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The NFL Draft
The announcement that Long and Miami had agreed to a deal to make the Michigan tackle the number one pick was the first of many newsworthy events to come this week. Long was a very logical choice because he fills a huge void at left tackle that was probably Miami’s biggest need.
Mark’s Pick: Jake Long
It seems to be down to two possible players, Long or Dorsey, if the Rams don’t trade out of this spot. Long would seem to be the more logical choice since defensive end is more of a need than defensive tackle. There is speculation that the Rams interest in Dorsey has been fabricated to entice a team to trade up, since Dorsey has generated more interest than Long.
Mark’s Pick: Chris Long
All indications are that the Falcons board, after Long is taken by Miami, stands at Dorsey and Ryan respectively and the gap between the two amongst the Falcons brass seems to be a wide chasm. There is even speculation that the Falcons could swap spots with the Rams to ensure Dorsey lands in Atlanta.
Mark’s Pick: Matt Ryan
The Raiders miss out on grabbing Howie’s son, but pick up an end who has more upside as a pass rusher. Many mocks have Oakland taking Darren McFadden, but I don’t see it at all with their long list of needs, which doesn’t include running back. You can never completely discount the possibility of Al Davis doing something that doesn’t follow logical reasoning though.
Mark’s Pick: Darren McFadden
With the Jared Allen trade complete, the Chiefs can now officially call every position a need - just kidding. As they say though, every joke carries a shred of truth and Kansas City is now in 100 percent rebuilding mode and that means starting at rock bottom and grabbing a franchise signal caller. No offense to Brodie Croyle, but he doesn’t seem to fit the bill thus far. The Chiefs should truly be in best player available mode and Ryan is a good value here.
Mark’s Pick: Glenn Dorsey
McFadden makes the most sense for the Jets in this scenario. He would add an explosive element their fans haven’t seen the like of in some time. The Jets are also very likely going to try to trade down, but seeing as the two teams in front of them want to do the same, the chances of the Jets being able to do so are reduced significantly. There is talk the Jets are looking to move up a few spots, perhaps to secure McFadden. They should only do so if they feel the Raiders will take him, since that seems to be the only other top 5 team considering selecting the Arkansas runner.
Mark’s Pick: Vernon Gholston
Corner is the Patriots biggest need and McKelvin may have the highest ceiling of any corner prospect in this class. He also adds value as one of the best punt return specialists in this class, accounting for seven punt return touchdowns in his college career. New England could also look to be a big mover in the trade department and they really could go either up or down and it wouldn’t surprise me, which would be a change because typically they will move down or even defer a selection to a future draft to maximize quantity rather than quality (of draft pick, not players actually selected).
Mark’s Pick: Leodis McKelvin
The Ravens did a lot to shore up their offensive line in last years draft, picking up three potential starters in last year’s draft (including the supplemental draft), but it is still a big need with the retirement of Jonathan Ogden. They would probably draft Matt Ryan if available, but I doubt they will trade up to get him as they need to retool their roster with young talent at many positions.
Mark’s Pick: Joe Flacco
If Ellis is available at the nine spot it would be the first good news the Bengals have gotten in quite a while. Defensive tackle is such a huge need for Cincinnati that they nearly traded for Dewayne Robertson, the most overpaid defensive tackle (and perhaps player) in the league.
Mark’s Pick: Sedrick Ellis
This is an interesting pick to me. The Saints have been making a lot of moves this off season, some big, some under the radar. Their biggest needs are playmakers on defense (primarily defensive tackle, linebacker and cornerback) and an upgrade along offensive line at guard and right tackle. Some say Rivers wouldn’t be the pick because of the Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan acquisitions. I obviously disagree. Morgan and Vilma are both injury risks (especially Morgan) and the Saints could still use an upgrade at their other linebacker spot. For me, this selection really just boils down to Rivers being the best available defensive talent on the board.
Mark’s Pick: Keith Rivers
I truly believe that this spot will be up for grabs to the highest bidder come Saturday. This scenario would be ideal for the Bills if they can’t find a trade partner though. Harvey would give their very average defensive end rotation an infusion of speed and youth. The cover-2 defense the Bills employ relies on getting pressure from the front four and the Bills don’t have anyone on their roster with Harvey’s explosive first step making him a valuable addition.
Mark’s Pick: Derrick Harvey
There was a time in the process that Clady was going as high as fifth to the Chiefs, but some concerns regarding his drive to play and upside have likely pushed him out of the top 10. The Broncos are in desperate need of a left tackle and Clady or Chris Williams would represent the best case scenario for Denver to find a starting left tackle due to their athletic ability..
Mark’s Picks: Ryan Clady
The Panthers struggled up front on offense last season due to the lack of a natural left tackle. Williams gives them just that. It would allow them to put the recently re-signed Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton at their natural positions of right tackle and guard respectively.
Mark’s Pick: Kenny Phillips
The Bears need offensive help at every position besides tight end. Mendenhall makes sense as he represents not only fills a need, but represents good value and is a hometown product. Chicago could also go offensive line since the drop off for offensive linemen from the first round to the second is much greater than it is at running back.
Mark’s Pick: Chris Williams
Stewart doesn’t seem to be slipping as much as many people though he would after his toe surgery. Detroit would be alogical landing spot as going into this weekend Tatum Bell is listed as the starter at running back, which wasn’t a recipe for success last season. Stewart has top 10 talent and could be a better fit in the pro game than Darren McFadden.
Mark’s Pick: Rashard Mendenhall
If any of the top three corners in this class (McKelvin, Jenkins or Rodgers-Cromartie) are on the board when the Cardinals are on the clock in the first round you can bet safe money that one of them will be the pick. The only wrinkle is the possibility of them grabbing Mendenhall to replace an aging Edgerrin James.
Mark’s Pick: Mike Jenkins
The Chiefs desperately need help along the offensive line and Otah is the best offensive lineman available at this point. There’s a good chance he could be off the board at this point which would make the pick either a corner (Rodgers-Cromartie) defensive end (Quentin Groves) or another offensive lineman (Godser Cherilus).
Mark’s Pick: Jeff Otah
The Texans ranked near the bottom in every major pass defensive statistic in the league last year and didn’t make any significant talent upgrades to their defensive backfield through free agency. Rodgers-Cromartie would give them a versatile playmaker to team with corner Dunta Robinson and upgrade the athleticism of Houston’s defensive backfield as a whole.
Mark’s Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
There is a good chance the Eagles will trade out of this spot on draft day and I think the most likely scenario involves them moving up about seven spots to get a left tackle. It also will possibly include Philadelphia parting ways with under appreciated cornerback Lito Sheppard. If they stayed put they could look to Mayo to add some speed, youth and versatility to a suddenly pedestrian looking linebacking corps.
Mark’s Pick: DeSean Jackson
This is a huge upside pick that would inject some much needed youth to a receiving corps that touted the two oldest starting receivers since Jerry Rice and Tim Brown led the Raiders to a Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the Bucs a decade ago. Thomas has game breaking speed, is a solid return man and may have the highest ceiling of any wide out in this receiver class. He also is very raw and may have the most bust potential of all the receivers available.
Mark’s Pick: Malcom Kelly
The Redskins only have two wide outs that are worth a damn, in Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, and some may argue even that point. The 6’4” Sweed would give them a big target (Moss and Randle El are both 5’10” or less) and he would be a big help in the red zone passing offense.
Mark’s Pick: Devin Thomas
Talib stock has slipped ever so slightly due to a recent revelation involving him allegedly testing positive for marijuana multiple times while at Kansas. This won’t drop him too much and I think Jerry Jones would jump all over him here. He would jump into the defensive back rotation in the Cowboys nickel package almost immediately and could even play some safety.
Mark’s Pick: Felix Jones
Opinions on Cherilus are extremely varied. He’s right on the cusp of the elite offensive lineman in this class, but not quite on their level. He’s also more respected than the next tier of lineman that have second round grades. Regardless the Steelers really need help along their offensive front and Cherilus’ versatility makes him a very good pick for the Steel City squad.
Mark’s Pick: Branden Albert
Merling has been slipping because of recent concern of his off season surgery, but he represents great value for the Titans. He would immediately challenge for a starting spot defensive end opposite Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Titans may also go wide receiver as well, but the receiver class is much deeper than the defensive end class in this draft.
Mark’s Pick: Limas Sweed
The Seahawks allowed 16 rushing touchdown last season, tied for fifth most in the NFL. They could definitely use Balmer’s bulk in the middle. He may not be the best run stuffing tackle available, but he is an very good all-around tackle and represents good value at this spot.
Mark’s Pick: Dustin Keller
The players currently slated to start at defensive end for the Jaguars, Paul Spicer and Reggie Hayward combined for 11 sacks last season and 59 career sacks in 15 combined seasons. Groves has tremendous upside potential and could go higher than this due to the lack of pass rushing prospects with his ceiling.
Mark’s Pick: Phillip Merling
The Chargers have very few high priority needs, but defensive back is one of them after they lost nickel corner Drayton Florence this off season. Smith could play the nickel and be groomed to be a starter at safety as well.
Mark’s Pick: Gosder Cherilus
The Cowboys will have a decision to make with both Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams in the very near future and selection Phillips would allow them to part ways with at least one of those highly paid veterans next off season. Phillips has all the physical tools you look for, but has yet to fulfill his enormous potential.
Mark’s Pick: Tyvon Branch
This would seem to be a logical match as Jackson would get to stay in No-Cal and the Niners would get a much needed playmaker at receiver. Jackson’s return ability also is appealing and he would represent great value at this point in the first round.
Mark’s Pick: Quentin Groves
Cason is rising quickly on many draft boards and could actually end up going much higher than this. I’m one of Cason’s biggest supporters. Every time I watched him over the past few seasons at Arizona he wowed me with his instincts and big play ability. Green Bay would be a perfect fit for he as he could b e brought along slowly behind incumbent starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris.
Mark’s Pick: Aqib Talib
New England *selection forfeited*
The Giants need to replace middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell who was lost in free agency to Buffalo. Connor is a very intelligent player who could step right in and fill the void adequately enough for the Giants to maintain their dominance on defense. Safety would also be a consideration here and if Phillips or Smith is on the board when they are on the clock, I would guess they would be the selection for the defending champs.
Mark’s Pick: Dan Connor