It is still early, but most of the Free Agents that matter have signed and most of the future rookies have exhausted their chances to show themselves off (senior bowl, combine, campus pro days). I generally try to line up teams with quality and needs, and I don't allow myself to make any trades. Here goes...
1 - Raiders: WR Calvin Johnson
I think the Moss for Rogers trade will go through and Raiders will get best player in the Draft.
2 - Lions: QB JaMarcus Russel
Quinn doesn't want to play for the Lions, and the Lions need a splashy QB addition.
3 - Browns: QB Brady Quinn
The Weiss/Romeo conspiracy is cracked and the Browns get the next Tom Brady.
4 - Bucs: T Joe Thomas*
Gruden really hoped that Raiders would go QB and Johnson will fall, but is still happy to get 2nd best player in draft at 4.
5 - Cardinals: DE Gaines Adams
This pick is tough since Thomas is gone. I had to flip a coin between Adams, T Levi Brown, and DE Jamaal Anderson.
6 - Redskins: DT Alan Branch
The D-line was awful. Okoye could also have gone here.
7 - Vikings: RB Adrian Peterson*
Yes, RB is not the most pressing need. If that were the case, they would take DE Jamaal Anderson since it is too soon to take a WR. OT Levi Brown could also have been considered, but Peterson is by far the best RB in the draft and the 3rd best player overall. Chester Taylor was ok last year, but now the Vikes have a real stud. A potential trade if the first 6 go as planned - Houston trading David Carr for this pick so they get Peterson while the Vikes take Anderson at 8.
8 - Texans: OT Levi Brown
The woes on O-line in Texas are legendary. Brown should help end that.
9 - Dolphins: DE Jamaal Anderson*
Dolphins get a very good DE, but wanted T Brown. So far alot of teams are losing their first choices by one spot or so.
10 - Falcons: S LaRon Landry
Without Adams and Anderson on the board, this is an easy choice for Atlanta. Probably would have taken Landry over those two anyway.
11 - 49ers: WR Ted Ginn Jr.
Outside of Calvin Johnson, I believe Ginn, Dwayne Bowe and Dwayne Jarret are in the same class, with another 5 recievers in the next class. This year's draft class is incredibly deep at reciever. Cal Johnson deserves to go #1, Ginn Jr, and the two Dwaynes - Bowe and Jarret deserve to go 10-19 in the first round, and there are another 5 WR that deserve to go in the 1st round after the 20th pick. My gut says Ginn goes first, but it could be a Dwayne - and DE Adam Carriker has a shot here.
12 - Bills: DT Amobi Okoye
I barely believe this myself. CB Leon Hall should be a lock, but the Bills are weird and instead will take the 19 year old phenom. Over the long haul, this pick pays off, but doesn't make much sense on draft day.
13 - Rams: DE Adam Cariker
If the Rams were spooked by age of Okoye, the Bills did them a favor by making the choice at on D line for them.
14 - Panthers: WR Dwayne Jarret
Carolina will be scary at WR with Steve Smith on the other side. TE Greg Olson was a possibility here, but I don't buy it.
15 - Steelers: DE Jarvis Moss
He could replace Jerry Porter at OLB in the 3-4 or help new coach Timlin shift to a 4-3. If the Steelers grab Cato June or Lance Briggs in Free Agency, look for them to take CB Hall.
16 - Packers: RB Marshawn Lynch
The Pack get their man, this is a lock.
17 - Jaguars: S Reggie Nelson
The Jags are ecstatic that the 2nd best safetey in the draft fell this far.
18 - Bengals: CB Leon Hall*
Things may not be working well for the Bengals off the field, but on draft day the best Corner in the class drops all the way to 18 to fill their biggest need.
19 - Titans: WR Dwayne Bowe
With this pick, the Titans give Vince Young another solid weapon and so far the 4 best recievers in the draft have met expectations by going before the 20 pick. That's too bad for the Vikings who were hoping one of these guys would drop to the low 2nd round. Not to worry Viking fans, they'll still have a decent pick there.
20 - Giants: OLB Lawrence Timmons*
It took a long time for the first LB to go, but the Giants get real value here and fill a need.
21 - Broncos: DE Anthony Spencer
Good pass rusher that adds depth on a team with no real needs.
22 - Cowboys: CB Aaron Ross
The Cowboys take Longhorn Ross, thus keeping the faithful happy and allowing them to shift current CB Anthony Henry to free safety.
23 - Chiefs: OG Ben Grubbs
The Chiefs were hoping one of the Dwayne's would fall this far. They are taking the best Guard available and will gamble that decent tackle and WR will be available to them in the 2nd round.
24 - Patriots (from Seatle): ILB Patrick Willis*
It just isn't fair. New England gets Tom Brady, a dynasty, and fill their number one need with a huge value pick in Willis who should have gone 10 picks earlier. And to rub salt in our wounds, New England picks again in 4 turns.
25 - Jets: DT Justin Harrel
This is tough. I could just as easy see them taking CB Chris Houston or TE Greg Olson.
26 - Eagles: OLB Paul Posluszny
The Eagles need a WR, they always need a WR. Instead they will do what they always do and not take a WR and instead fill a need at LB.
27 - Saints: CB Chris Houston
TE Olson is a possibility here, but they will go with the more glaring need at CB.
28 - Patriots: WR Sidney Rice Jr.
Pats fill another need with one of Spurrier's gamecocks. Viking fans breath easy since another South carolina reciever won't be added to the roster.
29 - Ravens: G/T Arron Sears
This is anything but a lock. They could go with an OLB (but who?) or with pure tackle or guard. Sears is one of the better linemen in the draft and could play tackle or guard - it just so happens the Ravens need one of each.
30 - Chargers: WR Robert Meachem
A Safety was a possibility here, but Meachem represents good value at a need position.
31 - Bears: TE Greg Olsen*
The bears have to consider an OLB to replace Briggs and an OG to replace Rueben Brown, and S has been a persistent problem - but Olsen is too good to pass up here and Rex and the offense need all the help they can get. Besides, the Bears pick again in 6.
32 - Colts: CB Derrelle Revis
They need a CB and LB. It might be tough to pass on DE Charles Johnson though.
2nd Round
1 - Raiders: T Joe Staley
They need help everywhere, maybe keeping Aaron Rogers off his butt will help him get the ball to Johnson
2 - Lions: DE Charles Johnson*
Very good talent to grab at this spot and fill a need.
3 - Bucs: DT Tank Tyler
Another decent lineman available late to fill a big need.
4 - Browns: C Ryan Kalil*
Browns need a better line, and Kalil is the best Center in the draft.
5 - Bears(from Jets): OG Justin Blalock
The offense gets better, but they better hope to get some value from Briggs to fill the LB hole.
6 - Cardinals: T Tony Ugoh
Their line improves, but wish they got Joe Thomas
7 - Texans: S Michael Griffen
They'll take the longhorn, fill a need, and keep the locals happy.
8 - Dolphins: WR Craig Davis
9 - Vikings: WR Anthony Gonzalez
The pick here was between Gonzalez of Ohio St. and Steve Smith of USC. Both guys played second fiddle to greater talents, but I prefere Gonzo to Smith. Besides, the league already has one Steve Smith, how good could this one be?
10 - 49ers: ILB David Harris
Fills a need
11 - Bills: CB Eric Wright
Another need filled.
12 - Falcons: DE Quentin Moses
The troubled young man was thought to be a top 10 pick before an awful senior season. The local Falcons will take a shot and fill a need.
13 - Panthers: S Brandon Meriwether
Slightly better value at a need position, but they could have take a T.
14 - Steelers: C Samson Satele
This isn't a very sexy pick for the Steelers, but value and need combine to get the 2nd best Center in the draft.
15 - Packers: WR Steve Smith
Pack gets the last quality WR in a good class. The new RB, WR and Moss should go a long way to making Brett Favre's last year pretty good.
16 - Jaguars: OLB Jon Beason
They could have gone with a DE, but go with the higher value at LB.
17 - Bengals: DT Quinn Pitcock
This Ohio St. Product should help the Bengals in the trenches. Marvin Lewis will have a stacked defense to go with an awesome offense. Keep the boys out of jail and they are Super Bowl bound.
18 - Titans: CB Jonathan Wade
Againg I go with a local angle to fill a need.
19 - Giants: RB/FB Brian Leonard
I'm addicted to the local angle, but Leonard was instrumental in turning around Rutgers and is a NJ hero. This addition to the Giants should go along way in replacing Tiki and giving the Giants a warhorse at RB.
20 - Rams: DT Turk McBride
Rams get the last real quality DT on the board and fill a need.
21 - Cowboys: RB Kenny Irons
They could use another WR, but the herd has thinned out drastically on the board and the pending trade rumors of Julius Jones makes me believe they'll take a RB.
22 - Chiefs: T Marshal Yanda
The Chiefs continue rebuilding their line. If Yanda can step in and OG Grubbs is as good as we thing, the Chiefs O-line will quickly recover its reputation. QB was also a possibility here.
23 - Seahawks: OG Josh Beekman
They still haven't recovered from losing Steve Hutchinson. This should help.
24 - Broncos: S Eric Weddle
This Utah product wil help back up an aging secondary. Denver is hoping one of the better tackles is around in the 3rd.
25 - Eagles: WR Paul Williams
Now the Eagles take a WR! They also get the last one of note.
26 - Saints: TE Zach Miller
They passed on Greg Olson in the 1st to address the secondary. Miller will be brought in to complement an already dynamic offense.
27 - Jets: CB Josh Wilson
For a team that won so many games last year, the Jets have a lot of holes. They could have gone TE or LB here, but go with the secondary.
28 - Dolphins (from NE): QB Drew Stanton
The QB's behind Quinn and Russel haven't gotten much love, but Stanton is a gunner who should easily outperform Harrington and possibly overtake Daunte.
29 - Ravens: DE Victor Abiamiri
Not a bad haul to fill a need late in the 2nd.
30 - Chargers: OG Tim Duckworth
The Bolts replace the departed Dielman.
31 - Jets (from Bears): TE Ben Patrick
The Jets patience pays off and they get their TE.
32 - Bucs (from Indy): DE Lamar Woodley
The Bucs continue to bolster their O and D lines.
3rd Round
1 - Raiders: OG Dan Santucci
Raiders continue to rebuild their offensive line.
2 - Lions: ILB Buster Davis
The Lions will pair last year's first pick Ernie Simms with Florida St. teammate. We say this about the Lions every year, but on paper they look pretty good. Elite prospect QB, the addition of T Foster and RB Bell in a trade for Dre Bly, and now two decent picks at DE and ILB. There are still holes on the o-line and secondary, but this team seems pretty good now. Considering how weak the North is, they might grab a wild card.
3 - Browns: RB Michael Bush*
I think this is a steal in the 3rd round. Bush, Quinn, and Kalil will redefine the middle of the offense for the better. Add in Winslow and Braylon Edwards.
4 - Bucs: TE Matt Spaeth
Hey, the first Gopher finally gets off the board!
5 - Cardinals: OG Andy Alleman
Cardinals continue to bolster their line.
6 - Broncos (From Wash): T Chase Johnson
The Broncos luck holds and they get the local Wyoming product.
7 - Dolphins: T Renardo Foster
The Dolphins fill their last need. Now they can focus on pure value the rest of the draft.
8 - Vikings: CB Daymeion Hughes
This pick here means the Vikings will gamble on landing a serviceable tackle or guard on the second day. On the first day the Vikings have added a superstar RB, their #2 WR in Gonzales, and a nickel back in Hughes. This means Tarvarious Jackson will start at QB with a shaky right side of the O-Line. The Vikings will go 6-10 with this crew, get another good draft choice next year, a new coach, and will contend for the North in 2008.
However, let's say the Texans trade Carr and the 8th pick to the Vikes for the 7th pick. The Texans would take Adrian Peterson and the Vikings would take DE Jamaal Anderson. Finally with this pick, they would have taken RB Antonio Pittman instead of Hughes. Now that team lead by Carr and a pass rushing DE would finish 10-6 and get a wild card in 2007.
9 - Texans: QB Trent Edwards
The Texans are hoping Edwards will push Carr.
10 - Bills: RB Antonio Pittman
Bills get a pretty decent replacement for McGahee. Not a bad draft for the odd Bills.
11 - Falcons: DT Brandon Mebane
Atlanta really buffs up the defense with these 3 picks.
12 - 49ers: DE Tim Crowder
Another need is filled on the defense.
13 - Steelers: CB Marcus McCauley
Steelers get the last CB of note.
14 - Packers: S Josh Gattis
Packers finaly help the D
15 - Jaguars: DE Jay Moore
Jags get the Cornhusker counterweight to Adam Carriker.
(Bengals forfieted 3rd rd pick in supplemental draft)
16 - Titans: LB Stewart Bradley
Without a decent DE left, Titans take best defender on the board.
17 - Giants: T Doug Free
Giants get last decent T in the draft to fill a need.
18 - Rams: ILB Rory Johnson
The defense continues to rebuild from the Mike Martz era with 3rd defensive pick.
19 - Panthers: QB Kevin Kolb
Not much to say, but they need a backup.
20 - Chiefs: DT Ryan McBean
Chiefs take the OK St. Cowboy to add depth.
21 - Seahawks: TE Joe Newton
The Oregon St. product might help fill a hole.
22 - Broncos: RB Brandon Jackson
Another bullet in the RB revolver that is Denver.
23 - Cowboys: QB Troy Smith
It just seems like something Jerry Jones would do.
24 - Saints: ILB Brandon Siler
Saints fill their last need with decent value.
25 - Jets: LB Rufus Alexander
Yet another need filled.
26 - Eagles: S Tannard Jackson*
Very good value pick at a need position.
27 - Patriots: S Aaron Rouse
Patriots fill all their needs save CB.
28 - Bills(from Bal): QB Matt Moore
29 - Chargers: ILB Zach Diles
They need to replace Donnie Edwards.
30 - Bears: OLB Michael Okwa
This should help if Briggs flees.
31 - Colts: RB Lorenzo Booker
Decent backup RB for Addai.
