SI Vault
 
Dr. Z's Top Five Drafts
Paul Zimmerman
April 30, 2001
1. SEAHAWKS Only vegetarians are unhappy. Seattle ordered up a hot dog and a pork chop: first-round pick Koren Robinson, a wideout with unlimited ability but an attitude that belongs on a bun, and 345-pound guard Floyd (Pork Chop) Womack, a fourth-rounder out of Mississippi State. Jerry Rice could be brought in as Robinson's babysitter, much in the manner that Cris Carter mentored Randy Moss in Minnesota. Womack will pick up pointers from the Seahawks' other first-round pick, guard Steve Hutchinson, technically one of the draft's finest linemen. At least nine of Seattle's league-high 12 selections should make the roster.
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font
April 30, 2001

Dr. Z's Top Five Drafts

View CoverRead All Articles

1. SEAHAWKS
Only vegetarians are unhappy. Seattle ordered up a hot dog and a pork chop: first-round pick Koren Robinson, a wideout with unlimited ability but an attitude that belongs on a bun, and 345-pound guard Floyd (Pork Chop) Womack, a fourth-rounder out of Mississippi State. Jerry Rice could be brought in as Robinson's babysitter, much in the manner that Cris Carter mentored Randy Moss in Minnesota. Womack will pick up pointers from the Seahawks' other first-round pick, guard Steve Hutchinson, technically one of the draft's finest linemen. At least nine of Seattle's league-high 12 selections should make the roster.

2. LIONS
They had a blue-collar draft, taking linemen with their first three picks. The crop of over-achievers and high-energy guys bears the stamp of new president Matt Millen: bruising Michigan tackle Jeff Backus; Nebraska center Dominic Raiola, short (at 6'2") but mighty, and the best collegian at his position last year; Texas defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, a second-round steal if he recovers from an ankle injury; and another gamble, Texas A&M linebacker Jason Glenn, who was having a terrific season last fall until he suffered a knee injury.

3. CHARGERS
For the second time in seven years they had a No. 1 choice, and what a gamebuster they got in TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson, the finest college runner in 2000. To top it off, they fell into Purdue quarterback Drew Brees (page 56) at the top of the second round. Yes, he's the quarterback San Diego preferred over Michael Vick.

4. RAMS
The first five picks were for defense, with an emphasis on speed. Top selection Damione Lewis, out of Miami, was one of the few defensive tackles in the draft with a sub-five-second clocking in the 40. The most intriguing choice came in the sixth round, a 5'9", 180-pound wideout from Northern Arizona named Francis St. Paul, who has been timed at 4.31. He could be a perfect fit for coach Mike Martz's devastating four-receiver package.

5. JETS
Top pick Santana Moss of Miami will have an immediate impact returning punts. Tailback LaMont Jordan, after running in neutral for much of his senior year at Maryland, put on a show in the Senior Bowl, was a second-round pick and seems to be on the rise. Penn State tackle Kareem McKenzie, a third-round selection, has untapped potential. It was a gambling draft, but it could pay big dividends.

1