Everyone else has their own ideas/thoughts on what the top picks in the draft will be? Well so do I. Let me break it down by the current expected top nine teams based on polls and take it a step further by placing them where I think they will fall after the season:
First Pick - Indianapolis (0-13)
Last Three Games: Tennessee, Houston, Jacksonville
Predicted Finish: (1-15)... I think they prolly sneak out a win vs. Jacksonville, purely for pride.
Needs: The next Peyton Manning.
Predicted Pick: Andrew Luck. Yes, RG3 is turning heads, and Luck was the runner up for the Heisman for the second year in a row, but hey... Indy has already been casing this guy long enough... seems they have their mind made up.
Second Pick - St. Louis (2-11)
Last Three Games: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
Predicted Finish: (2-14)... I just don't think they get it done with any of these last three games and they move up the list.
Needs: What don't they need. They don't need a QB. But this team is dead last in the league in sacks given up per game (46) and last in hits on the QB (96). Rams are also 26th in the league in rushing, just below 100 yds/game. They are also 26th in the league in points given up per game (25.1) including being 24th in the league giving up 36 TDs. But they're 12th in sacks and forced fumbles.
Predicted Pick: Matt Kalil. If he really formally enters... lol. First he says he will, then changes his mind. He says he will formally enter. And if he does, if the Rams have any sense at all, they protect their QB.
Third Pick - Minnesota (2-11)
Last Three Games: New Orleans, Washington, Chicago
Predicted Finish: (3-13)... I think they beat Chicago. No chance vs. Breezy, Skins pull it out in their home finale.
Needs: This is a team that has the 16th ranked offense in the NFL... not terrible but they could use some help in the secondary. Team is tied with Indy for dead last in the league with only 6 interceptions and 27th in pass defense giving up nearly 270 yards per game in the air. Not to mention, the team is 30th in the league in points given up per game at 28.0, with more than 19 pts coming in the air.
Predicted Pick: Morris Claiborne. I think they've kinda decided they're set at QB, but they do have other needs.
Polls are saying Washington is in the 4th pick spot right now... but....
Fourth Pick - Carolina (4-9)
Last Three Games: Houston, Tampa Bay, New Orleans
Projected Finish: (4-12). Just don't see them beating any of these guys.
Needs: They have their QB... Offensive pieces. Need defense. I could even see them picking up Richardson. if he falls that low.
Predicted Pick: Trent Richardson or Dre' Kirkpatrick
Fifth Pick - Cleveland (4-9)
Last Three Games: Arizona, Baltimore, Pittsburgh
Projected Finish: (4-12). Just don't see em getting it done.
Needs: What don't they need... They could use a QB. Could use a RB (ranked 29th in rushing). They could use more offensive line help. They're 9th in total defense (including 2nd in passing defense). They just can't score points. Could be Washington's biggest threat at picking a QB if they choose to do so. But 33 sacks given up and 74 hits to the QB is a good voucher for other help on offense. They could even use a WR/TE.
Predicted Pick: Jonathan Martin or Matt Barkley... maybe even RG3
Sixth Pick - Washington (4-9)
Last Three Games: NY Giants, Minnesota, Philadelphia
Predicted Finish: (5-11)... They won't beat Eli this weekend as he is fighting for the playoff spot; They beat the Vikes in the home finale, and get blown up in the secondary vs Philly. This will drop them below Carolina and Cleveland, even though the Panthers beat them. If Carolina can find a way to beat Tampa Bay, then we get #5 for sure. We shall see.
Needs: QB. Just don't have a franchise guy. Won't REALLY win without one. I think they re-sign Rex, but Beck could be gone. Need OL depth. Too much shuffling going on. You can't have two right handed QBs and only one LT on the depth chart. That is a problem. Need CB/S. LaRon Landry was just put on the IR today to undergo Achillies surgery... Lord knows if he'll be back next year. I think they probably keep him, but he may not be as effective. Really could use a shut down CB more than another safety though. There just isn't one on this team as far as I'm concerned. Skins will continue to get burned downfield w/o a smothering corner.
Predicted Pick: Close call. Either Robert Griffin III, or Matt Barkley. I think Griffin is the more complete package once you factor in his instinctive athleticism, but a part of me tells me Kyle may not draft him. I think Mike would draft him, but we all know who's really running this offense: Kyle M. Shanahan.
Seventh Pick - Jacksonville (4-9)
Last Three Games: Atlanta, Tennessee, Indianapolis
Projected Finish: (5-11). I think they beat Tennessee, but give Indy their only win of the season.
Needs: Someone to protect Gabbert. Did anyone else see the game vs. Atlanta??? You have a top ten pick QB, and he's getting TRAMPLED.
Predicted Pick: Jonathan Martin (if available) or Riley Reiff
Eighth Pick - Miami (4-9)
Last Three Games: Buffalo, New England, NY Jets
Projected Finish: (5-11)... They beat buffalo but not the Pats or Jets.
Needs: With a new coach coming in... new regime, who knows. They may just choose the best athlete available at this pick. If Sporano was around, I think they'd go defense. But with the new guy coming in, everything could be different. We'll see.
Predicted Pick: Quinton Coples
Ninth Pick - Tampa Bay (4-9)
Last Three Games: Dallas, Carolina, Atlanta
Projected Finish (5-11)... I hope they win this Sunday and finish 6-10, but I dunno.
Needs: They have issues scoring (26th in league) but bigger issues giving up points (31st). The best defensive player available at #9 goes to Tampa. If not, If Landry Jones is still hanging around at number nine, they pick him. All that said, I think they find Josh Freeman some help and pick one of these high ranked WRs and stock pile defensive picks in the later rounds.
Predicted Pick: Justin Blackmon
I could be wrong, the next couple of weeks will tell. But that's just what I think at the moment.
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