Things have changed a little since when I posted my original top 6 pick wish list so I might as well post a revised one. Oakland looked like they might be giving a top 10 pick at the time, and now we'd prolly be thrilled if Oakland gets us a top 15 pick. Revised semi-realistic dream draft:
Pick 1A: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami*.
The front 7 looked fine against Pittsburgh's patchwork O-line, but after Peyton Hillis ran everything over last week, IMO a consistent presence on the D-line next to Wilfork is still as big a need as anything. Nick Fairley is a possibility but Bailey is in the middle of his 2nd great season, Fairley was nothing prior to this year, Bailey seems like the safer pick with just as much potential. Fairley might be the flavor of the month guy who ends up being a huge top 10 bust (Vernon Gholston for example).
*If his stock falls enough and he's still available I would say Robert Quinn and address DE later, but since that's unlikely Bailey is the pick. If he is available though, it would be very hard to pass him up. He's potentially the 270 pound OLB they haven't had since McGinest.
Pick 1B: Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU.
Pre-Pollard, Brady's fearlessness in the pocket and ability to sidestep edge pressure made the lack of speed at tackle a not-so-big deal when they had to protect against speed rushers. As good as Brady still is, he isn't as fearless as he once was, and he isn't as good as sidestepping pressure as he once was. Vollmer was projected to be the future left tackle, but he, like Light, struggles against speed. Light isn't gonna be around much longer, and Kazcur is not a worthwhile starter, so they are going to need to address tackle anyway. Since going through the AFC means limiting the pass rush from guys like Suggs, Freeney and Pace, Barksdale is worth a 1st rounder as the guy athletic enough to block them. On top of Barksdale's athleticism, he doesn't get enough credit for his polish and technique. He'd be ready to step in immediately
Pick 2A: Jeremy Beal, OLB, OU.
There are higher rated 3-4 OLB prospects who are projected to be available with this pick, but we all know that having the size and strength to set the edge in this system is extremely important. I haven't watched Von Miller but he seems like someone who is great at getting pressure with his speed but is too undersized to be consistent against the run. Watching UCLA play Arizona, Hakeem Ayers was horrible at setting the edge and preventing plays from getting to the outside. At the rate he's going it might be a pipe dream to think Beal will be available in the 2nd round, but aside from Quinn he fits the system more than any other 3-4 OLBs.
Pick 2B: Deunta Williams, FS, UNC.
Thanks to a suspension, Williams went from being a guy who could sneak into the 1st round with a good year to someone who could be available here. Has the size (6'2") we don't have at the safety position and has great range in coverage. I believed in Meriweather and was sure this team shouldn't use another top 2 round pick in the secondary, but if he's still making the mistakes he is, it's not gonna get better. We need a free safety who provides good over the top help, can keep the offense in front of him, and can sometimes pick up the tight end in coverage.
Pick 3A: Kristofer O'Dowd, C, USC.
Basically as mentioned previously. Is the center in an offense that loves multiple TE formations and has all the physical tools. Give him a year to learn the offense and hopefully in that time he gets over his injuries that are preventing him from being a much higher pick.
Pick 3B: Terrance Toliver, WR, LSU.
LSU has tons of talent at receiver but Jordan Jefferson is one of the worst pocket passers in college football. Terrance Toliver's draft value is way lower because of that. Coming out of high school he was the #1 WR recruit ahead of guys like Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, Arrelius Benn, Leonard Hankerson and Greg Little, he has enough talent where its worth a 3rd rounder to see what he can do with a real quarterback.
Round 4: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor.
You can never have too much depth at D-line. Taylor will never be an every down player in the NFL because of his weight, and while he doesn't have near as much talent as Mt. Cody, Baltimore has shown ways to use guys like Cody and Taylor sporadically to get players rest and provide size at certain times.
Round 5: Andrew Jackson, G, Fresno State.
Doesn't get much notoriety in the WAC, but the one Fresno State game I watched he got great push on every running play and was also great as pulling when required. It's hard to tell how his dominance in the WAC transfers to the NFL, but it's worth a 5th rounder.
Round 6: Owen Marecic, FB/ILB, Stanford.
This is the kind of versatility you want to fill your roster out with. He's the lead blocker in a very good power running game that gets extremely overshadowed by Andrew Luck. While I don't know how he is on special teams, a guy with his work ethic, IQ and motor seems like a perfect fit on special teams. When you watch this guy play, you want him on your team.