Well it really did happen, the Broncos traded quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for two first round draft choices including this year’s #18 selection as well as quarterback Kyle Orton. So now the big question is what will the Broncos do with both the #12 and #18 selections? Will they try and move up and get their quarterback of the future? My guess is no. I think new Coach Josh McDaniels has seen enough tape of Kyle Orton that he is willing to give him a shot. So Denver will use their two picks in this part of the draft to add two play-makers to their woeful defense. And keep in mind, next year’s quarterback draft class should be pretty solid with Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford from Oklahoma likely to come out joining Texas QB Colt McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow in a marquee class. So the Broncos who will have two first round picks again next year could have their choice. If you were McDaniels would you rather have Stafford or Sanchez this year and no defensive help, or take two defensive starters and use your two picks next year to finagle your way into Bradford or McCoy?
11. Buffalo Bills – Needs: OL, DL, TE. So how many times will we have to listen to Chris Berman and all the other draft analysts mention T.O. leading up to this pick? Owens has definitely raised the Bills media profile if nothing else. While my initial reaction was the Bills should and would select TE Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State, the addition of T.O. brought back memories of Owens and Jason Witten’s issues vying for the quarterback’s attention. Instead I think they use the spotlight-grabbing Owens as a distraction to select the troubled tackle out of Alabama Andre Smith. While questionable work ethic during the combine and pro day has dropped Smith from a top three pick, he still has the natural ability and with the focus on Terrell Owens maybe the Bills are just what Smith needs to fit in and learn what it takes to be a professional.
12. Denver Broncos – Needs: DE/OLB. Talk about distractions. Has any team had more distractions this off-season then the feud between new Head coach Josh McDaniels and star quarterback Jay Cutler? The Broncos will turn from the offensive madness and use their first draft choice to fill their major need of rushing the passer. The Broncos use the 12th pick in the draft to select Everette Brown defensive end from Florida State.
13. Washington Redskins – Needs: OL, LB. The tackle position is definitely an area of need for the Redskins. Both their starters Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen have over 10 years in the league. They stepped out and signed this year’s premier free agent DT Albert Haynesworth to fill the middle of the line. Now they must decide do they “reach” for the 5th best offensive tackle in the draft or do they look for help in the linebacker corps? I think the age at tackle is just too much to ignore and the Washington Redskins will make offensive tackle Eben Britton of Arizona the 5th offensive tackle taken in the first 13 picks.
14. New Orleans Saints – Needs: LB, DB. The Saints have a need in the defensive backfield both at the corner and at free safety and they find themselves in the position of having their choice of all available defensive backs in this years draft. And although I tend to discount CB’s from the Big Ten (come on how many great passing teams are there to defend in the Big Ten?) I think the Saints will use the 14th pick in the draft to select Malcolm Jenkins from The Ohio State University. A poor showing at the combine has caused this Buckeye to drop out of the top ten but his size and ball awareness makes him a candidate to fill either the cornerback or free safety need the Saints are faced with.
15. Houston Texans – Needs: WR, OL, OLB It sure seems like they have gone heavy on defense the last 3 drafts and if they are finally going to make the play-offs they need to score points. A compliment to Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson is a definite possibility here as is a trade down with a team looking for a quarterback. Would the Jets, Bears, Bucs, or Lions pull the trigger on a trade to move up a few slots for a chance at USC’s Mark Sanchez or K-State’s Josh Freeman? If I were the Lions or Bucs I would strongly consider it. But the clock runs out and the Texans are going to use the 15th pick in the draft to select Brian Cushing LB, USC. By the way, get ready Trojans fans there will be a lot of “from USC” being heard in the next half dozen picks.
16. San Diego Chargers – Needs: LB. Boy did the Chargers miss Shawn Merriman. Granted Phillip Rivers could use an upgrade at wide receiver to go along with Vincent Jackson but really was the offense the problem? No the defense needs to get back on track and San Diego will make it two Trojans linebackers in a row when they select linebacker, from USC, Rey Maualuga. Maualuga’s size and explosiveness would make him a great fit at inside linebacker in the Chargers’ 3-4 defense
17. New York Jets – Needs: QB, WR. Yes the loss of WR Laverneus Coles creates a huge hole in the offensive attack of the Jets but really can you believe their starting quarterback will be Kellen Clemens? Or Erik Ainge? Or Brett Ratliff? Now Thomas Jones may not end up leading the league in yards rushing but my money’s on him to lead the league in number of carries. How are the Jets going to move the ball? New head coach Rex Ryan will have the defense ready. Especially with the additions of LB Bart Scott, CB Lito Sheppard and S Jim Leonhard. The Jets will use the 17th pick in the draft to select their quarterback of the future, a quarterback who is at least familiar to “big city” lights as they announce the 3rd USC Trojan in a row; quarterback Mark Sanchez from USC is their pick.
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago in the Jay Cutler trade) – Needs: QB, LB, DT. Is Kyle Orton the answer? Probably not. Will the Broncos select Josh Freeman to replace him? Probably not. Denver may try and trade up and select Sanchez or they could be tempted to add RB Knowshon Moreno out of Georgia but the Broncos still need help on the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos will look to solidifying their front seven by selecting DE from LSU Tyson Jackson. Jackson and Everette Brown, the Broncos earlier pick at #12 will give the Broncos an instant makeover pass rush.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Needs: WR, QB, LB, DL. Joey Galloway is gone, Mark Clayton might as well be so you figure the Bucs need a receiver. But LB Derrick Brooks is also gone. How do you replace the leader of your defense? The Bucs are looking to copy the Steelers road to success by hiring a young defensive-minded Mike Tomlin-esque coach in first year coach Raheem Morris. So to follow that blueprint you must start with defense. The Bucs use the 19th pick to select defensive tackle Peria Jerry from the University of Mississippi to be the foundation of their front seven.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) – Needs: see #1. Well it looks like it might just work out for the Lions. First they went away from conventional wisdom and selected OT Jason Smith with the first overall pick to start rebuilding the offensive line. Now via the trade of WR Roy Williams last season they sit with the 20th pick poised to select their quarterback of the future. Kansas State’s Josh Freeman will be the Lions selection.
The Buyline 