OK so since the NFL has decided to only do the first round tomorrow that is what we'll be tackling in this article. I'm going to run down both the needs and the likely first picks of every team in the draft:
1. St. Louis Rams (1-15): QB, Sam Bradford
Needs: Just about everything except running back... Seriously though: QuarterBack, Defensive Tackle, CornerBack, Offensive-Line, Outside LineBacker, Defensive End, Wide Receiver, Tight End, 2nd Running Back
Since the Rams will probably be unable to trade out of this pick and they have so many needs they will probably try and fill the most prominent one and go with quarterback Sam Bradford. Not the safe pick but the pick that has to be made for the fans and for the franchise moving forward.
2. Detroit Lions (2-14): DT, Ndamukong Suh
Needs: Defense...the entirety, O-Line
Reports constantly come out about the Lions trying to trade this pick but I once again don't think that's extremely likely. There's also rumors that offensive tackle might be the pick here but I think that if the Lions don't move down, they will try and take the consensus best player in the draft. The recent trade of first round pick Ernie Sims indicate that the Lions may be looking at a revolution on the defensive end.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13): DT, Gerald McCoy
Needs: Defensive-Line, CB, WR, O-line, Safety
Best player on the board as well as one of the Bucs biggest needs. Tampa Bay must have been celebrating since the first day the rumors of Sam Bradford being the first pick began. They are the real winners in St. Louis's pick.
4. Washington Redskins (4-12): OT, Trent Williams
Needs: O-line, WR, OLB, Middle LineBacker, complementary S or CB
I'm under the strong opinion that the Redskins will definitely trade out of this spot to get more draft picks since after the McNabb trade they were left with only 4 picks with a lot of needs to fill. If not I expect them to make an attempt to protect McNabb's backside and take a tackle. Weeks ago people thought the first tackle off the board should be Russell Okung but the rumblings and momentum of Trent Williams might actually win out in this spot.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12): S, Eric Berry
Needs: O-line, S, MLB, Nose Tackle, CB, OLB, TE
The Chiefs fill one of its biggest needs in grabbing one of the best athletes in the draft in Eric Berry. If you are going to rebuild your defense why not start with a game changing safety some say is in the mold of Ed Reed?
6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11): OT, Russell Okung
Needs: O-line, DE, S, WR, RB, CB
Don't worry, Okung does not fall far. The Seahawks desperately need help on its O-line. And they could do a whole lot worse than Okung who some would call the best lineman in the draft.
7. Cleveland Browns (5-11): NT, Dan Williams
Needs: QB, Secondary, OLB, CB, D-Line, G
While they could try and address their QB need at this pick I see Mike Holmgren leaning toward a defensive lineman that he thinks can help immediately. Nose tackle Dan Williams can become the foundation for that 3-4 defensive line for years to come.
8. Oakland Raiders (5-11): QB, Jimmy Clausen
Needs: O-line, QB, DT, MLB, CB
Al Davis and the Raiders love to take chances especially with their first round picks so I could see him easily taking Clausen to be their QB of the future essentially tying up a fortune in that position. If someone has a quarterback available.... say the Steelers?..perhaps this pick goes somewhere else.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): OT, Bryan Bulaga
Needs: QB, OT, NT, OLB, WR
The Bills need a lot of help with their offensive line and Bulaga is the start to that. While Buffalo may take a QB in a later round, it just wouldn't be fair to try to evalutate your QB of the future while he's flat on his back after some D-linemen get to him.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9): QB Tim Tebow...just kidding, S Earl Thomas
Needs: S, DE, LB, WR, C/G, QB
I know I say this constantly but I really feel like the Jaguars could try and sell this pick to someone trying to get CJ Spiller, Dex Bryant or even Earl Thomas since they don't seem to be in love with any one at this pick. Philadelphia would love to trade up and get a shot at Thomas.
11.Denver Broncos (7-9): MLB, Rolando McClain
Needs: C/G, WR, MLB, TE
Some may see Dez Bryant being picked at this spot but I just don't think that the Broncos gave up a franchise WR with problems just to draft another. Look for the Broncos to sure up their middle linebacker position with a strong tackler that can fit into their defensive scheme immediately.
12. Miami Dolphins (7-9): DE, Derrick Morgan
Needs: NT, OLB, S, G, TE
While not one of their top needs, the Dolphins will look to take one of the most talented D-linemen on the board as they need more pass rushers to get pressure on the QB in general.
13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): OT, Anthony Davis
Needs: CB, QB, OT, LB, WR, NT
Even though the 49ers need a quarterback they are probably too stubborn to realize it. So instead they will look to get more protection for the ones that they think they have. Unfortunately in San Francisco it doesn't matter how much time you give the QB if he can't throw the ball that well.
14. Seattle Seahawks (5-11): RB, CJ Spiller
Pete Carroll gets his Reggie Bush like running back. Seattle Fans get to be distracted from the good showing that their former basketball team is putting up against the clearly more talented and experienced Lakers squad... Sorry about that one.
15. New York Giants (8-8): OLB, Sean Weatherspoon
Needs: MLB, O-Line, DT, CB
The Giants need a sure tackler in the middle to account for the departure of Antonio Pierce. Weatherspoon is their man. Though if McClain is still around I could see him here as well.
16. Tennessee Titans (8-8): DE, Jason Pierre-Paul
Needs: DE, CB, OLB, WR, G/C
Defensive minded coach, so does he go for the CB need or the need at DE. I see Fisher opting for the latter to beef up the Titans' pass rush. But I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if they tried to steal Joe Haden away form the next team up
17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8): CB, Joe Haden
A surprisingly suspect 40 time is to blame for Haden dropping this far but I'm sure the 49ers will be happy. He is the top CB in this draft.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): C/G Maurkice Pouncey:
Needs: CB, O-Line, DE, RB, NT....QB?
Rumors are constantly swirling about a monumental trade involving Big Ben so might the Steelers be on the market for a new QB? Seems doubtful so the Steelers will probably go with a way to sure up their interior line. The Steelers are returning to the old ways of being a grind-it-out sort of running team and a heavy hitting defense. Look for them to focus on getting a power running back and some hard-hitting, flexible guys on the defensive side of the ball.
19. Atlanta Falcons (9-7): DE/LB, Brandon Graham
Needs: DE, OLB, G/C, WR
The Falcons need more firepower on the defensive line and Graham gives them just what they need. Look for him to bring the heat off the edge in that Falcons defense.
20. Houston Texans (9-7): CB, Kyle Wilson
Needs: CB, FS, RB, D-Line, K
They could go RB at this point but with CJ Spiller gone they will probably opt to fill one of their biggest needs at corner. Plus as people always say when you are in a division with Peyton Manning, you can never have too many skilled cornerbacks.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): WR, Dez Bryant
Needs: TE, S, MLB, DT, G/C
This is not a need for the Bengals necessarily but Bryant would be very hard to pass up at this point. Plus it can't hurt to get more options for Carson Palmer to throw to.
22. New England Patriots (10-6): TE, Jermaine Gresham
Needs: RB, LB, TE, WR, DE
The Patriots, probably still fuming that Bryant didn't make it one more pick to fall to them, will go with the next best target for Tom Brady in Tight End, Jermaine Gresham
23. Green Bay Packers (11-5): G, Mike Iupati
Needs: O-Line, S, CB, RB, P
The Packers will literally be giddy when one of the best interior linemen in this draft falls to them at 23. They need someone to stop people from getting to Aaron Rodgers as he represents the future of this franchise. Plus an improvement to the run game wouldn't hurt either.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): CB, Kareem Jackson
Needs: S, CB, OT, D-Line
I would be astonished if Philadelphia didn't find a way to trade up to get their safety from this position but should they still be here the pick will go to the best secondary player left on the board, cornerback Kareem Jackson
25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7): WR, Demaryius Thomas
Needs: WR
Even with the acquisition of Anquan Boldin, the Ravens could use a deep threat and Thomas provides them just that.
Most of the picks after this are an even more unsure science so bare with me.
26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): OLB, Sergio Kindle
Needs: NT, LB, CB
With the departure of Carlos Dansby and the organization in a state of transition, they could ease the process by getting a pass rushing, linebacker talent like Kindle.
27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5): OT, Rodger Saffold
Needs: O-Line, S
There aren't a whole lot of weaknesses on this Cowboys team but it definitely wouldn't hurt to strengthen their offensive line. It seemed like the rush started to get to them in the playoffs which may have spelled their blowout downfall to the Minnesota Vikings
28. San Diego Chargers (13-3): RB, Ryan Mathews
Needs: NT, RB, RT, CB
With the departure of Ladainian Tomilson and the rise of heir apparent Darren Sproles, the Chargers will probably look to get a second running back so that Sproles doesn't have to shoulder the load alone
29. New York Jets (9-7): DT, Jared Odrick
Needs: S, OLB, 3-4 D-Lineman
The Jets have been very active this offseason and Rex Ryan could do well by getting a prospect to provide some youth to a defensive line that's getting up there in years.
30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4): S, Taylor Mays
Needs: CB, S, C/G
The Vikings don't have many outstanding needs so they may opt for one of the best players available at this point and grab Mays at this spot.
31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2): OT, Charles Brown
Needs: O-Line, CB, OLB, DT
I don't think you can ever overprotect a QB like Peyton Manning and Brown can play either side of the offensive line.
32. New Orleans Saints (14-2): DE, Jerry Hughes
Needs: DE, OLB, S
The Superbowl Champs don't need a whole lot but the Saints could always use more disruptive talent on defense. Hughes will provide a lot of pressure as an edge rusher.
And the rest are rolling the dice so I won't even plug a name in, I'll just tell you their likely draft strategy
Carolina Panthers (8-8)
Needs: QB, D-Line, LB, WR
Draft strategy: The Panthers have a good amount of holes and not a lot of picks. Look for them to try and get a QB in either the second or third round as well as try and find some defensive prospects they can groom for the future.
Chicago Bears (7-9)
Needs: S, O-Line, CB, WR
Draft strategy:Well they don't have much in the way of draft picks to work with since they only have two in the first 4 rounds. They will probably try and improve at the skill positions and take a cornerback and a wide receiver with those two picks.
I'll follow up with more on the draft strategy of each team after the first round tonight as well as an analysis of the picks...
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