As Super Bowl Weekend is upon us, we all wait to see which team can make the final push to complete a storybook season. In one corner lies a juggernaut: The New England Patriots.
A well-documented saga stretching from "Bill's cameras" to "Brady's Boot." From "Randy's Resurrection," to the infamous grey hoody.
In the other corner stands the New York Giants. The road warriors, riding the coattails of a coach and quarterback who very few thought could lead them to the promised land.
For the remaining 30 franchises, the offseason has already begun as teams plan ahead for a run at the big one in 2009. In this installment I take my first stab at which collegiate stars you might expect to see donning your favorite team's colors come draft day.
This column does not take into account the unpredictability that is the first round of the NFL draft. With rumors circulating every day, the biggest being Darren McFadden to the Dallas Cowboys with the first pick, we will take the current draft order; speculating based on team needs as well as overall talent to see which household names as well as future stars could end up where.
1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE - Virginia
Rumors are already running rampant about the Tuna trading down, with Bill Parcells at the helm you can trust the Dolphins will be looking to build a strong core for the future. As appealing as a Darren McFadden or Matt Ryan will be, Miami should look to build around what the parts they already have in place. This pick should come down to a toss-up between Long and LSU's Glenn Dorsey. With Jason Taylor's time running short as well as seeing more looks at linebacker, Long figures to fit perfectly as an end in the Dolphins 3-4 scheme.
2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU
As age begins to catch up to the Rams, there are a wide number of holes being left in their personnel. Although the interior line might not be the biggest need for St. Louis, the opportunity to secure the top talent on the defensive side of the ball could be too much of an opportunity to pass up. Paired with Laroi Glover in the middle, this tandem could create fits for opposing fronts. With the aging and oft-injured Orlando Pace a question mark at offensive tackle, the Rams could reach for Michigan standout Jake Long here.
3. Atlanta Falcons
5 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Rusi Patel about 1 year ago
I like the work put into this. I don't see the Falcons taking a QB with the first round pick. There are no truly outstanding QB's this draft. I think it far more likely they take Jake Long or D'Mac if they are still on the board and take Henne in the second round.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tom Noonan about 1 year ago
The Packers should strengthen their offensive line to give aging Brett and possibly a young quarterback more time in the pocket by adding Chris Williams from Vanderbilt. Then trade up in the second round to draft Devin Thomas from MSU to add to their recieving threat and possibly play him at our shaky tight end position.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Willett about 1 year ago
I think that the bears should trade down to get multiple 2nd and 3rd round picks and grab offensive linemen.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan Newman about 1 year ago
The Pats will not use their 7th overall pick on a cover 2 style CB. That's right, 4.5 speed isn't blazing at CB, its the minimum. Don't just look at the Orange Bowl game or his interception stats, look at how he performed all season. Giving up 10 catches for 129 yards against Jordy Nelson who will probably be a 3rd round pick doesn't sound too promising as a shutdown CB in the NFL. The top two CBs in the draft are Leodis McKelvin and Mike Jenkins. McKelvin won't last til pick 30 for the packers.
Other then that your Mock isn't too bad. It does a good job of addressing team needs and the other players seem to be rated about right.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
I don't see any way Sedrick Ellis falls to 12. No way.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.