Scouting Report

  When it comes to producing homegrown talent there aren’t many teams that can compete with the Chargers. However, one exception has been the wide receiver position and outside of Vincent Jackson they’ve had a hard time finding reliable, starting-caliber pass catchers. 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 isn’t having the big junior season that everyone expected but for the most part that can be attributed to lackluster quarterback play and it certainly isn’t an indictment of his talent. The Chargers most pressing need is actually right tackle so if there was a quality blocker available that might be the direction they would lean. Another possibility for the Chargers is a nose tackle like Alabama’s Terrence Cody. For years San Diego played fast and loose with that key position, failing to bring in a quality backup, and now that 33-year-old Jamal Williams is hurt they are paying dearly for it. Finally, don’t rule out a running back because LaDainian Tomlinson is clearly wearing down and Darren Sproles hasn’t been signed  to  a  long-term contract extension.

Scouting Report

  After a scintillating rookie season Steve Slaton suffered a massive sophomore slump and as a result Houston ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing. Even if Slaton is able to get back on track the Texans still need to bring in a big running back for short-yardage and goal line situations because Chris Brown just hasn’t gotten the job done. The 2008 ACC Player of the Year, Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer is a load to bring down at 6-0 and 235 pounds but he has also shown the ability to break away for long runs. Assuming he comes out this year Dwyer should be right in the mix to be the first running back selected and his size will work in his favor because unlike C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best he profiles as an every-down workhorse. After sending former first round pick Travis Johnson packing the Texans also have a hole at defensive tackle alongside Amobi Okoye, who hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations himself, so that is a possibility as well. Don’t rule out a cornerback or a safety either because the secondary seems to be  a constant source of worry in Houston.

Scouting Report

  New York already addressed their most glaring need by dealing for wide receiver Braylon Edwards at the trade deadline, which frees them up to look in another direction with this pick. On Draft Day last year the Jets sent Kenyon Coleman to Cleveland as part of the trade to acquire Mark Sanchez and while they certainly don’t regret that move it did leave them a little thin at defensive end. Northwestern’s Corey Wootton might already be in the NFL right now if he hadn’t hurt his knee in the Wildcat’s bowl game at the end of last season but as long as he regains his pre-injury form he should find a home in the first round next April. An imposing physical presence at 6-7 and 280 pounds, Wootton isn’t a dynamic pass rusher but he has shown the ability to make impact plays behind the line of scrimmage while also doing an excellent job against the run. Wootton isn’t flashy but he would be a major upgrade over journeyman Marques Douglas and a good fit in the Jets 3-4 scheme. New York could still stand to add some more depth in their secondary and it probably wouldn’t hurt to bring in another nose tackle since Kris Jenkins is now coming off of a serious knee injury. Other than that the Jets  roster  appears  to  be  in pretty good shape.

Scouting Report

  Shoddy offensive line play has absolutely killed the Packers at times in 2009, which is ironic because they have actually invested quite a few draft resources on blockers over the years. Unfortunately most of those picks have been devoted to interior guys and they have neglected the tackle position. Chad Clifton is now in his mid-30’s and once again battling injuries so it’s time to bring in a top talent to groom as his successor. Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga isn’t the elite pro prospect that some have made him out to be, at least not yet, but he could be a factor in the mid-to-late first round if he opts to go pro after his junior season. A good but not great athlete with prototypical size and long arms, Bulaga is a solid all-around blocker who can hold his own as a pass protector and also maul in the run game. A local Midwest product, Bulaga would be an ideal fit in Green Bay, where he could begin his career on the right side before eventually replacing Clifton at left tackle. The additions of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews in round one last year were a very good start but the Packers still need some more help on defense too as they continue their conversion to a 3-4 scheme.

Scouting Report

  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. With that being the case one must look ahead and forecast future problem areas and their defensive line stands out above the rest. Even though he’s done an admirable job Jay Ratliff has never been an ideal fit at nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme and with Marcus Spears set to become a free agent next offseason the Cowboys might have to bring in some reinforcements. Alabama’s Terrence “Mount” Cody is a 6-5, 365 pound load in the middle and even though he is strictly a one-dimensional run-stopper he has the ability to be absolutely dominant in that capacity. There are serious concerns about Cody’s conditioning and he won’t be a fit for everyone but with so many teams now featuring a “30” front it’s hard to imagine him getting out of the first round next April. With Cody at nose tackle Dallas could kick Ratliff back outside to his more natural position at defensive end. The Cowboys could still use some more offensive line depth too, especially at tackle, but after recently giving both Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo sizeable new contracts that probably isn't a 1st Round priority.

Scouting Report

  The Cardinals have one of the most explosive offenses in the league but one area where they are lacking is tight end. 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. Gresham isn’t a dominating blocker by any stretch of the imagination but he isn’t terrible either and is at least capable of holding his own in that regard. Arizona could also use an upgrade at left tackle, where Mike Gandy is just average at best, a nose tackle since Bryan Robinson is 35-years-old and neither Gabe Watson or Alan Branch have panned out, and it definitely wouldn’t hurt to add another starting-caliber cornerback either. However, the chance to bring in a guy like Gresham might be too good to pass up and adding a dynamic playmaker at tight end to a core of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Beanie Wells could elevate the Cardinals offense from lethal to unstoppable.

Scouting Report

  Some of you might be thinking that the last thing the New York Giants need is another defensive end and that may be true. However, that has never stopped the G-Men in the past and this is the same organization that drafted Mathias Kiwanuka in the first round even though they already had Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck. The bottom line is that the Giants entire defensive philosophy revolves around pressuring the quarterback so they can never have enough good pass rushers. Also, keep in mind that Kiwanuka is going to be a free agent soon and financially it might be tough to keep him in the fold. On sheer talent alone Mississippi’s Greg Hardy is a legitimate Top 10 pick but character and durability concerns often overshadow his impressive blend of size (6-5, 275), speed (4.6) and athleticism. At this point Hardy is probably worth taking a chance on and the Giants could utilize the versatile sack artist at both defensive end and outside linebacker, which would really keep blockers on their toes. When it comes right down to it New York really doesn’t have any glaring needs and they will basically be drafting for depth and prepping for the future. In fact, the Giants are probably one of a select few teams that could legitimately justify going the old “Best Player Available” route and that is quite a luxury.

Scouting Report

  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 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 proposition 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. L.S.U.’s Brandon LaFell is a Dwayne Bowe-clone with excellent size and bulk and a nose for the endzone. The consensus top senior wideout prospect in the country, LaFell should come off the board at some point late in the first round or early in round two. If they decide to look elsewhere the Ravens could also use some more help at cornerback, especially if Fabian Washington leaves as a free agent in the offseason, and it might be time to start searching for a replacement for injury-prone, 30-year-old tight end Todd Heap. However, at the end of the day finding a wideout  has to be the Ravens top priority.

Scouting Report

  In recent years the Bengals have accumulated a lot of young talent on their defense, especially at linebacker, cornerback and defensive end. However, one notable exception is defensive tackle, where Domata Peko is a solid starter but there is little else to get excited about. North Carolina’s Marvin Austin was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school and he has developed into a likely first round pick during his time with the Tar Heels. An excellent athlete with good size and great strength, Austin can play both the run and pass effectively and he would give Cincy a playmaker with loads of upside in the middle. The Bengals also have some major question marks at safety so that is a strong possibility as well and despite using their most recent first round pick on Andre Smith they could still use some more reinforcements along the offensive line. The chance to add a talented defensive tackle might be too good to pass up though and the addition of a guy like Austin would give Cincinnati young cornerstones to build around on every level of their "D".

Scouting Report

  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 great shape and their rookies aren't forced to step into the starting lineup from day one. Guys like Lawrence Timmons, who is finally getting a chance to start this season after serving a two year apprenticeship, and Ziggy Hood, who is spending his rookie season as a backup, are perfect examples. A couple of years ago Pittsburgh used their first round pick on Rashard Mendenhall and it wouldn’t hurt to bring in someone like Cal’s Jahvid Best to replace the aging and injury-prone Willie Parker as the “Lightning” to Mendenhall’s “Thunder”. One of the most explosive 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 world-class speed. A threat to score each and every time he touches the ball, think of Best as a weapon along the lines of Chris Johnson. Free safety might also be a need if Ryan Clark bolts as a free agent and don’t be shocked if the Steelers just throw everyone another curve ball in the first round like  they have done the past couple of years.

Scouting Report

  On paper Philadelphia is one of the best teams in the league and they don’t appear to have many glaring holes. With that said cornerback is a position that has the potential to turn into a problem area because Ellis Hobbs is coming up on free agency and Sheldon Brown is still unhappy with his contract. 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 has struggled at times this year but he is still the top senior prospect at his position and is considered to be a first round talent. The Eagles might also be in the market for a linebacker and keep an eye on the Shawn Andrews situation too because if he doesn’t have a long-term future with the team it would create quite a big hole along their offensive line.

Scouting Report

  There is a changing of the guard taking place in New England. A perfect example is at inside linebacker where Tedy Bruschi, who was the heart and soul of all those championship defenses, has retired. Young star Jerod Mayo is entrenched as a starter but they need to bring in someone to play next to him and Florida’s Brandon Spikes would be a perfect fit. Many mock drafts will have Spikes long gone by this point but if recent history is any indication he could slide a bit on Draft Day, perhaps even out of the first round all together. Remember, nobody thought E.J. Henderson, DeMeco Ryans, Paul Posluszny, James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga would be second round picks at this point in the process either. Spikes is experienced, productive and has great instincts but he isn’t very fast and probably won't test well in workouts. Spikes also exhibits the top-notch intangibles that the Pats covet and we already know that Bill Belichick has a fondness for the players from the Gators program. New England could also be in the market for a pass rushing outside linebacker, a running back since Laurence Maroney has been a bust and Fred Taylor is in his mid-30's or perhaps a tight end to replace free agent Ben Watson. Don’t rule out an offensive tackle either because they haven't really done a great job of protecting Tom Brady lately.

Scouting Report

  After months and months of speculation the Vikings finally signed Brett Favre but he is merely a stop-gap solution, at best. Minnesota’s relentless pursuit of the future Hall of Famer was a clear sign that they didn’t have much faith in either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels so they will likely be in the market for a new signal caller in the near future. Texas’ Colt McCoy is a controversial player and while you can’t question his college resume there are still some legitimate concerns about him as a pro prospect. On the plus side he has adequate size, is an above-average athlete, extremely accurate and earns rave reviews when it comes to his leadership ability and work ethic. On the other hand he does not have a great arm and doesn’t exactly play in a pro style offense for the Longhorns. McCoy may not be the Top 10 pick that some have made him out to be but there is a chance he will come off the board late in round one. The Vikings could also be on the lookout for another defensive tackle to eventually replace 37-year-old Pat Williams and don’t rule out a versatile running back who can be a receiving threat if they lose Chester Taylor in free agency.

Scouting Report

  The Seahawks acquired this pick from the Denver Broncos in a Draft Day trade last year and even though it’s not going to be in the Top 10 overall as some initially thought it’s still nice to have multiple first rounders. Just before the start of the 2009 season the Seahawks unexpectedly released Brian Russell and while he certainly wasn’t a top of the line starter it left them with a question mark at the safety position. South Florida’s Nate Allen doesn’t get a lot of ink nationally but he is having a fantastic senior campaign and has quietly solidified himself as the #2 senior safety in this. A classic centerfielder, Allen is a playmaker with great range and he would be a nice fit alongside Deon Grant. If Allen does sneak into the latter part of round one he would be the second Bulls defensive back to do so in the past few years, joining former teammate Mike Jenkins. Seattle could also use this selection to bring in a quarterback of the future to eventually replace 34-year-old Matt Hasselbeck and with Walter Jones’ career nearing its conclusion it is probably  time  to  bring in a left tackle as well.

Scouting Report

  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. Arthur Jones doesn’t get nearly the attention that he deserves but the guy has been a shining star on some terrible Syracuse teams. A disruptive force with first-rate intangibles, Jones is just a good all-around player and in many ways he compares favorably to Steelers first round pick Ziggy Hood. The Colts might also be in the market for a left tackle since Tony Ugoh has taken a big step backwards and was finally benched in favor of Charlie Johnson, who is actually better suited to play inside at guard. Linebacker is also a concern since Gary Brackett is 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 Marlin Jackson and Antoine Bethea are going to be free agents and the Colts could opt to let one or both walk since they already gave Bob Sanders and Kelvin Hayden big money.

Scouting Report

  It seems as though New Orleans has been rumored to be looking for an upgrade at outside linebacker for years. In fact, giving the Saints a linebacker may have officially replaced old standbys such as “Offensive Tackle to Houston” and “Wide Receiver to Tennessee” as the most clichéd choice in mock drafts. Sooner or later it has to happen though, right? Scott Shanle has been a serviceable starter for New Orleans but he is clearly a weak link on their defense and Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon would provide a considerable upgrade on the weakside. Weatherspoon really is the total package and in addition to his impressive measurables he is constantly around the action and just has a knack for making the big play. There is a very good chance that Weatherspoon will be long, long gone by this point in round one but if he did somehow fall into their laps the Saints should be overjoyed. New Orleans appears to be set on the offensive side of the ball so if they did opt to go in a different direction it would still likely be all about the defense. In addition to an outside linebacker the Saints could also use some more help at defensive tackle, where Sedrick Ellis has really struggled to stay healthy and there  is  not  much  else to get excited about.