Crizpy's Mock

[crizpynutz]

Now this is my guess of what might happen, barring trades -- you know they'll happen, but you can't account for them. I would like to see it pan out a little differently, if I had my choice, but based on research, tendencies, schemes and needs, I put together this, my best 'guess'.
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Mock Draft: Round 1

1 Cincinatti Bengals Carson Palmer QB USC

The Bengals have known that Palmer was their choice for awhile now, but tried to play the game and see what they could get in a trade. With draft day closing fast Palmer will have a contract in principle ready to be signed even before the draft begins.

2 Detroit Lions Charles Rogers WR Michigan St.

New head coach Steve Marriucci wants to get a big target for franchise quarterback Joey Harrington. Rogers is that guy, the best all-around wide reciever in this draft. Despite questions surrounding a drug test the Lions are confident enough in Rogers to make this pick.

3 Houston Texans Andre Johnson WR Miami (FL)

Last year the Texans had their choice of quarterbacks while Detroit took the left-overs (if you can consider Joey Harrington left-overs). This year, Houston will look to provide David Carr with a go-to wide reciever and they'll pick either Johnson or Rogers depending on the Lions selection. Although there are several questions surrounding an offensive line that gave up a record number of sacks last year, Johnson will be able to alleviate some of that by getting open for Carr. The Texans go for offensive line later in the draft.

4 Chicago Bears Dewayne Robertson DT Kentucky

The Bears have given their blessing to Kordell Steward and promised no competition for the starting job in Chicago this year. Angello acknowledges the need to draft a quarterback of the future, but won't use this pick on him. Instead, Chicago will take Robertson who has sky rocketed up the draft boards. Robertson is a big, explosive defensive tackle that can provide a presence in the middle of the line infront of Brian Urlacher.

5 Dallas Cowboys Terrance Newman CB Kansas St.

Bill Parcells would probably like to draft a defensive lineman like Jimmy Kennedy with this pick, but owner extroadinaire Jerry Jones will get his man and that's Terrance Newman. Newman is a shut down corner and could solidify the Cowboys return game as well.

6 Arizona Cardinals Terrell Suggs DE Arizona St.

After two bad workouts Suggs will drop on the draft boards, but he won't get past the Cardinals. Suggs is a local product who will proide the Cardinals with a play-maker in the front seven. Arizona would've liked to add a big-play wide reciever, but if they can't trade up for Johnson or Rogers, there isn't one available at this selection.

7 Minnesota Vikings Jimmy Kennedy DT Penn State

The Vikings have a lot of needs, particularly on defense. There have been a lot of inquiries about the selection so Minnesota may decide to trade down. If not they can't go wrong with big Jimmy Kennedy. Kennedy, once the top rated defensive lineman in the draft, would solidify the middle of the Vikings defense.

8 Jacksonville Jaguars Byron Leftwich QB Marshall

After adding Hugh Douglass and Mike Peterson to the defense via free agency, the Jaguars will pick their quarterback of the future in Leftwich. Mark Brunnell isn't getting any younger and injuries have robbed him of most of his mobility. Leftwich is enormous for a quarterback and arguably the best pure passer in the draft.

9 Carolina Panthers Marcus Trufant CB Washington St.

Although Utah's Jordan Gross could go here, former defensive co-ordinator turned head coach, John Fox, will look to bolster his secondary with Trufant. After a stellar performance in the Senior bowl Trufant has solidified himself as the second rated cornerback in the draft. He has good size, speed and aggressiveness that the Panthers are lacking in their secondary.

10 Baltimore Ravens Jordan Gross T Utah

The Ravens have been rumored to be enamored with Kyle Boller and could either trade down or reach for him with this pick. Selecting Boller with the tenth overall selection would be a waste of a selection and the Ravens will instead pick up the best offensive lineman to be had.

11 Seattle Seahawks Kevin Williams DT Oklahoma St.

With an up-and-coming offense already in place, the Seahawks need just about everything on defense. They will start building from the middle on up and Williams will fit the bill. Williams has an explosive first step and will generate inside penetration for the Seahawks depleted front four.

12 St. Louis Rams Boss Bailey LB Georgia

Possibly the best pure athlete in the draft Bailey has the potential to play in Lovie Smith's revamped linebacker unit or potentially be moved to safety. A prior knee injury and a lack of size has some teams worried about Bailey, but you can't deny his speed in the open field.

13 New York Jets Jonathan Sullivan DT Georgia

The Jets have more needs than anyone in the draft who wasn't an expansion team in the last ten years. After losing their starting wide reciever, kick returner, right guard and kicker to the Redskins, the Jets will look to add speed and play-making ability to either the offense or the defense. Sullivan has good speed and size to go with a motor that just doesn't quit.

14 New England Patriots William Joseph DT Miami (FL)

The Patriots had hoped Sullivan would last one more selection so they could pair him with fellow Georgia alumn Richard Seymour. Instead, Bill Belicheck will go with William Joseph from Miami. Joseph has as much upside as any defensive lineman in the draft. An inconsistent senior season has caused Joseph's stock to drop.

15 San Diego Chargers Troy Polamalu S USC

After releasing Pro Bowl safety odney Harrison, the Chargers will replace him with local product Polamalu who has kept rising up the draft rankings for weeks. Regarded as the best safety prospect available, Polamalu has great physical ability and will provide a playmaker next to last years' first round pick Quentin Jammer.

16 Kansas City Chiefs Andre Woolfolk CB Oklahoma

The Chiefs need to upgrade their defense and although Woolfolk may be a bit of a reach, he's the type of physical talent Kansas City desperately needs. He will need coaching to improve on his form and instincts, but his physical tools and athletic ability make him a good return for the investment.

17 New Orleans Saints Jason Witten TE Tennessee

The Saints would like to add a blocking presence and a pass catching presence to the offensive line. Witten is the best tight end prospect available and has great size and speed. He will have to work on his blocking, but that can be taught in time.

18 New Orleans Saints Mike Doss S Ohio St.

After getting Witten the Saints will look to replace the departed Sammy Knight and Ohio State's Mike Doss is the type of athletic ballhawk New Orleans is looking for. A poor workout has caused the once number one rated safety to drop and the Saints will be ecstatic to land Doss with this pick.

19 New England Patriots E.J.Henderson LB Maryland

The Patriots already picked up Josepph to solidify the middle and will now pick up tackling machine Henderson. Questions surround Henderson after he has experienced several injuries including back surgery, but as the season wore on Henderson improved every week.

20 Denver Broncos Jerome McDougle DE Miami (FL)

The Broncos need to find a player who can provide a pass rush to compliment Trevor Pryce. McDougle is raw and was an inconsistent performer in college, often struggling against the run, but has tremendous speed and explosiveness.

21 Cleveland Browns Kwame Harris T Stanford

The Browns number one need in the offseason is offensive line help and Harris is a big, agile and powerful offensive tackle who can play either side of the line. His size and experience will allow Harris to start right away and pay immediate dividends to the Browns.

22 New York Jets Taylor Jacobs WR Florida

The Jets next biggest need after adding a defensive tackle is replacing the departed Laveranous Coles. Jacobs must battle the Florida wide reciever stigma, but a strong showing at the Senior Bowl will only help his cause.

23 Buffalo Bills Michael Haynes DE Penn State

The Bills will continue to add to a defense that sorely needed an overhaul by selecting Haynes. Many feel Haynes played over his own potential and won't be the same playmaker he was in college. Either way, he will provide a solid every down defensive end for the Bills. Has enough speed to provide some outside pass rush off the bench as a rookie.

24 Indianapolis Colts Jeff Faine C Notre Dame

The Colts need to provide better protection for Manning and need someone to push the pile on the interior of the offensive line. Faine is a powerful, aggressive and intelligent senior who can play right away. He has a nasty streak and will add an aggessiveness to the line the Colts have not had in a long time. Faine is experienced and intelligent and should be able to start right away. He will have to strengthen his lower body strength to ensure a pro-longed career in the trenches.

25 New York Giants Ty Warren DT Texas A&M

The Giants finally add a presence in the middle of the line to help Michael Strahan. Warren is a talented and versatile player who could play both defensive tackle or end. As the Giants defensive line gets older they have gotten younger in the secondary and at linebacker. Warren will be the first move on the defensive front the Giants make as they look to get younger all around.

26 San Fransisco 49ers Rien Long DT Washington St.

Long, the Outland Trophy winner as the nation's best defensive lineman will be a steal for the 49ers here. Long posesses great instincts and hustle, but has slipped due to his lack of physical play on the line. He doesn't explode off the line and often has to work for what he gets. Very productive college player who should remain productive as a pro due to exceptional work ethic.

27 Pittsburgh Steelers Kyle Boller QB California

Tommy Maddox returns as the starting quarterback and the Kordell Stewart experiment is over. The Steelers would like to get a quarterback of the future to play behind the 32 year-old Maddox and learn for a year or two. Boller posesses exceptional physical tools and improved his own stock with very impressive workouts. Boller has a cannon of an arm and a quick release. Fairly raw and wasn't a great performer on the field until this past season.

28 Tennessee Titans Kelley Washington WR Tennessee

The Titans need to add a playmaking target to the offense for Steve McNair. With the decline in Eddie George's production the Titans have officially become Air McNair's team. Washington has questions surrounding his attitude and some health problems, but he's big, fast and makes tough catches. His physical tools make him worth the risk.

29 Green Bay Packers Rex Grossman QB Florida

Brett Favre isn't getting any younger and he's already begun to think about retirement. Grossman would be able to sit and learn from Favre for a season or two. He has a powerful arm and is a respected on-field leader. He must improve his recognition skills and learning under Favre could only improve his learning curve.

30 Philadelphia Eagles Dewayne White DE Louisville

The Eagles will need to replace the spot vacated by the departed Hugh Douglass. White is a bit undersized, but posesses great speed and playmaking ability much like Douglass. An eye-opening performance at the combine didn't hurt his chances of going in the first round.

31 Oakland Raiders Willis McGahee RB Miami (FL)

Al Davis loves to make a splash in the draft and picking up McGahee with the first of two picks in the first round will do just that. McGahee, although on a remarkable pace of recovery, would take his time, learn the offense and get healthy in time to possibly start in the 2004 season. With Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley the Raiders have enough horses in the stable for this season, but both players are edging their way over 30, McGahee would fill that role.

32 Oakland Raiders Kenny Peterson DT Ohio St.

A bit of a tweener Peterson may best be a fit at defensive end where the Raiders need their most help. Peterson has great physical tools and was a very productive college player. Due to his 'tweener' label Peterson will drop possibly into the second round, but the Raiders would love to add another Roderick Coleman (11.5 sacks in 2002) to their defensive line rotation.

[RaiderRex]

Very well done, Crizp. If it fell this way, I bet most of the teams would be pretty thrilled, too, cuz these all seem to be solid picks in relation to the teams and their needs.

I don't like the Saints pick of TE Whitten, but that's just me. I think that Dallas Clark or that Joppru (sp?) guy from Michigan could be good picks at TE and don't have to be taken in the first round. Just one guy's opinion.
The Colts should go defense, IMO.

Well done, piece, though. Nice explanations.

[RaiderInNY]

5 Dallas Cowboys Terrance Newman CB Kansas St.

Bill Parcells would probably like to draft a defensive lineman like Jimmy Kennedy with this pick, but owner extroadinaire Jerry Jones will get his man and that's Terrance Newman. Newman is a shut down corner and could solidify the Cowboys return game as well

I dont think this happens, Parcells hates small players, two way players and with the shoulder thingy...he may not want to risk it with this pick!

15 San Diego Chargers Troy Polamalu S USC

After releasing Pro Bowl safety odney Harrison, the Chargers will replace him with local product Polamalu who has kept rising up the draft rankings for weeks. Regarded as the best safety prospect available, Polamalu has great physical ability and will provide a playmaker next to last years' first round pick Quentin Jammer.

I hope not, i agree with you...but i like polamalu alot and he would be a great raider!

Nice Mock dude, ****...ive seen so much garbage lately....your observations are tight!

[crizpynutz]

I don't like the Saints pick of TE Whitten, but that's just me.

Actually, I like Dallas Clark better, but Whitten seems to fit what the Saints usually do, the type of player they like and a TE who can catch is a need for them (so they say).

The Colts should go defense, IMO.

I think so too, but I think they will go with either a OL or a DL and I didn't see much that they would go for still on the board. After getting Freeney last year, Ty Warren was a pick I felt they should make, but getting protection for their offensive stars is a must as well. I took a shot in the dark, figure there has to be some surprises.

I hope not, i agree with you...but i like polamalu alot and he would be a great raider!

I would have no problem with Polamalu, he's ballz. I think San D-eggo though will go defense after signing Boston to go with Brees (garbage) and LT.

I dont think this happens, Parcells hates small players, two way players and with the shoulder thingy...he may not want to risk it with this pick!

That was a either him or him pick. Parcells wants a DLineman, Jones wants Newman. I figure, Jones has the final say so I went with Newman. In actuality, I really figure the chances of Dallas trading down is about 80%.