2001 NFL draft
Joel Buchsbaum's (early) 2001 NFL mock draft
By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
 |
Virginia Tech QB
Michael Vick
|
Without so many non-seniors, this would have been one of the all-time bad first rounds.
However, while the juniors and third-year sophomores add a great deal of athleticism and
luster to the pool, the sad thing is, so many could have increased their chances of being
great pros by staying in school at least one more year. Michael Vick is the classic
example of that.
If Vick had stayed in school at least one more year (ideally two) to develop his
drop-back passing skills and passing mechanics and learn how to read defenses, he could
have been a John Elway-type prospect in 2003. However, now he may go first overall because
of the need at his position and his long-range potential, but nobody rates him as a
sure-fire superstar.
People can argue that Vick could have gotten injured if he had decided to stay in
college, but with the help of his school and the NCAA, he could have gotten a $10 million
or $11 million insurance policy.
First round
| 1. |
San Diego Chargers
QB Michael Vick / Virginia Tech
Potentially, he could become a faster Steve Young with a stronger arm, but he also could
be another Andre Ware. Most scouts feel he probably will be a faster, left-handed version
of Steve McNair. |
| 2. |
Arizona Cardinals
DT Marcus Stroud / Georgia
This is a need pick and a reach, but he did some awesome things at the Senior Bowl. Stroud
could go as high as No. 2 or as low as No. 20 because of his workout and how much stock
people put in what he can do, as opposed to his consistent production. |
| 3. |
Cleveland Browns
WR David Terrell / Michigan
He is the best athlete available and a selection that makes Tim Couch a very happy young
man. |
| 4. |
Cincinnati Bengals
OT Leonard Davis / Texas
Awesome size and ability. If only he had Anthony Munoz’s focus and work ethic to go
with it. |
| 5. |
Atlanta Falcons
WR Koren Robinson / North Carolina State
If he had spent one more year in college polishing his skills and learning how to act like
a mature, responsible adult, he could have been a real blue-chipper instead of a
gamble-on-greatness selection. |
| 6. |
New England Patriots
OT Kenyatta Walker / Florida
If Drew Bledsoe is your quarterback, you better have two good tackles who can pass block. |
| 7. |
Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas)
DT Gerard Warren / Florida
The Seahawks really missed Sam Adams last year and might not have Cortez Kennedy this
year. Warren could go as high as No. 2 or as low as No. 20 because of his workout, but if
he stays in shape he will be a force in the league, regardless of what 40-time he runs. |
| 8. |
Chicago Bears
DE Andre Carter / California
Rubin’s son could be the missing link on defense. |
| 9. |
San Francisco 49ers
RB LaDainian Tomlinson / Texas Christian
Best back in the draft, and Charlie Garner will be tough to re-sign. |
| 10. |
Seattle Seahawks
QB Drew Brees / Purdue
His intangibles and accomplishments make him special, and he has excellent movement in the
pocket. |
| 11. |
Carolina Panthers
DE Justin Smith / Missouri
The Panthers still are trying to fix the defensive line. |
| 12. |
Kansas City Chiefs
RB Deuce McAllister / Mississippi
With his speed, receiving ability and great talent, the sky could be the limit. But he
also could be a high-maintenance guy who teams can’t keep on the field for an entire
season. |
| 13. |
Jacksonville Jaguars
LB Dan Morgan / Miami (Fla.)
The Jaguars are built around great work-ethic guys and leaders like Tony Boselli and Kevin
Hardy, not around people like R. Jay Soward. While Morgan may not be a super athlete, he
has the work ethic and leadership of which the Jags need more of. |
| 14. |
Buffalo Bills
RB Michael Bennett / Wisconsin
The Bills want a No. 1 back they can feature. |
| 15. |
Washington Redskins
WR Santana Moss / Miami (Fla.)
Has the big-play speed and ability the Redskins are looking for on offense and special
teams. |
| 16. |
Pittsburgh Steelers
DL Richard Seymour / Georgia
Not playing in the Senior Bowl and not slaving in the weight room cost Seymour a slot in
the top 10. |
| 17. |
Green Bay Packers
DT Damione Lewis / Miami (Fla.)
Ron Wolf wants a dominating defensive lineman and a blue-chip receiver out of this draft. |
| 18. |
Detroit Lions
DE Jamal Reynolds / Florida State
Can rush the passer. |
| 19. |
New York Jets
WR Chad Johnson / Oregon State
The Jets take Samari Rolle’s cousin and get a player with Wesley Walker-type speed in
the process. |
| 20. |
St. Louis Rams
DT Casey Hampton / Texas
The Rams need an inside run stuffer who always comes to play, and that’s just what
Hampton is. |
| 21. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Nate Clements / Ohio State
Ronde Barber is slated to become a free agent, and no left tackles of comparable value are
left on the board. |
| 22. |
Indianapolis Colts
OG Steve Hutchinson / Michigan
Peyton Manning deserves the best protection. |
| 23. |
New Orleans Saints
CB Fred Smoot / Mississippi State
Best cover corner in the draft and, despite all the trash he talks, his teammates like
him. |
| 24. |
Denver Broncos
DT Shaun Rogers / Texas
The Broncos are trying to put the "D" back in Denver. |
| 25. |
Philadelphia Eagles
WR Rod Gardner / Clemson
Not a burner but has great size and pass-catching ability. |
| 26. |
Miami Dolphins
WR Reggie Wayne / MiamI (Fla.)
He is local, he is good and he fills a need. |
| 27. |
Minnesota Vikings
CB Jamar Fletcher / Wisconsin
Dennis Green throws out the size-to-speed ratio and goes with what he sees on game tapes,
not the Scouting Combine tapes. |
| 28. |
Oakland Raiders
TE Todd Heap / Arizona State
Rickey Dudley is a free agent who can’t be counted on to catch the ball. Heap is no
Tony Gonzalez, but he will get open and make big catches to keep the chains moving. |
| 29. |
Tennessee Titans
WR Quincy Morgan / Kansas State
The Titans are looking for speed and big-play ability at wideout. |
| 30. |
New York Giants
CB Will Allen / Syracuse
The Giants need a true cover corner who can run with the flyboys. |
| 31. |
Baltimore Ravens
OT Jeff Backus / Michigan
Can replace Harry Swayne at right tackle or help inside. |
Also see: NFL draft order
Top of page |
|
 |
The Archives
2000 - 2001 Season |
| Online writers — features and
columns by our PFW staff, columnists, AFC reporters, NFC reporters and contributing
writers |
| College football — articles,
college notepad, key college game previews, PFW's college top 10 |
| Fantasy football — articles,
injury reports, weekly fantasy tips, weekly matchups, The Fantasy Doctor, mock drafts,
draft boards, "In our opinion" daily fantasy columns |
| Free-agency |
| General features — Internet
features, features from our print edition, Hall of Fame features, team reports, training
camp reports |
| Handicapper's Corner —
staff selections, games of the week, PFW Players of the Week, NFL standings, weekly
handicapping columns, predictions |
| "A closer look" —
in-depth analysis of general football topics |
| "In our opinion" daily columns
— opinions on general football topics |
| "PFW spins" —
short-takes on current events |
| Joel Buchsbaum
— college player evaluations, NFL player analysis, NFL draft coverage, NFL notepad,
NFList, college game previews and other NFL articles by PFW's contributing editor |
| NFL Draft — player evaluations,
printouts, feature stories, commentaries, draft recaps |
| Ron Pollack —
articles and commentary by PFW's editor-in-chief |
| Season in review —
the 2000-2001 NFL season |
| XFL — the inaugural year |
|
