49ers Clubhouse - 2000 Draft

1. Cleveland Browns -- WR Peter Warrick, Florida State.
The Browns earned the No. 1 pick this year with the worst record in the NFL, and Warrick still appears to be the perfect fit, despite the exuberant amount of press coverage and rumors. The trio of QB Tim Couch, WR Kevin Johnson, and Warrick would quickly give the Browns legitimate explosiveness on offense and Warrick could also give them a huge boost in the kicking game. Cleveland has drawn an awful lot of attention to the first pick, a ploy that seems to be an awful big smoke screen. OLB LaVar Arrington and DE Courtney Brown are tremendous talents who warrant consideration at No. 1, but it is unlikely that another team will trade into the No. 1 spot and Warrick is the closest thing to a franchise player in this draft.
2. Washington Redskins (from New Orleans) -- LB *LaVar Arrington, Penn State.
This is the first of two-consecutive picks for the Redskins, and it is almost a guarantee that it will be either Arrington, rather than Brown because of Washington's desperate need to bulk up at the linebacker position. The Redskins underachieved on defense in 1999 and they desperately need more speed and athleticism off the edge, especially in the form of a bigger linebacker who can help to plug the gaps against the tackle-to-tackle run game. Arrington is a complete OLB with great range who can rush the quarterback or drop in coverage. This is a need pick with the value to match.
3. Washington Redskins (from San Francisco) -- OT Chris Samuels, Alabama.
There have been many rumors concerning the Redskins taking OT Chris Samuels with this acquired pick, and even though the thought of Penn State bookends on the defensive side next season is inviting, the 'Skins seem determined to add Samuels to the roster. Their obvious need is on defense heading into the 2000 season, but a player like Samuels would shore up an offensive line unit that is already solid from start to finish.
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- DE Courtney Brown, Penn State.
Despite some glaring needs at the skill positions, the Bengals would be hard pressed to look past Brown with the No.4 pick. Brown is the second or third best overall player in this years' class, but will slip because of Washington's love affair with OT Chris Samuels. Brown will be an instant upgrade to the Bengals defensive front that will be moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme this season.
5. Baltimore Ravens (from Atlanta) -- RB Thomas Jones, Virginia.
The departure of Errict Rhett for Cleveland makes this decision clear. The Ravens have upgraded their offense significantly with the addition of TE Shannon Sharpe, and with QB Tony Banks singing a long-term deal it's evident that Brian Billick is satisfied at the quarterback position. Now, the challenge is to surround Sharpe and Banks with a solid supporting cast. With the depth of this year's wide receiver class, the Ravens are confident choosing a running back now, waiting for their second pick of this round (14) to address the wide receiver position. Jones has emerged as the top running back of this draft and behind one of the more underrated offensive lines in the league, his transition into a premier runner at the NFL level should be a smooth one.
6. Philadelphia Eagles -- DT Corey Simon, Florida State.
This is a classic fit of need and value. Simon is the next best player on the board, while the Eagles are in desperate need for an inside pass rusher. Simon is the most disruptive inside player in this class, giving the Eagles young, talented defense a chance to make some noise in 2000.
7. Arizona Cardinals -- RB Shaun Alexander, Alabama.
The Cardinals desperately need a big-time back to take pressure off QB Jake Plummer. Veteran Adrian Murrell faded badly in 1999 and Alexander would give them a legitimate 25-carry, 100-yards per game rusher on a weekly basis, something they have been missing for years. He also adds an exciting dimension to the passing game out of the backfield because of his reliable hands and ability to get vertical. If Alexander is there, this would seem to be a no-brainer pick.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers -- WR *Plaxico Burress, Michigan State.
Bill Cower's decision to enter the season with Kordell Stewart as his starter makes the wide receiver position that much more important. Despite some questions of character and attitude, Burress is the type of talent who could step in and make a huge impact as a rookie. He is a big target that will take a lot of pressure off of Stewart, especially in the vertical passing game where the Steelers have failed miserably over the course of the last two seasons. If Burress is still around, this is a perfect fit.
9. Chicago Bears -- OLB Brian Urlacher, New Mexico.
Urlacher may be one of the most versatile athletes in this years' draft. He has the range of a safety and the size of a linebacker and he would dramatically upgrade a defense for the Bears that is full of overachievers. He could start at OLB but would be an every down player, as he also fits the bill as a nickel linebacker in passing situations.
10. Denver Broncos -- TE *Bubba Franks, Miami (Fla.).
The Broncos are comfortable with Dwayne Carswell and Byron Chamberlain at the tight end position after losing Shannon Sharpe in free agency, but the addition of a player like Franks would instantly upgrade this unit that is not too far away from being a contender again. The Broncos have not had the opportunity to pick this high in the draft in quite some time, so its hard to say how they will handle the pick, but on a team that has few glaring needs, do not be surprised if they take the best available athlete, which happens to be Franks.
11. New York Giants -- RB Ron Dayne, Wisconsin.
The Giants had a running back-by-committee approach in 1999, and even though they have a lot of candidates, they still need that 25-30 carry back who can move the chains and give them a ball control offense. Dayne seems to be the perfect fit for an offense that is in desperate need of a guy who can pound the ball out to loosen up opposing defenses for the passing game. The concern with Dayne is that he has taken a lot of shots at the college level and that he also lacks the breakaway speed get to the second level. However, he is a proven load-carrier that will give this offense an instant upgrade in its running game, which is a critical component for a cold-weather team during the stretch run into the playoffs.
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington) -- QB Chad Pennington, Marshall.
The 49ers traded down from its No. 3 pick in order to acquire Washington's No. 12 and No. 24 picks in the first round. The thinking behind the move is to gain an extra pick in the first round, which will enable the team to not only draft a quarterback at a more reasonable slot, but to also inherit a pick later in the first round to address another need. The Forty Niners are obviously in dire need of a young quarterback develop within the system, and with Pennington still on the board, San Francisco will use their 12th pick to address the situation. Pennington will need at least a year to make the adjustment to the NFL level, but on a team that is now in a long-term transition situation, Pennington is the intelligent choice because of his upside. He shows enough arm strength, leadership and ball-handling skills to develop into a solid starter in the league as long as he is not forced into a situation where he is depended upon to lead a team in his rookie season.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from San Diego) -- OT Stockar McDougle, Oklahoma.
McDougle may be the fastest rising offensive lineman in this draft. He has size, feet, and instincts and with Bucs' LOT Paul Gruber near the end of the line he would be an excellent guy to work into the Tampa Bay lineup. It may take him a year to adjust, but he will be an excellent pro player.
14. Green Bay Packers -- LB Keith Bulluck, Syracuse.
Bulluck is one of the fastest rising players in this years' draft. He was trapped inside last year on Syracuse's smaller defensive unit, which prohibited him from displaying a lot of his playmaking abilities. The Packers are in need of a playmaker from the outside and are confident that Bulluck will contribute right away because of his astonishing size/speed/athleticism combination.
15. Baltimore Ravens -- WR *Travis Taylor, Florida.
By taking Thomas Jones with the first pick of the round, the Ravens will look to boost its passing game by adding a top receiver to the corps. Taylor is a guy that is rising on many NFL draft boards because of his exceptional body control, hands and size. He would be a perfect fit on a Baltimore team that is just a few offensive playmakers away from being a serious contender.
16. New York Jets (from New England) -- DE *Shaun Ellis, Tennessee.
The Jets have one of the worst pass rush groups in the NFL and they could use not only a speed rusher, but a guy who can hold up versus the run, which fits Ellis' skills. He has great speed and quickness and can be a double-digit sack artist in the right system. Ellis is a clear playmaker coming from one of the top programs at the college level and should be able to contribute right away as an every down player.
17. Oakland Raiders -- WR Laveranues Coles, Florida State.
This would be an eyebrow-raiser, but do not put it past Al Davis. The Raiders love speed and raw talent, two qualities that Coles oozes with. Coles has had some off-the-field troubles and his character is certainly questioned, but this veteran Raider team could be a place where the speedster from Florida State could get a fresh start.
18. New York Jets -- S *Deon Grant, Tennessee.
The Jets are determined to upgrade their aging defensive unit and safety is a definite concern. Grant seems to be a likely choice here, not only because of his tremendous value at this spot in the draft, but also because the Jets are in need of a big play safety to shore up a secondary that showed a lot of deficiencies in the deep third a year ago. Grant is ball-hawking, centerfielder-type player who will add a lot of speed and range to a Jets' secondary that gave up too many big plays versus the vertical passing game.
19. Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas) -- WR *Dez White, Georgia Tech.
With the trade of WR Joey Galloway to Dallas, Seattle picks up an additional first-round pick, but also has a big hole at the wide receiver position. Dez White is a guy that has climbed up most NFL teams' draft boards because of his excellent size/speed combination. He seems to be a great fit for the Seahawks' West Coast system and would be a big boost to their mediocre receiving corps. However, Head Coach Mike Holmgren values his draft picks, and with a team that does not have a lot of glaring needs, the Seahawks will likely take the highest player graded on their board at both #19 and #22.
20. Detroit Lions -- OL Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin.
The Lions addressed their need of a running back in free agency by signing ex-Jaguar James Stewart, which allows the organization to improve upfront on the offensive side of the ball. Ideally, Detroit would like to move last year's first round pick Aaron Gibson from offensive tackle to offensive guard, and by taking McIntosh at the 20th spot the team would be able to do so. McIntosh is a right tackle prospect who lacks the feet to move to the left side, which means the team would have a powerful, run-blocking "Badger Connection" on the right side of the line.
21. Kansas City Chiefs -- CB Ahmed Plummer, Ohio State.
The Chiefs are really starting to fade at corner and they also have a lot of age within their group. They need a cover corner who can take away the opponent's best wide receiver and Plummer may fit the bill. He has great man-to-man cover skills and should be able to run with the talented wide receivers in the AFC West. There has also been a lot of talk concerning Rashard Anderson as the No. 1 corner prospect in this class, and even though he would have some time to develop behind Kansas City's aging cornerback group, the team will likely take the best available player at this stage.
22. Seattle Seahawks -- DT Chris Hovan, Boston College.
With the loss of DT Sam Adams, the Seahawks are in desperate need of an impact player inside. Hovan is a "throw-back" player who always plays with a great motor. He shows a lot of inside pass rush moves and has proven strong enough to hold up versus the inside running game.
23. Carolina Panthers -- OG Travis Claridge, Southern California.
The Panthers have a lot of weaknesses that could be addressed with this pick, especially on the defensive and offensive lines, and with an offense that has shown so much promise in the passing game, a player like Claridge could really help this team make the step to the next level. Claridge is a dominating inside run blocker who also adds a lot of stability in pass protection. He has moved up the board significantly due to excellent workouts, and seems to be the top offensive guard heading into the draft.
24. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington) -- DE John Engelberger, Virginia Tech.
The 49ers, due to their current situation, are in position to choose the best available athlete. The clear choice here is Engelberger who looks to be a solid player for quite some time. He is a blue chip player and would upgrade a San Francisco defense sorely in need of some big plays from the pass rush. The most exciting aspect of a player like Engelberger is that he plays with a high motor and will up the intensity of the entire defense because of his presence.
25. Minnesota Vikings -- DB Rashard Anderson, Jackson State.
The Vikings desperately need an impact corner, but they do not have the ammunition to move up in the draft, so a guy like Anderson, who has great raw skills but will need a lot of refinement, may be the perfect guy. Secondary Coach Rich Solomon loves to work with young players and he may have to give Anderson a crash course to get him ready by the season opener, but there's a huge upside here. Rest assured that it will be very difficult for the Vikings to turn down a top-flight corner at this pick.
26. Buffalo Bills -- DB Dwayne Goodrich, Tennessee.
Despite the Bills glaring need to upgrade at the defensive end position, the team is known for making bold draft-day moves and with the loss of CB Thomas Smith, Goodrich fits the billing as not only the best available athlete, but also as a need as well. Goodrich is a fringe player at this point because he shows so much natural talent, but he also gambles a lot and has a tendency to give up the big play. Buffalo is confident that they can work with his raw skills to develop Goodrich into an "island player" opposite Antonio Winfield. This is the type of risk that could pay off huge in the future, giving the Bills a chance at establishing one of the top, young cornerback duos in the league.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- MLB Rob Morris, Brigham Young.
With the loss of Hardy Nickerson, the best bet with the 27th pick would be to address the middle linebacker position, where Morris is slated as the top player in his class. He is a perfect fit, because he not only possesses enough strength to matchup inside, but he is also a superior athlete for his position and his level of intensity should allow him to make the necessary steps as a starter at the NFL level as a rookie.
28. Indianapolis Colts -- DT Darwin Walker, Tennessee.
Look for the Colts to continue to upgrade their defense, although their overall needs are not as glaring as they were a year ago. The most logical decision here would be to take Walker to add some depth inside. The unit had some problems against the inside running game and the addition of a player like Walker would not only bulk up the group, but the depth would also allow the team to user a more frequent rotation, which would keep players fresh late in games.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars -- WR Ron Dugans, Florida State.
This pick makes a lot of sense for a team that is solid at just about every position heading into the 2000 season. Dugans is a polished receiver who would be a great addition to an already formidable receiving corps. This would allow the Jaguars to run a lot more three-receiver sets with Fred Taylor lined up as the I-back.
30. Tennessee Titans -- WR Sylvester Morris, Jackson State.
Tennessee's biggest concern in this years' draft will be to add speed to a receiving corps that has tremendous problems stretching opposing secondaries. Morris is a big receiver with average speed, but he's a threat in the deep third and in redzone situations because of his ability to out jump most cornerbacks.
31. St. Louis Rams -- OT Marvel Smith, Arizona State.
The defending Super Bowl champions have taken a hit on the offensive in the offseason, especially at the right tackle position with the loss of Fred Miller to free agency. Smith may be a stretch in the first round, but he shows a lot of developmental qualities with the natural feet and strength to become a mainstay on an NFL offensive line.
* Underclassman.

				ESPN.com - Mock Draft By The War Room Mar. 30, 2000 1. Cleveland Browns -- WR Peter Warrick, Florida State. The Browns earned the No. 1 pick this year with the worst record in the NFL, and Warrick still appears to be the perfect fit, despite the exuberant amount of press coverage and rumors. The trio of QB Tim Couch, WR Kevin Johnson, and Warrick would quickly give the Browns legitimate explosiveness on offense and Warrick could also give them a huge boost in the kicking game. Cleveland has drawn an awful lot of attention to the first pick, a ploy that seems to be an awful big smoke screen. OLB LaVar Arrington and DE Courtney Brown are tremendous talents who warrant consideration at No. 1, but it is unlikely that another team will trade into the No. 1 spot and Warrick is the closest thing to a franchise player in this draft. *2. Washington Redskins (from New Orleans) -- LB LaVar Arrington, Penn State. This is the first of two-consecutive picks for the Redskins, and it is almost a guarantee that it will be either Arrington, rather than Brown because of Washington's desperate need to bulk up at the linebacker position. The Redskins underachieved on defense in 1999 and they desperately need more speed and athleticism off the edge, especially in the form of a bigger linebacker who can help to plug the gaps against the tackle-to-tackle run game. Arrington is a complete OLB with great range who can rush the quarterback or drop in coverage. This is a need pick with the value to match. 3. Washington Redskins (from San Francisco) -- OT Chris Samuels, Alabama. There have been many rumors concerning the Redskins taking OT Chris Samuels with this acquired pick, and even though the thought of Penn State bookends on the defensive side next season is inviting, the 'Skins seem determined to add Samuels to the roster. Their obvious need is on defense heading into the 2000 season, but a player like Samuels would shore up an offensive line unit that is already solid from start to finish. 4. Cincinnati Bengals -- DE Courtney Brown, Penn State. Despite some glaring needs at the skill positions, the Bengals would be hard pressed to look past Brown with the No.4 pick. Brown is the second or third best overall player in this years' class, but will slip because of Washington's love affair with OT Chris Samuels. Brown will be an instant upgrade to the Bengals defensive front that will be moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme this season. 5. Baltimore Ravens (from Atlanta) -- RB Thomas Jones, Virginia. The departure of Errict Rhett for Cleveland makes this decision clear. The Ravens have upgraded their offense significantly with the addition of TE Shannon Sharpe, and with QB Tony Banks singing a long-term deal it's evident that Brian Billick is satisfied at the quarterback position. Now, the challenge is to surround Sharpe and Banks with a solid supporting cast. With the depth of this year's wide receiver class, the Ravens are confident choosing a running back now, waiting for their second pick of this round (14) to address the wide receiver position. Jones has emerged as the top running back of this draft and behind one of the more underrated offensive lines in the league, his transition into a premier runner at the NFL level should be a smooth one. 6. Philadelphia Eagles -- DT Corey Simon, Florida State. This is a classic fit of need and value. Simon is the next best player on the board, while the Eagles are in desperate need for an inside pass rusher. Simon is the most disruptive inside player in this class, giving the Eagles young, talented defense a chance to make some noise in 2000. 7. Arizona Cardinals -- RB Shaun Alexander, Alabama. The Cardinals desperately need a big-time back to take pressure off QB Jake Plummer. Veteran Adrian Murrell faded badly in 1999 and Alexander would give them a legitimate 25-carry, 100-yards per game rusher on a weekly basis, something they have been missing for years. He also adds an exciting dimension to the passing game out of the backfield because of his reliable hands and ability to get vertical. If Alexander is there, this would seem to be a no-brainer pick. 8. Pittsburgh Steelers -- WR Plaxico Burress, Michigan State.* Bill Cower's decision to enter the season with Kordell Stewart as his starter makes the wide receiver position that much more important. Despite some questions of character and attitude, Burress is the type of talent who could step in and make a huge impact as a rookie. He is a big target that will take a lot of pressure off of Stewart, especially in the vertical passing game where the Steelers have failed miserably over the course of the last two seasons. If Burress is still around, this is a perfect fit. 9. Chicago Bears -- OLB Brian Urlacher, New Mexico. Urlacher may be one of the most versatile athletes in this years' draft. He has the range of a safety and the size of a linebacker and he would dramatically upgrade a defense for the Bears that is full of overachievers. He could start at OLB but would be an every down player, as he also fits the bill as a nickel linebacker in passing situations. *10. Denver Broncos -- TE Bubba Franks, Miami (Fla.). The Broncos are comfortable with Dwayne Carswell and Byron Chamberlain at the tight end position after losing Shannon Sharpe in free agency, but the addition of a player like Franks would instantly upgrade this unit that is not too far away from being a contender again. The Broncos have not had the opportunity to pick this high in the draft in quite some time, so its hard to say how they will handle the pick, but on a team that has few glaring needs, do not be surprised if they take the best available athlete, which happens to be Franks. 11. New York Giants -- RB Ron Dayne, Wisconsin. The Giants had a running back-by-committee approach in 1999, and even though they have a lot of candidates, they still need that 25-30 carry back who can move the chains and give them a ball control offense. Dayne seems to be the perfect fit for an offense that is in desperate need of a guy who can pound the ball out to loosen up opposing defenses for the passing game. The concern with Dayne is that he has taken a lot of shots at the college level and that he also lacks the breakaway speed get to the second level. However, he is a proven load-carrier that will give this offense an instant upgrade in its running game, which is a critical component for a cold-weather team during the stretch run into the playoffs. 12. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington) -- QB Chad Pennington, Marshall. The 49ers traded down from its No. 3 pick in order to acquire Washington's No. 12 and No. 24 picks in the first round. The thinking behind the move is to gain an extra pick in the first round, which will enable the team to not only draft a quarterback at a more reasonable slot, but to also inherit a pick later in the first round to address another need. The Forty Niners are obviously in dire need of a young quarterback develop within the system, and with Pennington still on the board, San Francisco will use their 12th pick to address the situation. Pennington will need at least a year to make the adjustment to the NFL level, but on a team that is now in a long-term transition situation, Pennington is the intelligent choice because of his upside. He shows enough arm strength, leadership and ball-handling skills to develop into a solid starter in the league as long as he is not forced into a situation where he is depended upon to lead a team in his rookie season. 13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from San Diego) -- OT Stockar McDougle, Oklahoma. McDougle may be the fastest rising offensive lineman in this draft. He has size, feet, and instincts and with Bucs' LOT Paul Gruber near the end of the line he would be an excellent guy to work into the Tampa Bay lineup. It may take him a year to adjust, but he will be an excellent pro player. 14. Green Bay Packers -- LB Keith Bulluck, Syracuse. Bulluck is one of the fastest rising players in this years' draft. He was trapped inside last year on Syracuse's smaller defensive unit, which prohibited him from displaying a lot of his playmaking abilities. The Packers are in need of a playmaker from the outside and are confident that Bulluck will contribute right away because of his astonishing size/speed/athleticism combination. 15. Baltimore Ravens -- WR Travis Taylor, Florida.* By taking Thomas Jones with the first pick of the round, the Ravens will look to boost its passing game by adding a top receiver to the corps. Taylor is a guy that is rising on many NFL draft boards because of his exceptional body control, hands and size. He would be a perfect fit on a Baltimore team that is just a few offensive playmakers away from being a serious contender. *16. New York Jets (from New England) -- DE Shaun Ellis, Tennessee. The Jets have one of the worst pass rush groups in the NFL and they could use not only a speed rusher, but a guy who can hold up versus the run, which fits Ellis' skills. He has great speed and quickness and can be a double-digit sack artist in the right system. Ellis is a clear playmaker coming from one of the top programs at the college level and should be able to contribute right away as an every down player. 17. Oakland Raiders -- WR Laveranues Coles, Florida State. This would be an eyebrow-raiser, but do not put it past Al Davis. The Raiders love speed and raw talent, two qualities that Coles oozes with. Coles has had some off-the-field troubles and his character is certainly questioned, but this veteran Raider team could be a place where the speedster from Florida State could get a fresh start. 18. New York Jets -- S Deon Grant, Tennessee.* The Jets are determined to upgrade their aging defensive unit and safety is a definite concern. Grant seems to be a likely choice here, not only because of his tremendous value at this spot in the draft, but also because the Jets are in need of a big play safety to shore up a secondary that showed a lot of deficiencies in the deep third a year ago. Grant is ball-hawking, centerfielder-type player who will add a lot of speed and range to a Jets' secondary that gave up too many big plays versus the vertical passing game. *19. Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas) -- WR Dez White, Georgia Tech. With the trade of WR Joey Galloway to Dallas, Seattle picks up an additional first-round pick, but also has a big hole at the wide receiver position. Dez White is a guy that has climbed up most NFL teams' draft boards because of his excellent size/speed combination. He seems to be a great fit for the Seahawks' West Coast system and would be a big boost to their mediocre receiving corps. However, Head Coach Mike Holmgren values his draft picks, and with a team that does not have a lot of glaring needs, the Seahawks will likely take the highest player graded on their board at both #19 and #22. 20. Detroit Lions -- OL Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin. The Lions addressed their need of a running back in free agency by signing ex-Jaguar James Stewart, which allows the organization to improve upfront on the offensive side of the ball. Ideally, Detroit would like to move last year's first round pick Aaron Gibson from offensive tackle to offensive guard, and by taking McIntosh at the 20th spot the team would be able to do so. McIntosh is a right tackle prospect who lacks the feet to move to the left side, which means the team would have a powerful, run-blocking "Badger Connection" on the right side of the line. 21. Kansas City Chiefs -- CB Ahmed Plummer, Ohio State. The Chiefs are really starting to fade at corner and they also have a lot of age within their group. They need a cover corner who can take away the opponent's best wide receiver and Plummer may fit the bill. He has great man-to-man cover skills and should be able to run with the talented wide receivers in the AFC West. There has also been a lot of talk concerning Rashard Anderson as the No. 1 corner prospect in this class, and even though he would have some time to develop behind Kansas City's aging cornerback group, the team will likely take the best available player at this stage. 22. Seattle Seahawks -- DT Chris Hovan, Boston College. With the loss of DT Sam Adams, the Seahawks are in desperate need of an impact player inside. Hovan is a "throw-back" player who always plays with a great motor. He shows a lot of inside pass rush moves and has proven strong enough to hold up versus the inside running game. 23. Carolina Panthers -- OG Travis Claridge, Southern California. The Panthers have a lot of weaknesses that could be addressed with this pick, especially on the defensive and offensive lines, and with an offense that has shown so much promise in the passing game, a player like Claridge could really help this team make the step to the next level. Claridge is a dominating inside run blocker who also adds a lot of stability in pass protection. He has moved up the board significantly due to excellent workouts, and seems to be the top offensive guard heading into the draft. 24. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington) -- DE John Engelberger, Virginia Tech. The 49ers, due to their current situation, are in position to choose the best available athlete. The clear choice here is Engelberger who looks to be a solid player for quite some time. He is a blue chip player and would upgrade a San Francisco defense sorely in need of some big plays from the pass rush. The most exciting aspect of a player like Engelberger is that he plays with a high motor and will up the intensity of the entire defense because of his presence. 25. Minnesota Vikings -- DB Rashard Anderson, Jackson State. The Vikings desperately need an impact corner, but they do not have the ammunition to move up in the draft, so a guy like Anderson, who has great raw skills but will need a lot of refinement, may be the perfect guy. Secondary Coach Rich Solomon loves to work with young players and he may have to give Anderson a crash course to get him ready by the season opener, but there's a huge upside here. Rest assured that it will be very difficult for the Vikings to turn down a top-flight corner at this pick. 26. Buffalo Bills -- DB Dwayne Goodrich, Tennessee. Despite the Bills glaring need to upgrade at the defensive end position, the team is known for making bold draft-day moves and with the loss of CB Thomas Smith, Goodrich fits the billing as not only the best available athlete, but also as a need as well. Goodrich is a fringe player at this point because he shows so much natural talent, but he also gambles a lot and has a tendency to give up the big play. Buffalo is confident that they can work with his raw skills to develop Goodrich into an "island player" opposite Antonio Winfield. This is the type of risk that could pay off huge in the future, giving the Bills a chance at establishing one of the top, young cornerback duos in the league. 27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- MLB Rob Morris, Brigham Young. With the loss of Hardy Nickerson, the best bet with the 27th pick would be to address the middle linebacker position, where Morris is slated as the top player in his class. He is a perfect fit, because he not only possesses enough strength to matchup inside, but he is also a superior athlete for his position and his level of intensity should allow him to make the necessary steps as a starter at the NFL level as a rookie. 28. Indianapolis Colts -- DT Darwin Walker, Tennessee. Look for the Colts to continue to upgrade their defense, although their overall needs are not as glaring as they were a year ago. The most logical decision here would be to take Walker to add some depth inside. The unit had some problems against the inside running game and the addition of a player like Walker would not only bulk up the group, but the depth would also allow the team to user a more frequent rotation, which would keep players fresh late in games. 29. Jacksonville Jaguars -- WR Ron Dugans, Florida State. This pick makes a lot of sense for a team that is solid at just about every position heading into the 2000 season. Dugans is a polished receiver who would be a great addition to an already formidable receiving corps. This would allow the Jaguars to run a lot more three-receiver sets with Fred Taylor lined up as the I-back. 30. Tennessee Titans -- WR Sylvester Morris, Jackson State. Tennessee's biggest concern in this years' draft will be to add speed to a receiving corps that has tremendous problems stretching opposing secondaries. Morris is a big receiver with average speed, but he's a threat in the deep third and in redzone situations because of his ability to out jump most cornerbacks. 31. St. Louis Rams -- OT Marvel Smith, Arizona State.** The defending Super Bowl champions have taken a hit on the offensive in the offseason, especially at the right tackle position with the loss of Fred Miller to free agency. Smith may be a stretch in the first round, but he shows a lot of developmental qualities with the natural feet and strength to become a mainstay on an NFL offensive line. * Underclassman.
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