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Haven's 2003 NFL Draft Review - Day 1

April 26, 2003 by Steel Haven

Round 1

  1. Cincinnati Bengals

    QB Carson Palmer - USC

    There was no doubt about this pick. No one else stepped forward as the top player in the draft, so taking the QB was really a no-brainer. The key was signing Palmer before the draft. The benefit of getting the first pick into the fold immediately without contentious contract negotiations can not be underestimated.
    • Needs: QB, DB, G/C, WR, DE
    • My prediction: QB C Palmer
    .
  2. Detroit Lions

    WR Charles Rogers - Michigan St

    All the last minute speculation about the Lions making a trade down or taking Terrence Newman ended up just being empty talk. Rogers had been penciled into this pick basically since he declared for the draft in January. Joey Harrington has to be happy.
    • Needs: WR, RB, OG, DL, OLB
    • My prediction: WR C Rogers
    .
  3. Houston Texans

    WR Andre Johnson - Miami (Fla)

    The Texans got up to the podium quickly and took the player they had reportedly decided upon weeks ago. Adding Johnson and URFA Stacey Mack should help David Carr elevate his game to the next level. Now of course the Texans need to concentrate on building an offensive line.
    • Needs: WR, OLB, OT, FS, DE
    • My prediction: WR A Johnson
    .
  4. New York Jets (from Chicago)

    DT Dewayne Robertson - Kentucky

    The Jets fans were actually happy with this pick. I am not sure that has happened since the draft was opened to the public. Robertson soared up draft boards with incredible workouts and was reportedly the target of multiple teams trying to move into the top 4. The Jets clearly feel Robertson will be a true impact player in the middle of their defense.
    • Needs: DT, LB, WR, CB, OG
    • My prediction: DT D Robertson
    .
  5. Dallas Cowboys

    CB Terrence Newman - Kansas St

    A true shutdown corner that was simply too good to pass up at this point. Through 5 picks the draft has held to form, and probably most surprisingly of all moved fairly quickly.
    • Needs: DE, RB, CB, QB, DT, TE
    • My prediction: CB T Newman
    .
  6. New Orleans Saints (from Arizona)

    DT Jonathon Sullivan - Georgia

    The Saints using their two first round picks to trade into the top ten was not particularly a surprise. The selection of Sullivan over Marcus Trufant was a shocker. Sullivan was the 4th DT on most draft boards behind Robertson, Kennedy, and Williams. He is a young player with impressive upside. His explosiveness and quickness actually make him a similar if somewhat more raw prospect than Robertson. Obviously those attributes are now what is in the most demand.
    • Needs: CB, LB, DT, SS, TE
    • My prediction: DT W Joseph at 17, C J Faine at 18
    .
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars

    QB Byron Leftwich - Marshall

    The draft now takes a really strange turn. The Vikings take too much time with their pick and the Jaguars run up to the podium to procure the services of Leftwich.
    • Needs: WR, CB, RT, OG, LB
    • My prediction: QB B Leftwich at 8
    .
  8. Carolina Panthers

    OT Jordan Gross - Utah

    The Panthers start to try to build an offensive line after adding offensive skill position talent through free agency. Nothing surprising with this pick.
    • Needs: CB, OL, TE, WR, FS
    • My prediction: OT J Gross at 9
    .
  9. Minnesota Vikings

    DT Kevin Williams - Oklahoma St

    The Vikings ran out of time and allowed two picks to be made before selecting Williams. The Vikes had reportedly targetted Williams with their pick and they were trying to trade down because they believed he would be available a few picks later. Williams does fill a major need and possesses solid value, but the strange turn of events caused chaos at the top of the first round.
    • Needs: DL, FS, LB, WR, CB
    • My prediction: DT J Kennedy at 7
    .
  10. Baltimore Ravens

    DE Terrell Suggs - Arizona St

    The Ravens were reportedly on the phone with the Vikings trying to move up to 7 for Leftwich when time ran out on the pick. The Ravens ended up getting lucky when Suggs fell into their lap at 10. Suggs was a productive collegian that dropped because of poor post season workouts. He is a tweener and it will be interesting to see how he is used in the Ravens multiple defensive sets.
    • Needs: WR, DL, QB, OT
    • My prediction: QB K Boller
    .
  11. Seattle Seahawks

    CB Marcus Trufant - Washington St

    Picks 7 through 11 had to represent the weirdest 15 minutes in the history of the first round. After the Vikings ran out of time teams were running to the podium trying to get their picks in as quickly as possible. The Seahawks had to be astonished to get to pick between Kennedy and Trufant. Hard to argue with their decision to take the last true shut down corner available in this draft.
    • Needs: DL, FS, LB, OL, CB
    • My prediction: DT K Williams
    .
  12. St. Louis Rams

    DT Jimmy Kennedy - Penn St

    The Rams reportedly coveted Trufant, but get a nice consolation prize in Kennedy.
    • Needs: CB, LB, OL, TE, WR
    • My prediction: CB M Trufant
    .
  13. New England Patriots (from Washington thru NY Jets/Chicago)

    DT Ty Warren

    The Patriots just seem to like to trade. They sent a 6th rounder to the Bears to swap picks and take Warren. I guess the Patriots feared the Bears would take Warren, although their willingness to accept a 6th rounder to pass on him seems to suggest the Bears were not that enamored with this player. I guess with the defensive linemen flying off the board and the Patriots still having 11 picks it makes sense to be sure to get the top player remaining on their board.
    • Needs: DT, OL, DE, RB, CB
    • My prediction: DT T Warren at 14, OL E Steinbach at 19
    .
  14. Chicago Bears (from Buffalo thru New England)

    DE Michael Haynes - Penn St

    Haynes is the 7th defensive lineman to be selected in the top 14 picks. He is an ultra-productive player that looks ready to step in immediately and play on every down.
    • Needs: DL, OT, SS, QB, OLB, RB
    • My prediction: DT J Sullivan at 13
    .
  15. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Diego)

    DE Jerome McDougal - Miami (Fla)

    The Eagles managed to move up 15 slots by only trading one of their 2 late second round picks. McDougal is a slightly undersized edge pass rusher that needs to step in immediately and replace Hugh Douglas.
    • Needs: TE, WR, DE, LB, OG, RB
    • My prediction: TE J Witten at 30
    .
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Kansas City)

    S Troy Polamalu - USC

    The Steelers clearly targeted Polamalu and moved up 11 slots without having to deal their second round pick. Polamalu is a guided missle. An athletic, tough football player that excels in the box. Yes, he needs to improve his coverage skills. But he has the speed, athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic to excel in all facets of the game.
    • Needs: CB, S, OT, DE, QB
    • My prediction: CB A Woolfolk at 27
    .
  17. Arizona Cardinals (from New Orleans)

    WR Bryant Johnson - Penn St

    An interesting choice. The Cardinals desperately need wideouts and reach into the second tier of receivers. Johnson is a big target that blossomed as a senior.
    • Needs: WR, DE, QB, CB, LB
    • My prediction: DE T Suggs at 6
    .
  18. Arizona Cardinals (from Miami thru New Orleans)

    DE Calvin Pace - Wake Forest

    The Cardinals are picking strictly to fill needs. Pace is the first player from Wake Forest ever selected in the first round. He has generally been rated in the 35 to 50 range similar to their first selection Johnson. Pace is a slightly undersized 4-3 DE that can get after the QB. After managing a paltry 21 sacks last season that is something the Cardinals had to address.
    .
  19. Baltimore Ravens (from New England)

    QB Kyle Boller - California

    The Ravens have their cake and eat it too. Very impressive work by Ozzie Newsome to add Suggs and Boller.
    .
  20. Denver Broncos

    OT George Foster - Georgia

    This is a curve ball that I quite frankly did not expect. The Broncos taking an OT with McDougal and Haynes off the board is not a huge surprise. Foster going before Steinbach, Harris, and Hunter is a surprise. Foster is a mauler whose forte is power, not athleticism.
    • Needs: DE, CB, S, OT, OLB
    • My prediction: DE M Haynes
    .
  21. Cleveland Browns

    C Jeff Faine - Notre Dame

    After losing a number of defensive players due to cap related cuts the Browns could have gone in any number of directions. Finally using a top pick on the offensive line was not a bad idea. Faine brings the physical presence that Butch Davis craves.
    • Needs: LB, CB, OL, DT, TE
    • My prediction: CB S Davis
    .
  22. Chicago Bears (from NY Jets)

    QB Rex Grossman - Florida

    Trading out of the 4th spot worked out well for the Bears. They get an immediate starter on the defensive line and a QB to groom behind the newly aquired Kordell Stewart.
    • My prediction: QB R Grossman
    .
  23. Buffalo Bills (from Atlanta)

    RB Willis McGahee - Miami (Fla)

    This pick shocks me more than anything else that has happened up to this point. That is saying something. McGahee is a huge risk. The biggest question in my mind is how he fits onto a team that already has Travis Henry and Olandis Gary.
    • Needs: DE, WR, FB, S, CB, TE
    • My prediction: DE J McDougal
    .
  24. Indianapolis Colts

    TE Dallas Clark - Iowa

    The Colts could not run as many 2-TE sets last season as they would have liked after parting ways with Ken Dilger. Clark is an accomplished pass catcher that makes some sense. I am still a bit perplexed that the Colts did not look to upgrade the talent level on the defensive side of the ball.
    • Needs: OLB, S, OG, CB, DT, TE
    • My prediction: S T Polamalu
    .
  25. New York Giants

    DT William Joseph - Miami (Fla)

    This was a slam dunk for the Giants. Joseph's stock was dropping in the days heading up to the draft, but he is a very talented player that fell farther than expected. This is a rare occasion where need and value intersect late in round 1.
    • Needs: DL, LB, OL, WR
    • My prediction: DL K Peterson
    .
  26. San Francisco 49ers

    OT Kwame Harris - Stanford

    The Niners needed help on the offensive line and Harris looks like a perfect fit.
    • Needs: DL, OT, CB, WR
    • My prediction: OT K Harris
    .
  27. Kansas City Chiefs (from Pittsburgh)

    RB Larry Johnson - Penn St

    The Cheifs are clearly much more worried about Priest Holmes' injury than they have let on up to this point. Johnson is an intriguing pick for the Cheifs. His size and power make him a good complimentary player should Holmes return healthy. His versatility and ability to catch the ball also makes him a nice fit in the Cheifs offense as a full time player should Holmes not make it back.
    • Needs: DE, WR, DB, RB, MLB
    • My prediction: DE C Kelsay at 16
    .
  28. Tennessee Titans

    CB Andre Woolfolk - Oklahoma

    The Titans go for potential over performance by selecting Woolfolk over Sammy Davis.
    • Needs: WR, CB, RB, OLB
    • My prediction: RB L Johnson
    .
  29. Green Bay Packers

    LB Nick Barnett - Oregon St

    In a bit of an upset Barnett is the first LB off the board over Boss Bailey and EJ Henderson. The Packers have an acute need at the LB position. Barnett is an every down player that can blitz and is solid in coverage.
    • Needs: LB, QB, DT, OL
    • My prediction: LB E Henderson
    .
  30. San Diego Chargers (from Philadelphia)

    CB Sammy Davis - Texas A&M

    The Chargers trade down and get immediate help opposite last years first rounder Quentin Jammer.
    • Needs: DT, OL, S, CB, LB
    • My prediction: LB B Bailey at 15
    .
  31. Oakland Raiders

    CB/S Nnamdi Asomugha - California

    The Raiders add versatility to a secondary that was hurt by cap related cuts.
    • Needs: DE, FS, RB, WR, G/C
    • My prediction: WR K Washington
    .
  32. Oakland Raiders (from Tampa Bay)

    DE Tyler Brayton - Colorado

    Brayton stock has been rising and he fills a major need. He is a high motor player that plays a bit stiff and needs to work on technique.
    • My prediction: DE C Redding

Round 2

  1. Cincinnati Bengals - OL Eric Steinbach - Iowa
    A versatile lineman that most everyone thought was a first rounder. An excellent value to fill a need.
  2. Detroit Lions - LB Boss Bailey - Georgia
    Probably the biggest surprise to fall out of the first round. Both the Lions and Bengals have to be very happy.
  3. Chicago Bears - CB Charles Tillman - Louisiana Lafayette
    Size is obviously a main concern for teams looking to add corners.
  4. New England Patriots (from Hou) - CB Eugene Wilson - Illinois
    The fourth corner in the last seven picks as the second tier DBs come off the board quickly.
  5. New Orleans Saints (from Ari) - OT Jon Stinchcomb - Georgia
    A pure LT to be groomed behind Wayne Gandy.
  6. Dallas Cowboys - C Al Johnson - Wisconsin
    It is not going to be easy for Parcells to win without a QB, RB, and TE.
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars - DB Rashean Mathis - Bethune Cookman
    Versatile small college player the Jaguars project to CB.
  8. Minnesota Vikings - LB EJ Henderson - Maryland
    Along with Kevin Williams greatly improves the Vikes run defense.
  9. Houston (from Bal thru NE) - TE Bennie Joppru - Michigan
    Joppru is one of my favorites. A complete TE with size, speed, and hands.
  10. Seattle Seahawks - S Ken Hamlin - Arkansas
    Holmgren has never been scared of drafting a player with off the field issues.
  11. St Louis Rams - LB Pisa Tinoisamoa - Hawaii
    An undersized LB with speed whose draft stock seemed to be dropping. .
  12. Washington Redskins

    WR Taylor Jacobs - Florida

    Steve Spurrier takes a Florida receiver. Not exactly a shock. Jacobs falling this far was a surprise and this was actually a very good pick.
    • Needs: DT, S, DE, WR
    • My prediction: WR T Calico
    .
  13. New England Patriots (from Car) - WR Bethel Johnson - Texas A&M
    A reach made based on measurables. Kelley Washington and Tyrone Calico are dropping.
  14. San Diego Chargers - CB Drayton Florence - Tuskegee
    The trend towards big corners continues.
  15. Kansas City Chiefs - LB Kawika Mitchell - South Fla
    A pure MLB whose stock had been rising. Fills a need, but this is a bit early.
  16. Buffalo Bills - DE Chris Kelsay - Nebraska
    Kelsay could have been the Bills first rounder. I grudgingly admit Donahoe is doing a good job. .
  17. Miami Dolphins

    LB Eddie Moore - Tennessee

    Wayne Hunter or Tyrone Calico could have filled major needs, but the Dolphins reach for Moore. There is a surprising run on mediocre LBs going on in the second round that I simply do not understand.
    • Needs: OT, S, WR, QB
    • My prediction: OT J Stinchcomb
    .
  18. Carolina Panthers (from NE) - C Bruce Nelson - Iowa
    Three centers in the first 50 picks. What is going on?
  19. Denver Broncos - LB Terry Pierce - Kansas St
    Pierce is a productive player that lacks perfect measurables. One of the few LBs in this run that is not a reach.
  20. Cleveland Browns - LB Chaun Thompson - West Texas A&M
    Thompson is an athletic project at a position of desperate need.
  21. New York Jets - LB Victor Hobson - Michigan
    A borderline first day pick. An instintive player that lacks speed.
  22. Arizona Cardinals (from NO) - WR Anquan Boldin - Florida St
    Lack of speed could have dropped him out of first day. Washington and Calico can not be happy. .
  23. Atlanta Falcons

    DB Bryan Scott - Penn St

    Scott was a productive collegian that improved his draft stock by flashing better than expected speed and athleticism is workouts. He played CB at Penn State, but has the size and tackling ability to move to S.
    • Needs: DB, OL, DL, WR
    • My prediction: S Ken Hamlin
    .
  24. New York Giants - DE Osi Umenyiora - Troy St
    This is just crazy. Umenyiora is a decent day 2 project, not a second rounder.
  25. San Francisco 49ers - DT Anthony Adams - Penn St
    An undersized player that often outperformed Jimmy Kennedy on the field.
  26. Indianapolis Colts - S Mike Doss - Ohio St
    A physical run stuffing SS that fits Dungy's system. .
  27. Pittsburgh Steelers

    DE Alonzo Jackson - Florida St

    Jackson was never mentioned in connection with the Steelers so this pick came as a surprise. He projects as the eventual replacement for Jason Gildon, not Kimo von Oelhoffen. At Florida State's pro day Jackson was measured at 6'3�" and 265 pounds. He ran 4.69 and 4.77 forties, had a 42-inch vertical jump, 37-inch arms, and did 15 bench press reps. Jackson fits the profile of a Steeler pick. He was a four year letterman and two year starter in a major college program that is known for his work ethic and hustle. Jackson should be able to pitch in immediately as a dime pass rusher. He led FSU last season with 16 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.
    • My prediction: OLB A Peek
    .
  28. Tennessee Titans - WR Tyrone Calico - Middle Tenn St
    A tall speed receiver that wowed scouts in workouts. Needs to improve consistency.
  29. Philadelphia Eagles - TE LJ Smith - Rutgers
    The Eagles get a player they had targeted without having to move up.
  30. San Diego Chargers (from GB thru Phi) - S Terrence Kiel - Texas A&M
    The third straight DB taken by the Chargers. Kiel is an immediate replacement for Rodney Harrison.
  31. Oakland Raiders - WR Teyo Johnson - Stanford
    An interesting selection. A WR/TE tweener that came out 2 years early and will be given plenty of time to develop in Oakland. .
  32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    DE DeWayne White - Louisville

    White came out early after a disapointing season as a junior which followed a breakout sophomore campaign. He lacks prototypical height and blazing speed, but is relentless in pursuit and has a knack for making plays.
    • Needs: OL, FS, CB, RB
    • My prediction: RB O Smith
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