I don't like the situation San Diegohas put themselves in: they've lost their #1 reciever and isolated themselves from their once QB of the future after one season as starter. I like what CNNSI's Peter King suggested abotu taking Gallery #1 and then targeting Rivers in the middle of the first round. However, that will be difficult because so many teams are beginning to realize Rivers could be a MAJOR steal at say...#10. Gallery gives the Chargers a huge boost in an already lethal rushing attack and will give WHOEVER is behind center some much needed time to find WHOEVER is flanked out wide.
2.
Oakland Raiders
Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Miami(Ohio)
Roethlisberger is much more of a "Raider" pick than Manning here. Its a rebel pick with Elway-like potential and Leaf-like possibilities. Also, it buys Norv Turner time to install his system. Roethlisberger is starter by Week 5.
3.
Arizona Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald, WR - Pitt
You can make the arguement that the promotion of Josh McCown to starter and the signing of Shaun King from Tampa are both smokescreens to snag Manning or Roethlisberger; however, I really believe Dennis Green wants to add a true #1 reciever in Fitzgerald. Remember this, Dennis Green is very familiar with Shaun King who came out of the same 1999 Class that produced Culpepper of Minnesota so there could be something Green wants to exploit with King.
4.
New York Giants
Eli Manning, QB - Mississippi
Tom Coughlin won't like it, but how do you not pick Manning here? Collins has never really been anything more than above average and its hard to argue that Manning doesn't have it all. If he's there at #4, this is the definition of a steal.
5.
Washington Redskins
Kellen Winslow Jr., TE - Miami (Fl.)
Washington WILL trade out of this spot, but there's no real point in trying to guess who will move up to take it. If they do end up calling Winslow's name, he'll make the Redskin's offense one offensive line away from being legendary.
6.
Detroit Lions
Sean Taylor, S - Miami (Fl.)
My guess is that Taylor will go #5 to a team that trades up with Washington, but if he is still around its a no brainer for Millen and the Lions. Taylor has everything you look for in a safety: a trainwreck-type tackler, wide reciever quality hands, and enough speed to recover. Not to mention his football mind....this is a once in a decade type prospect.
7.
Cleveland Browns
Tommie Harris, DT - Oklahoma
Cleveland has an awful Draft record since expanding in '99 and they really need to do something right here. What they should do is move up to #1 and grap Gallery, but I'm not sure they'll offer SD what they want. They need D-Line help and Harris is worth a #7 pick.
8.
Atlanta Falcons
Mike Williams, WR - USC
People seem to have the inclination taht defensive minded coaches always want to pick defensive players, but in reality, they tend to use higher picks on offensive guys, while they rely on their system to help the defense. Williams is exactly what the Falcons could use to compliment Peerless Price: a MASSIVE reciever with velcro hands. Could catch 10+ TD's in 2004.
9.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Roy Williams, WR - Texas
The same thing about defensive coaches applies here with Del Rio. Roy Williams is my personal favorite reciever in this class. Of the top 4 recievers, he is the fastest, most productive, and most experienced. He'd really help with the development of 2nd year QB Byron Leftwich.
10.
Houston Texans
DeAngelo Hall, CB - Virginia Tech
This is a very critical pick because it will be teams' last chance to secure NC State QB Phillip Rivers, so look for Houston to entertain lots of trade talk. If Hall is their choice, they get a good corner and a return man with the potential to be a better return man than any prospect in a long time.
11.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Phillip Rivers, QB - NC State
I think Rivers will go #10 to a team other than Pittsburgh. He is the most NFL ready QB in this class and really has all the intangibles you could possibly have. His mechanics scare some but just think about two words when you wonder if poor mecanics will overshadow perfect inangibles: Farve and Marino.
12.
New York Jets
Chris Gamble, CB - Ohio State
After loosing out on Champ Bailey, the Jets have to address their secondary. Gamble is very raw, but has as bright an upside as any CB prospect in this class.
13.
Buffalo Bills
Reggie Williams, WR - Washington
Buffalo has other needs, but Williams would be a top 10 pick any other year. New head coach Mike Mularkey had 3 great recievers in Pittsburgh and will look to complete his set by addign Williams to Eric Molds and Josh Reed.
14.
Chicago Bears
Kenechi Udeze, DE - USC
The Bears have a nice group of linebackers and a decent secondary, but they seem to get beat up front. Udeze has the rare ability to stop the run and still threaten the passer.
15.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vince Wilfork, DT - Miami (Fl.)
The loss of Warren Sapp to Oakland and John Lynch to Denver leaves the triumphed Tampa defense with some massive holes. While the Bucs have Anthony McFarland, Wilfork would step in right away as a run-stopping force for a team that has to face Stephen Davis, Duece McAllister, Mike Vick, and TJ Duckett twice a year.
16.
San Francisco 49ers
Lee Evans, WR - Wisconsin
With the addition of DE Brandon Whiting, DE is not as big of a concern. Evans is the perfect fit Dennis Eirkson's offense: big reciever with 4.3 speed. The biggest rag on Evans is his off the field problems, but after dealing with Terrell Owens for 8 years, Evans will seem like a Boy Scout to the Niners. LSU WR Michael Clayton is a possibilty here, and while he may be a better overall prospect, Evans' speed is what the 49ers need.
