Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
The frequent and occasional humorous musings behind two of the World's greatest underappreciated sports minds.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Mock Draft (Round 1 Completed)
The top pick in the Sporting Fools' mock draft has a local appeal to the 49ers.
Round 1
1 San Francisco -- Aaron Rodgers, QB, California
Cesar: Smith and Rogers is a pure toss up. Rodgers has more than star quality...he's got a better arm and can do more NOW for the 9er's than Smith. He will simply put more asses in the stands to add to the 49er bottom line.
2 Miami -- Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
Corey: With a team like Miami, you need to cover a lot of holes so I think they will trade down for extra picks, but Brown gives them a franchise running back at #2.
3 Cleveland -- Alex Smith, QB, Utah
Cesar: An automatic pick for Cleveland. No brainer.
4 Chicago -- Mike Williams, WR, Southern Cal
Corey: Chicago wants a linebacker to move Brian Urlacher to the outside, but Derrick Johnson isn't just a reach at 4, it's a prayer. So being burned by Michigan receivers in the past, the Bears will go with the more talented and less refined receiver in Williams.
5 Tampa Bay -- Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, RB, Auburn
Cesar: The Buccaneers have a red carpet prepared for this gentleman that has the physical abilities to fit Coach Gruden's style of running. Charlie Garner is that man, but he is coming off an injury and is on his 13th year as a professional. Enter the young-n-slashy buck from Auburn who can hit the home run.
6 Tennessee --Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami
Corey: Tennessee lost a lot through cap issues and I expect they will use to draft to go primarly defense. Rolle is a big, lockdown corner and a good place to start.
7 Minnesota (from Oakland) -- Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
Cesar: Well, Minny dealed Moss to Cali for many reasons, one big one being that they knew they had a chance to draft a stud WR due to their #7 overall. This will help the fans Moss hangover...somewhat.
8 Arizona -- Alex Barron, OT, Florida State
Corey: A reach? Sure, but they need to protect Kurt Warner and with a quarterback that immobile and that fragile, he needs the best protection that draft can offer. The Cardinals will trade for Travis Henry to get the running back they need.
9 Washington -- Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas
Cesar: Fred Smoot is gone. Does a Pac-Man Jones look tempting? Yes. Rod Gardner is gone as well...how does a WR like Troy Williamson sound? Great!
But Antonio Pierce is gone too. When you have a someone like this left on the board, you take him and make the necessary adjustments from ILB to OLB or whatever.
10 Detroit -- Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
Corey: This draft has officially jumped the shark with the last three picks. All the blue chippers are gone and many of the second-tier first rounders share positions and will be rated different. In year 5 of Matt Millen's 25-year rebuilding program in Detroit sees him taking a Big 10 prospect that was thought to be a Top 5 pick before slipping late. Decent value, may or may not be better than Marcus Spears or Dan Cody.
11 Dallas -- Jamaal Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Cesar: Dallas is in sort of a dilemma here. So many juicy picks to choose from. Parcells loves to run the ball and dominate the line of scrimmage. Hence this pick.
12 San Diego (from New York Giants) -- Marcus Spears, DE, LSU
Corey: The Chargers believe they can get a receiver at #28 or in the second round so they'll take the best DE on their board. Tall, long guy like Spears can do serious damage if he gets his motor running.
13 Houston -- Thomas Davis, S, Georgia
Cesar: To what already is a stud secondary, the glaring weakness to this team is their safety position. This man is a difference maker.
14 Carolina -- Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
Corey: Carolina has a need for speed to replace Mushin Muhammad, the Panthers really don't have many holes and could trade up for Williams or Edwards, but at this spot Williamson is fine.
15 Kansas City -- Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
Cesar: KC's secondary is so bad, that any average QB could torch them. Pac-Man Jones is still on the board and seems like a better fit b/c of his covering speed and return skills. But the Chiefs have Dante Hall for the latter. This other choice represents a huge stepping stone into developing a respectable secondary; a physical specimen who can intimidate wideouts.
16 New Orleans -- Dan Cody, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
Corey: New Orleans needs playmakers on defense, Cody can be a down lineman or a linebacker in a 3-4, the type of guy that Jim Haslett likes.
17 Cincinnati -- Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
Cesar: Anyone who knows Coach Marvin Lewis, knows defense. They were hoping New Orleans would take Cody; and their hopes became reality. This is the beast they wanted all along.
18 Minnesota -- Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
Corey: Minnesota has a very talented stable of backs but none of them could be considered franchise. With Benson they might get Top 10 value in the second half of the draft. Expect Michael Bennett to be traded later in the day if this pick happens, especially the Travis Henry-to-Arizona deal doesn't work out.
19 St. Louis -- David Pollack, DE/OLB, Georgia
Cesar: Grant Wistrom was never really replaced last year. Pollack is the type of DE that fits the Rams' defensive scheme. Martz has landed an upper tier 1st rd value in this collegiate sack artist.
20 Dallas (from Buffalo) -- Shaun Cody, DE/DT, Southern Cal
Corey: The Cowboys almost thought about taking a reach here and choosing Channing Crowder because he reminds Parcells a little of LT. But they need to get bigger on the line. A small DT or a large DE, Cody is a hellraiser.
21 Jacksonville -- Adam "Pac-Man" Jones, CB, West Virginia
Cesar: Jones is a top 10 pick on mostly all genuine mock boards. Why has he yet to be snatched? Well, there are question marks due to inconsistency. He's not tall, but with a 4.38 40 speed and phenomenal playmaking abilities, Jacksonville will be hard-pressed to let him go. Defense continues to rule the 1st Rd.
22 Baltimore -- Daryl Blackstock, OLB, Virginia
Corey: The Ravens need better play from the outside backers and while they also liked Crowder, he's reluctant to leave the middle and that's Ray's house. Blackstock is a little raw but he's got a lot of intensity.
23 Seattle -- Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland
Cesar: How in the world can a player of this magnitude still be on the board? Seattle's defense is in serious need of linebacking assistance. Pass rushers are always at a premium in the NFL and this guy could be a stud in that regard whether it be standing up or with his hand down. Most likely will be converted to an OLB.
24 Green Bay -- Corey Webster, CB, LSU
Corey: After last year's playoff loss to Minnesota, Green Bay realizes they need help on defense and most importantly against the pass. Webster is a highly decorated corner from one of the top defenses in college football.
25 Denver -- Justin Miller, CB, Clemson
Cesar: Denver has needs in the CB dept. The big 3: Rolle, Rogers, and Jones are gone...no surprise there. However, it was a surprise to see Green Bay oversee the the talents of this player. He has just about everything the NFL is looking for in a top flight corner.
26 N.Y. Jets -- Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska
Corey: The run on cornerbacks continue. The Jets have several areas they need to fill holes and corner is probably the most desperate of those. Washington has great speed and a great name to boot.
Cesar: Arggghh...I wanted the Giants to get him! Gang green has stolen my pick!
27 Atlanta --Kevin Burnett, OLB, Tennessee
Cesar: Now it's getting tougher. Atlanta had their eyes set on Shaun Cody, to only see him snagged 7 picks ago. The glaring need is as at DT and secondarily at LB. The DT pool is thinning, but there still remains a richness of LB'ers. Therefore, this stud cannot be foregone. His athleticism and physical tools are out of this world.
Corey: Wow I thought Atlanta would definitely go with Crowder on that pick.
28 San Diego -- Matt Jones, QB/WR/TE, Arkansas
Corey: He says he wants to be a wide receiver and he can't be a tight end in San Diego's offense since Antonio Gates has that spot on lock. Still at 6'6 and running a 4.4, this guy is an amazing athlete and the type of player that can cause all kinds of mismatches.
Cesar: What a surprise at #28. That's what the draft is all about baby!
29 Indianapolis -- Marlin Jackson, CB, Michigan
Cesar: Yes, there is no controversy with this coming selection. Channing Crowder and Anttaj Hawthorne are two top delicacies waiting to be served to the Colts organization. But, with the CB position being paper thin, this veteran from Michigan is the top dish.
30 Pittsburgh --Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington
Corey: Typical Pittsburgh pick, no flash but good value, good player who won't cost too much in a rookie contract. They need help in a few spots but protecting Big Ben and finding lineman for the running game is always the top priority.
Cesar: Pittsburgh fans were screaming at that pick! Heath Miller, alongside his agent , were expecting to be called out. But, the Steelers FO likens this big stud to protect Big Ben...not a flashy pick, but for a team that thrives on the run: I like it.
31 Philadelphia -- Channing Crowder, ILB, Florida
Cesar: For the other team in PA, the Eagles lost Ike Reese and Nate Wayne. Need say no more. Enter Mr. Florida.
Corey: ARRRRGHHH The Patriots were robbed.
32 New England -- Odell Thurman, ILB, Georgia
Corey: Since it'll be impossible to replace his leadership, you gotta replace Tedy Bruschi's talent. Thurman has a lot of off-field issues and its definitely a buyer beware pick. BUT Richard Seymour, a fellow Dawg, is there to keep him in line.
Comments:
Post a Comment
