Big-name QBs sliding as pro-day workouts wrap up

Early April is when it's time to get serious about the NFL draft. That's when conventional wisdom starts to make its presence felt and a player's stock can rise and fall seemingly on a weekly basis.

Players such as USC offensive tackle Winston Justice, Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims and out-of-nowhere Ohio State safety Donte Whitner are on the rise. The flip side? That would be the fate currently befalling the once lofty reputations of USC running back LenDale White, Penn State defensive end Tamba Hali and Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who continue to fade.

And there's plenty more movement to come. In our fourth mock draft, we merely set the table for the onslaught of speculation, analysis and conjecture that will unfold in the next three-plus weeks.

Mock NFL Draft No. 4 Pick Team Pos. Player College Class Ht. Wt. 1 RB Reggie Bush USC Jr. 6-0 200 At Sunday's USC pro-day workout, Bush didn't do anything but solidify his perch atop the draft, ripping off a 4.33 40-yard dash and topping 40 inches in the vertical jump. Don't out-think yourself on this one, Texans. Take the special player and be thankful you didn't have the 49ers' top-pick fate of last year. 2 DE Mario Williams N.C. State Jr. 6-7 285 Having bagged their quarterback in free agency, the Saints now can sit back and wait to see how much their No. 2 pick is worth on the open market. If nobody wants to deal badly enough, the book says pass rushers (Williams) are always more valuable than offensive tackles (D'Brickashaw Ferguson). 3 QB Matt Leinart USC Sr. 6-5 225 With ex-USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow now in Nashville, can the Titans pass on Leinart in favor of Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler? Probably not, but don't be shocked if they talk themselves into taking the hometown product, or entertain trading down for a package of picks (from Minnesota?). 4 OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson Virginia Sr. 6-5 295 With Patrick Ramsey acquired via trade, the Jets can avoid the first-round quarterback crap shoot and go with the top-rated prospect on their board. That's going to either be Ferguson or Williams, depending on what the Saints do at No. 2. 5 LB A.J. Hawk Ohio State Sr. 6-1 240 The Packers signed defensive tackle Ryan Pickett in free agency, lessening their need for Haloti Ngata, the Oregon run-stuffer. But another playmaker in the defensive front seven would further upgrade a unit that has already received plenty of attention this offseason. 6 TE Vernon Davis Maryland Jr. 6-3 250 If the 49ers have their choice between Hawk, Davis and Texas safety Michael Huff, they're going to be in what appears to be a no-lose situation. But Davis has star appeal written all over him after his boffo offseason workouts, and he'd make second-year quarterback Alex Smith instantly look better. 7 DB Michael Huff Texas Sr. 6-1 205 The Raiders recently signed veteran Aaron Brooks and last year drafted quarterback-of-the-future Andrew Walter in the third round. Can a team with so many needs still invest in the Vince Young project? Not likely. Huff fits because he's versatile and he plays the tough, hard-hitting style the Raiders once prided themselves on. 8 DT Haloti Ngata Oregon Jr. 6-5 345 The Bills added defensive tackle Larry Tripplett in free agency but still need another run-stopper in the middle. Ngata isn't a finished product, but he's the best space-eater this draft has to offer. 9 CB Jimmy Williams Virginia Tech Sr. 6-3 216 Despite signing both Jon Kitna and Josh McCown in free agency, the Lions could be tempted by the still-available Vince Young or Jay Cutler. But after going for offense in the first round so often in recent years, with meager results, Detroit should think defense and take the draft's highest-rated cover man. 10 QB Vince Young Texas Jr. 6-5 235 The Cardinals extended Kurt Warner's contract because head coach Dennis Green needs to win now. But if Young is still on the board, Green could be intrigued enough to take him, in the hope that Green and his staff are still around when Young's development is complete in a couple of years. USC offensive tackle Winston Justice is another name to watch for. Mock Draft Continued