|
Draft Stock managing editor Michael Hicks and contributing writers Matt Schauf, Steven Lassan and Marc Pruitt each took turns stepping into the shoes of NFL execs.
So where does the Draft Stock team of experts have
Michigan
State
multi-weapon Devin Thomas landing in this upcoming weekend’s draft? Read more to find out …
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS {Michael Hicks} - OT Jake Long,
Michigan
After a 1-15 season, the Dolphins have a lot of needs especially on the offensive and defensive lines. While Bill Parcells, the Executive Vice President of Football Operations, has rarely used a first-round pick on offensive linemen, by taking Long he gets an anchor on the O-line to protect second-year quarterback John Beck. Plus
Miami
's new head coach, Tony Sparano, a former lineman, knows offensive linemen -- he coached three to the Pro Bowl last year while in
Dallas
.
2.
ST. LOUIS
RAMS {Matt Schauf} - DE Chris Long, Virginia
This pick could just as easily be Vernon Gholston or Glenn Dorsey, but when you're on as hot a seat as Scott Linehan is, you have to favor the safest choice. Long fills a primary need at end and also brings versatility in case Jim Haslett wants to show any 3-4 looks.
3.
ATLANTA
FALCONS {Steven Lassan} - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Although the Falcons would be wise to consider taking
Boston
College
quarterback Matt Ryan, Dorsey is the pick at this spot. The LSU defensive tackle would be a nice fit for the defensive line and would address a major need - especially for defensive minded head coach Mike Smith.
4.
OAKLAND
RAIDERS {Marc Pruitt} - RB Darren McFadden,
Arkansas
With Chris Long and Dorsey off the board, Crazy Al wants to make a splash and snags the best player in the draft with McFadden. His off the field issues will fit in perfectly with the Silver and Black, and his on the field talent should blend well with last year's first pick JaMarcus Russell to compliment an offense that ranked 25th in the league last season despite being sixth in rushing with 130.4 yards per game. This will create more of a logjam at running back, but McFadden's too good to pass up in this spot.
5.
KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS (Michael Hicks) - OT/G
Branden Albert
,
Virginia
The Chiefs have a number of needs -- OL, QB, CB, among others. While QB Matt Ryan of
Boston
College
will be on the board, as well as OT Ryan Clady of
Boise State
,
Kansas
City goes with potential and the one player who is moving up the boards faster than anyone else. Albert has the size -- 6-6, 309 -- to play tackle in the NFL and the experience -- starting 35 of 37 games in college -- to play his original position of guard.
6.
NEW YORK
JETS {Matt Schauf} - OLB
Vernon
Gholston,
Ohio
State
If I were really in the Jets' front office, I'd actively peddle this pick to anyone looking for Gholston, Matt Ryan, Sedrick Ellis, Keith Rivers, Derrick Harvey or anyone else. Because I have to make a pick, I'm going Gholston to replace Bryan Thomas at outside linebacker. Standing him up to rush the passer helps to ease concerns about Gholston's technique from the end spot. I'll wait until later for a quarterback.
7. NEW ENGLAD PATRIOTS {Steven Lassan} - DT
Sedrick Ellis
,
Southern
California
Although there aren't many needs for the Patriots, adding another body to the defensive line would be a nice option at the pick. Considering the Patriots don't have a glaring need, taking the best player available or trading out of this spot appears likely. Ellis should have no trouble switching to the 3-4 tackle and his ability to quickly penetrate into the backfield will be a valuable asset for the Patriots in 2008.
8.
BALTIMORE
RAVENS {Marc Pruitt} - QB Matt Ryan,
Boston
College
Ozzie Newsome is probably tickled to death that Ryan, who everyone has rated as the top QB in the draft, fell to him at No. 8. The timing couldn't get any better, either, considering the unexpected retirement announcement of Steve McNair on Thursday. Let's face it...Kyle Boller isn't developing, and Troy Smith doesn't seem to be the answer either. The Ravens start to rebuild their offense again with Ryan.
9.
CINCINNATI
BENGALS (Michael Hicks) - DE Derrick Harvey,
Florida
Quite possibly the first surprise of the draft,
Cincinnati
addresses its defensive line after missing out on DTs Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. The Bengals are a likely candidate to trade up to ensure they land Ellis, who fills a major need in the middle of the D-line. But if
Cincinnati
can't do so -- which may not be because of ammunition, especially if the team trades WR Chad Johnson for draft picks -- it will draft the next best D-lineman, and that's the 6-5, 271-pound defensive end from
Florida
.
10.
NEW ORLEANS
SAINTS (Matt Schauf} - LB Keith Rivers, USC
There is plenty that could be said here, but it really just comes down to this: The Saints can get a corner in Round 2. They certainly can't get Keith Rivers at that point. He's an instant starter.
11. BUFFALO BILLS {Steven Lassan} - WR Devin Thomas,
Michigan
State
It's a reach, but the Bills have to find a receiver and Thomas is the big presence they need. Considering the Bills could nab Thomas a couple of spots lower, don't rule out a trade.
12.
DENVER
BRONCOS {Marc Pruitt} -- OT Ryan Clady,
Boise
State
The Broncos really need to address their defense, which ranked 30th against the run last year. But since Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, and Sedrick Ellis are all gone, Mike Shanahan will shore up his offensive line with Clady, in hopes he can fill the void left by the retirement of Matt Lepsis.
13.
CAROLINA
PANTHERS (Michael Hicks)-- OT Jeff Otah,
Pittsburgh
The Panthers would love to see Ryan Clady fall to them, but if not, they'll take the next best guy on their board to sure up an offensive line that has been a sore spot for a couple of years now. Running back is an option here as well, as a replacement for the departed DeShaun Foster, but
Carolina
will likely find a bruiser to complement DeAngelo Williams later in the draft.
14.
CHICAGO
BEARS {Matt Schauf} - RB Jonathan Stewart,
Oregon
The Bears have already shown they don't care at all having receivers on the roster, and it's just as well, because there wouldn't be good value here anyway. Early concerns about Stewart's toe surgery were apparently bluster, and some NFL scouts consider him the best back in this draft.
15.
DETROIT
LIONS {Steven Lassan} - RB
Rashard Mendenhall
,
Illinois
The Lions desperately need a go-to back and Mendenhall would be a nice workhorse for this team in 2008. Additionally, with the change in offensive styles, expect more emphasis on the run and the Lions need an upgrade over their current depth chart.
16.
ARIZONA
CARDINALS {Marc Pruitt} - CB Leodis McKelvin,
Troy
The Cards need another corner now that Antrel Rolle has moved to safety, and McKelvin would not only take care of the need for a corner, but enhances his value because of his dynamic kick return ability. Averaged 13.1 yards on punt returns (with seven TD's) and 23.7 yards on kickoff returns in is college career (with one TD). Had three INT's returned for TD's in 2007, and with his speed (4.37 40) and quick feet, McKelvin shouldn't have many problems adjusting to the pro level.
17.
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS (Michael Hicks) - DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
As evident by the team's interest in Kansas City's Jared Allen, who had twice as many sacks -- 10 -- than any of Minnesota's DE in 2007, this is a need pick for the Vikings. The team couldn't land Justin Smith, who signed with
San Francisco
, and there are depth concerns with Erasmus James' knee problems and Kenechi Udeze being diagnosed with leukemia. QB is a possibility here, but the team doesn't appear ready to give up on Tavaris Jackson just yet.
18.
HOUSTON
TEXANS {Matt Schauf} - CB Mike Jenkins,
South Florida
The corner rankings are all over the place in this class, so the Texans could lean toward any one of about four other guys. Jenkins seems to be a consistent favorite, though, and might be the most ready to step in. With the top three backs gone and plenty of cover guys still on the board, this is an easy choice.
19.
PHILADELPHIA
EAGLES {Steven Lassan} - S Kenny Phillips,
Miami
The Eagles have a need at receiver, but with Devin Thomas off the board, a receiver doesn't make sense in this spot. Although Phillips may be a bit of a reach at 19, this is a spot the Eagles could look for an upgrade at this position. Phillips and cornerback Asante Samuel would be in charge of improving the NFL's 18th ranked pass defense.
20.
TAMPA
BAY
BUCCANEERS {Marc Pruitt} - CB
Aqib Talib
,
Kansas
Tampa
really needs a playmaking wide receiver, because Joey Galloway isn't getting any younger. However, Ronde Barber isn't either, so Talib, still on the board here (and rated by many as the top corner in a deep class) gets the nod. And because he likes to mix it up, he'll fit in well in the Bucs physical defense.
21.
WASHINGTON
REDSKINS (Michael Hicks) - OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
While Daniel Snyder could make a splash and go WR and there's been talk that Washington could trade out of this pick -- either going up to get a player it desires or more likely trade back to allow another team to move up to get a QB -- Washington has concerns along its offensive line with injuries last year to Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen. Williams would be a steal here.
22.
DALLAS
COWBOYS (Matt Schauf} - DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,
Tennessee
State
On a team without many holes, corner probably qualifies as the biggest. The lack of an immediate need and a second first-rounder validate taking a chance on a super-talented but unproven defensive back. Even if DRC doesn't pan out as a corner, he could eventually take over a safety spot.
23.
PITTSBURGH
STEELERS {Steven Lassan} - DT
Kentwan Balmer
,
North Carolina
The Steelers could go a couple of ways with this pick, but with the first round receiving crop thin, Balmer would make a nice addition to the defensive front. This defensive tackle should be able to move into a 3-4 end position and would provide valuable depth for a Steeler front that struggled once Aaron Smith was injured. If the Steelers don't go with a defensive lineman, don't rule out an offensive lineman at this spot.
24.
TENNESSEE
TITANS {Marc Pruitt} - WR Limas Sweed,
Texas
Tennesse needs a receiver, and since there are concerns with Malcolm Kelly (poor workouts) and DeSean Jackson (size), the Titans will listen to their franchise quarterback and select Sweed, a former teammate at
Texas
with Vince Young. Sweed fits the prototypical No. 1 receiver mold (6-3 7/8, 215 lbs, 4.5 40) and is a hair faster than Kelly, who has been timed recently in the 4.6-4.7 range. Sweed will have to show he's overcome a wrist injury that ended his 2007 season after just six games, but has all the tools (and the voice of the starting QB) to help
Tennessee
make him its selection.
25.
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS (Michael Hicks) - TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
It's a little high to be picking a tight end, but with Jonathan Stewart and Rashard Meandenhall off the board, and the pickup of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, RB isn't as much of a need for
Seattle
. The team needs a viable pass-catching TE option in Mike Holmgren's West Coast offense. Most likely, however, the team will trade out of the pick, if it can, to add extra picks.
26.
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS {Matt Schauf} - S Tyrell Johnson,
Arkansas
State
I expect the Jags to try to jump up and get Derrick Harvey, especially if he makes it out of the top 10. If the board falls like this in front of them, they could and should be a prime candidate to trade down with a second-round team looking for a quarterback. Failing that, Johnson is a rising prospect whose tremendous testing should only help make evaluators aware of a highly productive college career.
Jacksonville
needs safety depth.
27.
SAN DIEGO
CHARGERS {Steven Lassan} - OT Gosder Cherilus,
Boston
College
Considering the Chargers were a step away from the Super Bowl, there aren't a lot of holes to fill. However, right tackle is a concern and Cherilus would fill an immediate need. Offensive linemen from
Boston
College
have done well in the NFL - and the Chargers are hoping Cherilus will continue to follow in that mode.
28.
DALLAS
COWBOYS {Marc Pruitt} - RB Felix Jones,
Arkansas
If Jerry Jones doesn't end up packaging his two first round picks to trade up and try to land fellow Razorback Darren McFadden, he'll gladly swipe Jones at pick 28. Jones will be the ideal compliment to Marion Barber in the backfield. Jones had a pretty accomplished career at
Arkansas
, even in the shadow of McFadden. Jones provides an East-West approach to running that can get him around the corner and take off. He's also an accomplished kick returner and can do some damage there.
29.
SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS (Michael Hicks) - WR Malcolm Kelly,
Oklahoma
His stock has fallen, but the need is still there for the 49ers. Sure they signed Bryant Johnson and an aging Isaac Bruce, but they also cut Darrell Jackson.
San Francisco
needs playmakers on offense to go with Frank Gore. Kelly is a playmaker.
30. GREEN BAY PACKERS {Matt Schauf} - CB Antoine Cason,
Arizona
With no glaring, immediate needs in
Green Bay
other than counseling in the wake of Brett Favre's retirement, the Packers would be best off grabbing insurance for its 30-plus pair of corners. In a jumbled class of cover guys, Cason might just be the safest bet to succeed even if he isn't the most athletically gifted.
31.
NEW YORK
GIANTS {Steven Lassan} - CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech
The Giants have needs at safety, linebacker and cornerback and should take the best player among those three positions when they are on the clock. Since
Miami
safety Kenny Phillips is off the board, the Giants would be wise to use this selection and bolster their secondary by adding Flowers.
|
