With the NFL Draft a couple of days away, most fans have no idea who their respective teams will draft. Miami has already locked up Jake Long as the number one pick, so I projected the rest of the first round, based on how I see players fitting into certain situations. Here are my projections:
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT Michigan.
This pick was easy for me to make, seeing as it has already happened. Bill Parcells wants to build a solid line to open running lanes for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Long will help them do that and protect quarterback John Beck for now.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE Virginia.
The Rams need help on the defensive line. They drafted Adam Carriker out of Nebraska last year, and he is developing into a solid defensive tackle. Leonard Little is aging, so Long should help out in the near future and take Little's place once he leaves St. Louis.
3. Atlanta: Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU.
Dorsey is the best player in this draft and should be an impact player very soon. Atlanta. Dorsey is a big body in the middle who should be able to draw attention away from last year's first round pick, DE Jamaal Anderson.
4.Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas.
The Raiders usually find ways to screwup their first-round picks. However, the thought of JaMarcus Russell andMcFadden in the same backfield is enough to give Raiders fans hope and Lane Kiffin some offensive firepower.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State.
Originally, I had Branden Albert going here but, with the Jared Allen trade, the defensive line becomes a major need. There is more value for a defensive end at this pick than there is for an offensive lineman.
6. New York Jets: Branden Albert, OG Virginia.
McFadden is the guy the Jets really want here but he was gone at pick 4. I say the Jets go back to Virginia to draft a lineman, just a couple of years after drafting D'Brickashaw Ferguson. They signed Alan Faneca in the off-season, but the other lineman are not all that impressive.
7. New England Patriots: Keith Rivers, LB USC.
I fully expect the Patriots to trade out of this pick. However, assuming they do not make a trade, I expect them to draft a linebacker. They have shown the willingness to pay linebackers big money, and Rivers could develop for a couple of years behind the other Patriot linebackers.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan, QB Boston College.
The Ravens feel as if they need to draft a franchise QB. At number 8, it's not at bad spot to draft one. Ryan is the highest rated quarterback in this class, and it would be a huge surprise if the Ravens pass on Ryan.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
The Bengals need a big man in the middle and Ellis is going to fill that role. I fully expect the Bengals to trade up in order to secure Ellis. Either way, Ellis is the pick.
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Max Iascone about 1 year ago
Brandon Albert doesn't have top-10 talent, the only reason that he has been mentioned at number five is because of the profound suckiness of KC's O-line.
Belichick never drafts LBs in the 1st round, not once in his entire coaching career despite the need, I bet they trade down or go with one of the lines, they have shown interest in Sedrick Ellis as a possible 3-4 defenseive end due to his size and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield.
They might also go with Albert despite what I just said because he was coached by Belichick disciple Al Groh, heck they reached on Logan Mankins a few years back despite the availability of superior at the time prospect Khalif Barnes, due to a glowing scouting report from Pat Hill, also a Belichick disciple, and he worked out great.
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Adam Radochonski about 1 year ago
Bears will definitely not pass on Clady for Otah. Clady is an absolute steal at 14 considering the teams ahead of them are looking at him.
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Sean Fitzgerald about 1 year ago
With Talib's marijuana history now hitting the papers, there seems little chance that the Chargers and AJ Smith would add another substance problem to the mix. According to this mock, you've still got Flowers and Justin King available at CB and they would seem like better character choices, without a clear distinction in potential talent level.
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