PFW : New (surprising) Mock Draft 4/21

[motife]

Mock draft

Teams counting on Jets to make a bad decision

By Nolan Nawrocki
April 21, 2006


The latest development to shake up the top 10 is the Jets' perceived need for a quarterback, which will make a lot of teams in the top 10 happy as more good players slide down a slot, beginning with D'Brickashaw Ferguson. A lot of teams are expecting the Jets to succumb to the heavy media scrutiny in New York and cave in to the pressure of taking the popular pick instead of the right pick for the franchise. If the Jets screw it up and take an average-armed QB with average mobility, like Matt Leinart, he will not finish the season healthy. We trust that Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini will know better and do what's best for the team.

Editor’s note: Juniors are denoted by an asterisk (*).

1. Houston Texans — RB Reggie Bush, USC*
Final decision has not been made between Bush and Mario Williams. Bush has the lead.

2. New Orleans Saints — DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State*
A.J. Hawk fills the biggest need if the Saints could move down a few slots. Otherwise, it's a no-brainer if they are unable to move down.

3. Tennessee Titans — QB Vince Young, Texas*
Steve McNair’s likely departure and the franchise's urgency to win now could weigh in this decision. The fact that Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow has a previous relationship with Leinart by no means makes Leinart's selection the right move for the franchise.

4. New York Jets — QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt
Chad Pennington’s shoulder is a concern. Leinart is not the answer, and for the sake of the Jets' future, we hope the new regime can figure it out.

5. Green Bay Packers — OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
Ferguson allows the Pack to kick one of their tackles inside and bolster a unit that was awful a year ago.

6. San Francisco 49ers — LB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
Niners’ front office does cartwheels if two quarterbacks go in the top five and they can address and ugly LB situation after losing Julian Peterson.

7. Oakland Raiders — DB Michael Huff, Texas
Instantly upgrades the secondary and gives the Raiders’ defense a playmaker they sorely need.

8. Buffalo Bills — TE Vernon Davis, Maryland*
Now that the Bills have signed TE Robert Royal and with Kevin Everett returning, a win-first mentality could create pressure to draft the three-technique defensive tackle so key to the new defense. Don't rule out Brodrick Bunkley here, but Davis gives Steve Fairchild great flexibility and could make the team's unproven cast of quarterbacks look good.

9. Detroit Lions — DT Brodrick Bunkley, Florida State
Defensive line needs to be addressed, and explosive talents like Bunkley, who can play anywhere on the defensive line, are difficult to find.

10. Arizona Cardinals — OLB Ernie Sims, Florida State*
Orlando Huff did not get the job done last year. Sims is an assassin who could spark the Cardinals’ defense.

11. St. Louis Rams — QB Matt Leinart, USC
Marc Bulger was lost each of the last two seasons with multiple shoulder injuries. Leinart has had some injuries but not missed any time. He will be too difficult to pass.

12. Cleveland Browns — NT Haloti Ngata, Oregon*
Finding an anchor for a 3-4 front is not easy. Don't rule out the possibility of the Ravens leapfrogging the Browns to nab Ngata.

13. Baltimore Ravens — DB Jason Allen, Tennessee
With holes at safety and the No. 3 corner role, Allen’s versatility improves his value.

14. Philadelphia Eagles — OT Winston Justice, USC*
Getting better in the trenches is key to keeping Donovan McNabb healthy.

15. Denver Broncos — WR Chad Jackson, Florida*
Ideal West Coast receiver will be groomed to replace Rod Smith and add offensive firepower to a team that is close to reaching the big game.

16. Miami Dolphins — CB-S Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Nick Saban loves big cornerbacks and is confident enough to think he could correct Williams’ inconsistencies and control his volatile personality.

17. Minnesota Vikings — OLB Chad Greenway, Iowa
Very likely to package some picks and move up for a quarterback, but with top three gone here, Greenway best fits the bill.

18. Dallas Cowboys — OLB Manny Lawson, North Carolina State
Al Singleton is coming off injury. Lawson’s edge speed will take a lot of pressure off the secondary and lessen the need for a rangy safety, especially with more available in the next round.

19. San Diego Chargers — WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State*
The receiving corps is not getting any younger, and with Philip Rivers finally getting his shot, the Chargers would like to support him.

20. Kansas City Chiefs — CB Antonio Cromartie, Florida State*
Herm Edwards loves big cornerbacks, such as he once was, and has the confidence to take a chance on a talent that some are calling “special.”

21. New England Patriots — OLB Kamerion Wimbley, Florida State
A 3-4 rush linebacker who brings more value for the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme.

22. San Francisco — CB Johnathan Joseph, South Carolina*
Has tremendous physical ability and could make an immediate impact and develop with some fine coaching.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — CB Tye Hill, Clemson
The Bucs highly desire a physical corner who can run and cover Panthers WR Steve Smith. Hill could contribute immediately in No. 3 CB role.

24. Cincinnati Bengals — C Nick Mangold, Ohio State
With four offensive linemen unsigned entering their contract years, the Bengals need to infuse their line with some youth.

25. New York Giants — LB Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
Tom Coughlin coached his father and knows he can keep Carpenter in check.

26. Chicago Bears — CB Kelly Jennings, Miami (Fla.)
Outstanding ball skills, intelligence and ability to contribute immediately make it possible for Bears to overlook some bulk/injury concerns.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars — OLB DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
Consistency is highly desired by Jack Del Rio, and the loss of Akin Ayodele created a void.

28. Carolina Panthers — RB Laurence Maroney, Minnesota*
With DeShaun Foster an injury away from I.R., insurance is needed in the backfield.

29. New York Jets — OT Eric Winston, Miami (Fla.)
Protecting their first-round investment (see pick No. 4) is critical, and if the Jets do not land D'Brickashaw Ferguson with their earlier pick, they need to address the position here. Anthony Clement is not a solution.

30. Indianapolis Colts — RB DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
A linebacker could be more intriguing, and the possibility of trading down is even more likely, but the RB position needs to be addressed.

31. Seattle Seahawks — DE Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech
A classic Tim Ruskell pick — hardworking, high-effort, high-motor player.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers — S Daniel Bullucks, Nebraska
The Steelers have a big need to fill at safety after losing Chris Hope, and Bullucks brings the size, striking ability, speed and special-teams contributions to justify coming off at a pick that many teams regard as the start of the second round.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm not following that closely, but has Leinart slipped in any other mock drafts?

[Charles Woodson]

I really will be dissapointed if we take Da brick. hell I think any teams fans that takes him will be dissapointed. I really think tho that the packers cant afford the luxury of building depth at the postion, especially with the fact that the desperately need a linbacker. I thnk that If Hawk is there, he'll be taken by them. It might be different tho if Da brick was a guard. But still My vote is for hawk.

[Guiness]

If Leinart slips that low I will immediately eat my shorts.

[Joemailman]

D'Brick is the best tackle to be available in several years. You shouldn't pass up those kind of guys. Hawk would be a good pick, but this is a strong year for linebackers. A very good one should still be available in the 2nd round.

[ND72]

will never happen. too many other NEED areas right now. can always find a true guard later instead of moving tauscher and having a project...plus, ferguson is a LT...Clifton is a LT, he tried RT and sucked his rookie year.

[Bretsky]

D'Brick is the best tackle to be available in several years. You shouldn't pass up those kind of guys. Hawk would be a good pick, but this is a strong year for linebackers. A very good one should still be available in the 2nd round.

Route,
Welcome to the forum; I'd be really surprised to see Ferguson drafted at 5; Tauscher and Clifton want to stay at OT and are solid there. AJ Hawk helps us a whole lot more, and AJ Hawk is a step above the rest.

[b bulldog]

On ESPN radio I heard Liny could fall out of the top 10!

[ND72]

lots of people aren't liking his attitude...but lets be serious...that's all talk.

[MJZiggy]

If Hollywood had a football team, that would be very convenient for him.

[Rastak]

I really will be dissapointed if we take Da brick. hell I think any teams fans that takes him will be dissapointed. I really think tho that the packers cant afford the luxury of building depth at the postion, especially with the fact that the desperately need a linbacker. I thnk that If Hawk is there, he'll be taken by them. It might be different tho if Da brick was a guard. But still My vote is for hawk.

EVERYTHING starts with the OL on offense.

Bad OL = pathetic team.

[CyclonePackFan]

I really will be dissapointed if we take Da brick. hell I think any teams fans that takes him will be dissapointed. I really think tho that the packers cant afford the luxury of building depth at the postion, especially with the fact that the desperately need a linbacker. I thnk that If Hawk is there, he'll be taken by them. It might be different tho if Da brick was a guard. But still My vote is for hawk.

EVERYTHING starts with the OL on offense.

Bad OL = pathetic team.

I agree wholeheartedly with you Rastak. (Granted, I played center for 13 years of my life, so I'm biased)

My only thing is, at this level, often some of the OL taken in the 5th-7th rounds turn out just as good as the blue chippers. PERFECT example: In the 2000 NFL draft, the #3 pick was Chris Samuels, who has made it to a couple of Pro Bowls since then. 221 picks later in the 7th round, Green Bay picked some OT from Wisconsin named Mark Tauscher, who is one hell of a tackle. OL is probably the most coachable positions on the field.

[Rastak]

I really will be dissapointed if we take Da brick. hell I think any teams fans that takes him will be dissapointed. I really think tho that the packers cant afford the luxury of building depth at the postion, especially with the fact that the desperately need a linbacker. I thnk that If Hawk is there, he'll be taken by them. It might be different tho if Da brick was a guard. But still My vote is for hawk.

EVERYTHING starts with the OL on offense.

Bad OL = pathetic team.

I agree wholeheartedly with you Rastak. (Granted, I played center for 13 years of my life, so I'm biased)

My only thing is, at this level, often some of the OL taken in the 5th-7th rounds turn out just as good as the blue chippers. PERFECT example: In the 2000 NFL draft, the #3 pick was Chris Samuels, who has made it to a couple of Pro Bowls since then. 221 picks later in the 7th round, Green Bay picked some OT from Wisconsin named Mark Tauscher, who is one hell of a tackle. OL is probably the most coachable positions on the field.

I played tackle one year but was mostly a MLB...LONG AGO and before high school. Anyway, there are very good OL available in the later rounds but they usually need to be tutored as opposed to the very few elite OL's in the draft....ok, I admit even those guys end up needing coaching. Still, your best chance of getting someone who can play early is in the early rounds.

[Joemailman]

I look at it this way. There are three players in this draft who are considered to be the best player to be available at their respective position in the last several years. They are Reggie Bush, D'Brick Ferguson, and Mario. You don't get a chance to draft players of this caliber very often. I think you have to take them even if they don't fill a "current need". Current needs have a way of changing pretty fast in the violent world of pro football.

[Rastak]

I look at it this way. There are three players in this draft who are considered to be the best player to be available at their respective position in the last several years. They are Reggie Bush, D'Brick Ferguson, and Mario. You don't get a chance to draft players of this caliber very often. I think you have to take them even if they don't fill a "current need". Current needs have a way of changing pretty fast in the violent world of pro football.

Greets Joe! And I agree with you........