After looking somewhat competent in Week 1, Blaine Gabbert showed us he still isn’t ready for the NFL last week against Houston. The Jaguars have a new owner and new head coach. If the Jaguars finish with the first overall pick, General Manager Gene Smith could see the door as well. That being said, there is not much loyalty left for Gabbert and with the new CBA, it is easier to dump an underachieving player than it was in 2010.
Barkley didn’t exactly have his “A” game last week against Stanford, but he is still far and away the best quarterback available in the draft. If he rebounds well, the game will be seen as just a minor blip.
2. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) – Star Lotulelei (DT/Utah)
Minnesota needs to take the best player available, which is Lotulelei. The mammoth defensive tackle fills a major need for the Vikings as well. Kevin Williams will be a 32-year-old free agent next spring. Even if Williams does stay, Minnesota needs to find his heir.
3. Cleveland Browns (4-12) – Jarvis Jones (OLB/Georgia)
Two years ago, Von Miller rose from being a late first round prospect to the second overall pick in the draft. Hybrid defensive ends and linebackers are becoming a valued commodity in the league and Jones fills this role well.
Barkevious Mingo drops out of this spot after failing to record a sack in the first three games. Jones missed last week’s game against Florida Atlantic, but he already has 3.5 sacks and an interception this season.
Previous Pick - 3rd Overall - Barkevious Mingo (DE/LSU)
4. Oakland Raiders (5-11) – Jonathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)
You know your defense has issues when Reggie Bush is able to scorch you for 172 yards. Hankins looked unblockable against California and will be a disruptive force in the NFL as both a run stopper and an interior pass rusher.
Previous Pick - 5th Overall - David Amerson (CB/NC State)
5. Arizona Cardinals (6-10) – Logan Thomas (QB/Virginia Tech)
Arizona may have upset the Patriots, but Kevin Kolb looked far from a competent starting quarterback in the NFL. The John Skelton/Kevin Kolb experiment needs to end soon, but it may not happen without head coach Ken Wisenhunt losing his job first.
Previous Pick - 4th Overall
6. Indianapolis Colts (6-10) – Barkevious Mingo (DE/LSU)
Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are beginning to get a little long in the tooth and Jerry Hughes has been a major disappointment in the NFL. Indianapolis needs to inject some youth in the defensive line rotation to get the most production out of Freeney and Mathis.
Previous Pick - 7th Overall - Jarvis Jones (OLB/Georgia)
7. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) – David Amerson (CB/NC State)
Seattle may have upset the Cowboys, but that is because their front seven gave DeMarco Murray fits. Tony Romo was still able to find passing lanes in their leaky secondary. Seattle has a quality pair of safeties in Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, but the need help elsewhere.
Wide receiver is also an option here too, but none of the top receivers has shown that they are worthy of a top-10 pick.
Previous Pick - 6th Overall - Robert Woods (WR/USC)
8. St. Louis Rams (7-9) – Luke Joeckel (OT/Texas A&M)
Jason Smith was shown the door and instead the Rams brought in Wayne Hunter, who many New York Jets fans remember as a living revolving door. Left tackle Roger Saffold is also better fit on the right side.
Joeckel is an elite offensive tackle with veteran experience. He has started every game on the left side since freshman year and has face elite competition in both the Big XII and now the SEC.
Previous Pick - 8th Overall - Taylor Lewan (OT/Michigan)
9. Buffalo Bills (7-9) – Tyler Wilson (QB/Arkansas)
Blowing out the Chiefs was exactly what Bills fans needed to see after the team failed to show up against the Jets, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is too inconsistent to be the answer at quarterback. If the Bills continue to play poorly, he will be shown the door.
Wilson slips down in the draft due to his concussion issues. Regardless, Arkansas proved just how valuable he is when they were destroyed by Alabama 52-0 while he sat on the sideline. I doubt the game would have been so lopsided had he been able to play.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) – Sam Montgomery (DE/LSU)
Da’Quan Bowers is sidelined with an Achilles injury and Michael Bennett is a free agent at the end of the season. Adrian Clayborn has only one tackle to show for the season so far. Tampa Bay will need to add depth to their defensive line as well as their secondary in the draft. Their pass rush disappeared in the fourth quarter while Eli Manning orchestrated his comeback.
Previous Pick - 10th Overall - Jonathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)
11. Miami Dolphins (7-9) – Robert Woods (WR/USC)
They played well, but Davone Bess should not be anyone’s number-one receiver. Brian Hartline is a better fit in the slot. Ryan Tannehill needs an adequate supporting cast around him in order to succeed in the AFC East.
Previous Pick - 11th Overall - Sam Montgomery (DE/LSU)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) – Eric Reid (S/LSU)
If Brandon Weeden can look like an All-Pro against your defense, you know there is a serious problem. Taylor Mays was recently benched, but Reggie Nelson and the rest of the Bengals safeties stink. The position needs to be addressed early in the draft.
Previous Pick - 13th Overall - Marcus Lattimore (RB/South Carolina)
13. St. Louis Rams (7-9) – Justin Hunter (WR/Tennessee)
There is no reason why Danny Amendola should ever catch 15 passes in a game. Sam Bradford needs a bona fide receiver just as much as he needs a left tackle.
Previous Pick - 14th Overall - Keenan Allen (WR/California)
14. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) – Geno Smith (QB/West Virginia)
Kansas City looked all types of awful against the Bills last week. The Chiefs have talent across their roster, but Matt Cassel cannot be the answet at quarterback anymore. Smith torched James Madison last week, completing 34/39 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns.
Previous Pick - 17th Overall - Landry Jones (QB/Oklahoma)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) – DeMarcus Milliner (CB/Alabama)
Ike Taylor and his $6 million salary could become a cap casualty during the offseason. If this does happen, Pittsburgh will need to bring someone else in. Milliner looked unstoppable against Arkansas, recording an interception and shutting down his side of the field.
Previous Pick - 16th Overall - Jonathan Banks (CB/Mississippi State)
16. Denver Broncos (8-8) – Johnathan Jenkins (DT/Georgia)
The Broncos need a lot of help on their interior defensive line. Atlanta threw everything they could at Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller and essentially took away Denver’s pass rush. The Broncos used their top pick on Derek Wolfe last year, but Jenkins is a nose tackle whom will play solely inside, unlike Wolfe who can move inside and outside the defensive line.
Previous Pick - 26th Overall - Manti Te'o (LB/Notre Dame)
17. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) – Xavier Rhodes (CB/Florida State)
Philadelphia traded Asante Samuel during the offseason and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie is in his contract year. If he leaves, the Eagles will need to fill the void across from Nnamdi Asomugha.
Previous Pick - 15th Overall
18. New Orleans Saints (9-7) – Jackson Jeffcoat (DE/Texas)
Will Smith will turn 32 next summer and the Saints are going to need to groom his replacement soon.
Previous Pick - 18th Overall - DJ Fluker (OT/Alabama)
19. Carolina Panthers (9-7) – Taylor Lewan (OT/Michigan)
The Panthers tried to trade Jeff Otah to the Jets, only to have the deal voided when he failed his physical. Carolina needs to find a new left tackle early to protect Cam Newton.
Previous Pick - 19th Overall Chase Warmack (G/Alabama)
20. Detroit Lions (10-6) – TJ McDonald (S/USC)
McDonald is the best player available who fits a big need for the Lions. It is no secret that the Lions have their share of issues in the secondary and it is only a matter of time until it gets exposed.
Previous Pick - 25th Overall - Eric Reid (S/LSU)
21. Dallas Cowboys (9-7) – Barrett Jones (C/Alabama)
Dallas needs help all across their interior offensive line. Barrett Jones can play all across the line, including right tackle.
Previous Pick - 24th Overall - Alex Okafor (DE/Texas)
22. New York Jets (9-7) – Jonathan Banks (CB/Mississippi State)
The Jets will most likely convert Antonio Cromartie to safety in the near future. While they have the best cornerback in football with Darrelle Revis on one side, Kyle Wilson is nothing more than a nickelback. Banks could help expedite the process for Cromartie.
Previous Pick - 21st Overall - Jackson Jeffcoat (DE/Texas)
23. Tennessee Titans (9-7) – Chase Warmack (G/Alabama)
The Titans interior offensive line is a mess. Chris Johnson can’t get out of the backfield and defenses are bringing the pass rush from the inside. Head Coach Mike Munchack is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, there is no way he can be comfortable with his current arrangement.
Previous Pick - 23rd Overall - Barrett Jones (C/Alabama)
24. Chicago Bears (10-6) – Manti Te’o (LB/Notre Dame)
Brian Urlacher is still a major cog in the Bears defense, but he is 34 and has lost a step. Chicago, much like Baltimore, needs to find their next middle linebacker soon.
Previous Pick - 22nd Overall - Kawann Short (DT/Purdue)
25. San Diego Chargers (8-8) – Keenan Allen (WR/California)
Phillip Rivers threw three touchdown passes last week against the Titans, but all three were to his backup tight end, Dante Rosario. Malcolm Floyd and Rivers have good chemistry, but there is a good chance Floyd could bolt (get it?) in the offseason when he hits free agency. Even if he doesn’t, San Diego needs to find another receiver for Rivers.
Allen has slipped down the draft after his performance last week against Ohio State. Allen needs to improve his route running as well as his awareness on the field.
Previous Pick - 12th Overall - Justin Hunter (WR/Tennessee)
26. New York Giants (10-6) - DJ Fluker (OT/Alabama)
Eli Manning, as well as his offensive linemen, are entering the twilight of their careers. If the Giants want to keep Manning effective, they need to bring in a new offensive tackle to keep him off of his back. Fluker is the third Alabama offensive lineman taken in this draft.
Previous Pick - 20th Overall - Luke Joeckel (OT/TExas A&M)
27. Atlanta Falcons (11-5) – Marcus Lattimore (RB/South Carolina)
Michael Turner has clearly taken a step back this season. On top of that, he was arrested early Tuesday morning for a DUI. There is a good possibility that he will not be on the roster next year, but if that happens, the Falcons need to bring in someone else.
Previous Pick - 27th Overall - Montee Ball (RB/Wisconsin)
28. New England Patriots (10-6) – Jesse Williams (DT/Alabama)
Vince Wilfork will turn 32 during the offseason. Bill Belichick will need to find another big defensive lineman to rotate in with Wilfork in the near future.
Previous Pick - 28th Overall - TJ McDonald (S/USC)
29. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) – Jake Matthews (OT/Texas A&M)
The good news in San Francisco, the 49ers survived two tough tests against Green Bay and Detroit. The bad news, Alex Smith has been sacked seven times. Joe Staley is a better fit at right tackle, instead of the left side where he is currently playing. Anthony Davis just sucks.
Previous Pick - 29th Overall - Chris Faulk (OT/LSU)
30. Houston Texans (12-4) – Chris Faulk (OT/LSU)
Houston needs both a right tackle and a wide receiver. The draft, however, has plenty of talent at tackle, and not much at receiver.
Previous Pick - 30th Overall - Jake Matthews (OT/Texas A&M)
31. Green Bay Packers (11-5) – Le’Vonn Bell (RB/Michigan State)
I can’t imagine that the Packers are too satisfied with Cedric Benson and his 3.4 yards per carry being their starting running back. Running back is just as big of a need for the Packers as cornerback is. Bell is the best player available.
Previous Pick - 31st Overall - DeMarcus Milliner (CB/Alabama)
32. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) – Ricky Wagner (OT/Wisconsin)
Bryant McKinnie was almost cut before the season started by the Ravens due to a contract dispute. Regardless, McKinnie turns 33 next Sunday and has already contemplated retirement. Baltimore will need to find their heir at left tackle.
