Updated mock draft

With Saturday's NFL draft vastly approaching the trade talk is swirling. Teams are looking to trade up, while others are looking to trade down. Already the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos swapped their first round picks, in a trade that revolved around cornerback Deltha O'Neal going to the Broncos. The Bengals also shipped running back Corey Dillon to the Patriots, but the Pats didn't have to part ways with one of their two first round picks, but instead one of their two second round picks.

Among the trade rumors, the Giants and Redskins have both been rumored to trade up for the first or second pick. The Browns and Eagles have expressed their interest in moving up as well, while the Raiders, Cardinals and 49ers are all listening for offers to move down.

Besides the completed and potential trades, a court decision will have a major impact on this draft. Originally a district court ruled that Maurice Clarett, Mike Williams and several other players were allowed to enter the draft. However, an appellate court overruled that decision this week, and unless the Supreme Court overrules that decision, the aforementioned players may not be drafted until a supplemental draft.

In my updated mock draft, I show how I feel the absence of Mike Williams and the Broncos/Bengals trade will impact the draft. I have also projected a draft day trade. I believe the rumored Eagle/49er trade of Jon Welbourn and the Eagles' first round pick for the 49ers first round pick could happen, but if the draft goes the way I see it, it won't. However, I do project the Raiders to trade away the second pick to the Giants for their first and third round picks.

1. San Diego Chargers: Eli Manning, QB, Miss

Nothing changes here. The Chargers may listen to offers, but in the end, they will realize that it would be foolish to lose out on a franchise quarterback for the third time in six years (Please note that I characterize the pick of Ryan Leaf, as losing out on a franchise quarterback). The only way I see the Chargers trading this pick, is if they get a first and second rounder this year, along with a first rounder next year. The Chargers will finally have their man when all is said and done.

2. New York Giants (projected trade): Robert Gallery, OL, Iowa

The Giants in recent years have trade up a couple of picks to get their desired player. The Raiders will listen to offers for this pick, since they know they can get Roy Williams, as long as they stay in the top seven. The Giants may have to part ways with a second round pick to move up two slots, but if Gallery is as advertised, it may be worth it. Once the Chargers take Manning the Giants will move their focus to Roethlisberger, Gallery or Sean Taylor. If the Giants decide Gallery is their man, look for Kerry Collins to get his desired contract extension.

3. Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh

Dennis Green has stated it loud and clear that he wants Fitzgerald. Green is friends with Fitzgerald's father and Green watched Larry grow up, while serving as a ball buy for the Minnesota Vikings, during Green's tenure there. This pick baffles me. The Cardinals addressed the wide receiver position in last years draft with Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin. The team has more immediate needs to address and unless Green is using Fitzgerald's name as leverage, the Cardinals will still have many holes to address, although they will have a solid wide receiver core for years to come.

4. Oakland Raiders (Projected Trade): Roy Williams, WR, Texas

Al Davis has said how much he likes Williams. If Davis can acquire a pick to move down, and still get Williams, he will be a very happy man. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice are most likely playing their final seasons in Oakland, and with injury prone Jerry Porter as the only other credible wide receiver on the roster, this could prove to be an excellent pick. Williams has great speed, which has caused his stock to soar after a disappointing bowl game against Washington State.

5. Washington Redskins: Sean Taylor, Safety, Miami (Florida)

The Redskins may still listen to offers, since they may not have the funds to pay a top five pick. However, if they stay at this pick, they will have their choice of Miami Hurricanes. Kellen Winslow could be a good option, but the Redskins have addressed the tight end position during free agency. They still need to upgrade their defense and Shaun Taylor could step right in and have an immediate impact. He has already drawn comparisons to Ronnie Lott.

6. Detroit Lions: Kellen Winslow Jr, TE, Miami (Florida)

In my last mock draft, I surprised people by saying the Lions would take Steven Jackson. Since then, the Lions have expressed their interest in Winslow. The team could use some more targets for quarterback Joey Harrington to work with. Last year, they added Charles Rogers and it would be tough to pass up a tight end of Winslow's caliber, here at pick six. The Lions tight end core of Michael Ricks, Casey Fitzsimmons and Bradford Banta just doesn't cut it. Of the three, Ricks had the most impressive numbers last year, with 37 catches for 434 yards and two touchdowns.

7. Cleveland Browns: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (Ohio)

Robert Gallery has this team tempted to trade up, but I feel the quarterback position is more of a need. Tim Couch's days are numbered and Kelly Holcomb isn't exactly a franchise quarterback. Roethlisberger could be the franchise quarterback that this team desires. He has a great arm and is very elusive for a big man. Teams are concerned about the small conference factor, but after his pro day, many teams and scouts walked out impressed. Roethlisberger could end up being a steal at seven, when people look back on the 2004 draft.

8. Atlanta Falcons: D'Angelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech

The Raiders infatuation with Roy Williams, along with the ineligibility of Mike Williams for this draft, has affected the Falcons. The Falcons were primed to take a wide receiver to give Mike Vick another weapon, but instead they will have to address another need. This offseason, they have lost two cornerbacks. Ray Buchanan signed with the Raiders, while Juran Bolden signed with the Jaguars. D'Angelo Hall is the best cornerback in the draft and seems to be the logical pick at eight.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC

The Jaguars were another possible suitor for Mike Williams and now will have to examine another need. The team hasn't shied away from saying they would like to add a young defensive end. Udeze has all the skills that make him worthy of a top ten pick. With him and Hugh Douglas lining up on opposite sides, the Jaguars could have a formidable pass rush in 2004.

10. Houston Texans: Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina

The Texans would have loved to get D'Angelo Hall, but will settle with the second best corner back in the draft. Although, Kenny Wright had some nice games last season, Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman are both getting older and the defensive minded Texans would love to add a young shutdown corner.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Philip Rivers, QB, NC State

The Steelers are probably expecting to have a decision to make at this pick. However, if the draft goes like this, they won't. The team needs help in the secondary, but if both Hall and Robinson are gone, there is no other cornerback worthy of the eleventh pick. Rivers is a franchise quarterback and it is always hard to pass one up. Tommy Maddox is in his thirties and came back to earth after his miraculous 2002 season. Many experts feel that Rivers may end up being the best of the three quarterbacks in this draft, which would make Steelers' fans very happy.

12. New York Jets: Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami

After releasing Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones, the Jets are in the market for a linebacker. Vilma is the best one available in this draft and could step right in as the teams' middle linebacker. He's very fast and very athletic. The only knock on him is his size, but I'm sure he will bulk up in the pros.

13. Buffalo Bills: Will Smith, DE, Ohio State

The Bills are in desperate need of a young quarterback, but unless they trade up, they won't be getting one. The team also has a weakness at the defensive end position. Will Smith is the second best defensive end in the draft. He would be a nice addition for the Bills and would solidify their front four.

14. Chicago Bears: Vince Wilfork DT, Miami

Wilfork's stock has been rising ever since he started to shed some pounds. He is very athletic for a big guy and would be a great run stopper in front of Brian Urlacher. Lovie Smith, who is a defensive minded coach, would like to add another piece to the defensive puzzle and for once in his life; Wilfork would be able to fit in the spot.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Steven Jackson, RB, Oklahoma State

With Michael Pittman's never ending legal problem and the loss of Aaron Stecker and Thomas Jones to free agency, the Bucs don't know if free agent acquisitions' Jamel White or Charlie Garner will be able to cut it as the team's starting running back. Jackson is the best running back in the draft and would bring much needed youth to the Buccaneer backfield. If the Bucs are satisfied with their current running back situation, they could address needs at wide receiver or defensive tackle.

16. San Francisco 49ers: Reggie Williams, WR, Washington

If Steven Jackson is still left at this point, it wouldn't shock me to see the Eagles trade up for this pick. If not, the 49ers will likely stay put and take the best wide receiver on the board. Williams had a great collegiate career and is expected to be a solid pro. After losing Terrell Owens and Tai Streets this offseason, the team is in dire need to add a receiver.

17. Denver Broncos (from Cin): DJ Williams, LB, Miami

Although Ian Gold hasn't signed elsewhere, he is all but gone and the Broncos will look for a replacement. Williams is the best outside linebacker in the draft and would be a nice addition for the Broncos. The Broncos may have lost out on him, if they didn't make this trade with the Bengals.

18. New Orleans Saints: Will Poole, CB, USC

Cornerback is a problem for the Saints. They don't have much depth at the position and their current corners are getting old. Poole and Chris Gamble can both be considered the third best corner in the draft. However, Gamble's poor workouts are what make me think Poole's the pick.

19. Minnesota Vikings: Tommy Harris, DT, Oklahoma

The Vikings defense made major strides last year and the addition of another young stud at tackle would make them that much better. At one point, Harris was projected to be a top five pick. Since then Wilfork's stock has rose, so Harris' stock may be falling. Not too many teams are in the need for a defensive tackle before this pick, so watch the Vikings take advantage of Harris still being around at pick 19.

20. Miami Dolphins: Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas

This pick hasn't changed. The Dolphins need an offensive lineman after losing three this offseason. Todd Wade was lost via free agency (Texans), while Mark Dixon and Tim Ruddy were released. The Dolphins did sign two free agent linemen in John St. Clair and Damion McIntosh, but both are better suited as back-ups. Shawn Andrews is the second best offensive lineman in the draft and would be a good addition for the fins.

21. New England Patriots (from Bal): Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State

The Pats no longer need a running back after trading for Corey Dillon. Now the team can address a need at linebacker or at cornerback. My guess is they go cornerback here to ensure getting Chris Gamble, who despite poor workouts could be a future stud.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech

The Cowboys could prove to be the luckiest team in the draft. They want a running back and would prefer Steven Jackson or Kevin Jones to fall. Originally, I thought they would have to settle with Greg Jones or Chris Perry, but if Kevin Jones if here at 22, the Cowboys will be very excited having landed themselves a stud running back.

23. Seattle Seahawks: Randy Starks, DT, Maryland

Seattle's offense was solid last year; it was their defense that held them back. The team has lost three defensive tackles this offseason. Chad Eaton and Norman Hand were released and John Randle retired. A selection of a defensive tackle is almost a definite. Starks, Dockett and Tubbs are the three best tackles on the board.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (from Den): Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas

The Bengals wanted to address the cornerback and defensive tackle positions in free agency. They addressed the cornerback position in the Deltha O'Neal trade, which is also the reason they hold this pick. They were very close to addressing the defensive tackle position with Warren Sapp, but he was just using the Bengals to get a better offer from the Raiders. Tubbs seems to be a suitable run stopper for the Bengals, which makes him the choice here.

25. Green Bay Packers: JP Losman, QB, Tulane

The team wants to develop a young quarterback to be the predecessor to Brett Favre. It may be too early to take Losman, but if they don't take him here, they will lose him in the beginning of the second round.

26. St. Louis Rams: Marquise Hill, DE, LSU

After losing Grant Wistrom to the Seahawks, the Rams need a new defensive end. This seems to be a little early for Hill, but he is the third best defensive end in the draft and the Rams do not have a second round pick.

27. Tennessee Titans: Darnell Dockett, DT, Florida State

The Titans need to address their front four after losing starters Robaire Smith (Texans) and Jevon Kearse (Eagles) to free agency. The best defensive lineman available at this point is Dockett. He was very impressive in the senior bowl, which could make the difference of him being a first round pick, as opposed to a second round pick.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Vernon Carey, OG, Miami (Florida)

The Eagles addressed their wide receiver need by trading for Terrell Owens. New holes emerged this offseason with the loss of both starting cornerbacks (Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor), along with starting guard Bobbie Williams. The Eagles may use this pick on a corner, but Carey would be a nice addition to their o-line.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Karlos Dansby, LB, Auburn

With DJ Williams and Jonathan Vilma gone, Dansby is the best linebacker on the board. He had a highly touted college career and would be a nice replacement for Marcus Washington, who the team lost to the Redskins

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Strait, CB, Oklahoma

The Chiefs are in need of a cornerback and in my mind Strait's the best one left. People may disagree after his disappointing workout, but if you saw the man play in the Sugar Bowl against LSU, you know that he is a stud.

31. Carolina Panthers: Ben Troupe, Tight End, Florida

Troupe would be a steal at 31. It just happens that this is a very deep draft and not many teams are in need of a tight end. After losing Jermaine Wiggins to free agency, the Panthers could use a starting tight end that would be an upgrade over the likes of Kris Magnum and Mike Seidman, who had 22 catches and 0 touchdowns between them.

32. New England Patriots: Jake Grove, C/G, Virginia Tech

For a team that prides itself on building around depth, Grove is a great pick. He could play both guard and center, while also providing the team with more depth.