1. Detroit Lions Can’t Afford to Miss on Stafford
Why it’ll be Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: For a team coming off an 0-16 season, one could make a case for any of the first three players listed here. Jason Smith might mean that Daunte Culpepper actually has time to watch a completed pass. Aaron Curry could be the anchor of a Jim Schwartz defense for many years. Stafford’s arm strength and intelligence sets him apart.
2. St. Louis Rams Continue the Upgrade of the Offensive Line
Why it’ll be Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: The release of tackle Orlando Pace was a signal almost no one has missed. The offensive line was so woeful a year ago that you can see the makings of a strategy. The willingness to sign Jason Brown to the largest NFL contract for a center and a draft of this tackle who set himself apart from a strong group of tackles over the past two months immediately upgrades the Rams’ ability on offense.
3. Kansas City Chiefs Make Best No. 3 Overall Since Jordan
Why it’ll be Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: The instinctive linebacker may end up being the best No. 3 pick by a pro team since Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He’ll have a long, productive career and visit the Pro Bowl as soon as the end of his rookie season. He can be used in any number of ways, including as the outside linebacker pass rusher in the new 3-4 alignment.
4. Seattle Seahawks Take Care of an Aging Position
Why it’ll be Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: The new popular pick here is Mark Sanchez, but the Seahawks are getting old across the offensive front and they’ll be thrilled with thispick. During his junior season, he was so good the Cavaliers moved Branden Albert to left guard. Albert was a first-rounder last year and started at left tackle for the Chiefs as a rookie.
5. Cleveland Browns Get a Quick Fix for a Weak Pass Rush
Why it’ll be Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Several teams covet this non-stop pass rusher and rate him the highest at the position in the draft. The Browns get first shot and won’t waste much time putting his name in as their choice.
6. Cincinnati Bengals Gain a Big Man Who Can’t Be Blocked
Why it’ll be B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: Help along the offensive and defensive fronts could mean one of several players here, including Alabama’s Andre Smith. But it’s hard to foresee Marvin Lewis bypassing the only true defensive tackle in the draft, and one who dominated players at the Senior Bowl.
7. Oakland Raiders Pick the Most Talented ‘Healthy’ Receiver
Why it’ll be Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: Michael Crabtree, if healthy, may well be the top receiver, but this will be the point where it becomes most apparent that his foot injury is costly. Teams can’t afford to take a chance and have hope be their strategy. So the Raiders get the most talented receiver in the draft … who is healthy.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars Lean Toward Preparing for the Future
Why it’ll be Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal: The pick here will be Raji if he falls that far. The addition of veteran receiver Torry Holt any day now will give the Jaguars the ability to choose a quarterback of the future who will have time to be tutored.
