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SabreEleven

04-18-2005, 05:51 PM

Dr. Z's Mock First Round

You hear it everywhere: "Hardest draft I've ever tried to figure out," says Texans general manager Charley Casserly. Part of the problem is that there aren't any franchise players. (*projected trade)

Dr. Z's Mock First Round
Pick Team Pos. Player College
1 QB ALEX SMITH Utah
Cal's Aaron Rodgers has the stronger arm, but new coach Mike Nolan loves Smith's feel for the game and his leadership.
2 RB RONNIE BROWN* Auburn
Coach Jon Gruden says the speedy, 233-pound Brown "has the best hands in the draft" and sees him catching 80 balls.
3 WR BRAYLON EDWARDS Michigan
Edwards runs a 4.45 and at the combine did 22 reps in the bench press -- equal to or better than half the offensive tackles.
4 RB CARNELL WILLIAMS Auburn
They like Cadillac's burst and explosiveness, though they could switch to Cedric Benson, the last of the Big Three backs.
5 QB AARON RODGERS* California
What's the bigger need, RB or QB? Some in Miami say Rodgers is too good to pass up. Others favor Brown.
6 CB ADAM (PAC-MAN) JONES West Virginia
Antrel Rolle was the favored corner for a while, but now the edge goes to the 5'9 1/2" Jones and his 4.41 speed.
7 WR MIKE WILLIAMS USC
He won't dominate downfield like Randy Moss, but he's bigger (6'5", 230). The year off hasn't diminished his value.
8 RB CEDRIC BENSON Texas
Dennis Green says he'll take "whichever of the Big Three is left," but he'll take Rolle if he can acquire the Bills' Travis Henry.
9 CB ANTREL ROLLE Miami
After losing a starting cornerback each of the last two years, Joe Gibbs is looking to add a DB.
10 OLB DERRICK JOHNSON Texas
Still trying to get faster on defense, Detroit picks up an open-side linebacker who flies to the ball with 4.50 speed.
11 DE-OLB DEMARCUS WARE Troy
Perfect guy for a unit that was next to last in the NFC in sacks in '04 and hasn't had a double-digit sacker in nine years.
12 DE-OLB SHAWNE MERRIMAN Maryland
With its two first-rounders, San Diego wants a defensive lineman and a wideout. DE Marcus Spears is the second option.
13 T ALEX BARRON Florida State
Wow, not a single offensive lineman among the first 12 picks. The 6'7 1/2" Barron has the longest arms in the draft.
14 WR TROY WILLIAMSON South Carolina
With Muhsin Muhammad gone, in comes Williamson, a player with 4.32 speed who averaged 19.3 yards a catch.
15 S THOMAS DAVIS Georgia Tech
"I know, 15th is awful high for a safety," Dick Vermeil says, "but this guy can do so many amazing things, I can't pass him up."
16 CB CARLOS ROGERS Auburn
They're happy with their front seven. The secondary's the problem, and Rogers offers a quick cure.
17 DE ERASMUS JAMES Wisconsin
They'll be saying, "Never in our wildest dreams did we think the Number 1 defensive player on our board would still be there."
18 DE-LB DAVID POLLACK Georgia
Mike Tice will find a place for this fiery competitor, whom scouts project as an inside 'backer.
19 T JAMMAL BROWN Oklahoma
They might be willing to trade up for the man they consider the top O-lineman in the draft, and they just might have to.
20 DE MARCUS SPEARS LSU
With an outside rusher now on board, they grab a 307-pound power end. His motor might need a little cranking, though.
21 TE HEATH MILLER Virginia
They got pass rushers in free agency. Now they get a target for Byron Leftwich. One negative: recent sports hernia surgery.
22 WR MARK CLAYTON Oklahoma
Heartbroken Ozzie Newsome wanted Jammal Brown. Cheer up, Ozzie. Everyone thought Clayton would be gone too.
23 DE DAN CODY Oklahoma
There are concerns he may be too intense, but the upside is huge and he's a great competitor.
24 DE-DT SHAUN CODY USC
The defense needs major help, and the 293-pound Cody, who can play end or tackle, is a good place to start.
25 CB FABIAN WASHINGTON Nebraska
They lost a corner, so they're only too glad to get this blazing cover guy, one of three sub-4.30 men at the combine.
26 NT LUIS CASTILLO Northwestern
He tested positive for andro at the combine, but the scouts say he's a good guy who made a mistake.
27 WR RODDY WHITE Alabama-Birmingham
A muscular late bloomer who has shot up the board. "Seems like we always take wideouts early," Jim Mora says.
28 T KHALIF BARNES Washington
The plan was to take a wideout, but one of the three best O-linemen is still there? Better grab this athletic 305-pounder.
29 DT TRAVIS JOHNSON Florida State
The defense was aggressive last year but got shoved around. This 296-pound run-stopper will give Indy some ballast.
30 T MARCUS JOHNSON Mississippi
Right tackle Oliver Ross was lost in free agency, so why not pick up an agile 310-pounder who can block on the go?
31 DE MATT ROTH Iowa
With the departure of Derrick Burgess, Roth, an explosive 278-pounder, seems like a natural here.
32 FS BRODNEY POOL Oklahoma
The secondary was a shambles for most of last season. Pool is brainy and versatile.