| Pick |
Team |
Player Selected |
Player’s Position |
Player’s School |
Analysis |
| 17. |
|
Derrick Morgan
|
Defensive End
|
Georgia Tech
|
With Kyle Vanden-Bosch likely leaving the Titans in free agency, Derrick Morgan may be the best option for a 4-3 team.
|
| 18. |
|
Donovan Warren
|
Cornerback
|
Michigan
|
Safety Troy Polamalu’s injury exposed the weaker areas of the Steelers’ defense. Ike Tayor has not been playing at the level he once was, and is targeted too often. Warren is touted as the third-best defensive back in the draft.
|
| 19. |
|
Carlos Dunlap
|
Defensive End
|
Florida
|
Atlanta’s defensive secondary was it’s weakest link in 2009. Unless the Falcons are able to sign a hot free agent (Julius Peppers), they will look to the draft and Carlos Dunlap.
|
| 20. |
|
Brian Price |
Defensive Tackle |
UCLA |
While the Texans do need to look for a running back to complement Steve Slaton, they will probably look to the later rounds of the draft (Slaton was selected in the third round). The Texans will add to their defensive line here.
|
| 21. |
|
Arrelious Benn
|
Wide Receiver
|
Illinois
|
Even though, Benn was hurt by his team’s struggles this year, he is still a premier receiving threat. The Bengals are currently without a second receiving threat.
|
| 22. |
|
Jerry Hughes
|
Outside Linebacker
|
TCU
|
The Patriots struggled most on defense this year with their lack of a strong outside pass rush. Like the Falcons, unless the Pats sign a hot free agent commodity like Peppers, look for them to take Jerry Hughes, a sack specialist.
|
| 23. |
|
Bryan Bulaga
|
Offensive Tackle
|
Iowa
|
The Packers struggled most to protect their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Bulaga can play either tackle spot and will improve Green bay’s ability to keep Aaron Rodgers in the vertical position.
|
| 24. |
|
Mike Iupati
|
Guard
|
Idaho
|
Philadelphia needs an upgrade at the Guard position. Andy Reid loves to draft lineman. It’s a match made in heaven. Iupati is the top interior lineman in this draft class.
|
| 25. |
|
Damian Williams
|
Wide Receiver
|
Southern Cal
|
The Ravens are faced with the task of re-signing free agent receiver Derrick Mason. If they are unable to re-sign Mason, they will be left with only Mark Clayton as an experienced receiver. Even if Mason returns, the Ravens will have to consider his age of 36, and looking at a long-term replacement. |
| 26. |
|
Jason Pierre-Paul
|
Defensive End
|
South Florida
|
Pierre-Paul’s specialty as an edge-rusher is a hit-or-miss, but the Cardinals need to address the position in this draft with Bertrand Berry set to retire this offseason.
|
| 27. |
|
Terrence Cody
|
Nose Tackle
|
Alabama
|
Jerry Jones likes flashy and he likes big. Terrence Cody will command two blockers and make life for Jay Ratliff a lot easier on the outside, which is where Ratliff excels. It will also free up DeMarcus Ware more; not that he needed it, but that’s even better for the Dallas D.
|
| 28. |
|
Ryan Matthews
|
Running Back
|
Fresno State
|
LaDainian Tomlinson had a better year than he’s had in the past few years for a change, but it became more evident towards the end of the season how LT has lost a step. The Chargers have their change-of-pace guy in Darren Sproles already. They’ll look to Matthews as their workhorse.
|
| 29. |
|
Jared Odrick |
Defensive End
|
Penn State
|
The Jets had to give up defensive end Kenyon Coleman to trade for Mark Sanchez. While it didn’t hurt the team a lot, they need to fill that void. Also, with the season-ending injury to Kris Jenkins, the Jets run defense was left quite vulnerable. Penn State DE/DT Jared Odrick would be a natural fit as a 3-4 defensive end.
|
| 30. |
|
Kyle Wilson
|
Cornerback
|
Boise State
|
Cedric Griffin’s injury and Antoine Winfield’s ineffectiveness of late will have the Vikings looking to draft a top cornerback prospect.
|
| 31. |
|
Brandon Graham
|
Defensive End |
Michigan |
Both Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney will be free agents in after 2010. While defensive end isn’t a major need right now, the Colts won’t let this opportunity pass them by.
|
| 32. |
|
Sean Weatherspoon
|
Outside Linebacker
|
Missouri
|
With only one pick in the first three rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Saints weren’t able to acquire a good outside linebacker. Weatherspoon excels at getting into the backfield, breaking up passes, and has a good eye for the interception.
|
