Giant step ahead

Top of draft could be shaken by possible Giants-Chargers trade

The Chargers and Giants have discussed swapping picks in the first round. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Here's what many draftniks won't tell you: There is no secret to filling in a mock draft. Now there's a shocker. The bottom line is that these are merely opinions, some more well thought out than others. And with a deep talent pool like this year, it's even more of a crap shoot when slotting players with team needs. What I like about Kenechi Udeze, someone else may think just as strongly about Will Smith. Who's right, who's wrong? Both -- and neither, which brings us to readers' e-mails:

With the rumor running rampant about the possibility of Plaxico Burress being traded on draft day, which teams would be the most likely to trade for him and how would the Steelers benefit from this?
 -- Dan, Pittsburgh

I'll answer in reverse order: The Steelers' main benefit would be jettisoning a head case who has failed to live up to his first-round draft status. As for which teams would be interested, the Bills, Buccaneers, Titans, Chiefs and Panthers come to mind -- but not for a No. 1. Burress might bring a middle-of-the-pack second-round pick, but this year's draft is deep at WR, so even that may be wishful thinking. Pittsburgh's best hope is for Plax to get out of the fog he's been playing in and elevate his game.

The Browns have two trench problems. The offensive line should be addressed first to establish a running game and to protect the quarterback. The defensive line problems, I believe, are due to two factors: Too much time on the field and atrocious coaching. The Browns' No. 1 problem is that the coaching staff obviously is not pro caliber.
-- Steve, Galloway, Ohio

It's tough being a Browns fans, especially in the years since Cleveland rejoined the league, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Butch Davis has made a grab for complete power within the organization, which means his head is on the chopping block. Don't expect another contract extension for Davis if Cleveland goes 5-11 again this season. I believe the Browns will go for Kellen Winslow Jr. in Round 1, but if the Browns do not target Jacob Rogers or Nat Dorsey in Round 2 (No. 37), it may be time to start rooting for another team -- say, Baltimore?

How come nobody ever talks about Jason Babin, a defensive end from Western Michigan University. I say this because I am currently a first-year student at WMU and have had the opportunity to see him run over guards, fullbacks and tailbacks to at least pressure the opposing quarterback. He even showed well in the all-star games he participated in. Give the man a little respect please.
-- Erik, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Whoa, buddy -- Babin was No. 27 in my last mock draft. Certainly he is a good player, but there are only 32 spots in Round 1; not every good player is going to make the first-round cut.

What do you think of all the trade rumors involving the Redskins moving up to No. 2 and giving Oakland Chris Samuels and the Redskins' first-round pick.
-- Mark, Ocean City, N.J.

If I were the Raiders, Dan Snyder wouldn't have to ask twice. The Redskins have made some questionable moves this offseason (more on that in the next Q&A), and trading Samuels to move up three spots is too much. I know there are a lot of exhaust fumes inside NASCAR garages, but Joe Gibbs didn't inhale enough to even contemplate this move.

How on earth could you say the Skins haven't closed the gap between them and Dallas or Philly. Clinton Portis is a game-breaking RB,and it will be beneficial to Patrick Ramsey, who I can't believe didn't get killed last year. Portis will open up the passing game or run all over opponents.
-- Lance, East Boston

A few things here: 1) Patrick Ramsey will be on the sidelines this year, yielding the starter's job to Mark Brunell. 2) Clinton Portis is a special back, but there are at least five other RBs equally as talented; the Champ Bailey's of the world are the difference-makers. New England won two of the past three Super Bowls with much less talent carrying the ball. 3) Dallas has five draft picks this year and Philly has 10. Washington, because of some very suspect trading, has three -- it's first rounder and Nos. 139 and 180. The way the Skins are throwing around draft picks, you'd think George Allen was pulling the strings in D.C.

SI.com's 2004 Mock Draft -- Take 4 Pick Team Pos. Player College Ht. Wt. Class 1 QB Eli Manning Ole Miss 6'4" 221 Sr. Giants trade up from No. 4 to take the Big Apple's next big thing -- for better or worse. 2 T Robert Gallery Iowa 6'7" 323 Sr. Wide receivers can be had in later rounds; Raiders' O-line is a more pressing need. 3 WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh 6'2" 225 Soph. Denny Green is intent on laying the groundwork for his three-wide offense. 4 WR Roy Williams Texas 6'2" 212 Sr. Only one question remains: Can Drew Brees throw the ball far enough? 5 S Sean Taylor Miami (Fla.) 6'2" 230 Sr. Skins' secondary is thin after trading Champ Bailey; this choice a must. 6 RB Steven Jackson Oregon State 6'1" 241 Jr. Mooch makes a move to balance the offense opposite Charles Rogers. 7 TE Kellen Winslow Jr. Miami (Fla.) 6'3" 251 Jr. A solid -- but not spectacular choice -- given this team's innumerable holes. 8 DT Vince Wilfork Miami (Fla.) 6'1" 323 Jr. Falcons' defense finally gets a much-needed run-stuffer; WR is a Round 2 pick. 9 WR Mike Williams USC 6'5" 212 Soph. DE Kenechi Udeze is another consideration, but Jaguars' bigger need is WR. 10 CB DeAngelo Hall Virginia Tech 5'10" 202 Jr. With Vince Wilfork off the board, a trade down would not be a surprise. 11 QB Ben Roethlisberger Miami (Ohio) 6'4" 241 Jr. Only if the Packers do not trade up to No. 10 to get Big Ben. If so, Philip Rivers. 12 CB Dunta Robinson South Carolina 5'10" 186 Sr. Trading down is an option; New England may want to get RB Kevin Jones before Denver. 13 WR Reggie Williams Washington 6'3" 229 Jr. Bills desparately need a speed receiver opposite Eric Moulds. 14 DT Tommie Harris Oklahoma 6'2" 295 Jr. Bears are coveting a disruptive inside presence with size and speed. 15 WR Michael Clayton LSU 6'2" 197 Jr. WR is a need, but don't be surprised if T Shawn Andrews' name is called here. 16 DE Kenechi Udeze USC 6'2" 281 Jr. Looking for a DE, Niners have their pick of the litter -- and opt for upside. 17 RB Kevin Jones Virginia Tech 6'0" 227 Jr. Did anyone think Garrison Hearst was Denver's long-term solution? 18 LB Jonathan Vilma Miami (Fla.) 6'0" 233 Sr. Best of the bunch of 'backers, Vilma the choice after Saints traded for CB Jason Craft. 19 DE Will Smith Ohio State 6'2" 275 Sr. If Smith is available, the Vikings cannot afford to tarry with getting the card to Tags. 20 T Shawn Andrews Arkansas 6'4" 366 Jr. Someone will have to protect A.J. Feeley or Jay Fiedler ... for whatever reason. 21 LB D.J. Williams Miami (Fla.) 6'0" 250 Sr. Usurped by the Broncos, taking a top-notch LB over a second-tier RB is more prudent. 22 RB Chris Perry Michigan 6'0" 220 Sr. He'll have big shoes to fill -- and a heavy burden meeting Bill Parcells' expectations. 23 DT Randy Starks Maryland 6'3" 314 Jr. Anyone notice the Seafoam Green Machine is putting together a solid defense? 24 DT Darnell Dockett Florida St. 6'3" 297 Sr. Miss on Warren Sapp, get Deltha O'Neal in trade with Broncos ... not a bad offseason. 25 QB Philip Rivers North Carolina St. 6'5" 229 Sr. If Rivers is off the board (a likely scenario), Packers go for 'Bama DE Antwan Odom. 26 TE Ben Troupe Florida 6'4" 265 Sr. Mad Mike returns to his offensive roots, possibly at the expense of Odom. 27 DT Marcus Tubbs Texas 6'4" 321 Sr. If the Titans don't move up to get an elite D-linemen, Tubbs or Odom fits. 28 CB Chris Gamble Ohio State 6'1" 198 Jr. An O-lineman is a possibility, but should Gamble be available the Eagles will roll the dice. 29 LB Karlos Dansby Auburn 6'3" 251 Sr. Indy's recent losses at LB give Dansby the edge over any possible CB pick. 30 CB Derrick Strait Oklahoma 5'11" 195 Sr. 434 -- Yards allowed by Chiefs in their last postseason game. Any questions? 31 G Vernon Carey Miami (Fla.) 6'4" 335 Sr. Panthers need to solidify their spotty O-line before thinking about DBs or WRs. 32 RB Maurice Clarett Ohio State 5'11" 237 Soph. Deft trading makes this pick less of a gamble and more of a stroke of genius. React Enter your thoughts below and we'll post some of the most interesting responses in the coming days. Your Name: Your E-mail Address: Your City, State: Your Comment:

B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for SI.com.