Greg C.
Cheesehead
I thought this mock draft by Don Banks of Sports Illustrated was interesting. It's way early of course, but Banks is a solid writer, and I take him seriously. I was surprised that he has A.J. Hawk as the second linebacker picked. Has anyone here seen this other LB, DeMeco Ryans, play?
Here are Banks' top ten picks:
1 RB Reggie Bush USC Jr. 6-0 200
We've got weeks and weeks to let all the Bush versus Vince Young speculation swirl, but it still seems sensible for the Texans to stick with David Carr at quarterback and add the huge, play-making upgrade at running back.
2 QB Matt Leinart USC Sr. 6-5 225
He may not be the next Carson Palmer, but the USC quarterback would allow the Saints to end the Aaron Brooks era and give new head coach Sean Payton a chance to start his program with a guy well-steeped in a pro-style passing game.
3 QB Vince Young Texas Jr. 6-5 235
Don't just assume that the Titans will nab Young because he and Steve McNair are old friends from Houston. Young would be a logical heir apparent in Tennessee, but I could see the Titans trying desperately to trade down for a package of picks to address more than one need.
4 OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson Virginia Sr. 6-5 295
If somehow either Leinart or Young linger, the Jets couldn't pass on a passer given Chad Pennington's shaky health status. But otherwise, Ferguson is the chalk pick for a need that emerged last year after the defection of Kareem McKenzie in free agency.
5 DE Mario Williams N.C. State Jr. 6-7 285
The Packers need to generate more pass rush, and this kid has the whole package that you look for in a difference-making defensive end.
6 LB DeMeco Ryans Alabama Sr. 6-5 230
With Oakland currently head coach-less, all we really know about its draft intention is that the crying need is on defense. Ryans or Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk are the names to know, but the Raiders would do handstands if Mario Williams slipped past No. 5 Green Bay.
7 LB A.J. Hawk Ohio State Sr. 6-1 240
With all their needs and another high first-round pick, the 49ers could aggressively attempt to trade down to plug as many holes as possible. If they don't, defense should get their attention. Hawk is a ball-hawk and looks ready to step into almost anyone's lineup.
8 DT Haloti Ngata Oregon Jr. 6-5 345
Buffalo struggled stopping the run after the loss of veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams in free agency. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Ngata could fill that critical void for **** Jauron's nowhere-to-go-but-up Bills.
9 QB Jay Cutler Vanderbilt Sr. 6-4 228
New Lions head coach Rod Marinelli hasn't indicated yet if he believes Joey Harrington is salvageable. If not, the Lions can hope that taking the third-highest rated passer works out as well for them as it did in 2004 for Pittsburgh, which landed some guy named Ben Roethlisberger. Southern Cal OT Winston Justice is another possibility.
10 RB DeAngelo Williams Memphis Sr. 5-10 217
With Cardinals head coach Dennis Green needing to win in 2006 to protect his job, taking a young QB makes no sense. The Cardinals were last in the NFL in rushing, so it'll come down to a choice between Williams and USC's LenDale White. Williams is more elusive and fits Green's backfield preferences.
Here are Banks' top ten picks:
1 RB Reggie Bush USC Jr. 6-0 200
We've got weeks and weeks to let all the Bush versus Vince Young speculation swirl, but it still seems sensible for the Texans to stick with David Carr at quarterback and add the huge, play-making upgrade at running back.
2 QB Matt Leinart USC Sr. 6-5 225
He may not be the next Carson Palmer, but the USC quarterback would allow the Saints to end the Aaron Brooks era and give new head coach Sean Payton a chance to start his program with a guy well-steeped in a pro-style passing game.
3 QB Vince Young Texas Jr. 6-5 235
Don't just assume that the Titans will nab Young because he and Steve McNair are old friends from Houston. Young would be a logical heir apparent in Tennessee, but I could see the Titans trying desperately to trade down for a package of picks to address more than one need.
4 OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson Virginia Sr. 6-5 295
If somehow either Leinart or Young linger, the Jets couldn't pass on a passer given Chad Pennington's shaky health status. But otherwise, Ferguson is the chalk pick for a need that emerged last year after the defection of Kareem McKenzie in free agency.
5 DE Mario Williams N.C. State Jr. 6-7 285
The Packers need to generate more pass rush, and this kid has the whole package that you look for in a difference-making defensive end.
6 LB DeMeco Ryans Alabama Sr. 6-5 230
With Oakland currently head coach-less, all we really know about its draft intention is that the crying need is on defense. Ryans or Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk are the names to know, but the Raiders would do handstands if Mario Williams slipped past No. 5 Green Bay.
7 LB A.J. Hawk Ohio State Sr. 6-1 240
With all their needs and another high first-round pick, the 49ers could aggressively attempt to trade down to plug as many holes as possible. If they don't, defense should get their attention. Hawk is a ball-hawk and looks ready to step into almost anyone's lineup.
8 DT Haloti Ngata Oregon Jr. 6-5 345
Buffalo struggled stopping the run after the loss of veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams in free agency. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Ngata could fill that critical void for **** Jauron's nowhere-to-go-but-up Bills.
9 QB Jay Cutler Vanderbilt Sr. 6-4 228
New Lions head coach Rod Marinelli hasn't indicated yet if he believes Joey Harrington is salvageable. If not, the Lions can hope that taking the third-highest rated passer works out as well for them as it did in 2004 for Pittsburgh, which landed some guy named Ben Roethlisberger. Southern Cal OT Winston Justice is another possibility.
10 RB DeAngelo Williams Memphis Sr. 5-10 217
With Cardinals head coach Dennis Green needing to win in 2006 to protect his job, taking a young QB makes no sense. The Cardinals were last in the NFL in rushing, so it'll come down to a choice between Williams and USC's LenDale White. Williams is more elusive and fits Green's backfield preferences.