San Francisco – Alex Smith – QB Utah
It looks more and more like Smith is the guy that the 49ers brass have their
eye on. Expect Smith to have a contract in place before the draft even begins. I
still feel that the niners would rather select Braylon Edwards and try and trade
down, but it looks more and more like Smith is their man.
Miami – Ronnie Brown – RB Auburn
I think if Alex Smith is available the Dolphins would jump at the chance to
pick him up. But, Ronnie Brown would start immediately for the Fins and would be
the centerpiece of Coach Nick Saban’s power running game offense.
Cleveland – Braylon Edwards – WR Michigan
Edwards on some teams boards is the top prospect in the entire draft period.
The Browns need help at several positions in particular on the defensive side of
the ball. The new regime comes from New England were they have been pretty
successful drafting the best player on the board. Edwards would bring much
needed playmaking abilities to the Browns offense.
Chicago – Cedric Benson – RB Texas
The Bears have brought in new offensive coordinator Ron Turner who prefers a
power run game. The Bears are not disappointed with Thomas Jones but they need a
back who can carry it 20-25 times a game and Benson fits that bill
Tampa Bay – Carnell Williams – RB Auburn
The Tampa coaches had the chance to coach Williams in the senior bowl this
past season. Mike Williams is gaining a whole bunch of momentum going into the
draft and he might be picked right here. With running back being a bit more of a
pressing need Cadillac gets the nod.
Tennessee – Aaron Rodgers – QB Cal
Make no mistake the Titans are in rebuilding mode and with 10 picks in this
year’s draft expect the Titans to look for something to build with. Rodgers
could sit for a year and learn from McNair and coach Norm Chow
Minnesota – Mike Williams – WR USC
The Vikings will be doing cart wheels if this projection takes place.
Williams isn’t the home run threat that Randy Moss was but he doesn’t need to be
in this offense. He will cause match up problems all over the field.
Arizona – Antrell Rolle – CB Miami
This is a running back heavy draft and a high quality runner can be found in
round two. However, there might only be 3 or 4 corners with lock down potential.
Rolle gets the nod over Adam Jones because of his size and how disciplined he is
compared to Jones.
Washington – Adam Jones – West Virginia
Jones has outstanding man to man cover skills which are needed in order to
let their blitzing scheme work, as well as being a great punt returner. I’m not
as high on this guy as others because of his lack of size 5’9, he reminds me of
former Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeye Tommy Knight.
Detroit – Alex Barron – OT Florida State
The Lions lost Stocker McDougle to free agency. Barron is a huge man (6-7
320) and has outstanding feet (4.8 40), he needs to be little more physical in
the run game but should develop nicely.
Dallas – Shawne Merriman – LB/DE Maryland
Merriman is an ideal fit in the new 3-4 scheme that Dallas will be tinkering
with this season. Combining both size, speed and playmaking abilities. Merriman
might go higher possibly to Minnesota at #7.
San Diego – Troy Williamson – WR South Carolina
San Diego is quietly putting together a really solid team. Williamson would
bring a home run threat that the Chargers offense was lacking last season.
Houston – Derrick Johnson – LB Texas
Johnson to me is the wild card of this entire draft. Some mocks have him
going as high as #3 or dropping into the lower 20’s. The nock on him is that
he’s not that physical, but at 6-3 and 4.5 speed he’s a guy who can run sideline
to sideline, some one will draft him early.
Carolina – Jammal Brown – OT Oklahoma
This might be a little bit of a reach for Brown, but he fills a glaring need
for the Panthers. Brown is best suited to play right tackle which happens to be
the Panthers biggest area of need.
Kansas City – Carlos Rogers – CB Auburn
Defense, Defense, Defense, should be the theme of the draft for the Chiefs
this year. Carlos Rogers will be the best corner the Chiefs have the moment is
name is called.
New Orleans – Thomas Davis – S Georgia
Thomas Davis is a prospect that is kind of flying under the radar a bit. He
has great size and speed and tackles extremely well. He’s not at a level of Roy Williams or Sean Taylor but he’s a playmaker none the less.
Cincinnati – Travis Johnson – DT Florida State
The Bengals could use help up front and Johnson is a perfect fit in Coach
Marvin Lewis one gap scheme. Johnson has great speed for a man of his size
running in the 4.9 range. Johnson is a better prospect right now than Darnell Dockett was last season.
Minnesota – Erasmus James – DE Wisconsin
James is a guy who if not for the injury concerns would be drafted a lot
higher than this in the first round. He can flat out get to the quarterback.
Paired along with last year’s 1st rounder Kenechi Udeze and the
Vikings have a solid one two punch at the DE position.
St. Louis – Kalif Barnes – OL Washington
St. Louis needs some help on the o-line especially at the right tackle
position because of the recent troubles of Kyle Turley. Barnes has really seen
his stock rise after a good showing at the combine and at this year’s senior
bowl.
Dallas – Marlin Jackson – DB Michigan
Jackson could fill several spots for the Cowboys. Jackson has played both
corner and safety in his career at Michigan and the Cowboys need help at both
spots. Look for Parcells to take him than decide once he’s in camp were he
should play.
Jacksonville – Marcus Spears – DE LSU
Spears is kind of a wild card of the defensive lineman in this draft. He has
great size and good speed for a defensive end. He should get favorable one on
one matchups playing alongside John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.
Baltimore – Mark Clayton – WR Oklahoma
Baltimore is still looking for that elusive wide receiver, they’ve added a
solid crafty veteran in Derrick Mason and would love to pair him with this
speedster. Clayton is dynamic with his hands on the ball in the mold of Santana Moss.
Seattle – DeMarcus Ware – DE Troy
Ware is flying up the draft boards after impressive workouts this past off
season. He can play both standing up as an outside linebacker and rush the
passer on passing downs.
Green Bay – David Pollack – DE Georgia
Pollack is one of those players who plays with tremendous heart and
determination. Yes, he’s undersized and doesn’t run to well but he’s productive.
He will bring toughness to the Packers defense from day one.
Washington - Jason Campbell - QB Auburn
The Redskins now have two picks in round one. They allegedly have moved into
the 1st round with an eye on the Tigers signal caller. Campbell on
some teams boards has actually moved ahead of Aaron Rodgers. This pick would
signify the end of the Patrick Ramsey era in D.C.
Oakland – Fabian Washington – CB Nebraska
Oakland gave up Doug Jolly to get back into the 1st round. They
just traded away Philip Buchannon to the Texans and in my opinion Charles Woodson is the most overrated corner in the league. Plus we all now Al David
loves guys who can run and Washington blistered the track at the combine with a
4.28 40.
Atlanta – Shaun Cody – DL USC
Cody is a lineman who might not have a real position. He has quickness to
play on the outside but the size to play on the inside as well. He uses his
hands really well and has really good counter moves. Some scouts say he is too
much of a finesse player, but I think his versatility is his biggest
strength
San Diego – Matt Roth – DE Iowa
Roth’s stock has really been on the rise since an impressive showing at the
Senior bowl. Roth reminds me a lot of David Pollack, he’s a fiery player with a
tremendous motor
Indianapolis – Heath Miller – TE Virginia
This is a tough one to pull the trigger on. But I feel that if Miller slips
this far the Colts might snatch him up even though they have more pressing needs
on the other side of the ball. The Colts love to run two tight end sets and they
released Marcus Pollard this off season.
Pittsburgh – Matt Jones – ATH Arkansas
Someone will take a chance on this amazing athlete. Pittsburgh is not afraid
of taking a quarterback and using him as a wide out see Kordell Stewart, Hines Ward, Antwan Randel-El. Jones combines intimidating size (6-5 240) and speed
(4.37) rarely seen in a man his size.
Philadelphia – Dan Cody – DE Oklahoma
Cody is a guy who will probably go a lot higher on draft day than this. Some
teams are not as high on Cody as others. None the less he’s a heck of a football
player who paired with Jevon Kearse will cause nightmares for opposing coaches.
New England – Odell Thurman – MLB Georgia
With the unfortunate situation that has happened to Teddy Bruschi, MLB all of
a sudden is a huge priority. Thurman is easily the most productive prospect
among MLB prospects this year. If teams can get past his checkered past he’s a
real football player. A veteran team full of leaders like the Patriots is
exactly what Thurman needs.
There you have it, make fun of it, or praise it. Let’s talk about the draft
on the message boards and you take a chance yourself. Mike from 24-7football
will be out at Jackson’s on 3rd this Saturday for the Cardinals draft
party. If any of our viewers our going to be there email me mike@24-7football.com.