Here's my latest set of darts - lets see where they land. No Vince Young, No Quinn, No Santonio Holmes No Joe Thomas otherwise juniors were fair game.1 Houston - Reggie Bush, RB, USC - Houston can not pass up the chance to add this possible instant superstar to a sagging franchise. Dom Davis is tradeable with a modest contract for his production level (while healthy), and they can be a nightmare RBBC for the time being if no suitable trade partner is found. The most important factor here is that the Texans owner must sense that the fanbase is getting restless and Bush would be a shot in the arm for the buzz level of this franchise.2 New Orleans - Matt Leinart, QB, USC - Would go perfectly with a move to LA? Either way, the Saints are hurtin at QB, and Adrian McPherson is still too raw to pencil in as QB of the future. Leinart can start from day one and he's proven as much as you can at the college level. He may not wow with his arm or athletic ability, but he just gets the job done.3 New York Jets - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, UVA - Fabini is likely a cap casualty and Ferguson can step right in and be that franchise LT to protect whomever the Jets march out there at QB. At worst, Ferguson will be a top notch smaller, more athletic end - the kind that can hang with speed rushers and work well in space. If he fills out, he can be one of those guys that swallow defensive players whole in addition to the terrific athleticism for a guy his size. Some durability issues, but the upside is unquestioned.4 Green Bay - A.J. Hawk, LB, OSU - I go back and forth on the Pack taking a Williams (Jimmy/Mario) or taking Hawk at this pick. Today, it feels like Hawk. Mario Williams may be the best player available here, and Jimmy Williams fits a greater need, but Hawk brings pure football instincts that are unrivaled on the defensive side of the ball in this draft, and that's something that I think will catch the eye of Jim Bates, who just could be the head coach in Green Bay next year after the excellent job he did bringing that ragtag defense together. 5 San Francisco - Mario Williams, DE, NC State - Williams is not the best fit in a 3-4 D where his pass rush skills would be wasted with the two gap responsibilities of a DE in the 3-4, but he could definitely be lined up like Merriman and Ware to harness his pass rush ability and bring even more to the table that these super rooks with his massive frame. I trust Mike Nolan to be inventive enough to use this physical freak to wreak havoc on the edge. Physically, he's the best DE prospect since Peppers in my book, and he's doing a lot better job of getting that motor going lately.6 Tennessee - Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn - Tennessee should be in position to take their favorite tackle from McNeill/Winston/Scott/Thomas (if he declares) tier. They are all excellent physical prospects with their own set of questions that will have better answers come draft day. Im slotting McNeill first because he's the got the best raw materials to work with in the Pace/Ogden like frame/athleticism combo - the kind that can cause a solar eclipse. McNeill will need killer instinct and polish to get there, but he's got a shot.7 Oakland - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon - Ted Washington is almost as old as George at nose tackle. Haloti can pick up where Washington and Sapp are leaving off at this late point in their careers. Jimmy Williams would make sense if Charles Woodson is not a Raider in 2006.8 St. Louis - Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech - The Rams could use help all over the secondary, and players with williams' size and speed combination don't come along too often. Williams can shown he can handle free safety and cornerback responsibilities. Williams may have to get a little smoother to handle Torry Holt in practice, but he's got a fighting chance against Boldin and Fitzgerald, which is something few corners could say. If he doesn't work out at safety because of a lack of instincts/fluidity, he still projects to be an elite free safety who could have an Ed Reed like impact. 9 Buffalo - Eric Winston, OT, Miami - Mike Williams has officially failed to become the franchise LT the Bills hoped he would be, so it's Winston's turn. His knee will get a good look in the Spring, and if it checks out, he's worth a top 10 pick. Like McNeill, Winston is still raw, but has flashed the kind of size/athleticism combo that is rare among OTs and has a shot at being elite if he can get 100% from the knee injury. 10 Arizona - Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green - I really have no idea if Jacobs is coming out, but i think Arizona will take him here if he does. Jacobs is physically imposing at QB and in 2004, he looked like a future superstar QB. 2005 brought struggles and a shoulder injury, so going back to school could be the better decision for Jacobs to try to go into the draft with momentum and straighten out some mechanics issues. Still, If Young and Quinn return as I project, Jacobs will be facing the possibility of being the #3 QB in 2007 no matter how well he plays instead of being the #2 QB in this class. 11 Detroit - Mattias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College - Kiwanuka has the length and pure athleticism to have a Javon Kearse/Jason Taylor type impact on the edge of a 4-3 D. James Hall came on at the end of the year, but overall Detroit is hurting at DE. An LB like Greenway would make sense too.12 Cleveland - Rod Wright, DT, Texas - Wright does not have the bulk to play at NT, which is the most pressing need on D in Cleveland, but his penetration and burst in what is still a very large frame will bolster the defense and give the mediocre LBs more opportunities to make plays. 13 Baltimore - Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa - Greenway would be a sick addition to the Ravens at WLB with his size/speed combo and ability to make plays all over the field. DT is also a need and possibly even RB depending on how they play the Chester Taylor/Jamal Lewis FA situations.14 Philadelphia - Demeco Ryans, LB, Alabama - The Eagles get little in the way of playmaking from the OLB positions, but Ryans has the grit and focus to make an impact. From a game play standpoint, he's every bit the player that Hawk and Greenway are, but he doesn't have the impressive physical packages they possess. If Philly doesn't address WR in free agency, a WR could be possible here.15 Miami - Michael Huff, DB, Texas - Huff projects to be an excellent free safety or cornerback, like Jimmy Williams he played multiple positions in college. Huff brings big play ability in coverage to the table, and his versatility makes him more useful in a weak secondary. 16 Minnesota - DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis - I was enamored with the Maroney/Vikes combo earlier this season, but I can't justify Maroney going before Williams. Williams *should* go higher, but I don't see RB as a big enough need for most of the teams picking in the top half of the first. The Vikes get a steal and an instant running game in the form of Williams.17 Atlanta - Darnell Bing, S, USC - the middle of the falcons defensive backfield is a mess, with Bryan Scott getting demoted and retreads like Keion Carpenter and Ronnie Heard starting. Bing has the ability to follow in the footsteps of Polamalu and Ronnie Lott if he stays healthy. 18 Kansas City - Claude Wroten, DT, LSU - The Chiefs could use help getting more penetration and Wroten has the explosiveness to shoot the gap in KC's 4-3 scheme. The Chiefs could also make plans for the post-Roaf era with Jonathan Scott, or take a WR.19 Dallas - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt - Time to start planning for the future in Dallas. I like the foundation of toughness and experience Cutler has. Bledsoe can man the fort for 2006 while Cutler works out the kinks.20 Denver (from Washington) - Laron Landry, S, LSU - Landry doesnt quite have the versatility of Huff and Williams, but he's probably on their level as a FS prospect. John Lynch has had a nice couple of years, but its time to start grooming his replacement.21 San Diego - Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas - It would be a coup for the Chargers to get Scott this late. He projects to have a shot to be as good as the elites, but he lacks the mean streak/motor right now to make that kind of impact. Would be a terrific addition to an ailing line. 22 Tampa Bay - Winston Justice, OT, USC - The Bucs have won this year in spite of their O Line. They definitely need to invest in upgrading the line, whether through the draft or free agency. He works as a blindside protector for southpaw Chris Simms, having experience protecting lefty QB Matt Leinart.23 Carolina - Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA - With no true #2 WR in the offense right now, the receiving game needs help in Carolina. Lewis gives them a receiving threat from the TE position, something they sorely lack, and a receiving talent that can make teams pay for double and triple covering Steve Smith.24 New York Giants - Ernie Sims, LB, Fl St - Ernie Sims projects as a terror at WLB in a 4-3 scheme, like another FL ST LB, Derrick Brooks. The Giants could use a player besides Antonio Pierce that can make big plays from the LB position. WLB in a 4-3 is the perfect role to make up for Sims being undersized.25 Pittsburgh - LenDale White, RB, USC- a pick that would make me overjoyed as a steeler fan, he could really get the steeler running game in high gear. a big ben-martin nance reunion also makes sense.26 New England - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota - Scary to think about Maroney anchoring the running game once Dillon gets shelved. Some teams are going to get a steal at RB late in the first.27 Chicago - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland - Great big target to rip the seams in a defense and be a safety blanket for Grossman/Orton.28 Jacksonville - Tamba Hali, DE, PSU - Reggie Hayward has not made the impact that the Jags hoped for when they signed him to a big deal this offseason. Hali has the motor to take advantage of all the attention Stroud and Henderson can draw in the middle and brings a tenacity and attitude on defense that Jack Del Rio will love.29 Cincinnati - Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan - Watson could provide the heft and gap clogging determination that is lacking in the front line of the Bengals run defense.30 Denver - Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona St - Finally A WR goes off the board! Hagan isn't your typical first round athletic freak of nature WR prospect, but he is as productive as they come and would be a great WR for Rod Smith hand the torch off to, with Lelie running all the deep stuff.31 Seattle - Tye Hill, CB, Clemson - Would contribute right away as a nickel/dime back, and I think push Andre Dyson/Kelly Herndon for a job sooner than people would expect. Lacks ideal size, but coverage abilities to hang with anyone in this draft.32 Indianapolis - Bobby Carpenter, LB, OSU - Im projecting David Thornton to leave for a big payday. Carpenter makes perfect sense as a physical presence at SLB to replace Thornton and he also adds a dimension of pass rush ability from that spot. He also has the same hardnosed attitude as his teammate AJ Hawk and will help solidify the mentality of this fast fierce defense.
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