These are my final position-by-position player rankings for the upcoming NFL Draft. (Expected draft round in parentheses)

Offense (Expected draft round in parentheses)

Top 10 Quarterbacks

1. Sam Bradford (1)
2. Tim Tebow (2)
3. Colt McCoy (2)
4. Jimmy Clausen (1)
5. Zac Robinson (5)
6. Dan Lefevour (3)
7. Tony Pike (4)
8. Jevan Snead (5)
9. Jarrett Brown (6)
10. Mike Kafka (7)

Top 10 Running Backs

1. C.J. Spiller (1)
2. Ryan Matthews (1)
3. Jahvid Best (2)
4. Dexter McCluster (3)
5. Toby Gerhart (2)
6. Jonathan Dwyer (2)
7. Montario Hardesty (3)
8. Ben Tate (4)
9. Charles Scott (4)
10. Stafon Johnson (6)

Top 20 Wide Receivers

1. Dez Bryant (1)
2. Golden Tate (1)
3. Eric Decker (2)
4. Arrelious Benn (2)
5. Mardy Gilliard (2)
6. Jordan Shipley (2)
7. Demaryius Thomas (2)
8. Damian Williams (2)
9. Mike Williams (3)
10. Dezmon Briscoe (4)
11. Brandon LaFell (4)
12. Riley Cooper (3)
13. Emmanuel Sanders (4)
14. Taylor Price (5)
15. David Reed (6)
16. Andre Roberts (6)
17. Jacoby Ford (5)
18. Marcus Easley (7)
19. Carlton Mitchell (7)
20. Jeremy Williams (7)

Top 10 Tight Ends

1. Jermaine Gresham (1)
2. Rob Gronkowski (2)
3. Dennis Pitta (3)
4. Dorin Dickerson (2)
5. Aaron Hernandez (3)
6. Colin Peek (4)
7. Garrett Graham (5)
8. Ed Dickson (5)
9. Nate Byham (5)
10. Jimmy Graham (4)

Top 10 Tackles

1. Russell Okung (1)
2. Trent Williams (1)
3. Bryan Bulaga (1)
4. Anthony Davis (1)
5. Charles Brown (2)
6. Rodger Saffold (2)
7. Bruce Campbell (2)
8. Vlad Ducasse (2)
9. Selvish Capers (3)
10. Jared Veldheer (3)

Top 5 Guards

1. Mike Iupati (1)
2. Jon Asamoah (2)
3. Zane Beadles (3)
4. John Jerry (3)
5. Mike Johnson (4)

Top 3 Centers

1. Maurkice Pouncey (1)
2. J.D. Walton (4)
3. Eric Olsen (6)

Defense (Expected draft round in parentheses)

Top 5 Nose Tackles

1. Dan Williams (1)
2. Terrence Cody (1)
3. Cam Thomas (2)
4. Torell Troup (3)
5. Linval Joseph (4)

Top 10 Defensive Tackles (3-technique) / Defensive Ends (5-technique)

1. Ndamukong Suh (1)
2. Gerald McCoy (1)
3. Jared Odrick (1)
4. Brian Price (2)
5. Lamarr Houston (2)
6. Tyson Alualu (2)
7. Art Jones (3)
8. Alex Carrington (3)
9. Corey Wootton (3)
10. Mike Neal (4)

Top 10 Defensive Ends / Outside Linebackers (hybrids)

1. Sergio Kindle (1)
2. Jason Pierre-Paul (1)
3. Brandon Graham (1)
4. Derrick Morgan (1)
5. Everson Griffen (2)
6. Jerry Hughes (2)
7. Carlos Dunlap (2)
8. Ricky Sapp (2)
9. Thadeus Gibson (3)
10. Koa Misi (4)

Top 5 Outside Linebackers

1. Sean Weatherspoon (1)
2. Daryl Washington (2)
3. Navorro Bowman (2)
4. Roddrick Muckelroy (4)
5. Eric Norwood (4)

Top 5 Inside Linebackers

1. Rolando McClain (1)
2. Brandon Spikes (1)
3. Sean Lee (2)
4. Pat Angerer (4)
5. Donald Butler (4)

Top 10 Cornerbacks

1. Joe Haden (1)
2. Kareem Jackson (1)
3. Kyle Wilson (1)
4. Devin McCourty (1)
5. Patrick Robinson (2)
6. Perrish Cox (2)
7. Javier Arenas (3)
8. Chris Cook (3)
9. Brandon Ghee (3)
10. Donovan Warren (3)

Top 10 Safeties

1. Eric Berry (1)
2. Earl Thomas (1)
3. Taylor Mays (1)
4. Nate Allen (2)
5. Myron Rolle (3)
6. Major Wright (3)
7. Chad Jones (4)
8. Reshad Jones (4)
9. Larry Asante (4)
10. Kam Chancellor (5)

Your thoughts are welcome!

Franchise

• Draft Position: 1
• 2009 Season Result: 1-15 (4^th in NFC West; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Steve Spagnuolo
• 2010 Head Coach: Steve Spagnuolo (1-15; 0-0)

Key Transactions

• QB A.J. Feeley (from CAR)
• DT Fred Robbins (from NYG)
• CB Kevin Dockery (from NYG)

Draft Picks

• 1-1
• 2-1
• 3-1
• 4-1
• 5-1
• 5-24
• 6-1
• 7-1
• 7-19
• 7-47

Analysis & Outlook

Near bottom of league on O and D

If a team ranks near the bottom of the league on both offense and defense, it’s no surprise that they finish as the worst team overall and last season, this team was the St. Louis Rams. The big problem with bad teams is that there are always problems to address and never enough solutions. The biggest challenge that St. Louis faces going forward is stability. Not only is their team ownership half up in the air, but—after the release of QB Marc Bulger—the team is also without a QB. On offense, this will be a key position to address. The Rams will also think about adding talent at the O-Line, WR, and TE positions.

On defense, HC Steve Spagnuolo has been trying to plug holes left and right but they’re only halfway there. They’ll work to add more depth across the entire defense.

The Rams are running out of excuses for building a franchise after not drafting either Matt Ryan or Mark Sanchez in the last couple of years. They must now take the chance and go after a QB. With the first pick, the most likely pick is Sam Bradford, but if they manage to trade down, then Jimmy Clausen is a viable option, and if they wait, then Colt McCoy should be available with their second round pick.

The Rams are coming along defensively, but offensively, they need to start establishing stability. This will give them the foundation to improve on. The division is weak but that’s never an excuse to suck the worst.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 2
• 2009 Season Result: 2-14 (4^th in NFC North; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Jim Schwartz
• 2010 Head Coach: Jim Schwartz (2-14; 0-0)

Key Transactions

• WR Nate Burleson (from SEA)
• DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (from TEN)
• LB Larry Foote (to PIT)
• CB Philip Buchanon (to WAS)

Draft Picks

• 1-2
• 2-2
• 3-2
• 4-2
• 5-2
• 7-7
• 7-48 (Mr. Irrelevant)

Analysis & Outlook

On the bright side of things, the Detroit Lions did win two more games than the year before. Other than that, there’s not much to be shiny happy about. The offense is going to come along as QB Matt Stafford develops, but the defense is a serious area of concern. The Lions ranked dead last in most categories and even allowed a dismal 31 points per game!

The Lions will definitely need to shore up their defense. They added DE Kyle Vanden Bosch but also lost LB Larry Foote. They will need a stout D-Lineman and a big LB to help control the point of attack. In the secondary, they’ll have to secure the edges better at CB.

On offense, the Lions need to free up WR Calvin Johnson with more weapons that opponents have to account for. In addition, the O-Line could use some more depth and quality.

In the first round, I think it’s imperative that the Lions draft one of the two top DT prospects, Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy. I like Suh better but the Lions desperately need help on the D-Line. In the second round, they can add a LB in the form of Brandon Spikes, Sean Lee or Daryl Washington, a CB like Devin McCourty or Patrick Robinson, or a T like Rodger Saffold or Charles Brown. There are a lot of value plays in the first five rounds and the Lions will have to diligently follow their board. As for their final pick, I hope they pick punter Zoltan Mesko :o)

The Lions are moving forward but the defense has to improve for them to stand a chance. They play in a division with offensive powerhouses Minnesota and Green Bay, and must improve to not get butchered by teams like that.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 3
• 2009 Season Result: 3-13 (4^th in NFC South; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Raheem Morris
• 2010 Head Coach: Raheem Morris (3-13; 0-0)

Key Transactions

• WR Antonio Bryant (to CIN)
• S Sean Jones (from PHI)
• S Will Allen (to PIT)
• P Josh Bidwell (to WAS)

Draft Picks

• 1-3
• 2-3
• 2-10
• 3-3
• 4-3
• 5-22
• 6-3
• 7-3
• 7-10
• 7-25
• 7-46

Analysis & Outlook

That entire “let’s put the youngest HC ever in charge” thing last season hasn’t really worked out. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers who won a Super Bowl not too long ago are now in complete disarray. The offense was poor and the—once mighty—defense ranked dead last in run defense.

Defensively, they’ll need to get back to their old form, and that means building up the quality on the D-Line and in the secondary. They signed S Sean Jones, but the Buccaneers have some late-round picks to expand there.

On offense, they need more playmakers in the passing game. It’s been very up-and-down throughout games and the running game was far from spectacular as well. The O-Line is good, they just need more big plays.

On the bright side, the Buccaneers have plenty of picks, including three selections in the top 42. They’d like to land a DT like Gerald McCoy to help boost that D-Line again. They can add a LB or a WR in round two, another group of defensive players in rounds three to give and close out with additional need/value players.

I think the Buccaneers will continue to struggle for another two years. That’s when I think they’ll have turned that defense around to becoming young and competitive again. The offense will follow as QB Josh Freeman develops.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 4
• 2009 Season Result: 4-12 (4^th in NFC East; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Jim Zorn
• 2010 Head Coach: Mike Shanahan (146-98; 8-5)

Key Transactions

• QB Donovan McNabb (from PHI)
• QB Rex Grossman (from HOU)
• RB Quinton Ganther (to SEA)
• RB Larry Johnson (from CIN)
• RB Willie Parker (from PIT)
• WR Antwaan Randle El (to PIT)
• G Artis Hicks (from MIN)
• DT Maake Kemoeatu (from CAR)
• CB Philip Buchanon (from DET)
• P Josh Bidwell (from TB)

Draft Picks

• 1-4
• 4-5
• 5-4
• 7-4

Analysis & Outlook

Normally, the Washington Redskins make a big splash once free agency starts, but not this year. Unlike owner Dan Snyder, new HC Mike Shanahan knows what he’s doing so he let everything play out. He got what he wanted. A couple of RBs here, a G there, add in a DT and a P, and then a franchise QB. That was actually very impressive of the Redskins to land Donovan McNabb. McNabb will help an offense that was poor last year and couldn’t complement a top 10 defense.

On offense, the Redskins will want to get more fundamentally sound and that would be in the form of strengthening the O-Line. They’ll also get a better feel of how well their young WRs have progressed with McNabb under center.

On defense, the Redskins will look to add players at LB and CB, and potentially at DT to help free up Albert Haynesworth to be more disruptive.

In the first round, I expect the Redskins to go after T Russell Okung or T Trent Williams. They lost their second round pick in the McNabb trade so they don’t have much left. I expect them to target a CB in round 4, a DT in round 5 and a LB with their final pick.

If the defense continues to play well, the Redskins will be much better than last year because of McNabb’s experience and quality as a player. It’s the toughest division in football, but they’ll make progress in 2010.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 5
• 2009 Season Result: 4-12 (4^th in AFC West; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Todd Haley
• 2010 Head Coach: Todd Haley (4-12; 0-0)

Key Transactions

• RB Thomas Jones (from NYJ)
• G Ryan Lilja (from IND)
• C Casey Wiegmann (from DEN)

Draft Picks

• 1-5
• 2-4
• 2-18
• 3-4
• 4-4
• 5-5
• 5-11
• 5-13

Analysis & Outlook

The franchise run by a lot of former New England Patriots people just got a bit bigger with the additions of DC Romeo Crennel and OC Charlie Weis joining former Patriots GM Scott Pioli and former Patriots QB Matt Cassel. If they’d only have the Patriots’ success…

On offense, the Chiefs have upgraded their running game with veteran RB Thomas Jones as well as their O-Line with veterans C Casey Wiegmann and G Ryan Lilja. They’re temporary solutions but they should help protect both Cassel and Jones on offense. The departure of TE Tony Gonzalez last year has left them seeking a playmaker to take the pressure off WR Dwayne Bowe. They’ll need to find someone who can contribute in such a fashion for the long-term.

The Chiefs’ defense ranked a horrible 31^st against the run and they’ll definitely look for players along the front seven that can stop the run. Their secondary is also in development so extra growth in that area will help them a long way.

In the first round, I expect the Chiefs to address the T position with either Trent Williams or Bryan Bulaga. The only alternative I see is S Eric Berry. They have two picks in the second round which they’ll gladly use to get help on the front seven so I’m predicting a DT and LB tandem to be picked there. In the third round, they could target another offensive player in the form of a TE or WR, and they’ll close out with additional picks on the O-Line, front seven and secondary.

The Chiefs are still building and it’s coming together bit by bit. The organization seems to be committed to Pioli’s plan and I think he’ll manage. The Chiefs will need a few more years and by then, we’ll also have a better idea of whether Cassel is for real.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 6
• 2009 Season Result: 5-11 (3^rd in NFC West; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Jim Mora Jr.
• 2010 Head Coach: Pete Carroll (33-31; 1-2)

Key Transactions

• QB Charlie Whitehurst (from SD)
• RB Quinton Ganther (from WAS)
• WR Nate Burleson (to DET)
• TE Chris Baker (from NE)
• DE Cory Redding (to BAL)
• S Deon Grant (to NYG)

Draft Picks

• 1-6
• 1-14
• 2-28
• 4-6
• 4-29
• 5-8
• 6-7
• 7-6
• 7-38

Analysis & Outlook

I stated last year that Jim Mora was the wrong pick for the HC position and once again, OC Greg Knapp has got his HC fired. Not to say that it’s all on the offense, but the entire team just wasn’t clicking. And to stick to RB Julius Jones as the starter when Justin Forsett was playing better was just one of those signs of incredible stupidity. Both on offense and on defense, the Seahawks were mediocre to downright poor.

On offense, the Seahawks added a RB with a lot of potential in Quinton Ganther and at QB, Charlie Whitehurst might challenge current starter Matt Hasselbeck. The main need for the Seahawks is along the O-Line though so expect them to make some upgrades there.

On defense, the Seahawks will look to upgrade the D-Line and the secondary, especially at S. New HC Pete Carroll is a very good defensive coach and he’ll find a way to build that defense.

In the first round, I expect the Seahawks to focus on getting a T. Top candidates are Ts Trent Williams, Bryan Bulaga and Anthony Davis. The Seahawks have a second pick in the first round and if S Earl Thomas or DT Dan Williams are still available, I expect the Seahawks to nab either one. However, that’s not likely going to be the case so I actually predict that they’ll trade the pick in exchange for a lower first round pick and a third round pick (which they don’t have at the moment). The reason for this is that I think Pete Carroll will try to get S Taylor Mays with the second pick. He’s familiar with Mays and he can use the extra pick. Look for the Seahawks to work more of the O-Line and D-line in the middle round with some DBs and WRs mixed in there.

Pete Carroll has his work cut out for him, but I’m cautiously optimistic about him. The performance of this draft class will determine whether he’s still around three years from now. It’ll be a tough process but they’re in a weak division so they should get some wins left and right.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 7
• 2009 Season Result: 5-11 (4^th in AFC North; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Eric Mangini
• 2010 Head Coach: Eric Mangini (28-36; 0-1)

Key Transactions

• QB Derek Anderson (to ARI)
• QB Brady Quinn (to DEN)
• QB Jake Delhomme (from CAR)
• TE Benjamin Watson (from NE)
• T Tony Pashos (from SF)
• LB Scott Fujita (from NO)

Draft Picks

• 1-7
• 2-6
• 3-7
• 3-21
• 3-28
• 4-7
• 5-3
• 5-6
• 5-15
• 5-29
• 6-8
• 6-17

Analysis & Outlook

How does HC Eric Mangini still have a job? It’s no secret that I think he’s the biggest wanker in the league. Clearly, he has some photos of new team president Mike Holmgren in compromising positions because Holmgren’s cleaned house elsewhere. The most notable transactions were those at QB. Gone are former starters Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, and in comes veteran Jake Delhomme who was coming off a poor season.

Offensively, the Browns ranked dead last in the league and they desperately need playmakers. At all positions. OK, not at LT, but that’s quite a list of needs.

On defense, the Browns rank slightly better: second-to-last. They need everything they can get their hands on in that department as well.

The good thing is that the Browns do have plenty of draft picks. The downside is that it’s anyone’s guess what they’ll do with them. My guess is that they’ll take a S in round one, either Eric Berry or Earl Thomas. In the second round, they’ll target a CB like Kareem Jackson. The third and fourth round gives them some flexibility with four picks. Positional options are LB, CB, WR, TE and O-Line. With also four picks in the fifth round, they’ll continue to address their needs and they could also target a late QB like Jevan Snead or Zac Robinson.

Mike Holmgren is completely rebuilding this team. Good luck to him and hopefully, he’ll find out he’ll need to fire HC Eric Mangini too to become successful. Until then, expect the Browns to continue to suck.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 8
• 2009 Season Result: 5-11 (3^rd in AFC West; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Tom Cable
• 2010 Head Coach: Tom Cable (9-19; 0-0)

Key Transactions

• T Cornell Green (to BUF)

Draft Picks

• 1-8
• 2-7
• 3-5
• 4-8
• 5-7
• 5-27
• 7-8
• 7-44

Analysis & Outlook

Is this the worst team ever to still have a 5-11 record? The Oakland Raiders had anemic offense under QB JaMarcus Russell and only briefly enjoyed success under QB Bruce Gradkowski. With their participation in the trade talks for QB Donovan McNabb, it’s clear that the Raiders are unsettled about the position.

On offense, the Raiders definitely need help on the O-Line. In addition, they might want to add another WR, preferably one who’s more NFL-ready than Darius Heyward-Bey.

On defense, they’ll focus on LB and the secondary. The middle is weak and another nickel corner would put them in a better position on third downs.

I would be shocked if the Raiders picked a QB in the first round but you never know with owner Al Davis. I expect them to get either a T or a S. Top candidates are Ts Trent Williams and Anthony Davis, but don’t be shocked if the Raiders end up selecting the super athletic Bruce Campbell. Potential prospects at S are Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. Look for the Raiders to target a LB in the second round, there’s a pretty good crop that’s slated to go in that round. They need to hit in the middle rounds and they’ll look at CBs, WRs and O-Linemen there.

The Raiders have been horrible the last few years and there’s too much fundamentally wrong with this team to make it successful on the short term. They play in a weak division though so some wins might be there for them (hello Kansas City), but don’t expect them to be a factor.

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 9
• 2009 Season Result: 6-10 (4^th in AFC East; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: Dick Jauron / Perry Fewell
• 2010 Head Coach: Chan Gailey (18-14; 0-2)

Key Transactions

• T Cornell Green (from OAK)
• DE Dwan Edwards (from BAL)
• LB Andra Davis (from DEN)

Draft Picks

• 1-9
• 2-9
• 3-8
• 4-9
• 5-9
• 6-9
• 6-23
• 7-2
• 7-9

Analysis & Outlook

Three teams signed new HCs this year and they’re all picking in the top 10. No surprise obviously but the Buffalo Bills fired former HC Dick Jauron mid-season last year.

The Bills’ defense ranked 2^nd against the pass but a horrible 30^th against the run. They have made some off-season upgrades on defense but as a unit, they must do better. I expect them to add more players on the front seven.

Offensively, the Bills’ new HC Chan Gailey will have to decide whether he sticks with his current QBs, Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, or whether he pursues a young QB in the draft. Personally, I feel that the Bills have too many fundamental flaws to risk a high pick on an unproven QB. They have needs at O-Line and TE that can help their current QBs perform better. In addition, they’re not expected to bring back WR Terrell Owens so they should think about adding a WR as well.

In the first round, there are a lot of expectations that the Bills will take QB Jimmy Clausen but I think that would be foolish. They are in need of some fundamental upgrades and better candidates would be Ts Bryan Bulaga and Anthony Davis or DT Dan Williams. With a relatively high pick in the second round, I would expect them to target that QB there, most likely Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow, but again, there are some good O-Linemen available if they’re willing to be patient. They could also go with a WR here like Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn. They’ll work the draft in the following rounds looking at a TE, front seven players and O-Linemen.

The Bills are a mess. They’re probably three years away from being somewhat decent and by then, I expect them to have another HC.