NFL draft: 2007 re-do
25. Carolina Panthers
Jon Beason, LB, Miami
Actual pick: same
Beason was a good inside linebacker for Carolina from 2007 to 2013 until he left to play for the Giants. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro, so I don’t see a reason to pass on him with the lack of great talent in this draft.
26. Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Spencer, LB, Purdue
Actual pick: same
The Cowboys have not been good defensively in recent years. 2007, however, was an exception, and the team ended up going 13-3. Spencer, although he may have lost a step recently, has been a good pass rusher alongside DeMarcus Ware.
27. New Orleans Saints
Ryan Kalil, C, Southern California
Actual pick: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
While center may not be of the Saints’ obvious needs, Kalil is too good to pass up here. This was before Brian de la Puente signed with the team, so with Kalil, de la Puente doesn’t need to be signed two years later, and Drew Brees gets a premier (and reliable) center.
28. San Francisco 49ers
Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
Actual pick: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Joe Staley is gone, but Grubbs is available. He’s a guard, but the 49ers had a big need along the entire offensive line. Grubbs earned himself a 5-year, $36 million contract with the Saints after leaving Baltimore and has done a good job of protecting Drew Brees.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
Actual pick: Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
The Ravens could upgrade the offensive line, but Grubbs was just taken by San Francisco a pick earlier. Olsen had a nice tenure with Chicago and has been Cam Newton’s “security blanket” (for a lack of a better term) in Carolina. Olsen would be Todd Heap’s replacement when he would have retired.
30. San Diego Chargers
David Harris, LB, Michigan
Actual pick: Buster Davis, WR, Louisiana State
Buster Davis was out of the league by 2011. The Chargers could have used another linebacker to go with Shawne Merriman. Harris is a little overrated – it seems like any Jets linebacker nowadays will be – but Harris is still a good player, although not as good as his hype sells him to be.
31. Chicago Bears
Paul Soliai, DT, Utah
Actual pick: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
The Bears could use a defensive line upgrade. The unit was torched by Joseph Addai in the Super Bowl. Outside of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, the seven, especially the front four, lacked good pass rushers and run defenders.
32. Indianapolis Colts
Pierre Thomas, RB, Illinois
Actual pick: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State
The Colts have lacked a franchise running back since Edgerrin James. Pierre Thomas has been just that for the Saints – or he could be, if the Saints run more. Now, it seems like they are, and they’re more balanced and the Saints have a nice running back rotation with Mark Ingram, Thomas, and (formerly) Darren Sproles. The Colts don’t need an every-down back, as they had Peyton Manning until the end of 2011, but Thomas would certainly help Manning and Andrew Luck out in the passing game.