As draft day gets nearer excitement is building. Teams are making their final free agency moves. The Bills are getting Kolb, the Cards are getting Palmer and the Raiders are getting Flynn. Looks like this may be the first draft ever where a QB will not be taken in the top 10.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M – The A&M product is a sure fire hit at Kansas City’s biggest position of need. They can interchange him with Eric Fisher as many draft analysts say, but Joeckel has the experience over Fisher blocking some of the best defensive linemen in this draft from his play in the SEC. Fisher’s draft was eye popping, but then again so was Dontari Poe’s. Do you think Kansas City would pick Poe over Michael Brockers, Bruce Irvin or Chandler Jones if they had a time machine?
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, OLB/DE, Oregon – This is a toughie, Jaguars need a pass rusher and have the pick of the litter. They’re a team that takes a player solely based on draft stock (see Blaine Gabbart and Justin Blackmon). I think Dion Jordan will have the highest stock of the edge pass rushers for the Jags and will be the first one in a few years to actually earn their GM a pat on the back.
3. Oakland Raiders – Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida – Like the Chiefs, Oakland has a choice here at the best 2 interior linemen in Floyd and Lotulelei. They choose the safer pick in Floyd here, who like Joeckel, has the SEC experience to go with his monstrous gameplay (how many Pac12 O linemen are 1st or 2nd round prospects this year?). Oakland needs to make a safe pick here, they’ve done some crazy things in the past (drafting Jamarcus Russell over Darrelle Revis, Patrick Willis, Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch – also trading the house for Carson Palmer). It’s time they get conservative and build back their franchise as safely as possible.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama – The Eagles have a choice of getting 3 potential superstars in 3 positions of need here: Dee Milliner, Eric Fisher and Ezekiel Ansah. Cornerback is by far the most glaring need for them and Milliner is the crown jewel of this class who can become a Joe Haden or Patrick Peterson like cornerstone to the Philadelphia defense.
5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan – The Lions need help badly on their offensive line. Although they did just draft Riley Reiff in the first round last year, rumor has it that they’re thinking about moving him to guard. The Lions can’t pass up the opportunity to put an end to their O-Line woes. They take Eric Fisher here to help protect Matthew Stafford so that he can get the ball to Calvin Johnson next season.
6. New Orleans Saints (Trade with Browns) – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah – The Saints trade up to fill that missing piece at NT in their new 3-4 defense with Utah’s defensive standout, Star Lotulelei. The Saints currently do not have a true nose tackle and need someone who can come in and immediately make an impact. Lotulelei may do this and more, he can be the guy to anchor New Orleans’ brand new defensive scheme next season.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson – T, Oklahoma – The Cardinals decide to sit out a year on drafting a QB by pulling the trigger on Carson Palmer. They now have a QB worthy of getting Fitzgerald the ball. They still need major help blocking for him. When every single player in the Cardinals back field got injured at some point last season, it’s a sign you go offensive tackle in the 1st. Lane Johnson is one of the most athletic in this class and give Carson Palmer that much needed protection this season.
8. Buffalo Bills – Cordarralle Patterson – WR, Tennessee – The Bills decide to give Kolb a shot rather than go for Geno. They bank on the best looking WR in the draft in Cordarrelle Patterson. This way, when they do sign their next franchise QB, he’ll already have his weapons to throw to.
9. New York Jets – Ezekiel Ansah, OLB/DE, BYU – The Jets have so many choices at #9, but with Ziggy Ansah and Dion Jordan gone and Eric Fisher falling, the smartest move is to pull the trigger on a lineman many considered to be worthy of a #1 overall pick. A quintessential step in the rebuilding of the Jets. Eric Fisher will immediately bring their below average offensive line to one of the best in the NFL with Mangold and Ferguson at center and left tackle. Fisher could play right and eventually replace Ferguson at left, while Ducasse, Howard, Colon and possibly a later round pick can rotate at guard. Now whoever wins the battle at QB, will have time to relax and throw the ball and Mike Goodson whose always been great at finding the right holes can have his best NFL season yet.
10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, G, Alabama – The Titans whose greatest need may be at Guard have the opportunity to sign the best guard in the draft and a surefire starter. He’ll give Chris Johnson the help he’s been complaining about not having in the run game and can help Jake Locker stay off the injury reserve list immediately.
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