No. 29

Pick by General Consensus Justin Blalock Offensive Guard Texas

Since we have no Ravens blog, the Baltimore pick was made by a consortium of the SBN bloggers representing their divisonal opponents. That means that our Steelers, Browns and Bengals bloggers had to simulate having the Ravens' best interests at heart. Ain't easy, I can tell you. Here's what Blitzburgh of Behind the Steel Curtain has to say about the pick made by the fake Ravens team, which is technically speaking even more fake that the rest of us:

Baltimore's top need this offseason is along the offensive line, where they need a starting tackle, as well as depth at guard and center. With this draft's best tackles already off the board, the Baltimore Ravens select Justin Blalock, an offensive guard from the University of Texas.

Blalock is a tad undersized to play tackle in the NFL, but during his four years as a starter for the Longhorns, Blalock was versatile enough to play both positions. He's strong as a bull and has a mean streak that offensive line coaches dream of.

Blalock is technically very sound and has all the ingredients needed to develop into a steady starter in the league. Blalock could make a Pro Bowl or two in his career, while his "risk factor" is virtually zero.

No. 28

Pick by Pats Pulpit Ben Grubbs Guard Auburn

Because of e-mails passing in the night, we missed the actual pick that was actually made by the actual Pats Pulpit website, and it was different from our consensus pick. Whoops.

So forget what we said earlier: This is what Pats Pulpit really means to say about their No. 28 pick:

Not surprisingly, none of the 25th, 26th or 27th teams picked any of the players everyone said I should have taken with No. 24. I'm not taking them now either. So, I wasn't too worried that the players I didn't take at No. 24 wouldn't be available at No. 28.

I was looking to fill a spot at inside linebacker. The Patriots are clearly all set on the outside with Mike Vravel, Rosevelt Colvin and newcomer Adalius Thomas, and while Vrabel can move inside if absolutely necessary, New England is far better off with him in his comfort zone. And let's face it: Tedy Bruschi isn't getting any younger, and he's contemplated retirement more than once. The whole Ted Johnson story probably didn't help. He'll be back this year (I think), but New England needs to start to plan for the future.

But the top-rated linebackers are comfortable outside, they're too small and they have other problems that make them "not Bill Belichick guys." Jon Beason would be the shortest linebacker (excepting Larry Izzo, but he's more a special teams player) on the team, and I don't see him covering Dallas Clark any better than Eric Alexander. He also may be injury prone, and that's the last thing New England really needs.

Lawrence Timmons, too, is too small -- taller, but not particularly big. After starting fairly high on a lot of "experts" lists, Timmons is dropping fairly rapidly. He's apparently a slow learner, and in some cases just doesn't seem to "get it." A player like that cannot succeed in a complex Belichick system.

New England doesn't mind converting smaller defensive linemen into linebackers (see Bruschi), but most of the better candidates are already off the board. Purdue's Anthony Spencer has potential, but I don't think he has the necessary speed.

I'm going to ignore the whole Asante Samuel issue. There's no way an outsider can have any idea what's really going on there, but I'm sure Belichick and Scott Pioli will make the right decision when the time comes. My only choices are to assume that he definitely won't be there, or he definitely will. I don't think the Patriots used the franchise tag just to waste it, so I'll say (for now) that he stays. So I'm not taking a cornerback here.

No matter what else happens, teams can always use help on the offensive line. The Patriots have endured their share of injuries, so much that two to three years ago, the line was being held together by band-aids and paper clips and a tenuous kind of gravity.

So it comes down to Auburn guard Ben Grubbs and Texas tackle/guard Justin Blalock. I really like them both, but I can pick only one. Grubbs is a little smaller than I'd like, but, boy, has he come on strong the last couple years after shifting from defensive tackle to tight end to guard. And he's durable: He hasn't missed a game in his career. Blalock is bigger and stronger, but significantly slower and has less range (meaning he won't make a great NFL pulling guard).

It might be hard for Grubbs to live up to the hype, but I'm taking a chance on him.

No. 26

Pick by Bleeding Green Nation Chris Houston Cornerback Arkansas

BleedGreen from Bleeding Green Nation checks in:

Well, last night the Eagles slot came up and I selected Arkansas CB Chris Houston. I was actually relieved when the Jets selected TE Greg Olsen one slot ahead because if they hadn't it would have left me with a very difficult decision between him and Houston. The Te is a very important part of what makes this offense work and LJ Smith is in the final year of his contract. After seeing the crazy money some TEs got this offseason who haven't produced like LJ has... it would not surprise me to see him gone next year. Olsen would have more than made up for the loss of Smith and very well may have even been an upgrade...

That said, corner is a solid need for this team and Houston is a great value at #26. With Sheldon Brown having an off year last year and the oft injured William James only here on a year deal, our corner position really only has one sure thing in Lito Sheppard. Considering that Lito has missed time the past two years to injury, drafting high at a very important position is important this year.

Some scouts have Chris Houston as the best or second-best corner in the draft and understandably so. He played big time competition in college and came up big against them. He always lined up against the #1 WR and all but shutdown 3 of the top 5 WRs in this draft this past season(Jarrett, Meachem and Bowe). He has tremendous speed which was evidenced by his 4.32 40 time (the fastest time for a DB). He also recorded 27 reps on the bench press, which shows surprising strength for a guy his size. Speaking of size, it's been the one knock on him: He's about 5'10, 185. However, he's always been able to make up for his size with his speed, long arms, physicality, and superior leaping ability. Even against big WRs in college, he was still able to jam them at the line of scrimmage and be physical. Take a look at the job he did against Dwayne Jarret, who stands at 6'4, 219, for proof of this.

He's also been a very good in punt coverage in college and should be able to contribute on special teams in the pros right away.

No. 25

Pick by General Consensus Greg Olsen Tight End Miami FL

The guest blogger who we lined up to make the pick for the New York Jets was flying a single-engine Cessna over the Atlantic, when all of a sudden he was carried off on the shoulders of some very attractive Greek nymphs to a land of plenty, where his every need will be met by fawning women who all look exactly like Cheryl Ladd. The boy will never want for mangoes or stringed instruments again. However, it means somebody needed to make his frickin' pick for the mock draft, so we of the Sports Blog Nation's NFL wing bum-rushed his spot in line and picked for him. I assure you, we're not happy about this. We'd rather be with nymphs. We've worked very hard all our lives, and all we ask for in return are some goddamn nymphs.

Anyway. Duty calls. The New York Jets pick Greg Olsen of the Miami Hurricanes because we say so. Here's some of his stats.

Philadelphia, you're on the clock. Bleeding Green Nation will restore efficiency and decorum to this whole process.

No. 24

Pick by Pats Pulpit Eric Weddle Safety Utah

Happy Easter. We interrupt this religious holiday for the 24th pick in the SBN Mock Draft. Tommasse from Pats Pulpit explains it all for you:

The reason most people have such a hard time predicting and, later, understanding New England's draft picks is that most people don't think like the Patriots player personnel personnel. Getting inside the minds of Scott Pioli, Bill Belichick and their minions can be a scary proposition.

Last year, I predicted they'd take a running back (I said LenDale White) with their first pick. Everyone else was screaming for defense, especially a linebacker. They took running back Laurence Maroney.

After the AFC Championship loss, bets were on wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back. But the Patriots made a surprisingly aggressive foray in free agency with the acquisition of former Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas, followed by ex-Jets tight end Kyle Brady, running back Sammy Morris of the Dolphins, and wide receivers Donte Stallworth from the Eagles/Saints, Cincinnati's Kelley Washington and Wes Welker (trade from Miami).

That pretty much took care of the wide receiving needs, and Brady is like an extra offensive lineman. The big early round needs are still defensive back, particularly safety, and inside linebacker, with running back still a little questionable in my mind. That, of course, assumes New England eventually signs cornerback Asante Samuel to a long-term deal.

Having two picks in the first round (thanks, Seattle) seems like an enviable position, but they're both late in the round, New England traded its second-rounder, and a lot of the players high on the Patriots' board have been taken in this draft.

That said, a lot of people would probably expect us to take safety Brandon Meriweather of Miami with the "Deion Branch pick." But Meriweather was prominently featured in The U's sickening brawl with Florida International University, and the Patriots generally (call the Richard Seymour incident an "anomaly") steer clear of "character cases." Meriweather is a good and more talented football player than other safeties, but he's "not a Bill Belichick guy."

And so Pats Pulpit selects safety Eric Weddle of the University of Utah.

Weddle is a Belichick type of player. At , 5-11 (some sources say 6-0), 203 pounds, he's versatile (he has played every position in the defensive backfield, as well as wide receiver and special teams), he smart (while he doesn't have great speed, he makes good decisions and puts himself in good positions), and he has a team-first mentality. He's a John Lynch/Troy Brown type of player, and he should be able to contribute immediately in several capacities. Weddle, also gets credit for textbook tackling, an area in which New England lagged last season. Weddle might not have the greatest physical gifts and athletic assets, but he has the right attitude and does his job.

No. 23

Pick by Arrowhead Pride Ted Ginn Jr. Wide Receiver Ohio State

Chris from Arrowhead Pride says:

In 2007, the Chiefs main areas of need are wide receiver, defensive tackle and the offensive line. We got a left tackle from the Dolphins, a defensive lineman from the Bears and a slew of linebacker free agent pickups. It was unlikely we were going to make any moves in the off season for a WR so the draft was the most logical place to address this need.

Arrowhead Pride chose Ted Ginn Jr. because first and foremost, I was surprised he was still around. Most mock drafts had him going in the middle of the 1st round and only a couple projected that the Chiefs would actually pick him up. Our Mock Draft Tracker showed the majority of mock drafts having us taking a wide receiver, with Dwayne Bowe receiving the most picks. I casually had it in the back of my mind that if Ted Ginn Jr. did fall to us, we had to take him.

He is explosive and as dangerous a player as any that the Chiefs have had in the last few years. His only drawback may be his size as he is listed as 6 ft even. But Ginn makes up for that in the special teams department. Ever since Dante Hall started to run backwards on kick returns, the Chiefs have had a void at a position that arguably won them 4 games in 2003. Ginn brings that game changing ability back to the Chiefs special teams.

I mentioned this yesterday on AP but I really like the idea of pairing up Brodie Croyle with a young wideout. The Chiefs have lacked a great QB to WR combo for most of their franchise history. I would love to see Croyle and Ginn develop into a deadly passing combo. Am I wishing for too much? Eh, probably but the potential is definitely there. We got ourselves a play maker and our aging offense will appreciate it.

No. 22

Pick by Blogging The Boys Aaron Ross Cornerback Texas

The gentleman from Big D's Blogging the Boys, Grizz, talks about their in-state recruit for the blue star:

The Dallas Cowboys filled their glaring holes in free agency so it's doubtful any pick taken at #22 would crack the starting lineup in 2007. But they have a few areas that could be troublesome down the road.

WR - Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens aren't getting any younger, so WR was a consideration. Dwayne Bowe and Ted Ginn, Jr. were tempting at this spot, but WR is a depth position in this draft and besides Calvin Johnson no one is a sure thing. For these reasons I'm gambling on getting a WR in later rounds.

OL - Depth and the impending free agency of LT Flozell Adams makes this another spot that could use some help. While there are some good interior guys left on the board, once again I'll wait and see if I can pick up a lineman down the road.

NT - Jason Ferguson needs a backup, but with Branch and Okoye already chosen, there isn't a player with a high enough grade to choose at this spot.

LB - Dallas runs the 3-4, so you can never have enough attacking linebackers. But this is too early to jump on one when we have a lot of talent already on the roster at this position.

CB - This is the spot where I thought the #22 pick of Aaron Ross made the most sense. Our #1 CB Terence Newman is a free agent after this year, and while I'm sure the Cowboys will make every effort to re-sign him, you never know what can happen in free agency. The other starter, Anthony Henry, has been serviceable but continues to get nagging injuries that slow him down and he is getting up there in age. Also, nickel corner Aaron Glenn is ancient by NFL standards at CB and had trouble in coverage down the stretch last season. Aaron Ross could possibly challenge Glenn at nickel corner this year, he can take over the punt return duties from starter Terence Newman - who almost got decapitated on a couple of occasions - and provides insurance should we lose Newman next year or decide Henry can't cut it anymore at the other CB spot.

No. 21

Pick by Battle Red Blog Joe Staley Offensive Tackle Central Michigan

At long last, the Texas wheeler-dealers make their choices. Tim from Battle Red Blog catches his breath and tells all:

As all savvy SB Nation readers will recall, we initially had the No. 10 pick in the draft before we dropped back twice (first to No. 12 and then to No. 21). Our reason for trading back is simple: We're not a very good football team. We need to add talent at nearly every position on the roster, and last month's trade for future global icon Matt Schaub cost us our second-rounder in this year's draft (among other things). As such, we went into this year's draft with an eye toward acquiring more picks and added flexibility. We've accomplished that laudable goal thus far, having acquired Denver's second-rounder (No. 56 overall) and Buffalo's third-rounder (No. 92 overall). Instead of having two picks in the first three rounds, we now have four. Basically, we're trying to do exactly the opposite of what Charley Casserly would do if he was still running this franchise, as well as this fine city's hopes and dreams, into the ground.

That said, I don't know if we could have mustered the testicular fortitude to trade back if Adrian Peterson or LaRon Landry had been staring us in the face at No. 10. So thank you to Minnesota and Atlanta for allowing the Texans to exercise sound judgment. Insert your Vince Young and/or Reggie Bush jokes here.

Why Joe Staley? Several reasons, the biggest one being that the guy we hoped would be our LT for years to come (Charles Spencer) may not be ready for the season opener after breaking his leg in Week Two last season. In fact, a few months ago, there was a real question as to whether he'd ever play again. Ephraim Salaam is a fine swing tackle and did well in emergency starting duty last season, but he's not a long-term answer. Staley is. Scouting reports indicate that Joe Staley is massive, quick, and very aggressive. Even better, he still has ample room to improve (he started his collegiate career as a TE before moving to RT and eventually LT) despite already being rated the No. 3 OT in the draft. Staley was a guy we had an eye on as we moved back, and we're thrilled to get him. Should Spencer makes it back to form, we can always move Staley to RT or even guard. Frankly, that'd be a great problem to have for a team that once started notorious stiffs Seth Wand and Todd Wade on the offensive line.

If we learned nothing from the debacle that was The David Carr Era, it is that protecting the quarterback should be of utmost importance for any offense. I don't care how good Andre Johnson is (and he is freakishly good); if Schaub doesn't have time to deliver him the ball, Dre's talents are wasted. If we ever want to be anything more than a punchline, we have to start in the trenches (tip of the cap to faithful BRB readers BFD, Shake, and TPL for reiterating this point time and again these past few days). Hence, Joe Staley is a Houston Texan. In this fantasy world, anyway.