2005 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 07/19/04
* Denotes Underclassman
We will use the draft order from last year until the 10th game of the 2004 season when every team has had a bye week. At that point we will start using records from the new season and place teams accordingly in the draft order.
Round 1
1(1). San Diego Chargers
*Mike Williams Wide Receiver USC
The Chargers got their quarterback with Phillip Rivers in the 2004 Draft so expect them to get him a target in 2005. I expect this pick to hold true if the Chargers were picking #1 even if Williams does not play a down of NCAA football this season. The Chargers know he is a rare talent and they could keep him in the same state where he played his college ball.
2(2). Oakland Raiders
Carnell Williams Running Back Auburn
The Raiders have a number of directions they could look but I have the feeling with a big season Carnell Williams is their man. The Raiders need a featured back if Justin Fargas does not step up or have the opportunity to do so this year. If Mike Williams is on the board expect the Raiders to be very interested.
3(3). Arizona Cardinals
Derrick Johnson Linebacker Texas
There could be temptation to take a quarterback in this situation but I think Denny Green will feel comfortable with Josh McCown or try to get someone in the free agent market. Johnson would improve the Cardinals in so many areas.
4(4). San Diego Chargers (From New York Giants)
Alex Barron Offensive Tackle Florida State
Every player and fan in San Diego will be rooting against the Giants this season so that they get a high draft choice out of the deal that sent Eli Manning to New York. Even though the Chargers have made strides along the line this would be a chance to hit a home run and get a franchise type tackle in place for Rivers and Tomlinson. It would be a coin toss between Barron and Jamaal Brown of Oklahoma at this point.
5(5). Washington Redskins
Anttaj Hawthorne Defensive Tackle Wisconsin
I am not sure whether this will be the pick or not but right now it looks like some choice along the defensive line makes the most sense. Renaldo Wynn may become too expensive for the Redskins to hold beyond the 2004 season so a defensive end is a possibility as well. If the Redskins want a prospect at that position they would probably try to trade down if they picked this high in the draft order.
6(6). Detroit Lions
*Mathias Kiwanuka Defensive End Boston College
The Lions could try to make their secondary even deeper with another selection here at the cornerback position but my thinking here is that we could be seeing Robert Porcher at the end of his stay as a Lion. The Lions would take Kiwanuka as a developmental prospect at defensive end to give the line a more athletic look.
7(7). Cleveland Browns
Antrel Rolle Cornerback Miami (Fla.)
The Browns need corners and Rolle is a Miami guy. We all know the connections between the man wielding all the power in Cleveland (Butch Davis) and the Miami Hurricanes. This seems like a good fit unless this battery charge against Rolle drops his stock.
8(8). Atlanta Falcons
*Rodrique Wright Defensive Tackle Texas
This could give the Falcons a dominant presence in the middle for years to come. I could also see them trading down to go for a linebacker since Matt Stewart is not signed beyond this season. Even moving up to obtain Derrick Johnson is a possibility.
9(9). Jacksonville Jaguars
Corey Webster Cornerback LSU
As long as Jacksonville stays put in this position it seems clear that a cornerback would be the way to go. I think Antrel Rolle would be their choice but since he is gone in this scenario I see them making a move for Corey Webster.
10(10). Houston Texans
Marcus Spears Defensive End LSU
Marcus Spears has the versatility to be moved around the defensive line in the 3-4 set. In this scenario Jamaal Brown is still available and that could be too good for Houston to resist, they always need help on the offensive line. The Texans could always trade down here, they are a team that is always willing to wheel-n-deal.
11(11). Pittsburgh Steelers
Braylon Edwards Wide Receiver Michigan
Plaxico Burress will not be back in a Steelers uniform and he has made that clear by skipping every workout possible in the off season. Edwards gives the Steelers another long and lanky target that can get open down field.
12(12). New York Jets
*Heath Miller Tight End Virginia
Anthony Becht is a capable tight end but he has never been able to turn the corner or develop into one that is considered to be in the upper echelon of the NFL. There are a few teams that may try to move up and get a player like Miller (Denver Broncos) since he looks to be the only tight end grading out as a first round pick.
13(13). Buffalo Bills
*Darnell Bing Safety USC
Bing would be a terrific addition to the Bills and could learn from one of the best in Lawyer Milloy. Pierson Prioleau may become a cap casualty so getting a stud at the safety position may be the way the Bills go.
14(14). Chicago Bears
Jamaal Brown Offensive Tackle Oklahoma
This is a no brainer with Brown still on the board at this position. The Bears have had bad luck with draft picks along the line and the health of Marc Colombo continues to be a major concern.
15(15). Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Justin Miller Cornerback Clemson
This one is hard to gage because it looks like the Buccaneers will have more than their share of players allowed to walk after the season is through. Miller may be the best defensive player on the board if he declares and seems to fit in the mold of defensive backs that the Buccaneers like.
16(16). San Francisco 49ers
*Matt Leinart Quarterback USC
It’s hard to imagine Leinart lasting this long. If he is available a team will probably make a move up the draft board to take him, and the 49ers could be that team.
17(17). Cincinnati Bengals
David Pollack Defensive End Georgia
Marvin Lewis likes taking the best athlete available and landing a versatile lineman like David Pollack would be something that he and his team would welcome. Looking along the offensive line is another possibility for the Bengals.
18(18). New Orleans Saints
Mark Clayton Wide Receiver Oklahoma
Joe Horn is starting to reach his mid 30’s and Donte Stallworth has been an injury liability. Clayton would be a great option to put with these two in the slot Clayton brings big play ability and good speed to the position as well.
19(19). Minnesota Vikings
David Baas Offensive Guard Michigan
With David Dixon and Chris Liwienski as the starting guards getting a top-notch player at the position would make the franchise very happy. Baas is a phenomenal run blocker who has an NFL ready body.
20(20). Miami Dolphins
Jamaal Brimmer Safety UNLV
Arturo Freeman and Sammy Knight may both be out of the loop by the end of the 2004 season. Brimmer is an aggressive safety who has blitzing ability that fits the Miami defensive scheme very well.
21(21). Baltimore Ravens
Craphonso Thorpe Wide Receiver Florida State
The more wide receivers for the Ravens the better. There will be a real need especially if Travis Taylor is allowed to walk at seasons end. Players like Devard Darling who are rookies on the team need time to develop and getting another prospect in the 2005 Draft would be good for the franchise.
22(22). Dallas Cowboys
*Ahmad Brooks Linebacker Virginia
Call this one a hunch but I think Ahmad Brooks could declare and become a first round pick in the 2005 Draft. If this happens I think a team picking near the bottom of the draft order will take a chance on the talented youngster. Bill Parcells continues to make depth a priority on defense.
23(23). Seattle Seahawks
Michael Boley Linebacker Southern Mississippi
Seattle continues to add speed to the defense for Ray Rhodes. Chad Brown won’t be around forever and getting a player with a nose for the ball like Michael Boley could prove to be huge.
24(24). Denver Broncos
C.J. Brooks Offensive Guard Maryland
A young athletic offensive guard that has the mobility to get out into the open field and make blocks, doesn’t sound like anyone on the Denver offensive line (snicker snicker). Brooks should be available at #24 and he is perfect for the Broncos blocking schemes.
25(25). Green Bay Packers
Andrew Walter Quarterback Arizona State
Yes I know Tim Couch is there so this will probably be the year they select a quarterback. There are some similarities in the game of Walter and Brett Favre but Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli remains the quarterback with the most striking similarities. Guidugli will be available after round one so Walter is the pick here.
26(26). St. Louis Rams
Dan Cody Defensive End Oklahoma
Grant Wistrom is in Seattle and Leonard Little and his legal troubles should be gone by seasons end. Picking a defensive end seems like a virtual lock, the question is who do they go with?
27(27). Tennessee Titans
Wesley Britt Offensive Tackle Alabama
The Titans rebuilt the defensive line through the 2004 Draft after losing Robaire Smith and Jevon Kearse to free agency. In 2005 the Titans will use the draft to build the line on the other side of the ball.
28(28). Philadelphia Eagles
*Rian Wallace Linebacker Temple
The Eagles always seem to take a player from a local school in the draft (Temple, Villanova, Delaware) and they are still looking for an outside linebacker that is a pass rushing specialist to play in the Jim Johnson defensive blitzing scheme. The Eagles combine the best of both worlds here and take Rian Wallace if he makes himself available.
29(29). Indianapolis Colts
Cedric Benson Running Back Texas
The Colts gave big money to Peyton Manning and at the end of the 2003 season it will be time to renegotiate with Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James when this season is through. I believe the Colts will find it easier to replace James than a receiver that has so much chemistry with their franchise quarterback. If this is the case than Cedric Benson could be their best option.
30(30). Kansas City Chiefs
Marlin Jackson Cornerback Michigan
The Kansas City Chiefs should make strides this season with Gunther Cunningham back in the fold but the area where some help is still needed is the secondary. Marlin Jackson is the best player available on the board at this point and he has experience at cornerback and safety.
31(31). Carolina Panthers
Donte Nicholson Safety Oklahoma
I think the Panthers will find out that replacing Deon Grant will be tougher than they anticipated. The Panthers look towards Nicholson for some help down the road. Getting help at linebacker with the great athletes available remains a possibility.
32(32). New England Patriots
Kirk Morrison Linebacker San Diego State
With some aging linebackers on the interior of the defense taking the first middle linebacker off the board here seems like a perfect fit. I think that Lance Mitchell will not be at 100% this year and if Anthony Schlegal declares the Patriots might be scared off because they struck out the last time they took a Buckeye at middle linebacker (Andy Katzenmoyer). The only other middle linebacker with the possibility of making the first round is Kirk Morrison, a player who plays in a surprisingly tough defensive conference for 2004.
I personally disagree with the Raiders pick as if we were to draft a RB it would be Benson, but just gives us more to talk about to pass the time until the real football starts.
DJ Boyer Mock Draft 1
