Notes: I don’t predict trades in my mock drafts. I also believe Vince Young, LenDale White, Joe Thomas, and Ahmad Brooks will stay in school. The top 5 is determine from me thinking Houston will beat SF and everyone else losing which would result into that being the top 5. The rest of the order comes from this site
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/draft/update.
1. New Orleans Saints Matt Leinart QB USC
The Saints are done with Aaron Brooks and are going to go into a new direction. The rumor is that the Saints front office loves Matt Leinart and will look to draft him this year. I can’t say I blame them as Leinart has all the tools to be a solid NFL QB. They already have McAlister and are still positive about him so they won’t look at Reggie Bush.. They’ll likely seek a trade out and take Leinart..
2. Green Bay Packers Reggie Bush RB USC
There are rumors going around that Bush doesn’t want to be a Packer. After checking with a source over the net may I add, this rumor is dubbed a false report. Though it could still be true my best guess right now is it isn’t and that GB will take Bush. The Packers are in a need of a playmaker on offense and if Favre comes back and plays smarter football they could be a wild card contender at best again.
3. New York Jets DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis
I like the Jets to go after Aaron Brooks to be their QB next year. Brooks in many ways compares to McNair who had similar success in Tennessee under New York’s current offensive Coordinator. The Jets will look to trade up for Bush but if they fail they’ll sit back and take Williams. Williams is indeed a very underrated back coming into the draft. The all-time leader in total yards is a likely top 15 pick.. The Jets are also likely to trade down a few spots and take him if they can’t snag Bush or Leinart.
4. Houston Texans D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT Virginia
The top tackle in the draft goes in the top 5. Ferguson has all the tools to be an elite tackle in the NFL. The Texans have been lacking an offensive line since they became a franchise. Ferguson would of likely gone top 10 had he entered last season but opted to stay in school.
5. San Francisco 49ers Jimmy Williams CB Virginia Tech
I don’t think Jimmy Williams is worth a top 5 pick so I expect SF to likely trade down and take him. The 49ers could go with Mario Williams but trading down and taking Jimmy and gaining a few extra picks would help them in the long run. Jimmy Williams is clearly the top rated DB in the draft and would help the 49ers secondary in big ways.
6. Tennessee Titans Mario Williams DE North Carolina State
The Titans have been lacking a pass rush since they let go Jevon Kearse. Now they have a chance to redeem themselves. A team that is clearly under rebuilding mode and has a lot of young talent will only get better on the defensive line with Mario Williams. Williams, Haynesworth, and Odom would give them at least 3 solid players on the front 4. Williams will def be a force to be reckon with on that line as well.
7. Oakland Raiders AJ Hawk LB Ohio State
I believe Hawk is the best defensive player in the draft. Hawk has all the tools to be a star in the NFL and would bring much needed leadership to a Raider defense that is just awful. Look for Oakland to target Hawk in this draft and him falling to them at pick 7 without them losing any picks would put a smile on Al Davis’ face.
8. Arizona Cardinals Haloti Ngata DT Oregon
The Cardinals big weakness is there run defense. Ngata is a top 10 talent and would put a big body in the middle along side of Darnel Docket to help them out in the run. Ngata is likely to leave but if he were to stay he would probably be rated as a top 3 pick next year.
9. St. Louis Rams Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston College
Leonard Little is getting old but most importantly is taking all the double teams on the Rams D-line. Kiwi could be a huge upgrade on the other side and even have a big rookie year if he’s unleashed in a one and one situation. At 265 and a 4.6 40 Kiwi is a perfect example of the common defensive end. What makes him special is his work ethic. If it wasn’t for injuries Kiwi would of likely been one of the top 2 or 3 defensive players taken this draft.
10. Detroit Lions Eric Winston OT Miami
Winston is the 2nd rated tackle on most peoples draft board. The Lions glaring need lies in the trenches. A lack of a DT along side of Rogers would help as well especially with Wilkerson approaching retirement. A lack of an end along side of Hall would help as well. The offensive line has been horrible though and a tackle is a big need. Winston used to play TE but converted to tackle and has become an all American worthy player. His work ethic is solid as well which is something that Detroit could use.
11. Buffalo Bills Winston Justice OT USC
If Justice enters he’s a likely candidate for the #2 spot tackle spot in this years draft. Justice’s stock as skyrocket especially with downgrades of Jon Scott and Marcus McNeil. Outside of Mike Williams who hasn’t live up to the hype the Bills are in a need of a tackle. If their unable to grab Ngata you better believe Buffalo will look at Justice, Winston, and McNeil.
12. Cleveland Browns DeMeco Ryans LB Alabama
The Browns could look at a couple things with this pick. Offensive tackle is a need and a running back like Maroney wouldn’t be bad either providing a big play threat but Romeo is a defense guy and defense is the way to go in rebuilding a team. Besides the offense looks to be young and bright. Ryans gives them a solid LB who could fit into the 3-4 scheme. I expect him to improve his 40 so that is the main reason why he’s at this spot. If he fails to have a good combine though look for him to drop and Cleveland to look else where.
13. Philadelphia Eagles Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State
The need at tackle is there but with the top 3 already off the board Philly will likely avoid that position. Maroney is on the board but Philly feels safe with Westbrook and Moats. Holmes is on the board and has to be the pick then. With TO gone Philly has no WR’s that are worth getting excited about. Holmes is expected to run around a 4.2 40 at the combine or close to one. With his speed he should be the one WR to jump the charts and Philly should jump all over him.
14. Baltimore Ravens Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota
I love this pick. Maroney has declared and would fit into Baltimore nicely. The Ravens already are one of the hottest teams in football as the year closes and with Jamal Lewis expected to be gone that leaves a huge gap at RB. Maroney gives them the home run threat and he gives them someone who can carry the load 25+ times a game.
15. Miami Dolphins Jay Cutler QB Vanderbilt
Big reach at the moment but from what I’ve heard Miami is very interested. Cutler will participate in the senior bowl and if he plays well will jump boards faster than anyone. This guy can only help his stock with his physical tools and with a good showing at the combine and senior bowl could sneak into the top 10 even. As of right now Miami is said to be his biggest fan.
16. Minnesota Vikings Paul Posluszny LB Penn State
Sam Cowart has shown major signs of decline and the Vikings biggest need on defense lies with the inside linebacker. Posluszny is maybe even the 2nd rated LB. He could go anywhere from top 10 to 20. With Maroney, Williams, and Bush gone the only other RB possibility is LenDale White but I don’t believe he’ll enter. Posluszny will help sure up a sketchy run defense in Minnesota.
17. Atlanta Falcons Tamba Hali DE Penn State
The Falcons will be targeting a DE this year. A team that lack depth on the D-line will look to add some early on in this years draft. Brady Smith is reaching the peak of his career and is likely turning into a backup player at best. Hali could come in and provide some immediate help on edges.
18. Kansas City Chiefs Rod Wright DT Texas
WR is a main concern but the Chiefs are all about running the ball and with Santonio Holmes off the board there is no big drop off in what they could get now than what they could get in round 2. The Chiefs main concern is still defense and with no help from the interior line their LB’s have trouble doing their thing. Wright can provide an inside pass rush for them and help keep the attention on the line instead of the linebackers.
19. Dallas Cowboys Ko Simpson S South Carolina
Simpson a grey shirt sophomore and is likely to declare for the NFL Draft. The lack of a FS has shown this season for Dallas. With Roy Williams forced to focus more on his coverage skills than what he can do best which is go around and knock some heads off he hasn‘t made as much impact as he usually does. Simpson has an eye for the ball and is great in coverage and would take pressure off of Williams. He can also deliver a blow as well.
20. San Diego Chargers Laron Landry S LSU
Can play either or safety position. Great in coverage. The Chargers have done a great job of building a franchise through the draft the past couple of years. There main weakness is at safety and corner. Mike Huff could be a possible choice as well but Landry is the better fit as the can play either or safety position.
21. Denver Broncos from Washington Redskins Marcedes Lewis TE UCLA
I’m still sold on Lewis being the top TE in the draft and after the combine you’ll see why. Lewis has the height at 6-6 speed at 4.6 and size at around 240. Denver has been lacking a TE since Shannon Sharpe left and will look to land one of the top 3 in the draft.
22. Carolina Panthers Derek Hagan WR Arizona State
Without Steve Smith where would this team be. Last in offense and probably 8-8 at best. Steve Smith is the only one to step up on offense. Foster has shown a sign of spark every now and then but nothing to take the pressure off of #89. Hagan might be what they need. With Gardner now gone and with Kearly Colbert not coming along as expected the Panthers are in a big need of someone to get open besides Smith. Hagan has maybe the best hands of the receivers in the draft which the Panthers could use at this point.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marcus McNeil OT Auburn
McNeil has the all the physical Tools to go in the top 10 but because of back problems and laziness once in a while he drops all the way to 23. McNeil is a homerun or strikeout prospect. The Bucs clearly need a tackle and if Joe Thomas comes out they are likely to go with him but if he doesn’t then they may take a risk on McNeil which if it pays off would be a 6-9 345 big reward.
24. New England Patriots Chad Greenway LB Iowa
Greenway could probably go top 10 but with the lack of need and the depth this draft has at outside linebacker he’s a legit candidate to slip. New England does need secondary help but could find a solid corner or safety in round 2. Greenway could come in and make everyone forget about Ted Johnson who retired last year and he’s to much to pass on at this point but this is the Patriots so you never really do know.
25. New York Giants Claude Wroten DT LSU
The Giants have the best duo at end in the league and with Joseph starting to come along they look like a solid unit except for another tackle. Wroten is a late first round pick right now and would be a perfect fit into the Giant defense. The Giants could also look at WR but again the drop off isn’t that big from now until round 2.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers Max Jean-Giles OG/OT Georgia
The Steelers like to run the ball and with Bettis and Staley getting older might look at RB but with no bruisers on the board the next best idea is to go with a lineman. Giles has it all. The tools and work ethic and at one point in his career appeared to be a top 10 talent but has seemed to have gotten lost in the shadows of all the other lineman. At pick 26 this is a nice steal and a good fit.
27. Chicago Bears Vernon Davis TE Maryland
A WR could be the pick here as well. Most consider Davis as the top TE in the draft but I’m not sold on it. Although he has the size and speed to be a very solid NFL TE he kind of went from a late 2nd- early 3rd to a 1st round pick over the span of the season. Davis would be a gift to Chicago here and could go anywhere from top 15 to late first.
28. Cincinnati Bengals Darnell Bing S USC
The Bengals main concern is their defense. A very young defense that his good at taken the ball way lacks a solid strong safety. Bing is probably the top rated strong safety in the draft and is a gift as well. Once rated as a top 15 pick has dropped to mid to late first rounder. Bing is a big play guy and would fit well into a secondary that lives and dies by the big play.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars Mike Huff CB/S Texas
Outside of Rashean Mathias the Jags have no one to play CB. Huff who can also play safety is the perfect fit. Huff is someone who could come in and start right away on a team that appears to be taking the right steps in the right direction. Tye Hill CB of Clemson is another option here as well if Huff is gone.
30. Denver Broncos Martin Nance WR Miami (OH)
Nance is my sleeper prospect this season. At 6-5 210, Nance is a big target that will give Jack Plummer an easy target to spot while he rolls out. With Lewis and Nance the Broncos offense will be no where near short of a playmaker on their offense.
31. Seattle Seahawks Elvis Dumervil DE Louisville
Dumervil has been nothing short of a sack artist this year. Being named to the first team all-American team this year made his stock go way up. The Seahawks could use a WR since Engram and J.J. aren’t getting any younger but with the lack of depth at the end position Dumervil is to much to pass on.
32, Indianapolis Colts Thomas Howard LB
Howard is the tweener LB the Dungy likes. A small fast LB, Howard will provide depth and could possibly start right away for the Colts defense which is very improved. The Colts could also look at a receiver if Wayne is let go or even a RB if James is let go but I would assume they’ll do everything possible to keep those to lock up.
2006 NFL Mock Draft
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