Here’s my unique twist on the millions of NFL draft analyses out there: The first two rounds of the draft, with each pick what I would do if I was running each team and an explanation of my thought process.

Some of the ground rules:

- I’m allowed to make trades that I feel would benefit both teams, making this a little bit more realistic.

- While I don’t have time to watch film on every prospect (although if Todd McShay is reading this, I’m available if you need an intern) I base my judgments on my own analysis of team needs and reading various scouting reports around the Internet.

- The salary considerations of signing all my picks are of minor importance.

- When computing values for trades, I used the terrific guide published in ESPN the Magazine’s April 21 issue for the values of each pick.

- I’m biased in favor of adding value to certain positions (both lines, cornerback) and devaluing others (running back, quarterback, linebacker). I also tend to believe that bad teams are better off adding multiple good players, not one splashy great one.

- I’ll do an analysis of quarterback situations leaguewide with fantasy implications once the dust has settled after the draft.

OK, I’m on the clock…

1. Dolphins select OT JAKE LONG after signing him to a pre-draft agreement the Tuesday before the draft.

(Note: In my original version of this story, I had the Dolphins trading back two spots to the Falcons and still taking Jake Long after the Jets traded up for Chris Long at No. 2. This way, the Falcons and Dolphins still get the same guys as in the original story, the Falcons just don’t have to give up picks to move up.)

2. As the St. Louis GM, I trade the pick to the New York Jets. In return, St. Louis gets New York’s first-rounder (sixth), a fourth-rounder and the rights to next year’s second-rounder. Then, I select for the Jets, defensive end CHRIS LONG. The Jets have a lot of pieces in place already and can afford to drop a couple of picks to move up. I was originally thinking of standing pat and jumping on DE/LB Vernon Gholston at the sixth pick, which was conventional wisdom. But I’m not 100 percent sold on Gholston’s motor and ability to become a quality every-down starter in the NFL, while Long is going to be a terrific starter for a long time and fits well in the 3-4 system. Even though the DE position in the 3-4 isn’t glamorous, Buffalo ran a 3-4 throughout Bruce Smith’s career, and Smith still was a feared pass rusher. Long’s abilities coupled with his work ethic and heart will endear him to Jets fans.

3. Now that I’m on the clock as Falcons GM, I take the guy who I deemed worth going after no matter the cost: QB MATT RYAN. While I normally don’t like going after quarterbacks early on because of the position’s boom-or-bust nature and the knowledge that less-heralded quarterbacks often develop into playoff-caliber leaders, here are the two factors that convinced me to go all-out for Ryan.

o He’s got all the intangibles, is used to playing on teams without superior talent, and I feel he can handle the scrutiny of being a top overall pick and the physical and mental beating he’ll take for a year or two as the roster continues to upgrade.

o Atlanta fans desperately want a new face for the franchise as the roster gets gutted. The memory of Michael Vick needs to be replaced, and the other stars from the Falcons’ Vick-led run are either out the door already (Warrick Dunn, DeAngelo Hall, Alge Crumpler) or nearing the end of the line (Keith Brooking, John Abraham).

While this pick does go against some of my core draft values, I love Ryan as a player and I think he’s up to the challenge of being a franchise cornerstone. Plus, I had 12 total draft picks, so I’ll still be able to put together a solid rookie class.

4. As the Oakland GM, I’m sorely tempted by the awesome talents of running back Darren McFadden. But I’m also aware that I just re-signed Justin Fargas, drafted low-risk/high-reward back Michael Bush a year ago and still have LaMont Jordan kicking around, so the backfield is quite crowded. Plus, I have a lot of other needs and just five picks total, so I shop around for a trade partner. Unfortunately, interest has dimmed considerably: St. Louis already traded back and doesn’t want to move up again, New England, Baltimore and Dallas aren’t interested in moving up to the top five, and nobody from the bottom half of the first round has the ammo in terms of picks to satisfy me. That leaves me with two options: Cincinnati and New Orleans, both of whom would want to take Glen Dorsey. Cincinnati comes through with the better offer, a middling second-rounder along with their fifth-round pick.

So now, I’m the Bengals GM on the clock and I go with GLEN DORSEY, the defensive tackle from LSU. (There’s temptation to grab McFadden, but defense is a big need and McFadden brings a bad-boy image that I’m desperately trying to rid the team of). Dorsey is talented enough that he was thought of as a top overall pick for a long time, and he showed in the SEC and in the national championship game against Ohio State that he can dominate against strong competition. He’s also a leader, has the attitude that comes from a winning college program and is a great character guy off the field. I think he’ll develop into a perennial Pro-Bowler and the leader for my defense.

5. As the Kansas City GM, I finally make a pick without making a trade first. I was hoping Jake Long might somehow fall to me here, but it didn’t happen. I explored trading down, hoping someone was in love with McFadden who would make a big deal, but didn’t get an offer I liked. That leaves me with mostly defensive options: Gholston, DT Sedrick Ellis, DE Derrick Harvey and CB Leodis McKelvin. McFadden is still there as well, but I have a lousy offensive line and incumbent RB Larry Johnson won’t be happy about splitting carries. I’m not interested in reaching for an offensive lineman and I have doubts about Gholston in my scheme (he’s tailor-made for the 3-4; KC runs a 4-3) so I grab the other outstanding defensive tackle in the class, SEDRICK ELLIS. Ellis is a one-gap, penetrating guy who fits the Herm Edwards scheme well.

6. Now I’m on the clock as the Rams, having secured a few extra picks from the Jets that will go toward my long-term rebuilding project. Apart from RB Stephen Jackson and DE Adam Carriker, there aren’t any impact players on the roster who aren’t past their prime (QB Marc Bulger, WR Torry Holt, OT Orlando Pace, DE Leonard Little). I’m still leery of Gholston’s over-specialized skill set, there isn’t a wide receiver who is worth top-ten value, and Jackson renders McFadden a luxury. I do toy with the idea of offering the pick for Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn, a projected top-ten a year ago, and jump-start the rebuilding process by finding Bulger’s replacement, but decide against it. Knowing that you can never have too many quality cornerbacks in the NFL, I opt for CB LEODIS MCKELVIN.

7. The Patriots are now on the clock. I know I have a tremendously strong team coming back. Drafting McFadden is intriguing, but I have another young back in Lawrence Maroney and see no reason to use this pick on another playmaker for an already-potent offense when I do have some needs. I do shop the pick, hoping someone will bite on McFadden as he continues to slip. Detroit nibbles, but stops short of giving up next year’s No. 1 for the right to trade up from the 15th spot and grab McFadden. Arizona is similarly unwilling to give up a multitude of picks. Fortunately, the supremely-gifted VERNON GHOLSTON is still on the board, and he’s a perfect fit for my 3-4 scheme and a defense that is aging at linebacker. He’s the pick.

8. Baltimore: I started salivating as soon as I saw the Rams take McKelvin, knowing that I would either get a terrific edge rusher for my scheme in Gholston or get to take McFadden. I’m well aware that I can grab a good second-tier quarterback to fill my biggest need in the top half of the second round, so I jump all over RB DARREN MCFADDEN. McFadden will look good splitting time with Willis McGahee running behind my solid offensive line.

9. Oakland (from Cincinnati): Armed now with three extra picks from the trade with Cincinnati, I’m now in a nice spot to go a number of different directions. I could fill a need anywhere except quarterback, running back and corner, and there are plenty of options with good value on the board now. I know this is a deep draft for receivers and offensive tackles, so I figure on addressing those needs later on and jump on DE DERRICK HARVEY to bolster the pass rush.

10. New Orleans: I’m sweating severely in this spot, as I couldn’t pull off the deal that would have kept Dorsey in the state he’s played in all his life. Then, I watched the two players I had hoped to choose between (McKelvin and Harvey) go in the spots ahead. Now I’d like to trade down and grab an extra pick or two, but the run on the elite players is over and nobody wants to make a big move up. Shaking my head and cursing my bad luck, I go with CB AQIB TALIB, hoping his playmaking and ball skills will make a big difference in my secondary. Linebacker Keith Rivers was my other option, but Talib has much more upside.

11. Buffalo: Things in front of me unfolded just like I thought they would, and all the players I hoped to choose from are still around. I know Rivers would be a solid pick, but I have several quality young players on defense and my offensive line needs protection. There are several quality offensive tackles in this class, but I jump on the major upside of OT RYAN CLADY out of Boise State. It might take him a year or two of work to really develop and learn to pass-protect against top defensive ends – he didn’t face many in college – but his combination of size and athleticism make him too good to ignore at this stage of the draft.

12. Denver: I wanted Clady, but not badly enough to trade up for him, especially when I’m short on picks and have other needs. Instead, while I really need help on the defensive line, this is a terrible draft for both those positions and nobody wants to trade up now that Clady and McFadden are gone. I decide to go with LB KEITH RIVERS. The pick might not pay immediate dividends, but if I’m smart about my overhaul of the defense, in a couple of years he’ll be the leader of a great unit.

13. Carolina: Offensive line is one of my greatest needs, and this is a spot where several good ones are available for about the right value. I would have liked to get Harvey, but he’s long gone to Oakland. With three teams behind me that also seem to be in the market for offensive linemen, I don’t want to trade back and risk losing out on a player I want. Cleveland calls offering Quinn straight up for this pick, but I’d rather build my team up front. BRANDEN ALBERT from Virginia is my pick here because of his versatility and outstanding potential.

14. Chicago: I’ve already decided to give incumbent quarterback Rex Grossman one last chance to succeed. He was re-signed to a one-year contract, so I won’t go after Quinn or a first-round reach at quarterback like Brian Brohm. I need to bolster just about every other aspect of my offense, however. My top two wide receivers from a year ago are gone (Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian), my top running back is looking like a bust (Cedric Benson) and my offensive line is aging. I don’t want to take a young running back to run behind a subpar offensive line, especially when there’s still a chance the light will go on for Benson and there will be opportunities to get a quality back later on. I’d love to trade back a few spots, since I think I can still get a good player in the late teens/early twenties. Philadelphia loves the idea of grabbing Chris Williams to be their next franchise left tackle , and offers a fourth-round pick for the right to swap. I can’t convince Tampa to move up (the Bucs want WR Devin Thomas and think he might fall to them). I love OT Jeff Otah as well, but I have a plan to trade down and still fill two needs. So I ship the pick to Philadelphia with one minute on the clock.
Now I’m the Eagles, and I don’t need much time to think. I had an extra fourth-round pick, and used it to ensure that I draft an SEC-seasoned left tackle in CHRIS WILLIAMS from Vanderbilt.

15. Detroit: I have more pressing needs on defense, but offensive line problems have been dogging my franchise for as long as anyone can remember. I have a coach who wants to play smash-mouth football and a deep class of running backs that will allow me to grab help for that position later. So I thank my lucky stars that Chicago passed on him and draft OT JEFF OTAH.

16. Arizona: I’ve built an offense full of playmakers over the past few years and it’s finally time to address my defense early on in the draft. Better still, the run on offensive linemen has left me with the pick of the defensive litter. What I would really like is a defensive end, but I’m not very high on either of the two first-round talents available. Ditto defensive tackle. That leaves me with plenty of choices at defensive back: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Justin King, Mike Jenkins, Brandon Flowers or even a safety (Kenny Phillips) or linebacker (Dan Connor, Jerod Mayo). Even though he might need a little time to develop, I can’t pass on the potential of the tall corner from the little school: DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE out of Tennessee State.

17. Kansas City: I stood pat with this pick and got burned, thinking one of the offensive linemen would fall to me here. Instead, Albert, Otah and Williams are all gone. I have a need at cornerback as well though, and head coach Herman Edwards likes the Cover-2 defensive scheme as a base defense. CB MIKE JENKINS out of South Florida is tailor-made for that scheme, and he will give my rebuilding defense a major lift.

18. Houston: Yeah, this is one of the few teams where it actually would make sense to spend a top pick on a running back. I finally have managed to build a respectable offensive line, and my tailback depth chart is a who’s who of has-beens. I need a proven feature back who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game (Felix Jones, a speedy change-of-pace guy, doesn’t qualify) and I’m a little leery of Jonathan Stewart’s injury. Mendenhall was a feature back throughout his college career, plus he helped spearhead the turnaround of the Illinois program, a big plus with me. Thus, RB RASHARD MENDENHALL is the pick.

19. Chicago (from Philadelphia): Gnashing my teeth over the fact that I lost out on Mendenhall, I think about tackle Gosder Cherilus but it’s too early. Instead, I grab a guy who had a brilliant college career when he was healthy, and has slipped by about ten spots due to the health concerns: WR LIMAS SWEED. Assuming Sweed’s wrist injury heals by the fall, he becomes a big target for Grossman and a potential go-to receiver for years to come.

20. Tampa Bay: I got a little lucky, since rumor had it that Tennessee and Washington both desperately wanted Devin Thomas and Kansas City refused to trade out of the 17th pick. Rumor also had it that Minnesota was ready and willing to deal the pick and Tennessee had a good offer. But I’ll take a lucky break and grab WR DEVIN THOMAS to bolster my aging group of wide receivers.

21. Washington: Having lost out on the two guys I really hoped to choose from in this spot (Thomas and Sweed), I’m looking to bail and grab an extra pick. Unfortunately, nobody picking in what’s left of the first round really wants to play ball. I don’t want to reach for WR James Hardy, who fits my need the best. My ten-minute search for a trade partner proves fruitless, so I swallow hard and draft DE PHILLIP MERLING. While he does fill a need on my roster and is being drafted at approximately the right value, I’m not happy with the pick.

22. Dallas: I have two first-round picks (this one is from Cleveland, my own pick is at No. 28) and I have a team that’s ready to contend for a Super Bowl right now. The two most pressing needs on my roster are some young blood at wide receiver and a nickel corner. Like everyone else picking in this range, I was hoping either Sweed or Thomas would fall, but neither did. There are still a handful of good receivers out there, while the top corners have all been taken. I don’t want to spend a first-round pick on Felix Jones, a running back who would be nothing but a complementary guy, and there’s nobody who wants to trade up. Since there’s a good chance I can grab a developmental nickel corner in the second round, I decide to take WR MALCOLM KELLY here and potentially trade my other first-rounder for a future No. 1.

23. Pittsburgh: I’ve built one of the best organizations in football around making solid first-round picks, even if the pick wasn’t always the sexy one. I did want to go after a receiver, especially after my quarterback said this offseason he needed a big target, but Kelly and Sweed are gone, and I’m not a big fan of Hardy. My organization is built around playing physical in the trenches, so I’m always looking at offensive linemen as well. I was hoping somehow Branden Albert would fall this far, but that didn’t happen. Gosder Cherilus is still out there, the only first-round type offensive lineman left. There are no defensive linemen I really like in this round either, so I shrug and grab OT GOSDER CHERILUS. The Boston College product is a good run-blocker and has a mean streak that fits well with my team’s offensive philosophy, and he’ll immediately be able to step in and play right tackle.

24. Tennessee: I really wanted Devin Thomas, but Kansas City refused to trade back. I’m now looking at a lot of different options. There are a couple defensive linemen I could take, there are more receivers to choose from (Hardy, DeSean Jackson) and I could stand another good cornerback after the Pacman Jones saga. I cross off Jackson because he’s too small to ever be a top receiver, and Hardy and fellow top receiver Mario Manningham are both character risks. Again, the problems with Jones loom large in my mind. Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer smells like a bust waiting to happen. Nobody behind me wants to trade up, no one wants to start the run of trading next year’s first-rounder for a guy in this draft. I really like linebacker Jerod Mayo, a Tennessee guy, but I don’t have a place for him to play right away and I’m looking for an immediate contributor. I think about safety Kenny Phillips , but he doesn’t seem like he has the instincts to play such a vital position in coach Jeff Fisher’s defense. There aren’t any corners that would fit the defense available, so I go with the always-safe defensive line pick, grabbing DE CALAIS CAMPBELL out of Miami.

25. Seattle: Wide receiver is a need, with D.J. Hackett gone, Bobby Engram aging and Deion Branch unable to stay healthy. I also could stand a defensive tackle, but Balmer’s too big a risk to take with my first-round pick. I’m staring at two offensive players who are perfect for the West Coast scheme: WR Jackson, a perfect run-after-catch guy, and RB Jonathan Stewart, a Washington native who is slipping because of durability concerns but who I think can be a feature back in time. I opt for the guy who I think will help right away and grab WR DESEAN JACKSON. Jackson will play in my multiple-receiver sets right away and should make an impact as a kick returner as well.

26. Jacksonville: My heart sank when Tennessee took Campbell, as defensive end was my one major need on an otherwise excellent team. I’m not interested in reaching for a lesser player just because I need help at that position. Now I join the group of what is likely to be three straight teams looking to trade this pick for a first-rounder next year. I’m weary of first-round wide receiver picks that didn’t quite pan out, so I’m not interested in Hardy or Manningham. I’d be interested in a corner, but there aren’t any with good man-to-man coverage potential. I call around looking for a trade partner who wants to move back into the first round, and Detroit answers. The Lions are willing to part with next year’s first-rounder.

Now I’m Detroit again, and I get another Cover-2 corner who will be a playmaker in my scheme: CB BRANDON FLOWERS. I was worried he would go to Green Bay at the 30th pick, so I made sure to get the guy I really liked. Maybe this year is the year the Lions finally break through and go to the playoffs again.

27. San Diego: I have a team that is impressively talented with few pressing needs, but a safety who can be a leader in the secondary is one of them. With that in mind, I take the only safety who can even be considered in the first round: KENNY PHILLIPS. Easy pick.

28. Dallas: Flowers is gone now, and he was the guy I wanted in this spot. Tampa was interested in trading next year’s pick for this one, but they wanted Flowers as well, so their offer is off the table. Seattle wants to trade up because they’re interested in grabbing Stewart, but they’re biding their time, knowing he’ll probably keep slipping. Finally I find a team that wants to trade up in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo wants to add a receiver to complement Lee Evans, and they go for another explosive Big Ten guy in Michigan WR MARIO MANNINGHAM. Manningham isn’t the most physical guy, but he could be the most physically talented receiver in this class and I’m willing to roll the dice on him to make the offense more explosive and get Buffalo back into the playoffs.

29. San Francisco: I gave away my own No. 1 pick for the right to take Joe Staley last year, then got Indy’s pick when the Colts wanted to take Tony Ugoh in the top half of the second round a year ago. I suffered through a horrendous season on the field, then had to give my No. 7 pick to the Patriots. It’s small consolation, but at least I have this first-round pick. I know there are no defensive linemen right now that are worth picking, and I wanted Gosder Cherilus but he didn’t last. My new offensive coordinator is Mike Martz, and he loves having multiple wide receivers but depends on a good offensive line. I lost out on Manningham and Jackson, the two guys I liked the most. I’d love to trade back just a few spots, but the Falcons and Rams want to stockpile picks, the Jets don’t have the ammo to move up again after their big first-round move, and Kansas City doesn’t see a guy they really l ike right now. I’m left to choose between a receiver or linebacker Dan Connor. I took a linebacker in the first round last year and that position isn’t much of a need, but WR EARLY DOUCET makes sense as an addition to Martz’s offense. Doucet has a great college pedigree, great hands and is a good fit for a multiple-wideout system.

30. Green Bay: I can’t take Brandon Flowers, and Kenny Phillips is gone as well. Several of my offensive skill position players enjoyed breakout years last season, so I don’t feel the need to reach for a tight end here. I also don’t want to reach for a corner. That leaves me with a player whose upside I’m in love with, and I grab a build-for-the-future tackle in OT SAM BAKER. A four-year starter against elite competition at USC, Baker has the footwork and ability to be a standout pass protector at the NFL level, and my team is good enough that I can afford to give him time to develop.

31. New England Patriots forfeited pick.

32. New York Giants: Coming off a Super Bowl title, I still have some major needs. My luxury pick here would be Felix Jones, but there are good players available at my biggest position of need: linebacker. I have a tough choice between Dan Connor and Jerod Mayo. Connor looks like a bit safer choice, a steady contributor. Mayor has more upside and could be more of a playmaker. I already have a starter at middle linebacker, and it’s easier to find guys at that position in later rounds than it is to find playmakers. Therefore, I make the call on LB JEROD MAYO to close out the first round.

Now to round two……..

Second Round
33. Miami: Having addressed offense with the first overall pick and staring at a roster that still has tons of needs, I grab the best guy left on the board: LB DAN CONNOR.

34. St. Louis: I’m one of the teams that was stung by Green Bay’s surprise pick of Sam Baker. The best players left on the board are mostly on offense, so I decide to make a pick to rebuild that side of the ball as well. My current starter at quarterback, Marc Bulger, can’t seem to stay healthy, and he’s nearing the end of the line. I prepare for a smooth transition to the future by selecting QB BRIAN BROHM.

35. Atlanta: I’m interested in the best player available, and with another second-rounder coming up in just a few picks, I’m willing to take a risk on DT KENTWAN BALMER.

36. Kansas City: I badly wanted Sam Baker in this spot. The Packers crippled my strategy by making that pick, and I know that my offensive line needs to be upgraded before I can really evaluate the young quarterback I have on my roster. There aren’t any valuable tackles available at this spot, and while Seattle is interested in trading up, they feel they can wait a few more spots before trying to grab Stewart. Rather than take an underwhelming offer from the Seahawks, I bolster my offensive line with the top guard in the class, OG CHILO RACHAL.

37. New York Jets: I’m very excited that after my bold move up in the first round, I’m still getting an excellent value in the second with RB FELIX JONES. I’m still not sure about his ability to carry a full load at running back. But I’m also at the point in the draft where I can take a part-time guy who looks like he could become a big playmaker.

38. Atlanta: Picking again, I would have liked to draft a protector for Ryan. But Sam Baker and Chilo Rachal are gone. Tight end Dustin Keller is also a highly-rated player still available, and I have a hole at the position after cutting Alge Crumpler. However, I’m looking to develop a power running game, and Keller is a pass-catching specialist who won’t help the running game much. Therefore, I cast my eye back over to the defensive side and decide between end Lawrence Jackson and corner Antoine Cason. Since I used last year’s No. 1 on a defensive end, I decide I can wait and see if Jamaal Williams develops and if John Abraham can stay healthy for a whole year. I use the pick on CB ANTOINE CASON.

39. Baltimore: I could use this pick on a quarterback, but Jacksonville has seen the light and wants to grab Lawrence Jackson. They’re willing to sacrifice a third-round pick for the right to move up 20 spots and take him. I comply, knowing that a solid quarterback will still be there at No. 58. Jacksonville immediately fills their defensive end need with DE LAWRENCE JACKSON.

40. San Francisco: I need to upgrade my defensive line, but there aren’t any players available who make sense as 3-4 down linemen. Not wanting to take a linebacker and not seeing a good safety available, I take a cornerback with good man-to-man potential to pair with Nate Clements: CB TRACY PORTER.

41. New Orleans: The safer pick would be to upgrade defensively. Another safe bet would be to trade the pick to Seattle and grab a couple of extra later-round picks (the Seahawks are offering their third and fourth-rounders, hoping to get Stewart before the Bears snag him with the 45th pick). I also love Dustin Keller, since he’s a great fit for our multifaceted offense and coach Sean Payton will figure out good ways to use him. In the end, TE DUSTIN KELLER wins out.

42. Buffalo: Once again, Seattle tries to trade up, and this time they have a partner. I’m fine with going after cornerbacks with my two third-round picks after I take Seattle’s third and fourth-round picks. As the Seahawks GM, I’m elated that I’m able to steal RB JONATHAN STEWART in the second round.

43. Denver: I’m interested in James Hardy, since he continues to drop and would give Jay Cutler a nice big target in the red zone. However, I must continue to rebuild my defense. I select DT PAT SIMS, a solid pass rusher for an interior lineman and a good fit for a defense predicated on speed.

44. Carolina: I ignore the needs at defensive line and safety, since I don’t want to reach for an overvalued player at this point. Instead, I recognize that quarterback Jake Delhomme isn’t going to lead the franchise back to the Super Bowl and go with developmental QB JOE FLACCO, hoping that Flacco can adjust to passing against much faster defenses than he saw in college.

45. Chicago: I have probably the most glaring need at quarterback out of any team beyond Atlanta. I had planned on trading up into the back end of the first round to select Cherilus, but he was gone before I could make the move and so was Sam Baker. While Rex Grossman has this year to prove himself, I show him that I’m serious about him improving or he’s gone. I select QB CHAD HENNE to compete for the job this year and potentially take it next year, unless Grossman suddenly improves.

46. Detroit: I filled two big needs by grabbing Otah and Flowers already. Now, I have the chance to get another steady contributor who can play right away: the vastly underrated LB CURTIS LOFTON. Lofton isn’t a workout warrior, but he did nothing but produce for a big-time college program and I need a productive guy like that on defense.

47. Oakland (from Cincinnati): I already grabbed a defensive end in the first round. While James Hardy is a tantalizing pick, given my beleaguered group of receivers, I go for an intangibles guy who is much lower-risk and will still find a way to contribute on the field in DT TREVOR LAWS.

48. Minnesota: I made a big move earlier in the week, trading my first-round pick to Kansas City for a defensive end (Jared Allen) who filled my biggest need. Now I continue to bolster my pass defense, grabbing CB JUSTIN KING.

49. Atlanta: While he’s a risky choice, my lack of depth at offensive tackle leads me to gamble on OT ANTHONY COLLINS.

50. Philadelphia: I continue with my organization’s philosophy of going after safe picks. Hardy stays out there despite my need at wide receiver, and I don’t want to reach for a safety. Instead, I boost my West Coast offense by grabbing TE FRED DAVIS, a converted receiver from USC who should be a starter for years to come and fits the offense very well.

51. Arizona: I feel like my offense will continue to evolve as Matt Leinart gets better, while I can wait until later rounds to draft a backup to running back Edgerrin James. Thus, I continue to focus on improving my defense. After grabbing a defensive back in the first round, I shift to my next-greatest need and take LB XAVIER ADIBI, a speedy playmaker.

52. Washington: I still could stand a receiver, but I also feel that S TYRELL JOHNSON could fill the void left by Sean Taylor’s untimely death. I’m confident that as quarterback Jason Campbell improves, the offense will improve as a whole and my group of receivers won’t seem as deficient as they are on paper right now.

53. Tampa Bay: It would have been nice to get Antoine Cason, giving me some added depth for the Cover-2 scheme. Having addressed my major need with a receiver in the first round, I’m now in the position to take the best available player to add to a team that’s already playoff-caliber. I’m high on another wide receiver, Jordy Nelson of Kansas State, but even higher on a perfect Cover-2 corner in Auburn CB PATRICK LEE.

54. Pittsburgh: The Raiders decide to sacrifice one of the extra picks they got in the trade with Cincinnati, and I accept an offer of a fifth-round pick plus a future third-rounder to give them this choice. As the Raiders’ GM, I didn’t think Hardy would fall past Tennessee, picking next, and I really like the guy’s big-play ability. My organization has a history of taking on players with character issues (with mixed results), so I go ahead and take WR JAMES HARDY.

55. Tennessee: Oakland made the right move to get Hardy, as I was focused on grabbing him with this pick. I downshift to the next-best receiver on the board with WR JORDY NELSON. Nelson was tremendously productive in college and should become a terrific possession receiver to help the development of Vince Young.

56. Seattle: I made two terrific picks already, and I’m still buzzing from my heist of Jonathan Stewart. If Fred Davis had fallen to me here, it would have been a perfect three picks. As it stands, without Davis on the board there’s no one else here that I’m really excited about. Marcus Harrison is a talented defensive tackle but I’m not touching his history of off-field problems. None of the tight ends available right now thrill me. I’m intrigued by offensive tackle Duane Brown, a project who could eventually be a pass-protecting left tackle down the road, but I’d rather trade the pick. Nobody wants to trade, so I settle for the top center in this class, C MIKE POLLAK from Arizona State.

57. Green Bay: I established with my first-round pick that I’m looking for best players available with this draft. I’m thankful, then, that the best player left on my board is a versatile playmaker in the defensive backfield: CB REGGIE SMITH. Smith has experience lining up at corner and safety while in college as well as playing special teams, so I think he could contribute right away and develop into a replacement at corner for Charles Woodson.

58. Miami: Using the pick I got from San Diego in exchange for Chris Chambers this year, I shift into best-player-available mode, with the thinking that any good player at any position would upgrade this roster. I opt to stay in-state by drafting Florida WR ANDRE CALDWELL to upgrade the passing game.

59. Baltimore (from Jacksonville): The quarterback need looms, and I’m itching to grab Andre Woodson from Kentucky in this spot. However, I realize that Woodson will still probably be around when I pick in the early third round, and I resolve to either take him or John David Booty there. I already took a luxury pick with McFadden in the first round, so it would make sense to fill a need here. On the flip side, I know left tackles are hard to find and I’ve been spoiled by having one of the best in Jonathan Ogden for a very long time. I opt instead to draft Ogden’s eventual replacement in OT DUANE BROWN.

60. Indianapolis: I didn’t have a first-rounder because of the Ugoh trade a year ago. I had hoped local product Trevor Laws would fall this far, but he’s long gone. There are two athletic defensive players that I have to choose between: linebacker Tavares Gooden and tackle Andre Fluellen. Both are a little undersized, but their speed fits the Tony Dungy system. While Gooden has more upside as a playmaker, I opt for DT ANDRE FLUELLEN, due to his more consistent motor.

61. Green Bay: Picking again, I like TE John Carlson but I don’t see him developing into any more than a No. 2 tight end. I opt for the upside pick instead, taking LB TAVARES GOODEN.

62. Dallas: My 3-4 defense creates a lot of opportunities for edge rushers. While I have two former first-rounders at outside linebacker, there aren’t any available offensive linemen worth selecting here and most of the other teams seem content to ride out the draft without major trade activity. Thus, I gamble somewhat on the boom-or-bust potential of Auburn DE QUENTIN GROVES, who will move back to outside linebacker to rush the passer in my scheme.

63. New England: With Gholston on board to rush the passer, I’d like to keep helping the defense by selecting a back. However, all the valuable corners are gone. Same with offensive tackle, an area that sure looked like a weakness in the Super Bowl (although the line put together an awesome season up to that point). There are no good offensive line values right here either. The best values are at running back, where both Jamaal Charles and Ray Rice have slipped some. After looking over both their scouting reports, I go with RB RAY RICE, a more fundamentally sound player who looks like he can develop into the third-down replacement for Kevin Faulk.

64. New York Giants: I filled my biggest need at linebacker with the first-round pick of Jerod Mayo, so I look for the best available player. Charles is a good value here, and the back-by-committee approach worked for the Super Bowl champions a year ago, I decide to add the Texas RB JAMAAL CHARLES to compete for carries in the backfield.