2005 NFL Mock Draft
By Fanball Staff
March 31, 2005 4:00 PM ET
Will Mike Williams be reunited with Norm Chow in Tennessee?
The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and with no clear-cut top pick this draft could go in one of many different directions.
Our first 2005 Mock Draft assumed no trades, and while many of the top-five clubs would love to trade down there are few if any takers and even fewer solid rumors of potential trades. As such, this mock will again be conducted without any trades. Of course, as the rumor mill starts to percolate we reserve the right to conduct both a straight (no trades) draft and a mock draft with trades based on some of the rumors we're hearing.
Without further ado, our second NFL Mock Draft of 2005.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers, QB, California
Comment: Niners' head coach Mike Nolan might have tipped his hand when he stated that Rodgers was as polished as any rookie quarterback he's encountered. This pick would also give San Francisco a much needed boost in the marketing department thanks to the instate connection. We must note that the 49ers have so many needs that they might trade down on draft day.
2. Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
Comment: The Aquatic Mammals have all but abandon hope of trading down, and it's unlikely they'll pry Edgerrin James from the Colts. Brown is hardly a consolation prize, especially given his eye-popping workout, and Nick Saban has some familiarity with Brown from their SEC days. Texas LB Derrick Johnson remains an option, and the Dolphins could look at another former dreadlocked Longhorn, RB, Cedric Benson. However, his similarities to excommunicated Fin Ricky Williams might prohibit such a selection.
3. Cleveland Browns
Alex Smith, QB, Utah
Comment: Phil Savage will burn through a dozen cell phones trying to trade down from this pick, because they guy they really want to take—Maryland DE/LB Shawne Merriman—will still be on the board in six or seven picks. The logical deal would be with Minnesota, who could swoop in and grab Braylon Edwards, but until something leaks from either camp that's pure speculation. After whiffing on Ben Roethlisberger last year, the Browns would prefer to get local hero Charlie Frye of Akron or Auburn's Jason Campbell with their early second-round pick. But if backed into a corner, the Browns will grab Smith and develop him while Trent Dilfer holds down the fort.
4. Chicago Bears
Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
Comment: The Bears have a serious need for a No. 2 wideout behind free agent acquisition Muhsin Muhammad. Plus, general manager Jerry Angelo knows that the division rival Vikings are in dire need of receiver help. The Bears get the playmaker they need and hurt the Purple's chances of landing one of the Big Two wide receivers. It's a win-win situation for Da' Bears.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn
Comment: Buccaneers' head coach Jon Gruden came away from his Senior Bowl coaching stint smitten over Williams. Cedrick Benson is also a possibility with this pick, but his lousy pro day workout is moving him down some draft boards. The other possibility with this pick is wide receiver Mike Williams, who has been working out with Bucs' wideout Michael Clayton. However, Gruden is down on Michael Pittman due to his fumbling issues, so don't be surprised if the Bucs lean toward the player known as Cadillac.
6. Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, WR, USC
Comment: The Titans have more holes than can be filled with a single pick, so they—like most of the teams picking before them—are a trade-down candidate. Their key areas of need are in the secondary and at wide receiver. Head coach Jeff Fisher could easily opt for West Virginia cornerback Adam "Pac Man" Jones or Miami corner Antrel Rolle, but with former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow whispering in his ear and only two wideouts on the current roster—and Steve McNair looking for a reason to come back for another year—the Titans will add a playmaker.
7. Minnesota Vikings (from Raiders)
Derek Johnson, LB, Texas
Comment: The Vikings covet Williams and Edwards, but they'll settle for the best linebacker in the draft if both receivers are selected before this pick. Johnson would complete the team's defensive overhaul that included the acquisition of fellow linebackers Napoleon Harris and Sam Cowart. Minnesota can still use the No. 18 overall pick to fill their wideout need, and selecting the former Longhorn would please team owner and Texas booster Red McCombs.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Cedrick Benson, RB, Texas
Comment: Cards' head coach Dennis Green is searching for a running back to replace Emmitt Smith in the starting role. Benson was once considered the best running back available, but a combination of Ronnie Brown's good workout and Benson's lousy workout might result in Cedrick falling to Arizona. If Green can't get one of the top three backs, he'll likely shift his focus to completing a trade that would send offensive tackle L.J. Shelton to the Bills in exchange for running back Travis Henry.
9. Washington Redskins
Antrell Rolle, CB, Miami-FLA
Comment: The player who is repeatedly mislabeled as Samari's younger brother has better size than fellow defensive back Adam Jones. Some teams are leaning toward Jones based on his kick return ability, but the Skins have a special teams standout in wide receiver Santana Moss. That might be cause for head coach Joe Gibbs selecting Rolle over Pac Man.
10. Detroit Lions
Alex Barron, T, Florida State
Comment: Lions' general manager Matt Millen won't come right out and say that the Lions are targeting Barron, but he certainly hinted at it last week when he said he believes that the offensive and defensive lines are the keys to building a winning team. Meanwhile, the Kitties have a glaring need at right tackle due to the loss of free agent Stockar McDougle, so Barron is a logical choice to step right in as a starter.
http://www.fanball.com/fb/article.cfm/ID.3700
Exactly what I'm hoping for if MWilliams is indeed already taken.
