| Mock NFL Draft No. 5 |
| Pick |
Team |
Pos. |
Player |
College |
Class |
Ht. |
Wt. |
| 21 |
 |
DE |
Calais Campbell |
Miami |
Jr. |
6-8 |
280 |
|
Even though he's a raw and somewhat risky proposition in the eyes of some teams, Campbell's potential and his ties to new
Redskins defensive line coach John Palermo (who coached him at Miami) might carry the day. Washington would love a big
receiver, but the best two -- Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly -- are already gone and Texas's Limas Sweed seems
to be on the first round/second round bubble.
|
| 22 |
 |
RB |
Felix Jones |
Arkansas |
Jr. |
6-0 |
200 |
|
Running back, receiver. Receiver, running back. In some order, that's the conventional wisdom on what Dallas will spend its
two first-rounders on. Cornerback is another need, but given the way our board breaks this time, we're giving the Cowboys the
"other" Razorbacks running back that "Coach" (Jerry) Jones is high on.
|
| 23 |
 |
OT |
Gosder Cherilus |
Boston College |
Sr. |
6-6 |
315 |
|
The Steelers offensive line requires attention, and Cherilus is the last consensus first-round lineman remaining. Pittsburgh
would have loved to see Virginia's Albert linger long enough to reach them, but if that ever had a chance of happening, it's
a longshot now.
|
| 24 |
 |
WR |
Limas Sweed |
Texas |
Sr. |
6-4 |
215 |
|
I'm not crazy about the choices the Titans have on my board, so why not fall back on the option of getting Vince Young a
receiver he's eminently familiar with -- his ex-Longhorns teammate Sweed? Defensive end is another need, and if the Titans go
that way they'll have Clemson's Phillip Merling and or Southern Cal's Lawrence Jackson to choose from.
|
| 25 |
 |
DT |
Kentwan Balmer |
North Carolina |
Sr. |
6-4 |
308 |
|
This seems to be around the slot that Balmer is expected to go, and with the Seahawks having lost veteran tackles Chuck
Darby and Ellis Wyms this offseason, Seattle has an obvious need. Balmer had an inconsistent collegiate career, but
he's the consensus third-ranked DT behind Dorsey and Ellis. Purdue tight end Dustin Keller is the another strong
first-round option for Seattle.
|
| 26 |
 |
DE |
Lawrence Jackson |
USC |
Sr. |
6-4 |
261 |
|
The popular thinking is that if Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling slips this far due to recent surgery for a
sports hernia, the Jaguars will jump all over him. Maybe so. But Jackson was a proven pass-rusher for the Trojans and while
his upside may not be as high as Merling's, his downside isn't as steep either.
|
| 27 |
 |
CB |
Brandon Flowers |
Virginia Tech |
Sr. |
5-11 |
192 |
|
The Chargers are stacked with talent and can take their highest-rated remaining prospect. That figures to be Flowers, who
some believe is the best coverage man in this year's draft. He would offer a replacement for departed nickelback Drayton
Florence. Other options include Merling or Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason.
|
| 28 |
|
WR |
DeSean Jackson |
California |
Jr. |
6-0 |
169 |
|
Having gotten their running back in Felix Jones at No. 22, the Cowboys land their impact receiver in Jackson at No.
28. Though he's slight of build, the 169-pound ex-Cal star has game-changing speed as both a slot receiver and in the return
game. He gives quarterback Tony Romo a much-needed weapon to go with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten.
|
| 29 |
 |
LB |
Dan Connor |
Penn State |
Jr. |
6-2 |
233 |
|
The 49ers will look at receiving options with this pick, but they're not likely to have anyone rated higher overall than
Connor, who could play at inside linebacker in their 3-4, right next to 2007 defensive rookie of the year Patrick
Willis. Michigan's Mario Manningham and Indiana's James Hardy are the best available receivers.
|
| 30 |
 |
CB |
Antoine Cason |
Arizona |
Sr. |
6-0 |
185 |
|
Cason hasn't gotten the attention he deserves this draft season, but he's a solid performer who has a strong track record of
production. The Packers could address their need for youth at offensive tackle by taking USC's Sam Baker, but Cason
gives them a similar injection of youth at a position where veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson are at least
nearing the end.
|
| 31 |
 |
Pick forfeited |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
The Patriots lost this pick as their penalty for the Week 1 Spygate episode.
|
| 32 |
 |
LB |
Jerod Mayo |
Tennessee |
Jr. |
6-2 |
230 |
The Giants top need is at outside linebacker, where Kawika Mitchell left in free agency, and where Mathias
Kiwanuka could be switched back to defensive end. With Connor going two picks earlier to the 49ers, Mayo is a suitable
second option who carries a low first-round grade.
|
