1. St. Louis – Sam Bradford, QB

Presumptive no 1 pick. Good move taking the franchise QB over Suh.

2. Detroit – Ndamukong Suh, DT

Detroit is too tempted to take Suh, despite the fact that they are already paying big money to Corey Williams and should take Okung to protect the franchise's interests in Matt Stafford. (Especially with Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, and Jared Allen all in the same division)

3. Tampa Bay – Gerald McCoy, DT

Tampa should be ecstatic that arguably the best player in the draft falls to #3 and he fills a huge need for the Buccaneers. Absolute no-brainer pick as McCoy is perfect for the Tampa-2.

4. Washington – Russell Okung, OT

This pick should have been Russell Okung even before the McNabb trade. Now that the Redskins have their quarterback, this pick should be even more obvious.

5. Kansas City – Bryan Bulaga, OT

Like it or not, Scott Pioli is a positional value guy. He makes the right move by passing on Eric Berry and protecting his sizable investment in Matt Cassel. If the Lions are smart they will take a page out of his book too.

6. Seattle – Trent Williams, OT

Walter Jones should retire. Even if he doesn't, the Seahawks should take an offensive tackle. It is no coincidence that every team in the top 9 has needs at either QB or LT or both. Absolutely essential to shore up the most important positions when you can.

7. Cleveland – Eric Berry, S

I don't think the Browns are too interested in Jimmy Clausen. They take this opportunity to address their biggest need: finding a starting safety who isn't listed on the roster as a Wide Receiver.

8. Oakland – Bruce Campbell, OT

I know that this is everybody's pick for the Raiders, but it is just too obvious. They need an offensive tackle and Bruce Campbell might have been the most impressive player at the combine.

9. Buffalo – Jimmy Clausen, QB

Buffalo could use an offensive tackle, but I don't see one who presents good value here. They need a franchise QB and I think Clausen should be the pick, if they think he is the guy.

10. Jacksonville – Derrick Morgan, DE

Jacksonville's no 1 need? Generate some pass rush. They had the worst pass rush in the league last year and luckily for them they get a crack at the no 1 true 4-3 defensive end. Lucky them.

11. Denver – Earl Thomas, S

I struggled with this pick but ultimately I felt like Earl Thomas was probably the best player available, and Brian Dawkins isn't getting any younger. Dan Williams or Dez Bryant are both likely options too.

12. Miami – Dan Williams, DT

Jason Ferguson is in decline and Miami gets a chance to find a solid replacement this year. Williams should be the pick.

13. San Francisco – Joe Haden, CB

Frankly, front office upheaval or not, San Francisco is in a great spot this year. Any number of solid prospects could fall here and in this case San Francisco gets to scoop up the no 1 player at a position of need.

14. Seattle – from Denver – Taylor Mays, S

Yep, Pete Carroll gets to draft his favorite player. Part of the reason he will pass on Eric Berry is because he likes big safeties and because he will very likely have the opportunity to draft Mays here.

15. New York Giants – Dez Bryant, WR

The Giants love to draft BPA. In this scenario, Bryant slides a little bit. They might not have a big need at WR but Dez Bryant is a great physical talent and the Giants could finally replace Plaxico Burress. I know they need LBs, but Rolando McClain simply does not fit into the 4-3 scheme.

16. Tennessee – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE

The Titans love to draft workout warriors. They need to generate some pass rush and JPP slid past the Raiders. His combine numbers will push him over the top for Tennessee.

17. San Francisco – C.J. Spiller, RB

RBs often slide on draft day. The Niners benefit as they choose to add a nice complement to Frank Gore and Glen Coffee.

18. Pittsburgh – Mike Iupati, OG

Pittsburgh has expressed interest in beefing up their offensive line. Kevin Colbert knows that this team needs to replace Alan Faneca.

19. Atlanta – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB

Atlanta needs to address its pass rush. Graham could be a terrific get for this club. Sean Weatherspoon could also very well be the guy, however.

20. Houston – Kyle Wilson, CB

Houston is right on the cusp. The're no 1 goal is to stop Peyton Manning. They would do well to replace the departed Dunta Robinson with this pick.

21. Cincinnati – Jermaine Gresham, TE

If Dez Bryant falls this far, well I'd call it a lock. However since he hasn't I think the Bengals still add an offensive weapon for Carson Palmer.

22. New England – Jared Odrick, DT/DE

Richard Seymour is a Raider. Belicheck replaces Seymour up front while he waits for that 2011 first rounder.

23. Green Bay – Charles Brown, OT

Green Bay brought back both offensive tackles this year. They are going to have to protect Aaron Rogers better considering they will have to face Julius Peppers and Jared Allen in the division this year.

24. Philadelphia – Kareem Jackson, CB

With the trade of Sheldon Brown and the possibility that Asante Samuel is on his way out in Philly, the Eagles should add a corner here

25. Baltimore – Devin McCourty, CB

Baltimore could use some help at corner, they gave up a lot of penalties in the defensive secondary last year.

26. Arizona – Rolando McClain, LB

It's a long way down for Rolando McClain. Such is the case for middle linebackers, they just don't have much positional value. Arizona gets a nice player down here especially since they lost Karlos Dansby this offseason.

27. Dallas – Maurkice Pouncey, C/OG

Dallas loves big offensive linemen. Pouncey fits their mold and presents great value down here.

28. San Diego – Ryan Matthews, RB

San Diego doesn't need a RB as badly as they would have if they had let Darren Sproles walk. However, Matthews is a versatile back who could fit in nicely with their offense.

29. New York Jets – Everson Griffen, DE

I feel like Everson Griffen is a little underrated. I think the Jets get nice value here and add a nice hedge their bets if Vernon Gohlston continues to under-perform.

30. Minnesota – Brian Price, DT

Pat Williams isn't going to be around forever. Brian Price has slid a little bit but I don't see him falling out of the first round. Minnesota could take Colt McCoy with this pick, and I think that would be a great move for them.

31. Indianapolis – Sean Weatherspoon, LB

Indy gets a steal here. Weatherspoon is a great fit for the tampa 2 scheme and will provide some firey leadership on defense for the cardboard-stiff Colts.

32. New Orleans – Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB

New Orleans could stand to add a DE or OLB this season. While they have added Alex Brown, I think Gregg Williams could really do some interesting things with a versatile Hybrid player like Kindle.

The Browns have to find some good value in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds this year if they want to compete in the AFC North next year. Here are a few names you might want to get to know:

 

3rd Round:

• Andre Roberts       WR     The Citadel

This guy had an amazing senior bowl week. He is pretty small (5'11, 195) but displays good speed (4.46). He has shown fantastic hands and body control. Scouts I've read rave about his route running and ability to create separation. Very good in the open field running after the catch.

• Gene Atkins         DT       Georgia

A little undersized ( 6'1 293) for the 3-4 but his measurables at the combine were great (4.75 40, 34 reps in the bench). Add in a teriffic senior bowl week that included a beatdown of Mike Iupati and you have a guy who's stock is up. The downside is that he will definitely be gone early in the third, and might sneak into the second.

• Ben Tate             RB        Auburn

His prototypical size (5'11 220) and good 40 time (4.45) have quietly moved Tate up draft boards. He reportedly looked good in drills at the Auburn pro day, and would fit in nicely as the Brown's between the tackles bruiser. Potentially could be there pretty late in the third round.

 

4th Round

• Tony Washington      OL    Abilene Christian

Ok so we all have heard the story about how this guy became a sex offender, but its not every day you can get a 2nd round talent in the 4th round. The incident with his biological sister happened 7 years ago, people can change a lot between ages 16 and 23.

• Kyle Calloway        OL        Iowa

Perhaps a less risque 4th round sleeper. Kid has good size and projects to be a solid right tackle prospect.

5th Round

• Ed Dickson      TE      Oregon

With the acquisition of Ben Watson, this position is no longer the glaring need that it was. Dickson might be a really nice pickup down here. His measureables are very good (6'5, 250, 4.61 40) and he has been a really consistent target for Oregon the last two seasons.

• Eric Olson       OL      Notre Dame

This versatile offensive lineman can play center or guard. He has shown a good combination of size, speed and strength. A very disciplined player who could be a big plus for our offensive line depth.

• Jeff Byars        OL      Southern Cal

USC's version of Eric Olson. Solid athlete who could play center or guard and as good physical tools. Injury history has dropped his stock a bit.

Dear Mike Holmgren,

 

So far I think its safe to say that the fans are on board with your leadership. The moves you have made this offseason seem to be well thought out football decisions. Firstly, I love that you have shown a sense of urgency in this offseason. This team needs to become respectable, and fast. Despite this, you haven't taken any significant risks in free agency and seem content to get good players at a good value. For this, you should be applauded. These fans have been starved for a "credible" leader at the helm of the Browns since the team returned. I think you might be it.

You paid Josh Cribbs, and we love it. While Cribbs now makes a huge amount of money for a kick returner, this guy is the heart and soul of this team. He singlehandedly took over that Steelers game last year. Aside from his fantastic leadership in the locker room, this guy is an elite talent. We fans love Josh Cribbs, pleasing him was the right move.

Bringing in Tony Pashos was a good call. We love our offensive lineman here in Cleveland as much as any fans. If you think this guy can replace the awful play of John St. Clair at right tackle, by all means go right ahead.

Ditto for the Scott Fujita acquisation. He seems like a guy who gives you great effort on the field and a great guy in the locker room. With the departure of Derek Anderson, having another classy guy on the team is a great move.

The Seneca Wallace trade didn't exactly knock our socks off, but we know you just want a capable backup who doesn't need a whole lot of reps in practice to be ready in a pinch. We know you aren't going to start this guy. I like that you gave up practically nothing to get him, and that he could contribute sporadically as a Wideout or Wildcat back.

Given Derek Anderson's comments, I'm pretty sure even the most star-eyed DA supporters now feel that cutting him was the right move, both for the roster and the wallet.

I can't say that we are too thrilled that you are showing interest in Jake Delhomme. I know he has experience. I know he went to the Pro Bowl. I don't think the Panthers would have cut their most successful quarterback in franchise history in favor of Matt Moore if they thought Delhomme could get it done. You saw the press conference. The team clearly hated to let him go. Teams don't make a decision like that if they think he just had a bad year.

 

It seems clear to me that you have no love for Brady Quinn. I hope it is something you saw on film and not just a desire to put "your stamp" on this team by bringing in "your guy." I trust you will do what is ultimately in the best interests of the team, but the wise man once said "trust, but verify."

 

I think the fans as a whole would prefer that the team find a quarterback with some youth and upside. If you are convinced that Brady Quinn isn't the guy, go ahead and trade him. The fans will back you, but you had better deliver. Derek Anderson is right: We are ruthless.

 

I am just a regular old fan of the Cleveland Browns, Mike. Do you want to know what I want you to do? We'll let me lay it down for you:

 

Since you have no interest in Brady, trade him to the Bills. The are willing to hear offers for Donte Whitner. With the likely departure of Brodney Pool this team has a need at Strong Safety and Whitner is an excellent one. He is young, talented and a local kid who wants to come home. If you could get the Bills to throw in a 3rd round pick, it would be gravy in my book.

Second, Sign Troy Smith to be your quarterback. He is a talented athletic quarterback who has a strong arm and I believe good decision making skills. He was a star at Cleveland Glenville High School and Ohio State. He would be an instant fan favorite and I think is the kind of guy who can handle the pressure of being the Cleveland Browns' quarterback. He recently expressed several times that he wants to come home to Cleveland and play. Not to mention he could be had for just a 5th round pick. Better than Spending a 3rd rounder on Dan LeFevour or someone else.

Third: Draft Eric Berry in the first round. I don't care if you have to trade up with the Chiefs. This guy looks like money in the bank and could instantly help our secondary at Free Safety or Cornerback. Since the draft is deep at cornerback, I think we could get great value at the 2nd round spot. One of the second tier CBs will most definitely be there, especially if Joe Haden falls down a little bit. If Jerry Hughes is there though, hes a great option from what I've seen.

Use the rest of the draft to find us depth in the trenches, a TE and if there's a sleeper you like at Wide Receiver. This team has plenty of needs. So we need to find two or three early contributors in the third round or later.

Anyway, just a concerned fan's perspective. Thanks for (never) reading this.

Sincerely,

Jaws, Concerned Browns Fan.

The only way the Bucs (#3) pass on Eric Berry is if McCoy or Suh is available. If the Rams take a QB first overall (and they should), then one of the DTs will be available at #3. If Suh or McCoy falls to the Bucs, they will be the pick. The chiefs at #5 are pretty sure to look Offensive tackle.

The big question mark is Mike Shanahan in Washington. A lot of mocks have the 'skins drafting a QB at #4, but with the retirement of Chris Samuels the Redskins now have a glaring need at LT. Pete Carroll is certainly hoping that the Redskins take either Russell Okung or Anthony Davis (the Chiefs will get the other tackle, but not necessarily at #5) Which leaves the Seahawks at #6.

If one of the Quarterbacks slips by the Redskins and lands in Pete Carroll's lap, he would be hard pressed to pass on them, especially if he could add a Brian Bulaga  or Trent Williams with his other first round pick (#14) and still have a chance to add his guy Taylor Mays in the second round.

If the Rams take a QB and the Redskins take an OT, then Berry probably falls to #7.

However, should the Redskins take the other QB at #4, then The Seahawks are stuck a little bit at #6. They could use a playmaker in the secondary but their biggest needs are QB and OT. They can get a good OT at #14 but if neither Clausen nor Bradford gets to them at #6, they probably take Berry.

If the Browns brass really like Eric Berry, they could probably swing a trade with the Chiefs, since the chiefs would likely be able to get either Okung or Davis at #7 and could save some money giving them a #7 contract instead of a #5.

So, In the likely event that the Rams and Redskins both take QBs, The Browns should be on the phone to the Chiefs looking to send one of their third round picks to Kansas City in order to leapfrog the Seahawks for Eric Berry. I think the Chiefs would be willing to deal, considering that they are almost certain to get Okung anyway (or at the very least Anthony Davis, if Pete Carroll were to take Okung) and they could save some money on their first round pick, moving down a few slots.

What do you think? Is Eric Berry the guy? Is he worth eshewing the Joe Haden backup plan in order to trade up for him?

John Hollinger was recently talking hoops and he mentioned that the New Orleans Hornets are facing a salary cap armageddon next year:

 

Rod (Chicago)

New Orleans has $75+ million in salaries for next year. Unless someone takes Stojakovic or Posey with David West for a draft pick and players on rookie contracts, they're in a deep hole. Do they trade Chris Paul? Paul, Okafor, and Posey to OKC for Green, Westbrook, Krstic, and Collison gets them cap relief and two nice pieces. OKC is a veteran big man away from winning multiple titles.

John Hollinger   (12:10 PM)

New Orleans is indeed in a salary pickle and I was a little surprised they weren't more aggressive in addressing it at the trade deadline -- by trading Mo Pete and a future first, for example. It seems like they're hoping Peja will show up on opening day with a rack of guns in the locker room so they can take the Arenas route and get his contract off the cap; in fact they may be discussing how to frame him for this as we speak. More realistically, they're probably hoping they can move Okafor or West at some point in the next year to get them out of it; dealing CP is a disaster scenario. Second-best option: Trade Collison but make whomever gets him take on Posey and Peterson.

 I think if there was a trade that would make LeBron want to stay in cleveland it would be the aquisition of CP3, given the close friendship between him and LeBron.
The hornets might not want to keep paying Paul's $13 million a year contract if they think his knee is a risk, especially since they have Collison and Thornton waiting in the wings.
If I were the cav's braintrust I would definitely have deals that involved mo williams for CP3 in the back of my mind.
What do you guys think?

Just for fun What do you think?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ygxcnc9

 

Assuming both Shaq and Z could reach buyouts and resign with the Cavs for the remainder of the season.

 

The cavs finally get a talented,  youthful nucleus around LeBron in the form of Stoudemire and Iguodala in order to make the Cavs a more attractive destination for him next year.

 

The sixers get huge salary cap relief and some decent budget roleplayers

 

The Suns get a decent frontcourt overhaul in the form of Delambert and Hickson on a reasonable budget and cap relief in the form of Z's expiring contract.

 

If one of the teams is skittish the cavs would probably be willing to throw in some draft picks and cash to sweeten the deal.

What do you think?

Poll

Which team ought to say no to this deal?

41%

Cavs

22 votes

20%

76ers

11 votes

15%

Suns

8 votes

22%

none of them, this deal looks workable.

12 votes

53 votes | Poll has closed

Imagine the perfect measureables for an edge rusher.

Did you say 6'4" 260 with a 4.5 - 4.6 forty time and strength numbers that rival offensive tackles that outweigh him by 40-50 lbs? Yeah that's Vernon Gholston. On paper this guy is a Hall of Famer. Unfortunately for the Jets those kinds of evaluations just haven't translated onto the field (raise your hand if you remember Courtney Brown).

The Jets aren't happy. Gholston has $10 million in the bank and is yet to record a single sack in the regular season.  Now the possibility of an uncapped season is leading some Jets fans to call for the team to cut Gholston and his huge contract with no fear of a cap penalty. Given that Gholston is a Mangini guy, should the Browns take a flyer on the unproductive linebacker?

Poll

Would you trade a third round pick and a conditional second or third round pick in 2011 to the New York Jets for Vernon Gholston?

38%

Yes.

81 votes

49%

No.

104 votes

12%

Why would the Jets take that trade?

27 votes

212 votes | Poll has closed

Continue reading this post »

Inspired by this post discussing the Browns' potential options in free agency, I wondered what my draft board would look like if I was sitting next to Holmgren and Heckert in the Browns' war room. Assuming the Browns did make a splash and land a free agent like Karlos Dansby, what would your Browns draft board look like?

Pick -by- Pick preview of how I would view each pick after the jump.

Continue reading this post »