From NFL DRAFTcountdown - 2006 mock draft

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DOLPHINS

MATT LEINART QB | Southern Cal | Scouting Report

This is a team that will go into the season with either journeyman Gus Frerotte or A.J. Feely as their starting quarterback, so you can see why they would jump at the opportunity to add a player of Leinart's caliber. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Leinart chose to return to school for his senior season even though he likely would have been the #1 overall pick in the 2005 Draft to his hometown San Francisco 49'ers. Barring injury he will be the favorite for that spot again though and with a more experienced offensive line and group of receivers it would surprise no one if he had an even better year this time around. While he lacks super impressive physical tools he does everything well and just knows how to win, a la Tom Brady. The Dolphins are lacking at a number of positions and a premier left tackle like D'Brickashaw Ferguson would be extremely tempting here as well, but in the end the chance to land a premier signal caller is too good to pass up.

2. SAN FRANCICSO 49'ERS

D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON OT | Virginia | Scouting Report

This is kind of a tough spot to project because there isn't really value at the positions the Niners are most lacking, wide receiver and cornerback. With that being the case they opt for the best player available and someone who will help protect young quarterback Alex Smith, which really isn't a bad idea. Had he come out after his junior season Ferguson likely would have gone either #2 or #3 overall, but he chose to return to school and is in line to be one of the premier prospects available in '06. A rare athlete for a man his size, Ferguson is a potential franchise left tackle whose name deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Tony Boselli, Jon Ogden and Orlando Pace. This choice would necessitate some shuffling up front, but I am sure the team would be more than happy to do it because this guy is truly special. San Francisco would now have one of the top young lines in the entire league and the pick would solidify a critical position for the next decade.

3. CLEVELAND BROWNS

AHMAD BROOKS ILB | Virginia | Scouting Report

Based on pure talent this franchise might rank at or near the bottom of the league so when you look at it that way they could go a number of directions here. In the end though Romeo Crennel's defensive tendencies win out and they add one of the best linebacker prospects to come along in years. An impact performer who could play inside or outside, Brooks plays in a similar 3-4 scheme for the Cavs and would easily transition into the Browns defense. All good 3-4 teams need a dynamic playmaker at linebacker and Brooks has the type of rare athleticism to be that guy. Just to give you an idea of what type of talent this guy is, Al Groh even had him working as a return man in 2004! The offensive line has been a major concern for what seems like forever so a premier left tackle like D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Eric Winston or Jonathan Scott would be tempting as well, but the defense is so devoid of premier talent right now that Brooks would make the most sense and would give the franchise a player to build around on that side of the ball.

4. TENNESSEE TITANS

REGGIE BUSH RB | Southern Cal | Scouting Report

When he is healthy Chris Brown is one of the best young runners in the league, but so far throughout his career those times have been few and far between. The Titans have all but admitted their desire to bring in another running back by flirting with the notion of trading for Travis Henry, so why not take this chance to bring in a dynamic offensive weapon to help carry the load. There is little doubt that Reggie Bush is the most electrifying player in all of college football and a guy who keeps opposing coaches up at night. Whether it's as a runner, receiver or return man, Bush is a threat to take it all the way at any time. There is some concern that he doesn't have the ideal size you look for, but neither did Marshall Faulk and they are similar types of players. With the Titans he will really compliment Brown and won't be expected to carry the load, which would be an ideal situation for him. You can bet that offensive coordinator Norm Chow knows exactly what Bush can bring to an offense and would be lobbying for the front office to bring him into the fold.

5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

ERIC WINSTON OT | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report

The Buccaneers have a ton of questions up front at both guard and tackle, but with Derrick Deese getting way up there in years and Kenyatta Walker failing to live up to his draft position a top young left tackle would probably look real good to Jon Gruden. A former tight end, Winston is a great athlete and similar in many ways to Robert Gallery. If not for a knee injury last season Winston probably would have entered the 2005 NFL Draft and been the top offensive lineman off the board, but if he can show he is healthy as a senior he should still be right in the mix for the Top 10 overall. A defensive end will also be a consideration with Simeon Rice nearing the end of his stay in Tampa so watch out for guys like Mario Williams and Mathias Kiwanuka here as well. The offensive line has to be their main concern though at this point and in most years Winston would be the clear-cut choice as the #1 tackle available so to land him here would be a nice value pick for the team.

6. CHICAGO BEARS

CHAD GREENWAY OLB | Iowa | Scouting Report

This offseason Da Bears devoted the majority of their resources towards the offense, and with good reason. Next year however Lovie Smith will likely want to get back to his defensive roots and bring in some help for that side of the ball. Brian Urlacher is still one of the best linebackers in the game when healthy but the team has had trouble putting much talent alongside him, which is where Greenway comes in. An impact player, some have compared Greenway's style of play to that of Urlacher and had he come out after his junior season he more than likely would have been the first linebacker chosen. If Greenway is still on the board here it would not only be a pick that addresses a major need but an excellent value as well because he is one of the premier defensive players available and is exactly the type of playmaker the team would love to add. Take this one to the bank; Greenway and the Bears are a match made in NFL Draft heaven.

7. HOUSTON TEXANS

DEANGELO WILLIAMS RB | Memphis | Scouting Report

This franchise has been in search of a premier running back for years now and has invested a number of premium draft picks on the position, but only have the solid but unspectacular Domanick Davis to show for it. That would all change if they brought DeAngelo Williams into the fold though because he is a stud. In fact, had he come out last year he would have been right in the mix with Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams to be among the first runners off the board. A productive running back with great vision and instincts, Williams is far and away the best senior at his position in the country and will be a Top 5-10 overall pick come Draft Day '06. This choice would finally give the Texans the elite running game they have been lacking and as a result would take a lot of pressure off of David Carr and the passing game as well. One of the top left tackles would be awfully tempting here as well, but Williams is their man.

8. DENVER BRONCOS (f/WAS)

MARIO WILLIAMS DE | North Carolina St. | Scouting Report

If this pick ends up being this high the Redskins will have even more pie on their faces than they already do, but I guess that would be about par for the course these days. The Broncos might have the luxury of taking the best player available here, but the defensive line could end up being a major need as well if Courtney Brown and Trevor Pryce can't stay healthy like has been the case the past few years. Mario Williams is an elite defensive end prospect with all the tools and could be the best we have seen since Julius Peppers was coming out of North Carolina. In fact, this could even end up being too low for Williams because he has that type of rare ability. Denver may also look at one of the top offensive tackles since Matt Lepsis might not be with them much longer, but Williams is probably too good of a value to pass up, especially considering the uncertainty they have at the position.

9. CAROLINA PANTHERS

JONATHAN SCOTT OT | Texas | Scouting Report

After a horrendous 1-7 start the Panthers went on a 6-2 run but it wasn't quite enough to get them into the playoffs. The big question now is which team will show up in 2005? While finishing with this high of a pick would be a disappointment it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise because it would likely give the team a shot at choosing one of the premier left tackles available. Jordan Gross struggled in his second year and as a result was moved back to right tackle, but that leaves Travelle Wharton as the starter on the left side and he was considered to be more of a guard prospect coming out of South Carolina. Jonathan Scott is a prototypical left tackle prospect with all the tools you look for and in my opinion he is being overshadowed by the likes of Ferguson, Winston and McNeill, but rest assured that he is right in the mix with that trio and deservedly so.

10. BUFFALO BILLS

MARCUS MCNEILL OT | Auburn | Scouting Report

Is this team Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? After starting the season terribly they made a major push down the stretch and just missed the playoffs. Despite that strong finish they might still be a year away, especially when you consider they ditched Drew Bledsoe and instead will go with youngster J.P. Losman. This is one of the up and coming teams in the league, but they are not without needs and the most glaring is along the offensive line where the free agent loss of Jonas Jennings will really take its toll. In fact, as of right now they are slated to start converted guard Mike Gandy at left tackle, who couldn't even cut it with the Bears. Marcus McNeill is a mountain of a man at 6-9 and 337 lbs., so he would add quite a formidable presence up front. After leading the way for both Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams in college, McNeill will be right in the mix to be the 2nd offensive tackle chosen.

11. NEW YORK GIANTS

RODRIQUE WRIGHT DT | Texas | Scouting Report

When looking at their depth chart it isn't easy to pinpoint a major glaring weakness, but one position that does stand out like a sore thumb is defensive tackle. William Joseph has never lived up to his potential and Fred Robbins is nothing to write home about, so the chance to add a top player on the interior has to look pretty good to the G-Men. Wright didn't have the monster junior campaign most thought he would due to injuries but if he can bounce back as a senior he will likely rate among the premier prospects in this draft. An impact player since his true freshman season with the Longhorns, Wright has the ability to wreak havoc in the middle and has the talent of a Top 5-10 overall pick. The team could also use some depth at both wide receiver and cornerback as well, but you have to think that if there were a top defensive tackle on the board when they pick it would be awful hard to go in any other direction than that.

12. OAKLAND RAIDERS

MATHIAS KIWANUKA DE | Boston College | Scouting Report

We'll start with the good news: The 2005 Oakland Raiders might score 50 points per game. Now for the bad news: They'll probably give up 51. This team really struggled on defense in 2004 and while some of that can be attributed to adjusting to a new scheme, a lot of the blame can be pinned on a simple lack of talent as well. Knowing this, they failed to do much this offseason to address that side of the ball and instead focused on the offense, which could come back and bite them. One thing they lack is a true impact pass rusher, whether it be at defensive end or linebacker, so if a guy like "Kiwi" fell into their laps Al Davis would probably be overjoyed. A tall, rangy athlete and sack artist, Kiwanauka returned to school for his final season and should easily be the top senior end available on Draft Day. A good pass rush can atone for a multitude of sins on defense and that is exactly what this guy brings to the table.

13. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

A.J. HAWK OLB | Ohio St. | Scouting Report

Every year we talk about the Saints as a team on the verge of breaking through, but for some reason they always manage to vastly underachieve and not play up to their talent level. Will this year be any different? One area where they perennially seem to be lacking is at linebacker and this group is a far cry from the days of Sam Mills, Ricky Jackson and Pat Swilling. Courtney Watson seems to have solidified a spot in the starting lineup but other than that there is just a bunch of mid-round picks who failed to live up to their potential like James Allen, Sedrick Hodge and Cie Grant. Hawk is about as productive of a linebacker as you will find and would have been one of the first players off the board at his position in the 2005 NFL Draft after wowing scouts with his speed at the Buckeyes Pro Day workout. This guy is a true football player and would be a tremendous upgrade for the Saints.

14. CINCINNATI BENGALS

JIMMY WILLIAMS CB | Virginia Tech | Scouting Report

For this franchise the offense seems to be coming along at a fine pace so Marvin Lewis just needs a little more talent on the defensive side of the ball to allow him to work his magic. In the past few drafts the team has added a lot of talent but the work is not done and to land the top cornerback in the draft this low would be a major coup. Williams is a former safety who has the perfect blend of size, speed and athleticism that is sure to make the scouts drool. The addition of this Hokie to go along with Madieu Williams and Keiwan Ratliff would be a major step in the right direction for a franchise that has not been a winner for decades. A premier defensive tackle is needed as well since John Thornton and Bryan Robinson are nothing special so even though the team has high hopes for Matthias Askew they might be tempted to go that route with this pick as well.

15. ARIZONA CARDINALS

HALOTI NGATA DT | Oregon | Scouting Report

There is no denying that Dennis Green finally has this franchise on the right track, but there is still plenty of work to be done and they could use help at a number of positions. The most glaring need is probably on the interior of the defensive line, where there is next to nothing alongside Darnell Dockett. Based on pure talent and ability Ngata could easily be a Top 3-5 overall pick and he may ultimately end up in that elite category, but to this point he has not been able to show that talent on a consistent basis which is why he is still available in the middle of round one. Make no mistake about it though, this guy is a physical freak and his potential is through the roof. If he is able to put together the type of junior campaign he is capable of, don't be surprised to see him talked about as one of the elite prospects available in this draft.

16. GREEN BAY PACKERS

JESSE MAHELONA DT | Tennessee | Scouting Report

This is a team that is in a very precarious position because they didn't do much in the offseason and suffered some major losses in free agency, most notably Darren Sharper, Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera. They could really go in a number of directions here but the vast majority of their needs seem to lie on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary was terrible last year but they do have some youngsters they are developing, so that leaves linebacker and defensive tackle as the most glaring weaknesses. Cletidus Hunt has been going downhill while Grady Jackson is always in jeopardy of eating himself out of the league and with only unproven youngsters behind them the depth situation is shaky at best. Mahelona is still a bit underrated but he had a great junior campaign and if he can repeat that performance as a senior it would come as no surprise if he were the first defensive tackle off the board next April. Watch out for this guy, he is an up and comer.

17. DETROIT LIONS

MARCEDES LEWIS TE | U.C.L.A. | Scouting Report

In the last three drafts the Lions seem to have addressed every other skill position on offense, so why not a premier tight end this time around? You would have a hard time finding a more impressive collection of young, offensive talent than what the Lions bring to the table but one thing they are lacking is an impact player at tight end. They did bring in Marcus Pollard as a free agent, but he is no longer in his prime and is on the downside of his career. Lewis is a guy who kind of flies under the radar a bit but had he come out after his junior year he probably would have given Heath Miller a serious run for his money to be the first tight end selected so with another good season he should be solidly in the middle of round one. They could also use a right tackle since Stockar McDougle left as a free agent and as of now Kelly Butler is slated to be their starter and an upgrade over Cory Redding at defensive end isn't out of the question either.

18. ST. LOUIS RAMS

LOREN HOWARD DE | Northwestern | Scouting Report

The past two offseasons have seen the Rams take some hits along the defensive line, losing both Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher to division rival Seattle. They do have a youngster they like in Tony Hargrove, but he still has a ways to go and there isn't much in terms of depth. Howard battled through some injury troubles as a junior but is looking to bounce back and establish himself as the #2 senior defensive end prospect available in 2006. In a lot of ways he will remind you of Wistrom and teaming him opposite of Leonard Little would be a major upgrade. The secondary is still a concern as well and even though they used a number of draft picks trying to address it you never know how they will pan out, so a free safety or cornerback is a possibility as well. The offense looks to be in pretty good shape so as of now this pick being used on a defensive player appears to be the most likely scenario.

19. DALLAS COWBOYS

ANDREW WHITWORTH OT | L.S.U. | Scouting Report

Going back to their glory days in the mid-1990's the Cowboys were always able to hang their hat on a good offensive line, but in recent years that hasn't always been the case. Needless to say the likes of Kurt Vollers and Torrin Tucker have not gotten the job done so a top right tackle is arguably the #1 need in Big D. Whitworth considered foregoing his senior season but went back to school and there is a chance that he could get lost in the shuffle behind guys like Ferguson, Winston, Scott and McNeill. While he isn't in the same class as those guys, he is a fine player in his own right and would be a major upgrade for the Cowboys up front. The team also needs a top free safety to team with Roy Williams and an infusion of young talent at wide receiver sure wouldn't hurt either. When all is said and done though the offensive line takes precedence and is the way they ultimately go with this choice.

20. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

SANTONIO HOLMES WR | Ohio St. | Scouting Report

Obviously the defense has been their biggest concern the past couple of years, but after taking steps to correct that this offseason they may have to turn their heads to the other side of the ball. The duo of Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton were already the worst starting receiver combo in the league and with Morton now gone things are even more dire. In fact, I am surprised the teams passing attack has been as formidable as it has been with those two atop the depth chart. Just to give you an idea of how desperate they are, the team signed Freddie "I want to thank my hands for being so great" Mitchell. Last year Holmes was overshadowed by freshman sensation Ted Ginn but in reality Holmes is the top wideout on that team and one of the best in the country. A big play threat who also does the little things, Holmes would be a tremendous fit in the Chiefs high-powered offense if he is available.

21. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

ANTONIO CROMARTIE CB | Florida St. | Scouting Report

Quick! Other than Rashean Mathis can you name the next three cornerbacks at the top of the Jaguars depth chart? Probably not, but if you said Kiwaukee Thomas, Terry Cousin and Kenny Wright you earn a gold star. If those names don't jump out at you don't worry because they are all journeymen at best, which makes corner a position that must be vastly upgraded for this team to reach its full potential. I am a huge fan of Cromartie and feel the junior could eventually be an elite cornerback prospect due to his size (6-3), speed (4.43) and athleticism. This guy is the total package and with a little more development and seasoning he could end up being the best defensive back the Seminoles have produced since Deion Sanders. I have a feeling Cromartie won't be around at this point, whether he comes out in 2006 or 2007, but if he were it would be a great pick for the Jags.

22. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LAURENCE MARONEY RB | Minnesota | Scouting Report

It doesn't look like Shaun Alexander will be playing in a Seahawk uniform beyond this upcoming season so if that is the case then a replacement will be needed. Even though they are different types of runners, Maroney would be an excellent value at this point in round one and add another dimension to the Seattle offense. A gamebreaker in every sense of the word, Maroney will have the opportunity to show he can carry the load with Marion Barber III moving on to the pro ranks and if he has the type of season most think he will don't be surprised to see his draft stock soar. While he won't be the goaline threat that Alexander is, Maroney will more than make up for it with his ability to take it the distance at any time from any point on the field. Wide receiver is also a concern with the release of Koren Robinson and the absence of much in terms of young talent so if a guy who doesn't drop every other ball thrown his way falls to them that would be an attractive option as well.

23. NEW YORK JETS

GABE WATSON DT | Michigan | Scouting Report

As expected Jason Ferguson was lost to Dallas as a free agent this offseason, but that doesn't make it any less painful. The fact is that the team was ill prepared to lose Ferguson and with only the likes of James Reed to replace him Dewayne Robertson had better be prepared to see some double teams. Watson would do a nice job of taking Ferguson's place, both physically at 331 lbs. and figuratively. Mostly known as a run stuffer, Watson would be right at home in the middle of the Jets d-line and excels at exactly what the team would ask him to do. The offensive line is also a major concern, specifically at right tackle where they are counting on the unproven Adrian Jones to step in and help replace Kareem McKenzie. If one of the top offensive linemen in this draft fall into their laps the team might have a hard time ignoring the position, especially when you consider that Jones has not played in the NFL yet and was considered to be a raw prospect coming out of Kansas.

24. DENVER BRONCOS

DAVIN JOSEPH OG-OT | Oklahoma | Scouting Report

For a long time now the Broncos have consistently had one of the better offensive lines in football but the time has come for the addition of some young blood, especially since Matt Lepsis and Tom Nalen might not be around much longer. Joseph played guard last year for the Sooners on what had to be the best o-line in the country, but due to graduation losses he will move outside to tackle as a senior. If he comes through with the type of final campaign that he is capable of he should be right in the mix to be the first guard chosen on Draft Day '06. The team also took a chance on some high risk / high reward players along the defensive line so if all or some of them don't pan out that will be an area that will have to be addressed as well. Don't rule out a receiver either though, with Rod Smith nearing the end of his career and the failure of Ashley Lelie to develop into the premier #1 option some had envision he would a few years ago.

25. BALTIMORE RAVENS

ORIEN HARRIS DT | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report

After years of successfully using the 3-4 defense the Ravens are now moving away from that scheme so as a result they will need a different type of defensive tackle. Rather than guys whose job it is to merely hold their ground and stuff the run, Baltimore could use someone who can penetrate and cause a commotion in an opponent's backfield. Harris, whose older brother Kwame was a first round pick of the San Francisco 49'ers, didn't have the junior campaign he or most were expecting but if he can bounce back in 2005 there may be a place for him in round one. Cornerback will also be a concern next year since Deion Sanders will probably hang up his cleats once and for all. Depending on how Kyle Boller performs in this third season the team may also be looking for a signal caller and while as of right now there doesn't look to be much value at this point there could be by next April with the addition of some top underclassmen or a breakout senior.

26. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

DEREK HAGAN WR | Arizona St. | Scouting Report

The Chargers really emerged in 2004 but there is still a lot of work to be done and in all honesty they probably weren't as good as their record would lead you to believe. Wide receiver is still a concern and the team lacks a true difference maker there, despite having a bunch of solid guys like Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell. There is a good chance Hagan could be gone by this point since most consider him the top senior wideout available as of now, but if he is on the board San Diego would do well to pick him up. A very productive player with good size and speed, Hagan would further solidify the offense and add to their base of young skill players on that side of the ball. The offensive line is still a concern as well and they could certainly upgrade at both tackle spots so a guy like Jeremy Trueblood would make some sense as well. At the end of the day though Hagan is the best value and would also address an area of need so he is the pick.

27. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

CHARLES GORDON CB | Kansas | Scouting Report

When looking at their roster it is hard to find any pressing needs amongst the starters, but this is a team that still needs some help in terms of depth. One area where that rings true is at cornerback where the team is extremely weak after their top three, so the addition of a guy like Gordon, who can also help as a return man, would be welcomed. Gordon is a former wide receiver who just recently made the switch to defense but did so effortlessly. He is still raw and needs a lot of work but the sky is the limit in terms of his potential and upside. This would be a perfect team for him to land with because he wouldn't be counted on to start right away and could develop behind a couple of veterans in Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot. If he continues to progress like he did as a sophomore there is a chance he could be long gone by this point in round one, but if he is still available the Vikings could do a lot worse. Another option would be a running back since Michael Bennett will be a free agent after this season and they lack a workhorse.

28. ATLANTA FALCONS

LARON LANDRY S | L.S.U. | Scouting Report

There seems to be a revolving door at safety in Atlanta, with journeymen like Keion Carpenter, Ronnie Heard and Rich Coady the most recent additions. Needless to say they could definitely upgrade next to Bryan Scott and Landry might be the premier safety prospect in college football. An impact performer since his true freshman season, Landry has experience at free safety, strong safety and even cornerback and that versatility will be a major plus in his favor whenever he comes out. The Falcons could also use some help up front and adding someone to protect franchise signal caller Michael Vick is never a bad idea so if a top offensive lineman fell into their laps they might be hard-pressed to take a pass. One of the best young teams in the league, the Falcons should be contenders for a number of years and adding a premier talent like Landry to team with DeAngelo Hall in the secondary would be a nice move on their part and would likely please the defensive minded Jim Mora.

29. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

MAX JEAN-GILLES OG-OT | Georgia | Scouting Report

With the loss of Oliver Ross and Keydrick Vincent there are some questions along the offensive line, most notably at right tackle where Max Starks is being depended on to step into a starting role. Also, right guard could be a concern as well with Kendall Simmons being an excellent player when healthy but he has been unable to stay on the field in recent years. Jean-Gilles is a massive player who could play either guard or tackle and would at the very least provide some insurance. After nearly entering the 2005 Draft, Jean-Gilles opted to return to school to boost his stock and should ultimately rank amongst the top interior offensive lineman available, if not #1. Cornerback is still a concern in the Steel City as well so they could look in that direction, and a good 3-4 defense can never have enough pass rushing outside linebackers. Still, there are some serious questions up front so a versatile player like Jean-Gilles would have to make a lot of sense at this point.

30. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

ERNIE SIMS ILB | Florida St. | Scouting Report

This team oviously has no trouble scoring points so the offense will likely be put on the backburner for a while, unless a replacement for Edgerrin James is needed in the near future. The Colts have taken some steps toward improving the defense in recent years but still have a ways to go and one area where they are especially lacking is at middle linebacker. Rob Morris was brought back for one more year but he isn't a good fit for their scheme and Gary Brackett is a journeyman at best. Ernie Sims was the top recruit in the nation coming out of high school and has lived up to that advanced billing with the Noles, developing into one of the premier linebackers in the game. He doesn't have the size you would prefer at only 6-0 and 220 lbs. but he is fast, athletic and hits like a ton of bricks. He would be a perfect fit in Tony Dungy's scheme and be a major upgrade for them in the middle. One way or another look for this pick to once again be used on the defensive side of the ball.

31. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

JEREMY TRUEBLOOD OT | Boston College | Scouting Report

Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, so goes life for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year they did take it one step further, finally winning an NFC Championship game before ultimately losing in the Super Bowl, but their window of opportunity may be beginning to close. One spot that could prove troublesome is the offensive line, where Jon Runyan is getting up there in years and Tra Thomas is battling injuries. They have drafted a number of developmental offensive lineman in recent years, but may need to address the position earlier with a top talent. Trueblood is yet another in a long line of B.C. offensive lineman, many of whom have gone on to have successful pro careers. He has a large frame at 6-9 / 330 pounds and could potentially help out at either left or right tackle at the next level. Depending on what happens with the Terrell Owens situation wide receiver could end up being a need, as could defensive tackle despite the drafting of Mike Patterson because Corey Simon is likely to bolt next offseason.

32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

JASON ALLEN CB-S | Tennessee | Scouting Report

What do you get a team that has everything? Up until this point Scott Pioli and the Pats have done a pretty good job of keeping their key pieces in place but they are at the point now where age and the salary cap will likely begin to take their toll on the franchise. In fact, we have already started seeing that with the notable loss of cornerback Ty Law, long one of the stalwarts of the defense. Granted they did bring in Duane Starks to replace him and have had a lot of success with lesser-known role players, but that doesn't mean an infusion of talent wouldn't be welcomed. Allen played safety for the Vols last year and almost came out early before opting to return to school for his senior season. He will be playing cornerback this fall and certainly has the measurables you look for so with a strong final campaign in Knoxville he could easily be gone by this point. Wide receiver may also be a concern with Troy Brown nearing the end of his career and David Givens slated for free agency so they could look in that direction as well, but Allen fills a need and is a good value.

Gabe Watson is a load in the middle-would be a good selection for the Jets IMO but depending on this season results offensive tackle position has to be considered our number 1 priority

[TomShane]

I'd take Gabe Watson and squeal with delight. That would be a great pick there. DRob,Watson and Pouha in a rotation? Fugeddaboutit. But faba is right, OT will be a bigger need, not to mention if JAbe sulks through another season here we'll need a DE and a RB to replace Martin.

[nj meadowlands]

This dyslexic retard got our draft spot wrong.

32, not 23.

[Barton]

I'd rather trade up for a top flight franchise LT like Winston, Ferguson or McNeil, than stay put and take another Dlineman (unless Abe leaves after 05')

This Oline is getting old. Mawae, Kendall and Fabini are all on the wrong side of 30. We need to get a real LT to protect our fragile QB.

[LionelRichie]

This dyslexic retard got our draft spot wrong.

32, not 23.

if the jets are picking 23 it will be with a new HC. Hendu will probably want to draft Defense.

[faba]

This draft is based on last year positions FYI to all-

[Barton]

Certainly this list will almost be completely different by january next year, but still its just good to see some football stuff.

When does college football start anyways?

EB50s favorite players in next years draft

Marcus McNeil

Eric Winston

Laurence Maroney

Deangelo Williams

[LionelRichie]

This draft is based on last year positions FYI to all-

i don't think so faba, order is significanty off from '05. even 1 and 2 are switched.

[Jetfanmack]

if the jets are picking 23 it will be with a new HC. Hendu will probably want to draft Defense.

If the Jets are picking 23, it means they made the playoffs again, and that also means that Herm is going NOWHERE.

[faba]

i don't think so faba, order is significanty off from '05. even 1 and 2 are switched.

You could be right and myself wrong in looking at this again Thanks Fo-Block-

The Jets at 23 I think we all agree as Jet fans is not where we want them picking- 32 or nothing

[LionelRichie]

If the Jets are picking 23, it means they made the playoffs again, and that also means that Herm is going NOWHERE.

Wild card playoff loss = herm must go!

i have been in herm's corner since day 1, but we as jet fans cannot accept mediocrity year afer year. no more wild car losses. herm needs to improve off last year, which = at least the AFC championship game.

the problem has been all of the road playoff games. it is difficult to go to NE, Pit, Indy and win on in January. this team need to go 12-4 for home field advantage to get the SB. that means 16 solid weeks from herm and company. as much of herm supporter as i am, 16 weeks w/o a melt down is a lot to ask.

[Xonraider]

great pick for us, I hope we got to that spot 'cause of a trade