The Draft is 12 days away, but after months of intense scouting and detailed observement I have come up with the #1 Mock Draft in the country, check it out.1.Houston: Reggie Bush RB USC – No reason for them to not select Bush the only way Bush isn’t a Texan come April 29th is if they opt to trade down, and that’s gonna take one hell of a deal to pry them from the no. 1 spot.
2.New Orleans: Mario Williams DE NC State – Although they already have two solid DE’s in Charles Grant and Will Smith the Saints were still 31st in the league last year in sacks. Selecting Super Mario would instantly make them a top 15 team in that category as Williams is one of the best edge rushers since Julius Peppers with his size, strength, and speed. Grant has the size and frame to bulk up possibly and play DT. With a defensive line consisting of Grant, Smith, and now Williams, the Saints will finally have a very solid core group of guys to build their defense around.
3.Tennessee: Matt Leinart QB USC – With the signing of Drew Brees to New Orleans this pushes Leinart down to pick no. 3 and reunites him with former USC Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow. Current stud backup Billy Volek seeks to be a starter and doesn’t plan on resigning when his contract is up. McNair will not play forever and seams to be heading towards retirement very soon. The Titans have some young solid talent at the skilled positions on offense including RB Chris Brown, WR’s Drew Bennett, recently signed David Givens, and also TE Ben Troupe. Leinart will have a lot of weapons once he becomes the starter in Nashville.
4.New York Jets: D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT Virginia – The Jets are in dire need of a starting LT to help protect the often-injured Pennington. Jets fan are happy to see one of the better OT prospects in recent years fall to the 4th pick. A win/win situation as Ferguson is arguably the best player available and also fills a huge need for New York.
5.Green Bay: AJ Hawk LB Ohio State – The Packers have lacked a face for their defense since the Reggie White days. Adding Hawk who is a perfect fit for the frozen tundra would finally give the Green Bay defense some toughness. Hawk has everything you ask for in a Linebacker which is why people are saying he’s the most complete LB
since LaVar Arrington.
- San Francisco: Vernon Davis TE Maryland -Rookie QB Alex Smith really struggled last year producing the worst offense in the league. The 49ers offense really lacked playmakers and their biggest one Brandon Lloyd, departed this off-season via trade to Washington. Adding Davis who is a freak of nature at 250+ pounds and still managing to run a 4.38 at the combine.
- Oakland: Vince Young QB Texas – Everyone knows Al Davis loves speed and wild
picks so Vince Young fits right in here. He is highly athletic and a bit of a gamble here
for any team to take him as he has a load of potential but also a high bust factor. Davis
gambles, and selects Young to be his new QB after recently cutting ties with Kerry
Collins. Recently signed Aaron Brooks will be a good mentor to Young as it seams
Brooks should be the starter in Year 1 and let Young observe his rookie season.
8. Buffalo: Brodrick Bunkley DT Florida State – Bunkley’s stock has been soaring
ever since the Senior Bowl and after another solid workout at his pro-day he has just
debuted in my top 10. The Bills new Head Coach Dick Jauron prefers his DT’s to be
smaller and more athletic emphasizing speed. Bunkley is 6’2 306 and runs a 4.94. He is
extremely cut and has incredible strength recently displayed as he was 1 bench press shy
of tying the record for reps at 225 lbs with 44. Adding Bunkley will help shore up one of
the league’s worst Run Defenses last year.
9. Detroit: Michael Huff DB Texas – After spending the past four 1st round picks on
offensive players it is time for the Lions to finally get a defensive playmaker. Current
cornerbacks Dre Bly and Fernando Bryant were often injured this year and Detroit doesnt
have much at safety either so adding Huff who can play both positions will be a huge
addition to their defense.
10. Arizona: Jay Cutler QB Vanderbuilt – Having finally addressed their huge need at
RB the Cardinals still lack a top-tier QB to complete their offense. Kurt Warner can no
longer be trusted to stay healthy for more than a month so should he go down the Cards
would have virtually no one to replace him. Adding Cutler will give this offense a solid
young nucleus of him, Fitzgerald, and Boldin now throw in Edgerrin James for at least
the next 4 years and you could be looking at a potentially top-5 offense for many years to
come.
11. St Louis: Haloti Ngata DT Oregon – With guys like Huff and Davis off the board
the Rams opt to add this mammoth of a man in Ngata. Former 1st round picks Damione
Lewis and Jimmy Kennedy have been huge busts and recently signed Laroi Glover is on
the downside of his career. Ngata is 6’5 338 and will help improve that soft Rams
interior defense.
12. Cleveland: Ernie Sims LB Florida State – The Browns have lacked a defensive
playmaker/leader since their return and adding the ferocious Sims who is looking to take
players heads off everytime he steps foot on the field could finally give this defense an
identity. Phil Savage was very successful in Baltimore with another intimidating LB out
of the state of Florida who many people thought would be too small for the NFL in Ray
Lewis. Sims draws a lot of comparions to Lewis both having smaller figures, but very
athletic and an intensity level that is matched by very few.
13. Baltimore: Tye Hill CB Clemson – The Ravens get a true shutdown corner in Hill to
replace all of their aging corners (Dale Carter, Samari Rolle, and retired Deion Sanders)
Hill is very physical for his size and has the speed (4.30 – fastest at Combine) to keep up
with any WR in the league stride for stride.
14. Philadelphia: Winston Justice OT USC – With current OT Tra Thomas aging and
facing many injuries it is important the Eagles find a young replacement for him. Justice
is the most athletic OT in this draft and has the potential to go top 10 but falls due to
teams choosing defenders the past couple picks.
15. Denver (from Atlanta): Chad Jackson WR Florida – Rod Smith is aging and
Ashley Lelie, although solid, has never turned out to be the true #1 WR they hoped for.
Jackson has everything you look for in a great WR, size, speed, and amazing hands.
16. Miami: Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State – The Dolphins recently brought in
Holmes for a personal workout and word is that they came away very impressed. Outside
of Chris Chambers Miami doesnt have much at WR. Giving newly acquired QB Daunte
Culpepper another weapon will make the native Floridan very happy. Holmes, who is
also a native Floridan himself, is very fast and is best with his ability to run after the catch
and take any given play to the house.
17. Minnesota: Chad Greenway LB Iowa – The Vikings finally get a playmaker at the
LB position with the very intelligent and athletic Greenway who excels in pass coverage
and also racked up over 150 tackles last season.
18. Dallas: Jimmy Williams DB Va. Tech – The Cowboys have a big hole in their
secondary at one of their safety spots. Williams is a big defensive back who has the
versatility to play both CB and S but will likely be used as a S next to Roy Williams in
Dallas. Adding the Hokie will complete their secondary and give them possibly one of
the best in the league with Newman, Henry, Roy Williams, and now Jimmy.
19. San Diego: Antonio Cromartie CB Florida State – With Quentin Jammer never
living up to his no. 5 overall selection in the 2002 draft and the club recently trading away
their 2003 1st round pick CB Sammy Davis, the Chargers are in need of another young
DB. Cromartie is one of the most physically gifted athletes in this entire draft and has
loads of potential. Had he stayed his Sr. year and played the whole season he would of
likely been a top 5 pick next year so getting him at pick 19 is a steal.
20. Kansas City: Kamerion Wimbley DE Florida State – The Chiefs are thought to be
really high on the fast-rising Wimbley. After solid workouts Wimbley has worked his
way into the top 20 picks and is the pass rusher the Chiefs have been searching for.
21. New England: Bobby Carpenter LB Ohio State – Ideal 3-4 OLB with great size
and speed, is a solid pass rusher and also can contribute heavily against the run.
22. Denver (from Wash.): Donte Whitner S Ohio State – John Lynch considered
retirement this year but decided to come back, even with him the Broncos still dont have
much at Safety so adding Whitner would give this already great Bronco D another
playmaker.
23. Tampa Bay: Marcus McNeil OT Auburn – They add this mammoth to open holes
for the Caddy and keep Simms off the IR.
24. Cincinnatti: Leonard Pope TE Georgia – The Bengals grab their TE to complete
their offense. Pope is 6’8 with a 4.6 40, adding him could make this the no. 1 offense in
the league with a healthy Carson Palmer.
25. New York Giants: DeMeco Ryans- The Giants get a very smart LB in Ryans whose
intelligence and instincts make up for his lack of ideal size and athleticism.
26. Chicago: Jonathan Joseph CB South Carolina – With Jerry Azumah’s sudden
retirement the Bears are now in need for a young CB to play alongside Nathan Vasher and
Charles Tillman. Joseph is one of the fastest players in this draft and can help right away.
27. Carolina: LenDale White RB USC – Word is the Panthers told White not to run at
his pro-day and plan to select him here to compliment the often injured Deshaun Foster.
John Fox is a very run-oriented coach so adding another big back would make a lot of
sense.
28. Jacksonville: Thomas Howard LB UTEP – Howard with good size (6’3 240) and
speed (4.42) will be a solid OLB replacement to Akin Ayodele who signed with Dallas.
29. New York Jets (From Denver): DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis – Williams’ lack
of size and big-play competition cause him to fall this far as well as the fact that not many
teams need a young RB nowadays. The Jets however are one team that really does with
Curtis Martin knocking on retirement’s door.
30. Indianapolis: Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota – A perfect replacement to the
Edge. Maroney will stay indoors after playing for the Gophers in the Metrodome.
31. Seattle: Ashton Youboty CB Ohio State – Having a rush defense rank among the
top 10 in the league and a pass defense in the later 20’s its no surprise why the Seahawks
opt to go Corner here especially after losing Andre Dyson to Free Agency. Youboty has
all the physical tools to be an elite corner now he just needs to develop his skills and
reach his potential.
32. Pittsburgh: Sinorice Moss WR Miami – The perfect replacement to Antwaan
Randle El. Moss can fill in as the slot receiver and now hold punt return duties.
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