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Updated February 14th, 2005
The 2005 NFL Draft will be held on April
23rd and 24th in New York. Here is our latest thoughts on who will go where.
* Denotes Underclassman
Round 1
 1(1).
San Francisco 49ers
*Aaron Rogers Quarterback
California
Tim Rattey is a serviceable NFL quarterback but when you have the top pick looking for an
elite quarterback is always a safe route. With Matt Leinart gone it makes the top pick in the
draft difficult to project. I still think the 49ers would like to trade down but until a
general manager is in place it is anybody’s guess. I am not high on Aaron Rodgers but he would
be the likely pick here. If San Francisco stayed put and did not look at a QB than Antrel
Rolle is the only other selection that makes sense.
 2(2).
Miami Dolphins
Cedric Benson Running Back
Texas
One can only hope that if this is the
choice for the Dolphins he works out better than the last Texas running back they had on their
roster. Benson is a tough inside runner who would be the best running back option for the
offense if they don’t trade down in an effort to acquire more draft picks. Braylon Edwards is
suddenly trying to lobby support to become a Dolphin, since the team is unlikely to retain the
services of David Boston this is a possibility.
 3(3).
Cleveland Browns
Derrick Johnson Linebacker Texas
Romeo Crennel will be leading this team
into 2005 and getting a franchise type player for the defense would be a great start. The
Browns don’t possess a gamebreaker at the linebacker position. Someone with the athletic
ability of a Derrick Johnson is a great place to start when building a defense.
 4(4).
Chicago Bears
Braylon Edwards Wide Receiver Michigan
It is evident that the likes of Bobby
Wade, Justin Gage and David Terrell leave a lot to be desired. The defense made tremendous
strides a year ago, time to work on the offense and getting more weapons.
 5(5).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Alex Barron Offensive Tackle
Florida State
Derrick Deese and Todd Steussie are the
starters on the current depth chart and both will be 35 when the season begins. Kenyatta
Walker has been a huge disappointment in Tampa Bay and one of the veterans at the offensive
tackle position could be cut before next season begins. Getting fresh blood like Alex Barron
would be a no-brainer. If the Buccaneers fail to land a running back in free agency they could
look there and trade down to land a good prospect.
 6(6).
Tennessee Titans
Antrel Rolle Cornerback
Miami (Fla.)
Last year rookies like Michael Waddell
and Rich Gardner played more than the Titans wanted them to. Getting a franchise type
cornerback in Antrel Rolle could solve some of their defensive woes. I think this team would
like a crack at Derrick Johnson if he is still on the board at this point.
 7(7).
Oakland Raiders
Carnell Williams Running Back Auburn
The Raiders finished the season with the dubious honor of having the worst rushing offense in
the NFL. Carnell Williams would bring instant credibility to the offense regardless of whether
Kerry Collins or Rich Gannon is the quarterback.
 8(8).
Arizona Cardinals
Ronnie Brown Running Back Auburn
With no long term prospects for running the ball, getting a running back seems logical for the
Cardinals. Since they haven't had a decent pass receiver out of the backfield since the days
of Michael Pittman, Ronnie Brown is the best fit for this team and he should still be on the
board. This pick would change if they are able to land Travis Henry in free agency.
 9(9).
Washington Redskins
*Adam Jones Cornerback West Virginia
Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs are a great starting tandem but there is very little in terms of
depth to follow. Fred Smoot has yet to be locked up to a long term deal and I think getting a
quality cornerback in the fold would be needed regardless of the Smoot contract outcome.
 10(10).
Detroit Lions
*Heath Miller Tight End Virginia
No more excuses for the Lions this season. They have drafted a quarterback, running back and a
pair of wide receivers in the first round in the last three years. Stephen Alexander is a nice
tight end but he goes through bouts of inconsistency and has a past that is injury plagued.
Getting a Heath Miller in the fold along with a healthy season from Charles Rogers could make
people forget about the past when it comes to Joey Harrington.
 11(11).
Dallas Cowboys
*Mike Williams Wide Receiver USC
The wildcard of the first round is without a doubt Mike Williams. The Cowboys have a need at
wide receiver with aging starters like Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson. With an extra first
round pick because of the deal with Buffalo a year ago, the Cowboys can afford to take a risk
on a player who did not play this season.
 12(12).
San Diego Chargers (From New York Giants)
Erasmus James Defensive End Wisconsin
The Chargers will probably be looking for a defensive end or a linebacker with some blitzing
skills so Erasmus James or Shawne Merriman seems to make the most sense. There is a feeling
that this team would love to have Mike Williams so packaging their pair of first rounders to a
team to move up is a strong possibility.
 13(13).
Houston Texans
Marcus Spears Defensive End LSU
Spears would be the best fit at this stage in the 3-4 front that the Texans like to use.
Getting a young linebacker is another strong possibility.
 14(14).
Carolina Panthers
Elton Brown Offensive Guard Virginia
With Rich Tylski and Dave Kadela free agents it looks like the Panthers will be looking for
more help and depth along the offensive line. Drafting Elton Brown would allow the Panthers to
do something they didn’t do in 2004, replace Jeno James.
 15(15).
Kansas City Chiefs
*Alex Smith Quarterback Utah
I am sure we have some people scratching their head on this one. Trent Green is still playing
at a high level but the backup is Todd Collins and Trent Green will be 35 when the 2005 opener
rolls around. The Chiefs have been known to ignore their need for defense early in the draft
and history has a way of repeating itself.
 16(16).
New Orleans Saints
Jammal Brown Offensive Tackle Oklahoma
The Saints are looking for a dominant fixture they can place on the offensive line. Jon
Stinchcomb has been inconsistent since he has been with the Saints so getting another young
stud up front is something this team needs. This team needs plenty of help on defense but
those picks could come later. If the Saints go defense in round 1 look for a linebacker like
Channing Crowder as a possibility.
 17(17).
Cincinnati Bengals
David Pollack Defensive End Georgia
Getting a player like David Pollack to play for a coach like Marvin Lewis seems like a match
made in heaven. Cincinnati also needs help on run defense and Pollack is very good at stopping
the run and plays smart football.
 18(18).
Minnesota Vikings
Carlos Rogers Cornerback Auburn
There are times you just get a feeling for who a team likes without getting a big inside scoop
or having them say a word. The Vikings just seem to think the world of Carlos Rogers and while
this may be a little high for him he wouldn’t be there in round 2 when Minnesota was on the
clock.
 19(19).
St.Louis Rams
*Brandon Browner Cornerback Oregon State
The Rams have struggled to make plays in the secondary the last two seasons. While Browner is
still a raw prospect his size alone could push him into the first round. The Rams need help at
cornerback and safety so he is a good fit for this team.
20(20).
Dallas Cowboys (From Buffalo)
*Shawne Merriman Linebacker Maryland
While the cornerback position is a glaring weakness taking a player like Merriman at #20 will
really help the Cowboys out. Dallas only got to the quarterback 33 times last year and half of
those sacks came from Greg Ellis and La’Roi Glover. Dallas needs another speedy option who can
bring the rush from outside and the athletic freak Shawne Merriman is perfect for the job.
 21(21).
Jacksonville Jaguars
Dan Cody Defensive End Oklahoma
The Jaguars have no legitimate pass rushing threat at defensive end. Towards the end of the
year it was hard finding bodies healthy enough to place there. A blitzing linebacker off the
edge is another possibility but defensive end looks like a lock here.
 22(22).
Baltimore Ravens
*Troy Williamson Wide Receiver South Carolina
No team in football has a weaker receiving corps than the Baltimore Ravens. When you have a
young quarterback like Kyle Boller you need to surround him with weapons. I think Boller took
some steps forward last year, he just needs more talent around him. Williamson is a big target
with speed, something the Ravens need desperately.
 23(23).
Seattle Seahawks
*Channing Crowder Linebacker Florida
The Seahawks should add someone along the front seven and linebacker or defensive end seem
like the most likely spots. The Seahawks need depth at linebacker, last year they were
decimated with injuries there so getting some good young prospects should help the defense.
Crowder looks like someone Ray Rhodes can mold on defense.
 24(24).
Green Bay Packers
Matt Roth Defensive End Iowa
With Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas getting another year under their belt defensive end seems
like a good spot for the Packers to look for talent. They will be losing some people along the
offensive line but I expect the Packers to look in that direction later in the draft. Roth’s
work ethic and strong Senior Bowl performance gets him into the first round.
 25(25).
Denver Broncos
Travis Johnson Defensive Tackle Florida State
Monsanto Pope and Raylee Johnson are patrolling the interior line, Denver could benefit from
getting younger and more athletic. I don’t buy into Denver taking a running back in round 1
and that is the scoop since Reuben Droughns has received permission to seek a trade. Travis
Johnson is a little undersized and can be moved around the line, something Denver likes to do
with their lineman.
 26(26).
New York Jets
*Thomas Davis Safety Georgia
Could be the best athlete on the board at this point. Davis is a tweener linebacker/safety
that brings the physical presence to the secondary that the Jets want.
 27(27).
Atlanta Falcons
Anttaj Hawthorne Defensive Tackle Wisconsin
Justin Tuck has a few teams talking to him at the Senior Bowl and one team who seemed very
interested in his services were the Falcons. If Travis Johnson and Anttaj Hawthorne are off
the board I think Atlanta takes Tuck. Hawthorne is a great addition to bring along with the
likes of Patrick Kerney and Rod Coleman.
28(28).
San Diego Chargers
Roddy White Wide Receiver UAB
Roddy White was a player skyrocketing up the boards until a bad hamstring ended his Senior
Bowl prematurely. White had the most productive season of any receiver at the I-A level and he
brings the Chargers a deep threat with some size. I think the Chargers would prefer Troy
Williamson here but Roddy White is not a big dropoff.
 29(29).
Indianapolis Colts
Shaun Cody Defensive Tackle USC
Montae Reagor had a great season in the middle of the defensive line but other than that the
Colts are plagued with inconsistency. Cody is a smaller and quicker guy that can be moved
around the line like their other youngster Josh Thomas.
 30(30).
Pittsburgh Steelers
Brodney Pool Safety Oklahoma
Getting another safety to pair with Troy Polamalu for years to come is attractive with no free
safeties yet off the board. Brodney Pool would be the best fit to play with Polamalu and could
see considerable time right out of the box.
 31(31).
Philadelphia Eagles
*Justin Tuck Linebacker Notre Dame
The Eagles finished second in the NFL in total sacks with 47 in 2004 but only 5 came from the
linebacker position. Justin Tuck would give the Eagles a threat along the edge that would free
up their defensive lineman even more.
 32(32).
New England Patriots
Marlin Jackson Cornerback Michigan
Another bargain in the secondary for the Patriots as they wind up with Marlin Jackson. Jackson
has experience at corner and safety, just how the Patriots like it.
Round Two
D.J. Boyer
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