When you break it down like that, you can see many players being lumped together in that #5 to #20 pick range, with perhaps many teams trying to stay true to team needs but going for the best overall talent.
From picks #21 on down, much the same applies. Which basically helps lay the foundation for a very deep draft. Those expected to go early in the first or midway through the second round, can fall down in the 3rd to 4th rounds very easily. And barring a completely stunning combine by ALL of the top 3 QB candidates, I don't think more than two will go in the first round. I really don't.
In fact, I see some teams opting to wait until the 2nd or 3rd and then snatching up my 2008 version of Marques Colston: Joe Flacco, QB from Delaware. A smart team would certainly do well snatching a tall, rugged, mentally sharp, fundamentally sound QB in a later round rather than pursuing a 1st round (and expensive) QB draft.
The draft kicks off with Bill Parcells and the Dolphins, so we could see all hell break loose from the very outset ! Could be the most unpredictable draft in many a year unless the combine really sorts everything out.
1. Miami Dolphins - Glen Dorsey**, DT, Miami
** Anyone else wondering why Jerry Jones would allow Bill Parcells to "raid the store" for his new staff in Miami? Hmmm. It gives me a serious gut feeling that Jones & Parcells have an arrangement of some sort. Nothing nefarious, but since both are pretty good friends and can help the other out (and are from opposing conferences) it seems logical. Parcells rebuilds through multiple picks and Jerry Jones has the deep pockets to get a top player.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, DT, OT, WR, QB
2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
The Rams need defense more than a potential backup for Orlando Pace.
TEAM NEEDS: DT, ILB, WR, CB, OT
3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
There is so many ways the Falcons could go here - and much will be determined on whether or not Miami trades down - but if they have a shot at McFadden, I doubt they pass on him. The Falcons would do well to grab McFadden here and pick up Joe Flacco in the second or third round for their QB of the future.
TEAM NEEDS: QB, RB, OT, OG, DT, ILB, K, CB
4. Oakland Raiders - Jake Long, OL, Michigan
Not sure what the Raiders will do here, but they do need help protecting the QB and with Sapp retired they need to add to the DT positon. Jake Long is just too good a long-term benefit to pass.
TEAM NEEDS: DT, WR, DE, OT, OC, SS
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
There are many ways the Chiefs could go with this pick. Many are harping on the fact that Brodie Croyle isn't the answer. But any QB under the pass rushing attack he was subjected to this past season won't succeed. Not to mention the running game. So the Chiefs have to shore up the Oline first.
TEAM NEEDS: OT, CB, OG, OC, DB, LB, WR
6. New York Jets - Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
Mangini will steal the pick that his mentor/rival Bellicheat coveted most. The Jets get an immediate monster that can add immense flexibility to the Jet defense.
TEAM NEEDS: OG, DE, ILB, OLB, DT, CB
7. N.E. Patriots(from SF) - Mike Jenkins, CB, USF
The rich just keep on getting richer. Although this is more of a need that it would appear because of Asante Samuels pending departure. If Derrick Harvey is available at this pick, the Pats pick him instead.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, OLB, RB
8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
I'm not convince ANY of the QB's will go first round in this draft because none of them stand out exceedingly well -unless the combine proves different, like it did for Jay Culter in 2005. But at this point, Ryan is tagged as probably the best bet of the three top candidates IF the Ravens go high for a QB. I'm thinking they may surprise us and take a CB. And do not be surprised at a trade down since this draft is loaded with talent - much of it due to the large amount of early-out underclassmen. Then again, the Ravens DO have 10 picks in the 2008.
TEAM NEEDS: OT, OLB, DE, CB, QB, WR,
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Toss a dart on a Bengal defensive chart. Wherever it lands is as good a place to start as any other.
TEAM NEEDS: DEFENSE, period. DT, OLB, CB, DE, Then MAYBE a TE.
10. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami or Vernon Gholston, DE,OSU When the Saints draft this year, the word "defense" will be a near perpetual one. The Saints take the best defensive player available at this spot, the next spot, the next spot and......well, you get the idea.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, ILB, OLB, DE, OT, OG
11. Buffalo Bills - Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Lee Evans will be the happiest of all to see this pick. Well, him and the Bills fans, coach, OC, QB and Marshawn Lynch.
TEAM NEEDS: WR, TE, OLB, CB, DT
12. Denver Broncos - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Coach Shanahan won't want to give any other team a shot at a potentially great Bronco running back, so this pick would not surprise me at all. However, the Broncos also have needs on the offensive and defensive line, linebacker - not to mention getting his young QB some weapons at the wideout position.
Perhaps a combo of FA work and the draft will have to do the trick.
TEAM NEEDS: DT, OT, ILB, OLB, S, WR, OC
13. Carolina Panthers - Eric Young, OG, Tennessee
I have struggled on whether defensive or offensive line is the place to start for the Panthers. Could go either way, depending on the combine results.
TEAM NEEDS: OTm, OG, DE, FS, QB
14. Chicago Bears - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
The Bears MUST draft a running back or they go nowhere again. Their QB's can't pass when defenses know they can't run. And even if the Bears had LT, he couldn't run very effectively behind the current Bears offensive line. It's not all on the QB in Chicago, and the Bears would be wise to re-sign Grossman to an incentive based contrack, let him battle Kyle Orton, drop Brian Griese and bring in someone like Joe Flacco via the draft. But the offensive line and running game is priority #1.
TEAM NEEDS: OT, RB, SS, QB, OG, FS
15. Detroit Lions - Vernon Gholston, DE,Ohio St.
The Lions just allowed teams to pass all over them. Imagine this team with a decent pass rush and secondary, with some offensive line additions. Immediate playoff team - they were oh-so-close until the late swoon this past season.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, DE, DT, ILB, OG
16. Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
The Cards are inching closer to breaking through to the next level. But will they make it in time to take advantage of that prolific offense? This should help.
TEAM NEEDS: DE, OLB,CB, OLT, DT
17. Minnesota Vikings - Kentwaan Balmer, NT, N. Carolina
The Vikes could go WR with this pick, but only if there is a solid chance of getting someone in the mold of last year's rookie receiver Sidney Rice. Adrius Bowman or James Hardy are possibilities here, but I think DeSean Jackson is out because his size limits his ability coming off the line. Most NFL Dbacks will have near the same or better speed as Jackson, and they're much more physical than anyone he faced in college. To gain an advantage, the Vikings must go for a taller, more physical receiver. Perhaps Marcus Monk in the next round since the Vikings DO NEED a defensive tackle to create pressure in the middle.
TEAM NEEDS: WR, DL, S
18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
This will be either a RB or OL pick, but either way the Texans are a team on the rise. If they can add one of each it could help them contend for a playoff spot immediately. I think Mendenhall will be too good a risk to pass up.
TEAM NEEDS: RB, OT, FS, CB, DE
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Good prospect for the Eagle secondary AND he can be utilized as a punt/kick returner. Eagles might be tempted to swing for the fences on a #1 WR with this pick depending on the combine results.
TEAM NEEDS: DE, TE, OT, CB, LB
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
They lack weapons in their passing attack no matter the QB. Even a big TE would help in this slot. I think they can afford to wait on trying to pick up another QB.
TEAM NEEDS: DT, QB, RB, WR, OT
21. Washington Redskins - Kentwaan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Either a top corner or defensive lineman is called for at this pick. Trying to help bolster the run defense is a good move, but so is trying to regain some depth in the secondary.
TEAM NEEDS: DE, DT, CB, WR, OG, OT
22. Dallas Cowboys (Cleve.) - Aquib Calib, CB, Kansas
This may be the Dolphins pick if the trade I mentioned earlier comes to fruition. If not, the 'Boys must replace Jacques Reeves. Even though I'm a Boilermaker, Reeves was (and is) bad. Think of Reeves as a slower, more helpless Jason David!
TEAM NEEDS: CB, RB, WR
23. Seattle Seahawks - Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
If Mike Holmgren stays he can help his offense immensely by adding a playmaking tight end. Otherwise, an addition to the secondary is the pick here.
TEAM NEEDS: OG, DT, WR, RB, DE
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt
Can't think of a better fit or a need that is filled than addint a solid OT with this pick.
TEAM NEEDS: OG, DE, WR, ILB, CB,
25. Tennessee Titans - Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Looks like Pacman isn't returning anytime soon, and the Titans do need secondary help. But they also need targets for Vince Young, so they could snag a WR with this pick.
TEAM NEEDS: WR, DT, DT, OGm, TE, CB
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Hardy has personal baggage, so be advised. That and a poor showing at the combine could send him spiraling down to around the 5th or 6th round. Then hte Jags also might want to add to their secondary.
TEAM NEEDS: DE, WR, CB
27. Dallas Cowboys - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
More work on the secondary, unless they take a corner earlier or trade to Miami.
TEAM NEEDS: CBm, RB, WR
28. S.F. 49ers (from Indy) - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Look for Mario Manningham, Marcus Monk or D.J. hall landing here if they have better combines.
TEAM NEEDS: WR, DT, DE, OG, OC
29. San Diego Chargers - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
The Chargers were picked apart by opposing passing attacks and need to solidify that part of their team. Cromartie anchors a good start, and Cason can only help even more.
TEAM NEEDS: ILB, DEm, WR
30. Green Bay Packers - Fred Davis, TE, USC
If Favre jad a standout, go-to TE this past year, the Packers may have gone undefeated in the NFC. Add the talent and size of Fred Davis to a now productive running game and dangerous wideouts, and the Packer offense is extremely potent. Help along the offensive line is needed as well.
efensive help in the middle of the field, and the ability to pick the RB or TE off the line is critical for the G-men as they blitz constantly. Crable should help.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, OT, TE
31. New York Giants - Shawn Crable, LB, Michigan
Defensive help in the middle of the field and the ability to pick the RB or TE coming off the opposing line is critical for the G-men as they love to blitz. Crable should help and make Justin Tuck even more dangerous.
TEAM NEEDS: CB, OT, FS, OLB
32. New England Patriots - Forfeited
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