BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
PICK TEAM PLAYER POS SCHOOL
1 (1) Texans Reggie Bush* RB USC
GM Charley Casserly says he is open for trade business, but it is unlikely any team will offer the booty required to get this valuable pick. So, that will leave the Texans to select the most versatile offensive threat in the draft and team him with RB Domanick Davis.
2 (2) Saints Matt Leinart QB USC
There are rumblings that QB Drew Brees might not be able to carry a full load in training camp. By drafting Leinart, the Saints could give him plenty of work in preseason and training camp, then have him watch and learn during the regular season and be ready to go in 2007. Brees' contract basically is a one-year deal with a team option to turn it into a long-team deal.
3 (3) Titans D'Brickashaw Ferguson T Va.
The Titans are playing contract hardball with veteran QB Steve McNair and could move up to get Leinart. The team, however, won't take Vince Young or Jay Cutler at No. 3. If the Titans stay here, they'll go for Ferguson. The Titans' coaches worked with Ferguson at the Senior Bowl and say he could be the cornerstone to anchor their offensive line for at least the next decade.
4 (4) Jets A.J. Hawk OLB Ohio St.
If the Saints entertain trade offers for the No. 2 pick, the Jets certainly will be interested. If forced to stay put, the Jets will take Hawk to team with Jonathan Vilma to form the nucleus of the 3-4 scheme under new coach Eric Mangini.
5 (5) Packers Mario Williams* DE NC State
Despite the re-signing of DE Aaron Kampman, the Packers would have a tough time passing on Williams' size, strength and speed. Green Bay could use him in a three-man rotation with Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to give the team a formidable and fresh pass rush.
6 (6) 49ers Haloti Ngata* DT Oregon
San Francisco has undersized Anthony Adams (5-11, 297) penciled in at nose tackle but obviously needs more size. Ngata (6-4, 338) has the size and quickness to make an immediate impact in the Niners' 3-4 alignment.
7 (7) Raiders Winston Justice* T USC
High-ranking Raiders officials did not leave Justice's side during Southern Cal's on-campus workouts April 2. Who could blame them? It's not often that a 320-pound man shows off a 39-inch vertical leap and runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds. Justice would start immediately at right tackle and allow Robert Gallery to shift back to his more comfortable left side.
8 (8) Bills Michael Huff S Texas
If Ngata and Williams are off the board, Buffalo would take the value pick -- Huff, who has the size and speed to play safety and the ball skills to play cornerback. Troy Vincent is entering his 15th season and Coy Wire lacks ideal size, so Huff could contribute immediately to a unit that struggled last year.
9 (9) Lions Tye Hill CB Clemson
The Lions' cornerback depth behind veteran starters Dre' Bly and Fernando Bryant is awful. Hill is tough and might be the best in this draft at playing bump-and-run coverage. Hill wants NFL teams to know he is not just another speedster.
10 (10) Cardinals Vernon Davis* TE Maryland
Arizona might need three footballs on offense to keep all of its playmakers happy. Davis is the best receiver in the '06 draft and is a tight end. He shows good hands, the speed to stretch the field and would bring another dimension to an already potent offense that just added RB Edgerrin James. There finally is an oasis in the desert.
11 (11) Rams Vince Young* QB Texas
New coach Scott Linehan was the offensive coordinator who oversaw the development of Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota and sees some common traits in Young. And Young wouldn't be under pressure to play right away and could sit for a couple of years behind Marc Bulger.
12 (12) Browns DeMeco Ryans OLB Alabama
Outside linebacker is the key position in coach Romeo Crennel's defense. Ryans is instinctive, aggressive and fast. He is strong against the run and can play in coverage and rush the passer. He would be a good, young complement to veteran OLB Willie McGinest.
13 (13) Ravens Brodrick Bunkley DT Florida St.
Bunkley is a little undersized, but he is quick and athletic and could be a disruptive force in the middle of the Ravens' attacking defense.
14 (14) Eagles Chad Jackson* WR Florida
WR Reggie Brown, a second-round pick last year, played well down the stretch in '05 but lacks Jackson's big-play ability.
15 (15) Broncos Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston Coll.
(from Atlanta) The Broncos' failing in the AFC Championship Game was a result of their inability to pressure the quarterback. Despite a collection of ex-Browns defensive linemen, Denver still lacks a dominant pass rusher. Kiwanuka would contribute right away as a wave rusher and eventually displace Courtney Brown or Kenard Lang.
16 (16) Dolphins Jimmy Williams CB Va. Tech
The Dolphins lack a shutdown cornerback. Williams is no workout warrior, but he is big and physical. Coach Nick Saban would love to add Williams' attitude to his improving defense.
17 (17) Vikings Jay Cutler QB Vandy
Culpepper's trade to Miami might have secured Cutler's spot in Minnesota.
18 (18) Cowboys Marcus McNeill T Auburn
Both LT Flozell Adams and RT Jason Fabini missed time because of injuries last season. Both are entering their ninth NFL season, and McNeill has the size and athletic ability to play either tackle spot.
19 (19) Chargers Santonio Holmes* WR Ohio St.
Keenan McCardell is the Chargers' best wide receiver, and Eric Parker is a distant second. Holmes has speed to burn and plenty of big-play ability and would add another dimension to an already potent offense. Holmes also is a dangerous return man.
20 (20) Chiefs Antonio Cromartie* CB Florida St.
Cromartie, who had major knee surgery in July 2005, had a great workout for scouts in March and shows better hands than many wide receivers. He appears to be completely healed, and his speed and ball skills would fit perfectly in coach Herman Edwards' defense that places an emphasis on forcing turnovers.
21 (21) Patriots Chad Greenway OLB Iowa
The Patriots need an outside linebacker with the speed to rush off the edge and the toughness to stuff the run at the point of attack. Greenway didn't test particularly well in the pre-draft workouts, but he plays like his hair is on fire and always is around the ball. He is the kind of big-effort player coach Bill Belichick loves.
22 (22) Broncos Leonard Pope* TE Georgia
(from Washington) The Broncos lack a true threat in the red zone. Pope is 6-7 and has a 37-inch vertical; he could become an elite go-to guy near the goal line.
23 (23) Buccaneers Thomas Howard OLB UTEP
Is it possible that Derrick Brooks already is entering his 12th season? It is. The Bucs must begin to shore up their aging defense, which relies on speed and quickness.
24 (24) Bengals Nick Mangold C Ohio St.
Rich Braham is nearing the end of his career. Mangold could take over quickly as the line-caller to protect franchise quarterback Carson Palmer for many years.
25 (25) Giants Ernie Sims* OLB Florida St.
Sims is blazing fast and makes plays from sideline to sideline. The Giants' linebacker corps was decimated by injuries last year, and the team won't get caught short again.
26 (26) Bears Johnathan Joseph* CB S. Carolina
With CB Charles Tillman expected to move to safety and CB Jerry Azumah announcing his retirement, Joseph would fill a big need for the Bears.
27 (27) Panthers Laurence Maroney* RB Minnesota
DeShaun Foster re-signed but has a long history of getting hurt, so Maroney would bring needed depth.
28 (28) Jaguars Manny Lawson DE NC State
Lawson (6-5, 241) runs the 40-yard dash in a stunning 4.4 seconds. He is the edge rusher the Jaguars lack to complement stud defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.
29 (29) Jets Davin Joseph G Oklahoma
(from Denver through Atlanta) With the departure of Kevin Mawae, Pete Kendall will be moved to center. Jonathan Goodwin is gone, and Jason Fabini now is in Dallas. That leaves Brandon Moore as the only starting-caliber guard. Scouts love Joseph, and many consider him the best run blocker in the draft.
30 (30) Colts DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
The Colts must replace Edgerrin James. Williams (5-8, 208) lacks height but shows excellent speed and hits holes hard, necessary tools for Indianapolis' trademark stretch plays.
31 (31) Seahawks Ashton Youboty* CB Ohio St.
Youboty is a polished cornerback with excellent speed and athletic ability and would give the Seahawks needed depth to handle the aerial attacks of division foes St. Louis and Arizona.
32 (32) Steelers Rodrique Wright DT Texas
Wright could play end or tackle in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme, and the team needs to start working
1 (1) Texans Reggie Bush* RB USC
GM Charley Casserly says he is open for trade business, but it is unlikely any team will offer the booty required to get this valuable pick. So, that will leave the Texans to select the most versatile offensive threat in the draft and team him with RB Domanick Davis.
2 (2) Saints Matt Leinart QB USC
There are rumblings that QB Drew Brees might not be able to carry a full load in training camp. By drafting Leinart, the Saints could give him plenty of work in preseason and training camp, then have him watch and learn during the regular season and be ready to go in 2007. Brees' contract basically is a one-year deal with a team option to turn it into a long-team deal.
3 (3) Titans D'Brickashaw Ferguson T Va.
The Titans are playing contract hardball with veteran QB Steve McNair and could move up to get Leinart. The team, however, won't take Vince Young or Jay Cutler at No. 3. If the Titans stay here, they'll go for Ferguson. The Titans' coaches worked with Ferguson at the Senior Bowl and say he could be the cornerstone to anchor their offensive line for at least the next decade.
4 (4) Jets A.J. Hawk OLB Ohio St.
If the Saints entertain trade offers for the No. 2 pick, the Jets certainly will be interested. If forced to stay put, the Jets will take Hawk to team with Jonathan Vilma to form the nucleus of the 3-4 scheme under new coach Eric Mangini.
5 (5) Packers Mario Williams* DE NC State
Despite the re-signing of DE Aaron Kampman, the Packers would have a tough time passing on Williams' size, strength and speed. Green Bay could use him in a three-man rotation with Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to give the team a formidable and fresh pass rush.
6 (6) 49ers Haloti Ngata* DT Oregon
San Francisco has undersized Anthony Adams (5-11, 297) penciled in at nose tackle but obviously needs more size. Ngata (6-4, 338) has the size and quickness to make an immediate impact in the Niners' 3-4 alignment.
7 (7) Raiders Winston Justice* T USC
High-ranking Raiders officials did not leave Justice's side during Southern Cal's on-campus workouts April 2. Who could blame them? It's not often that a 320-pound man shows off a 39-inch vertical leap and runs the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds. Justice would start immediately at right tackle and allow Robert Gallery to shift back to his more comfortable left side.
8 (8) Bills Michael Huff S Texas
If Ngata and Williams are off the board, Buffalo would take the value pick -- Huff, who has the size and speed to play safety and the ball skills to play cornerback. Troy Vincent is entering his 15th season and Coy Wire lacks ideal size, so Huff could contribute immediately to a unit that struggled last year.
9 (9) Lions Tye Hill CB Clemson
The Lions' cornerback depth behind veteran starters Dre' Bly and Fernando Bryant is awful. Hill is tough and might be the best in this draft at playing bump-and-run coverage. Hill wants NFL teams to know he is not just another speedster.
10 (10) Cardinals Vernon Davis* TE Maryland
Arizona might need three footballs on offense to keep all of its playmakers happy. Davis is the best receiver in the '06 draft and is a tight end. He shows good hands, the speed to stretch the field and would bring another dimension to an already potent offense that just added RB Edgerrin James. There finally is an oasis in the desert.
11 (11) Rams Vince Young* QB Texas
New coach Scott Linehan was the offensive coordinator who oversaw the development of Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota and sees some common traits in Young. And Young wouldn't be under pressure to play right away and could sit for a couple of years behind Marc Bulger.
12 (12) Browns DeMeco Ryans OLB Alabama
Outside linebacker is the key position in coach Romeo Crennel's defense. Ryans is instinctive, aggressive and fast. He is strong against the run and can play in coverage and rush the passer. He would be a good, young complement to veteran OLB Willie McGinest.
13 (13) Ravens Brodrick Bunkley DT Florida St.
Bunkley is a little undersized, but he is quick and athletic and could be a disruptive force in the middle of the Ravens' attacking defense.
14 (14) Eagles Chad Jackson* WR Florida
WR Reggie Brown, a second-round pick last year, played well down the stretch in '05 but lacks Jackson's big-play ability.
15 (15) Broncos Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston Coll.
(from Atlanta) The Broncos' failing in the AFC Championship Game was a result of their inability to pressure the quarterback. Despite a collection of ex-Browns defensive linemen, Denver still lacks a dominant pass rusher. Kiwanuka would contribute right away as a wave rusher and eventually displace Courtney Brown or Kenard Lang.
16 (16) Dolphins Jimmy Williams CB Va. Tech
The Dolphins lack a shutdown cornerback. Williams is no workout warrior, but he is big and physical. Coach Nick Saban would love to add Williams' attitude to his improving defense.
17 (17) Vikings Jay Cutler QB Vandy
Culpepper's trade to Miami might have secured Cutler's spot in Minnesota.
18 (18) Cowboys Marcus McNeill T Auburn
Both LT Flozell Adams and RT Jason Fabini missed time because of injuries last season. Both are entering their ninth NFL season, and McNeill has the size and athletic ability to play either tackle spot.
19 (19) Chargers Santonio Holmes* WR Ohio St.
Keenan McCardell is the Chargers' best wide receiver, and Eric Parker is a distant second. Holmes has speed to burn and plenty of big-play ability and would add another dimension to an already potent offense. Holmes also is a dangerous return man.
20 (20) Chiefs Antonio Cromartie* CB Florida St.
Cromartie, who had major knee surgery in July 2005, had a great workout for scouts in March and shows better hands than many wide receivers. He appears to be completely healed, and his speed and ball skills would fit perfectly in coach Herman Edwards' defense that places an emphasis on forcing turnovers.
21 (21) Patriots Chad Greenway OLB Iowa
The Patriots need an outside linebacker with the speed to rush off the edge and the toughness to stuff the run at the point of attack. Greenway didn't test particularly well in the pre-draft workouts, but he plays like his hair is on fire and always is around the ball. He is the kind of big-effort player coach Bill Belichick loves.
22 (22) Broncos Leonard Pope* TE Georgia
(from Washington) The Broncos lack a true threat in the red zone. Pope is 6-7 and has a 37-inch vertical; he could become an elite go-to guy near the goal line.
23 (23) Buccaneers Thomas Howard OLB UTEP
Is it possible that Derrick Brooks already is entering his 12th season? It is. The Bucs must begin to shore up their aging defense, which relies on speed and quickness.
24 (24) Bengals Nick Mangold C Ohio St.
Rich Braham is nearing the end of his career. Mangold could take over quickly as the line-caller to protect franchise quarterback Carson Palmer for many years.
25 (25) Giants Ernie Sims* OLB Florida St.
Sims is blazing fast and makes plays from sideline to sideline. The Giants' linebacker corps was decimated by injuries last year, and the team won't get caught short again.
26 (26) Bears Johnathan Joseph* CB S. Carolina
With CB Charles Tillman expected to move to safety and CB Jerry Azumah announcing his retirement, Joseph would fill a big need for the Bears.
27 (27) Panthers Laurence Maroney* RB Minnesota
DeShaun Foster re-signed but has a long history of getting hurt, so Maroney would bring needed depth.
28 (28) Jaguars Manny Lawson DE NC State
Lawson (6-5, 241) runs the 40-yard dash in a stunning 4.4 seconds. He is the edge rusher the Jaguars lack to complement stud defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.
29 (29) Jets Davin Joseph G Oklahoma
(from Denver through Atlanta) With the departure of Kevin Mawae, Pete Kendall will be moved to center. Jonathan Goodwin is gone, and Jason Fabini now is in Dallas. That leaves Brandon Moore as the only starting-caliber guard. Scouts love Joseph, and many consider him the best run blocker in the draft.
30 (30) Colts DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
The Colts must replace Edgerrin James. Williams (5-8, 208) lacks height but shows excellent speed and hits holes hard, necessary tools for Indianapolis' trademark stretch plays.
31 (31) Seahawks Ashton Youboty* CB Ohio St.
Youboty is a polished cornerback with excellent speed and athletic ability and would give the Seahawks needed depth to handle the aerial attacks of division foes St. Louis and Arizona.
32 (32) Steelers Rodrique Wright DT Texas
Wright could play end or tackle in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme, and the team needs to start working
