Ourlad's 2005 NFL Mock Draft
Updated: Friday, March 18, 2005
Here’s a look at the latest projection of the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft based upon our grades and insight around the NFL.
Pick Team Player Pos. School
1 San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers QB California
2 Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Brown RB Auburn
3 Cleveland Browns
Antrel Rolle CB Miami, Fla.
4 Chicago Bears
Mike Williams WR Southern California
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carnell Williams RB Auburn
6 Tennessee Titans
Braylon Edwards WR Michigan
7 Minnesota Vikings
Cedric Benson RB Texas
8 Arizona Cardinals
Alex Smith QB Utah
9 Washington Redskins
Carlos Rogers CB Auburn
10 Detroit Lions
Derrick Johnson LB Texas
11 Dallas Cowboys
Shawne Merriman OLB-DE Maryland
12 San Diego Chargers
Shaun Cody DE Southern California
13 Houston Texans
Demarcus Ware OLB-DE Troy
14 Carolina Panthers
Heath Miller TE Virginia
15 Kansas City Chiefs
Marlin Jackson CB Michigan
16 New Orleans Saints
Thomas Davis SS Georgia
17 Cincinnati Bengals
Brodney Pool S Oklahoma
18 Minnesota Vikings
Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma
19 St. Louis Rams
David Pollack DE Georgia
20 Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Spears DL Louisiana State
21 Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Miller CB Clemson
22 Baltimore Ravens
Alex Barron OT Florida State
23 Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Burnett LB Tennessee
24 Green Bay Packers
Barrett Ruud LB Nebraska
25 Denver Broncos
Dan Cody DE Oklahoma
26 New York Jets
Adam Jones CB West Virginia
27 Atlanta Falcons
Matt Roth DE Iowa
28 San Diego Chargers
Reggie Brown WR Georgia
29 Indianapolis Colts
Luis Castillo DT Northwestern
30 Pittsburgh Steelers
Jammal Brown OT Oklahoma
31 Philadelphia Eagles
Roddy White WR Alabama-Birmingham
32 New England Patriots
Elton Brown OG Virginia
Notes:
The quarterback battle remains a focal point atop the first round between Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith. The 49ers are weighing all options and Cleveland isn’t sure if either of the two quarterbacks is worth the huge momentary gamble with so many needs on defense that must be addressed.
There was a lot of hype regarding Alex Smith’s workout coming out of Salt Lake City, but the truth is that his workout was nothing extraordinary. His arm strength wasn’t as good as reported and he was inconsistent delivering the ball downfield.
Mike Williams has moved up the boards in recent weeks following a productive combine and personal workout. He’s moved into the top five with Chicago and Tampa Bay showing a lot of interest. A few boards currently have Williams ahead of Braylon Edwards at wide receiver.
Our pairing of the Minnesota Vikings and Cedric Benson will probably open a lot of eyes. Sure, the Vikings have a lot of depth on paper at running back. But with Mike Tice and new offensive coordinator Steve Loney putting more of an emphasis on a strong run game, Michael Bennett might not have a long-term future in Minnesota. Onterrio Smith is one strike away from a one-year suspension. Benson’s size is particularly attractive to the Vikings. But make no mistake, they would love to come away with one of the big wide receivers in the top 10.
Houston was disappointed to lose out on trading for Orlando Pace. The left tackle position was a problem last season, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’ll select Alex Barron with the 13th pick. There are a lot of mixed opinions regarding Barron and the Texans are reluctant to start over with a rookie at left tackle. There is a good chance that Houston will add more speed on defense.
Atlanta could take a defensive lineman in the first round to add more depth upfront. Matt Roth would be an ideal upgrade in the rotation and become a future starter to replace Brady Smith by 2007.
Green Bay defensive coordinator Jim Bates will be experimenting with some position changes before the draft. The Packers need a productive pass rusher off the perimeter to complement Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, but they are considering moving Cletidus Hunt outside. If they feel confident about that direction, it likely could have the Packers considering a linebacker in the first round.