NFL draft 2000
Joel Buchsbaum's initial mock draft
By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Feb. 2, 2000
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Courtney Brown
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This year’s draft has three true blue-chippers at the top: Penn State DE Courtney
Brown, his teammate, LB LaVar Arrington, and Florida State WR/KR/game-breaker Peter
Warrick. After that, there are about 50 semi-blue chips and solid red chips who could go
in almost any order, depending on what teams need. Some of these players have a very good
chance to become very good-to-excellent pros and starters in the NFL, but most do not have
great potential. Some are potential greats who also could be very average or even busts.
The Browns have the first pick for the second year in a row and extra picks from the
league, but the Redskins — with three No. 1 picks, including the second pick in the
draft from the Saints and the 12th pick from the Panthers as final payment for Sean
Gilbert, as well as the Saints’ third-round pick — are in the best position to
make a killing. We are projecting one trade in which the Redskins would deal their second
and third first-round picks, two third-round picks and a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for
the third overall selection. Washington’s goal: to get two of the three elite players
in the 2000 draft. Below is an early look at how the first round might go.
| 1. |
Cleveland Browns
DE Courtney Brown l Penn State
Peter Warrick is awfully tempting, but you don’t take a great receiver over a great
defensive lineman very often. |
| 2. |
Washington Redskins (from New Orleans)
OLB LaVar Arrington l Penn State
Could be the missing piece on a talented defense that underachieved big-time during the
first half of ’99. |
| 3. |
Washington Redskins (from San Francisco/projected trade)
WR Peter Warrick l Florida State
Were hoping for both Penn State defenders, but Warrick is a very nice consolation prize. |
| 4. |
Cincinnati Bengals
OT Chris Samuels l Alabama
If the Bengals are going to build around Akili Smith, they can speed up and enhance the
process by having a pair of bookend tackles: Samuels, a great pass protector at left
tackle, and Willie Anderson, a road-grader at right tackle. |
| 5. |
Baltimore Ravens
WR Plaxico Burress l Michigan State
Could be the difference-maker the Ravens are looking for to fuel their offense. |
| 6. |
Philadelphia Eagles
TE Daniel "Bubba" Franks l Miami (Fla.)
Andy Reid’s offense would look much better with a top tight end. |
| 7. |
Arizona Cardinals
RB Thomas Jones l Virginia
Need a runner who can take some pressure off Jake Plummer. |
| 8. |
Pittsburgh Steelers
NT-DT Corey Simon l Florida State
Joel Steed was not effective last year, will turn 31 before the draft and is coming off
knee surgery. Plus, the jury’s still out on Jeremy Staat. |
| 9. |
Chicago Bears
DE Shaun Ellis l Tennessee
Most pressing needs are defensive end and cornerback. |
| 10. |
Denver Broncos
LB/S/TE/H-back Brian Urlacher l New Mexico
The best athlete available. |
| 11. |
New York Giants
RB Shaun Alexander l Alabama
Need a big-time back they can rely on. Could also go for Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne. |
| 12. |
S.F. 49ers (from Carolina via Washington/projected trade)
QB Chad Pennington l Marshall
A bit of a reach for most teams, but Pennington fits the 49ers’ system nicely. The
Niners could also deal down (Detroit?) and get Pennington later in the round. |
| 13. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from San Diego)
WR Sylvester Morris l Jackson State
Has the size-speed combination the Bucs need. Could also go for an offensive lineman. |
| 14. |
Baltimore Ravens (subject to coin flip with Green Bay)
RB Ron Dayne l Wisconsin
More firepower for the offense. |
| 15. |
Green Bay Packers (subject to coin flip with Baltimore)
OLB Julian Peterson l Michigan State
Top pass rusher who can also cover the tight end. |
| 16. |
New York Jets (from New England)
OT Stockar McDougle l Oklahoma
The type of huge stud you can run behind. |
| 17. |
Oakland Raiders
S Deon Grant l Tennessee
Great size, speed and very good hands. Could also play some wide receiver. |
| 18. |
New York Jets
TE Anthony Becht l West Virginia
Will probably deal down before taking him, but tight end is their top priority. |
| 19. |
Dallas Cowboys
WR Dez White l Georgia Tech
Troy Aikman wanted a new head coach and better wide receivers. Troy generally gets what he
wants. |
| 20. |
Detroit Lions
RB Jamal Lewis l Tennessee
Hoping he regains his pre-injury form. May also deal up to get Ron Dayne (see 49ers at No.
12). |
| 21. |
Kansas City Chiefs
OLB Keith Bullock l Syracuse
Replacement for Derrick Thomas. |
| 22. |
Seattle Seahawks
ILB Rob Morris l Brigham Young
The type of run-stuffing middle linebacker Seattle really needs. |
| 23. |
Carolina Panthers (from Miami)
OT Chris McIntosh l Wisconsin
Must upgrade OL coach Tony Wise’s personnel. |
| 24. |
San Francisco 49ers (from Washington/projected trade)
CB Rashard Anderson l Jackson State
Could deal down again and then take a cornerback. |
| 25. |
Minnesota Vikings
CB Mario Edwards l Florida State
Reaching to fill a huge need. |
| 26. |
Buffalo Bills
OG Cosey Coleman l Tennessee
Big, athletic guard who needs work on pass blocking. |
| 27. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Todd Wade l Mississippi
Must upgrade offensive line. Look for Jason Odom to move to left tackle if Paul Gruber
retires. |
| 28. |
Indianapolis Colts
DT Chris Hovan l Boston College
Bill Polian loves achievers and warriors. |
| 29. |
Jacksonville Jaguars
DE John Engelberger l Virginia Tech
Tom Coughlin sees him as a bigger, faster Jeff Lageman. |
| 30. |
Tennessee Titans
OLB Raynoch Thompson l Tennessee
A nice fit for many reasons. |
| 31. |
St. Louis Rams
CB Ahmed Plummer l Ohio State
Solid, not super. |
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Rou26.nd One |
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