*Writer's Note: I believe that this draft class is going to be thriving with players with excellent potential rather than players who have proven their upside. Because of this, it is likely to see a handful of players who are ranked high fall into the second round in favor of a potentially great player of the same position.



1) Oakland Raiders – QB – JaMarcus Russell – Louisiana State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Raiders’ owner Al Davis has an undeniable lust for physically-unique players. Given his previous draft decisions where he has taken players for their athletic ability over their field production, it appears that this year is no different. Russell has an incredible arm that is capable of throwing a ball down the field with relative ease where other quarterbacks may need the extra second to set their feet and square their shoulders. Russell commands the field with quiet confidence, and that rubs off well on his teammates. This quality alone is a step in the right direction for the historically character-troubled Raiders franchise. In hopes that their offense will finally find their niche, the Raiders are poised to select Russell over the scout-favored wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

- Who They Should Take: Russell is the pick that makes the most sense for this team. They are said to have strong interest in Johnson, who is considered the best player in this draft and possibly the most complete player to come into the NFL in years. Russell also is a clear favorite over quarterback Brady Quinn, whose overall abilities just do not fit into the Raiders’ offensive scheme.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: If, and only if, Russell is able to work with troubled wide receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, he will be the leader of this franchise for years to come. Al Davis has too much invested in their first overall pick to chance Russell not developing correctly. Given a new young head coach in Lane Kiffin, the possibility for Russell to command this team and build a relationship with Kiffin is high. If Russell, however, should be limited with his receiving weapons and passing opportunities, he may rely too much on his arm and force interceptions. His game is controllable by the opposition, so the Raiders need to take a new approach to their offensive game plan each week for him to truly succeed.

2) Detroit Lions – DE – Gaines Adams – Clemson University

- Why They Will Take Him: Whether it be through trading down with the Buccaneers or simply selecting him with the second overall pick, Adams is the guy for the Lions. Looking back on their first round selections since 2000, the Lions have taken only one defensive player (Ernie Sims, 2006) and have taken seven offensive players (two offensive tackles, three wide receivers, one running back and one quarterback), and interestingly, of those players, only three are still on their current active roster. Their defense has to be addressed for them to have any kind of edge over the standardizing NFC North. Adams would do well in the Lions pass rush because of head coach Rod Marinelli’s previous work with a superb pass rusher in defensive end Simeon Rice while he coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense. Against the offensive lines of the NFC North, Adams should cause havoc and be near or at the quarterback every time he throws the ball.

- Who They Should Take: It makes sense to take Adams, given their lack of a strong pass rusher for the past few years, but with a true leader like Brady Quinn still available, whose mechanics and abilities would fit very well in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s offense, they could make a better move and take him instead. Quinn is the self-driven quarterback that they could really use in their future plans, and it doesn’t help the situation that their current starting quarterback Jon Kitna is bound to retire soon. The pick would make just as much sense as their picking of Adams, however, reports claim that the Lions have spoken with Quinn previously and are not interested in acquiring him with their pick.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Adams should do very well in Detroit because the coaching staff will utilize his drive to the quarterback. Adams was not very strong at the NFL Combine, and it seemed that had he not performed wonderfully at the positional drills that he may lose some draft momentum, so he will certainly need to add strength and weight the smart way, being cautious that he does not add so much that his initial burst off the ball slows. He should be a problem for offenses for years to come.

3) Cleveland Browns – QB – Brady Quinn – Notre Dame University

- Why They Will Take Him: The Browns’ ownership have made it very clear that they want their franchise quarterback in this draft, and it seems that they are expecting the team to use the third overall pick on that quarterback. Quinn has a very attractive leadership that is going to rub off on his teammates as slightly cocky, but Quinn’s presence and understanding of his peers will carry him far with this indifferent and lacking Browns team. With a good arm and solid accuracy, including an ability to escape pressure off the tackle and make a bad situation a positive, Quinn is intriguing the Browns team. Quinn compares to a more mobile Tom Brady as far as his passing ability is concerned, with Carson Palmer’s leadership, Joey Harrington’s persistence and Marc Bulger’s poise. Anyone who could take those fantastic attributes and apply them to themselves is bound for a successful future in the NFL.

- Who They Should Take: As the ownership demands a quarterback, the coaching staff wants to take running back Adrian Peterson. After signing running back Jamal Lewis to a one-year deal, the Browns are likely not committed to him as their future running back. Peterson is one of the top three best players in this draft, given his outstanding size (6’2”, 215lbs) and lavish productivity while at Oklahoma. Cleveland needs to think about this decision hard, because this could result in head coach Romeo Crennel’s eventual firing and a complete revision of the coaching staff. Offensive tackle Joe Thomas is also a consideration, but they need to find a playmaker for this team.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Quinn should do well with the Browns. Quinn’s college coach, Charlie Weis, was a coach alongside Romeo Crennel while the two were with the New England Patriots, and Weis should be able to, if he already hasn’t, inform Crennel of Quinn’s strengths and weaknesses. Quinn won’t need much time to adjust to the NFL, which may set him a year or two ahead of the rest of the quarterbacks in this draft, but the only real threats would be a poor offensive line and an inability to distract the defense with the running game. If the Browns become one-dimensional and are holding their breath while their franchise quarterback is getting pummeled, Quinn will struggle greatly.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR – Calvin Johnson – Georgia Tech University

- Why They Will Take Him: It’s a fact that the Buccaneers covet Johnson in every aspect of his playing ability and character. Their offense has struggled to find two consistent starting wide receivers ever since they won the Super Bowl back in the 2002 season. After the Buccaneers signed quarterback Chris Simms to a large, two-year deal, and went out and gathered quarterback Jeff Garcia from free agency, they need to have a weapon for them to throw to. Johnson is unbelievable with his field presence and can make any big play that is presented to him. The best overall player in this draft would truly be a steal here, and the Buccaneers may even need to trade up to get him, but one way or another, Johnson is going to be a Buccaneer.

- Who They Should Take: Without a doubt, Johnson is the right pick. Gaines Adams has already been taken, and no other player whom they would like to select is worth a top ten pick. Johnson is the unquestioned answer.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: He may try to do too much in his first year while in the league when he needs to find what works and how to get past defenders, so his rookie season may present an adjustment period. In the long run, Johnson should pan out well for the Buccaneers and become a star wide receiver in the NFL for years to come. His playmaking ability is simply too strong for him to fail.

5) Arizona Cardinals – OT – Joe Thomas – University of Wisconsin

- Why They Will Take Him: After losing the underachieving offensive tackle Leonard Davis to the Cowboys and their history of having a poor offensive line year after year, bring in Thomas is the no-brainer pick. Thomas led the way for the Wisconsin Badgers’ rushing game the past two seasons; paving way for high-yardage seasons for both running backs. Thomas’ lower body is very quick and he had one of the most impressive showings at the NFL Combine this year. With Arizona needing an offensive tackle to secure quarterback Matt Leinart’s blindside and help their running game going, Thomas will be wearing the red and white.

- Who They Should Take: Arizona’s biggest needs coming into the draft lie at offensive tackle, defensive end and safety. Taking either Thomas, defensive end Adam Carriker, or safety LaRon Landry would be smart, so the Cardinals really can’t mess this pick up. It appears that if they place the three players in order of their potential, Thomas would top the list.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Thomas is the only player in this draft who is going to be able to sustain a consistent domination for the next ten to twelve years. His ability to dominate in the rushing game and provide adequate support in the passing game will certainly pan out well for the Cardinals and will keep Thomas among the top tackles in the NFL.

6) Washington Redskins – S – LaRon Landry – Louisiana State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is very active with bringing blitz packages from all over the field. Landry has shown that he is fast enough and a strong enough player to make the Redskins’ blitzes effective. Landry’s talent has been noticeable ever since his sophomore year at LSU; bringing hard hits with every receiver coming across the field; and Landry would bring a very difficult presence to the safety position alongside safety Sean Taylor. Not only is Landry an elite safety prospect in this draft, but he could convert to play cornerback should the Redskins need him to.

- Who They Should Take: Despite the Redskins wishes to trade down, they may end up having to pick a player here that is of a lower value to them. LaRon Landry would be a great pick for them because with Landry alongside Pro Bowler Sean Taylor, the Redskins could dominate against the run and have multiple blitz packages installed. Defensive end Adam Carriker would be a good option if they do not feel that Landry is

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Landry may have to take a backseat to Taylor for the first year or two, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he is not going to be productive, it merely means that he will not be used as effectively as Taylor will be. As long as Gregg Williams stays as this team’s defensive mastermind, they should continue to blitz and reshape their defensive scheme week to week. Landry’s future with the Redskins is positive, but it’s unclear just how well he will do, because if he does convert to playing cornerback, his hard-hitting play may be minimized to an aggressive jam-at-the-line cornerback.

7) Minnesota Vikings – RB – Adrian Peterson – University of Oklahoma

- Why They Will Take Him: Possibly the most accomplished college running back to never finish a season healthy, Peterson is just too good for the Vikings to pass over. Even with the up-and-coming power rusher Chester Taylor leading the team in rushing last year, the Vikings are not in a great position offensively. Taylor is not the kind of running back who is going to break off big plays and alongside Peterson, he could create an incredible tandem that the NFL has seen become a successful trend in the past few years. Peterson has the potential to be one of the few elite players in this draft to make themselves an NFL superstar, and he may end up falling to this spot, which would be a call for the Vikings to select him.

- Who They Should Take: Any defensive back that they would have on the top of their big board or an offensive tackle would do wonders for this team who has failed to achieve what they’re capable of, but Peterson is such an outstanding steal at this spot that they would be making a better decision by taking him. Cornerback Leon Hall, offensive tackle Levi Brown, and if LaRon Landry were to fall; these would be the other names in consideration at this point in the draft for the Vikings, but, because potential is taken so much more seriously than it once was, Peterson is the best pick for the Vikings.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Peterson has had a history of injuries, which may end up ending one of his seasons early in his career, but given the right opportunities, he could step in after his second year in the NFL and be an absolute monster, much like Chiefs’ running back Larry Johnson had done. Peterson is likely to have a very successful, and anything short of success for him would be failure.

8) Atlanta Falcons (f/ Houston Texans) – OT – Levi Brown – Penn State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Reports have stated that the Falcons are extremely interested in moving up in a trade to acquire Calvin Johnson, however, if things do not work out for them, their attention will focus on the offensive line. New head coach Bobby Petrino has a new rushing scheme that he’s bringing to the Falcons, but if they are going to accomplish his goal of establishing a bigger, more aggressive running game, they will need to bring in a tackle they can mold into this setting. Brown is an offensive tackle who can dominate defenses with his size and power, which is intriguing for the Falcons. Selecting Brown is where the Falcons will go without Johnson or LaRon Landry dropping.

- Who They Should Take: Atlanta’s problems are with executing their game plans because their talent is dwindling in areas where they’ve already had holes. Safety, defensive line, wide receiver; all of these positions could use a makeover much more than their offensive line, however, if Bobby Petrino is going to get his rushing strategy established, he will need a guy who can anchor the line for years to come. Brown is not the best pick, although if the Falcons were to take defensive tackle Amobi Okoye or defensive end Jamaal Anderson, they would be even less of a good decision, but with the next two teams in this draft in need of an offensive tackle to lead their offense, taking Brown would not be a bad move.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Brown is very inconsistent with his effectiveness against the pass and even more so against the run, so whether he projects well and has a successful NFL career will lie on his shoulders. The Falcons coaching staff will need to work with Brown for a while and find out what makes him inconsistent in order to eliminate any possibility of faltering in games. Brown should do fine but he has a high possibility of becoming a bust.

9) Miami Dolphins – DE – Adam Carriker – University of Nebraska

- Why They Will Take Him: Carriker has a non-stop motor that is driven by his great pursuit for the ball. He is the kind of defensive end that this aging defense can rely on to sustain his position against the run and provide pressure against the pass. Comparisons to former defensive end Grant Winstrom have highly favored Carriker; the upside that Carriker showed in the Senior Bowl and at his individual workouts were great influences on his draft standing. With Carriker’s versatility along the defensive line, he will be highly coveted by teams who could need at defensive tackle in a year or two. The Dolphins will enjoy using Carriker in their defensive schemes and hopefully this pick will allow their front seven to get some blitz pressure in the middle that they achieved on the outside in 2006.

- Who They Should Take: The Dolphins have obvious needs on their offensive line and at cornerback, but taking Carriker here is not a bad choice. Their other option would be to consider cornerback Darrelle Revis, who could come in and not only play cornerback very proficiently, but he can work at returning kicks, which is a need with wide receiver Wes Welker now gone. Carriker slightly favors Revis in the fact that he can work in their defense at multiple positions and will bring his high-octane, unforgiving motor to the team.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Carriker may be a reach within the top ten, but he has the ability to work well in Miami. He is strong and has a pretty good inside burst that most teams would need to teach rookies coming into the NFL. Although Carriker may not have the flashy statistics that Gaines Adams will likely have, he will be an important anchor on this defensive front seven. A good pick with good potential will lead to a bright future for Carriker.

10) Houston Texans (f/ Atlanta Falcons) – CB – Leon Hall – University of Michigan

- Why They Will Take Him: If the Texans are going to compete with the other teams in the AFC South, they are going to have to bring in a cover corner who can take a wide receiver out of the play, and Hall is the best overall cornerback in this draft. Drawing comparisons to great NFL cornerbacks like Ty Law, Antoine Winfield and Antrel Rolle, Hall is a great player. He played against quality competition while in college, and at the NFL Combine, he proved doubters wrong by running in the 4.3-4.4 second range in the 40 yard dash. Hall can come in and tandem with cornerback Dunta Robinson to keep the AFC South’s very unique passing game held down.

- Who They Should Take: It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Texans select Hall, but not taking Amobi Okoye would be a mistake that, even though it may not end up a critical mistake, it will be a mistake nonetheless. Okoye has an incredible amount of potential that a team is going to love to use. Even with Houston ranking in the bottom fourth in overall pass defense last year, they have an opportunity to improve their front seven and have four young, talented players who can torment the defense for years. Hall is a mistake and Okoye should be the pick.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Even though Okoye would have a great career in Houston, Hall is likely to have one that is just as good if not better. Hall is one of the most complete players in this draft, and he can cover the quality wide receivers that he will compete with in the NFL. Alongside Robinson, Hall will pose a threat to make a big play or put a big hit on the receiver. That is something most NFL teams are not going to see lightly, and may try to shy away from his side of the field.

11) San Francisco 49ers – DT – Alan Branch – University of Michigan

- Why They Will Take Him: Branch is a big defensive tackle who is able to work well as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense or could be used on the strong side of a 4-3 defense. In this case, his size and power will be utilized to keep the NFC West at bay. The 49ers’ division has all four teams sporting Pro Bowl running backs with relatively average offensive lines, and if San Francisco does not place a big man in the middle of their defense to prevent any rushes up the middle by running backs Edgerrin James and Steven Jackson, they will be leaving open a large hole.

- Who They Should Take: The 49ers would like for Adam Carriker to fall to them, but if he is gone then Branch is the right selection. He has been called a slacker who does not finish plays, but if head coach Mike Nolan can establish a system where Branch is able to regain his endurance and play around 60% to 70% of the defensive snaps his first year or two, he will be a good pick. It’s unfortunate that the 49ers don’t have a player to take who just jumps out as far as value is concerned, but they make a poor situation positive.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Branch will be able to overcome scrutiny and is likely to be used on first and second down, including short yardage plays, but will sit out third downs to give him a breather. This will keep him from wearing down early in the game and eventually giving way to the double team. Branch is not going to be an elite defensive tackle in the NFL, but he can use his size to his advantage and have a career much like defensive tackle Casey Hampton has had.

12) Buffalo Bills – ILB – Patrick Willis – University of Mississippi

- Why They Will Take Him: After losing outside linebacker Takeo Spikes and inside linebacker London Fletcher-Baker this off-season, the Bills are lacking a linebacker who can make anything happen. Willis is a guy who could actually go as high as six to the Redskins, and he is the defensive commander who many teams would love to have. He is a classic do-it-all linebacker who could possibly move outside if needed. Willis is an outstanding player who has everything a team needs, and the Bills are getting a steal here, because his value and potential to lead a defense place him in the top ten overall.

- Who They Should Take: Unquestionably, the right answer is Willis. Talks that the Bills may take running back Marshawn Lynch are long gone, and with head coach Dick Jauron bringing in running back Anthony Thomas last year, a player whom he coached while in Chicago, is hoping that he can reconnect and get Thomas back to the form he had while in Chicago, where he had the best seasons of his career under Jauron. Willis is simply the most dead-on pick since Tampa Bay selected Calvin Johnson.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Willis is likely to be the leader of the Bills hole-filled defense for years to come. As of now, they have holes at cornerback, outside linebacker and defensive end, so if they are able to fill those holes effectively within the next two seasons, Willis should be able to form a leadership role with his teammates. A possible Pro Bowl caliber player, Willis is going to be successful in the NFL.

13) St. Louis Rams – CB – Darrelle Revis – University of Pittsburgh

- Why They Will Take Him: One of the best coverage cornerbacks in this draft, Revis is a commodity for teams like the Rams who could use a player to stay on the receivers. They drafted cornerback Tye Hill last year and as so far pleased with his production, so in an attempt to finally solidify the cornerback position, something which they’ve failed to do for years, they select Revis. He has good size and has shown a very fast straightaway speed, which will help if he should falter in covering the burner receivers. Much like the Texans, the Rams take a great young cornerback who they hope will create an effective tandem.

- Who They Should Take: With Amobi Okoye and Jamaal Anderson still available, it seems foolish to take anyone other than them, but Revis is indeed a wise decision. Against the improving passing games with unique receiving weapons, Revis can make sure the Rams aren’t destroyed for big plays. Granted the Rams don’t need a cornerback as badly as they need a pass rusher or a run stuffer, but they have a better chance to snag a quality pass rusher in round two or three than they do a good coverage cornerback.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Revis should do well in St. Louis. Whether or not he will be a major impact is going to be unknown until we see him play a few games in the NFL, but he has the ability to do a great job as a starting cornerback in the NFL. His talents are clouded by a lack of analyzable information, including an undervaluing of his performance in college, so there may be a large amount of people in the NFL wishing they had considered him in a few years.

14) Carolina Panthers – TE – Greg Olsen – University of Miami (FL)

- Why They Will Take Him: Ranking 27^th in total offense in 2006 is horrible for a team who was an expected Super Bowl contender. If they are going to improve upon that statistic, they need to go out and draft Olsen, who is going to be able to open up the field and give quarterback Jake Delhomme an opportunity to get the ball to another target. Olsen was never really used effectively in college, being limited because of offensive struggles by the Miami running game and quarterback situation, so he may be better than some think he is. He showed his athleticism at the NFL Combine and was able to place himself in a position where Carolina will take him.

- Who They Should Take: Olsen is the right pick for an offense who is struggling to find escape routes and effective execution. The Panthers could use a safety, but if they do not feel that safety Reggie Nelson is worth a pick this high, they may wait to see how the lower rounds work in their favor.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Olsen is probably going to be an important part of the Panthers’ offense, but the possibility of him ever jumping into a star role like tight ends Jeremy Shockey or Todd Heap have is questionable. He has good athletic ability and can catch the ball well, but he does not seem to be an engaging blocker and may be only effective as a receiver. Time will certainly tell just how well Olsen does in the NFL.

15) Pittsburgh Steelers – DE – Jarvis Moss – University of Florida

- Why They Will Take Him: By giving outside linebacker Joey Porter the boot, the Steelers have opened a hole in their defense that has to be filled if they are going to contend this season. Moss has been reportedly favored by the Steelers organization and he is one of the best defensive ends who can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the draft. Moss was an effective playmaker in college who performed well in his off-season workouts and has definitely stepped his draft stock up into the top half of this draft. With new head coach Mike Tomlin looking to work with this defense, selecting Moss makes sense.

- Who They Should Take: The Steelers would be smart to look over the entire list of 3-4 hybrid linebackers and take a hard consideration for defensive end/outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley. It would be the first big reach in the first round, but he is absolutely monumental in his games with Michigan. He has the big play ability that the Steelers would like to have. Also, considering outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons would be a smart move as well, but Woodley is just an absolute player.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Moss is going to have a tough time in Pittsburgh if he has his size taken advantage of. With a height of over 6’6” and weighing 250 pounds, Moss is a very big player who may be taken over by oncoming blockers. He needs to be able to drop his hips and play as a player who is 6’2” or less, and if he cannot do that, he will not succeed in the role that the Steelers are expecting him to play.

 16) Green Bay Packers – S – Michael Griffin – University of Texas

- Why They Will Take Him: Since 2000, the Packers have had a constant hole at safety. After repetitive tries to fill one safety spot or the other, they are going to solve their problems with the aggressive wrecking ball that Griffin is. After an impressive career at Texas, Griffin has shown that he can instill a big hit on the receivers while providing an effective cover border between the numbers. Green Bay’s defense is getting younger, but as they have brought in younger talent, they also have improved a great deal in the last few years, and by bringing in Griffin, they may have the final piece to the puzzle for getting them to the playoffs again. Green Bay needs Griffin’s strong plays to bolster their defense as well, because if Griffin can come to take care of the run and tight ends while the other safety Nick Collins can drop back into coverage, the Packers would be very effective.

- Who They Should Take: The Packers have to take a running back, but the fantastic running back depth in the second round may persuade them to take Griffin. Marshawn Lynch is a guy who would fit very well into their system and could be a “do everything” kind of player, and if the Packers are able to ignore his character concerns, they would be wise to select him here. Until then, Griffin is the right pick. Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett may also be considered by the Packers, who made a serious attempt at trading for Raiders’ wide receiver Randy Moss, and Jarrett’s outstanding ability of making big plays would be an iatrical part of the Packers’ offense, but, as stated before, Griffin fills a need that has been open for too long.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Griffin would have a very bright future in Green Bay if he is able to stay away from injuries that may result from his hard-hitting style tackling. With the Packers, Griffin would be used as a coverage player who moves up against short yardage plays while Nick Collins moves back as a zone coverage safety. Griffin will do well as long as he can stay away from possible injury.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars – DE – Jamaal Anderson – University of Arkansas

- Why They Will Take Him: Anderson is a player who has very different abilities from the other defensive ends in this draft, but he will fall to the Jaguars because of the fear that he may have just had a great year of college football and nothing more. Anderson compares to a heavier version of Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse and could realistically play a role like Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour. Jacksonville has had a questionable defensive end unit and could take advantage of their very good front seven by bringing Anderson in and putting him to use in multiple ways.

- Who They Should Take: As safety is their key need, they should really address that before they address defensive end. Even though Anderson is tough to pass up here, taking safety Reggie Nelson would be a great way for them to make sure the future of their defense is safe.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Anderson is somewhat of a project player, but that shouldn’t affect the Jaguars since they’ve drafted two project players since 2005 (wide receiver Matt Jones and offensive tackle Khalif Barnes). Anderson’s productivity will be interesting to follow, and if he works on getting faster and stronger, he could end up being a very good defensive end.

18) Cincinnati Bengals – CB – Chris Houston – University of Arkansas

- Why They Will Take Him: During his junior season, Houston was able to shut down several great wide receivers to an unproductive game. Cincinnati needs to find a cornerback in day one who can come in and put a jam on the receivers who have been able to get away from coverage. Houston is a very physical cornerback who likes to jam the receivers at the line and use his speed to stay with them down the sideline. At the NFL Combine he helped his cause by running in the 4.3’s and was very impressive physically. Cincinnati can team him up with last year’s first round pick cornerback Jonathan Joseph and they will be effective in the growingly-competitive AFC North.

- Who They Should Take: Houston is a cornerback who is too much of a chance to take, especially considering his cocky attitude and their overwhelming character problem. Not only is Houston not the right pick, it is not the right position. Amobi Okoye needs to be the pick here, because he has too much potential to pass over and at this pick in the draft, he is a huge steal. Their defensive ends are not getting any younger or better, and Okoye will prevent the Ravens and Steelers from using their high-caliber rushing attacks that are coming this upcoming season.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: The comparisons to former Packers cornerback Ahmad Carroll are scary, and Houston had not proven enough to warrant himself into a top twenty spot. Houston may struggle if beaten and could end up with the same fate Carroll was given last season by being cut, but in light of Houston’s high-bust potential, he should be a solid playmaker on the defense.

19) Tennessee Titans – RB – Marshawn Lynch – University of California

- Why They Will Take Him: Tennessee knows that they have something going with quarterback Vince Young leading the offense, but their running back situation is unfavorably limited, and if they can bring Lynch in, they will have a very effective duo by putting him alongside running back LenDale White. Lynch has one of the best cutbacks and change-of-direction ability of any player in this draft, and he is built big enough to take on oncoming tacklers. Head coach Jeff Fisher has trust in his players, and if he is able to overcome the legitimate character issues that Lynch brings with him, the two can work well together and Lynch will find himself racking up big plays in Tennessee.

- Who They Should Take: Tennessee really needs to take a defensive end, and here’s why. Their one-and-out defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch is no longer a reliable pass rusher, and since they’ve lost Jevon Kearse, they have struggled up front with their pressure on the quarterback. Given the fact that the top defensive end talent has already been taken, Lynch is not a bad pick, but if they selected underrated defensive ends Tim Crowder or Quentin Moses, they would be addressing a more pressing need.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Lynch is most likely going to play first and second down while LenDale White plays short yardage and the two split third down plays, so Lynch’s productivity is possibly going to be limited his first few years in the NFL. His outstanding catching ability is going to benefit him and will lead to his use all over the field, and this career could hinge on how much time he gets compared with White.

20) New York Giants – OT – Joe Staley – Central Michigan University

- Why They Will Take Him: The Giants released offensive tackle Luke Petigout this off-season and if they are going to keep quarterback Eli Manning off his back this year, they will bring in the very impressive Staley. His footwork and sustained blocking ability will work very well in the Giants’ scheme. Staley is high on many teams’ boards and is even considered better than Levi Brown in many cases, but being selected here is very adequate for his potential. The Giants are getting a guy who can control the pass rush and clear lanes for the power running game.

- Who They Should Take: One of the Giants many needs does lie on the offensive line, and their other needs include outside linebacker, cornerback and wide receiver. Staley would be a great pick for the Giants, but if they chose to select wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, outside linebacker Jon Beason, or cornerback Eric Wright, they would not be making a mistake. Anyone could end up being a good pick for the Giants.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Staley likely will last a long time with the Giants. He needs work on staying low and engaging the defender because he tends to watch for a first step or movement, so if he can master the art of setting low and driving, he will be in the Pro Bowl at least once in his career.

21) Denver Broncos - DT – Amobi Okoye – University of Louisville

- Why They Will Take Him: For Okoye to fall to the Broncos, they would have to reconsider taking someone else and revert their attention toward this prospect with perennial potential. At 19 years of age, Okoye has been able to show how mature and focused he is, with a strong discipline shown through the off-season with gaining weight for scouts and showing his impressive speed and strength at the NFL Combine. The Broncos have had defensive tackle problems tracing back to before defensive tackle Daryl Gardener’s attitude problem, and if the Broncos can bring in Okoye in hopes that two or three years from now he can be a force in the middle, then they will take no time to make this selection.

- Who They Should Take: Defensive end Anthony Spencer would be a very nice fit, as would Lawrence Timmons or Jon Beason, but Okoye is the best player available and has been for over eight picks now. With depth at linebacker and defensive end in the second and third rounds, they would not be hurting their draft goals by taking Okoye.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Throughout this draft, it will be hard to find another player who has such promise and potential for success as Okoye has. He can be an effective defensive lineman whether they stay with the 4-3 defense or if they indeed switch to a 3-4 hybrid defense, and by the time his rookie contract expires, he could be only 24 years old, which is the age many rookies enter the NFL, so Okoye’s future is undeniably bright. The worst case scenario for Okoye would be that the is overwhelmed by double teams and ends up fading out of plays, but as long as he gets bigger and more powerful, that shouldn’t be a problem.

22) Dallas Cowboys – S – Reggie Nelson – University of Florida

- Why They Will Take Him: Alongside safety Roy Williams, Nelson would be an interesting tool to use in coverage while Williams is moved up toward the line of scrimmage. Nelson is an intriguing prospect who does most things well and has a handful of great properties within his game. Nelson is fast enough to cover and is pretty good run support. Dallas has needed a safety to work alongside Williams for quite a while now, and for Nelson to slip to them, he would be an immediate selection.

- Who They Should Take: Nelson appears to be the right choice for the Cowboys, but there is one player who fits the Cowboys’ offense just perfectly, and that is wide receiver Robert Meachem. He would do wonders in the offense, and even with the Cowboys’ worries over their secondary, Meachem may end up being a more coveted pick. Nelson isn’t a bad decision, but Meachem simply fits this team like a shoe.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Nelson may end up having a better career than Michael Griffin, and Nelson certainly is on a team with a better defense, but whether the coaches use his coverage skills to their fullest ability is up to them. At worst, Nelson will fail to support against the pass over the middle, but he will not be a complete bust while in Dallas.

23) Kansas City Chiefs – WR – Ted Ginn Jr. – Ohio State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Having just recently traded wide receiver Dante Hall to the Rams, the Chiefs are in need of not only a wide receiver, but also a kick returner. Ginn’s return ability alone could warrant teams in the first round to consider his use on their roster. After Chicago kick returner Devin Hester made such a monumental impact on so many games, teams around the NFL are taking kick returning as a serious consideration in the draft. Ginn could end up playing either wide receiver or cornerback in the NFL, so the Chiefs could utilize that versatility and try him at multiple positions on both sides of the ball.

- Who They Should Take: Ginn makes sense here and could actually be the best pick available at this point in the draft. His value is constantly going up and down, so if the Chiefs feel confident with this pick, it is the best one to make.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: For a player’s career to hinge on their special teams ability, they need to make major plays week to week or at least a handful a year, and it doesn’t seem like that is going to be a problem for Ginn. He will do well at returning kicks, but at wide receiver he may struggle and his size will get the best of him.

24) New England Patriots (f/ Seattle Seahawks) – OLB – Lawrence Timmons – Florida State University

- Why They Will Take Him: New England likes to take players who they can mold into a product of their system, and Timmons is one of the rawest players who could be taken in the first round. His instincts are one of the best attributes about him, and he could end up really developing into a quality linebacker in a few years. The Patriots’ linebackers are aging quickly, and with their loss of outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain this off-season, they will be looking to ensure that their linebackers will not diminish over time. Timmons could end up going anywhere between pick 13 or pick 29, and one thing is for sure: whoever gets him is going to have a good projective linebacker to work on and find out just how good he is.

- Who They Should Take: The Patriots have two first rounders, so to say Timmons is a bad pick would be ignorant, but they really could do themselves a service by picking safety Brandon Meriweather. Despite Meriweather’s character problems, he is a very good, very affective player in the secondary. Timmons may be a better pick later in the draft where teams will have passed over him, and Meriweather is likely to be taken before they pick at 28. Meriweather should be the pick.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Timmons’ future is up in the air. He has good instincts but is not fortified as a starter for the team and may never end up being one. The Patriots have to work with Timmons on his tackling and understanding their 3-4 defense if they expect him to succeed.

25) New York Jets – DT – Justin Harrell – University of Tennessee

- Why They Will Take Him: After trading up to select defensive tackle Dwayne Robertson in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Jets have had inconsistent play inside their defensive ends. Harrell has been shooting up teams’ draft boards and his potential to make a big impact will carry him to the Jets. He follows a line of successful defensive tackles to come out of Tennessee, including Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson and Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The Jets could definitely use an upgrade at defensive end, and head coach Eric Mangini is not going to ignore weak points on their roster.

- Who They Should Take: It would make sense to take Harrell, but they could wait until round two to try for one who is likely to slip to the bottom of round two. With the pick here, the Jets would be smart to take a cornerback like Eric Wright or a wide receiver like Robert Meachem. Both would be a bigger impact on the team, but Harrell could end up filling an overlooked position, so any of those players would work well.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Harrell may not be effective in the NFL because of his above average but not great impact along the Volunteers’ defensive line. The Jets’ lack of pursuit by the defensive line last season should be improved with Harrell, but he is certainly not going to be a star in the NFL.

26) Philadelphia Eagles – S – Brandon Meriweather – University of Miami (FL)

- Why They Will Take Him: Having lost safety Michael Lewis to free agency this off-season, the Eagles are in need of a player who can come in and make an impact very quickly. Meriweather has a nose for the football and would be an excellent understudy to safety Brian Dawkins. The Eagles need a defensive playmaker as well, so Meriweather is the all-in-all selection, despite his incidents in the past, which should be considered, but not dwelled upon.

- Who They Should Take: Meriweather is the right pick. Despite issues at the linebacker position, the Eagles would be foolish to pass up a player who has such intriguing potential with an already-proven resume.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: It may lie on how Meriweather handles himself off the field, and it might also lie on the fact that he had some inconsistent games in college, but Meriweather does not seem to be the kind of breakout player the Eagles are expecting. Sure, Meriweather is going to play and support the secondary, but he may not do it as well and they think. Meriweather is overrated for his skills and underrated because of his personality, but overall, he looks to have a good to average career.

27) New Orleans Saints – CB – Aaron Ross – University of Texas

- Why They Will Take Him: One of the biggest flaws in the Saints’ run for the Super Bowl last year was their horrible play by cornerback Fred Thomas and the lack of support by the safeties down the field. Ross is a player who had a fantastic season last year and has shown an ability to play at a professional level. He is fast, has good technique, and could eventually be a good cover cornerback. The Saints are in need of finding that final piece that will get them into the Super Bowl, and Ross may be the guy to come in and work things out.

- Who They Should Take: Any cornerback that they find best suited, they should take. Cornerbacks Marcus McCauley, Eric Wright, Tanard Jackson and Ross would all do well with being taken here, and the Saints could definitely use a player who has a good blend of size and speed to cover the field. Ross is a good pick for them.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Anyone who watched how productive Ross was last season would have to argue that he will have a great NFL career, but if he is unable to cover the newly-incoming receiving threats in the NFC South, he will likely not be with the Saints. He needs to work on his ability to stay with the receiver downfield if he is going to have a successful NFL campaign. Ross is hit or miss, and that’s mainly because of the team he’s on.

28) New England Patriots – ILB – David Harris – University of Michigan

- Why They Will Take Him: The idea that the Patriots will pick two linebackers in round one is very optimistic, but they are bound to look toward the future at linebacker in this draft. Harris, an underrated prospect from Michigan, has a slightly-smaller size than some may prefer, and he may not be the best player potential-wise, but he is a great tackler who can take on any ball carrier and bring them to the ground. If paired with Lawrence Timmons, the Patriots will have a highly-effective future on the defense.

- Who They Should Take: It appears that they really like Harris and are going to take him somewhere in the first round, but they may want to take outside linebacker Paul Posluszny instead. Posluszny is a proven tackler who will make a difference on day one, even though he may wait for a while to get himself established as a starter.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Harris may play out well for the Patriots. Their coaching staff will work to get him prepared for starting when inside linebacker Teddy Bruschi leaves the game. Harris is not potentially great, but his impact for the Patriots is probably going to be felt. He should do well in New England.

29) Baltimore Ravens – OG – Justin Blalock – University of Texas

- Why They Will Take Him: Aging offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and their patchwork, although good, offensive line need to be considered in the first round. Blalock was one of the most dominating offensive linemen during his career at Texas. A wide-bodied player with an aggressive side, Blalock would work well in head coach Bill Bellick’s offensive “power rush” scheme. Blalock would be able to block for newly-acquired running back Willis McGahee and could eventually be labeled one of the NFL’s best linemen.

- Who They Should Take: Blalock without a doubt. Lawrence Timmons would be an outstanding pick if he fell, as would Anthony Spencer, but Blalock has the ability to carry on with this offensive line for ten to twelve years. The Ravens would be making a mistake to take anyone other than Blalock given their situation.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Blalock may be the most likely player in the bottom half of the first round to have a stellar career. Working in Baltimore will do wonders for him, and if he can get stronger and more agile, he could dominate the 4-3 defensive tackles. Blalock is bound to have a successful career in Baltimore, and they’re glad to have him there.

30) San Diego Chargers – WR – Dwayne Bowe – Louisiana State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Bowe fits well in San Diego, where he can use his finesse and good ball-catching ability to his fullest advantage. The Chargers need another offensive weapon for quarterback Phillip Rivers, and if Bowe is available here, the pick will be a no brainer. Bowe had a fantastic off-season and his Senior Bowl performance single-handedly brought him up to be a first round consideration.

- Who They Should Take: Either Robert Meachem or Bowe would be adequate picks for San Diego. They’d love to see Brandon Meriweather fall to them, but if he is taken earlier, they will be selecting a wide receiver. Either player would work out for them.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Bowe may end up being only a product of LSU’s offensive system, which would be a problem for the Chargers, but because he had such a great off-season and showed that he is all-around a good player, he should have a good career with the Chargers.

31) Chicago Bears – TE - Ben Patrick – University of Delaware

- Why They Will Take Him: Patrick is one of the players who is likely to go in round two but has round one potential, and the Bears are very well off on the defense. By bringing in an effective weapon like Patrick, the Bears would be taking quarterback Rex Grossman out of having to force the ball all the time, thus giving the team a better chance for first downs instead of turnovers. Patrick compares with very important tight ends like Dallas’ tight end Jason Whitten and Atlanta’s tight end Alge Crumpler. Given Patrick’s positive attitude, the Bears would not be passing over this quality tight end.

- Who They Should Take: It would be interesting to see the Bears decide between a wide receiver like Robert Meachem and a tight end like Ben Patrick, but it will come down to how solidified the Bears feel their wide receivers are and how well of a chance they will have in round two to take one. Patrick is a good pick here, and although he is a little higher than expected, the pick will not endure much scrutiny.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: Patrick will do very well in his NFL career. The possibility that he could take off and become an NFL star is average, and if he can overcome his shorter stature and take the middle away from the linebackers, he will be a great weapon in Chicago.

32) Indianapolis Colts – OLB – Paul Posluszny – Penn State University

- Why They Will Take Him: Losing outside linebacker Cato June is a problem for the Colts, and by addressing the hole with Posluszny is the right thing to do. For Posluszny to fall to them would be a great steal and could eventually lead to their linebacker corps having a strong leader for years to come. Posluszny is a player who has shown what he is fully capable of while in college, which may hurt his draft stock slightly, because the players with great potential are going to slotted higher than the proven athletes. One of the most accomplished linebackers to come out of college football, he will look to improve the Colts’ horrid rush defense while commanding the field.

- Who They Should Take: At this spot, Posluszny is going to be a steal, and the Colts are in need of an outside linebacker who can step in right away and potentially lead them back to the Super Bowl. Taking Posluszny or Jon Beason would be wise decisions, and in this case, the Penn State linebacker is a guy with great abilities, and the Colts will be making a smart decision.

- How He Plays Out For The Team: If he works as effectively a he did in college, Posluszny could end up having a great career in Indianapolis. His “boxy” hip movement is not going to damage his productivity in the NFL, and by keeping healthy, Posluszny could make a name for himself. Like it will for many other athletes, time will tell just how good he really is.