AR Mock Draft (3/22/06 Update)

[AvengerRam]

With some more free agent signings and a big trade, its time for an update:

1. Houston Texans: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
While there will be talk about a trade, and concerns about Bush's ability to play on every down, in the end the Texans won't want to be the team that passes on a guy with Bush's talent.

2. New Orleans: Mario Williams, DE, NC State
Green Bay will push to trade up here, but the Saints will stick with the pick and take Williams to replace departed DE Darren Howard.

3. Tennessee Titans: Vince Young, QB, Texas
After losing steam following Wonderlikgate, Young will impress in workouts and will be the choice to replace aging Steve McNair.

4. New York Jets: D'Brickshaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
The Jets need to build from the ground up. LT is a good place to start.

5. Green Bay Packers: A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State
With Williams gone, they will select the top remaining defensive player in the draft. Will be an instant impact player for the Packers.

6. San Francisco Niners: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
Alex Smith needs more targets, and Davis is the top receiver in the draft, despite playing the TE position.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Al Davis may take a shot with Aaron Brooks, but he'll want a contingency plan. Cutler too good to pass up.

8. Buffalo Bills: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
After failing to land Ryan Pickett, the Bills will add Ngata to bolster run defense.

9. Detroit Lions: Michael Huff, S, Texas
Huff will start from day 1 at FS and could be one of the top defensive rookies in 2006.

10. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinert, QB, USC
Leinert's free-fall ends in an unlikely spot. Kurt Warner asks "why me" as yet another franchise QB is drafted to sit in his shadow.

11. St. Louis Rams: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
Ram add this tackling machine to their improving LB corps. Will start on the strong side with Witherspoon (MLB) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (OLB).

12. Cleveland Browns: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, FSU
Fast rising Bunkley will be a welcome addition in Cleveland.

13. Baltimore Ravens: Antonio Cromartie, CB, FSU
Another Seminole who has improved his draft status with impressive workouts.

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
While Eagles didn't miss TO's BS, they missed his playmaking abilities. Jackson is a great prospect.

15. Denver Broncos: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Broncos need help at DE. Hali's workouts don't tell the story. He's a player.

16. Miami Dolphins: Winston Justice, OT, USC
Having signed Will Allen, Dolphins can turn to the offensive line and select a player who can protect Duante Culpepper.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
A good value as DBs fall to the middle of the first round.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Jimmy Williams, CB, VaTech
It will take a state the size of Texas to accomodate the egos of Williams and teammate TO.

19. San Diego Chargers: Santonio Holmes, WR, OhioState
Chargers need more playmakers on the outside, particularly now that they have settled on beginning the Rivers Era.

20. Kansas City Chiefs: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
After years of ignoring defense, Chiefs are building strong LB corps.

21. New England Patriots: Manny Lawson, OLB/DE, NC State
A tweener who will fit well in Patriots 3-4 schemes replacing Willie McGuinest.

22. Denver Broncos (from Washington): Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
Will be Jake Plummer's understudy and will ultimately thrive under Mike Shanahan.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
Not an exciting pick, but a solid one.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
A need based selection for a team that is weak in DB.

25. New York Giants: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
Tiki Barber can't remain a top back forever, and Williams will be a great understudy/eventual starter, much as Larry Johnson was in Kansas City.

26. Chicago Bears: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
Bears' need a TE and will jump at Pope.

27. Carolina Panthers: Lendale White, RB, USC
Injury problems at RB will make this an easy choice, and a very good one.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Jaguars need a young playmaker in the backfield.

29. New York Jets: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
Jets will try to fill the void left by departure of John Abraham with Kiwanuka.

30. Indianapolis Colts: Ernie Sims, LB, FSU
A good fit in a Dungy-style defense.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia
Will try to replace Chad Hutchinson. A tough job.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bobby Carpenter, OLB/DE, Ohio State
Will be a good fit in the Champs' defensive scheme.

[RamsFan16]

"NOTHING BUT MONEY!!! OOHHH MONEY!"

I like the Rams pick. Good job man!

[RamJackson39]

lol. If Tennessee passed on Leinart for Young, Norm Chow would have a heart attack.

[AvengerRam]

I still think Young will impress at his Pro Day, while Leinert will not.

[Nick]

I agree with RJ39. Chow would likely be livid if the Titans passed on Leinart to go with Young. But I know how Av likes to shake things up with his mocks.

[r8rh8rmike]

Could Detroit afford to pass on Leinert if he fell to them?

[RamJackson39]

I still think Young will impress at his Pro Day, while Leinert will not.

Leinart played for Chow though. It's the same system used at USC. Chow would feel more comfortable with Leinart than he would with Young.

[RamJackson39]

This may seem weird. I dont think Omar Jacobs going to Denver is a stretch. The words Maurice Clarret are ringing in my ears right now.

[serkicker32]

why do I get the feeling that if this happens that RF16 will pass out from excitment? good thing he's to young to have a heart attack

[HUbison]

I agree with RJ39. Chow would likely be livid if the Titans passed on Leinart to go with Young. But I know how Av likes to shake things up with his mocks.

I agree. I certainly appreciate that AV likes to go out on a limb with his mocks, and yea, it does give a breath of fresh air to the standard mock.

Having said that, if the Titans take Young with both Cutler and Leinert on the board, I'll be surprised. Norm Chow will revolt for passing his boy, Leinert. And the town of Nashville will revolt for passing on their home-grown talent, Cutler. Granted, there is a tight bond, kind of mentor thing, between McNair and Young, but I'd be surprised to say the least if Young is wearing the blue sword next season.

[AvengerRam]

I think USC's Pro Day is one of the last, taking place in early April. If Leinert performs better than I expect he will, perhaps he could go to Tennessee, though, quite frankly, if I'm wrong about Young I would expect that Cutler will be the guy who will go there.

My next Mock Draft and Draft Board, which I'll do after all of the Pro Days end, will be my final pre-draft (subject to adjustments to account for any trades) prognostications.

[rams_fan81]

This may seem weird. I dont think Omar Jacobs going to Denver is a stretch. The words Maurice Clarret are ringing in my ears right now.

You do know Omar Jacobs is QB and went to a MAC team, he didn't get a lot of publicity. But his name isn't Brodie Croyle either.

[RamJackson39]

You do know Omar Jacobs is QB and went to a MAC team, he didn't get a lot of publicity. But his name isn't Brodie Croyle either.

Yeah, I like Omar Jacobs a lot. He's got a good arm and a lot of talent. I dont think he's as NFL ready as a guy like Croyle, Cutler, or Leinart but he's got a lot of talent and should turn out as one of the best QB in this draft.

[Chiledog]

With the strengthening of our LB corps through free agency, I think we have got to draft to fill our biggest weakness, and that is in the defensive backfield. According to your mock draft, we are in a position to pick up the top DB in the draft. You don't believe we will go for that?

[RAM-BO]

Could Detroit afford to pass on Leinert if he fell to them?

I don't think they could afford to pick him up. They have McCown, Kitna, and S. King.