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Dr. Z's Mock Draft Posted: Wednesday April 23, 2003 9:44 AMBy Paul Zimmerman
 It's a great time to be a defensive lineman. Eight went in the first round last year. Nine were chosen that early in 2001. "In this era you can't get by with just four or even five defensive linemen," Giants vice president and general manager Ernie Accorsi says. "You need to keep the rotation going. If your pass rush tires late in the game, you get killed. That's what happened to us against the 49ers in the playoffs." This year, I see as many as 11 going in the first round.
Carson Palmer, QB, Southern Cal New coach, new quarterback. Marvin Lewis ushers in what he hopes will be a brighter era in Cincinnati with the highest-rated passer on the board.
Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State Detroit's worst fear: Houston trades into the top spot to get this talented 200-pounder who covers the 40 in the 4.30s.
Andre Johnson, WR, Miami Last year they loaded up on defense; now they get help for young QB David Carr. Johnson's numbers -- 230 pounds, 4.28 speed -- are out of sight.
Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky Great workouts made him one of the hottest players in the weeks leading up to the draft. This short (6'1") and explosive 324-pounder has run a 4.84.
Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State Desperate for a cornerback, Jim Haslett engineers a trade with Dallas, giving up his two first-round choices (Nos. 17 and 18) to get the flashiest defensive back on the board.
Terrell Suggs DE, Arizona State Big-time sacker. "We've got to put the QB on the ground," says coach Dave McGinnis, whose team had only 65 sacks over the past three seasons.
Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State "We've got a 6'8", 285-pound coach and 250-pound linemen," says coach Mike Tice. "We've got to get big." The 323-pound Kennedy qualifies.
Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall Jacksonville is getting ready to say goodbye to the Mark Brunell era. Some rate Leftwich as the nation's best pure passer.
Jordan Gross, T, Utah If Leftwich is still there, he could be the pick, but nobody's complaining about getting the quickest and most athletic tackle.
Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State Dallas trades back up from No. 17 with Baltimore to select Trufant, a talented pass defender who's coveted by several teams.
Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State Mike Holmgren might still trade up so he can grab Trufant, but if he's gone Seattle will settle for muscle up front.
Kwame Harris, T, Stanford Can play guard or tackle to help rebuild the wall in front of Kurt Warner. But Trufant is the guy St. Louis really wants.
Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia They want serious defensive muscle with their first pick and then will go for a wideout at No. 22.
Ty Warren, DT, Texas A&M It'll be defense all the way for New England. First the Pats take care of the line, then the secondary five spots later.
William Joseph, DT, Miami San Diego's still a bit nervous about the return of Jamal Williams, who dislocated his ankle last year. Joseph's a pocket pusher, a force if needed.
Boss Bailey, LB Georgia His workouts were impressive, but a knee injury drops him to the middle of the round. Dick Vermeil wants him on the strong side.
Kyle Boller, QB, California The quarterback they really want is Leftwich, but they'll trade down from No. 10 and gamble that Boller is still on the board.
Eric Steinbach, G, Iowa Taking a guard in the first round is unusual for Bill Parcells, but Steinbach, the speediest interior lineman in the draft, is too good an athlete to pass up.
Sammy Davis, CB, Texas A&M They had the oldest defense in the NFL last season, but the draft will give them youth, and Davis provides 4.41 speed.
Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami A pass rusher for the right side, and if newly acquired DT Daryl Gardener is on his game, Denver will have an impressive front four.
Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame Too high for a center? Butch Davis doesn't think so. Picture a young Dermontti Dawson -- quick off the ball, exceptional blocking range -- and that's Faine.
Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida Strictly a need pick to cover the departure of Laveranues Coles. Good size (6 feet, 205) and speed (4.37). Set school record with 246 yards receiving against UAB.
Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State The Senior Bowl defensive MVP will fit nicely into a unit that has added such big league talent as LBs Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey.
Troy Polamalu, SS, Southern Cal Another player whose stock soared late. Polamalu, with 4.34 speed, reminds some of storied Trojans Ronnie Lott and Dennis Smith.
Kenny Peterson, DT-DE, Ohio State Texas A&M's Ty Warren or Nebraska's Chris Kelsay could go here. So could Harris, the Stanford tackle, if the D-linemen are gone.
Chris Kelsay, DE, Nebraska With free agent Chike Okeafor off to Seattle, San Francisco needs a strongside wingman to take the heat off DE Andre Carter.
Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State A running back finally gets picked. There is sentiment in the Pittsburgh draft room for QB Rex Grossman, but the talented Johnson represents excellent value here.
Eugene Wilson, CB Illinois Tennessee took three DBs in the first four rounds last year, but the Titans won't quit until they get it right. Wilson has good coverage instincts in man and zone defenses.
Rex Grossman, QB, Florida Obviously not a need pick, but another one of those "we can't believe he's still there" selections.
Willis McGahee, RB, Miami "We're playing a pat hand," Andy Reid says. "We can afford to look to the future." Serious knee rehab probably will keep this dynamic back out until 2004.
L.J. Smith, TE, Rutgers Never look for the obvious when Oakland's on the clock. A workout wonder with real upside, Smith will combine with Doug Jolley to provide a double threat at tight end.
Vince Manuwai, G, Hawaii A roughneck type, sturdy and tough. Oakland can't forget how its line was manhandled in the Super Bowl. *Projected trade
Issue date: April 28, 2003
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