The 100 Yard Spin

Mid-Season Draft Analysis

With the first half of the 2010 season in the rear-view mirror it is becoming more evident that this is one of the most competitive years ever in the National Football League. Every team has at least two losses and some of the teams at the bottom, such as Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit, have been very competitive. It is a craps-shoot at best when trying to predict how the final standings will have the teams ranked and it is even more so when trying to predict the outcome of next year's draft.

None the less, I have arranged the teams in the draft order of how I believe things could play out between now and February. There is a lot of football left so things will definitely change. When the season finally ends and a the Lombardi Trophy is passed on to the Super Bowl winner, I will take a look back at this list and adjust it accordingly.

For the most part, this is an attempt to look at the type of talent that will be available when teams make their selections in April. It looks to be another loaded draft, especially if there is another record year of underclassman entries.

1. Buffalo Bills: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford - The "worst" team in the league has been a tough opponent, losing some close games to some good teams, including the Baltimore Ravens. Luck appears to be the best quarterback prospect and might garner similar attention from NFL teams that Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford did the previous two years.
2. Carolina Panthers: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa - The Panthers are young and have a lot of holes to fill. One of the top three quarterbacks could be an option here as well but I believe the team will give Jimmy Clausen a solid chance to prove himself first. Clayborn should help fans forget about the loss of Julius Peppers last off-season.
3. Dallas Cowboys: OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State - The 'Boys need to add some young talent up front to protect Tony Romo and open up running lanes for the backs. Sherrod has helped the Bulldogs win a bunch of games in 2010 and they are now bowl eligible. He has the stuff to move up on NFL draft boards. He has handled some of the SEC's best pass-rushers and helped pave the way for a stout running attack.
4. San Francisco 49ers: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska - NFL passing games are more explosive than ever right now so good cornerbacks are hard to pass up. At 6'1" and 205 lbs Amukamara is a prime candidate to match up against bigger receivers.
5. Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU - Was in the Heisman hunt as a corner early in the season and has three INT's on the season even though teams have been trying to avoid him.
6. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ryan Mallet, Arakansas - No other team is weaker at QB than the Cardinals. Mallet may not be a perfect prospect but his skills are hard to pass up. Jake Locker begins to worry about his own draft status as he gets passed up here.
7. Detroit Lions : OT Anthony Costonzo, Boston College - The next phase of the Mo-town plan will be focused on improving the offensive line. Costonzo could be an elite left tackle prospect but might need to add some size and strength to his game in order to make waves in the running game. Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and TCU's Marcus Cannon could also be options as well.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Marcel Dareus, Alabama - The Bengals could take a chance on another QB here, such as Locker. Another defender to help stop the run and rush the passer would be nice too.
9. San Diego Chargers: WR AJ Green, Georgia - So long Vincent Jackson. Hello AJ Green. In the end it could be a great move for this long overrated team.
10. St Louis Rams: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson - This team has some young pieces to build around, such as MLB James Laurinitis and QB Sam Bradford. Bowers could be another key addition.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Julio Jones, Alabama - Jones could work out very well opposite Sims-Walker and provide the offense with another dangerous weapon.
12. Seattle Seahawks - Allen Bailey, Miami - The Seahawks are on the right path but they need to continue developing their pass-rush. Jake Locker could also be an option here as QB is another position in need of an upgrade.
13. Oakland Raiders: QB Jake Locker, Washington - Will Al Davis pull the trigger on the athletically gifted but slightly overrated Husky passer? Why not?
14. Cleveland Browns: DE Cam Heyward, Ohio State - The Browns have looked relatively good so far in 2010. They should take a note from elite AFC teams and add more talent to the D-line.
15. Washington Redskins: C Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State - Starter Casey Rabach is 33 years old and Wisnieski is the type of technician that Mike Shanahan loves in the trenches.
16. Miami Dolphins: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA - Another pass-rusher is always an option for teams looking to take the next step and compete in the playoffs. The Dolphins need some game-changers on the outside to run the 3-4 defense effectively.
17. Houston Texans: OL Marcus Cannon, TCU - A huge body that could play either guard or tackle. The team needs to continue to focusing on protecting QB Matt Schaub and opening up holes for RB Arian Foster.
18. Minnesota Vikings: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue - Jaren Allen's production has slipped and age may be catching up to the entire D-line so I expect the team to start addressing the position ASAP.
19. Green Bay Packers: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama - The Packers passed on Jahvid Best in the draft and Marshawn Lynch in a mid-season trade. The team will select a RB somewhere in this draft.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Bruce Carter, UNC - The Eagles could use more play-makers and solid tacklers on defense. Carter is both of those things and much more.
21. Indianapolis Colts: DT Stephen Paea - Jerry Hughes didn't emerge as a rookie and starters Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are now entering their 30's, so end could be addressed again. However, Paea came on strong in 2010 and might not even last this long in the draft. If you can name any of the Colt's current DT's then you must be from Indy.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Greg Jones, Michigan State - Versatile player could have been a first round pick last year. He has all the makings of a pro-bowl linebacker in the Buccaneer's defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: OT DeMarcus Love, Arkansas - Some things seem to be coming together in KC but they could use more help up front. Love is a solid prospect and would be a welcome addition to the team.
24. Tennessee Titans: DT Marvin Austin, UNC - Austin will be depending on a strong combine performance to boost his stock after being suspended in 2010. He has the ability to be a top-10 pick so the Titans would be silly to pass up on him here.
25. Chicago Bears: DE Cameron Jordan, California - Nice combination of size and athleticism could be a terror opposite Julius Peppers. O-line and wide receiver are the biggest needs though. Colorado OT Nate Solder or Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi might be nice fits at OT.
26. New England Patriots: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia - At 6'2" and 200 lbs Dowling could bring a physical presence to the position that the team has not seen since Ty Law was abusing receivers for them.
27. New Orleans Saints: DT Drake Nevis, LSU - The Saints are currently 17th against the rush and 16th in the league in sacks (19). Nevis seems to be able to do it all and has helped LSU to a top five defense nationally.
28. Baltimore Ravens: OLB Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma - Another play-maker on the outside edge? It never hurts to be well-stocked on defense. Besides, Beal might be a steal late in the first even though some "experts" have given him a second round grade.
29. New York Jets: DT Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss - Another big body (6'2" 340 lbs.) to plug the middle of the defense on running downs.
30. Atlanta Falcons: CB Curtis Brown, Texas - The Falcons may be the best team in the NFC now and in order to keep that momentum rolling they need to continue improving on defense.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M - The Steelers can never get enough pass-rushers on their depth chart. O-line and D-line may also get a long look here too but the organization is good at simply selecting the best available player.
32. New York Giants: OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin - If Carimi falls this far down it's simply a testament to the talent that is available, especially at the O-line position.