Pick

Team

Pos.

Player

College

Class

Ht.

Wt

9

DT

Alan Branch

Michigan

Jr.

6-6

324

The Dolphins need to upgrade their aging defensive line, and with Anderson and Adams off the board, Michigan’s Alan Branch is the best defensive lineman available. It just so happens that Branch is just what the Dolphins need up front.

10

S

LaRon Landry

LSU

Sr.

6-1

213

The Falcons need to improve their pass defense. DeAngelo Hall is a great shutdown cornerback, but he needs more help in the secondary. Lawyer Milloy is 33-years old and Chris Crocker is a serviceable safety, which ultimately means drafting a sure-handed safety of the future wouldn’t hurt. LaRon Landry is the choice.

11

DT

Amobi Okoye

Louisville

Sr.

6-2

302

There is some nice talent available for the Niners at this selection. The Niners have some holes on offense and defense and can make some noise with an impact player at this pick. San Francisco can add a receiver like Dwayne Jarrett or upgrade their defensive front with a stout tackle in Amobi Okoye. The young but talented 20-year old Okoye is too intriguing at this selection.

12

LB

Patrick Willis

Ole Miss

Sr.

6-2

242

The Bills are an interesting team that is on the way up. They may look to upgrade at offensive tackle, but taking a tackle like Levi Brown at this position may be a bit of a reach. Florida State’s Lawrence Timmons is another option for Buffalo. Middle linebacker London Fletcher is a free agent and it appears he may not return to the Bills. With that said, Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis makes sense with this selection.

13

CB

Leon Hall

Michigan

Sr.

5-11

193

The Rams drafted a cornerback in the first round last year, and they will look to add to that position again this year. Leon Hall turned in a shocking 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and elevated his draft stock tremendously. I didn’t expect that time from Hall, but it proved that he was an elite corner and the Rams will benefit.

14

OLB

Lawrence Timmons

Florida State

Jr.

6-1

234

Losing Will Witherspoon last off-season to the Rams was a major blow to the Panthers defense, and in many ways it never recovered. Adding in the injury history of Dan Morgan leaves more uncertainty for Carolina. Florida’s playmaking safety Reggie Nelson is enticing, but the potential of FSU linebacker Lawrence Timmons adds a dimension that was lost when Witherspoon departed.

15

DE

Adam Carriker

Nebraska

Sr.

6-6

296

The Steelers were ready to take Timmons, but Carolina took him one spot ahead of them. Time to move on and address another area – the defensive line. Adding a lunch pail kind of player like Nebraska’s Adam Carriker provides the Steelers with a workhorse in the trenches and a player that never stops. Carriker becomes an instant fan favorite in the Steel City.

16

RB

Marshawn Lynch

California

Jr.

5-11

217

The Packers are in an interesting situation. Brett Favre announced he will return this season. Ahman Green is a free agent and there is no guarantee he’s coming back. And the secondary needs help at safety. Florida’s Reggie Nelson is available, but with Green looking elsewhere, Cal’s Marshawn Lynch is the easy selection.