Bubbles
12-09-2008, 12:24 PM
For the purposes of this draft, I'm assuming players eligible to come out come out unless they say otherwise (like Colt McCoy did).
Firstly, Detroit trades the #1 pick. They can get just as much help at a need position at #4, and they also get an extra day one pick from it. With that in mind, here goes...
1) St. Louis Rams (from Detroit): Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Rationale: I still think he could be a system quarterback, but there's no denying he can lead an offense given the right situation. The Rams' QB situation is MISERABLE right now, so they could use him. Is it a risk? Yes. But if it pays off, imagine how good the Rams could potentially be down the line.
2) Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Rationale: If Carson Palmer comes back healthy, their offense may not need to spend the pick here. Their defense is abysmal, and Orakpo is the best edge-rusher in the draft.
3) Kansas City Chiefs: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Rationale: It's tough to say who they'll take here given that Orakpo, who would have been the best fit, is off the board. They could conceivably trade down, but for the purposes of this draft, we'll assume they fill another defensive need. #3's a bit of a reach, but Maualuga's easily the best linebacker in the draft and for sure a top-ten talent.
4) Detroit Lions (from St. Louis): Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Rationale: I could also see James Laurinaitis going here, but that's even more of a reach than Maualuga was at #3. However, Jenkins is the best cover man in the draft by leaps and bounds, and fills a need on the defensive end.
5) Seattle Seahawks: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Rationale: The Seahawks could go QB if they like what they see in Tim Tebow or Matt Stafford, but I'm not star-struck by either. Moreno's a complete halfback, and without him, Stafford's just another SEC quarterback. He's easily an upgrade over Julius Jones and Mo Morris.
6) Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Rationale: Are there any more exciting words in football than "Al Davis is on the clock?" It's no secret he likes star power, and Crabtree has that in spades being the best receiver in the draft. His talent is off the charts, and if he declares, he'll either get snapped up here or elsewhere on the lower fringes of the top ten.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Rationale: If I'm them, I try to trade up and nab Crabtree. However, with him off the board at this spot, I think the Jags address another need, their secondary. Mays is easily the best safety in the draft, and he can play at both safety spots.
8) Cleveland Browns: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Rationale: I could see them going running back, but with Javon Ringer likely available at their spot in the second round, I think they wait for his slashing ability and take him to team up with Jamal Lewis rather than take another big back in Chris Wells. They need help on defense, and Johnson is the best defensive player available.
9) San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Rationale: San Fran could use help at QB, but their offensive line has been awful this year. Oher is the best tackle in the draft, and he can step in and help right away.
10) Green Bay Packers: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Rationale: The Packers REALLY need help on defense. They couldn't hold a lead to save their life this season, and it made a very good debut season for Aaron Rodgers take a backseat. Laurinaitis isn't a sexy pick, but he's a gritty, consistent playmaker who has a nose for the football. In other words, a stereotypical Green Bay Packer.
11) San Diego Chargers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Rationale: Say what you will about LaDanian Tomlinson's subpar season, but he hasn't exactly had a lot of help from his offensive line. The Chargers have been a huge disappointment this year, and this pick helps shore up a shortcoming.
12) Buffalo Bills: Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Rationale: Buffalo has had no pass rush all season. Yes, Aaron Schobel has been hurt, but when nobody on the team has more than four sacks, you've got a problem that needs to be addressed at this position in the draft.
13) Houston Texans: William Moore, S, Missouri
Rationale: This secondary is like swiss cheese: Full of holes. Moore is the best defensive back left on the board, and like some of the players already selected, he can start right away and grow into the system.
14) Chicago Bears: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Rationale: The Bears need to give Kyle Orton someone to throw to. Heyward-Bey shifts gears like nobody else in college football, and his playmaking ability is second only to Michael Crabtree.
15) Washington Redskins: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Rationale: Washington needs help at the linebacker position, and there's nobody else on the board who would contribute as much as Curry would.
16) New Orleans Saints: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
Rationale: The Saints have one of the best offenses in the league. Unfortunately, their poor defense may cause them to miss the playoffs. Brown has shown he can get to the quarterback (12.5 sacks this season), and that should continue at the next level.
17) Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Rationale: Yeah, McNabb has been inconsistent, but look who he's throwing to. Kevin Curtis? Reggie Brown? DeSean Jackson is solid, but the Eagles need another threat at wideout, and that's exactly what Maclin is.
18) Miami Dolphins: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
Rationale: Miami's had a phenomenal turnaround, but their secondary is still atrocious. Moore is the best corner left on the board, and he'll need to be good enough to start.
19) New England Patriots: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
Rationale: They could go cornerback with this pick, but their linebackers are insanely old. They need new blood in this defense, and that's what Sintim provides.
20) Atlanta Falcons: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
Rationale: Marks was one of the few bright spots in Auburn's horrid season. The Falcons, like the Dolphins, have done well at turning their fortunes around, but their hole is in stopping the run. Marks should step in and fill that hole well.
21) Denver Broncos: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Rationale: This is the dream pick for Denver. They are down to fifth and sixth-string running backs in a system where backs are supposed to always succeed. In Wells, they get a guy who should do just that.
22) New York Jets: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Rationale: Laverneus Coles is getting up there in age, and Jerricho Cotchery, while a solid receiver, hasn't developed into a #1 target the way New York wanted him to. Percy Harvin gives Favre a proven deep threat to go to on every down, and while his recent injury raises a small red flag, it's not enough to knock him lower than this.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Rationale: Arizona's defense is as lousy as their offense is explosive. Spikes is the best defensive player left on the board, so this is pretty much a no-brainer.
24) Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Rationale: Detroit has not had a solid offensive line...well, ever. Monroe is thought of by some as a top-ten talent, and the Lions will be pleased to have him fall into their laps in this spot.
25) Minnesota Vikings: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Rationale: It's between Tebow and Stafford. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but Tebow can ultimately find more ways to beat a team. His throwing off his back foot is an issue, but if he was accurate in college doing that, imagine his ceiling if they fix that problem. This is a big risk, but if it works, Minnesota may find the missing piece of the puzzle.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
Rationale: Wide receiver is a need position, but there's nobody of first-round caliber left to take. Instead, TB opts to take a quarterback, since one would think Jeff Garcia will retire soon. Stafford's the best left, and he's a good fit, as he won't be asked to to do too much too soon.
27) Indianapolis Colts: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Rationale: The Colts simply cannot stop the run. They've given up 100+ yards to six different backs, and that can't continue to happen. Cody should help with depth on the d-line, and if he develops nicely, he'd be a welcome addition.
28) Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Rationale: Like TB, they need wideouts, but it's too early to grab anyone left on the board. Todd Heap has been steadily sliding downhill for a number of seasons, and Pettigrew should be able to leapfrog him on the depth chart with ease before providing Joe Flacco with a nice, intermediate-range target downfield.
29) Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): Ciron Black, OT, LSU
Rationale: Philly loves taking linemen, and two of their starters will test the market following this season. Black is the best left at the position, and after being rated a mid-first round prospect and falling here, he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers: Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma
Rationale: Pittsburgh's lone hole is on the offensive line. Robinson is a guard, not a tackle, but he's still the best lineman on the board at this juncture and is picked without hesitation by a team who could really use him.
31) New York Giants: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Rationale: The Giants don't really have a need position at this point. However, I'm not at all sold on Corey Webster. He makes one big play a game, but is burned five other times in that timespan. Davis was rated by some as having a higher ceiling than Malcolm Jenkins, and while there are attitude issues here, he should shape up after his first Tom Coughlin tongue-lashing.
32) Tennessee Titans: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Rationale: At this point, the Titans should take the best player available. Offensive line isn't really a need position, but Smith is a top-20 prospect that fell when the rest of the linemen prospects did. Like the others, he's a solid pick in the later part of the first round.
Firstly, Detroit trades the #1 pick. They can get just as much help at a need position at #4, and they also get an extra day one pick from it. With that in mind, here goes...
1) St. Louis Rams (from Detroit): Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Rationale: I still think he could be a system quarterback, but there's no denying he can lead an offense given the right situation. The Rams' QB situation is MISERABLE right now, so they could use him. Is it a risk? Yes. But if it pays off, imagine how good the Rams could potentially be down the line.
2) Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Rationale: If Carson Palmer comes back healthy, their offense may not need to spend the pick here. Their defense is abysmal, and Orakpo is the best edge-rusher in the draft.
3) Kansas City Chiefs: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
Rationale: It's tough to say who they'll take here given that Orakpo, who would have been the best fit, is off the board. They could conceivably trade down, but for the purposes of this draft, we'll assume they fill another defensive need. #3's a bit of a reach, but Maualuga's easily the best linebacker in the draft and for sure a top-ten talent.
4) Detroit Lions (from St. Louis): Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Rationale: I could also see James Laurinaitis going here, but that's even more of a reach than Maualuga was at #3. However, Jenkins is the best cover man in the draft by leaps and bounds, and fills a need on the defensive end.
5) Seattle Seahawks: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Rationale: The Seahawks could go QB if they like what they see in Tim Tebow or Matt Stafford, but I'm not star-struck by either. Moreno's a complete halfback, and without him, Stafford's just another SEC quarterback. He's easily an upgrade over Julius Jones and Mo Morris.
6) Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Rationale: Are there any more exciting words in football than "Al Davis is on the clock?" It's no secret he likes star power, and Crabtree has that in spades being the best receiver in the draft. His talent is off the charts, and if he declares, he'll either get snapped up here or elsewhere on the lower fringes of the top ten.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Taylor Mays, S, USC
Rationale: If I'm them, I try to trade up and nab Crabtree. However, with him off the board at this spot, I think the Jags address another need, their secondary. Mays is easily the best safety in the draft, and he can play at both safety spots.
8) Cleveland Browns: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Rationale: I could see them going running back, but with Javon Ringer likely available at their spot in the second round, I think they wait for his slashing ability and take him to team up with Jamal Lewis rather than take another big back in Chris Wells. They need help on defense, and Johnson is the best defensive player available.
9) San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Rationale: San Fran could use help at QB, but their offensive line has been awful this year. Oher is the best tackle in the draft, and he can step in and help right away.
10) Green Bay Packers: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Rationale: The Packers REALLY need help on defense. They couldn't hold a lead to save their life this season, and it made a very good debut season for Aaron Rodgers take a backseat. Laurinaitis isn't a sexy pick, but he's a gritty, consistent playmaker who has a nose for the football. In other words, a stereotypical Green Bay Packer.
11) San Diego Chargers: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Rationale: Say what you will about LaDanian Tomlinson's subpar season, but he hasn't exactly had a lot of help from his offensive line. The Chargers have been a huge disappointment this year, and this pick helps shore up a shortcoming.
12) Buffalo Bills: Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Rationale: Buffalo has had no pass rush all season. Yes, Aaron Schobel has been hurt, but when nobody on the team has more than four sacks, you've got a problem that needs to be addressed at this position in the draft.
13) Houston Texans: William Moore, S, Missouri
Rationale: This secondary is like swiss cheese: Full of holes. Moore is the best defensive back left on the board, and like some of the players already selected, he can start right away and grow into the system.
14) Chicago Bears: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Rationale: The Bears need to give Kyle Orton someone to throw to. Heyward-Bey shifts gears like nobody else in college football, and his playmaking ability is second only to Michael Crabtree.
15) Washington Redskins: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Rationale: Washington needs help at the linebacker position, and there's nobody else on the board who would contribute as much as Curry would.
16) New Orleans Saints: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
Rationale: The Saints have one of the best offenses in the league. Unfortunately, their poor defense may cause them to miss the playoffs. Brown has shown he can get to the quarterback (12.5 sacks this season), and that should continue at the next level.
17) Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Rationale: Yeah, McNabb has been inconsistent, but look who he's throwing to. Kevin Curtis? Reggie Brown? DeSean Jackson is solid, but the Eagles need another threat at wideout, and that's exactly what Maclin is.
18) Miami Dolphins: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
Rationale: Miami's had a phenomenal turnaround, but their secondary is still atrocious. Moore is the best corner left on the board, and he'll need to be good enough to start.
19) New England Patriots: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia
Rationale: They could go cornerback with this pick, but their linebackers are insanely old. They need new blood in this defense, and that's what Sintim provides.
20) Atlanta Falcons: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
Rationale: Marks was one of the few bright spots in Auburn's horrid season. The Falcons, like the Dolphins, have done well at turning their fortunes around, but their hole is in stopping the run. Marks should step in and fill that hole well.
21) Denver Broncos: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
Rationale: This is the dream pick for Denver. They are down to fifth and sixth-string running backs in a system where backs are supposed to always succeed. In Wells, they get a guy who should do just that.
22) New York Jets: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Rationale: Laverneus Coles is getting up there in age, and Jerricho Cotchery, while a solid receiver, hasn't developed into a #1 target the way New York wanted him to. Percy Harvin gives Favre a proven deep threat to go to on every down, and while his recent injury raises a small red flag, it's not enough to knock him lower than this.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Rationale: Arizona's defense is as lousy as their offense is explosive. Spikes is the best defensive player left on the board, so this is pretty much a no-brainer.
24) Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
Rationale: Detroit has not had a solid offensive line...well, ever. Monroe is thought of by some as a top-ten talent, and the Lions will be pleased to have him fall into their laps in this spot.
25) Minnesota Vikings: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Rationale: It's between Tebow and Stafford. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but Tebow can ultimately find more ways to beat a team. His throwing off his back foot is an issue, but if he was accurate in college doing that, imagine his ceiling if they fix that problem. This is a big risk, but if it works, Minnesota may find the missing piece of the puzzle.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
Rationale: Wide receiver is a need position, but there's nobody of first-round caliber left to take. Instead, TB opts to take a quarterback, since one would think Jeff Garcia will retire soon. Stafford's the best left, and he's a good fit, as he won't be asked to to do too much too soon.
27) Indianapolis Colts: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Rationale: The Colts simply cannot stop the run. They've given up 100+ yards to six different backs, and that can't continue to happen. Cody should help with depth on the d-line, and if he develops nicely, he'd be a welcome addition.
28) Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Rationale: Like TB, they need wideouts, but it's too early to grab anyone left on the board. Todd Heap has been steadily sliding downhill for a number of seasons, and Pettigrew should be able to leapfrog him on the depth chart with ease before providing Joe Flacco with a nice, intermediate-range target downfield.
29) Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina): Ciron Black, OT, LSU
Rationale: Philly loves taking linemen, and two of their starters will test the market following this season. Black is the best left at the position, and after being rated a mid-first round prospect and falling here, he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
30) Pittsburgh Steelers: Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma
Rationale: Pittsburgh's lone hole is on the offensive line. Robinson is a guard, not a tackle, but he's still the best lineman on the board at this juncture and is picked without hesitation by a team who could really use him.
31) New York Giants: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
Rationale: The Giants don't really have a need position at this point. However, I'm not at all sold on Corey Webster. He makes one big play a game, but is burned five other times in that timespan. Davis was rated by some as having a higher ceiling than Malcolm Jenkins, and while there are attitude issues here, he should shape up after his first Tom Coughlin tongue-lashing.
32) Tennessee Titans: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
Rationale: At this point, the Titans should take the best player available. Offensive line isn't really a need position, but Smith is a top-20 prospect that fell when the rest of the linemen prospects did. Like the others, he's a solid pick in the later part of the first round.