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NFL draft predictions

The draft is about one month away and free agency is as hot as ever. It seems like all the possible free agents have received big deals, thanks to the increase in the salary cap, and the NFL draft is shaking down as one of the most unpredictable drafts ever.
There only a few elite prospects, like most years, but it seems like there is a lot of depth at many positions.
Defensive end seems to be the deepest position to draft from, and wide receiver is far behind.
Here is my shake down on the top 10 picks, and of course the Cowboys selection.

1. Oakland Raiders. Al Davis is crazy, we all know that. Their defense started to enter elite territory last year, but their offense is the worst in the league.
You never know who they will draft, and after passing on all three quarterbacks last year, you gotta believe they're going to take JaMarcus Russell from LSU.
But then the Davis factor finds itself mingling into the overall equation. Calvin Johnson seems to be the best player available. He might rewrite the rookie receiver record books (say that three times fast), but who really knows. You still have to weigh the Marques Colston factor.
I think the Raiders will trade Randy Moss off, sign someone like Drew Bledsoe/Joey Harrington and draft Johnson. They're going to be awful again next year, so maybe they can draft Brian Brohm from Louisville, or Chad Henne from Michigan.

2. Detroit Lions. Matt Millen ran this franchise into the ground. It tells me he didn't trust his scouts enough. Three years, three first round wide receiver picks. Who would have known that Charles Rogers would have been a bust at the time, but oh well that's the way the NFL crumbles.
I'm picking offensive tackle Joe Thomas from Wisconsin. He looks to be safe, and he will be able to protect whatever junk quarterback they throw back there next year.

3. Cleveland Browns. It feels like this team is headed in the right direction. Romeo Crennel seems to be building the team from the inside out, starting with the offensive line. He did a smash up job last year with the linebacker selections, so it looks like he on a role. They need a running back, which would be a good landing spot for Adrian Peterson, but they just signed Jamal Lewis away from Baltimore. The two-back system is en vogue after both the Bears and Colts went to the Super Bowl playing that way, so who knows. They need defensive back help, and another wide receiver. Braylon Edwards shows promise, but it seems like every big name signing they get ends up on the trainer's table for a good part of the year.
I'm picking Brady Quinn for the Browns. He fits, his college coach used to be a co-worker with Crennel, so there should be an unspoken confidence there. Quinn seems to be the most NFL ready quarterback in a while, including Matt Leinart. Charlie Frye isn't going to get it done. Quinn's the pick.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since everyone has Johnson falling to them here, I'm going with a defensive pick. They addressed their offensive line last year, and their defense is getting older by the day. You name it, they need it on defense. I'm going with Alan Branch. He's big, and from a good program. They traded away Booger McFarland last year, so they need a run stuffer. They have Chris Simms, Jake Plummer and Jeff Garcia. Maybe they'll acquire another pick for Plummer. Wide receiver is deep, so they need to hold off.

5. Arizona Cardinals. They have a dynamite offense, with no offensive line. They have an OK defense, with only a couple of holes. Matt Leinart really helped them out last year, but it still cost Dennis Green the axe. The new coach is a Pittsburgh spin off, so they'll look to get bigger and more physical in the trenches. Joe Thomas is gone, and it’s too early to pick up Levi Brown from Penn State, so Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams is the pick.

6. Washington Redskins. Who really knows with Dan Snyder? I don't think he's had a draft pick this high since he took over the franchise. They usually trade down, but to keep this thing easy I'm giving him Jamaal Anderson, the defensive end from Alabama.

7. Minnesota Vikings. They invested in Tavarias Jackson with a second round pick last year, but they have JaMarcus Russell staring them down. He's big and will remind people of the good ol' days with Dante Culpepper under center. Too bad he doesn't have Randy Moss to throw to. They could go with a wide reciever, but I doubt it. Ted Ginn is too unproven for my liking. They could also go with a lineman in Levi Brown, but it’s still a little too high according to the experts. I guess well see.

8. Houston Texas. What to do, what to do. Houston is a sinking ship. They had a golden opportunity to draft Vince Young last year and resurrect they city and team and didn't. Mario Williams will probably be a stud, but Young was a diamond. This year they do the right think, even though they signed Ahman Green, and pick Adrian Peterson. He's big and fast, and can run with power. He's got durability concerns, but I still remember his freshman year, and the fear he struck in the heart of opposing teams. The Texans need an offensive playmaker, and Green is too old to be the one.

9. Miami Dolphins. They got Joey Porter, but their defense is still getting old. They need a defensive back, so they draft Leon Hall from Michigan. He got burnt by Dewayne Jarrett and Ted Ginn, but he's the best on the board. They need help at quarterback, but I have a feeling they are going to get an experienced vet to challenge Dante Culpepper. I hope they sign Trent Green, so we'll see.

10. Atlanta Falcons. They have made a couple of moves in free agency, but if they really want to win, they need to cut ties with Michael Vick. He did a lot better last year, but he's had his chance to prove himself in Atlanta and hasn't done it. This may be the easiest projection, because they need help in their defensive backfield. I'm picking LaRon Landry. He's a stud from LSU, and if I remember correctly, a four-year starter. They might also pull a bone-headed move and draft Ted Ginn, but hopefully new coach Bobby Petrino has better sense than that.

22. Dallas Cowboys. Who really knows what Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones are going to do. Jones seems to be the one making all the decisions anyway. Soon he'll be another Al Davis. I hope not, but it looks like that's what it’s coming to. They got lucky with Romo, and hopefully he'll work out, but they need a quarterback for their defense. Roy Williams is my boy, but he couldn't cover a textbook with a book cover. LaRon Landry is the best option, but he's already gone so after the Florida Gator's pro day, I'm giving the Boys Reggie Nelson. He seems to make sense.

Posted by Clayton Hein at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)