| 21 |
 |
RB |
Donald Brown |
UConn |
Jr. |
5-10 |
210 |
|
The Eagles will finally lighten Brian Westbrook's load by taking Brown, who had as good a combine as any other prospect in
Indy. Brown runs in the low 4.4s, catches the ball well, can pick up the blitz with his blocking and hit home runs in the
interview phase of the combine. He'll be a consensus first-rounder by the time April rolls around.
|
| 22 |
 |
WR/RB |
Percy Harvin |
Florida |
Jr. |
5-11 |
195 |
|
Adding an explosive option to the passing game might help quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's development as much as
anything. Harvin could be an X factor in the Vikings attack, moving around and creating matchup problems wherever he goes. If
the Vikings go defense, Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore is a name to keep track of.
|
| 23 |
 |
LB |
James Laurinaitis |
Ohio State |
Sr. |
6-3 |
240 |
|
I think Fred Taylor signs with the Patriots any day now, taking running back off the need list to some degree.
Laurinaitis didn't help himself at the combine, running a 4.8 and looking so-so in the drills. But he's a Patriots-type of
player, with tremendous character and work ethic. Ohio State linebackers have been iffy, but the Patriots are hoping to draft
Tedy Bruschi's replacement on the inside, and Laurinaitis' proven track record could earn him the nod.
|
| 24 |
 |
TE |
Brandon Pettigrew |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
6-6 |
260 |
|
Pettigrew didn't run well at the combine, with his 4.8 showing convincing scouts he'll never stretch the field as a downfield
option in the passing game. But he's the best overall tight end in the draft, and as much as Atlanta runs the ball in its
Michael Turner-led offense, adding Pettigrew's talent as a blocker and pass catcher makes this a defensible pick.
|
| 25 |
 |
DE/LB |
Everette Brown |
Florida State |
Sr. |
6-4 |
252 |
|
I have Brown slipping a considerable way down my board, and it appears he projects to a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
Miami is looking for someone to create pass pressure opposite Joey Porter, and it should have options in this slot.
Brown, USC's Clay Matthews and Northern Illinois's Larry English all fit the job description the Dolphins are looking to
fill.
|
| 26 |
 |
CB |
Sean Smith |
Utah |
Jr. |
6-3 |
214 |
|
I'm just playing a hunch here, but the Ravens are in the market for a cornerback to take over Chris McAlister's
vacated slot, and Baltimore has always liked its pass defenders to have some size. Smith is taller than the likes of
Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore, Connecticut's Darius Butler and Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith, so I'm going with him
for now.
|
| 27 |
 |
LB |
Clay Matthews |
USC |
Sr. |
6-3 |
240 |
|
The Colts could take a polished and pro-ready receiver like Hakeem Nicks in this slot, but Matthews is a prospect who
generated some momentum for himself at the combine and exited the week with a first-round grade in the eyes of many teams.
The Colts are known for actually taking the best player available in the first round, rather than being limited by need.
|
| 28 |
|
OT |
William Beatty |
Connecticut |
Sr. |
6-6 |
307 |
|
I want to give the Eagles Hakeem Nicks here, because it would make Donovan McNabb happy and really ruin the plans of
the No. 29 Giants, who covet Nicks. But the need at offensive tackle is too great, and with the Eagles taking running back
Donald Brown at No. 21, I say they turn to his Huskies teammate Beatty with their second first-round selection.
|
| 29 |
 |
WR |
Hakeem Nicks |
North Carolina |
Jr. |
6-2 |
210 |
|
You know what New York is thinking: We can't count on having Plaxico "I'm Carrying" Burress this season, so we have to
go get his replacement. As a big receiver with a first-round grade, Nicks is the logical choice for the Giants' greatest
need.
|
| 30 |
 |
DE |
Robert Ayers |
Tennessee |
Sr. |
6-3 |
272 |
|
The Titans don't have to reach for any particular position, but it stands to reason they'll look to fortify their defensive
line ranks in the expectation of losing Albert Haynesworth in free agency. Ayers had a solid Senior Bowl and he's the
type of versatile talent who can sneak into the bottom of the first round. The Titans' search for another receiving threat
will have to wait once again.
|
| 31 |
 |
RB |
Chris "Beanie" Wells |
Ohio State |
Jr. |
6-1 |
237 |
|
The Cardinals might address their need at running back in free agency, long before the draft, and then go in a different
direction come late April. But if they don't, Wells represents good value at the bottom of the round. Then again, maybe
Edgerrin James doesn't wind up going anywhere in 2009 and the issue at running back remains clouded in Arizona.
|
| 32 |
 |
CB |
D.J. Moore |
Vanderbilt |
Jr. |
5-10 |
182 |
|
Nothing too tricky about this pick. The Steelers believe they're likely to lose starting cornerback Bryant McFadden in
free agency, and they're not too sure his replacement currently resides on their roster. Moore is in the mix along with the
shorter Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest.
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