1. MIAMI DOLPHINSMATT LEINART
QB | Southern Cal |
Scouting Report This is a team that has journeyman Gus Frerotte and disappointing youngster A.J. Feely as their top two quarterbacks, so you can see why they would jump at the opportunity to add a player of Leinart's caliber. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Leinart chose to return to school for his senior season even though he likely would have been the #1 overall pick in the 2005 Draft to his hometown San Francisco 49'ers. Barring injury he will be the favorite for that spot again though and with a more experienced offensive line and group of receivers it would surprise no one if he had an even better year this time around. While he lacks super impressive physical tools he does everything well and just knows how to win, a la Tom Brady. The Dolphins are lacking at a number of positions and a premier left tackle like D'Brickashaw Ferguson would be extremely tempting here as well, but in the end the chance to land a premier signal caller is too good to pass up. From Los Angeles to South Beach. Not bad.
2. SAN FRANCICSO 49'ERSREGGIE BUSH
RB | Southern Cal |
Scouting Report This is kind of a tough spot to project because there really isn't a lot of value at the positions where the Niners are most lacking, wide receiver and cornerback. With that being the case they opt for the best player available and someone who will help take pressure off of young quarterback Alex Smith, which isn't a bad idea. There is little doubt that Reggie Bush is the most electrifying player in all of college football and a guy who keeps opposing coaches up at night. Whether it's as a runner, receiver or return man, Bush is a threat to take it all the way at any time. There is some concern that he doesn't have the ideal size you look for, but neither did Marshall Faulk and they are similar types of players. With Kevan Barlow failing to live up to expectations running back is certainly a position that could stand to be upgraded and Bush would give the team a wide array of options in terms of how to use him. It would be tough to find a better young backfield than Smith and Bush.
3. TENNESSEE TITANSD'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON
OT | Virginia |
Scouting Report This is a franchise that is firmly in the rebuilding mode after a salary cap purge this past offseason and with that being the case there really aren't many positions they won't at least consider here. With the release of Fred Miller the youth movement along the offensive line has already begun and will likely continue next summer with the jettisoning of Brad Hopkins. Michael Roos will likely take over at one of the tackle spots but additional help will be needed and what better way to build a team than by bringing in one of the best left tackle prospects to come along in years. Had he come out after his junior season Ferguson likely would have gone either #2 or #3 overall, but he chose to return to school and is in line to be one of the premier prospects available in '06. A rare athlete for a man his size, Ferguson is a potential franchise left tackle whose name deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Tony Boselli, Jon Ogden and Orlando Pace.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNSDEANGELO WILLIAMS
RB | Memphis |
Scouting Report Based on pure talent this franchise might rank at or near the bottom of the league so when you look at it that way they could realistically go in a number of directions here. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Romeo Crennel's defensive tendencies ultimately win out, but Williams would be a good fit as well. William Green has been a colossal bust, Reuben Droughns is more of a backup and Lee Suggs can't seem to stay healthy so bringing in a premier running back would certainly address a need. Had he come out last year Williams likely would have been the fourth runner chosen after Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams and a first round pick. A productive running back with great vision and instincts, Williams is far and away the best senior in the country at his position and will be a Top 5-10 overall pick come Draft Day '06. A guy like Ahmad Brooks would be a great fit as well but a top running back will help alleviate pressure on the passing game and also keep the defense off the field so that is the way they opt to go.
5. DENVER BRONCOS (f/WAS)MATHIAS KIWANUKA
DE | Boston College |
Scouting Report If this pick ends up being in the top ten overall this trade will look much worse for the Redskins and they will have even more pie on their faces than they already do, but I guess that would be about par for the course these days. The Broncos might have the luxury of taking the best player available here, but the defensive line could end up being a major need if Courtney Brown and Trevor Pryce can't stay healthy like has been the case the past few years. A tall, rangy athlete and sack artist, "Kiwi" returned to school for his final season and should easily be the top senior end available on Draft Day. Denver may also look at one of the top offensive tackles since Matt Lepsis might not be with them much longer, but Kiwanuka is probably too good of a value to pass up, especially considering the uncertainty they have at the position.
6. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSMARCUS MCNEILL
OT | Auburn |
Scouting Report The Buccaneers have a ton of question marks up front at both guard and tackle, but with Derrick Deese getting way up there in years and Kenyatta Walker failing to live up to his draft position a top young left tackle would probably look real good to Jon Gruden. Marcus McNeill is a mountain of a man at 6-9 and 337 lbs. and since he led the way for current Buc Cadillac Williams in college you know the team is familiar with his abilities. McNeill would have been a first rounder last year and with a strong senior campaign he will be right in the Top 10 mix and battling to be the first offensive tackle chosen in April of '06. With so many elite left tackle prospects available there figures to be value sitting there for the Bucs, whether it be McNeill, Ferguson or Winston and based on their depth chart it is hard to see them going in any other direction.
7. CHICAGO BEARSCHAD GREENWAY
OLB | Iowa |
Scouting Report This offseason Da Bears devoted the majority of their resources towards the offense, and with good reason. Next year however Lovie Smith will likely want to get back to his defensive roots and bring in some help for that side of the ball. Brian Urlacher is still one of the best linebackers in the game when healthy but the team has had trouble putting much talent alongside him, which is where Greenway comes in. An impact player, some have compared Greenway's style of play to that of Urlacher and had he come out after his junior season he more than likely would have been the first linebacker chosen. If Greenway is still on the board here it would not only be a pick that addresses a major need but an excellent value as well because he is one of the premier defensive players available and is exactly the type of playmaker the team would love to add. Depending on the development of Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman the Bears may get in on the Matt Leinart sweepstakes as well.
8. NEW YORK GIANTSRODRIQUE WRIGHT
DT | Texas |
Scouting Report When looking at their depth chart it isn't easy to pinpoint a major glaring weakness, but one position that does stand out like a sore thumb is defensive tackle. William Joseph has never lived up to his potential and Kendrick Clancy is nothing to write home about, so the chance to add a top player on the interior has to look pretty good to the G-Men. Wright didn't have the monster junior campaign most thought he would due to injuries but if he can bounce back as a senior he will likely rate among the premier prospects in this draft. An impact player since his true freshman season with the Longhorns, Wright has the ability to wreak havoc in the middle and has the talent of a Top 5-10 overall pick. With Amani Toomer getting up there in years and their youngsters failing to develop to this point a wide receiver would make sense for the Giants as well, but value at that position may be lacking this high in the first round.
9. HOUSTON TEXANSERIC WINSTON
OT | Miami (FL) |
Scouting Report One of the first moves this franchise made was when they selected Tony Boselli with the top overall pick in the expansion draft. Of course Boselli was never able to return to health and didn't play for the team, but that gamble demonstrates just how long they have been searching for a premier offensive tackle. A former tight end, Winston is a great athlete and similar in many ways to Robert Gallery. If not for a knee injury last season Winston probably would have entered the 2005 NFL Draft and been the top offensive lineman off the board, but if he can show he is healthy as a senior he should still be right in the mix for the Top 10 overall this time around as well. In most years Winston would be the clear-cut choice as the #1 tackle available so to land him here would be a nice value pick for the team. Another area the they could look to here is the secondary, but with so many top left tackles available that would appear to be a slam-dunk for them.
10. OAKLAND RAIDERSAHMAD BROOKS
ILB | Virginia |
Scouting Report We'll start with the good news: The 2005 Oakland Raiders might score 50 points per game. Now for the bad news: They'll probably give up 51. This team really struggled on defense in 2004 and while some of that can be attributed to adjusting to a new scheme, a lot of the blame can be pinned on a simple lack of talent as well. Knowing this, they failed to do much this offseason to address that side of the ball and instead focused on the offense, which could come back to haunt them. One thing they lack is a true impact linebacker so if a guy like Brooks fell into their laps Al Davis would probably be overjoyed. A standout performer who could play inside or outside at the pro level, Brooks would be an excellent fit in Oakland's defensive scheme. Just to give you an idea of what type of talent this guy is, Al Groh even had him working as a return man in 2004! This is the best linebacker prospect since LaVar Arrington. A top defensive end is also a need since a good pass rush can atone for a multitude of sins on defense, but in the end Brooks is the best talent and fit available.
11. ARIZONA CARDINALSHALOTI NGATA
DT | Oregon |
Scouting Report There is no denying that Dennis Green finally has this franchise on the right track, but there is still plenty of work to be done and they could use help at a number of positions. The most glaring need is probably on the interior of the defensive line, where there is next to nothing alongside Darnell Dockett. Based on pure talent Ngata could easily be a Top 3-5 overall pick and he may ultimately end up in that elite category, but to this point he has not been able to show that ability on a consistent basis which is why he is still available this late in round one. Make no mistake about it though, this guy is a physical freak and his potential is through the roof. If he is able to put together the type of junior campaign he is capable of, don't be surprised if he is long gone by this point in the first round. The Cards could also stand to upgrade their linebacking corps (i.e. MLB and WLB) so if the right player fell to them it wouldn't be a shock to see them ultimately go in that direction either.
12. NEW ORLEANS SAINTSA.J. HAWK
OLB | Ohio St. |
Scouting Report Every year we talk about the Saints as a team on the verge of breaking through, but for some reason they always manage to vastly underachieve and not play up to their talent level. Will this year be any different? One area where they perennially seem to be lacking is at linebacker and this group is a far cry from the days of Sam Mills, Ricky Jackson and Pat Swilling. Courtney Watson seems to have solidified a spot in the starting lineup but other than that there is just a bunch of mid-round picks who failed to live up to their potential like James Allen, Sedrick Hodge and Cie Grant. Hawk is about as productive of a linebacker as you will find and would have been one of the first players off the board at his position in the 2005 NFL Draft after wowing scouts with his speed at the Buckeyes Pro Day workout. This guy is a true football player and would be a tremendous upgrade for the Saints.
13. ST. LOUIS RAMSJIMMY WILLIAMS
CB | Virginia Tech |
Scouting Report There is an old adage in the NFL that if you have a lot, you probably have nothing. That is the case at cornerback with the St. Louis Rams, where they have a number of solid players but lack a true impact performer. Williams was a safety for the Hokies before moving to cornerback permanently as a junior, and doing so with great success. At 6-3 and 203 pounds with 4.4 speed, Williams has the measurables that are sure to make scouts drool and with another year of experience at the position he will be much more prepared for what the pros have to offer. The Rams could also use a stud defensive end to play opposite Leonard Little and a tight end who can make plays in the passing game wouldn't hurt either. At the end of the day though the chance to add the top senior corner in the draft this far down in round one would likely prove too enticing to pass up if he were available.
14. DETROIT LIONSMARIO WILLIAMS
DE | North Carolina St. |
Scouting Report After using their last four #1's on the offensive side of the ball (Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, Kevin Jones and Mike Williams) it is high time Matt Millen show the defense some love in round one. James Hall came into his own last season and should be fine at one defensive end spot but Kalimba Edwards has been a disappointment and Cory Redding leaves something to be desired as a starter. Mario Williams is a potential elite player with the type of rare blend of size, speed and athleticism that could ultimately make him the best defensive end prospect we have seen since Julius Peppers. In fact, if he has the type of dominating junior campaign most are expecting he should challenge Mathias Kiwanuka to be the first player chosen at his position and could come off the board a lot higher than this. Depending on how well Kelly Butler does this season a tackle could be needed as well so keep an eye on that.
15. BUFFALO BILLSJONATHAN SCOTT
OT | Texas |
Scouting Report Is this team Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? After starting the season terribly they made a major push down the stretch and just missed the playoffs. Despite that strong finish they might still be a year away, especially when you consider they ditched Drew Bledsoe and instead will go with youngster J.P. Losman. This is one of the up and coming teams in the league, but they are not without needs and the most glaring is along the offensive line where the free agent loss of Jonas Jennings will really take its toll. In fact, as of right now they are slated to start converted guard Mike Gandy at left tackle, who couldn't even cut it with the Bears. Jonathan Scott is a prototypical left tackle prospect with all the tools you look for and, in my opinion, he is being overshadowed by the likes of Ferguson, Winston and McNeill. Rest assured though that he is just behind that trio and could ultimately end up being a tremendous value pick for someone.
16. GREEN BAY PACKERSGABE WATSON
DT | Michigan |
Scouting Report This is a team that is in a very precarious position because they didn't do much in the offseason and suffered some major losses in free agency, most notably Darren Sharper, Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera. They could really go in a number of directions here but the vast majority of their needs seem to lie on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary was terrible last year but they do have some youngsters they are developing, so that leaves linebacker and defensive tackle as the most glaring weaknesses. Cletidus Hunt has been going downhill while Grady Jackson is always in jeopardy of eating himself out of the league and with only unproven youngsters behind them the depth situation is shaky at best. Watson is a mammouth force in the middle who excels at stopping the run, but has some questions concerning his motor and fitness. At this point though the rewards probably outweigh (no pun intended) the risks so he is their man.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALSMARCEDES LEWIS
TE | U.C.L.A. |
Scouting Report You would have a hard time finding a better collection of young offensive talent than what the Bengals have accumulated in Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson, et. al. The one lone exception however is at tight end, where the likes of Reggie Kelly and Matt Schobel don't provide anything in terms of a vertical passing threat. Even though he flies under the radar a bit Lewis is a top prospect who would have given Heath Miller a run for his money to be the first tight end chosen in 2005, so with another good season he should solidify a spot in the middle of round one. Cincinnati could also use some additional help on defense both in the secondary as well as along the defensive line inside at tackle so watch out for that as well. When all is said and done though adding a playmaker like Lewis to stretch the field and open up the passing game is probably the direction they would opt to go, in effect giving them a Super Bowl caliber offense for years to come.
18. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSCHARLES GORDON
CB | Kansas |
Scouting Report Quick! Other than Rashean Mathis can you name the next three cornerbacks at the top of the Jaguars depth chart? Probably not, but if you said Kiwaukee Thomas, Terry Cousin and Kenny Wright you earn a gold star. If those names don't jump out at you don't worry because they are all journeymen at best, which makes corner a position that must be vastly upgraded for this team to reach its full potential. Gordon is a former wide receiver who just recently made the switch to defense but did so effortlessly. He is still raw and needs a lot of work but the sky is the limit in terms of his potential and upside. If he continues to progress like he did as a sophomore there is a chance he could be long gone by this point in round one, but if he is still available the Jags could do a lot worse. There is still a lot of concern about Fred Taylor's health so a top running back like Laurence Maroney might be very tempting here as well, but cornerback is the more pressing concern.
19. SEATTLE SEAHAWKSLAURENCE MARONEY
RB | Minnesota |
Scouting Report It would seem to be unlikely that Shaun Alexander will be playing in a Seahawk uniform beyond this season so if that is the case then a top-notch replacement will be needed. Even though they are different types of runners, Maroney would be an excellent value at this point in round one and add another dimension to the Seattle offense. A gamebreaker in every sense of the word, Maroney will have the opportunity to show he can carry the load with Marion Barber III moving on to the pro ranks and if he has the type of season most think he will don't be surprised to see his draft stock soar. While he won't be the goaline threat that Alexander is, Maroney will more than make up for it with his ability to take it the distance at any time from any point on the field. Wide receiver is also a concern with the release of Koren Robinson and the absence of much in terms of young talent so if a guy who doesn't drop every other ball thrown his way falls to them that would be an attractive option as well.
20. DALLAS COWBOYSJUSTIN BLALOCK
OT | Texas |
Scouting Report Going back to their glory days in the mid-1990's the Cowboys were always able to hang their hat on a good offensive line, but in recent years that hasn't always been the case. Needless to say the likes of Rob Petitti and Torrin Tucker have not gotten the job done so a top right tackle is arguably the #1 need in Big D. Yet another in a long line of great Longhorn offensive lineman, Blalock is the top junior out there but with such a strong senior crop he may be best suited to return to school next year rather than compete with the likes of Ferguson, Winston, McNeill and his own teammate Scott. If he does come out and falls this far it would be a steal for the Cowboys and finally solidify their line. The team also needs a top free safety to team with Roy Williams and an infusion of young talent at wide receiver sure wouldn't hurt either. When all is said and done though the offensive line takes precedence and is the way they opt go with this choice.
21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFSSANTONIO HOLMES
WR | Ohio St. |
Scouting Report Obviously the defense has been their biggest concern the past couple of years, but after taking steps to correct that this past offseason they may have to turn their attention to the other side of the ball. The duo of Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton were already the worst starting receiver combo in the league and with Morton now gone things are even more dire. In fact, I am surprised the teams passing attack has been as formidable as it has been with those two atop the depth chart. Just to give you an idea of how desperate they are, the team even gave Freddie "I want to thank my hands for being so great" Mitchell a chance before releasing him. Last year Holmes was overshadowed by freshman sensation Ted Ginn but in reality Holmes is the top wideout on that team and one of the best in the country. A big play threat who also does the little things, Holmes would be a tremendous fit in the Chiefs high-powered offense if he is available.
22. NEW YORK JETSJESSE MAHELONA
DT | Tennessee |
Scouting Report As expected Jason Ferguson was lost to Dallas as a free agent this past offseason, but knowing it was coming didn't make it any less painful. The fact is that the team was ill prepared to lose Ferguson and with only the likes of James Reed to replace him Dewayne Robertson had better be prepared to see some double teams. Mahelona is still a bit underrated but he had a great junior campaign and if he can repeat that performance as a senior it would come as no surprise if he were one of the first defensive tackles off the board next April. The offensive line is also a major concern, specifically at right tackle where they are counting on the unproven Adrian Jones to step in and help replace Kareem McKenzie. If one of the top offensive linemen in this draft fall into their laps the team might have a hard time ignoring the position, especially when you consider that Jones has not played in the NFL yet and was considered to be a raw prospect coming out of Kansas.
23. SAN DIEGO CHARGERSDEREK HAGAN
WR | Arizona St. |
Scouting Report The Chargers really emerged in 2004 but there is still a lot of work to be done and in all honesty they probably weren't as good as their record in 2004 would lead you to believe. Wide receiver is still a concern and the team lacks a true difference maker there, despite having a bunch of solid guys like Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell. There is a good chance Hagan could be gone by this point since most consider him the top senior wideout available as of now, but if he is on the board San Diego would do well to pick him up. A very productive player with good size and speed, Hagan would further solidify the offense and add to their base of young skill position players on that side of the ball. The offensive line is still a concern as well and they could certainly upgrade at both tackle spots so a guy like Jeremy Trueblood would make some sense as well. At the end of the day though Hagan is the best value and would also address an area of need so he is the pick.
24. BALTIMORE RAVENSDEVIN HESTER
CB | Miami (FL) |
Scouting Report For years the Ravens have hung their hats on the defense so they cannot afford any drop-off on that side of the ball. There is little doubt that Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are one of the best sets of starting cornerbacks in the NFL, but after that it gets a little dicey with the soon-to-be-retired Deion Sanders and the injury-prone Dale Carter behind them. Needless to say bringing in a top young cornerback is likely to be at or near the top of the teams list of things to do next offseason. One of the most explosive athletes in the college game, Hester is very raw after bouncing back and forth between wide receiver and cornerback early in his career but it looks like he has finally settled in on the defensive side of the ball. This would be a perfect team for him to land with because he wouldn't be counted on to start right away and would be allowed time to develop. As an added bonus, Hester is also one of the premier return man prospects out there so he would help out in that regard as well.
25. CAROLINA PANTHERSLEONARD POPE
TE | Georgia |
Scouting Report After a horrendous 1-7 start the Panthers went on a 6-2 run but it wasn't quite enough to get them into the playoffs. The big question now is which team will show up in 2005? The Panthers defense is still one of the best in the business but they have a couple of holes on the offensive side of the ball that they need to address sometime soon. One spot that has been lacking for years is tight end, where Kris Mangum, Mike Seidman and Michael Gaines just don't give them the dynamic weapon in the passing game most teams crave these days. Pope is still a youngster but his talent and potential are quite impressive and with his size, speed and athleticism he would almost certainly be in the first round mix should he choose to come out early. Left tackle is a concern as well after moving Jordan Gross back to the right side, leaving converted guard Travelle Wharton as the starter, so that is an option as well.
26. DENVER BRONCOSDAVIN JOSEPH
OG | Oklahoma |
Scouting Report For a long time now the Broncos have consistently had one of the better offensive lines in football but the time has come for the addition of some young blood, especially since Matt Lepsis might not be around much longer. Joseph played guard last year for the Sooners on what had to be the best o-line in the country, but due to graduation losses he will move outside to tackle as a senior. If he comes through with the type of final campaign that he is capable of he should be right in the mix to be the first guard chosen on Draft Day '06. The team also took a chance on some high risk / high reward players along the defensive line so if all or some of them don't pan out that will be an area that will have to be addressed as well. Don't rule out a receiver either though, with Rod Smith nearing the end of his career and the failure of Darius Watts to develop as the team had envision he would a couple years back.
27. ATLANTA FALCONSLARON LANDRY
S | L.S.U. |
Scouting Report There seems to be a revolving door at safety in Atlanta, with journeymen like Keion Carpenter and Ronnie Heard the most recent additions. Needless to say they could definitely upgrade next to Bryan Scott and Landry would be an excellent value late in round one. An impact performer since his true freshman season, Landry has experience at free safety, strong safety and even cornerback and that versatility will be a major plus in his favor whenever he comes out. The Falcons could also use some help up front and adding someone to protect franchise signal caller Michael Vick is never a bad idea so if a top offensive lineman fell into their laps they might be hard-pressed to take a pass. One of the best young teams in the league, the Falcons should be contenders for a number of years and adding a premier talent like Landry to team with DeAngelo Hall in the secondary would be a nice move on their part and would likely please the defensive minded Jim Mora.
28. PITTSBURGH STEELERSMAX JEAN-GILLES
OG | Georgia |
Scouting Report With the loss of Oliver Ross and Keydrick Vincent there are some questions along the offensive line, most notably at right tackle where Max Starks is being depended on to step into a starting role. Also, right guard could be a concern as well with Kendall Simmons being an excellent player when healthy but he has been unable to stay on the field in recent years. Jean-Gilles is a massive player who could play either guard or tackle and would at the very least provide some insurance. After nearly entering the 2005 Draft, Jean-Gilles opted to return to school to boost his stock and should ultimately rank amongst the top interior offensive lineman available, if not #1. Cornerback is still a concern in the Steel City as well so they could look in that direction, and a good 3-4 defense can never have enough pass rushing outside linebackers. Still, there are some serious questions up front so a versatile player like Jean-Gilles would have to make a lot of sense at this point.
29. MINNESOTA VIKINGSGREG ESLINGER
C | Minnesota |
Scouting Report Just a year ago the center position probably would have been looked at as one of the strengths of this Viking team, but with Pro Bowler Matt Birk's recent rash of injuries his long-term future with the team is now very much up in the air. At the very least they need to add some depth after finding out Cory Withrow is not the answer for any extended period of time. In fact, the team is so desperate that they have moved Adam Goldberg to the pivot, despite him never having played the position before. Historically centers rarely go in the first round of the NFL Draft but Eslinger has a chance to be the exception to that rule. While he lacks ideal size, the Golden Gopher is a tremendous technician and a hard worker whose intangibles are through the roof. After years of neglecting the defense the team finally devoted some of their resources to that side of the ball and while the starting unit looks as solid as it has in a decade they still need to build upon the depth, especially in the secondary and at linebacker.
30. INDIANAPOLIS COLTSERNIE SIMS
OLB | Florida St. |
Scouting Report This team obviously has no trouble scoring points so the offense will likely be put on the backburner for a while, unless a replacement for Edgerrin James is needed in the near future. The Colts have taken some steps toward improving the defense in recent years but still have a ways to go and one area where they are especially lacking is at linebacker. One of the most ferocious hitters in the college game, Sims is undersized but extremely fast and athletic which is exactly what Tony Dungy looks for in a linebacker. Whether he replaces Cato June outside or the Gary Brackett/Rob Morris combo in the middle it will be a major upgrade and give the Colts the type of emotional, impact presence they have been lacking. One way or another look for this pick to once again be used on the defensive side of the ball since that is the unit that has continually held this franchise back in recent years and prevented them from reaching their ultimate goal.
31. PHILADELPHIA EAGLESANDREW WHITWORTH
OT | L.S.U. |
Scouting Report Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, so goes life for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year they did take it one step further, finally winning an NFC Championship game before ultimately losing in the Super Bowl, but their window of opportunity may be beginning to close. One spot that could prove troublesome is the offensive line, where Jon Runyan is getting up there in years and Tra Thomas is battling injuries. They have drafted a number of developmental offensive lineman in recent years, but may need to address the position earlier with a top talent. Whitworth considered foregoing his senior season for the 2005 NFL Draft but ultimately went back to school and now faces the possibility of getting lost in the shuffle with so many great tackles available. Depending on what happens with the Terrell Owens situation wide receiver could end up being a need, as could defensive tackle despite the drafting of Mike Patterson due to the loss of Corey Simon.
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTSJASON ALLEN
CB | Tennessee |
Scouting Report What do you get a team that has everything? Up until this point Scott Pioli and the Pats have done a pretty good job of keeping their key pieces in place but they are at the point now where age and the salary cap will likely begin to take their toll on the franchise. One area where the team may have some work to do is in the secondary, where Ty Law is already gone and Rodney Harrison isn't getting any younger. Granted Bill Belichick has done a good job of putting unknowns into key spots, specifically at corner, but you can only get away with that for so long before an infusion of legitimate talent is needed. Allen played safety for the Vols last year and almost came out early before opting to return to school for his senior season. He will be playing cornerback this fall and certainly has the measurables you look for to project to either position in the pros so with a strong final campaign in Knoxville he could easily be gone by this point.
