10. New Orleans Saints- Keith Rivers LB USC
Many will tell you that the Saints will draft a corner because thier secondary is trash. Many will also tell you that picking an LB would be dumb since they got Dan Morgan and Jonathan Vilma. The people that tell you these things are wrong. Both Morgan and Vilma are unproven comodities. Rivers could come in and be a solid, consistant piece for the linebacking core. The Saints also have a lot of money tied up in their current secondary, so they would prefer a cap-friendlier CB in the second round. Rivers is most certainly the smarter and safer pick
11. Buffalo Bills- Keith Rivers LB USC
Malcolm Kelly, my previous selection here, really screwed himself by running a 4.75 40 at his pro day, and then blaming his coaches for not preparing him for it. Say hello to the second round, dumbass. While Jenkins is a bit of a reach, its not like he would have any trouble beating out Jabari Greer for the starting job. The Bills are also big candidates to trade down. Another big possibility is Derrick Harvey, DE from Florida
12. Denver Broncos- Ryan Clady OT Boise State
This was a close call between a linebacker and Clady. In the wake on Matt Lepsis' sudden retirement, LT is a big need. However, the linebacking corps last year was comprable to that of the Raiders (name an Oakland LB, I dare you). Clady gets the nod because Jay Cutler's developement is paramount to the team. No need to stunt it because of poor O-Line play. It could also turn Selvin Young into the next great Denver running back. I also think that the team would rather draft a MLB in Round 2 so that D.J. Williams can slide back to the weakside, his natural position.
13. Carolina Panthers- Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
Whoever is quarterbacking for the Panthers next year (I think it's Matt Moore), they are going to need blindside protection, because niether Jordan Gross nor Travelle Wharton is the answer on the left side. Chris Williams is good value here and would also fit very well into Carolina's zone blocking scheme. Williams could protect Moore's blindside for years to come and could also kick-start the running game. The Panthers could go in a large number of directions with this pick, like surprising and drafting Rashard Mendenhall, but for now Williams get the nod.
14. Chicago Bears- Jeff Otah OT Pittsburg
Chicago's current offense line could be put in a museum of ancient history. I think everyone on that line is at least 30, if not older. And that's pathetic. Jeff Otah can make an imediate impact on the left side and fits very well into the Bears offensive scheme. Cedric Benson certainly is no Ricky Williams, but don't blame him alone for his suckage. Thier were running plays last year, especially to the outside, where one guy would block and the other 4 would look like they were standing there having a conversation. I'm not kidding. A better O-Line certainly couldn't hurt Rex Grossman either.
15. Detroit Lions- Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
There is a method to Mike Martz's madness afterall. I think I would sell my QB's organs too if I had Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell, and T.J. Duckett at RB. Seriously. RB is a priority, especially now that Jones has been cut and Tatum Bell thinks that he can somehow be a starting RB. Mendenhall is a very well rounded back. At 225 pounds, he ran a 4.37 40. He catches the ball well and can perform at an elite level even with a crappy QB (see, Rose Bowl). The only hole in his game is his pass blocking, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem now that the Lions will actually be running the ball. It is unlikely that the Lions will go corner after aquiring Leigh Bodden. Anyone the Lions draft on defense would be an upgrade, but Mendenhall makes the most sense.
16. Arizona Cardinals- Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
It doesn't really help that Stewart had surgery on his toe, but he should be able to recover in time to play Week 1. Stewart is an absolute beast. A 235 pound back running a 4.44 and jumping 36.5 in.! Those are Vernon Gholston numbers. Stewart may go ahead of Mendenhall because he is a better blocker, but the Cardinals will take whoever the Lions don't. Edgerrin James just hasn't been the same since coming to Arizona. Stewart is the kind of youth and athleticism the team needs to push it over the .500 mark. Stewart would definatley work well is Head Coach Ken Wisenhunt's scheme. He is also a better power back than Edge, so he fits into Russ Grim's blocking scheme. If Stewart isn't availible here, the Cards would either go with a CB so that they could move Antrel Rolle to safety, or a DE/OLB to replace Calvin Pace.
17. Minnesota Vikings- Philip Merling DE Clemson
The Vikings could really use a QB that isn't blind. However, the Vikings are ready to win now, so dreafting a QB would make no sense. It is unlikely that the Vikings will draft a WR, so that leaves them with Merling. Merling is a very balanced DE who could inject life into an anemic pass rush that had no one player with more than 5 sacks. There is a reason the Vikings are close to dead last in pass defense, and Merling would be able to help this poblem. The Vikings could also draft Derrick Harvey, but I think Merling is a better fit for Minnesota.
18. Houston Texans- Aqib Talib CB Kansas
The Texans fist choice here is a RB, but Stewart and Mendenhall are both gone. After that they would like an OT, but there is not much value to be had at this pick. That leaves them with Kansas corner Aqib Talib. Talib has erased any doubts about his speed and would be great value at this pick. This would bring the Texans defense to the next level, the level that beats the Colts and has a winning record. Dunta Robinson might also miss a lot of time this year due to a torn ACL (at least he wasn't signed by Al Davis), so picking Talib here is even more important
19. Philedelphia Eagles- Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
While this pick would contradict Andy Reid's drafting strategy, something other than WR would condradict Philly's offseason shopping list. The Eagles tried thier absolute hardest to land Randy Moss in free agency, and tried to trade for Anquan Boldin. A non-WR would be a huge mistake. A bit surprising that Thomas will be the first WR taken in the draft, but it is very possible. Malcolm Kelly is busy being a complete dumbass, and I don't think the Eagles are too interested in DeSean Jackson or Limas Sweed.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DeSean Jackson WR California
I am aware the Brian Brohm had a very good pro day, and that the Bucs need a QB of the future, but Jackson is just too good too ignore. Jackson fills the most immediate need for Tampa, and may even be considered a steal at the 20th overall pick. Jeff Garcia can still play, and Tampa would much rather grab thier QB of the future in round two. The Bucs could also go with an offensive lineman, but there is no one here worth picking, so Jackson gets the nod.
21. Washington Redskins- Derrick Harvey DE Florida
The Skins will definately need an elite edge rusher now that blitz happy Greg Williams is gone. They pick Derrick Harvey, a great speed rusher from Florida. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the Redskins will be a top 10 defense if they stay healthy and Harvey performs. Limas Sweed is also a huge possibility, but I think that Harvey is better value. A second tier WR can also be easily aquired in the second round.
22. Dallas Cowbows- Limas Sweed WR Texas
The Cowbows need a young WR to replace an aging Terrell Owens/Terry Glenn. Sweed can be a reliable endzone target for years to come for Tony Romo. Sweed is also an in-state product. With two 1st round draft picks, the Cowboys are in good position to adress thier two biggest needs, wide reciever and corner, and it's really just a matter of which one comes first.
23. Pittsburg Steelers- Branden Albert G Virginia
The Steelers need major help on the offensive line, especially after losing Alan Faneca. Pittsburg's O-Line is downright dreadful. They surrendered 47 sacks last year, and couldn't keep the Rams out of thier backfield. THE RAMS!!! The Steelers fix (part) of this problem by drafting Albert. Albert played gaurd at Virginia, but according to Mike Mayock of NFL.com, he has the versatility to play LT in the NFL. This is exactly what the Steelers need. A player than can come in and replace Alan Faneca, and/or provide offensive line depth should anyone get injured. The Steelers could go WR here, but I don't think that they are too interested in Malcolm Kelly or James Hardy.
24. Tennessee Titans- James Hardy WR Indiana
This pick doesn't even deserve an explanation, but I'm giving one anyway. The Titans are desperate for a wide reciever, and see that there is one of good value availible. They draft him. The End. I would suggest that the brains of everyone be sucked out by Al Davis if the Titans don't draft a wide out, but if they don't draft a WR that obviously is a sign that they have no brains. At all. Whatsoever. Period.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Dustin Keller TE Purdue
The Seahawks would be elated if Mendenhall or Stewart fell this far, but that's not happening. Since addressing the running game is out of the question, the Seahawks should shift their focus to aquiering weapons for Matt Hasslebeck. The Seahawks would perfer a WR here, but all of the good ones are off the board. The only position left is TE, where Dustin Keller comes in. To me, Dustin Keller is the best TE in the draft, in part due to the poor combine performances by John Carlson and Fred Davis. Keller is a burner who can stretch the field and provide a deep target for Hasslebeck. It also helps that Marcus Pollard really sucks. The Seahawks would take Branden Albert without hesitation here to replace the hole left by Steve Hutchinson. They may even trade up to get infront of the Steelers to grab Albert.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kentwan Balmer DT UNC
The way I see it, Jacksonville has two possible options with this pick. WR is out of the question seeing as there aren't any good ones left. Jacksonville needs to replenish thier deffensive line after the offseason loses of Marcus Stroud and Bobby McRay. With that in mind, Jacksonville will likely take the best defensive lineman on the board, which happens to be Kentwan Balmer. While not the brick wall that Stroud is, Kentwan Balmer should be able to team up with John Henderson to form a good run defense. I wouldn't be surprised if Balmer also managed the 3 sacks McRay had last year.
27. San Diego Chargers- Kenny Phillips S Miami
This pick would make the chargers secondary downright frightening. AC+Jammer+Weddle+Phillips=You Lose. Seriously. If the Chargers still had Drayton Florence it wouldn't surprise me if they got 40 picks. Assuming the rest of the defense stays healthy, the Bolts could be in for a record setting year on defense. I am aware that San Diego has some needs on its offensive line and doesn't pick again until Round 5, but Phillips is just too talented to pass up on. There also aren't any spectacular offensive lineman to be had. Look at it this way: Do I take the best Safety in the draft, or do I settle for a second tier offensive lineman? I think the Chargers will go with the former. There is however a larger possibilty that they will trade down with a team like the Falcons to recoup some draft selections.
28. Dallas Cowboys- Antoine Cason CB Arizona
Terence Newman and Anthony Henry are getting old, and Jacques Reeves is gone (although that's probably a good thing). Cason was a stud at Arizona and also performs very well as a returner. This pick fills the second of Dallas' two big offseason needs, and is also a great addition.
29. San Francisco 49ers- Quentin Groves DE/OLB Auburn
The 49ers defense was terrible, thanks mostly in part to a way over-valued 100 million dollar secondary and lack of a pass rush. Justin Smith probably wont do much because he is more of a 4-3 DE. In comes Groves, who ran a 4.52 at the combine. Groves can rush the passer while Patrick Willis hunts down wide recievers from behind. Groves and Willis could team up to form a great young linebacking corps. Other possibilities are OT or WR, but there isn't any value for those positions here.
30. Green Bay Packers- Tracy Porter CB Indiana
Assuming Aaron Rodgers is half of what Brett Farve was, the Packer's only need is CB, where Charles Woodson and Al Harris are both on the wrong side of 30. Woodson was burnt in the NFC Championship game by Plaxico Buress, which isn't a good sign. Tracy Porter ran a blazing 4.29 at his pro day, which propels him up to this pick. He could step in right away as the nickel corner and take over a starting role a few years from now. The Packers could go weakside LB to replace the incumbent Brady Poppinga, but Poppinga did perfrom well in the playoffs.
31. New England Patriots- Carrie Underwood
Underwood took a Louisville Slugger to all of Bill Belichek's cameras and was quoted saying "Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats".
32. New York Giants- Dan Connor LB Penn State
The Giants would like to find a replacement for Gibril Wilson, but Kenny Phillips is off the board. After that the Giants will likely adress Linebacker, where they lost Kawika Mitchell to the Bills. Connor isn't the best value, but he can play any linebacking position and is a great run stopper.