| 11 |
 |
WR |
Dez Bryant |
Oklahoma State |
Jr. |
6-2 |
215 |
(BRONCOS ACQUIRED PICK FROM BEARS)
With Justin Bannan, Jarvis Green and Jamal Williams all arriving last week to re-make the Denver defensive
line, the Broncos won't be taking Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams as I previously predicted. The Brady
Quinn trade also convinces me the Broncos aren't in the market for a first-round quarterback. That leaves Bryant as a
defensible pick with or without Brandon Marshall leaving, with another option being the impact inside linebacker
Rolando McClain.
|
| 12 |
 |
NT |
Dan Williams |
Tennessee |
Sr. |
6-2 |
329 |
|
The Karlos Dansby signing removes the need for Rolando McClain, but Texas's Sergio Kindle remains a
possibility who would upgrade Miami at outside linebacker. Need trumps all in the first round, however, and with Jason
Ferguson's age and suspension problems, the Dolphins' 3-4 defense is desperate for the bulk that Williams can deliver
at defensive tackle.
|
| 13 |
 |
RB |
C.J. Spiller |
Clemson |
Sr. |
5-11 |
195 |
|
The 49ers need a right offensive tackle first and foremost, but they should be able to wait until their No. 17 pick and
still land either Trent Williams or Mike Iupati. That makes Spiller the pick here, as San Francisco adds a
dose of game-breaking speed to its power running game.
|
| 14 |
 |
DE |
Derrick Morgan |
Georgia Tech |
Jr. |
6-4 |
272 |
(SEAHAWKS ACQUIRED PICK FROM BRONCOS)
Barely missing out on Spiller is going to hurt for Seahawks head coach
Pete Carroll, who always had a speedster in his USC running game. But Seattle also needs more rush off the edge,
and Morgan gets the nod even over the ex-Trojan defensive end Everson Griffen.
|
| 15 |
 |
ILB |
Rolando McClain |
Alabama |
Jr. |
6-4 |
258 |
|
The Giants taking a linebacker looks like one of the no-brainers of the first round, and New York wouldn't hesitate to
turn in its card if the highly regarded McClain lasts this long. Whether you liked the signing or not (and I didn't), the
arrival of Antrel Rolle took safety off the first-round need list.
|
| 16 |
 |
DE |
Jason Pierre-Paul |
South Florida |
Jr. |
6-6 |
260 |
|
The Titans won't have either Kyle Vanden Bosch or Jevon Kearse this season, so finding another pass rusher
gets top priority. Pierre-Paul has promise, but little track record to go on. If that scares Tennessee, it could go for
outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, or reach a bit for USC defensive end Everson Griffen.
|
| 17 |
|
OT |
Trent Williams |
Oklahoma |
Sr. |
6-5 |
318 |
(49ERS ACQUIRED PICK FROM PANTHERS)
The 49ers would be fortunate to see Williams linger this long, but either
he or Idaho guard-tackle Mike Iupati would nicely fit the bill at right offensive tackle, opposite LT Joe
Staley. The other position San Francisco hopes to address is safety, but No. 17 seems too rich for USC's Taylor
Mays.
|
| 18 |
 |
G-OT |
Mike Iupati |
Idaho |
Sr. |
6-5 |
325 |
|
The Steelers could use a cornerback too, but their need at interior offensive line seems tailor-made for their draft
slot, because Iupati, the best guard available, and Florida's Maurkice Pouncey, the highest-rated center, should
both be available.
|
| 19 |
 |
DE-OLB |
Brandon Graham |
Michigan |
Sr. |
6-1 |
263 |
|
The Falcons crossed cornerback off the top of their need list when they signed Dunta Robinson, so now they can
target help at outside linebacker or defensive end. I've had Graham locked into the Patriots at No. 22, but you know
anyone Bill Belichick likes, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is going to like as well.
|
| 20 |
 |
CB |
Kyle Wilson |
Boise State |
Sr. |
5-10 |
186 |
|
Having lost Dunta Robinson to the Falcons, cornerback is the logical place for the Texans to spend their
first-rounder, and Wilson has the value to warrant this slot. But running back and defensive tackle are needs for
Houston, too, so don't discount Fresno State rusher Ryan Mathews or a run-stuffing DT like UCLA's Brian
Price or Penn State's Jared Odrick.
|
|
|
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