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Mock Draft 5.0: Saints, Vince jumbling board
Rob Rang / Sports Xchange
Posted: 1 day ago
Sifting through misinformation disseminated by teams and scouts becomes an increasingly difficult exercise as the draft approaches.
Most of the top 10 players are settled, with the only remaining question being which teams they ultimately land with.
But there are a few monkey wrenches that could jumble the look of the board. The first is New Orleans, which is willing to field trade offers for the No. 2 overall pick — which could determine Matt Leinart's future address. The second is Texas quarterback Vince Young, who is this year's lightning rod for debate.
Did Young have a strong Pro Day last week, or did his funky release and lack of footwork confirm concerns about his potential to ever become a starting NFL quarterback? Is Young a top-five pick, or is he this year's version of Aaron Rodgers — an interesting talent who will plummet toward the back half of the first round because few teams are in need of a project at quarterback?
Enough teams appear to be intrigued by Young's talents and pleased with his Pro Day performance that he jumps six spots in this week's first-round Mock Draft for NFLDraftScout.com.
MOCK DRAFT 5.0: Round 1
Pick Team Player Pos. School Previous Rising/Falling High/Low
1. Texans Reggie Bush RB Southern California 1st SAME 1st / 1st
Scouts lump Bush among some of the all-time great running back talents, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders, O.J. Simpson and Gale Sayers. The Texans aren't going to pass on the opportunity to add such a rare talent.
2. Saints D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT Virginia 4th (+2) 2nd / 6th
The Saints love Ferguson and, if forced to, would likely take him here. But with QB Matt Leinart considered by many teams to be the second best talent in this draft, New Orleans is hoping it can trade down a few spots and still get its man.
3. Titans Matt Leinart QB Southern California 3rd SAME 2nd / 3rd
Should Leinart be here, the Titans won't waste much time in getting to the podium. Unfortunately for the Titans, the Saints' willingness to trade out of the second pick means another team could swoop in and steal the former Trojan. Will the Titans move up a spot to guarantee the Norm Chow-Leinart reunion? If not, the Titans could still take Steve McNair's preferred protege, Vince Young, or focus on needs along the lines.
4. Jets Mario Williams DE North Carolina State 2nd (-2) 2nd / 5th
Some are speculating that the Jets won't consider Williams here because coach Eric Mangini will almost surely be installing the 3-4, which doesn't require much pass rushing from its defensive ends. That said, Williams' size and athleticism have drawn comparisons to Richard Seymour. Mangini knows as well as anyone the impact Seymour has had on New England's defensive success.
5. Packers A.J. Hawk OLB Ohio State 5th SAME 5th / 7th
Hawk is considered by many to be the safest pick of the draft due to his rare combination of size, athleticism, instincts and work ethic. He would be an immediate fan favorite in Green Bay and would give the Packers another stud linebacker to team with Nick Barnett.
6. 49ers Vernon Davis TE Maryland 6th SAME 6th / 10th
For better or worse, the 49ers' success is tied to quarterback Alex Smith. For Smith to improve in his sophomore season, he'll need weapons. Davis, a tight end with 4.3 speed, has a chance to be special.
7. Raiders Vince Young QB Texas 13th (+6) 3rd / 13th
The Raiders have high hopes that Andrew Walter, a 2005 third-round pick from Arizona State, is their quarterback of the future. That said, Vince Young's Pro Day performance was good enough to spur plenty of teams' interest in the former Longhorn. The Raiders, with several holes to fill, could be open to trading down and might hold the key to Young being selected in the top 10.
8. Bills Broderick Bunkley DT Florida State 8th SAME 8th / 10th
Bunkley continues to move up the charts, and his combination of strength and burst off the snap makes him a great fit in the new Buffalo defensive scheme.
9. Lions Winston Justice OT Southern California 9th SAME 9th / 16th
With three veteran quarterbacks on the roster and many of the impact defenders off the board, the Lions might finally be in position to address the offensive line. Justice could be conceived as a bit of a reach here, but he would present a better pass blocking option than current starting right tackle Kelly Butler.
10. Cardinals Haloti Ngata DT Oregon 12th (+2) 10th / 18th
The Cardinals have the skill position players to make a significant jump in the standings. However, the Cardinals are still sorely lacking for talent and consistency along the lines. Ngata is the draft's best run-stuffing tackle and would fill an immediate need.
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1. Rams Michael Huff DB Texas 7th (-4) 7th / 11th
To make a move back into contention for the NFC West crown, the Rams have to compete with the passing attacks featured by Seattle and Arizona. Even with the addition of free agent Corey Chavous, the Rams' defensive backs have to be more athletic and better tacklers — two of Huff's strengths — if this defense is to improve in 2006.
12. Browns
Manny Lawson OLB North Carolina State 18th (+6) 12th / NR
The free agent addition of Willie McGinest lessens the Browns' need for pass rushers, but it doesn't eliminate it. Lawson has a spectacular combination of size and speed and could provide the Browns with a rookie season similar to the ones shared by the top two 3-4 hybrids from last year, Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware.
13. Ravens Jay Cutler QB Vanderbilt 10th (-3) 4th / 13th
Teams are all over the board on Cutler, which could facilitate a slight drop down the board for the former SEC star. The Ravens are looking to add some competition for Kyle Boller and have closely scouted this year's passers. Quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel joined the Baltimore scouting staff at the Senior Bowl, where Cutler shined.
14. Eagles LenDale White USC Southern California 32nd (+18) 14th / 32nd
White might be the mystery man of the first round as teams love his bullish running style, but squads are concerned about reports of his immaturity. Certainly the Eagles have other needs to consider, but the former USC back could provide them with the tough running this team has lacked for years.
15. Broncos
(from Falcons) Chad Jackson WR Florida 17th (+2) 15th / 29th
The trade with Atlanta gives Denver a pick in the top half of the first round. With needs at receiver and defensive end, the Broncos could have their choice of prospects at this point. Jackson continues to rise up the board, and the lack of depth at the position makes him the more likely selection here.
16. Dolphins Jason Allen S Tennessee 22nd (+6) 22nd / NR
Allen will be perceived by some as a bit of a reach here, but after proving his health at the NFL Combine with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, teams are reverting back to their pre-injury grades on the former Tennessee star. Coach Nick Saban is quite familiar with the former first-team All-SEC star and, with veteran Lance Schulters testing free agency, Allen fills a need.
17. Vikings Ernie Sims OLB Florida State 14th (-3) 14th / 23rd
The Vikings are still looking to add linebackers with the speed to play in their Cover-2 scheme. Sims showed his 4.50 speed at the NFL Combine and has drawn comparisons to Derrick Brooks, considered by many to be the prototype Cover-2 linebacker.
18. Cowboys Kamerion Wimbley DE/OLB Florida State 15th (-3) 12th / 18th
With the addition of free agents Terrell Owens and Jason Fabini, the Cowboys likely will be looking for another pass rusher with this choice. They are clearly gearing up for a Super Bowl run this season, and Wimbley would provide an immediate impact opposite young star DeMarcus Ware.
19. Chargers Johnathan Joseph CB South Carolina 16th (-3) 16th / 30th
The Chargers have certainly tried to address the cornerback position in the past, as they employ three former first rounders there. Unfortunately, Quentin Jammer, Sammy Davis and Jamar Fletcher only snared three interceptions between them in 2005. Scouts are concerned that Joseph has only 14 starts at the D-I level, but some feel he'll eventually prove to be the top cover corner from this class.
20. Chiefs
(from Bills) Tye Hill CB Clemson 31st (+11) 15th / 31st
After releasing Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon, the Chiefs will strongly consider top cornerback prospects with their first-round pick. Hill's explosive speed likely assures him of being selected in the top 25, even if teams are wary of his small frame (5-foot-10, 185).
21. Patriots Bobby Carpenter OLB Ohio State 21st SAME 21st / NR
The Patriots rarely draft for need, but with a hole at linebacker and the versatile, instinctive Carpenter on the board, the pick makes too much sense not to be given strong consideration. Besides, with five picks in the top 105, the Patriots have plenty of opportunities to address other needs.
22. Broncos
(from Redskins) Jimmy Williams CB/FS Virginia Tech 11th (-11) 11th / 22nd
Williams wasn't as dominant at his Pro Day as expected and struggles with consistency, but some feel he is the draft's most gifted defensive back. The Broncos are deep enough to consider him at either cornerback or free safety, two areas they would like to add depth. td>
23. Buccaneers Eric Winston OT Miami 19th (-4) 19th / NR
Even with the re-signing of Kenyatta Walker, addressing the pass blocking prowess of the offensive line remains a priority for the Bucs. Winston would provide the club with immediate depth at tackle, and another year removed from his torn ACL Winston could return to his pre-injury days — when he was rated higher than D'Brickashaw Ferguson by some NFL scouting departments.
24. Bengals Donte Whitner Ohio State 24th SAME 24th / NR
Even with the recent free agent addition of Dexter Jackson, the Bengals would be wise to snare Donte Whitner if he's available. Whitner, blessed with spectacular speed for a safety, could be the missing element on an athletic Cincinnati defense. Tight end remains the Bengals' biggest need, but most scouts feel the only player at the position worthy of a first-round selection is Davis, who won't make it out of the top 10.
25. Giants DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis 27th (+2) 21st / 27th
Tiki Barber finished only 20 yards behind Shaun Alexander for the league's rushing title in 2005, but depth behind him is woefully thin. Williams, the NCAA's career leader with 7,573 all-purpose yards, is a similar prospect who would give the team depth and someone for Barber to eventually pass the torch to.
26. Bears Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State 26th SAME 24th / 26th
Santonio Holmes is slipping as teams study his film more closely. However, his big-play ability would make a great deal of sense for a Chicago offense in need of playmakers.
27. Panthers Chad Greenway OLB Iowa 25th (-2) 12th / 31st
Greenway is slipping down the board a bit due to surprisingly average workout numbers, but the former Hawkeye likely won't slip past Carolina, which is in need of linebackers with Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short moving on.
28. Jaguars Nick Mangold C Ohio State 28th SAME 28th / NR
Brad Meester is a solid center and, just as important, the team feels he can slide over to guard. Vince Manuwai was a disappointment at left guard last year; so Jacksonville might jump at Mangold, a rare center almost universally graded as a first-round talent.
29. Jets
(from Broncos) Marcus McNeill OT Auburn 23rd (-6) 23rd / NR
Rumors persist that the Giants are considering terminating the $6 million base salary of current tackle Luke Petitgout. McNeill is a bit of an enigma, as he has top-10 talent but tends to play down to his level of opponent. Regardless, he is still 6-8, 335 pounds and hasn't given up a sack since his freshman year.
30. Colts Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota 30th SAME 24th / 30th
Maroney's vision and smooth running style make him a natural fit for the Colts, who are looking toward the draft to replace Edgerrin James.
31. Seahawks Kelly Jennings CB Miami NR (NR) 24th / NR
Though he is considered one of the top man-to-man cornerbacks in the draft, Jennings' lack of size could drop him down the board. Seattle, which elected to release 2005 starter Andre Dyson, will look to the draft for defensive back depth and would be pleased to see Jennings still available.
32. Steelers Sinorice Moss WR Miami NR (NR) 32nd / NR
With the loss of Antwaan Randle El, the Steelers will be looking for an athletic wideout to play in the slot. At 5-8 and 185 pounds, Moss might lack the size teams like, but he is certainly a big-play threat. |
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