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This mock draft is by yours truly. I made a preliminary one soon after the combine, and have made the necessary changes due to free agency and pro days.
Here is my mock draft. I am making the assumption that neither the 49ers nor the Browns will take a quarterback because neither quarterback is top 10 material in my opinion. That makes the top 5 relatively easy to predict. After that, the entire draft is a crap shoot.
1. San Francisco 49ers select....WR Braylon Edwards, Michigan
This is looking more and more like the obvious pick for the 49ers. Most mock drafts have them taking a quarterback, but that's just a load of bull if you ask me. It is too early to give up on Tim Rattay, considering his only true weakness is an injury risk. Considering his best receiver was probably Brandon Lloyd, a late draft pick from 2003, he managed to perform on a high level. The 49ers need to help their quarterback, not bench him. Braylon Edwards is the best WR in the draft and is deserving of being picked first overall. He is great as both a deep threat and as a possession receiver.
2. Miami Dolphins select...RB Ronnie Brown, Auburn
This has been the consensus pick ever since late February, when Ronnie Brown tore up the combine with incredible workouts. He is faster, stronger, and bigger than both Carnell Williams and Cedric Benson. Anyone who weighs 230-some pounds and runs a 4.32 40 is a freak of nature, which the Dolphins need in Ronnie Brown now that their other freak of nature running back is supposedly trying his best to give up marijuana.
3. Cleveland Browns select...LB Derrick Johnson, Texas
Derrick Johnson is the best linebacker that college football has ever seen, possibly in a decade. He can run sideline-to-sideline to break up plays, drop back in pass coverage, and even rush the passer on occasion. He is not only a solid, surefire tackler, but he'll knock out the football and jump on it. Many mock drafts have the Browns taking a QB but all indications from Romeo Crennel are that the Browns will draft a defender. This may be some sort of trick, but for now, I'm buying it. He is just a great prospect overall.
4. Chicago Bears select...WR Mike Williams, USC
The Bears almost breathe a sigh of relief that they are not forced to draft another Michigan wideout. Instead, they get the arguably the best wide receiver prospect in the draft, a guy that has good speed and a high vertical jump to go along with his 6'5" frame. Mike Williams has all the measurables and the only question lingering around him is that he took a year off from football because some major league a-holes from the NCAA could not find it in there hearts to grant him eligibility. His character and work ethic are very good. After being denied the NFL draft, he returned to school and achieved high grades in hopes of playing again. For one year, Williams has been working hard for the combine and his pro day, and his workouts are a testament to his effort. He deserves to be a top 5 pick.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...RB Carnell Williams, Auburn
Jon Gruden coached a team in the Senior Bowl in hopes of finding a prospect he liked. He found Carnell Williams, the greater of Auburn's two-headed monster at running back. Carnell Williams tore up practices with his hard cuts and bruising style. Some state that despite weighing nearly 30 pounds less than Ronnie Brown, he plays like he is bigger than Brown. Gruden was so impressed with Williams, he decided not to let him play much in the Senior Bowl in order to keep him somewhat of a secret to other teams. Thus is Williams an obvious pick for the Buccaneers.
6. Tennessee Titans select...CB Pac-Man Jones, West Virginia
He is the best cornerback prospect in this draft, and should be available at number 6. As it so happens, the Titans lost both Samari Rolle and Andre Dyson and are quickly becoming a model of exactly why every player's contract should not be insanely backloaded. Jones is fast, explosive, and can make up a step or two if beaten downfield. His vertical jump is very good, and that helps alleviate for his lack of height in jump ball situations. The only other real possibility for the Titans is to take one of the top 2 quarterbacks, since Steve McNair's body is breaking down. However, the Titans probably realize they'll have the top overall pick next year, so they can easily take Matt Leinart.
7. Minnesota Vikings select...WR Troy Williamson, South Carolina
If the draft goes the way I have it going, then Minnesota will really be disappointed. The fact that two teams ahead of them have wide receiver needs means that the Vikings won't get their guy: Mike Williams. They still have a glaring need at wide receiver because they lost Randy Moss and did not sign Plaxico Burress. Troy Williamson is a reach at this pick but he has good measurables. He looks incredibly lean and fit, runs in the 4.3s. He is comparable to Ashley Lelie, in that he is a one dimensional deep threat. That's how he was able to produce in spite of being in the Gamecocks run offense.
8. Arizona Cardinals select...RB Cedric Benson, Texas
Emmitt Smith is done, and by now it is clear that Marcel Shipp really isn't that good. Running back and cornerback are probably the largest positions of need. This might also be a good place to insert Aaron Rodgers, but the Cardinals seem content with Kurt Warner. Cedric Benson is still firmly amongst the top 3 running backs, but the Auburn guys have separated themselves from Benson. Still, Cedric Benson is a power running back with a good initial burst, and he has shown he can improvise and find other holes when plays break down. He will be the star and the future of the Cardinals.
9. Washington Redskins select...CB Antrel Rolle, Miami
It was either him or Carlos Rogers. Many people have jumped on the Carlos Rogers bandwagon, and the Redskins may be included in that group. I have heard about Rogers' great pro day, but I have not seen it, so I am not inclined to use it in my judgments. I have seen a few highlight tapes and actual games from both corners and decided Antrel Rolle is the better corner. He is the quintessential bump-and-run corner, but has adequate deep speed. That's exactly the kind of guy teams want: a corner that delays routes in the first five yards, then shuts receivers down beyond five yards.
10. Detroit Lions select...DE Shawne Merriman, Maryland
The Lions have two pressing needs: tackle and defensive end. After having a look at the Lions roster, I have come to the conclusion that defensive end is the more pressing need. They have no ends that can start, and by drafting Merriman, they'll at least have one. Shawne Merriman will be a great right end in the league. He has that combination of strength and speed that all teams want in their pass rushers. The Lions should be content with having a defensive line containing Shawne Merriman and Shaun Rogers, rather than just Shaun Rogers alone.
11. Dallas Cowboys select...QB Alex Smith, Utah
This is the perfect place to drop a quarterback. The Cowboys may prefer veterans, but Alex Smith has the potential to become a franchise quarterback if put in the right situation. He is extremely smart, which Parcells must like. He scored in the 40s on the Wonderlic test and got his degree before his junior year. In his workouts, he proved he has arm strength and accuracy, even though he didn't have any pass rush pressure on him. Most importantly, Smith is a leader. Smith was definitely the most important player in Utah's undefeated BCS run.
12. San Diego Chargers select...OT Alex Barron, Florida State
The Chargers, despite having a good year, have three specific positions of need: tackle, safety, and wide receiver. The best players still available at those respective positions are Barron, Thomas Davis, and Mark Clayton. The Chargers choose the best player of those: Barron. Alex Barron is clearly the best tackle in the league; he shocked the scouts at his pro day with a stellar 40 time and a solid short shuttle. By pick number 12, he has immense value as he is the kind of left tackle most teams desire.
13. Houston Texans select...OT Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
Jammal Brown has perfect agility for a tackle in zone blocking scheme, which the Texans employed last year. He excels in both pass and run blocking, having paved the way for both Jason White and freshman sensation Adrian Peterson. Because of his speed, Brown translates to left tackle for the Texans, even though he played right tackle for the Sooners. Jammal Brown will be the starting left tackle for the next 10 years on the Texans offense, and I firmly believe he will be have multiple Pro Bowl appearances during the course of his career.
14. Carolina Panthers select...S Thomas Davis, Georgia
Carolina's biggest needs are safety and linebacker. Thomas Davis projects to either one of those positions, most likely as a strong safety because of his speed. Considering he weighs in the mid-230s, Thomas Davis has 4.55 speed and can lay down a huge hit. I kind of wish he would be drafted in the AFC so he could lay one on Dallas Clark. The Panthers have the best pass rush in the NFL, however, and that may allow Davis to excel as a playmaking linebacker. Either way, Thomas Davis fills a need for the Panthers.
Here is my mock draft. I am making the assumption that neither the 49ers nor the Browns will take a quarterback because neither quarterback is top 10 material in my opinion. That makes the top 5 relatively easy to predict. After that, the entire draft is a crap shoot.
1. San Francisco 49ers select....WR Braylon Edwards, Michigan
This is looking more and more like the obvious pick for the 49ers. Most mock drafts have them taking a quarterback, but that's just a load of bull if you ask me. It is too early to give up on Tim Rattay, considering his only true weakness is an injury risk. Considering his best receiver was probably Brandon Lloyd, a late draft pick from 2003, he managed to perform on a high level. The 49ers need to help their quarterback, not bench him. Braylon Edwards is the best WR in the draft and is deserving of being picked first overall. He is great as both a deep threat and as a possession receiver.
2. Miami Dolphins select...RB Ronnie Brown, Auburn
This has been the consensus pick ever since late February, when Ronnie Brown tore up the combine with incredible workouts. He is faster, stronger, and bigger than both Carnell Williams and Cedric Benson. Anyone who weighs 230-some pounds and runs a 4.32 40 is a freak of nature, which the Dolphins need in Ronnie Brown now that their other freak of nature running back is supposedly trying his best to give up marijuana.
3. Cleveland Browns select...LB Derrick Johnson, Texas
Derrick Johnson is the best linebacker that college football has ever seen, possibly in a decade. He can run sideline-to-sideline to break up plays, drop back in pass coverage, and even rush the passer on occasion. He is not only a solid, surefire tackler, but he'll knock out the football and jump on it. Many mock drafts have the Browns taking a QB but all indications from Romeo Crennel are that the Browns will draft a defender. This may be some sort of trick, but for now, I'm buying it. He is just a great prospect overall.
4. Chicago Bears select...WR Mike Williams, USC
The Bears almost breathe a sigh of relief that they are not forced to draft another Michigan wideout. Instead, they get the arguably the best wide receiver prospect in the draft, a guy that has good speed and a high vertical jump to go along with his 6'5" frame. Mike Williams has all the measurables and the only question lingering around him is that he took a year off from football because some major league a-holes from the NCAA could not find it in there hearts to grant him eligibility. His character and work ethic are very good. After being denied the NFL draft, he returned to school and achieved high grades in hopes of playing again. For one year, Williams has been working hard for the combine and his pro day, and his workouts are a testament to his effort. He deserves to be a top 5 pick.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...RB Carnell Williams, Auburn
Jon Gruden coached a team in the Senior Bowl in hopes of finding a prospect he liked. He found Carnell Williams, the greater of Auburn's two-headed monster at running back. Carnell Williams tore up practices with his hard cuts and bruising style. Some state that despite weighing nearly 30 pounds less than Ronnie Brown, he plays like he is bigger than Brown. Gruden was so impressed with Williams, he decided not to let him play much in the Senior Bowl in order to keep him somewhat of a secret to other teams. Thus is Williams an obvious pick for the Buccaneers.
6. Tennessee Titans select...CB Pac-Man Jones, West Virginia
He is the best cornerback prospect in this draft, and should be available at number 6. As it so happens, the Titans lost both Samari Rolle and Andre Dyson and are quickly becoming a model of exactly why every player's contract should not be insanely backloaded. Jones is fast, explosive, and can make up a step or two if beaten downfield. His vertical jump is very good, and that helps alleviate for his lack of height in jump ball situations. The only other real possibility for the Titans is to take one of the top 2 quarterbacks, since Steve McNair's body is breaking down. However, the Titans probably realize they'll have the top overall pick next year, so they can easily take Matt Leinart.
7. Minnesota Vikings select...WR Troy Williamson, South Carolina
If the draft goes the way I have it going, then Minnesota will really be disappointed. The fact that two teams ahead of them have wide receiver needs means that the Vikings won't get their guy: Mike Williams. They still have a glaring need at wide receiver because they lost Randy Moss and did not sign Plaxico Burress. Troy Williamson is a reach at this pick but he has good measurables. He looks incredibly lean and fit, runs in the 4.3s. He is comparable to Ashley Lelie, in that he is a one dimensional deep threat. That's how he was able to produce in spite of being in the Gamecocks run offense.
8. Arizona Cardinals select...RB Cedric Benson, Texas
Emmitt Smith is done, and by now it is clear that Marcel Shipp really isn't that good. Running back and cornerback are probably the largest positions of need. This might also be a good place to insert Aaron Rodgers, but the Cardinals seem content with Kurt Warner. Cedric Benson is still firmly amongst the top 3 running backs, but the Auburn guys have separated themselves from Benson. Still, Cedric Benson is a power running back with a good initial burst, and he has shown he can improvise and find other holes when plays break down. He will be the star and the future of the Cardinals.
9. Washington Redskins select...CB Antrel Rolle, Miami
It was either him or Carlos Rogers. Many people have jumped on the Carlos Rogers bandwagon, and the Redskins may be included in that group. I have heard about Rogers' great pro day, but I have not seen it, so I am not inclined to use it in my judgments. I have seen a few highlight tapes and actual games from both corners and decided Antrel Rolle is the better corner. He is the quintessential bump-and-run corner, but has adequate deep speed. That's exactly the kind of guy teams want: a corner that delays routes in the first five yards, then shuts receivers down beyond five yards.
10. Detroit Lions select...DE Shawne Merriman, Maryland
The Lions have two pressing needs: tackle and defensive end. After having a look at the Lions roster, I have come to the conclusion that defensive end is the more pressing need. They have no ends that can start, and by drafting Merriman, they'll at least have one. Shawne Merriman will be a great right end in the league. He has that combination of strength and speed that all teams want in their pass rushers. The Lions should be content with having a defensive line containing Shawne Merriman and Shaun Rogers, rather than just Shaun Rogers alone.
11. Dallas Cowboys select...QB Alex Smith, Utah
This is the perfect place to drop a quarterback. The Cowboys may prefer veterans, but Alex Smith has the potential to become a franchise quarterback if put in the right situation. He is extremely smart, which Parcells must like. He scored in the 40s on the Wonderlic test and got his degree before his junior year. In his workouts, he proved he has arm strength and accuracy, even though he didn't have any pass rush pressure on him. Most importantly, Smith is a leader. Smith was definitely the most important player in Utah's undefeated BCS run.
12. San Diego Chargers select...OT Alex Barron, Florida State
The Chargers, despite having a good year, have three specific positions of need: tackle, safety, and wide receiver. The best players still available at those respective positions are Barron, Thomas Davis, and Mark Clayton. The Chargers choose the best player of those: Barron. Alex Barron is clearly the best tackle in the league; he shocked the scouts at his pro day with a stellar 40 time and a solid short shuttle. By pick number 12, he has immense value as he is the kind of left tackle most teams desire.
13. Houston Texans select...OT Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
Jammal Brown has perfect agility for a tackle in zone blocking scheme, which the Texans employed last year. He excels in both pass and run blocking, having paved the way for both Jason White and freshman sensation Adrian Peterson. Because of his speed, Brown translates to left tackle for the Texans, even though he played right tackle for the Sooners. Jammal Brown will be the starting left tackle for the next 10 years on the Texans offense, and I firmly believe he will be have multiple Pro Bowl appearances during the course of his career.
14. Carolina Panthers select...S Thomas Davis, Georgia
Carolina's biggest needs are safety and linebacker. Thomas Davis projects to either one of those positions, most likely as a strong safety because of his speed. Considering he weighs in the mid-230s, Thomas Davis has 4.55 speed and can lay down a huge hit. I kind of wish he would be drafted in the AFC so he could lay one on Dallas Clark. The Panthers have the best pass rush in the NFL, however, and that may allow Davis to excel as a playmaking linebacker. Either way, Thomas Davis fills a need for the Panthers.
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