Round 1
- San Diego Chargers
QB Eli Manning - Mississippi
For the first time in several season the number one choice is not a foregone conclussion. The Chargers appear to have four options.- Trade down for Rivers.
- Draft Rivers with the first pick.
- Change gears and draft Gallery.
- Call Manning's bluff, draft him and see what happens.
- Needs: OT, QB, WR, TE, OLB
- Other Options: T R Gallery, QB P Rivers, trade down
- Oakland Raiders
OT Robert Gallery - Iowa
Trying to predict what Al Davis will do is never easy. The Raiders will explore all their options as they continue to retool an aging roster after a disappointing season. I wouldn't put money on the Raiders staying in this slot and picking Gallery, but I do think he will likely be the second player drafted. Gallery is a master technician that goes about his job in a quiet manner. He will probably never be as physically dominant as top franchise LTs like Orlando Pace or Jonathon Ogden. That really shouldn't be viewed as a knock on him. Gallery's durability and work ethic should allow him to produce at a high level for years.- Needs: WR, S, RB, OLB, OT, QB
- Hope might be available: QB E Manning
- Other Options: WR Ro Williams, trade down
- Arizona Cardinals
WR Larry Fitzgerald - Pittsburgh
New head man Dennis Green appears to be enamored with Fitzgerald despite already having second year wideouts Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson on the roster. Arguably the best player in college football last season, Fitzgerald is a precise route runner with incredible body control. He does not possess blazing stopwatch speed, but has a knack for making the big play.- Needs: DT, CB, QB, S, OLB, RB
- Hoped might be available: no one in particular
- Other Options: WR Ro Williams, trade down
- New York Giants
QB Philip Rivers - NC St
Whether the Giants would take Rivers, Roethlisberger, or go in a different direction altogether should they be unable to move up for Manning is an interesting question. I am going to put Rivers in this slot since I believe the Giants will end up swapping first rounders with the Chargers. Before Senior Bowl week having Rivers in the top 10 looked like a reach. Now the Chargers are apparently seriously considering taking him with the first pick. Rivers is a winner, plain and simple. He is a four year starter that was his teams MVP in five straight bowl games including the Senior Bowl. Everyone knows that Rivers has an unorthodox delivery that worries some scouts. He also has a quick release and more than adequate arm strength. Probably more important than any physical attribute that Rivers possesses is his ability to manage a game.- Needs: OL, DT, QB, MLB, S, DE
- Hope might be available: T R Gallery, QB E Manning
- Other Options: QB B Roethlisberger, S S Taylor, trade up
- Washington Redskins
TE Kellen Winslow Jr - Miami (Fla)
Like most of the other top 10 picks in this years draft there are many conflicting reports about Washington's intentions. They could package Chris Samuels with this pick to move up with the Raiders and take Gallery. The Raiders would be happy to drop down into a position to select Roy Williams, but fitting Samuels under the salary cap seems problematic. The Redskins could also trade down to get some extra picks. After revamping the roster in an attempt to win immediately for 63 year old head coach Joe Gibbs they currently only have 2 additional selections, both on the second day. Should the Redskins not make a move Winslow is a true difference maker that would add another dimension to the offense. Of course just to confuse things further there are more conflicting reports about whether the Redskins would even consider Winslow. John Clayton of ESPN believes Gibbs has promised Winslow that he will be the pick if the Redskins do not work out a deal to move up or down while others insist the Redskins will be scared off by Winslow's choice of the Poston brothers as his agents.- Needs: DE, TE, S, DT
- Hope might be available: no one in particular
- Other Options: S S Taylor, DE K Udeze, trade up or down
- Detroit Lions
WR Roy Williams - Texas
The decision that must be made here is a perfect example of the quintessential draft dilemma of picking for need versus choosing the best player available. The Lions most glaring need is RB, but none of the top prospects at that position are really worthy of this lofty selection. Williams has the size and athleticism that make scouts drool. His availability with this pick is based on the Raiders being unable to move down and get into a position to draft him.- Needs: RB, OLB, WR, TE
- Hope might be available: TE K Winslow
- Other Options: RB S Jackson, S S Taylor, trade down
- Cleveland Browns
S Sean Taylor - Miami
Taylor's stock appears to have dropped slightly after lackluster offseason workouts, but it is hard to envision him getting past this pick. He should be able to step into the starting lineup from day one and be a legitimate candidate for defensive rookie of the year. Taylor is a difference maker that would immediately upgrade a defense woefully lacking in big play performers.- Needs: OL, DT, TE, S, CB, DE, QB
- Hope might be available: T R Gallery, WR Ro Williams, TE K Winslow
- Other Options: QB B Roethlisberger, trade up
- Atlanta Falcons
CB DeAngelo Hall - Virginia Tech
I expect the new hierarchy of Rich McKay and Jim Mora Jr to focus on improving the woeful defense through the draft rather than adding more weapons for Michael Vick. Hall has separated himself from the other corners in this draft. He is has all the attributes to develop into a true shutdown corner.- Needs: DE, DT, WR, CB, OT, S
- Hoped might be available: WR Ro Williams
- Other Options: DT T Harris, DT V Wilfork, DE K Udeze
- Jacksonville Jaguars
DE Kenechi Udeze - USC
The Jaguars have a desperate need at DE. Hugh Douglas was a bust after signing a big free agent contract and Tony Brackens was a cap caualty. Udeze had a breakout season for the AP National Champion Trojans culminated by a dominating performance in the Rose Bowl. He combines the ability to get to the QB with the bulk to hold up at the point of attack. Should Udeze slip past this slot it would be an indication that recent rumors that he might need shoulder surgery have validity.- Needs: WR, DE, CB, OLB, OT
- Hope is available: WR Ro Williams
- Other Options: DE W Smith, trade up
- Houston Texans
LB/DE Will Smith - Ohio St
Smith is an accomplished weak side pass rusher that would immediately provide the Texans defense with a dimension that it has been sorely lacking. He is an athletic defender with considerable upside that should be able to make the transition to OLB in the 3-4. Smith has always been at his best playing in space and was not out of his element dropping into coverage in college. Should a team want to move up to beat the Steelers to the last franchise QB a trade down would have to be seriously considered.- Needs: S, OLB, CB, NT, OG, FB
- Hope might be available: CB D Hall
- Other Options: CB D Robinson, DT V Wilfork, trade up or down
- Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Ben Roethlisberger- Miami, Ohio
For the last week I have been really pessimistic about the chances of one of the three possible franchise QBs falling to the 11th pick. I was afraid that the Steelers would be faced with the worst case scenario of deciding whether to take Robinson or Andrews to fill an immediate need. However, as I kept going over this mock draft I finally came to the conclussion that there was so much top end talent available that one of the top three QBs falling out of the top ten could actually happen. Now I have convinced myself that should the opportunity present itself the front office would actually take the plunge. Roethlisberger's upside is too good to ignore in this draft slot even though the Steelers have major needs on the offensive line and in the secondary. He has the size, arm strength and mobility that teams dream about. The Steelers haven't used a first round pick on a QB since taking Mark Malone with the 28th pick of the 1980 draft. Now is the time.- Needs: CB, QB, OT, FS, DE, OLB
- Hope might be available: CB D Hall, QB P Rivers
- Other Options: T S Andrews, CB D Robinson, trade up
- New York Jets
CB Dunta Robinson - South Carolina
The Jets desperately need to add speed and athleticism to their defense. Robinson is steadily climbing up draft boards based on the combination of a breakout senior campaign and a combine workout that included running a 4.37 forty. Robinson plays a physical style and is strong in run support. He does have some work to do to improve his consistency in coverage.- Needs: LB, CB, WR, S, OG
- Hope might be available: CB D Hall
- Other Options: LB J Vilma, DJ Williams, trade up or down
- Buffalo Bills
DT Vince Wilfork - Miami (Fla)
Wilfork drops because of concerns about his conditioning and stamina. He had an uneven season in which he disapeared more often than would be expected of a top prospect. That said, Wilfork has the skills to provide a huge presence in the middle of the defensive line. Sam Adams and Pat Williams are both on the wrong side of 30 so even though DT is not an immediate need taking Wilfolk serves a definite purpose.- Needs: WR, QB, G/C, DE, TE, CB
- Hope might be available: QB P Rivers, QB B Roethlisberger
- Other Options: WR Re Williams, trade up
- Chicago Bears
DT Tommie Harris - Oklahoma
Harris should provide Lovie Smith with the active, penetrating interior presence that his defense requires. He is a high motor player with all the tools. A top recruit that played as a true freshman, Harris has been fighting double and triple teams throughout his college career.- Needs: DT, CB, LB, WR, FB
- Hope might be available: CB D Robinson, DT V Wilfork
- Other Options: LB DJ Williams, WR Re Williams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Shawn Andrews - Arkansas
Andrews is a huge, physically dominant RT that needs to keep his weight in check. Surprisingly athletic for his size, he should be able to stay at tackle although a move inside to RG would not be out of the question. Andrews is a top ten talent that drops because of questions about his conditioning and desire. The Buccaneers did sign Derrick Deese and Todd Strussie this offseason to help upgrade the tackle position, but both of them are 33 years old.- Needs: LB, CB, RB, DT, TE
- Hope might be available: no one in particular
- Other Options: RB S Jackson, LB J Vilma, LB DJ Williams
- San Francisco 49ers
WR Reggie Williams - Washington
The 49ers lost both Terrell Owens and Derrick Strait as unrestricted free agents and need to add more weapons for Tim Rattay even though they have high hopes for Brandon Lloyd. Williams is a big receiver with the ability to step into the lineup immediately. He is only available in the middle of the first round because of the incredible collection of talent available in this draft.- Needs: WR, DT, DE, CB, OG
- Hope might be available: DT T Harris, DE W Smith, DT V Wilfork
- Other Options: WR M Clayton, trade down
- Denver Broncos (from Cincinnati)
RB Steven Jackson - Oregon St
This is a best case scenario for the Broncos. Jackson is the top RB available and fills the hole created by the trade of Clinton Portis. He is a durable wokhorse with the power to run between the tackles and enough speed to turn the corner. Jackson is also a proven receiver having caught 44 passes last season.- Needs: WR, OLB, RB, DE
- Hope might be available: WR Re Williams
- Other Options: WR M Clayton, LB J Vilma, LB DJ Williams
- New Orleans Saints
LB Jonathan Vilma - Miami
Instinctive and athletic, Vilma looks like a nice fit for the Saints. His only real negative is a lean frame which should be acceptable given his undeniable skills. Vilma immediately provides an upgrade over Orlando Ruff in the middle and can also serves as the heir apparent to Derrick Rodgers on the weak side.- Needs: CB, LB, DT, OG
- Hope might be available: DT T Harris, CB D Robinson
- Other Options: LB DJ Williams, trade up
- Minnesota Vikings
LB DJ Williams - Miami
Williams started his college career as a FB before moving to the defensive side of the ball. Although not as productive or instinctive as his college teamate Jonathon Vilma, Williams has an enticing combination of size and speed.- Needs: DE, LB, OG, WR
- Hope might be available: DE W Smith
- Other Options: DE J Babin, trade up
- Miami Dolphins
OG Justin Smiley - Georgia
This is a bit early for Smiley, but he fills a glaring need and the Dolphins lack flexibility after trading their second round pick. Smiley opened some eyes in the post season. Not just a workout warrior, he was a multi-year starter that had established himself as a top performer in only three years at the college level.- Needs: OG, OT, LB, S, QB, WR
- Hope might be available: T S Andrews
- Other Options: WR M Clayton, OL V Carey, trade down
- New England Patriots (from Baltimore)
WR Michael Clayton - LSU
Clayton has all the attributes to develop into a gamebreaker. He arguably possesses as high a ceiling as any of the other top wideouts in this draft despite being less refined. One of the main selling points for the Patriots is Clayton's size. He would give them the big target on the outside that they currently lack.- Needs: CB, OG, ILB, NT, WR
- Hope might be available: OG J Smiley, LB J Vilma
- Other Options: CB C Gamble, DT M Tubbs, trade up
- Dallas Cowboys
RB Kevin Jones - Virginia Tech
Jones drops after poor offseason workouts during which he ran much slower than expected. On the field he is a homerun hitter with elusiveness and a noticeable burst. He would be a major upgrade on the collection of veteran backs currently employed in Dallas and serve the added benefit of helping to take pressure off either Quincy Carter or Drew Henson.- Needs: RB, CB, OG, DT
- Hope might be available: RB S Jackson, OG J Smiley
- Other Options: OL V Carey, CB C Gamble, trade up
- Seattle Seahawks
DT Marcus Tubbs - Texas
Tubbs is an athletic wide body that finally began to play up to expectations as a senior. He is an ideal two gap tackle that combines the bulk to clog the middle with a surprisingly explosive up field burst. The Seahawks did a nice job of addressing needs through free agency. Adding an inside presence to the defensive line appears to be one of the last pieces to the puzzle.- Needs: G/C, MLB, DT, CB, WR
- Hope might be available: OG J Smiley, LB J Vilma
- Other Options: OL V Carey, WR L Evans
- Cincinnati Bengals (from Denver)
CB Chris Gamble - Ohio St
Although lacking sprinter speed, Gamble possesses an impressive combination of size and athleticism. He is not a polished player after spending almost as much time on offense as he did on defense before last season. Picking players based on potential over performance is always a risk. Gamble has shown enough despite his limited experience to make this a risk worth taking. Especially after trading down and also adding Deltha O'Neal to the mix.- Needs: CB, DT, S, DE, LB
- Hope might be available: DT M Tubbs
- Other Options: DT D Dockett, S S Jones
- Green Bay Packers
DE Jason Babin - Western Michigan
Babin is a productive mid-major conference performer that dazzled in off season workouts. He is an athletic edge rusher with a non-stop motor that needs to get stronger to hold up against the run in the pros. Babin gives the Packers another dynamic pass rusher opposite Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.- Needs: DE, QB, S, LB, OG, TE
- Hope might be available: LB DJ Williams
- Other Options: S S Jones, QB JP Losman, TE B Troupe
- St. Louis Rams
WR Lee Evans - Wisconsin
Evans combines the speed to stretch the field with excellent hands and body control. Although lacking prototypical size, he is tough and willing to do whatever it takes to make a catch. Evans appears to be all the way back after tearing an ACL in the spring of 2002. Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt aren't getting any younger and the Rams have very little behind them.- Needs: DE, OG, TE, CB, WR
- Hope might be available: DE J Babin
- Other Options: OL V Carey, DE A Odom, TE B Troupe
- Tennessee Titans
DT Darnell Dockett - Florida St
After losing John Thornton and Robaire Smith to free agency in successive seasons the Titans need to add some talent to their interior defensive line. Dockett is an athletic, penetrating interior defender with enough strength to hold up at the point of attack. He seems to have cleaned up his act after some well publicized off the field issues- Needs: DT, DE, G/C, OT, RB
- Hope might be available: DE J Babin, OG J Smiley
- Other Options: OL V Carey, DE A Odom
- Philadelphia Eagles
RB Chris Perry - Michigan
The Eagles were very active in free agency filling their two most glaring weaknesses by signing Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens. That allows them to add depth through the draft instead of needing to find immediate starters. Perry would replace the departed Duce Staley in the RB rotation. He is a multi-faceted player that is an asset in both the running and passing game. The one thing Perry lacks that drops him this far is breakaway speed.- Needs: RB, LB, CB, DT, OG
- Hope might be available: DT D Dockett, LB DJ Williams
- Other Options: CB R Colclough, LB K Dansby, trade up
- Indianapolis Colts
CB Ricardo Colclough - Tusculum
With Peyton Manning signed long term and the offense set for the immediate future the Colts need to focus on adding talent to the defense. Colclough more than held his own against top competition at the Senior Bowl. Although not a blazer, he is a fluid athlete with impressive quickness.- Needs: LB, DT, CB, OG
- Hoped might be available: DT D Dockett
- Other Options: LB K Dansby, DT R Starks
- Kansas City Chiefs
CB Ahmad Carroll - Arkansas
Anyone that watched the Chiefs lose to the Colts in the playoffs knows that they need a serious upgrade on defense. Carroll is a physical corner with nice size and blazing speed that can blitz off the edge. The biggest knock on him is over aggressiveness. Carroll has a reputation for sometimes giving up the big play when trying to make something happen. That is a fault that can be lived with in a young player as long as he is willing to work at playing a more controlled game.- Needs: CB, DT, WR, QB, DE
- Hope might be available: WR L Evans, DT D Dockett
- Other Options: QB JP Losman, DT R Starks, WR R Woods
- Carolina Panthers
WR Rashaun Woods - Oklahoma St
Woods was an ultra-productive collegian that does not have the size/speed numbers that most teams covet. After drawing some criticism for deciding to forego the Senior Bowl, he worked out well enough in the post season to sneak back into the first round. Woods provides another option to the oft injured and inconsistent Mushin Muhammad opposite deep threat Steve Smith.- Needs: WR, FS, LB, OG, CB
- Hope might be available: CB A Carroll, OG J Smiley
- Other Options: LB K Dansby, S Jones
- New England Patriots
S Sean Jones - Georgia
Jones is a productive all around player with a nice combination of size and speed. A bit rough around the edges after declaring as a junior, he has enough skills to step in immediately and hold his own. The Patriots might prefer a pure corner with this pick, but none of the remaining options provide enough value. Drafting Jones would allow the Patriots to move Eugene Wilson back to CB.- Hope might be available: no one in particular
- Other Options: OG V Carey, LB K Dansby, CB W Poole
Round 2
- Arizona Cardinals - DT Randy Starks - Maryland
- New York Giants - OL Vernon Carey - Miami
- San Diego Chargers - TE Ben Troupe - Florida
- Detroit Lions - LB Karlos Dansby - Auburn
- Cleveland Browns - QB JP Losman - Tulane
- Atlanta Falcons - DE Antwan Odom - Alabama
- Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Michael Jenkins - Ohio St
- Houston Texans - CB Will Poole - USC
- Denver Broncos (from Was) - LB Teddy Lehman - Oklahoma
- Tennessee Titans (from NYJ) - OT Jacob Rogers - USC
- Buffalo Bills - TE Ben Watson - Georgia .
- Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Derrick Strait - Oklahoma
Rarely does a player fit a need as well as Strait fits with the Steelers. Strait won both the Nagurski and Thorpe awards. He is probably the most NFL ready of the top CB prospects and should be able to contribute immediately. Strait slips farther than his collegiate accomplishments would normally warrant because his size/speed ratio does not excite scouts.- Other Options: WR K Colbert, C J Grove, RB G Jones, WR D Henderson, QB JP Losman, G C Snee
- Oakland Raiders (from TB) - RB Greg Jones - Florida St
- San Francisco 49ers - DT Igor Olshansky - Oregon
- Chicago Bears - CB Keith Smith - McNeese St
- New Orleans Saints - DT Donnell Washington - Clemson
- Cincinnati Bengals - C Jake Grove - Va Tech
- Minnesota Vikings - DE Marquise Hill - LSU .
- Baltimore Ravens
WR Devery Henderson - LSU
After being rejected by Terrell Owens and losing Marcus Robinson through free agency the Ravens desperately need to add speed and athleticism at WR.- Needs: WR, RG, DL, CB
- Dallas Cowboys - OG Chris Snee - Boston College
- Seattle Seahawks - LB Daryl Smith - Georgia Tech
- Denver Broncos - WR Devard Darling - Washington St
- Green Bay Packers - CB/S Matt Ware - UCLA
- Cincinatti Bengals (from Mia/NE) - DT Terry Johnson - Washington
- Tennessee Titans - DE Travis LaBoy - Hawaii
- Philadelphia Eagles - LB Michael Boulware - Florida St
- Indianapolis Colts - DT Dwan Edwards - Oregon St
- New Orleans Saints (from StL) - CB Shantae Spencer - Pitt
- Kansas City Chiefs - WR Keary Colbert � USC
- Carolina Panthers - CB Jeremy LeSueur - Michigan
- New England Patriots - LB Dontarrious Thomas - Auburn
Round 3
- Arizona Cardinals - RB Tatum Bell - Oklahoma St
- New York Giants - DT Matthias Askew - Michigan St
- San Diego Chargers - OT Kelly Butler - Purdue
- Oakland Raiders - S Bob Sanders - Iowa
- Cleveland Browns - OT Nat Dorsey - Georgia Tech
- Atlanta Falcons - WR Derrick Hamilton - Clemson
- Jacksonville Jaguars - CB Joey Thomas - Montana St
- Houston Texans - DT Isaac Sopoaga - Hawaii
- Jacksonville Jaguars (from Was) - LB Demorrio Williams � Nebraska
- Detroit Lions - RB Julius Jones - Notre Dame
- Buffalo Bills - QB Matt Schaub - Virginia .
- Pittsburgh Steelers
LB Shaun Phillips - Purdue
Jason Gildon will not be back and depth is needed at OLB. Phillips is a quick, productive edge rusher with the athleticism to convert to OLB in the 3-4 defense. Roosevelt Colvin and Akin Ayodele were underated former ends at Purdue that developed into solid outside linebackers in the pros. Phillips seems to fit the exact same profile.- Other Options: DL T Anderson, RB J Jones, WR D Hamilton, WR PK Sam, QB M Schaub, CB J Thomas, OT T Wharton
- Other Options: DL T Anderson, RB J Jones, WR D Hamilton, WR PK Sam, QB M Schaub, CB J Thomas, OT T Wharton
- New York Jets - S Stuart Schweigert - Purdue
- San Francisco 49ers - T/G Max Starks - Florida
- Chicago Bears - WR PK Sam - Florida St
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LB Courtney Watson - Notre Dame
- Cincinnati Bengals - S Jason Shivers - Arizona St
- New Orleans Saints - WR Jerricho Cotchery - North Carolina St
- Minnesota Vikings - OG Sean Locklear - North Carolina St
- Dallas Cowboys - DT Chad Lavalais - LSU
- Seattle Seahawks - S Will Allen - Ohio St
- Denver Broncos - DE Bobby McCray - Florida
- Green Bay Packers - DT Tim Anderson - Ohio St
- Miami Dolphins - S Madieu Williams - Maryland
- Baltimore Ravens - DE/LB Isaac Hilton - Howard
- Philadelphia Eagles - CB Nathan Vasher - Texas
- Indianapolis Colts - LB Keyaron Fox - Georgia Tech
- St Louis Rams - DE - Darrion Scott - Ohio St
- Tennessee Titans - OT Adrian Jones - Kansas St
- Kansas City Chiefs - DT Tommy Kelley - Mississippi St
- Carolina Panthers - OG Jeb Terry - North Carolina
- New England Patriots - OT Travelle Wharton - South Carolina
- Cincinatti Bengals - RB Michael Turner - Northern Illinois
Second Day
- Other Options:
OT Stacey Andrews - Mississippi
G/T Jacob Bell - Miami, Ohio
TE Ben Hartsock - Ohio St
OT Adrian Jones - Kansas St
G/T Alan Reuber - Texas A&M
CB Bruce Thornton - Georgia
TE Kris Wilson - Pittsburgh
- Other Options:
TE Tim Euhus - Oregon St
CB Jernaro Gilford - BYU
OLB Uyi Osunde - Connecticut
CB Chris Thompson - Nicholls St
FS Gibril Wilson - Tennessee
- Other Options:
I/OLB Jorge Cordova - Nevada
OLB Roderick Green - Central Missouri
FB Lousaka Polite - Pittsburgh St
WR Kendrick Starling - San Jose St
ILB Grant Wiley - West Va
- Other Options:
S Tony Bua - Arkansas
WR Clarence Moore - Northern Arizona
S JR Reed - South Fla
RB Adimchinobe Echemandu - California
RB Brandon Miree - Pittsburgh
- Other Options:
TE Courtney Anderson - San Jose St
NT Brandon Kennedy - North Texas St
WR Maurice Mann - Nevada
OT Jake Scott - Idaho
OLB Reggie Torbor - Auburn
- Other Options:
DE Jared Clauss - Iowa
ILB Caleb Miller - Arkansas
OG Stephen Peterman - LSU
NT Chad Pugh - TCU
C AJ Ricker - Missouri