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The Post-Combine Mock
Authored by Jeff Risdon - 8th March, 2006 - 9:19 pm
Playoff-bound teams and impersonators alike were able to pad their records at an astounding rate this season against the likes of Detroit, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
Between Lane Kiffin at Tennessee and openings at Clemson, Washington, Syracuse, Mississippi State and Purdue, there are fertile jobs out there.
RealGM Search
After my trip to Indy to catch the Combine festivities and pry into "Insider" status, here's my latest mock draft. This one goes two rounds, so grab a glass of your favorite beverage and it'll help you digest these 64 picks. I'll do one more adjustment, if needed, the weekend before the draft.
1. Texans--Reggie Bush, RB, USC. Don't believe the trade rumors, Bush will be a Texan barring a stupid offer.
2. Saints--Matt Leinart, QB, USC. Consensus top QB picked by QB guru/head coach Sean Payton.
3. Titans--D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virignia. His gaining 15 pounds of bulk cements him as best T in years.
4. Jets--Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt. Senior Bowl darling flies up the draft board to the QB-desperate Jets.
5. Packers--Mario Williams, DE, NC State. Physical marvel upgrades both pass rush and run defense.
6. 49ers--AJ Hawk, LB, Ohio St. Could be a trade for someone reaching up for Vince Young. If it's SF, it's Hawk.
7. Raiders--Vince Young, QB, Texas. Raiders surprise by taking embattled Rose Bowl star.
8. Bills--Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon. Giant man fills a giant hole in the middle of Buffalo's defense. Another pick that might be traded.
9. Lions--Michael Huff, DB, Texas. A disciplined, physical hitter who can also play nickel CB, and the Lions need both.
10. Cardinals--LenDale White, RB, USC. Will be Chad Greenway if the Cards sign a name FA RB.
11. Rams--Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland. Great speed for such a large, sure-handed target.
12. Browns--Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa. If he's gone (see above), they'll take Winston Justice or Marcus McNeill.
13. Ravens--Jimmy Williams, DB, VA Tech. Cocky speedster has the bulk and mentality to play safety too.
14. Eagles--Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State. Heady pass rusher can impact right away for team looking to rebound quickly.
15. Falcons--Winston Justice, OT, USC. Can play either side at T, important trait with a mobile QB like Vick.
16. Dolphins--Demeco Ryans, LB, Alabama. Prime candidate to trade up, though Ryans infuses much-needed youth on D.
17. Vikings--Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota. Local stud RB stays home to a team desperate for fan support.
18. Cowboys--Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn. Aging line gets a huge bookend with good agility.
19. Chargers--Chad Jackson, WR, Florida. Great size and speed at Combine elevate him to top WR, but...
20. Chiefs--Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St. ...Holmes was significantly better in college and is best blocking WR in years.
21. Patriots--Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio St. Fiery leader can play any
LB spot, fits right in with Pats' MO.
22. Broncos--Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College. Rough Senior Bowl means Broncos get motivated speed rusher.
23. Buccaneers--Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami. Small speedster fills needs at WR and special teams.
24. Bengals--Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia. Big target also a strong run blocker and fills a major need.
25. Giants--Tye Hill, CB, Clemson. Best DB at Senior Bowl, a great ballhawk with good instincts.
26. Bears--Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio St. Does everything very well in relative anonymity.
27. Panthers--DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis. This year's surprise plummeter, thanks to an oversaturated RB market.
28. Jaguars--D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland. Sideline to sideline playmaker fits right into Del Rio's schemes.
29. Broncos--Nick Mangold, C, Ohio St. Smart, mobile lineman a perfect fit for their blocking schemes.
30. Colts--Dominique Byrd, TE, USC. Not a pressing need but he's too good to pass up.
31. Seahawks--Joseph Addai, RB, LSU. If they lose both RBs via FA. If not, then it's Ko Simpson.
32. Steelers--Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida St. Run stuffer with burst provides needed depth.
2nd Round
33. Texans--Claude Wroten, DT, LSU. Another postseason board climber. Might go for Gabe Watson here.
34. Saints--Max Jean-Gilles, OG, Georgia. Saints have great history in drafting linemen.
35. Jets--Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP. Versatile backer with speed and great hands.
36. Packers--Ko Simpson, S, So Carolina. Sure tackler fills a major hole. They'll go OL here if he's gone.
37. 49ers--Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA. Good big target for Alex Smith to grow with.
38. Raiders-- Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan. Big guy with a big motor can learn from/succeed Warren Sapp.
39. Titans--Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama. Proven winner would go higher if he had good knees.
40. Lions--Darryl Tapp, DE, VA Tech. Blazing speed rusher fits perfectly with Marinelli's attacking D.
41. Cardinals--Orien Harris, DT, Miami. They will go LB if any above fall here.
42. Bills--Darnell Bing, S, USC. Strong tackler also good in TE coverage.
43. Browns--Eric Winston, OT, Miami. If he's gone then they'll go for a CB.
44. Ravens--Ernie Sims, LB, Florida St. With 3 starting LBs likely gone by 2007, it's time to reload.
45. Eagles--Greg Lee, WR, Pittsburgh. Sure handed and runs good routes, another board climber.
46. Rams--Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa. Big hitter in a small package. The next London Fletcher?
47. Falcons--Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida St. Bad injury dropped him, but he was a top-10 caliber talent.
48. Vikings--Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas. Builds needed D-line depth. Could go OL here as well.
49. Cowboys--Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Clemson. Efficient, accurate scion played hurt a lot.
50. Chargers--Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma. Pile mover with attitude. Pick might be packaged to move up earlier.
51. Dolphins--Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona St. Great athlete with shaky hands has fallen from 1st round.
52. Patriots--Garrett Mills, TE/FB, Tulsa. The utility receiver/blocker/inside runner Belichick loves and needs.
53. Redskins--Donte Whitner, S, Ohio St. Insurance in case Taylor is incarcerated. Could be dealt to move up.
54. Chiefs--Anwar Phillips, CB, Penn St. A good start for overhauling their terrible secondary.
55. Bengals--Demario Minter, CB, Georgia. Fast, savvy cover man. Will take a TE here if not in the 1st round.
56. Giants--Terna Nande, LB, Miami OH. Fastest LB in draft. If he went to big-time school he'd go in the 1st round.
57. Bears--Alan Zemaitis, CB, Penn St. Not real fast, but has great size and instincts.
