The Echo Chamber Blog

This weekend is shaping up to be a pretty good one for New England sports. The Celtics will be continuing their first round playoff series, the Red Sox will be taking on the Yankees, and the Bruins might be starting the second round of the playoffs. This weekend is also the NFL’s draft weekend.  With the Patriots having 6 picks in the top 100 they have a good opportunity to reload for another Super Bowl run. This is how I see the first 34 picks in the draft shaking out in this year’s draft.

ROUND ONE:

1. Detroit:  Matthew Stafford (QB)

The Lions obviously have many holes and could go in a few directions here, but they are currently in contract talks with Stafford and could lock him up before the draft starts. Stafford could be the quarterback the Lions have needed for years and he, along with Calvin Johnson, could lead the Lions offense for years to come.

2. St. Louis:  Jason Smith (OT)

The Rams just lost Orlando Pace and need a replacement to watch the blindside of Mark Bulger so he can actually stay on the field for an entire season. The Rams have been thin at offensive line for quite some time now and this is a good start in the rebuilding process.

3. Kansas City:  Eugene Monroe (OT)

Many people have Aaron Curry in this spot but he is not a great fit in a 3-4 defense. When Pioli was in New England building from the line out was always the priority and I see him doing the same thing in KC. Monroe, along with Brandon Alberts (last years draft pick), with provide Matt Cassel with plenty of time to throw the ball.

4. Seattle:  Aaron Curry (OLB)

Curry is far and away the best defensive player and maybe the best overall player, so him still being on the board here is somewhat of a steal. Couple that with the loss of Julian Peterson in the off-season and this makes almost too much sense.

5. Cleveland:  Brian Orakpo (DE/OLB)

Orakpo is a hybrid Defensive End/Linebacker that would seem to fit well in new coach Eric Mangini’s 3-4 system. They could end up picking a WR here if they trade Braylon Edwards.

6. Cincinnati:  Andre Smith (OT)

This seems to be the perfect marriage here — Smith is a troubled player and the Bengals are thin at tackle. Smith is a top notch talent if he can keep himself out of trouble.

7. Oakland:  Jeremy Maclin (WR)

Maclin appears to be the guy the Raiders want to go with here, not Michael Crabtree. They have been adding weapons for JaMarcus Russell over the last couple of years and Maclin is the reliable deep threat they need.

8. Jacksonville:  Michael Crabtree (WR)

The Jags just signed Torry Holt this week but they are still thin at the wide receiver position and need to give David Garrard more weapons for him to be successful. Crabtree is the most talented receiver in the draft but a slow 40 time and foot injury have him dropping. The Jags are hoping — like the Lions – the 3rd time is the charm with taking wide receivers in the first round.

9. Green Bay:  B.J. Raji (DT)

The Packers are switching to a 3-4 defense this year and need someone to anchor the middle. Raji is a prototypical defensive tackle in a 3-4, and should excel for the Packers.

10. San Francisco:  Mark Sanchez (QB)

The 49ers have been claiming all off-season that they are not in the market for a quarterback, but I’m not buying it. Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are not very good quarterbacks and if Sanchez is still available the 49ers should jump all over this pick.

11. Buffalo:  Aaron Maybin (DE/OLB)

The Bills have been looking for someone to rush the passer opposite Aaron Schobel, and Maybin is that guy. He has the quickest first step of any linebacker in the draft and his slight build has many comparing him to Jason Taylor.

12. Denver:  Brian Cushing (LB)

Denver is another team switching to the 3-4 this year, and Cushing is a guy that can play inside and outside linebacker. Cushing’s versatility and quality showing at the combine have made him a quality pick here.

13. Washington:  Everette Brown (DE/OLB)

The Redskins are thin at outside linebacker after losing Jason Taylor and Marcus Washington. Brown is a good pick here to roam the outside for the Skins, and, while he may be  inexperienced at playing linebacker, he has all the tools to get it done and be a good compliment to Andre Carter rushing the passer.

14. New Orleans:  Chris Wells (RB)

After releasing longtime Saint Deuce McAllister the team needs a power rusher to compliment Reggie Bush. Pierre Thomas did a good job filling in last year when Bush went down but I think Sean Payton prefers a bigger back to replace McAllister.

15. Houston:  Malcom Jenkins (DB)

The Texans have quietly been building a quality defense, but the secondary is still somewhat of an issue. Jenkins played corner in college but people consider him too slow to play corner in the NFL and he will probably end up playing safety. Wherever he ends up playing he is a play maker and should help to improve the Texans secondary.

16. San Diego:  Tyson Jackson (DE)

Jackson is a good fit at defensive end in the 3-4, and the Chargers have a hole there after the departure of Igor Olshanski. Jackson, Luis Castillo, and Jamal Williams will make for a quality front line.

17. New York Jets:  Josh Freeman (QB)

The Jets are very thin at the quarterback position and if they don’t trade up to grab Sanchez, Freeman seems to be the guy in this spot.

18. Denver (from Chicago):  Peria Jerry (DT)

Denver was horrible on defense last year, and, after adding Cushing earlier in the draft, Jerry would be a nice fit as the gap clogging nose guard in Denver’s new 3-4 scheme.

19. Tampa Bay:  Michael Johnson (DE)

The Buccaneers seem to really like Johnson and combining with Gaines Adams could create a potentially dangerous pass rush. Johnson has the size and the quickness to be a top 5 pick but had poor showing against quality competition like Eugene Monroe.

20. Detroit (from Dallas):  Michael Oher (OT)

After watching the Falcons last year add Matt Ryan at quarterback and Sam Baker at tackle in last years draft, the Lions follow that blueprint and hope it leads to the same success. Oher could end up being the best tackle in this draft but his stock has fallen after poor workouts, and the Lions could have a steal in this spot.

21. Philadelphia:  Knowshon Moreno (RB)

Brian Westbrook has some durability issues and isn’t getting any younger, so taking Moreno here would be a wise choice. The Eagles really like the fact that Moreno is a guy that does everything well; he is a good blocker out of the backfield, good receiver, and his power running would be a good compliment to Westbrook.

22. Minnesota:  Vontae Davis (CB)

Davis on intangibles is the best corner in the draft; he has the size and speed to be one of the best corners in the league. The only question about him is his work ethic much like his brother Vernon. Davis is also a strong tackler and could be converted to safety one day.

23. New England:  Ray Maualuga (ILB)

Maualuga had a hamstring injury and a terrible combine which has caused him to drop on many teams’ board, but you can not discount what this guy has done in 4 years at USC. Allowing him to be mentored by Tedy Bruschi will help his maturity issues, and teaming him up with Mayo for years to come will give the Pats a huge advantage at linebacker. We all know this team needs to get younger on defense and this is seems like a no brainer for me.
 
24. Atlanta:  Larry English (DE/OLB)

The Falcons lost their two outside linebackers this off-season and have just added Tony Gonzalez, so adding someone like English seems like a strong possibility. English has great athleticism but a torn pec muscle slowed his production is 2008.

25. Miami:  Clay Matthews (OLB)

The Dolphins can go in a few different directions here but I see them taking Matthews to play on the other side of Joey Porter. Matthews is an upgrade over Matt Roth and has the NFL pedigree as had father Clay Matthews Jr. and uncle Bruce Matthews had long successful careers in the league.

26. Baltimore:  Darrius Hayward-Bay (WR)

Baltimore, as usual, is pretty solid on defense but could always add some weapons for Joe Flacco. Hayward-Bay is a speed guy that would be a good compliment to Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason.

27. Indianapolis:  Evander Hood (DT)

The Colts have a big need at defensive tackle after the unexpected retirement of Quinn Pitcock and the release of Ed Johnson after off-field troubles. Hood is a terrific all around player with solid physical tools that will help stop the run and provide a solid pass rush up front for the Colts.

28. Buffalo (from Carolina through Philadelphia):  Brandon Pettigrew (TE)

Buffalo has a need at offensive tackle after the trade of Jason Peters, but there may not be any available that are worthy of being drafted here and may still be around when they make their second round pick. Pettigrew is the guy here; he is a solid blocker and a good pass catching tight end – two thing the Bills need.

29. New York Giants:  Kenny Britt (WR)

At times, Eli Manning is very inaccurate and he was missing that tall receiver to help bail him out after Plaxico Burress forgot to put the safety on and shot himself in the leg. Britt is still a little raw but his size and athleticism will be a good addition to the Giants.

30. Tennessee:  Percy Harvin (WR)

After almost pulling off an undefeated season, the Titans promptly lost their first playoff game — the most obvious reason was becasue they had no play makers on offense after Chris Johnson went down. Harvin is exactly the kind of guy the Titans need.  Any time he touches the ball he has a chance to score.

31. Arizona:  Donald Brown (RB)

The Cardinals struggled badly to run the ball most of the season last year.  They even benched Edgerrin James in the middle of the season, and Tim Hightower is not a long term solution for the Cards. Brown is a solid back and would provide an upgrade for Kurt Warner and company.

32. Pittsburgh:  Max Unger (C/G)

The Steelers don’t have many holes to fill but could use an upgrade on the offensive line. Unger is a versatile player that can fill in at both guard and center.

ROUND TWO

33. Detroit:  James Laurinaitis (ILB)

The solid draft for the Lions continues as they take Laurinaitis in this spot. Laurinaitis was a top ten pick last year if he had come out, but really regressed this year, dropping him out of the first round.

34. New England (from Kansas City):  Darius Butler (CB)

The Patriots continue to infuse younger talent on defense with the selection of Butler. The Pats are very high on Butler and might actually take him with their first round pick.

 

I’m sure there is going to be quite a few trades before and during the draft that will shake things up. Especially with guys like Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin up for grabs, but, as it stands now this is how I see it playing out.