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Since the NFL draft begins tomorrow, it’s time to speculate on how the first round will play out. The first 20 picks have already been revealed. Click the “NFL Draft 2008″ tab to see the accumulated picks.

The player that each team will most likely draft will be written in bold under each team’s name. The other players that each team will be thinking about drafting will be listed further down. Iapprovedthismessage’s selections will be noted as well.

21. Washington Redskins

Limas Sweed (WR, Michigan State) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan State) 
• Phillip Merling (DE, Clemson)
• James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
• Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)

Priority one for the Redskins (whether it needs to be or not) is to draft a tall, fast receiver. If Devin Thomas is still on the board at this point, expect the ‘Skins to take him. If not, they have their sights set on Philip Merling to improve their 26th ranked pass rush. As we’ve already pointed out, the Minnesota-Kansas City trade may have ruined Washington’s chances at drafting Merlin at #21 because, unless Chris Long falls to the Chiefs at #5, they’ll probably be looking to replace recently-traded Jared Allen at DE. If Merling and Thomas are off the board at this point, expect the Redskins to try and trade down.

22. Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas)

You can put this one in the books. Unless Dallas trades this pick in an attempt to draft Darren McFadden on draft day, they’re going with Felix Jones. After the departure of HB Julius Jones, the Cowboys are looking for someone to compliment Marion Barber. But while Felix is a reach at this point in the draft to begin with, he wouldn’t even be a great compliment to Barber. However, Felix is from Arkansas and it’s been reported that Jerry Jones has his heart set on him, so don’t expect anything surprising at #22.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jeff Otah (OT, Pittsburgh) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)
• James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
• Desean Jackson (WR, California)
• Kentwan Balmer (DT, North Carolina)
• Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College)

Offensive line has to be a top priority for the ‘05 Super Bowl Champs. Not only did they rank 31st in pass protection and 19th in run-blocking, but they lost their best O-lineman, Alan Faneca, to the Jets. While Ben Roethlisberger may be the best in the league at dealing with pressure, Pittsburgh has to draft an Offensive tackle early in this draft. Don’t expect Otah to fall this far but if he’s still on the board, it would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to draft him at #23. In the likely scenario that Otah is gone, look for Pittsburgh to pick either OT Gosder Cherilus or DT Kentwan Balmer.

24. Tennessee Titans

Desean Jackson (WR, California) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Kentwan Balmer (DT, Boston College)
• Limas Sweed (WR, Texas
• James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
• Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)

While Vince Young certainly hasn’t impressed anyone thus far, he hasn’t had a lot of great offensive talent around him. The main complaint on Young is that he doesn’t throw downfield well. However, that may have something to do with the fact that, while the Titans have tall receivers, they don’t have any overly explosive ones. Desean Jackson would help this cause as he may be the most explosive receiver in this year’s draft. Although defensive tackle isn’t really a need for the Titans, Kentwan Balmer is also an option here as he and Albert Haynesworth would combine to be the best tackle duo in the NFL.  

25. Seattle Seahawks

Dustin Keller (TE, Purdue) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Limas Sweed (WR, Texas
• James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
• Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)
• Desean Jackson (WR, California)

If you’ve ever seen clips of Dustin Keller, you’d probably be able to confirm that he is definitely first round talent. He has decent size as well as rare breakaway speed for a tight end. Seattle seems to be the best candidate at this point because of their recently failed attempts (Jerramy Stevens) to add a good pass-catching tight end. The Seahawks also have a secondary need for a wide receiver as Bobby Engram, who lead the team in catches last season, is 35 years old. Also, Deion Branch may be still recovering from his ACL tear in Seattle’s playoff loss to Green Bay.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Calais Campbell (DE, Miami)  

• Kentwan Balmer (DT, North Carolina)
• Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection
• Kenny Phillips (S, Miami)

It’s difficult to find any real immediate needs for the Jags, but they’ll probably look to address their defensive front since they ranked 24th at stopping the run last season. Look for them to either draft the best available defensive lineman or possibly an offensive lineman since they were just average at pass protection and run-blocking last season. Safety Kenny Phillips is an outside shot for the Jags at #26 as well.

27. San Diego Chargers

Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Dan Conner (ILB, Penn St.)
• Jonothan Stewart (RB, Oregon)
• Brandon Flowers (CB, Virginia Tech)

As much success that San Diego has running the ball each year, they actually rank slightly below average at run-blocking, which shows how good LT actually is. Although some mock drafts have Oregon back Jonathon Stewart going here to replace Michael Turner, that would be an awfully high draft pick for a guy who will only average about 4-5 carries per game. Look for them to go with OT Gosder Cherilus at #27 or possibly Penn St. inside-linebacker Dan Conner.

28. Dallas Cowboys

James Hardy (WR, Indiana) 

• Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)
• Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)
• Desean Jackson (WR, California)
• Brandon Flowers (CB, Virginia Tech) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection
• Jonathon Stewart (RB, Oregon)

The Cowboys love their skill players, and it looks like they’ll fill their second first-round pick with another one. Since Pacman Jones hasn’t actually been reinstated yet, it might be wise to take Virgina Tech corner Brandon Flowers here as an insurance policy. But don’t count on that happening. Instead look for Dallas to select the best available receiver at #28.

29. San Francisco 49ers

Malcolm Kelly (WR, Oklahoma)

• Jerod Mayo (LB, USC)
• Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)
• James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
• Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College)
• Mario Manningham (WR, Michigan)
• Sam Baker (OT, USC)  <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

Out of all the fan bases that should fear their team’s future the most, it’s the 49ers, since newly-signed Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz may have Alex Smith (49% completion percentage last season) throwing nearly 70% of the time. Although San Francisco was worst in the league last season at pass protection, look for them to go with the best available receiver . If Gosder Cherilus is still on the board, nobody in the 49ers organization should consult with Mike Martz before selecting at #29.

30. Green Bay Packers

Brandon Flowers (CB, Virginia Tech) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Kenny Phillips (S, Miami)

As evidenced by the Packers-Giants NFC Championship Game last season Al Harris and Charles Woodson are no longer top shutdown-corners in the NFL. For this reason, look for Green Bay to address their secondary by selecting either CB Brandon Flowers or S Kenny Phillips with this pick. They could also use help on their offensive line, but there aren’t any of considerable value at #30.

31. New England Patriots

The Patriots forfeit this pick

32. New York Giants

Kenny Phillips (S, Miami) <— Iapprovedthismessage.com selection

• Tyrell Johnson (S, Arkansas St.)
• Dan Conner (ILB, Penn St.)

After losing Gibril Wilson to free agency, it would be expected that the Defending Super Bowl Champs will select a safety with this pick. It also wouldn’t be out of the question to select Linebacker Dan Conner out of Penn St.