first round after combine

[mrdv1]

This definitely isn't final yet, but I'm puttin just my first round up with explanations to see what people think. Some stuff might seem weird but hey the draft last year was weird so...

1. Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
I'm still debating this. I think as long as Jason taylor is there Jake, not Chris Long will be the pick. Rumors say that Taylor will be gone by the draft, and I firmly beleive the dolphins will trade out of this spot. It's just what Parcell's does. But as of right now, I see Long as as good a prospect that fills IMO a bigger need for miami, and so they go with him.

2. St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Leonard Little is playing well still but or how much longer will that continue? and on the other end, James hall isn't anything special. Long is an immediate contributer on defense, and the Rams usually need whatever defensive help they can get. Fills the need and BPA.

3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
With the signing of michael turner the debate over mcfadden v.s ryan basically ends, this pick is obvious now.

4. Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Of course Al Davis goes with the sexy pick. Plus I doubt he's going to draft a DT when he just paid Tommy Kelly an insane contract to switch to defensive tackle. No way oakland passes on him.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
The cheifs face a dilema here. They definately could go with dorsey or ellis, but I think not having solid tackle play really really hurt the running game and their team as a whole. LJ needs people to run behind, and Croyle needs time, I think OT wins out here.

6. New York Jets – Sedrick Ellis, DT/E, USC
Yes, they pass on Dorsey for Ellis. Ellis was the best player at the senior bowl, and has done nothing but impress. His stock is way high right now. Dorsey didn't participate, and I really beleive his injury is far more serious than what people realize. If you watch his film after the injury, he wasn't nearly the player he was before the injury. Now yes, it can heal, but I think he is a big risk right now. Ellis seems like as much of an impact and the safer pick, and the Jets cannot screw up their draft this year.

7. New England Patriots – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Pretty simple really, they get their pick at the top corner, which McKelvin is IMO, to replace Asante Samuel.

8. Baltimore Ravens – Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Yikes this one was tough but going to say Gholston because they didn't do a great job at replacing adalius thomas. Again Dorsey is tempting, but I just really think he's going to end up a bust.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
O.K., I give in, if he is here, the bengals have to take him. Too bad he's not going to be the same as he was in college, but they won't let him fall farther than this.

10. New Orleans Saints – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
In adding JVilm, I think they focus on the secondary over LB. Jenkins is BPA in that area.

11. Buffalo Bills – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
His stock is soaring and I think he would be a great compliment to Lee Evans.

12. Denver Broncos – Keith Rivers, M/OLB, USC
They need a linebacker badly. Rivers probably ends up playing Middle so DJ Williams can move back outside where he is more effective. Rivers will start from the opening game.

13. Carolina Panthers – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
A bit of a reach, but after resiging both starting offensive tackles, and trading away Kris Jenkins, I think DT becomes the main area of concern. They should give Jake Delhomme another year.

14. Chicago Bears – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
I'm thinking the Rex Grossman one year deal was so that they could play him this year and sit Brohm for a season before he has to play. Chicago finally gets themselves a pure passer.

15. Detroit Lions – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Defense needs work, but the only real hole on offense is Tackle, and it's a glaring need.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB/FS, Tennessee State
I don't think they'll bale on edge, and so with the secondary being a little on the weak side they take a guy who can play corner or free safety. He's another one whose stock has skyrocketed, and I think they'll definitely find a place on the field for him somewhere.

17. Minnesota Vikings – Desean Jackson, WR, California
It's no secret Minny lacks a speedy deep threat, and altho undersized, Jackson is still an impact receiver who is a threat whenever he touches the ball.

18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
There's a few ways they could go, but mendenhall is hot right now, and their RB situation isn't what I would call outstanding. I think at this point he would rank out as BPA on their list.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – Dan Conner, M/OLB, Penn State
Can play any linebacker position and their L corps aren't good in a division where running the football with a bunch of big backs is the norm.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris Williams, OT, Vandy
I really can't even think of who their LT is. The right side has Trublood and Joseph, but the left side...? well, it's weak. Williams makes it not.

21. Washington Redskins – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Phillip Daniels is at the end of his career. People have predicted them to take a defensive end for the past few years now and they finally pull the trigger on it.

22. Dallas Cowboys – Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
Love this guy on film, his 40 time hurt him a little, but bottom line he's a play maker. Should compete for the starting corner job right away.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Baker, OT, USC
They lost another piece to their line a few days ago, and so they need something to bolster it back up. They'll probably go tackle then gaurd in round 2.

24. Tennessee Titans – Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Finally they take a wide receiver in round one, it's about damn time.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
I think Shaun is basically done, and Maurice Morris shouldn't be the long term solution. Stewart has really been impressive as well.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Sammy Knight is like a fill in, he won't be there much longer. Phillips and Nelson will give them a great Safety Tandem.

27. San Diego Chargers – Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma
They need a safety, and even if he doesn't start right away, he can play cb as well, filling the role of the nickel guy since drayton florence left. Either way, he'll see the field a lot.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Speedy WR with good size should fit well opposite TO. Crayton is better off as a 3.

29. San Francisco 49ers – James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Best WR available, this team needs receivers.

30. Green Bay Packers – Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
I have him as my next best corner and with his 40 time he slips into the end of round one where greenbay is old at corner and needs youht/depth.

31. New England Patriots – No Pick

32. New York Giants – Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
They lost Kavicka mitchell and reggie torbor this week and OLB was a problem before that so this is the logical choice.

[porky88]

I could see Ellis over Dorsey especially if Dorsey proves he's not healthy.

You may consider Dorsey a bust but other teams won't. When healthy Dorsey was an absolute beast. Teams will look at his health. I think they'll be a lot of busts that end up in the top 10. Every year there is but I won't drop him because I think that even though it's hard to do.

I think the top pick is between Chris Long, Jake Long, and Matt Ryan. I think Jake Long is probably option #3.

Brian Brohm at #14 is kind of high. This really is a 1 QB draft in my opinion after Ryan.

I think Vikings signing Benard Berrian really eliminates receiver from round 1 in my opinion. They now have Berrian, Rice, and Aundrae Ellison is someone they're high on who could be that "speedy" deep threat.

I like that you have Devin Thomas in round 1. I wanted to put him in my round 1 but couldn't bring myself to put that many receivers in round 1. Very possible he goes in round 1.

[cubuffsman78]

Who lines up opposite Jason Taylor? Joey Porter. He's about to be 31 and Taylor is going to consider retirement this year and if he comes back then maybe it's next year. Regardless, their backups are Rob Ninkovich, Quentin Moses, Donnie Spragan, Junior Glymph and Mark Washington. Not impressive. Chris Long gives Parcells something he loves -- a versatile defensive presence. You're right. Parcells could trade out. But there's something else he does -- draft defense in the first round. He didn't take an offensive player in the first while with the Cowboys. His first draft with the 'Boys? He took DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears in the first round. Parcells also preaches that a 3-4 defense can never have enough LBs and pass rushers. That's why I think he values Chris over Jake.

Clady is a reach at 5. I've seen him there in a few mocks and I don't like him that high at all. I know it's a major need for the Chiefs, but I think they'd go with one of the DTs or trade down.

I agree about Dorsey. His injury is scary because it's in a spot that heels slowly. It takes massive amounts of risk to heal it and how would he be after that rest? That injury is a major risk and until I see him cleared then I'm dropping him out of the top 5. I think he'll be taken in the top 10 though. I think the Pats would consider him because they can afford to take the risk and wait out a player with tons of potential if he recovers.

I don't think the Pats pick is that simple. Honestly, if Gholston is still on the board, he's the selection. I think Belichick values the position more than CB.

Balmer to Carolina is possible. I think Balmer's stock will soar after his pro day, if he's able to participate.

I think we're going to see the top four CBs in the draft taken in the top 22 picks, so I agree with you there.

Minnesota has added that speedy receiver in Bernard Berian. He's one of the best deep threats in the league. I think the Vikes taking a WR in the first won't happen because of his presence. I do think they'll take one by the third or fourth round though. Minnesota could look at a CB or a DE (much to Saint's chagrin).

Sammy Knight is now a Giant. So the pick still makes sense for the Jags.

I will do back flips if the Cowboys get Devin Thomas.

[mrdv1]

Originally Posted by cubuffsman78 Who lines up opposite Jason Taylor? Joey Porter. He's about to be 31 and Taylor is going to consider retirement this year and if he comes back then maybe it's next year. Regardless, their backups are Rob Ninkovich, Quentin Moses, Donnie Spragan, Junior Glymph and Mark Washington. Not impressive. Chris Long gives Parcells something he loves -- a versatile defensive presence. You're right. Parcells could trade out. But there's something else he does -- draft defense in the first round. He didn't take an offensive player in the first while with the Cowboys. His first draft with the 'Boys? He took DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears in the first round. Parcells also preaches that a 3-4 defense can never have enough LBs and pass rushers. That's why I think he values Chris over Jake.

It sounds like your predicting Long to be a 3-4 OLB though rather than a 3-4 DE, and I don't know why, hes like 280 pounds, he would play defensive end in the 3-4. I mean you do make a valid argument, and I was talking about Taylor playing defensive end as well, forgetting they run a 3-4 now. They have matt roth at one defensive end, and the other 3-4 DE is lacking, so yea they could go with CLong, I tried to explain with the pick i was still debating. But hoenstly I think they can get a 3-4 type defensive end that can come in and play decent later in the draft, a guy like marcus harrison or jason jones or even calais campbell at the top of round 2. They have vernon carey playing left tackle, and he is better suited to play gaurd. He could move inside to gaurd and long would play left tackle, a key key position because of the young QB that will be playing. The move would not just make them better at tackle, but at gaurd too with carey moving inside. I really the top left tackle in the draft is more important, and that drafted jake long and than calais campbell at the top of round 2 is the way to go. And if it's 3-4 OLB's your worried about, a guy like derrick harvey or quentin groves will probably be around in the 2nd when they pick also. Theres just less tackle options later than there are defensive players.

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by mrdv1 It sounds like your predicting Long to be a 3-4 OLB though rather than a 3-4 DE, and I don't know why, hes like 280 pounds, he would play defensive end in the 3-4. I mean you do make a valid argument, and I was talking about Taylor playing defensive end as well, forgetting they run a 3-4 now. They have matt roth at one defensive end, and the other 3-4 DE is lacking, so yea they could go with CLong, I tried to explain with the pick i was still debating. But hoenstly I think they can get a 3-4 type defensive end that can come in and play decent later in the draft, a guy like marcus harrison or jason jones or even calais campbell at the top of round 2. They have vernon carey playing left tackle, and he is better suited to play gaurd. He could move inside to gaurd and long would play left tackle, a key key position because of the young QB that will be playing. The move would not just make them better at tackle, but at gaurd too with carey moving inside. I really the top left tackle in the draft is more important, and that drafted jake long and than calais campbell at the top of round 2 is the way to go. And if it's 3-4 OLB's your worried about, a guy like derrick harvey or quentin groves will probably be around in the 2nd when they pick also. Theres just less tackle options later than there are defensive players.

Chris Long recorded a lot of sacks last season, most as a 3-4 DE, which is very impressive. However, he played standing up in an OLB position several times. Do I think he can play OLB in a 3-4? Yes. Shawne Merriman is nearly 280. Long is a special player. I see him as a guy that can line up at 3 or 4 positions in a defense and have success at each.

You're right. LT is very important. Parcells doesn't draft offense in the first round. There are very few examples of him doing so. When he has, he's usually taken a QB. If we're going on Parcells' history, I think Ryan is more likely than Jake.

[sommerSD]

Originally Posted by cubuffsman78 Sammy Knight is now a Giant. So the pick still makes sense for the Jags.

No, it still doesn't... The jaguars signed Drayton Florence to 6 years 36 (12 guarrenteed). You dont give that kind of money for someone to play nickelback. Brian Williams will move to safety alongside Reggie Nelson. So no secondary for the Jags

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by sommerSD No, it still doesn't... The jaguars signed Drayton Florence to 6 years 36 (12 guarrenteed). You dont give that kind of money for someone to play nickelback. Brian Williams will move to safety alongside Reggie Nelson. So no secondary for the Jags

Still does. More and more teams will pay that kind of cash for a nickelback because nickelbacks are spending more and more time on the field with the multiple WR sets being played. Teams need a decent third CB. Dallas was probably a nickelback away from beating the Giants. The Jags overpaid for Florence and overpaying for third CBs is something that will become common.

[porky88]

Parcells took Drew Bledsoe with the #1 overall pick. It's not a given that he won't draft offense in the 1st round. I think a lot of it depends on how good Matt Ryan's workout is right now though. If it's a wow factor then he's the pick in my opinion. If it's rock solid but not great, then Chris Long gets the nod for me.

For the record, Chris Long is so versatile I could see him playing TE or OG in the NFL. The guy is kind of ridiculous. He'd be a 3-4 DE for them but he can stand up too.

[Kevman21]

Originally Posted by sommerSD No, it still doesn't... The jaguars signed Drayton Florence to 6 years 36 (12 guarrenteed). You dont give that kind of money for someone to play nickelback. Brian Williams will move to safety alongside Reggie Nelson. So no secondary for the Jags

Nothing is final on that. None of the media has asked Del Rio whether that is what he is doing or not. Brian Williams could be moved to Safety, plus Nelson could be moved to corner back. Drayton could be nickleback, but I'm curious because we still have cousin. Safety is still somewhat of a need, because they still want to bring in competition for Sensabaugh, whether that is through the draft or free agency.

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by porky88 Parcells took Drew Bledsoe with the #1 overall pick. It's not a given that he won't draft offense in the 1st round. I think a lot of it depends on how good Matt Ryan's workout is right now though. If it's a wow factor then he's the pick in my opinion. If it's rock solid but not great, then Chris Long gets the nod for me. For the record, Chris Long is so versatile I could see him playing TE or OG in the NFL. The guy is kind of ridiculous. He'd be a 3-4 DE for them but he can stand up too.

I noted Parcells taking offense in the first round, but look at his history and it's usually QBs that he'll take in the first on the offensive side of the ball. So I agree. I said in that post Ryan is more likely than Jake Long.

Part of the reason I go with Chris Long is I've projected him as the No. 1 overall pick for several months now. I did project Ryan there in my first mock, but switched to Long after seeing him play a couple times. But I really do believe Chris Long is the second best prospect in this draft behind McFadden and I've held onto to that belief since my first rankings.