This pick is really a choice between Ryan and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Ravens need to draft a cornerback in 2008, but I think they go with Ryan in the first round.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The Bengals were ranked 24th last year stopping the run, and they need the huge presence of Ellis to slow down the runners.
If Ellis isn't availble, I think they may go with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Rashard Mendenhall. DRC because of the horrible pass defense of the Bengals last year, and Mendenhall because Rudi Johnson leaves something to be desired.
10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Despite signing a cornerback this off-season, Randall Gay, they still have a huge hole at that position. Once Jenkins is ready to play, he and Gay will be an elite cornerbacking tandem.
Another option here would be Keith Rivers of USC. The Saints have two very mediocre outside linebackers right now, but I think that they will address the cornerback issue first.
11. Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
I'm sure the Bills would love to draft somebody like Mike Jenkins with this pick, but I have him going to the Saints. Another option is Keith Rivers, but I think they leave the secondary alone for the most part this draft.
The defensive end position in Buffalo is in need of serious help. They currently have Aaron Schobel, who is decent, and Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney, who are mediocre, playing at end. A guy like Harvey would instantly bring up the sack total of the Bills.
The Bills also need a big receiver to complement Lee Evans. They could wait until the second round and grab somebody like Earl Bennett or even James Hardy.
12. Denver Broncos - Chris Williams, OT, Boise State
Mike Shanahan rarely drafts offensive tackles in the first round, but there are no other defensive players worthy of his pick. He will be forced to upgrade his poor offensive tackle position by drafting the number two prospect in this category.
Denver currently has Ryan Harris and Erik Pears guarding Jay Cutler, and that is not going to be enough to keep him healthy. The Broncos need somebody like Williams to protect their gunslinger.
13. Carolina Panthers - Branden Albert, G, Virginia
With the last of the top-tier offensive tackles off the board, the Panthers are forced to go with plan B. They will draft Albert, who can play tackle.
Carolina wants to move Travelle Wharton inside to left guard, and they can have Albert play at tackle. Another option here would be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but I don't think the Panthers need to address the corner back position anytime soon. They can wait to add depth to that slot.
14. Chicago Bears - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
It will be difficult for Chicago to pass up on both Mendenhall and Brohm, but they need to fix their front five before anything else can happen. They can still grab a solid running back in the second or third round, and Flacco and Henne both should be availble to them in the second round.
Whatever the Bears do with this pick, it will not most likely make them contenders in the NFC North. This team has to enter a rebuilding mindset so they can make the best decision for the future of their franchise.
15. Detroit Lions - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
After the loss of Kevin Jones, the Lions are staring right at a huge hole at running back. It will be extremely tempting for them to draft Mendenhall with this pick, but I think they can get another back of slightly less value in the second round like Felix Jones or Jamaal Charles.
The Lions need to upgrade their horrible defense at basically every position. Ernie Sims and Alex Lewis are currently the outside linebacker starters for Detroit, and they need someone like Rivers to help that position.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
This could be a surprising pick. The Cardinals desperately need a cornerback, but they also need a running back to replace James. If Rodgers-Cromartie drops this far, Arizona will jump over themselves to draft him.
The Cardinals will almost certainly draft a running back in the second round if they don't in the first round. Look for them to draft Felix Jones or Jamaal Charles in the second round.
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