Aw, shucks. Just when things were getting interesting, all the fun is about to end. A mere 70 days or so after our first fledgling effort to mock up the 2005 NFL draft, we give you our fifth, final, fully polished, fully accessorized version.

If we were scouting the first round of this year's draft as if it were a prospect, we'd be tempted to label it a 'tweener. Meaning we're pretty sure we're going to be right about a couple of the picks between Nos. 1 and 32.

Mock NFL Draft No. 5 Pick Team Pos. Player College Class Ht. Wt. 1 QB Alex Smith Utah Jr. 6-4 212 It appears the 49ers have decided that Smith is more Drew Bledsoe. while Aaron Rodgers is more Rick Mirer. Or Smith is more Peyton Manning, Rodgers is more ... gulp, Ryan Leaf. Whatever the analogy, the 49ers have their man, and likely will select him with or without a signed contract in place. 2 RB Ronnie Brown Auburn Sr. 6-1 224 I know everyone and his brother-in-law has the Dolphins trading down with the No. 5 Bucs, but I can't find a compelling reason for pick-needy Tampa Bay to give up a No. 2 when Smith, the player the Bucs covet most, will be gone. It's not sexy, but I'm sticking with Brown here. 3 WR Braylon Edwards Michigan Sr. 6-3 206 Edwards has been the top name on the Browns' board almost from day one, and the only player who would have induced Cleveland to pass on him was Smith (seems everybody wants Smith in the final pre-draft hours). If Smith and Edwards are both gone, the Browns will desperately seek to trade down. 4 RB Cedric Benson Texas Sr. 6-0 215 The Bears like both Benson and Auburn RB Cadillac Williams, and they could also go with USC receiver Mike Williams. Cadillac Williams seems to be the popular choice, but Benson's power running style is a better fit for what new O.C. Ron Turner wants to do. 5 QB Aaron Rodgers California Jr. 6-2 215 Options, options. The Bucs could nab their quarterback of the future in Rodgers, take a running back they love in Cadillac Williams or grab Mike Williams, the hometown receiver who makes for a very big target. They could also trade down with No. 7 Minnesota and maybe still get a Williams or Rodgers. 6 WR Mike Williams USC Jr. 6-5 230 Like everyone else, I've had cornerback Antrel Rolle in this slot forever. But I'm going to close my eyes and go with Williams because I just took one more peek at the Titans' receiving depth chart. If Rodgers is still on the board, Tennessee could think long term and take Steve McNair's successor. 7 RB Carnell Williams Auburn Sr. 5-11 204 The Vikings believe they have three part-time backs, meaning they have no true No. 1. Minnesota could explore trading down, or take receiver Troy Williamson. But that's a tad high for Williamson. Give them Williams and expect them to be on the phone trying to trade Michael Bennett to Arizona. 8 CB Antrel Rolle Miami Sr. 6-1 202 With all three running backs gone, the Cardinals could either cut the deal for Buffalo back Travis Henry (although Tampa Bay and Philly are after him, too), or pursue a trade for the Vikings' Bennett. It's Rolle if they have to choose between the top three corners, but they're praying Cadillac Williams lingers one more draft slot 9 CB Carlos Rogers Auburn Sr. 6-1 194 The Redskins have their choice between Rogers and West Virginia cornerback Adam Jones. Many have Jones rated higher, but Rogers' stock has been steadily rising, giving him top-10 status in some teams' eyes. He's not as fast as Jones, but he's more the size of the prototypical NFL corner. 10 LB Derrick Johnson Texas Sr. 6-4 235 The Lions could sit tight and take the draft's best linebacker, or they could pick up the phone and try to induce Dallas or San Diego to trade up and take a defensive lineman such as Erasmus James, Shawne Merriman or Demarcus Ware. FSU offensive tackle Alex Barron is another possibility. 11 DE/OLB Demarcus Ware Troy St. Sr. 6-4 252 The Cowboys covet someone who can make an impact off the edge in the 3-4 defense they're planning on playing at times this season. That's why most mocks have them going with either Ware or Maryland DE/OLB Shawne Merriman in this spot, and then hoping for LSU's Marcus Spears at No. 20. 12 DE Marcus Spears LSU Sr. 6-4 298 The Chargers could have their pick between Spears, Merriman, James, or speedy South Carolina receiver Troy Williamson. All would have solid No. 12 value, but they could use the No. 28 pick to find help for the offense at either receiver or offensive tackle. 13 DE/OLB Shawne Merriman Maryland Jr. 6-4 250 OK, OK, so we're not reflexively giving the Texans Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron. Smoke screens. Who needs 'em? Merriman and Jason Babin would give Houston a pair of bookend 3-4 edge rushers, and that's even more valuable than the draft's best tackle. Williamson could be the pick, too. 14 OT Alex Barron Florida State Sr. 6-6 308 For the past few weeks I've been giving the Panthers Williamson, because of their need for another receiver and his local South Carolina ties. But Barron makes too much sense to pass on here. He allows Carolina to keep Mike Wahle at guard, and gives it the option of playing Jordan Gross at right or left tackle. 15 S Thomas Davis Georgia Jr. 6-1 230 The way my board breaks down, either the Chiefs are going to select Davis, whom they love, or the Saints will at No. 16. Whoever doesn't get Davis will take West Virginia cornerback Adam "Pac-Man" Jones, who has tumbled to mid-round. The Saints could offer to trade up one spot for Jones, who will fill their bigger position of need. 16 CB Adam Jones West Virginia Jr. 5-10 190 The Saints would be thrilled one of the draft's top three corners fell this far, given that they have explored trading up for Rolle, Rogers or Jones. Again, if the Chiefs make noise about taking Jones at No. 15, the Saints could offer to trade up one spot or sit tight and draft the intriguing Davis. Mock Draft Continued