AR's UPDATED Complete First Round Mock (3/14/06 Version)

With some big signings and trades, I thought it was time for an update. This may be outdated again in a week, but here's my current projection:

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: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
I still see Cutler being selected above Matt Leinert, and the Jets will be glad to get him.

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: D'Brickshaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
They will be tempted to go with monster TE Vernon Davis, but Alex Smith won't mind having Ferguson watching his back.

7. Oakland Raiders: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
Al Davis won't be able to pass up the California Golden Boy. With Kerry Collins gone, Leinart could be a starter as a rookie.

8. Buffalo Bills: Vernon Davis, TE, Georgia
J.P. Losman could use a big, fast target over the middle to help with his development. Davis is a great fit.

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: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Cardinals need a pass rusher. Hali a bit of a reach here, but he should compete for a starting job as a rookie.

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: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
Browns will be thrilled to see the massive Ngata here at this point. Will be a great fit as the NT.

13. Baltimore Ravens: Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
The addition of the fast-rising Jacobs will mark the beginning of the end for Kyle Boller.

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. Atlanta Falcons: Broderick Bunkley, DT, FSU
Falcons need help in run defense. Bunkley should contribute early.

16. Miami Dolphins: Jimmy Williams, CB, VaTech
With the departure of Sam Madison, Miami needs DB help. They will be shocked and thrilled to see Williams here.

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

18. Dallas Cowboys: Winston Justice, OT, USC
Cowboys need some young blood for aging O line.

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):
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
Broncos add a pass rusher to play opposite Courtney Brown.

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. Denver Broncos: Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia
Need for youth on Broncos aging O line prompts a bit of a reach.

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

31. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Winston, OT, Miami
Need to add a young prospect to compete for RT spot.

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

If the first 10 picks played out that way, I'd be on the phone to Cleveland asking them how much they want for us not to take Ngata. We can have Bunckley, Greenway, Williams or Hill at the next pick and they'd really like a big DT for their defense.

That's not a bad thought, though I try to avoid predicting trades. Makes things too complicated.

Agreed. That said, I'd be pretty happy to see us choose Ngata.

If Pickett signs elsewhere and things play out this way, you could get your wish.

I'm assuming Pickett is going to sign somewhere else.

Something tells me Sean Payton (New Orleans Coach) will take the freak Vernon Davis with the 2nd pick in order to help out his new QB Drew Brees, looking at what he did with Gates back in San Diego.

Interesting thought. I think that would make Davis the highest selection for a TE ever. There are rumblings that New Orleans might want to trade out of the spot, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AvengerRam

Interesting thought. I think that would make Davis the highest selection for a TE ever. There are rumblings that New Orleans might want to trade out of the spot, too.

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The highest a TE has ever been selected is 5th. And that has happened twice.

1961 - Bears - Mike Ditka - drafted #5
1972 - Broncos - Riley Odoms - drafted #5