San Diego is T-minus 65 days and counting before it must submit its first choice in the 2004 NFL Draft. Or a piece of paper announcing a trade. Either way, the Chargers are on the board.
Eli Manning is the consensus No. 1 -- for San Diego or another team in need of a franchise quarterback. With the Raiders at No. 2, receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a no-brainer. Barring a trade by the Chargers, the intrigue begins with the third pick.
Arizona jettisoned QB Jeff Blake because new Cardinals head coach Dennis Green is telling anyone who will listen that he can develop Josh McCown into a front-line signal-caller.
Is Denny selling ocean-front property with that?
Clearly the Cards cannot pass on big-armed Ben Roethlisberger; he has the potential to be what 'Zona believed Neil Lomax, Timm Rosenbach, Kelly Stouffer and Jake Plummer would be: a long-term solution under center.
The NFL Scouting Combine will undoubtedly enhance some players' stature in the eyes of a few teams, but judging strictly by on-field performance here is one man's opinion of how Round 1 will shake out on April 24:
SI.com's 2004 Mock Draft -- Take 1
Pick Team Pos. Player College Ht. Wt. Class
1 QB Eli Manning Ole Miss 6'4" 215 Sr.
Locals will chalk it up to just another Brees blowing in (and out), but the Chargers cannot pass on a bona fide franchise player.
2 WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh 6'3" 210 Soph.
Everyone is expecting Norv Turner to bring back the vertical passing game, and who better to revive the downfield attack than Fitz?
3 QB Ben Roethlisberger Miami (Ohio) 6'5" 240 Jr.
Despite reports to the contrary, head coach Dennis Green won't fumble this pick; Big Ben is the face of the Cards for the next decade.
4 T Robert Gallery Iowa 6'7 1/2" 320 Sr.
If he's not the pick here, Giants fans should boycott en masse -- no matter if his contract will be more than the other O-linemen combined.
5 DE Kenechi Udeze USC 6'3" 270 Soph.
With the all-time sack record in the bag, Skins can bid adieu to Bruce Smith. Udeze is the first step in improving an aging defense.
6 S Sean Taylor Miami (Fla.) 6'3" 225 Jr.
Other than the Giants' glaring need at O-line, perhaps no other team needs a position player quite like the Lions need a big-time safety.
7 DT Tommie Harris Oklahoma 6'3" 288 Jr.
Another team with O-line needs, but there isn't one worthy at this spot. Hence, the Falcons fill a dire need on the other side of the ball.
8 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Miami (Fla.) 6'5" 250 Jr.
Remember when Butch Davis passed on Clinton Portis? Davis won't again make the mistake of passing on one of his former 'Canes.
9 WR Roy Williams Texas 6'4" 210 Sr.
A major upgrade over Jimmy Redmond, Matthew Hatchette, Jimmy Smith, Kevin Johnson, Jermaine Lewis, Cortez Hankton and Troy Edwards.
10 CB Chris Gamble Ohio State 6'2" 180 Jr.
A very athletic playmaker, he can help on defense (a standout CB) and special teams (dangerous in the return game) -- something the Texans can use.
11 RB Steven Jackson Oregon State 6'3" 233 Jr.
Jerome Bettis has aged before our eyes, and Amos Zereoue proved not to be a worthy successor to The Bus. Jackson will be a true go-to back.
12 WR Michael Clayton LSU 6'4" 200 Jr.
With Wayne Crebet's concussion problems, matching up Clayton with Santana Moss will give the J-E-T-S an enviable 1-2 punch for many years.
13 WR Reggie Williams Washington 6'4" 220 Jr.
Once upon a time, the Bills were so high on Josh Reed that Buffalo traded Peerless Price. One year later, Williams' arrival moves Reed back to a No. 3.
14 RB Kevin Jones Virginia Tech 6'0" 225 Jr.
It's no secret that Da Bears' GM, Jerry Angelo, would like more speed in the backfield; Jones would be that spark -- making the A-Train trade bait.
15 T Shawn Andrews Arkansas 6'5" 330 Jr.
The Bucs return to Round 1 for the first time since 2001 (thanks, Jon Gruden), and need to immediately address their sieve-like O-line.
16 DT Vince Wilfork Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 350 Jr.
Bryant Young is 32 and fellow incumbent Travis Kirschke is a free agent (and nothing special to begin with). Wilfork is an injection of much-needed youth.
17 CB Will Poole USC 6'0" 190 Sr.
Considered a classic underachiever by some scouts, Poole could be molded into a very special player -- and who better to learn from than Marvin Lewis?
18 CB Dunta Robinson South Carolina 5'11" 180 Sr.
Saints' D-backfield could use some fresh legs; Ashley Ambrose, Dale Carter and Fred Thomas aren't getting any younger. And Robinson has speed to burn.
19 DE Will Smith Ohio State 6'4" 263 Sr.
Minny had 37 sacks last season, so addressing the pass rush with a sackmeister is a no-brainer. However, he will not be as effective against the run.
20 QB Philip Rivers N.C. State 6'5" 236 Sr.
If the Fins come up short in the Mark Brunell sweepstakes, it won't necessarily be a bad thing -- especially if they land Rivers.
21 LB D.J. Williams Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 245 Sr.
Combine his good size, speed and nose for the football with Romeo Crennel's defensive scheme ... just another weapon for the champs.
22 DT Randy Starks Maryland 6'4" 312 Jr.
Overlooked by some in favor of Florida State's Darnell Dockett or even LSU's Chad Lavalais, Starks may be the defensive gem of the '04 draft.
23 DE Antwan Odom Alabama 6'5" 277 Jr.
Another team that could use an injection of young blood, Odom gets an oh-so-slight nod over Florida's Bobby McCray in youth and size.
24 WR Rashaun Woods Oklahoma State 6'2" 190 Sr.
With Ed McCaffery and Rod Smith getting long in the tooth, the prospect of pairing Woods with Ashley Lelie is too good to pass up.
25 DE Marquise Hill LSU 6'7" 294 Jr.
Injury-prone Joe Johnson has underwhelmed Cheeseheads, and Hill could be used as a pass rusher opposite KGB as well as in the D-line rotation.
26 TE Ben Troupe Florida 6'4" 262 Sr.
Athletic and brawny, Troupe has the potential to be an All-Pro early in his career. And he'll be a weapon to be reckoned with inside Mad Mike's scheme.
27 C Jake Grove Virginia Tech 6'3' 300 Sr.
Remember, this is the team that toyed with the idea of drafting Jeff Faine last year. Grove is clearly the best line anchor in the draft.
28 LB Jonathon Vilma Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 225 Sr.
Some may question his lack of height in the middle, but Vilma's frame can be filled out to enable him to be a very effective 'backer.
29 LB Karlos Dansby Auburn 6'5' 235 Sr.
Tony Dungy needs a versatile, athletic LB -- and Dansby is the one. His size would suit playing inside, and his speed allows him to wreak havoc outside.
30 LB Dontarrious Thomas Auburn 6'4' 238 Sr.
The Chiefs' defensive shortcomings were on display in their playoff loss, so any addition would be an upgrade. Thomas, however, is a major plus.
31 CB Derrick Strait Oklahoma 5'11" 194 Sr.
Pairing Strait with Ricky Manning Jr. would be a boon for the NFC champs, and he'll be a much better player than either Reggie Hayward or Terry Cousin.
32 RB Chris Perry Michigan 6'1' 220 Sr.
The release of Antowain Smith was a clear signal that the champs will need a No. 1 back. Perry gets the nod over Florida State's Greg Jones.
Eli Manning is the consensus No. 1 -- for San Diego or another team in need of a franchise quarterback. With the Raiders at No. 2, receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a no-brainer. Barring a trade by the Chargers, the intrigue begins with the third pick.
Arizona jettisoned QB Jeff Blake because new Cardinals head coach Dennis Green is telling anyone who will listen that he can develop Josh McCown into a front-line signal-caller.
Is Denny selling ocean-front property with that?
Clearly the Cards cannot pass on big-armed Ben Roethlisberger; he has the potential to be what 'Zona believed Neil Lomax, Timm Rosenbach, Kelly Stouffer and Jake Plummer would be: a long-term solution under center.
The NFL Scouting Combine will undoubtedly enhance some players' stature in the eyes of a few teams, but judging strictly by on-field performance here is one man's opinion of how Round 1 will shake out on April 24:
SI.com's 2004 Mock Draft -- Take 1
Pick Team Pos. Player College Ht. Wt. Class
1 QB Eli Manning Ole Miss 6'4" 215 Sr.
Locals will chalk it up to just another Brees blowing in (and out), but the Chargers cannot pass on a bona fide franchise player.
2 WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh 6'3" 210 Soph.
Everyone is expecting Norv Turner to bring back the vertical passing game, and who better to revive the downfield attack than Fitz?
3 QB Ben Roethlisberger Miami (Ohio) 6'5" 240 Jr.
Despite reports to the contrary, head coach Dennis Green won't fumble this pick; Big Ben is the face of the Cards for the next decade.
4 T Robert Gallery Iowa 6'7 1/2" 320 Sr.
If he's not the pick here, Giants fans should boycott en masse -- no matter if his contract will be more than the other O-linemen combined.
5 DE Kenechi Udeze USC 6'3" 270 Soph.
With the all-time sack record in the bag, Skins can bid adieu to Bruce Smith. Udeze is the first step in improving an aging defense.
6 S Sean Taylor Miami (Fla.) 6'3" 225 Jr.
Other than the Giants' glaring need at O-line, perhaps no other team needs a position player quite like the Lions need a big-time safety.
7 DT Tommie Harris Oklahoma 6'3" 288 Jr.
Another team with O-line needs, but there isn't one worthy at this spot. Hence, the Falcons fill a dire need on the other side of the ball.
8 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Miami (Fla.) 6'5" 250 Jr.
Remember when Butch Davis passed on Clinton Portis? Davis won't again make the mistake of passing on one of his former 'Canes.
9 WR Roy Williams Texas 6'4" 210 Sr.
A major upgrade over Jimmy Redmond, Matthew Hatchette, Jimmy Smith, Kevin Johnson, Jermaine Lewis, Cortez Hankton and Troy Edwards.
10 CB Chris Gamble Ohio State 6'2" 180 Jr.
A very athletic playmaker, he can help on defense (a standout CB) and special teams (dangerous in the return game) -- something the Texans can use.
11 RB Steven Jackson Oregon State 6'3" 233 Jr.
Jerome Bettis has aged before our eyes, and Amos Zereoue proved not to be a worthy successor to The Bus. Jackson will be a true go-to back.
12 WR Michael Clayton LSU 6'4" 200 Jr.
With Wayne Crebet's concussion problems, matching up Clayton with Santana Moss will give the J-E-T-S an enviable 1-2 punch for many years.
13 WR Reggie Williams Washington 6'4" 220 Jr.
Once upon a time, the Bills were so high on Josh Reed that Buffalo traded Peerless Price. One year later, Williams' arrival moves Reed back to a No. 3.
14 RB Kevin Jones Virginia Tech 6'0" 225 Jr.
It's no secret that Da Bears' GM, Jerry Angelo, would like more speed in the backfield; Jones would be that spark -- making the A-Train trade bait.
15 T Shawn Andrews Arkansas 6'5" 330 Jr.
The Bucs return to Round 1 for the first time since 2001 (thanks, Jon Gruden), and need to immediately address their sieve-like O-line.
16 DT Vince Wilfork Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 350 Jr.
Bryant Young is 32 and fellow incumbent Travis Kirschke is a free agent (and nothing special to begin with). Wilfork is an injection of much-needed youth.
17 CB Will Poole USC 6'0" 190 Sr.
Considered a classic underachiever by some scouts, Poole could be molded into a very special player -- and who better to learn from than Marvin Lewis?
18 CB Dunta Robinson South Carolina 5'11" 180 Sr.
Saints' D-backfield could use some fresh legs; Ashley Ambrose, Dale Carter and Fred Thomas aren't getting any younger. And Robinson has speed to burn.
19 DE Will Smith Ohio State 6'4" 263 Sr.
Minny had 37 sacks last season, so addressing the pass rush with a sackmeister is a no-brainer. However, he will not be as effective against the run.
20 QB Philip Rivers N.C. State 6'5" 236 Sr.
If the Fins come up short in the Mark Brunell sweepstakes, it won't necessarily be a bad thing -- especially if they land Rivers.
21 LB D.J. Williams Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 245 Sr.
Combine his good size, speed and nose for the football with Romeo Crennel's defensive scheme ... just another weapon for the champs.
22 DT Randy Starks Maryland 6'4" 312 Jr.
Overlooked by some in favor of Florida State's Darnell Dockett or even LSU's Chad Lavalais, Starks may be the defensive gem of the '04 draft.
23 DE Antwan Odom Alabama 6'5" 277 Jr.
Another team that could use an injection of young blood, Odom gets an oh-so-slight nod over Florida's Bobby McCray in youth and size.
24 WR Rashaun Woods Oklahoma State 6'2" 190 Sr.
With Ed McCaffery and Rod Smith getting long in the tooth, the prospect of pairing Woods with Ashley Lelie is too good to pass up.
25 DE Marquise Hill LSU 6'7" 294 Jr.
Injury-prone Joe Johnson has underwhelmed Cheeseheads, and Hill could be used as a pass rusher opposite KGB as well as in the D-line rotation.
26 TE Ben Troupe Florida 6'4" 262 Sr.
Athletic and brawny, Troupe has the potential to be an All-Pro early in his career. And he'll be a weapon to be reckoned with inside Mad Mike's scheme.
27 C Jake Grove Virginia Tech 6'3' 300 Sr.
Remember, this is the team that toyed with the idea of drafting Jeff Faine last year. Grove is clearly the best line anchor in the draft.
28 LB Jonathon Vilma Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 225 Sr.
Some may question his lack of height in the middle, but Vilma's frame can be filled out to enable him to be a very effective 'backer.
29 LB Karlos Dansby Auburn 6'5' 235 Sr.
Tony Dungy needs a versatile, athletic LB -- and Dansby is the one. His size would suit playing inside, and his speed allows him to wreak havoc outside.
30 LB Dontarrious Thomas Auburn 6'4' 238 Sr.
The Chiefs' defensive shortcomings were on display in their playoff loss, so any addition would be an upgrade. Thomas, however, is a major plus.
31 CB Derrick Strait Oklahoma 5'11" 194 Sr.
Pairing Strait with Ricky Manning Jr. would be a boon for the NFC champs, and he'll be a much better player than either Reggie Hayward or Terry Cousin.
32 RB Chris Perry Michigan 6'1' 220 Sr.
The release of Antowain Smith was a clear signal that the champs will need a No. 1 back. Perry gets the nod over Florida State's Greg Jones.
