Apr. 14, 2000
This mock draft factors in all three major trades this week, the Keyshawn Johnson trade between the Jets and Bucs, the Jets move up in a trade with the 49ers, and the move up by the Ravens with the Broncos from the 15th to the 10th overall spot.
The Jets are the first team ever to hold four No. 1 picks heading into the NFL Draft after acquiring picks No. 13 & 27 from Tampa Bay for Johnson. The Ravens now hold two picks in the top ten (5th & 10th) after trading the 15th and 45th picks to the Broncos for the 10th overall selection.
With five clubs holding at least two No. 1 picks going into the final days, the top ten could be the most active in years. The Bengals, Eagles and Packers are all looking to move for the right player with several expected moves both back and forward in the first round.
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Round 4 |
Round 5 |
Round 6 |
Round 7
1. Cleveland Browns - Courtney Brown - DE - Penn State
The Browns will select one of the Penn State players, either Courtney Brown or LaVar Arrington. Signability is a huge factor here and Brown could be on the dotted line by Saturday. Brown has the ability to anchor the line for a decade at one of the premier positions on defense.
2. Washington Redskins (from New Orleans) - Chris Samuels - OT - Alabama
The Redskins grab the best left tackle prospect in this draft and look to him to play the line's most demanding position for a decade. He passed all physical tests after a minor late season knee injury and will challenge veteran Andy Heck for the starting position this season.
3. Washington (San Francisco) - LaVar Arrington - LB - Penn State
Washing has to address its defense, despite the fact that they made some huge free agency additions. Arrington is the best athlete in this draft and could be an instant impact defender playing behind DE Bruce Smith. He loses some contract leverage at this spot, but he has the talent to be the biggest playmaker in this class.
4. Cincinnati Bengals - Peter Warrick - WR - Florida State
The Bengals will most likely have wideout Peter Warrick fall into their lap. With Warrick available, they will get calls from the Ravens, Eagles and Jets. They will most likely retain him, which would be the best decision and make veteran WR Carl Pickens available on the market for a late 1st or early 2nd round pick.
5. Baltimore Ravens (from Atlanta) - Travis Taylor - WR - Florida
The Ravens have feature back and wideout earmarked as their top needs with their two top ten picks. Thomas Jones will get strong consideration here but they love Travis Taylor and are afraid that either the Eagles or Bears would grab him before their 10th overall selection. The Jets were interested in this pick earlier in the week and were ready to shock the gallery with the selection of LB Brian Urlacher.
6. Philadelphia Eagles - Corey Simon - DT - Florida State
The Eagles have a few clearly defined needs; wideout, defensive tackle and tight end. Simon is the premier run stuffer in this class and would be an excellent addition for their front four. The Eagles would offer a No. 3 pick to the Bengals to move up two spots for Warrick but that will be their limit.
7. Arizona Cardinals - Thomas Jones - RB - Virginia
The Cardinals have needs at running back and several spots on defense. They hope runner Thomas Jones is available here and will quickly select the versatile tailback. If not, linebacker Brian Urlacher will get strong
consideration here and the Cards would address the running back spot in the 2nd round.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers - Chad Pennington - QB - Marshall
The Steelers have huge needs at QB and receiver and are divided between Pennington and one of the premier receivers. This is head coach Bill Cowher's first draft with total control after a decade of Tom Donahoe calling the shots in Steel City. Pennington is the best of a weak class and he impressed Cowher in a late workout. Wideouts Travis Taylor and Plaxico Burress will get consideration here.
9. Chicago Bears - Brian Urlacher - LB - New Mexico
The Bears are hoping that Urlacher somehow falls to them. That could happen if the Ravens opt for Travis Taylor. Urlacher is a fine playmaker with the ability to provide immediate impact on the Bears front seven.
10. Baltimore Ravens (from Denver) - Jamal Lewis - RB - Tennessee
The Ravens love running back Jamal Lewis and have him rated as their highest back. They feel the combination of Taylor and Lewis can add two playmakers to their young offense. Thomas Jones would be their next choice if Lewis isn't available.
11. New York Giants - Shaun Alexander - RB - Alabama
The Giants' offense needs a workhorse runner and Alexander is a complete prospect. He has fine running instincts and excellent hands as a receiver. Runner Jamal Lewis has too much speed for the Giants offense.
12. New York Jets (from Carolina through Washington via San Francisco) - Julian Peterson - LB - Michigan State
The Jets will be tempted to land one of the talented linebackers in the middle of the first round and Peterson and Bulluck are two of the fastest rising players in the class. A wideout will get a lot of consideration here with Burress, White and Morris all highly rated.
13. New York Jets (from San Diego through Tampa Bay) - Bubba Franks - TE - Miami
The Jets are the first club in NFL history to have four No. 1 picks and have several key needs to fill early. Franks is the complete package and fills a huge need on their offense. They are attempting to move into the top 10 to land LB Brian Urlacher and have spoken to the Ravens.
14. Green Bay Packers - Chris Hovan - DT - Boston College
The Packers are looking to bring in front seven playmakers and Hovan is a well-developed prospect with the ability to start as a rookie. They are also hoping TE Bubba Franks falls to this spot. Possible move up for Urlacher with a trade with the Eagles.
15. Denver Broncos (from Baltimore) - Shaun Ellis - DE - Tennessee
The Broncos moved back here for an extra No. 2 pick and will size up the wideout class and defensive line at this point of the draft. Ellis addresses a need along a front four which has already made a few changes.
16. San Francisco 49ers (from New England) - Darren Howard - DE - Kansas State
The 49ers will focus on drafting defensive players early and often and Howard is an excellent edge rusher with the ability to play the run very well. The Niners were looking to trade back from No. 12 for more top 50 picks, and closed a deal with the Jets on Thursday.
17. Oakland Raiders - Plaxico Burress - WR - Michigan State
The Raiders are looking to add a playmaker at wideout and Burress has the package to be a difference maker. He has fallen off a sub-par workout and questionable attitude but is a nice fit for the Raiders.
18. New York Jets - Chris McIntosh - OT - Wisconsin
The Jets have made some changes at offensive tackle and McIntosh is a Bill Parcells type of lineman. He has the ability to play both outside and inside and on either side.
19. Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas) - Stockar McDougle - OT - Oklahoma
The Seahawks love OT Stockar McDougle for their right tackle opening. He is a fast-developing prospect with the total package to be a bookend tackle for ten years.
20. Detroit Lions - Keith Bulluck - LB - Syracuse
The Lions want to add a top runner and guard at this spot but may opt for one of the fine linebackers here and come back later at their most pressing need areas.
21. Kansas City Chiefs - Ron Dayne - RB - Wisconsin
The Chiefs are still in search of a workhorse back and Dayne would be a perfect addition for their power ground game. Trade possibility: Bengals RB Corey Dillon for this pick and additional middle round selections.
22. Seattle Seahawks - Sylvester Morris - WR - Jackson State
The Seahawks are looking to add a playmaker and Morris is great value at this pick. He has the combination of size, athleticism and speed to be a hit in a Mike Holmgren offense.
23. Carolina Panthers (from Miami) - Rob Morris - LB - Brigham Young
The Panthers have several key needs to address and will give mikeman Morris heavy consideration here after the loss of Michael Barrow. They also like OTs McDougle and Wade here.
24. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington) - Deltha O'Neal - CB - California
The Niners will stay with defense most of the first day with an emphasis on corners from this point through the top 100 picks. O'Neal is one of the fastest rising players in this draft and could be a surprise late first
round selection especially here or with the Vikings.
25. Minnesota Vikings - Deon Grant - FS - Tennessee
The Vikings have clear needs in their secondary and offensive line that will be addressed early. Grant is a talent who is falling through the cracks and has the ability to start at either safety or corner.
26. Buffalo Bills - Ahmed Plummer - CB - Ohio State
The Bills are looking to strengthen their defense and will again look at cornerback as one of their top priorities. They have several pressing needs on defense and will focus on that unit through most of the first day.
27. New York. Jets (from Tampa Bay) - Jerry Porter - WR - West Virginia
The Jets are hoping one of the top wideouts fall to this spot. They have spoken to the Bengals about wideout Carl Pickens for this selection as a replacement for Keyshawn Johnson, but he has his own holdout history to be concerned about.
28. Indianapolis Colts - Steve Warren - DT - Nebraska
The Colts would love a chance to select ILB Rob Morris to anchor their defense, but he will most likely be gone at this point. Warren is a highly regarded tackle for the middle and a fine addition in a much-needed area.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Todd Wade - OT - Mississippi
The Jaguars have needs along their offensive line and at receiver that will be addressed early in the draft. Wade is a physical lineman with prior experience at guard to fill a few roles. He is a well-developed prospect and carries an early starting grade. They also love wideout Jerry Porter here.
30. Tennessee Titans - Dez White - WR - Georgia Tech
The Titans will sit on the best player available at this point of the first round and may have one of the top receivers or offensive lineman fall to them. White is a home run hitter and another fine weapon for QB Steve McNair.
31. St. Louis Rams - Travis Claridge - OT - USC
The Rams are hoping to land a versatile right tackle here and Claridge has the ability to play both tackle and guard with well developed skills.
Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years.
He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.
Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.