Luckily for Bill Belichick, they are in a great position to fill their needs. New England’s past few drafts have led to this moment. New England has three second-round picks in the deepest draft in memory.

The only thing predictable about Belichick in the draft is unpredictability. The Patriots know how valuable their picks are and will leverage their assets to the fullest. The Eagles are in a similar position. They have two picks in rounds 2, 3 and 4. Don’t expect either team to stand pat.

9. How far will Jimmy Clausen fall?
Beware the pre-draft buzz. In the days leading up to Aaron Rodgers’ draft, there was very little indication outside of Mike Mayock that he could fall. Brady Quinn’s stock also seemed to be rising late in the process, when in reality no team was that interested.

Plenty of teams like Clausen, but there is doubt whether he’s loved enough to get drafted early. We continue to think about the rumblings early in the draft process that Clausen doesn’t have a logical home if he gets past Buffalo.

Video   NFL Draft Preview: Part 1 April 19, 2010: Mike Florio and Gregg Rosenthal look at potential busts, coaches under fire, and guys who could fall down draft boards.

Jacksonville isn’t ready to move on from David Garrard. The 49ers, despite strong rumors tying them to Clausen, liked Alex Smith enough to pass on Donovan McNabb. (Not a bright idea.) The Seahawks have their quarterback of the future in Charlie Whitehurst. A draft-day slide for Clausen out of the top 20 picks wouldn’t be a shock.

Clausen’s best chance may be Oakland. They are the most unpredictable team choosing in the top 10. Clausen would be a great choice for them, which somehow makes the marriage seem unlikely.

10. What teams desperately need a good draft?

• The Broncos have loaded up with early picks for the second straight year. Josh McDaniels needs land more players this year after a major talent drain in Denver.
• Pete Carroll is inheriting one of the worst three rosters in the league. Seattle needs its two first-round picks to make a difference, and find some help deeper into the draft.
• The Texans need to get over the hump with a playoff appearance, and have very specific needs that have to be filled in this draft. If they don’t find some players who can cover, they will lose to the Colts twice. Again.
• The 49ers showed a lot of faith in Alex Smith when they didn’t go after Donovan McNabb. Then they showed they could be the same old franchise that has bumbled through the last decade under the York family when GM Scot McCloughan was forced to leave the team a month before the draft. With Kurt Warner gone, this is the year the 49ers need to take a step into the playoffs. It starts with two-first round picks. (Nos. 13 and 17.)
• Tom Coughlin is closer to the hot seat than he should be just two years removed from a Super Bowl trophy. GM Jerry Reese has done well thus far in his drafts, but has to get younger upfront on both sides of the ball and find a middle linebacker.

 

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