NFL 1st Round Mock Draft
OK�.this truly is my LAST hack at this doggone thing!! The Denver-Balt.trade, plus the Keyshawn Johnson trade to Tampa, threw a wrench into my mock draft, so I've made some adjustments. I did move Peterson up to #17, and I gave the Vikings an OG to replace Randall McD. I have Jones & Taylor going to the Ravens; basically this was done more so out of easing my typing than for any pure football thinking�.
1. Cleve Browns
DE Courtney Brown - Penn St
The Browns seem to have settled on taking either DE Courney Brown or LB Lavar Arrington. Brown had faster 40 times in mid-March private workouts than both college teamate Arrington and FSU WR Peter Warrick. Brown is a complete DE who combines excellent measurables with proven college performance. The Browns still need speed at the offensive skill positions and Peter Warrick has to be considered an option. However, bad offseason workouts, off the field problems, and a poor interview are likely to result in the Browns passing on Warrick. The needs at the offensive skill positions will likely be partially addressed in the second round.
2. Washington Redskins (from NO)
LB Lavar Arrington - Penn St
Arrington has the speed and playmaking ability that the Redskins desperately need to add to the corner of their front seven. Norv Turner should send Charlie Casserly a thank you card for this pick. There have been rumors that the Redskins would select Chris Samuels with this pick and take Arrington with the third pick in an attempt to lower Arrington's leverage in contract negotiations. However, saving a little money hardly seems worth the annoyance this would cause Arrington and his agent.
3. Washington Redskins (from SF)
OT Chris Samuels - Alabama
The 49ers traded down for two first rounders and two extra mid round picks. The trade puts the Redskins in a position to address their glaring need at OT. Chris Samuels is considered the next Anthony Munoz. He had a knee scope that kept him out of the college all star games, but the injury is not considered serious. Samuels is very durable, having started over 40 straight games at Alabama. If the Redskins resign Andy Heck or address the OT position through free agency, this pick could be used on Peter Warrick or Courtney Brown.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
WR Peter Warrick - Fla St
The 49ers trade of the 3rd pick leaves the Bengals in a very interesting situation. The probability is that Peter Warrick will fall into their laps, leading to a trade of malcontent Carl Pickens for more draft picks. Warrick has had poor workouts since the end of the season and has not impressed teams in personal interviews. Still, he is a superb playmaker whose on the field production in college should dispel any worries about his ability to dominate in the pros. The Bengals could also use this pick on a RB if Corey Dillon gets an offer that is not matched, or they could select Chris Samuels if Warrick is taken with one of the top three picks. There have also been rumblings that the Bengals could trade down from this spot, perhaps to the Seahawks for two first rounders.
5. Baltimore Ravens (from Atlanta)
RB Thomas Jones - Virginia
Thomas Jones is considered by most scouts to be the most complete back in the draft. Jones never missed a game or practice at Virginia and graduated in 3 years. He combines the power to effectively run between the tackles with the speed to get outside. He has good hands in the passing game, rarely fumbles, and can return kicks. The Ravens could also take RB Jamaal Lewis who is quickly moving up draft boards. If Billick decides to wait till the 14th pick to select a back, this pick could be used on Plaxico Burress.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
DT Corey Simon - Fla St
Corey Simon has the size and speed to collapse the pocket and there is a major drop in talent from him to the third best DL in the draft. However, there are some concerns associated with picking Simon. He has had surgery on each shoulder twice and on a knee. Simon's injury history does not mix well with the turf at Veteran's Stadium. Also, because of the depth at Florida State he was part of a DL rotation throughout his career. The Eagles have a huge need at WR, but are rumored to have taken Plaxico Burress off their draft board due to his poor workouts and off the field problems. The Eagles could add help for the passing game by selecting WR Travis Taylor or TE Bubba Franks.
7. Arizona Cardinals
RB Jamaal Lewis - Tennessee
Before knee surgery as a sophmore, Lewis was an explosive back with an impressive combination of size and speed. He was a bit tentative last year upon his return, but most players take two season to recover from serious knee surgery. Solid individual workouts in which he ran a 4.29 40 could move Lewis as high as the 5th pick. DT Corey Simon or LB Brian Urlacher are possibilities, but RB is a major need for the Cardinals. Thomas Jones, Ron Dayne, and Shaun Alexander could be taken depending on the first 6 picks and the Cardinals preferences.
8. Pittsburgh Stillers
WR Plaxico Burress - Mich St
The Stillers have been very secretive about this selection and could go in a number of directions. Plaxico Burress is a big, physical receiver with speed who has had on the field lapses in concentration. Burress stock has slipped because of poor off season workouts and what some perceive as a poor attitude. If Burress is not available or the Steelers feel his drawbacks outweigh his physical ability, they could deal down for extra picks. The Steelers seem to like Julian Peterson and could move down for a chance at the LB from Michigan St. The Stillers could also stay in the 8th slot and select QB Chad Pennington, but would be hard pressed to justify fitting the salaries of Pennington, Kordell Stewart, and Kent Graham under the cap. If the Stillers decide to take the best athlete available with this pick, playmaking LB Brian Urlacher would have to also be considered.
9. Chicago Bears
LB Brian Urlacher - New Mexico St
Urlacher is a pure talent that played rover/SS in college and is projected as an OLB in the pros. Urlacher would add athleticism to a defense in desperate need of playmakers. The Bears have also publicly stated that they would strongly consider Plaxico Burress if he falls to the 9th pick. If neither Urlacher nor Burress are available, the Bears might conider Shaun Alexander or try to trade down for a CB such as Deltha O'Neal, Dwayne Goodrich, Mario Edwards, or Ahmed Plummer.
10. Balt. Ravens (from Denver)
WR Travis Taylor - Florida
The Ravens gave the Broncos a second rounder to move from the 15th pick to the 10th pick. The Ravens need offensive weapons and should target a RB and WR with their two first round picks. Travis Taylor followed up a solid year with an 11 catch, 156 yard, 3 TD effort in the Citrus Bowl. His stock has risen even further due to good post season workouts. The Ravens could also decide to take WR Plaxico Burress with the 5th pick and select RB Thomas Jones, Jamaal Lewis, or Shaun Alexander in this slot.
11. New York Giants
RB Shaun Alexander - Alabama
The Giants have a stable of mediocre, one dimensional RBs that lack game breaking ability. Alexander is a versatile threat that had a spectacular season and showed he could play hurt with a severe ankle sprain at the Senior Bowl. There seems to be an internal tug-of-war within the Giants heirarchy between taking Alexander or heisman trophy winner Ron Dayne. Dayne would provide more between the tackle power than Alexander. A lack of talent on the offensive line could also lead the Giants to take Stockar McDougal or Chris McIntosh with this selection.
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina through Washington)
QB Chad Pennington - Marshall
Steve Young's history of concussions and Jeff Garcia's mediocre NFL debut makes QB a need position. Bill Walsh has publicly praised Pennington and there now seems to be a decent chance he could fall all the way to the 12th pick. Pennington was solid in the Senior Bowl and showed the type of read/react skills the 49ers covet for the west coast offense. If Pennington is not available, the 49ers have so many needs they could go in any direction.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from SD)
TE Bubba Franks - Miami
This pick is rumored to be part of a package the Buccaneers are offering to the Jets for Keyshawn Johnson. Whether the deal happens or not, both the Bucs and the Jets have a need for an athletic playmaker at TE. Bubba Franks clearly has the most talent in the draft at the position. A great athlete, Franks has good hands, runs well after the catch, and has shown improvement as a blocker. This pick could also be used by either the Bucs or the Jets on a WR or an OT.
14. Green Bay Packers
DE Shaun Ellis - Tennessee
The Packers have many needs, but adding an outside pass rusher would be a major improvement for the defense. Ellis is a good athlete with strong upside potential. Although he is listed at 265 lbs, he has a frame that could carry 280 lbs. The Packers could also select a WR, OL, DT, or LB with this pick. TE Bubba Franks would fill a major need if he fell to this spot.
15. Denver Broncos
WR Sylvester Morris - Jackson St
The Broncos have been searching for a third receiver to play with Rod Smith and Ed McCaffery for several years. Morris combines excellent size and strength with a long stride and deceptive speed. Morris is willing to go over the middle, shows solid sideline awarenes, and maybe most importantly comes with good character references. Should TE Bubba Franks fall to this pick his selection as a replacement for Shannon Sharpe would make sense. However, Shanahan has publicly stated that he is happy with Byron Chamberlain. The Broncos also have a need at S and could have traded down to take Deion Grant of Tennessee.
16. New York Jets (from NE)
OT Stockar McDougal - Oklahoma
The Jets get this pick for allowing Bill Belicheck to take the Patriots job. McDougal is a huge, physical player that showed surprisingly good footwork and pass blocking skills at 350+ lbs. McDougal would pair with Jason Fabini to give the Jets a set of young, powerful tackles.
17. Oakland Raiders
LB Julian Peterson - Michigan St
Julian Peterson is an acomplished edge rusher that would add even more athleticism to the Raiders defense. Peterson is a big play LB from a major college program whose stock has been rising due to a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl. The Raiders also have a desperate need for a big play receiver opposite Tim Brown and could use this pick on Dez White, Jerry Porter, or even Laveranues Coles.
18. New York Jets
DE John Engelberger - Va Tech
John Engleberger is a weight room warrior with excellent measurables that turned himself from a college walk on to a possible first round pick. The Jets need to solidify the defensive line and could also consider DEs Shaun Ellis or Darren Howard with this pick.
19. Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas)
DT Chris Hovan - Boston College
This pick was dealt to the Seahawks by the Cowboys as part of the Joey Galloway trade. The loss of DE Phillip Daniels to free agency and the continued inability to resign DT Sam Adams has created a huge hole on the Seahawks defensive line. Hovan is a high motor plugger that never takes a down off. His ability to stop the run would free up Cortex Kennedy to freelance in the middle. By dealing Galloway, the Seahawks left themselves without a big play threat on offense so this pick could also be used on a WR.
20. Detriot Lions
OG/OT Cosey Coleman - Tennessee
The signing of James Stewart as a free agent allows the Lions to use this pick to fill other needs. Coleman is a solid drive blocker with a powerful lower body. His ability to play G and T would add versatility to the Lions offensive line. This pick could also be used on OG Travis Claridge, OT Chris McIntosh, OT Todd Wade, or even a RB to pair with Stewart.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
RB Ron Dayne - Wisconsin
Bam Morris has retired and the Chiefs are left with Donnell Bennett, Rashaan Shehee, and Mike Cloud at HB. This collection of backs proves that quantity is not a substitute for quality. Dayne is the wild card of this draft. With the recent success of Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James, teams seem to be looking toward multiple threat run/pass RBs instead of one dimensional big backs. If Dayne is selected by the Giants at 11, this pick could be used on a WR or Shaun Alexander.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Deltha O'Neal - California
O'Neal gives the Seahawks a young cornerback to play opposite Shawn Springs. O'Neal has excellent speed and a propensity for producing big plays. He could also be used in the return game as a replacement for Galloway. Once again, as mentioned with the Seahawks earlier pick, this selection could be used on a WR. However, the team seems relatively happy with Derrick Mayes and Sean Dawkins.
23. Carolina Panthers (from Miami)
LB Keith Bullock - Syracuse
Bullock is a big hitter with the speed of a defensive back. He would add big play ability to the front seven of the Panthers defense. The Panthers have also shown interest in DE/LB Adalius Thomas. An offensive tackle such as Chris McIntosh or Marvel Smith to pair with Chris Terry would also fill a need.
24. San Fransisco 49ers (from Washington)
CB Ahmed Plummer - Ohio St
Plummer is a workmanlike, smart, instinctive CB that is rarely caught out of position. He could step in immediately as a starter or nickel back and not look out of place. Plummer's workout numbers are not impressive, but his on the field play should make this selection a bargain. The 49ers have plenty of needs on both sides of the ball so this pick could be used for just about any position.
25. Minnesota Vikings
OG Travis Claridge - USC
The Vikings have had a disasterous offseason. The QB position has gone from a strength to a huge question mark. Two pro bowl offensive lineman were allowed to leave via free agency. The short comings of the defense have not been adequately addressed. Dennis Green doesn't always take a player rated highly by others, but Claridge is a natural guard with the talent to immediately step into the starting lineup. Cosey Coleman is another option for the Vikes at OG. If they decide to address the OL later in the draft, this pick could be used on a CB like Ahmed Plummer, Rashard Anderson, Dwayne Goodrich, or Mario Edwards.
26. Buffalo Bills
S Deion Grant - Tennessee
Grant is a physically gifted DB who would have benefited from remaining in school for his senior season. Grant has good hands and even saw some double duty at WR for the Volunteers. Grant needs work on tackling fundamentals, but has the athletic ability to succeed. The Bills are in desperate need of offensive weapons and could take a RB or WR if someone slips to this pick. DE Darren Howard of Kansas St could also be selected to help provide a pass rush.
27. NY Jets (from Tampa)
WR Dez White - Georgia Tech
White is strong and explosive with great size, speed numbers. The main knock on White is he dropped to many passes in college and needs to work on the consistency of his hands. Besides giving the Jets speed at receiver, White would also help in the return game.
28. Indianapolis Colts
LB Rob Morris - BYU
Morris is a smart, aggresive middle linebacker with a good feel for the game. Morris is considered the premier run stuffer in the draft, but turned 25 in January which could drop him into the second round. MLB Brandon Short is another possibilty or the Colts could opt to use this pick on a speed receiver to play opposite Marvin Harrison.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Jerry Porter - West Virginia
Porter is a raw, physical talent that has moved himself into the low first or early second round with excellent post season workouts. Jacksonville is a good situation for Porter who could step in as a third receiver while being groomed behind Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. The interior of the Jaguars offensive line was gutted by free agency so this pick could be used on Cosey Coleman or Travis Claridge should they be available.
30. Tennessee Titans
LB Raynoch Thompson - Tennessee
Although Thompson is a bit undersized, he is an athletic player with an aggresive, feerless attitude. Used mostly as a pass rusher in college Thompson showed the ability to drop into coverage at the Senior Bowl. Hybrid DE/LB John Abrahams is also an intriguing possibility with this pick.
31. St. Louis Rams
OT Chris McIntosh - Wisconsin
McIntosh is a big, physical run blocker that could step in for free agent loss Fred Miller. The draft stock of McIntosh has fallen in recent weeks due to poor workouts. However, he would be a bargain with the 31st pick. There have also been rumors that the Rams might select K Sebastian Janikowski with this pick.
The Still Mill