No time like the present
Production key in projecting logical '06 draft order
Posted: Tuesday December 5, 2006 12:15PM; Updated: Tuesday December 5, 2006 12:57PM
In April, the NFL draft is all about potential and projection. But in SI.com's third annual December re-draft, nothing but production matters. Don't tell us about the future, tell us what you've done for us lately, like in the first three months of your NFL career?
In this first round, you won't find the likes of 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway or Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter, all of whom have been rookie season no-shows for one reason or another. Our re-draft is a bottom line business.
Don Banks' Revised Draft
Position Team
1 Texans
Houston Texans
MARCUS McNEILL, OT Auburn
Original pick: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Whether the sack-battered David Carr stays or goes, the Texans simply have to fix their five-year-old pass protection problems. Having the big, mauling McNeill at left tackle would have been a fine place to start.
2 Saints
New Orleans Saints
MARQUES COLSTON, WR, Hofstra
Original pick: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
He has missed essentially the past three games, but the seventh-rounder from little old Hofstra has still been the most impactful rookie on the Saints roster. And we loved bumping him up 250 notches, from 252 to second overall.
3 Browns
Tennessee Titans
VINCE YOUNG, QB, Texas
Original pick: Vince Young, QB, Texas
If it ain't broke, we aren't going to fix it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Titans' choice. VY is 5-4 as a rookie starter, and you can see him maturing week by week. Looks like owner Bud Adams knew what he was doing when he demanded Young.
4 Jets
New York Jets
MATT LEINART, QB, USC
Original pick: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
While Chad Pennington has surprised us all with his performance and his staying power this season, there's no way the Jets should have passed on the big lefty with the deft touch. For a franchise still looking for the next Namath, it was the move to make.
5 Packers
Green Bay Packers
JAY CUTLER, QB, Vanderbilt
Original pick: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
Sorry, but I think the Packers already know Aaron Rodgers isn't the real deal. Cutler has the moxie to handle replacing a living legend like Brett Favre, and Green Bay has to settle the heir apparent question first and foremost.
6 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
MARIO WILLIAMS, DE, North Carolina State
Original pick: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
The 49ers need some pass rush help, and Williams is the kind of talent Mike Nolan can build around. He's not a perfect 3-4 end you say? Well, with the 49ers drafting Manny Lawson later in the first round in real life, they could switch to the 4-3 and re-create the starting N.C. State defensive end tandem.
7 Raiders
Oakland Raiders
REGGIE BUSH, RB, USC
Original pick: Michael Huff, SS, Texas
Let's face it, the Raiders need to give their fans some reason to watch. To care. To conduct themselves with pride and poise. If they got to do it over again in Oakland, the mantra should be "Just Bush, Baby."
8 Bills
Buffalo Bills
DeMECO RYANS, LB, Alabama
Original pick: Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State
Ryans has consistently made plays all over the field and is our defensive rookie of the year thus far. With London Fletcher-Baker and Takeo Spikes, the Bills linebacking corps is getting a little old. There's no way Ryans should have lasted into the second round.
9 Lions
Detroit Lions
MARK ANDERSON, DE, Alabama
Original pick: Ernie Sims, CB, Florida State
Anderson, a fifth-round pick, is your NFL rookie sack leader with eight, and he doesn't even start for the Bears talent-laden defense. The Lions could really use an edge rusher who wreaks havoc in Rod Marinelli's defense.
10 cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON, OT, Virginia
Original pick: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Cardinals offensive line is still a debacle, and until it improves, the running game will be a pipe dream. Ferguson would have made Arizona better the second he walked through the door, and been the cornerstone that Leonard Davis never was.
Position Team
11 broncos
Denver Broncos
LAURENCE MARONEY, RB, Minnesota
Original pick: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is on record saying the Broncos' original plan was to draft Maroney, whom he considered the best back coming out this year. Given how much Denver's rushing problems contributed to their quarterback problems, maybe it would have been wise.
12 ravens
Baltimore Ravens
HALOTI NGATA, DT, Oregon
Original pick: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
The Ravens defense has returned to something approaching greatness this season, and Ngata is one of the biggest reasons why. His space-eating, run-stuffing ways have helped free up linebackers Bart Scott, Adalius Thomas and Ray Lewis to make plays.
13 Browns
Cleveland Browns
NICK MANGOLD , C, Ohio State
Original pick: Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
How many centers did the Browns go through this year after top shelf free-agent LeCharles Bentley went down in the first practice of training camp? Six? Sixteen? That would have made Mangold a perfect fit as a need pick.
14 Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
KAMERION WIMBLEY, DE, Florida State
Original pick: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
You may not have noticed, but Wimbley quietly has 7½ sacks for the struggling Browns and has solid play-making credentials. The Eagles defensive front seven needs an injection of impact performers.
15 rams
St. Louis
A.J. HAWK, LB, Ohio State
Original pick: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett loves quick, athletic play-makers and Hawk is his kind of guy. St. Louis didn't have enough difference makers in the defensive front seven this season, and after a deceptive 4-1 start, it caught up with the Rams.
16 Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
ERNIE SIMS, LB, Florida State
Original pick: Jason Allen, CB, Tennessee
Sims hasn't been spectacular in Detroit, but he leads the Lions in tackles and brings his A game every week. With Zach Thomas in the middle, the Dolphins could use him as a nice bookend at left outside linebacker, opposite of ex-Gator OLB Channing Crowder.
17 vikings
Minnesota Vikings
DEVIN HESTER , KR Miami
Original pick: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
With four return touchdowns as a rookie, Hester has been a revelation in Chicago, which took him in the second round. The Vikings return game could use a major boost, and the added benefit would be that Minnesota keeps him away from its division rival.
18 cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI , K, Memphis
Original pick: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
After starting the year hitting just three of his first six field goals, Gostkowski has nailed 10 of his past 11 attempts, including efforts of 49 and 52 yards. If the Cowboys had him, Bill Parcells wouldn't have had to live through the failed Mike Vanderjagt experiment.
19 Chargers
San Diego Chargers
GREG JENNINGS, WR, Western Michigan
Original pick: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
With so much of the pass-catching load still being carried by tight end Antonio Gates and running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers could use Jennings' stretch-the-field presence. The second-round pick has turned into one of Green Bay's few playmakers.
20 chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
TAMBA HALI, DE, Penn State
Original pick: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Nobody said we couldn't go status quo if that's the best option. Hali has been a steadying presence at left end for the Chiefs, and his five sacks have helped shake off the tweener label he wore in the draft. We wanted to give K.C. some much needed receiving help, but Jennings came off our board just before the Chiefs turn.
Don Banks' Revised Draft
Position Team
21 Patriots
New England Patriots
JOSEPH ADDAI, RB, LSU
Original pick: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
The Colts' rookie rusher has produced 1,090 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns, and his speed would have made for a nice change of pace from Corey Dillon's power running style. With Maroney already gone, we give the Patriots Addai without a second thought.
22 ravens
San Francisco 49ers
MATHIAS KIWANUKA, DE, Boston College
Original pick: Manny Lawson, LB, North Carolina State
OK, we know we had the 49ers taking Mario Williams at No. 6 in order to pair him with ex-Wolfpack teammate Manny Lawson, who San Francisco actually drafted in this slot. But Lawson is a linebacker in the NFL, so give them Kiwanuka and build another Gold Rush defensive line to bring the pass pressure.
23 Bucs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, CB, Soputh Carolina
Original pick: Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma
The Bucs need to start replenishing their defense, and the secondary is a good place to give some first-round attention. Joseph has display great ability to break on the ball and stick close to receivers in coverage this season in Cincinnati.
24 Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
ELVIS DUMERVIL, DE, Louisville
Original pick: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina
A fourth-round pick of Denver's, the small but speedy Dumervil has blossomed as a situational pass rusher, logging seven sacks. Marvin Lewis could use another edge rush threat to help take some of the heat off Cincinnati's secondary.
25 steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
BRAD SMITH, WR, Missouri
Original pick: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
We couldn't resist giving the Steelers Smith, who is right out of their mold of versatile collegiate quarterbacks turned Slash-type players in the NFL. It worked with Kordell Stewart and Antwaan Randle-El, and Smith has given the Jets some of the same flexibility this season.
26 Bills
Buffalo Bills
DONTE WHITNER, S, Ohio State
Original pick: John McCargo, DT, North Carolina State
We could have given the Bills' the much higher rated Michael Huff in this slot, but the former Longhorns safety has been virtually invisible in Oakland as a rookie. Instead we award Whitner to Buffalo, thereby proving our point that the Bills didn't need to take him at No. 8, because he would have been available much lower.
27 Panthers
Carolina Panthers
MAURICE JONES-DREW, RB, UCLA
Original pick: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
While the Panthers' first-round pick, DeAngelo Williams, is starting to show up on the stat sheet after an injury-slowed first half, we're giving Carolina a running back who has far exceeded expectations. Jones-Drew has 817 yards of combined rushing and receiving, with nine touchdowns. The little man has come up big.
28 jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
JERIOUS NORWOOD, RB, Mississippi State
Original pick: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
Having missed out on Jones-Drew, we got to pick between Norwood and DeAngelo Williams for the Jaguars. We went with Norwood, who's quick as a hiccup and has chipped in with more than 500 yards rushing for the run-happy Falcons. He can return kickoffs too.
29 Jets
New York Jets
ANDREW WHITWORTH, OT, LSU
Original pick: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
The second-round pick has done a pretty fair job of holding down the fort at left tackle for the Bengals, starting the past eight games in place of the injured Levi Jones. Since the Jets didn't get D'Brickashaw Ferguson at No. 4, we give them the OT they needed at No. 29.
30 Colts
Indianapolis Colts
DeANGELO WILLIAMS, RB, Memphis
Original pick: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
Williams is a nice replacement for the loss of Joseph Addai, who went 21st to the Patriots in our re-do of the first round. Did you see his breakout game against the Eagles Monday night? His 74 yards rushing and 101 yards receiving, with a touchdown, were wasted in a Panthers loss.
31 seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
MICHAEL HUFF, S, Texas
Original pick: Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami
Huff hasn't lived up to his No. 7 draft slot in Oakland this season, but the Raiders defense has been surprisingly tough at times. We'll issue Huff something of a pass due to the chaos that has reigned in Raider-land. With Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware both struggling at times, we'll give Seattle some help in the secondary.
32 giants
New York Giants
MANNY LAWSON, DE/LB, North Carolina State
Original pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
With all those injuries at defensive end and linebacker, the G-Men could have used Lawson, who has played decent outside linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. We gave the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka to San Francisco at No. 22, so turnaround seems to be fair play.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...art1/index.html
Production key in projecting logical '06 draft order
Posted: Tuesday December 5, 2006 12:15PM; Updated: Tuesday December 5, 2006 12:57PM
In April, the NFL draft is all about potential and projection. But in SI.com's third annual December re-draft, nothing but production matters. Don't tell us about the future, tell us what you've done for us lately, like in the first three months of your NFL career?
In this first round, you won't find the likes of 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway or Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter, all of whom have been rookie season no-shows for one reason or another. Our re-draft is a bottom line business.
Don Banks' Revised Draft
Position Team
1 Texans
Houston Texans
MARCUS McNEILL, OT Auburn
Original pick: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
Whether the sack-battered David Carr stays or goes, the Texans simply have to fix their five-year-old pass protection problems. Having the big, mauling McNeill at left tackle would have been a fine place to start.
2 Saints
New Orleans Saints
MARQUES COLSTON, WR, Hofstra
Original pick: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
He has missed essentially the past three games, but the seventh-rounder from little old Hofstra has still been the most impactful rookie on the Saints roster. And we loved bumping him up 250 notches, from 252 to second overall.
3 Browns
Tennessee Titans
VINCE YOUNG, QB, Texas
Original pick: Vince Young, QB, Texas
If it ain't broke, we aren't going to fix it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Titans' choice. VY is 5-4 as a rookie starter, and you can see him maturing week by week. Looks like owner Bud Adams knew what he was doing when he demanded Young.
4 Jets
New York Jets
MATT LEINART, QB, USC
Original pick: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
While Chad Pennington has surprised us all with his performance and his staying power this season, there's no way the Jets should have passed on the big lefty with the deft touch. For a franchise still looking for the next Namath, it was the move to make.
5 Packers
Green Bay Packers
JAY CUTLER, QB, Vanderbilt
Original pick: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
Sorry, but I think the Packers already know Aaron Rodgers isn't the real deal. Cutler has the moxie to handle replacing a living legend like Brett Favre, and Green Bay has to settle the heir apparent question first and foremost.
6 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
MARIO WILLIAMS, DE, North Carolina State
Original pick: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
The 49ers need some pass rush help, and Williams is the kind of talent Mike Nolan can build around. He's not a perfect 3-4 end you say? Well, with the 49ers drafting Manny Lawson later in the first round in real life, they could switch to the 4-3 and re-create the starting N.C. State defensive end tandem.
7 Raiders
Oakland Raiders
REGGIE BUSH, RB, USC
Original pick: Michael Huff, SS, Texas
Let's face it, the Raiders need to give their fans some reason to watch. To care. To conduct themselves with pride and poise. If they got to do it over again in Oakland, the mantra should be "Just Bush, Baby."
8 Bills
Buffalo Bills
DeMECO RYANS, LB, Alabama
Original pick: Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State
Ryans has consistently made plays all over the field and is our defensive rookie of the year thus far. With London Fletcher-Baker and Takeo Spikes, the Bills linebacking corps is getting a little old. There's no way Ryans should have lasted into the second round.
9 Lions
Detroit Lions
MARK ANDERSON, DE, Alabama
Original pick: Ernie Sims, CB, Florida State
Anderson, a fifth-round pick, is your NFL rookie sack leader with eight, and he doesn't even start for the Bears talent-laden defense. The Lions could really use an edge rusher who wreaks havoc in Rod Marinelli's defense.
10 cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON, OT, Virginia
Original pick: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Cardinals offensive line is still a debacle, and until it improves, the running game will be a pipe dream. Ferguson would have made Arizona better the second he walked through the door, and been the cornerstone that Leonard Davis never was.
Position Team
11 broncos
Denver Broncos
LAURENCE MARONEY, RB, Minnesota
Original pick: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is on record saying the Broncos' original plan was to draft Maroney, whom he considered the best back coming out this year. Given how much Denver's rushing problems contributed to their quarterback problems, maybe it would have been wise.
12 ravens
Baltimore Ravens
HALOTI NGATA, DT, Oregon
Original pick: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
The Ravens defense has returned to something approaching greatness this season, and Ngata is one of the biggest reasons why. His space-eating, run-stuffing ways have helped free up linebackers Bart Scott, Adalius Thomas and Ray Lewis to make plays.
13 Browns
Cleveland Browns
NICK MANGOLD , C, Ohio State
Original pick: Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
How many centers did the Browns go through this year after top shelf free-agent LeCharles Bentley went down in the first practice of training camp? Six? Sixteen? That would have made Mangold a perfect fit as a need pick.
14 Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
KAMERION WIMBLEY, DE, Florida State
Original pick: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
You may not have noticed, but Wimbley quietly has 7½ sacks for the struggling Browns and has solid play-making credentials. The Eagles defensive front seven needs an injection of impact performers.
15 rams
St. Louis
A.J. HAWK, LB, Ohio State
Original pick: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett loves quick, athletic play-makers and Hawk is his kind of guy. St. Louis didn't have enough difference makers in the defensive front seven this season, and after a deceptive 4-1 start, it caught up with the Rams.
16 Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
ERNIE SIMS, LB, Florida State
Original pick: Jason Allen, CB, Tennessee
Sims hasn't been spectacular in Detroit, but he leads the Lions in tackles and brings his A game every week. With Zach Thomas in the middle, the Dolphins could use him as a nice bookend at left outside linebacker, opposite of ex-Gator OLB Channing Crowder.
17 vikings
Minnesota Vikings
DEVIN HESTER , KR Miami
Original pick: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
With four return touchdowns as a rookie, Hester has been a revelation in Chicago, which took him in the second round. The Vikings return game could use a major boost, and the added benefit would be that Minnesota keeps him away from its division rival.
18 cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI , K, Memphis
Original pick: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
After starting the year hitting just three of his first six field goals, Gostkowski has nailed 10 of his past 11 attempts, including efforts of 49 and 52 yards. If the Cowboys had him, Bill Parcells wouldn't have had to live through the failed Mike Vanderjagt experiment.
19 Chargers
San Diego Chargers
GREG JENNINGS, WR, Western Michigan
Original pick: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
With so much of the pass-catching load still being carried by tight end Antonio Gates and running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers could use Jennings' stretch-the-field presence. The second-round pick has turned into one of Green Bay's few playmakers.
20 chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
TAMBA HALI, DE, Penn State
Original pick: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
Nobody said we couldn't go status quo if that's the best option. Hali has been a steadying presence at left end for the Chiefs, and his five sacks have helped shake off the tweener label he wore in the draft. We wanted to give K.C. some much needed receiving help, but Jennings came off our board just before the Chiefs turn.
Don Banks' Revised Draft
Position Team
21 Patriots
New England Patriots
JOSEPH ADDAI, RB, LSU
Original pick: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
The Colts' rookie rusher has produced 1,090 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns, and his speed would have made for a nice change of pace from Corey Dillon's power running style. With Maroney already gone, we give the Patriots Addai without a second thought.
22 ravens
San Francisco 49ers
MATHIAS KIWANUKA, DE, Boston College
Original pick: Manny Lawson, LB, North Carolina State
OK, we know we had the 49ers taking Mario Williams at No. 6 in order to pair him with ex-Wolfpack teammate Manny Lawson, who San Francisco actually drafted in this slot. But Lawson is a linebacker in the NFL, so give them Kiwanuka and build another Gold Rush defensive line to bring the pass pressure.
23 Bucs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, CB, Soputh Carolina
Original pick: Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma
The Bucs need to start replenishing their defense, and the secondary is a good place to give some first-round attention. Joseph has display great ability to break on the ball and stick close to receivers in coverage this season in Cincinnati.
24 Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
ELVIS DUMERVIL, DE, Louisville
Original pick: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina
A fourth-round pick of Denver's, the small but speedy Dumervil has blossomed as a situational pass rusher, logging seven sacks. Marvin Lewis could use another edge rush threat to help take some of the heat off Cincinnati's secondary.
25 steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
BRAD SMITH, WR, Missouri
Original pick: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
We couldn't resist giving the Steelers Smith, who is right out of their mold of versatile collegiate quarterbacks turned Slash-type players in the NFL. It worked with Kordell Stewart and Antwaan Randle-El, and Smith has given the Jets some of the same flexibility this season.
26 Bills
Buffalo Bills
DONTE WHITNER, S, Ohio State
Original pick: John McCargo, DT, North Carolina State
We could have given the Bills' the much higher rated Michael Huff in this slot, but the former Longhorns safety has been virtually invisible in Oakland as a rookie. Instead we award Whitner to Buffalo, thereby proving our point that the Bills didn't need to take him at No. 8, because he would have been available much lower.
27 Panthers
Carolina Panthers
MAURICE JONES-DREW, RB, UCLA
Original pick: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
While the Panthers' first-round pick, DeAngelo Williams, is starting to show up on the stat sheet after an injury-slowed first half, we're giving Carolina a running back who has far exceeded expectations. Jones-Drew has 817 yards of combined rushing and receiving, with nine touchdowns. The little man has come up big.
28 jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
JERIOUS NORWOOD, RB, Mississippi State
Original pick: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
Having missed out on Jones-Drew, we got to pick between Norwood and DeAngelo Williams for the Jaguars. We went with Norwood, who's quick as a hiccup and has chipped in with more than 500 yards rushing for the run-happy Falcons. He can return kickoffs too.
29 Jets
New York Jets
ANDREW WHITWORTH, OT, LSU
Original pick: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
The second-round pick has done a pretty fair job of holding down the fort at left tackle for the Bengals, starting the past eight games in place of the injured Levi Jones. Since the Jets didn't get D'Brickashaw Ferguson at No. 4, we give them the OT they needed at No. 29.
30 Colts
Indianapolis Colts
DeANGELO WILLIAMS, RB, Memphis
Original pick: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
Williams is a nice replacement for the loss of Joseph Addai, who went 21st to the Patriots in our re-do of the first round. Did you see his breakout game against the Eagles Monday night? His 74 yards rushing and 101 yards receiving, with a touchdown, were wasted in a Panthers loss.
31 seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
MICHAEL HUFF, S, Texas
Original pick: Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami
Huff hasn't lived up to his No. 7 draft slot in Oakland this season, but the Raiders defense has been surprisingly tough at times. We'll issue Huff something of a pass due to the chaos that has reigned in Raider-land. With Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware both struggling at times, we'll give Seattle some help in the secondary.
32 giants
New York Giants
MANNY LAWSON, DE/LB, North Carolina State
Original pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
With all those injuries at defensive end and linebacker, the G-Men could have used Lawson, who has played decent outside linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. We gave the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka to San Francisco at No. 22, so turnaround seems to be fair play.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...art1/index.html
Is McNeill THAT good? Is he looked at as a better prospect that Ferguson at this point?
Ask Philip Rivers, or better yet, LaDainian Tomlinson. Coincidence LaDainian is having his best year ever with Marcus on board? Ever notice where he goes for his short yardage touchdowns for instance? Left side, right behind McNeil and Lorenzo....
Hawk has been everything you could ask for so far. They still need A LOT of work on that side of the ball but Hawk will be a cornerstone and a key playmaker on that side of the ball for years. No way would I pass on him for Cutler. I would, however, give strong consideration to taking Bush if he was on the board at 5. Ahman Green is doing very well this year but he's not the long-term answer at RB.
Leinart has outplayed Vince at every level of competition.
