Predicted selections: No. 9 through No. 16
No. 9, Dallas Cowboys: New Cowboys' head coach, Jason Garrett, has hired Rob Ryan to be his defensive coordinator. Ryan ran a 3-4 defensive scheme for the Cleveland Browns, which is what Dallas runs so the pieces are in place for Ryan to run his high energy style of defense. Dallas has one of the more talented rosters in the league, but were unable to translate that talent into wins in 2010. If the Cowboys do have one hole to fill, it could be at free safety where Alan Ball has lacked play making ability. Ball has just two interceptions in two seasons with the Cowboys. However, free safeties are rarely taken this high in the draft and there are not any premier safeties available this year. Dallas will look to address their free safety need in a later round, while using the first round to bolster their defensive front seven. Dallas already has one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL in DeMarcus Ware, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2010. Anthony Spencer has been solid on the other side, despite a slightly less productive year in 2010. Dallas will look to draft another down lineman for their 3-4 front to lineup next to nose tackle Jay Ratliff.
Predicted selection: Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
Adrian Clayborn Highlights
No. 10, Washington Redskins: The Redskins are clearly looking to draft a quarterback after benching Donovan McNabb during their final three games of the season. Washington head coach, Mike Shanahan, could have the opportunity to draft 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton in this spot. If he is on the board still, it would be difficult to pass on him. The Redskins could also use a wide receiver, but after A.J. Green, the talent at wide receiver in this draft drops off significantly. In last year's draft, the Redskins selected Trent Williams, who is their starting left tackle. They also traded to get right tackle Jammal Brown from the New Orleans Saints. So, with the pieces in place on the offensive line, look for the Redskins to select their franchise quarterback.
Predicted selection: Cam Newton, Quarterback, Washington Redskins
Cam Newton Highlights
No. 11, Houston Texans: The Texans made a colossal mistake last year by allowing cornerback Dunta Robinson to leave in free agency. Their pass defense was worst in NFL last season, allowing 267.5 yards per game and a total of 33 touchdowns. The Texans will be converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips. They need a shutdown cornerback to replace Robinson, a nose tackle to control the A gap in the new 3-4 defense, and an additional pass rusher to take some double-teams away from defensive end Mario Williams. Phillips has said that Williams will lineup in various positions in the new scheme. Phillips utilized Bruce Smith in a similar fashion when he coached the Buffalo Bills. A nose tackle would be a wise choice in the draft, but the Texans may look to their current roster for that and ask 6-foot-4, 310 pound, Shaun Cody, to fill that spot. The Texans will need a corner that can hold up in man-to-man coverage when Phillips unleashes his multiple blitz packages.
Predicted selection: Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
Prince Amukamara Highlights
No. 12, Minnesota Vikings: It would be difficult to imagine that the Vikings would look to any other position then quarterback in the draft. With Brett Favre having officially submitted his retirement papers the league, the Vikings are left with Tavaris Jackson, Joe Webb, and Patrick Ramsey. The Vikings have the talent to advance in the playoffs with good quarterback play. They reached the NFC title game just two years ago with Favre having one of the best seasons of his career. In addition, Minnesota could use some help in the secondary and if Nebraska cornerback, Prince Amukamara, is still available here, they might opt to select him. Otherwise, a quarterback would be the obvious pick.
Predicted selection: Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
Ryan Mallett Highlights:
No. 13, Detriot Lions: The Lions made greats strides on both sides of the ball in 2010. Their first-round selection from a year ago, Ndamukong Suh, was the first rookie defensive lineman selected to the All-Pro team since Jevon Kearse in 1999. Detroit is in a position where they can select the best player available on the board, not needing to focus too much on a certain position. Last year, the Lions traded up from their second-round pick to select Javid Best in the late first-round. Best showed flashes of talent as an NFL running back, but it became obvious he could not be an every down back. The Lions may want to select a complimentary back to go with Best. Alabama running back Mark Ingram should be available here and the Lions could have a solid 1-2 punch with Best and Ingram. Their running game was ranked No. 23 in the NFL last year averaging just 100.8 yards a game and totaled just 11 touchdowns. Selecting Ingram and looking to provide offensive line depth in the second round would improve the running game substantially.
Predicted selection: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
Mark Ingram Highlights
No. 14, St. Louis Rams: The Rams improved to 7-9 this season after a 2-14 record the previous year. They selected Sam Bradford No. 1 overall in the 2010 draft. Bradford played brilliantly, throwing for 3,512 yards with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He did that without a true No. 1 receiver to throw to. In fact, two of the teams' top receivers, Mark Clayton and Donnie Avery, were placed on injured reserve last year. Bradford, who has one of the leagues better offensive lines in front of him to go along with a top running back in Steven Jackson, threw touchdown passes to nine different Rams last season. The Rams will clearly look to provide Bradford with a true No. 1 receiver in this spot.
Predicted selection: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Julio Jones Highlights
No. 15, Miami Dolphins: Dolphins' running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are both free agents this year and there has been speculation that neither will return to Miami. If this assumption pans out, then the Dolphins are sure to try to draft Mark Ingram and even trade up to get him. It is not likely that the Dolphins will make any decisions on Brown and Williams before the draft as they will want to see how the selection process shakes out. If Ingram is not available here, then expect the Dolphins to fill another position, and resign Williams, Brown or both of the them. The Dolphins will likely give Chad Henne another year to prove he is a capable NFL quarterback despite throwing just 15 touchdowns with 19 interceptions last year. Miami will likely select an offensive lineman to help get their running game back to its 2009 season's form. The Dolphins could select the top right tackle in the draft in Tyron Smith.
Predicted selection: Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC
No. 16, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars were tied for second worst in the NFL in sacks last season with just 26. Their pass defense was ranked No. 28 allowing an average of 250.2 yards per game. Jacksonville’s rush defense was slightly better ranking No. 22 by allowing 121.6 yards per game. In last year’s draft, the Jaguars selected defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, who had a solid rookie season and helped the team improve their run defense. Jacksonville will look to select a defensive end in the 2011 draft to get better pressure on the quarterback. Defensive end talent is deep in the draft and Ryan Kerrigan will mesh perfectly with the team’s 4-3 defensive scheme.
Predicted selection: Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue
Ryan Kerrigan Highlights
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