August 1, 2001
 

 
The Pick: MIKE WILLIAMS - OT - Texas 
WHY THEY'RE #17 They've made great strides but the offensive and defensive line needs help. Oh yeah, they don't have a legit QB either.
WHY TAKE WILLIAMS? Williams is rising up the draft boards. He could play several spots
on the line. The Bengals would welcome the versatility. They passed on both Kenyatta Walker and Leonard Davis last year so the O-Line is still a big need. Williams would team with Willie Anderson to open up some bigger holes for Corey Dillon.
The Pick: DeSHAUN FOSTER - RB - UCLA 
WHY THEY'RE #18 The loss of Jamal Lewis, Elvis Grbac hasn't been the spark they thought he'd be and the defense is giving up passing yards (?!)
WHY TAKE FOSTER? The Jamal Lewis injury wasn't a freak accident. He's had a past
history of knee injuries. If he recovers then fine, but if he doesn't, the Ravens need a better insurance policy than they had this year. Foster is tearing through the Pac-10 and would be a good guy to have step in for Lewis if he is hurt or spell him if he is healthy.
The Pick: JOEY HARRINGTON - QB - Oregon 
WHY THEY'RE #19 The Bears are looking like a Wild Card team. The defense has really carried them but the offense is improving.
WHY TAKE HARRINGTON? Cade McNown failed, Sahne Matthews is no longer there and 
though Jim Miller has played pretty well, he's not the young QB of the future the Bears need. Their winning streak has put them out of the running for Carr but Harrington isn't a bad alternative. He has the intangible qualities McNown lacked and throws a nice ball. He plays smart and doesn't make mistakes which is exactly what the Bears need.
The Pick: EDWARD REED - S - Miami 
WHY THEY'RE #20 Fiedler is playing well but he's not the guy to take them any farther than the Divisional Round.
WHY TAKE REED? The Dolphins have great corners but the Safeties aren't world
beaters. Reed is the type of playmaker that would solidify this group as one of the NFL's best. He has a nose for the ball and wouldn't have to move very far. The Dolphins could look QB but any other QB besides Harrington or Carr would be a reach here.
The Pick: LARRY TRIPLETT - DT - Washington 
WHY THEY'RE #21 Garcia and the offense are running on all cylinders, the defense still isn't great but they're better than last year's D.
WHY TRIPPLETT? The Bryant Young-Dana Stubblefield tackle combination would
have been a great one about five years ago. Both players are past their prime and it's time for some new bodies in the middle. Tripplett is a squatty, strong player who can hold his own on the interior. He would have a couple of experienced mentors to show him the ropes.
The Pick: TONIU FONOTI - G - Nebraska 
WHY THEY'RE #22 The League's surprise story of the year. Tim Couch still needs more time though.
WHY TAKE FONOTI? Fonoti is a huge mauler who fits the Browns perfectly. James
Jackson gets some holes to run through and Tim Couch has more time to stand back there and look down field. Surprisingly, the Browns don't have a whole lot of needs. Offensive Line definitely takes first priority.
 
The Pick: MARQUISE WALKER - WR - Michigan 
WHY THEY'RE #23 They looked like a real contender but Griese got dinged and they haven't been running the ball like we're used to seeing.
WHY TAKE WALKER? Eddie McCaffery might not be the same after his injury and even
is he is, he and Rod Smith only have a few more years. A young wideout like Walker is just what 
they need. Walker is big and strong and has the reliable hands that Brian Griese will love. WR appears to be the Broncos biggest need right now.
The Pick: DENNIS WEATHERSBY - CB - Oregon State 
WHY THEY'RE #24 They could definitely make a run with a strong showing from Aaron Brooks. The secondary is suspect though.
WHY TAKE WEATHERSBY? The Saints need that guy to be a #1 corner. To match up with
the Terrell Owens, the Issac Bruces and the Muhsin Muhammeds in their division. Weathersby is a junior but he can be that guy. At 6'1, he has prototype size and has shown that he has the speed and coverage skills to hang with some pretty talented receivers in the Pac-10.
The Pick: RON JOHNSON - WR - Minnesota   
WHY THEY'RE #25 Flutie and Tomlinson and the defense have put the excitement back into Charger football.
WHY TAKE WALKER? With Flutie (and eventually Drew Brees) and Tomlinson, the 
Chargers just need a wideout to complete their "tripletts." Johnson has the size and hands to be that guy. He's not the fastest guy but he can create matchup problems with his frame and his strength. How well he runs at the combines and in workouts will determine where he goes.
 
The Pick: MIKE RUMPH - CB - Miami 
WHY THEY'RE #26 The Bus is rumbling, the defense is playing very well and Kordell has cut down on mistakes. They're playing Steeler football.
WHY TAKE RUMPH? Chad Scott and DeWayne Washington are good corners but
neither really stands out. Behind them, there isn't much depth either. Rumph brings some size and physicality to an already menacing unit. He needs some work on his overall coverage skills but he has the natural tools to become an excellent NFL corner.
The Pick: ALEX BROWN - DE - Florida 
WHY THEY'RE #27 They're having their troubles but I see Indy picking it up and winning the AFC East.
WHY TAKE BROWN? The defense needs someone to pressure the QB and that's 
exactly what Brown can do. He's a tweener but the Colts just need more athletes and playmakers on defense. If a defensive tackle were to drop though, the Colts would be tempted but Brown is a good pick here.
The Pick: MIKE DOSS - S - Ohio State 
WHY THEY'RE #28 They've been playing very well. Farve has gotten rolling and their season will depend on the defense.
WHY TAKE DOSS ? The Packers may need a strong safety after this season. Leroy
Butler is running out of time and Antuan Edwards hasn't been able to get off the injured list long enough to prove he was worth a #1 pick. Doss is only a junior but were he to come out, he has the hard hitting style the Packers would look to bring to their defense.
The Pick: LEVI JONES - OT - Arizona State 
WHY THEY'RE #29 It's coming down to them and Philly in the East, can Kerry Collins play well enough for another Super run?
WHY TAKE JONES? Lomas Brown is a 38 year old left tackle. The Giants need a 
young guy there as Brown may retire. Jones is a big, athletic guy who would probably go higher if not for some underclassmen. The Giants could also go with a Linebacker or maybe a Tight End here but Offensive Tackle is the biggest need.
The Pick: EDDIE FREEMAN - DT - Alabama-Birmingham 
WHY THEY'RE #30 They finally beat the Giants and if the receivers can help McNabb out, they should go deep into the playoffs.
WHY TAKE FREEMAN? Corey Simon is a stud at one tackle and Hollis Thomas and
Brandon Whiting are both OK, but if you have the chance to add another stud, why not? Freeman could be that stud, he's hugh and incredibly strong (500 lb bench). An inside combo of Freeman and Simon could create headaches for opposing offensive coordinators.
The Pick:SALEEM RASHEED - LB - Alabama 
WHY THEY'RE #31 They have all the parts to make a run at the Super Bowl but they need a few players to get motivated.
WHY TAKE RASHEED? If they were to fall in love with a QB (Rohan Davey) or if Joey
Harrington were to fall, the Raiders would probably take him. If not, the Raiders could stand to add a little size and athleticism to their linebacking corps. Rasheed could be the heir for either William Thomas on the outside or Greg Biekert on the inside, he's that versatile. A Tight End may also fit here.
The Pick: TREV FAULK - LB - Louisiana State 
WHY THEY'RE #32 They fixed the defense and Kurt Warner is back.
WHY TAKE FAULK? As much as they improved the defense, the Rams
still need help. They drafted an inside guy last year in Brian Allen but both Allen and starter London Fletcher are undersized. That's not the case with the 6'3, 225 lb Faulk. He specializes in stopping the run and would bring some toughness to a defense who is continuing their makeover. A pass rusher may fit here as well.
 
 
 
 
2nd ROUND >>>>>
<<< PICKS 1-16