CNNSI's Mock Draft
Posted: April 2, 2000            

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and the draft picture is starting to get a little clearer. The Cleveland Browns appear to have narrowed it down to three for the top choice, with Penn State's Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington joining Peter Warrick as the possible top pick overall. After that, it's anybody's guess, as the Washington Redskins hold the second and third picks, and their picks will dictate how teams selecting behind them will draft. 

This is the fourth in a series of Mock Drafts, put together by a panel of CNNSI.com "Draftniks." It will be updated as the April 15 draft approaches. 

Here's a glimpse at what the first round could look like come draft day.             


                
 
CNNSI.com's 2000 NFL Mock Draft
Pos. Team/Pick Analysis
1 Cleveland Browns 2-14 
Courtney Brown DE Penn State 		 Browns can't pass up talented, speedy Nittany Lion.
2 Washington Redskins (1) 10-6 
Chris Samuels OT Alabama 		 Samuels may go second because he'll be easier to sign.
3 Washington Redskins 10-6 (2)
LaVar Arrington LB Penn State 		 Arrington will give Redskins a playmaking LB they lack.
4 Cincinnati Bengals 4-12 
Peter Warrick WR Florida State 		 Drafting Warrick would allow Bengals to trade Pickens.
5 Baltimore Ravens (3) 8-8 
Thomas Jones RB Virginia 		 May trade down, but Billick needs a versatile RB.
6 Philadelphia Eagles 5-11 
Corey Simon DT Florida State		 Best defensive tackle available will help Eagles immediately.
7 Arizona Cardinals 6-10 
Brian Urlacher S/LB New Mexico 		 Cards love Urlacher, but may trade down and still get a RB.
8 Pittsburgh Steelers 6-10 
Chad Pennington QB Marshall 		 Steelers think Pennington can push Stewart right away.
9 Chicago Bears 6-10 
Bubba Franks TE Miami (Fla.)		 Athletic TE could be a Pro Bowler in Bears offense.
10 Denver Broncos 6-10 
Travis Taylor WR Florida 		 Fastest-rising player in draft would be great fit in Denver.
11 New York Giants 7-9 
Shaun Alexander RB Alabama 		 Giants get hard worker who always seems to perform.
12 San Francisco 49ers (4) 4-12 
Dez White WR Georgia Tech 		 'Niners need QB, but Pennington will be gone.
13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5) 11-5 
Jerry Porter WR West Virginia		 With Keyshawn deal now dead, Bucs need a big-time wideout.
14 Green Bay Packers 8-8 
Shaun Ellis DE Tennessee 		 Pack hope Ellis can rush passer like Reggie White.
15 Baltimore Ravens 8-8 
Stockar McDougle OT Oklahoma 		 Baltimore could use McDougle to block for its new RB Jones.
16 New York Jets (6) 8-8 
Marvel Smith OT Arizona State 		 Jumbo tackle to replace retired Jumbo Elliott.
17 Oakland Raiders 8-8 
Plaxico Burress WR Michigan State 		 Raiders don't mind recent character questions.
18 New York Jets 8-8 
Chris Hovan DT Boston College 		 Quick, hard-nosed type that Parcells loves.
19 Seattle Seahawks (7) 8-8 
Darren Howard DE Kansas State 		 Seattle needs pass rusher with Daniels gone to free agency.
20 Detroit Lions 8-8 
Chris McIntosh OT Wisconsin 		 McIntosh would join fellow Badger Gibson at tackle.
21 Kansas City Chiefs 9-7 
Ron Dayne RB Wisconsin 		 Dayne would remind Chiefs fans of Christian Okoye.
22 Seattle Seahawks 9-7 
Cosey Coleman OG Tennessee 		 Seahawks released Habib, could use athletic Coleman.
23 Carolina Panthers (8) 8-8 
John Engelberger DE Virginia Tech		 Would be speed compliment to interior strength of Gilbert.
24 San Francisco 49ers 4-12 (9)
Deltha O'Neal CB California 		 Need help at DB, and Mariucci recruited O'Neal to Cal.
25 Minnesota Vikings 10-6 
Travis Claridge OL Southern California 		 Vikings need to rebuild offensive line that lacks depth.
26 Buffalo Bills 11-5 
Julian Peterson LB Michigan State		 Athletic LB would add depth to league's top defense.
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-5 
Keith Bulluck LB Syracuse		 Nickerson's departure makes LB depth a need.
28 Indianapolis Colts 13-3 
Rob Morris LB Brigham Young		 Bennett's injury unmasks limited LB depth.
29 Jacksonville Jaguars 14-2 
Jamal Lewis RB Tennessee 		 Similar style, same school as departed backup Stewart.
30 Tennessee Titans 13-3 
Ahmed Plummer CB Ohio State 		 Titans don't need much, but Plummer would add depth.
31 St. Louis Rams 13-3 
Todd Wade OT Mississippi		 Free agent defections make OL a priority.
(1) -- From New Orleans
(2) - From San Francisco 
(3) -- From Atlanta
(4) -- From Washington via Carolina
(5) -- From San Diego
(6) -- From New England
(7) -- From Dallas
(8) -- From Miami
(9) - From Washington
 
....