Disclaimers: Like last year, instead of trying to predict what teams do, as I have done in the past, I will instead share what
I think you should do. I thought it would be nice to see things from a different perspective.
All analysis is based on pre-skew workouts. I didn't use private workouts and if I did I wouldn't share that information.
I don't believe in true "Best Player Available" until late in the round. Otherwise it will be BPA at a position of need for this upcoming season or the immediate future.
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1.01 
CB Sean Smith
Analysis: This is no surprise. The Vikings moved up from 1.02 and I feel that they paid a pretty hefty price tag to do that. There are a couple of guys that would be worth taking here, but a 6'3" CB with athleticism is clearly the choice here. Neal Wintermute was also nice enough to let everybody know he was taking Smith. He's a better man than me as I would likely keep people guessing, requiring them to come up with several different scenarios and hope they make a mistake when we're live.
1.02 
DT Terrance Knighton
Analysis: Another trade-up, the Chiefs were originally drafting 1.03 but moved up to 1.02 to make sure they got their guy, but I don't totally agree with that move. It's likely MLB James Laurinaitis is the pick here as the Chiefs concentrate on running a 3-4. I understand the logic, but I don't totally agree with it, although that doesn't mean I'm right. I don't value the MLB2 in a 3-4 scheme.
1.03 
LG Andy Levitre
Analysis: The Bills have made some very smart moves in their trade downs. They made two trades, moving down from 1.01 to 1.02 and 1.02 to 1.03 and in the process gave up 3.25, but acquired WR Johnnie Morant, 3.03 and a Future 2. So far they're killing it with these trades. I really like LG Andy Levitre as as an OT and think he could be the best OL in the class. Outside of Wes Sims, the Bills have some low athleticism vets and could definitely stand to upgrade there to protect John David Booty and generate a better run game.
1.04 
MLB James Laurinaitis
Analysis: The Seahawks currently have MLB Antonio Pierce in the starting role. But at age 31 and on the last year of his contract, it's time to think into the future. And while MLB is not a need this year, they get one of the best MLBs we've had in a draft class and will cement the position for at least the next 8 seasons.
1.05 
CB Derek Cox
Analysis: After trading CB Deltha O'Neal this off-season, CB is clearly going to need to be addressed. I think Derek Cox is a very good CB and definitely worth the investment in the top 5, especially if he doesn't skew down.
1.06 
CB Kevin Barnes
Analysis: Its very tempting to go with an OL here. I like RT Adrian Jones but after 5 years he's still only 57 AWR. The Cowboys need a LT as well after trading it to get up to 1.06. Before trading their later 1st for LE Tyler Brayton I would have gone CB here and OL later on, but I think CB is still the pick here. You can typically find stopgaps on the OL to hold you over, but CBs are damn hard to find right now.
1.07 
QB Mark Sanchez
Analysis: I think it's pretty obvious that the Colts are eyeballing a QB and the butt fumbler just happens to be the best in the class. I highly doubt Ian will roll with 69 OVR Brad Smith as their starting QB. It's a lock the Colts are going QB, the question will be if a team is willing to leap in front of them to take the #1 QB.
1.08 LOLB Clint Sintim
Analysis: The Colts team is pretty solid. After getting their QB, it's temping to stick to the offensive side of the ball. I would be looking for a better Center and potentially a RG. Maybe even a TE, although I think a top 10 1st for a TE is crazy. But I see LOLB Clint Sintim as an immediate starter and wouldn't require a position change as he would take over on the left side and round out that LB corps.
1.09 
QB Matthew Stafford
Analysis: Kind of fitting that the Lions end up with Stafford. After trading Michael Vick away for peanuts, it's obvious the Lions need to get a QB to build around first and foremost. Sanchez is the better QB but I don't feel like it's by all that much.
1.10 
TE Jared Cook
Analysis: The Cardinals just signed TE Heath Miller but I think TE is an area to address for Arizona. We also need to balance out where these 1st round picks are invested. 10/11 of the defensive starters are 1st rounders, it doesn't make a ton of sense to replace a former 1st round pick, who is still young, with a current 1st.
1.11 RT Michael Oher
Analysis: After getting the QB of the future, the next step is supplying him with weapons and protecting him. Unfortunately it's a tough draft class for a WR. The Lions got Ryan Torain and Beanie Wells looks decent but nothing that makes him stand out. I would be going OL here to try and protect my QB. Fewer QB hits, less chance of injury, greater chance of progressing and developing.
1.12 RT Tony Kropog
Analysis: Public service announcement: It's pretty silly that this team has so many 1st round studs on their roster and yet still has several 1st round picks to add to it. Any team in the NFC that wants to compete should think twice before trading a 1st to the Cardinals! It's very difficult to find a player that the team needs to upgrade, but OG is an area where I feel they could improve at since we have to find
something.
1.13 
Robert Henson
Analysis: After losing MLB Ray Lewis and CB Chris McAlister, it feels like defense is where the focus is. After missing out on MLB James Lauranaitis, Henson is a pretty decent consolation prize.
1.14 CB Malcolm Jenkins
Analysis: It's a pretty good class for CBs but Jenkins is already the 4th CB off the board. It feels a little bit like a reach here, but after losing McAlister and being on the hot seat, it may be the best course of action for the Ravens. I think they should have held onto McAlister but it's too late now.
1.15 
LE Larry English
Analysis: I was thinking maybe RB as Deuce McAllister is getting up there in age and this is still a run oriented team. But I'm not a big fan of HB Beanie Wells, although he could work out for the Saints. I like Larry English and feel that he's not getting much attention in this draft and it's time to start thinking about replacing the 33-year-old LE Darren Howard.
1.16 
LOLB Brian Cushing
Analysis: After losing ROLB Kirk Morrison on a whopping contract (for his talent level), the Browns find themselves in need of a starting OLB. Bushing is pretty good and we won't know if he is as good or better than Sintim until after the draft due to the flaw with the OLBs SPD skew.
1.17 
HB Beanie Wells
Analysis: With Jim Sorgi at the helm, the Bengals need to rely on an effective run game. Tiki Barber continues to regress and is 88 SPD on a 5'10", 200lb frame, making over $8m. He feels like a cap casualty waiting to happen. Antonio Pittman has had some big plays but isn't making the impact you want in your starting RB, and is still only 67 OVR after 2 full seasons. Despite winning with Sorgi starting, he threw 16 INTs to only 14 TDs and the gameplan is likely going to revolve around a run game for the next few seasons.
1.18 
ROLB Marcus Freeman
Analysis: This is a really solid team and I'm very surprised they don't have more success with the talent they have. It's one of those teams that's hard to find a hole. I think the Bears could improve the Guard spot as an alternative but definitely not a dire need. I think Freeman could be very good with his athelticism and size.
1.19 LE David Veikune
Analysis: The Lions have so many different areas they could address. At this point I would imagine the focus is on impactful positions and one they could acquire is Veikune. Not a big name, but 82 SPD, 81 STR, 86 AGI and 85 ACC is very appealing, and he will get better with rookie and potentially sophomore progression. I know the Lions acquired Travis LaBoy but I'm not sold on him.
1.20 DT B.J. Raji
Analysis: I've got no fucking clue who the Cardinals would want. I know they've got undersized DTs and while Apolo may like that, I would consider upgrading there to complete the defense. Raji is a big boy with pretty good athleticism for that size and strength.
1.21 
LE Tyson Jackson
Analysis: Really tempted to go with WR Michael Crabtree here but that LE spot is a gaping hole after trading LE Tyler Brayton to the division rival Cowboys. I would imagine Bryan Mellon has a plan here, but I don't know what it is and considering how impactful of a position it is, I would address that here. Jackson doesn't have outstanding athleticism, but considering his size it's pretty good.
1.22 
WR Michael Crabtree
Analysis: This wouldn't be good for the AFC East if this really happened. Tom Brady already got LaDainian Tomlinson this off-season, now he gets to bolster his WR core with grabbing arguably the #1 WR in the class.
1.23 LT William Beatty
Analysis: I still have no clue. Maybe the Cardinals address their other Guard spot?
1.24 C Antoine Caldwell
Analysis: The Browns don't have a single Center on their roster, so it's obvious it's a need. The jury is still out on the importance of the RBK trait, but I'm sure we're going to figure out how important it is soon enough.
1.25 C Eric Wood
Analysis: As mentioned previously, the Colts could upgrade at Center and Eric Wood is arguably the most talented despite being taken second due to the ridiculous 95 AWR of Antoine Caldwell.
1.26 WR Ramses Barden
Analysis: I'm not a huge fan of WR Kelley Washington and WR Ted Ginn Jr is alluring but he hasn't been given an opportunity to produce and you have to wonder if there's a reason for that. For a team that likes to run first, Barden could be an idea type of guy for the Redskins. A big target that could be a consistent 8-10 yard reception guy to keep the chains moving.
1.27 
ROLB Clay Matthews
Analysis: This isn't a particular need for the Raiders but I think it's a very good value pick for them. Marcus Washington is age 32 and YP9 and obviously on his way out and while they don't need to replace him now, they obviously can now, and save over $6m in cap space by finding a trade partner with Washington.
1.28 TE Shawn Nelson
Analysis: With having so many 1st round picks the Colts can go after guys that they feel are good value. With a good skew Shawn Nelson could be a very good TE, but it's all going to depend on that SPD.
1.29 
RT Phil Loadholt
Analysis: An area where I think the Dolphins could upgrade is LT. Their OL is pretty athletic but it seems to be the only spot on the line that really isn't right now. Loadholt has athleticism along with a ridiculous 6'8", 343lb frame and 98 STR.
1.30 RT Sebastian Vollmer
Analysis: Again, I think we're talking value here but Vollmer could move to Guard and start for the Colts as a rookie.
1.31 MLB Tyrone McKenzie
Analysis: Pure value here. I don't know if McKenzie will fall this far, but if he did it would be hard to pass him up despite having MLB E.J. Henderson on the roster.
1.32 
RG Kraig Urbik
Analysis: The first thing that jumps out at me is the OL. Their Center Alex Stepanovich is the only one I really like and would focus on upgrading that first and foremost.
