Nick's Late March Two Round Mock Draft (not 56k friendly)

[Nick]

I feel pretty comfortable with the first round, but the second was tougher than I thought. Feedback and constructive criticism is welcome.


ROUND ONE

1. Houston Texans
Reggie Bush, RB, USC
5'10" - 201 lbs - Junior

Houston could probably use D'Brick more, but he's not deserving of being selected ahead of a talent like Bush, IMO. This guy is electrifying, and more important, will put fans in the stands in Houston.

2. New Orleans Saints
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
6'6" - 312 lbs - Senior

There's a lot of talk about the Saints being interested in Mario Williams. That may be the pick, but I think they should go with Ferguson and shore up Brees' blind side protection for years to come.

3. Tennessee Titans
Matt Leinart, QB, USC
6'4" - 225 lbs - Senior

Will Norm Chow suggest selecting his old college QB to be his man in the pros? With Vince Young slipping on some draft boards, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Titans go Leinart here.

4. New York Jets
A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
6'1" - 248 lbs - Senior

If Eric Mangini is planning on running a 3-4 system in New York, then he's going to need more help at linebacker. AJ Hawk is a guy who should definitely be able to come in and start right away for the Jets.

5. Green Bay Packers
Mario Williams, DE, NC State
6'7" - 295 lbs - Junior

Despite retaining Aaron Kampman, Super Mario is the best player available at this spot, and the Packers would be wise to take him and former a very solid rotation on their defensive line.

6. San Fransisco *****
Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
6'3" - 263 lbs - Junior

The ***** signed Alex Smith to a $50 million deal as the #1 overall pick last year. Now they just have to surround him with some weapons, and Vernon Davis is the best one on the board.

7. Oakland Raiders
Vince Young, QB, Texas
6'5" - 229 lbs - Junior

Like it or not, Aaron Brooks is not the franchise quarterback that Oakland is looking for. While Al Davis isn't known for using first round picks on QBs, he will love Young's potential for the next level.

8. Buffalo Bills
Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
6'4" - 338 lbs - Junior

Ngata might not be the typical Tampa 2 defensive tackle, but I don't believe that Brodrick Bunkley has passed him in the rankings, and Ngata certainly has the athleticism and power that the Bills should be looking for.

9. Detroit Lions
Michael Huff, DB, Texas
6'0" - 204 lbs - Senior

Oh how I wish the Lions wouldn't select Huff here so he can fall to St. Louis. That said, it's too early for Winston Justice, and the Lions do have a big hole at the free safety position.

10. Arizona Cardinals
Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
6'3" - 226 lbs - Senior

The Cardinals signed Kurt Warner to a three year contract extension, but let Josh McCown go elsewhere. With no one to really groom as the franchise QB, Cutler is a good investment in the future.

11. St. Louis Rams
Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
5'9" - 185 lbs - Senior

The Rams have a number of solid CBs on the roster, but no true difference maker. Clemson's Tye Hill is the best cover corner in this draft, and could be the "shut down" defender the Rams really lack.

12. Cleveland Browns
Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB, Florida State
6'3" - 248 lbs - Senior

Some think Manny Lawson is a mid first round hybrid DE, but there seems to be a lot of buzz around Kamerion Wimbley as the better 3-4 OLB, which is just the kind of thing Cleveland's defense needs.

13. Baltimore Ravens
Winston Justice, OT, USC
6'6" - 319 lbs - Junior

The Ravens had offensive line concerns through the 2005 season, and then decided to release Orlando Brown. Another top offensive tackle would be welcomed, and fortunately, Justice is available.

14. Philadelphia Eagles
Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
6'2" - 306 lbs - Senior

The Eagles had to be fairly disappointed in the performance of their interior D-line in 2005. They lost Corey Simon to the Colts, and while they did draft a DT late in round one last year, Bunkley won't be passed up.

15. Denver Broncos (f/ATL)
Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
6'0" - 213 lbs - Junior

How much longer can Denver fans expect Rod Smith to play? And when he does retire, what do they have behind him on the depth chart? Jackson should contribute immediately and start in the near future.

16. Miami Dolphins
Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech
6'2" - 213 lbs - Senior

Jimmy Williams' stock is falling, but I'm not sure the Dolphins will be able to pass up on him. They have holes at safety, which may in fact be Williams' better position at the pro level.

17. Minnesota Vikings
Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State
5'11" - 231 lbs - Senior

Sims is rising quickly up draft boards and could in fact be the highest rated outside linebacker after Hawk. The Vikings need to upgrade the linebacker position, even after signing Ben Leber to a five year deal.

18. Dallas Cowboys
Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
5'10" - 204 lbs - Junior

The Cowboys were able to address a number of needs in free agency, but failed to find the ideal safety to start next to Roy Williams. Whitner's stock is on the rise, and he should certainly fit that bill.

19. San Diego Chargers
Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn
6'7" - 336 lbs - Senior

The Chargers' depth at tackle looks even worse now that they lost Courtney VanBuren to the Lions. McNeill is a massive tackle who can be groomed as a future starter to protect Philip Rivers.

20. Kansas City Chiefs
Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
6'2" - 208 lbs - Junior

After a disappointing combine, Cromartie showed at his pro day that one bad workout does not a player make. His size and athleticism will be good additions in the AFC West.

21. New England Patriots
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
5'9" - 201 lbs - Senior

It's hard to gauge where DeAngelo may go, but with other teams filling needs at RB, I think he could easily slip to New England, where he'd be a no-brainer pick for a team in need of insurance at the RB position.

22. Denver Broncos (f/WAS)
LenDale White, RB, USC
6'0" - 238 lbs - Junior

The Denver-native comes home as Mike Shanahan breaks tradition and decides to take a running back in the first round. Besides, can he really count on Ron Dayne as a starter?

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
6'2" - 242 lbs - Senior

Hard pick to project, but I think at this point, the Bucs' best option is to take Greenway, who should make for a nice beefy combo when paired next to Barrett Rudd in the not-so-distant future.

24. Cincinnati Bengals
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
6'5" - 256 lbs - Senior

The Bengals have, what, three defensive ends on their roster? Mathias' stock slipped a bit when he got dominated by Ferguson at the Senior Bowl, but he's still a good pick here for the Bengals.

25. New York Giants
Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
6'2" - 256 lbs - Senior

Defensive tackle is a concern after losing Kendrick Clancy to Arizona, but if the Giants can't bring in LaVar Arrington, then they'll need a linebacker to start next to Antonio Pierce.

26. Chicago Bears
Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
5'10" - 179 lbs - Junior

The Bears have bigger needs in the secondary and at tight end, but I think a player like Holmes is too good to pass up for a team that, like it or not, doesn't have a stellar receiving corps.

27. Carolina Panthers
Eric Winston, OT, Miami
6'6" - 310 lbs - Senior

The Panthers realized a while back that Jordan Gross was better suited for the right side, and since then have been looking for someone to compliment him at left tackle. Winston could certainly develop into that guy.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars
DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
6'1" - 236 lbs - Senior

The Jags want to acquire a linebacker to replace Akin Ayodele, who left Jacksonville for Dallas. They may lose out on the LaVar Arrington bidding war, but Ryans is certainly nothing to be sneezed at.

29. New York Jets (f/ATL via DEN)
Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
6'3" - 300 lbs - Senior

The Jets desperately need to improve their offensive line. They decided to part ways with Kevin Mawae, and selecting Mangold would allow them to keep Pete Kendall at guard.

30. Indianapolis Colts
Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
5'11" - 217 lbs - Junior

Showing good speed and adequate hands during drills at his pro day, Laurence Maroney is an ideal pick for a team that just lost their franchise running back in free agency.

31. Seattle Seahawks
Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
6'3" - 275 lbs - Senior

Hali may not have the ideal measurables that teams are looking at, but the Seahawks value hard working players with good intangibles. That's a description Hali fits perfectly.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Manny Lawson, OLB, NC State
6'5" - 241 lbs - Senior

The range where Manny Lawson could go is fairly wide. But if the Steelers can get him at the bottom of the first, I believe it will be a huge addition to an already talented team.


ROUND TWO

33. Houston Texans
Jon Scott, OT, Texas
Local product Scott provides good depth on the O-line.

34. New Orleans Saints
Thomas Howard, OLB, UTEP
Saints signed Fujiti but still need help at LB.

35. New York Jets
Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, California
Adrian Jones and Marko Cavka are far from ideal starters.

36. Green Bay Packers
Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
Packers need a long-term answer at the RB position.

37. Oakland Raiders
Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
Simpson is a definite upgrade over Cooper and Schweigert.

38. San Fransisco *****
Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State
Potential first rounder that is great value here.

39. Tennessee Titans
D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland
Titans need a MLB with Brad Kassell a free agent.

40. Detroit Lions
Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa
The missing piece to what could be a great group of LBs.

41. Arizona Cardinals
Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
Would make a great pair with Adrian Wilson.

42. Buffalo Bills
Darnell Bing, S, USC
Should compete for the spot vacated by Lawyer Milloy.

43. Cleveland Browns
Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
Nice fit as a nose tackle in Cleveland's 3-4 defense.

44. Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina
Joseph provides good depth to a depleted Ravens secondary.

45. Philadelphia Eagles
Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami
Best receiver on the board for a team in need of a playmaker.

46. St. Louis Rams
Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
Pope should be a great red zone target for the Rams.

47. Atlanta Falcons
Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
Losing Kevin Shaffer makes tackle a draft priority.

48. Minnesota Vikings
Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami
Good character corner for a team that needs secondary depth.

49. Dallas Cowboys
Max Jean-Gilles, G, Georgia
Massive guard who could be groomed to replace Larry Allen.

50. San Diego Chargers
Daniel Bullocks, S, Nebraska
Chargers added McCree, but could still use quality youth.

51. Minnesota Vikings (f/MIA)
Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma
Joseph provides good depth and could compete for a starting job.

52. New England Patriots
Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State
The Patriots would welcome another strong physical corner.

53. Washington Redskins
Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh
Is Mike Pucillo really the guy to replace Ray Brown?

54. Kansas City Chiefs
Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State
Chiefs need an upgrade, and Hagan can make an immediate impact.

55. Cincinnati Bengals
Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
One of the few holes on the Bengals offense is addressed here.

56. New York Giants
Claude Wroten, DT, LSU
After losing Clancy, depth on the line is a must.

57. Chicago Bears
Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas
Dante Wesley's signing does not negate the need for a CB.

58. Carolina Panthers
Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado
Another weapon for a dangerous Panthers offense.

59. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College
Huge player who excels in the running game.

60. Jacksonville Jaguars
Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
Versatile tight end that should take over for Kyle Brady.

61. Denver Broncos
Ray Edwards, DE, Purdue
Big talented end will add valuable youth for Denver.

62. Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Lewis, DT, Virginia Tech
Colts need more depth after losing Larry Tripplett.

63. Seattle Seahawks
Anwar Phillips, CB, Penn State
'Hawks cut Andre Dyson, so depth is needed.

64. Pittsburgh Steelers
Martin Nance, WR, Miami (OH)
If Wilson starts beside Ward, who plays behind them?

[RamsFan16]

You really think Greenway will fall that far?

[Nick]

I see him anywhere in the late teens to mid twenties right now, so yeah.

[RamsFan16]

What about if we take for instance VD or Huff or Hill what are the odds that we could trade up if he isnt' taken by the 21st pick and take him? I mean would yoU?

[Nick]

Trade up from the second round? Hypothetically, if we wanted to trade up from the second round to 21st overall to select Greenway, it would cost us pretty much the remainder of our draft picks, according to the trade value chart. We could include picks from next year, but I think there's enough depth in this draft where we don't need to do that at all.

[HUbison]

How can I argue with a fellow graduate of the Scott Wright School of Draft Philosophy? :tongue:

[Nick]

Yeah, the mock does resemble his latest projection with a number of picks, but I had the first round completed this last weekend, and he uploaded his new one on Monday. I was actually pretty bummed whenever he had Wimbley going to the Browns because that was supposed to be my kind-of surprise pick of the first round. :-\

[Tony Soprano]

I hope you're wrong. I hope our Front Office seizes the opportunity and gets Huff. Many things can be done... Including having a team draft him and then trade him to us.

Nick,

Do you think Minnesota takes a Guard in Round 2 when they just got Hutchinson from Seattle? With Hutchinson's contract and then Round 2 pay .. they'll be tying up a lot of money in Guards..

I agree with you, I think the Cardinals will be looking to get one of those top 3 QBs in round 1 and chances are one will fall to them at 10.

.

[Rampage39]

I love the Leonard Pope pick in the second. Hes huge and fast. The dude could probably outjump any defender anywhere on the field. However, given his massive size, I would like to see him better blocking from him.

[chiguy]

I'm in love with the idea of Leonard Pope in the second round. I just kind of doubt he'll actually be there.

[tomahawk247]

I'm in love with the idea of Leonard Pope in the second round. I just kind of doubt he'll actually be there.

These were my exact thoughts

[MartialRAM]

11. St. Louis Rams
Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
5'9" - 185 lbs - Senior

The Rams have a number of solid CBs on the roster, but no true difference maker. Clemson's Tye Hill is the best cover corner in this draft, and could be the "shut down" defender the Rams really lack.

So...basically you are saying we are taking an undersized DB as our first. Just say no to drugs.

I usually respect your opinion, not that that would matter, but you are right up there with us taking Cutler in the first. No way in hell.:tongue:

[RamsFan16]

He isn't on drugs its his opinion but I agree. I'm sick of seeing undersized DBs. We have plenty of them. Groce, Butler, Fisher

[Nick]

So...basically you are saying we are taking an undersized DB as our first. Just say no to drugs.

I usually respect your opinion, not that that would matter, but you are right up there with us taking Cutler in the first. No way in hell.:tongue:

Wow, way to respectfully disagree. :tut

[MartialRAM]

Wow, way to respectfully disagree. :tut

LOL...I like to respectfully disagree with a bit of humor...