Pro Football Insider Mock Draft March 24, 2001     Pro Football Insider.net's Mock Draft:    Team Pick & Insight: 1. San Diego Chargers QB - Michael Vick - Virginia Tech With Doug Flutie on board this pick makes perfect sense now. The Chargers will have three small but mobile QBs on their roster and Flutie with be the mentor and starter for two years. He is the perfect person to help bring Vick along, and will allow the Chargers to run the same offense now and in the future with Vick, that will be a big help towards his development. 2. Arizona Cardinals  DT - Gerard Warren - Florida  The Cardinals need help all along the defensive line and both Warren and DE Justin Smith look real good here. Smith had a great workout, but Warren is the better fit right now for the Cardinals. They have nobody inside and Warren can dominate. He has great size at over 320 pounds, but is still quick enough to get into the backfield. He could become what Eric Swann once was for the Cardinals. 3. Cleveland Browns WR - David Terrell - Michigan  OK Terrell has a stress fracture and may not be able to run before the draft, and your point? Terrell had a great college career and this injury will not affect him this season. He is a playmaker with great size, does it matter if he runs a 4.34 or a 4.4? The Browns will not be able to pass up a player of his caliber. Tim Couch lobbied for Kevin Johnson a couple of years ago, and is quietly (for now) campaigning for Terrell here. A running back also makes sense, but there will be a few to choose from at the top of the second round if they don't make another move in free agency.  4. Cincinnati Bengals  OT - Leonard Davis - Texas  The Bengals are looking at Todd Steussie and Ross Verba, who was a guard, but can play left tackle as well. This will make a difference for this pick. As it stands now Davis makes a great deal of sense. He is a massive left tackle that will help the QB and open space in the running game. Should the Bengals sign either Steussie or Verba they could quickly turn their attention to DE Justin Smith, who would greatly improve their pass rush. 5. Atlanta Falcons  DE - Justin Smith - Missouri The Falcons need a receiver and help on the defensive line to start. WR Koren Robinson will be very tempting here, but Smith is great value and will start immediately on a weak defensive line. He has a great motor for getting to the QB, but also is solid against the run. QB is the other concern for the Falcons, but that will be addressed later.  6. New England Patriots  OT - Kenyatta Walker - Florida Walker has been looking good and would be a great fit for the Patriots who have suffered with a porous offensive line. Drew Bledsoe has a new contract, now he'd like to survive long enough under those new terms. Walker will go a long help towards helping that cause. He would step in right away and could team with last years pick Adrian Klemm to give them a set of bookend tackles for years to come. 7. Seattle Seahawks  WR - Koren Robinson - NC State Well the Seahawks need a receiver and Robinson is still on the board. This pick shouldn't take more than a minute to be announced. The Seahawks addressed the defensive line and QB already and can now take the receiver without a worry. Robinson has great size and speed; the only concern is his attitude. Still he is a great talent and will step right into the starting lineup for the Seahawks who definitely need the help. 8. Chicago Bears  RB - LanDanian Tomlinson - TCU The Bears have been very impressed by Tomlinson, and see him as their feature back. Paired with James Allen they hope for a combination like the Ravens had last year with Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes. Tomlinson has great speed and is now showing he can catch the ball as well. Deuce McAllister is the other top back, but the Bears seem much more interested in Tomlinson. They will also consider a DE like Jamal Reynolds or Andre Carter who could help their pass rush, but they won't pass up a feature back and will like get a pass rusher in one of the next two rounds.  9. San Francisco 49ers  RB - Deuce McAllister - Ole Miss Much of the attention for the 49ers so far has been for LB Dan Morgan, and that would be a good pick for them. But they may look for a veteran to team with two of last years rookies for their hole at LB. With it seeming almost certain that Charlie Garner won't return, and Garrison Hearst still an unknown, the 49ers will have a hard time passing on McAllister. There is also talk of them trading for a RB later in the first round down (in the low to mid 20 range). McAllister and Tomlinson will almost certainly be gone by then, so who might they be looking for there? Michael Bennett doesn't look like their choice, but watch for Lamont Jordan should they trade down. They may also look at a DE here to improve their pass rush. DT is also a need, but they will take care of that in free agency.  10. Green Bay Packers LB - Dan Morgan - Miami The Packers traded up for an impact player, the question who is it? Receiver and a front seven player on defense are the top of the needs. Dan Morgan had a great workout in Miami and will be hard to pass up. Last year the Packers wanted to get Brian Urlacher and Morgan could follow in his footsteps. They will also look at DEs Jamal Reynolds and Andre Carter, but both are undersized and not exactly what the Packers need. DTs Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud will get a look as well. There are plenty of receiver that have gotten the Packers attention, and while some mock drafts have Terrell or Robinson being here, don't hold your breath. Could Santana Moss, Chad Johnson, or Freddie Mitchell be who they traded up for? Unlikely, this is a deep draft for receivers, and there will be plenty there at 17 if that was there concern. The Packers don't like to take receivers in the first and very likely won't this year. In the end Morgan fits a need and is a great value who wouldn't have been there at 17 had they not traded up. 11. Carolina Panthers  QB - Drew Brees - Purdue OK, this pick may not be too likely, but every Panthers fan is hoping they bring someone in. The only name in free agency getting any talk is Trent Dilfer and he's not much to get you excited. Brees is a perfect West Coast offense QB, and last year Jeff Lewis looked like he should be let go rather than promoted. The Broncos made the right decision trading him away, and if the Panthers don't add anyone they could be in real trouble this year. Of course if that happens they could get a shot at Drew Henson next year, but let's not think like that. The Panthers need this pick, but it is still a long shot. Others they will look at include RB Michael Bennett (or Tomlinson or McAllister if they are still available), LB Dan Morgan should be there. Or perhaps the more likely pick at the moment OG/OT Steve Hutchinson who could play either guard spot or right tackle for the needy Panthers to at least give whoever is the quarterback a chance to get to his 5 step drop. 12. Kansas City Chiefs  RB - Michael Bennett - Wisconsin The Chiefs may very well still trade this pick to the Rams for Trent Green, but until then we'll focus on the Chiefs needs here. Michael Bennett could be a great fit for a team with a number of backs, but no one to feature. He has the great speed that Dick Vermeil likes and went out to dinner with him after Bennett's workout in Madison. DT Richard Seymour or CB Fred Smoot could also be great picks here to shore up the defense, and our personal favorite here would be Santana Moss, but that is unlikely should they keep the pick. 13. Jacksonville Jaguars  OG Steve Hutchinson - Michigan So where wouldn't the Jaguars like to get some help? The offensive line is an area of great concern and Hutchinson can play all over it. His versatility will make him the pick here and help solidify a weak line. DE Andre Carter will also get a look and LB Dan Morgan would be a good choice should he slide down. A wide receiver wouldn't be a bad choice either, but that may be a luxury the Jaguars can't afford right now.  14. Buffalo Bills  DT Richard Seymour - Georgia  The Bills need to add interior lineman as they switch to a 4-3. Seymour is a very active DT, who can get into the backfield. He will fit well inside for the Bills to clog up the middle, and will also help in the pass rush. They will also look at CB Fred Smoot is a tough corner with a big mouth. DEs Andre Carter and Jamal Reynolds will also get a short look but are unlikely.  15. Washington Redskins  WR - Santana Moss - Miami The Redskins need a playmaker on offense and are very thin at WR. Moss is a small but dynamic receiver, who just makes things happen. He has great speed and leaping ability, and showed that in a great performance at his school's pro-day. Despite his size he is fearless over the middle, and is a valuable return man to add to Deion and Champ Bailey.  16. Pittsburgh Steelers  CB - Fred Smoot - Mississippi State  The Steelers have a lot of players they are looking at here, but will not be able to pass up a corner like Fred Smoot. He talks a lot, but is more than capable of backing it up. He can shut down a receiver, and even if beaten he has the confidence to come back on the next play. They would also like to see LB Dan Morgan fall to them, but that is unlikely. S Adam Archuleta also has Bill Cowher's eye, but this is too soon for him. C Dominic Raiola was considered a good fit until they signed Jeff Hartings to replace Dermontti Dawson.  17. Seattle Seahawks DE Andre Carter Ok, the Seahawks added a couple of lineman in free agency, but they are not done. Andre Carter weighed in a little light at the combine, but the Seahawks don't need him to start now. He could add to their pass rush and possibly replace Michael Sinclair next year, who was almost released this year in a cap move, and will earn $3.8 million next year making this a very expensive line. Smoot or Dan Morgan would also get strong consideration should they still be here, and safeties Derrick Gibson and Adam Archuleta may also get a glance. 18. Detroit Lions  DE - Jamal Reynolds - FSU The Lions have a solid line but lacked a pass rush last year, that is one thing Reynolds could add for sure. He is extremely quick off the edge, which would help the defense. A corner or offensive lineman like Dominic Raiola could also be the pick. There are reasons for each of these picks and reasons against each. In the end Reynolds is a great value here and will improve their pass rush this year.  19. New York Jets  WR - Rod Gardner - Clemson The Jets have a number of small receivers, and while they may add a receiver in free agency yet, they will almost certainly select one in the first round. Rod Gardner has good size, and although he may not time that fast, he finds a way to get behind corners. He has great hands and would be a great red zone target for them. There are some other receivers that will get a look including Chad Johnson, Chris Chambers, Quincy Morgan, Freddie Mitchell, and Reggie Wayne, but Gardner has everything they need. 20. St. Louis Rams  DT - Marcus Stroud - Georgia The Rams obviously need DTs after releasing their starters from last year. Stroud is a big body inside, who can be a disruptive force. He also has the size to be an excellent run stuffer and keep the lineman off of the linebackers. He does however have a burst to get across the line of scrimmage and make things happen as well. The Rams will also look at the cornerbacks here. Smoot won't be here, but Jamal Fletcher, Nate Clements, and Will Allen all will get a look. The Rams also need help at linebacker, but there is good value there in the second round. They may also pick up a first round pick or two by trading Trent Green and or Kevin Carter.  21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  OT - Jeff Backus - Michigan The Bucs spent a lot of money to bring in Brad Johnson, now they must find someone to protect his blindside. Todd Steussie is a possibility in free agency, but that seems unlikely. Backus would give them a good young tackle who can play on the left side right away. Playing at Michigan he is used to the pressure and has seen top defensive ends. If they lose Ronde Barber a corner will also be very tempting, but they can promote from within, and that's something they can't do at tackle. Still the three corners mentioned with the Rams would all get a look (Fletcher, Allen, and Clement).  22. Indianapolis Colts  CB - Jamal Fletcher - Wisconsin The Colts need help all over the defense and still need a receiver to pair with Marvin Harrison. Jamal Fletcher may be undersized, but you can't question his productivity in college, even against the bigger receivers. He can shut people down, and that would help the entire defense. A defensive tackle is also greatly needed, and someone like Shaun Rodgers would be a good fit, but he is a bit of a question now. A LB or DE are also needed, but there is no value for them here.  23. New Orleans Saints  S - Derrick Gibson - Florida State The Saints need a free safety, and Gibson is the best in the draft. He is a great centerfielder with great ball skills. He has good size and speed and enough experience to step in right away. The Saints got their receiver in free agency, but will still be looking. Now they should be able to wait until the second round though. They are not looking too heavily at other free safeties now, and Gibson would solidify the position for a number of years. Another possible pick here would be TE Todd Heap. They have Cam Cleeland, but he is coming off an Achilles injury. They released Andrew Glover earlier, so behind Cleeland is Lamont Hall, who played very well last year but may not be ready to be the guy if Cleeland is slow to return.  24. Denver Broncos  CB - Nate Clements - Ohio State The Broncos are in need of corners and Ray Rhodes likes big physical corners. Clements is 5'11 and 210 pounds, so he will be able to get in a receiver's face at the line of scrimmage and support the run. He posted a blazing 4.29 40 at Ohio State's pro-day on a track known to be more than a little fast (maybe a bit downhill and there is always a wind behind them). He is coming out as a junior and may need time to develop, but he will at least be a nickel corner this year. The Broncos will look at a number of corners here trying to find someone who will be able to start right away. They will also look long and hard at the receivers. They need a #3 guy and there are a number of quality receivers available here, but they will also be there in round two. 25. Philadelphia Eagles  WR - Chris Chambers - Wisconsin The Eagles got James Thrash so they will have more options here, but a receiver is still the most likely selection. Chambers has great size and speed to go with incredible leaping ability. He would be a great number three guy this year and could be a real star with a year or two to develop. Chad Johnson, Freddie Mitchell, and Quincy Morgan will also get a look. If they go in another direction a RB is a possibility with Lamont Jordan at the top of the list.  26. Miami Dolphins  WR - Chad Johnson - Oregon State  The Dolphins need help at receiver and left tackle, as well as depth on the defensive line and a linebacker. A tackle would be a good selection, but we believe there is too much talent at receiver for them to pass up here. They have Ray Lucas now to challenge Jay Fiedler, now they need to give them the weapons. There are a number of tackles available here and they should have their choice. If they choose to go LB Tommy Polley would be attractive. He is a quick smart LB. Still Chad Johnson would provide them with a solid receiver and will be too tempting here 27. Minnesota Vikings  CB - Will Allen - Syracuse Yes the Vikings lost their RB, but don't look for a replacement here. The Vikings desperately need to address their defense and specifically corner. Will Allen has posted great numbers and had a very good college career. He has the experience to be able to step right in for the Vikings and contribute, and that's what they need. The Vikings will look at a number of corners here including, Willie Middlebrooks, Ken Lucas, and Nate Clements or Jamal Fletcher should they fall. A linebacker is also a possibility. With only one LB off the boards the Vikings would be able to pick and choose where they wouldn't be able to in the second round where a number figure to go.  28. Oakland Raiders  S - Adam Archuleta - Arizona State The Raiders need a big safety and Archuleta is just that, a former LB who is making the move to strong safety. But he has shown that won't be too difficult for him. He is a big hitter who will follow in the great Raider tradition. He doesn't have a lot of experience in coverage but has the speed to do so. He will be a great addition for the Raiders secondary. They also could look at the receivers still on the board and take one looking towards their future while adding depth now. 29. Tennessee Titans  OG/C - Dominic Raiola - Nebraska The Titans need some help after releasing a number of players at the end of February. DE, DT, FS, CB, and WR are all concerns, but Raiola is too tempting for them here. He is much like Bruce Matthews who has to retire sooner or later. He can play guard or center and is very physical. The rest of free agency will also affect this, but Raiola looks like a great value here. 30. New York Giants TE - Todd Heap - Arizone State Todd Heap has been flying up the boards and may not be here when the Giants prepare to pick, but if he is he should be the selection. He would give the Giants a big TE with great speed to split the seem. He also has very soft hands giving them a great target over the middle. A cornerback is also the popular pick and if Heap is gone that would be the consensus. There are a number of possibilities for them if the take a corner, and they will take a look at all of them. 31. Baltimore Ravens WR - Freddie Mithell - UCLA The Ravens have addressed their QB issue and ORT issue. So now that the offense looks more prepared to throw downfield they need to improve the receiver spot. Mitchell has great speed and a flair for big plays. Quincy Morgan is also a possibility at receiver, or Raiola if he should slide would give them good depth inside. A linebacker or safety are also possibilities depending on the rest of free agency.
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