Hockey / The Draft is Coming

The Draft is Coming

Date:  Source: Armchair Report

No it is never to early to start discussions about the NFL Draft especially this year with a couple teams trying desperately to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.  The following list is based on team needs and the order of the picks is subject to change as the season progresses and teams’ fortunes rise and fall.  Enjoy the list and let the chatter commence.

  1. IndianapolisColts: QB Andrew Luck from Stanford and let him learn from Peyton who sadly enough may never play again or if his may very well not be the same Peyton.  The Colts can not pass on Luck, he will put their team right again.
  2. St. Louis Rams: LT Matt Kalil from USC because they have to protect quarterback Sam Bradford before he becomes to shell shocked and injured to have the kind of the career that he is destined to have.
  3. MiamiDolphins: QB Matt Barkley from USC is the chose here because the Dolphins need a quarterback and Barkley has the skills and demure to help this team who really needs all the help it can get.
  4. MinnesotaVikings: Tackle Jonathan Martin from Stanford can run block for Adrian Peterson and pass protect for Christian Ponder and be a cornerstone for the Vikings as they build a solid offensive unit.
  5. Arizona Cardinals: LT Riley Reiff from Iowa can only be an assist for the worst offensive line in the NFL, although the thought of taking a quarterback and just calling it a day on Kevin Kolb was also an appealing option, Reiff is the man here.
  6. JacksonvilleJaguars: WR Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State is the selection here because your franchise quarterback Blaine Gabbert needs to have a franchise wide receiver to throw to and become a sound tandem for years to come.
  7. CarolinaPanthers: WR Alshon Jeffrey from South Carolina will provide another weapon for Cam Newton as well as learn from current Panther receiver Steve Smith.  A young quarterback can never have enough options.
  8. DenverBroncos: RB Trent Richardson from Alabama will be a welcome addition compared to the oft injured Knowshon Moreno experiment.  This selection is assuming (you know how that goes) that Tim Tebow will show coach John Fox and upper management enough to not draft quarterback (i.e. Robert Griffin III from Baylor).
  9. PhiladelphiaEagles: LB Vontaze Burfict from Arizona State will help the void that is the Eagle linebacking corp which has been porous at best this season.
  10. SeattleSeahawks: QB Robert Griffin III from Baylor has to be taken by the Seahawks because Jackson and Whitehurst are certainly not the answer for the offense and by selecting a quarterback here, Pete Carroll buys some more time for his NFL coaching career.
  11. Cleveland Browns: Tackle DJ Fluker from Alabama is only a sophomore but if he declares for the draft the Browns should consider taking him so Colt McCoy can stay upright and continue to progress in the NFL.
  12. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama will help sure up the Chief secondary but something to keep in mind is that is Robert Griffin III is available it is not above the realm of possibilities that the Chiefs will take a quarterback with their selection.
  13. TennesseeTitans: WR Michael Floyd from Notre Dame will be a great addition to the offense of the Titans and provide Jake Locklear with a good target for the years to come.
  14. WashingtonRedskins: RB Lamar Miller from Miami is only a sophomore but has speed, power, and patience to wait for the opening to develop and will provide a running game for the Redskins.
  15. DallasCowboys: CB Morris Claiborne from LSU will provide a youthful spark to the rapidly aging defensive backfield of the Cowboys.
  16. New YorkJets: WR Dwight Jones from North Carolina will provide Mark Sanchez with a big target that has produced on not so productive North Carolina teams.
  17. Cleveland Browns: LB Manti Te’o from Notre Dame can provide needed athleticism to the Browns linebacking corps and help be a run stopper in a division that has running backs to stop and besides the Browns took and a much offensive lineman with their first selection.
  18. HoustonTexans: LB Zack Brown from North Carolina is a great complement to the already stout defense of the Texans, they also may be included to take a run stopper in this spot and target Josh Chapman from Alabama.
  19. TampaBayBuccaneers: CB Jayron Hosely from Virginia Tech will slide right into the Buccaneer secondary as either a replacement for Ronde Barber or Aqib Talib, either way filling the cornerback position is a definite need for the Buccaneers.
  20. CincinnatiBengals: DE Quinton Coples from North Carolina can provide a pass rush for the Bengals that will enable the rest of the defense to be a productive unit.
  21. ChicagoBears: C Peter Konz from Wisconsin is an effective run blocker and pass blocker and can provide stability for years to come for the Bears offensive line.
  22. BaltimoreRavens: LB Dont’e Hightower from Alabama will be the future replacement of Ray Lewis, enough said.
  23. New YorkGiants: LB Luke Kuechly from Boston College because coach Tom Coughlin will take a player from Boston College whenever possible and linebacker is also a need position for the Giants.
  24. San Diego Chargers: NT Josh Chapman from Alabama will clock the middle and even has the ability to move the pocket on pass plays and can take the place of the aging Antonio Garay (since his heir apparent Cam Thomas has not shown the ability to get on the field on a regular basis).
  25. BuffaloBills: LB Brandon Jenkins from Florida State will provide a much needed pass rush for the Bills for years.
  26. PittsburghSteelers: G David DeCastro from Stanford can maybe help solidify what has become a revolving door (due to injuries) on the Steelers offensive line.
  27. CincinnatiBengals: LB Melvin Ingram from South Carolina has proved that he is capable of rushing the passer and defending the run.
  28. New England Patriots: DT Brandon Thompson from Clemson has continued to make plays this year despite the fact that he has been double teamed on a regular basis.
  29. DetroitLions: C Michael Brewster from Ohio State is the selection here as he will be the best friend of quarterback Matthew Stafford as they both progress through their NFL careers.
  30. San Francisco 49ers: WR Jeff Fuller from Texas A&M will fill an obvious need at the wide receiver position because the best passing target for Alex Smith is at the tight tend position and the Michael Crabtree experiment is a bust.
  31. New England Patriots: S TJ McDonald from USC will fill a need for the Patriots in the worst way.  McDonald is a terrific hitter and will roam the middle of the field and be an intimidator.
  32. Green BayPackers: NT Alameda Ta’amu from Washington is a big body and will clog the middle and let the dynamic linebacking corps of the Packers run free around the field.

 

I hope this list has brought you much joy and food for thought and even though the draft is months away when you are watching your favorite pro team just think about the future and who may fit best into your schemes.