Danno

http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl...ockdraft/1.html
Mock Draft Last updated 2/17/2005

1 (1) 49ers Aaron Rodgers* QB Cal.
The 49ers are desperate to trade down to address their many needs, but no other team wants this pick. Rodgers is a nice prospect but not a no-brainer No. 1 overall pick. He has terrific arm strength and good accuracy, and he would be an instant upgrade over Tim Rattay or Ken Dorsey.
Team needs: QB | DE | WR | RB | NT | OT | S | OLB | CB

2 (2) Dolphins Cedric Benson RB Texas
The Dolphins also could go after a free agent to fill their glaring backfield need and might trade down from this spot. If they stay here, Benson would help them replace Ricky Williams, another former Longhorn, with a powerful and explosive talent.
Team needs: G | RB | DT | QB | S | CB

3 (3) Browns Derrick Johnson OLB Texas
Linebackers were key to the success of Browns coach Romeo Crennel's defense in New England, and Johnson's versatility makes him a solid cornerstone around whom to build. A sideline-to-sideline speedster, Johnson excels as a solid tackler, blitzer and cover man.
Team needs: QB | LB | G | OT | CB | S | DE | P

4 (4) Bears Braylon Edwards WR Michigan
Most teams won't show much interest in trading for one of the top three picks, but this is the spot where a trade could be possible. Picks 4-8 are hot commodities. If they stay here, the Bears would go for the top playmaker.
Team needs: QB | OT | WR | RB | G | LB | TE | CB | K

5 (5) Buccaneers Carnell Williams RB Auburn
Some prefer Auburn teammate Ronnie Brown, but the Bucs' coaches fell in love with Williams while coaching him at the Senior Bowl. If the Bucs sign a free-agent running back, they would look at a wide receiver or trade down to grab an offensive lineman.
Team needs: RB | TE | WR | K | G | QB | NT

6 (6) Titans Antrel Rolle CB Miami (FL)
Rolle, cousin of Titans corner Samari Rolle, is the right choice for the team's secondary -- to either replace Samari or Andre Dyson. Antrel (6-0, 205) is a big, physical corner with the man-to-man coverage skills to succeed in Jeff Fisher's defense.
Team needs: WR | OT | CB | OLB | ILB | RB | DE

7 (7) Raiders Ronnie Brown RB Auburn
Perhaps the best all-around back in this class, Brown would resuscitate the Raiders' running game. His combination of speed, power and versatility give him big-play ability as a rusher and a receiver.
Team needs: RB | DE | C | S | WR | OLB | ILB

8 (8) Cardinals Adam Jones* CB W.Va.
If Utah QB Alex Smith is still on the board, it will test coach Dennis Green's love for Josh McCown. Jones is fast and tough, and he could team with Duane Starks to form a nice cornerback combo and allow David Macklin to be the nickel back.
Team needs: RB | CB | QB | TE | NT | DE | OT | DT

9 (9) Redskins Mike Williams* WR USC
Despite a year off, Williams remains an explosive and dynamic receiver with elite size, strength, hand-eye coordination and body control. He could complement Laveranues Coles and be the big-play threat missing in the Redskins' passing game.
Team needs: WR | DE | C | G | QB | TE | OT | CB

10 (10) Lions Erasmus James DE Wis.
James is a risk-reward prospect because of his history of injuries, but he's the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Another option might be Virginia tight end Heath Miller, who could free-fall in the first round if Detroit or Minnesota doesn't bite.
Team needs: S | OT | DE | LB | G | TE | WR


AND THIS IS A BIT INTERESTING....
16 (16) Saints Alex Smith* QB Utah
QB Aaron Brooks has needed a kick in the backside for years, and the selection of Smith would push Brooks to become the elite quarterback he is capable of being -- or accelerate his departure. Smith would be a great value pick here.
Team needs: LB | G | S | CB | RB | OT | C


[Edited on 18/2/2005 by Danno]

Danno

I could live with this, IF we addressed a couple of areas in free agency, namely a run stuffing DT, an upper-tier LB, and an adequate replacement for Vickey Riley.

saintswhodi

I posted a mock withthat pick before. At any rate, I also said then if we address other needs in FA.

Saint_LB

Just another AB basher with an ag--da!

4saintspirit

Maybe -- just maybe we could get the same result as the Chargers did with Brees after drafting Rivers. Of course AB would probably just whine about being dissed -- and it wouldn\'t make any difference in his passion for playing -- but if you read the article you would see that it would work both ways -- make him play like the top QB he could be or hasten his departure -- why is that AB bashing - -because it didn\'t use the phrase god and AB in the same sentence?

turbo_dog

I don\'t think he\'ll last that long, but if he does I think its a great pick. Sure, we have other needs, but I\'d be happy with having him be our #1. If you\'ve ever seen this kid play, you know why. Not only is he athletic, but he is smart. He finished his bachelor\'s degree in two years!

Check out this small report.
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2005/...lex_smith.html

FireVenturi

Whats funny is that this mock has every team need listed except Qb and it has us takin a QB. How many times i shall say this DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. Think about the last 5. Pats, Pats, Bucs, Pats, Ravens.

mutineer10

That would actually be par for the Saints course. How many years did we ignore CB & LB in the draft when EVERYBODY knew (and was saying) that\'s what we needed?

That being said, I would consider QB a need. Agreeing with the previous mentions of agressive free agency, of course.

FireVenturi

Yep we all know offense wins championships ask the pats, bucs, and ravens

[Edited on 19/2/2005 by FireVenturi]

JKool

First, I agree with this in part. AB doesn\'t seem like one of those guys who would be greatly motivated by competition. I\'m not convinced, on the other hand, that he would fold the way Gator suggests. It is true that he doesn\'t take criticism by the press well, but it is not clear to me that he played worse when Blake got healthy or when Jake was here compared to this year when he had no substantial competition (in fact, he even trailed off some).

Second, I\'m not opposed to taking Smith, but ONLY IF we get an OT, an LB (or two) and one of either a Safety or Corner in Free Agency FIRST (I think it was Whodi who noted this the first time it came up, and I think I agree with him). Otherwise, since there should be at least one top two player from one of those positions left by pick 16, I\'d probably be a little cheezed with this pick. Furthermore, if we take a rookie, I\'d vote to keep AB one more year while our rook develops - rookie QBs taken around that pick number tend to be pretty poor in their first year or two.

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks