1. HOUSTON TEXANS
REGGIE BUSH RB | Southern Cal | Scouting Report
The Texans "earned" this pick by losing a number of close games in bizarre fashion down the stretch and thus won "The Reggie Bush Sweepstakes", as the battle among the leagues worst teams for the top pick had been labeled. In all reality it isn't a question of if Houston will take the star running back from USC, but rather should they? This is a team that has numerous holes to fill, most notably up front along the offensive line, and a running back in Domanick Davis that has rushed for about 1,000+ yards in each year of his career who they just recently rewarded with a new $21.1 million contract extension. There is no doubt that Reggie Bush would make any team better, but for this franchise drafting him is simply not a sound strategy. Bush is a rare athlete who scouts describe as "special" and he can dominate a game with explosive plays as a runner, receiver and return man. However with the Texans he will have to split carries with Davis and won't even help out as a kick returner because they already have a Pro Bowler there in rookie Jerome Mathis. If they want to make the flashy pick and appease the fans they will take Bush, but if they want to make the right football decision they would move down for a package of draft picks and take Ferguson. From all accounts it looks like the team plans to select Bush but you have to wonder how much of an impact he will be able to have for this team with precious few weapons around him and limited opportunities to get his hands on the ball.
2. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
MATT LEINART QB | Southern Cal | Scouting Report
This would be the ideal scenario for New Orleans as it addresses their most glaring needs both on as well as off the field. From a football standpoint there is little doubt that they need to bring in a top young quarterback now that the final chapters of the Aaron Brooks era have been written. You also can't underestimate the value this selection would provide the franchise from a public relations standpoint either though, as bringing in a high-profile player and Heisman Trophy winner to be the face of the franchise is exactly what the doctor ordered for this beleaguered fan base. By now everyone knows all about Leinart and how he wins National Championships, passes up being the #1 pick a year ago to return to school for his senior season, etc. so I will save you the details. While he doesn't have amazing physical tools Leinart is simply a winner with intangibles that are off the charts, a la Tom Brady,
and an added bonus is that he is ready to come in and start right now. This is a match made in NFL Draft Heaven and even if they had the top overall pick Leinart would almost assuredly be their choice so to still be able to land him here at #2 is outstanding for the Saints. Don't rule out other teams potentially trying to trade up ahead of New Orleans to steal him away but that would be extremely costly and the Texans probably don't want to move down anyway. Get out a pen and write down "New Orleans Saints - Matt Leinart, QB, USC" because as long as he is available when they pick it is a done deal. Would Leinart pull an Elway / Eli and say he doesn't want to play for a team with so many issues though? Just speculation and something to think about over the next few months...
3. TENNESSEE TITANS
VINCE YOUNG QB | Texas | Scouting Report
After last year's salary cap purge the Titans are now in full rebuilding mode which means there are a lot of directions they could potentially go with this pick. What may turn the tide in the favor of Vince Young though is the teams desire to look for the best talent available and Young's relationship with their current signal caller. Steve McNair met Young while he was attending the Titan quarterbacks football camp as a sophomore in high school and since then has taken him under his wing and been described as a father figure to the Longhorn standout. There is a good chance that McNair may retire but if Young is brought in you'd have to think Steve would stick around at least another year to help mentor and help groom his replacement. There is simply no denying Vince Young's talent and he probably has as high of an upside as any prospect that has come along in the last 10-20 years.
However he also has a major downside and is just as likely to be a bust of epic proportions as he is to turn into a transcendent star. There is always risk when it comes to the NFL Draft, it just so happens that in Young's case the stakes are as high as ever. A phenomenal athlete with excellent size and running abilities, Young is able to do things on the football field that others don't dare dream of.
However he is also extremely raw as a passer, has an unconventional delivery, lacks great arm strength and will likely need to sit and learn for a year or two before he is ready to play in the NFL. Offensive tackle is also a concern with Brad Hopkins likely to be moving on so D'Brickashaw Ferguson is a very real possibility here as well, but in the end the McNair factor and Young's potential might be the deciding factor.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html