Mock draft: Court changes first-round landscape

Four days left until Saturday's NFL Draft, which means it's time for another mock draft, the third one from this writer.

It won't be the last, either.

There will be a final update Friday morning, with the possibility of some trade news and some late-breaking information.

A court ruling Monday that takes USC receiver Mike Williams and Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett out of the draft impacts the first round because Williams would have been taken late in that round. Clarett was a later pick.

The trade of Corey Dillon from the Bengals to the Patriots also will impact the draft because New England likely is now off the market for a running back. That means they can now use their two first-round picks on other positions -- probably the two lines.

Enjoy this one for the next couple of days until the real mock, the final mock draft, comes Friday.

1. San Diego Chargers -- Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi. Since it appears they will be locked in here, they have to take Manning. If not, Chargers fans will go wild.

2. Oakland Raiders -- Roy Williams, WR, Texas. The Raiders love deep speed, and this guy has it. Will also consider a trade down, but if they stay put they will opt for Williams over Robert Gallery.

3. Arizona Cardinals -- Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh. There is some late talk that the Cardinals are high on Miami safety Sean Taylor, but coach Dennis Green gets his favorite player, winning a war room argument.

4. New York Giants -- Robert Gallery, T, Iowa. New coach Tom Coughlin doesn't have personnel control, but he loves Gallery. And GM Ernie Accorsi is known for taking big-school players. Gallery fits with this team.

5. Washington Redskins -- Kellen Winslow, Jr., Miami. There is some talk that the Redskins will pass on Winslow because of his agents are Carl and Kevin Poston. But Dan Snyder makes the pick anyway, getting the best overall player in the draft who isn't a quarterback.

6. Detroit Lions -- Sean Taylor, S, Miami. They would love Winslow, so if the Redskins pass they will take him. Instead they get his college teammate who will be a Pro Bowl safety in a year.

7. Cleveland Browns -- DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech. They want Gallery, Winslow or Taylor, but since all three are gone they go with the best corner in this draft. Hall's stock is soaring.

8. Atlanta Falcons -- Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami. The third Miami player in the first 10 goes off the board in a need move by the Falcons. Wilfork will fit in perfectly with what new coach Jim Mora wants from his defense.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Shawn Andrews, T, Arkansas. They would love Fitzgerald, Williams, Gallery, Winslow, Taylor or Hall, but with all of them off the board they might look to move down and then take Andrews. If not, they stay put and take the big tackle out of Arkansas.

10. Houston Texans -- Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina. They want to get a corner and move Marcus Coleman to safety. Robinson's stock continues to rise.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State. They've been on him for a long time, and they get their quarterback of the future.

12. New York Jets -- Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami. They wanted a corner in this spot, but they opt for a player who will be perfect in their style of defense.

13. Buffalo Bills -- Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (Ohio). The Drew Bledsoe era is coming to an end and they need a replacement. Roethlisberger is that big, strong-armed passer who is perfect for him.

14. Chicago Bears -- Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma. This is a team that needs help up front, especially inside, and Harris' lack of bulk is OK in Lovie Smith's defense.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State. They acquired Charlie Garner, but he isn't really the long-term answer.

16. San Francisco 49ers -- Reggie Williams, WR, Washington. Deep speed is needed with the loss of Terrell Owens. This staff is familiar with this player from their Pac-10 days.

17. Denver Broncos -- Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC. They're shocked to see an outside rusher of this magnitude still on the board. A great pick for the Broncos if this comes true.

18. New Orleans Saints -- D.J. Williams, LB, Miami. They get a swift linebacker who can fit in with their defense. A receiver is also a possibility.

19. Minnesota Vikings -- Will Smith, DE, Ohio State. This team needs pass-rush help, and the Vikings think Smith can give it to them.

20. Miami Dolphins -- Vernon Carey, G-T, Miami. They need help on their offensive line and Carey can play both guard and right tackle. The latter is a position of major need for the Dolphins.

21. New England Patriots -- Justin Smiley, G, Alabama. They need a replacement for Damien Woody and they like Smiley a bunch. Chris Snee of Boston College is also a possibility.

22. Dallas Cowboys -- Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech. This is a top-10 talent they get in the back end of the first round. A great pick.

23. Seattle Seahawks -- Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas. Tubbs has moved up on many boards the past month. Seattle needs inside help for its run defense.

24. Cincinnati Bengals -- Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State. They traded for Deltha O'Neal in moving down from the No. 17 spot with Denver, and now get a young corner to groom. Getting Gamble here will be a steal in the future.

25. Green Bay Packers -- Jason Babin, DE, Western Michigan. This team has to get more production from the outside pass rush. With Joe Johnson a flop, they take a chance on the hard-nosed Babin.

26. St. Louis Rams -- J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane. Rams coach Mike Martz loves this kid, so look for him to be taken as insurance in case Marc Bulger flops.

27. Tennessee Titans -- Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida State. Dockett is a need pick who takes over for Robaire Smith. Dockett is the perfect Titans player -- a productive college player who will play better once he gets to the next level.

28. Philadelphia Eagles -- Michael Clayton, WR, LSU. They added Terrell Owens in a trade and now they get another big-play receiver. Suddenly Donovan McNabb has weapons.

29. Indianapolis Colts -- Karlos Dansby, LB, Auburn. They need to find a replacement for Marcus Washington, and Dansby appears to fit what they want. Could also go for a corner.

30. Kansas City -- Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin. Deep speed is what Evans brings to this offense. The Chiefs' receivers are so-so, so this is an upgrade.

31. Carolina -- Ben Troupe, TE, Florida. This is one area where the offense needs an upgrade. A pass-catching tight end will help open up the outside passing game.

32. New England -- Igor Olshansky, DT, Oregon. They got their offensive lineman with the first pick, now come back and get the defensive lineman with this pick. Could opt for receiver Rashaun Woods.