Daily Haze: Long Monday

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. I, for one, wish today was part of it.

NBA playoffs started in earnest on Saturday and my Hornets got a 10:30 PM tip off last night, which means I am going to be dragging at work all day today. The bad news? Hornets-Nuggets tip off at 10:30 PM again on Wednesday night.

Yeah, I need a sleep bailout this week somehow, but I doubt that is going to happen. So instead of sleeping, I will be updating our NFL Draft coverage all week with mock draft updates, Marc’s Rookie Report rankings and more. Stay tuned, it should be a great build-up to Saturday’s main event.

Here are today’s great reads:

• The Fantasy Football Calculator Web site is starting to ramp up again, which can only mean that football season is right around the corner. [Fantasy Football Calculator]
• Buffalo added Dominic Rhodes to a now-crowded backfield, which is good news for Joe Addai but bad news for Marshawn Lynch. [Lester’s Legends]
• Speaking of the Bills’ running back situation, the addition of Rhodes makes Buffalo’s backfield another in a growing number of three-headed RBBC monsters. [No Offseason]
• Pretty awesome breakdown of the strength of schedule for fantasy running backs heading into next season. [FantasyFootballXtreme]

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(Another) April NFL Mock Draft Update

With the NFL Draft less than one week from now, the NFL energy in the air is palpable.

The 2009 schedule was released last week, and mock drafts, trade rumors, and prognostications are flying out of every major and minor media outlet, sports and football blog, and fan alike. Who can tell that baseball season and the NBA playoffs just started with all of this NFL coverage?!?

I thought that last week’s mock draft update would be our last of the spring, but then Buffalo and Philadelphia decided to throw a wrench into it. Thanks again for all of the feedback I received on each of our mocks, and thank you guys for reading it. Please feel free to tear what should be our last personal mock apart as well.

By the end of this week, The Hazean’s 2009 reader/blogger NFL Mock Draft will be released. Make sure to check back for those results, which should be entertaining. It is one of the more exciting things we do around here, and I know those folks participating really enjoy doing so. Consider joining next year!

The most recent updates to the mock are shown in red below.

 

1.01 Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

It took four months, but I finally caved in to the hype. Not only does Stafford have a strong arm, the right size, and the desire to play in Detroit, but he also scored extremely well on the Wonderlic. Smart kid, should be a successful NFL player.

 

1.02 St. Louis Rams select Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Last year St. Louis beefed up the defensive line, but this season it was the offensive line in absolute disrepair. Marc Bulger does not have many good seasons left in his beaten body, and Steven Jackson could use an upgraded run blocker. Smith shot up the board as the safest offensive tackle in this draft with a great combine.

 

1.03 Kansas City Chiefs select Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Easily the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft and an extremely high-character guy. The Chiefs have many needs, but Curry should bring instant effectiveness on the defensive side of the ball to start turning things around.

 

1.04 Seattle Seahawks select Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Walter Jones is not getting any younger, and Matt Hasselbeck certainly is not getting any less fragile. Monroe’s stock has remained pretty steady throughout the spring and would make a nice addition to Seattle’s offensive line depth.

 

1.05 Cleveland Browns select Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Why not? The best player available by a mile, Crabtree would help replace now-departed tight end Kellen Winslow’s receptions in the offense. The Browns had trouble scoring last season, so adding a little firepower to the offensive attack might just by what the doctor ordered.

 

1.06 Cincinnati Bengals select Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Cincy gave up a ton of sacks last year, and Carson Palmer is having trouble staying healthy due in part—large part—to the beating he takes on a weekly basis. Smith will keep Palmer’s backside safe for many years to come if he can avoid becoming a troublemaker, like so many Bengals players before him.

 

1.07 Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

Oakland could go in any number of directions, and not just because Al Davis appears to have lost it. Heyward-Bey is a little out of left field at this spot, but not outside the realm of possibility for this team. The pick could be much, much worse, especially after Heyward-Bey’s phenomenal NFL Combine.

 

1.08 Jacksonville Jaguars select Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Jacksonville is going to take Houston’s Mario Williams approach in this draft if Orakpo is available at No. 8. By grabbing one of the better young defensive line prospects in recent years, the Jags should be able to put a little more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, especially Peyton Manning.

 

1.09 Green Bay Packers select B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

The Packers’ switch to a 3-4 makes projecting their first-round pick difficult. Raji is the most talented defensive tackle in the class and will need to work his way into the lineup as a nose tackle. His potential at the next level makes Raji a worthwhile risk/reward pick for the Pack.

 

1.10 San Francisco 49ers select Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

With Stafford off the board, the 49ers may still opt for a quarterback with Sanchez nipping at Stafford’s heels all spring. He gets to stay in-state, which will be nice for the local fanbase and also help Sanchez stay comfortable in his environment.

 

1.11 Buffalo Bills select Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

The Bills addressed the offense in a big way with the relatively quick acquisition of wide receiver Terrell Owens, who should bolster what was otherwise a decent unit in 2008.

The defensive line could use some work, and Brown could give the Bills a nice pass-rushing presence off the end next year.

 

1.12 Denver Broncos select Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss

Denver scored a second pick in the first round by trading Jay Cutler, and it would not be the worst idea for the Broncos to address the defense.

What better place to start than the interior of the defensive line? Jerry should significantly seal a middle that was wide open for many a running back in 2008.

 

1.13 Washington Redskins select Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

Despite all the rumors about Jason Campbell getting shipped out of town, he remains Washington’s quarterback of the present and future. If he is going to eventually succeed in the NFL, the Redskins need to give him better protection.

 

1.14 New Orleans Saints select Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

To say the Saints’ defense needs help is the understatement of the century. With Jonathan Vilma back in the fold, the Saints could use some help in the secondary. Enter Jenkins, who may be the best cover guy in the draft.

 

1.15 Houston Texans select Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

Change of plans in Houston. With the ouster of Ahman Green, the Texans will seek to add a bigger back to the backfield to pair with home run hitter Steve Slaton. Wells appears to be the perfect complement to Slaton’s slash-and-dash running style.

 

1.16 San Diego Chargers select Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Jackson might have been a first round pick had he come out in 2008, but he started this offseason out of round one. But now he is working his way back in with a good, solid spring. Jackson is a big defensive end that would be a nice anchor on the edge of the Chargers’ defensive line.

 

1.17 New York Jets select Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

The Jets lost the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, which means the team still is in the market for a strong-armed quarterback.

Freeman may have the second-livest arm in this draft behind Stafford and has the size and overall strength to be a good NFL quarterback. Now he will need to live up the hype in the biggest market in the NFL.

 

1.18 Denver Broncos select Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

Consider the middle of a once-porous defense sealed. By pairing Maualuga with defensive tackle Peria Jerry a few picks earlier, the Broncos’ defense should own the middle of the football field.

 

1.19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Brian Cushing, LB, USC

Derrick Brooks is gone—enter Brian Cushing. He has the potential to be the next long-term stud linebacker in a recent history of pretty good ones and injects more youth into what once was an aging defensive unit.

 

1.20 Detroit Lions select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Taking Matt Stafford No. 1 almost forces the Lions’ hand here at No. 20. If an elite offensive tackle is available, it would be the wisest selection.

However, the top guys are gone in this mock and taking the next rated prospect—Eben Britton?—might be a stretch. But Davis at this spot is a steal after his efforts at the combine and other workouts this spring.

 

1.21 Philadelphia Eagles select Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

Pretty obvious that Lorenzo Booker is not the heir apparent we thought he was to Brian Westbrook, although he still has a chance. Regardless, Moreno at No. 21 is too sweet a deal for the Eagles to pass here in the first round, and he helps fill the hole left by Correll Buckhalter.

 

1.22 Minnesota Vikings select Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

While the defense could use some work, the emphasis this offseason for the Vikings has been improving the passing game. Sage Rosenfels could use another target on the field, which is where Maclin—rated as the No. 2 wide receiver by most scouts—comes into the fold.

 

1.23 New England Patriots select James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

Let’s face it, Tedy Bruschi is not getting any younger. Laurinaitis would make a nice tandem with last year’s first round pick Jerod Mayo in the middle of the Patriots’ defense. Secondary is a need here, too, but electing to pass now could pay dividends later.

 

1.24 Atlanta Falcons select Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn State

Maybin’s stock has been flying up the charts of late with his freakish athleticism as the driving force. Teams may shy off him a little however, after another freakish athlete—Vernon Gholston—has failed to be much of a force in the NFL.

But Mike Smith is a defensive guy who could use a little help in the box, so a project could be in order.

 

1.25 Miami Dolphins select Clay Matthews, LB, USC

Bill Parcells still in charge? Check. Chances are the Tuna will address the defense in the draft, starting right here with a guy getting far fewer headlines than his college teammates Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing but plenty capable of being a force in the NFL.

 

1.26 Baltimore Ravens select Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Joe Flacco may have been effective as a starter in 2008, but no one feared the Ravens’ passing game. By injecting a young, talented, tall receiver into the lineup, Flacco’s numbers may start to look more like an average NFL starting quarterback’s instead of a game manager a la Trent Dilfer.

 

1.27 Indianapolis Colts select Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

The Colts have been searching to find a plug in the middle of the defensive line for a few years now. While there are only two elite defensive tackle prospects in this draft, several players grade out as first-day picks, including Hood.

 

1.28 Buffalo Bills select Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

By moving back into the end of the first round, the Bills now can address another need on the offensive side of the ball. Trading Jason Peters means Buffalo also should grab an offensive tackle to replace him, but this is a pretty deep draft at that position.

 

1.29 New York Giants select Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

The Giants are in the market for a big receiver and are trying to acquire Cleveland’s Braylon Edwards at the moment. As good as Edwards is in the aerial attack, the Giants may not be done searching for more juice in what became a pretty stale passing game by the end of 2008.

 

1.30 Tennessee Titans select Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia

While the Titans did lose Albert Haynesworth, the defensive line should again be the team’s strong point. However, the linebacking corps could use some upgrades, and Sintim is a quality talent at the back end of the first round.

 

1.31 Arizona Cardinals select Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

In a slight surprise, the Cardinals get a running back to supplant both Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower.

It is obvious James is on the downside of his career, and Hightower failed with his chance to become the team’s leading back last year. Brown’s meteoric rise this spring is reminiscent of Matt Forte’s climb up the draft boards last year.

 

1.32 Pittsburgh Steelers select Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

The Steelers always seem to do so well in the draft, and this could be no exception. The first guard off the board, Robinson is a big boy who would fit well in Pittsburgh’s smash-mouth style of football.

Ranking 20-16, Best Current Quarterbacks

Most Overlooked Players the Oakland Raiders Might Want

I would love to have Premier big name players like Michael Crabtree, Brian Orakpo, or B.J. Raji; But if they aren’t available, where would we go then? who could possibly fill the voids that dot the Raiders roster from head to toe? Their are plenty of athletes who are waiting in the wings to produce for our unsuspecting franchise.

Developing An Effective NFL Drafting Strategy

The first round of the NFL draft is always full of surprises, because teams do not blindly follow Mel Kiper’s script for how the draft will go down.

The work that goes into the preparation of an effective drafting strategy is a complicated process that involves several distinctly different evaluations. Let’s examine some of these analyses and processes, which include the following.

Player Ranking

This process is very straightforward. It involves ranking the prospects, regardless of position, from best player down. Prospects are ranked in a numerical order—from 1 to 500 for example—and are usually bundled into tiers. Each tier includes players with similar estimated contribution values.

The top tier on a team’s draft board includes the players identified as the top blue chip prospects, who are usually expected to make a significant, immediate impact if selected.

This year’s top tier is likely to include: Aaron Curry (LB, WFU), Jason Smith (OT, BAY), Eugene Monroe (OT, UVA), Michael Crabtree (WR, TTU), Matt Stafford (QB, UGA), and Brian Orakpo (DE/OLB, UT). Players on the top tier of differnet teams’ draft boards will vary, based on their evaluations, perspectives and situations, such as their current quarterback situation.

Position and Player Evaluation

This evaluation first identifies the number of players currently on the roster in each position, and compares these figures against the number of players that the team would like to have in each position going into training camp, and eventually on the 53-man roster. Players will need to be added during the draft and free agent signings to meet the target roster numbers for any given position.

The second part of this evaluation examines attributes and performance of each player currently on the roster. This includes determining how well they perform in their position; identifying their strengths, weaknesses and style of play; documenting their success in game situations; and finally summarizing their overall contribution to the team. 

Analyzing Team Performance

In addition to evaluating individual player performance, an in-depth analysis of the team performance from the previous season needs to be conducted to identify the areas that represent strengths and weaknesses for the team. This is an analysis that is based on team statistics, supplemented by an analysis of team performance on individual plays.

For example, statistics may show that a team’s overall rushing yards ranks tenth in the league, which is good. Statistics may also show that this team’s ability to convert third and short rushes for first downs is only ranked 26th in the league, which is not good, and ,might be addressed through player acquisition. 

Identifying Unique Challenges

A forward-looking evaluation should be performed to identify challenges that face the team in the upcoming season. This may include factors such as being able to defend against certain players in your division, such as tall, athletic tight ends, or being able to successfully attack 3-4 defenses that you play frequently, perhaps with strong quick edge rushers.

Compiling The Data

All teams attend the combine and workouts, analyze hundreds of hours of tape, interview candidates, and perform the analyses described above in one fashion or another. This results in huge amounts of data being generated. But what do the teams do with the data once it is compiled?

Drafting Strategies

Teams take this data and use it as a basis for their drafting strategy. These strategies vary widely between franchises, and often are impacted by the criteria that the team management values most highly.

Some of the criteria used to develop draft strategies, good or bad, include a concoction of the following concepts:

    * Players move up and down your draft board based on their style of play, character     issues, injury history, past drug use, and other personal factors.

    * Take the best available player on your draft board, regardless of the team’s position   needs.

    * Take the best available player in your most critical need position, regardless of whether players with higher rankings or in higher tiers are available.
   
    * Only select one player for each needed position on the team.
  
    * Only select players with agents who have a history of signings without lengthy holdouts.
   
    *  Select players based on their physical characteristics and performance as determined at the combine and during their school pro day workouts.
   
    *Select players based on their college football playing statistics
   
    *Focus on players at nearby schools.

Putting It All Together

The teams who consistently have successful drafts always seem to select players who fit in with the team philosophy and style of play. These players also provide key contributions that make the entire team better. These players do not necessarily have to be in a needed position.

It is interesting to note that most winning teams are not evenly balanced as far as being equally strong in rushing and passing, both on offense and defense.

For example, the Baltimore Ravens always have many need positions to fill on offense, but have been very successful in drafting defensive players that make their already formidable defense even better. Half of their first and second round selections in the past six drafts have been defensive players.

During their heyday, the Saint Louis Rams “greatest show on turf” teams had a high scoring offense and only a marginal defense. They continually added players to their offense, and seemingly ignored positions of need on their defense. The strategy was successful because, to beat the Rams, teams had to outscore them—not an easy task back then.

Who will be the winners and losers in the 2009 NFL draft?

Despite extensive analysis, some highly touted players will not achieve success in the NFL. Others who did not make the top of anyone’s draft charts will turn out to be perennial Pro Bowlers.

As far as team success in the draft is concerned, we all know the teams that are expected to do well in the draft, and also know the teams that can be expected to gack.

Will things change this year for these teams? Only time will tell.

Are the Carolina Panthers Set to Make a Little Noise on Draft Day?

This has been about the longest offseason I have watched an NFL franchise go through. No sights, no sounds, still holding onto a disgruntled defensive end, and no first round pick in sight.

This has been the offseason for the Carolina Panthers: dull, boring, lackluster—pick your adjective.

While other teams have been signing players such as Albert Haynesworth, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Braylon Edwards, or Jay Cutler, the Panthers have been looking like my cat on a lazy day—napping, eating, and looking for attention.

Right now, the Panthers can’t even afford to bring in horrible “talent” like Rex Grossman, Drew Carter, Keary Colbert, or Bobby Engram.

When I left New Jersey for a vacation to North Carolina last week, I thought to myself, what an excellent opportunity to be there and hear about any news firsthand!

So far, the most exciting news has been the trade of a seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft for Packers long snapper J.J. Jansen, a move I am pretty much rolling my eyes over, and the announcing of the 2009 schedule, which left me feeling fairly queasy in its wake.

Other than those couple of items, the news is pretty much still the same, and that consists of Panthers GM Marty Hurney saying that he’s confident that Julius Peppers will return to play next season for Carolina.

Hurney has also said that Jake Delhomme is still pegged to be the starting QB this season, and that the Panthers are evaluating their options while staying flexible in the draft next weekend.

Thank goodness for all of that, as it has been weighing heavily on my mind lately.

I’ve read some people and heard others here in North Carolina talking about Delhomme, and why the Panthers should draft a quarterback, and I ask myself—is it just me, or is Peppers the proverbial elephant in the room that everyone seems to avoid discussing?

Last I remember, Delhomme wasn’t the one keeping this team from making the moves necessary to better itself.

Peppers has really manifested himself as a cancer. I personally don’t care what he did last season—this man has got to go.

I am putting it out here for all to read: Release Julius Peppers!

Having said that, I’m certain I will become the hot topic of hatred on various blog sites, but I am fine with that. If I was the Panthers GM, I would release Julius Peppers right now. Actually, I would have released him three weeks ago.

I don’t care if he goes to an NFC South team even. This team desperately needs about $17 million in cap space right now, and Peppers is sitting at home laughing to himself over the hostage situation he’s keeping the Panthers in.

If Julius Peppers does wind up staying in Carolina, and if he chooses to play this season, fine. I don’t have a problem with that, but the damage is already done.

If he does play, and underperforms, in which case I would not be in the least bit surprised, I want every one of you who has been on the Peppers bandwagon about how great he’s been to disagree with me at the end of 2009, and blame it all on the quarterback yet again.

The NFL Won’t Be the Same without John Madden

When John Madden announced his retirement, my reflex reaction was one of happiness. Madden has driven me absolutely nuts for almost 10 years now.

Cris Collinsworth, for all his faults, is 10,000 times better in the booth than the 2008 version of John Madden.

Trust me, it’ll be an upgrade.

And yet, I’m a little sad to see Madden go.

I remember going over to my grandfather’s house for Thanksgiving and listening to Madden call the game. I remember knowing it was a big game, simply because Madden was there.

And he was good. Back then, he was damn good.

Anyone under 20 probably can’t fathom this, but Madden wasn’t always the guy you were forced to watch on Sunday Night Football last season. He used to be great.

He used to be the best.

It’s unfortunate that most young Patriots fans only remember Madden for his “play for overtime” comments during the Patriots-Rams Super Bowl. By that time, Madden had long since lost his fastball. If he was Pedro Martinez when he first started with FOX, he was Tim Wakefield by the time the Patriots and Rams met in that Super Bowl.

In his prime, Madden was the perfect color commentator. He knew football, he had credibility, and he could talk to both hardcore and casual football fans.

Don’t take that last point lightly.

There are very few commentators who could explain what just happened both to my liking and my mother’s.

John Madden had a way of doing it.

Madden understood his audience, and he played to it perfectly. Just enough nuts-and-bolts stuff to keep me happy, and just enough “boom” and simplification to keep my mother happy.

There isn’t a color commentator in the game today who can do it like Madden did. And there may never be another one.

In his later years, he became a caricature of himself, but he remained “hip” by having his name attached to the greatest and most successful sports video game franchise ever.

Trust me, kids today know who Madden is because of the video game. Not because of how well he does in the booth with Al Michaels.

So, anyway, I’m going to miss the guy. The NFL won’t be the same without him.

This article originally appeared on New England Patriots Examiner.

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Questions? Comments? Insults? You can email them to Sean Crowe at scrowe@gmail.com.

Chris J. Nelson’s 2009 NFL First Round Mock Draft, v3.0

The 2009 NFL Draft is now less than a week away, so I thought it was important to post my second-to-last mock draft.

As always, this mock draft is subject to change, and I’ll definitely be giving myself up until the point Roger Goodell walks out to that podium next Saturday afternoon to tweak it some more. Enjoy!

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

It’s a toss-up between Stafford, Aaron Curry, or one of the top two left tackles, but indications are Stafford will be the guy when it’s all said and done. Not a bad choice either, since Daunte Culpepper probably doesn’t have much left in the tank.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

With Orlando Pace out of the picture, a young franchise left tackle is greatly needed. The Rams’ front office is reportedly split between Smith and Eugene Monroe, but Smith gets the nod due to upside and health concerns with Monroe.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Curry is the best defensive player in the draft and will be a great fit in Kansas City’s new 3-4. The presence of veteran Zach Thomas will help Curry develop and will allow him to be brought along a little more slowly next to Derrick Johnson inside.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

The Seahawks claim they still have Sean Locklear pegged as Walter Jones’ heir at left tackle, but Locklear has had a rough few years and isn’t nearly on Monroe’s level when it comes to talent. The Seahawks would do well to draft arguably the best tackle in the draft to eventually replace Jones.

5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

This pick assumes Cleveland ends up shipping Braylon Edwards to the Giants. If that happens, the team will have a huge need at receiver and would be wise to select to best player at the position in Crabtree. A pass-rushing outside linebacker and even Mark Sanchez are other possibilities, but Crabtree has to be the pick if Edwards is dealt.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

The Bengals have never been one to shy away from a player due to character concerns, so they seem like the perfect landing spot for Smith, who has had one of the worst pre-draft periods in recent years. Levi Jones has fallen out of favor in Cincinnati, and if they can get Smith under control, he could be a quality replacement.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

With Crabtree already off the board in this mock draft, Al Davis doesn’t even have a choice to make when it comes to picking a receiver. It’s just as well, as we all know Davis loves speed and gets his man in Maclin.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern California

Wide receiver is a bigger need for Jacksonville, but there’s not one still available worth taking at this spot in the draft. The Jaguars don’t seem to be entirely sold on David Garrard as the long-term quarterback, so they very well may pull the trigger on Sanchez.

9. Green Bay Packers: B. J. Raji, DT, Boston College

A lot of people have the Packers taking a 3-4 end like Tyson Jackson or a pass rusher like Brian Orakpo or Everette Brown, but neither of those positions is as difficult to find as a quality nose tackle. Raji is by far the best in the draft and would anchor the Packers’ 3-4 for years to come.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the 49ers will opt for a franchise left tackle in lieu of Josh Freeman. Word is the Niners love Oher, and his presence would allow the solid but not elite Joe Staley to move back to right tackle. A pass-rushing outside linebacker like Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, or Brown might be more likely, but Oher’s my pick.

11. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State

Buffalo’s pass rush has been nonexistent lately, and with plenty of quality ends left on the board, the Bills will grab one here. Maybin’s a boom-or-bust prospect but certainly has the physical tools to be Buffalo’s top sack artist.

12. Denver Broncos: Brian Orakpo, LB, Texas

One of the many teams converting to the 3-4 scheme this offseason with little of the necessary pieces, the Broncos can get their first pure pass-rushing outside linebacker if they take Orakpo here. A legit top-10 talent, Orakpo would be a great value here and could really thrive in Denver’s new scheme.

13. Washington Redskins: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

The Jason Taylor trade was a bust, and the Redskins are desperately in need of some pass rush. Brown has great speed and athleticism and would be a great addition to Washington’s line. Another strong possibility is offensive tackle if one of the top four is still on the board.

14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, FS, Ohio State

Jenkins’ speed might hurt his chances of being picked higher as a cornerback, but he’s still the top defensive back in the draft and has the talent to be an elite free safety. Darren Sharper is a short-term fix in New Orleans, and Jenkins would be a fine long-term solution.

15. Houston Texans: Clay Matthews, LB, Southern California

The Texans filled their need at defensive end by signing Antonio Smith, freeing them up to go after a linebacker in the draft. Matthews has had the best pre-draft period of all three USC linebackers (despite the whole “White Nation” incident) and would be a great fit at outside linebacker for the Texans.

16. San Diego Chargers: Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California

The Chargers don’t have many immediate holes to fill, which is why they can afford to take the local California product here. Although he has some maturity issues and bust potential, Maualuga’s a quality talent and would be a great fit at inside linebacker in San Diego’s 3-4.

17. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

The Jets clearly aren’t sold on Brett Ratliff and Kellen Clemens as starting quarterbacks, and there’s a huge drop-off in talent after Freeman in this draft class. A wideout like Darrius Heyward-Bey will be tempting, but the Jets won’t pass up on their chance to grab a franchise signal caller.

18. Denver Broncos: Tyson Jackson, DE, Louisiana State

Another pick for their new defensive scheme, Jackson is a prototypical 3-4 end and by far the best in the draft at the position. Assuming they don’t take him at No. 12 and he lasts to this pick, the Broncos would be crazy not to jump on him here.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

The perfect example of a workout warrior, many teams have soured on Johnson due to lack of consistent productivity in college. Still, the Bucs love the guy, and there’s no doubting his physical tools, so perhaps they can team him with Gaines Adams and turn him into a quality pro.

20. Detroit Lions: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee

The Lions already have their franchise quarterback in Stafford, and all the elite left tackles are off the board, so Detroit will have to turn elsewhere at No. 20. There’s a huge need at linebacker, but they can probably grab James Laurinaitis at No. 33, so they’ll opt for a defensive end instead. Ayers doesn’t have impressive collegiate numbers, but he’s a fast-rising prospect and a quality overall end.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

The Eagles filled their need at tackle by signing Stacy Andrews and acquiring Jason Peters, allowing them to look elsewhere with their now lone first-round pick. Moreno would be a great complement to Brian Westbrook at running back and could eventually take over the job from the soon-to-be 30-year-old with a history of injury problems.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

The Vikings are looking to upgrade over Ryan Cook at right tackle, and Britton is the clear-cut best tackle left on the board. He’ll be a great fit on the right side, helping open holes for Adrian Peterson and protecting the Vikings’ quarterback if they ever decide to mix it up a bit and get a talented one.

23. New England Patriots: Brian Cushing, LB, Southern California

Jerod Mayo was a great pick in the first round last year, but the Patriots still need some talent and youth at both inside and outside linebacker. Cushing’s a talented player with the versatility to play anywhere in New England’s 3-4. A cornerback like Darius Butler is also possible here.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Evander Hood, DT, Missouri

The Atlanta offense is looking strong, led by Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, but the defense has holes throughout. It’s hard to pick for Atlanta here because they could feasibly take any position on that side of the ball. In the end, I settled on Missouri defensive tackle Evander “Ziggy” Hood, who provides an immediate upgrade at the interior defensive line.

25. Miami Dolphins: Sean Smith, CB, Utah

A lot of places have Smith as a second-round pick, and that may very well happen. Still, the more I think about it, the more I think a 6’3″ corner with excellent ball skills and sub-4.5 speed is certainly worth a first-rounder. Everyone’s talking about Miami needing an upgrade at outside linebacker, which they do. Still, I don’t see a more pressing need on the team than cornerback, where the only proven starter (Will Allen) is in the last year of his contract.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

General manager Ozzie Newsome is a big proponent of taking the top guy on the board, and if things unfold similarly to how I have them above, Heyward-Bey would be that guy. Derrick Mason’s not getting any younger, and there’s little depth beyond Mason and Mark Clayton, so Heyward-Bey would be an excellent new weapon for Joe Flacco.

27. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

The Colts don’t have a ton of needs, but defensive tackle has consistently been a weak spot for them in recent years, and Jerry would go a long way toward remedying that. Jerry’s size and athleticism makes him the perfect fit for Indy’s defensive scheme, so he’s the pick.

28. Buffalo Bills: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

The Bills upgraded their pass rush with their own first-round pick, and they luck out here as the top tight end falls to the pick they acquired from Philadelphia in the Jason Peters deal. Buffalo is in desperate need of a tight end, and one has to imagine they’ll take the top player in this year’s class if he’s still on the board.

29. New York Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

This is a hard team to pick for because they have very few holes and really have the luxury of taking the best player available. Even if they acquire Braylon Edwards from Cleveland, the Giants will likely still give up a receiver (Domenik Hixon?) in return and could still use another young talent. Nicks would certainly provide that and is a definite upgrade over Mario Manningham, David Tyree, and Sinorice Moss.

30. Tennessee Titans: Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

Another team with very few holes, the Titans could use another young corner to team with Cortland Finnegan. Butler is on the cusp of the first round and gets the nod over Vontae Davis, who has some red flags on his scouting report.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

Tim Hightower certainly showed ability as a rookie and is a capable short-yardage back, but he’s nowhere near as talented and complete as Beanie Wells. The Cardinals need another young back to team with Hightower now that Edgerrin James is on the way out, and the Cardinals get a steal here toward the end of Round One.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

Attitude and motivation concerns cause Davis to drop to the bottom of the first round. It works out well for Pittsburgh though, who lost Bryant McFadden to free agency and could certainly use a good, young corner. If anyone can turn Davis into a good player, it’s Steelers defensive guru Dick LeBeau and former defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin.

 

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Chris Nelson is a journalism major at Georgia State University. He operates his own Miami Dolphins blog, which can be found here.

Utecht the singer?

There is an interesting article on the Columbus Dispatch website about the musical career of Bengals Tight End Ben Utecht. Check it out here.

Hopefully Utecht’s musical efforts carry over into a productive, healthy season for the Bengals next season. After all, Bronson Arroyo’s musical career spawned the hugely entertaining JTM commercials of last baseball season. Thank me later for putting the “They’re together again!” line in your head.

Utecht only had 16 receptions for 123 yards in his first year with the Bengals as he suffered through numerous nagging injuries. Clearly he will have to toughen up if he is going to last against the AFC heavy-hitters like Ray Lewis and James Harrison.

Many are ready to toss Utecht into the laughable pile of sub-par free agent signings by Mike Brown, but I believe another season should be completed before we pass judgment on the Utecht acquisition. However, Utecht needs to prove he can be a reliable option for number nine after the loss of third down hero TJ Houshmandzadeh.

They’re together again!

Sunday Debate: Which Team Will Pull the Trigger on Mark Sanchez?

T-minus six days until the NFL Draft, and things are starting to fall into place. Matthew Stafford will go first, Jason Smith will go second, there’s a 90 percent chance Aaron Curry will go to the Chiefs with the No. 3 pick, but then, it gets a little hairy.

The reason for that is because teams ahead of you may take your guy and you have to change your entire view on your upcoming pick; it goes the other way, as well. If the Lions, for some reason, take a player that doesn’t have the name of Stafford, St. Louis then has an entirely different approach with the second pick. Do we stick with Smith and address what we need, or do we take one of the best ever QB prospects to come out of the draft with a best-value approach?

After the first couple picks, there are tons of questions as to what happens next. WR Jeremy Maclin could go in the top ten, or he could fall into the Rams’ hands at the 35th pick. QB Josh Freeman could go in the first round, but he could also fall into day two! However, probably the biggest question on draft day lies with quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez has been impressing scouts since the day he declared. Some may say that he has a better future than Mr. Superstar who will go to Detroit; just the way he carries himself awes people. I listened to him on 101 ESPN last week, and was flat out impressed. I do not like the Trojans, and was never a huge fan of Sanchez while he was in So Cal, but after hearing him talk with the guys on 101…I’m pulling for the guy all the way. I would love to see my Rams trade to get a spot where they would be able to draft him after their second pick. I think he can turn a franchise around as soon as he walks in. He’s a winner, on and off the gridiron.

With that said…who will draft him?? I don’t think anybody knows (unless Detroit wants him), but we can all give it a shot as to who will land Mark. There are a few candidates, so let’s take a look…

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