USAToday: Mock Draft
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:07 pm
1. San Francisco 49ers — If the Niners insist on signability, it's Rodgers. Smith, however, has separated himself from Rodgers by a good margin on most scouting boards. If negotiations don't heat up overnight, and if the Niners insist on not topping the deal given to Eli Manning last year, they have to pass on Smith. Aaron Rodgers, QB, California.
2. Washington Redskins (from Miami Dolphins) — Oh, happy day. A receiver that might enable the deep passing game so obviously lacking. Redskins send the 9th and 25th picks and maybe an additional sweetener to the Fish to move up. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan.
3. Cleveland Browns — Good spot to be in if this scenario holds. They like Edwards, but now the new administration can groom a QB while Trent Dilfer holds the fort for a year or two. Alex Smith, QB, Utah.
4. Chicago Bears — They also could be enticed to drop a few spots. They don't want to be here. And yet they are. So let's make the most of the moment. Mike Williams, WR, Southern California.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — They'll be thinking about running backs with the two marquee QBs and WRs gone. So they do the expedient. Carnell (Cadillac) Williams, RB, Auburn.
6. Tennessee Titans — The salary cap weighed heavy on the Titans and they are denuded in many places. They'll have to think about WR Mike Williams but they cannot look past a CB they like. Adam (Pacman) Jones, CB, West Virginia.
7. Minnesota Vikings (from Oakland Raiders) — Sure, they'd like to get a receiver and could be in the sweepstakes for Edwards or Williams. But they can also do with an outside LB who can fly after the passer. This one, like most of the coaching staff, is a Terp. Fear the turtle. Shawne Merriman, LB-DE, Maryland.
8. Arizona Cardinals — We'll get fancy here. We think the Cardinals can pry RB Travis Henry loose from the Buffalo Bills and will do it while on the clock. They need a cornerback. And that's what they'll get. Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn.
9. Miami Dolphins (from Washington Redskins) — They're trying to complete a deal to move CB Patrick Surtain to the Kansas City Chiefs. Once they make this pick, they can do it. Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (Fla.)
10. Detroit Lions — Their offensive line should be apologizing to QB Joey Harrington on just about every snap and they lost Stockar McDougle, the RT, in free agency. Let's fill the hole. Alex Barron, OT, Florida State.
11. Dallas Cowboys — If they shift to a 3-4, they'll need a play-making outside linebacker who can, cover and chase QBs. If they stick with the 4-3, they'll need a play-making outside linebacker who can run, cover and chase QBs. Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas.
12. San Diego Chargers (from New York Giants) — A little speed on the wings is always nice. And the Chargers let the fleet (if often-injured) Tim Dwight go. So they need a guy who can stretch the field and give them a burst on kick returns. Troy Williamson, WR, So. Carolina.
13. Houston Texans — Their free-agent activity fed the defense. Now they must supply the offense, and their greatest need is at running back. Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn.
14. Carolina Panthers — They could grab a receiver here. But they'll be tempted to get a running back after last year's tour through the depth chart took them to sixth-string Nick Goings. They go for the inside banger. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas.
15. Kansas City Chiefs — The Chiefs shored up the defense a bit at a time in free agency but no one lets great pass rushers wander off the lot. So here's where the Chiefs take the plunge. Erasmus James, DE, Wis.
16. New Orleans Saints — They leak like an old tramp steamer against the run. Worst in the NFL last year. Yes, they've drafted defensive linemen endlessly but they will do it one more time to bolster the inside with a guy who explodes off the ball. Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State.
17. Cincinnati Bengals — The Bengals posted 37 sacks last year, a middle-of-the-pack number. If they're ever to escape that "just missed the playoffs" zone, they need impact and production and some outside pass rush. David Pollack, DE-LB, Georgia.
18. Minnesota Vikings — They got the defensive help early. Now they fill the void left by Randy Moss. This guy has been sailing up the draft boards in recent weeks. Roddy White, WR, Alabama-Birmingham.
19. St. Louis Rams — If the Rams want to keep throwing, they cannot let opponents use QB Marc Bulger as a piñata. To run effectively, they need a mauler opposite OLT Orlando Pace. This seems simple enough (even though they like S Thomas Davis). Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Buffalo Bills) — Seconds for everyone. The Boys got a bit of defensive help earlier, so now they turn to putting some speed on the outside for whichever elderly, immobile QB they choose to use. Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars — The Jaguars cut CBs Dewayne Washington and Juran Bolden and the depth at this position enables them to get a good one who is value at this pick. Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska.
22. Baltimore Ravens — The move to a 4-3 will predominate in the Ravens' thinking and outweigh their desire (and desperate need) for a WR. They are built to win with their defense and will remain so. This pick gives them versatility up front. Marcus Spears, DE, LSU.
23. Seattle Seahawks — The Hawks plugged the middle with free-agent LB Jamie Sharper, so they can look to shore up the secondary. Not that an OLB is out of the question. But they will miss CB Ken Lucas less if they go this route. Marlin Jackson, CB, Michigan.
24. Green Bay Packers — Their defensive needs are many and a versatile player who fits the hybrid DE-LB mold is all the rage. They'll be turned on by a guy who can come off the edge and create mayhem. DeMarcus Ware, LB, Troy.
25. Miami Dolphins (from Washington Redskins from Denver Broncos) — Miami's new offense needs a difference-maker who can go and get it. This guy has a vertical leap that's off the charts. Reggie Brown, WR, Georgia.
26. Oakland Raiders (from New York Jets) — The Raiders have needs at LB, TE and CB. Especially CB, after dealing Philip Buchanon and failing to rid themselves of Charles Woodson. Justin Miller, CB, Clemson.
27. Atlanta Falcons — They might deal up for Roddy White. The remaining buzz is about a safety, but not many go in the first round. This guy should, even though we have him dropping a bit here. Thomas Davis, S, Georgia.
28. San Diego Chargers — Maybe Martyball is dead and the Chargers won't be a grind-it-out running team, but the power attack remains a nice option. So does a big, ol' tackle who can maul people. Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington.
29. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts can stand to add people to their beleaguered defense. Especially people who can help against the run. Shaun Cody, DT, Southern California.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers — They could use a fresh face at CB, where Willie Williams can probably remember when the city actually had steel mills and a thick coating of soot. But the primo guys are gone and the Steelers fill a different void. Heath Miller, TE, Virginia.
31. Philadelphia Eagles — Couple of years ago they drafted Jerome McDougle. And he may get a sack before we retire to Florida to take up competitive shuffleboard. Derrick Burgess left as a free agent. Why not choose a guy who shows passion and fire? Matt Roth, DE, Iowa.
32. New England Patriots —Willie McGinest has served honorably, well and long. But time marches on and so do the Patriots. Here's how they tell McGinest that they can hear his train a-coming: Darryl Blackstock, OLB, Virginia.
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