natsfreak14

1. Miami: Jake Long, OT Michigan
2. St. Louis: Chris Long, DE Virginia
3. Atlanta: Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
4. Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
5. Kansas City: Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State
6. NY Jets: Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
7. New England: Keith Rivers, OLB USC
8. Baltimore: Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
9. Cincinnati: Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
10. New Orleans: Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy State
11. Buffalo: Devin Thomas, WR Michigan State
12. Denver: Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
13. Carolina: Branden Albert, OG Virginia
14. Chicago: Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh
15. Detroit: Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
16. Arizona: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DB Tennessee State
17. Kansas City: Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
18. Houston: Johnathan Stewart, RB Houston
19. Philadelphia: Mike Jenkins, DB South Florida
20. Tampa Bay: Limas Sweed, WR Texas
21. Washington: Phillip Merling, DE Clemson
22. Dallas: Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh: Gosder Cherilus, OT Boston College
24. Tennessee: Calias Campbell. DE Miami (FL)
25. Seattle: Fred Davis, TE USC
26. Jacksonville: Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina
27. San Diego: Jerod Mayo, ILB Tennessee
28. Dallas: Aqib Talib, DB Kansas
29. San Francisco: Quentin Groves, DE Auburn
30. Green Bay: Brandon Flowers, CB Virginia Tech
31. NY Giants: Tyrell Johnson, S Arkansas State

Why each team should pick as above:

Miami: They had a problem with protecting the quarterback last season, which led to the struggle of  rookie John Beck. The Dolphins have many needs, but a strong left tackle is an important step for a rebuilding process. I don't believe a team should give up on a quarterback drafted that high in one season.

St. Louis: Chris Long provides another speed rusher from the end position for the Rams. This also moves last year's first round pick, Adam Carriker, inside. This pick is based on which position Carriker would perform better, and that is on the interior on the defensive line. Plus, Leonard Little is 33 years old and doesn't have many years left.

Atlanta: Some may believe that Matt Ryan is not a franchise quarterback and I am one of them. Ryan threw 19 interceptions last season and proved to be too inconsistent for a quarterback to be drafted this high. Glenn Dorsey plugs a big body into the interior of the Falcons defensive line. Dorsey fills the void left by Grady Jackson, who was released late in the season.

Oakland: Despite re-signing Justin Fargas after an impressive fill-in job for LaMont Jordan, McFadden is too talented to pass up. McFadden can be used as an every down back, a slot receiver, and even a quarterback out of the shotgun. Several teams made a mistake on passing up on Adrian Peterson last year. Al Davis isn't that dumb, is he? Besides, a Russell/McFadden duo in the backfield would be nice for a rebuilding team.

Kansas City: After trading Jared Allen, they have an empty spot at defensive end. Vernon Gholston is the best end available after Chris Long was taken by the Rams. Gholston has to improve his work ethic and consistency to be a great pro. He has all of the intangibles to excel at the next level, great footwork, good speed, and amazing strength. Some may go tackle here, but they have a later first round pick.

NY Jets: The Jets had a very hard time getting to the quarterback last season and the reason was the lack of a true pass rusher. Shaun Ellis, their first round pick from Tennessee a few years back hasn't worked well. Harvey is very athletic for a defensive end and may even move to the outside linebacker spot. Harvey was also a little inconsistent last year and struggled against Jake Long, the #1 overall pick in this years draft.

New England: A huge gift for the Patriots; picking this high after a Super Bowl appearance and a near-perfect season. Their linebacker core is aging with Bruschi and Vrabel. Victor Hobson potentially could move inside, filling in for Junior Seau, which also leaves a vacant spot for Rivers. He was a tackle machine at USC and is also very athletic. I do not think there is a defensive back worthy of being picked this early.

Baltimore: Steve McNair retired this past off-season and the Ravens are in need of a quarterback. Matt Ryan is the highest rated quarterback from this year's draft class. He showed great leadership and excellent poise, while not folding in late-game situations. Everyone points to that memorable fourth quarter comeback at Lane Stadium as an example. Kyle Boller hasn't shown anything and I don't believe Troy Smith is a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Cincinnati: The Bengals were the worst team in the NFL in regards to sacking the opposing quarterback. The team leader, Robert Geathers, had three sacks. The pick of Sedrick Ellis would give more room for the pass rushers to get to the quarterback. Some may think that he is too small to be an effective defensive tackle, but he is the best option for a horrific defense from last year.

New Orleans: The Saints had a surprising turnaround for the worst last year, one year removed from an NFC Championship game appearance. That was mostly because their passing defense was terrible. Rookie Usama Young was good at times for the Saints and they signed Randall Gay during the off-season. However, Gay, along with Jason David are good, but the Saints need depth in the secondary. McKelvin is the best corner in the draft, but some may wonder how he'll fare against top competition.

Buffalo: Devin Thomas had one great year at Michigan State. However, one great year can greatly improve draft stock. The Bills do not have an alternate option in the passing game other than Lee Evans and it seems that Trent Edwards is on the rise at quarterback. Thomas has great speed and could provide another great return option for the Bills, along with Terrance McGee and Roscoe Parrish.

Denver: With the surprising retirement of tackle Matt Lepsis, the Broncos have a void to fill. Chris Williams is the tackle the Broncos are looking for. He played in the speed heavy SEC and played well for Vanderbilt, despite the lackluster talent around him. Mike Shanahan is a run first coach, so he'll need a tackle in this spot.

Carolina: The Panthers should take Branden Albert because of his ability to play both guard and tackle. Albert played mostly guard at Virginia and he may start at guard during his rookie campaign if drafted by Carolina. Jordan Gross was franchised by the Panthers and may not be re-signed after this season. Albert is greatly helped by blocking Chris Long during practices as well.

Chicago: The Bears faithful has gone bonkers because of the troubles at quarterback. Surprisingly, quarterback is not the problem. Jeff Otah is a bit raw, but is very strong and is the type of blocker Rex Grossman needs to stand upright more often than not. This would also improve the struggling running game of the Bears, where Cedric Benson averaged around 3 yards per carry last year. The offensive line is old and worn down in Chicago and Otah could replace Fred Miller, who was released by the Bears at right tackle.

Detroit: The Lions released injured running back Kevin Jones shortly after the Super Bowl and lost T.J. Duckett to free agency. Third round pick Brian Calhoun (2006) has been hurt each of the last two seasons and Jon Kitna has been pass happy recently. Enter Rashard Mendenhall, a power back with tons of speed. Look at the tape from the USC/Illinois Rose Bowl and he shows his speed, leaving USC defenders in the dust. Plus, there is a little concern with Johnathan Stewart's toe injury.

Arizona: The Cardinals have some needs and is a couple of picks away from being a playoff contender. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a skill corner with excellent hands and great instincts. He doesn't have amazing speed, but not bad for a cornerback. He came from a small school, but had an amazing week in Mobile and had a fumble recovery, an interception, and a couple of defended passes during the game, while impressing scouts during practice.

Kansas City: The Chiefs got this pick by trading Jared Allen to Minnesota. Lucky for Herm Edwards, this is a tackle rich draft and Ryan Clady is a very athletic tackle. The Chiefs offenisve line has lost two HOFs recently, WIllie Roaf and WIll Shields and need an effective tackle. Clady may not have played against top competition either, but he was good enough to make the All-America team from Boise State. He could be a good left tackle or a great right tackle.

Houston: The Texans badly need a running back and I think owner Bob McNair would be willing to take that risk of taking Stewart. He doesn't have great speed, but has great determination and a great second effort. He played in the spread offense at Oregon and had two outstanding games during his junior year (Michigan and South Florida). Ahman Green, their FA signing, got hurt (again) and Ron Dayne isn't an every down back. rookie free agent Darius Walker was very inconsistent during his starts late in the year.

Philadelphia: Why do the Eagles take a cornerback with their first-round pick, considering they signed Asante Samuel? Word is that the Eagles are going to trade Lito Sheppard on Draft Day. Mike Jenkins, a corner from South Florida, has great cover skills playing in an improving conference, the Big East. He has good hands and good size for a cornerback.

Tampa Bay: The Bucs have a good receiver in Joey Galloway. There is a problem though... he's 37. Their second receiver, Ike Hilliard is also on the wrong side of 30, while Maurice Stovall (NOtre Dame) hasn't been good either. Limas Sweed was injured for most of this past season, but showed his health by impressing at the combine. He is a potential deep threat and has decent size. He is a great route runner, but he drops more passes than scouts would like.

Washington: Phillip Daniels, a defensive end on the Redskins, is 35 years old. Solution... Phillip Merling, a defensive end from Clemson. He doesn't have the speed scouts would want from a dominant pass rusher, but he has good size and is very strong. The defensive line has room for improvement and Merling would help. I think that Merling is better that fellow end Calias Campbell.

Dallas: The Cow(girls) need a second back to compliment Marion Barber after Julius Jones bolted to Seattle. Felix Jones is a speed back who also split carries at Arkansas, Darren McFadden. Jones averaged more than 6 yards per carry during his juni