kastofsna
Hall of Fame
1. Oakland
Al Davis loves those once-in-a-lifetime players. There's a few in this draft. Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas perhaps...JaMarcus Russell isn't one of them. In fact, he has a lot of flaws. The most important knock on him is his lack of work ethic. He has a big arm, but he's one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the country. Aside from the big arm, there's really no reason for the Raiders to even want Russell. Combine that with Davis' attitude towards drafting quarterbacks high, and I have absolutely no reason to think the Raiders are looking at Russell seriously here. This is down to two players: Peterson and Johnson. If Moss and/or Porter is/are moved, there's no question Johnson is the pick. Best prospect ever at his position. Can't pass on him. Unless it's for Peterson, who's the best prospect at his position since Barry Sanders. LaMont Jordan and Peterson in one backfield is pretty dangerous. It's a copycat league, and new coach Lane Kiffin will like the two-headed backfield like he had with Reggie Bush and Lendale White.
2. Detroit
Joe Thomas appears to be a lock here right now, and it's not just because of his talent, but more than anything, Mike Martz's offense puts huge value in the left tackle position. Martz doesn't gameplan around blocking schemes and all of that, he just puts the talent on the field and hope they can block. That's the main reason they put up so many points in St. Louis: Orlando Pace. After getting sacked more than any year in his career, Jon Kitna will love this pick. Also don't be surprised if the Lions look long and hard at Gaines Adams.
3. Cleveland
With Peterson gone, the Browns have a few avenues to explore here. Quarterback seems to be the most logical choice here. There is a school of thought that Romeo Crennell is in the hot-seat big time in Cleveland though, so perhaps they should take a player that gives them the best chance to win right away. But then again, wouldn't drafting a quarterback almost give Crennell a vote-of-confidence to get at least another year or two of leeway? I'm assuming the Browns wouldn't want to jeopardize the future of their franchise QB by having such a drastic head coaching chance so early in his career. So if they go with the former school of thought and draft the impact player, I'm guessing Alan Branch is a big possibility. If they go quarterback, word on the street is that the Browns have a big eye on JaMarcus Russell. Quinn wants to play for them, but that doesn't mean much if the team wants another guy.
4. Tampa Bay
If Calvin Johnson is there, they're taking him, end of story. That kind of talent is some Gruden salivates over. The potential of a weapon like Johnson in that offense is scary. Two 4.3 guys in Johnson and Galloway on the outside? A big slot guy in Clayton, or even Maurice Stovall? A QB with a cannon on his arm in Simms? Cadillac? A line that's young and will only get better? Hello. Still, that's all on paper. And the defense had its worst season in the Dungy/Kiffen era, and it looks like several starters on that front line are gone, including Simeon Rice. Gaines Adams has a little bit of Rice in him. Jamaal Anderson is a powerful guy, he'd be nice too. Then you have Amobi Okoye, a Warren Sapp clone that doesn't come along often. But wait a minute, there are rumors afloat that Gruden wants a rookie quarterback to save his job. If Quinn or Russell is here, do they take him? Lots of possibilities here if Johnson is gone.
5. Arizona
Anyone who looks at the skill positions on the Cardinals' depth chart can see a ton of talent. And yet, they struggled mightily overall as an offense last year. It all starts up front. The Cards were mired in shoddy play from the o-line, highlighted by practically a new starting 5 every single week. It doesn't help things that they let their best lineman, Leonard Davis, hit free agency. Arizona is going to be desperate to try and improve their line immediately. They'll go hard after someone in free agency, and they may even want to move up and get Joe Thomas. Or, just stick around and take Levi Brown. Is he worth the 5th pick of the draft though? But the Cardinals also need to worry about their defense. Namely, the front 4. One of the worst teams in the league at pressuring the QB, Arizona needs a great pass rusher that they haven't had since Simeon Rice. The aformentioned Adams and Anderson could both be sitting here. Adams is just a better prospect, so my guess is they would take him of the two.
6. Washington
Washington doesn't have many draft picks this year (a Snyder staple), so they'll either have to be very careful with this pick, or trade down and accumulate more. In fact, rumor has it they are looking to trade down within in the top 10. Maybe Brady Quinn will be sitting there and Miami will want to move up and take 'em to prevent Minnesota or Houston snatching him up? Certainly makes sense. Well, if they stay put, they'll probably want to look defense. Alan Branch, Amobi Okoye, Gaines Adams, Jamaal Anderson...one of them is likely going to be available here. There's also an outside chance of going corner; is Darrelle Revis or Chris Houston worth this spot? Maybe not, but if they make that deal with Miami....
7. Minnesota
This is a tough pick. Minnesota needs a pass-rusher. But it looks as if both Adams and Anderson could be gone by this point. Both quarterbacks, too. What's left is the WR position, which Brad Childress seems to be heavily against drafting in the first round for various reasons. Too bad, because Ted Ginn would be nice here. I think if the draft unfolds as it might, and Quinn and the DE's aren't here, Minnesota will look to trade down. And if they don't, they'll reach. Maybe for an Adam Carriker. For what it's worth, New England's two firsts and a 4th-rounder is to match the value chart for the 7th pick. But who would New England want? Hmm.
8. Houston
Adrian Peterson, Brady Quinn, Levi Brown, LaRon Landry, JaMarcus Russell, Amobi Okoye, Chris Houston, Ted Ginn, Jr....that's who the Texans need to look at, in order. Based on that order, I'd say LaRon Landry is the most logical choice here. Big, fast, strong with great instincts. A great leader and athlete with a nose for the ball. Could be an elite player within a few years. But if any of those guys ahead of him are there, you pounce. Adrian Peterson? No question. Levi Brown is another good choice, could start at RT, then shift to LT eventually. For Quinn, that's just a BPA situation; you don't find franchise QB's at #8 very often.
9. Miami
If Brady Quinn is there, there's no question the Dolphins will draft him. However, I don't think they'd take Russell, whose work ethic and aloofness doesn't fit Cam Cameron's QB mold. But most likely, Quinn will be gone (unless they make that move up with Washington). So, what's next? Ted Ginn, Jr. I'm almost 100% at this point that Miami will draft Ginn if the top 8 spots fill out in this manner.
10. Atlanta
The Falcons had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year. Some safety help over the top would be nice. But Houston may have already drafted Landry, and there isn't another safety on the board worth this pick. Patrick Kerney was just released, so some DE help would be nice. Adam Carriker could be sitting there, just begging to be picked. The Falcons would immediately have one of the more dangerous pass rushes in the NFL with Abraham and Carriker as bookends. However, the Falcons may want to ensure they get Landry and make a move up with the Redskins to prevent Houston from nabbing him.
Al Davis loves those once-in-a-lifetime players. There's a few in this draft. Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas perhaps...JaMarcus Russell isn't one of them. In fact, he has a lot of flaws. The most important knock on him is his lack of work ethic. He has a big arm, but he's one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the country. Aside from the big arm, there's really no reason for the Raiders to even want Russell. Combine that with Davis' attitude towards drafting quarterbacks high, and I have absolutely no reason to think the Raiders are looking at Russell seriously here. This is down to two players: Peterson and Johnson. If Moss and/or Porter is/are moved, there's no question Johnson is the pick. Best prospect ever at his position. Can't pass on him. Unless it's for Peterson, who's the best prospect at his position since Barry Sanders. LaMont Jordan and Peterson in one backfield is pretty dangerous. It's a copycat league, and new coach Lane Kiffin will like the two-headed backfield like he had with Reggie Bush and Lendale White.
2. Detroit
Joe Thomas appears to be a lock here right now, and it's not just because of his talent, but more than anything, Mike Martz's offense puts huge value in the left tackle position. Martz doesn't gameplan around blocking schemes and all of that, he just puts the talent on the field and hope they can block. That's the main reason they put up so many points in St. Louis: Orlando Pace. After getting sacked more than any year in his career, Jon Kitna will love this pick. Also don't be surprised if the Lions look long and hard at Gaines Adams.
3. Cleveland
With Peterson gone, the Browns have a few avenues to explore here. Quarterback seems to be the most logical choice here. There is a school of thought that Romeo Crennell is in the hot-seat big time in Cleveland though, so perhaps they should take a player that gives them the best chance to win right away. But then again, wouldn't drafting a quarterback almost give Crennell a vote-of-confidence to get at least another year or two of leeway? I'm assuming the Browns wouldn't want to jeopardize the future of their franchise QB by having such a drastic head coaching chance so early in his career. So if they go with the former school of thought and draft the impact player, I'm guessing Alan Branch is a big possibility. If they go quarterback, word on the street is that the Browns have a big eye on JaMarcus Russell. Quinn wants to play for them, but that doesn't mean much if the team wants another guy.
4. Tampa Bay
If Calvin Johnson is there, they're taking him, end of story. That kind of talent is some Gruden salivates over. The potential of a weapon like Johnson in that offense is scary. Two 4.3 guys in Johnson and Galloway on the outside? A big slot guy in Clayton, or even Maurice Stovall? A QB with a cannon on his arm in Simms? Cadillac? A line that's young and will only get better? Hello. Still, that's all on paper. And the defense had its worst season in the Dungy/Kiffen era, and it looks like several starters on that front line are gone, including Simeon Rice. Gaines Adams has a little bit of Rice in him. Jamaal Anderson is a powerful guy, he'd be nice too. Then you have Amobi Okoye, a Warren Sapp clone that doesn't come along often. But wait a minute, there are rumors afloat that Gruden wants a rookie quarterback to save his job. If Quinn or Russell is here, do they take him? Lots of possibilities here if Johnson is gone.
5. Arizona
Anyone who looks at the skill positions on the Cardinals' depth chart can see a ton of talent. And yet, they struggled mightily overall as an offense last year. It all starts up front. The Cards were mired in shoddy play from the o-line, highlighted by practically a new starting 5 every single week. It doesn't help things that they let their best lineman, Leonard Davis, hit free agency. Arizona is going to be desperate to try and improve their line immediately. They'll go hard after someone in free agency, and they may even want to move up and get Joe Thomas. Or, just stick around and take Levi Brown. Is he worth the 5th pick of the draft though? But the Cardinals also need to worry about their defense. Namely, the front 4. One of the worst teams in the league at pressuring the QB, Arizona needs a great pass rusher that they haven't had since Simeon Rice. The aformentioned Adams and Anderson could both be sitting here. Adams is just a better prospect, so my guess is they would take him of the two.
6. Washington
Washington doesn't have many draft picks this year (a Snyder staple), so they'll either have to be very careful with this pick, or trade down and accumulate more. In fact, rumor has it they are looking to trade down within in the top 10. Maybe Brady Quinn will be sitting there and Miami will want to move up and take 'em to prevent Minnesota or Houston snatching him up? Certainly makes sense. Well, if they stay put, they'll probably want to look defense. Alan Branch, Amobi Okoye, Gaines Adams, Jamaal Anderson...one of them is likely going to be available here. There's also an outside chance of going corner; is Darrelle Revis or Chris Houston worth this spot? Maybe not, but if they make that deal with Miami....
7. Minnesota
This is a tough pick. Minnesota needs a pass-rusher. But it looks as if both Adams and Anderson could be gone by this point. Both quarterbacks, too. What's left is the WR position, which Brad Childress seems to be heavily against drafting in the first round for various reasons. Too bad, because Ted Ginn would be nice here. I think if the draft unfolds as it might, and Quinn and the DE's aren't here, Minnesota will look to trade down. And if they don't, they'll reach. Maybe for an Adam Carriker. For what it's worth, New England's two firsts and a 4th-rounder is to match the value chart for the 7th pick. But who would New England want? Hmm.
8. Houston
Adrian Peterson, Brady Quinn, Levi Brown, LaRon Landry, JaMarcus Russell, Amobi Okoye, Chris Houston, Ted Ginn, Jr....that's who the Texans need to look at, in order. Based on that order, I'd say LaRon Landry is the most logical choice here. Big, fast, strong with great instincts. A great leader and athlete with a nose for the ball. Could be an elite player within a few years. But if any of those guys ahead of him are there, you pounce. Adrian Peterson? No question. Levi Brown is another good choice, could start at RT, then shift to LT eventually. For Quinn, that's just a BPA situation; you don't find franchise QB's at #8 very often.
9. Miami
If Brady Quinn is there, there's no question the Dolphins will draft him. However, I don't think they'd take Russell, whose work ethic and aloofness doesn't fit Cam Cameron's QB mold. But most likely, Quinn will be gone (unless they make that move up with Washington). So, what's next? Ted Ginn, Jr. I'm almost 100% at this point that Miami will draft Ginn if the top 8 spots fill out in this manner.
10. Atlanta
The Falcons had one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year. Some safety help over the top would be nice. But Houston may have already drafted Landry, and there isn't another safety on the board worth this pick. Patrick Kerney was just released, so some DE help would be nice. Adam Carriker could be sitting there, just begging to be picked. The Falcons would immediately have one of the more dangerous pass rushes in the NFL with Abraham and Carriker as bookends. However, the Falcons may want to ensure they get Landry and make a move up with the Redskins to prevent Houston from nabbing him.
