All Day Sports Talk

NL East Preview

The Mets hope K-Rod and J.J. Putz solidify their bullpen, while the Phillies look to repeat as champs.

1) New York Mets - They'll be able to rake, that's for sure. Reyes, Delgado, Beltran, and Wright give the Mets enough offense to win games. The starting pitching behind Santana, with Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez is formidible. Sounds good so far. Yet this team still managed to choke their playoff hopes away last fall.

This season brings new hope, with a new, revamped bullpen to save the Mets World Series aspirations. Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will make up one of the better 8th-9th inning combinations in the league. If they can close the door on offenses late, the Mets should be able to eek out the NL West.

2) Philadelphia Phillies - Losing a right-handed power hitter in Pat Burrell hurts, but Raul Ibanez still brings 20+ homerun pop to the middle of that lineup. This offense is probably the best in the division. Rollins and Victorino bring lots of speed, while Howard, Utley, and Ibanez can all hit the longball.

The big question with this team is the starting rotation. I'm sure many of the Philly faithful are keeping a close eye on Cole Hamels bum elbow. If he goes down, the Phillies' season goes down with it. Joe Blanton is a middle of the rotation pitcher, Brett Myers has never lived up to his potential, and Jamie Moyer could very easily regress to the 2007 version of Jamie Moyer. The bullpen does remain quite strong, but they need the starters to hand them a lead to protect.

3) Atlanta Braves - Jair Jurrjens will lead another strong Braves' rotation into the 2009 campaign. With Kenshin Kawakami, Derek Lowe, and Javier Vazquez behind him, the Braves should have the starters to be in every game this year. In the bullpen, Soriano looks good and will probably usurp Gonzalez of his closer role at some point this season. The rest of the pen is fairly good, and Atlanta fans shouldn't have too many late inning fits this year.

It's the offense that might be frustrating. Team elder Chipper Jones still provides most of the offensive firepower. The freeswinging Jeff Francoeur needs to regain his rookie homerun stroke to give the team some additional power.

4) Florida Marlins - This team could easily finish as high as second if all the cards fall right. Hanley Ramirez might be the best player in baseball. Uggla and Cantu can both hit 25+ homeruns, and Maybin is one of the brightest young prospects in the game.

The key is the starting rotation. Chris Volstad looked good last year, Josh Johnson is primed for a big comeback year, Ricky Nolasco was great last season, and Andrew Miller has huge upside. With Anibal Sanchez filling in as the 5th starter, the Marlins on paper have a pretty solid rotation. If these young guns pitch to their ability, Florida will compete for a wildcard, and maybe even the division this year.

5) Washington Nationals - Just a bad baseball team. The two Zimmerman's should give Nats fans something to cheer about this summer, but another 100+ loss season seems likely.

Elite Eight - South Region Preview

Just wow. The North Carolina Tarheels were executing with video game-like efficiency for a lot of their game with Gonzaga. They shot 58% from 3. Whether it was Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, or even senior Bobby Frasor, the Tarheels were hot and their was nothing the soft, defensively challenged Bulldogs were going to do about it. When this team is on its game, it really is poetry in motion. Lawson plays with an excellent pace, and the players around him are so good at finding the open space (see dish to Green in opening minutes of the game). Their athleticism, contrasted by the physicality inside with Tyler Hansbrough, Deon Thompson, and Ed Davis makes this team as complete as any in the nation.

Oklahoma also severely outclassed their opponent in the Sweet 16. Syrarcuse was down 13 at recess, and had no chance against Blake Griffin and the Sooners. Griffin showed the beast of a player he can be, putting up 30 points while pulling down 14 boards against the Orange. Another concern for Oklahoma was whether this team had any scoring past Griffin and Willie Warren. Enter Tony Crocker. The guard had his best game of the season, dropping 28, and made everyone forget the night Warren was having (6 points, 5 turnovers).

The pick: Every, myself included, is looking forward to the Hansbrough-Griffin showdown inside. However, the result will likely be irrelevant in the grand scheme of the game. Oklahoma is inferior to UNC everywhere else on the floor, and this one could get ugly. Ty Lawson, for my money, is the best player in the game right now. Him and the 'Heels will set their date with Villanova tomorrow night.

Elite Eight - Midwest Region Preview

Louisville was in a league of their own against Arizona. A team that boosts NBA caliber players, but can get overwhelmed by equally talented foes. After letting Siena hang around in round two, the Cardinals dominated from start to finish in their Sweet 16 matchup. They shot 57% from the floor, 48% from three, and were nearly flawless from the stripe. They also forced the Wildcats into 14 turnovers, had 10 steals, outrebounded, outhustled, and just outplayed them.

Terrence Williams had a typical game, with 14 points and 7 boards. However, the true strength of this Louisville team is the depth around him. Earl Clark, Samardo Samuels, Edgar Sosa, and Jerry Smith were all in double figures. This battle tested Big East team can play with anyone, and will look to impose their will on the Spartans Sunday afternoon.

Michigan State had a lot more trouble getting past the Sweet 16. They went into halftime against the defending champs with a 7 point deficit staring them in the face. Standout center Cole Aldrich was having a masterful game for the Jayhawks, but Spartan center Goran Suton answered back. His 20 points were a season high. If Suton is on his game, him and Kalin Lucas give the Spartans a formidible inside-out attack.

The pick: Even with Suton finding his game and Lucas being a steady performing, I feel the Louisville Cardinals have too much depth. They'll win this one and easily cover.

Elite Eight - West Region Preview

Hasheem Thabeet was the story Thursday night. His 15-15 performance against Purdue was the difference maker. UCONN didn't play its best game last night, failing to put the Boilermakers away until the very end. However, one thing was constant all night, Purdue settling for bad shots because of the big man in the middle. Thabeet had several huge blocks, including one that setup an A.J. Price bucket. Nobody on Purdue could rebound with him either, as the Huskies won the battle on the boards 42-31.

The Missouri Tigers didn't have as much trouble in their Sweet Sixteen bout. The Memphis Tigers showed little fight for most of the game, and Missouri led for most of the game. The Tigers play up-tempo, fast paced ball, and are going to take the fight to UCONN. If they can get a lead early, and force UCONN to get into a shootout, they might be able to pull the upset.

Even though UCONN has the athletes to run with Missouri, they would probably rather keep the pace slow and run a half court offense. Their big advantage over Missouri is the size in the paint. I don't believe Missouri has an answer for Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, Stanley Robinson, and even Gavin Edwards when called upon. A.J. Price needs to be a distributor in this game and let the big men takeover.

The pick: I'm going with the Huskies. Too much size down low for Missouri.

Elite Eight - East Region Preview

Pittsburgh was caught up in a slugfest with Xavier Thursday night. The type of game this gritty team craves. Dejuan Blair went up against a Xavier frontcourt that didn't fear him, and for the first half of the game, got the better of him. The mighty Musketeers took a healthy 8 point lead into halftime, but then Blair and his Pitt teammates stepped up in a big way. The aforementioned Blair dominated the glass in the second half, while teammates Sam Young and Levance Fields continued to be the superstars that they are. Fields hit the biggest shot of his college career, draining a 3 late in the game to put Pitt up by one.

This team won't blow anyone out, but that's fine by them. The formula won't change Saturday, where they'll look to out rebound, out hustle, and out tough an extremely talent Villanova team. The Wildcats put a beating on Duke Thursday night, and will head into Saturday night's tilt with plenty of momentum and confidence on their side. 'Nova did beat Pitt 67-57 when they met earlier in the year.

Blair will be huge in this game. He got into foul trouble when the two teams met in January, and spent a lot of the night watching from the bench. Blair's presence lets the Panthers control the paint. If he's on the bench, suddenly they become less scary and Villanova's guards can attack the hoop. 'Nova would be smart to work it inside to Dante Cunningham early. Maybe he can draw a quick foul or two against Blair and plant him firmly on the pine.

The pick: I'm going with Pitt in a tight one. Blair went up against a big, deep frontcourt against Xavier and played 35 minutes, while only picking up 3 fouls. He's playing disciplined and should stay in there against Villanova. He'll take care of the paint, while Sam Young and Levance Fields make huge shots from the perimeter.

AL West Preview

Will anyone be able to rise up and challenge the Angels? Probably not.

1) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - They lost K-Rod, but jumped on Fuentes in free agency. Even if Fuentes isn't the answer at closer, one of Arredondo or Shields could emerge as the stopper. The strong backend of the bullpen might be the strength of the team.

The starting rotation could be just as dangerous if Ervin Santana can stay healthy and build on his 2008 success. John Lackey, Joe Saunders, and Jered Weaver join him in what should be a strong starting rotation. Kelvim Escobar will join the team early in the season, and will give the rotation an additonally shot in the arm too.

The offense could have used Teixeira, but Vladdy, Abreu, Hunter, Kendrick, and Figgins will give the Angels enough offense to win the AL West.

2) Oakland Athletics - The young A's should still be better than the other two teams in the West. Holliday, Giambi, and Cabrera give the team a nice boost. If Chavez can stay healthy, the offense might be pretty good.

The pitching staff doens't have a stud, but there's plenty of capable arms. Ziegler and Devine could form a lethal duo at the end of games. The starting pitching still remains a question mark, but Billy Beane has young talent that will make a name for themselves before the season is done. Expect summer arrivals from Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill.

3) Texas Rangers - Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler give the Rangers two of the better hitters in the AL. Michael Young and Hank Blalock might have seen their best days, but are also capable bats. The key for the Rangers offense is the continued development of their youth. Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Chris Davis, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia could help propel the Rangers to the highest scoring offense in the league.

The problem in Texas, as always, is the lack of pitching. Frank Francisco gives them a potentially good closer. Everybody else in the bullpen is meltdown waiting the happen. The starting pitching isn't much better. Millwood and Padilla have seen their best days, while the youth has yet to develop into quality major league talent.

4) Seattle Mariners - This team just isn't that good. Ichiro will continue to slap away in the leadoff spot, but there isn't much run production after him. Hopefully Jeff Clement develops the power they think he has, but he's already the answer the offense needs. The team probably wouldn't mind dumping Adrian Beltre too, so there goes 20+ homeruns.

The pitching could keep this team competitive. Felix Hernandez is an ace in the making, Erik Bedard is hopefully healthy, and Brandon Morrow could develop into a very good starter. The problem is, this bullpen looks terrible. Lots of leads will probably be blown, as a cast of medicore candidates will frustrate fans and save-hungry fantasy owners all summer.

AL Central Preview

Arguably the most wide open division in the league. No headline free agent signings means that all these teams are banking their playoff hopes on internal improvement.

1) Minnesota Twins - Nobody thought they would compete last year, and the Twins went all the way to the 163st game of the season. This season, the Twins should take the next step forward and win this wide open division. Francisco Liriano and the other young pitchers on this roster should improve with another year experience under their belt. The back of the bullpen is also not a concern with Joe Nathan still amongst the best closers in the game.

On offense, Morneau gives them a solid middle of the order bat, but Joe Mauer needs to stay healthy. Also, young players like Denard Span, Delmon Young, and Carlos Gomez need to take the next step. If they can, this offense will be able to keep the team ahead of their AL Central competitors. A deadline deal to add some middle relief and another starter might be necessary, but overall, the Twins look solid.

2) Detroit Tigers - This team was easily the bust of the '08 season. The should be back with a force in '09. Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, and Magglio Ordonez give the offense a good core. Placido Polanco, Gary Sheffield (if healthy), and Carlos Guillen could give the Tigers the best offense in the division, if they perform to their capabilities.

The pitching staff shouldn't be as bad as last season. Justin Verlander, Nate Robinson, and Dontrelle Willis aren't as bad as they were last season. Willis is grossly overpaid for bad peripheral numbers, but he's still a good middle rotation starter when one his game. Edwin Jackson and Armando Galarraga give the Tigers a nice bottom to their rotation. The bullpen remains unsettled. Brandon Lyon may have held the job in Arizona last year, but he was incredibly shaky as the closer. They better hope Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya return to their pre-2008 forms.

3) Cleveland Indians - They were hot down the stretch, even without Sabathia headlining the rotation. Cliff Lee won't be as good as he was last year, but he's still a solid pitcher. Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, and Carl Pavano are the real question marks in the rotation. Having all 3 in the rotation for an extended stretch of time would greatly boost the Tribes' playoff hopes.

The question marks don't end in the starting rotation. The team needs Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner to get healthy and play like they were capable of. I have my doubts on Hafner ever being as good as he was a few years ago, but Martinez is young enough to still refind his stroke. Grady Sizemore remains one of the best players in the league, Mark DeRosa is coming off a great season, Kelly Shoppach hit 21 homers from the catchers spot last year, and Jhonny Peralta gives above average production from the shortstop position. If Martinez and Hafner return to form, the Indians could easily win this division.

4) Chicago White Sox - The Sox will need Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, and A.J. Pierzynski to fight off father time for another season. If so, they'll team with young studs, Carlos Quentin and Alexi Ramirez, to form a potent offense.

The pitching is good at the top of the rotation. Gavin Floyd, Mark Buerhle, and John Danks give the team a solid trio of starters who are capable of winning 15+ games this season. Having the bottom of the rotation settled upon will go a long way in helping their cause for another AL Central title. The bullpen looks settled, and it should be the best unit in the division.

5) Kansas City Royals - They'll return to the cellar, but the Royals aren't the pushovers they once were. Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Jose Guillen, Mike Jacobs, Mike Aviles, Billy Butler, and Alex Gordon give the team a respectable offense. If Aviles, Butler, and Gordon take big steps forward, this offense could be really good.

Greinke gives the team a legit number one, while Soria provides them with an elite closer. It's the spots inbetween that need to be settled on. Bannister, Hochevar, Davies, and Ramirez will fill in the rotation behind Greinke and Meche. Not a rotation that strikes fear into anyone, but its a start. They're hoping Farnsworth can finally harness his stuff, while Juan Cruz gives them a great option in the 8th inning.

AL East Preview

Will the Rays be able to repeat their 2008 success? Not likely, with the Yankees reloaded and gunning for another World Series.

1) New York Yankees - The Yanks spent their offseason acquiring plenty of free agent talent to fix a dismal 2008 campaign. Mark Teixeira has been brought in to add another strong bat to the middle of the order, while C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett will headline the pitching staff. Teixeira and Sabathia will bring it each week, and if healthy, Burnett is more than capable of being a number two.

Free agency alone will not be enough to get the Yankees back to the top. Posada and Matsui need to stay healthy and productive. Wang will have to come back with a strong season and Chamberlain will have to continue his development to solidify the starting rotation. Having Cano rebound from a bad season will help add more depth to the lineup as well. Additionally, the bullpen has holes that need to be addressed.

Still, the Yankees will have the offense, and enough starting pitching, to win the AL East this year.

2) Boston Red Sox - The pitching in Beantown is just great. If Beckett bounces back from a rough year, him, Dice-K, and Lester could form the best trio of pitchers in the league. Not to mention the great quality they have coming out of the bullpen in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings.

The key for the Red Sox will be Ortiz and Lowell. Both guys are getting up their in age, and have had some injury problems in the past year. If the age of these two start to show this year, then the offense just won't be enough to compete with the Yankees. Also, as much as I like Jason Bay, he won't provide the same protection for Big Papi that Manny Ramirez did.

With Boston's pitching, they should still be in the race all season. Their offense may not be as good as New York's, but it's still one of the best in baseball, and they'll end up taking the wild card in the AL.

3) Tampa Bay Rays - Putting the Rays here does not mean I think they're a one year wonder. Upton, Longoria, Pena, Crawford, and Burrell give this team plenty of offense. Kazmir (if healthy), Shields, and Garza give them an impressive trio at the top of the rotation. The bullpen is deep. Plus, David Price is going to make the jump to the pros at some point in the summer, and his addition will be like trading for a starter midseason.

This team will be in the race all season. Putting them third is hardly a criticize of how good I think this team is, and how good I think they could continue to be in the future. However, I think the Yankees will be a lot stronger this year, and Tampa will take a hit in the standings because of it.

4) Toronto Blue Jays - The pitching just won't be here this year. The bullpen will remain a top unit, but the starting pitching falls off after Halladay. No Burnett, no Marcum, and no McGowan to start the season. McGowan will be back at some point, but the rest of the rotation will be filled with inexperience (Litsch, Cecil, Purcey) or medicorcity (Richmond).

I actually think the offense will be improved under Cito Gaston. Gibbons had players like Wells and Rios trying to work the count and hit balls the other way. Neither is that type of hitter. Both are at their best when they can be aggressive and hack away, which will happen more frequently this year. Snider should also add some power to the lineup. However, this unit isn't nearly good enough to outslug NY, Boston, or Tampa, and will lose a lot of games this season, unless the young pitchers surprise.

5) Baltimore Orioles - The offense on this team could be fun to watch this year. Emerging young players like Markakis, Jones, and super prospect Matt Wieters should give fans at Camden Yards a lot of make noise about in the bottom half of innings. Unfortunately, the top half of the inning will feature the worst pitching staff in the division, and one of the worst staffs in the league. Jeremy Guthrie is the only legit starter on this team. The bullpen has two closer candidates in Sherrill and Ray, but one will likely be dealt as the deadline approaches.

If the Orioles can address their pitching staff, this might be a decent team in the future. As it stands right now, they'll be the AL East doormat for another year.

NFL extends deal with DirectTV

The NFL has recently extended its deal with DirectTV. The new deal pays the league $1 billion per season from 2011 to 2014. The billion dollar rights fee is guaranteed, which will give the owners a significant war chest if they decide to lock the players out in 2011.

The players want a bigger piece of the revenue pie, but going to war the owners might not put them in a better place than they're currently in. For starters, if a deal is not reached, the 2010 season will be uncapped. While this sounds good for the players, the uncapped season comes with a lot of strings that would hinder player movement. For instance:

• Players would need 6 years of service to become an unrestricted free agent
• each team would have 2 transition tags
• no salary floor, which means some teams will definitely cut salary significantly
• the teams reaching the championship games would have to lose a free agent to sign one
• the teams reaching the divisional round would also face strict restrictions on player movement

The free agency pool would be severely limited in 2010 if the players do not try to reach a deal with the owners, and many players hoping to break the bank in 2010 will be very disappointed. The owners are already preparing to weather a work stoppage, and I don't think players realize that it's very likely the 2011 season will be lost. They should try to negotiate as soon as possible, to salvage the 2011 season, and get an offseason in 2010 that is not constrained by so many restrictions.

NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft fast approaching and free agency well underway, team draft needs are becoming more defined by the day. Heated debate still rages over who Detroit should pick to rebuild their franchise, how far Andre Smith and Michael Crabtree should fall, and who the top offensive tackle should be. So, without further ado, here's my first shot at the 2009 draft:

1) Detroit Lions: OT Jason Smith - Baylor

I don't see any point in the Lions drafting a QB, unless they can keep him upright. If not, Matthew Stafford will have the same amount of success as Joey Harrington. I think the new coaching staff believes this too, and will focus on building the team from the inside out. While many will argue that Eugene Monroe is the best tackle in the draft, Smith brings a mean streak to the table that Jim Schwartz will love. The former tight end is fleet footed and should be able to pass protect at the next level, while bringing the strength and nastiness needed to be a dominant run blocker.

2) St. Louis Rams: OT Eugene Monroe - Virginia

The Rams would've jumped at the chance to draft Jake Long last year, and now with Orlando Pace out of the picture, have an even larger need at offensive tackle. Monroe was good enough to keep Branden Albert at guard last season, and should developing into a top pass protector in the pros.

3) Kansas City Chiefs: LB Aaron Curry - Wake Forest

Might be the best player in the draft. The Chiefs have already addressed their QB needs with Matt Cassell, and misses out on the top premier tackles in the draft. However, their consolation prize of Curry should be the building block of the Chief defense for many years. He's position and scheme versatile, which should give the new coaching staff some flexibility.

4) Seattle Seahawks: DE Brian Orakpo - Texas

I'm sure they were hoping for Aaron Curry to be here when they traded Julian Peterson to the Lions, but Detroit not selecting a QB first overall will certainly mess up the Seahawks' board. While B.J. Raji is a strong possibility here, the team just traded for Cory Redding and signed Colin Cole. With the interior line addressed in free agency, getting a pass rusher to lineup opposite Patrick Kerney would make sense here. Orakpo was a solid performer at Texas, and will give Seattle a honest effort against the run and pass.

5) Cleveland Browns: OLB Everette Brown - FSU

This might be a reach here, but with Orakpo gone, Brown is the next best conversion guy on the board. Kamerion Wimbley just hasn't gotten the job done. They need a guy who can come in and play from day one, and Brown could legitimately be a 10+ sack guy next year. It will be a hotly debated pick, but I believe the production from Brown will justify this top five selection.

6) Cincinnati Bengals: OT Andre Smith - Alabama

The flap at the combine likely cost Smith a top three selection, and his body condition at his pro-day will keep him from being a top 5 pick. Still, he was a dominating player in the SEC and should be able to play well at the next level. Good tackles are hard to find, and Smith will provide an instant upgrade over any OT on the Bengals' roster. The question with Smith is whether or not he can handle playing left tackle in the pros. With his massive size, he might not have the lateral quickness to handle NFL edge rushers, but his dominant run blocking ability should help him become a great RT down the road.

7) Oakland Raiders: WR Jeremy Maclin - Missouri

Speed, speed, and more speed. Al Davis loves guys like this, and I'm sure he's dreaming of Maclin streaking down the sidelines with JaMarcus Russell launching 50-60 yard bombs down the field. I think Michael Crabtree is a better all-round player, but he wasn't able to workout. Plus, he might not be the vertical threat that the Raiders typically look for in their wide receivers.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

The Jags have needed an elite wide receiving talent for years, and this is the year that they'll finally be able to address that. Maybe he didn't workout, but it's not like Crabtree tore his ACL or MCL. He was a stud in Lubbock and he'll continue to be a stud in the NFL. He's a great route runner, has sure hands, not afraid of traffic, and will get yards after the catch. The injury to Crabtree is the best thing to ever happen to Jacksonville.

9) Green Bay Packers: DT B.J. Raji - Boston College

The Packers could go any number of directions with this pick. The OTs are old, the defensive line was bad last year, and the linebackers underachieved. With Dom Capers and his 3-4 scheme coming in, I think Raji would make the most sense. The scheme won't work without a capable NT, and Ryan Pickett is near the end, so fortifying the positiong with some youth would make a lot of sense. Going for a player like Aaron Maybin might happen, but I feel the Packers think players like Jeremy Thompson or Jason Hunter could emerge to bookend Aaron Kampman.

10) San Francisco 49ers: QB Matthew Stafford - Georgia

The 49ers might like Shaun Hill, but he doesn't have the upside to be an elite QB. Stafford brings that Pro Bowl potential with him, and thanks to Hill, won't have to be thrown to the wolves in his rookie season. People are quick to criticize Stafford for 'underachieving' this past year at Georgia, but the offensive line was in shambles from day one. He has all the tools a coach could ask for, and with the right coaching could develop into a franchise QB.

11) Buffalo Bills: DE Aaron Maybin - PSU

I'm not a huge fan of Maybin in the 4-3. I think he's too small and would be better suited to playing OLB in a 3-4. Still, he offers intriguing potential as a pass rusher, and should put more weight on as he gets older. This is a high risk pick, but Bills need more of a pass rush and Maybin has tons of big play potential.

12) Denver Broncos: DE Tyson Jackson - LSU

The Broncos are going to a 3-4 and could use help at NT, DE, and linebacker to rebuild their defense to the scheme. Ultimately, I think they'll go with Jackson, who should be able to fill the 5-technique role in the new defense.

13) Washington Redskins: OT Michael Oher - Ole Miss

The Skins could use some help at OT, and Oher offers a ton of potential. He's been inconsistent in college, but great Senior Bowl practices have begun to restore hope that he can one day realize his vast potential. Maybe he doesn't pan out on the left side, but Oher should at the very worst be a starting right tackle in the NFL.

14) New Orleans Saints: DB Malcom Jenkins - OSU

Was once seen as a top 10 selection, but a bad combine severely hurt his draft status. Now some analysts are saying he might have to play safety at the next level. It shouldn't matter to much to the Saints. Their defense and secondary, in particular, need improvement. They would gladly welcome a player like Jenkins, whether he's playing centerfield or corner.

15) Houston Texans: LB Brian Cushing - USC

The Texans have dedicated a lot of their recent draft picks to defensive line, and used free agency to further bolster the unit. Now I think they'll look to address the second level, and Cushing is a very promising pro prospect. He's a versatile guy that could play inside or outside at the next level, and would instantly start as an outside linebacker for an emerging Texan defense.

16) San Diego Chargers: LB Rey Maualuga - USC

The return of Merrimen will bolster the OLBs on this team, and adding Maualuga via the draft will give the team an inside linebacker that opposing offenses will fear. Maualuga gets caught by play-action at times, but good coaching should fix that. In the meantime, they can enjoy the bone crushing hits he dishes out to running backs.

17) New York Jets: QB Mark Sanchez - USC

With Brett Favre gone, the Jets need to once again address the QB position. Currently, the team doesn't have a QB of the future on their roster, so if Sanchez falls to them, they'd be smart to jump on the opportunity. His small body of work at USC scares some people away, but he has a good arm and worked in a pro-style offense under Pete Carroll.

18) Chicago Bears: OT Eben Britton - Arizona

The Bears could go a lot of directions with this pick. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Percy Harvin went in this spot, but the Bears lost John Tait and John St. Clair, so they need a starter opposite Chris Williams. This would also allow them to move Frank Omiyale inside, where he might be best suited.

19) Tampa Bay: DT Peria Jerry - Ole Miss

The Bucs could use an interior presense to compliment Gaines Adams on the outside. Jerry could be the disruptive one-gap player the Bucs haven't had in years. A disruptive inside force could also help Adams take the next step as a player, by giving him more chances to work on an island against opposing left tackles.

20) Detroit Lions: QB Josh Freeman - Kansas State

If Jay Cutler keeps pushing for a trade, then this pick could be part of a package for him. If not, the Lions address their need at QB by taking Freeman. By taking their QB of the future at 20, the Lions won't feel the same pressure to thrust him into a starting role, like they would if they took Stafford at number one. Freeman has the tools to start in the NFL, but he'll need some practice in a pro-style offense before he can become the full-time starter. Going OT first, and taking Freeman at 20 might not be sexy, but it could pay off for the Lions in the long-run.

21) Philadelphia: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey - Maryland

Desean Jackson is a great vertical threat, but he's too small to be a number one guy. Heyward-Bey adds length and athleticism to the Eagle offense. He'll give McNabb a target in the redzone and, along with Jackson, stretch defenses out to open up lanes for Westbrook.

22) Minnesota Vikings: C Alex Mack - California

They need a guy to replace Matt Birk. He was a standout player at Cal, and I was impressed by his predraft practices. The Vikings favour the run, so it would be to there benefit to keep the offensive line in top shape.

23) New England Patriots: LB Clay Matthews - USC

This might be a reach, but I think he's the type of player that Belichick will fall in love with. Matthews is a high motor guy that would look good playing OLB for the Pats. I liked what I saw of him at the Senior Bowl, and his versatility will allow Belichick to play the hybrid 3-4/4-3 that he prefers.

24) Atlanta Falcons: DT Evander Hood - Missouri

Mike Smith comes from a defensive background, and the Falcons don't have a great defense yet. So, I think the Falcons will come out this year and look to address that side of the ball. I think the Falcons could look to linebacker at this spot too, since the position has been hit hard by free agency.

25) Miami Dolphins: OLB Clint Sintim - Virginia

Joey Porter had a great season last year, but the Dolphins could still use some depth at OLB. Sintim would be a good outside rusher in their system, and would help combat the excellent passing game of Tom Brady and the Patriots.

26) Baltimore Ravens: CB Vontae Davis - Illinois

He needs some work, but Davis is as good an athlete as any defensive back in this draft. The Ravens have signed Foxworth, but they still need another starting corner. Davis could be a steal at this point, if he pans out to his potential.

27) Indianapolis Colts: LB James Laurinaitis - Ohio State

The Colts would much rather pick Hood or Peria here, but neither guy falls this far in my draft, so the Colts try to improve their run defense with a linebacker. Laurinaitis hurt his draft status a lot by coming back this season, but he's still a good prospect who was productive in college. He should be a solid, although not amazing, starter in the NFL, like former Buckeye A.J. Hawk.

28) Philadelphia Eagles: RB Chris 'Beanie' Wells - Ohio State

The Eagles could use a player to compliment Westbrook. Wells could definitely give the Eagles a 'smash & dash' combo in the backfield. Injury concerns are the only reason he falls this far. Wells has shown he can be a stud when healthy, and sharing the carries in the NFL should keep him off the IR.

29) New York Giants: WR Hakeem Nicks - North Carolina

Everybody has seen the highlights of Nicks by now. He's a sure-handed receiver that runs great routes. He's great insurance for Burress not coming back, since Nicks can come in and start right away.

30) Tennessee Titans: WR Kenny Britt - Rutgers

He has been very productive for Rutgers, and will give a lot of help to a less than stellar Titans' passing game. He has a good body type too, which should help him become a big physical number one wideout in the pros.

31) Arizona Cardinals: RB Knowshon Moreno - Georgia

The Cardinals need help in the running game. Their passing offense is a thing of beauty, but a starting tailback is a must. I like Tim Hightower, but he's more of a number two to me. Moreno has gamebreaking ability, and the Cardinals will be delighted that he dropped down so far.

32) Pittsburgh Steelers: OT William Beatty - UCONN

The Steelers are the champs, so they don't have too many holes, but the offensive line is the one unit on this team that could use some help. He has good size, I liked what I saw from him in predraft practices, and I think he can start for the Steelers in week one.