The Chargers can't possibly stick
with Brees. Starting Flutie even without playoff aspirations at the
end of '03 was a signal of lost faith. Drafting Manning to push Brees
in the '04 season (a la Leftwich in Jax) is a win-win for the Chargers.
SD would get max value by obtaining Kelly Holcomb and #8 from the
Browns, then taking WR Roy Williams.
2.
Oakland Raiders
Larry Fitzgerald, WR - Pitt
Personally, I don't see Fitzgerald as a no-brainer here.
How Al Davis could pass on a potential franchise quarterback is beyond
me. Looks like he will, though. Rothlisberger is a long-shot here.
3.
Arizona Cardinals
Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Miami(Ohio)
Denny Green has hired a QB coach and
released QB Jeff Blake in anticipation of drafting a signal caller.
Big Ben will not be as good as Manning long term, but could be an
efficient pro passer. Scrambling ability and strength hint at potential
for more, though, but processes info too slowly to make an immediate
impact.
4.
New York Giants
Robert Gallery, OT - Iowa
Barely a step below the Boselli-level, which should
be obvious to Boselli's original drafter and new Giants head coach
Tom Coughlin. Should anchor the left side of an o-line for 10 years.
5.
Washington Redskins
Greg Jones, RB, Florida St.
Jones impressive Senior Bowl showing
(2 touchdowns) and 250 lb pro-bodybuilder physique could be Stephen
Davis all over again. Without a quality QB, the Skins will need to
do something for points and Jones may be the best option in this draft
for instant impact in moving the football.
6.
Detroit Lions
Kellen Winslow Jr., TE - Miami (Fl.)
The last piece of the puzzle for an improving Lions
team. Should allow Harrington to control the clock and keep the Lions
D off the field so much. Winslow will spend a decade as a premier
NFL tight end.
7.
Atlanta Falcons
Sean Taylor, S - Miami (Fl.)
If he approaches the impact Roy Williams
has had in Dallas, it will be a great pick. Some think he's better
than Williams.
8.
Cleveland Browns
Roy Williams, WR - Texas
Butch Davis got an extension when his job should be
on the line. Mismanagement of the QB situation has hampered that team
for 2 full seasons. Williams is a phenomenal wideout who either Holcomb
or Couch should be able to find. If Shawn Andrews (OT) doesn't go
here, he'll freefall.
9.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Reggie Williams, WR - Washington
Williams may not have the best speed
in the draft, but is a big, surehanded reciever whose been special
since his freshman year. Leftwich needs a defining target and Williams
may be it. If CLE takes Andrews and the Jags get Roy Williams, there'll
be a superbowl for them in the next 3 years.
10.
Houston Texans
Vince Wilfork, DT - Miami (Fl.)
If the Texans aren't scared by Wilfork's "weight
issues" (If Ted Washington doesn't, how can an NFL lineman be
considered to have a weight problem?) He could be a perfect 3-4 two
gap tackle.
11.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steve Jackson, RB - Oregon St.
A lot of needs for a dying former
contender. Zeroue and Bettis should be cut loose for cap space. Jackson
can deliver some instant impact in a draft that must be good to save
The Chin's job.
12.
New York Jets
Kenechi Udeze, DE - USC
The golden boy of the '04 draft has explosiveness in
the pass rush. Can he defend the run though? Will Herm Edwards fall
in love with him? If the Abraham to OLB rumors are true, Udeze could
be a lock here. Kevin Jones (RB) is a possibility.
13.
Buffalo Bills
Tommie Harris, DT - Oklahoma
Without a lot of holes in their roster,
the Bills could go a lot of ways with this pick. Harris makes an intriguing
possibility at D End in a 3-4 or next to Sam Adams in a 4-3. Andrews
(OT) could go here, too.
14.
Chicago Bears
Will Smith, DE - Ohio State
The Bears flat out could not get to the quarterback
last year. They need to address that problem in the draft. Smith has
good NFL size and speed and can get at the QB. The early favorite
as best DE in the draft, he's been usurped by Udeze's hype.
15.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Clayton, WR - LSU
What do you get the team that needs
everything? They have problems on the O line and D-Line, they are
too old at QB and in the D Secondary and they don't have a reliable
running back or take charge wideout. While Kevin Jones is a possibility
and Chuckie's Defensive coordinator will probably push for a replacement
for Sapp, Clayton game breaking speed might offer the best shot for
instant impact to the Bucs.
16.
San Francisco 49ers
Randy Starks, DT - Maryland
Could develop into a great D-Lineman. Some might argue
this is late for Starks.
