Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft

Ask the Experts

Question: Which team’s draft intrigued you the most?

As published in print April 29, 2002

Jeff Agrest|Dan Arkush|Andy Hanacek
Trent Modglin|Ron Pollack|Keith Schleiden

Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El

Ron Pollack, Editor-in-chief

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

If you were to take this exact same draft and give it to another team, I would not find it all that intriguing, but the Steelers have shown they know how to select players that might not work out for other organizations but can excel in their system. For most teams, OG Kendall Simmons’ lack of height, short arms and poor speed would be cause for concern. In the Steelers’ system I think what matters is that his work ethic, tenacity, productivity and versatility are a perfect fit for what Pittsburgh likes to do. Antwaan Randle El might be a player without a position for other teams, but the Steelers have a time-tested game plan for a "slash" performer. Given the Steelers’ past track record when it comes to selecting linebackers in later rounds and turning them into stars, how can you not keep an eye on LB Larry Foote? I have a feeling this draft will look much better a few years from now than it does now.

Top of page

Keith Schleiden, Managing editor

Pick: Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been the butt of many jokes during his time in the NFL. Since the departure of Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys haven’t drafted very well, and the person in charge of those drafts was none other than Jones. But he may have vindicated himself this time around. By dealing down a couple of spots in the first round, he netted an extra pick, yet still got the guy he coveted, S Roy Williams. Williams will take over at strong safety, which means Darren Woodson will shift to free safety. If third-round CB Derek Ross proves he can play, this defense (ranked No. 4 overall last season) could become special. Andre Gurode can step in and start at guard or center, where the club unloaded Mark Stepnoski. And Antonio Bryant has the talent to be a star if he stays out of trouble. Each of the Cowboys’ first four picks has a chance to contribute a great deal as rookies.

Top of page

Dan Arkush, Executive editor

Pick: Atlanta Falcons

As was the case last year, the Falcons appeared to bypass their most serious need — a wide receiver with size who could stretch the field and juice up an offense in dire need of some electricity. Instead of picking a pass catcher with their first pick such as Ashley Lelie or Javon Waker — both of whom were there for the taking and would have almost certainly provided an instant upgrade over the merely serviceable Shawn Jefferson — they opted for Michigan State RB T.J. Duckett, even though they spent a fortune on free agent Warrick Dunn to supposedly carry the offensive load. Will Dunn and Duckett have a similar problem functioning in the same backfield as Dunn and Mike Alstott experienced in Tampa Bay? Or will they effectively mesh together in what could become one of the league’s more intriguing offenses — with the raw but exciting Michael Vick at the helm? Stay tuned.

Top of page

Jeff Agrest, Senior editor

Pick: San Diego Chargers

In a lot of ways, this was a Marty Schottenheimer draft. Though the Chargers’ biggest need was on the offenisve line, you can’t fault them for taking Quentin Jammer, the best cornerback available, in Round One. Top cover men are key to playing aggressive defense. The Chargers addressed their front five in Round Two with Toniu Fonoti, the best guard available. Instantly, San Diego improved its toughness with these two physical and potentially dominating players. LB Ben Leber is a coach’s dream because of his work ethic, and TE Justin Peelle is a sure-handed receiver. Both are future starters if they continue to progress. Though he lacks great size, WR Reche Caldwell gives the Chargers more speed, of which teams can never have enough. San Diego did well addressing several positions of need to help lay the foundation for Schottenheimer’s tenure.

Top of page

Trent Modglin, Associate editor

Pick: Oakland Raiders

With the sly Al Davis pushing the buttons, the Raiders made two trades to move up the first-round ladder when they saw Phillip Buchanon slipping. The Raiders got their man, one of the two best cover corners available, at No. 17 and then secured the top LB prospect in Northwestern’s Napoleon Harris at No. 23. Not a bad day’s work for an aging defense in need of a spark at those respective positions. The Raiders could afford to make deals because of their excess of picks from Jon Gruden’s departure. Their two second-round picks, OT Langston Walker and TE Doug Jolley, may have been slight reaches, but they’re talented enough to provide for the future at key positions. Kenyon Coleman out of UCLA could help fill a pass-rushing void out of the DE position, and the seventh-round selection of Ronald Curry, the athletic, do-everything quarterback from North Carolina, is intriguing in its own right because he could be used in any number of ways.

Top of page

Andy Hanacek, Associate editor

Pick: Buffalo Bills

We all know that picking Texas OT Mike Williams was a safe call, and the fact that it also filled a major need makes it a great pick for the Bills in my book. Picking Williams (and signing free-agent Trey Teague) allows them to shift last year’s rookie surprise, Jonas Jennings, inside to guard. That pick’s a no-brainer. What I like about the Bills’ draft are the middle-round picks, each of which filled significant holes. WR Josh Reed gives new Bills QB Drew Bledsoe a big and very physical target. DE Ryan Denney could be the pass-rush end that the Bills lacked in 2001. Don’t be surprised if Denney becomes something special on a team that needs a sack man. My favorite middle-round pick though, is Stanford S Coy Wire. Wire is the kind of safety Gregg Williams’ defense needs — an in-the-box, LB-style safety who can hit. If Wire pans out, he will be a perfect fit in this defense.

Top of page

The Archives
2001 - 2002 Season