2005 NFL Mock Draft ROUND 2
33 San Francisco - Roddy White.
Roddy's a big time receiver who played at a smaller school.
He's got a great track record, is big and strong, and
is a down field threat. He's exactly what the Niners need
in round two, considering their two possible number two
receivers combined for 13 catches last year.
34 Cleveland - Anttaj Hawthorne.
If the Browns went another direction in round 1, and Channing
Crowder or Barrett Rudd are still on the board, they'll
take one of those two characters, I'm thinking Crowder.
But, they picked a star linebacker at pick 3, so they'll
go another direction here. I think they'll stick with
defense, and try to replace one of the 12 defensive linemen
they traded to the Broncos with defensive tackle Anttaj
Hawthorne. Romeo Cronell will see a player who can dominate
when giving full effort. He'll assume he can make this
guy play full speed.
35 Philadelphia (from Miami) - Channing
Crowder. The Eagles almost picked this guy in round
1, and will be happy to see him here. He's got lots of
exciting skills, and Andy Reid has a big head now that
he tamed Terrell Owens. Crowder has a ton of talent, which
the Eagles will be glad to have blitzing often.
36 Tampa Bay - Elton Brown. If
Roddy White's still on the board, don't be surprised to
see Jon Gruden take him off. As for now, Gruden might
go for a lineman for his new star running back. The best
value looks like Elton Brown who happens to be my top
rated guard. A good lineman makes a lot of sense.
37 Tennessee - Barrett Rudd. Since
the Titans need everything, they'll pick the best player
here. Jason Campbell might be intriguing; a possible future
run-pass threat like Air McNair, but the smart move would
be a talented and instant helper on defense. Barrett Rudd
happens to be a hard worker who brings hat and runs pretty
well. He'd be a nice round 2 pick for the Titans.
38 Oakland - Ernest Shazor. This
is where Oakland starts "reaching" for guys,
though they seem to turn out all right, so maybe "reaching"
isn't the best thing to call it. Maybe "knowing more
than you" is more accurate. The Raiders, who blew
against the run last year, pick the biggest run stopping
safety in the draft. Shazor isn't a speedster, but he
isn't poor in coverage either. He's a run stuffer first.
39 Chicago - Alex Smith. Smith
isn't a guy people are looking at to be one of the next
great tight ends, but that's why he's still on the board.
What he does have is more potential and a better complete
game than any tight end on the Bear roster. A good young
reliable tight end like Smith could be exactly what the
Bears need to help Rex Grossman become what the organization
is hoping for. Plus, after Smith, and even before him,
no one is a sure thing.
40 New Orleans (from Washington) -
Marlin Jackson. The Saints, who seemingly always need
help in the secondary, might pick Jackson here. He's a
big strong corner who has above average cover skills and
shows excellent help against the run, but lacks the big
play ability desired for CB's. He works well manning the
slot receiver, and would be a good fit in a secondary
that could use a big physical player adept to playing
both safety and corner.
41 Detroit - Khalif Barnes. Barnes
has been up and down since the start of the off-season.
People are putting him in round 1, and knocking him down
to the end of round 2. He's a big athletic tackle who
played in a tough situation in Seattle the last few years.
He was the best player on his O-Line by far. He'd be a
good pick here for a Lion's team who could really use
some help on their line.
42 Dallas - Lance Mitchell. I'd
love to see the Cowboys pick Mike Patterson here because
he got a 9 on his Wonderlic test and would be a perfect
fit in Dallas with Jerry Jones. Unfortunately, there's
no way they pick another D-Tackle here. However Lance
Mitchell is still here because of a torn ACL his junior
year that slowed him down in '04-'05. He looks like he's
getting back to his old self, showing more confidence
in pre-draft workouts. He's a good player who could really
fit as a big middle linebacker needed in the 3-4.
43 N.Y. Giants - Dan Cody.
The Giants finally get to add help to Eli's team. They'll
start on defense in this draft. D-end might be a nice
place to start, as Dan Cody, who has been listed in
the top 5 for Ends will have dropped quite a distance
because of his past medical issues and limited size.
The bottom line is he's good all over the field, shows
hustle and makes big plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Would be a good fit opposite All-Pro Michael Strahan.
44 Arizona - Jason Campbell. If
available, Green could take TE Alex Smith, OT Khalif Barnes,
or CB Marlin Jackson. The Cardinals need a possible starter
at corner. I don't see any sure things standing out on
my board, so I believe they'll wait. I think Green will
take a chance with Jason Campbell here. Campbell showed
great leadership ability last year taking Auburn to an
undefeated season. He's got a good arm and knows how to
run an offense. Does Dennis Green really trust his team
to Kurt Warner?
45 Carolina - Marcus Johnson.
Johnson could come in and start for the Panthers. He's
a good tackle and a starting O-lineman is always a good
pick in round 2. The Panthers rely too much on their running
game to sit around and try to get lucky later in the draft.
Johnson is a smash mouth run blocker and an adequate pass
protector. Give me an O-lineman who is a huge athlete
that works hard any day.
46 Kansas City - Odell Thurman.
The Chiefs don't have time to worry about off-field
baggage that might come with Thurman. Odell is a playmaker,
and although he's small for a backer, he's got above
average speed and always seems to get the job done.
He's a playmaker, and a solid backer all over the field.
He's too good to pass up for a team that needs defensive
players of his caliber badly. If they get Odell here
they get a steal.
47 Houston - Kevin Burnett. Burnett
is at his best outside against the run. He's pushing Channing
Crowder for number 3 on my list of outside backers. He's
got no downside, and could really help the new line backing
corps in Houston. He's fast, athletic, instinctive, and
takes perfect lines everywhere. Snagging Burnett might
complete a much-improved group.
48 Cincinnati - Chris Spencer.
Spencer came out this year because he knew as a junior
he'd still be the best center in the draft. His upside
is tremendous considering he's only worked one year at
center, and that was last year. He's strong and has great
instincts. This kid is one of the best linemen in the
draft. He's not needed right away, but will almost surely
be a starter next year.
49 Minnesota - Michael Boley.
If Kevin Burnett is still on the board, I think the Vikings
will take him. He's good everywhere and could be used
immediately outside. They could also make it two centers
in a row and take David Bass, though he'd almost surely
play guard in Minnesota. I think they'll take Michael
Boley, who happens to be an athletic nose for the ball
type player. The Vikings defense sure needs people who
know where the ball is, most of them looked like they
hadn't a clue last year.
50 St. Louis - Fred Gibson. The
Rams have a wealth at receiver, but they all seem to be
small. That hasn't shown to be a problem, but someone
with great speed and height would be a nice option for
the Rams. Gibson is just a hair under 6'4" and runs
a 4.4 forty. He doesn't have great speed, but since everyone
else on the Rams receiving corps does, Gibson's tall slender
frame might be ideal in round 2.
51 Green Bay (from New Orleans) -
Justin Tuck. Tuck has great height and athletic ability.
He showed scouts more than they were looking for in line
backer drills at the combine. He has a good motor, and
had plenty of sacks in his three years at Notre Dame.
He gets out of position and lacks lower body strength,
but his potential, speed, and lightning quick hands should
get him picked around this spot. The Packers could use
playmakers on a poor defensive unit, and Tuck could help
take some pressure of KGB.
52 Jacksonville - If the Jaguars
have given up on Reggie Williams then, 1- they're crazy,
and 2- They'll probably take a big receiver to try and
replace him here. Gibson or Chris Henry might be around.
Since they're smarter than that, they'll take a hopeful
backup to the oft-injured Fred Taylor. Marion Barbar III
is my "next best" running back, and getting
him here might be a good idea. Taylor's done good staying
on the field, but they don't have a good backup, and Barbar
could play that role, as well as get ready for the future.
53 Baltimore - Chris Henry. Chris
Henry would be a great addition to the Baltimore offense
that added offensive coaches as well as Derrick Mason
this off-season. Mason had a tall sure handed running
mate in Tennessee and Henry, at 6'4", could work
real well with the tandem of Mason and TE Todd Heap. If
they didn't get a D-end in round 1, they could go that
rout here. The best backer available could also be an
option. Imagining the entire draft did exactly as I have
written down, they take Henry here.
54 Seattle - Chris Canty. Though
the Seahawks needed defense badly, they couldn't ignore
the sure handed Mark Clayton in round 1. As I mentioned,
one side has to budge there. Now, and for just about the
rest of the draft, the Seahawks almost certainly have
to pick defensive players. Davis Bass, who's a good center
and guard, will be looked past here in hopes of improving
their 26th ranked defense. Chris Canty is hugemungus.
Standing 6-7, Canty has upside off the charts. He's strong
against the pass and the run. A bar brawl that injured
Canty has some questioning his personality, but c'mon,
who hasn't gotten in a fight in a bar?
55 Buffalo - David Bass. Kick
his ass Sea Bass. David Bass can play both guard and center.
He put up the best numbers of all centers who competed
at the combine. He's been outstanding every year in college.
He could help Buffalo in a need position, and be a good
value pick here as well. The Bills look to be on the right
track, and if they could pick up more picks for disgruntled
running back Travis Henry, they could be a playoff team
next year.
56 Denver - Eric Green. If the
Broncos have their choice between Bryan McFadden and Green
here I think they take Green. He's the better of the two
with quickness and big play ability. He'd be a good fit
in the slots, where his ideal quickness would be appreciated.
He's a good player who could start eventually, but would
be a big addition in the nickel and dime packages for
the Broncos' who lost Kelly Herndon to the Hawks.
57 N.Y. Jets - Bryant McFadden.
McFadden is fast and knocks down plenty of passes. He's
a good tackler, and never gives up big plays. He might
still be around because he doesn't make many either. He
is sound in coverage, and would be a good pick for the
Jets who could really use some help at corner.
58 Green Bay - Kyle Orton. The
Packers have to address Favre's retirement sooner or later.
Orton fits the mold, as he's a gunslinger with a strong
arm that likes to thread it in with confidence. He's not
a running threat, but that's not important. He has led
his pass first team since he took over the job. He's always
done well. He's underrated and has a quick release. He
could end up to be the best QB in this draft.
59 Atlanta - Mike Patterson. Patterson
isn't the biggest baddest bully on the block, but his
quick feet, tough hands, good strength and that nonstop
motor would make him a good nose tackle for the Falcons.
They need D-lineman, and it's only Peterson's size, or
lack there of which has him on the board this long. Shaun
Cody wasn't he only one destroying opposing offenses for
USC. What ever it means, I think nothing, he's a d-lineman,
but he got single digits on the Wonderlic test.
60 Indianapolis - Matt McCoy.
If Eric Green or Bryant McFadden happens to still be available
the Colts should take one of them. Matt McCoy is one of,
if not the best player not invited to the combine. He
had a great pro day, and his skills, similar to that of
the Liger, have him pushing up draft boards, possibly
into the second round. Indianapolis, who can always add
solid defensive players could look to get their hands
on Mr. McCoy.
61 San Diego - Marcus Lawrence.
After picking up Erasmus James and a talented receiving
target in Matt Jones, the Chargers will be looking to
upgrade their defense again. Marcus Lawrence isn't a blazer,
nor is he a super star in the waiting, but he can get
the job done at ILB in the 3-4 defense Wade Phillips is
running in San Diego. Lawrence could make a splash, add
some play making ability to an average defense, and be
an instant starter.
62 Pittsburgh - J.J. Arrington.
The Steelers have the most productive rushing tandem in
the NFL. Or so they did last year. But, both Staley and
Bettis are old. The Bus has been rolling retreads for
a while, but is obviously still productive. Soon, the
Steelers will need a young back to go with that young
superstar Big Ben. J.J. is short, but weighs in at 215.
He's a tough runner with a sure 4.4. He'd be a good pick
for a team with aging legs carrying the load.
63 Philadelphia - Vincent Jackson.
The Eagles are tired of taking "smart picks"
with guys like Freddie Mitchell, and are looking to take
a chance on a guy who could pan out big. And I mean real
big. Vincent is nearly 6'5" and had great numbers
in the combine. He's a small college guy, but there have
been a couple good ones. Jackson has good speed, size,
and jumping ability. With single coverage, because of
T.O., he could get some chances to make big plays in Philly.
64 New England - Vincent Fuller.
The Patriots pick the best players on the board, which
can offer help in many areas. Fuller could be a special
teams player, and who knows, could be in for a start on
Super Bowl Sunday the way the Pats pick em. Fuller is
a second round talent, and could be picked by the Pats
at the end.
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