kerouac9
Klowned by Keim
Mel Kiper said:Things have changed up and down my first-round projection, from the top five all the way to No. 32. Some teams still look to be focused on a particular position or player, but most of the picks have shifted slightly since my last mock draft. Wide receivers fill two of the first three slots as well as the final three first-round positions, while there are 18 underclassmen among my projections for the first 32 picks.
And let's not forget that trades could significantly alter the look of the first round. Trade activity will no doubt change the board before April 24, and it will be interesting to see how team needs could affect when certain players come off the board. (underclassmen denoted with an asterisk*)
1. San Diego Chargers: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss
Trade rumors are swirling and the Chargers have plenty of needs, but Manning seems to be the logical choice as it appears San Diego is not convinced Drew Brees can be its QB of the future with his height limitations and questionable arm strength.
2. Oakland Raiders: Roy Williams, WR, Texas
Williams is a complete player who had an extremely productive career, an his individual workout has put him on equal footing with with the big to WRs, Larry Fitzgerald and Mike Williams. Roy's athleticism and maturity make him a guy who is the best choice at one of many need positions.
3. Arizona Cardinals: *Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh
Showed in his individual workout that he has the speed to go with his outstanding hands and body control. With the Cardinals apparently sold on Josh McCown as their QB, look for them to try and get McCown some help.
4. New York Giants: Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa
Gallery will step in and be an immediate starter, a textbook left tackle who will give QB Kerry Collins some much-needed security. Has the size, athleticism and mean streak necessary to become a force in the trenches.
5. Washington Redskins: *Sean Taylor, S, Miami
The best defensive player in the 2004 draft, Taylor would take care of a big need for the Redskins. Washington has a limited amount of picks, though, so it is possible the 'Skins will trade down and address needs at DT or TE later in the draft.
6. Detroit Lions: *Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami
The Lions had one of the worst passing games in the NFL last season, and Winslow would give them a dynamic threat who could stretch the middle of the field or flank out wide alongside Tai Streets and Charles Rogers.
7. Cleveland Browns: *DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech
Showed 4.3 speed at his workout, which gives him not only tremendous recovery speed but impact potential as a punt returner.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State
May have inched slightly ahead of Kenechi Udeze as the top DE on the board and would be a great addition for a team that managed only 21 sacks in 2003.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: *Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC
Played both DT and DE in college, and at 280 pounds with good athleticism Udeze could be a force off the edge. Jacksonville had just 24 sacks last season and Udeze could help remedy that problem.
10. Houston Texans: Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina
Robinson might have the best cover skills in the draft, and with his nice combine workout capping a solid career he would be an excellent hole-filler for a team that needs secondary help.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers: *Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami-Ohio
Roethlisberger's grade is not falling, but teams in the top 10 will likely feel they can fill a bigger need with a player just as good. The Steelers are in desperate need of a QB and Roethlisberger has all the physical skills to be that guy.
12. New York Jets: *Mike Williams, WR, USC
Speed is a question and we're still waiting on accurate computer numbers on Williams, but with his size and strength he would give QB Chad Pennington a big target who can go up and get the ball.
13. Buffalo Bills: Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State
With Roethlisberger falling down the board the Bills have a chance to get their QB of the future in Rivers. He has the skills to step in and challenge immediately, but a year or two behind would allow Rivers some time to acclimate to the NFL.
14. Chicago Bears: *Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami
Has done everything right since the end of the college season. Wilfork had his weight down to 323 at the combine and has exceptional athletic ability for a player his size. With his potential to be a dominator along the defensive front he is better than any DT on the roster right now.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin
Evans finished last season strong and had a great combine workout, showing that he has overcome a knee injury and is back to his old form. He's not on the level of the top three WRs in the draft, but his speed separates him from the rest of the second-tier wideouts. A good fit for a team that needs a deep threat.
16. San Francisco 49ers: *Reggie Williams, WR, Washington
The Niners need a big WR after the loss of Terrell Owens and Tai Streets, and Williams has the size to gain a matchup advantage over even the biggest NFL cornerbacks.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: *Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma
The Bengals gave up more than 138 rushing yards per game last season. Harris would give them a solid inside presence on the front seven with his quickness off the ball and ability to get into opposing backfields.
18. New Orleans Saints: *Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State
Was a full-time college corner for just one season and is still raw in terms of cover skills, but he had an excellent bowl game against Kansas State and had the athletic ability to get by until he is coached up. This could be the year the Saints finally get the CB they need so badly.
19. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami
The Vikings got little outside pressure on the passer last season, and while Williams is still learning the position he has the size and speed to get to QB and also fill in elsewhere.
20. Miami Dolphins: *Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas
A dominating run blocker who is the prototype right tackle, Andrews is also light on his feet. He has the potential to destroy defenses and would be a big help for RB Ricky Williams.
21. New England Patriots (from Baltimore): *Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State
Jackson has a higher grade than No. 21, but with the exception of Detroit at No. 6 there are really no teams above new England with enough of a need to take a running back before the 21st pick. The sixth pick is too high for Jackson, though, and the Patriots would do well to scoop him up should he fall into their lap.
22. Dallas Cowboys: *Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech
Did not run well at his pro day workout but was one of the most productive backs in the nation in 2003. Jones has tremendous athletic ability and is a good blocker who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
23. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami
Does not have great size but was one of the elite defensive players in college last season. Vilma is a hit-lift-drive tackler and one of the most instinctive linebackers you'll see.
24. Denver Broncos: Ben Troupe, TE, Florida
The Broncos would get a nice replacement for Shannon Sharpe if they take Troupe off the board. Troupe has good hands and the athleticism to make yards after the catch. Could be a major factor at an impact position in Denver.
25. Green Bay: *Matt Ware, DB, UCLA
Ware can play both CB and S and would make a lot of sense for a team needing secondary help. He would bring some much-needed athleticism and flexibility to the defensive backfield.
26. St. Louis Rams: Jason Babin, DE, Western Michigan
A fast-riser who had terrific workout numbers and is one of the best, most productive players ever to come out of the Mid-America Conference. A nice fit for a team that lost Grant Wistrom in free agency.
27. Tennessee Titans: *Donnell Washington, DT, Clemson
He showed flashes of domination at Clemson but was an up-and-down player for the Tigers. Washington did have a phenomenal combine, though, and could be a good roll of the dice for a team that could lose players like Robaire Smith to free agency.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Shawnte Spencer, CB, Pittsburgh
The Eagles need a big corner after the loss of Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, and Spencer goes 6-1. He created a buzz at Pittsburgh's pro day workout -- overshadowing even Larry Fitzgerald -- and had a terrific job against teams like Miami and Virginia Tech during the Big East season.
29. Indianapolis Colts: *Sean Jones, S, Georgia
Had a heck of a year and amassed over 100 tackles for the Bulldogs in 2003. Solid in all facets of the game, Jones also has great ball skills in addition to his willingness to step up and support the run.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: *Michael Clayton, WR, LSU
The Chiefs could not stop anyone last season and sorely need to shore up their defense, but they would be getting a tough, physically gifted wideout in Clayton and at this point in the first round they would likely go with the best available player at one of their need positions. Clayton does not have great speed but makes up for it in toughness.
31. Carolina Panthers: Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State
Has had nice workouts and put together a solid performance in the Fiesta Bowl. Besides the fact that Jenkins is the school's all-time leading receiver he was a co-captain for the Buckeyes and an unselfish player who did whatever it took to win.
32. New England Patriots: Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State
Steady, consistent, productive and polished. Has all the necessary skills to give QB Tom Brady another outside weapon.
There are no surprises in my second-round projection of the draft, but there will be some great values because of the significant amount of underclassmen being picked in the first round. Because of those underclassmen, teams are going to have a chance to pick players like senior LB Karlos Dansby or RB Chris Perry, who were projected first-rounders at some point during the season or afterwards.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida St.
2. New York Giants: Jason Shivers, S, Arizona St.
3. San Diego Chargers: Nat Dorsey, OT, Georgia Tech
4. Detroit Lions: Chris Perry, RB, Michigan
5. Cleveland Browns: Vernon Carey, G/T, Miami
6. Atlanta Falcons: Will Poole, CB, USC
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Devery Henderson, WR, LSU
8. Houston Texans: Karlos Dansby, LB, Auburn
9. Denver Broncos: Daryl Smith, LB, Georgia Tech
10. Tennessee Titans: Antwan Odom, DE, Alabama
11. Buffalo Bills: Justin Smiley, OG, Alabama
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ahmad Carroll, CB, Arkansas
13. Oakland Raiders: Jake Grove, C, Virgina Tech
14. San Francisco 49ers: Igor Olshansky, DT, Oregon
15. Chicago Bears: Johnnie Morant, WR, Syracuse
16. New Orleans Saints: Courtney Watson, LB, Notre Dame
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeremy Leseuer, CB, Michigan
18. Minnesota Vikings: Travis Laboy, DE, Hawaii
19. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Snee, OG, Boston College
20. Dallas Cowboys: Kelly Butler, OT, Purdue
21. Seattle Seahawks: Randy Starks, DT, Maryland
22. Denver Broncos: P.K. Sam, WR, Florida State
23. Green Bay Packers: J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane
24. New England Patriots: Teddy Lehman, LB, Oklahoma
25. Tennessee Titans: Greg Jones, RB, Florida State
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Boulware, LB, Florida State
27. Indianapolis Colts: Terry Johnson, DT, Washington
28. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Strait, CB, Oklahoma
30. Carolina Panthers: Joey Thomas, CB, Montana State
31. New England Patriots: Robert Sanders, S, Iowa
I don't really want Dockett, but Sopoaga is falling out of the second round, and would be solid in round 3. Flip Poole and Dockett in Round 2, add Sopoaga in round 3, and I'll be doing backflips come Saturday night.
