Draft Day '05

"And with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft the..." Though I don't feel like Eli Manning was the cream the rookie crop last tear he was the clear cut #1. There was no question as to who would be the first selection. This year we don't have a obvious #1. In fact we don't even no who will be the team to pick that first player. The San Fransisco 49ers have the first overall pick, but will likely trade down due a stingy ownership, who doesn't want to commit that much money, and because thay have so many holes to fill that they may do better to stockpile young talent than to have one promising young rookie. This years draft is the exact opposite of last years draft. Last year was a draft with lots of big name heisman candidates and other award winners.
Last year the First RB was not selected untill the late first round, this year A half-back will likely be the first pick. Last year was the year of the reciever, with Fiztgerald, Williams, Evans, Clayton, and woods all going in the first round. This year their is one big name college reciever in the Randy Moss like Reciever from Big 10 champ Michigan Braylon Edwards. The only other big name reciver is banished USC Wideout
Mike Williams, who was hurt by a flat out bad 4.59 in the 40, but with guys like Randy Moss, Mousin Mohomed, and Lavernious Coles changing or looking to change adresses some rookie receivers will be hurt. Another thing that makes this draft unique is the sizable amount of non-skill position players pegged to go in the top ten. Texas linebacker Derick Johnson, OU End Dan Cody and West Va. Corner Adam Jones could all go in the top ten. Perhaps the most interesting cicus to wathch will be that of Mo Clarret the talented and troubled back from THE Ohio State, whos slow forty time could bump the back to the 5th, 6th, or 7th round(I still say The Raiders should take a shot since they have no back and it would not cost them a high pick.)
At the QB spot it is a two horse race between Utah Junior Alex Smith and Cal Junior Aaron Rogers. They are both somewhat risky picks, because they may both be products
of the system. Rogers is hurt by his size and Smith may be hurt by not playing a pro-system like Rogers did last year. If the afore mention 49er trade down scenario were to take place it is unclear who would be the team to step up and take the pick. One possibility would be they cross the bay rivals The Oakland Raiders who traded their 7th Overall pick along with a late round pick and Middle-Linebacker Napolean Harris to the Minnosota Vikings for Randy Moss. The one problem their is the Raiders have severe cap problems and may not be able to add a long term comittment to their list of salary issues. It would not likely be the Dolphins or the Browns (who pick 2nd and 3rd in that order) it could be a team like the detroit Lions because they may only be one defensive peice from being a contender. Should the 49ers trade down the folks in Miami could get jittery if they have their Eye set on one specific RB because the 49ers have a solid back in Barlow and may be hesitant to throw a rookie behind that awfull line. Due to the mysterious nature of this draft, on April 24 expect the unexpected. It could top the 9 trades and 5 Hurricanes taken in the first round last year. One things for sure, it will be fun to watch.