| The NFL draft is all about anticipation and excitement as teams try to
improve their rosters in just two days. Half the fun is seeing teams make what appear to
be dramatic improvements. But it’s just as enjoyable to second-guess a team after it
makes a pick that’s highly questionable. We asked Jeff Reynolds and Mike Holbrook to
take a look at some of the more intriguing subplots in this year’s first round and
see what players could make a difference. PFW: We all know that David Carr is going
to be the No. 1 pick by Houston. Who’s going to go No. 2? What should Carolina do
with their pick?
Reynolds: I think the Panthers have got to take (DE Julius) Peppers because a team with
that many needs has to take the best player available. Peppers will sell tickets. I
don’t think one person can improve the defense that much but he is a proven
playmaker, a rarity in Carolina.
Holbrook: I totally agree with you that one player can’t improve a terrible
Carolina team. That’s why I think they’d love to trade down for multiple picks.
The more good, young players they can get, the better. Maybe the Raiders will trade up for
a chance to take one of the stud defensive tackles in this year’s draft? Who knows.
PFW: The No. 3 and No. 4 picks are also a big puzzle. What do you think Detroit at
No. 3 and Buffalo at No. 4 will do?
Holbrook: Both of these teams could really use a quarterback like Joey Harrington.
That’s why it won’t be a big surprise if either picks him. But I’ve got a
feeling both teams are afraid to take the risk and wait a couple years for Harrington to
develop.
Reynolds: I think if either team takes Harrington, it’ll be Detroit — more
because Matt Millen is afraid of passing on a franchise quarterback with Mike McMahon as
the alternative. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions try to trade out of this spot.
Holbrook: Yeah. The Lions are in the same boat as the Panthers and would love to trade
down in exchange for multiple picks.
Reynolds: The Bills are really locked onto Texas OT Mike Williams. He has a mean streak
that fits what head coach Gregg Williams is looking for in an offensive lineman.
Holbrook: As a Bills fan, I’m totally for taking another offensive lineman,
especially one as big and nasty as Williams. The offensive line has been terrible the last
couple years. I mean, it’s amazing that Rob Johnson got out of Buffalo with his
brains intact. He took a savage beating last year and a lot of the reason was due to a
sub-par, at best, offensive line. They picked up OT Trey Teague from the Broncos and OG
Marcus Price from the Saints. Add in second-year OT Jonas Jennings and Williams and the
Bills should have a much-improved line, which should make the offense much better this
year.
PFW: The TE and DT classes are said to be the deepest in this draft. Which position
provides the most depth?
Holbrook: The top defensive tackles will impact their teams more this season, but down
the line, there are more good tight ends available. Even if teams don’t get the
chance to get Colorado TE Daniel Graham or Miami (Fla.) TE Jeremy Shockey, there are a lot
of good tight ends out there. I really like Doug Jolley from BYU. Those guys are great
pass-catching tight ends; look at Chad Lewis. Matt Schobel from TCU and Terry Jones Jr.
from Alabama are very good and eventual starters. Jerramy Stevens is probably the most
talented of all, but his off-the-field problems have to make teams pause before taking
him.
Reynolds: The top five defensive tackles are better than the top five tight ends, but
there is more value at the bottom of the TE crop. Stevens is a red-flag guy, but at almost
6-7, he could be a starter in Year One. That value is available at the low, low price of a
third-round pick. Jolley and Schobel might not be immediate impact players, but with a
year of development, they will pay serious dividends.
PFW: Where will Oklahoma SS Roy Williams be drafted?
Reynolds: If Texas CB Quentin Jammer is off the board when the Cowboys make the sixth
pick, Williams could be wearing silver and blue. Alongside veteran Darren Woodson, Dallas
would have the most versatile set of safeties in the league. With offseason additions DT
La’Roi Glover, LB Kevin Hardy and CB Bryant Westbrook at Valley Ranch, not even Jerry
Jones can pass up the temptation to further improve the ’Boys defense.
Holbrook: I’m very torn about not taking Roy Williams at No. 4. I think Williams
is exactly what the Bills’ defense needs at strong safety. Williams has proven that
he is an incredible playmaker. I really believe that whatever team gets him is getting a
potential superstar. If the Cowboys get Williams, with the steps their much-improved
defense took last year, this could vault them among the league’s best. What a
turnaround that would be in a couple years’ time! I don’t think Dallas can pass
on him at No. 6.
PFW: The draft is an event where many general managers make or break careers.
Doesn’t it seem odd to be giving Cowboys’ president and general manager Jerry
Jones credit on draft day?
Reynolds: Oh, does it. But Jones isn’t in the clubhouse yet. He is still one
foolish trade away from another Quincy Carter. This offseason has been the first
productive one for Dallas in the post-Jimmy Johnson era of decision making. I like the
defensive upgrades. As a Cowboys’ fan, I couldn’t be happier, minus the $1
million per year contract he gave LS Jeff Robinson. Let’s not forget that the offense
is far from world-beater status. Unproven at quarterback and aging at running back and
receiver, Jones’ work is far from done.
Holbrook: I like Quincy Carter. Or I should say, I was very impressed with some of his
play last year. The throw he made to Joey Galloway in the Cowboys’ upset win over the
49ers was as good a throw as I saw from any quarterback last year. Look, I’m no
Cowboys fan, they whipped my Bills twice in the Super Bowl. As a result, there is no love
lost from me to Jerry Jones’ crew. But, I’ve got to give the devil his due. The
Cowboys have remarkably rebuilt much faster than I imagined. I fully believe they are on
the verge of returning to the playoffs — this season.
Reynolds: For every good throw Carter made last season, he made a horrible decision or
a bad throw. Emmitt Smith is a favorite for sentimental reasons, but they are not kidding
anyone … he is no longer a 250-carry back. WRs Joey Galloway and Raghib Ismail are
hurt more than healthy and neither has had a great season since they have been together.
If we come out of the draft with a replacement at running back, a receiver and a tight end
worthy of notice, I’ll tip my cap to the devil.
PFW: New Orleans (No. 13 and 25) and Oakland (21 and 23) each hold two first-round
picks. What are the chances they will keep both and what will they do with them?
Holbrook: I’m going to say New Orleans keeps both picks, but the odds are, Oakland
will trade one or both to either move up for a defensive tackle or move down if they are
unsuccessful trading up. Oakland has an aging LB corps and could really use the infusion
of youth and speed that Northwestern’s Napoleon Harris brings to the table. Their
biggest need is at defensive tackle, and they’d love to get a John Henderson or
Albert Haynesworth, but that means trading up, and I don’t know if they’ll be
able to do that. The Saints need help along the offensive and defensive lines. I think
they are positioned well to draft players to fill both positions.
Reynolds: New Orleans dealt Ricky Williams for the 25th pick and isn’t
parting with it. It will take a defensive tackle and a receiver, getting the best player
on its board at each position, when 13 and 25 roll around. If DT John Henderson and WR
Antonio Bryant are available when those two picks roll around, the Saints will be better
for it. I don’t have a good feel for what the Raiders might do. Al Davis could trade
one or both picks to get a top 10 spot. He loves Tennessee WR Donté Stallworth and needs
a defensive tackle to pair with John Parrella.
PFW: The top two running backs in the draft are Michigan State’s T.J. Duckett
and Boston College RB William Green. Who will go first?
Reynolds: I don’t have to worry about signing the multi-million dollar contract
and background checks aren’t my forte. That being said, RB William Green is my guy.
Yes, Green had a couple of one-game suspensions and there are medical concerns. His
combine numbers weren’t elite, or even average. But to watch Green on the field, you
get an understanding of the kind of toughness, quickness and athleticism he brings to the
field. Green doesn’t have polished hands as a receiver, but he is better than Duckett
in that area. You can’t question his grit or tenacity, which are the questions
floating around Duckett.
Holbrook: I totally agree. The games that I saw Green play last season, he was clearly
the best player on the field. He can run, he can catch and I don’t care what the
stopwatches say, he is much faster on the field than he is in a 40-yard dash. Green has
had his off-field problems but a winning program with veteran leaders could be a great
example for him to follow. Duckett is a bull and possesses a world of talent, but I
can’t help but see another Ron Dayne when I look at him. And that’s not a bad
thing, but it’s not as good as Green can be.
PFW: What team(s) are you most excited to make moves on draft day?
Reynolds: The Colts’ scenario really excites me. The way RB Dominic Rhodes played
last season and the signing of WR Qadry Ismail addressed their offensive concerns, and
that will allow new head coach Tony Dungy to concentrate solely on defense. I think with
help in the secondary and on the defensive line, the Colts could bounce back and be a
Super Bowl contender next season. As long as RB Edgerrin James is healthy, of course.
Holbrook: Wow. Bold call but I can’t disagree. If the Rams can replace eight
starters on defense in one offseason, with the draft being the main vehicle for doing
that, then the Colts can do it too. The Rams’ dramatic defensive changeover netted
them a Super Bowl appearance, and the Colts don’t need as much help on ‘D’.
If S Roy Williams drops to them at No. 11, the Colts will be celebrating into the night
Saturday. More likely, they’ll fill their defensive tackle need by getting DT Ryan
Sims, Wendell Bryant or John Henderson. Any of those players will be a godsend to Dungy
and his staff.
PFW: It’s always interesting to see what the Super Bowl teams do in the draft.
What do you think the Rams and Patriots will be shopping for?
Holbrook: After losing Ryan Tucker and Rod Jones, who both saw time at right tackle
last year, the Rams MUST get some protection for All-Pro QB Kurt Warner. If they
don’t, they’re asking for trouble. I’ve got to think that’s the top
priority no matter how enticing WRs Josh Reed or Javon Walker may be. Getting another
wideout would be a case of the rich getting richer — they really don’t need one
after re-signing Ricky Proehl and getting Terrence Wilkins in a trade. In fact, I see them
drafting an O-lineman in each of the first couple rounds. The Pats need to get a pass
rusher that can help out this year and eventually take over for the aging Willie McGinest.
At No. 32, they should be able to take Syracuse’s Dwight Freeney or UAB’s Bryan
Thomas or South Carolina’s Kalimba Edwards. Any one of those players will give Bill
Belichick some ammo to work with as he schemes to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks
this season.
Reynolds: Get New England some athletes on defense for God’s sake! Otis Smith is
38 and he starts at cornerback. Defensive end and linebacker are also areas of need. I
think with an athletic linebacker, Belichick could hide a weak defensive line, as he
proved so well in 2001. If Mike Martz can resist adding more toys to his offense such as
UCLA RB DeShaun Foster or another receiver, I think the Rams will draft offensive linemen
in the first three rounds to ensure quality and quality depth. Don’t forget, OLT
Orlando Pace is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2002 season. |
