Another year, another restart, and another draft. Here’s to a LONG time before we call it quits or reboot…away we go!
1. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Carson Palmer, USC
In pretty much every universe—real-life, redraft, or Madden— the statuesque 6’5’, 235lb Palmer wearing tight tiger pants like certain Bengals fans may or may not really enjoy. Despite being just 21, Palmer boasts the best blend of raw arm strength and accuracy in the class (95 THP / 86 THA). He’s got the intangibles too, and with a top-tier WR like Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson at his disposal, the only thing standing in the way of his success might be Cincinnati itself. Unless the dreaded skew monster comes calling, this pick feels inevitable.
2. Detroit Lions - SS Troy Polamalu, USC
No quarterback? Bold, but not unprecedented. Detroit recently signed veterans Doug Johnson and Shaun Hill, perhaps signaling a stopgap approach while eyeing next year’s crop. But Polamalu is no consolation prize. He’s an explosive athlete with rare SPD (9
and TAK (96), who might even be capable of converting to an elite corner. His biggest downside is his age(23) but the physical tools will allow him to play at a high level well past 30. He should break up more passes and cause more fumbles in theory, and certain GMs have put an extra premium on speedy safeties in the past. While WR Anquan Boldin is also a possibility, the Lions have more at receiver than they do at SS(nothing). It likely increases the chances of a top ten pick next year as well.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Byron Leftwich, Marshall
The Steelers moved heaven and earth—well, 1.15 and next year’s first—to move up to No. 3. That kind of capital suggests one thing: quarterback. Leftwich is massive at 6’5”, 250 lbs, and while his THP (86) isn’t elite out of the gate, his THA (89) and youth (21) give him a high developmental ceiling. He just needs a couple training camps to unlock his full potential, particularly improve arm strength. With no pick until the 5th round after this, Pittsburgh absolutely had to nail this one, and they just might’ve done it.
4. Chicago Bears - QB Chris Simms, Texas
Da Bears get their franchise QB, and at least it’s not Caleb Williams this time with the funny progression luck. Still, Simms appears to have the goods to develop into a long time starter. He’s got elite THA (94) and enough arm strength to make all the throws. The Texas product is desirable 6’4” 230lbs—a build necessary to attempt to withstand all 355lbs of Shaun Rogers crushing him a couple of times a year.
5. Dallas Cowboys - QB Rex Grossman, Florida
Some believe there will be 5 QBs selected in the 1st round, but this is number 4 in the first 5 picks. The talent is warranted with 89/86 THP/THA and 60 AWR for the young 22-year old, and the Cowboys certainly needs a franchise QB (as does most of the PTF). But who am I kidding, Apolo probably relapses, starts a trading binge and ends up with 6 1sts before it’s all said and done.
6. Arizona Cardinals - WR Anquan Boldin, Florida State
Boldin is the top deep threat in the draft with his 95/98/98 SPD/AGI/ACC with respectable height at 6’1”. Unless he skews down, he should be the 1st WR off the board. QB is an obvious option here, and we could easily see 5 in 6 picks going that route. It depends on how the team feels about 24-year old sophomore quarterback, Josh McCown. Is it worth chancing it and allowing him to develop if that target isn’t there in the 2nd round?
7. Houston Texans - WR Andre Johnson, Miami
Houston traded down and got some extra draft capital before the class was released, which seems to be a favorable move currently. Johnson is by far the most polished WR in the class with 93 CTH and 69 AWR at a still young 22 years old. He may need a TC or two to improve his top speed and this his ceiling, but the floor is good enough to have him go be a Texan all over again.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB Terrence Newman, Kansas State
While the Jags might wish there was a weapon at wide receiver for QB Brunell, I think this is a better value. Newman appears to be head and shoulders above every other corner in the draft with his 97/97 ACC. He’s got decent starting awareness for a 22 year old. The only negative is his height, 5’10, but the 99 SPD potential can make you forget about that.
9. Carolina Panthers - OLB EJ Henderson, Maryland
An outside linebacker at 9? Yup. This guy has insane speed if private workouts hold up, with the potential to hit 99/99 SPD/ACC. That should translate to a lot of tackles, sacks, and blown up run plays in the backfield. Peppers, Jenkins and this guy? That division better focus on improvising their offensive lines pronto. Henderson is among the most intriguing prospects in this draft, pre private workout.
10. Baltimore Ravens - WR Kassim Osgood
You can’t teach, or TC, a wide out to be 6’5”. Depending on the skew, Osgood could be a steal of a pick considering his elite size. Anything less than his his current speed would put him a bit lower, but he’s still a candidate for the Ravens GM who prioritizes size at the wideout position. It looks like he’ll inevitably be a productive player regardless. A quarterback with a plus arm is a strong possibility as well.
11. Seattle Seahawks - QB Brooks Bollinger, Wisconsin
I’ve learned the Hawks enjoy freaks on the field, and they also aren’t afraid to draft their guy at QB no matter whatever I say….about Josh Rosen. Bollinger is better than Rosen(if I remember correctly) and the need is there so I don’t believe they waste any more time so they can go back to drafting BFA (best freak available).
12. St. Louis Rams - OT Jordan Gross, Utah
Rams seem like they’ll need to rely on offense to carry them to victory this season so it’d be prudent to invest in the best tackle available that can contribute immediately. The 21-year old Gross checks all the boxes physically and has an advanced blocking skill set to begin (82PBK, 94 RBK). He will lock down the RT position for Warner and well beyond.
13. Washington Redskins - HB Larry Johnson, Penn State
The Redskins would probably prefer a wideout here but I don’t see one worthy at this point. Current starting running back Ladell Betts appears solid but more of a complimentary player, not the featured back. Johnson is a big body that moves well, is strong (85 STR) with a high BTK (86). At just 21 he’ll hit his stride right as this team is ready to be a contender.
14. Miami Dolphins - QB Gibran Hamden, Indiana
Miami doesn’t chance anything and decides to secure its future early. Hamden had the highest wonderlic test score, reflecting his on field IQ (68 AWR). He has a plus arm as well(94 THP) and good size (6’4”, 220lbs). At 22, he’s got some time to work out the accuracy kinks in his game (72 THA). I’ll be paying attention bc I drafted a similar QB in the SFL who got little to no love.
15. Minnesota Vikings - CB Marcus Trufant, Washington St,
Vikings moved up, then back down below where they initially started after not liking what they saw how the top 2 will shake out. I think they did well in grabbing an extra first in next year’s class. Here they go best player available at a need in the young pup Trufant. While his pre workout speed is severely lacking, his AGI/ACC combo looks like it might give a bit of an insight to his real speed numbers. At worst though, his high awareness, catch, and tak make it so he only needs speed to work on at TC to reach elite level.
16. Kansa City Chiefs - QB Tony Romo, E. Illinois
The run on QB continues, and it shouldn’t be a surprise by now. With these short contracts and team needs, they will go earlier than expected. It’s not to say the 21-year old Romo isn’t a fine prospect, because he is. He’s got time to develop that 95 THP arm into more accuracy, and his starting AWR at 55 is good given his youth.
