From the Chargers' perspective the deal makes sense, considering that TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson is the top-rated player on San Diego's draft board anyway, and now the Chargers will likely be able to select him at the fifth position. San Diego also added a valuable pick early in the third round and a second-rounder in next year's draft, in addition to dangerous return specialist/wide receiver Tim Dwight.
| CNNSI.com's 2001 NFL Mock Draft |
| Pos. | Team |
Analysis |
| 1 |  | (1) Atlanta Falcons 4-12
* Michael Vick QB Virginia Tech | San Diego happy not to deal with Vick's contract demands. |
| 2 |  | Arizona Cardinals 3-13
* Gerard Warren DT Florida | Cards may still try to trade down, but Warren fills a need. |
| 3 |  | Cleveland Browns 3-13
* David Terrell WR Michigan | Terrell would make Couch a Pro Bowler within two years. |
| 4 |  | Cincinnati Bengals 4-12
Leonard Davis OT Texas | Would give Bengals massive bookend offensive tackles. |
| 5 |  | (2) San Diego Chargers 1-15
LaDainian Tomlinson RB TCU | Bolts get the player they really wanted in the first place. |
| 6 |  | New England Patriots 5-11
* Kenyatta Walker OT Florida | Bledsoe's $101 million deal necessitates better protection. |
| 7 |  | (3) Seattle Seahawks 6-10
* Justin Smith DE Missouri | Holmgren thrilled this pass rushing demon falls to him. |
| 8 |  | Chicago Bears 5-11
Andre Carter DE California | Bears do need to upgrade their pass rush. |
| 9 |  | San Francisco 49ers 6-10
Deuce McAllister RB Ole Miss | Deuce is the prototypical West Coast back. |
| 10 |  | (4) Green Bay Packers 9-7
Richard Seymour DT Georgia | Packers may be tempted by Gardner, Robinson here, too. |
| 11 |  | Carolina Panthers 7-9
Dan Morgan LB Miami (Fla.) | Panthers can use a speedy sideline-to-sideline linebacker. |
| 12 |  | (5) St. Louis Rams 16-6
Damione Lewis DT Miami (Fla.) | Rams open defensive spree with speedy DT. |
| 13 |  | Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9
Steve Hutchinson G Michigan | If Morgan is gone, Hutch would be choice of the men in teal. |
| 14 |  | Buffalo Bills 8-8
Marcus Stroud DT Georgia | Bills wanted Lewis, settle for Stroud and his huge upside. |
| 15 |  | Washington Redskins 8-8
* Koren Robinson WR N.C. State | Robinson's potential wins out over Gardner's steadiness. |
| 16 |  | Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
Drew Brees QB Purdue | Steelers wanted defense, but settle for QB. |
| 17 | | (6) Seattle Seahawks 6-10
* Nate Clements CB Ohio State | Would team with fellow speedy Buckeye Springs. |
| 18 |  | Detroit Lions 9-7
Jeff Backus OT Michigan | Millen knows Batch needs protection to emerge. |
| 19 |  | New York Jets 9-7
Santana Moss WR Miami (Fla.) | Moss' explosiveness, versatility overcome his lack of ideal size. |
| 20 | | St. Louis Rams 10-6
Jamal Reynolds DE Florida State | Rams' defensive revival needs a pass-rushing machine. |
| 21 |  | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-6
* Todd Heap TE Arizona State | Big pass-catching target the Bucs have been missing. |
| 22 |  | Indianapolis Colts 10-6
* Willie Middlebrooks CB Minnesota | Middlebrooks' height, speed make him second CB taken. |
| 23 |  | New Orleans Saints 10-6
Fred Smoot CB Mississippi State | Saints need to replace departed Molden at CB. |
| 24 |  | Denver Broncos 11-5
Rod Gardner WR Clemson | Broncos would be ecstatic to add Gardner as a No. 3 WR. |
| 25 |  | Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
Chris Chambers WR Wisconsin | McNabb would be thrilled to add offensive weapons. |
| 26 |  | Miami Dolphins 11-5
Maurice Williams OT Michigan | Dolphins may go WR, but OL needs to be addressed. |
| 27 |  | Minnesota Vikings 11-5
* Michael Bennett RB Wisconsin | Yet another character project for Green to work with. |
| 28 |  | Oakland Raiders 12-4
Adam Archuleta S/LB Arizona State | Tough-guy strong safety just looks like a Raider. |
| 29 | | (7) St. Louis Rams 10-6
Ken Lucas CB Ole Miss | Rams go defense again to get replacement for Lyght. |
| 30 |  | New York Giants 12-4
Will Allen CB Syracuse | Speedy corner would play as a nickel back as a rookie. |
| 31 |  | Baltimore Ravens 12-4
* Dominic Raiola C Nebraska | Champs would love to get Husker to replace Mitchell. |
* -- Underclassman
(1) -- From San Diego in trade for top pick
(2) -- From Atlanta in trade for top pick
(3) -- From Dallas in Joey Galloway trade
(4) -- From Seattle in Matt Hasselbeck trade
(5) -- From Kansas City in Trent Green trade
(6) -- From Green Bay in Matt Hasselbeck trade
(7) -- From Tennessee in Kevin Carter trade |
