No draft in recent memory has lacked a consensus at the top as
much as this one.
Reggie Bush is regarded universally as the best player in
the draft and destined to go to the Texans with the first pick, but after
that there are no locks. Nevertheless, The Owl will sally forth with his own
mock draft here in Mock Draft Week on the Orange and Brown Report.
The Texans need a spark in their offense and Bush can provide
it. The only question is how well he can take the pounding in the NFL.2. New Orleans Saints - Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Saints hold the key to the top of the draft. They could
trade the pick to the Jets for additional help. They could take tackle
D'Brickashaw Ferguson or defensive end Mario Williams. We're going with
Leinart because Drew Brees' contract makes him essentially a one-year player
for the Saints.3. Tennessee Titans - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Taking tackles high is a risk, but if Leinart is off the board
the Titans should address their offensive line. They won't reach for Vince Young.4. New York Jets - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Davis is far and away the best receiver of any kind in the
draft. The 49ers need a target for last year's top pick Alex Smith.7. Oakland Raiders - Vince Young, QB, Texas
This is a risky
pick. Young will need time to develop and learn NFL defenses. The Raiders
have had three straight losing seasons, and Al Davis is not known for being
patient.
8. Buffalo Bills - Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
Coach Dick Jauron says Ngata does not fit his defense. Bunkley
does. The Browns like Bunkley, but the Bills might jump on him first.9. Detroit Lions - Michael Huff, S, Texas
Kind of like kicking the smoking habit, Lions president Matt
Millen will kick the habit of drafting wide receivers in the first round.
Huff is not only the best safety in the draft. He's the best DB in the
draft.10. Arizona Cardinals - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
The Rams will be praying Arizona passes on a quarterback again
because they would love Cutler. Williams is the best cover cornerback in the
draft.12. BROWNS - Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB Florida State
Wimbley is bigger than Manny Lawson or Ernie Sims - two other
outside linebackers the Browns would consider at 12. I like the pass rush
potential of Willie McGinest on the left side and Wimbley on the right. They
could take inside linebacker Abdul Hodge in the second round and become a
good defense in a hurry. Picking Wimbley would mean passing on Haloti Ngata.
Phil Savage says this draft is deep in nose tackles.13. Baltimore Ravens - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
The Ravens need a replacement for Maake Kemoeatu.
The 49ers, Bills and Browns will think strongly before passing on Ngata.
14. Philadelphia Eagles - Lendale White, RB, USC
Donavan McNabb needs help on offense. White can be the one to
take the heat off him. Most mocks have White going lower than this, but he
was a touchdown machine in college.15. Denver Broncos - Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
The Vikings might choose Chad Greenway instead. Sims weighs only
220 pounds and might be a year away from being an impact player.18. Dallas Cowboys - Donte Whittier, FS, Ohio State
The Chiefs will never be a Super Bowl contender until they play
better defensively.21. New England Patriots - Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
The Patriots won't find another Willie McGinest with the 21st
pick, but Greenway could step in immediately.22. Denver Broncos (from Redskins) - DeAngelo Williams, RB,
Memphis
The Bengals showed last season that they could score, but they
allowed 350 points - 49 more than the Browns allowed.25. New York Giants - DeMarco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
Outside linebacker in this draft is a matter of taste. The
Browns could take Ryans as high as 12, or he could fall to the Giants. Ryans
is very good against the run.26. Chicago Bears - Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
The Bears hope Hill falls this far. Hill is not big, but he is
quick. If he is gone the Bears will look at Jonathan Joseph, also a
cornerback, or tight end Leonard Pope.27. Carolina Panthers - Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
The Jaguars can have their pick between Bobby Carpenter and
Manny Lawson. They won't go wrong either way.29. New York Jets - Max Jean-Giles, OG, Georgia
The Jets will get shut out on D'Brickashaw Ferguson with the
fourth pick, so they'll take a guard on this pick acquired from the Broncos
through Atlanta in the John Abraham trade.30. Indianapolis Colts - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
The Colts couldn't keep their offense together
forever. Edgerrin James left for big bucks in Arizona so the Colts need
another running back. The Jets might take Maroney at 29. If they don't, the
Colts will.
31. Seattle Seahawks - Joseph Jonathan, CB, South Carolina
Despite the bad officiating, the Seahawks might have won the
Super Bowl had they done a better job in pass coverage. Jonathan could be
the player they need.32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami
The Steelers need a receiver after losing Plaxico Burress in
2005 and Antwaan Randle El this offseason. This is not a strong receiver
class, so the Steelers will take Moss in the first round.
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The Owl is a big freaking bird who lives in a nest overlooking the Cleveland Browns Berea practice facilities. When not chasing around small rodents, the Owl likes to fly through open windows, find an available computer, and type out weekly OBR commentaries with his beak. The Owl's hobbies include trying new vole recipes and dodging anti-aircraft fire. |