This is not an easy draft to call. There are not a lot of skill position players in the draft who seem to stand out. There is good depth along the lines though but evaluating that type of talent gets fuzzy quickly. For the most part the draft choices here are based largely on team needs after free agency moves.
Every year some position gets a run on and players seem to get grabbed up before their time. This season my guess is that offensive tackles are going to be the precious commodity. This would make Dallas a good possibility to be looking to move up. Remember this is for amusement only, your mileage may vary.
1. St Louis Rams, Sam Bradford, QB – The Rams have backed themselves into this pick unless they can find a trade partner. They have other more compelling needs that would have a greater immediate impact but the quarterback situation has to be addressed. This is a high risk pick.
2. Detroit Lions, Ndamukoung Suh, DT – Probably the best player in this draft he will have an immediate impact and if he can stay healthy he has great long-term value. He has the kind of explosive quickness that is very disruptive. Detroit might take Russell Okung in an attempt to extend Stafford’s career.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gerald McCoy, DT – They need a lot of help on defense this is a position of need for the team at this point. They would be thrilled if Suh fell to them but the defense seems to be the likely direction in this slot.
4. Washington Redskins – Russell Okung, OT – A real need pick as the offensive line was not good and Samuel’s retirement makes this a critical requirement if expect to keep McNabb on the field through the season. There has been talk of Washington going for Clauson here but that seems very unlikely.
5. Kansas City Chiefs, Eric Berry, S – The defense needs help in several places but safety is perhaps the most immediate need. A playmaker he has good coverage skills and is very athletic, can play corner back as well, and might end up playing that position in the NFL. The offensive line is a lively possibility here as well; Trent Williams would be the likely choice if they go that direction.
6. Seattle Seahawks– Trent Williams, OT – The offensive line was a problem last season and the new coaching staff is going to need to establish a foundation for their offense. The defense needs secondary help and if Williams is not available Berry would be a viable option or possibly cornerback Joe Haden.
7. Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Clausen, QB – Another team that has traded away its quarterbacks in an obvious move to restructure the franchise. There are other needs here as well but they nee d a quarterback to build around and he may be the most field ready of any of the quarterbacks in this draft.
8. Oakland Raiders, Jason Pierre-Paul, DE – No one can tell what Al Davis might do with any certainty but Pieere-Paul fills a defensive need for a speed pass rusher he is raw and very athletic. The team could also look at improving the offensive line by adding Bruce Campbell, OT.
9. Buffalo Bills, Anthony Davis, OT – The offensive line was bad last year, injuries played a part but so did talent. Davis is a big power blocker with good quickness and power, is raw but can almost certainly contribute immediately. If Clausen were to be available here Buffalo might grab him but the offensive line is actually a much bigger need.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars, Earl Thomas, S – The pass rush improved through free agency the draft is the time to improve the secondary. Thomas is very good in coverage, has good speed for a safety, and plays the run well. Derrick Morgan, DE is an option here as well.
11. Denver Broncos, Rolando McClain, LB – The team addressed some needs on the defensive line but need to replace Andra Davis and McLain is the beat option in this draft at inside linebacker.
12. Miami Dolphins, Derrick Morgan, DE – Pass rush is going to be a need here since Porter and Taylor have left the team. Morgan is the most complete defensive end in this draft. Good quickness and burst he is athletic and has good strength as well. If he were not available, Brandon Graham would not be much of a drop off.
13. San Francisco Forty-niners, Bruce Campbell, OT – A very gifted athlete with good quickness and decent footwork he needs to improve technically and will need to be developed but has tremendous upside. A close option here would be Bryan Bulaga, OT who is perhaps more polished.
14. Seattle Seahawks, Joe Haden, CB – A need choice that they might have made early the Seahawks would be thrilled to find him still available. Haden has good awareness and foot speed; technique needs work but is athletic and should be at least a solid corner and possibly much better.
15. New York Giants, Brandon Spikes, LB – A solid player he will need to be to replace Antonio Pierce in this defense. The change in defensive coordinator position could change the type of player they are looking for to a player with better coverage skills and might look to trade out of this spot.
16. Tennessee Titans, Dez Bryant, WR – A great talent who could (and probably should) go much earlier he is the best receiver in the draft in terms of talent and seems to have all of the ego issues. Tennessee would like to have pass rusher here but would not be able to pass on Bryant, Pierre-Paul if still on the board would be an alternative pick.
17. San Francisco Forty-niners, Kyle Wilson, CB – The secondary has need of some help, Wilson is consistent performer capable of starting immediately.
18. Pittsburgh, Steelers, Mike Iupati, G – The offensive line needs some immediate help, Iupati is a power blocker who fits their scheme perfectly.
19. Atlanta Falcons, Maurkice Pouncey C – He can play either guard or center and has the tools to start form day one.
20. Houston Texans, Patrick Robinson, CB – Pass defense is the primary need here and he is athletic, with a good burst but is inconsistent at times.
21. Cincinnati Bengals, Jermaine Gresham, TE – The best tight end in the draft a good route runner he can also block effectively.
22. New England Patriots, Sergio Kindle, LB – A position of need Kindle is capable of being on the field and contributing immediately.
23. Green Bay Packers, Bryan Bulaga, OT – The Green Bay offensive line was inconsistent and needs depth. Bulaga is highly regarded but has limited upside he is technically very polished. He is capable of contributing immediately.
24. Philadelphia Eagles, Taylor Mays, S – The need here is to improve the secondary and Mays is the best option for that at this point in the draft. Drafting a corner back would be a good option here as well if Robinson were still on the board for example.
25. Baltimore Ravens, Demaryius Thomas, WR – A great athlete and potential number one receiver, he can run routes well though he has been inconsistent catching the ball at times but Derrick Mason is not getting any younger.
26. Arizona Cardinals, D’Anthony Smith, DT – The defense has suffered some loses in free agency. Smith is a good value choice here though Arizona is also in need of an inside linebacker.
27. Dallas Cowboys, Charles Brown, OT – This is the sixth offensive tackle and a bit of a reach at this point. Brown has all the physical tools to play in the NFL though it is not clear he will be a left tackle. (Dallas looks like a candidate to trade up.)
28. San Diego Chargers, C.J. Spiller RB – This is he number one running back and the team in most dire need of one, a perfect match. Spillers is capable of being explosive but durability questions will allow him to drop to this point.
29. New York Jets, Jared Odrick, DE – Has great initial quickness and should be able to break into the defensive rotation almost immediately as a situational rusher. Needs work on technique but should thrive in this defensive scheme.
30. Minnesota Vikings, Kareem Jackson, CB – Needs some coaching a development, could have benefited from another college season but he has the basic skills and athleticism to be a good cornerback.
31. Indianapolis Colts, Jon Asamoah G – Having cut Lilja in the offseason the offensive line has been identified as a primary concern. With the departure of Howard Mudd there may be some changes in philosophy but Asamoah looks like a fit for whatever direction they might head.
32. New Orleans Saints, Sean Weatherspoon, LB – He looks like a good replacement for Fujita on the strong side. Has good speed and athleticism and can cover but needs to improve his recognition.
This along with my post draft analysis (available after about May 1st) can be found
here.
