NFL 2005 Mock Draft: April 23

1. San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith QB Utah
If Aaron Rodgers didn’t go to Cal, I don’t think we’re even having this debate. Rodgers may be slightly better now, but Smith has a much higher ceiling.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Braylon Edwards WR Michigan
The Vikings need another wide out to fill the void left by Moss, and if they wait until the 7th pick there is a strong possibility both Edwards and Mike Williams will be gone. The Dolphins on the other hand need a lot of players, so moving down the 7 and 18 makes sense.

3. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Rodgers QB California
Rodgers stock is falling, but I don’t know where else the Browns would go with Braylon Edwards gone. Rodgers will be the next Joey Harrington. That’s a compliment Lions fans.

4. Chicago Bears: Ronnie Brown RB Auburn
Don’t know why, but this is what I see happening. The Bears don’t really need a running back here, Thomas Jones did a good job last year. Receiver isn’t as pressing of a need anymore with the addition of Muhammad. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went with Derrick Johnson either.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carnell Williams RB Auburn
Gruden loves Williams, the only way I see the Bucs not taking him is if Alex Smith or Mike Williams become available when they pick.

6. Tennessee Titans: Alex Barron OT Florida State
Still think this is the pick. Doesn’t matter if McNair does come back, without protection he may as well retire now.

7. Miami Dolphins Cedric Benson RB Texas
The Dolphins get their running back, and still have another pick in the top twenty. Perfect start for Nick Saban.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Antrell Rolle CB Miami
The previous pick will force Arizona into dealing for Travis Henry, and now they get a corner to help replace the holes left by the departures of Duane Starks and Reynaldo Hill.

9. Washington Redskins: Carlos Rogers CB Auburn
This could also be Pac-Man, but I think they’ll grab the bigger, less flashy but more consistent Rogers here.

10. Detroit Lions Erasmus James DE Wisconsin
The Lions have apparently fallen in love with James and feel he is the pass-rusher they’ve been searching for, and may just be the piece that puts them in the playoffs.

11. Dallas Cowboys: Shawne Merriman LB/DE Maryland
The Cowboys want to move to the 3-4 and Merriman is a perfect fit. He can play both rush end or outside linebacker, but is probably better suited to be a linebacker.

12. San Diego Chargers: Demarcus Ware LB/DE Troy
They could go with Marcus Spears too, but Ware is a better pass-rusher and that is what the Chargers are in desperate need for.

13. Houston Texans David Pollack DE/LB Georgia
Just like the Chargers, the Texans run the 3-4 and are in need of a pass-rush. Once again the solid Marcus Spears will get overlooked for a speed guy.

14. Carolina Panthers: Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma
You don’t know if Steve Smith will be the same again and Muhammad is gone, you can’t always rely on the running game.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Pac-Man Jones CB West Virginia
I know the Chiefs just completed the deal for Patrick Surtain, but because their secondary was so horrible last year, there is no such thing as too many corners.

16. New Orleans Saints: Justin Miller CB Clemson
Our first real reach of the day. Their secondary was horrible last year, and now what was Green Bay’s problem is New Orleans’. Mike McKenzie is going to hold out for more money, good luck Saints.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luis Castillo DT Northwestern
His stock has all of a sudden shot up and many scouts now have him pegged as the best tackle in the draft. Tackle was the heart of the Baltimore D when Lewis was running the ship. This may be Thomas Davis as well.

18. Miami Dolphins: Marlin Jackson CB Michigan
Surtan would be gone, and Madison is getting older. They could use a linebacker, but no there aren’t any worthy of being picked until late first round.

19. St. Louis Rams: Jamaal Brown OT Oklahoma
The O-line was horrible last year, and there’s no way Kyle Turley is coming back to St. Louie.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Spears DE Louisiana State
He’ll help the defense against the run, very similar player to Vonnie Holliday, when left alone he’ll get his sacks otherwise he’s stuffing the run.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas Davis S/LB Georgia
Donovan Darius’ days are numbered in Jacksonville and the Jaguars somehow wind up with his replacement despite thinking Davis would be long gone by now.

22. Baltimore Ravens Travis Johnson DT Florida State
Moving back to the 4-3, they’re pretty set at LB and in their secondary. The ends are set with Terrell Suggs moving for OLB to DE, they just need a guy to clog up the middle.

23. Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Cody DT/DE Southern California
They need some guys to go on the defensive line, and Cody is a versatile guy who can play both tackle and end.

24. Green Bay Packers: Odell Thurman LB Georgia
I really think they could get him with their first second round pick, but you keep hearing rumblings of Thurman going early in the second and Jim Bates loves this guy.

25. Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell QB Auburn
For some reason, I don’t think the Campbell rumors are just a smoke screen. Gibbs clearly isn’t satisfied with Patrick Ramsey or Mark Brunell, and his offense revolves around the QB, well more than most do.

26. Oakland Raiders: Channing Crowder LB Florida
So I already said this, but come on this guy is a Raider.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Brodney Pool S Oklahoma
They could also use a tackle, both offensive and defensive, but they could probably nab those in the later rounds.

28. San Diego Chargers: Troy Williamson WR South Carolina
Gates, Tomlinson, Brees, McCardell, and a second receiver? Lookout for this offense again next year.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Fabian Washington CB Nebraska
As long as they pick a guy on defense it’s automatically a good pick.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Heath Miller TE Virginia
Great running game, great defense, great receiving corp. and now we’re giving Ben Roethlisberger a future great tight end? What doesn’t he have?

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Matt Jones WR/TE Arkansas
The Eagles and just about every team loves this guy and their receivers are a level above suck once you get past T.O. One thing is clear, Jones will either be a good player down the line, or a huge bust.

32. New England Patriots: Barrett Ruud LB Nebraska
The linebackers you didn’t cut are either in their mid 30’s or recovering from a stroke. Might as well add some young blood into that mix.

I am projecting the Vikings to trade the 7th and 18th picks to the Dolphins for the 2nd pick