The Orange Mane - a Denver Broncos Fan Community - Another Sportingnews mock draft....

MOCK DRAFT: ROUND 1
PICK TEAM PLAYER POS SCHOOL
1 (1) 49ers Braylon Edwards WR Michigan
New coach Mike Nolan and GM Scot McCloughan want to trade down but can't find a willing partner. They have many needs and will take the best player available. Edwards is big (6-3, 211) and fast (4.45 speed), has great hands and has the potential to become an All-Pro receiver. He is a sure thing, which can't be said of QBs Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith.
Team needs: QB | DE | WR | RB | NT | OT | S | OLB | CB
2 (2) Dolphins Ronnie Brown RB Auburn
New coach Nick Saban is a defense-first coach and has final say on all personnel matters. He needs a workhorse back to make his conservative, ball-control offense work. Brown is big (6-0, 230) with great speed (4.43), is tough to tackle and catches the ball well.
Team needs: G | RB | DT | QB | S | CB
3 (3) Browns Derrick Johnson OLB Texas
New coach Romeo Crennel and GM Phil Savage already are working in concert. Crennel is a defensive guy who favors the 3-4 scheme and knows the value of elite linebackers. In Baltimore, Savage drafted multiple Pro Bowl linebackers who became the core of dominant units. Johnson is a great athlete with natural instincts.
Team needs: QB | LB | G | OT | CB | S | DE | P
4 (4) Bears Carnell Williams RB Auburn
The Bears will take the biggest playmaker on the board. If not for the signing of free agent Muhsin Muhammad, WR Mike Williams might've gotten the nod here. There is a deep pool of WRs, so the Bears will get one later. Incumbent RB Thomas Jones is OK, but Williams is a workhorse with touchdown potential on every carry.
Team needs: QB | OT | WR | RB | G | LB | TE | CB | K
5 (5) Buccaneers Mike Williams* WR USC
Coach Jon Gruden says he never can have enough weapons. Williams grew up in Tampa and will have marketing appeal. More important, he is big, physical and extremely talented. He and second-year man Michael Clayton could power Gruden's pass-happy attack for a decade.
Team needs: RB | TE | WR | K | G | QB | NT
6 (6) Titans Alex Smith* QB Utah
Despite what Titans officials say, the team is in rebuilding mode. Smith has great upside and could sit behind Steve McNair for a couple years and learn without undo pressure. Smith is big, shows outstanding athleticism and is a proven leader.
Team needs: WR | OT | CB | OLB | ILB | RB | DE
7 (7) Vikings Troy Williamson* WR S. Carolina
(from Oakland) The Vikings rebuilt the defense through free agency and trades and will look to try and replace some of Randy Moss' production here. Williamson is lightening fast and immediately would become Daunte Culpepper's new deep threat.
Team needs: LB | S | DT | G | DE | WR | QB
8 (8) Cardinals Cedric Benson RB Texas
The Cardinals have outstanding young receivers, upgraded their offensive line through free agency and put a Band-Aid on the QB position. Coach Dennis Green covets a power running back, and Benson has the size and will to run hard between the tackles and the great vision and speed to get outside. Benson would balance the offense and take pressure off the QB.
Team needs: RB | CB | QB | TE | NT | DE | OT | DT
9 (9) Redskins Updated Adam Jones* CB W.Va.
Washington traded away Champ Bailey last year, just lost Fred Smoot in free agency and now have a glaring need at cornerback. Jones (5-9 1/2, 187) lacks great size but is a big-time playmaker with a confident, winning attitude. He gambles at times, but his risky decisions usually pay off. Jones would have to become a better assignment corner in coordinator's Gregg Williams' disciplined defense.
Team needs: WR | DE | C | G | QB | TE | OT | CB
10 (10) Lions Updated Alex Barron T Florida St.
The Lions must upgrade at offensive tackle and would be thrilled if Barron -- the No. 1-rated player in our Super 99 -- slides this far. Barron is huge and has outstanding athleticism. Most important, he is a great pass blocker. Barron might struggle if asked to play right tackle because he is not an exceptional run blocker. If the Lions get Barron, expect LT Jeff Backus to move to the right side.
Team needs: S | OT | DE | LB | G | TE | WR
11 (11) Cowboys Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma
With the first of two first-round picks, the Cowboys hope to get the missing piece in their attempt to re-create the triplet magic of the '90s at QB, RB and WR. Last year, the team drafted RB Julius Jones. This offseason, strong-armed QB Drew Bledsoe was signed. Clayton would bring a desperately needed receiving threat downfield. Clayton is a playmaker who can score from anywhere.
Team needs: DT | OLB | CB | S | OT | G | WR
12 (12) Chargers Updated Erasmus James DE Wis.
(from NY Giants) San Diego must get a young receiver but won't be able to pass up James. James never stops hustling and thus is the anti-Marcellus Wiley. James (6-4, 266) is a little undersized to be a 3-4 end but plays with great intensity and leverage.
Team needs: DE | S | WR | OT | NT
13 (13) Texans Updated Antrel Rolle CB Miami (FL)
Facing the Colts and Jaguars twice a year in the pass-happy AFC South, Houston is forced to use nickel personnel about two-thirds of the time. Rolle has decent size and speed but shows great instincts and never misses an assignment.
Team needs: OT | OLB | DT | CB | WR | ILB
14 (14) Panthers Thomas Davis* S Georgia
The big, physical Davis would round out the Panthers' elite defense. He is quick and has decent straight-line speed for a strong safety. Thomas is a big hitter who will be great in run support but might be a liability in pass coverage.
Team needs: OT | RB | DT | WR | C | CB | S
15 (15) Chiefs Updated Carlos Rogers CB Auburn
The Chiefs have quantity at cornerback but must upgrade the quality. Rogers, whose stock is rising, has great speed and quickness. He is physical and fearless and would help against the run, too. He needs to improve his ball skills, however.
Team needs: CB | LB | DE | WR | DT | OT | QB
16 (16) Saints Aaron Rodgers* QB Cal.
Rodgers' stock is dropping fast because of The Tedford Factor. All of coach Jeff Tedford's elite college QBs have been NFL busts. Aaron Brooks' immaturity is wearing thin on Saints officials, who might jump at the chance to get a young guy to push him. Rodgers is a bit undersized but has a strong arm, outstanding fundamentals and can make all the throws.
Team needs: LB | G | S | CB | RB | OT | C
17 (17) Bengals Updated Travis Johnson DT Florida St.
The Bengals had trouble stopping the run in '04. The addition of free-agent DT Bryan Robinson will help, but it's just a stopgap measure. Johnson is a big, physical presence but is quick enough to play in a one-gap scheme.
Team needs: DE | DE | TE | S | C | TE | RB
18 (18) Vikings Updated David Pollack DE Georgia
As the Vikings continue to remake their defense, Pollack gives them the athletic, standup edge rusher they need to play the 3-4 that Ted Cottrell prefers. At 6-2 1/8, 265 with very short (30 1/2-inch) arms, Pollack overcomes concerns about his size with great speed and quickness (3.90 short shuttle), outstanding instincts and nonstop hustle. Best suited as a pass rusher, Pollack also can stuff the run and play in open field.
Team needs: LB | S | DT | G | DE | WR | QB
19 (19) Rams Jammal Brown T Oklahoma
The Rams have locked up franchise LT Orlando Pace, but they need to replace Kyle Turley on the opposite side. At 6-5 7/8, 316, Brown has long, strong arms, and works best in pass protection. He has the tools for run blocking but needs to get stronger and bulkier to excel at it.
Team needs: OT | LB | S | DE | G | RB | DT | CB
20 (20) Cowboys Shawne Merriman* DE Maryland
(from Buffalo) Bill Parcells is a 3-4 defensive coach at heart and is looking to acquire the personnel to make the transition. Merriman is an outstanding athlete who played both linebacker and end in college and may be the key ingredient. At 6-4 3/8, 272, Merriman may be asked to lean up to increase his speed on the edge.
Team needs: DT | OLB | CB | S | OT | G | WR
21 (21) Jaguars Updated Marcus Spears DE LSU
The Jaguars have two of the best young DTs in the game in John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, and they added end Reggie Hayward. Spears, at 6-4, 307, would play left end in the team's upfield attacking scheme. Spears has great athleticism and agility and might be the finishing touch on a dominant front four.
Team needs: DE | OT | CB | WR | RB | S
22 (22) Ravens Updated Matt Roth DE Iowa
The Ravens are converting to a 4-3 and must restock their personnel. At 6-3 3/4, 278, Roth plays with nonstop hustle and sometimes gets a little out of control. He must improve his pass-rush discipline but shows tremendous potential. He also can play either end.
Team needs: WR | G | OT | CB | DT | ILB | RB
23 (23) Seahawks Updated Justin Miller* CB Clemson
Seattle lost CB Ken Lucas in free agency and must address this need early. Miller, at 5-9 3/4, 201 with 4.42 speed, possesses great change-of-direction and ball skills, and is a tough, physical defender. He also was a productive kick returner in college.
Team needs: OLB | DE | CB | WR | RB | C | DT | ILB
24 (24) Packers Updated Shaun Cody DT USC
Cody is a versatile defender who can play anywhere on the line. He eventually will settle in as a tackle. Cody has the hustle and intensity to go along with good size (6-4, 293). He would fits Green Bay's attacking scheme with his ability to penetrate, get upfield and make plays on the ball.
Team needs: S | QB | DE | LB | TE | G | P
25 (25) Broncos Updated Justin Tuck* DE Notre Dame
The Broncos are looking to trade Trevor Pryce, and have little talent or depth at end after losing Hayward. Tuck (6-5, 268) is a relentless pass rusher who should step right in and help Denver get pressure on the passer.
Team needs: DE | G | WR | CB | RB | OLB
26 (26) Jets Updated Corey Webster CB LSU
The Jets must upgrade their secondary, starting with speed and coverage skills at cornerback. Donnie Henderson likes to attack on defense, often leaving his corners one-on-one against a receiver. Webster has good size (6-0 1/8, 199) with long arms, plays physical at the line and is willing in run support. He uses his frame and ball skills to his advantage downfield, making up for his slight speed deficiency.
Team needs: CB | TE | S | RB | WR | DT | C | K | QB
27 (27) Falcons Darryl Blackstock* OLB Va.
Ed Donatell calls for an upfield attacking scheme. Paired with Pro Bowler Keith Brooking, Blackstock will be set free to use his speed and athleticism to pressure the quarterback and run to the ball, the two things he loves to do.
Team needs: ILB | S | DT | OT | WR | DE | S
28 (28) Chargers Demarcus Ware OLB Troy State
The Chargers are one of the leaders in the copycat NFL. Wade Phillips installed the 3-4 upon his arrival and the team has remade its personnel to fit. Now that there are as many as a dozen teams using 3-4s, Ware is the type of player who is in great demand. Ware, 6-4, 251 with 4.56 speed, played outside linebacker in college. He shows both the speed and burst to rush the passer off the edge and both the athleticism and instincts to play in open field.
Team needs: DE | S | WR | OT | NT
29 (29) Colts Updated Fabian Washington* CB Nebraska
The Colts must upgrade their speed at cornerback. Washington had an Olympian Combine workout, posting a 4.29 forty, a 3.91 short shuttle and a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap. A bit undersized at 5-10 1/2, 188, he compensates with his athleticism and strong coverage skills.
Team needs: ILB | DT | DE | RB | CB | S | OLB | OT | FB
30 (30) Steelers Updated Marlin Jackson CB Michigan
Jackson, a big, physical corner at 6-0 5/8, 198, possesses all the skills to be a starting corner but is a step away from elite speed at 4.52. He shows great quickness -- he posted a 3.96 short shuttle that makes up for some of his speed deficit. He played both corner and safety in college and would be a factor in the Steelers' nickel packages until he eventually takes over at corner for veteran Willie Williams.
Team needs: WR | DE | TE | G | ILB | RB | CB
31 (31) Eagles Channing Crowder* ILB Florida
The Eagles need an upgrade at linebacker, the weakest position on a very strong defense. Jim Johnson likes to call blitzes from everywhere and needs athletic linebackers for them to be effective. If not for some character concerns, we would have Crowder off the board sooner. He is very aggressive and plays with nonstop hustle. He can be undisciplined, but he is still young, having played only two years at Florida and leaving as a redshirt sophomore.
Team needs: WR | DE | DT | RB | TE | QB
32 (32) Patriots Barrett Ruud ILB Nebraska
The Patriots' defense is driven by its aging linebackers. Tedy Bruschi may not return from a minor stroke and Ted Johnson and Willie McGinest are two of league's oldest linebackers. Ruud is the versatile player Bill Belichick looks for. Ruud isn't the most athletic defender, but he plays smart and has great character both on and off the field.