torn biceps the Saints are prepared to select him 27th overall. In fact,
don't be shocked if the Saints try to move up in the draft in order to their hands
on Harrell, who could also go to the Chiefs. Should he be off the board, the Saints
should consider a cornerback. | | 28 | Patriots | Dave
Harris | Inside
Linebacker | Michigan | | The
Patriots are said to be very high on Jon Beason, but with him off the board they
won't be too disappointed if they have to settle for Harris. He has steadily risen
up the draft boards this offseason and would be an excellent fit in New England
behind veterans Mike Vrable and Teddy Bruschi. The Pats may also consider a corner,
given the Asante Samuel situation. | | 29 |
Ravens | Ben
Grubbs | Offensive
Guard | Auburn | | The
Ravens may have the deepest team in the league, which could allow them to select
a player like Aaron Ross with great value here, but their offensive line isn't
as dominant as it has been and Grubbs definitely looks like an upgrade over Jason
Brown at left guard. They may also consider Ryan Kalil and Justin Blalock. | | 30 |
Chargers | Robert
Meachem | Wide
Receiver | Tennessee | | Should
Meachem fall this far I think he is just too good for the Chargers to pass up.
Making their choice easier is the fact that the top four safeties are already
off the board. Meachem can add a new dimension to their offensive, which is a
scary thought for the rest of the league. They may also target Dave Harris if
he is available. | | 31 | Bears | Dwayne
Jarrett | Wide
Receiver | USC | | While
recent rumors have Jarrett falling down as far as the mid second round, I think
he would be a perfect fit in Chicago. With Bernard Berian as the speed receiver,
Dwayne Jarrett could be their possession receiver and red zone target. Despite
comparisons to Mike Williams, I see no reason to think that Jarrett will be that
much of a bust. | | 32 | Colts | Aaron
Ross | Cornerback | Texas | | I
understand that this is a fairly unlikely, and unpopular, pick for the Colts.
However, I see most of their targets (Harrell, Harris, Timmons, Beason) coming
off the board early and they are in a position to select the best player available
rather than reach for a need. The pending departure of Jason David also makes
this a smart pick, and Ross could end up stating in '07. | |
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