Mock Draft, 10 April 2001
There are few elite prospects this spring, maybe none.� Past Michael Vick, who gets a positional premium, this draft should begin at about #12 overall.� Most years, players like Warren, Smith and LT would be taken in that range. Though there is no elite talent, there are a number of prospects that project as very solid contributors.� In short, since there is little effective difference in the top 35 or so, the bottom of the 1st and top of the 2nd is where location meets value.
I�ve proposed a couple trades but, facing reality, none involve the Stillers. As previous, those I�ve imagined are marked (TSP).� I�ve got the Packers moving up to get Warren at #2 overall; I�ve got the Chiefs giving #12 for Trent Green.� Otherwise, every �via� actually happened.� The only reason I�ve bothered with any of this is to see which players will be available to the home team.� It will be obvious then that this mock does not represent what I think should happen.��
|
# |
Team |
Position/Player |
Remarks |
|
� 1 |
Chargers |
QB Micheal Vick |
Vick would have had a hard time cracking the top 5 last year but he is the best on the board in �00.� Chargers should trade down but did reject Atlanta�s earlier offers. |
|
� 2 |
Packers (TSP) via Arizona |
DT Gerard Warren |
The Pack did re-sign Gilbert Brown but Dotson and Steve Warren have health issues.� May look for ROLB or WR in the 2nd. Arizona gets 10th overall and (2) in the 3rd. |
|
� 3 |
Browns |
RB LaDainian Tomlinson |
Has great size/speed and performed very well in post-season.�� Cleveland wants more bulk at DT and to get a big WR but there may be value at either position in the top of the 2nd. |
|
� 4 |
Bengals |
OT Leonard Davis |
Bengals need help at DB but no prospect measures up at #4 overall.� Are rumored to be going to a 3 WR base set but later value at WR is better than at OT.� Will look at Justin Smith but should try and protect their QB first. |
|
� 5 |
Falcons |
DE Justin Smith |
Falcons need help on both lines but, unless the Bengals grab him, will take this year�s top pass rusher over OT Walker.� If Smith is gone, OT rises up. �� |
|
� 6 |
Patriots |
WR David Terrell |
Terrell is the best WR in this year�s draft but would have been no better than 3rd in both �99 and �00.� May look hard at Kenyatta Walker with the idea of moving Kleem to ROT. |
|
� 7 |
Seahawks �via Dallas |
WR Koren Robinson |
Gifted player with maturity issues.� Holmgren will believe that he can harness this man. |
|
� 8 |
Bears |
DE Andre Carter |
Had a superb campus workout, is a great leader and a solid pass rush threat.� Bryan Robinson moves to DT to help protect Urlacher. |
|
� 9 |
49ers |
OT Kenyatta Walker |
Could go LDE here with Richard Seymour but Walker is a somewhat better prospect at another need position.� Injury-plagued Garrison Hearst is their #1 RB currently; for that reason, 49ers shy from Deuce and will look for� a RB in the 2nd. |
|
10 |
Cardinals (TSP) via G. Bay |
DE Richard Seymour |
Arizona continues to rebuild their D-line |
|
11 |
Panthers |
RB Deuce McAllister |
Panthers have rebuilt their O-Line through FA this off-season after attempting to do the same on the D-side last year.� Deuce has injury issues but had a great campus workout.� Has shown size/speed and great hands. |
|
12 |
Rams (TSP) via K. City |
DE Jamal Reynolds |
KC acquires Trent Green and St. Louis begins to rebuild their defense.� KC will seek help at RB either in trade or in the 3rd round. |
|
13 |
Jaguars |
OG Steve Hutchinson |
The Jag O-line is a mess; assuming Kevin Hardy remains in the fold this unit is the area of greatest need in Jaxville. |
|
14 |
Bills |
DT Damione Lewis |
The Bills top DT are Williams and Larsen; both are power players.� Lewis is a one-gap player who can get through the holes those men create |
|
15 |
Redskins |
LB Dan Morgan |
Skins signed WR Kevin Lockett out of KC hoping Dan Morgan would fall to them.� He will, if the Panthers don�t snatch him at #11. |
|
16 |
Stillers |
DT Marcus Stroud |
A two-gap lineman who will play DE in the 3-4.� Stroud does pass the eye test.� However, his college production was just fair and Combine results suggest that he lacks speed, strength and agility.
A trade with the Fins for Brees, with the Jets or with the Eagles for either Santana Moss or Rod Gardner is possible, but not likely.
Note:� the Stillers are reportedly negotiating with Ted Washington.� If he is signed, the Rooney-men may chose here between Kendrell Bell and Torrance Marshall. |
|
17 |
Seahawks via GBay |
TE Todd Heap |
Another target for Hasselback. Seattle has gambled on Randle and Kirkland.� They need offensive weapons and they need them now.� |
|
18 |
Lions |
WR Santana Moss |
Has big play ability at WR and as a KR. |
|
19 |
Jets |
WR Rod Gardner |
Great value here, the Jets get a big WR with better speed than Hatchette. |
|
20 |
Rams |
CB Nate Clements |
Rams continue to rebuild their defense; they�ve got the speed now and will get a run-stuffer at #29 or #40.�
Note: The Rams are rumored to be making an offer to Samari Rolle.� If so, the Titans will get a 1st and a 3rd and the Rams will get the best CB available. |
|
21 |
Buccaneers |
OT Jeff Backus |
A solid pick where need meets opportunity.� The clock is ticking on the Buc defense; with Keyshawn and Johnson in the fold, the time is now in Tampa Bay. |
|
22 |
Colts |
CB Jamar Fletcher |
Arguably the best cover corner on the board.� Colts need help at both CB and on the DL but this spot is too high for any of the DL still on the board. Could surprise and select a WR to pair with Harrison |
|
23 |
Saints |
CB Fred Smoot |
Trash-talking, high quality cover CB who is stunningly weak.� May or may not be a Haslett-type guy.� If not Smoot, then the Saints CB of choice. |
|
24 |
Broncos |
WR Chad Johnson |
Recent workouts have re-established this player as a 1st round prospect.� Will add speed and youth to a WR core needing those qualities. |
|
25 |
Eagles |
WR Freddie Mitchell |
Good value at the spot; will provide speed to a WR core lacking that attribute. |
|
26 |
Dolphins |
QB Drew Brees |
Fins get their man. |
|
27 |
Vikings |
CB Will Allen |
With the loss of Tony Williams and John Randle, the Vikings need help on the DL.� However, they did draft (3) players at that position last year.�� CB has been a persistent problem with the Vikes that Allen has the ability to solve.� |
|
28 |
Raiders |
LB Torrance Marshall |
A proven winner who had extremely good workouts on campus.� Last season, we saw that the Raiders need help at LB. |
|
29 |
Rams �thru Tennessee |
DT Casey Hampton |
Somewhat of a reach at this spot but Hampton is a solid run-stuffer with great leadership ability.� His bulk will free Reynold�s speed.� Despite that, the Rams may have preferred Marshall here. |
|
30 |
Giants |
TE Alge Crumpler |
Giants need help at CB and Middlebrooks is a possibility here.� However, Crumpler is a more highly regarded prospect. |
|
31 |
Ravens |
OC Dominic Raiola |
Stout interior OC to replace Mitchell.� Good value at the spot.� The Ravens have issues at FS but there is insufficient value at that position. |
�Summary:�
17 offensive players are projected including (2) QB, (2) RB, (6) WR, (2) TE, (3) OT, (1) OG and (1) OC.
14 defensive players are projected including (3) DE, (5) DT, (2) LB and (4) CB.
2nd round:� thru Stillers pick only.
|
# |
Team |
Position/Player |
Remarks |
|
32 |
Chargers |
RB Michael Bennett |
Bolts get (2) athletes in their backfield. |
|
33 |
Browns |
WR Chris Chambers |
Has the speed to stretch defenses. |
|
34 |
Cardinals |
S Alan Archuleta�� |
Local boy makes good; Cards need leaders. |
|
35 |
Falcons |
WR Reggie Wayne |
Best on the board to a team that needs help everywhere. |
|
36 |
Bengals |
DE DeLawrence Grant |
Great workouts; might produce. |
|
37 |
Cowboys |
DT Shaun Rogers |
Has 1st round ability and the �Boys aren�t going anywhere this year anyway. |
|
38 |
Bears |
RB Anthony Thomas |
Blue-collar back. |
|
39 |
Patriots |
OT Maurice Williams |
Great potential. |
|
40 |
Seahawks |
CB Willie Middlebrooks |
Another pick based on potential, could be great paired with Springs |
|
41 |
49ers |
RB Lamont Jordan |
Good all-around skills. |
|
42 |
Rams |
OLB Tommy Polley |
Rams emphasis speed as they rebuild their defense |
|
43 |
Jags |
OG Chad Ward |
Gives Jags a powerful OL, potentially. |
|
44 |
Panthers |
DE Cedric Scott |
Their FA DL were old when they arrived. |
|
45 |
Redskins |
WR Quincy Morgan |
Late 1st round value falls through.� Dan Snyder deserves worse. |
|
46 |
Bills |
CB Ken Lucas |
Bills need a big corner to pair with Winfield |
|
47 |
Packers |
LB Kendrell Bell |
Pack has little depth at this position. |
|
48 |
Lions |
OG Mike Gandy |
Need pick but a good player |
|
49 |
Jets |
DT Kris Jenkins |
Will take time to develop but Ellis could stay at LDE. |
|
50 |
Stillers |
LB Sedrick Hodge |
Great ability, highly aggressive, inexperienced.� Has speed freak measurables. |