Round 5

ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 ROUND 4 ROUND 5 ROUND 6 ROUND 7

1 (128).  STL — Lindsey Witten, DE, UConn

The Rams have a defensive line addict at head coach and a need for some competition at pass rusher.  They’ll take at least on DE in this draft, and Witten has some potential.

2 (129).  DET — Larry Asante, S, Nebraska

The Lions could use a smart player like Asante in their secondary.  Paired with Louis Delmas he could form one half of a strong young safety duo.

3 (130).  CLE — Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame

The Browns need a lot of help on the right side of their O line.  Young was pretty decent at the Senior Bowl and has the strength to open holes for the ground game.

4 (131).  WAS — Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee

The Redskins have to know that Clinton Portis is close to done, while Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright are not permanent answers.  Hardesty has the potential to be an every down back.

5 (132).  KC — Micah Johnson, ILB, Kentucky

He struggled some during his senior season, but is still a tough, active linebacker who fits well on the inside of the 3-4.

6 (133).  CLE — Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon

This might be the steal of the draft if Dickson lasts this long and ends up here.  The Browns need a pass-catcher at TE, and there weren’t many better at that last season in all of college football.

7 (134).  OAK — Taylor Price, WR, Ohio

He’s blazing.  I mean like really fast.  Al Davis likes Ohio guys, apparently, and this might be the first of many steps to make up for drafting Darrius Heyward Bey.

8 (135).  SEA — LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon

I don’t know abou this pick.  If Blount is on, then he’s unstoppable, but he might be too one dimensional.  Either way, college coaches who jump to the NFL often draft guys they played against, and Seattle does need a running back.

9 (136).  BUF — Linval Joseph, NT, East Carolina

The Bills are going to have to find a plug for the middle of the new 3-4, assuming Marcus Stroud can’t do it.  He might fit better on the outside anyway.  Joseph has the size, but is a bit of a project.

10 (137).  CHI — Derek Hardman, OT, Eastern Kentucky

He may not be a household name, but he’s talented and will be on many scouts’ radars come draft day.  The Bears can’t be picky with so few picks and so many holes on the O line.

11 (138).  KC — Eric Olsen, OL, Notre Dame

Nothing special, just a good solid pick of a guy who is versatile enough to help in a few ways on an offensive line that might be the worst in the NFL.

12 (139).  JAX — Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas

The Jags still need help at receiver even after last year’s shopping spree.  They could use a sizeable target like Briscoe down in the redzone.

13 (140).  KC — Danny Batten, LB, South Dakota State

Batten is a very versatile LB that has been wildly productive in the lower ranks of college football.  He can play inside or out, and that’s invaluable considering how much Todd Haley hates Derrick Johnson.

14 (141).  SF — Brandon Deaderick, DE, Alabama

The Niners get a blue-collar defensive end who has experience in the 3-4.  Hell, even getting shot couldn’t stop Deaderick.  He’s a Singletary type.

15 (142).  DET — Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson

On offense, it’s got to be about adding more playmakers for Matt Stafford.  Ford brings a different element with his rare speed, and can even help out with the return game.

16 (143).  NYG — Chris Scott, OT, Tennessee

The Giants need a better class of right tackle.  Kareem McKenzie may be wearing down, and Scott has the size, strength, and attitude to fill in on the right side.

17 (144).  TEN — Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa

Alge Crumpler is done as a pass-catching TE, but he’ll have plenty to teach Moeaki, a guy with underrated receiving skills and good in-line blocking skills.  Definitely a sleeper to surprise.

18 (145).  ATL — Jeremy Williams, WR, Tulane

The Falcons should add some more weapons as Matt Ryan enters his third season.  They really don’t have much help outside of Roddy White.  I think Williams was quietly very impressive in Mobile and he fits nicely in Atlanta.

19 (146).  HOU — Matt Tennant, C, Boston College

The Texans could use an upgrade at center.  Tennant is a longtime starter who should come right in and compete for playing time.

20 (147).  PIT — Jay Ross, NT, East Carolina

He’s a bit of a gamble, and that may make him seem like a reach for Pittsburgh, but they need to start grooming a replacement for Casey Hampton.

21 (148).  CIN — Sydquan Thompson, CB, California

He’s not the best corner left, at least not according to my rankings, but he does have added value as a return man, a big plus fro Cinci, and he can certainly play the nickel role.

22 (149).  TB — Marshall Newhouse, OG, TCU

The Bucs could use some depth and competition at guard.  Newhouse is a tough, blue collar type that seems like a good fit for Tampa.  He’s a guy I could see being taken higher than anyone expects… except me I guess.

23 (150).  GB — Hall Davis, DE, ULL

Davis is another off-the-radar guy that some smart GM will notice.  The Packers need more bodies for the front of their 3-4 defense, and Hall is a great athlete with the size you need to play 5-tech.

24 (151).  STL — Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU

Young quarterbacks love to have reliable tight ends as safety valves.  So if the Rams go Clausen at the top, they’ll probably jump at the chance to add a reliable guy like Pitta here.  They haven’t had a good TE in forever.

25 (152).  BAL — Corey Peters, DE, Kentucky

The Ravens have to get younger up front.  Peters is a very strong kid who should thrive as a 5-tech.  He’s another late-round guy I like a lot.

26 (153).  ARI — Trevard Lindley, CB, Kentucky

He was overrated before the season started, and with a slight frame and a subpar season his stock has plummeted.  But at this point in the draft, he’s worth the risk for a team that really needs corner help.

27 (154).  OAK — Ed Wang, OT, Va Tech

I know this is getting old.  The same jokes about Al Davis every time.  So I’ll say only this:  Wang fills a need and has superior athleticism.  Makes sense.

28 (155).  SD — Sharrick McManis, CB, Northwestern

McManis has the height/size that the Chargers covet in their corners and he adds some depth to a position that San Diego can’t seem to keep from bolstering every year.

29 (156).  CLE — Al Woods, DT, LSU

Woods is a classic case of a guy with all the potential in the world that just never put it all together.  He looks like he’s got some versatility on the line in the 3-4 so taking a flier on him here makes sense.

30 (157).  MIN — John Jerry, OG, Ole Miss

Hard to believe, but the Vikings need help at guard.  Maybe he can teach Minnesota the secrets of blocking for McCluster, ie get out of the way.

31 (158).  IND — Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA

The Colts have no depth behind Jerraud Powers.  I mean, come on, Mark Sanchez is good, but he looked like an all-star in the first half of the Indy game due to Powers’ injury.  This has to be fixed.

32 (159).  NYJ — Walter Thurmond Jr, CB, Oregon

He was banged up all year, but he’s being underrated by the “experts” right now.  Remember the kind of surprise effect that Jairus Byrd had?  I think Thurmond can do the same thing from the CB spot in the right system with the right coaches.  At least he’ll provide some depth opposite Darrelle Revis.