“We finished in the top 10 in offense (last) year and we don’t have any stars in that group,” Coach Sparano said. Everybody knows that. Dan Henning and our offensive staff did a tremendous job of spreading the ball around and getting it to our people. “Is it important to have one (an elite receiver), yeah. But I’ve been in some situations where we’ve not had that guy and finished in the top 10 in offense so I like where we are. They are unselfish. If you get that piece, great. Better hope it fits. But if you don’t, we’re prepared to go without it.”

How much of that would be smoke I don’t know. But IMHO the Phins go ahead and solidify the Defense with a good core of young talent. Next year watch out for Receivers like Brandon LaFell, Dez Bryant, and Arrelious Benn. I think Braylon Edwards is also a Free Agent.

Let me say up front that Sparano has already made it known the he isn’t worried about the Receiving core.

Written by George

Friday, 13 March 2009

1 Lions Jason Smith OT Baylor 6/5 309 5.09
C Pep is back once again working with Linehan and could perform OK as a stop gap for the Lions until they develop a QB. Who that QB is however is still very much up in the air. Stafford is in no way the prospect Ryan was last year and some believe Sanchez actually has a better upside. The safe pick would be a franchise LT and then the Lions could wait and see if Sanchez or Freeman fall to them, or choose to trade up.

2 Rams Eugene Monroe OT Virginia 6/5 309 5.18
No brainer here. Pace was released and the Rams are in the market for 2 Tackles.

3 Chiefs Michael Crabtree WR Texas Tech 6/2 215 4.54
Crabtree has been considered the safest pick in the draft for a long time now and it can’t be overlooked that Pioli has made moves in the past to bring in WR’s like Welker and Moss. Bowe has flashed but with Crabtree on the other side of him and a competent QB the Chiefs could turn it around real quick.

4 Seahawks Matthew Stafford QB Georgia 6/2 225 4.84
The oft injured Hasslebeck has to be on his last legs. Stafford could be developed into a franchise QB.

5 Browns Aaron Curry OLB Wake Forest 6/2 254 4.52
Not one of the Browns 4 starting LB’s can be considered as consistently solid. Curry could be the captain of the Browns Defense and someone to continually build their front seven around.

6 Bengals B.J. Raji DT Boston College 6/2 337 5.12
The Bengals could reach for an Offensive Lineman here but Raji would greatly improve their defense which is weak in the middle, and eventually replace Thorton, who is long in the tooth.

7 Raiders Jeremy Maclin WR Missouri 6/1 198 4.46
You just know Al wants to have the playmaking pyramid at QB, RB, and WR. He is one more draft away from having it.

8 Jaguars Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio St. 6/1 204 4.51
The Jags would like to team someone with Nelson at Safety, and they also could use some help at Corner. Jenkins will fill one of those voids, probably at Free Safety.

9 Packers Brian Orakpo DE Texas 6/3 263 4.63
The Packers are already in need of Pass Rushers and they are moving to a 34. Orakpo could be the guy to play opposite Kampmann.

10 49ers Michael Oher OT Mississippi 6/5 309 5.34
The Niners seem to be content to go with they got at QB. They need pass rushers but they also need to end the revolving door at Tackle. Oher could do that.

11 Bills Everette Brown DE Florida State 6/2 256 4.66
Brown has boom or bust on him but if he does boom it could help rejuvenate the Bills weak pass rush.

12 Broncos Mark Sanchez QB USC 6/2 227 4.92
Its no secret Cutler wants out of Denver and he might get his wish come draft day. If that happens the Broncos need to bring in somebody to develop, especially in a town like Denver who have a love affair with their QB’s.

13 Redskins Tyson Jackson DE LSU 6/4 296 4.94
Jackson is the best front seven player available here. Don’t let his size fool you, his frame holds his weight well and he has the moves and closing speed to be a dominant force along that Redskins line.

14 Saints Brian Cushing OLB USC 6/3 243 4.68
The Saints have had decent players on the outside for some time, but now they can upgrade to a potentially great outside linebacker.

15 Texans Chris Wells RB Ohio State 6/1 235 4.53
Wells would compliment Slaton nicely, he has the patience and burst that fit a zone blocking scheme.

16 Chargers Andre Smith OT Alabama 6/4 332 5.28
If Smith could get in shape he could be a great player. Despite his sloppy body he still has very good moves and technique for a guy his size. The Chargers need help inside and Smith could help right away with that.

17 Jets Percy Harvin WR Florida 5/11 192 4.39
The Jets have a couple physical Receivers in Cotchery and Smith and they would benefit nicely from a speedy playmaker in Harvin who could draw coverage in the slot, among other things.

18 Bears Aaron Maybin DE Penn State 6/4 249 4.78
Maybin might be developmental but he is a nasty pass rusher with excellent explosion. The Bears need someone to jump start their stale pass rush.

19 Bucs Peria Jerry DT Ole Miss 6/2 299 4.98
The Bucs have never really addressed the Under Tackle position since Sapp left. This could be their chance.

20 Lions Josh Freeman QB Kansas State 6/6 248 4.94
Freeman is quandary, at times he looks great and at times he looks not so great. He could come in and learn behind CPep and maybe develop by the time Calvin starts to hit his prime.

21 Eagles Knowshon Moreno RB Georgia 5/11 217 4.58
The Eagles aren’t ones to take a RB in the First Round. But Knowshon, despite what his forty says, is a heck of a Running Back. He runs well between the tackles and showcases some nasty moves. He also catches and blocks well. With Buckhalter gone and Westbrook getting up in age, this could be the year the Eagles go RB in the First Round.

22 Vikings Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland 6/2 210 4.25
I’ve heard comparisons to Troy Williamson and it would be unfortunate for the Vikings to be burned again. But since they lost out on Housh they might try again to land a WR. Would not be surprised if they go LB or CB.

23 Patriots Rey Maualuga ILB USC 6/2 249 4.81
I hate the Patriots.

24 Falcons Clay Matthews OLB USC 6/3 240 4.62
The Falcons let both Boley and Brooking go. They brought in the veteran and oft injured Peterson. Matthews could fill the other void and be a nice tandem with Lofton for some time.

25 Dolphins Vontae Davis CB Illinois 5/11 203 4.40
Once considered a unanimous top ten pick, Davis has seen his stock fall due to concerns over his lack of heart. However if the regime feels they can motivate him, don’t be surprised if he is the pick. Davis is an excellent all around player whether it’s in coverage, blitzing, or tackling, he can do it all. He’s also only 20, a bit of juvenile behavior might be expected. But he also has room to improve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd3809mIlvI

26 Ravens Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State 6/6 263 4.80
Heap for some reason or another can’t get it done in Baltimore. Pettigrew is considered a top 20 pick despite his forty and if he falls here could be snatched up.

27 Colts Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina 6/1 212 4.51
The Colts have a made a point to continually keep a nice stock of fresh receivers available for Manning, and with the release of Harrison expect the trend to continue.

28 Eagles Eben Britton OT Arizona 6/6 309 5.14
The Eagles let Thomas leave and Runyan is battling injuries. A Tackle is vital and Britton is the best on the board.

29 Giants James Laurinaitis ILB Ohio State 6/2 244 4.78
Pierce is losing a step but he can moved around as could Laurinaitis, which make James a nice fit in a Giants front seven that doesn’t get stale.

30 Titans Alphonso Smith CB Wake Forest 5/9 193 4.47
The Titans have lost depth letting a couple guys go to Free Agency and their starters could easily be pushed.

31 Cardinals Larry English OLB Northern Illinois 6/2 255 4.82
English has seen his stock drop but he still has the ability to drop in around and anchor on the corner of the edge. The Cardinals need to replenish some pass rushers.

32 Steelers Alex Mack C California 6/4 311 5.12
The Steelers weakest unit is the offensive line and Mack might be the best interior lineman in the draft.