The Dogg Pound (4/24/06) - Monk's Mock NFL Draft

Dr. Giganto

These are always fun to do, so I figured I would do one. I assumed that the current order will be the final one (no trades), and generally went with each team addressing a major need, unless there is a cant-miss prospect (see Bush, Reggie). Here we go...

1. Houston Texans: Reggie Bush, RB, USC

Although they have many holes that need to be filled before RB (defense and O-line, for example), passing on Reggie Bush might end up being the "Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan" moment in the NFL after all is said and done. The Texans should do the smart thing and take Bush

2. New Orleans Saints: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

The Saints can go two ways here, taking either Ferguson, or DE Mario Williams from NC State, but considering they've taken a D-lineman in the first round each year from 2002-2004, it might be smart to shore up the O-line. Ferguson would combine with last year's first-round pick Jamaal Brown to form a formidable book-end combination

3. Tennessee Titans: Matt Leinart, QB, USC

They won't even let Steve McNair in the building, and Leinart played under O-Coordinator Norm Chow at USC. The Titans would be silly to let Leinart pass.

4. New York Jets: Vince Young, QB, Texas

Chad Pennington? Done. Brooks Bollinger? Scrappy little guy, but not a starter in the NFL. Patrick Ramsey? Unproven. Vince Young looks more and more like he will be the next Michael Vick: Not the best arm/throwing motion, but ridiculous mobility, and able to add a great deal of excitement to any game. Not to mention the fact that Vick has taken his team to the playoffs a few times already, advancing as far as the NFC Championship in 2004. If nothing else, Young will at least make things interesting. The Jets may snap up Mario Williams here, but I think Young would be the smarter move.

5. Green Bay Packers: AJ Hawk, OLB, Ohio St.

The first defensive player to go off the board will probably go to the Pack (unless Mario Williams goes to either the Saints or Jets). Hawk is considered one of the top prospects, and should thrive wherever he goes.

6. San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland

A lot of people have projected TE Vernon Davis to go here, giving young QB Alex Smith a safety net to throw to. Big, athletic TEs are all the rage these days, especially given the emergence of Antonio Gates. The 49ers have a lot of holes to fill, but Smith looked so lost last year, he really needs that big target to help build his confidence.

7. Oakland Raiders: Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina St.

Williams's mini-freefall ends at #7, where he will be scooped up by the Oakland Raiders. Derrick Burgess had a monster year last year, and Williams will combine with him to form a nearly unstoppable pash rush. They could go with Jay Cutler here, but I would stay away from him simply because he was not a winner in college, and Aaron Brooks can at least shoulder the load for one year, until a more capable QB can be found either in next year's draft (Brady Quinn) or via free agency.

8. Buffalo Bills: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon

The Bills got run all over them last year, especially following the injury to LB Takeo Spikes. After losing disgruntled DT Sam Adams in the offseason, Ngata should be able to plug up that hole in the middle, allowing a returning Spikes and London Fletcher to make tackles in the running game.

9. Detroit Lions: Michael Huff, CB/S, Texas

Well, one thing's for sure: If they're smart, they will NOT take a WR here. After using top 10 picks on underperforming WRs the last few years, the Lions should probably look toward the defensive side of the ball. They have a pretty good defensive line, and the LBs are adequate, meaning they should look at DB's for help. Huff is capable of playing either Safety or cornerback, and should help the lions shut down opposing passing attacks.

10. Arizona: Winston Justice, OT, USC

This is another spot where Cutler could go, but I think shoring up the atrocious O-line should be priority #1. Justice helped protect Leinart, and opened holes for Bush and LenDale White. He looks like a solid prospect.

11. St. Louis Rams: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College

I think that they, too, will look for defense, especially now that offense-wacky coach Mike Martz has been run out of town. They could go either DE or CB here, but I think they will go with the D-lineman, lining up on the other side of Leonard Little (the murderer).

12. Cleveland Browns: Kimerion Wimbley, DE, Florida St.

This team has done a pretty good job in free agency, picking up serviceable players. Their biggest weaknesses seem to be along the defensive line (especially the ends) and the DBs. I think they'll go with an end here, FSU's Wimbley.

13. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Winston, T, Miami

This is a hard team to predict, because of the question marks at QB, and RB. Boller played well at the end of last year, but he hasnt proven that he can do it over a full season. Jamal Lewis had a poor season, but it may have been a result of the jail time he served in the offseason. They signed Mike Anderson as insurance for Lewis, and they'll probably give Boller another shot, so I think they'll go O-line here. Right tackle is probably the biggest need, and with Justice and Ferguson off the board, they probably go with the next highest rank tackle prospect, Winston, from "The U"

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida

Can anybody guess what they need? They have a few options at reciever here, but Jackson seems to be the most highly touted.

15. Denver Broncos: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida St.

They're a pretty solid all-around team, but their one weakness seems to be at the 2nd DT spot. They could also use a WR, as Rod Smith is aging, and Ashley Lelie has been ineffective, but those two may be able to shoulder the burden for another year.

16. Miami Dolphins: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida St.

They are very thin at LB, especially with veteran Zach Thomas being a year older. They need some new blood amon those backers.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt

He finally gets scooped up here, by a team with a pressing QB need. Brad Johnson is ok, but he's getting old, and his record last year was inflated by mopping up against mediocre teams. Cutler will be their man for the future.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma

Despite the T.O. acquisition, Parcells is, at heart, a smashmouth football kind of guy, making O-line seem like the way to go. Plus, they just lost Larry Allen. Joseph is big and strong, and will be able to open holes in the running game.

19. San Diego Chargers: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St.

With new starting QB Philip Rivers, they need to surround him with weapons. They have two great offensive players in LDT and Gates, but no real threat at reciever. Holmes will give them the deep threat they currently lack.

20. Kansas City Chiefs: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida St.

This is another team similar to the aforementioned Chargers, that has great offensive weapos outside of reciever. But, improving the defense is still a priority, so I think they will go with a corner here.

21. New England Patriots: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa

Their back 7 on defense struggled all year, and they lost Willie McGinest to free agency. I think they take the best available defensive player here. They can use one more LB for their 3-4 scheme, so I'll give them Greenway.

22. San Francisco 49ers: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama

Now that they have Smith's safety net, they can focus on filling some other holes (and there are plenty). They're so bad, they could really go in any direction here. They need some more fast linebackers to play in the 3-4, so I'll give them the smallish Ryans here.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio St.

This team has no glaring weakness, so an exceptional player at a non-skill position might be a good choice. Hence, I see them taking Mangold here, if he is still available.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech

This team put up a lot of points, but also gave up a lot of points last year, especially in the passing game. CB is the way to go.

25. New York Giants: Manny Lawson, OLB

They revamped their secondary in the offseason, while also picking up big name free agent Lavar Arrington to boost the linebacking corps. They need another reciever, and a defensive tackle. They still have hopes for Tim Carter, David Tyree, and Jamaar Taylor at the WR spot, so I think they go with a defensive player here. Arrington and Carlos Emmons have had injury problems lately, so DE/LB Lawson could be the pick.

26. Chicago Bears: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami

They need somebody on the other side of Muhsin Muhammad. Muhammad isnt exactly a spring chicken either.

27. Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis

Stephen Davis is gone, and DeShaun Foster has been inconsistent. Because of this, Carolina has expressed interest in a running back. Williams is too good to pass up at this point.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Laurence Moroney, RB, Minnesota

Oft-injured RB Fred Taylor is 30 years old. Greg jones is a converted fullback. They need somebody to carry the ball, and Moroney is their man.

29. New York Jets: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson

They need somebody to replace the departed Ty Law. An O-lineman might also be a good choice in this spot.

30. Indianapolis: LenDale White, RB, USC

Dominic Rhodes may be able to fill in admirably for Edge, but it's worth taking a flyer on USC's all time TD leader.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio St.

They were one of the most balanced teams in the NFL last year, and have no glaring weakness. Carpenter may be join a solid linebacking corps, along with big name free agent Julian Peterson.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathon Joseph, CB, South Carolina

The secondary was Pittsburgh's lone weakness last year (and not much of a weakness at that), so they may look to improve there.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Man, I really hope the Pats trade up, so you can update this with someone else. haha.

I dont see Belechick drafting a LB as he never has in the first round. Its always some big fucking bastard that plays either side of the line and since they are stacked at D-Line I see them taking a guard.


Great post. I liked the 49ers projected player. haha. If you were Mike Lupica you would be the talk around the sports talk shows.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Yes! I want the Niners to get Vernon Davis bad but they still need another weapon after that. I'm happy they traded up for the 22 spot.

Great post Tom...

Dr. Giganto

goddamn, whoever put the "B" next to the "N" on the key board...

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

hahaha. I was like.

"Tell me he didnt just say that........tell me he didnt just say that"

Freak

Wow D, for the most part that's a really solid mock draft. I won't even read a mock if there aren't reasons provided for the picks, and I thought you did a great job there. I only had three decent-sized beefs:

1. I'd be pissed if Green Bay passed on Mario Williams, no matter how much I like AJ Hawk as a fall-back option at #5. But besides that, I also find it hard to believe Williams could fall all the way to #7 without another team trading up for him. He's just that highly-touted. Defensive end prospects with his size, measurables, and proven production really only come around once every half decade or so, and I think NFL GMs are very aware of that.

2. In the last couple months, Mathias Kiwanuka has all but fallen out of the first 20 picks, and possibly the first round. If the Rams want a DL, Broderick Bunkley is by far the best prospect on the board at that point (Wimbley is good too).

3. I just don't see the Jags going RB in the first round. You're right that Fred Taylor will never be a sure thing, but it seems like the Jags' staff really loves Greg Jones -- not to mention LaBrandon Toefield, who has always played well when given the chance.

All in all, though, that looks pretty awesome.

Blitz, I've already stated my doubts about how Davis would fit into SF's scheme at this point, but he's clearly a phenomenal prospect, and in a few years if the Niners can add to that offense, he could really break out. I'd also be really excited about taking Ryans at #22 -- he's just ferocious, and would fit into your 3-4 perfectly.

Dr. Giganto

yeah, after I posted this I rethought it and realized that if Mario Williams is there at #5, the Packers would almost definitely take him. So, I would basically switch Hawk and Williams.

Unfortunately, I don't follow college football THAT much, so it's hard for me to guage justhow good some of these guys are. As you can see, my thought process was basically, "What does the team need, and who is the most highly-touted player at that position?" So, because of that, I didnt realize that the DE from BC is slipping.

Thanks for the compliments, by the way

Freak

That switch works beautifully for me. Hawk is also exactly the kind of player the Raiders need.

TSN Canada only show the first three hours of the Draft, so I've got to find someone with NFL Network who will let me spend the whole day at their house.

Dr. Giganto

Freak, I got a question for you...

Now with the Arrington signing, the Giants seem to only have 3 big weaknesses: DT, LT, and slot reciever. Some people are saying that Eric Winston will fall all the way to 25, but I'm skeptical about that.

It seems to me like the obvious choice would be to look toward a DT with the first round pick, but I dont think there will be anybody at that position available who merits a first round pick (which is why I had them stockpiling LBs). Are there any DTs that I dont know about who may be late first round quality? Or do you think they would be better served waiting for a later round (or perhaps the June 1st cuts) to address that need?

Freak

Well, Gabe Watson (Michigan) is a guy who is undeniably physically gifted, and has only fallen to late-1st/early-2nd because of a shitty attitude. Coughlin might be the guy to whip his ass into shape, or he might just be the guy to enrage him even more. I don't know.

Rodrique Wright (Texas) is another guy who would be a total beast if he let his motor run at full-speed. Coming into 2005, he was rated a top-5 prospect, and he's fallen mainly because he just wasn't a huge force on the field this year. But like Watson, the guy is a monster if he wants to be.

I always find that DTs go off the board much quicker than expected (remember a few years ago, one draft where like 5 DTs went in the first 15).