csabe
Pro Bowler
- Joined
- May 30, 2004
- Messages
- 1,642
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1 (1)Texans Reggie Bush* RB USC This might be the last hurrah for GM Charley Casserly. The Texans are happy with RB Domanick Davis, so expect Casserly to explore all options to gain extra picks and fill his team's many needs. But if Houston can't find a trading partner, Bush will be the pick. The offense would instantly become more dynamic by using Bush in multiple roles to complement Davis as the inside power runner.
(2)Saints Matt Leinart QB USC New Saints head coach Sean Payton coached Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde, both big pocket passers, in Dallas. Leinart is both of those things and more. Now that the coaching situation is settled, all signs are that Leinart will be the pick here and that he'll be thrilled to be the franchise guy
(3)Titans
D'Brickashaw Ferguson T Va. Ferguson exceeded high expectations at the Senior Bowl. Not only is he the best tackle in the draft, but some think he's also the best player available. Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher and his staff coached Ferguson at the Senior Bowl; all indications are that QB Steve McNair will be back and will feel even better knowing that Ferguson will be protecting his blind side.
(4)Jets A.J. Hawk OLB Ohio St. The Jets have several needs, but Hawk will be the best remaining player on the board here. He'll help anchor the linebackers unit for new head coach Eric Mangini, a disciple of Bill Belichick and the 3-4 defense.5
(5)Packers Jimmy Williams CB Va. Tech The Packers' defense overachieved at the end of last season, but the team's most glaring weakness is in the secondary -- especially at cornerback, where Al Harris needs help. Williams has the talent and experience to start immediately.6
(6)Raiders Mario Williams* DE NC State Because of Mathias Kiwanuka's struggles at the Senior Bowl, Williams has jumped to the top of the DE list for most teams. He has the power and speed to be a dominant speed rusher and a solid two-way end opposite pass rush specialist Derrick Burgess. (Pick subject to coin flip.)7
(7)49ers Chad Greenway OLB Iowa Head coach Mike Nolan is defensive-minded and will continue to run a 3-4 scheme, but three of his four starting linebackers are eligible free agents. Greenway can play either outside position or weakside inside linebacker, and his playmaking ability would be welcomed by a defense struggled mightily last year. (Pick subject to coin flip.)8
(8)Bills Haloti Ngata* DT Oregon The Bills have been weak up the middle since Pat Williams left, and Sam Adams has struggled to remain healthy and stay out of the doghouse. The team needs a dominant run stuffer to protect its athletic linebackers and take some pressure off its pass-rushing defensive ends.9
(9)Lions Michael Huff S Texas New head coach Rod Marinelli will bring a defensive mentality and an attacking scheme to Detroit. The Lions have talent on defense but need a leader in the secondary to give them some flexibility and to pull together a disjointed unit.10
(10)Cardinals Vince Young* QB Texas After Young slips past the Titans at No. 3, each team's QB needs will be filled until he falls into the Cardinals' lap here. Head coach Dennis Green would be thrilled at the prospect of developing the next Daunte Culpepper to team with the Cardinals' young, playmaking wide receivers.11
(11)Rams Vernon Davis* TE Maryland New head coach Scott Linehan, the former Dolphins offensive coordinator, will transform the Rams' offense to feature a more balanced attack. And to do that, the Rams will need a two-way tight end. Davis will fit the bill.12
(12)Browns DeMeco Ryans OLB Alabama The key position in coach Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defensive scheme is outside linebacker. Howard has the athleticism and speed to play in the open field and have an impact as a pass rusher.13
(13)Ravens LenDale White* RB USC The Ravens' running game disappeared in '05, and it needs to be more effective for the team to compete in the AFC North. Even if free agent Jamal Lewis re-signs, it will be short-term deal. White possesses the size and speed the team needs to re-establish its physical style of play.
(14)Eagles Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston Coll. The team needs a two-way end to line up opposite Jevon Kearse. Although Kiwanuka struggled at the Senior Bowl, he still has a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism for the position.
(15)Falcons Tye Hill CB Clemson The Falcons like to attack the line of scrimmage with their front seven and need cornerbacks who can play man-to-man outside. Hill would play immediately as the nickel back and quickly could move in as the starter opposite DeAngelo Hall.
(16)Dolphins Jay Cutler QB Vandy After the hype has worn down and Cutler is put under the microscope, the talk of him being a top-10 QB will subside. But the Dolphins would be thrilled to draft him here. Head coach Nick Saban knows Cutler from his days in the SEC; that knowledge served Saban well last year with the selection of Ronnie Brown.
:dolphins: Would be happy to get Cutler here but we need help on the o-line as well.
(2)Saints Matt Leinart QB USC New Saints head coach Sean Payton coached Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde, both big pocket passers, in Dallas. Leinart is both of those things and more. Now that the coaching situation is settled, all signs are that Leinart will be the pick here and that he'll be thrilled to be the franchise guy
(3)Titans
(4)Jets A.J. Hawk OLB Ohio St. The Jets have several needs, but Hawk will be the best remaining player on the board here. He'll help anchor the linebackers unit for new head coach Eric Mangini, a disciple of Bill Belichick and the 3-4 defense.5
(5)Packers Jimmy Williams CB Va. Tech The Packers' defense overachieved at the end of last season, but the team's most glaring weakness is in the secondary -- especially at cornerback, where Al Harris needs help. Williams has the talent and experience to start immediately.6
(6)Raiders Mario Williams* DE NC State Because of Mathias Kiwanuka's struggles at the Senior Bowl, Williams has jumped to the top of the DE list for most teams. He has the power and speed to be a dominant speed rusher and a solid two-way end opposite pass rush specialist Derrick Burgess. (Pick subject to coin flip.)7
(7)49ers Chad Greenway OLB Iowa Head coach Mike Nolan is defensive-minded and will continue to run a 3-4 scheme, but three of his four starting linebackers are eligible free agents. Greenway can play either outside position or weakside inside linebacker, and his playmaking ability would be welcomed by a defense struggled mightily last year. (Pick subject to coin flip.)8
(8)Bills Haloti Ngata* DT Oregon The Bills have been weak up the middle since Pat Williams left, and Sam Adams has struggled to remain healthy and stay out of the doghouse. The team needs a dominant run stuffer to protect its athletic linebackers and take some pressure off its pass-rushing defensive ends.9
(9)Lions Michael Huff S Texas New head coach Rod Marinelli will bring a defensive mentality and an attacking scheme to Detroit. The Lions have talent on defense but need a leader in the secondary to give them some flexibility and to pull together a disjointed unit.10
(10)Cardinals Vince Young* QB Texas After Young slips past the Titans at No. 3, each team's QB needs will be filled until he falls into the Cardinals' lap here. Head coach Dennis Green would be thrilled at the prospect of developing the next Daunte Culpepper to team with the Cardinals' young, playmaking wide receivers.11
(11)Rams Vernon Davis* TE Maryland New head coach Scott Linehan, the former Dolphins offensive coordinator, will transform the Rams' offense to feature a more balanced attack. And to do that, the Rams will need a two-way tight end. Davis will fit the bill.12
(12)Browns DeMeco Ryans OLB Alabama The key position in coach Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defensive scheme is outside linebacker. Howard has the athleticism and speed to play in the open field and have an impact as a pass rusher.13
(13)Ravens LenDale White* RB USC The Ravens' running game disappeared in '05, and it needs to be more effective for the team to compete in the AFC North. Even if free agent Jamal Lewis re-signs, it will be short-term deal. White possesses the size and speed the team needs to re-establish its physical style of play.
(14)Eagles Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston Coll. The team needs a two-way end to line up opposite Jevon Kearse. Although Kiwanuka struggled at the Senior Bowl, he still has a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism for the position.
(15)Falcons Tye Hill CB Clemson The Falcons like to attack the line of scrimmage with their front seven and need cornerbacks who can play man-to-man outside. Hill would play immediately as the nickel back and quickly could move in as the starter opposite DeAngelo Hall.
(16)Dolphins Jay Cutler QB Vandy After the hype has worn down and Cutler is put under the microscope, the talk of him being a top-10 QB will subside. But the Dolphins would be thrilled to draft him here. Head coach Nick Saban knows Cutler from his days in the SEC; that knowledge served Saban well last year with the selection of Ronnie Brown.
:dolphins: Would be happy to get Cutler here but we need help on the o-line as well.
