| 1. Cleveland Browns | DE Courtney Brown | Penn State |
|
Maybe it's
me but I just don't get it! The Browns defense is horrible, they
have a few good young recievers in Johnson and Chiaverini, and
Courtney Brown will improve the team more than Peter Warrick. If
Cleveland feels the need to upgrade the WR position there will be
some good talent still available at the #32 pick in the second
round. I know there is a lot of disagreement out there but I'm going
to stick to my guns. Courtney Brown will be the top pick in the
draft.
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| 2. Washington
Redskins | LB LaVar
Arrington | Penn
State |
|
Desperately in need of defensive help to
complement their potent offense, Washington will jump on the
opportunity to take Arrington, the top linebacker in this year's
draft. Arrington has been a terror to college offenses and should be
a big-time playmaker for the Redskins.
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| 3.
Washington Redskins | WR
Peter Warrick | Florida St. |
|
If all
goes according to my plan, Warrick will be available here for
Washington. I suspect that Washington is will select Warrick, since
they came up short in aquiring Joey Galloway. Warrick is a similar
type reciever. He is a playmaker with good speed and great
elusiveness. He will make a great offense better and improve their
return teams. If I am wrong and Warrick is taken by the Browns then
alternative picks are DE Courtney Brown and OL Chris Samuels.
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| 4. Cincinnati
Bengals | OT Chris
Samuels | Alabama |
|
The
Bengals have lots of needs that they could address here. It looks as
if star RB Corey Dillon will not be back and disgruntled WR Carl
Pickens doesn't want to be in Cincy either. However, with young QB
Akili Smith returning from an injury, the Bengals are likely to use
this pick to give him some protection to help his maturation along.
I don't except the Bengals to pick a RB here because, for the
moment, they have Cory Dillon. If Dillon signs with another team,
they will obtain that team's first round pick, which they could then
use to draft a RB.
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| 5.
Baltimore Ravens | WR
Plaxico Burress | Michigan St. |
|
The Ravens
had a solid defense last season so it would seem logical that they
will focus on offense with their two first round picks this year.
Burress is a big physical receiver with all of the physical skills
to be a star in the NFL and will give QB Tony Banks a big target to
hit. He will complement the speed receiver Quadry Ismahil nicely. QB
Chad Pennington and RB Thomas Jones are also an options here, but
the recent signing of QB's Dilfer/Banks and ample depth at RB seems
to indicate that Burress will be the pick.
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| 6. Philadelphia
Eagles | DT Corey
Simon | Florida
St. |
|
Despite a decent draft last season the Eagles still have lots of needs. One of those is a big, strong interior presence on the defensive line to compliment DE's Hugh Douglass and Mike Mamula(both undersized). Corey Simon should help solidify a defensive line on a defense already possessing a good LB corps as well as a talented secondary. Despite the Eagles pressing need for a big play receiver, WR Plaxico Burress will not be their pick if he is still on the
board! They will likely address this in the second round.
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| 7.
Arizona Cardinals | RB
Shaun Alexander | Alabama |
|
The
Cardnals took a step backwards last year after a promising season in
1998. Their offense needs a solid RB to complement Jake Plummer and
a talented receiving corps. Alexander should provide durability as
well as good receiving skills out of the backfield that the team
lost when RB Larry Centers was signed by the Redskins. The only
knock on Alexander is his speed, some scouts think he lacks the
break-away speed to outrun defenders to the end zone.
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| 8. Pittsburg
Steelers | DE Darren
Howard | Kansas
St. |
|
I can't
quite get a feel on the Steelers draft. To me, it seems like
Marshall's Chad Pennington should be their pick. However, the highly
eratic, Kordell Stewart has already been named the starter for next
season. While I think it is in the Steelers best interest to draft
QB Chad Pennington, this does not seem to be the case. Instead of
Pennington, Look for the Steelers to draft along the DL which was
diminished in Free Agency. I underestimated Darren Howard's stock in
my first mock draft, but he appears to be rated higher than I
expected. Other options at DL include Shaun Ellis or John
Engelberger.
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| 9.
Chicago Bears | LB
Brian Urlacher | New Mexico |
|
QB Cade
McNown had some bright spots last year and despite the loss of WR
Conway to free agency the Bears have a young offense that is on the
rise. With this in mind the Bears will likely use this pick to
bolster their defense. LB Brian Urlacher is the probable pick here.
Urlacher is the best athlete in the draft and could play both OLB or
S for the Bears. He is an immediate upgrade at either position. S
Deon Grant is also a possibility, especially if Urlacher is off the
board.
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| 10. Denver
Broncos | TE Bubba
Franks | Miami |
|
With the
loss of Shannon Sharpe to the Ravens, the Broncos need a solid TE to
run their offense. Franks seems like a perfect fit in Denver, he is
a good blocker and can get open down the middle. This would be great
pick for Denver because it would minimize the loss of Sharpe and
despite their poor play last year, the team has a lot of talant and
could make a quick rise back to the playoffs.
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| 11.
New York Giants | OT
Chris McIntosh | Wisconsin |
|
Most
drafts that I have seen have the Giants selecting a RB at this spot.
I happen to think the Giants have a few decent backs and would be
better suited to bolster their offensive line. Last year's pick, OL
Luke Pettigoute, had a poor rookie season and contirbuted little.
McIntosh has good athletic ability for a lineman and is a good
talent. A solid line offensive line can make good backs look like
great ones!
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| 12. San Francisco
49ers | QB Chad
Pennington | Marshall |
|
The 49ers
seem to have finally conceeded that they must re-build their team
with young players. First and foremost for their offense is the QB.
I believe that Marshall's Chad Pennington is the top QB in this
draft and the 49ers hope that he'll still be on the board when they
pick. If the 49ers don't pick Pennington here, look for them to grab
Louisville's Chris Redman with one of their two first round picks.
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| 13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | WR
Dez White | Georgia Tech |
|
The Bucs
offense and defense are about as far apart as a team can be. Their
offense struggled to reach double figures in almost every game last
year, but that's ok because their defense was holding their
opponents the single digit scoring as well. Look for Tampa Bay to
pick up some much needed offensive talent. Dez White is a good sized
reciever who should be able to provide a consistent target for QB
Shaun King.
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| 14. Green Bay
Packers | DE Shaun
Ellis | Tennessee |
|
The
signing of DE John Theiry from the browns may cause the Packers to
address a different need in the first round. Otherwise, expect the
Packers to grab Ellis, who would compete for the starting job with
Theiry.
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| 15.
Baltimore Ravens | HB
Thomas Jones | Virginia |
|
Most
people have Jones as the top rated RB in this years draft. To be
honest, I just haven't seen him play enough. What I do know is that
the Ravens need help on offense and, assuming that they have already
landed WR Plaxico Burress earlier in the first round, Jones will be
a nice addition to a young offense.
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| 16. New York
Jets | DE John
Engelberger | Virginia Tech |
|
Engelberger is rated slightly lower than
Tennessee DE Shaun Ellis. If he jumps ahead between now and draft
day, Ellis could be the Jets pick.
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| 17.
Oakland Raiders | S
Deon Grant | Tennessee |
|
Grant is
not your typical, hard-hitting, intimidating Raider, but he can
play. Plus, playing behind two great corners in Woodson and Allen,
Grant can probably make a quick adjustment to playing at the pro
level and contribute immediately. If Grant doesn't fall this far,
look for the Raiders to select a receiver, possibly Sly Morris or
Travis Taylor.
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| 18. New York
Jets | OG Casey
Coleman | Tennessee |
|
With the
return of QB Vinny Testaverde, the Jets are very talented at the
skilled positions on offense. Look for them to improve their offense
along the line. OG Casey Coleman is the top rated guard and is a
probable pick for the Jets.
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| 19.
Seattle Seahawks | WR
Travis Taylor | Florida |
|
Trading
star WR Joey Galloway to Dallas leaves Seattle thin at wide
reciever. Therefore, WR Travis Taylor may be a perfect fit for
Seattle. He has good size and great speed and fits the mold of a
'Joey Galloway type' of reciever(without the contract demands). If
Taylor is gone, Seattle may select one of the other top recievers
still remaining: Sly Morris or Joey Porter.
|
|
| 20. Detroit
Lions | OT Stockar
McDougle | Oklahoma |
|
Hopefully,
the Lions have finally figured it out and will give newly aquired RB
James Stewart what RB Barry Sanders never had -- a solid offensive
line! If they don't Stewart will have a long season of pounding his
way for short gains instead of dashing through huge holes like he
did in Jacksonville.
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| 21.
Kansas City Chiefs | RB
Ron Dayne | Wisconsin |
|
For years
the Chiefs game plan has consisted of two goals: good defense and a
power running/ball control offense. Ron Dayne is the ideal back to
carry this type of offense. He is big, strong, productive, and most
important -- durable. Dayne is the type of back that can carry the
ball 30 times a game and dish out punishment to a defense. I see
Dayne as a perfect fit for the Chiefs. He doesn't have great speed,
nor great recieving skills, but the Chiefs will only expect him to
move the chains and that is what he has proven he can do. If Dayne
is on the board and the Chiefs pass on him, I will be very
surprised.
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| 22. Seattle
Seahawks | OG Travis
Claridge | USC |
|
Seattle's
free agent signing of OG Brian Habib didn't work out exactly as they
expected as he was released a few weeks ago. Look for Seattle to use
it's second of two first round picks to find a replacement for him.
Probable pick will be Travis Claridge, the second highest rated
offensive guard in the draft.
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|
| 23.
Carolina Panthers | RB
Jamal Lewis | Tennessee |
|
Probably
would have been a much more coveted prospect if it weren't for a
knee injury in college. If he stays healthy and regains the form he
displayed prior to his injury, Lewis is a steal at #23.
|
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| 24. San Francisco
49ers | LB Na'il
Diggs | Ohio
State |
|
Need to
address several needs to rebuild talent and depth. Definitely need
defensive help. Biggest need may be the secondary, but there isn't
much first round talent there. Since there is more talent at LB,
that could be where the pick comes from. Either way, it should be a
defensive pick.
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| 25.
Minnesota Vikings | DB
Ahmed Plummer | Ohio St. |
|
For those
of you who didn't see the Vikings/Rams playoff game this year,
consider yourself lucky because it was ugly. The Vikings secondary
was scorched by Kurt Warner and company for 49 points. The loss of
Jimmy Hitchcock will not help their cause either. Look for the
Vikings to select Ahmed Plummer, perhaps the top cornerback on the
board, here; as well as more defensive backfield help later in the
draft.
|
|
| 26. Buffalo
Bills | OT Marvel
Smith | Arizona
State |
|
The Bills
have quite a few needs that could be addressed here. Marvel Smith
could help their OL and might be the best player available to fill a
need. Buffalo could also consider a talented DL or RB here, should
one fall to them.
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|
| 27.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | LB
Rob Morris | BYU |
|
The loss
of MLB Hardy Nickerson should cause the Bucs to act on the situation
and draft a MLB. Morris is a classic MLB: good run stopper, solid
tackler, and hard hitter. He doesn't seem to have the speed that the
rest of Tampa Bay's defense has, but he may be the best inside
linebacker on the board at this spot. Penn State's Brandon Short
could be an alternative later in the draft.
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| 28. Indianapolis
Colts | LB Julian
Peterson | Michigan St. |
|
We saw the
Colts come full circle last season, improving from 3-13 to 13-3,
largely due to the drafting of RB Edgerrin James. While the Colts
offense is as good as there is in the NFL(including the Rams), their
defense could still use some work. Their defense is young and showed
some major improvement last year. The addition of speed LB Julian
Peterson to play along side last year's second round pick, LB Mike
Peterson, would give the Colts a very solid, very young LB corps.
|
|
| 29.
Jacksonville Jaguars | WR
Sylvester Morris | Jackson St. |
|
When a
team has as much talent as Jacksonville, they tend to draft for
depth rather than to address needs. I think Sly Morris is a good
match for Jacksonville for a few reasons. Jacksonville's McCardell
and Smith are already the best receiving duo in the league. Adding a
tall, speedy reciever like Morris will make a dynamite three
reciever set as well as giving Morris some time to mature. Also, as
talented as Jacksonville is, there will come a time when they can't
afford to pay all of their stars(as evident w/ J. Stewart) and they
will lose either Smith or McCardell. When that happens, Morris will
be there, ready to play.
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| 30. Tennessee
Titans | WR Jerry
Porter | West
Virginia |
|
We all saw
how the injury to Yancey Thigpen hurt the Titans in the Super Bowl
against the Rams, as their offense was stagnant except for RB Eddie
George. Thigpen and Dyson are both solid recievers but neither one
of them are really game breakers. Porter may not be that kind of
game breaker either, but he is an exceptional athlete(plays both WR
and DB) that should complement Steve McNair's athleticism. Porter
would also add depth at WR and he is an excellent special teams
player.
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| 31.
St. Louis Rams | DT
Chris Hovan | Boston College |
|
What can I
say? The Rams had the most efficient and high scoring offense in the
entire league last year. Which side of the ball do you think they
will draft towards?
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