Pre Combine NFL Draft: Picks 11-20

PICK #20: Detroit Lions

The Lions need difference makers and winners, people who can help change their culture of losing. James Laurinitis was a 4 year starter at premier school that won a lot of games. The lions have a couple of good young linebackers and adding Laurinitis makes for a potentially wicked trio at backer for the lions looking forward.




PICK #19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers need a Quarterback. They have been patching together for too long with old QB and QB's who didn't fit gruden's system. Unfortunately for them, the top 2 quarterbacks are gone. Fortunately for them, it is likely that one of the next 2 highest rated will be available to them in later rounds. They may target Freeman who played in a west coast type of offense, but it remains to be seen what direction the offense will go.

In the meantime, their defense is aging quickly, and there are number of potential studs still on the board. I look for them to take the best available Defensive Lineman available, which looks to be a disruptive DT out of Ole Miss named Peria Jerry.





PICK #18: Chicago Bears

The bears have a handful of needs, but they are another team who has had the same need for serveral years. They NEED a Wide Receiver. Hakeem Nicks is the guy here. He has good speed, size, and great hands. He will be the red zone target they don't have on the outside and should be able to block well enough to support the bear's run first offense.




PICK #17: New York Jets

The Jets are in a tough spot. They have made a number of quality moves the last couple of years to surround a QB with talent. Now that need a Quarterback. Kellen Clemens may prove us wrong, but he doesn't look like a quarterback of the future to me. I look for the Jets to take the best QB available, in strong armed Matt Stafford out of Georgia. He has the arm strength to make all the throws, and that becomes even more important when you are playing in the swirling winds of the Jet's home stadium




PICK #16: San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are an interesting team. There has been a lot of talk about them trading or releasing LT. In any case, they are a team without obvious weaknesses and youth at a majority of positions. They were even able to recover from losing Shawne Merriman after some time. I look for them to draft LT encumbent. Whether it's for this year or next, Knowshon Moreno is just too good to leave on the board any further.






PICK #15: Houston Texans

The Texans are an up and coming team, and with their currently collection of players, they can largely take the best player on the board. They got a good enough year out of Steve Slaton as a rookie, that they will likely bypass Moreno and Wells. Look for them to draft a defensive end to pair with Mario Williams. The highest rated on the board right now is Brian Orakpo out of Texas. He is a monster of a defensive end, who could spell at DT if needed as well.





PICK #14: New Orleans Saints

For the Saints eval, see the Broncos eval. There is one distinct difference between the 2 defenses though. The Broncos have Champ Bailey, the Saints have 2 nickelbacks they signed away from other teams starting at corner. They will be the second to take a corner off the board and Vontae Davis will be a nice fit for them.





PICK #13: Washington Redskins

The redskins need help on both lines. Their offensive line is talented but aging in a hurry, and their defensive line was sorely dissapointing last season. To my mind, they need to address the offensive line, as one bad year from Jason Taylor has to be seen as an aberration, rather than as a trend. Also, tackles have been going off the board much faster than Defensive Ends in this draft, so the odds are better that a quality DE will be available in later rounds. The Redskins should draft Jason Smith out of Baylor to learn from John Tait while he can.






PICK #12: Denver Broncos

The Donkeys need a defense. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, which is also one of the youngest. It is time for them to address their defense in this draft.

The most glaring weakness in their defense was their inability to stop the run. Towards those ends, look for them to draft Ray Maualaga out of USC. He is a top flight athlete and run stopper at middle linebacker and is more than capable against the pass as well. He could be the dynamic defensive force that denver has beeen missing for years.






Pick #11: Buffalo Bills

The Bills were one of the hot teams at the beginning of last year before injuries and inexperience took their toll. That said, they have a healthy amount of young talent, without a lot of glaring weaknesses. Their biggest goal for this draft should be quality depth, especially at RB and QB.

However, they do not have a premier pass rusher, which caused them some difficulties on defense at times last year. I look for them to take the best DE available Everette Brown.