Yes, that's right, I love April for football. It's NFL Draft time. I like listening to the NFL Channel on Sirius and I like reading Draft guides and websites that talk about the draft. I love paying attention to the draft just because it helps me get ready for fantasy football. On draft day, I will Tivo and watch all the coverage on both days.
But this year it's different and I'm not sure why. With the exception of a couple of Quarterbacks, I couldn't tell you who the Browns may take at #5. I know what positions they need, but I'm not sure what players are available. So I've decided to do my research and make my draft predictions as I type this blog.
So here we go...we'll start at Number 1 with Detroit. It always strange to have the first pick in the draft. As a fan, you want your team to draft the best player available for your team and you're really scared of that bust. Quarterbacks are thrown around at this pick most of the time but at least half the time, first round quarterbacks are busts. But most teams that have this pick need that quarterback or they wouldn't be sitting at number 1. So what do the Lions do? Take Stafford, Sanchez? Take a big defensive guy to help put pressure on the QB? Or go the safe route with a Tackle? When you're that bad, you need a lot of help in a lot of places.
Well, they acquired defensive help with Julian Peterson, Anthony Henry, Phillip Buchanon and Grady Jackson. They grabbed a nice WR in Bryant Johnson to go along with Calvin Johnson and Kevin Jones. All that's left is Quarterback.
With the first pick, the Lions take QB, Matthew Stafford.
Next up, and for the second straight year in the two hole, the St. Louis Rams. The Rams need a whole lot of help in a lot of places. With Stephen Jackson, they are set at running back but Marc Bulger has struggled, they cut their best two receivers over the last two years and their offensive line has been in shambles for a couple of seasons now. And I haven't talked about their defense yet. The only team that gave up more points last season just picked. Offensive Line again seems like a safe choice but again, a bad team needs someone to make plays for them.
With the second pick, the Rams take...the best defensive player on the board. I don't know his name yet. I need to go do some research.
Okay, I'm back. Thanks for waiting. So last year the Rams took DL Chris Long, so this year why not put someone behind him to cause problems for the offense.
With the second pick, the Rams take OLB Aaron Curry.
Next up is Kansas City. Just like the previous two teams, their defense stunk last year and just like St. Louis, they drafted a defensive lineman early. They also grabbed Cassell away from Kansas City. Their immediate needs are defense, running back and offensive line (I actually would struggle to name even two of their offensive lineman but I usually assume most teams, especially the bad ones need line help.) So what do they do?
There are some decent offensive players available right now with Offensive Tackle Jason Smith and WR Michael Crabtree out there but offensively, they weren't that bad of a team last season. They were in the low 20's in most categories and maybe Cassell helps them get better. On defense, they were horrendous. 28th against the pass, 30th against the rush, 29th in points and 31st overall. They have to get better on defense. So in my opinion, the choice is easy. They need a player to go along with last year's number one Glenn Dorsey and previous number one Derrick Johnson that can rush the passer and make plays.
With the third pick, the Chiefs take DL/LB Everitt Brown.
The Seattle Seahawks are now on the clock and I was kind of surprised to see Seattle picking here. I knew they struggled last season but being an NFC team and I had none of their fantasy players on my team, I didn't pay much attention to them. They had been a decent team up until last season partially because of the weak teams in their division and the play of Matt Hasselbeck. But Hasselbeck's back problems and the better play of the 49ers and especially the Cardinals made it tough on Seattle. They were also terrible on defense but the best couple defensive players have already been taken.
Don't be surprised if Seattle gives Denver a call and asks about trading down for 12 and 18. Denver would love to pick up Sanchez here.
Barring no trades, they had a lot of offensive line troubles and have struggled since Steve Hutchinson left. With Walter Jones already at left tackle, do they take another tackle at number four especially with Jason Smith still available? Most teams pay a lot for that left tackle but not as much for a right. But here's the thing, Walter Jones had micro fracture surgery in the off season and may not be ready for opening day. Even if he is, Smith can play right tackle until he's ready to take over for Jones.
With the fourth pick, the Seattle Seahawks select OT Jason Smith.
And now it's up Cleveland. If Denver didn't trade to four, I would love to see Cleveland make that same offer to Denver I mentioned above for Seattle. With the loss of Cutler, Patrick Ramsey is listed as their current starter and he is listed as a free agent so I'm not even sure who their Quarterback is. They really need help here and I could see them wanting Sanchez. The Browns biggest need is players on defense and lots of them. It doesn't matter between Quinn/Anderson if they are forced to have to score on every drive if the defense gives up points like they did last season. So I'd love to see a trade down and then draft the best two players on defense that are available regardless of position.
But if that doesn't happen and they have to pick here, defense is still that best need. I think they were disappointed to see Brown and Curry go already and it looks like LB Brian Orakpo is a great fit in the 3-4. They could put him on the other side of Wimbley and with D'Qwell Jackson, actually give themselves a decent linebacking crew. They could put both him in Wimbley on the line, lineup as a 5-2, then send whoever they want. Throw David Bowens in there at DE and Eric Barton at linebacker and you got the makings of a decent front seven. He makes sense to me as being the best choice but let's see what else is there.
Mark Sanchez - Please, I see people from around the US suggesting Cleveland take a QB with this pick. That's just dumb. Regardless of which side of the Anderson/Quinn debate you're on, one of them will win the job and be the starter. Wasting a pick on a third stringer wouldn't make sense.
Michael Crabtree - If they weren't so bad on defense, I could actually see this. With the loss of Winslow and probably loss of Stallworth, they need someone to catch balls opposite Edwards.
Eugene Monroe - There's no way they will take a tackle this early. Joe Thomas has that job and you don't take a right tackle this early in the draft.
BJ Raji - We all know that Shaun Rogers is a big baby but unless they move him, he will play DT in 2009.
So I'm giving the Browns LB/DE Brian Orakpo with this pick.
I love the draft.
Keywords: Browns, Cleveland, Cleveland Browns, NFL Draft
