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Lets look at the defensive line as a whole, which many of us declared the weakest link of hte team last season Sapp's retirement frees up Kelly to play the 3 tech DT spot, something he had rarely been able to do but we always wanted him to do. He should do well. I expect him to do well. Losing Sapp is not a real tragedy, because although he could play, he was also slowing. Sapp knows Kelly will do well at his old spot. Warren could play the 3 tech spot, BUT even when Sapp was out of the game last year it was Brayton and not Warren playing the 3 tech spot. Warren is pretty good run defender as well and is more than capable of playing the other DT spot and also applying pressure. I expect him to start along with Kelly. Kelly also played well along with Sands in 2006 so expect that alignment quite a bit as well. Sands is the run stuffer, and hopefully he can play up to his contract...because we can't really get rid of him with that contract. Burgess has been a liability against th...

It isn't that you don't always want to get the best player; you do. However, a team can't just draft the BPA and ignore all their weaknesses. It is a balance. Too much on one side tips the scale. Talent on one side and need on the other. If they have a lot of talent, but the team doesn't have any need to place on that scale, it wont do the team any good. Likewise if the team has a great need, but they take a much lesser player it doesn't do the team any good. You want it to be as balanced as possible. Certainly if it leans a little more one way, you want it to learn towards talent as you can find ways to use a little extra talent in a place you don't need it as much. Such as a talented RB you could split wide as a receiver or a you may be able to use the player on special teams, etc. Like football, you want to be balanced. Offenses with very poor defenses don't historically (There are some exceptions) do well and vice versa. Using this strategy doesn't ...

Edit: Taking up too much space: Here is the details. Not sure where we got the extra 7th from. 1- 4- 4 Oakland 2- 3-34 Oakland 4- 5- Oakland 6- 3- Oakland 7- 6- Oakland 7-19- Oakland from Minnesota through New York Jets

Here is the defense: DE: 1a. Chris Long - Everydown DE. Limited upside at OLB IMO, but probably will be a very good DE. May not be able to live up to his hype in the NFL, but he has the tools that he could 1b. Vernon Gholston - Physical tools unreal, will be a pass rushing force at DE, I see great upside at 3-4 OLB as well. 3. Phillip Merling - Size and speed combo could make a him an every down DE in this league. One of the under appreciated DE in this draft. 4. Derrick Harvey - Could be a good pass rusher, but he may not have the size to be a good DE and play all the snaps. I could see him being a very nice OLB in a 3-4. 5. Calais Campbell - Lacks the speed to be a great pass rusher, but has the size to be an every down guy if he can at least get some pressure occasionally, boom or bust type. DT: (This is the hardest position for me) 1. Dorsey - I have serious questions about his injury, but until I find out how they might effect him he remains a DT who can do it all and if he was in...

I'll start with top 5 players at each position. If I feel like it I will do SECOND 5 (otherwise known as 6-10) at a later date. I base what I can on the games I have seen, the film I can find and a tiny bit on a few prognosticators, but they aren't that accurate so I disagree a lot. Defensive Rankings Coming Soon. QB: 1. Chad Henne - Has the total package 2. Joe Flacco - Will develop into a very nice QB in time 3. Matt Ryan - INTs follow you to the pros 4. Brian Brohm - I don't see any upside, might be a solid starter 5. Erik Ainge - If he works on mechanics and doesn't get hurt he could be very good RB: 1a. Darren McFadden - My only question is can he take the pounding in the NFL with his height and running style 1b. Jonathan Stewart - Size/Speed Ratio is amazing, Every down back 3. Rashard Mendenhall - Has the size and speed, one year production could be a concern 4. Chris Johnson - Will be useful as a change of pace back and be a big play threat 5. Jamaal Charles - C...

1. Keith Rivers injury keeps him from running. This is a re-occurring injury and could effect his draft stock. 2. Chris Long dominated the combine. However, even he admits he is going to need work if someone wants him to be a 3-4 OLB. 4.75 dash. 34" vert 10' 4" broad jump 3. Vernon Gholston was the best combine performer at DE. He benched 37 (1st), ran 4.64 (3rd), 35.5" vert (1st) 10' 4" broad jump 4. Sedrick Ellis had a solid performance. The Senior Bowl really hyped him up, but I've been saying and I've had at least one scout confirm my notions that he is more of a top 15 pick than a top 5 pick. I like him, but I think that if we are looking for a run stuffer Ellis isn't our guy. 5. Dorsey's pro day will be huge because of the injury concerns. I expect him to plummet if he doesn't do well at the pro day, because of the injury concerns. 6. LB's looked unspectacular overall. Woodyard looked like pretty good. 7. Trevor Laws lacked the...