Yet another mock draft by me (#3)

[Swiss Cheezhead]

This one will soon be posted at the-website-that-shalt-not-be-named. That's why there's commentary for each pick in the first round.

 

 

1. Houston – Reggie Bush*, RB, Southern California

With his incredible versatility, Bush will be a matchup nightmare. QB David Carr, WR Andre Johnson, and RB Domanick Davis will all benefit from his presence.

 

2. New Orleans – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

The Saints have two great DEs already, so Ferguson is the no-brainer pick. He and RT Jammal Brown will be the best young OT tandem in the league.

 

3. Tennessee – Matt Leinart, QB, Southern California

A dream come true for both Leinart and the Titans. Reuniting with his former offensive coordinator at SC (Norm Chow) will make Leinart’s learning curve much less steep.

 

4. NY Jets – Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt

There are indications that the Jets have Cutler at the top of their draft board, so they’ll be ecstatic with him here. He’ll replace Chad Pennington (or Patrick Ramsey) in 2007.

 

5. Denver (via Green Bay) – Mario Williams*, DE, N.C. State

This is a perfect example of two willing trade partners. The Packers want more picks and the Broncos feel that they were one pass-rusher away from going to the SuperBowl.

 

6. San Francisco – Michael Huff, S, Texas

Arguably, the 49ers had the weakest secondary in the league last year, so they would love to add a playmaker like Huff to their defensive backfield.

 

7. Oakland Raiders – Vince Young*, QB, Texas

Owner Al Davis is so excited about the prospect of drafting Young that his enthusiasm is seeping into the local press. Young could learn in ’06 and sell lots of tickets in ’07.

 

8. Philadelphia (via Buffalo) – Haloti Ngata*, DT, Oregon

Now that they’ve re-signed RT Jon Runyan, the Eagles feel good enough about their team to give up picks and move up to get Ngata – they’ve wanted him since the Combine.

 

9. Detroit – A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State

GM Matt Millen will probably wonder what he did to deserve a player of Hawk’s caliber at #9. Well, he probably doesn’t deserve it at all, but Hawk would be a great addition.

 

10. Arizona – Vernon Davis*, TE, Maryland

Although AZ’s offense is good enough already, it would be downright scary with talented TE on board. Denny Green would immediately add more pages to his playbook.

 

11. St. Louis – Ernie Sims*, LB, Florida State

The Rams need a weakside LB and Sims is the best in the class. It’s a bit of a reach at 11th overall, but it would pay dividends immediately.

 

12. Cleveland – Mathias Kiwanuka, DE (OLB), Boston College

Kiwanuka is perfectly suited to play OLB in a 3-4. In fact, his play is eerily similar to that of free-agent signee Willie McGinest, who’s one of the best 3-4 LBs in history.

 

13. Baltimore – Broderick Bunkley, DT, Florida State

Losing Maake Kemoeatu left the Ravens extremely thin at DT, but Bunkley would help a lot. He doesn’t provide the same “beef”, but he’s much more disruptive.

 

14. Buffalo (via Philadelphia) – Winston Justice*, OT, Southern California

As the Bills transition to a version of Mike Martz’s offense, pass protection is especially crucial. Whoever wins the QB job will be glad Justice is on the team.

 

15. Green Bay (via Denver via Atlanta) – Chad Jackson*, WR, Florida

WR Javon Walker’s contract dispute will force the Packers to plan for his eventual departure. Jackson would be groomed to become Aaron Rodgers’s go-to receiver.

 

16. Miami – Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State

After losing out on OLB Lavar Arrington, the Dolphins will be forced to address their perimeter pass-rush via the draft. Carpenter is a great option.

 

17. Minnesota – Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa

In order to properly run their new Cover-2 defense, the Vikings need to revamp their linebacker corps. Greenway would be an excellent start to that process.

 

18. Dallas – Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn

The Cowboys signed RT Jason Fabini after his abysmal 2005 performance, but they’re not sure how much he has left. McNeill would provide a 6-8, 334-pound insurance policy.

 

19. San Diego – Tye Hill, CB, Clemson

OT, WR, and DT might be bigger needs for San Diego, but Hill is too good to pass up. They’ve wanted some competition in the secondary and Hill would bring it.

 

20. Kansas City – Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Considering injury-prone, inconsistent Julian Battle is currently KC’s second-best cornerback, they’ll be looking to upgrade. Williams has enormous upside.

 

21. New England – Santonio Holmes*, WR, Ohio State

For some reason, when New England’s pick rolls around, there’s usually a great player available at one of their need positions. Holmes would make the rich richer.

 

22. Green Bay (via Denver via Washington) – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis

If the Packers got Williams this late, management (and fans) would be doing cartwheels. He would solidify their uncertain RB position. Welcome back, Brett.

 

23. Tampa Bay – Eric Winston, OT, Miami

Winston’s slow recovery from a 2004 knee injury could cause him to slide this far, but the Bucs would be smiling. They need a new starting tackle and Winson will be ready by training camp.

 

24. Cincinnati – Leonard Pope*, TE, Georgia

Pope is a 6-foot-8, 255-pound target with impressive 4.6 speed in the 40. Much like Davis in Arizona, Pope would add another dimension to Cincinnati’s already-potent offense.

 

25. NY Giants – Demeco Ryans, LB, Alabama

The Giants were unable to find a weakside linebacker at good value in free agency, so Ryans would become an immediate starter and could make a big impact.

 

26. Chicago – Johnathan Joseph*, CB, South Carolina

After being beaten by Carolina’s Steve Smith almost single-handedly in the playoffs, the Bears realize they need more speed in the secondary. Joseph's 4.31 40 fits the bill.

 

27. Carolina – Thomas Howard, LB, Texas-El Paso

When Will Witherspoon joined the Rams, the Panthers lost one of the best WLBs in the league. Thomas Howard has a lot of talent, but he would have big shoes to fill.

 

28. Jacksonville – LenDale White*, RB, Southern California

With so few teams ahead of them needing a new rusher, the Jaguars find their next feature back. White would share with Fred Taylor for a year before completely taking over.

 

29. NY Jets (via Denver) – Laurence Maroney*, RB, Minnesota

If they’re able to select a talented runner like Maroney here, the Jets will be glad they didn’t trade this pick. When Curtis Martin retires, the team will be in good hands.

 

30. Indianapolis – Joseph Addai, RB, Louisiana State

With a the dire need to replace RB Edgerrin James, the Colts will settle for Addai. Fortunately, he brings a solid all-around skill set to the position, much like James did.

 

31. Seattle – Antonio Cromartie*, CB, Florida State

After releasing Andre Dyson and re-signing Kelly Herndon, Seattle could definitely use a bigger CB. Cromartie is big (6-2, 208) and he’s exceptionally fast (4.37 40).

 

32. Pittsburgh – Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State

Some “experts” are down on Hagan because of a subpar Senior-Bowl performance, but he’s great value at the end of round one. Goodbye, Randle El. Hello, red-zone threat.

 

 

 

ROUND TWO

 

 

1. Houston – Tamba Hali, DE, Pennsylvania State

 

2. New Orleans – Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State

 

3. NY Jets – Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas

 

4. Green Bay – Ashton Youboty*, CB, Ohio State

 

5. Oakland – Marcedes Lewis, TE, California-Los Angeles

 

6. San Francisco – Manny Lawson, DE (OLB), North Carolina State

 

7. Tennessee – D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland

 

8. Detroit – Donte Whitner*, S, Ohio State

 

9. Arizona – Ko Simpson*, S, South Carolina

 

10. Buffalo – Darnell Bing*, S, Southern California

 

11. Cleveland – Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan

 

12. Baltimore – Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh

 

13. Buffalo (via Philadelphia) – Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas

 

14. St. Louis – Jason Allen, S, Tennessee

 

15. Atlanta – Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami (Florida)

 

16. Minnesota – Omar Jacobs*, QB, Bowling Green

 

17. Dallas – Pat Watkins, S, Florida State

 

18. San Diego – Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (Florida)

 

19. Minnesota (via Miami) – Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia

 

20. New England – Kamerion Wimbley, DE (OLB), Florida State

 

21. Washington – Claude Wroten, DT, Louisiana State

 

22. Kansas City – Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama

 

23. Cincinnati – Orien Harris, DT, Miami

 

24. NY Giants – Jason Avant, WR, Michigan

 

25. Chicago – Anthony Fasano*, TE, Notre Dame

 

26. Carolina – Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado

 

27. Tampa Bay – Rocky McIntosh, LB, Miami (Florida)

 

28. Jacksonville – Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

 

29. Denver – Jonathan Lewis, DT, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

 

30. Indianapolis – Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma

 

31. Seattle – Daniel Bullocks, S, Nebraska

 

32 Pittsburgh – Ryan O’Callaghan, OT, California-Berkeley

 

 

EDIT: Atlanta didn't have Denver's 2nd, so Denver chose J. Lewis, DT, VT

Edited March 27, 2006 by Swiss Cheezhead

[Men In Tights]

If this is a sign of things to come I would be happy to see the Packers trade down and pick up two first round picks.

[rajncajn]

You put in that Brick pick just for me, didn't you?

 

Brick, Mangold & Brown...That would be a fantastic line for a long time to come.

[BigTen]

There is absoultely NO WAY Hawk falls to Detroit. I would love it if he did but it will just not happen. And I am sure if he did Millen would screw up the pick.

[i_am_the_swammi]

Nice call on the Philly transaction....I like it!

 

In your scenario, did it the trade look like this:

 

Philly gives their #1 & #2 and perhaps a #5

Buffalo gives their #1 and Eric Moulds?

[Swiss Cheezhead]

You put in that Brick pick just for me, didn't you?

 

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Well...not exactly, but I'm glad you agree. There's just no way they take M. Williams there, so Brick would be the only other logical choice.

 

Brick, Mangold & Brown...That would be a fantastic line for a long time to come.

 

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I'll say this: if the Saints spent their first two picks on the best OT and best C in the draft, EVERYbody would be applauding them for their drafting savvy.

[Swiss Cheezhead]

There is absoultely NO WAY Hawk falls to Detroit.  I would love it if he did but it will just not happen.  And I am sure if he did Millen would screw up the pick.

 

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Linebackers fall in the draft all the time. Derrick Johnson was rated as a top-5 overall player last year right up until a week or so before the draft.

 

Tell me where you think Hawk will go and why that team would choose Hawk over the player I have at their slot. Then we can discuss.

[Sox]

I could certainly live with Pope and Harris for my Bengals.

[BigTen]

 

Linebackers fall in the draft all the time. Derrick Johnson was rated as a top-5 overall player last year right up until a week or so before the draft.

 

Tell me where you think Hawk will go and why that team would choose Hawk over the player I have at their slot. Then we can discuss.

 

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With SF losing Peterson I see them taking Hawk. I do not think that Hawk will drop to #9 (just MHO). Besdies, do you really think that us Lions fans should have faith in our GM to do the right thing if he does fall?

[NAUgrad]

Did Denver get rid of their 2nd round pick? Did I miss something?

[Todd1]

I'd like to see GB trade down, but only if Williams goes before us.

I would hope we didn't draft a WR and RB in the first round, do you think that's still possible w/ Gado, Green and Davenpooper on the team?

 

I still think there isn't enough talent and depth on defense, the O is good, just needs to be healthy. The #3 ranked offense didn't get us very far in the playoffs before last year!

[Swiss Cheezhead]

Did Denver get rid of their 2nd round pick?  Did I miss something?

 

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This is actually a question I've been meaning to ask somebody. I'm going to get the 100% correct 2nd round order before publishing this thing, but I read that Atlanta has two 2nd-rounders and I assumed (without checking yet) that they got Denver's in the Abraham deal. That could easily be incorrect, though.

 

I'll share the correct info when I find it.

[Azazello1313]

This is actually a question I've been meaning to ask somebody. I'm going to get the 100% correct 2nd round order before publishing this thing, but I read that Atlanta has two 2nd-rounders and I assumed (without checking yet) that they got Denver's in the Abraham deal. That could easily be incorrect, though.

 

I'll share the correct info when I find it.

 

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atlanta has denver's 3rd this year. if they have two seconds, it's via someone else.

[Swiss Cheezhead]

I'd like to see GB trade down, but only if Williams goes before us. 

 

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Williams wouldn't present the kind of value to GB as you'd need at 5th overall. If he joined our defense, the talents of KGB or Kampman would be at least partially wasted on the sidelines. Like KGB or not, he's not our weakest defensive player -- he's one of our best defensive players and we're paying him as such. The 5th overall pick simply needs to give the team the biggest possible impact.

 

I would hope we didn't draft a WR and RB in the first round, do you think that's still possible w/ Gado, Green and Davenpooper on the team?

 

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Gado is a decent backup. The specifics of Green's contract should tell you how much faith the Packers have in him as a feature RB. And the amount of time the Packers waited before signing Davenport -- especially considering Ahman was unsigned for so long -- tells you how much they think they need the poopmeister.

 

With Green and Davenport, Thompson has WISELY given the team an insurance policy in the event that he can't find better and healthier upgrades at the position. Nothing more. Plus, it's not like it's a reach for marginal value. Grabbing the kid with the most all-purpose yards in D-1A history at 22nd overall is just a great pick.

 

I still think there isn't enough talent and depth on defense, the O is good, just needs to be healthy.  The #3 ranked offense didn't get us very far in the playoffs before last year!

 

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Well, no #3-ranked offense can carry a 25th-ranked defense anywhere. The situation is now reversed. The one guy who really needed to get "healthy" was Javon Walker and he probably won't play for us now, anyway. So, on offense, we're still the 2005 Packers offense, except without Flanagan. That offense was 18th in yards and 22nd in scoring. It needs to be improved, especially at RB and WR.

[Swiss Cheezhead]

atlanta has denver's 3rd this year.  if they have two seconds, it's via someone else.

 

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Thank you. That helps.

[NAUgrad]

atlanta has denver's 3rd this year.  if they have two seconds, it's via someone else.

 

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Yep, that's what I thought. 3rd this year, and 4th round next year to ATL.

[Swiss Cheezhead]

Yep, that's what I thought.  3rd this year, and 4th round next year to ATL.

 

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Yeah, I just re-read the report that said something about the two 2nd-rounders and it's vague. I'm thinking it was referring to 2007, but I'm still not sure where they got the extra '07 2nd-rounder, either.

[Chargerz]

The Bolts could do ALOT worse than getting Hill and Moss. Very possible.

[kpholmes]

With SF losing Peterson I see them taking Hawk.  I do not think that Hawk will drop to #9 (just MHO).  Besdies, do you really think that us Lions fans should have faith in our GM to do the right thing if he does fall?

 

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Agreed. If Peterson had stayed, I could see them going with Huff. But now with out him, there is a gaping hole in the middle of the 9er's defense, that Hawk could step in and single handedly fill.

 

I like NO going with Brick, but at the same time, they could trade down to a QB-Hungry team and get Hawk afew picks down, a much bigger need than OLine IMO...

[gbpfan1231]

If Mario Williams is there at 5 the Packers take him. There is no way they pass him up.