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First Impressions of the First Day

April 29, 2006 by Steel Haven

Round 1

  1. Houston Texans

    DE Mario Williams - North Carolina St

    The problem isn't taking Williams per say. Although this is a gamble on potential over consistent performance. The Texans are switching to the 4-3 and needed an every down end much more than they needed a running back or return man. The problem is that the Texans did not explore all of their opportunities. They seemed adament about using this pick. Why not come to an agreement in principle with Williams and then take their alloted 15 minutes to shop the pick? Maybe no one would have been willing to pay a premium to move up. Maybe in the heat of the moment some team would have paid a ridiculously high price for Bush. The Texans will never know.
    • My Prediction: DE Mario Williams
    • Needs: OT, OG, DE, CB, S, WR
    .
  2. New Orleans Saints

    RB Reggie Bush - USC

    This pick had to be made. Bush is an explosive big play threat that completely changes the Saints' offensive outlook. Bush will be expected to provide a major impact as a runner, receiver and returner. His versatility will actually be enhanced by sharing carries with Duece McAllister.
    • My Prediction: RB Reggie Bush
    • Needs: OLB, OT, DT, C, TE, CB
    .
  3. Tennessee Titans

    QB Vince Young - Texas

    No smoke screen. Bud Adams and Floyd Reese wanted Young. They took Young.
    • My Prediction: QB Vince Young
    • Needs: QB, OT, MLB, RB, CB, OG
    .
  4. New York Jets

    OT D'Brickshaw Ferguson - Virginia

    Couldn't move up so it came down to a choice between Ferguson and Leinart. Ferguson won out. The fans actually cheered.
    • My Prediction: OT D'Brickshaw Ferguson
    • Needs: OT, QB, SS, WR, RB, OG
    .
  5. Green Bay Packers

    LB AJ Hawk - Ohio St

    Safe pick that fills a glaring need.
    • My Prediction: LB A.J. Hawk
    • Needs: OLB, G/C, DT, WR, DE, S
    .
  6. San Francisco 49ers

    TE Vernon Davis - Maryland

    Alex Smith should be a very happy man.
    • My Prediction: TE Vernon Davis
    • Needs: LB, S, TE, DE, WR, CB
    .
  7. Oakland Raiders

    S/CB Michael Huff - Texas

    Their were rumblings this morning that this would be the pick and Leinart would continue to slide. I just could not bring myself to drop Leinart farther in my mock draft. Don't get me wrong. Huff is a good player and worth this pick. It's just that the idea of a team going forward with Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter as their QBs seems a bit hard to believe.
    • My Prediction: QB Matt Leinart
    • Needs: OLB, DT, S, QB, OG, DE
    .
  8. Buffalo Bills

    S Donte Whitner - Ohio St

    Holy crap..... Well, the Steelers will not be using their extra picks to trade up for Whitner. The secondary was as issue for the Bills. Whitner was definitely on the rise. But the top 10?
    • My Prediction: DT Broderick Bunkley
    • Needs: DT, OT, CB, S, OG, TE
    .
  9. Detroit Lions

    LB Ernie Sims - Florida St

    Just not taking a receiver is a step in the right direction. Rod Marinelli thinks Sims will be the next Derrick Brooks. He should know.
    • My Prediction: S/CB Michael Huff
    • Needs: DT, CB, LB, T/G, S, QB
    .
  10. Arizona Cardinals

    QB Matt Leinart - USC

    This is a good situation for Leinart. He should have time to get acclimated behind Kurt Warner. Playing conditions will be close to perfect for most of his games. And the other offensive weapons are in place.
    • My Prediction: LB Ernie Sims
    • Needs: OLB, OT, S, TE, DT, QB
    .
  11. Denver Broncos (from St. Louis)

    QB Jay Cutler - Vanderbilt

    A trade for the heir apparent to the inconsistent Jake Plummer. I got the draft slot right, but the team wrong. Based on the most widely circulated draft value chart the Broncos slightly overpaid by dealing the 15th and 68th picks to move up for the last of the top QBs.
    • My Prediction: DE/LB Manny Lawson (at 15)
    • Needs: WR, S, TE, DE, G/C, RB
    .
  12. Baltimore Ravens (from Cleveland)

    DT Haloti Ngata - Oregon

    Moved up for the relatively cheap price of a 6th rounder to get the wide body they wanted to play in front of Ray Lewis.
    • My Prediction: DT Haloti Ngata (at 13)
    • Needs: QB, S, DT, RT, CB, G/C
    .
  13. Cleveland Browns (from Baltimore)

    LB/DE Kamerion Wimbley - Florida St

    Phil Savage knows how to play the game. The Ravens were desperate for Ngata. Savage was willing to oblige. The choice of Wimbley over Bunkley could not have been easy. Both 3-4 OLB and end were major needs. Wimbley's ability to get after the passer was likely the deciding factor.
    • My Prediction: LB/DE Kamerion Wimbley (at 12)
    • Needs: LB, DE, RT/G, WR, NT, RB
    .
  14. Philadelphia Eagles

    DT Broderick Bunkley - Florida St

    Andy Reid usually picks linemen when drafting in the top 15. He gets incredibly lucky that Bunkley falls into his lap.
    • My Prediction: CB Antonio Cromartie
    • Needs: OLB, OT, DT, CB, WR, C
    .
  15. St. Louis Rams (from Atlanta through Denver)

    CB Tye Hill - Clemson

    Fill a desperate need after the trade down. No corner was taken between 11 and 15 so things worked out perfectly for the Rams.
    • My Prediction: QB Jay Cutler (at 11)
    • Needs: CB, S, TE, G/C, DT, DE
    .
  16. Miami Dolphins

    CB/S Jason Allen - Tennessee

    The Steelers liked Whitner and Allen. Apparently they know their defensive backs. Rumors that Allen failed the Dolphins' physical must have been a smoke screen. The hip and shoulder obviously checked out.
    • My Prediction: LB Bobby Carpenter
    • Needs: WR, LB, S, OG, CB, QB
    .
  17. Minnesota Vikings

    LB Chad Greenway - Iowa

    A safe pick with somewhat limited upside. Greenway is a steady, productive, hard working leader.
    • My Prediction: CB Tye Hill
    • Needs: LB, CB, QB, RB, WR, S
    .
  18. Dallas Cowboys

    LB Bobby Carpenter - Ohio St

    A versatile prospect that should be able to fill multiple roles in this defensive scheme. His dad Rob actually played for Parcells on the Giants.
    • My Prediction: S Donte Whitner
    • Needs: S, OLB, NT, WR, C/G, QB
    .
  19. San Diego Chargers

    CB Antonio Cromartie - Florida St

    A gamble on an unexperienced player coming back from a torn ACL. Cromartie's physical skills were just too impressive to ignore for a team with nothing behind Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence at corner.
    • My Prediction: OT Winston Justice
    • Needs: WR, OT, CB, OG, S, NT
    .
  20. Kansas City Chiefs

    DE Tamba Hali - Penn St

    They take the high motor, pure 4-3 end over the more athletic front 7 edge prospects and young defensive back projects. Some thought Hali would fall out of the first round all together after his workouts. His productivity and work ethic won out.
    • My Prediction: CB/S Jimmy Williams
    • Needs: DE, WR, CB, LB, S, QB
    .
  21. New England Patriots

    RB Laurence Maroney - Minnesota

    Decide to pick the eventual replacement for the aging Corey Dillon.
    • My Prediction: CB Richard Marshall
    • Needs: LB, WR, CB, RB, S, G/RT
    .
  22. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington through Denver)

    LB/DE Manny Lawson - North Carolina St

    An edge rusher fell. The 49ers pulled the trigger. This is what Mike Nolan envisioned when he traded up to 22.
    • My Prediction: CB Jonathon Joseph
    .
  23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    OG Davin Joseph - Oklahoma

    This is an interesting decision. Guard is basically as big a need as tackle. Just that tackles tend to be selected higher and only one has been picked so far. Concerns about Justice's off the field problems and McNeill's back injury appear to be an issue.
    • My Prediction: OT Marcus McNeill
    • Needs: OT, OG, CB, WR, LB, DE
    .
  24. Cincinnati Bengals

    CB Jonathon Joseph - South Carolina

    A raw corner prospect with excellent skills to groom behind Deltha O'Neal and Tory James.
    • My Prediction: S/CB Jason Allen
    • Needs: DE, TE, CB, LB, S, WR
    .
  25. Pittsburgh Steelers

    WR Santonio Holmes - Ohio St

    The Steelers move up for the top player in the draft at a position of need. Holmes is a dynamic receiver and return man. He is a tough player that is willing to go over the middle and take a hit to make the catch despite a slight frame. A premium was paid to move up. The 96th and 129th picks were packaged with the 32nd. I would have been happier if a 5th rounder had been included instead of the 4th rounder. That is just quibbling.
    • My Prediction: RB LenDale White (at 32)
    • Needs: WR, FS, DE, G/C, LB, RB
    .
  26. Buffalo Bills

    DT John McCargo - North Caroina St

    The Bears trade out of this slot with Holmes off the board. The Bills move up to fill a major need. McCargo is the type of athletic one-gap disrupter that fits in their new defense. This was just awfully high to move up to get him.
    • My Prediction: CB Ashton Youboty (at 42)
    .
  27. Carolina Panthers

    RB DeAngelo Williams - Memphis

    Williams is an explosive, dynamic playmaker to share the backfield with DeShaun Foster. Now the Panther just have to hope that one of them can stay healthy.
    • My Prediction: RB Laurence Maroney
    • Needs: RB, S, TE, OT, CB, OLB
    .
  28. Jacksonville Jaguars

    TE Mecedes Lewis - UCLA

    It was definitely time to replace Kyle Brady. Productive players that measured badly are getting their due.
    • My Prediction: C Nick Mangold - Ohio St
    • Needs: OLB, G/C, DE, TE, RB, S
    .
  29. New York Jets (from Denver through Atlanta)

    C Nick Mangold - Ohio St

    The Jets are building the offensive line to help both the skill position talent and keep the defense off the field. A very sound strategy.
    • My Prediction: RB DeAngelo Williams
    .
  30. Indianapolis Colts

    RB Joseph Addai - LSU

    This pick had to be made.
    • My Prediction: RB Joseph Addai
    • Needs: RB, OLB, DT, OG, S, CB
    .
  31. Seattle Seahawks

    CB Kelly Jennings - Miami, Fla

    Jennings is an experienced, low risk replacement for Andre Dyson.
    • My Prediction: DE Tamba Hali
    • Needs: CB, DE, FS, OG, TE, LB
    .
  32. New York Giants

    DE Mathias Kiwanuka - Boston College

    A surprise. Kiwanuka has never been able to translate his impressive physical skills into consistent on the field production. He will get time to develop behind Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora
    • My Prediction: WR Santonio Holmes (at 25)
    • Needs: DT, WR, OT, CB, RB, S

Round 2

  1. Houston Texans - LB DeMeco Ryans - Alabama
    Ryans will help in the new scheme, but why won't Casserly take an OT.
  2. Cleveland Browns (from NO) - LB D'Qwell Jackson - Maryland
    Savage and Crennel continue to build the defensive front 7. .
  3. Washington Redskins

    LB Rocky McIntosh - Miami, Fla

    Traded their 2nd rounder, 6th rounder and a 2nd round pick in 2007 to move up for Lavar Arrington's replacement. A very nice move by the Jets. Eric Mangini apparently learned his lessons well from Bill Belicheck.
    • My Prediction: OG Taitusi Lutui (at 53)
    • Needs: LB, OG, DE, CB, DT, OT
    .
  4. New England Patriots (from GB) - WR Chad Jackson - Florida
    Belicheck went to the trouble of working out Jackson himself. .
  5. Atlanta Falcons (from SF/Den/GB)

    CB/S Jimmy Williams - Virginia Tech

    The trading is getting ridiculous. The Packers sent Javon Walker to the Broncos for this pick. Then immediately flipped it to the Falcons. This was actually a nice move by Atlanta. Williams did not come across well in interviews and slid out of the first round. He has the ability to step in immediately opposite DeAngelo Hall.
    • My Prediction: C/G Chris Chester (at 47)
    • Needs: CB, OG, RB, S, RT, WR
    .
  6. Oakland Raiders - LB Thomas Howard - UTEP
    Al Davis goes for athleticism over instincts. What a shock.
  7. Philadelphia Eagles (from Ten) - OT Winston Justice - USC
    Paid only a 4th to move up and take someone that they considered at 14.
  8. Detroit Lions - S Daniel Bullocks - Nebraska
    A replacement for Terrence Holt.
  9. Arizona Cardinals - OG Taitusi Lutui - USC
    Leonard Davis stays at LT. Lutui takes over for Reggie Wells at LG. .
  10. Chicago Bears

    CB/S Danieal Manning - Abilene Christian

    Decide to add more help for the defensive backfield even after signing Ricky Manning. I guess visions of Steve Smith running free through the secondary is still fresh in their minds.
    • My Prediction: LB Chad Greenway (at 26)
    • Needs: TE, OT, LB, DT, WR, OG
    .
  11. New Orleans (from Clev) - S Roman Harper - Alabama
    A slight reach at a position bolstered by the trade for Bryan Scott. Surprising.
  12. New York Giants (from Bal) - WR Sinorice Moss - Miami, Fla
    A nice compliment to Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey.
  13. Tennessee Titans (from Phi) - RB LenDale White - USC
    White is reuinited with Norm Chow. The offensive line remains an issue.
  14. St. Louis Rams - TE Joe Klopfenstein - Colorado
    Scott Linehan needs a pass catching TE for his offense.
  15. Green Bay Packers (from Atl) - T/G Daryn Colledge - Boise St
    Fits in the new zone blocking scheme. Might play guard at first.
  16. Minnesota Vikings - CB Cedric Griffin - Texas
    A big corner to add depth behind Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot.
  17. New York Jets - QB Kellen Clemens- Oregon
    Ron Jaworski likes Clemens as much as the big 3.
  18. San Diego Chargers - OT Marcus McNeill - Auburn
    McNeill is a steal at a position of need as long as his back holds up.
  19. Minnesota Vikings (from Mia) - C Ryan Cook - New Mexico
    This pick baffles me. I guess it is insurance for Matt Birk.
  20. Green Bay Packers (from NE) - WR Greg Jennings - Western Michigan
    The Packers have done a nice job of filling needs and adding extra picks.
  21. Dallas Cowboys (from Was/NYJ) - TE Anthony Fasano - Notre Dame
    A player tutored by Charlie Weis to pair with Jason Witten in 2 TE sets.
  22. Kansas City Chiefs - S Bernard Pollard - Purdue
    A hard hitting in the box safety that didn't get along with Joe Tiller.
  23. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Andrew Whitworth - LSU
    A tough, experienced tackle to develop behind the aging Willie Anderson.
  24. Baltimore Ravens (from NYG) - C/G Chris Chester - Oklahoma
    An athletic developmental project for an interior line that needs a lot of help.
  25. Chicago Bears - WR/CB Devin Hester - Miami, Fla
    They wanted to sign Antwaan Randle El. End up with this raw athlete instead.
  26. Carolina Panthers - CB Richard Marshall - Fresno St
    Value pick that provides a replacement for Ricky Manning Jr.
  27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT Jeremy Trueblood - Boston College
    A second pick for an offensive line that needs an infusion of talent.
  28. Jacksonville Jaguars - RB Maurice Drew - UCLA
    Adds a different dimension to a team with Fred Taylor and Greg Jones.
  29. Denver Broncos - TE Tony Scheffler - Western Michigan
    An athletically gifted pass catcher to fill Jeb Putzier's old role.
  30. Indianapolis Colts - CB Tim Jennings - Georgia
    Dimunitive pure cover corner. Bill Polian really doesn't care about size.
  31. Seattle Seahawks - DE Darryl Tapp - Virginia Tech
    Best player available at a position of need.
  32. Minnesota Vikings - QB Tarvaris Jackson - Alabama St
    Vikes pay a premium for their QB of the future. Steelers can't refuse.

Round 3

  1. Houston Texans - OG Charles Spencer - Pittsburgh
    Finally address the offensive line.
  2. Houston Texans (from NO) - OT Eric Winston - Miami, Fla
    A player I had them taking in the 2nd falls to them in the 3rd.
  3. Green Bay Packers - ILB Abdul Hodge - Iowa
    Revamp the LB corps. Either Hodge or Nick Barnett will move outside.
  4. St. Louis Rams (from SF/Den) - DT Claude Wroten - LSU
    Wroten provides excellent value if he can stay out of trouble.
  5. Oakland Raiders - OT Paul McQuistan - Weber St
    Interesting developmental left tackle project.
  6. Buffalo Bills (from Ten) - CB Ashton Youboty - Ohio St
    Like with Winston to the Texans, I had the Bills taking Youboty in the 2nd.
  7. Philadelphia Eagles (from NYJ) - DE Chris Gocong - Cal Poly
    Gocong would have been a nice fit at either inside or outside LB in a 3-4.
  8. Arizona Cardinals - TE Leonard Pope - Georgia
    A player that I think is better than Mercedes Lewis.
  9. Chicago Bears (from Buf) - DT Dusty Dvoracek - Oklahoma
    An active, intense battler that had some off the field issues.
  10. Detroit Lions - RB Brian Cahoun - Wisconsin
    Depth behind the injury prone Kevin Jones.
  11. Green Bay Packers (from Bal/NE) - G/C Jason Spitz - Louisville
    Another offensive lineman to help protect Brett Favre.
  12. New York Jets (from Phi) - ILB Anthony Schlegel - Ohio St
    A 2-down run stuffer to compliment Jonathon Vilma inside.
  13. St. Louis Rams - S/LB Jon Alston - Stanford
    A poorly kept secret. Even I predicted this pick.
  14. Cleveland Browns - WR Travis Wilson - Oklahoma
    Stock hurt by subpar senior season hindered by injury and poor QB play.
  15. Atlanta Falcons - RB Jerious Norwood - Mississippi St
    Speed back that carried the load on a bad team in a good conference.
  16. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Dal) - OLB Clint Ingram - Oklahoma
    Coverage linebacker that could start immediately.
  17. San Diego Chargers - QB Charlie Whitehurst - Clemson
    The depth chart was thin at QB with only Philip Rivers and AJ Feely.
  18. Miami Dolphins - WR Derek Hagan - Arizona St
    Receivers after Chris Chambers are pedestrian at best. .
  19. Pittsburgh Steelers

    S Anthony Smith - Syracuse

    The trade down took me by surprise until I saw the price paid by the Vikings. The pick surprised me more. Not that I mind Smith. He is an instinctive playmaker. Quick and a good tackler. Plays faster than he times. A hard worker with top intangibles. Has good leeping ability and the hands to make interceptions. OK.... Time to stop. The last half of the 3rd round was when I expected Smith to be picked. He is the kind of safety that Bill Cowher likes. Passing on Bing and Simpson for Smith was what I did not envision. Not that everyone else didn't pass on Bing and Simpson all day. They dropped like rocks.
    • My Prediction: S Darnell Bing (at 64)
    .
  20. San Fransisco 49ers (from Wash) - WR Brandon Wilson - Wisconsin
    Explosive slot receiver and return man. Another weapon for Alex Smith.
  21. Kansas City Chiefs - QB Brodie Croyle - Alabama
    The Chiefs have nothing behind Trent Green.
  22. New England Patriots - TE Dave Thomas - Texas
    No, not the founder of Wendy's. Bill Belichek loves his TEs.
  23. Baltimore Ravens (from NYG) - CB David Pittman - Northwestern St, La
    Small school prospect that held his own at the Senior bowl.
  24. Carolina Panthers (from Chic) - LB James Anderson - Va Tech
    Athletic coverage linebacker in case Thomas Davis doesn't adapt to OLB.
  25. Carolina Panthers - OT Rashad Butler - Miami, Fla
    Developmental left tackle project that needs weight room work.
  26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR Maurice Stovall - Notre Dame
    Big, physical receiver to compliment Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton.
  27. Cincinnati Bengals - DE Frostee Rucker - USC
    High motor playmaker that lacks top measurables.
  28. Dallas Cowboys (from Jax) - DE Jason Hatcher - Grambling
    Huge, athletic 3-4 end project that went much earlier than I expected.
  29. St. Louis Rams (from Den/Atl/GB) - TE Domanick Byrd - USC
    Linehan is serious about adding pass catching TEs. This is his second.
  30. Indianapolis Colts - Freddie Keiaho - San Diego St
    Another undersized defender for Bill Polian. .
  31. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Seattle through Minnesota)

    WR Willie Reid - Florida St

    Exploded in the ACC Championship game and Orange Bowl. Dynamic returner and slot receiver. Undersized, competative, athletic receivers are the order of the day. Any thought that Nate Washington or Walter Young was going to have a role has been completely dispelled.
    • My Prediction: LB Brent Hawkins (at 96)
    .
  32. New York Giants (from Pit) - LB Gerris Wilkerson - Ga Tech
    Versatile backup.
  33. New York Jets (comp) - S Eric Smith - Michigan St
    In the box tackling machine.
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