Does anyone have Mel Kiper's latest mock draft?? I'm not an "ESPN Insider"...and was just trying to take the easy way out!! Thanks in advance if anybody posts it....
Anybody have Kiper's latest Mock Draft?
- Thread starter Goose
- Start date
is this the latest one?
====
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Special to ESPN Insider
MOCK DRAFT: Kiper's initial first-round projection | Jan. 21
Editor's Note: ESPN.com draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. offers his initial
first-round projection for the 2004 NFL draft.
It's Senior Bowl week, and the deadline for underclassmen to declare for
the draft has passed, so it's time to make my initial first-round
projection for the 2004 NFL draft. I currently see three skill-position
players at the top of the draft, while underclassmen (*) account for 16
of the 32 picks. Here's my initial forecast:
1. San Diego Chargers: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss Drew Brees has not
proven himself as a player who will ultimately be a starter in the NFL,
and while the Chargers also have needs at OT, WR, DT and LB, passing up
a blue-chip quarterback like Manning is tough to do, especially
considering they passed on Michael Vick a couple years ago.
2. Oakland Raiders: *Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh The Raiders
certainly could use a quarterback, with Rich Gannon getting up there in
age, but Fitzgerald would be a good complement to the big, athletic
Jerry Porter at wideout. There is also need at DL and S, but Fitzgerald
has all the skills you look for in a receiver. Larry Fitzgerald has the
hands and body control to make the tough catches.
3. Arizona Cardinals: *Ben Roethlisberger, QB,
Miami-Ohio Josh McCown is an adequate QB, but Roethlisberger will give
new coach Dennis Green a potential star. DL is also a need area, but no
linemen are worthy of the No. 3 pick, so the Cardinals would do well to
upgrade the most important position on the field.
4. New York Giants: Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa Getting a player like
Gallery -- the prototype left tackle -- would be a huge help to QB Kerry
Collins, who was beaten up big-time this season. The Giants also need
help along the DL and at S, but Gallery will step in immediately and
fill a big hole.
5. Washington Redskins: *Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami-Fla. The TE position
is always important in a Joe Gibbs offense, and Winslow will give the
Redskins a multi-dimensional talent at that position, one that could be
utilized creatively by Gibbs and his staff. DL and RB are also need
positions in Washington, but it will be hard to pass up an athlete like
Winslow at this spot.
6. Detroit Lions: *Sean Taylor, S, Miami-Fla. The Lions need to get the
best impact player still on the board at either WR, RB, DE, CB or S, and
Taylor looks to be that guy. Taylor is to the safety position at Miami
what Ray Lewis was to the MLB spot and has tremendous toughness.
7. Atlanta Falcons: *Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma DT, OT, CB and WR are
the need areas for the Falcons, and Harris wreaks havoc behind the line
of scrimmage. He can cause problems for opposing QBs and was constantly
triple-teamed in college.
8. Cleveland Browns: *Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State Gamble might be a
slight reach here, but his upside is tremendous, and he capped his
college career with a terrific game in Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl win over
Kansas State. A roll of the dice, but if he can be coached up and
improve his cover skills Gamble could be an impact player down the road.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Roy Williams, WR, Texas The Jags need a
complement to Jimmy Smith at wideout, and a reliable No. 2 option would
certainly help the development of QB Byron Leftwich. Jacksonville also
has needs at CB and DE.
10. Houston Texans: *Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC A pass-rusher is the No. 1
need in Houston, and Udeze fits the mold. Originally a DT, Udeze has
developed into a terrific strong-side DE and is ideally suited to the
3-4 scheme with his rush skills and ability to hold up against the run.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina The
Steelers' secondary has been torched in recent years and Robinson is
definitely worthy of a high pick. He is fundamentally sound and prepared
to step in and become an immediate starter.
12. New York Jets: Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami-Fla. New York definitely
needs help at WR and CB, but Vilma would give the Jets speed,
athleticism and instincts to boost their LB corps.
13. Buffalo Bills: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State A perfect fit. Smith would
be the best player available at this point in the first round and fill a
big-time need for the Bills, who could also use help at CB or WR.
14. Chicago Bears: *Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech Jones has size,
breakaway speed and the ability to catch and block. He would be a good
complement to Anthony Thomas, who is not quite the home run hitter Jones
could be. The Bears might also look to upgrade at WR, DT or DB.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: *Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas Andrews is a
devastating run blocker who is also light on his feet and would upgrade
the RT position dramatically for the Bucs. WR and TE are also areas of
need in Tampa.
16. San Francisco 49ers: *Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami-Fla. With his ability
to stuff the run and also explode upfield, Wilfork is in the mold of
current NFL DT Keith Traylor. Wilfork would solidify a unit that had
problems all season long.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: *Randy Starks, DT, Maryland Coach Marvin Lewis
needs a big presence in the middle of the defensive front, and Starks is
a guy who can make plays. He had 14... tackles for loss last season and
is very strong with great athletic ability. Starks is definitely a good
fit and has tremendous potential.
18. New Orleans Saints: Will Poole, CB, USC The Saints passed on Marcus
Trufant last year and still need help in the secondary. Poole turned
into a shutdown corner when he became a starter three games into the
season and could turn into a special player.
19. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami-Fla. Minnesota needs
some athletic ability on the outside of its defense, and former FB
Williams has that. He is not as instinctive as teammate Jonathan Vilma,
but with his speed and overall physical ability, Williams would give the
Vikings a solid presence at OLB.
20. Miami Dolphins: J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane With Jay Fiedler and Brian
Griese not looking like the long-term answer at QB, the Dolphins could
upgrade here with Losman. He has a quick release, mobility and a strong
arm. Losman got beat up at Tulane thanks to a terrible supporting cast
but is ideally suited to an NFL offense.
21. New England Patriots (from Baltimore): *Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon
State The Pats did not run the ball consistently this season and need a
quality RB to take some pressure off Tom Brady and the short passing
game. Jackson has size and can bounce it to the outside as well as being
an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
22. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Perry, RB, Michigan
Troy Hambrick does not look like the answer at RB, and Perry is the kind
of all-around back Cowboys coach Bill Parcells likes. Perry is
multi-talented, a good short-yardage runner, has hands out of the
backfield and is a very good blocker. A complete back who can be on the
field every down.
23. Seattle Seahawks: Dwan Edwards, DT, Oregon State Seattle had
problems stopping the run and getting pressure on the QB, so Edwards
would be a big help. He played in the shadow of some more-heralded
teammates but had a heck of a career and would be a significant upgrade.
24. Denver Broncos: Ben Troupe, TE, Florida
Shannon Sharpe is near the end of the road and Troupe is a TE in the
Sharpe mold. Troupe can run, catch and block and his combination of size
and speed is impressive. The Broncos might also look for a WR or CB
here.
25. Green Bay: *Antwan Odom, DE, Alabama Alabama lost three starters on
the DL before last season, yet Odom still managed to get eight sacks
despite being the focus of opposing offenses up front. He has tremendous
size and potential and would give the Packers a three-down DE who can
play the run and the pass. Green Bay could also look for a QB or OLB.
26. St. Louis Rams: *DeAngelo Hall, CB,
Virginia Tech A multi-talented player, Hall has great recovery speed as
a CB and could significantly upgrade the punt return game. OG and TE are
also need positions for the Rams.
27. Tennessee Titans: Vernon Carey, OL, Miami-Fla. The Titans need a
versatile lineman, and Carey played both guard and both tackle positions
while at Miami. He would give the Titans some much-needed flexibility
along the offensive front.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Keith Smith, CB, McNeese State The Chiefs had
all kinds of match-up problems in their playoff loss to the Colts. Smith
had a great career at the Division I-AA level and looks ready to step up
to the NFL level. Reminiscent of former McNeese and NFL CB Leonard Smith
(no relation).
29. Philadelphia Eagles: *Reggie Williams, WR, Washington The Eagles
showed how badly they need a WR in their loss to the Panthers in the NFC
championship game, and Williams is a big, fast target who would be an
upgrade over any wideout currently on the roster.
30. Indianapolis Colts: Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn The Colts need a
complete OLB, and Dansby is just that. Speed and athleticism make
blitzing off the edge his forte, and Dansby would give Indianapolis a
good outside pass rusher and upgrade that area of the defense.
31. Carolina Panthers: *Michael Clayton, WR, LSU Clayton has size and
can make the difficult catch look easy. He showed his toughness by
playing special teams and some at safety in college and would be a great
bargain at this point in the first round. The Panthers also need LB
help.
32. New England Patriots: Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State The Patriots
have some undersized receivers in Deion Branch, Troy Brown and David
Givens, and Jenkins would give them the big target they lack. He is a
complete player who will block downfield and make unselfish plays.
====
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Special to ESPN Insider
MOCK DRAFT: Kiper's initial first-round projection | Jan. 21
Editor's Note: ESPN.com draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. offers his initial
first-round projection for the 2004 NFL draft.
It's Senior Bowl week, and the deadline for underclassmen to declare for
the draft has passed, so it's time to make my initial first-round
projection for the 2004 NFL draft. I currently see three skill-position
players at the top of the draft, while underclassmen (*) account for 16
of the 32 picks. Here's my initial forecast:
1. San Diego Chargers: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss Drew Brees has not
proven himself as a player who will ultimately be a starter in the NFL,
and while the Chargers also have needs at OT, WR, DT and LB, passing up
a blue-chip quarterback like Manning is tough to do, especially
considering they passed on Michael Vick a couple years ago.
2. Oakland Raiders: *Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh The Raiders
certainly could use a quarterback, with Rich Gannon getting up there in
age, but Fitzgerald would be a good complement to the big, athletic
Jerry Porter at wideout. There is also need at DL and S, but Fitzgerald
has all the skills you look for in a receiver. Larry Fitzgerald has the
hands and body control to make the tough catches.
3. Arizona Cardinals: *Ben Roethlisberger, QB,
Miami-Ohio Josh McCown is an adequate QB, but Roethlisberger will give
new coach Dennis Green a potential star. DL is also a need area, but no
linemen are worthy of the No. 3 pick, so the Cardinals would do well to
upgrade the most important position on the field.
4. New York Giants: Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa Getting a player like
Gallery -- the prototype left tackle -- would be a huge help to QB Kerry
Collins, who was beaten up big-time this season. The Giants also need
help along the DL and at S, but Gallery will step in immediately and
fill a big hole.
5. Washington Redskins: *Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami-Fla. The TE position
is always important in a Joe Gibbs offense, and Winslow will give the
Redskins a multi-dimensional talent at that position, one that could be
utilized creatively by Gibbs and his staff. DL and RB are also need
positions in Washington, but it will be hard to pass up an athlete like
Winslow at this spot.
6. Detroit Lions: *Sean Taylor, S, Miami-Fla. The Lions need to get the
best impact player still on the board at either WR, RB, DE, CB or S, and
Taylor looks to be that guy. Taylor is to the safety position at Miami
what Ray Lewis was to the MLB spot and has tremendous toughness.
7. Atlanta Falcons: *Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma DT, OT, CB and WR are
the need areas for the Falcons, and Harris wreaks havoc behind the line
of scrimmage. He can cause problems for opposing QBs and was constantly
triple-teamed in college.
8. Cleveland Browns: *Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State Gamble might be a
slight reach here, but his upside is tremendous, and he capped his
college career with a terrific game in Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl win over
Kansas State. A roll of the dice, but if he can be coached up and
improve his cover skills Gamble could be an impact player down the road.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Roy Williams, WR, Texas The Jags need a
complement to Jimmy Smith at wideout, and a reliable No. 2 option would
certainly help the development of QB Byron Leftwich. Jacksonville also
has needs at CB and DE.
10. Houston Texans: *Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC A pass-rusher is the No. 1
need in Houston, and Udeze fits the mold. Originally a DT, Udeze has
developed into a terrific strong-side DE and is ideally suited to the
3-4 scheme with his rush skills and ability to hold up against the run.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina The
Steelers' secondary has been torched in recent years and Robinson is
definitely worthy of a high pick. He is fundamentally sound and prepared
to step in and become an immediate starter.
12. New York Jets: Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami-Fla. New York definitely
needs help at WR and CB, but Vilma would give the Jets speed,
athleticism and instincts to boost their LB corps.
13. Buffalo Bills: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State A perfect fit. Smith would
be the best player available at this point in the first round and fill a
big-time need for the Bills, who could also use help at CB or WR.
14. Chicago Bears: *Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech Jones has size,
breakaway speed and the ability to catch and block. He would be a good
complement to Anthony Thomas, who is not quite the home run hitter Jones
could be. The Bears might also look to upgrade at WR, DT or DB.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: *Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas Andrews is a
devastating run blocker who is also light on his feet and would upgrade
the RT position dramatically for the Bucs. WR and TE are also areas of
need in Tampa.
16. San Francisco 49ers: *Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami-Fla. With his ability
to stuff the run and also explode upfield, Wilfork is in the mold of
current NFL DT Keith Traylor. Wilfork would solidify a unit that had
problems all season long.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: *Randy Starks, DT, Maryland Coach Marvin Lewis
needs a big presence in the middle of the defensive front, and Starks is
a guy who can make plays. He had 14... tackles for loss last season and
is very strong with great athletic ability. Starks is definitely a good
fit and has tremendous potential.
18. New Orleans Saints: Will Poole, CB, USC The Saints passed on Marcus
Trufant last year and still need help in the secondary. Poole turned
into a shutdown corner when he became a starter three games into the
season and could turn into a special player.
19. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami-Fla. Minnesota needs
some athletic ability on the outside of its defense, and former FB
Williams has that. He is not as instinctive as teammate Jonathan Vilma,
but with his speed and overall physical ability, Williams would give the
Vikings a solid presence at OLB.
20. Miami Dolphins: J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane With Jay Fiedler and Brian
Griese not looking like the long-term answer at QB, the Dolphins could
upgrade here with Losman. He has a quick release, mobility and a strong
arm. Losman got beat up at Tulane thanks to a terrible supporting cast
but is ideally suited to an NFL offense.
21. New England Patriots (from Baltimore): *Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon
State The Pats did not run the ball consistently this season and need a
quality RB to take some pressure off Tom Brady and the short passing
game. Jackson has size and can bounce it to the outside as well as being
an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
22. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Perry, RB, Michigan
Troy Hambrick does not look like the answer at RB, and Perry is the kind
of all-around back Cowboys coach Bill Parcells likes. Perry is
multi-talented, a good short-yardage runner, has hands out of the
backfield and is a very good blocker. A complete back who can be on the
field every down.
23. Seattle Seahawks: Dwan Edwards, DT, Oregon State Seattle had
problems stopping the run and getting pressure on the QB, so Edwards
would be a big help. He played in the shadow of some more-heralded
teammates but had a heck of a career and would be a significant upgrade.
24. Denver Broncos: Ben Troupe, TE, Florida
Shannon Sharpe is near the end of the road and Troupe is a TE in the
Sharpe mold. Troupe can run, catch and block and his combination of size
and speed is impressive. The Broncos might also look for a WR or CB
here.
25. Green Bay: *Antwan Odom, DE, Alabama Alabama lost three starters on
the DL before last season, yet Odom still managed to get eight sacks
despite being the focus of opposing offenses up front. He has tremendous
size and potential and would give the Packers a three-down DE who can
play the run and the pass. Green Bay could also look for a QB or OLB.
26. St. Louis Rams: *DeAngelo Hall, CB,
Virginia Tech A multi-talented player, Hall has great recovery speed as
a CB and could significantly upgrade the punt return game. OG and TE are
also need positions for the Rams.
27. Tennessee Titans: Vernon Carey, OL, Miami-Fla. The Titans need a
versatile lineman, and Carey played both guard and both tackle positions
while at Miami. He would give the Titans some much-needed flexibility
along the offensive front.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Keith Smith, CB, McNeese State The Chiefs had
all kinds of match-up problems in their playoff loss to the Colts. Smith
had a great career at the Division I-AA level and looks ready to step up
to the NFL level. Reminiscent of former McNeese and NFL CB Leonard Smith
(no relation).
29. Philadelphia Eagles: *Reggie Williams, WR, Washington The Eagles
showed how badly they need a WR in their loss to the Panthers in the NFC
championship game, and Williams is a big, fast target who would be an
upgrade over any wideout currently on the roster.
30. Indianapolis Colts: Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn The Colts need a
complete OLB, and Dansby is just that. Speed and athleticism make
blitzing off the edge his forte, and Dansby would give Indianapolis a
good outside pass rusher and upgrade that area of the defense.
31. Carolina Panthers: *Michael Clayton, WR, LSU Clayton has size and
can make the difficult catch look easy. He showed his toughness by
playing special teams and some at safety in college and would be a great
bargain at this point in the first round. The Panthers also need LB
help.
32. New England Patriots: Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State The Patriots
have some undersized receivers in Deion Branch, Troy Brown and David
Givens, and Jenkins would give them the big target they lack. He is a
complete player who will block downfield and make unselfish plays.
