AntSports Steve
Cardinals Future GM
DraftSharks Mock Draft :
1Houston TexansRB Reggie Bush, USC
2New Orleans SaintsQB Matt Leinart, USC
3Tennessee TitansOT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
4Oakland Raiders*QB Vince Young, Texas
5Green Bay PackersLB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
6New York Jets*DE Mario Williams, NC State
7San Francisco 49ersLB DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
8Buffalo BillsOT Winston Justice, USC
9Detroit LionsTE Vernon Davis, Maryland
10Arizona CardinalsS Michael Huff, Texas
11St. Louis RamsLB Chad Greenway, Iowa
12Cleveland BrownsRB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
13Miami Dolphins*QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt
14Philadelphia EaglesWR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State
15Atlanta FalconsDB Jimmy Williams, Va. Tech
16Baltimore Ravens*RB LenDale White, USC
17Minnesota VikingsRB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
18Dallas CowboysOT Marcus McNeill, Auburn
19San Diego ChargersCB Tye Hil, Clemson
20Kansas City ChiefsDE Tamba Hali, Penn State
21New England PatriotsDT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
22Denver BroncosS Darnell Bing, USC
23Tampa Bay BucsOT Eric Winston, Miami
24Cincinnati BengalsTE Marcedes Lewis, UCLA
25New York GiantsDT Brodrick Bunkley, Florida State
26Chicago BearsS Ko Simpson, South Carolina
27New Orleans Saints*LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
28Jacksonville JaguarsLB Thomas Howard, UTEP
29Denver BroncosDT Rodrique Wright, Texas
30Indianapolis ColtsDE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
31Seattle SeahawksCB Ashton Youboty, Ohio State
32Pittsburgh SteelersC Nick Mangold, Ohio State* indicates traded picks
Commentary:
1. Houston Texans – RB Reggie Bush, USC: Let’s skip Bush for a second and talk about Houston. Did anyone else notice what happened after Reggie exploded for 513 all-purpose yards vs. Fresno State? Suddenly a quite competitive Texans team – coming off a 21-14 loss at Jacksonville and 31-17 loss at Indianapolis – found new ways to lose. The day after the big “513” they lost 45-17, at home, to Kansas City. Then they handed back a 24-3 lead, at home, to St. Louis and rookie QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Then Kyle Boller drove 67 yards on them with less than 1:00 remaining to set up the winning kick. Then they lost 13-10 at Tennessee after Kris Brown missed a chip shot (wide by 15 yards) with 0:00 on the clock, which secured a 1-12 record. Then they booked a trip to the Bush Bowl in San Francisco… and lost, of course.
2. New Orleans Saints – QB Matt Leinart, USC: You get the idea that a Bill Parcells disciple like Sean Payton would prefer to trade down and add a couple picks, draft heavy on defense, and sign a veteran free-agent QB. The Saints finished 27th against the run and gave up a league-high 19 runs of 20+ yards, which won’t cut it in the ground-based NFC South. But who would trade up to #2? It would cost a bundle of picks, and besides, either Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) or Brodie Croyle (Alabama) should be available later in the 1st round. There are rumors that Leinart could really slide down, a la Aaron Rodgers, though we don’t see that happening. Interesting note: Payton has spent the last decade working under Parcells, Jim Fassel, and Jon Gruden, and not once did he witness any of them spending a 1st round pick on a quarterback.
3. Tennessee Titans – OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia: We’ve talked to Titans insiders and Ferguson is their pick, contrary to most opinions. Jeff Fisher coached Ferguson’s North Squad in the Senior Bowl. Vince Young is the sexy pick, but Fisher isn't about sexy. He’s into drafting mature, hungry players that fill an immediate need, usually on the line of scrimmage. LT Brad Hopkins is going into his 13th year, and the last time Tennessee took an offensive skill player in the 1st round was WR Kevin Dyson in 1998. The 6’5/295-lb Ferguson has “Cornerstone” stamped on his forehead. His wingspan is 87 inches – or just over 7 feet! Sure, we know Steve McNair is Vince Young’s mentor... but the kid doesn’t fit OC Norm Chow’s system. Look for McNair (if his contract gets re-done) or Billy Volek to start while they groom a mid-round quarterback like Darrell Hackney from UAB. You can’t pass on All-Decade prospects like Ferguson.
4. Oakland Raiders (from N.Y. Jets) – QB Vince Young, Texas: Al Davis climbs two spots to get his franchise QB. The Jets drop to #6 while collecting three picks, Oakland’s 2nd rounder (#36 overall) this year plus their 1st & 3rd round selections in 2007. Davis probably never envisioned taking Young until they lost 6 straight games and bagged a high draft slot. Rookie QB Andrew Walter had groin surgery and didn’t get any reps in 2005 so they need to sign another productive veteran (Warner or McCown?). Oakland is $28 million over the cap but can knock down over half that number by releasing SS Derrick Gibson, RB Zack Crockett & CB Denard Walker, then breaking down Randy Moss’ $10 million cap hit by converting salary into bonuses. (Note: All trade speculation aside, Oakland could start with the #7 pick, not #6, depending on a coin flip vs. San Francisco.)
5. Green Bay Packers – LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State: After Bush-to-Texans, this is the most popular prognostication pick on the board. Mel Kiper, Colin Lindsay, Scouts Inc., they all say Hawk is going to Green Bay. It makes sense. They finished 23rd against the run. LBs Robert Thomas and Na’il Diggs can’t stay healthy, and Paris Lenon is an unrestricted free agent. New defensive coordinator Bob Sanders needs a premier weak-side ‘backer in the 4-3 scheme alongside MLB Nick Barnett. Hawk is a ready-made impact starter that will make Sanders’ job easier. In fact, he could eventually take over the middle spot. Hopefully the Packers will re-sign DE Aaron Kampman (6.5 sacks), who gets better every time he sets foot on the field: Hawk won’t encounter much traffic playing behind Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
6. New York Jets (from Oakland) – DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State: New head coach Eric Mangini can’t believe his luck, dropping a couple spots and snagging the next Julius Peppers. Mario’s a 6’7/280-lb manhunter who led the ACC with 14.5 sacks despite only collecting one in the first 5 games! He skipped his senior year but only lacks one semester for his degree and has a tremendous reputation off the field. Williams, who just turned 21 yesterday, started as a freshman and left with a Wolfpack school-record 52 tackles for a loss. Jets owner Woody Johnson might let disgruntled DE John Abraham walk, which would leave the defensive line with no depth.
7. San Francisco 49ers – LB DeMeco Ryans, Alabama: 49ers HC Mike Nolan coached Ryans during Senior Bowl week. The 49ers’ four starting linebackers at the end of the season – Brandon Moore, Andre Carter, Julian Peterson and Derek Smith – can all become free agents in March. This team has many needs and probably wants to trade down worse than anyone, but the only leverage pick left is Jay Cutler and everybody knows they won’t take him. Ryans is 6’2/232 so he’ll need to bulk up, but NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger said the kid “might have the biggest heart in college football.” And heart is exactly what the Niners need.
8. Buffalo Bills – OT Winston Justice, USC: This team ranked 28th in offense and 29th in defense, so new GM Marv Levy has work to do. Here’s where ESPN cameras start to focus on Jay Cutler and his agent in the Green Room… Cutler deserves a lot of the recent hype – he’s a darn good quarterback – but his mechanics need work and Buffalo can’t spend another 1st rounder on a QB after the Losman debacle. Justice will step in and replace RT Jason Peters, a former college tight end. The Trojans star shows incredible technique and might have the tools and footwork necessary to play either side. He’ll come highly recommended by USC OL coach Pat Ruel, who worked as Buffalo’s OL coach in 2003.
9. Detroit Lions – TE Vernon Davis, Maryland: It’s hard to speculate when Detroit hasn’t hired a new offensive coordinator yet. GM Matt Millen and new HC Rod Marinelli interviewed ex-Rams HC Mike Martz yesterday but we’re hearing that Detroit might not be offering enough money. Vernon Davis? You’ll hear about him a lot in the next 3 months. He’s coming out early after finishing 2nd in the ACC with 871 receiving yards. Davis grades out like a man-beast: 6’3/255 lbs, 4.47 in the 40, 460 lbs on the bench, with a juicy 40-inch vertical leap. The Lions have been soft and lethargic on offense. Davis is an impact player with an unlimited energy supply.
10. Arizona Cardinals – S Michael Huff, Texas: Huff is Mel Kiper’s favorite these days, leaping up the Big Board all the way to San Francisco at #7. Huff is a gamer with the versatility to play safety or corner. He posted over 250 career tackles at Texas and won the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. Dennis Green probably needs a couple more offensive linemen and a physical running back, but at $30 million under the cap they have lots of options in free agency.
1Houston TexansRB Reggie Bush, USC
2New Orleans SaintsQB Matt Leinart, USC
3Tennessee TitansOT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
4Oakland Raiders*QB Vince Young, Texas
5Green Bay PackersLB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
6New York Jets*DE Mario Williams, NC State
7San Francisco 49ersLB DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
8Buffalo BillsOT Winston Justice, USC
9Detroit LionsTE Vernon Davis, Maryland
10Arizona CardinalsS Michael Huff, Texas
11St. Louis RamsLB Chad Greenway, Iowa
12Cleveland BrownsRB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
13Miami Dolphins*QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt
14Philadelphia EaglesWR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State
15Atlanta FalconsDB Jimmy Williams, Va. Tech
16Baltimore Ravens*RB LenDale White, USC
17Minnesota VikingsRB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
18Dallas CowboysOT Marcus McNeill, Auburn
19San Diego ChargersCB Tye Hil, Clemson
20Kansas City ChiefsDE Tamba Hali, Penn State
21New England PatriotsDT Haloti Ngata, Oregon
22Denver BroncosS Darnell Bing, USC
23Tampa Bay BucsOT Eric Winston, Miami
24Cincinnati BengalsTE Marcedes Lewis, UCLA
25New York GiantsDT Brodrick Bunkley, Florida State
26Chicago BearsS Ko Simpson, South Carolina
27New Orleans Saints*LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
28Jacksonville JaguarsLB Thomas Howard, UTEP
29Denver BroncosDT Rodrique Wright, Texas
30Indianapolis ColtsDE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
31Seattle SeahawksCB Ashton Youboty, Ohio State
32Pittsburgh SteelersC Nick Mangold, Ohio State* indicates traded picks
Commentary:
1. Houston Texans – RB Reggie Bush, USC: Let’s skip Bush for a second and talk about Houston. Did anyone else notice what happened after Reggie exploded for 513 all-purpose yards vs. Fresno State? Suddenly a quite competitive Texans team – coming off a 21-14 loss at Jacksonville and 31-17 loss at Indianapolis – found new ways to lose. The day after the big “513” they lost 45-17, at home, to Kansas City. Then they handed back a 24-3 lead, at home, to St. Louis and rookie QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Then Kyle Boller drove 67 yards on them with less than 1:00 remaining to set up the winning kick. Then they lost 13-10 at Tennessee after Kris Brown missed a chip shot (wide by 15 yards) with 0:00 on the clock, which secured a 1-12 record. Then they booked a trip to the Bush Bowl in San Francisco… and lost, of course.
2. New Orleans Saints – QB Matt Leinart, USC: You get the idea that a Bill Parcells disciple like Sean Payton would prefer to trade down and add a couple picks, draft heavy on defense, and sign a veteran free-agent QB. The Saints finished 27th against the run and gave up a league-high 19 runs of 20+ yards, which won’t cut it in the ground-based NFC South. But who would trade up to #2? It would cost a bundle of picks, and besides, either Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) or Brodie Croyle (Alabama) should be available later in the 1st round. There are rumors that Leinart could really slide down, a la Aaron Rodgers, though we don’t see that happening. Interesting note: Payton has spent the last decade working under Parcells, Jim Fassel, and Jon Gruden, and not once did he witness any of them spending a 1st round pick on a quarterback.
3. Tennessee Titans – OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia: We’ve talked to Titans insiders and Ferguson is their pick, contrary to most opinions. Jeff Fisher coached Ferguson’s North Squad in the Senior Bowl. Vince Young is the sexy pick, but Fisher isn't about sexy. He’s into drafting mature, hungry players that fill an immediate need, usually on the line of scrimmage. LT Brad Hopkins is going into his 13th year, and the last time Tennessee took an offensive skill player in the 1st round was WR Kevin Dyson in 1998. The 6’5/295-lb Ferguson has “Cornerstone” stamped on his forehead. His wingspan is 87 inches – or just over 7 feet! Sure, we know Steve McNair is Vince Young’s mentor... but the kid doesn’t fit OC Norm Chow’s system. Look for McNair (if his contract gets re-done) or Billy Volek to start while they groom a mid-round quarterback like Darrell Hackney from UAB. You can’t pass on All-Decade prospects like Ferguson.
4. Oakland Raiders (from N.Y. Jets) – QB Vince Young, Texas: Al Davis climbs two spots to get his franchise QB. The Jets drop to #6 while collecting three picks, Oakland’s 2nd rounder (#36 overall) this year plus their 1st & 3rd round selections in 2007. Davis probably never envisioned taking Young until they lost 6 straight games and bagged a high draft slot. Rookie QB Andrew Walter had groin surgery and didn’t get any reps in 2005 so they need to sign another productive veteran (Warner or McCown?). Oakland is $28 million over the cap but can knock down over half that number by releasing SS Derrick Gibson, RB Zack Crockett & CB Denard Walker, then breaking down Randy Moss’ $10 million cap hit by converting salary into bonuses. (Note: All trade speculation aside, Oakland could start with the #7 pick, not #6, depending on a coin flip vs. San Francisco.)
5. Green Bay Packers – LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State: After Bush-to-Texans, this is the most popular prognostication pick on the board. Mel Kiper, Colin Lindsay, Scouts Inc., they all say Hawk is going to Green Bay. It makes sense. They finished 23rd against the run. LBs Robert Thomas and Na’il Diggs can’t stay healthy, and Paris Lenon is an unrestricted free agent. New defensive coordinator Bob Sanders needs a premier weak-side ‘backer in the 4-3 scheme alongside MLB Nick Barnett. Hawk is a ready-made impact starter that will make Sanders’ job easier. In fact, he could eventually take over the middle spot. Hopefully the Packers will re-sign DE Aaron Kampman (6.5 sacks), who gets better every time he sets foot on the field: Hawk won’t encounter much traffic playing behind Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
6. New York Jets (from Oakland) – DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State: New head coach Eric Mangini can’t believe his luck, dropping a couple spots and snagging the next Julius Peppers. Mario’s a 6’7/280-lb manhunter who led the ACC with 14.5 sacks despite only collecting one in the first 5 games! He skipped his senior year but only lacks one semester for his degree and has a tremendous reputation off the field. Williams, who just turned 21 yesterday, started as a freshman and left with a Wolfpack school-record 52 tackles for a loss. Jets owner Woody Johnson might let disgruntled DE John Abraham walk, which would leave the defensive line with no depth.
7. San Francisco 49ers – LB DeMeco Ryans, Alabama: 49ers HC Mike Nolan coached Ryans during Senior Bowl week. The 49ers’ four starting linebackers at the end of the season – Brandon Moore, Andre Carter, Julian Peterson and Derek Smith – can all become free agents in March. This team has many needs and probably wants to trade down worse than anyone, but the only leverage pick left is Jay Cutler and everybody knows they won’t take him. Ryans is 6’2/232 so he’ll need to bulk up, but NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger said the kid “might have the biggest heart in college football.” And heart is exactly what the Niners need.
8. Buffalo Bills – OT Winston Justice, USC: This team ranked 28th in offense and 29th in defense, so new GM Marv Levy has work to do. Here’s where ESPN cameras start to focus on Jay Cutler and his agent in the Green Room… Cutler deserves a lot of the recent hype – he’s a darn good quarterback – but his mechanics need work and Buffalo can’t spend another 1st rounder on a QB after the Losman debacle. Justice will step in and replace RT Jason Peters, a former college tight end. The Trojans star shows incredible technique and might have the tools and footwork necessary to play either side. He’ll come highly recommended by USC OL coach Pat Ruel, who worked as Buffalo’s OL coach in 2003.
9. Detroit Lions – TE Vernon Davis, Maryland: It’s hard to speculate when Detroit hasn’t hired a new offensive coordinator yet. GM Matt Millen and new HC Rod Marinelli interviewed ex-Rams HC Mike Martz yesterday but we’re hearing that Detroit might not be offering enough money. Vernon Davis? You’ll hear about him a lot in the next 3 months. He’s coming out early after finishing 2nd in the ACC with 871 receiving yards. Davis grades out like a man-beast: 6’3/255 lbs, 4.47 in the 40, 460 lbs on the bench, with a juicy 40-inch vertical leap. The Lions have been soft and lethargic on offense. Davis is an impact player with an unlimited energy supply.
10. Arizona Cardinals – S Michael Huff, Texas: Huff is Mel Kiper’s favorite these days, leaping up the Big Board all the way to San Francisco at #7. Huff is a gamer with the versatility to play safety or corner. He posted over 250 career tackles at Texas and won the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. Dennis Green probably needs a couple more offensive linemen and a physical running back, but at $30 million under the cap they have lots of options in free agency.
