Yet Another Mock Draft
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:37 pm
2005 NFL Mock Draft
By Fanball Staff
April 7, 2005 3:00 PM ET
Erasmus James' stock is falling due to durability concerns.
Our first two 2005 Mock Drafts assumed no trades, but as the draft approaches the rumor mills are starting to perk up a bit. There are still no solid rumors, so this mock will again be conducted without any trades. Hopefully, by the time our next mock draft rolls around next week, some of those rumors will have a bit of substance to them—at which point we'll conduct both a straight (no trades) draft and a mock draft with trades based on some of the rumors we're hearing.
And now, our third NFL Mock Draft of 2005.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers, QB, California
Comment: The Niners have extended invitations to the agents of Rodgers, Alex Smith, and Braylon Edwards to begin contract negotiations. Head coach Mike Nolan seems to be learning toward Rodgers, especially now that Smith failed to wow coaches at his most recent workout. However, it's always possible that notoriously cheap team owner John York will let his wallet determine who the team selects with the first overall pick.
2. Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
Comment: At this point, all it might take to procure the second overall pick from the Fins is a couple later-round selections and a handful of magic beans. If the Dolphins can't trade out of this spot, odds are Nick Saban will reach into his SEC past and insert Brown as Miami's primary ball-carrier. A pair of Longhorns, running back Cedric Benson and Derrick Johnson, are also possibilities, but with this high a pick expect Saban to swing for the fences with Brown.
3. Cleveland Browns
Alex Smith, QB, Utah
Comment: Right now you'd have difficulty finding an oddsmaker willing to take action that the Browns will be the club making this pick on April 23—but with no clear-cut trade-down deal on the horizon, Phil Savage may be forced to grab a franchise quarterback with his first pick as a Brown. The Vikings are a distinct trade-down possibility, especially if they're concerned that Mike Williams might not be there with the seventh pick, in which case the Browns could fill a more immediate need with Maryland's Shawne Merriman—a perfect fit in Romeo Crennel's 3-4—or Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barronand still get Akron's Charlie Frye or Auburn's Jason Campbell early in round two.
4. Chicago Bears
Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
Comment: Some observers don't believe there is any way the Bears will select another Michigan wide receiver given the way that former first-round pick David Terrell bombed during his stay in the Windy City. We believe the Bears need another wideout to compliment free agent signee Muhsin Muhammad. Edwards seems like a better fit than Mike Williams, who lacks speed and is just too similar to Muhammad.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn
Comment: Buccaneers' head coach Jon Gruden has been smitten with "Cadillac" since he had the opportunity to coach him in the Senior Bowl earlier this year. The rumored alternative is Mike Williams, who has been working out with Bucs' receiver Michael Clayton in recent weeks. But after signing Joey Galloway a few weeks ago, the Bucs need a running back more than a wide receiver.
6. Tennessee Titans
Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
Comment: It will be extremely difficult for USC alum Jeff Fisher and former Trojan coordinator Norm Chow to pass on Mike Williams if he's still on the board. However, the Titans already lost Samari Rolle to free agency and don't expect to bring back Andre Dyson, either. Without both starting corners, and staring a stud like Antrel Rolle (no relation) in the face, Tennessee will settle for scratching the receiver itch with a later pick and plugging Antrel into Samari's old… uh… Rolle.
7. Minnesota Vikings (from Raiders)
Mike Williams, WR, USC
Comment: The Vikings traded Randy Moss to Oakland in early March and then spent the free agency period signing defensive players. With the defensive overhaul complete, the Purple have to focus on finding a wideout who can help fill the void left by Moss. Williams isn't even in the same league as Moss when it comes to speed, but he is a monster in terms of size and athleticism. If the Vikings fail to land a wideout with this pick, they'll likely add another defensive player and then use their No. 18 pick to select a receiver.
8. Arizona Cardinals
Cedrick Benson, RB, Texas
Comment: Cedrick was labeled by many as the best player available prior to the scouting combine. A good workout by Ronnie Edwards combined with concerns over the excessive number of carries Benson took in college have moved Cedrick behind Edwards and Carnell Williams on most draft boards. The Cardinals won't be picky. They'll simply take the last of the three running backs available with this selection.
9. Washington Redskins
Adam Jones, CB, West Virginia
Comment: With Rolle going to Tennessee, the Skins will select the player best known as Pac Man. After losing starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot over the last two years, head coach Joe Gibbs will do his best to replenish the depleted secondary. The Skins also have needs at defensive end and wide receiver, but we believe their need for a defensive back is greater.
10. Detroit Lions
Alex Barron, T, Florida State
Comment: The Lions might have considered selecting tight end Heath Miller in this spot had he not suffered an injury that lowered his draft stock. Instead, we expect the Kitties to fill the starting right tackle role that was vacated by Stockar McDougle, who departed via free agency. Anything is possible with Matt Millen calling the shots, but picking a defensive end is the most likely alternative.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas
Comment: The Cowboys would jump all over the consensus best linebacker available if he falls this far. Not only would Johnson fill a need, but he's also an instate prospect. Shawne Merriman is also a possibility, particularly if head coach Bill Parcells plans to switch to a 3-4 defensive alignment. Unfortunately, the Tuna has clammed up when reporters have inquired about his defensive plans. Perhaps the Lone Stars will surprise everyone by selecting a wide receiver with this pick now that Keyshawn Johnson is griping about his contract.
12. San Diego Chargers (from Giants)
Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland
Comment: The Bolts would love to have one of the premier corners, Antrel Rolle or Adam Jones, slip to this spot. That probably won't happen, and the backup plan involves adding someone who can pressure the passer. San Diego could opt for a pure defensive end like Oklahoma's Dan Cody, Wisconsin's Erasmus James, or LSU's Marcus Spears. However, it's more likely that if Merriman slips past the Cowboys they'll eagerly snap him up and plug him into their play-making defense.
13. Houston Texans
Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Comment: The Texans' vain pursuit of Orlando Pace in the offseason indicates they're serious about upgrading their front line. Brown is a bit of a reach here, and if Alex Barron slips past the Lions Houston will be more than happy to nab him. Brown isn't quite the prospect Barron is, and he's certainly no Pace, but he'd be a welcome addition to the Texans' Domanick Davis-led ground game—and you'd have to think David Carr would enjoy the prospects of spending more time upright as well.
14. Carolina Panthers
Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
Comment: The Panthers covet the kid with local ties. Not only could Williamson fill a need, he could also provide the team with good public relations material, which the organization needs right now given the ongoing steroid probe into current and former members of the team. Carolina could use a tight end like Heath Miller for red zone situations, but the big lug is still recovering from sports hernia surgery. With Miller's stock on the decline, general manager Marty Hurney will help the passing game by adding the speedy Williamson.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
Comment: The Chiefs have a deal in place with Patrick Surtain, but they'll have to part with a Day One draft pick to get the Dolphins to join in the fun. Even if they do end up with Surtain, they may still draft Rogers and let him work into the rotation as a nickel back his rookie season. If Surtain quells the Chiefs' need for corners, they have plenty of other defensive needs to fill and could pick from amongst Georgia safety Thomas Davis, Florida State defensive tackle Travis Johnson, or LSU defensive end Marcus Spears.
16. New Orleans Saints
Thomas Davis, S/LB, Georgia
Comment: The Saints are desperate for linebacker help after ranking No. 30 against the run last season. Davis played safety for the Bulldogs, but he's expected to make the switch to linebacker as a pro. It wouldn't shock us if the Saints traded up or down with the intent of selecting an offensive lineman with this pick. While there is no denying the need at linebacker, the team could conceivably get some offensive line help here and address their defensive needs later.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
Comment: Johnson has some character issues, including some run-ins with Johnny Law and a recently-diagnosed attention deficit disorder, but he also stops the run like nobody's business. Odds are Marvin Lewis is willing to accept Johnson's flaws and work with him as he matures if the 6-foot-5, 286-pounder helps the Bengals shut down the top-10 ground games of the Ravens and Steelers. If Johnson's past scares off Cincy, the pick here could be USC defensive lineman Shaun Cody or Oklahoma safety Brodney Pool.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
Comment: Yes, the Vikings selected a pair of defensive ends in the first three rounds of last year's draft. However, they aren't thrilled with the rookie wall that Kenechi Udeze hit, nor are they happy with the play of veteran Kenny Mixon. James might have been a top-five pick had he not suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss the entire 2003 campaign while with the Badgers.
19. St. Louis Rams
David Pollack, DE, Georgia
Comment: The Rams are no longer desperate for defensive end help now that veteran Leonard Little somehow beat his latest DUI rap. Although they are no longer in the market for a pair of potential starting defensive ends, they still have a need on the right side of the line. Pollack's stock is on the rise thanks to his impressive workouts. He's certainly not the biggest defensive lineman available, but neither was Colts' defensive end Dwight Freeney when he entered the draft.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Bills)
Roddy White, WR, UAB
Comment: Rowdy Roddy would provide the Lone Stars with the speed they've been lacking at wide receiver since they traded Joey Galloway to the Buccaneers. White is a serious deep ball threat, as his 20 yards per reception average in college indicates. If Parcells passes on the receivers, he'll likely take a defensive end here.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Miller, CB, Clemson
Comment: Jacksonville has aggressively addressed its need for a pass rush via free agency this offseason; now it's time to focus on the defensive backfield. Oklahoma's Brodney Pool could be the pick here, operating under the assumption that the Jags won't franchise Donovin Darius for a fourth straight season, but more likely the Jags will pick from between Miller and speedy Nebraska corner Fabian Washington.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
Comment: There are several defensive players—among them Erasmus James and David Pollack—the Ravens would love to see slip here to help them restock the front line of their new 4-3 scheme. However, they also need to give Kyle Boller some targets, and Clayton would be a perfect complement to—and ultimately replacement for—free agent signee Derrick Mason. Drafting Clayton would finally give the Ravens a downfield playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.
23. Seattle Seahawks
Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma
Comment: We're betting that teams will grow leery of the clinical depression issues that caused Cody to miss part of the 2001 season. It doesn't seem to be a big talking point now, but teams reach the peak of their paranoia in the days leading up to the draft. This is a big enough drop for Cody that teams such as the Seahawks wouldn't shy away from him. If Cody is taken by now, the Hawks will likely target another defensive end or consider the best outside linebacker available.
24. Green Bay Packers
Brodney Pool, S, Oklahoma
Comment: The Packers sat back and watched free agent safety Michael Hawthorne sign with the Rams on Wednesday. Hawthorne joins Darren Sharper and Bhawoh Jue as safeties who departed the Cheese State via free agency this season. At this point, the only returning safety from last season is Mark Roman, who spent part of last season in head coach Mike Sherman's doghouse. Unless new Packers' defensive coordinator is okay with the idea of playing one safety (yes, we're being sarcastic), then the Packers have little choice but to take a safety in the first round.
25. Denver Broncos
Demarcus Ware, LB/DE, Troy
Comment: Ware has gone from being a small-school reach for the Broncos in this spot to the very distinct possibility of him not being available for Denver's first pick. Ware's Senior Bowl performance should have convinced the naysayers, and he would be a perfect fit to the collection of talent Denver is stocking its new 3-4 alignment with. USC's Shaun Cody and Iowa's Matt Roth were also possibilities, at least until Denver acquired the entire Cleveland defensive front and reworked Trevor Pryce's contract; now, it looks as if they'll add Ware to the likes of D.J. Williams, Al Wilson, and Ian Gold.
26. New York Jets
Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska
Comment: The Jets will have to think long and hard about passing on Virginia tight end Heath Miller here, and it's entirely possible he's their pick. However, having just watched former first-rounder Anthony Becht underachieve for several seasons before leaving town, they may opt to use their top pick to shore up the secondary. Don't believe the talk that the Patriots' performance with makeshift corners devalues the position; Washington is one of five corners who will get to shake hands with Paul Tagliabue.
27. Atlanta Falcons
Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington
Comment: The Falcons are still searching for a replacement for starting guard Roberto Garza, who signed with the Bears as a free agent. This is not a good year for guards, so the Falcons will most likely select a tackle and ask one of their current linemen to make the switch to guard. The second-round has some guard talent, so the Falcons could wait to address the offensive line issues in favor of selecting a safety here.
28. San Diego Chargers
Shaun Cody, DE, USC
Comment: Just like Ratt, the Bolts are back for more thanks to the Eli Manning trade. After snagging Shawne Merriman with their earlier first-round pick, the Chargers could very easily go with a wide receiver here to complement and eventually replace Keenan McCardell. However, there will be plenty of wideouts available in the next few rounds, so the Chargers will opt to apply pressure to AFC West quarterbacks with USC defensive lineman Shaun Cody. Another possibility would be an upgrade to the offensive line, though the top three will all likely be off the board and this is another need the Bolts probably feel they can address with a later selection.
29. Indianapolis Colts
Barrett Ruud, LB, Nebraska
Comment: Channing Crowder's stock has plummeted of late, but if his health checks out and Tony Dungy feels his character "issues" are overrated, the Colts may opt for his athleticism and play-making potential over that of Ruud. Either way, Indy desperately needs to address its linebacking corps, and Ruud seems to be the best fit for a Dungy defense. Georgia's Odell Thurman could also receive consideration here, especially if Crowder's knee.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
Heath Miller, TE, Virginia
Comment: If the Panthers or Jets snap up Heath Miller the Steelers will make the big stretch and grab Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, converting the 6-foot-6, 4.37 burner to wide receiver and using him like they used Plaxico Burress last season. For the moment, however, we see Miller still being on the board for the Steelers, and he'd fill a similar need in their offense—with the added bonus of being an additional blocker in the ground game.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
Darryl Blackstock, LB, Virginia
Comment: Ike Reese left town via free agency and the team released Nate Wayne, which leaves the team light on linebacker depth. The Eagles came close to trading starting defensive tackle Corey Simon to the Ravens last week, so they might enter the draft in search of his eventual replacement. It's also possible that head coach Andy Reid will take a wide receiver, which would probably allow him to unload big mouth wideout Freddie Mitchell.
32. New England Patriots
Marlin Jackson, CB, Michigan
Comment: The Patriots didn't get to be a dynasty by making foolish draft picks, and it's unlikely they'll start a new trend here. Ideally, Bill Belichick would grab some Tedy Bruschi insurance in the form of Ruud, but if he's off the board it's unlikely Odell Thurman and his low Wonderlic score would be a good fit in New England. Crowder reportedly scored quite well on the Wonderlic, and if he slips past Indy and the Pats are sold on his health he could be their next coup. The safe pick is an upgrade to the secondary, and if Jackson slides all the way to the end of round one it won't take Belichick long to call his name.
http://www.fanball.com/fb/article.cfm/ID.3744
13 on the Wonderlick Test...
