You've just been named GM of your favorite team (or any one you want). What do you do with your draft pick? Which players would you most covet?

DRAFT ORDER
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Detroit Lions
3. Houston Texans
4. Chicago Bears
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Arizona Cardinals
7. Minnesota Vikings
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Carolina Panthers
10. x-Baltimore Ravens
11. x-Seattle Seahawks
12. St. Louis Rams
13. Washington Redskins
14. New England Patriots
(from Buffalo)
15. San Diego Chargers
16. Kansas City Chiefs
17. New Orleans Saints
18. New Orleans Saints
(from Miami)
19. New England Patriots
20. Denver Broncos
21. Cleveland Browns
22. New York Jets
23. Atlanta Falcons
24. Indianapolis Colts
25. New York Giants
26. San Francisco 49ers
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
28. Tennessee Titans
29. Green Bay Packers
30. Philadelphia Eagles
31. Oakland Raiders
32. Oakland Raiders
(from Tampa Bay)
x- subject to coin flip


I know the Vikes need defense desperately, but they also need an expolsive WR to take some attention away from Moss. But I think I'd have to go with a great pass rusher or a great cover corner, whichever is available at #7. If Kansas State CB Terence Newman is available, he's my pick. Washington State DT Rien Long is also a prime candidate. Hard to pass up Miami WR Andre Johnson though. Man being a GM is hard!

And if I had the Bengals job, I try like mad to trade the #1 pick. Bengals need players, not a rookie QB. Arizona (assuming Plummer is gone) and Chicago have worse QB situations and would seem likely to want to trade up for Palmer. If they stand pat, both Palmer and Leftwich could be gone at least by the time Cards pick.

The one read I have on this draft is for the Lions. Their pick should be Larry Johnson, the RB out of Penn State. Mel Kiper has him listed at #25 - that's just bullshit. This guy has moves, showed he can carry an offense, and showed he can be a workhorse when called upon. Every time I saw Johnson play, he was moving the chains. If the Lions don't grab Johnson (and I'm sure they won't), a couple teams could leap back into the playoffs by picking him up, namely the Panthers (pick 9th) or the Patriots (pick 14th & 19th). My prediction: Johnson will be THE hot pick of the first
round, in retrospect.

Charles Rogers is the big name being tossed around by the Lions. I honestly didn't SEE him play, so I can't comment.

My pick for the bust of the draft: Byron Leftwich.
The guy never showed he could make quick decisions or adjustments. He faired very well in the MAC, but I think he'll be undermined quickly in the NFL. He's got an arm; but, it's quick decisions and quick reads that make an NFL quarterback (see Jeff George).

I actually don't think the Bengals need that many players to be competitive. They have some good position players (Chad Johnson, Takeo Spikes, Corey Dillon) - they desperately need a good quarterback and a new attitude (they got the latter with their new coach). Picking Palmer would be a big risk; but, unless they could get someone like Jake Plummer in the offeason, I like them picking Palmer.

I have the misfortune of supporting my local losers year in & year out...I do remember the days when they used to WIN...and even played in Super Bowls...The should trade that #1 overall pick to someone who has 2 #1 picks...(KC, NE, Oakland)...maybe think about dealing Dillon for a couple quality players who can START right away...As much as I like Dillon, I think that the Bengals would be smart to deal him....I have to agree it would be a waste for the Bengals to choose a QB in round 1...how many have they ruined in the past decade? Akili Smith, Jeff Klingler...I'm looking forward to Marvin Lewis taking over...hopefully Brown will allow him to do the things he needs to do to get this program back to it's winning ways...

The thing about Larry Johnson is, judging from his whining after Penn State lost their bowl game, he may not have the best attitude. If he struggles he might help cause the locker room atmosphere to go sour.

As for what I would do with pick #30? Haven't the foggiest. It's pick #30. If it were #1 or 2 or 3 I might have an idea.

[ February 24, 2003, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Same for me with the Pack's #29 (glad to leave that one to the pros!). However, they need a ton of help on defense (literally) -- particularly linebacker -- uga's Boss Bailey (Champ's brother) is supposed to be one of the best ones up this year.

Then there's hand-wringing about Brett Favre's heir-apparent -- do the Pack blow their first round pick this time to get someone like Grossman? (I hope not -- well I hope Brett doesn't retire for a few more years wink )

One thing I'm sure of -- regardless of who the Bengals pick at #1 or Detroit at #2, ain't gonna make any difference!

Not to stray too far off topic .. but ... rumor in Packerland is that the Vikes have their beedy little eyeballs on two G.B. free agents: Vonnie Holliday (DE) and Tyrone Williams (CB). (I'll hate it if they defect to the forces of evil !)

[ February 25, 2003, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

Joe the iggles should package up the 30th pick and Trade CB Al Harris to move up in the draft... They drafted all those db's last year and they need to have one of the young guys play nickle back. Then draft a TE who can actually catch the ball, or go for the best available LB (replace barber or a MLB).

Cyd's like my hero man after slamming Kiper and praising LJ all in one post!
I've heard from alot of people that there are those in the media who were offended when LJ pointed out that they said he played against week competition and didn't deserve the Heisman. I don't think it's a big conspiracy or something but there apparently are some media types who took offense to that and are coming out with lines like LJ isn't in good physical shape.
In a quick response to the guys who think LJ shoots his mouth off too often I can only say that off the field he seems to carry himself with total class and is actually a pretty humble person. I think alot of his outbursts are the result of him playing the game with alot of intensity and it just overflows sometimes to unnecessary postgame comments.

[ February 25, 2003, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: jockboipa78 ]