With this weekend's NFL Draft coming up, The Daily Cardinal Sports desk asked its crack team of NFL experts to produce its very own mock draft. Here are the results.
1. Cincinnati: Carson Palmer, QB, Southern California
A quarterback is actually not one of the top needs for the Bengals, but how do you pass on the best player in the draft? Talks have already begun between the Bengals and Palmer's agent. The only question left is what size Palmer wants his jersey in.
2. Detroit: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
QB Joey Harrington has been longing for a legitimate receiver threat and he will have one in Rogers. His athleticism led him to a 13 TD, 1,351-yard season and it will quickly catapult him to top receiver on Detroit's depth chart.
3. Houston: Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State
This spot is a toss-up between Kennedy and DT Dewayne Robertson from Kentucky, but Kennedy got more publicity playing at a more prolific school. This 6'4\, 332-pound monster will plug up the defensive line for the Texans for a defense that was less than stellar last year.
4. Chicago: Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State
The Bears want a pass-rushing specialist and Suggs fits the bill perfectly. Although his Combine stats have been very unimpressive, you can't deny his ability, which is backed up by his NCAA-leading 24 sacks last season.
5. Dallas: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State
The Cowboys were looking to draft a high-quality safety and cornerback last year and only completed half of the puzzle. Newman, the top DB in the country last year, will fullfill Dallas' wish and, as an added bonus, can return kicks and punts as well.
6. Arizona: Andre Johnson, WR, Miami
It's surprising that Johnson would slip this far, but Arizona will not let him slip any further. After losing WR David Boston to free agency, the Cardinals will be in desperate need of a high-impact receiver for newly-acquired QB Jeff Blake.
7. Minnesota: Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky
The Vikings defensive rebuilding project is still in process and Robertson will be a ""big"" help as a 6'1"", 317-pound run-stuffer. Alongside Chris Hovan, Robertson could solidify a defensive line that has been less than fearsome since John Randle left Minnesota.
8. Jacksonville: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall
Though the Jaguars have other needs to address, Leftwich has too much potential and ability to slip any farther down the board. With QB Mark Brunell nearing the finish line of his career, Leftwich could step in as starter within a few years.
9. Carolina: Jordan Gross, OT, Utah
Many factors led to the Panthers' mid-season collapse, and a shoddy offensive line was one of them. At 6'4"", 300 pounds, Gross is easily the best tackle in the draft. He'll add strength to a line that gave up far too many sacks last season.
10. Baltimore: Kyle Boller, QB, California
Boller's stock has skyrocketed since the end of last season and many teams have taken notice. Brian Billick has been unhappy with current QB Chris Redman and is raving about Boller, which means he could find his way into the lineup quickly.
11. Seattle: Kenny Peterson, DL, Ohio State
Seattle's defensive line has been quiet for a long time and Peterson could be the one to add a spark to it. He has the size and ability to play at end or tackle, but is more suited for defensive end, a position in which the Seahawks have been lacking in.
12. St. Louis: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State
The Rams' pass defense has not been of the highest caliber lately, and only looks to get worse with the loss of Dexter McCleon and Dre Bly. With Aeneas Williams nearing retirement, now is the perfect time for the Rams to develop a new defensive back cornerstone. Trufant is athletic and may not have to wait long before starting.
13. New York Jets: Bryant Johnson, WR, Penn State
Losing their top receiver, Laveranues Coles, has left the Jets without a good corps of wideouts. Penn State's Johnson, a tall product who isn't afraid to go across the middle, could be groomed as the eventual replacement. If Johnson pans and joins Wayne Chrebet and Santana Moss, New York would possess a very diverse group of receivers.
14. New England: E.J. Henderson, MLB, Maryland
One thing that has remained consistent about New England since their Super Bowl run two seasons ago is its quality linebackers. With problems arising with Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson, the Patriots would be greatly served by taking the 2003 Draft's one quality middle linebacker. Henderson has terrific athleticism and sideline-to-sideline capabilities, though he has been hampered by injuries.
15. San Diego: Troy Polamalu, S, Southern California
Polamalu looks to make the jump from one Southern California team to another. The all-American has great playmaking capabilities and will fit well in a strong safety role. This makes him a match for the Chargers, who recently lost star run-stuffing safety Rodney Harrison and exhibit a deficiency of skill in the secondary.
16. Kansas City: Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma
Though Eric Warfield and William Bartee are the Chiefs' starters, injuries and inconsistency have paved the way for new blood. Woolfolk, a former national champion at Oklahoma, brings speed and know-how. Having played some receiver in college,
Woolfolk may be able to contribute in more places than the defensive backfield.
17. New Orleans: Mike Doss, S, Ohio State
The Saints have been juggling players in their secondary for years and need to establish some consistency. Doss, the defensive heart of the national champion Buckeyes, would bring tenacity and hard hitting ability to the strong safety position. Aside from covering receivers, Doss excels at blitzing the quarterback.
18. New Orleans: Dallas Clark, TE, Iowa
New Orleans would be wise to select a tight end with their second first-round pick. Tight end is the weak link of an otherwise potent Saints offense. Clark will unlikely be able to start right away, but New Orleans' current roster of tight ends will be able to hold down the fort until this underclassman develops.
19. New England: Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State
Though Antowain Smith has been a reasonably effective stopgap, a new pair of legs are clearly needed to take the Patriots to the next level. Johnson, the NCAA's leading rusher in 2002, showcases a power running style and an ability to make catches in the backfield. He could bring a new dimension to the now stagnant Patriot ground game.
20. Denver: Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State
The Broncos pride themselves on a physical front four, but as of late have been lacking a threatening pair of ends. Haynes would bring both size and speed to a Denver line that could use it. If Haynes does not show starting potential, he should still be effective in a rotation.
21. Cleveland: Eric Steinbach, G, Iowa
Head Coach Butch Davis invested his first draft pick last year in a running back; now he needs a guard to help clear a path. The Browns' offense is making significant progress but is hampered by a weak offensive line that rarely clears holes for the running game. Steinbach, whose versatility may allow him to play several positions, would be a logical fit.
22. New York Jets: Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami
Constantly reshuffling their defensive line, the Jets are seeking a steady presence. McDougle, a strong, dominating prospect, may give New York just what they're looking for. Consistency from McDougle would provide the Jets with something even more valuable than a reliable defensive end: a stable front four.
23. Buffalo: Kelley Washington, WR, Tennessee
Washington comes into a Buffalo squad in need of a replacement for Peerless Price, who is now with Atlanta. The receiver will be a 6'2"", 223-pound man who gives the Bills the size it needs. Hopefully his ego stays in check so he can have a successful rookie campaign.
24. Indianapolis: Boss Bailey, LB, Georgia
Indianapolis needs defensive help and Bailey will help the Colts fill some holes. Bailey is a very fast linebacker who can keep up with wide receivers, but his questionable tackling may cause some problems for Tony Dungy.
25. New York Giants: Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida
Though wide receiver is not a key for the Giants to work on, the fact that Taylor Jacobs is still available makes it too good to pass up. Plus, New York does not have a terrific wideout corps so Jacobs will be a great acquisition.
26. San Francisco: Chris Kelsay, DE, Nebraska
With the loss of Chike Okeafor, Kelsay is the best that San Francisco can do at this position in the draft. Kelsay has speed and strength, but lacks a little size that is needed at the defensive end position. However, Kelsay should make an impact in the 49er system this upcoming year.
27. Pittsburgh: Sammy Davis, CB, Texas A&M
Davis brings intelligence and hard hitting to a Pittsburgh secondary that was exploited late last year. He has strong instincts that is key for rookie. The only downside is his slow turnaround, which may lead to fast receivers beating him down the field.
28. Tennessee: William Joseph, DT, Miami
William Joseph is being compared to Tampa Bay's Warren Sapp - as long as his work ethic doesn't fall off. He is strong, quick and physical, but he has a tendency to become lazy. The 6'5"", 308-pound defensive tackle, though, will be a strong defensive tackle that can come off the bench for the Titans.
29. Green Bay: Terry Pierce, LB, Kansas St.
Green Bay is in dire need of a linebacker in this draft. With E.J. Henderson already taken, the Packers turn to Pierce. Though leaving school a year early, Pierce does offer great size and physical play. His lack of experience is a downside, but can be fixed.
30. Philadelphia: Dewayne White, DE, Louisville
White is not as instinctive as most teams would like, but may become a serious force in the NFL. His great athleticism is a definite upside, and he will become a standout lineman with coaching and time. The 6'2', 273-pound end will fit in well in a defense that could use a pass-rushing end.
31. Oakland: Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame
Jeff Faine is the best center in the draft, and with the problems with Barrett Robbins in the Super Bowl, the Raiders will pick him in this first of two back to back picks. Faine offers a tireless work ethic and great strength, but still may struggle against the larger defensive tackles in the league.
32. Oakland: Willis McGahee, RB, Miami
McGahee would have been a top-five pick in the draft, if it wasn't for his knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl. However, the damage in his knee has caused teams to pass on the back. But Oakland has a deep roster at the running back position and can afford to pick up the back and allow him to fully heal before contributing to the team.
