It's the most wonderful tiiiiiiime of the yeeeeaar. That's right kids, it's officially Draft Week! The week when all of us that are far too obsessed with both NCAA and NFL football tune in to watch Mel "My hair is ALWAYS perfect" Kiper Jr. et al, tell us where the stars (and busts) of tomorrow will be playing football next season. Here are my projections for Round 1. Note: I don't project any trades in my draft, because it would be too difficult to keep track of it. I am drafting as the order stands today, (updated) April 21st. If anything changes, I may update it. Away we go! The Kansas City Chiefs are now on the clock.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
The Chiefs got their new coach in Andy Reid. They have their new QB in Alex Smith. They need to protect their investment, and that is why Joeckel is the pick. He is projected to be the best OT in the draft, so its a no-brainer pick for a team that needs steady QB play.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
Dion is a freak. He is 6'6" and super athletic. The Jags need... well... everything. There are QBs on the board, and other defensive needs, but I don't think they can turn down a guy who could be the next Julius Peppers. He's a little raw, so they need to make sure they develop him. If that scares him away, Dee Milliner may have to be the pick.
3. Oakland Raiders- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Like the Jags, the Raiders need a bit of everything. They play in a division with Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, and now Alex Smith in Andy Reid's "I refuse to run the ball more than 15 times" offense. They need a D-lineman who can occupy a double team and free their pass-rushers.
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
If Chip Kelly thinks he can last more than 2 seasons by bringing back an injury-prone QB to run his offense, he is insane. Geno is the #1 rated QB in the draft, was a three year starter, and has all the ability to fit into Chip Kelly's offense. This also means that Nick Foles' days in Philly might be numbered. Don't be surprised if the Eagles trade Foles, since Dennis Dixon and Geno Smith would make Foles' expendable.
5. Detroit Lions- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
The rumor is that the Lions really want Dee Milliner. They may even trade up to #1 to get him. I just don't think that corner is their biggest need. Instead, they need to make sure Matthew Stafford stays upright and healthy the entire season. Eric Fisher is almost an equal to Joeckel, plus he played close by. He is the right pick to play in Ford Field.
6. Cleveland Browns- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
I don't think Cleveland needs to give up on Brandon Weeden just yet. Also, they have picked up Jason Campbell, who is a capable starter for a rebuilding team. The real key for the Browns is adding help up front. Warmack is (possibly) the best player in the draft. While guard isn't a sexy position, he fits a giant need for a team looking to ride Trent Richardson to relevance.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
This is a deep yet top-heavy offensive line draft. Lane Johnson fits the biggest need the Cardinals have now that Carson Palmer is under center. Keep the QB standing, he will have more time to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald.
8. Buffalo Bills- Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
And here we go. The Bills decided to take my alma mater's head coach and offensive coordinator. Now, they can take my QB also. Obviously, this is a bit high for Nassib, but there is no guarantee that he will be around in the 2nd Round for Buffalo. They reach a bit and fill their biggest need with a QB who is familiar with the Marrone system.
9. New York Jets- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Jets just traded away Darelle Revis. Their biggest need instantly becomes a shut down CB. Milliner is apparently the next Revis, and without the contract complaints or injuries. He should be able to start on Day 1.
10. Tennessee Titans- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Some may say that the Titans get a steal with a guy who could be the #3 pick to the Raiders at #10. I'm not completely sold on Ansah, who is already 24 and only had one good year at BYU. Still, he fits a big need for the Titans, and was a machine at the Combine.
11. San Diego Chargers- Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The Charger's O-line was awful. They had no running game at all. Rivers is looking worse and worse every season, and can no longer be considered an elite QB. They need to take the best offensive lineman available, and that's Cooper.
12. Miami Dolphins- Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
Mingo, aside from having the best name in the draft, is also one of the most consistent prospects in the draft. The Dolphins need O-Line help also with Jake Long moving on, but they can't pass on a top SEC-tested talent like Mingo falling to #12.
13. New York Jets- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Jets get this pick in exchange for Revis. Lotulelei is a Top 5 talent, and at #13 is a steal. The only flaw for Lotulelei is an apparent heart condition, but the word is it won't affect his play. They can plug him into the middle of that D-line, and really get after Tom Brady.
14. Carolina Panthers- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Panthers couldn't really stop anyone last season. Their defense needs that force inside. Richardson provides explosive and disruptive play that can free the outside rushers and linebackers.
15. New Orleans Saints- DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
The only reason that the Saints are any good is that they have Drew Brees under center. They need to protect him. Fluker is the prototypical right tackle, and he has improved every year he's played. This seems like a no-brainer to me with who is left on the board.
16. St. Louis Rams- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
The worst-kept secret in the draft is that the Rams want Tavon Austin. He falls to them, and so they snatch him up.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Cordelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
They lost Mike Wallace to the Dolphins, and need to replace him somehow. Patterson is the 2nd or 3rd best WR in the draft, but doesn't have the injury red flag that Keenan Allen has. They say that he may lack some maturity and an ideal fit would be a team with good leadership. That sound like the Steelers to me.
18. Dallas Cowboys- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Cowboys haven't had a good safety since the early days of Roy Williams (who couldn't cover that well anyway). While they need offensive line help more, Vaccaro being available here means that they have to take the top safety in the draft.
19. New York Giants- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
I remember at the end of the NCAA season that Jones was talked about as a top 10 pick. While some have cooled on him, I think that he'd be a great fit for the G-Men's defense. He is that type of hybrid defender that fits into their NASCAR package along with Tuck and Pierre-Paul.
20. Chicago Bears- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
The Bears' new coach, Marc Trestman, comes from coaching in the CFL. He is all about offense. Jay Cutler needs more weapons, and Eifert is a huge, athletic and productive target from just down the road in South Bend. He's a great fit for the Bears, and gives them weapons besides Forte, Marshall and (occasionally) Hester.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Matt Elam, S, Florida
Corner isn't a big need for the Bengals, but safety is. Matt Elam is the next one up after Vaccaro. The Bengals' D continues to hold its own in a division with Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
22. St. Louis Rams- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
This pick would belong to the Redskins, but was traded in the RG3 deal. Stephen Jackson isn't in St. Louis anymore, so they need a new halfback behind Sam Bradford. While there is no consensus on who the best RB in the draft is, it looks like Lacy is starting to turn the most heads.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
The Vikings need help on both offense and defense. I think that Ogletree fits their biggest need, middle linebacker. He's a better athlete than Manti Te'o and doesn't have the celebrity baggage. He does have some off-the-field issues of his own, but that is why he has fallen to #23.
24. Indianapolis Colts- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Last year's draft was dedicated entirely to overhauling the Colts' offense in the wake of Peyton Manning's departure They did a wonderful job, and Andrew Luck guided them to the playoffs. Now, they have to work on their defense, starting with cornerback. Rhodes is the best available, so he's the pick.
25. Minnesota Vikings- Keenan Allen, WR, California
Yes, the Vikings got Greg Jennings. They also lost Percy Harvin. They need more weapons on offense not named Peterson. Keenan Allen has only fallen because of issues with his ankle. If he can get 100% healthy, his ability makes him a steal this late in the 1st round.
26. Green Bay Packers- Justin Pugh, OT/G, Syracuse
Another Orangeman in the 1st round! Justin Pugh is a versatile lineman that can play every position though I do think he is best-suited at tackle. The scouts say that his arms are too short, but they are just as long as Joe Thomas', and he is a Pro Bowl player. Protect your franchise QB, and you will go far. Pugh can do that for Aaron Rodgers.
27. Houston Texans- Menolik Watson, OT, Florida State
Its a bit of a reach, but the Texans need help up front to make sure Matt Schaub stays healthy. Watson is an athletic right tackle who would fit well in the zone-blocking scheme the Texans have used since Day 1.
28. Denver Broncos- Manti Te'o, MLB, Notre Dame
There are a few teams that could deal well with the kind of baggage that Te'o is bringing with him to the NFL. The Broncos are one of those teams. They survived Tim Tebow and are now lead by the face of the NFL, Peyton Manning. Von Miller and Champ Bailey (and Dwight Freeney once they sign him) can help tutor Te'o on the ways of the NFL, and he would be away from the East Coast media. It is the best fit for him, and fills a big need.
29. New England Patriots- Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
A big body DT to put next to Vince Wilfork, who is getting older every day. Williams can learn from one of the best, and could cause enough co-havoc inside that the pass rushers like Chandler Jones could eat opposing QBs alive.
30. Atlanta Falcons- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Marcus' little brother already has an NFL pedigree. The Falcons don't have that many holes, so they are able to take the best player available that fits a need.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA
Jones is a versatile D-lineman who can play almost any position up front. He can plug into the best defense in football wherever they need him. The rich get richer.
32. Baltimore Ravens- Kevin Minter, MLB, LSU
The Ravens have a very big hole at middle linebacker now that Ray Lewis is gone, and with Jameel McClain coming back from injury. Kevin Minter is SEC-tested and can help fill that giant gap Lewis has left behind.
Rounds 2 and 3 are on the way. Maybe I will even go to Round 4 or 5! Anyway, enjoy, and count down the hours til the DRAFT!
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