my top 5 guys for Thursday

Here's my list for the top 5 guys I'd like to see us draft on Thursday.

1. Eric Berry FS Tennessee 6'0 211- Last time we had Brian Dawkins at FS we beat the Cowboys 44-6. Since we let Dawkins go in free agency we have lost to the cowboys 3 straight times and have been outscored 78-30. I'm not saying having a good FS fixes everything, but having a playmaker at FS again would make a huge difference on defense which gets us off the field on defense more and gives our offense more opportunities thus giving us a better chance to win. Eric Berry is great in coverage, tackles well and is the Ed Reed or Brian Dawkins type of safety where quarterbacks are afraid to throw until the know exactly where he is. We don't have a guy like that on defense that changes how an offense prepares and plays againist us. If we get Berry, we get a guy that can start right away, will increase our turnovers forced this season, and will allow the corner on his side to jump more passes knowing he has a great cover safety to back him up if he guesses wrong. The cost, however will probably our 24th pick, a second rounder and maybe a third or fourth rounder. But hey, if we give up that we still get our guy in the first, have a second pick, third pick and a fourth pick plus another 3rd or 4th depending on what we give up and that's probably the most we lose as the Chiefs or Browns may not ask for that much. We also could send them a 1st rounder next year so we could use our picks this year to stock up on young talent. 

2. Kyle Wilson CB Boise State 5'10 194- Joe Haden has been the consensus #1 corner in this year's draft by most scouts but the drop off from Haden to Wilson is next to nothing. Wilson is fast(12.7 yards per punt return in college and ran a 4.43 40), strong(benched 225 25 times) and has playmaker ability(two int's returned for touchdown in his senior year). His coaches at Boise State said he emereged as a leader his senior year and his competitive drive is comparable to any other prospect in this year's draft. It's about 50-50 if Wilson will be available at pick #24 depending on who Houston drafts at 20 and who Green Bay drafts at 23.

3. Maurkice Pouncey OG/C Florida 6-5 304- Jamal Jackson coming off ACL surgery just four months ago and questions about Stacy Andrews' ability at right guard the need for a right guard and/or a center is very real. The thing about ACL injuries is you don't really know how a player will perform the first year back after an ACL injury(We missed the playoffs after McNabb came back from ACL surgery and the Pats Tom Brady wasn't himself this season after ACL surgery and neither player won a playoff game in their season of return even though both teams are usually good for at least one playoff win every year). If Jamal isn't the same guy this year are options at center are Nick Cole who struggled the last two games at center to say the least, Mike McGlynn who is still learning the position and A.Q. Shippley hasn't really played in the NFL. Keep in mind that our center  whoever that may be, have 2 games going up againist Haynesworth, Jay Ratlif, one game againist both Pat and Kevin Williams etc. If Jamal is himslef right away we still have an issue at right guard where we were mediocre last year and it's still uncertain if Stacy can be the guy. What makes this only # 3 is Nick Cole could start at RG or C depending on Jamal's health and Stacy's ability and if both guys are solid Pouncey is just a solid backup. If Pittsburgh doesn't take him at #18 he should be available to us at 24.

4. Mike Iupati OG Idaho 6-5 331-  Has the size we need with our interior lineman but also has the ability to pull and is solid protecting the quarterback. The thing that really makes this guy attractive is he has the versatility to move to tackle if needed. Right guard was the worst position for us on the o-line and Iupati would greatly help us there when he is ready to be a starter. The thing I love about Iupati is the guy gets off on knocking defensive players on their ass. His physicality and his intensity would go a long way in improving our run game and pushing back those big 3-4 defensive lineman(I believe we have 6 games against 3-4 defenses this year) keep in mind that all but one loss last year came againist 3-4 teams. He might not fall to #24 as the Giants, 49ers and Steelers could all be interested in Iupati but wouldnt be so crazy if he was still available.

5. Kareem Jackson CB Alabama 5-11 196- Probably, no wait, he is the most physical corner in this year's draft. When the biggest concerns NFL scouts have is how you handle strict pass interference rules, yeah your a physical corner. Reminds me of Mike Jenkins of dallas. Not only is he a stud in press coverage, he has the speed to back it up as he ran 4.4 40, also made 40 out of 41 starts in his 3-year career at Alabama.  Its pretty unlikely he will be taken before our 24 pick but there a decent shot he could still be available at our #37 pick in the second round.

honorable metions- Devin McCourty CB Rutgers, Patrick Robinson CB Florida State, Earl Thomas DB Texas, Zoltan Mesko P Michigan, anybody but Tebow