4/19/01

PK
 Team Player
Pos
Needs
In this spot-2000
1... Chargers Michael Vick
QB
coming soon
Courtney Brown
...They will pick him even if they can't get him signed before the draft. Frankly, this is a bad year to have the top pick. Other than Atlanta, I dont see anybody wanting to trade. Throw in the fact that you have to pay around $50 million and you see why people are scared to make a swap. He has a great upside but its hard to be patient with that type of money paid out.
2... Cardinals Leonard Davis
OT
Lavar Arrington
...The Cards don't want another negotiations battle like the ones with Wadsworth and Rice, so they bypass Warren and take this monster of a man. They will probably move some lineman around to fit him in. One concern is that it is rumored that he is insisting on playing LT.
3... Browns David Terrell
WR
Chris Samuels
...Couch needs another weapon to complement Kevin Johnson. This team could use a DT to shut down the inside-run game or a RB to compete with Prentice, but I think Terrell is the safest pick in the draft. A faster Keyshawn should have Cleveland rocking.
4... Bengals Gerard Warren
DT
  
Peter Warrick
...They will consider a passrusher like Smith, but with a bunch of bruising runners in this division they need more beef in the middle. If Leonard Davis is available they will sprint to the mike and pick the mountain of a man.
5... Falcons Justin Smith
DE
  
Jamal Lewis
...All scouts love his intensity and attitude. Brings a motor and more natural size than most of the other defensive ends in this draft. May opt for Terrell if he falls.
6... Patriots Kenyatta Walker
OT
  
Corey Simon
...Bledsoe moves around like my grandmother and needs protection. Walker has much experience pass-blocking and is very athletic. Tomlinson is their other option.
7... Seahawks Koren Robinson
WR
  
Thomas Jones
...After signing Kirkland to play MLB, they will pass on Morgan and get some firepower for the offense. Robinson has slipped because of recent workouts, but he was injured and the tapes dont lie, he is a playmaker.
8... Bears LaDainian Tomlinson
RB
  
Plaxico Burress
...The Bears need insurance in case James Allen is a flash in the pan. Tomlinson has done nothing to hurt his chances in this draft; his workouts have been stellar and so was his combine performance. A DE like Carter is also a strong bet.
9... 49ers Andre Carter
DE
Brian Urlacher
...He is slipping due to weight loss, but he will be at 260LB when its playing time. He is a true warrior and is rumored to be well liked by the Niners. They might want to move down alittle and then pick him, but barring that, I still think he is worthy of this pick.
10.. Packers Richard Seymour
DT
  
Travis Taylor
...The Pack will be very pleased that he is still on the board. He will give them a young building block ;they don't know what they will get from Dotson, Warren, and Maryland. A receiver is also a strong bet but Wolf trys to steer clear of that position in round one according to some. Dan Morgan is a darkhorse selection.
11.. Panthers Dan Morgan
LB
  
Ron Dayne
...He can bring a big play element and leadership to the defense. They probably hope that Tomlinson falls into their laps but that is unlikely. McAllister scares some with this past season's injury problems.
12.. Chiefs Deuce McAllister
RB
  
Shaun Ellis
...They need a runningback and Deuce has been compared to Faulk. They could use his versatility. I don't think they will take a chance on Brees this early.
13.. Jaguars Steve Hutchinson
OG
  
John Abraham
...The Jags need help on the O-line and Hutch's toughness reminds you of Boselli. Wiegert may vie for the RT spot to make room for this mauler. Fred Taylor may get that 2000yd season this year.
14.. Bills Marcus Stroud
DT
Bubba Franks
...The Bills have taken hits on the D-Line in FA and need another anchor inside to help out Pat Williams. A RB will get some consideration but none left are worthy of this pick.
15.. Redskins Santana Moss
WR
  
Deltha O'Neal
...Westbrook is coming off an injury and Connell and Thrash moved on. I think this is an obvious need. Jamal Reynolds could rotate with their good but old DEs and a CB like Clements could get a look if Deion cant be counted on.
16.. Steelers Damione Lewis
DT
  
Julian Peterson
...The Steelers need somebody who can get pressure on the QB from the DE position. Lewis can play DE in a 3-4 scheme and is more stout than what they used last year. His nasty and quick style will make them less reliant on their LBs to get pressure on the passer.
17.. Seahawks Jamal Reynolds
DE
  
Sebastian Janikowski
...They improved the interior with Randle and Eaton, but they didnt get the performance they were looking for on the outside last year. He can flat-out rush the passer.
18.. Lions Jeff Backus
OT
  
Chad Pennington
...Millen likes the wars in the trenches and knows that his current tackles either are subpar, injury prone, or lack stamina. Hutchinson would fit in nice at OG but likely will be gone before this pick. A CB is less likely now that Lyght was signed, although he is suspect they will probably take one later.
19.. Jets Rod Gardner
WR
  
Shaun Alexander
...They need more bodies on the D-line, so if Shaun Rogers can stop his slide he might fit. At DE, no one left is worthy of this pick. Hatchette seems like a third option so they might go for a young receiver to team with Chrebet.
20.. Rams Nate Clements
CB
  
Stokar McDougal
...Clements brings the biggest upside of any CB in this draft and may be worth the wait; he is alittle raw in his technique. Bly might not be able to cut it as a starter and the deal for A. Williams of Zona has not happened yet.
21.. Buccaneers Todd Heap
TE
  
Sylvester Morris
...Surprise! They don't pick a defensive player. He could really help Brad as a dump-off option with the ability to pick up yards after the catch and snatch balls across the middle.
22.. Colts Fred Smoot
CB
  
Chris McIntosh
...The Colts need help in the secondary and at DT, but they may be scared of taking Rogers because he showed up at the combine with a cast on his ankle and didn't win anybody over with his interviews. Smoot has solid natural skills but must get stronger after having done only one rep recently.
23.. Saints Jamar Fletcher
CB
Rashard Anderson
...Losing Molden leaves the Saints with alot of questions at CB, some of which are coming off injury. They could take a receiver like Freddie Mitchell to give them a more potent 3 wide set.
24.. Broncos Freddie Mitchell
WR
  
Ahmed Plummer
...They will consider a CB, but with their receivers aging they may not be able to pass on the opportunity to add a big play man with great hands.
25.. Eagles Chad Johnson
WR
  
Chris Hovan
...McNabb is on the verge and just needs a few more weapons. Other possibilities include Reggie Wayne, Quincy Morgan, and Robert Ferguson.
26.. Dolphins Drew Brees
QB
  
Erik Flowers
...I don't see Fiedler as a QB who can take you to the big dance, unless your defense is like the Ravens. A receiver like Reggie Wayne will also be considered in their never ending search for a #1 wideout.
27.. Vikings Michael Bennett
RB
  
Anthony Becht
...The Vikes believe in the best available athlete theory on round one. If a guy that fits a dire need on defense is close to Bennett on their board, they will pick him, even if he is slightly lower rated overall. In this case, I don't see any defender even close to Bennett in rank. If they feel compelled to deviate from past practices, than a guy like Middlebrooks or Gibson may make sense. If they feel daring they might take a chance on Shaun Rogers or even Kris Jenkins. I don't believe the hype on Will Allen. Don't forget, it has been widely speculated that the Vikes will pick up a vet CB after the draft, so they might not feel forced to take a CB in round one even though others are saying its a given.
28.. Raiders Derrick Gibson
S
  
Rob Morris
...The Raiders need more explosiveness and speed in the deep patrol. Gibson is an elite specimen who can play the run like a LB. Dorsett and Pope are average at best. Tommy Polley will be heavily considered as well to challenge the aging incumbents at LB.
29.. Rams Kris Jenkins
DT
  
R.Jay Soward
...With the injury concerns swirling around Shaun Rogers and big holes at DT, the Rams take a chance on a guy who reminds some of a young Eric Swann. He came on strong this past year and has a big upside.
30.. Giants Willie Middlebrooks
CB
  
Keith Bulluck
...Dave Thomas is more like a safety and can't handle small quick receivers like the ones the Rams use. Middlebrooks has all the tools, but needs some coaching to correct some of his sloppy techniques. He is a draft riser after impressive workouts.
31.. Ravens Adam Archuleta
S
Trung Canidate
...With Woodson getting up there in age and Herring moving on, they pick a poor man's Brian Urlacher type. He is a physical marvel who learns fast.

Round 2