2002 'Skins Draft Center -- 1st Round Mock Draft

1st Round Mock Draft

Updated 19/2/02

It's still a crap shoot, and I predict that this year will be quite a good one for trades. However for the purposes of this draft, I will not project any, except in the notes. Enjoy...

1

Houston

David Carr, QB I still think the Texans would have wished that Drew Henson was available but Carr has shown Pro-Bowl level talent possibilities leading an unknown team to great heights. He will be taken here as expansion teams do not tend to trade when a franchise QB is available.

2

Carolina

Julius Peppers, DE If the Texans were running a 4-3, Peppers would be the obvious No.1 pick in my book. He is simply amazing, like a Lawrence Taylor with size or a bigger and faster Jevon Kearse. Peppers will be major piece of the Panthers rebuilding effort.

3

Detroit

Bryant McKinnie, OT This pick decides the whole draft. Even though I am not projcting trades, I believe McKinnie will be the third player off the board, he is simply the third best player available. None of Detroit's major needs QB, CB, S, WR, DT are worth a #3 salary, but McKinnie is. Possible draft players for this spot include Chargers, Bills, Cowboys and Browns.

4

Buffalo

Mike Williams OT How short lived the WCO experiment was in several NFL cities, including Buffalo. With a new emphasis on smash-mouth football, the Bills need a earthmover, and Mike Williams is the man -- all 350 pounds of him. The Bills may bait the Chargers into trading up but I believe if they do trade they will go for #3 so they can have a choice of McKinnie and Williams.

5

San Diego

Quinton Jammer, CB The Chargers are upset here that both LTs they coveted are off the board, so they take the next best player available in Jammer. The Chargers have had issues in the secondary for a couple of seaons now and with Brees most likely at the helm, the defense needs to start bailing him out.

6

Dallas

Albert Haynesworth DT The 'Boys did suprisingly well on D this year, but it doesn't mean they don't need an upgrade at DT. Haynesworth I believe will seperate himself from the pack of top DTs over the coming months, at 6'6" and 325 pounds he could be a disruptive influence a la Warren Sapp and Gerrard Warren.

7

Minnesota

Ryan Sims DT Ryan Sims could help the Vikings immediately. Although they also need an OT, I don't think they will go the Pearson route. Pearson would be more suited in a WCO and I don't think he is a top 10 talent. Sims combined with Hovan could solidify the Vikes interior for years and give them more of a balance on defense.

8

Kansas City

Wendell Bryant DT A bit of a run on DTs here, but as we have seen in recent drafts, they are a premium. Although the other major need is WR, I think the Chiefs will find better value in the 2nd round and they will also probably make a run at Hakim. With Morris, Minnis and Hakim, and a 2nd round rookie, the Chiefs will have enough firepower.

9

Jacksonville

Ashley Lelie WR This is a crucial point in the draft. Despite having the Texans bail them out of salary cap jail, the Jags don't need a #9 salary, and also they need more picks to shore up LT, DT, LB and WR. My bet is our man Synder trades up with Jacksonville to take Lelie, he would be an awesome weapon in the "Fun'n'Gun" and by Draft Day he will be a Top 10 prospect. If Jacksonville stays here they may still take Lelie, but could also go Pearson or Henderson.

10

Cincinnati

Philip Buchanon CB Roy Williams would be very tempting but I think the Bengals, esp with their miserly ways, will follow convention and pay #10 money to a CB over a S. Buchanon will be a great CB, fast and relentless, he doesn't give seperation easily, just what the Bungals need in their weak secondary.

11

Indianapolis

Roy Williams S Williams won't be too upset, he will be getting basically the same money with a team that I think could be the Rams of 2002 -- a retooled defence to go with a high-octane offence. Williams would be perfect in a Cover-2, a faster, harder-hitting John Lynch. One of the can't-miss prospects of the draft IMHO.

12

Arizona

John Henderson DT If only Henderson went pro last year he would have been a Top Ten, possibly a Top 5 prospect. But with a senior year in which he was overshadowed by his teammate, he falls to the Cardinals here. I still believe he will be a good pro, just that he won't go Top 1 with other great DTs now ahead of him on most draft boards.

13

New Orleans

Mike Pearson OT While they would have loved Buchanon to fall to them, they also will not gamble on Bryant (esp after the Connell disaster). They do need an LT with Roaf on the way out, and Pearson fits the bill. While more of a finesse LT, with Brooks's mobility and McAllister's shiftiness, a finesse LT may be more down the Saints alley anyway.

14

Tennessee

Joey Harrington QB There is always a suprise or two in the draft, this is one that I am going with. Injury has beset McNair almost every season, and despite his fantastic play when he is healthy, the Titans started their slide when he was not under center. Harrington could be groomed for several seasons before taking over. I know I am going to get a lot of grief for this but with no other real players available for the Titans at their need positions, they take best player available.

15

New York

David Graham TE Graham has moved ahead of Shockey for now and IMHO is more of a complete TE, the Giants have not had a pass threat from the TE position for a long time and with this dink-and-dunk offense a TE threat is always a good outlet.

16

Atlanta

Antonio Bryant WR The future is Vick, and he needs playmakers to spread the field to stop the 9 man fronts. A RB is a possibility but I think they will look to later rounds esp with Anderson consuming a lot of cap space. Bryant has the ability to be the next Moss -- and we know what that means, for better or for worse.

17

Cleveland

William Green RB Although I think they would prefer a franchise LT, they are not going to find one here. Fonoti could be an option. However with no franchise RB, the opportunity to get one here will be tempting as Green, if he learns to run less upright, could have a Faulk/James-like double threat impact. Cleveland could well trade for Williams as they have the picks to trade and is more of a sure thing than Green, but will the fumbling be worse in the cold Ohio winters than in a climate-controlled dome?

18

Washington

Jabar Gaffney WR Synder loves to wheel-and-deal so I believe it is highly unlikely we will be in this position on draft day. I am personally wagering on a Jacksonville trade to net us Lelie. I don't believe, despite our need for a QB, that we will go after Harrington (and we don't have the firepower or desire to go after Carr). IMHO we take a QB in the 4th/5th rounds, and go after a big name next year like Leftwich, Simms or Grossman. If we do stay here and the draft falls this way, Gaffney is no booby prize and will be a welcome deep threat on the perimeter.

19

Denver

Donte Stallworth WR The Broncos missed McCaffrey, and need that second threat, prefferably a tall one. While McCaffrey will be back, he is getting on in years and you never know what a broken leg will do to a receiver. Stallworth will learn the fine arts from Smith and McCaffrey and will develop into a good wide-out.

20

Seattle

Dennis Johnson DE The Seahawks need a DE -- and they need it bad. Dennis Johnson has been flying up the charts, Kalimba Edwards could also be they pick here but is a bit of a tweener -- could play Elephant end. Johnson is more of a complete DE however, and will be a solid 1st round selection by draft day.

21

Oakland (from Tampa Bay)

Eddie Freeman DT With the Gruden-trade, the Raiders don't have so much of a dilemma on their hands with their first round selection as they can take Freeman who is about on par with Weaver as a prospect in my books but is a better fit for the Raiders. Being very versatile, he can hold up against the run but has the ability to get upfield penetration. A good fit as a replacement for Russell.

22

New York

Anthony Weaver DT With the move to a 4-3, the Jets need a disruptive force at DT, and along comes Anthony Weaver. While he will need to add the pounds to make it at the next level, he has shown enough talent to be a starter in this league. The Jets will be glad he is still available.

23

Oakland

Toniu Fonoti OG With their second choice the Raiders take Fonoti who is a mammoth OG and the successor to Wisnewski. Very aggressive, and very stong, he just needs to learn the polish and finesse which will come with time. Napolean Harris is also an option here but LB is much better value in 2nd/3rd rounds.

24

Baltimore
Ed Reed S

With Woodson likely on the way out and a rebuilding under way on the defense, Ed Reed would be a great fit at either safety position, but be a better fit at FS. The Ravens could also go after Gurode but I think they will be hoping Raiola pulls through in his sophmore seaon.

25

Miami

T.J Duckett RB Although Turner is known for a vertical offence, RBs have always done well, esp tough, between the tackles runners. T.J should be delighted he gets to run in an offence that has made stars out of Emmitt Smith, Stephen Davis and most recently LaDanian Tomlinson. Miami is also in the Williams stakes but without a 2nd rounder, it would cost them their whole slate of first day picks -- a price I don't think they will be willing to pay

26

Philadelphia

Andre Gurode, OG If Duckett was here, I think the Eagles would take him in a heartbeat but with most RBs getting back in their 2nd season after ankle/knee surgery, I think they are willing to give Duce another shot. Gurode will be a great presence in the middle of the line and will help get the running game going -- whoever is in the backfield.

27

San Francisco

Kalimba Edwards DE If Kalimba can prove at the combine that he is over his ACL then he will not be availble here but with the injury and the fact that he is a tweener, his draft stock may not be as high as some draftniks imagine. The 49ers need another rush man opposite Carter and Kalimba can bring the heat.

28

Green Bay

Josh Reed WR While not as tall or as fast as Green Bay would like, Reed has all the other attributes you would want in a receiver. Freeman could be gone and Schroeder was not at his best in 2001. If last year's 2nd rounder Robert Ferguson has come along, he could be the burner with Reed finding the soft spots in the zone underneath.

29

Chicago

Mike Rumph CB With Harris likely gone, the Bears need an upgrade in the secondary and Rumph would be a perfect fit in the Bears defence. While not on most people's 1st round draft boards yet, a 6'1, 200, sub 4.5 physical corner from a proven college team, do not slip to the 2nd round, and will be a riser come draft day.

30

Pittsburgh

Napolean Harris LB With Holmes a free agent, the Steelers could do worse than take Harris here. Harris's strength is as a cover LB, and would project well on the inside in the 3-4. Bell and Harris could be a force for years, esp if Holmes goes which may well happen if they let him get to FA with the Texans likely a heavy suitor.

31

St. Louis

Lito Sheppard CB The Rams may like to draft a speedster WR to replace Hakim who will probably leave in FA, possibly to the Chiefs, but a CB would be a good move, and would be the value move, if Sheppard is still available this late in the 1st round. Sheppard is a great cover corner and with Aeneas there to be a mentor and sort out his character flaws, Sheppard could reach his potential as a top cover corner.

32

New England

Jeremy Shockey TE The Patriots need a TE desperately -- a young QB always needs outlet receivers and Shockey has proven he can be one. No offence to Wiggins, but he is not the great TE which Shockey has the opportunity to be. Another option could be Foster or Portis at RB, but my money says Smith is signed to a long term deal at RB, the Pats have had too much bad luck at RB to risk another change.

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1	Houston	David Carr, QB	I still think the Texans would have wished that Drew Henson was available but Carr has shown Pro-Bowl level talent possibilities leading an unknown team to great heights. He will be taken here as expansion teams do not tend to trade when a franchise QB is available.
2	Carolina	Julius Peppers, DE	If the Texans were running a 4-3, Peppers would be the obvious No.1 pick in my book. He is simply amazing, like a Lawrence Taylor with size or a bigger and faster Jevon Kearse. Peppers will be major piece of the Panthers rebuilding effort.
3	Detroit	Bryant McKinnie, OT	This pick decides the whole draft. Even though I am not projcting trades, I believe McKinnie will be the third player off the board, he is simply the third best player available. None of Detroit's major needs QB, CB, S, WR, DT are worth a #3 salary, but McKinnie is. Possible draft players for this spot include Chargers, Bills, Cowboys and Browns.
4	Buffalo	Mike Williams OT	How short lived the WCO experiment was in several NFL cities, including Buffalo. With a new emphasis on smash-mouth football, the Bills need a earthmover, and Mike Williams is the man -- all 350 pounds of him. The Bills may bait the Chargers into trading up but I believe if they do trade they will go for #3 so they can have a choice of McKinnie and Williams.
5	San Diego	Quinton Jammer, CB	The Chargers are upset here that both LTs they coveted are off the board, so they take the next best player available in Jammer. The Chargers have had issues in the secondary for a couple of seaons now and with Brees most likely at the helm, the defense needs to start bailing him out.
6	Dallas	Albert Haynesworth DT	The 'Boys did suprisingly well on D this year, but it doesn't mean they don't need an upgrade at DT. Haynesworth I believe will seperate himself from the pack of top DTs over the coming months, at 6'6" and 325 pounds he could be a disruptive influence a la Warren Sapp and Gerrard Warren.
7	Minnesota	Ryan Sims DT	Ryan Sims could help the Vikings immediately. Although they also need an OT, I don't think they will go the Pearson route. Pearson would be more suited in a WCO and I don't think he is a top 10 talent. Sims combined with Hovan could solidify the Vikes interior for years and give them more of a balance on defense.
8	Kansas City	Wendell Bryant DT	A bit of a run on DTs here, but as we have seen in recent drafts, they are a premium. Although the other major need is WR, I think the Chiefs will find better value in the 2nd round and they will also probably make a run at Hakim. With Morris, Minnis and Hakim, and a 2nd round rookie, the Chiefs will have enough firepower.
9	Jacksonville	Ashley Lelie WR	This is a crucial point in the draft. Despite having the Texans bail them out of salary cap jail, the Jags don't need a #9 salary, and also they need more picks to shore up LT, DT, LB and WR. My bet is our man Synder trades up with Jacksonville to take Lelie, he would be an awesome weapon in the "Fun'n'Gun" and by Draft Day he will be a Top 10 prospect. If Jacksonville stays here they may still take Lelie, but could also go Pearson or Henderson.
10	Cincinnati	Philip Buchanon CB	Roy Williams would be very tempting but I think the Bengals, esp with their miserly ways, will follow convention and pay #10 money to a CB over a S. Buchanon will be a great CB, fast and relentless, he doesn't give seperation easily, just what the Bungals need in their weak secondary.
11	Indianapolis	Roy Williams S	Williams won't be too upset, he will be getting basically the same money with a team that I think could be the Rams of 2002 -- a retooled defence to go with a high-octane offence. Williams would be perfect in a Cover-2, a faster, harder-hitting John Lynch. One of the can't-miss prospects of the draft IMHO.
12	Arizona	John Henderson DT	If only Henderson went pro last year he would have been a Top Ten, possibly a Top 5 prospect. But with a senior year in which he was overshadowed by his teammate, he falls to the Cardinals here. I still believe he will be a good pro, just that he won't go Top 1 with other great DTs now ahead of him on most draft boards.
13	New Orleans	Mike Pearson OT	While they would have loved Buchanon to fall to them, they also will not gamble on Bryant (esp after the Connell disaster). They do need an LT with Roaf on the way out, and Pearson fits the bill. While more of a finesse LT, with Brooks's mobility and McAllister's shiftiness, a finesse LT may be more down the Saints alley anyway.
14	Tennessee	Joey Harrington QB	There is always a suprise or two in the draft, this is one that I am going with. Injury has beset McNair almost every season, and despite his fantastic play when he is healthy, the Titans started their slide when he was not under center. Harrington could be groomed for several seasons before taking over. I know I am going to get a lot of grief for this but with no other real players available for the Titans at their need positions, they take best player available.
15	New York	David Graham TE	Graham has moved ahead of Shockey for now and IMHO is more of a complete TE, the Giants have not had a pass threat from the TE position for a long time and with this dink-and-dunk offense a TE threat is always a good outlet.
16	Atlanta	Antonio Bryant WR	The future is Vick, and he needs playmakers to spread the field to stop the 9 man fronts. A RB is a possibility but I think they will look to later rounds esp with Anderson consuming a lot of cap space. Bryant has the ability to be the next Moss -- and we know what that means, for better or for worse.
17	Cleveland	William Green RB	Although I think they would prefer a franchise LT, they are not going to find one here. Fonoti could be an option. However with no franchise RB, the opportunity to get one here will be tempting as Green, if he learns to run less upright, could have a Faulk/James-like double threat impact. Cleveland could well trade for Williams as they have the picks to trade and is more of a sure thing than Green, but will the fumbling be worse in the cold Ohio winters than in a climate-controlled dome?
18	Washington	Jabar Gaffney WR	Synder loves to wheel-and-deal so I believe it is highly unlikely we will be in this position on draft day. I am personally wagering on a Jacksonville trade to net us Lelie. I don't believe, despite our need for a QB, that we will go after Harrington (and we don't have the firepower or desire to go after Carr). IMHO we take a QB in the 4th/5th rounds, and go after a big name next year like Leftwich, Simms or Grossman. If we do stay here and the draft falls this way, Gaffney is no booby prize and will be a welcome deep threat on the perimeter.
19	Denver	Donte Stallworth WR	The Broncos missed McCaffrey, and need that second threat, prefferably a tall one. While McCaffrey will be back, he is getting on in years and you never know what a broken leg will do to a receiver. Stallworth will learn the fine arts from Smith and McCaffrey and will develop into a good wide-out.
20	Seattle	Dennis Johnson DE	The Seahawks need a DE -- and they need it bad. Dennis Johnson has been flying up the charts, Kalimba Edwards could also be they pick here but is a bit of a tweener -- could play Elephant end. Johnson is more of a complete DE however, and will be a solid 1st round selection by draft day.
21	Oakland (from Tampa Bay)	Eddie Freeman DT	With the Gruden-trade, the Raiders don't have so much of a dilemma on their hands with their first round selection as they can take Freeman who is about on par with Weaver as a prospect in my books but is a better fit for the Raiders. Being very versatile, he can hold up against the run but has the ability to get upfield penetration. A good fit as a replacement for Russell.
22	New York	Anthony Weaver DT	With the move to a 4-3, the Jets need a disruptive force at DT, and along comes Anthony Weaver. While he will need to add the pounds to make it at the next level, he has shown enough talent to be a starter in this league. The Jets will be glad he is still available.
23	Oakland	Toniu Fonoti OG	With their second choice the Raiders take Fonoti who is a mammoth OG and the successor to Wisnewski. Very aggressive, and very stong, he just needs to learn the polish and finesse which will come with time. Napolean Harris is also an option here but LB is much better value in 2nd/3rd rounds.
24	Baltimore	Ed Reed S	With Woodson likely on the way out and a rebuilding under way on the defense, Ed Reed would be a great fit at either safety position, but be a better fit at FS. The Ravens could also go after Gurode but I think they will be hoping Raiola pulls through in his sophmore seaon.
25	Miami	T.J Duckett RB	Although Turner is known for a vertical offence, RBs have always done well, esp tough, between the tackles runners. T.J should be delighted he gets to run in an offence that has made stars out of Emmitt Smith, Stephen Davis and most recently LaDanian Tomlinson. Miami is also in the Williams stakes but without a 2nd rounder, it would cost them their whole slate of first day picks -- a price I don't think they will be willing to pay
26	Philadelphia	Andre Gurode, OG	If Duckett was here, I think the Eagles would take him in a heartbeat but with most RBs getting back in their 2nd season after ankle/knee surgery, I think they are willing to give Duce another shot. Gurode will be a great presence in the middle of the line and will help get the running game going -- whoever is in the backfield.
27	San Francisco	Kalimba Edwards DE	If Kalimba can prove at the combine that he is over his ACL then he will not be availble here but with the injury and the fact that he is a tweener, his draft stock may not be as high as some draftniks imagine. The 49ers need another rush man opposite Carter and Kalimba can bring the heat.
28	Green Bay	Josh Reed WR	While not as tall or as fast as Green Bay would like, Reed has all the other attributes you would want in a receiver. Freeman could be gone and Schroeder was not at his best in 2001. If last year's 2nd rounder Robert Ferguson has come along, he could be the burner with Reed finding the soft spots in the zone underneath.
29	Chicago	Mike Rumph CB	With Harris likely gone, the Bears need an upgrade in the secondary and Rumph would be a perfect fit in the Bears defence. While not on most people's 1st round draft boards yet, a 6'1, 200, sub 4.5 physical corner from a proven college team, do not slip to the 2nd round, and will be a riser come draft day.
30	Pittsburgh	Napolean Harris LB	With Holmes a free agent, the Steelers could do worse than take Harris here. Harris's strength is as a cover LB, and would project well on the inside in the 3-4. Bell and Harris could be a force for years, esp if Holmes goes which may well happen if they let him get to FA with the Texans likely a heavy suitor.
31	St. Louis	Lito Sheppard CB	The Rams may like to draft a speedster WR to replace Hakim who will probably leave in FA, possibly to the Chiefs, but a CB would be a good move, and would be the value move, if Sheppard is still available this late in the 1st round. Sheppard is a great cover corner and with Aeneas there to be a mentor and sort out his character flaws, Sheppard could reach his potential as a top cover corner.
32	New England	Jeremy Shockey TE	The Patriots need a TE desperately -- a young QB always needs outlet receivers and Shockey has proven he can be one. No offence to Wiggins, but he is not the great TE which Shockey has the opportunity to be. Another option could be Foster or Portis at RB, but my money says Smith is signed to a long term deal at RB, the Pats have had too much bad luck at RB to risk another change.