Not too bad of a take...still disagree with Faine
Mar 29, 9:32 PM
Offseason changes sure to mix up draft
By Carl Kotala
FLORIDA TODAY
So, you've got your mock draft all taken care of.
Well, you might want to make a few revisions. Because after all the offseason moves that have been taking place, not only have a few draft positions changed, but so have the needs of several teams. And that could have a big impact on how things unfold in New York when the draft kicks off on April 26.
Let's take the draft order as it stands now.
Cincinnati, which is certainly listening to offers for the No. 1 pick, will likely take USC quarterback Carson Palmer with the first pick. Detroit, at No. 2, is a pretty safe bet to grab Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers.
But after that, it could get interesting. For example:
No. 3, Houston Texans: Utah tackle Jordan Gross was thought to be a lock here, but after signing Zach Wiegert from Jacksonville and Todd Washington from Tampa Bay and trading a fifth-round pick to New England for Greg Randall, that need is not as desperate. Houston is, and always has been, a prime trade candidate for teams looking to move up. If they make a deal, the Texans could still probably get Gross as long as they stay in the top 10.
But if the Texans keep the pick, they could take either Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs, Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy or Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson.
No. 4, Chicago Bears: All that talk that the Bears are wary of risking a first-round draft pick on a quarterback could come true, thanks to the signing of Kordell Stewart. While Stewart is clearly not the long-term solution, the Bears could go a different way in the first round and still pick up a quality quarterback in the second.
If the Bears don't take Byron Leftwich at No. 4, look for them to go defense -- Suggs, Kennedy or even Kentucky's Dewayne Robertson. Leftwich will be one to watch on draft day. If the Bears don't take him, it will be interesting to see how far he falls.
No. 5, Dallas Cowboys: The Tuna is on the clock. Will he grab one of those mammoth defensive tackles he likes, or will he upgrade the offensive line so he can play smashmouth football? Does he gamble on Leftwich, if he's available? Or will Jerry Jones revert back to form and make a pick that doesn't make sense? All things being equal, the Cowboys will take Suggs if he's there, but will be happy to settle for Kansas State's Terrence Newman, who would give Parcells the kind of shutdown corner his teams are known for.
No. 6, Arizona Cardinals: Signing Emmitt Smith brought a little star power to one of the NFL's worst organizations. But while Emmitt might sell tickets, his days of carrying an offense are long gone. The Cardinals lost their top wide receiver, David Boston. If Suggs is gone by the time they pick, it will be someone who can help stretch the defense and keep teams from stacking the box. Somebody like Johnson.
No. 8, Jacksonville Jaguars: Originally, the Jags were thought to be looking to upgrade their defense here. But with Hugh Douglas and Mike Peterson on board, they've done that. Johnson would definitely be their guy, but if he's gone, the Jags will be in a quandary because none of the other receivers in the draft -- outside of Rogers -- is worth being picked this high.
If that's the case, the Jags might go for Washington State's Marcus Trufant, the second-best corner on the board, or they could also jump on Leftwich. Cal's Kyle Boller is another possibility.
No. 9, Carolina Panthers: With the signing of Jake Delhomme to compete with Rodney Peete at quarterback, the Panthers could be in the same boat as the Bears. If the Texans trade down, they might not want to drop past No. 8 because Carolina will surely take Gross if he's there. Otherwise, the Panthers may go after another one of the big defensive tackles on the board.
No. 13, New York Jets: The Jets acquired this pick when they didn't match the offer sheet wide receiver Laveraneus Coles signed with the Redskins. New York could package this pick and the No. 22 to move into the top five to take either Rogers or Johnson, or one of the elite defensive tackles.
If they stay at No. 13, though, Georgia defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan or Miami's Jerome McDougal could be the choice with either an offensive lineman, linebacker or wide receiver at No. 22.
No. 14, New England Patriots: With the additions of linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and safety Rodney Harrison, they're in good shape. If they hang on to both their first-round picks, they could bolster their defensive line here -- Kevin Williams of Oklahoma State and Kenny Peterson of Ohio State are possibilities -- and take Penn State running back Larry Johnson at No. 19.
No. 23, Buffalo Bills: By adding linebackers James Posey and Takeo Spikes plus defensive tackle Sam Adams, the Bills have made a serious upgrade to their defense. Now, after picking up this pick from Atlanta in the Peerless Price trade, they could go a number of ways. Linebacker Boss Bailey is one of the best athletes in the draft and another defensive lineman like Sullivan certainly wouldn't hurt. But Florida wide receiver Taylor Jacobs or Tennessee's Kelley Washington could be an interesting choice and would give the Bills three quality wide receivers.
No. 31, 32, Oakland Raiders: You never know what Al Davis is going to do. After all, he picked up kicker Sebastian Janikowski and has a headache ever since. With Barrett Robbins' well-publicized problems, Notre Dame center Jeff Faine would be a logical choice. And with defensive end Darrell Russell all but gone, Texas A&M's Ty Warren would seem like a good fit, too.
Seau to Miami?
Finally, something Dolphins fans can get excited about -- picturing linebacker Junior Seau lining up next to Zach Thomas.
If it happens, and Miami seems ready to make a serious run at it, Seau will prove to be as valuable in the locker room as would on the field. His 12 Pro Bowls give him instant credibility in a room that showed signs of splintering last season.
And come December, Seau could just be the guy who is making plays, not excuses.
While he's not the same player he was 10 years ago, or even five years ago, he wouldn't have be a star. He'd just have to make more plays than Derrick Rodgers -- and that shouldn't be too hard.
Of course, we won't know anything until after June 1, when the Chargers are expected to cut him.
Extra points
Whatever happened to the idea that Bucs coach Jon Gruden liked mobile quarterbacks? The team just signed Jim Miller to compete with Shane Matthews for the backup spot behind Brad Johnson. I've seen turtles move faster than that trio. . . . The Jaguars were right to give Fred Taylor a four-year extension before training camp started. If they had waited, it may have become a distraction. Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league, when he's healthy and happy. Right now, he's both.
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