16. Washington Redskins
Current record: 5-7
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, DE, S
Projected pick: Derrick Harvey*, DE, Florida
Harvey could use another season in Gainesville to improve his bulk and strength, but don't count on him returning. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior notched 17.5 sacks the past two seasons and will wow scouts with his speed and athleticism during workouts. Harvey could upgrade the Redskins' perimeter pass rush immediately.
17. Arizona Cardinals
Current record: 6-6
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OT, DT, RB
Projected pick: Sam Baker, OT, USC
Baker has the feet and balance of a future Pro Bowl left tackle. Unfortunately, he is neither aggressive nor strong enough to start in the NFL right now. Depending on how many come out, Arizona could have more to choose from with this pick -- at both the offensive and defensive tackle positions.
18. Buffalo Bills
Current record: 6-6
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: TE, CB, OLB
Projected pick: Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU
Paul Posluszny, Buffalo's second-round pick in 2007, showed lots of promise prior to his season-ending injury. The Bills, however, could still use help at the position even if Posluszny returns to form. Cornerback and tight end are bigger needs, but Highsmith is rated higher than the next-best prospect at either position. Highsmith possesses the athleticism and speed to emerge as a playmaking starter in the NFL, but only if his bulk and recognition skills improve.
19. Minnesota Vikings
Current record: 6-6
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: DE, S, C
Projected pick: Calais Campbell*, DE, Miami (Fla.)
Yes, it's true. The Vikings are really in the market for another first-round defensive end. Campbell is first-round material despite failing to live up to expectations in 2007. Sure, he could improve his stock to the top-10 range by returning to school and maximizing his talents as a senior. Though something tells me an athletic 6-7, 285-pound end with 4.7-speed and 17 sacks the past two seasons won't slip far -- even if he's not fully developed.
20. Detroit Lions
Current record: 6-6
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OT, CB, TE
Projected pick: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
It looks like the Lions will be selecting outside of the top 10 for the first time since 2001. Now the trick is to find quality players this far down the line. Otah is a late-rising prospect from Nigeria with quick feet for such a massive frame. Otah will take some time to develop but he might be worth the wait.
21. Dallas Cowboys (from 7-5 Cleveland)
Current record: 11-1
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: S, OT, WR
Projected pick: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Sweed is the most naturally gifted receiver in the 2008 class if healthy. Unfortunately, the homegrown product's senior season was cut short by a wrist injury. Although durability is a concern, some team could get a steal in the bottom-half of the first round if Sweed returns to form as expected. Owner Jerry Jones has never been one to shy away from risks.
22. Tennessee Titans
Current record: 7-5
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, DT, CB
Projected pick: Malcolm Kelly*, WR, Oklahoma
The Titans need to surround franchise quarterback Vince Young with better perimeter weapons. Young may be forced to befriend a Sooner if his former teammate, Sweed, is off the board. Kelly could use another season of polishing but word out of Norman is the 6-4, 220-pound glider will take his chances in the upcoming NFL draft.
23. San Diego Chargers
Current record: 7-5
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, DL, RB
Projected pick: Rey Maualuga*, ILB, USC
Maualuga is finishing strong as a junior. He publicly stated he plans on returning to Southern California next fall, but Maualuga wouldn't be the first to renege on such a promise. A strong showing at the combine could catapult the 250-pound middle linebacker into the top-half of the first round.
24. Seattle Seahawks
Current record: 8-4
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OL, S, TE
Projected pick: Jonathan Stewart*, RB, Oregon
The Seahawks have some tough questions to ponder at the running back position in the upcoming offseason. Will Shaun Alexander return to form? Can Maurice Morris be the full-time load-carrier if not? Stewart has yet to indicate his intentions but it wouldn't be a bit surprising if he followed QB Dennis Dixon out of Eugene. Stewart has the versatility, power and burst to thrive in coach Mike Holmgren's system.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current record: 8-4
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OT, CB, OLB
Projected pick: Aqib Talib*, DB, Kansas
Talib is a versatile athlete with the size, toughness and ball skills to fit well in the Tampa 2. Who knows, maybe coach Jon Gruden would get him some time at wide receiver like Mark Mangino did at Kansas.
26. New York Giants
Current record: 8-4
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OLB, OT, DB
Projected pick: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Connor is a bit overrated, but the Giants would be getting a solid value on him at No. 26 overall. Connor moved inside to middle linebacker as a senior but it seems his better fit in the NFL will be at the Will (weakside linebacker) position.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
Current record: 8-4
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, OLB, S
Projected pick: Vernon Gholston*, DE/OLB, Ohio State
This would have to be worst-case scenario for Gholston, who has 21.5 sacks the past two seasons, including eight in his last four outings. Gholston is a bit undersized but he is powerfully built with above-average speed. The Jaguars would jump at the opportunity to select the junior here, even if end is not a top priority.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers
Current record: 9-3
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OL, WR, S
Projected pick: Michael Oher*, OT, Mississippi
The Steelers should use this picks to upgrade their offensive line. Oher is reportedly on the fence in regards to staying in school or turning pro. Should he leave early, Oher has all the physical tools a team looks for in a potential starting left tackle. He comes with some baggage, though, and his technique still needs polishing.
29. Green Bay Packers
Current record: 10-2
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: RB, S, OL
Projected pick: Felix Jones*, RB, Arkansas
Ryan Grant has been a nice story this season but the Packers can't count on him as its premier back moving forward. The verdict is still out on rookie Brandon Jackson, who has failed to meet expectations so far. A proven veteran would be ideal but Jones has proven capable of contributing as a complementary weapon. He brings world-class speed to the table as a runner, receiver and return specialist.
30. San Francisco 49ers (from 10-2 Indianapolis)
Current record: 3-9
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, OL, S
Projected pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Obviously, the 49ers would like to have that No. 2 pick back from the Patriots, but they'll have to make due with the 30th pick. Doucet has been bothered by a nagging groin injury, which prevented him from emerging as a reliable No. 1 weapon at LSU this fall. But a couple fast 40 times and a big week at the Senior Bowl could help affirm his big-play potential for NFL decision-makers.
31. Dallas Cowboys
Current record: 11-1
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: S, OT, WR
Projected pick: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Cowboys can use this pick to bolster their offensive line depth after selecting a wide receiver (Sweed) earlier in the round. Cherilus has struggled in his first year on the left side and in a new system. A team patient enough to rebuild his confidence -- which probably includes moving him back to ROT -- could reap the rewards.
New England Patriots
Current record: 12-0
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, CB, OLB
Projected pick: Pick forfeited.