2005 NFL Mock Draft

I am pleased to bring my version of the 2005 Mock Draft. The NFL draft is still 20 days away and the choices are still a bit blurry, but this is how I see it shaping up.

The San Francisco 49ers select:

Aaron Rodgers (QB-California) The 49ers are in desperate need of a quarterback. The last decent one they had was the Jeff Garcia, who now is a bonafide back-up to Joey Harrington in Detroit. The 49ers have the opportunity to trade the first pick of the draft to the Chargers for Phillip Rivers though, who in my opinion is a better prospect than any QB in the draft. How ever this plays out, the 49ers will surely have a Quarterback by the end of the round one if not before. Don’t expect their new QB to save the 49ers upcoming season though. The team will struggle tremendously just to get to 5 and 11 for the 2005 season.

The Miami Dolphins select:

Ronnie Brown (RB-Auburn) , the Dolphins need to make up for the loss of Ricky Williams and salvage any chance of creating some kind of offensive chemistry. Brown is a solid running back with a great ability to find a hole in the offensive line and burst through it. The Dolphins offense will be somewhat revived this year, but I expect them to only finish with 7 wins, 8 tops.

The Cleveland Browns select:

Alex Smith (QB-Utah) The Browns are also a team that has Quarterback issues. Smith likely will not start this upcoming year, but he’ll back up a shaky Trent Dilfer. The Browns are also looking to trade down for an offensive lineman like Alex Barron or a defensive playmaker like Antrel Rolle. After all of the off-season pick-ups though, I expect the Browns to finish somewhere around 7 and 9 this year.

The Chicago Bears select:

Cedric Benson (HB-Texas) The Bears need some offense, and the acquisition of Mushim Muhammad helped, but drafting Benson may go a long way in solving the offensive funk they were in last year. Benson is a strong running back that the Bears can count on to make a significant contribution this year. However don’t count out the possibility that the Bears may take a WR instead of drafting Benson, and stay with Thomas Jones at RB. I don’t think that a WR is their major concern though, after picking up Mushim Muhammad. The Bears will end up at about 6 and 10 this year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select:

Mike Williams (WR-USC) The Bucs are probably wondering whether to draft Cadillac Williams or Mike Williams, but in reality Mike Williams is the better choice. Williams showed great character in his private workout, and amazing hands along with decent speed and great route running ability. Mike Williams will join last years draft pick Michael Clayton, another talented WR who is a rising star. These two WR will be a force to be reckoned with, and expect the Bucs to go about 7 and 9.

The Tennessee Titans select:

Adam Jones (DB-West Virginia) Jones is a great cover cornerback and will add playmaking abilities to a struggling secondary, now that Samari Rolle is gone. Jones is one of the fastest players in the draft and has great athletic ability. His ability to help with run support and make big tackles would be a treat to any secondary. This pick will help the Titans partially make up for a bunch of off-season losses (Fred Miller, Derrick Mason, and Andre Dyson), but not all of them. I expect them to go about 7 and 9 or higher, depending on the health of Steve McNair.

The Minnesota Vikings select:

Braylon Edwards (WR-Michigan) The Vikings need another weapon to make up for the loss of Randy Moss. Edwards anchored the Michigan Wolverines for the last 2 years and is more than ready to make up for Moss in the NFL. Edwards is a big strong physical WR who has playmaker potential. Braylon also has a father who played in the NFL if that counts for anything. I predict the Vikings to end up at 9 and 7 this season.

The Arizona Cardinals Select:

Antrel Rolle (DB-Miami) The Cardinals desperately need to improve their secondary. And they can do that with a shutdown corner like Rolle, who also can be an overall defensive playmaker. Scouts say Rolle is very strong, physical and aggressive, and can make a big impact in helping stop the run. Other Mock Drafts have the Cardinals taking a running back in this slot, but I think Dennis Green is going to wait for one in the 2nd round. The Cardinals still struggle next season though; they end up 6 and 10.

The Washington Redskins select:

Troy Williamson (WR-South Carolina) The Redskins can add Williamson to their pass offense, teaming up with Santana Moss for a solid one-two punch. Williamson is fast, and is bigger than the average WR, and he’s also known to stretch the field and be very explosive. Williamson was also one of the most productive wide outs in the SEC last year, and I expect him to help the Redskins to improve to 7 and 9 this year.

The Detroit Lions select:

Derrick Johnson (OLB-Texas) The Lions are going to become a force to be reckoned within the upcoming years. Johnson is an extraordinary player; he has great instincts and is an exceptional tackler. He will certainly improve the Lions defense with his playmaking and coverage abilities. I expect the Lions to be an much improved team this year, finishing at 8 and 8.

Note: Braylon Edwards and Mike Williams may be swapped, along with Antrel Rolle and Adam Jones.

Now for the rest of my predictions for picks 11-32:

Dallas Cowboys-Shawne Merriman, DE, Maryland

San Diego Chargers- Marcus Spears, DE, L.S.U.

Houston Texans- Alex Barron, OT, Florida St.

Carolina Panthers- Cadillac Williams, RB, Auburn

Kansas City Chiefs- Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn

New Orleans Saints- Thomas Davis, S-OLB, Georgia

Cincinnati Bengals- Travis Johnson, DT, Florida St.

Minnesota Vikings- Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin

St. Louis Rams- Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington

Dallas Cowboys- Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Jacksonville Jaguars- David Pollack, DE, Georgia

Baltimore Ravens- Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma

Seattle Seahawks- Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma

Green Bay Packers- Brodney Pool, S, Oklahoma

Denver Broncos- Demarcus Ware, DE, Troy

New York Jets- Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska

Atlanta Falcons- Shaun Cody, DT, USC

San Diego Chargers- Roddy White, WR, U.A.B.

Indianapolis Colts- Justin Miller, CB, Clemson

Pittsburgh Steelers- Heath Miller, TE, Virginia

Philadelphia Eagles- Darryl Blackstock, OLB, Virginia

New England Patriots- Channing Crowder, ILB, Florida