The Sports Wannabe

Since my beloved Vikings choked away their playoff chances over the past two weeks, it is now NFL draft season for me. The following is the first round as I see it, based on the end of the regular season standings. Obviously, these projections are subject to change and will be updated frequently as we move closer to draft day.

Round 1

[1] Miami: DT Glen Dorsey [LSU]
This seems to be the consensus number one at this point. An overpowering player that seems as NFL ready as anyone in this year’s draft.

[2] St. Louis: DE Chris Long [Virginia]

The rams need help on defense… anywhere. Long will be a welcome addition to the touch football squad we call the Rams.

[3] Kansas City: OT Jake Long [Michigan]
KC needs to get their o-line together soon. Larry Johnson is already starting to show the Kevin Garnett “knife wielding” face.

[4] Oakland: RB Darren McFadden [Arkansas]
An absolute freak. Go to youtube if you don’t understand.

[5] Atlanta: QB Matt Ryan [Boston College]

While I believe Atlanta will inevitably take Ryan, I’m not quite sold on him as an NFL QB.

[6] New York Jets: DE/LB Vernon Gholston [Ohio State]

6′4″, 260, 4.6 speed. God help any Jets personal in Radio City Music Hall if they pass on this guy.

[7] New England (via San Fransisco): LB James Laurantias [Ohio State]

Belichick says he must trust his linebackers and therefore shys away from drafting them. He also says a lot of things, none of which he means. (quickstory: I “played” against Laurantias in high school. And by play, I mean I was a 9th string o-lineman/whatever position couldn’t possibly touch the ball. I had one play “against” him during my junior year. Summary: I was told to block him. I started to, then jumped at his cleats and rolled into a fetal position. If he could overcome my efforts, he will do just fine in New England)

[8] Baltimore: QB Brian Brohm [Louisville]

How the discussion will go in the draft room: “well, we do have kyl-… yep, call in the pick.”

[9] Cincinnati: DT Sedrick Ellis [USC]

Cincy’s D was pathetic this year. Ellis will plug up the middle and could start early.

[10] New Orleans: S Kenny Phillips [Miami]

If you saw the Saints face the Colts in prime time earlier this season, you know why they need help.

[11] Buffalo: WR Malcolm Kelly [OU]

Buffalo is start to build a decent offense. If Marshawn Lynch is going to improve, they need to develop a consistent passing attack

[12] Denver: WR DeSean Jackson [Cal]

It appears Rod Smith may have hit the end of his career, and Brandon Stokley isn’t that good when he doesn’t have Payton, Marvin, Reggie and Joseph surrounding him. The Broncos need a wide out and DeSean Jackson will give Jay Cutler a great explosive option.

[13] Carolina: LB Dan Connor [Penn State]

Dan Morgan’s durability has put his career in jeopardy and where better than “Linebacker U” to look for a successor?

[14] Chicago: QB Andre Woodson [Kentucky]

Honestly, I don’t see Woodson getting picked here, but this mock doesn’t take off season moves into account. I expect Donovan McNabb to be wearing navy next year. But if not, Woodson could very well turn into a McNabb like player (strong arm, can move but only when necessary).

[15] Detroit: OT Ryan Clady [Boise State]

The lions really dropped the ball on George foster and they now need to beef up their o-line more than ever.

[16] Arizona: CB Malcolm Jenkins [Ohio State]

Arizona needs add some tools to their pass defense in order to put their talented passing offense in good feild position.
[17] Minnesota: WR Adarius Bowman [Oklahoma St.]

If this guy ends up on the vikes, expect him to compete with AD for my man crush… he is the most underrated play in this draft and head choach Brad Childress will jump at the chance to have a physical wide reciever to block outside for AD and can also be explosive after the catch. The thing that may put Childress off is a couple of easy drops on his film, which the vikes have seen too much this year.

[18] Houston: OT Jeff Otah [Pitt]

Please NFL, get the Texans a left tackle. We have a guy up in Minnesota we are willing to trade for scratch offs… just think about it.

[19] Philadelphia: DE Derrick Harvey [Florida]

With Javon Kearse running out of steam, the eagles desperatly need a pass rush to keep the quarteback honest. Derrick Harvey would give them a huge boost.

[20] Dallas (via Cleveland): CB Mike Jenkins [South Florida]

Dallas needs a #2 CB to compliment Terrance Newman. Mike Jenkins has huge upside and would be a perfect pick.

[21] Tampa Bay: OT Sam Baker [USC]

A wide out wouldn’t be a bad call here but they need to make a path for Cadillac Williams in order to keep the D honest.

[22] Washington: DT Frank Okam [Texas]

No one can criticize last years pick of Laron Landry, but they also needed help on the d-line. They will address that area this year with Okam.

[23] Seattle: RB Jonathan Stewart [Oregon]

Shawn Alexander has become a non-factor and bringing in Stewart, a regional talent, seems to be a great fit.

[24] Pittsburgh: OT Gosder Cerilus [Boston College]

With Alan Faneca more than likely having played his last game in black and gold (unless the pirates sign him to play center), Cerilus will be asked to fill the void.

[25] Tennessee: WR Mario Manningham [Michigan]

Tennessee needs to give Vince Young quality wide outs to throw to (and numerous other necessities), and Mario Manningham would give the Titans a legitimate deep threat for the first time in many years.

[26] NY Giants: LB Keith Rivers [Miami]

The New York Football Giants would greatly benefit from a

[27] San Diego: LB Erin Henderson [Maryland]

His brother has worked out alright, the Chargers will hope he follows the same path to combine with Shawn Merriman to punish runners.

[28] Jacksonville: WR Early Doucet [LSU]

With Matt Jones looking like a total bust and Reggie Williams taking baby steps, the Jags need a wideout.

[29] New Orleans (via Dallas): LB Jerod Mayo [Tennessee]

Yet another hole that needs to be patched on D.

[30] San Francisco (via Indianapolis): DE Quenti Groves [Auburn]

While they showed flashes of talent against the run, the 49er’s pass rush was pretty ugly. Groves will help both categories.

[31] Green Bay: CB Antoine Cason [Arizona]

Cason should be able to step in and help the pack become one of the best defenses in the league.

[32] New England: Decided that the rule book didn’t apply to Bill Belichick…

Till next time I stay up screaming at a picture of Troy Williamson,

Samuel