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*Underclassman
Version 1.0 | 1.1
ROUND ONE
1. San Francisco 49ers- Aaron Rogers*, QB California
If the 49ers lock up the top slot, they should take a potential franchise quarterback to build around, but I would be surprised if they didn’t trade out of the pick to avoid paying the salary a quarterback would command from the top slot. If they do move down, they could be targeting an offensive tackle, or even a running back.
2. Miami Dolphins – Matt Leinart*, QB USC
The Dolphins have a second-round pick invested in A.J. Feeley, but with a new regime coming in, look for them to bring in their own guy to groom. Leinart has said he will return for his senior year, but if USC wins a national championship, he would have little left to accomplish at the collegiate level and could very well change his mind. A running back like Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown or Carnell Williams are possibilities as well.
3. Carolina Panthers – Alex Barron, OT Florida State
This may be a bit high for any of the offensive linemen in this draft, so the Panthers could be looking to move down as well. The addition of a left tackle like Barron would allow Jordan Gross to move back to the right side where he is more effective.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Carnell Williams, RB Auburn
The Bucs are near the bottom of the league when it comes to running the ball, so a running back makes sense here, especially if they can have their pick of Williams, teammate Ronnie Brown, and Cedric Benson out of Texas. These three prospects rank very closely in overall talent, but in my view, Brown’s skills translate best to the NFL. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, to see any of the three picked first at their position.
5. Tennessee Titans - Derrick Johnson, OLB Texas
The Titans could use someone to fill the hole left by Jevon Kearse at defensive end, but if Johnson is still available at this point, they would be foolish to pass on him. Keith Bullock is a tremendous playmaker on the right side, and Johnson would likely step right into a starting role opposite him, giving the Titans a devastating combination on the outside. Johnson looks to me like one of those special players that come along very rarely, so he may not be around this long.
6. Washington Redskins – Matthias Kiwanuka*, DE Boston College
The Redskins have played very well on the defensive side of the ball, but they are missing a speed rushing defensive end that can consistently get to the quarterback. If Kiwanuka comes out, he would be Washington’s best option. He is very quick off the ball and has amazing agility to go along with natural pass-rushing skills.
7. Dallas Cowboys (from Buffalo) – Antrel Rolle, CB Miami (Fla)
Injuries have exposed a lack of depth in the Cowboys secondary, and Terrence Newman has struggled at times this year. The addition of Rolle would take some of the pressure off Newman and give Dallas a solid pair of young corners to work with. Other areas of concern that could be addressed with this pick include a pass rushing defensive end, a nose tackle to take the pressure off La’Roi Glover, or even an outside linebacker if Johnson should happen to still be on the board.
8. Oakland Raiders – Cedric Benson, RB Texas
The Raiders have a lot of question marks, so there are a lot of directions they could go here. But Benson is a perfect fit for Norv Turner’s power running style of offense and the Raiders could mask some of their deficiencies on offense with his abilities. Auburn’s Ronnie Brown would be a good fit here also.
*Draft order based on standings after week 10.
