Mock Draft

[HarveyWallbangers]

If we somehow could land Greg Eslinger instead of Jason Spitz, I'd be ecstatic with this draft--Hawk, Hali, McCargo (intriguing prospect), and Eslinger would be a nice haul.

Texans fielding more trade calls than Saints
By Todd McShay

The 2006 NFL draft is rapidly approaching. With less than two weeks remaining before draft weekend kicks off on April 29, it's time to take a look at how the seven-round process could shake out:

+ = Underclassman

1. Houston Texans (2-14)
Top-five needs: OT, OG, DC, WR, RB
The pick: +Reggie Bush, RB, USC
The Texans are surprisingly fielding far more trade offers for their pick than the Saints are at No. 2. If the deal is sweet enough, there's still a chance that the Texans could trade down a few spots (Jets?) and still get an elite player at a position of greater need, such as NC State DE Mario Williams or Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson. When all the dust settles, however, the Texans are still expected to take Bush with the first overall selection. Running back is not one of the Texans' top positional needs, but Bush is far more than just a running back. He's the most explosive runner, receiver and return man that this year's class has to offer. No other rookie will make a bigger impact than Bush will for the Texans next season.

2. New Orleans Saints (3-13)
Top-five needs: OT, DT, OC, DC, OLB
The pick: +Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Priority No. 1 for the Saints is still to trade out of this pick. They would love to move down a bit, acquire an extra pick or two and still get one of the top three prospects on their wish list: Williams, Ferguson or Ohio State OLB A.J. Hawk. The team will send out smoke signals following USC QB Matt Leinart's private visit on Wednesday, but don't buy into the hype. If the Saints get stuck picking at No. 2, the decision will be between Williams and Ferguson. While Ferguson fills a great area of need, rumor has it the Saints have Williams rated ahead of him on their board.

3. Tennessee Titans (4-12) Top-five needs: OT, MLB, QB, RB, OC
The pick: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Titans have leaked information regarding an internal tug-of-war between the personnel department and coaching staff over the top-rated quarterback in this year's draft, but we are hearing otherwise. Vince Young would be a possibility if Leinart is off the board, but expect the Titans to go with the Southern Cal southpaw if he's available when they go on the clock. The Titans are not expected to come to a resolution with longtime franchise quarterback Steve McNair, so Leinart would have a chance to start immediately. Making this an even more natural fit is Leinart's relationship with offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who spent four years in a similar post at USC.

4. New York Jets (4-12)
Top-five needs: RB, OT, OLB, QB, OG
The pick: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
The Jets are rumored to be one of the teams pursuing a possible deal with the Texans for the No. 1 pick. If that's the case, they would obviously be going after Bush. The second plausible scenario is to trade up a couple spots to secure Leinart, but as of today there are no reports of the Jets contacting the Saints for such a deal. In my opinion, the Jets' best move is to stay put. They have seven picks in the first four rounds, which is more than any other team. Instead of packaging some of those picks to move up, the Jets would be wise to address as many needs as possible in what is an extremely deep talent base in the 2006 draft. In this scenario, Ferguson would be a great value with the fourth overall pick and he would help address a priority need.

5. Green Bay Packers (4-12)
Top-five needs: OG, OLB, OC, DE, WR
The pick: A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State
The Packers have done a decent job of addressing their needs at wide receiver (Rod Gardner), defensive tackle (Ryan Pickett) and safety (Marquand Manuel) this offseason. Still missing, though, is an impact playmaker on defense. There are some reports regarding the Packers' growing interest in massive two-gap DT Haloti Ngata (Oregon). However, Hawk is a more complete player, and he could make a more immediate impact for a defense that is in desperate need of a playmaker and leader of his capacity.

6. San Francisco 49ers (4-12)
Top-five needs: OLB, FS, DC, DE, MLB
The pick: +Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
The 49ers will entertain trade offers once they are on the clock. Unless they receive an undeniable offer, the wise move is to draft the most explosive pass-catching weapon in this year's class. At 6-foot-3 and 258 pounds, with 4.38-speed in the 40-yard dash, Davis has game-breaker written all over him. By using this pick on Davis, the 49ers could exponentially speed up QB Alex Smith's developmental process.

7. Oakland Raiders (4-12)
Top-five needs: OG, DT, OLB, SS, RB
The pick: +Vince Young, QB, Texas
The Raiders have bigger needs, but Young is too special of an athlete to pass on with this pick. Aaron Brooks can serve as a bridge-the-gap starter while Young takes a year or two developing. Andrew Walter, last year's third-round pick, can become a good insurance policy for the future and potentially could become good trade bait.

8. Buffalo Bills (5-11)
Top-five needs: OT, DT, DC, RB, WR
The pick: +Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
Offensive tackle is a primary need area for the Bills. USC OT Winston Justice is skyrocketing up draft boards following his outstanding pro-day workout, but it would be a slight reach to take Justice this high, especially considering some of his character issues. The Bills were able to upgrade their defensive line with the free-agency addition of DT Larry Tripplett, but they are still in search of a young impact player to groom alongside of him. While it seems that Florida State's Brodrick Bunkley is a better fit in the team's new defensive scheme, we're hearing that the Bills favor Ngata over Bunkley if they elect to draft this position. Defensive tackles tend to take longer to develop than most other positions, but the presence of Tripplett and Tim Anderson would allow Ngata to ease into a starting role.

9. Detroit Lions (5-11)
Top-five needs: DC, OLB, ILB, OT, RB
The pick: Michael Huff, DB, Texas
New head coach Rod Marinelli comes from a hard-nosed, defense-minded background, and he'll want to set the tone by selecting an impact playmaker on that side of the ball. Some think Huff can play cornerback in the NFL, while others think he'll be limited to safety. I think he can play some of both, especially with the Lions moving to more of a Cover 2 look under Marinelli. Regardless, Huff is the best defensive back in this year's class, and he would immediately give the Lions much-needed versatility in their secondary.

10. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
Top-five needs: DB, TE, QB, OT, OLB
The pick: +Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State
The Cardinals are mightily impressed with Justice but they know he's a bit of a reach at No. 10. They would love for Huff to fall to them here, but that's not the case in this scenario. Furthermore, while Jimmy Williams is high on everyone's board in terms of overall talent, there are too many concerns regarding his personality for the Cardinals to risk this high a pick on him. With all that said, the Cards will have a tough decision to make between Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler, who provides promise for the future, and Sims, who could make an immediate impact playing opposite another young athletic outside linebacker, Karlos Dansby. Head coach Dennis Green and his staff are poised to make a playoff run soon, and Sims will help the team achieve that goal a lot quicker than Cutler.

11. St. Louis Rams (6-10)
Top-five needs: DT, DC, WLB, OG, OT
The pick: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
This seems a bit high for Greenway to come off the board, but he is a safe pick at a position of need. If Sims slips past the Cardinals at pick No. 10, the Rams would likely take him ahead of Greenway. Another option is to draft Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler, but new head coach Scott Linehan is an offensive guru who should be able to develop the team's quarterback of the future from a later round.

12. Cleveland Browns (6-10)
Top-five needs: DE, OLB, WR, NT, DC
The pick: Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB, Florida State
The Browns have been one of the most active teams in free agency this year, but they still have a number of holes to fill. After spending two of their three Day 1 picks last year on the offensive side of the ball, general manager Phil Savage knows he needs to give more attention to coach Romeo Crennel's defense. The Browns signed a couple of good fits for the 3-4 scheme, but OLB Willie McGinest and NT Ted Washington are aging and won't be around for long. If Ngata is still on the board, he would be an even better value as Washington's future replacement. In this case, though, Wimbley is the right selection. A former defensive end at Florida State, Wimbley is an ideal fit as a rush-linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 alignment. He could immediately upgrade the team's pass rush as a situational player early in his career before eventually taking over for McGinest as the full-time starter.

13. Baltimore Ravens (6-10)
Top-five needs: DS, QB, ROT, DT, OG
The pick: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
Justice would be a consideration in this scenario, but Bunkley is a better value and a better fit. Bunkley has some character and durability issues that could cause him to slip, but we feel that he is a better overall prospect than Ngata. Bunkley has exceptional overall physical tools, as we saw from his jaw-dropping combine performance, and his production as a senior last season (25 tackles for loss, nine sacks) speaks for itself.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)
Top-five needs: OLB, WR, OT, RB, FS
The pick: +Winston Justice, OT, USC
Drafting a bigger back to take some of the load off Brian Westbrook's shoulders is a possibility, but the Eagles likely will address that need later. The team also needs help at wide receiver and outside linebacker, but no value exists to match this pick. With that in mind, Justice is the best fit. The Eagles are ancient at offensive tackle with Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, so this would be a wise decision. Justice comes with some baggage and he needs some polishing, but his combination of size and athleticism are undeniable.

15. Denver Broncos (10-6)
Pick acquired from Falcons
Top-five needs: WR, TE, RB, OG/OC, DT
The pick: +Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
The Broncos are hoping to continue to make moves on draft day. Their primary goal is to package picks and move up for TE Davis. If they can't get that deal done, they'll look to acquire more picks by trading down. But if they get stuck at No. 15, look for the Broncos to select the best wide receiver on their board. Jackson needs some polish, but his size, explosive speed and playmaking ability would be a welcomed addition to a wide receiver corps that currently is in flux. Rod Smith is running out of time, and Ashley Lelie has proven to be too unreliable as a full-time starter. Jackson could contribute as a No. 3 immediately while being groomed as the primary target for the future.

16. Miami Dolphins (9-7)
Top-five needs: DC, WR, DS, OG, LB
The pick: +Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
The Dolphins have addressed almost all of their needs via free agency, which gives them the flexibility that coach Nick Saban is looking for on draft weekend. Wimbley would be an option if he were still available. The team would also consider defensive backs such as Jimmy Williams or Donte Whitner (Ohio State). However, Holmes is one of only two elite wide receiver prospects in this year's draft, and he would make a bigger impact than the aforementioned prospects as a sub-package contributor behind starting WRs Chris Chambers and Marty Booker in 2006.

17. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
Top-five needs: MLB, OLB, DC, QB, WR
The pick: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Linebacker and cornerback are two positions the Vikings are targeting with this pick, but new head coach Brad Childress could not pass on a quarterback of Cutler's ability if he slips this far. Cutler is a big, athletic quarterback with a rifle for an arm. He needs some technique work, but Childress would have the time he needs to develop Cutler as Brad Johnson's eventual successor.

18. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
Top-five needs: FS, OT, OG, DC, NT
The pick: +Donte Whitner, DS, Ohio State
The Cowboys would love to trade down in order to get a better value for an offensive tackle such as Auburn's Marcus McNeill. Drafting Holmes is also a possibility if he's available here, but coach Bill Parcells doesn't like to draft wide receivers in the first round, and the team already has a load of money locked up in that position with the recent acquisition of Terrell Owens. So if the Cowboys are stuck with this pick, Whitner makes the most sense. The team needs an intelligent, speedy free safety to complement SS Roy Williams, and Whitner is the ideal match. He emerged as a true playmaker during his junior season at Ohio State, and his 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds helped catapult him into first-round consideration.

19. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
Top-five needs: OT, WR, DS, OG, DC
The pick: +Johnathan Joseph, DC, South Carolina
The Chargers would consider a wide receiver if Jackson or Holmes slips to them. However, after recently making the Sammy Davis (DC)-for-Rashaun Woods (WR) trade, the Chargers are in even greater need of an upgrade in the defensive secondary. Joseph would be a good fit with the 19th pick because he's an athletic playmaker who could contribute immediately as a nickel-slot cover corner.

20. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Top-five needs: DC, WR, OG, DE, QB
Top pick: Tye Hill, DC, Clemson
The Chiefs are in desperate need of a starter opposite LDC Patrick Surtain, so look for them to use this pick on the best cover corner available. Hill is one of the fastest corners in his class and he can change directions quickly. While he's undersized, he has excellent leaping ability and is a fundamentally sound tackler.

21. New England Patriots (10-6)
Top-five needs: ILB/OLB, WR, DC, RB, DT
The pick: +Antonio Cromartie, DC, Florida State
The Patriots have several needs on defense, and they could use this pick on a wide receiver if Jackson or Holmes slides. While linebacker is a bigger need, ultimately, expect the Pats to go with a corner here. Cromartie is a bit raw and rusty after starting just one game at Florida State and missing the entire 2005 season with a knee injury. However, he is healthy now, and he possesses an outstanding combination of size, speed and athleticism. New England's coaching staff has done a good job of developing secondary players quickly (see Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs) and there's no questioning Cromartie's upside.

22. Denver Broncos (10-6)
Pick acquired from Redskins
Top-five needs: WR, TE, RB, OG/OC, DT
The pick: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
Tatum Bell replaces Mike Anderson, who is now a Raven, as the primary back in Denver. However, Bell has had some problems staying healthy despite splitting carries with Anderson. Ron Dayne is a decent short-yardage ball carrier, but he is limited due to poor speed and lack of elusiveness. The Broncos need a No. 2 back who can spell Bell and step in if Bell misses time with an injury, which is why Williams makes sense here. Williams has excellent initial quickness and he shows a second gear in the open field. His vision and patience also make him a great fit for Denver's zone-blocking schemes.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
Top-five needs: OT, OC, WR, WLB, DE
The pick: Jimmy Williams, DC, Virginia Tech
The Buccaneers will try to make a move up the board for OT Justice, but they are unlikely to reach for an offensive tackle such as Marcus McNeill (Auburn) or Eric Winston (Miami) with this pick. If stuck at pick No. 23, look for the Bucs to take advantage of a slipping talent such as Williams. The Bucs need depth at cornerback, and Williams is a perfect fit because of his size, playmaking skills and ability to defend the run. He also has experience at free safety, which gives him added value in a secondary that needs more versatility.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Top-five needs: TE, DE, DC, MLB, RS
The pick: Manny Lawson, DE, N.C. State
The Bengals have several needs on the defensive side of the ball, and they also need a playmaker at tight end. While it's possible that the team might select a tight end such as Georgia's Leonard Pope or UCLA's Marcedes Lewis, expect coach Marvin Lewis to go with an impact defender with this pick and then take advantage of this tight-end class in the next couple of rounds. Lawson is undersized and would be a better fit as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but Lewis could afford to use Lawson as a situational pass-rusher early in his career while developing him for a role as a future starter.

25. New York Giants (11-5)
Top-five needs: OLB, WR, DT, OT, RB
The pick: Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State
Even if the Giants land free agent OLB LaVar Arrington, they still will be in the market for one in the first few rounds of the draft. Others such as DeMeco Ryans (Alabama) and Thomas Howard (UTEP) are possibilities, but Carpenter is the most versatile of the three available outside linebackers, and he also has a history with the organization, as his father, Rob, played for the Giants.

26. Chicago Bears (11-5)
Top-five needs: DC, TE, SLB, OT, DT
The pick: +Ashton Youboty, DC, Ohio State
Charles Tillman is coming offseason shoulder injury, unrestricted free agent Jerry Azumah isn't expected back and free-agent signee Dante Wesley isn't an every-down corner. Keeping that in mind, the Bears need a corner who will push for playing time opposite Nathan Vasher. Youboty is inconsistent and will give up some big plays when left on an island. However, he has good top-end speed, the frame to get bigger and good short-area man-to-man cover skills.

27. Carolina Panthers (11-5)
Top-five needs: SLB, TE, RB, OT, MLB
The pick: +LenDale White, RB, USC
White's postseason has been a disaster. On top of his hamstring injury, he has turned teams off by failing to get into shape and handle the process seriously. Regardless, White was extremely productive at the college level and is a powerful runner with good speed in the open field. While the Panthers have greater needs, White would give them great insurance should the oft-injured DeShaun Foster miss substantial time, and White will be the best available player if he slips to this pick.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Top-five needs: OLB, TE, DE, OG, DC
The pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
The Jaguars could go in several different directions with this pick, including outside linebacker and tight end. Kiwanuka 's draft stock has dipped considerably due to subpar showings at the Senior Bowl and combine. However, he is a proven playmaker who recorded 35½ sacks during his four seasons at Boston College. Kiwanuka could be brought along slowly as a situational pass-rusher behind RDE Paul Spicer, who is better defending the run than rushing the quarterback.

29. New York Jets (4-12):
Pick acquired from Broncos
Top-five needs: RB, OT, OLB, QB, OG
The pick: +Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
The Jets want to substantially reduce 32-year-old Curtis Martin's workload, but there isn't an heir apparent on the roster. Selecting Maroney here would change that. Though Maroney doesn't have great size or strength, he has the burst to get around the corner quickly and he shows a second gear in the open field. He also reads his blocks well and has the lateral mobility to exploit cut-back lanes, so he should push for significant playing time early on.

30. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Top-five needs: RB, OLB, OG, MLB, DC
The pick: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
It will be difficult for any back to fill Edgerrin James' shoes in Indianapolis, especially if the top four backs are taken by the time the Colts select at pick No. 30. Addai is a bit of a reach here, but the Colts might be willing to take the risk considering their dire situation. At the very least, Addai is a good fit for the Colts' scheme. He isn't elusive and he needs to continue to add bulk to his frame -- but he is quick, he has explosive top-end speed and he runs hard. In addition, he catches the ball well and he's versatile enough to line up in the slot, making him a good fit for the Colts' no-huddle offense.

31. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Top-five needs: DC, FS, WR, OG, TE
The pick: Richard Marshall, DC, Fresno State
Marshall is quietly climbing up many teams' draft boards right now. He has adequate size to go along with his excellent combination of speed and ball skills. Marshall recorded nine interceptions in just three seasons at Fresno State, and he held up well when matched up one-on-one against USC's top receivers. Former Seattle DC Andre Dyson signed with the Jets, and Marshall has the natural ability to replace him as the starter opposite Marcus Trufant, if he can stay healthy.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Top-five needs: WR, DE, DS, OC/OG, ILB
The pick: Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee
The Super Bowl champs are obviously void of many pressing positional needs. However, receiver, defensive line and safety are three they will target with this pick. The Steelers are looking for a bigger target opposite Hines Ward, and they know they can get a better value with a prospect such as Notre Dame's Maurice Stovall in the second round. There are some concerns regarding Allen's long-term durability after he suffered a season-ending hip injury as a senior. However, there seem to be mixed reports regarding his medical results. If the Steelers' training staff gives its personnel department the green light, Allen would be a perfect fit as a future starter at free safety opposite SS Troy Polamalu. Don't forget; the Steelers cashed in on a similar injury situation last year with TE Heath Miller.

ROUND 2

33. Houston Texans
Eric Winston | OT | Miami

34. New Orleans Saints
Nick Mangold | OC | Ohio State

35. N.Y. Jets
Thomas Howard | OLB | UTEP

36. Green Bay Packers
Tamba Hali | DE | Penn State

37. San Francisco 49ers
Kelly Jennings | DC | Miami

38. Oakland Raiders
Gabe Watson | DT | Michigan

39. Tennessee Titans
D'Qwell Jackson | ILB | Maryland

40. Detroit Lions
Demeco Ryans | OLB | Alabama

41. Arizona Cardinals
Marcedes Lewis | TE | UCLA

42. Buffalo Bills
Marcus McNeill | OT | Auburn

43. Cleveland Browns
Sinorice Moss | WR | Miami

44. Baltimore Ravens
Ko Simpson | DS | South Carolina

45. Philadelphia Eagles
Roger McIntosh | OLB | Miami

46. St. Louis Rams
Claude Wroten | DT | LSU

47. Atlanta Falcons
Rodrique Wright | DT | Texas

48. Minnesota Vikings
Abdul Hodge | ILB | Iowa

49. Dallas Cowboys
Davin Joseph | OG | Oklahoma

50. San Diego Chargers
Andrew Whitworth | OT | LSU

51. Miami Dolphins
Brodie Croyle | QB | Alabama

52. New England Patriots
Brian Calhoun | RB | Wisconsin

53. Washington Redskins
Darryl Tapp | DE | Virginia Tech

54. Kansas City Chiefs
Demetrius Williams | WR | Oregon

55. Cincinnati Bengals
Leonard Pope | TE | Georgia

56. N.Y. Giants
Orien Harris | DT | Miami

57. Chicago Bears
Anthony Fasano | TE | Notre Dame

58. Carolina Panthers
Joe Klopfenstein | TE | Colorado

59. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Chester | OC | Oklahoma

60. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dominique Byrd | TE | USC

61. Denver Broncos
Mark Anderson | DE | Alabama

62. Indianapolis Colts
Jon Alston | OLB | Stanford

63. Seattle Seahawks
Taitusi Lutui | OG | USC

64. Pittsburgh Steelers
Maurice Stovall | WR | Notre Dame

ROUND 3

65. Houston Texans
Max Jean-Gilles | OG | Georgia

66. Houston Texans (from New Orleans)
Cedric Griffin | DC | Texas

67. Green Bay Packers
John McCargo | DT | N.C. State

68. San Francisco 49ers
Daniel Bullocks | DS | Nebraska

69. Oakland Raiders
Darnell Bing | DS | UCLA

70. Buffalo Bills (from Tennessee)
Greg Jennings | WR | Western Michigan

71. N.Y. Jets
Kellen Clemens | QB | Oregon

72. Arizona Cardinals
Alan Zemaitis | DC | Penn State

73. Buffalo Bills
Danieal Manning | DB | Abilene Christian

74. Detroit Lions
Daryn Colledge | OT | Boise State

75. New England Patriots (from Baltimore)
Gerris Wilkinson | ILB | Georgia Tech

76. Philadelphia Eagles
Travis Wilson | WR | Oklahoma

77. St. Louis Rams
David Thomas | TE | Texas

78. Cleveland Browns
Montavious Stanley | DT | Louisville

79. Atlanta Falcons
Dee Webb | DC | Florida

80. Dallas Cowboys
Jonathan Scott | OT | Texas

81. San Diego Chargers
Derek Hagan | WR | Arizona State

82. Miami Dolphins
Pat Watkins | DS | Florida State

83. Minnesota Vikings
David Pittman | DC | Northwestern State

84. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington)
Parys Haralson | DE/OLB | Tennessee

85. Kansas City Chiefs
Charlie Whitehurst | QB | Clemson

86. New England Patriots
Brandon Williams | WR | Wisconsin

87. N.Y. Giants
Jason Avant | WR | Michigan

88. Chicago Bears
Devin Hester | WR/RS | Miami-Fla.

89. Carolina Panthers
Bernard Pollard | DS | Purdue

90. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeremy Trueblood | OT | Boston College

91. Cincinnati Bengals
DeMario Minter | DC | Georgia

92. Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Drew | RB/RS | UCLA

93. Denver Broncos
Tony Scheffler | TE | Western Michigan

94. Indianapolis Colts
Greg Eslinger | OC | Minnesota

95. Seattle Seahawks
Anthony Smith | DS | Syracuse

96. Pittsburgh Steelers
Charles Spencer | OG | Notre Dame

97. N.Y. Jets (Compensatory Selection)
Kyle Williams | DT | LSU

ROUND 4

98. Houston Texans
Will Blackmon | WR/RS | Boston College

99. New Orleans Saints
Babatunde Oshinowo | DT | Stanford

100. San Francisco 49ers
Victor Adeyanju | DE | Indiana

101. Oakland Raiders
Jerome Harrison | RB | Washington State

102. Tennessee Titans
Guy Whimper | OT | East Carolina

103. N.Y. Jets
Roman Harper | DS | Alabama

104. Green Bay Packers
Jason Spitz | OG/OC | Louisville

105. Buffalo Bills
Leon Washington | RB | Florida State

106. New England Patriots (from Detroit)
Stanley McClover | DE/OLB | Auburn

107. Arizona Cardinals
Omar Jacobs | QB | Bowling Green

108. Philadelphia Eagles
Dusty Dvoracek | DT | Oklahoma

109. St. Louis Rams
Tim Jennings | DC | Georgia

110. Cleveland Browns
Ryan O'Callaghan | OT | Cal

111. Baltimore Ravens
Zach Strief | OT | Northwestern

112. Atlanta Falcons
Rob Sims | OG | Ohio State

113. San Diego Chargers
Freddie Keiaho | ILB | San Diego State

114. Miami Dolphins
Elvis Dumervil | DE/OLB | Louisville

115. Minnesota Vikings
James Anderson | OLB | Virginia Tech

116. Philadelphia Eagles (from Dallas)
Calvin Lowry | DS | Penn State

117. N.Y. Jets (from Kansas City)
Fred Matua | OG | USC

118. New England Patriots
Charles Gordon | DC/WR/RS | Kansas

119. Denver Broncos (from Washington)
LeKevin Smith | DT | Nebraska

120. Chicago Bears
Jesse Mahelona | DT | Tennessee

121. Carolina Panthers
Brandon Johnson | OLB | Louisville

122. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Willie Reid | WR/RS | Florida State

123. Cincinnati Bengals
Jerious Norwood | RB/KR | Mississippi State

124. N.Y. Giants
Andre Hall | RB | South Florida

125. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Iwuh | OLB/DS | Colorado

126. Denver Broncos
Michael Robinson | WR | Penn State

127. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis)
Ray Edwards | DE | Purdue

128. Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Marshall | WR | Central Florida

129. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Dobbins | ILB | Iowa State

130. Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)
Rashad Butler | OT | Miami-Fla.

131. Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Selection)
Chris Gocong | DE | Cal-Poly

132. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)
Tarvaris Jackson | QB | Alabama State

133. Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Selection)
Leon Williams | ILB | Miami-Fla.

ROUND 5

134. Houston Texans
A.J. Nicholson | OLB | Florida State

135. New Orleans Saints
Owen Daniels | TE | Wisconsin

136. New England Patriots (from Oakland)
Kai Parham | ILB | Virginia

137. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Martin | DC | Wyoming

138. N.Y. Jets
Eric Henderson | DE | Georgia Tech

139. Green Bay Packers
Devin Aromashodu | WR | Auburn

140. San Francisco 49ers
Julian Jenkins | DE | Stanford

141. Detroit Lions
Marcus Maxey | DB | Miami-Fla.

142. Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Lewis | DT | Virginia Tech

143. Buffalo Bills
Garrett Mills | TE/FB | Tulsa

144. St. Louis Rams
Bruce Gradkowski | QB | Toledo

145. Cleveland Browns
Barry Cofield | DT | Northwestern

146. Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Orr | WR | Wisconsin

147. Philadelphia Eagles
Gerald Riggs Jr | RB | Tennessee

148. Atlanta Falcons
P.J. Daniels | RB | Georgia Tech

149. Minnesota Vikings
Tim Day | TE | Oregon

150. Dallas Cowboys
Brent Hawkins | DE/OLB | Illinois State

151. San Diego Chargers
Kevin Boothe | OG | Cornell

152. Cleveland Browns (from New England)
Reggie McNeal | QB | Texas A&M

153. Washington Redskins
Clint Ingram | OLB | Oklahoma

154. Kansas City Chiefs
Jahri Evans | OG | Bloomsburg

155. Carolina Panthers
Paul McQuistan | OT | Weber State

156. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeremy Mincey | DE | Florida

157. Cincinnati Bengals
Greg Blue | DS/OLB | Georgia

158. N.Y. Giants
Lawrence Vickers | RB/FB | Colorado

159. Chicago Bears
Joe Toledo | OT | Washington

160. Jacksonville Jaguars
Anwar Phillips | DC | Penn State

161. Denver Broncos
D.J. Shockley | QB | Georgia

162. Indianapolis Colts
Gerrick McPhearson | DC | Maryland

163. Seattle Seahawks
T.J. Williams | TE | N.C. State

164. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeremy Bloom | RS | Colorado

165. Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Selection)
Wendell Mathis | RB | Florida State

166. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)
Marcus Hudson | DB | N.C. State

167. Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Selection)
DonTrell Moore | RB | New Mexico

168. Philadelphia Eagles (Compensatory Selection)
Skyler Green | RS/WR | LSU

169. Tennessee Titans (Compensatory Selection)
Mike Hass | WR | Oregon

ROUND 6

170. Houston Texans
Dale Robinson | ILB | Arizona State

171. New Orleans Saints
Jeromey Clary | OT | Kansas State

172. Tennessee Titans
Ryan Cook | OC | New Mexico

173. N.Y. Jets
Todd Watkins | WR | BYU

174. New Orleans Saints (from Green Bay)
Darrell Hunter | DC | Miami-Ohio

175. San Francisco 49ers
Greg Lee | WR | Pittsburgh

176. Oakland Raiders
Omar Gaither | OLB | Tennessee

177. Arizona Cardinals
Antoine Bethea | DS | Howard.

178. Buffalo Bills
Tim McGarigle | ILB | Northwestern

179. Detroit Lions
Oliver Hoyte | ILB | N.C. State

180. Cleveland Browns
Dion Byrum | DC | Ohio

181. Baltimore Ravens
Chris Kuper | OG | North Dakota

182. Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia)
Josh Lay | DC | Pittsburgh

183. St. Louis Rams
E.J. Whitley | OT | Texas Tech

184. Atlanta Falcons
Cory Rodgers | WR/RS | TCU

185. Minnesota Vikings
Martin Nance | WR | Miami-Ohio

186. Kansas City Chiefs (from Dallas)
Brandon Guillory | DE | Louisiana-Monroe

187. San Diego Chargers
Adam Stenavich | OG | Michigan

188. San Diego Chargers (from Miami)
Jahmile Addae | DS | West Virginia

189. Washington Redskins
Johnny Jolly | DT | Texas A&M

190. Kansas City Chiefs
Taurean Henderson | RB | Texas Tech

191. New England Patriots
Josh Huston | PK | Ohio State

192. San Francisco 49ers (from Tampa Bay)
Hank Baskett | WR | New Mexico

193. Cincinnati Bengals
Darrell Hackney | QB | UAB

194. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New York)
Travis Williams | OLB | Auburn

195. Chicago Bears
John Walker | DB | USC

196. Washington Redskins (from Carolina)
Terrance Pennington | OT | New Mexico

197. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Setterstrom | OG | Minnesota

198. Denver Broncos
Dwayne Slay | DS | Texas Tech

199. Indianapolis Colts
Stephen Tulloch | LB | N.C. State

200. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Bernstein | FB | Wisconsin

201. Pittsburgh Steelers
James Wyche | DE | Syracuse

202. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Compensatory Selection)
Marques Colston | WR | Hofstra

203. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)
John Torp | PT | Colorado

204. Philadelphia Eagles (Compensatory Selection)
Derek Morris | OT | N.C. State

205. New England Patriots (Compensatory Selection)
Kedrick Golston | DT | Georgia

206. New England Patriots (Compensatory Selection)
Dan Stevenson | OG | Notre Dame

207. Indianapolis Colts (Compensatory Selection)
Drew Olson | QB | UCLA

208. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)
Keith Ellison | OLB | Oregon State

ROUND 7

209. Cincinnati Bengals
Rob Ninkovich | DE | Purdue

210. New Orleans Saints
Marcus Vick | QB | Virginia Tech

211. N.Y. Jets
Mike Kudla | DE | Ohio State

212. Miami Dolphins (from Green Bay)
Anthony Schlegel | ILB | Ohio State

213. San Francisco 49ers
Terna Nande | OLB | Miami-Ohio

214. Oakland Raiders
Marvin Philip | OC | Cal

215. Tennessee Titans
Wali Lundy | RB | Virginia

216. Buffalo Bills
Jarrad Page | DS | UCLA.

217. Detroit Lions
Frostee Rucker | DE | USC

218. Arizona Cardinals
Dennis Roland | OT | Georgia

219. Baltimore Ravens
Charles Davis | TE | Purdue

220. Philadelphia Eagles
Jeff Webb | WR | San Diego State

221. St. Louis Rams
Ryan LaCasse | DE | Syracuse

222. Cleveland Browns
DeArrius Howard | RB | Arkansas

223. Atlanta Falcons
Scott Ware | DS | USC

224. Dallas Cowboys
Jeff King | TE | Virginia Tech

225. San Diego Chargers
Ben Obomanu | WR | Auburn

226. Miami Dolphins
Rob Meadow | OG | Washington

227. San Diego Chargers (from Minnesota)
Gilbert Harris | FB | Arizona

228. Kansas City Chiefs
Tony McDaniel | DT | Tennessee

229. New England Patriots
Marcus Green | DT | Ohio State

230. Washington Redskins
Troy Reddick | OT/OG | Auburn

231. Cincinnati Bengals
Freddie Roach | ILB | Alabama

232. N.Y. Giants
Miles Austin | WR | Monmouth

233. Miami Dolphins (from Chicago)
Jovon Bouknight | WR/RS | Wyoming

234. Carolina Panthers
Spencer Havner | OLB | UCLA

235. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tommy Jackson | DT | Auburn

236. San Francisco 49ers (from Jacksonville)
Domata Peko | DT | Michigan State

237. Carolina Panthers (from Denver)
Jason Hatcher | DE | Grambling

238. Tennessee Titans (from Indianapolis)
Cory Ross | RB | Nebraska

239. Seattle Seahawks
Brad Smith | WR/RS | Missouri

240. Pittsburgh Steelers
Anthony Mix | H-Back | Auburn

241. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Compensatory Selection)
Patrick Ross | OC | Boston College

242. St. Louis Rams (Compensatory Selection)
Troy Bienemann | TE | Washington State

243. St. Louis Rams (Compensatory Selection)
Charles Bennett | DE | Clemson

244. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Compensatory Selection)
Adam Jennings | WR | Fresno State

245. Tennessee Titans (Compensatory Selection)
Quinn Sypniewski | TE | Colorado

246. Tennessee Titans (Compensatory Selection)
Anthony Trucks | OLB | Oregon

247. Detroit Lions (Compensatory Selection)
Jimmy Martin | OT | Virginia Tech

248. Buffalo Bills (Compensatory Selection)
Domenik Hixon | RS/WR| Akron

249. Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Selection)
Reuben Houston | DC | Georgia Tech

250. Washington Redskins (Compensatory Selection)
Ryan Plackemeier | PT | Wake Forest

251. Houston Texans (Compensatory Selection)
Charlton Keith | DE | Kansas

252. New Orleans Saints (Compensatory Selection)
Kevin Simon | OLB | Tennessee

253. Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Selection)
Dawan Landry | DS | Georgia Tech

254. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Selection)
Will Derting | OLB | Washington State

255. Oakland Raiders (Compensatory Selection)
Delanie Walker | WR | Missouri State

Todd McShay is director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. Numerous NFL teams have relied on his independent draft prospect evaluations since 1998.

[HarveyWallbangers]

"No. 5 PACKERS: An easy pick upon which everyone agrees. I call the Packers, speak to two individuals, and they both confirm that the logical choice is A.J. HAWK, LB, OHIO STATE, an amazingly gifted young defender."

Every one, but the local writers apparently, agree on this one.


If two individuals associated with the Packers confirm this, then I'm worried he's not the guy.

Behind the mock draft
Dr. Z, SI.com

What you'll get, in addition to my projected first round of the draft, is a lot of unnamed and unquoted sources, unless I mention otherwise, as I try to establish how I made my picks. No one wants to be quoted by name when talking about the draft.

I call the period in which I write this column Hell Week because what happens is that I go through a round of calls without getting anybody, since they're all in meetings, and then when they call you back, the whole thing is bunched together and you have to get in and get out quickly. So what I usually do is try to place my calls in different time zones, so as to stagger the return times, since they all usually take their break at the same hour.

And just as it always does, when I'm waiting for the keynote return call, the phone rings, and I cut someone else short, and it's that fruity, yahoo voice, "I want you to consider our family of insurance plans." And once again I lose it and direct him to some operations he can perform with various farm animals, despite the Redhead's warning that everything is taped and recorded now, and "in the interest of security," this kind of language will land me in the joint.

So here is my first round, and remember, I have to write it a week earlier than that of the newspaper guys, which puts me at an immediate disadvantage.

No. 1 TEXANS: I went with chalk, despite Peter King's warning that there are reasons that Bush, along with everybody else, is suspect and it's all so iffy that I'd be better off assigning no one at all to this spot. But I just can't face the idea of making myself crazy so early in the game, so it'll still be REGGIE BUSH, RB, USC.

No. 2 SAINTS: Everybody says it's Williams; the people I talked to on the club agree -- sort of, because instinctively any phone call will be answered with blather such as "we think that (fill in any one of the top six names) is a mighty fine player." And of course there still could be a leapfrog trade, with someone moving into this spot and then hopping up to No. 1 to get a keynote QB. But I'm giving the Saints MARIO WILLIAMS, DE, NORTH CAROLINA STATE, because at this writing I don't have positive news to the contrary, which would foul up my board and set up at least half a dozen more phone calls.

No. 3 TITANS: Floyd Reese, the GM, who didn't mind being quoted on general observations, said that Vince Young is "a rare talent." There, you heard it here first. And Matt Leinart is "much further along." And the decision's "gonna come right down to the wire." You now know exactly what everybody in the USA and parts of Europe know. I've been asking around about Young's mysterious Wonderlic test. A long time ago I heard that he scored a two, which would be close to the all-time lowest score on this 50-point IQ exam, and would qualify him to quarterback, oh, maybe a peewee team on the Gaspe Peninsula. No, it was a shocking inaccuracy, was the next thing I heard. On a retest he scored anywhere from 12 to 16. Then I heard that some hanky-panky was going on, and the threat of a lawsuit for releasing information that could be potentially damaging was in the air, and the rerun was rigged. This is a very murky area, but it could keep the young man out of the No. 3 spot, in which I say the Titans take MATT LEINART, QB, USC.

I have just started this game and already I don't like the way it's going. I'm not sure about anything. It's entirely either-or stuff, which you don't want at the top of the round. Callbacks will be coming in soon. I'm feeling the start of the headache. The phone rings. Ah, must be the Titans calling back to tell me their final choice. "I read your column and I want to know what kind of wine to have with steak," someone says. "California Syrah," I tell him. "Look, sorry but I've gotta go now..." And as I'm hanging up I hear him tell someone, "What an arrogant son of a ..."

No. 4 JETS: Everyone wants to help New York. Fans and talk show hosts--same thing, really-- say Leinart would look great in Giants Stadium. Yeah, he'll be there, on the visitors' side when the Titans play New York. Who do I speak to on the Jets? A friend of an assistant coach, who tells me that the coaches say their left tackle is Adrian Jones and "we've got air at right tackle." Air is not a good pass blocker, and his drive blocking stinks too, and while they're sorting out their QB situation, they can't have defenders pouring in and messing up the equation. So we're going to move Jones over to the right side and draft a quick-footed, natural LT and his name is D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON, OT, VIRGINIA. This, incidentally, is the first D'Brickashaw the club has ever had, unless there's something about Joe Namath's birth certificate we don't know.

No. 5 PACKERS: An easy pick upon which everyone agrees. I call the Packers, speak to two individuals, and they both confirm that the logical choice is A.J. HAWK, LB, OHIO STATE, an amazingly gifted young defender.

No. 6 49ERS: Denver wanted to trade up to get the guy the Niners love, VERNON DAVIS, TE, MARYLAND, the 250-pounder who can run a 4.38. But the Broncos couldn't find anyone who wanted to move that far down. Yes, the Niners confirmed that Davis is the highest player on their board, but hey, they have to face the Cards' Boldin and Fitzgerald twice. Ditto the mob of St. Louis receivers. So they'd better find a wideout somewhere. Which they will, at No. 22 in the first round, after trading to get Denver's spot.

No. 7 RAIDERS: Now we're into John LeCarre stuff, Smiley vs. Karla, the intelligence and counter intelligence network. I call up my mole who's deep in the Raider organization. He says the club has locked the gate to him and installed guard rats to keep people out. But he says that he personally heard Al Davis utter the name of Young. Hmmm, this seems to eliminate at least one player from Raiders consideration. But since I've gotten the Raiders pick right only once in 34 years of trying, I'm not going to win anyway, so I might as well clear the QB off my list so I don't have to worry about him anymore. So armed with this cop-out, defeatist logic, I send VINCE YOUNG, QB, TEXAS, to Oakland.

No. 8 BILLS: They're having contract trouble with their right cornerback, Nate Clements. He's unhappy being designated the franchise player. As of this moment, when I call the Bills, one player, Michael Huff, is rising like a Roman candle, although I hear now that he has subsequently dropped a bit. It's like playing the stock market. The club feels it has to fortify its secondary, and Huff can go at either safety or corner. Haloti Ngata, the 338-pound DT, would look very nice in a Bills uniform, but I'm giving them MICHAEL HUFF, CB-S, TEXAS.

No. 9 LIONS: I've had casual conversations with some of the, uh, people here. "Who are some of the guys who would impress you at that point of the draft?" I asked Matt Millen. "Well, Huff for sure. He's what? He's gone? Already? Well, we're looking for action guys, game-changers." Millen was a linebacker. I check my linebacker list. At least five could be first-rounders. ERNIE SIMS OF FLORIDA STATE is an action guy, a game-changer who smacks in there with abandon. He has also had five concussions. Do I have the guts to place him this high? Yes, I'm very bold with other people's fortunes.

No. 10 CARDINALS: Based on conversations I've had with, ummm, various individuals, four names have surfaced. Jay Cutler, the QB, Sims, the big run-stuffers, Ngata and Brodrick Bunkley, who came pretty close to the bench-press record at the combine workouts and would still be pressing those weights if they didn't tell him to stop, and Jimmy Williams, a talented but feisty cornerback. "I'll let you pick one," said my Cardinals informant. Rule of thumb that I just made up: If there's a QB in the mix, you've got to pick him. JAY CUTLER, QB, VANDERBILT, is the choice.

No. 11 RAMS: I've narrowed it down to two choices, Chad Greenway, a LB, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie. "We're having Cromartie in today," a coach told me. Now this is a curious thing. Flying him in. Oh my God. It quickens the senses. But teams fly everybody in, or fly out to look at them. They make personal contact with almost all the big names, time them themselves, measure them, take them to dinner and check their table manners, engage them in deep conversation and find out their views on Iraq and the oil situation. What does it all mean? Beats me, except that everybody who has seen Cromartie work out has gasped. "Looks like he's from another planet," Giants' GM Ernie Accorsi said. But he missed a year with a knee injury. He's only started one game. Do I dare to gamble for the Rams this high? Yes, I do. Capture the queen of spades and shoot the moon, I say. It's ANTONIO CROMARTIE, CB, FLORIDA STATE for St.Louis.

I am wandering, mentally, drifting, staring out the window. Little Jake, our tabby, is involved in a faceoff with two groundhogs. No one's backing off. Quick. Time them. I want to cover someone's workout instead of sitting here by the telephone. I can picture it. I am standing alongside the scouts. A pigeon circles the practice field and lands. "Really flies to the ball," one scout says. A lean, mean, defensive end gets into his stance. "Really explodes off the edge," a scout says. "That's why no one's standing near him," says the other one. The phone rings. It's the Browns, thank God.

No. 12 BROWNS: Names, names, names. This guy has given me names. The big guys, Ngata and Bunkley. They're almost automatic now. USC offensive tackle Winston Justice. Hmmm. But they were last in the NFL in sacks last year. They need a pass rusher. Yep, they've given me a name there, too, the best one still on the board, and he's my choice. KAMERION WIMBLEY, DE, FLORIDA STATE.

No. 13 RAVENS: The Ravens are one of the few teams that aren't shy about telling you their preferences. Everyone always seems to know what they're going to do, then they do it anyway, get one of the players they want, and wind up with a better list of homegrown Pro Bowlers than anyone else. They like Huff and Sims. Gone. Ngata. Available. The Ravens draft HALOTI NGATA, DT, OREGON.

No. 14 EAGLES: Justice, the USC tackle, has had amazing workouts, and he's piqued the Eagles' interest, but if you look at their O-line you see big hog types. Somehow I just can't place Justice in a Philly uniform. They want a Sam linebacker. BOBBY CARPENTER, LB, OHIO STATE is the perfect type.

No. 15 BRONCOS: Let's take a look at their offense. The rushing attack is nicely in place. It was second in the league last year. They don't need runners or linemen. But the passing game finished 18th, not good enough. A TE would be nice, but the fast one was not to be theirs. Their leading wideout, Rod Smith, is 35. Ashley Lelie, their speed guy, is unreliable. They can't go three-wide because they haven't got a serious third receiver. There's a lot of speed in this draft, and I just know they're going to wind up with some of it. I'll give them CHAD JACKSON, WR, FLORIDA, over Ohio State's Santonio Holmes, but it could go the other way.

No. 16 DOLPHINS: Gosh, I don't know. My connection there is Don Shula, but he can't help me. This is one of those situations in which you listen to other people who know all about what another team is going to do. My instincts tell me defensive backfield or possibly an edge-rushing LB. Then all of a sudden I got a brainflash, JASON ALLEN, FS, TENNESSEE. No one I talked to on the Dolphins mentioned him, but everyone seems to be asking where he'll go, the sure tip-off that a guy is hot, that he's on the rise.

No. 17 VIKINGS: They need a linebacker, they need a corner. JIMMY WILLIAMS, CB, VIRGINIA TECH, has a lot of talent but a reputation of being hard to handle. "Brain farts," is the way one coach described it. I asked my Vikings man if they had a cure for that. Yeah, he said, their new defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, who knows Williams and feels that he can get along with him just fine.

No. 18 COWBOYS: I gave them SANTONIO HOLMES, WR, OHIO STATE, only because when I talked to someone in the organization he asked me, ever so gently, "Where do you have Holmes going?" That, to me, is always the tip-off. When they ask that, give the guy to them, slam dunk, no questions asked. Now I have second thoughts. Why do they need another receiver after they got Terrell Owens? Beats me. If I had it to do over again, I'd give them Bunkley or one of the linebackers, or maybe even Nick Mangold, the center.

No. 19 CHARGERS: A cornerback certainly would make sense, after Sammy Davis was traded to the 49ers. If Cromartie still were there, and he might be, they'd have to give him a serious look. But WINSTON JUSTICE, T, USC, is the second-highest-rated offensive lineman in the draft, and LT Roman Oben is getting along in years, so call it one of those value picks.

No. 20 CHIEFS: They want a pass rusher, Wimbley, if he's there, or another of their choice plums, TAMBA HALI, DE, PENN STATE.

No. 21 PATRIOTS: I always talk to GM Scott Pioli about the draft in general. He gives me his overview on the leading players. It's very frank and very helpful, except that he never likes anybody, and he will not talk about his own club. So I've got to sort through and try to guess who he's least negative about. I tried it this time and it didn't work. Then I looked at the other mock drafts already out. They seem to want to give him a LB. The highest he's ever drafted one was in the fifth round. But he's taken three D-linemen at No. 1. That's it. I gave him BRODRICK BUNKLEY, DT, FLORIDA STATE.

No. 22 49ERS: Cornerback, as I mentioned earlier. The best one remaining on my board is JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, SOUTH CAROLINA. Say, it just dawned on me. Nobody's taken DeAngelo Williams, the explosive runner from Memphis. That's odd.

No. 23 BUCCANEERS: One of two teams that never returned a phone call. My revenge will be swift and terrible. How about NICK MANGOLD, C, OHIO STATE? Why? Because that's who their night security man likes.

No. 24 BENGALS: This guy will go higher because everybody's asking about him and everyone I talk to likes his game, which is aggressive and athletic. DONTE WHITNER, SS, OHIO STATE.

No. 25 GIANTS: I had them picking a linebacker. Then they signed LaVar (do you know, incidentally, what LaVar means in translation? It means "The War") Arrington. Over to the D-backfield we go, where there's speed, speed and more speed, including TYE HILL, CB, CLEMSON, who broke the bank at the combine with a 4.30 clocking. And I'm going to tell you something in confidence. That's faster than I ever ran it.

No. 26 BEARS: Their GM, Jerry Angelo, has not returned a phone call from me in 10 years, but when you've got an idiot, fixated mentality, as I do, that doesn't slow you down in the least. So I left about three callbacks this time and got the usual response, and wondered what I've done to annoy this man, since we used to talk when he was a scout for the Giants (was that really 20 years ago? My goodness). Am I boring you? Hey, wake those people up over there. Well, Jerry, I just want you to know I don't need you to feed me any lies. I've got hot sources in Chicago. George Halas, Jumbo Joe Stadahar, Danny Fortmann, any of the old gang. And they tell me that the Bears are planning to include the tight end in their offense from now on, so they will draft MARCEDES LEWIS, TE, UCLA.

No. 27 PANTHERS: LENDALE WHITE, RB, USC, is just so perfect for their offense that everybody's willing to overlook the fact that he's been overweight in the offseason and acting kind of flaky. It's just such a good fit for the ball-control attack they wanted to use in the NFC title game but couldn't because everyone was hurt.

No. 28 JAGUARS: Well, it looks like runners are finally falling, so it's time for DeAngelo Williams, right? Uh, not quite yet. Jack Del Rio was a LB. There's a good one left, CHAD GREENWAY, IOWA, to replace Akin Ayodele, the one that got away.

No. 29 JETS: My mock draft in the magazine gave them Manny Lawson, a linebacker, but RB Cedrick Houston's auto accident changed that and now I'll award them, you guessed it, DEANGELO WILLIAMS, RB, MEMPHIS.

No. 30 COLTS: Gosh, what a tough break. Everybody knows they need a runner for departed Edgerrin James' spot, and Williams has just been taken. But wait a minute, Tony Dungy loves LAURENCE MARONEY, RB, MINNESOTA, and no one figured he'd still be there. He probably won't, so they could take Joseph Addai of LSU.

No. 31 SEAHAWKS: They need another corner. They don't have confidence in Kelly Herndon, projected as the starter on the left side. I gave them ASHTON YOUBOTY, CB, OHIO STATE, but if one of the good safeties, such as Allen, were still around, they could go that way.

No. 32 STEELERS: Two holes to fill, WR, to cover the loss of Antwaan Randle El, and FS, where Chris Hope is gone. SINORICE MOSS, WR, MIAMI, Santana's brother, is a shrimp, but a flying shrimp who will, I predict, become an immediate favorite in Pittsburgh.

[Guiness]

Scariest thing I've seen so far pitched is this scenario:

NO takes Hawk. GB panics, drafts for need, and take Sims (!!!)
I would cry. no, really.

Of course, this is Prisco, so he's talking out of his asshole.