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1. 49ers Alex Smith* QB Utah 1st SAME 1st / 24th
Niners' officials have arrived at two conclusions: 1) They won't be able to trade down and 2) The team cannot win in the short term. So, the 49ers should take the QB with the most upside and develop him slowly. Smith could sit behind Tim Rattay in 2005 and learn without undo pressure and not take a beating behind a rebuilding offensive line. Smith has a strong arm, outstanding athleticism and winning intangibles.
2. Dolphins Ronnie Brown RB Auburn 2nd SAME 2nd / 25th
Nick Saban is a defensive-minded coach, but he has final say on all personnel matters. He needs a workhorse back to make his conservative, ball-control offense work. Brown, with his great combination of power and speed, is tough to tackle and also excels as a receiver.
3. Browns Derrick Johnson OLB Texas 6th (+3) 3rd / 6th
Romeo Crennel wants to build the New England way defense first. Johnson is the consensus best defensive prospect in this draft. Outside linebacker is key to the success of Crennel's 3-4. Johnson, a great athlete, also shows terrific natural football instincts.
4. Bears Braylon Edwards WR Michigan 4th SAME 1st / 4th
Chicago will take the biggest playmaker on the board. Some say Mike Williams would be the top receiver choice, but Edwards is faster and has a better character grade. Edwards, in addition to his solid frame, has great hands and the potential to become an All-Pro wideout. He immediately would become the Bears' best offensive player.
5. Buccaneers Carnel Williams RB Auburn 5th SAME 4th / 25th
Coach Jon Gruden says he never can have enough offensive cogs. The public favorite is Tampa native Mike Williams, but the Bucs are in more need of a workhorse back. This Williams has the body to take the pounding and the speed to be a home-run threat.
6. Titans Aaron Rodgers* QB California 3rd (-3) 1st / 16th
Despite what Titans officials say, the team is rebuilding. Although Jeff Fisher is a defensive-minded coach, GM Floyd Reese will make this call. Rodgers would sit behind Steve McNair, learn without undue pressure and keep from taking a beating behind a shoddy offensive line.
7. Vikings
(from Raiders) Mike Williams* WR USC 7th SAME 5th / 21st
The Vikings rebuilt their defense through the free-agent market and trades and would look to replace some of Randy Moss' production here. Williams is big (6-4 5/8, 229), physical and fast enough to create mismatches all over the field.
8. Cardinals Cedric Benson RB Texas 8th SAME 2nd / 8th
The Cardinals have outstanding young receivers, upgraded their offensive line with free agents and have put a Band-Aid on QB. Coach Dennis Green covets a power running back, and Benson has both the size (222 pounds) and will to run hard between the tackles and both the great vision and speed to get outside. Benson would balance the offense and take pressure off Kurt Warner.
9. Redskins Adam Jones* CB West Virginia 9th SAME 8th / 32nd
After trading Champ Bailey last year and losing free-agent Fred Smoot this year, the Redskins now have a glaring need at cornerback. Jones lacks great size (5-9 5/8) but is a big-time playmaker with a confident, winning attitude. He tends to gamble, but his risky decisions usually pay off. Jones would need to become a better assignment corner in Gregg Williams' disciplined defense.
10. Lions Antrel Rolle CB Miami (Fla.) 10th SAME 6th / 13th
Facing the Vikings and Packers twice a year in the pass-happy NFC North, Detroit is forced to use nickel personnel about two-thirds of the time on defense. Rolle (6-0 5/8, 197, 4.49) raises his good size and decent speed with impressive intelligence and instincts.
11. Cowboys Troy Williamson* WR South Carolina 11th SAME 7th / 2nd round
With the first of two first-round picks, the Cowboys can get the missing piece in their attempt to re-create the QB-RB-WR Triplets magic of the '90s shifty Julius Jones and strong-armed Drew Bledsoe are the other two ingredients. Williamson would become Bledsoe's top deep threat and open things up for Jones, Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson underneath.
12. Chargers
(from Giants) Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma 12th SAME 11th / 2nd round
San Diego would be thrilled if Clayton still were on the board here. Clayton, drawing comparisons to Marvin Harrison, is a playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field. He is a bit undersized (5-10 3/8, 193) but shows elite speed, hands and agility.
13. Texans Alex Barron OT Florida State 13th SAME 5th / 14th
The Texans would be happy beneficiaries if Barron slides this far down. Huge (6-7½, 320) with outstanding athleticism, he excels in pass protection. Barron might struggle, however, if he must play right tackle because he isn't a great run blocker. He still should start as a rookie.
1. 49ers Alex Smith* QB Utah 1st SAME 1st / 24th
Niners' officials have arrived at two conclusions: 1) They won't be able to trade down and 2) The team cannot win in the short term. So, the 49ers should take the QB with the most upside and develop him slowly. Smith could sit behind Tim Rattay in 2005 and learn without undo pressure and not take a beating behind a rebuilding offensive line. Smith has a strong arm, outstanding athleticism and winning intangibles.
2. Dolphins Ronnie Brown RB Auburn 2nd SAME 2nd / 25th
Nick Saban is a defensive-minded coach, but he has final say on all personnel matters. He needs a workhorse back to make his conservative, ball-control offense work. Brown, with his great combination of power and speed, is tough to tackle and also excels as a receiver.
3. Browns Derrick Johnson OLB Texas 6th (+3) 3rd / 6th
Romeo Crennel wants to build the New England way defense first. Johnson is the consensus best defensive prospect in this draft. Outside linebacker is key to the success of Crennel's 3-4. Johnson, a great athlete, also shows terrific natural football instincts.
4. Bears Braylon Edwards WR Michigan 4th SAME 1st / 4th
Chicago will take the biggest playmaker on the board. Some say Mike Williams would be the top receiver choice, but Edwards is faster and has a better character grade. Edwards, in addition to his solid frame, has great hands and the potential to become an All-Pro wideout. He immediately would become the Bears' best offensive player.
5. Buccaneers Carnel Williams RB Auburn 5th SAME 4th / 25th
Coach Jon Gruden says he never can have enough offensive cogs. The public favorite is Tampa native Mike Williams, but the Bucs are in more need of a workhorse back. This Williams has the body to take the pounding and the speed to be a home-run threat.
6. Titans Aaron Rodgers* QB California 3rd (-3) 1st / 16th
Despite what Titans officials say, the team is rebuilding. Although Jeff Fisher is a defensive-minded coach, GM Floyd Reese will make this call. Rodgers would sit behind Steve McNair, learn without undue pressure and keep from taking a beating behind a shoddy offensive line.
7. Vikings
(from Raiders) Mike Williams* WR USC 7th SAME 5th / 21st
The Vikings rebuilt their defense through the free-agent market and trades and would look to replace some of Randy Moss' production here. Williams is big (6-4 5/8, 229), physical and fast enough to create mismatches all over the field.
8. Cardinals Cedric Benson RB Texas 8th SAME 2nd / 8th
The Cardinals have outstanding young receivers, upgraded their offensive line with free agents and have put a Band-Aid on QB. Coach Dennis Green covets a power running back, and Benson has both the size (222 pounds) and will to run hard between the tackles and both the great vision and speed to get outside. Benson would balance the offense and take pressure off Kurt Warner.
9. Redskins Adam Jones* CB West Virginia 9th SAME 8th / 32nd
After trading Champ Bailey last year and losing free-agent Fred Smoot this year, the Redskins now have a glaring need at cornerback. Jones lacks great size (5-9 5/8) but is a big-time playmaker with a confident, winning attitude. He tends to gamble, but his risky decisions usually pay off. Jones would need to become a better assignment corner in Gregg Williams' disciplined defense.
10. Lions Antrel Rolle CB Miami (Fla.) 10th SAME 6th / 13th
Facing the Vikings and Packers twice a year in the pass-happy NFC North, Detroit is forced to use nickel personnel about two-thirds of the time on defense. Rolle (6-0 5/8, 197, 4.49) raises his good size and decent speed with impressive intelligence and instincts.
11. Cowboys Troy Williamson* WR South Carolina 11th SAME 7th / 2nd round
With the first of two first-round picks, the Cowboys can get the missing piece in their attempt to re-create the QB-RB-WR Triplets magic of the '90s shifty Julius Jones and strong-armed Drew Bledsoe are the other two ingredients. Williamson would become Bledsoe's top deep threat and open things up for Jones, Jason Witten and Keyshawn Johnson underneath.
12. Chargers
(from Giants) Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma 12th SAME 11th / 2nd round
San Diego would be thrilled if Clayton still were on the board here. Clayton, drawing comparisons to Marvin Harrison, is a playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field. He is a bit undersized (5-10 3/8, 193) but shows elite speed, hands and agility.
13. Texans Alex Barron OT Florida State 13th SAME 5th / 14th
The Texans would be happy beneficiaries if Barron slides this far down. Huge (6-7½, 320) with outstanding athleticism, he excels in pass protection. Barron might struggle, however, if he must play right tackle because he isn't a great run blocker. He still should start as a rookie.