htismaqe
04-22-2009, 10:46 AM
Don't care if this is a repost, I'm short on time.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-04-21-backdraft_N.htm
Second chances are rare in sports. But in USA TODAY's annual NFL Backdraft, we can take a revisionist look at what should have happened in last year's selection meeting.
The rules: Re-draft the 2008 first round as it happened. Consider each team's needs and strengths during last season, but don't apply their current needs to last year's pick.
The results don't change much at the very top, where the Dolphins march on to their 2008 AFC East title with Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long and the Falcons return to the playoffs with the surprise leadership of young QB Matt Ryan.
But other faces would be changing places in the Backdraft world. Joe Flacco's success leading the Ravens to the playoffs would draw admirers from the other QB-hungry teams and likely wouldn't keep him in Baltimore. Chris Long would return the Raiders roots his Hall of Fame father set down. And dynamic CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who started for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, would leap up 10 spots and land with the Jets.
ACTUAL DRAFT RESULTS: 2008 first round
Like last year's draft, the Backdraft is dominated by offensive tackles. Seven of them found homes, including three in the first five picks.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Miami | Super Bowl | New Orleans | Baltimore | Kansas City | New England Patriots | New England | Oakland | Buffalo | Denver | Cincinnati | Rams | Falcons | Dolphins | Raiders | Jets | Jaguars | Ravens | Bills | Chiefs | Reggie Bush | Carson Palmer | Jay Cutler | AFC East | Chad Pennington | Matt Ryan | Al Davis | Steven Jackson | Deuce McAllister | Tedy Bruschi | Ellis | Mayo | Joe Flacco | Jake Long | Matt Forte | Orlando Pace | Albert | Marcus Stroud | Alex Barron | INTs | Pierre Thomas | Keith Rivers | Offensive Rookie | Defensive Rookie | Hall-of-Fame | Howie | DT John Henderson | Bills. | CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | McKelvin | Clady | DE Chris Long | DE Derrick Harvey | RB Darren McFadden
Now, on to the picks:
1. DolphinsT Jake Long (Michigan): Can't change what went right in Miami. Long earned a Pro Bowl selection after starting all 16 games at left tackle in front of QB Chad Pennington and helped the Dolphins turn from 1-15 in 2007 into 11-5 division champions in 2008. Actual pick: Long
2. RamsT Branden Albert (Virginia): Yes, he's a reach. Ryan Clady might be a better pure left tackle, but with Orlando Pace and Alex Barron in place last year, Albert brings more value because of the versatility that allows him to slide over and play guard. Albert is also a better run-blocker than Clady, which benefits the Rams' best player, Steven Jackson. And Albert's versatility he thrived at left tackle in Kansas City last year also affords him a chance to become the successor to the since-departed Orlando Pace. Actual pick: DE Chris Long
3. FalconsQB Matt Ryan (Boston College): Ryan became the new face of the Falcons after starting all 16 games, throwing for 3,440 yards and 16 TD passes and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading the team to a playoff spot. They won't need a mulligan. Actual pick: Ryan
4. RaidersDE Chris Long (Virginia): Long had a solid first season for the Rams with four sacks. But Raiders owner Al Davis likely wouldn't pass on the chance to continue the Hall-of-Fame legacy Long's father, Howie, a fellow defensive end, built in Oakland. Actual pick: RB Darren McFadden
5. Chiefs T Ryan Clady (Boise State): The Chiefs slid Albert in at left tackle as a rookie and he thrived. Clady's a natural left tackle who performed superbly while protecting QB Jay Cutler in Denver in 2008. Though the Chiefs clearly needed a quarterback last season, it's too early to consider drafting Joe Flacco. Actual pick: DT Glenn Dorsey
6. Jets CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State): He played really well down the stretch for the Cardinals, with four INTs and 12 passes defensed over the final 12 games. Rodgers-Cromartie would start opposite Pro Bowler Darrelle Revis to give the Jets a stout pass defense in the pass-happy AFC East. New York's pass defense struggled in 2008 thanks to a revolving door of players opposite Revis. Actual pick: LB/DE Vernon Gholston
7. Saints DT Sedrick Ellis (Southern California): Ellis helped solidify the New Orleans defensive line. He still has room to improve, but the potential at a premium position outweighs the potential a running back such as Matt Forte would bring to spell Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas, who collectively combined to run the ball amid a slew of injuries. Actual pick: Ellis
8. Jaguars DT Glenn Dorsey (LSU): The Jaguars never filled the void created when Marcus Stroud was dealt to Buffalo after the 2007 season. Dorsey, although underwhelming in his rookie campaign with the Chiefs, would help clog the middle while teaming with stalwart DT John Henderson. Actual pick: DE Derrick Harvey
9. Bengals RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas): Although Cedric Benson had a surprisingly pleasant season as a free-agent pickup, McFadden offers brighter long-term potential in Cincinnati. His skills as both a ball-carrier and a receiver portend a good relationship, eventually, with QB Carson Palmer and a more dynamic offensive approach. Actual pick: LB Keith Rivers
10. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo (Tennessee): Mayo won the Defensive Rookie of the Year after making 128 tackles and carving a niche at inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. He proved that New England didn't reach when it chose him in this spot and he seems ticketed to take over for Tedy Bruschi as the defense's leader. Actual pick: Mayo
11. Bills CB Leodis McKelvin (Troy): McKelvin started slow at corner but grew into the role for the Bills and eventually made two picks, one for a touchdown. He also displaced fellow corner Terrence McGee as the kick returner, and gives the Bills a long-term replacement to CB Nate Clements, who left after the 2007 season. And good cornerbacks will be important in the AFC East as long as Tom Brady is lighting up scoreboards. Actual pick: McKelvin
12. Broncos WR Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech): The Broncos can't wait until the second round this time to nab Royal, who caught 91 passes for 980 yards and had five touchdowns. They'll have to address left tackle later. Actual pick: T Ryan Clady
13. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon): Stewart was an integral part of the Panthers' NFC South title, as he and DeAngelo Williams teamed for 2,351 rushing yards. Carolina couldn't make a better pick and might enjoy even better returns in 2009 if Stewart's health returns to 100% after he battled several maladies after leaving Oregon. Actual pick: Stewart
14. Bears RB Matt Forte (Tulane): Forte powered the Bears offense with 1,238 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, a performance that displaced Gale Sayers from the team's record book in terms of production from a rookie back. And they got him in the second round. They won't wait for him this time. Actual pick: T Chris Williams
15. Chiefs T Sam Baker (Southern California): As bad as the 2-14 Chiefs were last season, they would have been worse without a stabilizing left tackle. With Branden Albert off the board, they'd turn to Baker, whom the Falcons trusted with protecting Ryan despite suffering through injuries. Actual pick: T Branden Albert
16. Cardinals RB Steve Slaton (West Virginia): If Slaton (1,282 rushing yards, nine TDs) had replaced Edgerrin James mid-season instead of Tim Hightower, James might never have gotten the job back and the Super Bowl might have turned out differently. Regardless, Slaton would make the Cardinals' explosive offense even stronger in the long run. Actual pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
17. Lions QB Joe Flacco (Delaware): Hindsight is often better than 20-20 ours is sometimes 20-10 and many observers thought Flacco was drafted too early by Baltimore last season. But given what they know now and the obvious need under center they have now we think the Lions might seriously re-consider Flacco as their franchise quarterback. He'd probably be asked to win more games and make more plays in Detroit, but he and WR Calvin Johnson might have been able to cause enough damage to win at least two games, right? Actual pick: T Gosder Cherilus
18. Ravens QB Chad Henne (Michigan): After the retirement of QB Steve McNair and Kyle Boller's failed tenure in Baltimore, the Ravens knew they needed a quarterback of the future last season and got their guy in Flacco. He's off our Backdraft board given his 2008 success kudos to Baltimore's scouting department but that doesn't diminish the team's need for a new field general. The rifle-armed Henne, who might have started in Miami if not for the subsequent signing of Chad Pennington, gets a shot to manage games and let the Ravens defense shine. Actual pick: QB Joe Flacco
19. Panthers T Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh): After securing the services of Stewart, the Panthers mortgaged their future and moved back into the first round to enlist the mammoth Otah. A classic road grader type on the right side, Otah helped unleash the dual talents of RBs DeAngelo Williams and Stewart as the Panthers ground their way to the NFC South crown. Otah and LT Jordan Gross should form a fine bookend combination for years in Charlotte. Actual pick: Otah
20. Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson (California): WR Antonio Bryant was a pleasant surprise in Tampa Bay in 2008, and Jackson would have provided a perfect complement and perhaps saved the Bucs from throwing $26 million at disappointing WR Michael Clayton this offseason. Jackson managed 912 receiving yards as a rookie with the Eagles and possesses the ability to go the distance any time he touches the ball luckily for the Bucs, that also includes Jackson's gifts as a punt returner, long a weakness for the franchise. Actual pick: CB Aqib Talib
21. Falcons T Duane Brown (Virginia Tech): Atlanta made sure it got an NFL-ready left tackle to look after Matt Ryan after it traded back into the first round to grab Sam Baker a year ago. That plan worked out rather well, so there's no reason to mess with a successful formula (even if we messed with it a little by sending Baker to Kansas City). Brown stepped into the left tackle void for the Texans and gave a good account of himself as a rookie. Actual pick: T Sam Baker
22. Cowboys LB Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma): Jerry Jones took fellow Razorback Felix Jones with this pick, and it worked out pretty nicely until Felix hurt himself and was lost midway through the season. But what might have really helped the Cowboys down the stretch as they were hemorrhaging points and losing games is a stout inside linebacker who can lasso opposing ball carriers. Lofton trailed only Mayo among rookie tacklers and would have provided a longer-term solution than LB Zach Thomas did. Actual pick: RB Felix Jones
23. Steelers DE Phillip Merling (Clemson): Given the way things worked out, it's hard to argue with anything the Steelers did in 2008, from letting all-pro G Alan Faneca go to failing to draft a replacement for him to drafting RB Rashard Mendenhall, who's full of potential but gave Pittsburgh very little production after an early season-ending shoulder injury. But going into 2009, the Steelers definitely need to get younger on their defensive line, and Merling is a good fit for their three-man front and a guy who could spell and ultimately replace DEs Aaron Smith and/or Brett Keisel. Actual pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall
24. Titans RB Chris Johnson (East Carolina): Tennessee was widely panned for taking the relatively unknown but clearly speedy Johnson with its first selection last year rather than addressing its seeming perpetual need for a wideout. But, as happens more often than not, the Titans were on the mark with their pick, and Johnson blazed his way to 1,228 rushing yards as the Titans blazed their way to the NFL's best regular-season record. Actual pick: Johnson
25. Cowboys CB Antoine Cason (Arizona): Given the injuries to Terence Newman, the holes in the since-departed Anthony Henry's game and the concerns that swirled around Adam "Pacman" Jones, Dallas was wise to grab a cornerback with its second pick of the first round. But the Cowboys took Mike Jenkins, who didn't really distinguish himself in 2008. So we're assigning them Cason, who thrived with a San Diego defense that is very similar schematically to Dallas'. Cason is also a high-character guy, a nice change of pace to Pacman. Actual pick: CB Mike Jenkins
26. Texans DE Vernon Gholston (Ohio State): Gholston was viewed as an elite prospect prior to the 2008 draft, but he made barely a whimper with the Jets, who drafted him sixth overall. Given his vast potential, we're keeping Gholston in the first round even if his rookie production doesn't warrant it. But rather than casting him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense perhaps a case of the Jets misdiagnosing his skills we're sending Gholston to Houston, where he can line up as a 4-3 defensive end (opposite stud DE Mario Williams by the way) and hunt opposing quarterbacks as he did so well at Ohio State. Actual pick: T Duane Brown
27. Chargers RB Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois): If they could do it over, we're left to wonder if the Chargers would slap the franchise tag on RB Michael Turner, LaDainian Tomlinson's former backup, after the 2007 season rather than lose him to the Falcons in free agency. The Chargers did exactly that this offseason to RB Darren Sproles, a player who's not built to carry the load like Turner. Given Tomlinson's cap number, recent rash of injures and age, having a do-it-all back in place for the present and future seems like a pretty good idea. And we like Mendenhall's game a bit better than Kevin Smith, who had a more productive rookie season in Detroit. Actual pick: CB Antoine Cason
28. Seahawks T Chris Williams (Vanderbilt): Williams didn't distinguish himself as the Bears' left tackle of the future after struggling through most of the season with a back injury. So he probably would have fit right in with the Seahawks, who had a half-dozen offensive linemen land on injured reserve in 2008. But whether or not Williams would have played in the Emerald City in 2008, what's clear is that the Seahawks need a new left tackle in place with Walter Jones, almost certainly a future Hall of Famer, in decline. Actual pick: DE Lawrence Jackson
29. 49ers DE Derrick Harvey (Florida): With 3.5 sacks, Harvey didn't live up to advance billing in Jacksonville last season and he had plenty to live up to after the Jags traded up to take him with the eighth pick and then he held out of training camp. In San Francisco the expectations won't be so high and where, hopefully, Harvey wouldn't hold out. Given the Niners' need for an improved pass rush, here's hoping Harvey could work his way into their 3-4 rotation and work his Gator magic off the edge. Actual pick: DT Kentwan Balmer
30. Jets TE Dustin Keller (Purdue): To the skepticism of some, the Jets maneuvered back into Round 1 of the 2008 draft to grab Keller, a tight end much more renowned for his hands than his blocking. But he proved to be a favored weapon of QB Brett Favre, catching 48 balls for 535 yards, and panned out much better for the Jets than Gholston did. Actual pick: Keller
31. Patriots No selection; stripped by commissioner Roger Goodell.
32. Giants S Kenny Phillips (Miami, Fla.): Phillips only started three games in 2008, but he did contribute 67 tackles and looks set as a starter in the New York secondary for many years to come. The Giants also couldn't have gone wrong at this spot in the backdraft with UCLA's Chris Horton, the safety who eventually went to Washington in the seventh round and provided the best bang for the buck of any player in the 2008 draft. Actual pick: Phillips
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-04-21-backdraft_N.htm
Second chances are rare in sports. But in USA TODAY's annual NFL Backdraft, we can take a revisionist look at what should have happened in last year's selection meeting.
The rules: Re-draft the 2008 first round as it happened. Consider each team's needs and strengths during last season, but don't apply their current needs to last year's pick.
The results don't change much at the very top, where the Dolphins march on to their 2008 AFC East title with Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long and the Falcons return to the playoffs with the surprise leadership of young QB Matt Ryan.
But other faces would be changing places in the Backdraft world. Joe Flacco's success leading the Ravens to the playoffs would draw admirers from the other QB-hungry teams and likely wouldn't keep him in Baltimore. Chris Long would return the Raiders roots his Hall of Fame father set down. And dynamic CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who started for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, would leap up 10 spots and land with the Jets.
ACTUAL DRAFT RESULTS: 2008 first round
Like last year's draft, the Backdraft is dominated by offensive tackles. Seven of them found homes, including three in the first five picks.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Miami | Super Bowl | New Orleans | Baltimore | Kansas City | New England Patriots | New England | Oakland | Buffalo | Denver | Cincinnati | Rams | Falcons | Dolphins | Raiders | Jets | Jaguars | Ravens | Bills | Chiefs | Reggie Bush | Carson Palmer | Jay Cutler | AFC East | Chad Pennington | Matt Ryan | Al Davis | Steven Jackson | Deuce McAllister | Tedy Bruschi | Ellis | Mayo | Joe Flacco | Jake Long | Matt Forte | Orlando Pace | Albert | Marcus Stroud | Alex Barron | INTs | Pierre Thomas | Keith Rivers | Offensive Rookie | Defensive Rookie | Hall-of-Fame | Howie | DT John Henderson | Bills. | CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | McKelvin | Clady | DE Chris Long | DE Derrick Harvey | RB Darren McFadden
Now, on to the picks:
1. DolphinsT Jake Long (Michigan): Can't change what went right in Miami. Long earned a Pro Bowl selection after starting all 16 games at left tackle in front of QB Chad Pennington and helped the Dolphins turn from 1-15 in 2007 into 11-5 division champions in 2008. Actual pick: Long
2. RamsT Branden Albert (Virginia): Yes, he's a reach. Ryan Clady might be a better pure left tackle, but with Orlando Pace and Alex Barron in place last year, Albert brings more value because of the versatility that allows him to slide over and play guard. Albert is also a better run-blocker than Clady, which benefits the Rams' best player, Steven Jackson. And Albert's versatility he thrived at left tackle in Kansas City last year also affords him a chance to become the successor to the since-departed Orlando Pace. Actual pick: DE Chris Long
3. FalconsQB Matt Ryan (Boston College): Ryan became the new face of the Falcons after starting all 16 games, throwing for 3,440 yards and 16 TD passes and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading the team to a playoff spot. They won't need a mulligan. Actual pick: Ryan
4. RaidersDE Chris Long (Virginia): Long had a solid first season for the Rams with four sacks. But Raiders owner Al Davis likely wouldn't pass on the chance to continue the Hall-of-Fame legacy Long's father, Howie, a fellow defensive end, built in Oakland. Actual pick: RB Darren McFadden
5. Chiefs T Ryan Clady (Boise State): The Chiefs slid Albert in at left tackle as a rookie and he thrived. Clady's a natural left tackle who performed superbly while protecting QB Jay Cutler in Denver in 2008. Though the Chiefs clearly needed a quarterback last season, it's too early to consider drafting Joe Flacco. Actual pick: DT Glenn Dorsey
6. Jets CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State): He played really well down the stretch for the Cardinals, with four INTs and 12 passes defensed over the final 12 games. Rodgers-Cromartie would start opposite Pro Bowler Darrelle Revis to give the Jets a stout pass defense in the pass-happy AFC East. New York's pass defense struggled in 2008 thanks to a revolving door of players opposite Revis. Actual pick: LB/DE Vernon Gholston
7. Saints DT Sedrick Ellis (Southern California): Ellis helped solidify the New Orleans defensive line. He still has room to improve, but the potential at a premium position outweighs the potential a running back such as Matt Forte would bring to spell Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas, who collectively combined to run the ball amid a slew of injuries. Actual pick: Ellis
8. Jaguars DT Glenn Dorsey (LSU): The Jaguars never filled the void created when Marcus Stroud was dealt to Buffalo after the 2007 season. Dorsey, although underwhelming in his rookie campaign with the Chiefs, would help clog the middle while teaming with stalwart DT John Henderson. Actual pick: DE Derrick Harvey
9. Bengals RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas): Although Cedric Benson had a surprisingly pleasant season as a free-agent pickup, McFadden offers brighter long-term potential in Cincinnati. His skills as both a ball-carrier and a receiver portend a good relationship, eventually, with QB Carson Palmer and a more dynamic offensive approach. Actual pick: LB Keith Rivers
10. Patriots LB Jerod Mayo (Tennessee): Mayo won the Defensive Rookie of the Year after making 128 tackles and carving a niche at inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. He proved that New England didn't reach when it chose him in this spot and he seems ticketed to take over for Tedy Bruschi as the defense's leader. Actual pick: Mayo
11. Bills CB Leodis McKelvin (Troy): McKelvin started slow at corner but grew into the role for the Bills and eventually made two picks, one for a touchdown. He also displaced fellow corner Terrence McGee as the kick returner, and gives the Bills a long-term replacement to CB Nate Clements, who left after the 2007 season. And good cornerbacks will be important in the AFC East as long as Tom Brady is lighting up scoreboards. Actual pick: McKelvin
12. Broncos WR Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech): The Broncos can't wait until the second round this time to nab Royal, who caught 91 passes for 980 yards and had five touchdowns. They'll have to address left tackle later. Actual pick: T Ryan Clady
13. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon): Stewart was an integral part of the Panthers' NFC South title, as he and DeAngelo Williams teamed for 2,351 rushing yards. Carolina couldn't make a better pick and might enjoy even better returns in 2009 if Stewart's health returns to 100% after he battled several maladies after leaving Oregon. Actual pick: Stewart
14. Bears RB Matt Forte (Tulane): Forte powered the Bears offense with 1,238 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, a performance that displaced Gale Sayers from the team's record book in terms of production from a rookie back. And they got him in the second round. They won't wait for him this time. Actual pick: T Chris Williams
15. Chiefs T Sam Baker (Southern California): As bad as the 2-14 Chiefs were last season, they would have been worse without a stabilizing left tackle. With Branden Albert off the board, they'd turn to Baker, whom the Falcons trusted with protecting Ryan despite suffering through injuries. Actual pick: T Branden Albert
16. Cardinals RB Steve Slaton (West Virginia): If Slaton (1,282 rushing yards, nine TDs) had replaced Edgerrin James mid-season instead of Tim Hightower, James might never have gotten the job back and the Super Bowl might have turned out differently. Regardless, Slaton would make the Cardinals' explosive offense even stronger in the long run. Actual pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
17. Lions QB Joe Flacco (Delaware): Hindsight is often better than 20-20 ours is sometimes 20-10 and many observers thought Flacco was drafted too early by Baltimore last season. But given what they know now and the obvious need under center they have now we think the Lions might seriously re-consider Flacco as their franchise quarterback. He'd probably be asked to win more games and make more plays in Detroit, but he and WR Calvin Johnson might have been able to cause enough damage to win at least two games, right? Actual pick: T Gosder Cherilus
18. Ravens QB Chad Henne (Michigan): After the retirement of QB Steve McNair and Kyle Boller's failed tenure in Baltimore, the Ravens knew they needed a quarterback of the future last season and got their guy in Flacco. He's off our Backdraft board given his 2008 success kudos to Baltimore's scouting department but that doesn't diminish the team's need for a new field general. The rifle-armed Henne, who might have started in Miami if not for the subsequent signing of Chad Pennington, gets a shot to manage games and let the Ravens defense shine. Actual pick: QB Joe Flacco
19. Panthers T Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh): After securing the services of Stewart, the Panthers mortgaged their future and moved back into the first round to enlist the mammoth Otah. A classic road grader type on the right side, Otah helped unleash the dual talents of RBs DeAngelo Williams and Stewart as the Panthers ground their way to the NFC South crown. Otah and LT Jordan Gross should form a fine bookend combination for years in Charlotte. Actual pick: Otah
20. Buccaneers WR DeSean Jackson (California): WR Antonio Bryant was a pleasant surprise in Tampa Bay in 2008, and Jackson would have provided a perfect complement and perhaps saved the Bucs from throwing $26 million at disappointing WR Michael Clayton this offseason. Jackson managed 912 receiving yards as a rookie with the Eagles and possesses the ability to go the distance any time he touches the ball luckily for the Bucs, that also includes Jackson's gifts as a punt returner, long a weakness for the franchise. Actual pick: CB Aqib Talib
21. Falcons T Duane Brown (Virginia Tech): Atlanta made sure it got an NFL-ready left tackle to look after Matt Ryan after it traded back into the first round to grab Sam Baker a year ago. That plan worked out rather well, so there's no reason to mess with a successful formula (even if we messed with it a little by sending Baker to Kansas City). Brown stepped into the left tackle void for the Texans and gave a good account of himself as a rookie. Actual pick: T Sam Baker
22. Cowboys LB Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma): Jerry Jones took fellow Razorback Felix Jones with this pick, and it worked out pretty nicely until Felix hurt himself and was lost midway through the season. But what might have really helped the Cowboys down the stretch as they were hemorrhaging points and losing games is a stout inside linebacker who can lasso opposing ball carriers. Lofton trailed only Mayo among rookie tacklers and would have provided a longer-term solution than LB Zach Thomas did. Actual pick: RB Felix Jones
23. Steelers DE Phillip Merling (Clemson): Given the way things worked out, it's hard to argue with anything the Steelers did in 2008, from letting all-pro G Alan Faneca go to failing to draft a replacement for him to drafting RB Rashard Mendenhall, who's full of potential but gave Pittsburgh very little production after an early season-ending shoulder injury. But going into 2009, the Steelers definitely need to get younger on their defensive line, and Merling is a good fit for their three-man front and a guy who could spell and ultimately replace DEs Aaron Smith and/or Brett Keisel. Actual pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall
24. Titans RB Chris Johnson (East Carolina): Tennessee was widely panned for taking the relatively unknown but clearly speedy Johnson with its first selection last year rather than addressing its seeming perpetual need for a wideout. But, as happens more often than not, the Titans were on the mark with their pick, and Johnson blazed his way to 1,228 rushing yards as the Titans blazed their way to the NFL's best regular-season record. Actual pick: Johnson
25. Cowboys CB Antoine Cason (Arizona): Given the injuries to Terence Newman, the holes in the since-departed Anthony Henry's game and the concerns that swirled around Adam "Pacman" Jones, Dallas was wise to grab a cornerback with its second pick of the first round. But the Cowboys took Mike Jenkins, who didn't really distinguish himself in 2008. So we're assigning them Cason, who thrived with a San Diego defense that is very similar schematically to Dallas'. Cason is also a high-character guy, a nice change of pace to Pacman. Actual pick: CB Mike Jenkins
26. Texans DE Vernon Gholston (Ohio State): Gholston was viewed as an elite prospect prior to the 2008 draft, but he made barely a whimper with the Jets, who drafted him sixth overall. Given his vast potential, we're keeping Gholston in the first round even if his rookie production doesn't warrant it. But rather than casting him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense perhaps a case of the Jets misdiagnosing his skills we're sending Gholston to Houston, where he can line up as a 4-3 defensive end (opposite stud DE Mario Williams by the way) and hunt opposing quarterbacks as he did so well at Ohio State. Actual pick: T Duane Brown
27. Chargers RB Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois): If they could do it over, we're left to wonder if the Chargers would slap the franchise tag on RB Michael Turner, LaDainian Tomlinson's former backup, after the 2007 season rather than lose him to the Falcons in free agency. The Chargers did exactly that this offseason to RB Darren Sproles, a player who's not built to carry the load like Turner. Given Tomlinson's cap number, recent rash of injures and age, having a do-it-all back in place for the present and future seems like a pretty good idea. And we like Mendenhall's game a bit better than Kevin Smith, who had a more productive rookie season in Detroit. Actual pick: CB Antoine Cason
28. Seahawks T Chris Williams (Vanderbilt): Williams didn't distinguish himself as the Bears' left tackle of the future after struggling through most of the season with a back injury. So he probably would have fit right in with the Seahawks, who had a half-dozen offensive linemen land on injured reserve in 2008. But whether or not Williams would have played in the Emerald City in 2008, what's clear is that the Seahawks need a new left tackle in place with Walter Jones, almost certainly a future Hall of Famer, in decline. Actual pick: DE Lawrence Jackson
29. 49ers DE Derrick Harvey (Florida): With 3.5 sacks, Harvey didn't live up to advance billing in Jacksonville last season and he had plenty to live up to after the Jags traded up to take him with the eighth pick and then he held out of training camp. In San Francisco the expectations won't be so high and where, hopefully, Harvey wouldn't hold out. Given the Niners' need for an improved pass rush, here's hoping Harvey could work his way into their 3-4 rotation and work his Gator magic off the edge. Actual pick: DT Kentwan Balmer
30. Jets TE Dustin Keller (Purdue): To the skepticism of some, the Jets maneuvered back into Round 1 of the 2008 draft to grab Keller, a tight end much more renowned for his hands than his blocking. But he proved to be a favored weapon of QB Brett Favre, catching 48 balls for 535 yards, and panned out much better for the Jets than Gholston did. Actual pick: Keller
31. Patriots No selection; stripped by commissioner Roger Goodell.
32. Giants S Kenny Phillips (Miami, Fla.): Phillips only started three games in 2008, but he did contribute 67 tackles and looks set as a starter in the New York secondary for many years to come. The Giants also couldn't have gone wrong at this spot in the backdraft with UCLA's Chris Horton, the safety who eventually went to Washington in the seventh round and provided the best bang for the buck of any player in the 2008 draft. Actual pick: Phillips