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Courtney Brown, LaVar
Arrington, Chris Samuels
and Peter Warrick
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I love what the Buccaneers accomplished in this draft.
They did something that no other team pulled off this year: They added a surefire Pro
Bowl-caliber player by trading draft choices to the Jets for WR Keyshawn Johnson. You can
rave all you want about college players with immense potential, but the key word is
"potential." Johnson is a proven commodity who solves an enormous problem area
for the Buccaneers. He just may be the last piece of the puzzle for Tampa Bay.
I’m also a big fan of what the Buccaneers did after the first round. I thought
they got great value when they took OG Cosey Coleman in Round Two. The Buccaneers’
offensive line has been significantly upgraded via free agency, and this just adds to the
progress and gives the Bucs an option once Randall McDaniel retires or slows down. In
Round Three, Tampa Bay grabbed LB Nate Webster, a highly productive performer who is
tough, instinctive, quick and active. He seems like an excellent fit for the Buccaneers.
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The Redskins came out of the first round with two of the most coveted players in the
entire draft — LB LaVar Arrington and OT Chris Samuels. Of course, it’s hard to
screw up two first-round picks, especially when they are the second and third
selections overall. But give credit to the Redskins’ front office for not getting
cute and gambling by trading down to get more picks or up to guarantee getting Arrington.
The Redskins simply stuck with the plan and took the guys they wanted and needed.
Arrington will bring athleticism and attitude to a defense that can use a healthy dose
of both. Samuels could start at left tackle for the next 10 years.
Later, the Skins did well by adding some youthful backups to the secondary and drafting
developmental QB Todd Husak.
By the way, former Redskins GM Charley Casserly deserves some credit for this draft,
considering that he worked out the deal which landed the Skins the second overall pick by
making a huge Draft Day trade with the Saints last April.
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After doing a lot of talking about potential Draft Day deals in varying forms, the
Ravens ended up sticking to their tradition of standing pat, which this year was a no-lose
proposition.
Armed with the fifth and 10th overall selections, Ravens head coach Brian Billick was
determined to fortify an offense that needed lots of help, especially in red-zone
situations. With the selections of RB Jamal Lewis — who offered the best combination
of explosive speed and all-out power of any back in the draft — and WR Travis Taylor,
the Ravens think opposing teams will soon be seeing red on a consistent basis.
Including Lewis and Taylor, the Ravens now have nine No. 1 picks who are projected as
starters in 2000.
Lewis and Taylor alone would have made this an outstanding draft. It got even better
when the Ravens took Chris Redman, a slow-footed but deadly accurate QB, in the third
round and Richard Mercier, a durable Canadian who will compete right away for the starting
ORG job, in the fifth.
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I hate to pick the chalk, but I give the nod to the Browns.
Yes, yes, I know, it’s an obvious choice because Cleveland had an avalanche of
picks, including the No. 1 overall selection. But having the pick of the litter isn’t
as easy as it sounds. Suppose the Colts had taken Ryan Leaf instead of Peyton Manning in
1998. Where would they be right now?
The Browns made the right decision by taking Courtney Brown. Franchise defensive ends
are very, very hard to come by. In Brown, Cleveland has a player with outstanding
character and ability whom it can build its defense around. In my mind, he was a much
better fit for the Browns than LaVar Arrington or Peter Warrick.
I also liked the Browns’ second- and third-round selections. WR Dennis Northcutt
is at least a poor man’s Warrick, and RB Travis Prentice was a steal with the 63rd
pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if he beats out veteran Errict Rhett and becomes
Cleveland’s featured back this season.
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It’s too early to say that Seahawks Mr. Everything Mike Holmgren has developed the
Draft Day reputation of a Ron Wolf, but a few more drafts like this one, and Holmgren will
be well on his way.
Top pick Shaun Alexander may have been the fourth running back taken, but he was first
on my board. I believe he was the most complete running back available, and when Ricky
Watters’ time is done, Alexander will be a more-than-capable successor.
Chris McIntosh, the Seahawks’ second first-rounder, could step right in on the
right side of the offensive line. Second-round pick Ike Charlton is a playmaker at
cornerback, and third-round choice Darrell Jackson became Florida’s go-to guy when
Travis Taylor was injured. Jackson will prove to be a steady target for Jon Kitna.
The second day of the draft (Rounds 4-7) is gravy. If a team can come away from Day One
with at least three potential immediate contributors — as Seattle did — that
team did a mighty fine job.
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