Before I get into what the Dallas Cowboys need with the ninth pick in the draft, allow me to recap the first eight selections. First overall was Da'Quan Bowers. Nick Fairley went second, third was A.J. Green. At four, I had the Bengals draft Cameron Newton, fifth was Von Miller. The Browns drafted Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson went seventh to the 49ers, and Blaine Gabbert was just selected by the Tennessee Titans.
9) With the ninth overall draft pick the Dallas Cowboys could go in a few directions here. This is a team that I believe has enough talent on their roster to make the playoffs this upcoming season. There's not much a team can do when their starting quarter back goes down with a broken collarbone and the team didn't rely on the running game from the get go. The Cowboys need offensive tackle, especially along the right side. That need won't be filled with this pick just due to the lack of talent in this draft class. Safety is another big issue the Cowboys need to solve going forward. Rahim Moore, out of UCLA is the only projected safety to be drafted in the first round, and it's at the back end of round one. Dallas will definitely go on the defensive side of the ball with this pick. A d-lineman is not a bad option, but I really like the talented corner out of Nebraska. Prince Amukamara will be who the Cowboys select here. Terrence Newman is 32 years old and Mike Jenkins had one of those seasons he'd like to forget.
10) The Washington Redskins own the tenth overall pick after finishing six and ten under Mike Shanahan in his first year in D.C. The Redskins are in trouble, quarter back Donavon McNabb is certainly all but on his way out along with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Neither one of these guys worked out in Washington, and it looks as if this team is going into rebuilding mode. They need to address their quarter back situation, but with Newton and Gabbert off the board, the 'Skins must look elsewhere. Both Kiper and McShay have Washington drafting a quarter back and although I absolutely concur with the experts, I just don't see three QB's within the top ten in this class. So what will the Redskins do? Obviously, if McNabb isn't traded by now, then I see some sort of deal happening during the draft. Running back Clinton Portis is rumored to be cut in the upcoming days, which fantasy experts now need to consider Ryan Torain as this years Arian Foster, of the Houston Texans. There are just so many routes for this team if this is the situation they are put in. With countless amounts of needs for the Redskins, I see this team drafting an offensive player here. Wide Receiver Julio Jones, from Alabama is my selection for the Washington Redskins. I love was Jones brings game in and game out as a Wide-out. With an impressive combine, I feel more and more teams will start to realize the gap between him and AJ Green is not as big as people think.
11) Houston Texans: After the news of wide receiver Julio Jones being drafted, the Texans decision of who to draft was just made easier. I firmly believe that if Jones was on the board here, he'd be the pick. As nice as that sounds, let's remember that the Texans had the worst pass defense in the NFL. The team that was 31st in pass defense was the Washington Redskins and they passed up on a corner back. The Texans won't because their defense was down right awful. Yes, they were without Brian Cushing for the first four weeks of the season and Mario Williams didn't play the last three games, but there's no need to draft offense. The team ranked fourth in passing yards a game and seventh in rushing. As long as the coaching staff believes that Arian Foster is the real deal there aren't many question marks offensively that can be solved with this pick. Corner back, Jimmy Smith, out of Colorado is extremely logical here. At six foot two, he not only posses top speed but also has fantastic press coverage skills. His strength is key in a division with Reggie Wayne, Jimmy Smith could be the lock down corner this team needs to clinch the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
12) Minnesota Vikings: What a difference a year makes. After being as close as one play away from the Super Bowl, this team found themselves finishing 2010 with only six wins and last in the division. Sorry Viking fans, but looking at everyone else in this division it looks as if being last in the NFC North is something you may want to get accustomed too. Adrian Peterson, is still a beast and doing everything he can to get this team back to contending, but defenses know that he is the Vikings only weapon so they are loading the box. This team needs to do something with Tavaris Jackson. I know he only started two games, but I like what I saw out of rookie quarter back Joe Webb. He played in Minnesota's final four games and although he didn't have a passing touchdown this kid show flashes of Mike Vick. With a full off-season working out his throwing mechanics, he might have a bright future. Clearly, if the Vikings are looking to win now then he nor anyone else listed at quarter back on the roster is the answer. Minnesota finished the season as a top ten defense, but yet that is where experts see them going with this pick. The Vikings has talented receivers in Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and even Bernard Berrian. There are not many people that are sold on quarter back Ryan Mallett, but I certainly am. Just because this guy's foot work is extremely slow and is known to force some throws uncharacteristically, he is still six foot seven, strong arm, and been involved in a pro style offense. Now as much as I believe he makes sense here, that simply won't happen. Both Kiper and McShay have defensive end Robert Quinn, out of North Carolina being selected here. Trying to think if you liked the way Quinn played at Chapel Hill, then your out of luck. He was suspended for the whole season due to accepting benefits from agents. Don't let anything fool you, as this man can create a sense of destruction. Listed as the second best defensive end in this class, he is a phenomenal player to have opposite of Pro-Bowler Jared Allen. Consider the fact that Ray Edwards will be a free agent is just another reason why the Minnesota Vikings will draft Robert Quinn.
The Detroit Lions will lead off my next blog. Where will this team look when it comes to their draft? They have needs at offensive tackle, and just about every position on defense. Surprisingly enough, the St. Louis Rams will be drafting 14th overall, following them are the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Will this be a spot where we see a running back and offensive lineman finally get drafted? Quite a few Big Ten players are options as defensive tackle Corey Liuget from Illinois, defensive end Adrian Clayborn out of Iowa and offensive tackle Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin are now labeled as the best guys available.
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