 |
 |
 |
|
Mock drafts: Prisco | Dodd | Glazer
On the eve of the NFL Draft, with a slew of trades still expected to mess up the order of the first round, here's one more mock draft to cause you to ruin your perfect Mel Kiper-like hair by rubbing your head.
This is the "official" mock draft, one you can use to rip me when I get half of the picks wrong. It is complete with Friday's trade between the Jets and the Bears, but not including any trades that might happen Saturday.
And there will be plenty.
As one coach said late Thursday night, "Anybody who thinks they have an idea about what might happen in the first round is crazy. This is going to be the weirdest draft in a long time."
That could lead to one of the longest drafts ever. Last year's first round was over five hours. This one could push six hours if the expected trade negotiations take place.
Get the snacks ready, get those eyes rested and make sure the glasses are clean; this NFL Draft is going to take some patience.
1. Cincinnati Bengals: Carson Palmer, QB, USC. At least one is in the bag. And he's signed, sealed and delivered. A good move for the Bengals.
2. Detroit Lions: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State. The Lions may move out of this spot in a deal with New England, but if they stay put, they take Rogers over Terence Newman.
3. Houston Texans: Andre Johnson, WR, Miami. The Texans take the next best receiver on the board in Johnson, although they'd consider a trade down with Dallas.
4. New York Jets (from Chicago): Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky. They get a dominant player in the middle of their defense in the trade with Chicago.
5. Dallas Cowboys: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State. The Cowboys get the shutdown corner they want when they are unable to get Robertson.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State. They are tempted to take Johnson since their receiving corps is so depleted, but in the end, they take the local kid.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State. They want out of this spot, and might make a deal with either Carolina (which wants Byron Leftwich) or New Orleans (which wants Trufant).
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Gross, T, Utah. After considering Byron Leftwich and with Trufant off the board, they opt for the left tackle.
9. Carolina Panthers: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall. They are considering moving up to get him, so they are thrilled when he is still on the board. Will also consider Gross.
10. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Boller, QB, Cal. They wanted Leftwich, but they settle for a guy coach Brian Billick loves, for his athletic ability and big arm.
11. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State. Once the top-rated tackle in this draft, Kennedy now falls out of the top 10. The Seahawks are thrilled he did.
12. St. Louis Rams: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State. The Rams prefer to have Trufant, but with him off the board, they add an outstanding defensive lineman.
13. Chicago Bears (from Washington through N.Y. Jets): Jonathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia. They trade down and still get a top-notch defensive tackle.
14. New England Patriots (from Buffalo): Ty Warren, DT, Texas A&M. The Pats like this kid, and feel he can be an impact player right away in their defense.
15. San Diego Chargers: William Joseph, DT, Miami. With the uncertainty about the injury to Jamal Williams, Joseph is a need pick. He fits what this team has to do to get better.
16. Kansas City Chiefs: Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami. They made a run at Hugh Douglas, and this is the same type of player. Could also go for Nebraska's Chris Kelsay here.
17. New Orleans Saints: Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame. He is a fast riser up this board and will keep LeCharles Bentley and Kendyl Jacox at guard.
18. New Orleans Saints (from Miami): Troy Polamalu, S, USC. They add speed to the safety spot to go with Tebucky Jones. A defense that was slow last year is now fast.
19. New England Patriots: Eric Steinbach, G, Iowa. They are thrilled to add a player of his ability with this pick. He can play tackle in their system, too.
20. Denver Broncos: Chris Kelsay, DE, Nebraska. They signed offensive tackle Ed Ellis Thursday, and they don't like to use first-round picks on offensive linemen. So they opt for pass-rush help.
21. Cleveland Browns: Boss Bailey, LB, Georgia. The concerns about his knees keep him on the board until this late in the first round. The Browns are thrilled that's the way it played out. Will also give strong consideration to Andre Woolfolk.
22. Chicago Bears (from N.Y. Jets): Kwame Harris, T, Stanford. They need a right tackle with James Williams gone, and Harris will step in and play right away. Will allow them to keep Marc Columbo at left tackle.
23. Buffalo Bills (from Falcons): Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State. Here is a team looking to juice up the pass rush, and Haynes is that guy. He's the perfect fit for this team.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma. They like his size and feel he's perfect for their cover-two style.
25. New York Giants: Kenny Peterson, DE, Ohio State. They wanted Ty Warren or Chris Kelsay, but they settle for Peterson, who can also play tackle.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida. They need a third receiver this season, but next year, when Tai Streets becomes a free agent, Jacobs will become a starter.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rex Grossman, QB, Florida. They're not sold on Tommy Maddox just yet. Might also consider Woolfolk if he's there.
28. Tennessee Titans: Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State. They want an eventual replacement for Eddie George, and Johnson is that guy. Might also consider Penn State receiver Bryant Johnson.
29. Green Bay Packers: Nick Barnett, LB, Oregon State. They need help at linebacker, and Barnett is a fast player who can stay in on all downs.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: L.J. Smith, TE, Rutgers. They want a replacement for Chad Lewis and they feel Smith is the best receiving tight end in the group.
31. Oakland Raiders: Sammy Davis, CB, Texas A&M. Charles Woodson becomes a free agent after this season. His agents are tough to deal with, so Davis is a safeguard pick.
32. Oakland Raiders: (from Tampa Bay): Willis McGahee, RB, Miami. They can afford to take a chance on their back of the future since this is like a second-round pick.