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2004 NFL Draft - Mock Draft
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| by
Richard Harris |
|
Updated
April 24, 2004 |
| Also see
Top Prospects and
Team Needs |
|
Round One
|
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
School |
1
|
San Diego
|
QB Eli Manning
|
Mississippi
|
| The Chargers need help just about everywhere, and Manning or
OT Robert Gallery would be the most logical choice. Manning, however,
has stated that he doesn't want to play for San Diego. Given that the
Chargers have so many needs, trading down for additional picks or
players would be a good move. There have been serious discussions with
the Giants, who covet Manning, and the Browns, who covet Gallery, might be
in the mix for top pick as well. |
2
|
Oakland
|
OT Robert Gallery
|
Iowa
|
| Like the Chargers, the Raiders are likely to trade down --
offensive tackle is not the team's most pressing need and several clubs are
highly interested in trading up for Gallery. WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Roy Williams, QB Ben Roethlisberger or QB Phillip Rivers would better suit the
Raiders in terms of need, and at least one of those players should be
available at pick No. 7 (owned by Cleveland). |
3
|
Arizona
|
WR Larry Fitzgerald
|
Pittsburgh
|
| The Cards' biggest needs are at quarterback, defensive
tackle, and cornerback, but most indications are that the team will go with
Fitzgerald, a former Minnesota Viking ball boy who knows Coach Dennis Green
well. There is a chance that Oakland will stay at No. 2 and take the
Pitt wideout, which would leave the Cards choosing between Roethlisberger,
Gallery, Roy Williams, DT Tommie Harris, and CB DeAngelo Hall. |
4
|
New York Giants
|
QB Ben Roethlisberger
|
Miami (Ohio)
|
| The Giants' most pressing needs are the offensive line,
middle linebacker and safety, but the club seems intent on drafting a
quarterback to replace Kerry Collins, who will be a free agent next season.
|
5
|
Washington
|
TE Kellen Winslow
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Redskins' immediate needs are at tight end, defensive
tackle and defensive end. Winslow would be a better value than any of
the top d-lineman prospects. However, the club covets Gallery, and the
Skins may trade this pick and several veterans (QB Patrick Ramsey, WR Rod
Gardner, OT Chris Samuels, and MLB Jeremiah Trotter are expendable) with
either San Diego or Oakland. The team owns only three picks this year,
so trading down is also a possibility. |
6
|
Detroit
|
S Sean Taylor
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Lions' biggest needs are at running back and linebacker,
but the prospects at those positions do not warrant being taken at this
spot. If the team does not trade down, it could go in number of
different directions, and Taylor, Winslow, Roy Williams, and DE
Will Smith are all possibilities. |
7
|
Cleveland
|
CB DeAngelo Hall
|
Virginia Tech
|
| The Browns need help just about everywhere, but their most
pressing needs are the offensive line, tight end, and safety.
Unfortunately, Gallery, Winslow and Taylor are the only players at those
positions worthy of the No. 7 pick, and all three will likely be gone before
the team picks. Cleveland will attempt to move up and will use
veterans QB Tim Couch, RB William Green, and WR Dennis Northcutt as trade
bait. If the Browns stay at this spot, they will likely take either Hall, WR Roy Williams, or one of the top d-line prospects.
|
8
|
Atlanta
|
WR Roy Williams
|
Texas
|
| The Falcons should be
ecstatic if Williams falls into their
lap at this spot, as he would give the team a much-needed threat to
complement Peerless Price. The team's other top priorities are an
offensive tackle and defensive linemen. If Williams is not available,
Atlanta may trade down and take a wideout later in the first round, or the
club could stay put and select either Hall or a lineman to boost their
last-ranked defense. |
9
|
Jacksonville
|
DE Will Smith
|
Ohio State
|
| The Jags' most pressing needs are at defensive end, wide
receiver, and tight end, in that order. The team should have its
choice between the two top defensive ends in the draft -- Smith and Kenechi Udeze.
|
10
|
Houston
|
CB Dunta Robinson
|
South Carolina
|
|
After ranking
31st in pass defense, cornerback DeAngelo Hall appears to be the best fit
for the Texans, but he may not be available at No. 10. Robinson is another
good option. The team also needs immediate help at defensive tackle.
Starting NT Seth Payne is expected to miss training camp due to a knee
injury, and the club should be able to select either Tommie Harris, Vince Wilfork, or Marcus Tubbs
if it wants to go in that direction. |
11
|
Pittsburgh
|
QB Phillip Rivers
|
North Carolina St.
|
| The club has an immediate needs at cornerback and
offensive tackle, and help is also needed at tight end and defensive end.
However, the Steelers really want a franchise quarterback for the future,
and they may trade up to increase the odds of landing Rivers. |
12
|
New York Jets
|
OLB D.J. Williams
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Jets’ top concerns are at guard and cornerback, but
they'll likely be forced to address one of their secondary needs
(wide receiver, tight end, outside linebacker, or defensive tackle) in the
first round. |
13
|
Buffalo
|
DE Kenechi Udeze
|
USC
|
| Most of the Bills' needs reside on the
offensive side of the
ball, and the club is very interested in taking Phillip Rivers to groom
behind Drew Bledsoe. Unless they can move ahead of Pittsburgh, landing
Rivers is unlikely. The team's other top priorities are at wide
receiver, tight end, guard, offensive tackle and defensive end, and Udeze,
fellow end Will Smith, and WR Reggie Williams will likely be Buffalo's best
options at this spot. |
14
|
Chicago
|
DT Tommie Harris
|
Oklahoma
|
| The Bears' top priority is upgrading their defensive speed,
especially at tackle, end, and outside linebacker. Harris would fit
the bill, as would OLB Williams and DEs Udeze and Smith. |
15
|
Tampa Bay
|
MLB Jonathan Vilma
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Bucs do not have an obvious glaring need, and they could
attempt to trade down and recoup the second-round pick that they lost in the
Jon Gruden deal. If the team stays put, it could address a number of
potential weak spots (RB, TE, WR, DT, OLB, MLB, CB, and S). DTs
Vince Wilfork or Marcus Tubbs
would help fill void left by Warren Sapp's departure, and RB Steven Jackson or WR Reggie
Williams would bolster an offense featuring aging skill players. Vilma,
however, may be the pick because the team is very thin at linebacker.
|
16
|
San Francisco
|
WR Reggie Williams
|
Washington
|
| After losing a number of players in the offseason, the 49ers
need some help at nearly every position. The team will be looking to find
replacements for three departed Pro Bowlers -- quarterback Jeff Garcia,
guard Ron Stone and wide receiver Terrell Owens. Replacing Owens is
the top priority, and Williams would be a nice fit. However,
because the 49ers have so many needs, they very
well could delay picking a receiver (due to the depth of the position) and
go after a defensive tackle, defensive end, inside linebacker, or
cornerback. Trading down is also an option. |
17
|
Denver (from Cincinnati)
|
RB Steven Jackson
|
Oregon State
|
| With RB Clinton Portis in Washington and WR Ed McCaffrey
retired, the Broncos will be looking for playmakers to bolster the offense.
The team also has immediate needs at outside linebacker,
defensive tackle, and perhaps offensive tackle. The club will likely
wait until the second round to take a receiver, and this pick will likely
come down to RBs Steven Jackson and RB Kevin Jones, DTs Wilfork and Tubbs,
or OLB Williams. |
18
|
New Orleans
|
DT Vince Wilfork
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Saints' top priority is upgrading their defense at
cornerback and linebacker. They also could use help at center/guard
and wide receiver on offense. At this point in the draft, the best
values will likely be at defensive tackle, but that is not a big need area
for the club. OLB Williams and ILB Vilma are possibilities, but they
could be gone by this pick. The team could reach a little and take CB
Chris Gamble, WR Lee Evans, or G Vernon Carey. Given their
predicament, the Saints might be wise to trade down from this spot.
|
19
|
Minnesota
|
DT Marcus Tubbs
|
Texas
|
| The Vikings have glaring holes at defensive end and
linebacker, and the team could also use some help at center/guard, tight
end, and in the secondary. However, there is a good chance that none
of the available prospects at those positions will be worthy of the 19th
overall pick. Trading down from this spot is a possibility, but if the
Vikings stay put, they will take the best player available rather than
reaching to fill a need. The choice will likely come down to
Tubbs and OT Shawn Andrews, who could be used at guard. |
20
|
Miami
|
OT Shawn Andrews
|
Arkansas
|
| The
Dolphins, who lost four offensive line starters from last year, will hold
their breath and hope that the Saints or Vikings do not take Andrews.
If he is not available, the team will try to trade down or take the best
player available. |
21
|
New England (from Baltimore)
|
CB Chris Gamble
|
Ohio State
|
| The recent
the acquisition of RB Corey Dillon filled a major hole, leaving the Patriots
with two main priorities -- cornerback and nose tackle. The team could
also use some youth at linebacker, especially in the middle. Given
that the team has two first-round picks, trading up to get CB Hall, DT
Tubbs, or even S Taylor, a player that they covet but doesn't fill an
immediate need, is a good possibility. |
22
|
Dallas
|
RB Kevin Jones
|
Virginia Tech
|
| The Cowboys
have four major needs: running back, cornerback, guard, and tackle (in
that order). At this spot, the possibilities include Jones, CB Gamble,
and OT Andrews, G Vernon Carey. |
23
|
Seattle
|
DT Randy Starks
|
Maryland
|
| The Seahawks
have major voids at middle linebacker and defensive tackle. At this
spot, the club may have to reach to fill one of those holes with a player
like Starks, or they could go with a value pick, such as WR Lee Evans or TE
Ben Troupe. |
24
|
Cincinnati (from Denver)
|
TE Ben Troupe
|
Florida
|
|
The
Bengals have seven picks in the
first four rounds, which gives them plenty of ammo for trading up. They
acquired the additional selections by swapping first-round picks with Denver
(a deal which included getting cornerback Deltha O'Neal), and by trading
disgruntled running back Corey Dillon to New England for a second-round
pick. After ranking 28th in defense, the Bengals will be looking to
upgrade at several spots, including defensive tackle, defensive end,
cornerback, and safety. With Dillon gone, the Bengals will also be
looking for a backup for Rudi Johnson. The talent available will
likely not suit their needs at this spot, so look for the team to try to move up.
|
25
|
Green Bay
|
WR Lee Evans
|
Wisconsin
|
| The Packers'
top need is at defensive end, but unless the they can make a deal to move
up, they'll likely be forced to settle for the best player available.
Their other needs include quarterback, wide receiver, guard, and cornerback.
The best options at this spot would be Evans, a hometown product, TEs Troupe
and Ben Watson, and G Vernon Carey. |
26
|
St. Louis
|
G Vernon Carey
|
Miami (Fla.)
|
| The Rams
could go in a few different directions with this pick. Their top needs
are at guard, tight end, and defensive end. With the club expected to
part ways with Kurt Warner, St. Louis will also be in the market for a
quarterback. This pick will likely come down to TE Ben Watson or
guards Carey and Justin Smiley. |
27
|
Tennessee
|
TE Ben Watson
|
Georgia
|
| Losing DE
Jevon Kearse and DT Robaire Smith leaves the team desperate for defensive
linemen. The Titans also have needs at center, offensive tackle, tight
end, and linebacker. At this spot, the club's best option will be
Watson or one of several linebacker prospects. |
28
|
Philadelphia
|
OLB Karlos Dansby
|
Auburn
|
| With Tory
Vincent and Bobby Taylor both gone, the Birds' top priority is cornerback.
However, Gamble will likely be gone, and the Eagles are unlikely to reach
for another corner at this spot. The team has lesser concerns at running back, center, guard,
and linebacker. Most of the value at this spot will be at wide
receiver, but drafting one in the first round is unlikely due to the
acquisition of Terrell Owens. This pick will likely come down to G
Smiley or a linebacker, such as Dontarrious Thomas or Dansby. |
29
|
Indianapolis
|
OLB Dontarrious Thomas
|
Auburn
|
| Most of the
Colts' concerns are on the defensive side of the ball, especially at
defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback. They will have plenty of
good linebackers to chose from (Thomas, Dansby, Teddy Lehman, and Michael
Boulware), or they could also reach for a tackle, such as Donnell Washington
or Darnell Dockett. |
30
|
Kansas City
|
WR Rashaun Woods
|
Oklahoma State
|
| Last season,
the Chiefs were horrible against the run, allowing a league-high 5.2 yards
per carry. As a result, they will likely try to strengthen up the middle by
seeking help at defensive tackle and middle linebacker. Another primary
concern is wide receiver, where aging veterans Johnnie Morton and Eddie
Kennison are slated to start. At this spot in the draft, the
Chiefs should have several talented wideouts to choose from, including Woods
and Michael Clayton. |
31
|
Carolina
|
WR Michael Clayton
|
LSU
|
| Due to
free-agent losses, the secondary is a major priority (at corner and free
safety), and having lost both of their starting guards, the Panthers also
have concerns at that position. At this spot in the draft, the team will have to
reach to fill their needs at defensive back. Smiley would fill a
bigger need at guard, but Woods or Clayton may be too tempting to pass over,
especially since Muhsin Muhammad and Rickey Proehl are on the downside of
their careers. |
32
|
New England
|
DT Donnell Washington
|
Clemson
|
| The mammoth
Washington would help fill the large shoes of NT Ted Washington, who
departed for Oakland. |
| |
Round Two
|
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
School |
| 33* |
Houston (from Oakland) |
The Texans exercised this pick in last July’s
supplemental draft, selecting Georgia Tech RB Tony Hollings. |
33
|
Arizona
|
OLB Michael Boulware
|
Florida State
|
34
|
New York Giants
|
G Justin Smiley
|
Alabama
|
35
|
San Diego
|
WR Michael Jenkins
|
Ohio State
|
36
|
Detroit
|
RB Chris Perry
|
Michigan
|
37
|
Cleveland
|
OT Jacob Rogers
|
USC
|
38
|
Atlanta
|
DE Antwan Odom
|
Alabama
|
39
|
Jacksonville
|
WR Devery Henderson
|
LSU
|
40
|
Houston
|
DT Darnell Dockett
|
Florida State
|
41
|
Denver (from Washington)
|
LB Teddy Lehman
|
Oklahoma
|
42
|
Tennessee (from NY Jets)
|
DT Isaac Sopoaga
|
Hawaii
|
43
|
Buffalo
|
QB J.P. Losman
|
Tulane
|
44
|
Pittsburgh
|
CB Ahmad Carroll
|
Arkansas
|
45
|
Oakland (from Tampa Bay)
|
WR Keary Colbert
|
USC
|
46
|
San Francisco
|
G Chris Snee
|
Boston College
|
47
|
Chicago
|
CB Joey Thomas
|
Montana State
|
48
|
New Orleans
|
C Jake Grove
|
Virginia Tech
|
49
|
Cincinnati
|
CB Will Poole
|
USC
|
50
|
Minnesota
|
ILB Daryl Smith
|
Georgia Tech
|
51
|
Baltimore
|
S Sean Jones
|
Georgia
|
|
The collapse of the
Terrell Owens deal, combined with the loss of Marcus Robinson to the
Vikings, leaves the Ravens desperate for a top-flight wide receiver.
Other than wideout, the Ravens mostly need depth
at three spots -- the offensive line, the defensive line, and the secondary.
Also, Jamal Lewis’ legal troubles could have the team looking a prospect at
running back. At this spot in the draft, the team
might reach for a receiver, such as Johnnie Morant, or a guard, such as
Chris Locklear, but Jones also fills a need and is a higher rated prospect.
|
52
|
Dallas
|
CB Matt Ware
|
UCLA
|
53
|
Seattle
|
DT Dwan Edwards
|
Oregon State
|
54
|
Denver
|
QB Matt Schaub
|
Virginia
|
55
|
Green Bay
|
DE Marquise Hill
|
LSU
|
56
|
Cincinnati (from Miami through New England)
|
DT Igor Olshansky
|
Oregon
|
57
|
Tennessee
|
DE Jason Babin
|
Western Michigan
|
58
|
Philadelphia
|
CB Ricardo Colclough
|
Tusculum
|
59
|
Indianapolis
|
S Stuart Schweigert
|
Purdue
|
60
|
New Orleans (from St. Louis)
|
CB Derrick Strait
|
Oklahoma
|
61
|
Kansas City
|
DT Tank Johnson
|
Washington
|
62
|
Carolina
|
CB Shawntae Spencer
|
Pittsburgh
|
63
|
New England
|
G Sean Locklear
|
North Carolina St.
|
|
| |
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