2004 "Mock" Draft: (Final Version)

Corey Dillon has gone to the New England Patriots, while an appeals court has ruled in favor of the NFL, removing underclassmen Mike Williams and Maurice Clarett from the draft. With less than one week remaining until draft day, GM's and fan's draft boards are changing.
Everybody has their own ideas and opinions of who their favorite team will pursue on draft day.

Now less than one week until the April 24th-25th NFL Draft, rumors are swirling, GM's are sweating, and fans are guessing about what just may happen this weekend.

On Monday, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the NFL, putting a temporary block on the entries of Maurice Clarett and highly touted receiver Mike Williams.

While there is still a possibility that these two college stars may be allowed to enter a supplemental draft, the removal of their names adds a twist to each team's "big board" and every fans mock draft.

After looking over the top prospects and examining each team's needs and weaknesses, here is the final version of my mock draft, along with a list of the top five prospects and the juiciest rumors.

Mike's Top 5

1. Robert Gallery (OT) - Iowa 2. Larry Fitzgerald (WR) - Pittsburgh 3. Sean Taylor (S) - Miami 4. Ben Roethlisberger (QB) - Miami (OH) 5. Eli Manning (QB) - Miss

Mock Draft -- First Round (*no trades)

1. San Diego: Eli Manning (QB) 2. Oakland: Larry Fitzgerald (WR) 3. Arizona: Ben Roethlisberger (QB) 4. NY Giants: Robert Gallery (OT) 5. Washington: Kenechi Udeze (DE) 6. Detroit: Sean Taylor (S) 7. Cleveland: Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE) 8. Atlanta: Roy Williams (WR) 9. Jacksonville: Will Smith (DE) 10. Houston: DeAngelo Hall (CB) 11. Pittsburgh: Philip Rivers (QB) 12. NY Jets: Dunta Robinson (CB) 13. Buffalo: Reggie Williams (WR) 14. Chicago: Vince Wilfork (DT) 15. Tampa Bay: Tommie Harris (DT) 16. San Francisco: Rashaun Woods (WR) 17. Denver: Karlos Dansby (LB) 18. New Orleans: Chris Gamble (CB) 19. Minnesota: Antwan Odom (DE) 20. Miami: Vernon Carey (OG) 21. New England: Jonathan Vilma (LB) 22. Dallas: Steven Jackson (RB) 23. Seattle: Randy Starks (DT) 24. Cincinnati: Marcus Tubbs (DT) 25. Green Bay: D.J. Williams (LB) 26. St. Louis: J.P. Losman (QB) 27. Tennessee: Darnell Docket (DT) 28. Philadelphia: Justin Smiley (OG) 29. Indianapolis: Donnell Washington (DT) 30. Kansas City: Lee Evans (WR) 31. Carolina: Michael Clayton (WR) 32. New England: Derrick Strait (CB)

Don't Be Surprised If....

* Cleveland, NY Giants, or Washington tries to move and grab (OT) Robert Gallery.

* San Diego trades down and goes after (QB) Philip Rivers.

* Philadelphia trades up to No. 14 or No. 16 for (LB) Jonathan Vilma, (DT) Vince Wilfork or (RB) Steven Jackson.

* (QB) Ben Roethlisberger gets drafted above (QB) Eli Manning.

By Mike Lovecchio
Published: 4/21/2004
 
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