| 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 | OT Chris
Samuels | Alabama |
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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 | 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.
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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. Denver has also shown interest in QB Chad
Pennington and LB Brian Urlacher.
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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 Travis
Taylor | Florida |
|
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. Travis Taylor has been
moving up draft boards although some scouts think he may still be a
year or two away from being a prime time reciever. He does have
tremendous speed and a lot of potential though. He should fit in
well with the Bucs offense and help out QB Shaun King. Other
possibilities might be TE Bubba Franks and WR Dez White.
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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 | WR Dez
White | Georgia Tech |
|
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. Dez White is a good sized reciever who
should be able to provide a consistent target for QB Tony Banks or
Trent Dilfer. |
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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 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.
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| 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 | 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.
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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 | 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 and Na'il Diggs.
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| 31. St.
Louis Rams | DT Chris
Hovan | Boston College |
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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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