 |
The Dolphins pick Jake Long to be the cornerstone of their rebuilding project. As a mammoth tackle with outstanding size and strength, Long will be asked to open holes for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the left side. Though the Dolphins still have several holes to fill, the decision to pick up an anchor for their offensive line will prove to be a wise one.
|
| |
 |
The Rams surprisingly bypass arguably the best defensive prospect on the board (Glenn Dorsey) to address their woeful pass rush with the selection of Chris Long. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year possesses outstanding hand skills, and uses a relentless motor to put consistent pressure off the edge. After witnessing their defensive ends combine for only five sacks last season, the Rams were in desperate need of a pass rusher and Long clearly fits the bill.
|
| |
 |
The Falcons pick Matt Ryan to represent the face of the franchise. The ACC Player of the Year is a natural leader and those skills will be counted on to steady a franchise that has been rocked by scandal and uncertainty the past year. Though he will need some time to develop, Ryan will combine with free agent acquisition Michael Turner to give the Falcons hope on offense.
|
| |
 |
The Raiders ignore pressing needs on the defensive line to add the most explosive offensive player on the board. Darren McFadden gives the Raiders a home run threat to add to a backfield that features solid runners Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. For an offense that was in desperate need of playmakers, the selection of McFadden makes perfect sense.
|
| |
 |
The Chiefs unexpectedly land the top defensive prospect in this year's draft. Glenn Dorsey gives defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham a dominating interior presence in the middle of the line, and his ability to occupy double teams will allow Tamba Hali and others to feast off the edge. Many expected the Chiefs to address their awful offensive line with this pick, but the chance to add arguably the best player available proved to be too tempting to resist.
|
| |
 |
The Jets continue to address their inept pass rush by adding Vernon Gholston. The phenomenal athlete brings outstanding speed and quickness to the defense, and he teams with marquee free agent signee Calvin Pace to give the Jets a pair of dynamic edge rushers. There are some questions about Gholston's motor and consistency, but he has the ability to develop into a dominant pass rusher in the mold of DeMarcus Ware in the Jets' 3-4.
|
| |
 |
The Saints make an aggressive play to grab Sedrick Ellis at the seventh selection. The Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year fortifies the interior of the Saints' defensive line, and gives them a legitimate pass rusher to improve a defense that only recorded 32 sacks a season ago. The addition of Ellis is one of many moves the Saints are expected to make today to improve their 30nd ranked pass defense.
|
| |
 |
The Jaguars make a stunning trade to acquire Derrick Harvey with the eighth pick. The Jaguars were in need of a pass rusher after losing Bobby McCray in free agency, and Harvey brings outstanding speed off the edge. The Jaguars relied on the blitz to pressure the passer last season, but the addition of Harvey should allow them to rely more on their front four.
|
| |
 |
After suffering from a spate of injuries at linebacker a season ago, the Bengals upgrade the position by adding the dynamic Keith Rivers. The former Trojan gives Marvin Lewis' defense a much-needed playmaker at Will linebacker, and adds speed to a defense that was unable to contain the run or pass. The Bengals were hoping to add a defensive tackle at this pick, but landing the top-rated linebacker on the board is a major step towards solving their defensive woes.
|
| |
 |
The Patriots continue their tradition of adding versatile players with the selection of Jerod Mayo. The SEC's leading tackler has experience playing all of the linebacker spots, and his versatility is vital for a linebacker corps that features four starters over the age of 30. With the Patriots playing a hybrid defense that morphs between a 4-3 and 3-4, the addition of Mayo is a great pick.
|
| |
 |
The Bills address their secondary issues by picking up Leodis McKelvin. The explosive cornerback/kick returner from Troy has all the physical tools to become a solid starter, and he will be counted on to man their nickel position as a rookie. The Bills are fortunate to land the top-rated corner in the draft at the 11th pick.
|
| |
 |
The Broncos' selection of Ryan Clady is a solid attempt to address an offensive line that has struggled in recent years. Clady, a consensus All-American as a junior, gives Mike Shanahan an athletic lineman who fits in perfectly with the Broncos' zone scheme. There were concerns about his work ethic and the level of competition that he faced, but his physical ability and upside makes him a worthwhile gamble for the Broncos.
|
| |
 |
The Panthers ignore obvious needs along the offensive and defensive lines to pick up Jonathan Stewart. The dynamic runner from Oregon torched the Pac-10 for 2,481 all-purpose yards, and his underrated combination of skills adds a much-needed weapon to the Panthers' offense. Though Stewart's foot injury will prevent him from participating in some of the Panthers' offseason workouts, the team hopes Stewart can form a formidable tandem with DeAngelo Williams to spark a running game that hasn't shown much punch in the past two years.
|
| |
 |
The Bears choose to address their sagging running game by adding Chris Williams to their aging offensive line. Williams, a first team All-American at Vanderbilt, will pave the way for Cedric Benson or Adrian Peterson on runs, and provide adequate protection on the backside of Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton in the passing game. Rashard Mendenhall was considered a viable option at this pick, but its hard to dispute the selection of Williams considering the Bears' offensive line woes from a season ago.
|
| |
 |
The Chiefs make an aggressive move to rebuild their offensive line with the trade and eventual selection of Branden Albert. The versatile lineman from Virginia was coveted because of his athleticism, and the Chiefs have the option of using him at guard or tackle. For a running game that ranked last in the league a season ago, the selection of Albert is the first of many moves needed to improve the Chiefs' abysmal offensive line.
|
| |
 |
The Cardinals take the most athletic corner available at the 16th pick. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie gives them a physically gifted player with unlimited upside. He isn't a polished player at this point, but if he develops according to plan, Rodgers-Cromartie could become the shut-down corner the Cardinals have sought for years.
|
| |
 |
The Lions choose to ignore a pressing need at running back and pick up Gosder Cherilus with the 17th pick. Cherilus, a second team All-ACC selection at tackle, will help the Lions make the transformation into a more balanced offensive unit under new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto. Though he needs some work in pass protection, Cherilus gives them a physical blocker who excels in the running game.
|
| |
 |
The Ravens take a huge gamble on small school standout Joe Flacco with the 18th pick. Though Flacco possesses all of the physical tools of a franchise quarterback, concerns about his leadership skills and production against a lower level of competition make the move a questionable one. Flacco may develop into the quarterback the Ravens have missed since the departure of Trent Dilfer, but the negatives attached to Flacco makes this pick risky considering the composition of the Ravens' locker room.
|
| |
 |
The Panthers surprise many by making a trade back into the first round to grab Jeff Otah. The Panthers have reshuffled their offensive line throughout the offseason, and the insertion of Otah at right tackle should be the final piece to the puzzle. The Panthers are attempting to return to the smash-mouth offense that led to a Super Bowl appearance 2003, and all of the moves made today reflect that motive.
|
| |
 |
The Bucs add the top playmaker at the corner position to their secondary. Aqib Talib, who tallied 11 interceptions in the past two seasons, is a perfect fit in the Bucs' two-deep scheme, and his ball-hawking skills will upgrade a defense that produced 16 interceptions a season ago. This is a great addition to the Bucs' defense.
|
| |
 |
The Falcons make a big move to address their offensive tackle woes with the selection of Sam Baker. The three-time All-American was rated as the top tackle prospect prior to the season, but injuries hampered his play during his senior year. Regardless, Baker is a technically sound player with good feet and solid fundamentals. This is not a flashy pick, but another crafty move to rebuild the Falcons' underachieving offense by adding solid players.
|
| |
 |
The Cowboys opt to bypass a more complete running back (Rashard Mendenhall) to add the dynamic Felix Jones to the lineup. The former Razorback possesses outstanding speed and is a big-play threat on the perimeter, but there are concerns about his ability to carry the load. However, Jones will only be counted on to fill a complementary role with the Cowboys due to the presence of Pro Bowler Marion Barber III in the lineup. The pick was not surprising, but time will tell if the decision to skip over Mendenhall becomes one that the Cowboys regret down the road.
|
| |
 |
The Steelers unexpectedly land Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd pick. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year compiled 1,681 rushing yards during his junior season, and gives the Steelers a tough, inside runner to complement former Pro Bowler Willie Parker. Mendenhall was expected to be taken earlier in the first round, but he may have landed in the perfect spot for his skills in Pittsburgh.
|
| |
 |
The Titans make a surprising pick with the selection of Chris Johnson. The East Carolina standout recorded the fastest time at the NFL Combine (4.24), and posted impressive statistics (led nation by averaging 229 all-purpose yards per game) during his senior season. Though scouts have concerns about his ability to be an every down player, he fills multiple roles for the Titans as a runner/returner. There will be plenty of criticism levied at this pick, but Johnson brings playmaking skills to an offense in desperate need of explosive players.
|
| |
 |
The Cowboys make a big trade to land the talented Mike Jenkins. The smooth cover corner from South Florida gives the Cowboys another playmaker to a secondary that should be vastly improved from a season ago. Jenkins combines with the recently acquired Adam "Pac Man" Jones to give the Cowboys an outstanding sub-package. The Cowboys' secondary woes hurt them at times last season, but those woes have seemingly been addressed with the moves made over the past week.
|
| |
 |
The Texans make a head-scratching move with the selection of Duane Brown. Though the Texans need to address their offensive tackle situation, the decision to move back and bypass several top-rated tackles (Sam Baker and Gosder Cherilus) to pick Brown should be questioned. Brown was rated as a mid-to-late second rounder by many teams, and picking him in the first round is a major reach by the Texans.
|
| |
 |
The Chargers fill the void created by the departure of Drayton Florence by picking up Antoine Cason. As a crafty playmaker with outstanding instincts, Cason fits in well in the aggressive zone blitz scheme orchestrated by defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Though he lacks ideal speed for the position, his knack for making plays on the ball is reminiscent of last year's second round pick Eric Weddle and he should excel as the Chargers' nickel corner.
|
| |
 |
The Seahawks opt to add depth at the defensive end position with the selection of Lawrence Jackson. The Seahawks have a pair of quality ends in Patrick Kerney and Daryl Tapp, but Jackson gives them more size at the position. Though Jackson has been knocked for his dip in production the past two seasons, he flashes enough pass rush potential to emerge as a solid starter for the Seahawks in time. This is a good pick up for the Seahawks.
|
| |
 |
The 49ers address their defensive line issues by picking up Kentwan Balmer. The former Tar Heel possesses the size to man either the nose tackle or defensive end position in the 49ers' 3-4, and his athleticism will allow defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to incorporate more stunts and games into his game plan. Moreover, the addition of Balmer fills the void created by Bryant Young's retirement and continues to allow Pro Bowler Patrick Willis to roam freely in the middle.
|
| |
 |
The Jets attempt to add explosiveness to their offense by picking up Purdue speedster Dustin Keller. Though he is listed as a tight end, Keller is truly an oversized slot receiver who will be used to create mismatches in space. With Chris Baker installed at the base tight end position, the addition of Keller will allow the Jets to use more multiple tight end sets to generate big plays in the passing game. Some teams had Southern Cal's Fred Davis rated higher, but the Jets are willing to gamble that Keller's superior speed and athleticism gives him the chance to make a bigger impact as a pro.
|
| |
 |
The defending Super Bowl Champions fill their biggest need with the selection of Kenny Phillips. The former Hurricane possesses good speed, and brings a physical presence to the middle of their defense. Although Gibril Wilson's penchant for big plays will be missed, Phillips should be considered an upgrade at the position for the Giants.
|
| |
.
