Updated mock draft by TSN (Rnd 1)

[Raidahs7]

Mock Draft By the football scouts of The War Room

View round: 1



MOCK DRAFT: ROUND 1

PICK TEAM PLAYER POS SCHOOL
1 (1) Bengals Carson Palmer QB USC
The Bengals have reservations about drafting a quarterback with this pick after the Akili Smith disaster. They also are not sold on Palmer over Marshall's Byron Leftwich, which makes some sense considering that Leftwich is much more experienced and better equipped to handle the Cincinnati weather. However, after all is said and done, we are confident that Palmer, who improved his draft value more than any other senior in 2002, will become a Bengal.

2 (2) Lions Charles Rogers WR Michigan St.
The Lions desperately need to bolster their wide receiver corps and should be in position to get the best of a strong class. Rogers, the complete package, is the best all-around receiving prospect since Keyshawn Johnson.

3 (3) Texans Jimmy Kennedy DT Penn State
The Texans have the most needs to fill and the best odds of trading their top pick. With teams looking to move to No. 3 for a quarterback (Leftwich), defensive end (Terrell Suggs) or cornerback (Terence Newman), we expect the Texans to trade down. However, if they keep the pick, Kennedy is the best value. He has rare quickness for his size and would be an ideal fit as Houston's 3-4 nose tackle.

4 (4) Bears Terrell Suggs DE Arizona St.
GM Jerry Angelo is not sold on taking a quarterback, so the team could trade down. Or the Bears could bring in a free-agent quarterback, use this pick on Suggs and draft a young quarterback later. Suggs is hands down the most explosive pass rusher available and he solidified a top five pick when he weighed in at 265 pounds at the Combine.

5 (5) Cowboys Jordan Gross T Utah
Coach Bill Parcells is looking to find a pass rusher, cornerback or offensive tackle with the team's first pick. If Suggs were to fall to the Cowboys at No. 5, he would be a no-brainer pick. However, if Suggs is gone when they pick first, there will be a tough decision to make between the best offensive lineman (Gross) and the best cornerback (Terence Newman).

6 (6) Cardinals Terence Newman CB Kansas St.
The Cardinals plan to draft for defense in the first round and have needs at tackle, end, outside linebacker and cornerback. Newman has the size, speed and playmaking skills to become a shutdown corner, and he could form a formidable duo with Duane Starks for years to come.

7 (7) Vikings Dewayne Robertson DT Kentucky
Robertson is one of the draft's fastest rising prospects. He is a big, quick, explosive interior presence who can play in a one- or two-gap scheme. The Vikings are looking to draft the best prospect at either defensive tackle or cornerback, and Robertson is that player. Because of his size and ability to anchor vs. the run, he would be the ideal complement for Chris Hovan.

8 (8) Jaguars Andre Johnson WR Miami (FL)
If CB Fernando Bryant and DE Tony Brackens don't return, the Jaguars will have huge holes to fill. But at the moment their No. 1 need is at receiver, where age is finally catching up to Jimmy Smith and the team has no legitimate No. 2. Outside of Charles Rogers, Johnson is the only can't-miss receiver in this draft, and it would be difficult for the Jaguars to pass him up.

9 (9) Panthers Byron Leftwich QB Marshall
The Panthers would love a shot at Leftwich with the No. 9 pick, but they won't trade up for him. He lacks mobility, but that's his only negative. Leftwich has terrific size, rare arm strength and the best passing skills of all quarterbacks in this class.

10 (10) Ravens Kwame Harris T Stanford
The Ravens' biggest offensive line need is at right tackle, where they are searching for an upgrade over Ethan Brooks. Harris could fill that hole. He is big and physical with the strength to dominate ends at the point of attack as a run blocker. He still must improve his footwork and pass protection, but he should be ready to start immediately.

11 (11) Seahawks Johnathan Sullivan DT Georgia
Sullivan has emerged as one of this class's top four defensive tackles. He has good size, is a fine athlete and never stops hustling. He immediately would upgrade the Seahawks' run defense and allow John Randle to play a more limited role as his career winds down.

12 (12) Rams Eric Steinbach G Iowa
Steinbach is the draft's best guard and proved at the Senior Bowl that he is versatile enough to play tackle. The Rams, who have three unrestricted free agents on their offensive line, have some decisions to make. With Orlando Pace set to return and Adam Timmerman moving back to guard, the most sensible pick here is Steinbach, who could move outside to right tackle in the Rams' pass-friendly offense and would be a instant upgrade over John St. Clair.

13 (13) Redskins William Joseph DT Miami (FL)
The Redskins are facing some major defensive line repairs and Joseph would be a solution at tackle or end. His stock has slipped because of some trouble holding ground vs. the run, but he is still worth a top-10 pick. He would be an upgrade because of his terrific combination of size, power and quickness. Joseph might have faltered as a senior, but he still could wind up becoming the best pro defensive tackle from this class.

14 (14) Patriots Kevin Williams DT Oklahoma St.
(from Buffalo) The Patriots would like to add bulk at tackle and the 301-pound Williams would nicely complement Richard Seymour. Williams was the most impressive defensive tackle at the Senior Bowl. He is big, strong and active vs. the run. He also has the athleticism to penetrate as a pass rusher.

15 (15) Chargers Rien Long DT Wash. St.
The Chargers will look to address the offensive line, wide receiver and defensive tackle positions on Day 1, and Long is the best value here. He would immediately bolster the Chargers' interior pass rush and give some needed rest to aging Jason Fisk and oft-injured Jamal Williams.

16 (16) Chiefs Marcus Trufant CB Wash. St.
Trufant dazzled at the Senior Bowl and earned his way into the middle of the first round. He has adequate size, good speed and great natural coverage skills. Trufant could immediately push William Bartee for a starting job.

17 (17) Saints Andre Woolfolk CB Oklahoma
The Saints will likely take the best cornerback available here. Woolfolk has limited experience at the position and still needs more coaching, but his upside is tremendous because of his athleticism, size and ball skills.

18 (18) Saints Jason Witten TE Tennessee
(from Miami) The Saints could go with a middle linebacker instead, but they are rumored to have interest in a tight end with one of their two first-round picks. While it might be early for Witten to come off the board, he is this class's best overall tight end. He needs to improve his blocking skills, but he would be a great asset for Aaron Brooks.

19 (19) Patriots E.J. Henderson ILB Maryland
Drafting Henderson would allow the Patriots to move Tedy Bruschi back to the outside, where he is a better fit. Henderson, who missed spring practice after having back surgery in April, struggled early as a senior but played well in November and December. He is the draft's best middle linebacker and would provide the physical presence the Patriots lacked at the position last season.

20 (20) Broncos Jerome McDougle DE Miami (FL)
McDougle finished his senior season strong after struggling through some early injuries, but he needs to bulk up and play with better technique against the run. He also showed up nearly two inches shorter (6-1) than advertised at the Senior Bowl, which may cause him to drop out of the top 15 picks. But McDoulge has rare speed and explosiveness as a pass rusher, and the Broncos could use those qualities opposite Trevor Pryce.

21 (21) Browns George Foster T Georgia
The Browns' running game has improved, and upgrading their offensive line is the top priority. It's risky to draft Foster this high, as an August wrist injury caused him to miss more than half of his senior season. But he still has great upside and is one of the draft's top offensive tackles.

22 (22) Jets Boss Bailey OLB Georgia
The Jets are looking to get faster at outside linebacker. Bailey's stock has fluctuated, but he is a great athlete with exceptional speed and coverage skills. If nothing else, he would be a terrific upgrade in the nickel package and on special teams before challenging for a starting job in his second season.

23 (23) Falcons Taylor Jacobs WR Florida
Michael Vick needs more reliable receivers and it's likely his team will address that need with its first pick. There is always a concern about Gators' receivers translating their production from college to the NFL, but Jacobs might have silenced critics with a strong week of Senior Bowl practice.

24 (24) Colts Dennis Weathersby CB Oregon St.
Weathersby can be inconsistent, but his size and playmaking skills make him worth the risk. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine, which is the type of speed for which the Colts are looking to upgrade their secondary.

25 (25) Giants Chris Kelsay DE Nebraska
We aren't as high on Kelsay as some NFL teams are. He is active, tough and relentless, but he isn't a great athlete and lacks the speed to consistently turn the corner. He projects as a late first-round pick and would be a good fit for the Giants, who may look to replace Kenny Holmes.

26 (26) 49ers Kenny Peterson DT Ohio St.
The 49ers are likely to re-sign Chike Okeafor and let him and John Engelberger compete at left end. But defensive tackle is still a huge need with Bryant Young aging and Dana Stubblefield released, and Peterson would be a good value this late. Peterson had a strong senior season and continued to impress scouts at the Senior Bowl. His ability to platoon at both end and tackle boosts his stock.

27 (27) Steelers Mike Doss S Ohio St.
The Steelers would like to make many changes to their secondary, both via free agency and through the draft. If a cornerback of good value remains here, they will likely pick him, but it's hard to pass up the draft's best safety because of his versatility, playmaking skills and toughness in run support.

28 (28) Titans Kelley Washington WR Tennessee
The Titans are looking to add offensive skill players, specifically a No. 2 receiver and a running back to challenge Eddie George. Washington is a risk, but his physical skills make him worth a late first-round chance.

29 (29) Packers Rex Grossman QB Florida
The Packers would like to address another need with their first pick, including middle linebacker, but it might be time for them to start thinking about grooming Brett Favre's replacement. Grossman is the third-rated quarterback behind Palmer and Leftwich, and it would do him some good to study as Favre's backup for a season or two.

30 (30) Eagles Michael Haynes DE Penn State
The Eagles have the flexibility of drafting the best available athlete, but their two needs are defensive end and middle linebacker. Haynes may be overvalued, but because there is such a premium put on ends, don't be surprised if Philadelphia or another team takes an early chance on him. He won't be as productive in the NFL, but he could develop into a solid every-down starter.

31 (31) Raiders Ty Warren DT Tex. A&M
The Raiders must address their defensive line and Warren should be available here. He is inconsistent, but he has a huge upside and the Raiders can afford to break him in slowly as a rookie wave player.

32 (32) Raiders Larry Johnson RB Penn State
(from Tampa Bay) The Raiders can go in many different directions with this pick, including defensive end and wide receiver, but Johnson would make much sense. Not only is he a good value this late, but he also could fill a hole if free agent Tyrone Wheatley doesn't re-sign.

[SoCalRaider]

[crizpynutz]

Originally posted by SoCalRaider

No Penn State RB's. If this was a normal year Johnson would be the 5th best back at best. Since McGahee got hurt and this was a thin RB class to begin with he's rated higher, but that doesn't make him a first rounder. I will completely pissed off if we draft this guy.

[AceRimRat]

I know Penn State backs have a bad, bad track record, but Johnson had a great year (I'm on the East Coast) and is big and fast and put up some of the best numbers in PSU history, which despite including Blair Thomas and Curtis Enis and Ki-Jana Carter also includes a guy you long-time fans probably remember well: Curt Warner.

I think he'd be a steal at the end of the first. After all, he's going to have at least a year or two to learn in a part-time role.

[crizpynutz]

Originally posted by AceRimRat
I know Penn State backs have a bad, bad track record, but Johnson had a great year (I'm on the East Coast) and is big and fast and put up some of the best numbers in PSU history, which despite including Blair Thomas and Curtis Enis and Ki-Jana Carter also includes a guy you long-time fans probably remember well: Curt Warner.

I think he'd be a steal at the end of the first. After all, he's going to have at least a year or two to learn in a part-time role.

It's a risky pick. I watched 4 of his games (East Coast as well) and I thought he looked unstoppable in 2 and useless in the other 2. He could work out and at the bottom of the first round it's not as much of a risk. I'm just not that big on the guy.

[mojobeast4694]

no way not johnson

[crizpynutz]

Originally posted by mojobeast4694
no way not johnson

No, Johnson, agreed.