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Every NFL Draft has its "character" and theme. As in any draft there are positions that seem strong and others that appear weak. The reality is we really have no idea how these players at these positions are going to play in the NFL, but for now we have to go on what we think of them as prospects going into the draft.
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| Aqib Talib and the elite corners? Not nearly enough to go around. (Getty Images) |
• Offensive line is strong at the tackle position, especially in the first round, but center and guard are below average.
• The fullback position is weak as usual, but the running back position is very strong.
• Tight end is lacking a true first-rounder but has good depth in the second and third rounds.
• The wide receiver position has a group that fits better as Nos. 2 and 3 receivers with possibly only one WR being a consensus first-round pick (Devin Thomas).
• On defense the safety position is very weak.
• The corner position has no true standouts but seems to have some depth through the first two rounds.
• At the linebacker position there are possibly two first-round linebackers (Keith Rivers and Jerod Mayo) and then some depth in the second round.
• At the defensive tackle position there are probably three first-rounders (Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis and Kentwan Balmer) and then the bottom falls out.
• At defensive end you seem to have a good group in the first round (Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Derrick Harvey, Philip Merling -- recovering from a hernia surgery) and some interesting guys in the second and third rounds. When putting together a mock draft, what struck me as the theme of the first day was the needs of the teams at the beginning of the draft were aligned with the strongest positions. Therefore, teams in the second half of the first round will be in danger of not getting the guys they need, despite the depth at certain positions. Let's look at some examples of this.
There are a consensus five offensive tackles -- if you count Branden Albert as an offensive tackle and I think he will be drafted as one -- in the first round. Start at the top of the draft with Miami, St. Louis, Atlanta, Kansas City in the first five picks and then go to Denver (12), Carolina (13) and Chicago (14). You have six teams that need offensive tackles. Houston (18) with a need at offensive tackle will probably not see one of those five tackles. The other four tackles are Jake Long (already signed with the Dolphins), Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams.
Another example is running back. The consensus first-rounders are Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart, who is in a boot now due to toe surgery. Other players who could get into the first round are Felix Jones and Jamaal Charles. Both of these players are viewed more as situation backs, but Jones has a few backers who believe he could become a full-time starter.
When you look at teams with RB needs, the numbers run out too fast for teams in the second half of the first round. You have to figure Darren McFadden will go early in the first round. Mendenhall will go somewhere between Denver (12), Carolina (13) and Chicago (14). That leaves Arizona (16), Houston (18), Tampa Bay (20), Dallas (22 and 28) and Tennessee (24) to divide up Stewart (who despite the foot injury will go in the first round, from what I am told), Jones and Charles.
The other position that will cause teams problems is cornerback. There seem to be four consensus first-round corners: Leodis McKelvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Jenkins and Aqib Talib.
Teams with a need at corner are New England, though I do not believe they will take one at No. 7; the New York Jets, again too early to take a corner; New Orleans (10), Buffalo (11), Arizona (16), Houston (18), Dallas (22 and 28), Green Bay (30) and the New York Giants (31). Once again there are more teams that need cornerbacks than first-round corners available. Because of this situation, I believe you could see a few more trades in the first round then we have seen in the past few years.
With the time being cut to 10 minutes in the first round, teams will have to move quicker then they are accustomed to to make first-round trades.
Also, teams in the 20-plus-pick area have to decide whether to force a player up into the first round or take a player who is the best on the their board, or trade up to fill a need, or trade back to get extra picks.