By Jeremy Brunner
If you've ever read my stuff, you know that I think the t.v. coverage of the NFL Draft is a sham. Its too long(even with this year's shortened times), and the 'analysis' is too predictable. Any team that takes skill players early gets praised, while the squads that focus on the offensive and defensive lines get panned. All of this is ridiculous of course, there's no way to know how good a player will be in five years. So the 'experts' just like the teams that drafted guys they knew, specifically offensive skill guys. It bothers me every year and this year I'm doing something about it. I have joined the fray, I am breaking down the draft like only someone who hasn't spent hours studying it can. Lazily.
1. Atlanta Falcons
The Dirty Birds do their best to wash their hands of the Michael Vick era. They are the big winners for me, but if Matt Ryan is a bust, they go from #1 to #32.
2. New York Jets
A team with a punchless offense and not much defense improves both quickly.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Any time you can get the best player in the draft at #5, you kinda gotta do that, don't you?
4. New Orleans Saints
They still have Drew Brees and Reggie Bush on offense, so they beefed up their 'D'.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Another team that needed defensive help, and got it.
6. Detroit Lions
Having the Loins rated this high is surely a sign of the apocalypse. But since they didn't take a WR in round one for the 19th straight year, I'll give them a break.
7. San Francisco 49ers
Good role players.
8. Houston Texans
Line help is never a bad thing.
9. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikes traded away some of their picks for the NFL's reigning sackmaster before the draft. This will turn out to be a good move, if Jared Allen plays well and stays sober.
10. Indiapolis Colts
These guys don't need much.
11. Miami Dolphins
OL help is not a bad thing. John Beck will need it. Wait, scratch that. Chad Henne will need it.
12. New England Patriots
Let me get this straight. After that SB performance, the Pats didn't draft a single offensive lineman. Good luck with all that.
13. St. Louis Rams
Chris Long = no Howie Long(and also no Glenn Dorsey)
14. Carolina Panthers
They start with a running back, didn't they just take DeAngelo Williams? Whatever.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
All the 'experts' lit up the Jags for their selections of pass-rushing defensive linemen early. Didn't the Giants just win the Super Bowl with a decent team with great pass rushers?
16. Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden is stud, but who will block for him.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
As usual, an unbelievable collection of high-character guys.
18. Buffalo Bills
Not good.
19. Denver Broncos
Bad.
20. Chicago Bears
Worse.
21. Baltimore Ravens
Two early skill players = desperation.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Abysmal.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dung.
24. Green Bay Packers
Two quarterbacks? I thought they already had their guy. Uh-oh.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Crap.
26. San Diego Chargers
Crap-tastic.
27. New York Giants
No offensive linemen? Didn't they watch the Pats in the Super Bowl? Oh yeah.
28. Cleveland Browns
Your first pick is from U.N.L.V. = Not good
29. Seattle Seahawks
Resident Hawk fan Kent Rupe filled me in as to just how bad Seattle's draft was. Pretty bad.
30. Tennessee Titans
Their GM should be fired for this disaster.
31. Dallas Cowboys
Their GM should be fired, and then publicly humiliated, for this disaster.
32. Washington(Offensive nickname omitted)
Its the kiss of death when so many draft gurus loved your picks. Plus they committed the golden sin of draft day: Taking offensive skill players with your first three picks. Ask the Lions how that works out.
Agree/Disagree? Post below
