Version 3.4 4/23/05
1. San Francisco 49ers - QB Alex Smith, Utah, 6-4 208
Latest word is the 49ers will take Smith over local product Aaron Rogers, going
for the player who rated higher and worrying about sign-ability later. If this holds true,
the selection makes sense. You take the best player available when you hold the top pick
in the draft.
Options: San Fran could be talkin' jazz and really want QB Rogers. Or the
smokescreen hides their desire to draft WR Braylon Edwards.
2. Miami Dolphins - QB Aaron Rogers, California, 6-2 210
Head coach Nick Saban doesn't believe a running back is worth the value of the
second overall pick. But a franchise quarterback is worth it here.
Options: The Dolphins are very open to trading down and might have a
suitor from their home state. If they stay put, there's still the possibility they select
RB Ronnie Brown.
3. Cleveland Browns - LB Derrick Johnson, Texas, 6-2 231
This team has already lost three linebackers in free agency and could lose a
fourth. Head coach Romeo Crennell is overhauling the defense and might be in the process
of switching to a 3-4. If so, Johnson could be the first key part of the remodeling.
Options: The offense could use a big boost. RB Brown could be the pick if
they can move RB William Green. Or Cleveland can take to the air and take one of the top
two recievers in this draft.
4. Chicago Bears - RB Ronnie Brown, Auburn, 6-0 231
This is a tough call. They would like to complement free agent acquisition WR
Muhsin Muhammed but find Brown too hard to pass up. They aren't bringing back RB Anthony
Thomas and while Thomas Jones was great last year, Brown can do everything Jones can, and
run with power.
Options: If WRs Edwards or Williams are rated higher than Brown, either
one could go here.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB Carnell Williams, Auburn, 5-10 205
Head coach John Gruden has been a fan of "Cadillac" since he coached
him in the Senior Bowl and would love to add him to the Bucs' roster.
Options: Gruden publicly said he wants to move up to select one of the
top QBs - whichever one San Francisco passes on, they want. Miami is listening to offers
so T.B. needs to make a good enough offer.
6. Tennessee Titans - CB Antrel Rolle, Miami, 6-0 205
The Titans could literally roll a die to make a draft decision with all the holes
the team has. If they put thought into it, they'd want Rolle. He might not be as quick as
CB Adam Jones, but Rolle is a big corner who can be physical with the big wide outs in the
AFC North.
Options: They need help everywhere, though WRs Edwards or Williams would
be tempting. Or they could go after a DE after trading Carlos Hall.
7. Minnesota Vikings - WR Braylon Edwards, Michigan, 6-3 209
Opting to address the defense through free agency, the Vikes get offensive with
this pick. They opt for the speedier Edwards over Williams.
Options: QB Daunte Culpepper was sacked 46 times last year and could use
some protection. If they use this pick on a OT, he will have to play the right side
because LT Bryant McKinnie won't be displaced.
8. Arizona Cardinals - CB Adam Jones, West Virginia, 5-10 190
Jones might not be the best player on the board at this point of the draft, but
does 'Zona need another receiver? After losing two CBs in free agency head coach Dennis
Green can't afford not to draft Pac Man.
Options: This pick is a big if. If they can exchange players with Buffalo
(Bills RB Travis Henry for Cardinals T L.J. Shelton), they might select T Alex Barron.
9. Washington Redskins - WR Mike Williams, Southern California, 6-4 230
Picking up David Patten and trading for Santana Moss is nice, but both are on the
small side. Rod Gardner won't be back and Darnerien McCants was a huge disappointment as a
signee last year. Williams makes a shaky receiver corps serious.
Options: This defense could really use a quality pass rusher. DE Demarcus
Ware has climbed up the draft board and would be available here.
10. Detroit Lions - DE Demarcus Ware, Troy, 6-4 251
The Lions should be potent offenseively with the ability to score everytime they
have the ball. Unfortunately the defense is so porus, opposing offenses have equal
success. Ware won't single-handedly turn the D around, but pressuring the QB can lead to
punts or turnovers.
Options: Detroit's secondary needs help as well. They'll look hard at CB
Carlos Rogers.
11. Dallas Cowboys - OLB Shawn Merriman, Maryland, 6-3 249
To make an effective switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, you need good pass
rushers from the edge. Merriman played some DE in college and finished last season with
eight and a half sacks. This should be a good fit for Merriman in Dallas.
Options: It sure would be hard to pass up WR Troy Williamson at this
point.
12. San Diego Chargers - WR Troy Williamson, South Carolina, 6-1 202
QB Drew Brees had a break-out season with TE Antonio Gates as his primary option,
followed by RB LaDainian Tomlinson. But the Chargers need an outside threat.
Williamson would be the playmaker the offense lacked at the WR position.
Options: S.D. needs a rush OLB. The Chargers had just 29 sacks as a team
last year.
13. Houston Texans - OT Alex Barron, Florida State, 6-7 323
QB David Carr is on the cusp of a breakout year. To ensure that happens, they
must prevent Carr from being broken up over the course of the season. He was sacked 49
times last year. That number must go down.
Options: WR Andre Johnson sure could use a target to complement him.
Maybe an inside offensive threat like TE Heath Miller could be the pick. Or they can stick
with the D theme and take DT Luis Castillo.
14. Carolina Panthers - DE Erasmus James, Wisconsin, 6-4 261
DE Julius Peppers might be the best at his position in the league, but he can't
be a one-man pass rush. While Peppers totaled eleven sacks, the rest of the Panthers
defense amassed just 22.
Options: Considering 'Lina's situation at RB (Stephen Davis' age, Deshawn
Foster's durability) RB Benson could be a surprise pick. Maybe they want T Jammal Brown to
improve the O-line
15. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Carlos Rogers, Auburn, 6-0 195
KC's secondary couldn't cover, even if they knew the offense's plays. They are
still mulling over whether to a veteran CB either through free agency or trade. In the
meantime, they take the best available corner still on the board.
Options: K.C. couldn't stop the run. DT Castillo gets consideration here.
But the pass-happy Chiefs might find WR Williamson too tempting to pass up.
16. New Orleans Saints - S Thomas Davis, Georgia, 6-1 226
Davis would answer the "Wanted: Tacklers" ad in N'Orleans. But don't
expect him to do it from his college position. The Saints disposed of Tebucky Jones
because of his absence of pass awareness. Davis would be shifted to LB.
Options: They could take at true LB like Kevin Burnett, or strengthen the
middle of the D-line by selecting DT Castillo.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Luis Castillo, Northwestern, 6-3 305
This is a team on the cusp of being a playoff team. Holding them back is creme
filling-soft defense that allowed 4.4 yards per carry. Castillo is a strong run stopper
and should help solidify the middle.
Options: They did sign DT Bryan Robinson so maybe they can afford to take
a ILB, like Odell Thurman. It'd be a reach at this point but it fills a need. A a CB like
Justin Miller would address a problem area as well.
18. Minnesota Vikings - OT Jammal Brown, Oklahoma, 6-4 300
The Vikes' O-line proved to be a great run blocking team, averaging 4.7 yards per
attempt, but they come up short in pass blocking, allowing 46 sacks. Brown would pair with
Bryant McKinnie and form a formidable bookend combination.
Options: One position not bolstered through free agency was DE. They
sacked the QB well enough so maybe a run-stopper on the outside is desired. That describes
DE Marcus Spears.
19. St. Louis Rams - CB Eric Green, Virginia Tech, 5-11 197
A secondary that had just six interceptions last year needs help. A lot of help.
A Whole lot of help. Don't be surprised if Webster plays right away.
Options: The Rams are very thin at S. They want to move Adam Archuleta to
FS, but might be better off leaving him at strong and taking S Brodney Pool to play free.
20. Dallas Cowboys - WR Mark Clayton, Oklahoma, 5-10 185
Head coach Bill Parcells has his QB in Drew Bledsoe. Now he needs to surround him with
good weapons. TE Jason Witten is going to be a great one, but outside of Witten, Bledsoe's
other options are average, at best. Clayton would improve the unit.
Options: It takes more than just good LBs to switch to a 3-4. The right
linemen are needed as well DE Marcus Spears could fit in that kind of alignment.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars - RB Cedric Benson, Texas, 5-10 220
Sometimes you just get lucky. The idea of life without RB Fred Taylor probably
crossed the minds of the coaching staff by now. Benson would be the heir apparent when
that day comes.
Options: Just because the Jags signed two DEs in free agency doesn't mean
they won't draft another. DE David Pollack would add to an already stacked D-line.
22. Baltimore Ravens - CB Fabian Washington, Nebraska, 5-10 188
After the starting CBs, Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle, who else do the Ravens
have? Deion Sanders? Dale Carter? Baltimore needs depth and youth. Washington would be
much needed third corner.
Options: The loss of key players is fueling the switch from a 3-4 to a
4-3. The DTs are in place, but need another pass rusher opposite Terrell Suggs would be
useful. DE David Pollack would be more than just a passing thought.
23. Seattle Seahawks - DE Marcus Spears, Louisiana State, 6-4 307
Declaring the Seahawks had a gaping hole in the middle of the defense is an
understatement. Though Spears is regarded as a end, he's a great run stopper and has the
size for tackle.
Options: The last memory of Seattle is WR Bobby Engram's dropped pass for
a go-ahead touchdown in the Wild Card game. Sure they added Joe Jurevicious, but he's
slow. They could reach for Roddy White here.
24. Green Bay Packers - DE David Pollack, Georgia, 6-2 260
The recent addition of two free agent safeties allows the Packers to address the
one-sided pass rush. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was the only threat with 13.5 sacks and two
players tied for second with four and a half.
Options: Well, the Pack did have 40 sacks as a team. Maybe the problem
was the secondary. CB Corey Webster would be a welcomed addition. Two S signings doesn't
mean they won't draft one. Brodney Pool could be a great play-maker.
25. Washington Redskins - QB Jason Campbell, Auburn, 6-5 227
This looks like what Buffalo did last year when they got a second pick in the
first round to draft QB J.P. Losman. This might be a little early for Campbell, but if you
know what you want, why not go out and get him?
Options: TEs played big roles in previous Joe Gibbs-coached teams.
Playmakers at the position don't come any better than TE Heath Miller this year. Or they
can swith the "T" for a "D" and get Dan Cody.
26. Oakland Raiders - CB Corey Webster, Louisiana State, 6-0 202
Wasn't Oakland trying to trade away CB Charles Woodson and not CB Phillip
Buchanon? That leaves a spot open, one that should be filled by Webster.
Options: The pass rush was feeble. The leading sack artist had four of
the team's 25. DE Cody would add to that total wearing the Silver and Black.
27. Atlanta Falcons - WR Roddy White, UAB, 6-1 204
Production out of the position has been a major disappointment for the Falcons.
WR Peerless Price isn't among his peers as a primary option and Michael Jenkins had just
seven receptions his rookie year. There's hope that Jenkins will get it, but patience for
Price is running out.
Options: This team is stacked. They can afford to take the best player
available or reach for a LB to add depth. If so, then Burnett would be available.
28. San Diego Chargers - DE Dan Cody, Oklahoma, 6-3 260
As great of a defense the Chargers have, they were a major disappointment at
rushing the passer with just 29 sacks. LB Steve Foley was the only threat with 10 sacks
last year. Cody will have to learn pass coverage and how to rush from a two-point stance,
but should be an asset on passing downs immediately.
Options: This team is deep enough to take a gamble on WR Matt Jones, the
converted college QB, and wait for him to develop.
29. Indianapolis Colts - DE Shawn Cody, Southern California, 6-4 292
Head coach Tony Dungy prefers playmakers over measureables. This time around,
Cody measures up. He was productive in college and he has good enough bulk to help anchor
a featherweight defensive line.
Options: Whoever it is, it better be defensive help. They might find an
upgrade at MLB, previously occupied by Rob Morris. That player could be Odell Thurman.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers - TE Heath Miller, Virginia, 6-5 254
The two TEs on the team last year combined for 16 receptions. What more needs to
be said? WR Plaxico Burress won't be with the team next year and the offense can use a
playmaker in the worst way.
Options: The second half of the season revealed that the Steelers'
secondary was suspect as teams shredded the corners. CB Justin Miller could go here.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - DT Travis Johnson, Florida State, 6-4 296
When push came to shove in the second half of Super Bowl XXXIX, Philly got ran
over. Not wanting to be mere speed bumps, Johnson will be called on to help plug the hole
in the middle.
Options: WR Freddie Mitchell won't be back. Count on it. Maybe a gamble
and take WR Matt Jones. Or a OLB that has the best qualities of Mark Simoneau and Keith
Adams.
32. New England Patriots - MLB Odell Thurman, Georgia, 6-0 233
LB has become the team's Achilles heel. They still released Roman Phifer, Ted
Johnson, Mike Vrabel and Willie McGinest are all aging, the future of Tedy Bruschi is in
question, and there's no guarantee Rosevelt Colvin will return to his 10-sack form after a
severe hip injury. Too many questions not address the problem.
Options: Sticking with the LB theme, why not go for an outsider? DE
Justin Tuck could make the conversion.
New York Giants - They gave up 2,157 yards on the ground. They need a remedy to stop the bleeding. RB will be addressed later because Tiki Barber isn't getting any younger.
Buffalo Bills - If they can trade RB Travis Henry, it could fill the void created by the departure of T Jonas Jennings. Another big free agency hole is DT thanks to the departure of Pat Williams.
New York Jets - They believe TE Doug Jolley remedys the problem of a pass-catching threat in the middle. Now they turn their attention to CB since Donnie Abraham won't be playing forever.
Denver Broncos - They picked up some picks for the future, but still need players for today, starting with a CB to play in tandem with Champ Bailey. A clever FS should be on their shopping list as well.