| 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 | OT
Chris Samuels | Alabama |
|
Samuels is
the best OL available in the draft and has been drawing a lot of
attention lately from the teams in top five, esp. Washington. Aside
from any possible trades, it looks as if Washington will grab
Samuels with either the second or third pick. Other possibilities
might include Peter Warrick or Courtney Brown.
|
|
| 3.
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.
|
|
| 4. Cincinnati
Bengals | WR Peter
Warrick | Florida
St. |
|
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. If Warrick falls through
Cleveland and Washington, he will be a useful weapon for young QB
Akili Smith. Another option here is RB Thomas Jones, but 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.
|
|
| 5.
Baltimore Ravens | HB
Thomas Jones | Virginia |
|
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.
Although I haven't seem him play much Jones seems to be the top
rated RB in this years draft. The Ravens need help on offense and a
solid running game is a good start. Rumor has it that the Ravens are entertaining
offers for this pick and could trade down.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 8. Pittsburg
Steelers | WR Plaxico
Burress | Michigan 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. Plaxico
Burress has had a few poor workouts and has angered some teams by
missing meetings which has caused his stock to fall slightly.
Burress is a big physical receiver with all of the physical skills
to be a star in the NFL. His priorities don't seem to be in order
but his size would be a nice complement to the speedy Troy Edwards.
The Steelers might take a chance on him. A DL is also a possibility
here.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 10. Baltimore
Ravens | WR Travis
Taylor | Florida |
| Look for
the Ravens to stay on the offensive side of the ball here. Having
already pick up RB Thomas Jones, they could use a reciever to go
along side Quadry Ismahil. Travis Taylor is a good speed reciever
who should be able to provide a consistent target for QB Tony Banks
or Trent Dilfer. Taylor has been moving up draft boards and will
create a very dangerous speed combination with Qadry
Ismahil.
|
|
| 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!
|
|
| 12. New York
Jets | QB Chad
Pennington | Marshall |
| Not
that I expect the Jets to keep all four of their first round picks,
I will try to predict the draft as if they will. We all saw
the Jets collapse last year after Vinny Testaverde was injured
in week 1. Although Vinny will be back, Pennington will
provide a back-up plan as well as be the QB of the
future.
|
|
| 13.
New York Jets | WR
Dez White | Georgia Tech |
|
Keyshawn
Johnson's absence will be a huge loss for the Jets offense.
They will need to address the WR position at some point and this
seems to be a good time. Dez White is a good sized reciever
who will relieve some
of the loss of
Johnson. Travis Taylor and Bubba Franks are also options here.
|
|
| 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. The Packers are interested
in Corey Simon and may move up to grab him on draft
day.
|
|
| 15.
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. Denver has also shown interest in QB Chad
Pennington and LB Brian Urlacher.
|
|
|
|
| 16. San Francisco
49ers | LB Rob
Morris
| BYU |
|
The 49ers
need lots of help on defense. Morris is the top MLB on most
boards and could catch the 49ers eye here. QB Chad Pennington
is
a strong possibility is he lasts
this long. A CB is another option on defense but their is
limited first round talent at that position.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 18. 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.
Chris Hovan could be an option if the Jets look to
the inside of the line.
|
|
| 19.
Seattle Seahawks | WR
Jerry Porter | West Virginia |
|
Trading
star WR Joey Galloway to Dallas leaves Seattle thin at wide
reciever. WR Travis Taylor is probably the best fit to replace
Galloway for Seattle. Taylor is likely to be gone already so look
for Seattle to grab WR Jerry Porter. Porter may not have the speed
of Galloway or Taylor but he has great size and is an exceptional
athlete(plays both WR and DB). Porter is also an excellent special
teams player. Other options here are WR Travis Taylor and WR Sly
Morris.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 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. Could move up the boards on draft
day, but I'm not sold on the status of his knee.
|
|
| 24. San Francisco
49ers | DE Darren
Howard | Kansas
St. |
|
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 DL and
LB, that could be where the pick comes from. Either way, it should
be a defensive pick.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 27.
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 a top rated guard and is a possible pick for
the Jets.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
| 30. Tennessee
Titans | LB Keith
Bulluck | Syracuse |
|
Titans
could
also
draft on offense with this pick for an OL or a WR. If a player above
from those positions fall to the Titans then that could be the
pick. Otherwise they can bolster their defense with more young talent.
They have their pick here of Bulluck, Na'il Diggs, and John Abraham.
|
|
| 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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|
