ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- Sure, it's January, but it's never too early to start talking about the NFL Draft.
This is the first in a series of Mock Drafts, put together by a panel of four CNNSI.com "Draftniks." It will be updated regularly, including after every major free-agent signing, as the April 15 draft approaches. It has been updated with the Patriots' compensation to the Jets for hiring Bill Belichick.
Here's a glimpse at what the first round could look like come draft day.
| CNNSI.com's 2000 NFL Mock Draft |
| Pos. | Team | Analysis |
| 1 |  | Cleveland Browns 2-14
Peter Warrick WR Florida State | Even with defensive need, bet Couch is begging for this. |
| 2 |  | Washington Redskins (1) 10-6
LaVar Arrington LB Penn State | Best impact defensive player since ... oh wait, Kearse. |
| 3 |  | San Francisco 49ers 4-12
Chris Redman QB Louisville | May trade down, but QB is the first and foremost need. |
| 4 |  | Cincinnati Bengals 4-12
Courtney Brown DE Penn State | Can the Bengals possibly mess this up? Or could they? |
| 5 |  | Baltimore Ravens (2) 8-8
Plaxico Burress WR Michigan State | A big WR (see: Moss) can put up big stats in Billick's offense. |
| 6 |  | Philadelphia Eagles 5-11
Corey Simon DT Florida State | Would like one of the WRs, but good DL help is hard to find. |
| 7 |  | Arizona Cardinals 6-10
Thomas Jones RB Virginia | Can the Cards really rely on Murrell or Pittman? No. |
| 8 |  | Pittsburgh Steelers 6-10
Deon Grant S Tennessee | A Woodson-esque ballhawk, but needs better tackling skills. |
| 9 |  | Chicago Bears 6-10
Brian Urlacher S/LB New Mexico | Perhaps a bit high, but has big upside with athleticism. |
| 10 |  | Denver Broncos 6-10
Chris Samuels OT Alabama | The best lineman on the board is too good to pass up. |
| 11 |  | New York Giants 7-9
Ron Dayne RB Wisconsin | A Giant-type back, even with "better" backs on the board. |
| 12 | | Washington Redskins (3) 10-6
Sylvester Morris WR Jackson State | With multiple first-round picks, 'Skins can afford to gamble. |
| 13 |  | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) 11-5
Chris McIntosh OT Wisconsin | Bucs need OL help, especially with aging LT Gruber. |
| 14# | | Baltimore Ravens 8-8
Shaun Alexander RB Alabama | The Ravens would be ecstatic with this first-round tandem. |
| 15# |  | Green Bay Packers 8-8
Bubba Franks TE Miami (Fla.) | With Chmura out, Packers' offense wasn't the same. |
| 16 |  | New York Jets (5) 8-8
Shaun Ellis DE Tennessee | Ellis brings the pass-rushing help the Jets crave. |
| 17 |  | Oakland Raiders 8-8
Travis Taylor WR Florida | Tim Brown's future is uncertain, so WR becomes big need. |
| 18 | | New York Jets 8-8
Stockar McDougle OT Oklahomas | McDougle's stock shot up at Senior Bowl. |
| 19 |  | Dallas Cowboys 8-8
Dez White WR Georgia Tech | Irvin's possible retirement leaves Dallas thin at WR. |
| 20 |  | Detroit Lions 8-8
Jamal Lewis RB Tennessee | Lions must improve ground game. Lewis is best RB left. |
| 21 |  | Kansas City Chiefs 9-7
Chad Pennington QB Marshall | Pennington may go higher. Chiefs plan for future. |
| 22 |  | Seattle Seahawks 9-7
Darren Howard DE Kansas State | Seattle could lose DL stars Daniels, Adams in offseason. |
| 23 |  | Carolina Panthers (6) 8-8
Chris Hovan DT Boston College | Would make nice interior tandem with Gilbert. |
| 24 | | Washington Redskins 10-6
Mario Edwards CB Florida State | Darrell Green can't play forever, can he? |
| 25 |  | Minnesota Vikings 10-6
Ahmed Plummer CB Ohio State | Pass defense was the Vikings' biggest weakness. |
| 26 |  | Buffalo Bills 11-5
Todd Wade OT Mississippi | Wade was one of the biggest surprises at the Senior Bowl. |
| 27 | | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-5
Cosey Coleman OG Tennessee | Could go WR or LB, but two linemen fill Bucs' biggest hole. |
| 28 |  | Indianapolis Colts 13-3
Rob Morris LB Brigham Young | Bennett's injury unmasks limited LB depth. |
| 29 |  | Jacksonville Jaguars 14-2
Raynoch Thompson LB Tennessee | Hardy is a stud, but Marts and Paup aren't spring chickens. |
| 30 |  | Tennessee Titans 13-3
Marvel Smith OT Arizona State | George and McNair would endorse this massive lineman. |
| 31 |  | St. Louis Rams 13-3
Na'il Diggs LB Ohio State | There isn't much these Rams need, besides depth. |
# Coin flip to determine pick
(1) -- From New Orleans
(2) -- From Atlanta
(3) -- From Carolina
(4) -- From San Diego
(5) -- From New England
(6) -- From Miami
|
