Team

My Picks: 

(U)- Unofficial

Key Needs:

Team Moves:

1.

Miami

Chris Long- 

DE/OLB

Virginia

6-3, 275, 4.71(U)

QB, OLT, NT/DT, ILB, TE, CB, WR, RB, OL, DE, CB, S

F.A. Signings:

Justin Smiley OG

Ernest Wilford WR

Josh McCown QB

Keith Davis ST/S

Charlie Anderson LB

Reggie Torbor LB

Michael Lehan CB

Key F.A.  Loses:

Zach Thomas ILB

L.J. Shelton OT

Trent Green QB 

Marty Booker WR

Keith Traylor DT

The Team: Word out of Miami is that Parcells has Chris Long as the top rated player on his board, but he sees Ryan as the top need for his team. They face a huge dilemma by not taking Ryan, and compound last years disastrous decision to not take Brady Quinn, there are no QBs around for them to grab. Rumors are a tough thing this time of the year, usually the info you gather in February is pretty accurate, but anything you hear in March and the beginning of April is bull, then in the last couple weeks leading up to the draft honest info starts to show again. Right now Parcells has all but admitted he will not take Matt Ryan. Come Proday that might change. In the end, for right now, Parcells defense needs a top pass rusher or two from the Outside to really work. 

Now "Open for business." Of course they are, having the Number One Pick in the draft. The Number One pick in the Draft is no longer a Bone, it's a make or break disaster waiting to happen. Two players in the NFL have received over 29 million in guarantees in the NFL. One is Payton Manning after he established himself as the best Statistical QB in the League, Brady is the best QB, period. The other? JaMarcus Russell, last years Number One Pick. The third? Whoever is taken with this pick. This pick is so cost prohibitive that if anybody in the top ten offers them their First and Second Round pick only, they should jump all over it and call it a steal. They need to get younger on defense, and are you listening Tuna, a Quarterback.    

The Player: Long had an absolutely great Combine, and looks like he has solidify himself as maybe the top player in the draft. Demonstrating his great combination of size, strength, and speed.    

Long is a terrific football player who can play D-End in a 3-4. Long looks like a great hybrid player in a 3-4, and he can play in the 4-3. Had amazing Senior season. Acquiring 14 sacks, 75 Total Tackles, and 19 TFL as a 5-Technigue D-End playing in a 3-4 is unheard of! Relentless, and I mean Relentless passrusher. In his Bowl Game against Texas Tech, Tech throw the ball 69 times! Long rushed relentlessly on nearly ever single pass, he dropped back into a coverage a few times and was on the bench for a few plays in the First Half. Amazingly, he got the most pressure in the Forth Quarter where he got his hands on Harrell at least twice and almost sacked him twice, but he lost he balance and was falling down and wasn't able to hold on. That is the definition of relentless.   

His coach Al Groh said (and I'm paraphrasing because I did not write the quote down), (He is) "afraid Long might wear down as a D-End in the NFL, and that his most natural position would be as a Mike Vrabel-type OLB." Oh yeah he also said, and I quote, "Clearly, there's no better player in college football than Chris Long. He performs like a star but doesn't act like a star." Sounds like a Patriot to me. First-Team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association. First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Reason: Word out of Miami is that they will not take Ryan Number One, which explains why they are "open for business". Miami cannot move forward as a franchise without a QB the quality of Matt Ryan to be the face of the organization, and they feel they cannot take Ryan First overall. Somehow not acquiring Ryan will be another huge mistake for this franchise. But with Parcells and a Defensive Coordinator as their new Head Coach, taking Long will be to much of a temptation. 

Second Choice: Trade Down

2.

Rams

Jake Long- OT 

Michigan

6-7, 313

OL, DE, CB, WR, LB, S, CB, TE, OL

Key F.A. Signings:

Key F.A.  Loses:

Isaac Bruce WR

The Team: The Rams offense was held hostage last season when Pace got injured. Jake Long would be the perfect solution. He could plays Right Tackle for as long as Pace Plays and is healthy. The struck it rich last year by taking Adam Carriker. Taking Dorsey would allow Carriker to move outside to D-End, and with a healthy Leonard Little would give them a solid D-Line. However, Dorsey has some serious injury concerns that might cause the Rams to skip on him. 

The Player: Long was a man amongst boys at the Combine. Now, St Louis, Atlanta, and KC are clamoring to acquire him. His size and strength is unmatched in this years Draft, and he only allowed 2 sack in his four years at Michigan. 

Monster run blocker. Huge man who makes D-Ends look small and weak. I think Long can step in at Right Tackle where he is better suited. Long has great size, strength and toughness, but I question his feet. If you can't dance you can't play LT in the NFL;-) Looks fierce, graceful, and natural when moving forward into defenders. Can block multiple players on running downs. Is the strongest run blocker in the draft. Can collapse an entire D-Line by driving the D-End into the D-Tackle. Does not look natural moving backwards, his backpedal is not what one would call elegant. Loses all grace when pass blocking. Quicker then he looks, and is never off balance. Doesn't look natural when he pulls to the outside, and struggle the further outside he goes. When he moves off the line straight, he is a wonder to behold. He can punch the D-End and still rush straight forward and eliminate the middle Linebacker or Safety. He is so big and strong, and when he gets his giants mitts on a defender, they are defeated. Doesn't look natural moving backwards. However, he does get back faster then it looks, there appears to be a bit of a hop in his kick-slide, and he uses his long arms and gigantic strong hands well. Only gave up 1 Sack in his super impressive Senior season.

The Reason: Carriker needs help. He and Little were the only NFL caliber D-Lineman on the Rams last season, and Little was injured. Dorsey is the top rated player in the draft. The Rams are sitting pretty, there two biggest needs are at D-Line and O-Tackle. However, they picked up two good D-Tackles in last years Draft, Carriker, who I saw more as a D-End, and 5th Round steal Clifton Ryan another DT/DE. They will just sit here and Dorsey or Long, whomever falls to them. 

Second Choice: Glenn Dorsey DT

3.

Falcons

Glenn Dorsey- 

DT LSU

6-2, 300

QB, OLT, DT, OT, RB, WR, S, DE

F.A. Signings

Chris Redman QB

Michael Turner RB

Ben Hartsock TE

Erik Coleman S

Von Hutchins  CB

Key F.A.  Loses:

Rod Coleman DT

Demorrio Williams LB 

Alge Crumpler TE

Warren Dunn RB

Joey Harrington QB

Byron Lwftwich QB 

Wayne Gandy OT

The Team: Word out of Atlanta is that they have no interest in Ryan, Brohm, or Woodson. Right now, that makes no sense at all. Of course with Brad Blank as their owner, maybe it does. He is easy on the top five worst owners list. If there is one team that needs a QB more than Miami, it is the Falcons. If Ryan slips past Miami they will gladly gobble him up here. The question is why wouldn't they take Ryan Here? If Jake Long is still on the board I can't see Atlanta passing on him.   

The Player: Dorsey is not an immovable object in the middle, but he is big, quick and plays under most other players. He get low and shots the gap as well as any D-Linemen ever has. When he stays low, he drive an O-Lineman 3-5 yards backwards with amazing power and prejudice. Can grab onto O-Lineman and shuffle his way sideward until the RB appears, and then throw the O-Linemen aside and crush the RB. Is double-teamed, grabbed, and held on almost every play, but can still make plays. I would like a little more slipperiness out of him. He gets stalemated a little too much, which is a little unfair to say because he gets so much attention from the O-Line. Can shed and really punished the Ball-carrier inside, as well as any D-Tackle who has ever played.

The Reason: Who the hell knows? Apparently, they don't think they need a QB. The good news is that the signing of ex-Patriot Thomas Dimitroff will hopefully add some sanity to this team. He known as a level headed nice guy, who REALLY knows his stuff. He will take the Pats system to Atlanta, where it is desperately needed. I just wonder if he understands that the Pats system doesn't work without Brady (and arguably Belichick)? Dorsey is the top rated player in this Draft, plus he fits their defense. Their D-Line is actually not so bad, and adding Dorsey could really make it a team strength.    

Second Choice: Jake Long OT

4.

Raiders

Darren McFadden- RB/QB 

Arkansas

6-2, 210, 4.27(U)

OLT, DT, DE, RB, LB, DL, DB, OL, DL

F.A. Signings:

Javon Walker WR

Drew Carter WR.

Kwame Harris OT

Gibril Wilson S

Tyler Brayton DE

William Joseph DT

Key F.A.  Loses:

Jerry Porter WR

Barry Sims OT

Josh McCown QB

Chris Clemons DE

The Team: Sed Ellis might the best fit for needs. With Terdell Sands and Gerald Warren as your starting DTs, you might as erect "Run Here" sign down the middle of your Defense. There is a scenario where Dorsey falls to them, if Rams take Jake Long and Atlanta takes Ryan, and they would have to jump all over him. McFadden fits Davis's Draft philosophy best, speed, speed, speed, and RB is the hardest team need to figure. Justin Fargas's running style puts him in constant jeopardy (and he realty can't survive a full season until, he learns to protect himself a little), but he did run for over a thousands yards for the first time in his career, after missing the last 2 games of the season with a knee injury, and not getting a start until the second half of the season (that's what 6 starts and out for the season). Michael Bush should be ready after spending his entire rookie season on IR recovering from a broken leg, but he is a rookie with a history of breaking his leg and we have no idea how he will translate to the NFL yet. Dominic Rhodes is back, but how much does he have left. LaMont Jordan is a good veteran, but his tank looks empty. Vernon Gholston would be the outside speed rusher we know Rob Ryan loves, and that would allow Tommy Kelly to move back inside, which may not be a good thing as he played better when they moved him outside to DE last season. Okay, now I'm more confused then when I started;-)

The Raiders are always a hard team to figure. They usually go with the best athlete available, or rather Fastest Athlete Available.  When you invest nearly 30 Million in guaranteed money in a young QB, you really need to spend a few drafts getting him help so he can be in the best position to succeed. This teams future rests on JaMarcus Russell's rather strong arm.  

The Player: McFadden is a super- fast slick RB. His instincts and intelligence are amazing. I think he is the second best player in this draft. But, I also think the comparisons to Adrian Peterson are weak. McFadden looks and runs nothing like Peterson. Peterson is stronger, shiftier, and quicker, while McFadden has more straight-line speed. Plus, McFadden has no injury concerns. He runs upright in the open field, but does a good jump getting his pads low when he needs to, and is almost miraculously quick at getting his pads low when someone is about to crush him. Incident at night club has hurt his reputation. Was forced to take a Paternity test by an unscrupulous moneygrubber. Neither of these incidents worry me. Also, has fumbled more then makes me comfortable,  23 times in 3 seasons. Two time Doak Walker award winner. Very impressive young man in person. Has the smarts to play QB as well as RB. Articulate and intelligent in interviews. Dealt with the media very well at Combine. Second all time rusher in SEC history with 4,590 yards. Had a very impressive 2,310 all purpose yards and 16 TDs last season at Arkansas. Ran an amazing 4.27 at 211 pounds at the Combine.

The Reason: Davis is known to take the fastest athlete available speed is what defines McFadden on the field. However, how would you like to replace Warren Sapp with Sed Ellis? 

Second Choice: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB

5.

Chiefs

*Ryan Clady- 

OT Boise ST

6-5, 320

OT, DB, WR, OT, RB, DT, OC, QB, DB

Key F.A. Signings:

Demorrio Williams LB

Oliver Hoyte FB 

Key F.A.  Loses:

Ty Law CB

John Welbourn OL

Eddie Kennison WR 

The Team: I have been more and more suspicious that they are taking Ryan, but apparently their over-visible visit to Chestnut Hill was a lure to try to attracts teams to trade up for Ryan, as they posted their "For QB Trade Here" sign. They are the team most desperate to trade down where they can pick up one of the big three LTs who will be available later. Plus, it sure looked like they were far more interested in Gosder Cherilus then Ryan. They have two okay veterans and two okay young D-Tackles, so Sed Ellis could really improve the rotation, I just don't know if he can improve it enough to justify the 5th pick for this team.  

Chiefs must get at least one Offensive Tackle in this draft, and would be better off to get two. Damion McIntosh was unimpressive, and Will Svitek is your starting Right Tackle. And, a Guard and a Center wouldn't hurt either. If Jake Long slides down it will be an easy pick. However, I just can't see Jake Long slipping past the Rams, Atlanta, and Oakland. So where does that leave the Chiefs, it looks now like they will be choosing between Clady, Ellis, and Ryan. I just can't see them taking Clady here. I don't think he is a top ten pick, and the deepest position in the Draft is O-Tackle. I also don't think the will take Ryan if he drops, but he would sure make an interesting pick here. 

The Player: He has risen into the top Eight, given this draft an Elite Eight. His has the best combination of feet, long arms, and quickness in this years Draft. He is seen as the only legit Left Tackle Prospect in the Draft. He has left scouts drooling since he displayed his amazing athleticism for a man the size of a bear, and it looks like he may have danced is way into the top five. The Panthers and Broncos are already trying to trade up to get him, however, I no longer think the Chiefs can pass on him at five. He was so dominate at Boise State, that some teams stopped lining up Passrusher in front of him during obvious passing downs, I don't think there is a bigger complement you can pay to a Left Tackle. 

Clady physically is as good as it gets, but he hasn't put it all together. He needs some coaching and technique work, and he could be as good as any linemen in this years draft. Has long arms and quick feet, just needs to consistently put the two together. Physically he is huge and towered over D-Ends in his conference. He has excellent feet, and there is little doubt he can play LT in NFL.

The Reason: Clady is the top rated Offensive player left on the board. I don't think Clady will be able to step in at Left Tackle next season, but I think he could play Right Tackle next season as he develops. In a year or two he will be an excellent Left Tackle.

Second Choice: Matt Ryan QB 

6.

Jets

Vernon Gholston-

OLB/DE 

Ohio ST

6-3, 267, 4.58, 

37 Reps, 42" Vert.

CB, RB, QB, WR,  LB, DB

Key F.A. Signings:

Alan Faneca OG

Damien Woody ORT

Jesse Chatman RB

Bubba Franks TE

Calvin Pace OLB

Chris Jenkins DT

Artrell Hawkins S 

Key F.A.  Loses:

CB Andre Woolfolk

Justin McCareins WR

Jonathan Vilma LB

Dewayne Robertson DT

Andre Dyson CD

Erik Coleman S

Adrien Clarke OG

The Team: Thomas Jones averaged only 3.6 YPC, and I don't see him as a starting back anymore. You can blame the O-Line for stinking after Tannenbaum ridiculously traded Pete Kendall for nothing and a bag a beans, but by years end Leon Washington was averaging 5.0 YPC behind the same line. However, he too is not a fulltime starter. The Jets have been talking about trading up for McFadden, which I think makes sense, because otherwise they are in the same position as the Pats, reaching for their top need at CB, Hank Poteat is their starting Right Corner, or over-drafting a position. Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston play the same position. Now you can argue which plays it better, I would take Gholston over Pace in a heartbeat, but with the money given to Pace, can the Jets offer up another 20 Million in guaranteed money to the Outside Passrushing Gods. They still have the erratic Bryan Thomas and David Bowens to man to other side opposite Pace, they have been inconsistent but have played well for them upon occasion. I like McFadden or Mendenhall here, but I don't think McFadden will fall or they have the guts to take Mendenhall here. And I'm not saying they should take Mendenhall because I hate the jets, I think he is the player that can help this team the most next season. I think he compares very favorable to LaDainian Tomlinson. He has the same size, speed, strength, and receiving abilities as Tomlinson when he came out of college. Plus, he has Tomlinson's great open-field make-you-miss quickness that really separates him from the other backs coming out. And when he showed up at the Combine at 225 pounds, and ran a 3.37, I think he propelled himself into the top ten and maybe even the Elite Eight.  

The Jets have done a good job this off season, much to my chagrin. Although, they did overpay for Pace. I just wonder if they have the guts to take Ryan, after all Pennington is an egg, and Clemens has been a disappointment. I also wonder if they could take Rashard Mendenhall here. I think he may be the best player available to help this team, does that sound crazy?    

The Player: Gholston first and foremost, he is a Super-freak. He is a super freaky physical specimen. Solid muscle with great Combine week. Where football players drop and athletic freaks rise. But he is not just a Combine freak, he has the production, attitude, and experience coaches crave as well. His problem is that his best position in the NFL, right now, is Left D-End, in fact he looks to me like a bigger faster Robert Mathis. But, like Mathis, the question is can he hold the point as a Left D-End in the NFL, and like Mathis, the answer appears to be no. He excels at moving forward. Had 13 sacks to tie Vrabel's single season record, and had a Sack in his Bowl game giving him a total of 14 Sacks for the season, he also had, 37 Tackles and 15.5 TFL. Played the "Leo" position last season, similar to what McGinest used to do. He played Right Outside Linebacker in 3-4 and R-End in 4-3, and dropped back in coverage as Ohio States "Drop-End". But, he does not look natural moving backwards. Has experience moving backwards in coverage, as he was recruited as a Linebacker from High School and played the "Leo" position where he was asked to stand up and put and put his hand on the ground, but he loses his natural grace and aggressiveness whenever he is dropping back. He is not Carl Banks, though he does have some LT in him, in that, when he is moving forward towards the QB he plays with great speed, aggressiveness, and grace. When he shifted to LB, he played on both sides, but still looked more comfortable on the Left side. Has experience covering the RB out of the backfield. Doesn't look natural setting the edge, as he always wants to be attacking the QB. He keeps peeking and moving up field rather then holding the edge and preventing the RB from getting to the outside. He could really learn a lot about Run-Responsibilities from Vrabel, who sets the edge as well as any LB in the NFL. Left D-End looks like is natural position, which is important to figure out when you are talking about a Hybrid player. Blast off the line like the Space Shuttle, and soar around the Right Tackle. Plus, he has a quick inside move when the RT backs up too much. A player you want moving forward. Looks like the best athlete on the field when he is moving forward, but his natural grace and speed dissipates the more he back pedals.  Has all the physical tools to play Outside Linebacker in a 3-4, but he will take more time to adjust to that position, as he does not look as comfortable when he is standing up, and appears to be thinking too much and not reacting. 

Second team All-American

Big-10 D-Linemen of the year.

Gholston is tight wired physical specimen. He will be flying up the charts as coaches and GMs see him up close. Great explosion and speed. If he runs in a sub-4.5 like some people are saying, he will be a Patriot. Already a polished passrusher. Not a great Run-Defender, but his initial burst is a wonder to behold. He blasts off the line like a rocket. Gholston will be a top seven talent come Combine time, and looks like he could be a Dwight Freeney in the making. He looks like a passrushing force waiting to attack. .

The Reason: I think Gholston can be the passrushing foundation for any team that takes him. In a 3-4 defense where his versatility and freakish physical gifts can be exploited to there fullest... he would be just scary! 

Second Choice: Rashard Mendenhall RB

7.

Patriots

Leodis McKelvin- CB/PR Troy  

5-10.5, 190

CB, ILB, TE, S, OLB, OL, LB?, CB?

Key F.A. Signings:

T.J. Slaughter LB 

Jason Webster CB

Fernando Bryant CB

Lewis Sanders CB

WR Sam Aiken

Key F.A.  Loses:

Asante Samuel CB

Donte' Stallworth WR

Eugene Wilson S/CB

Roosevelt Colvin LB 

Randall Gay CB

The Team: Samuel, Samuel, were for art thou Samuel. Disaster. Losing Assante is going to haunt this team for a long time, if they don't somehow pick up: Hall, Shepard, McKelvin, DRC, or Mike Jenkins. Jason Webster is a nice addition, but losing a Number One Corner is not easy to replace, and he certainly is not a Number One Corner. The good news is that, as I predicted, it is now a seven player draft as Vernon Gholston has clearly joined the top seven. Unfortunately, that might also mean they lose out on Gholston. The Jets picked up Calvin Pace, so you have to think they are hoping Sed Ellis falls to them, but if he doesn't can they pass on Gholston? I just don't think they can. However, in this scenario Pats could be sitting on Matt Ryan, with three teams desperate for a young QB: Baltimore, Carolina, and Chicago. With the ridiculous money paid to top five players, every team  in the top five wants to trade down, and the Pats might just be right outside that bubble. They appear to be in terrific position to trade down. Especially since they have a tendency to throw-out that ridiculous Draft Pick Value Chart, which is so outdated that it has cursed the top five picks with having to pick-up those ridiculous contracts, instead of having the ability to trade down which might be the best thing for their franchise. If Chicago or Carolina offers a First and a Second, they should take it, instead of wanting a First and a Second, and a Third, and a Fifth in next years Draft, and Two Sevenths in the 2050 Draft, like the Draft Value Chart says. The Pats, more then any other team has shown the ability to take less, if trading down is the best thing for this Franchise, and unless Gholston is still on the board, there is no other way to see. At this point, McKelvin, DRC, Keith Rivers, and Dan Connors are still on the board. Those four players are not going to be the next four straight picks. If they decide to trade down as late as 14 one of those players will still be on the board. 

Picking up Moss was a nice addition. 

February Opinions: This is a near impossible pick to figure out. The Pats biggest problem, is that right now this is a 6 Player Draft. There is a clear and distinct difference between the top 6 players and the next 6-7 players, and it looks like Their needs are at Linebacker and, it is appearing more and more, Cornerback. The good news is that if Assante leaves, there is good depth at the top of the Draft. The bad news is that as the price of top ten picks rises and rises, the ability to trade a top ten pick lessons and lessons. If any team, from 10 to 16 offers them a their First and their Second, they should jump all over it like a monkey on a trampoline. Taking Connor, Rivers, McKelvin or Jenkins would not be very palatable at Seven. But, trading down to 10-16 and still picking up one of the four would be a boon, especially if Connors or Rivers slips down, because I think their will be some excellent Corners taken in the Second Round: Patrick Lee, Antoine Cason, Aqib Talib, Reggie Smith, Terrell Thomas, Tracy Porter, Chevis Jackson, Simeon Castille, and Jack Ikegwuonu, all of these players have a chance to be taken in the Second Round. Having an early or early- mid Second Round pick might put you in position to grab Lee, Cason, Talib, or Smith. It will certainly put you in position to grab one of the remaining 5 Corners I just listed. So the problem remains, if they are trapped at Seven, do they take a Linebacker? I like their O-line as much as anyone, but after the O-Lines abject failure in the Super Bowl, can the Pats pass on Jake Long if he falls? I don't think they can. Longs' best position in the NFL looks to be Right Tackle, and he would fit on that line very well. However, Now that it's Combine time the pure athletes will rise, and there is no better pure athlete then Vernon Gholston. If they stick here at Seven, and none of the top Six drop to them, I believe they will take Gholston.

January Opinions: I feel like an idiot doing a mock draft now! I don't know what the Patriots needs are, how can I possibly pretend to know the needs of the other 31 teams? There are too many important members of the back seven who all may be gone next season: Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson, Junior Seau, Chad Scott, Tedy Bruschi, Randall Gay, .... Plus, Rodney Harrison, Randy Moss, and Donte' Stallworth. .

The Patriots are facing several defections from key players. This pick will be decided on where these defections occur. If both Seau and Bruschi retire they will have a hard time passing on a Linebacker. We all know Belichick keeps refusing to draft Linebackers, and loves to take D-Linemen. So, If the Pats think Gholston can play OLB in their 3-4 scheme he could easily be a Patriots  next season. If Assante, Gay, and Wilson are all gone then Drafting a Corner becomes more then a top priority, and you could easily see Jenkins taken by the Pats.

The Player: The thing I like about McKelvin is that he backpedals like a panther waiting to bounce. I have never seen a more intimidating Backpedal. In fact, I have never seen an intimidating backpedal until the Senior Bowl Practices, where McKelvin was the best Defensive player on the field in practice, and yes, I watched Sed Ellis power-rush his way into the top five. I just don’t think I have ever been so impressed with a player at the Senior Bowl before. He is the best Corner I have ever seen at positioning himself between the snap and the throw. He has that unique ability to see the WR, and watch the QB. And, when the QB winds up too throw to his side, he attacks the ball like a panther bouncing on a dead duck. Unfortunately, he has hands like paws, like a panther. His complete inability to catch the ball will cause him some trouble. 

He actually caught the ball well at the Combine. The more I watch McKelvin, the more I think he will be a top ten pick  in the new NFL, where touching a WR is a worse crime then Video Taping;-) He dominates the man he is covering, without ever really touching him. It is amazing to see. His backpedals so perfect, and always keeps himself in position to make a play on the ball, but rarely puts his hand on the man he is covering. Being a physical Corner in college is not necessarily a positive in the NFL. Being a Corner who can consistently and completely cover a WR without any contact is worth his weight in salary cap space.  

Terrific man to man cover skills. Has great feet and hips. Can break on the ball quicker then anyone in this years Draft. Makes plays on EVERY ball in his area, Amazing. Seemed to be the only guy who could cover Andre Caldwell at the Senior Bowl. Plays Off-Man better then any Corner I've every seen at the Senior Bowl. But, has horrible hands. Looks like Ronnie "Stone hands" Lippet. Couldn't catch a cold in a blizzard. But, he just makes plays on every ball thrown his way. During Senior Bowl practice he must have gotten his hands on ten straight passes thrown his way, and of course didn't catch one. Has the talent to led the league in Passes Defensed, and not have a single Interception, Amazing. He should also do well at the Combine, where Corners tend to go in direct relation to their Forty times. 

The Reason: I just think McKelvin has the talent to be a Number One Corner. In the new NFL you have to have finesse Corners who can cover without contact. That is amazingly hard to do. McKelvin has that ability. He has a great knack for staying in position to make a play on the ball with minimal contact. This is just what the Pats need. I would be happy if the Pats end up with Gholston, McKelvin, DRC, Rivers, or Connors in the First Round, and maybe just maybe an extra 2nd to pick up a Tight End.  

For more Info on Pats, check out my: Patriots Draft Blog.

Second Choice: Trade Down

8.

Ravens

Matt Ryan- 

QB BC 

6-5, 230

QB, WR, ILB, OT, CB, DT, DE, WR, DB

Key F.A. Signings:

Key F.A.  Loses:

Mike Flynn OC 

The Team: The Ravens really need a QB. If Ryan falls here they will be doing Cartwheels in the War Room. They also MUST address the O-Tackle situation this off season. With Jason Garret as the new Head Coach, they will be looking towards the Offense, his specialty. 

The Player: Matt Ryan has all the measurables that teams want at QB. He reminds me of Matt Hasselbeck, only he is far more advanced now then Matt was when he came out of BC. Would you take Matt Hasselbeck with this pick if he was a Rookie?  He is super tough and smart. As intelligence becomes more and more important each year, I think Ryan has a shot at number one. Loves to hang out after practice and do film work with coaches, an absolute must to succeed as a QB now-a-days. His coaches and teammates rave about him. Plus I have heard Draftnic raving about the Pro-Style Coaching that Brain Brohm has received? And while he has received Pro-Style coaching, Ryan was coached by Pro Coach, Jags was Offensive Coordinator in Green Bay for three seasons. So while Brohm played in a Pro-Style Offense, Ryan played in a Pro Offense last season. He is the most NFL ready QB in this Draft. Miami will live to regret passing on Ryan. 

The Reason: Ryan would be a huge pick up for this team. There should be a solid O-Tackle in the early Second to help with the constant threat of Ogden retiring. 

Second Choice: Ryan Clady OT

9. 

Bengals

Sedric Ellis- 

DT USC 

6-2, 310, 5.2

LB, DE, DT, OT,  LB, TE,  DE, DB, OL, TE

Key F.A. Signings: 

Darryl Blackstock LB

Key F.A.  Loses:

Justin Smith DE 

Landon Johnson LB

Madieu Williams S

The Team: I thought there top need last season was LB and Corner, but there Corners have played better than I expected. I have criticized their Secondary for years, and then they pick up 3 starting DBs in last years Draft. CB Leon Hall, S Marvin White, and CB Chinedum  Ndukwe all were starting by the end of the season and playing well. The loss of Madieu Williams is huge, but I think their Secondary could actually be above average next season! How long has it been since you could say that? I'm not a huge fan of their LBs, but they had four guys on IR last season, and all four could be gone next season. Ahmad Brooks and Lemar Marshal are two of the injured players who they want back, but both are FA. They really need a DE, as they have Robert Geathers on one side and no one on the other. Their DTs are good, Peko has developed into an invaluable player on their D-Line, and Thornton is a team player who gives it his all, but is limited and small for a DT. If Sed Ellis falls to them they will be doing jumping-jacks in the warroom.     

That being said, they still needs to go defense early and often.

The Player: Ellis has the abilities to develop into a superior 3-technique DT. However, he played a lot of read-and-react at USC, and I think he can play in any scheme. He has exceptionally long arms that he uses exceptionally well to keep blockers of his body. The more I watch him play the more I like his game, and the more I think he can play in any scheme. Played on the Nose a lot in USC hybrid scheme, and absorbed a lot of double teams. He would often line up directly on the Center and two-gap. And, when he was unleashed he shot through the gap like a buckshot through balsawood.  

The Reason: The reason is simple, I just think Ellis really fits into this Defense well. They need a smaller 3-Technique player to harass the QB. Having those two beasts in the middle of the line would really help this Defense. 

 They have the worst Linebackers in the League. For whatever reason the entire back Seven of this team has been dismantled. So a LB/DE would be a natural pick here.

Second Choice: Keith Rivers LB

10.

Saints

Kentwan Balmer- 

DT North Carolina

6-5, 305

DT, OC, CB, WR, LB, DB, DL, OL

F.A. Signings:

Jonathan Vilma LB 

Randall Gay CB

Aaron Stecker RB

Bobby McCray DE

Key F.A.  Loses:

Jeff Faine OC 

Brian Simmons LB

Spencer Johnson DT

The Team: The Saints top need appears to be at LB and Corner, which makes this pick tough. Vilma was a nice addition, but you have to question if his knee is sound and if his injury trend will continue. Gay is a very good Corner. He is an above average CB who cannot stay healthy. As all Pats fans know, there is no doubt his injury trend will continue. What did he sign a four year deal? I think. If it's four years he will play less then half the games in 3 of the 4 years. The biggest problem this team faces is its' pass defense. However, is last year is a barometer, they will not draft a LB or CB. Like last year when they ignored their Key Needs they addressed in Free agency, CB and LB, when they sign Jason David and Brain Simmons (Who they traded for I think). 

The Player: Showed up at the Combine even bigger and showed off his great athleticism. However, he is still more promise then production. With his physical talent he should be in the top five with Dorsey and Ellis. In fact, he will test out better athletically then Dorsey and Ellis, but is not near the football player those two are. On the plus side his production finally increased to an acceptable level last season. In his first three season he totaled 34 Tackles. In his Senior Season he garnered 59 TKL, 9.5 TFL, and 3.5 Sacks. Not bad, but not great.

Late blooming athlete, who has the physical skills to be a great one. He has great strength, especially in the upper body. It will be interesting to see what he benches at the Combine. Doesn't move like a 300 pound guy, moves with the grace of a much smaller man. Is very smooth. Has excellent hands, uses them very well. Received excellent coaching in college. Reminds me a little of Richard Seymour, doesn't always look like the best effort player, because he is so smooth, but he plays at 100% all the time.

The Reason: The Saints need the most help on their Pass Defense. So how do you help your Pass Defense without drafting a DB or LB? D-Line. Now, they certainly are not going to draft a D-End, as that position is one of their team strengths. However, their interior D-Line are big, slow, and bulky, and offer little or no passrush. I'm not sure Balmer fits Gary Gibbs defense perfectly, but he could certainly help his Defense as a rookie as an interior Passrusher on passing downs. Plus he has the Speed and Quickness to develop into a 3-Technique D-Tackle, something none of the DT on their current roster can say. He is still more promise then production, but he has all the physical tools to be a great DT. 

Second Choice: DRC CB

11.

Bills

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-

CB Tennessee ST 

6'1.5, 186, 4.28(U)

CB, WR, TE, LB, CB, WR, DT, RB, CB

F.A. Signings:

Marcus Stroud DT

Kawika Mitchell LB

Spencer Johnson DT

Key F.A.  Loses:

Peerless Price WR 

Michael Gaines TE

Kiwaukee Thomas CB

The Team: They need a Corner, or a passrusher to help the secondary. Terrence McGee, who made the team as a Return guy, has developed into a legit starting Corner, and maybe even a Number One Corner. had 23 PBU and 4 INTs last season. Greer and Webster are two guys who are developing, but I don't think their ready yet. Buffalo has a long history of focusing in on a Corner and taking him in the First Round. Still, taking a LB here, might help this defense more then a Corner.

The Player: The more I watch him the more I like him. Was not a great cover guy his first the seasons. Then last summer he trained with Darrel Green, the Hall Of Fame CB who played for the Redskins for years. DRC completely credits Green with completely changing his style of play. He learned Pro footwork, and how to turn his hips efficiently from backpedal to sprint from Green, and says learned how to cover from him. If you don't see that as a positive then you never saw Green play. Most importantly, he has continued his hard work and thirst to improve, and has continued to develop. If you saw him at the Senior Bowl and Combine, then I don't see how you can see him as other then a Top Ten pick in this years Draft.  

Cromartie is such an interesting prospect. I think he has a chance to be a star in the NFL. He is the best pure athlete at CB. He literally looked like his cousin on the field, and I can’t see any reason he can’t develop into just as good a player. People forget that when Cromartie came out of Florida State he too was more promise then production. He played mostly Nickel Corner at FSU, and he was injured his last season there and barely played. DRC, has played more, and better, in college then his All-Pro Cousin. Plus, he is the tallest of the three top CBs at 6-1.5, has very long arms, and can jump through the roof. He pulled down two leaping INTs that no other CBs in this Draft could have touched, one in practice and one in the game at the Senior Bowl. They were as great a defensive play as I have seen this year; except of course his cousin’s INT against Manning, when he leaped up above the Luxury Boxes and pulled down the ball with one hand. If a team believes, like I do, that he has the equal talent to his cousin, he is worth the 7^th Pick in this years Draft. Especially when you consider that he was a track guy in college, and should be able to run faster then McKelvin, and some think he may pull down a legit 4.3 Forty. Shit, I think I just convinced myself that we should take at Seven;-)

Similar to his Cousin, he has everything physically, but lacks experience. Plays the ball in the air like a WR. Is very tall with long arms and can leap like cougar snatching a pheasant out of the air. Cannot be thrown over. Can cover large receiver. Is bone thin and looks brittle, but should he was tough and can tackle with the best of them at the Senior Bowl. Has enough quickness and the superior closing speed to make up for a lot of mistakes. Made a fortune at the Senior Bowl. He will be a First Round pick. The only question left is his forty time at the Combine, and speed is not an issue with him. Showed he more than belonged at a higher level of competition at the Senior Bowl. 

The Reason: The Bills have gaping hole in the Secondary that needs to be filled. But, the Secondary has played a little better then I expected. McKelvin could step in and start on this team next season. Plus, when your in the same division as the Pats, taking a CB is never a bad decision;-) 

Second Choice: Mike Jenkins CB

12.

Broncos

*Chris Williams- 

OT Vanderbilt

6-6, 320 

OLT, RB, WR, OLT, CB, WR, LB

F.A. Signings:

Keary Colbert WR

Boss Bailey LB

Niko Koutouvides LB

Marlon McCree S

Marquand Manuel S

Key F.A.  Loses:

Javon Walker WR

The Team:  I hate projecting the Broncos to take an O-Linemen in the First Round, as they tend to get by with no-name O-Linemen, but they have no Left Tackle! They have two returning starts who were injuried last season in OC Tom Nalen and OLG Ben Hamilton, and the two young players who took there place and played well, Chris Kuper and Chris Myers, and have excellent depth at interior Line positions. However, there O-Tackles are a mess. They have one O-Tackle on the roster Eric Pears, who played Right Tackle last season, and No Left Tackle! They need to draft two guys who can play LT for next season, one starter and one Swing- Tackle. 

Word out of Denver is they are concerned about the O-Tackle depth. They have a strong history of acquiring good O-Linemen later in the Draft, who they can turn into excellent Linemen in their system. So it's tough to give them a O-Linemen here, but Clady is just too good for them to pass on. 

The Players: Finesse blocker who looks NFL ready as a pass blocker. He needs to add strength in the legs to improve run blocking. Has feet and athleticism to play Left Tackle in the NFL. Smooth as my frozen driveway moving backwards;-( Has the smoothest Kick-Step in the Draft. Looks like he is an NFL ready pass protector, which I hate to say about any rookie. Maybe best pure pass blocker in the draft. The more I watch him the more I like him.   

The Reason: They need an Inside Linebacker so they can shift DJ Williams outside. Safeties are getting very old. They have no Fulltime starter at RB, oh yeah and there star young receiver, Brandon Marshall, came up lame last week. So they have a lot of needs to address. Oh yeah, THEY HAVE NO LEFT TACKLE ON THE ROSTER! Passing on a Left Tackle will be impossible. If ever need met player it is Chris Williams to Denver. In fact, you could argue they will choosing solely between Otah or Williams here, the need is that desperate. I have them taking Williams, because besides his short arms, he is the prototype for O-Tackle in their scheme: smart, athletic, finesse blocker, ability to pull, can understand their complicated zone concepts, and oh yeah doesn't mine Cut-Blocking. 

Second Choice: Rashard Mendenhall RB

13.

Panthers

*Jeff Otah- 

OLT Pittsburg 

6-6, 340 

QB, OLT, DT, FS. RB, LB, DL. TE

Key F.A. Signings:

Muhsin Muhammad WR

D.J. Hackett WR 

G Keydrick Vincent

Landon Johnson LB

Tyler Brayton DE

Key F.A.  Loses:

Chris Jenkins DT

Keary Colbert WR

DeShaun Foster RB 

Ricardo Colclough CB

David Carr QB

The Team: Jake Delhomme had Tommy John surgery on his elbow, and I'm not sure how much you can count on him. The team like Matt Moore and think he might be a starter sooner