here ya go
Free agency is under way and already we have seen how that is going to affect April's NFL draft. In my last first-round projections, I had the Arizona Cardinals selecting USC running back LenDale White with the 10th overall pick. However, with Edgerrin James signing with the Cardinals over the weekend, I would expect Arizona to now go in a different direction with its first-round pick.
My next list of first-round projections will be out in the first week of April, so until then it's time to answer some draft questions from my mailbag. Sticking with the Cardinals, the first question relates to them and how they could end up with one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
Q: Drew Brees could sign with Miami or New Orleans, and Patrick Ramsey appears headed to the Jets. If that happens and both the Raiders and Lions pass on Jay Cutler, what team would use its first-round pick on the Vanderbilt QB? -- Keith, Denver
A: Arizona at No. 10 would be the viable option then for Cutler. Based on where Cutler stands right now, he wouldn't drop that much. If Culpepper was reunited with Dennis Green in Arizona, you could see a scenario where Cutler could end up in Minnesota.
Q: If the Vikings do trade Daunte Culpepper, will that change their draft philosophy -- at least when it comes to their first-round pick? -- Jeff, Alaska
Where QBs like Drew Brees and Daunte Culpepper end up will directly impact the first round of the NFL draft.A: Their philosophy won't change unless Cuter is still on the board when they pick. The Vikings have needs at running back, safety/cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver. If they trade Culpepper and Cutler isn't around, they could look at quarterbacks like Alabama's Brodie Croyle or Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst in the second or third round.
Q: Would you describe Virginia Tech defensive end Darryl Tapp as having first-round ability and instincts, but not first-round measurements and that's why he's not projected as high as he could be? -- Andrew, Dover Shores, Del.
A: Tapp was a very consistent player for the Hokies. He got the best of Virginia tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson back in November and that speaks for itself. He's very strong (bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times) and has longer arms than I thought. What hurt Tapp (6-foot-1½, 252 pounds) was that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.84 seconds at the NFL scouting combine. A player of his size should run a 4.6 and not a 4.84. He's probably a second- or third-round pick.
Q: Do you see Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims potentially making the switch to strong safety in the NFL? Also, is he a match for the Bengals at No. 24 in the first round? -- Dave, Denver
A: Sims is definitely an outside linebacker. What he'll need to do in the NFL is play more consistently. Although he has great explosiveness, at times he gets a bit undisciplined on the field. He could go as early as 14th overall to the Eagles. If he doesn't go to Philadelphia, any team after that in need of a linebacker will likely take Sims.
Q: Sam Hurd of Northern Illinois was considered a top-10 wide receiver. He had over 1,000 yards receiving for a run-oriented football team in 2005, but I have heard nothing about him as a draft prospect. What round are you projecting him in? -- Sterling, DeKalb, IL
A: Hurd has some ability to catch the ball and does have some speed. He is looking at being a late-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent. He has some ability to come in and contribute, but more likely a player you might take a flier on in the sixth or seventh round.
Q: I've heard a lot about DeMeco Ryans and Brodie Croyle from Alabama, but I haven't heard much on other players like defensive end Mark Anderson and linebacker Freddie Roach. Where do you see them going? -- Chris, Mobile, Ala.
A: Anderson is the best player from Alabama after Ryans and could be a second-round pick. He has very natural pass-rushing instincts, as he showed against D'Brickashaw Ferguson at the Senior Bowl. His best football seems to be ahead of him. He has not peaked yet. He does have to play the run better at the next level. In the second round, Anderson would make a lot of sense for some teams. Roach and safeties Charlie Peprah and Roman Harper are considered second-day players.
Q: With the Jets cutting Kevin Mawae and Pete Kendall struggling last year at center, do you think Nick Mangold from Ohio State will be available at the top of the second round, and is he worth grabbing at that high of a pick? -- Allen, New York
A: He is definitely worth taking in the second round. When I did my latest first-round projections, I tried to find a team from 24 to 32 that could use Mangold. He played like a first-rounder at Ohio State and has had a great postseason. He's more of a physical presence as an anchor along the offensive line than people have given him credit for. The Senior Bowl week really helped him and a team will feel really good about taking him early in the second round.
