Never too early for draft talk

By Doug Graham Sports Central Columnist

So, the Super Bowl hasn't even gone down yet, but let's talk about the draft a couple months from now. Why not? Hell, the majority of those reading are more than likely more anxious for the draft than the Super Bowl, aside from gambling interests.

It's never too early to project the first-round.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi Arizona needs a quarterback, despite Josh McCown's last minute heroics to knock Minnesota from the playoffs aside. They have two options -- trade down a couple slots and hope Ben Roethlisberger is still around or do this and work their way into Eli Manning. Trading down works from San Diego's point because they don't need Manning and probably won't draft Larry Fitzgerald.

2. Oakland Raiders: Larry Fitzgerald, WR Pittsburgh

Why not? They need defense, but they need a lot of that and can get that in bulk in the later rounds. Take the best player available or trade down and draft Roethlisberger. Speaking of which, Roethlisberger is easily the crap-shoot quarterback of this year's draft. Who in the top-10 is going to take this guy in their selection spot?

3. San Diego: Robert Gallery, OT Iowa

San Diego needs some offensive line help and Gallery can provide just that. Gallery is the one offensive lineman in the draft who is going to step in next season and provide immediate impact. San Diego needs that to protect Drew Brees and allow him to develop.

4. New York Giants: Sean Taylor, S, Miami

The Giants need a ton of help. If a lower team needs a quarterback and Roethlisberger is still on the board, the Giants better trade this pick. The New York secondary is weak, Taylor would be an immediate step up for them.

5. Washington Redskins: Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami

They need a soldier.

6. Detroit Lions: Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State

The Lions can go two ways with this selection. Matt Millen has gone the way of upside, roll the dice on a guy, potential in the past, so this is the safe bet. Gamble could turn out to be an average pro, or a phenomenal gamebreaking corner. The other way to go is some help on that defensive line with Kenechi Udeze from USC.

7. Atlanta Falcons: Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma

They need defensive help. Dunta Robinson and Chris Gamble are cornerbacks that are other possibilities if available. Of course, they could just draft Roy Williams to give Mike Vick another weapon.

8. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami

Cleveland needs an impact leader on defense. Miami players are ready for the pros. They'll draft for offensive line in the second-round, depending on what's out there.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Roy Williams, WR, Oklahoma

Byron Leftwich needs weapons.

10. Houston Texans: Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC

Houston needs guys up front on the defensive side of the ball.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (OH)

I'm not as high on Roethlisberger as a lot of people are, thus he falls down here. None of the teams above Pittsburgh, with the exception of Arizona, really need quarterbacks. The Redskins do, though, so if he goes high, he'll go to Washington. It'll shake down like this -- Detroit takes Winslow and the Steelers take Chris Gamble (or Robinson) right here. Tommy Maddox isn't going to last and they need secondary help badly.

12. New England Patriots: Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech

They need a running back to add to a Super Bowl team. Jets don't need to draft this high for what they need.

13. Buffalo Bills: Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina

Or Will Smith, DE from Ohio State. They need defensive help on the line and at the corners.

14. Chicago Bears: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State

Same situation as the Bills. They could easily take Robinson as they need a corner.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaners: Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas

Or if Philadelphia really needs to secure a certain wide receiver, they trade down.

16. San Francisco 49ers: Randy Starks, DT, Maryland

Great athlete, ton of potential. 49ers need to address this position.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Poole, CB, USC

Marvin Lewis will continue to build the Cincy defense here.

18. New Orleans Saints: Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami

The Saints need to address their biggest weakness: defense.

19. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami

They need speed on defense. They need sound players on defense. They need talent on defense.

20. Miami Dolphins: A quarterback

Yeah, like Dan Marino isn't using this pick on a quarterback. Is J.P. Losman from Tulane projected this high? Phillip Rivers is also an option. Waiting until the second-round to get Matt Schaub from Virginia is their best bet for that position.

21. New York Jets: Reggie Williams, WR, Washington

The Jets need a WR as Wayne Chrebet is on the downturn of his career and they are still unsure of whether or not Santana Moss will break out as a top receiver. The defense played good enough last season and with a healthy Chad Pennington, they need to make sure they are ready at this position. The reason for the trade is that Williams should still be on the board here.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Perry, RB, Michigan

Duce Staley will likely end up in Dallas, but Staley is not an every-down back at this point in his career. The available running backs at this spot are Perry and Stephen Jackson of Oregon.

23. Seattle Seahawks: Dwan Edwards, DT Oregon State

The Seahawks' defense showed an inability to stop the run, and this will help them.

24. Denver Broncos: Antwan Odom, DE, Alabama

25. Green Bay: Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn

Dansby is a hell of an athlete and can blitz. The Packers need an upgrade at that position. A quarterback to replace Brett Favre would be a reach at this position.

26. St. Louis Rams: DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech

They've got Jason Sehorn in their secondary. Enough said.

27. Tennessee Titans: Vernon Carey, OL, Miami

The Titans are a solid team and neeed to keep building up the protection for Steve McNair. He no doubt needs it.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Best defensive player available

Enough said.

29. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Clayton, WR, USC

If you need an explanation of this, well, you should probably look for the Australian Open and some exciting Andy Roddick action. Football isn't the sport for you. They need receivers. Bad. Freddie Mitchell is the only one that should come back, of the top three. They need as many as they can get.

30. Indianapolis Colts: Michael Boulware, OLB, FSU

The Colts need some speed at the outside linebacker spot, Boulware provides that. Very athletic player from a big school.

31. Carolina Panthers: Stuart Schweigert, Purdue, S

Good sized safety that can pick balls off and controls the game downfield.

32. New England Patriots: Whoever

They're turning into a dynasty, at least in a modern NFL sense. This mock draft already has them trading up to get a running back, so this pick would likely go to the Jets. The Jets need a cornerback and would love for Hall to drop.

Well, there you go. What's that? None of these are going to pan out? Likely, but hey, it's a diversion for a bitter, bitter Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.