This might be a controversial pick but with two selections in the first round San Francisco might be willing to play around a bit. The 49ers obviously still have Frank Gore, who will only be 27-years-old next season, but he has battled injuries going all the way back to his college days and also missed time each of the past two years. Clemson’s C.J. Spiller would be a perfect compliment to Gore while also providing a huge upgrade on special teams, which was a major problem area. A versatile weapon with blazing speed who is capable of making an impact as a runner, receiver and return man, Spiller isn’t an every down workhorse but he is an explosive playmaker that defenses must account for at all times.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Spiller is a threat to take it the distance at any time from anywhere on the field and the success that fellow speed demon Chris Johnson is having in the NFL will surely work in his favor on Draft Day. The Niners could also use some help in the secondary at both cornerback as well as safety and it wouldn’t be a shock if they opted for a linebacker either. Still, there is always a surprise or two in the first round of every draft and Spiller would be an intriguing addition and a solid value for the 49ers at this point.
One of the benefits of being a strong organization and consistent winner is that you can always have one eye on the future. Sure the Steelers have a need or two but for the most part their roster is in good shape and their rookies aren't forced to step into the starting lineup from day one. However, after a disappointing post-Super Bowl season in which they missed the playoffs that philosophy might have to change to a degree. One position where some instant help might be needed is safety. Pittsburgh struggled mightily when Troy Polamalu went down with an injury this past season and since Ryan Clark is due to become a free agent the Steelers could look to bring in some reinforcements. Texas usually does a good job of keeping their underclassmen in school but Earl Thomas was coming off such an impressive redshirt sophomore campaign that he just couldn’t resist the lure of the pros.
Thomas doesn’t have great size but he is very athletic and rangy with a nose for the ball and a real playmaking streak, which is something the Steelers secondary could certainly use. Another option could be Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, who would be a perfect replacement for the aging and injury-prone free agent Willie Parker as the “Lightning” to Rashard Mendenhall’s “Thunder”. Don’t be shocked if the Steelers throw everyone another curveball in round one either as that's been their M.O. on Draft Day the last couple of years.
Perhaps more than anything Atlanta needs a top-flight cornerback but Florida’s Joe Haden is going to be long, long gone by this point and after him there is a huge dropoff at the position. With that in mind the Falcons could turn their attention to Haden’s former Gator teammate, Carlos Dunlap. Despite the presence of sack artist extraordinaire John Abraham the Falcons had trouble generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2009. Former #8 overall pick Jamaal Anderson has been a major bust so Atlanta will probably have to bring in another defensive end. At one point not long ago Dunlap was considered to be a potential Top 5 overall pick but an inconsistent junior season combined with some off-the-field issues have hurt his stock. However, it’s hard to envision a prospect as talented as Dunlap falling too much further than this.
An extremely impressive physical specimen, Dunlap reportedly runs a 4.6 forty at 6-6 and 290 pounds. Dunlap is still very raw and frustratingly inconsistent but in many ways he will remind you of Mario Williams and the sky is the limit when it comes to his upside. In addition to defensive end and corner the Falcons also have a looming problem at outside linebacker, where Mike Peterson is nearly 34-years-old. One way or another look for the Falcons to go defense in Round 1.
In their short history the Houston Texans haven’t been shy about using premium draft choices on defensive linemen. In fact, the Texans have only taken part in eight drafts since they entered the league in 2002 yet they have used four first round picks defensive ends and defensive tackles. Despite that considerable investment they still have some issues up front and may have to go back to the well one more time. Houston finally gave up on one of those first round picks earlier this year when they traded away Travis Johnson and so far Amobi Okoye has also failed to live up to expectations, producing just 2.5 sacks the past two seasons combined. Needless to say they are in need of a defensive tackle who can generate some pressure on opposing quarterbacks. For one reason or another UCLA’s Brian Price didn’t get a lot of
recognition nationally despite putting up some very impressive numbers. Price opted to go pro after his junior season but in his three years with the Bruins he racked up 44.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks. Price is exactly the type of penetrating defensive tackle that the Texans are looking for and would be a nice fit for them in the middle of round one. Houston needs help in the secondary at both cornerback and safety too and they will also have to address the running back position at some point.
In recent years the Bengals have accumulated a lot of young defensive talent, using four consecutive first round picks on that side of the ball from 2005-2008 plus second and third rounders last year. Perhaps now it’s time to help out the offense. Cincinnati has been searching for a pass catching threat at tight end for years but with little or no luck. Granted they just drafted Chase Coffman last year but his inability to get on the field and make an impact even though the Bengals were decimated by injuries at the tight end position speaks volumes. Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham might have been the first tight end selected in the 2009 NFL Draft had he come out early and he entered this season as a potential Top 15 overall pick. Unfortunately a knee injury wiped out Gresham’s senior campaign but he still has time to recover and reestablish
himself as a first round pick. A great athlete who in many ways is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body, Gresham has excellent hands, terrific ball skills and body control and the ability to stretch the field vertically. Not only would Gresham finally give Cincy a true playmaker at tight end but he’d also help open things up for the rest of the Bengals offense. Cincinnati also needs an upgrade at safety, where Chris Crocker, Roy Williams and Chinedum Ndukwe leave something to be desired, and a premier talent at defensive tackle could be a possibility as well.
Surprised? Crazier things have happened on Draft Day and I really believe someone will select Florida’s Tim Tebow much earlier than they should. Remember, it only takes one team. It’s no secret that Bill Belichick is a big fan of the Florida program, plus he has been searching for the right guy to implement the Wild Cat into New England’s offense. That is why they showed a lot of interest in Pat White last year and one of the main reasons they selected Juliun Edelman, who was an athletic college quarterback. Plus the Pats have four picks in the first couple of rounds so they can afford to play around a bit. Tebow is going to be one of the most controversial prospects the NFL Draft has ever seen. An amazing leader with out of this world intangibles, Tebow will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time but there are some serious questions about him as a pro prospect. Some feel Tebow profiles as more of a tight end or fullback at the next level but he wants to play quarterback and will likely be given that opportunity. After spending four years in Urban Meyer’s system Tebow will essentially have to be reworked from the ground up. Whether it be his throwing motion, footwork, taking snaps from under center, reading coverages or going through progressions there is just a laundry list of things he will have to work on. The bottom line is Tebow’s probably 2-3 years away from being able
to run an NFL offense but he has the talent and work ethic to eventually do it and you know he will charm the pants off of decision makers and coaches in pre-draft interviews. While he is being groomed as Tom Brady’s backup and eventual successor the Patriots, who place a high value on versatility, could utilize Tebow in the Wildcat, as a short-yardage runner and an H-Back. If New England wants to go a more conventional route in round one they also need to bring in a pass rushing outside linebacker, an inside linebacker and a running back.
Last offseason the Packers kicked off what figured to be a dramatic transition to a 3-4 scheme and the Draft Day additions of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews were a great start. With that said there is still a need for more personnel better suited for their new “30” front. After a strong rookie campaign it looks as though Matthews is a keeper on one side but Green Bay may be in the market for another pass rushing outside linebacker opposite him. The Packers tried Aaron Kampman in that role but he struggled mightily and wasn’t happy, which is why there is a good chance he’ll bolt as a free agent. Nobody has ever doubted the sheer talent of Clemson’s Ricky Sapp but even though he put together a solid college career he never emerged as the impact player most envisioned. Part of the problem was that Sapp has been miscast as a 4-3 defensive end and in reality he’s a much better fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
Don’t be surprised if Sapp is the type of player who ends up being better in the pros than he was in college. Sapp should excel in pre-draft workouts and that combined with his considerable upside could push him into the first round. The Packers could also use a top young left tackle to eventually replace the ageing and injury-prone Chad Clifton and based on the way their secondary played in that playoff game against Arizona they could opt to bring in some defensive back upgrades too.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: SEAN WEATHERSPOON, OLB, MISSOURI
On paper Philadelphia is one of the better teams in the league and they don’t appear to have very many glaring holes. However, for years now the Eagles have been mix and matching mediocre youngsters and washed up veterans at linebacker so it’s time they brought in a top-notch talent at the position. A fantastic all-around player, Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon really is the total package. In addition to his impressive measurables and top-notch intangibles Weatherspoon is constantly around the action and just has a knack for making the big play. Weatherspoon would be a perfect fit on the outside in the Eagles scheme and if Stewart Bradley continues to battle injuries he is also capable of playing the middle.
Another possibility for Philly would be cornerback since Ellis Hobbs is coming up on free agency and Sheldon Brown is still unhappy with his contract situation. Depending on how they feel about Macho Harris’ performance as a rookie they could be in the market for some help at safety as well. Keep an eye on defensive end too because even though Trent Cole is a great young pass rusher and they produced some impressive sack statistics there are rumblings that it’s a spot the team would not mind upgrading.
Few teams do a better job on Draft Day than Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens but one area in which they have struggled a bit is wide receiver. The Ravens got a real scare when Derrick Mason unexpectedly decided to retire this past offseason but he ultimately revered course, which bought them at least one more year. Still the thought of going into a season with Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams and Kelley Washington had to have been a wakeup call and you can bet they will take the appropriate steps to avoid that rather terrifying scenario. A prized recruit who Ron Zook somewhat surprisingly lured to the Illini, Arrelious Benn is a great athlete with an ideal blend of size (6-2, 220) and speed (4.40) who has the ability to be a vertical threat and create in space.
Benn didn’t have the big junior season everyone was expecting but for the most part that can be attributed to lackluster quarterback play and it certainly isn’t an indictment of his talent. If they decide to look elsewhere the Ravens could also use some additional help at cornerback, especially if Fabian Washington leaves as a free agent in the offseason, and it might be time to bring in an eventual replacement for Todd Heap at tight end as well. However, at the end of the day finding a future #1 wideout must be the Ravens main priority.
The Cardinals have one of the most explosive offenses in the league but one position they need to shore up is left tackle. Mike Gandy has quietly been a serviceable player for many years but he is the type you are always looking to replace, plus he’s now into his 30’s and due to become a free agent. With the top tier of offensive tackles already off the board the Cardinals may opt to take a chance on Maryland’s Bruce Campbell. Perhaps a bit overhyped, Campbell only started 17 games in college and isn’t the Top 10 overall pick some have made him out to be but it wouldn’t be a shock if he snuck into the latter part of round one.
An amazing athlete with prototypical size (6-7, 310) and nimble feet, Campbell is still raw and has some durability concerns but his potential is almost limitless. Linebacker is another option since Karlos Dansby still hasn’t been signed to a long-term contract, Bertrand Berry retired and guys like Chike Okeafor and Clark Haggans are getting a bit long in the tooth. Other possibilities could include a top-flight tight end or another starting-caliber cornerback to team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and reinforce their appalling pass defense.
At first glance the Cowboys don’t appear to have any major, glaring holes on their depth chart. This is especially true after the emergence of Miles Austin at wide receiver. However, the appalling performance of their offensive line in a playoff loss to Minnesota had to have been a wake up call. Sure they recently gave both Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo sizeable new contracts but can they really afford to risk a repeat of the Vikings six sack free-for-all in another big game? Idaho’s Mike Iupati is exactly the type of big, tough, physical blocker that Dallas looks for. A mountain of a man at 6-6 and 330 pounds, Iupati is a mauler in the run game but also pretty athletic and still has considerable upside. With the ability to play either guard or tackle at the next level Iupati would certainly be able
to find a home and provide an upgrade somewhere along the Cowboy’s offensive line. Safety continues to be a perennial problem in "Big D" so that is a possibility as well and don’t rule out a five-technique defensive end to groom in case they lose Marcus Spears as a free agent a year from now. As a darkhorse don’t completely rule out a wide receiver either. Roy Williams’ struggles have been well documented so no one knows what his future holds and there should be some good pass catchers on the board to choose from late in round one.
In the months leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft there was a lot of speculation that the Chargers might grab a running back in the first round since LaDainian Tomlinson was starting to wind down and Darren Sproles was due to become a free agent. Instead they opted to bring Tomlinson back and slap the franchise tag on Sproles, which didn’t exactly work out. In fact, the Chargers were 31st in the league in rushing in 2009. It’s obvious there will be a changing of the guard at running back in San Diego sooner rather than later and Cal’s Jahvid Best could be a nice solution. One of the most exciting players in all of college football, Best doesn’t have the ideal size that you look for but he plays bigger and makes up for his small stature with electrifying speed.
A threat to score each and every time he touches the ball, Best could replace Sproles on offense as well special teams at a fraction of the cost. The Chargers also have a question mark at right tackle and they could still use some reinforcements at strong safety and along the defensive line. Regardless of which direction they ultimately decide to go it would be wise not to bet against General Manager A.J. Smith, who has an awfully impressive track record when it comes to homegrown talent.
It appeared as though New York had addressed their most glaring need by trading for wide receiver Braylon Edwards but after a hot start he came back down to earth. Edwards will be a free agent this offseason and even though he’ll likely be back on a one-year deal in 2010 it’s still unclear whether or not he has a long-term future with the team. However, even if you make the assumption that Edwards will be around for a while the Jets could still use another playmaker in the passing game. Notre Dame’s Golden Tate may not have the ideal height that you look for but he is extremely aggressive, displaying top-notch ball skills and strong, reliable hands. A former high school running back, Tate is a terror in the open field and his elusiveness enables him to turn a short pass into a long gain. In addition to his abilities as a wideout Tate has also proven to be a dangerous weapon as a return man, which is another area where the Jets could use some help. During last year's draft the Jets unsuccessfully attempted to trade back into the first round for
Percy Harvin and while Tate isn’t quite in the same class when it comes to pure talent the two share a similar skill set. Tate compares favorably to Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers and would be a versatile weapon that opposing defenses have to account for at all times while also providing a considerable upgrade on special teams. New York could also be in the market for another big cornerback like Oklahoma's Dominique Franks or perhaps a defensive end (five-technique) for their 3-4 scheme such as Northwestern's Corey Wootton.
The assumption may be that Minnesota will be looking for a quarterback of the future with this pick but it doesn’t appear as though that will be the case. If Brett Favre decides to hang up his cleats after the season Tarvaris Jackson would likely get one more opportunity to be the starter and if Favre does come back it will be Jackson and Sage Rosenfels backing him up again in 2010. The Vikings are in good shape offensively so this pick will likely be used to address the defense. Minnesota has used a number of draft picks to bolster their depth at defensive end, linebacker and the secondary in recent years but it’s time to start thinking about the future at defensive tackle. Kevin Williams is one of the best in the business but his counterpart, Pat Williams, will turn 38-years-old next season and is starting to wind down. No prospect has improved his stock as much as Tennessee’s Dan Williams
this year and he has gone from a mid-round pick to a potential first rounder. At 6-3 and 327 pounds Williams has rare size and excels at stopping the run, making him an ideal fit at nose tackle in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. Plus he'd help extend the "Williams Wall" legacy! Minnesota could also be in the mark for an upgrade over Anthony Herrera at right guard or some depth at cornerback. As a real darkhorse do not rule out a versatile running back who is a receiving threat if they lose free agent Chester Taylor.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: PATRICK ROBINSON, CB, FLORIDA STATE
The Saints appear to be set on the offensive side of the ball so even though their defense improved by leaps and bounds in 2009 that is the direction they will most likely be looking to go early on. As a whole New Orleans defense played better than they have in years but they actually struggled to defend the pass, finishing a disappointing 26th in the league. It looks as though last year’s first round pick Malcolm Jenkins will eventually move inside to safety so when you factor that in along with Tracy Porter’s inability to stay healthy it could add up to them using their top pick on a cornerback. Florida State has a long and proud history of sending cornerbacks to the pros, from Deion Sanders and Terrell Buckley back in the late 80’s / early 90’s to Samari Rolle and more recently Antonio Cromartie.
Patrick Robinson is the next great Seminoles cover guy and he will try to help carry on that tradition. Robinson doesn’t have a lot of starting experience but he possesses all of the physical tools you look for, including a nice blend of size and speed to go along with great quickness and fluid hips. Robinson definitely struggled at times as a senior but he is still considered to be a fringe first rounder with early first round talent. The Saints could use an upgrade at outside linebacker and defensive tackle as well and don’t rule out a center either.
This may sound like a broken record but the Colts still need help at defensive tackle. It looked as though Indy had finally solved this problem by re-signing Ed Johnson and drafting Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor but those moves haven’t worked out. Johnson was released (again), Taylor didn’t make it out of training camp and Moala has been a major disappointment thus far. Needless to say the Colts haven’t gotten much production from the interior of their d-line. Penn State’s Jared Odrick really kicked his game up a notch as a senior and has put himself in contention for a spot in the first round. A great athlete who is very quick off the snap and gets a lot of penetration, Odrick is a classic three-technique and would be a perfect fit in the Colts defense.
Indianapolis might also be in the market for a left tackle since Tony Ugoh took a big step backwards and was actually benched in favor of Charlie Johnson, who is better suited to be playing inside at guard. Linebacker is also a possibility since Gary Brackett is a free agent who’s going to be 30-years-old next season and they lack a true standout on the outside. Keep an eye on the secondary situation too because both Marlin Jackson and Antoine Bethea are due to hit the open market.
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