Sideline Scouting

by Zach Barth

In this edition, Zach Barth has the Houston Texans selecting RB Chris “Beanie” Wells in what would validate the theory at Sideline Scouting about the NFL being a “copycat” league.

After watching the running back duo of LenDale White & Chris Johnson lead the Tennessee Titans in 2008, why wouldn’t the Texans give the rock to Wells, let him split it with Steve Slaton, and watch this offense progress while taking less pressure off of QB Matt Schaub?

1. Detroit Lions - QB Matt Stafford (Georgia)
I am going on record now. I am 100% sold on this guy as a franchise QB.

2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jason Smith (Baylor)
Cut OT Orlando Pace. Insert OT Jason Smith

3. Kansas City Chiefs - I/OLB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest)
The safest pick in the draft. With KC going to the 3-4 defense linebacker is need position. They didn’t need to pay Scott Pioli big bucks to make this pick. A monkey could have handled this one.

4. Seattle Seahawks - OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia)
Seattle’s once great O-line has aged and/or moved on, time to get younger.

5. Cleveland Browns - OLB/DE Brian Orakpo (Texas)
If Cleveland doesn’t get a dominant pass rusher they will never be able to compete in a division that has Terrell Suggs and James Harrison.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin (Penn State)
See Cleveland’s comments.

7. Oakland Raiders – WR Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech)
Al Davis is rebuilding his offense . Jamarcus Russell in ’07, Darren McFadden in ’08, Michael Crabtree in ’09.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Mark Sanchez (USC)
Del Rio is a USC alum. David Garrard is solid but if your going to win a super bowl your going need more than 15 Td passes a year.

9. Green Bay Packers - DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
NT is one of the hardest pieces to find for the 3-4 defense. Dom Capers wets himself as the perfect NT falls right in his lap.

10. San Francisco 49ers – OLB/DE Everette Brown (Florida State)
Mike Singletary will build defense first and he will draft a linebacker. Makes sense right?

11. Buffalo Bills - DE Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech)
This guy is just to talented to pass up. His game film is inconsistent at GT but if you can coach him up you might have a Michael Strahan like pass rusher on your hands.

12. Denver Broncos - CB/S Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State)
The Broncos have half of a secondary with Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. Whether Jenkins plays CB or FS at the next level he will be the start of the other half.

13. Washington Redskins - OT Andre Smith (Alabama)
This guy was once a top 5 pick. Game film says he is the best tackle in this draft. But he left the combine early and disgusted everyone with his ‘man breasts’ at his pro day. Dan Snyder won’t be able to pass up the value.

14. New Orleans Saints – OLB Brian Cushing (USC)
New Orleans can score points problem is everyone one else scores more points. Cushing will help with that.

15. Houston Texans - RB Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State)
Houston puts the Punch in 1-2 Punch by adding the power of Wells with the speed of Slaton.

16. San Diego Chargers - DE Tyson Jackson (LSU)
This guy will fit right in and eat up blocks for there pass rushing linebackers.

17. New York Jets – WR Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)
Rex Ryan wants to play defense, run the ball, and throw deep with the play action pass. Maclin will give them someone who can get deep.

18. Chicago Bears- WR Percy Harvin (Florida)
Chicago needs a playmaker on offense. Harvin will give them a way to move the ball other than Matt Forte.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Josh Freeman (Kansas State)
Jon Gruden was fired in part because he refused to develop a franchise QB. Raheem Morris won’t get fired for that reason.

20. Detroit Lions (via DAL) - - OT Michael Oher (Ole Miss)
With the first pick they got a franchise QB. With the second pick they get someone to watch his back. Literally.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Knowshon Moreno (Georgia)
Brian Westbrook is aging and he’s never been the most durable guy. Meet his replacement Knowshon Moreno.

22. Minnesota Vikings - OT William Beatty (Connecticut)
A right tackle is a huge need and all the first round QBs are gone.

23. New England Patriots - CB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
Davis falls right into Bill Belichick’s waiting arms. That defense has to get younger unless they plan on scoring fifty per game, which could happen.

24. Atlanta Falcons - TE Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State)
Matt Ryan meet your security blanket. A great value at this spot in the first round.

25. Miami Dolphins - OT Eben Britton (Arizona)
They’re called Bookends. Jake Long and Eben Britton. Maybe Chad Pennington actually plays two consecutive 16 game seasons.

26. Baltimore Ravens – ILB Rey Maualuga (USC)
Bart Scott out. Rey Maualuga in. He eventually will become Ray Lewis’s replacement

27. Indianapolis Colts - DT Peria Jerry (Ole Miss)
The Colts need help stopping the run. This guys is great value just like Bill Polian looks for.

28. Philadelphia Eagles (via CAR) – WR Hakeem Nicks (UNC)
Andy Reid might be receiving death threats if he doesn’t get Donavan McNabb some playmakers. He pleases the fanatical Philly fans and McNabb with two in the first round.

29. New York Giants – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland)
Plaxico Buress is more than likely going to jail. Time to move forward with a replacement.

30. Tennessee Titans - CB D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt)
With no DT value at this pick they make a move to solidify the secondary.

31. Arizona Cardinals –DE/OLB Robert Ayers (Tennesee)
Ken Whisenhunt needs a pass rusher. Bertrand Berry led the team in sacks with 6 last season.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Darius Butler (Connecticut)
The Steelers lost one starter from there Superbowl winning team. CB Bryant McFadden. They fill their only true need with this pick.