Here’s my revised take on the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. It assumes Mike Williams enters, and Drew Henson will be traded and signed, and will not re-enter the draft. So, the top 11 has been shuffled but the rest of the draft remains the same. I also included the top 11 of my original attempt so you can see the difference.
Take it apart, boys…
1. San Diego: Eli Manning, QB
Yeah, Mike Williams makes them think twice, but they go with the name and relative security that Manning will not bust.
2. Oakland: Mike Williams, WR
They already have a deep threat in Porter, and had been eyeing Fitzgerald as his counterpart, but Mike Williams is a talent too special to pass up.
3. Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Denny ignores Pariah’s pleadings to take Roethlisberger and selects his protégé.
4. Pittsburgh (trade with NYG): Ben Roethlisberger, QB
The Steelers seize the opportunity to draft their next Bradshaw. The future of their passing attack looks good.
5. Washington: Robert Gallery, OT
Step one in re-building the Hogs. Gibbs is a freaking genius.
6. Detroit: Sean Taylor, RB
Mooch had his eye on a RB, but only because he didn’t think Taylor would get this far. No- brainer; Taylor is the best athlete/player in the draft.
7. Atlanta: Roy Williams, WR
Mike Vick needs a WR that will develop with him. Williams is a steal at this point in the draft.
8. Cleveland: Shawn Andrews, OT
Cleveland has an anemic running game, but a couple of backs with promise. What gives? The o-line, that’s what.
9. Jacksonville: Kellen Winslow, Jr.
The Jags need more weapons for Leftwich. Kevin Johnson is a great addition, Jimmy Smith has a couple more years, and Winslow will make a nice safety blanket for Lefty.
10. Houston: Tommie Harris, DT
The Texans are fortunate he falls to them here. Should help the defense immediately.
11. New York Giants (trade w/ Pittsburgh): Steven Jackson, RB
The Giants have a new regime in town, and a number of needs, which is why they make the trade with Pittsburgh – NYG #4 for Pitt’s #11, a third and Burress. Jackson is the best value on the board at this point, and will compete with Mr. Average, Tiki Barber.
12. NY Jets: Reggie Williams, WR
See ATL and JAX, Pennington needs toys.
13. Buffalo: Chris Gamble, CB
In an effort to replace Winefield (who was lost to AZ in FA
), the Bills use their top pick on a CB.
14. Chicago: Vince Wilfolk, DT
The Bears had a lot of success a couple of years ago with giant bodies in the middle eating up blockers, allowing their speedy LBs to make plays. They’re much closer to that type of success once again with Wilfolk.
15. Tampa Bay: Michael Clayton, WR
I’m not sold on the idea that McCardell can carry a passing game on his shoulders. Clayton gives the Bucs a prototype WR.
16. San Francisco: Kenechi Udeze, DE
San Fran steels Udeze at #16. He’s possibly a top-ten talent.
17. Cincinnati: Will Smith, DE
See above.
18. New Orleans: DJ Williams, LB
Lots to choose from—NO needs LBs and CBs, and there’s a ton of talent on the board at this point.
19. Minnesota: Derrick Strait, CB
The Vikings pass coverage is as bad as Moss is good. I’ll bet Moss had fun in practice last year.
20. Miami: Jacob Rogers, OT
Ricky Williams is the engine that makes the Dolphins’ offense go, but he can’t do it alone.
21. New England (from Balt.): Kevin Jones, RB
Antwoin Smith? Kevin Faulk? It’s truly amazing the offense works as well as it does.
22. Dallas: Karlos Dansby, LB
A LB that can rush the QB…sound like someone Parcells might make a star? Dallas was licking its chops watching K. Jones fall as far as he did, but just missed, so LB is the call here.
23. Seattle: DeAngelo Hall, CB
…and a terrific young secondary is built.
24. Denver: Rashaun Woods, WR
McCaffery and Smith are getting older, Lelie shows flashes, but can’t do it himself. Woods is a great value here. DT is also a good value at this point, but I think Shanny has a lot riding on his QB selection and will try to help him out with this pick.
25. Green Bay: Phillip Rivers, QB
Brett Favre’s successor.
26. St. Louis: Randy Starks, DT
The Rams are in the enviable position to be making a 1st round selection purely on talent; they don’t appear to have any glaring holes to fill. I think Starks is probably the best available at this point.
27. Titans: Michael Jenkins, WR
Not exactly a vote of confidence in the no-name WRs that played so well this season for McNair (the final play of the season not withstanding).
28. Philadelphia: Matt Ware, CB
Poor Eagles. They had their eye on a bunch of the WRs in round 1, but the ones they covet are all off the board. They replace the CB they lose to FA. They reach for Ware because of his size.
29. Indianapolis: Marcus Tubbs, DT
Beef. It’s what’s for dinner. The Colts add size in the middle.
30. Kansas City: Kewain Ratliff, CB
Sure, the Chefs can score 30 every game, but it seems down the stretch they were just as likely to give up 31.
31. Carolina: Michael Boulware, LB
Building on their strength, the Panthers add more speed to an already great defense.
32. New England: Jonathan Vilma, LB
The Pat’s LBs are getting a little long in the tooth. Vilma is probably a pretty good value here.
Take it apart, boys…
1. San Diego: Eli Manning, QB
Yeah, Mike Williams makes them think twice, but they go with the name and relative security that Manning will not bust.
2. Oakland: Mike Williams, WR
They already have a deep threat in Porter, and had been eyeing Fitzgerald as his counterpart, but Mike Williams is a talent too special to pass up.
3. Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Denny ignores Pariah’s pleadings to take Roethlisberger and selects his protégé.
4. Pittsburgh (trade with NYG): Ben Roethlisberger, QB
The Steelers seize the opportunity to draft their next Bradshaw. The future of their passing attack looks good.
5. Washington: Robert Gallery, OT
Step one in re-building the Hogs. Gibbs is a freaking genius.
6. Detroit: Sean Taylor, RB
Mooch had his eye on a RB, but only because he didn’t think Taylor would get this far. No- brainer; Taylor is the best athlete/player in the draft.
7. Atlanta: Roy Williams, WR
Mike Vick needs a WR that will develop with him. Williams is a steal at this point in the draft.
8. Cleveland: Shawn Andrews, OT
Cleveland has an anemic running game, but a couple of backs with promise. What gives? The o-line, that’s what.
9. Jacksonville: Kellen Winslow, Jr.
The Jags need more weapons for Leftwich. Kevin Johnson is a great addition, Jimmy Smith has a couple more years, and Winslow will make a nice safety blanket for Lefty.
10. Houston: Tommie Harris, DT
The Texans are fortunate he falls to them here. Should help the defense immediately.
11. New York Giants (trade w/ Pittsburgh): Steven Jackson, RB
The Giants have a new regime in town, and a number of needs, which is why they make the trade with Pittsburgh – NYG #4 for Pitt’s #11, a third and Burress. Jackson is the best value on the board at this point, and will compete with Mr. Average, Tiki Barber.
12. NY Jets: Reggie Williams, WR
See ATL and JAX, Pennington needs toys.
13. Buffalo: Chris Gamble, CB
In an effort to replace Winefield (who was lost to AZ in FA
), the Bills use their top pick on a CB.14. Chicago: Vince Wilfolk, DT
The Bears had a lot of success a couple of years ago with giant bodies in the middle eating up blockers, allowing their speedy LBs to make plays. They’re much closer to that type of success once again with Wilfolk.
15. Tampa Bay: Michael Clayton, WR
I’m not sold on the idea that McCardell can carry a passing game on his shoulders. Clayton gives the Bucs a prototype WR.
16. San Francisco: Kenechi Udeze, DE
San Fran steels Udeze at #16. He’s possibly a top-ten talent.
17. Cincinnati: Will Smith, DE
See above.
18. New Orleans: DJ Williams, LB
Lots to choose from—NO needs LBs and CBs, and there’s a ton of talent on the board at this point.
19. Minnesota: Derrick Strait, CB
The Vikings pass coverage is as bad as Moss is good. I’ll bet Moss had fun in practice last year.
20. Miami: Jacob Rogers, OT
Ricky Williams is the engine that makes the Dolphins’ offense go, but he can’t do it alone.
21. New England (from Balt.): Kevin Jones, RB
Antwoin Smith? Kevin Faulk? It’s truly amazing the offense works as well as it does.
22. Dallas: Karlos Dansby, LB
A LB that can rush the QB…sound like someone Parcells might make a star? Dallas was licking its chops watching K. Jones fall as far as he did, but just missed, so LB is the call here.
23. Seattle: DeAngelo Hall, CB
…and a terrific young secondary is built.
24. Denver: Rashaun Woods, WR
McCaffery and Smith are getting older, Lelie shows flashes, but can’t do it himself. Woods is a great value here. DT is also a good value at this point, but I think Shanny has a lot riding on his QB selection and will try to help him out with this pick.
25. Green Bay: Phillip Rivers, QB
Brett Favre’s successor.
26. St. Louis: Randy Starks, DT
The Rams are in the enviable position to be making a 1st round selection purely on talent; they don’t appear to have any glaring holes to fill. I think Starks is probably the best available at this point.
27. Titans: Michael Jenkins, WR
Not exactly a vote of confidence in the no-name WRs that played so well this season for McNair (the final play of the season not withstanding).
28. Philadelphia: Matt Ware, CB
Poor Eagles. They had their eye on a bunch of the WRs in round 1, but the ones they covet are all off the board. They replace the CB they lose to FA. They reach for Ware because of his size.
29. Indianapolis: Marcus Tubbs, DT
Beef. It’s what’s for dinner. The Colts add size in the middle.
30. Kansas City: Kewain Ratliff, CB
Sure, the Chefs can score 30 every game, but it seems down the stretch they were just as likely to give up 31.
31. Carolina: Michael Boulware, LB
Building on their strength, the Panthers add more speed to an already great defense.
32. New England: Jonathan Vilma, LB
The Pat’s LBs are getting a little long in the tooth. Vilma is probably a pretty good value here.
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