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Jeff Ely's 1999 NFL Mock Draft - First Round
Jeff Ely - Contributing Freelance Writer
We are still 2 months away from the real NFL draft, but it is never too early to try and predict who will end up where and why. Washington has traded for former Minnesota QB Brad Johnson, so that means they won't be taking a QB with one of their 2 first round picks. Philadelphia and Arizona both have multiple #1's, so they may try to trade up as well. For the sake of sanity, I will not try to forecast potential trades, but I do feel that there will be several of them made before and on draft day.
- Cleveland Browns - Tim Couch (QB) - Kentucky
The Browns jump back into NFL competition by selecting a player many experts think will be a Pro Bowl caliber QB for the next 10-15 years. The Browns will wrestle with the idea of taking Texas RB Ricky Williams, but when you are starting a franchise from scratch, it is always best to build around a quarterback. Couch, a 6 foot 5, 225-pound throwing machine out of Kentucky, is everything Cleveland could ask for in a foundation for their franchise. - Philadelphia Eagles - Ricky Williams (RB) - Texas
Ricky Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner and all-time Division One rushing leader, is the real deal. We have not seen a running back combine his size, strength, and power since Earl Campbell was tearing up the NFL with the Houston Oilers. Philadelphia has many holes that need to be filled, so a trade down is very likely. However, Ricky's talent will probably be too much to ignore for the Eagles. - Cincinnati Bengals - Akili Smith (QB) - Oregon
Smith has been skyrocketing up everyone's draft boards recently. Unless he has a horrible workout at the Combine, Akili Smith seems to be a lock for the top 5. The Bengals will be gambling that this raw, but supremely talented, prospect will develop into the Pro Bowl QB everyone expects him to become. I personally see Donovan McNabb as a better pro QB, but the Bengals could do a lot worse than selecting Smith here. - Indianapolis Colts - Chris Claiborne (LB) - Southern California
The Colts have laid their offensive foundation for the future with QB Peyton Manning, RB Marshall Faulk, and WR Marvin Harrison. Now it is time to focus on defense. By drafting Claiborne, the Colts give themselves a middle linebacker similar to former Trojan Junior Seau. Claiborne can do it all, and will provide the Colts with the much-needed run stopper they are so desperate for. - Washington Redskins (from Carolina) - Champ Bailey (CB) - Georgia
The Redskins were a Jekyll and Hyde team last year, going 0-7 to start the season, while finishing strong with a record of 6-3 over their last 9 games. The Skins need help everywhere, but with aging players Darrell Green and Cris Dishman playing corner, Washington can inject a lot of youth and athleticism into their team by selecting Bailey. Plus, Bailey can learn from Green, one of the all-time great NFL cornerbacks. A receiver like Torry Holt could also be an option here. - St. Louis Rams - Edgerrin James (RB) - Miami (Fla.)
This pick may shock some people, but I believe that "Edge" James is going to a big-time NFL back. Look for him to shoot up the draft charts after his Combine workout. The Rams need a running back to take some pressure off of new QB Trent Green, who they recently signed as a free agent. With an offense of Green, James, Isaac Bruce, and Eddie Kennison, the Rams could make some noise on offense next season. - Chicago Bears - Donovan McNabb (QB) - Syracuse
The Bears haven't had a big-time QB since Jim McMahon, and they are desperate for a leader. Chicago native McNabb fits the bill for both. At the Senior Bowl, McNabb wowed all the scouts with his arm strength and pocket-passing ability. Some even see him as a better QB prospect than Couch. By taking McNabb, the Bears give themselves a good young nucleus on offense, along with Curtis Enis, Bobby Engram, and Curtis Conway. - Arizona Cardinals (from San Diego) - John Tait (OT) - Brigham Young
The Cardinals will be very tempted to take Jevon Kearse with this pick, but they just invested a ton of money in their stud QB Jake Plummer, so it makes sense to draft a left tackle that will be there to protect him for many years to come. Tait has good size, great technique, and solid lateral speed, all of which are essential for a good left tackle. This pick may be a little "vanilla" for Cards fans, but good teams need solid lineman, and Tait fits the bill. - Detroit Lions - Jevon Kearse (LB) - Florida
The Lions have the offensive firepower necessary to be a playoff contender, but their defense simply does not have enough playmakers to win. Jevon Kearse solves that problem. Kearse is an athletic marvel, and is a prototype speed rusher. The "Freak" could be a 12-15 sack linebacker almost immediately, which would give the Lions the dimension their defense has been lacking. CB Chris McAlister or OL Matt Stinchcomb could also be options for the Lions here. - Baltimore Ravens - Daunte Culpepper (QB) - Central Florida
The Ravens thought they had Brad Johnson locked up, but he went to the rival Redskins in a trade. Baltimore must solve its QB problem this year if the team is ever going to make the next jump to being a playoff contender. Culpepper has unbelievable talent, and is more polished than Steve McNair when he came out of college. Within two years, Culpepper will be leading the Ravens deep into the playoffs.
- Minnesota Vikings - Chris McAlister (CB) - Arizona
The Vikings made a great move by trading QB Brad Johnson to the Redskins for this pick, a third round pick, and a #2 next year. They now have two picks in the first round, and have the ability to improve their defense to ensure a Super Bowl trip next season. 3 of their 4 starting defensive backs are free agents, and picking McAlister guarantees no drop off in talent. - New Orleans Saints - Anthony McFarland (DT) - Louisiana State
The Saints need help in many areas, most notably at QB. However, with most of the top prospects for QB gone, they will look to strengthen an already solid defense. McFarland has dominated in the postseason All-Star games, and has made himself a possible top 10 pick. Ditka may also be tempted to go with an offensive lineman like L.J. Shelton, or a wide receiver like David Boston. - Pittsburgh Steelers - Torry Holt (WR) - North Carolina State
The Steelers were probably hoping a solid defensive player or offensive lineman could be picked here, but they will be delighted when Torry Holt falls into their lap with this pick. Holt has the potential to be Pro Bowl wide receiver, and will give QB Kordell Stewart a much-needed deep threat to throw to. - Kansas City Chiefs - L.J. Shelton (OT) - Eastern Michigan
The Chiefs were perhaps the most disappointing team in the NFL this past season. New coach Gunther Cunningham is looking to inject some youth and fire into his team, and a good place to start is on the offensive line. This team never seems to be able to run the ball effectively, and Shelton is an excellent way to try and change that. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Matt Stinchcomb (OT) - Georgia
The Bucs are seemingly loaded with offensive talent (Alstott, Dunn, Emanuel, Green), but they have struggled, so why not beef up the offensive line? With OL Paul Gruber aging, Stinchcomb should be able to give Trent Dilfer more time in the pocket to find his receivers. The Bucs aren't that far away, so adding Stinchcomb may be the piece of the puzzle that puts them over the top. - Tennessee Titans - Rob Konrad (FB) - Syracuse
The Titans are desperate to find a backfield partner for RB Eddie George, and Rob Konrad is the perfect fit. George gets banged up and worn down too often late in games because he has to open his own holes. Konrad will give him the blocker he needs to return to his rookie year form. In addition, Konrad is an excellent runner and receiver in his own right, giving QB Steve McNair one more weapon to work with. - Seattle Seahawks - David Boston (WR) - Ohio State
The Seahawks are a team that is loaded with talent, yet they seem to underachieve every year. That should change under new coach Mike Holmgren. What the Seahawks need is a wide receiver to take some pressure off of All-Pro WR Joey Galloway. Teaming these to former Ohio State Buckeyes will give Seattle a dynamic duo that will give the rest of the AFC West fits for years. - Oakland Raiders - Kris Farris (OT) - UCLA
The Raiders offense has been awful for several years now, and the best way to re-build it is through the offensive line. The Raiders have given up on Jeff George and signed Rich Gannon as their QB, so they need to bring in some players to give him time to get the ball to Tim Brown. LB Andy Katzenmoyer may also be an option here. - New York Giants - Andy Katzenmoyer (LB) - Ohio State
If Katzenmoyer had come out last year, he would have been a sure-fire top-5 pick. But he had a mediocre year this year, and has seen his stock plummet. However, I think that once the "Big Kat" finally gets to the NFL, he will re-establish himself. He is a tremendous talent, and adding him to an already excellent Giants "D" could make them dominant. OL Aaron Gibson or TE Rufus French are also options for the Giants. - New England Patriots - Ebenezer Ekuban (DE) - North Carolina
The Patriots were an up-and-down team all season, and a lot of their inconsistency had to do with their lack of production from the defensive line. Ekuban would give them a stud pass rusher that would allow their linebackers and defensive backs to play more aggressively. He is a little raw, but has tremendous talent. The Pats could also go with OT Aaron Gibson as a future replacement for the aging Bruce Armstrong. - Arizona Cardinals - Larry Smith (DT) - Florida State
The Cardinals solidified their offensive line with the #8 pick, and now they can focus on making a good, young defense even better. Smith has a huge upside, and coupled with former teammate Andre Wadsworth, Simeon Rice, and Eric Swann, they will form the best young defensive line the NFL has seen in years. A linebacker like Rahim Abdullah of Clemson is also an option with this pick. - Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Kerney (DE) - Virginia
The Cowboys seem to have aging veterans at nearly every position. If they are to continue to be a playoff-caliber team, they must get some young talent, and quickly. Kerney has really established himself during the college All-Star games, and would give the Cowboys the pass rush they need to take some pressure off the rest of their defense. Dallas could also go with OT Aaron Gibson with this pick, as their offensive line is getting old as well. - Buffalo Bills - Rufus French (TE) - Mississippi
The Bills rode the magic carpet ride that was Doug Flutie this past season all the way to the playoffs. However, they are going to need to get more talented on offense if they wish to maintain their current level of play. French gives them the pass-catching TE they have been missing since Pete Metzelaar's hayday. WR Peerless Price or LB Rahim Abdullah could also be options for the Bills. - Miami Dolphins - Peerless Price (WR) - Tennessee
The Dolphins have a tremendous young defense, but their offense is predictable and boring. Drafting Price will give them another offensive weapon for Dan Marino to work with. If Yatil Green ever gets healthy, a receiving corps of Green, McDuffie, and Price would give the Dolphins the offensive spark they would need to contend for the Super Bowl. - Green Bay Packers - Antwan Edwards (S) - Clemson
The Minnesota Vikings made it perfectly clear to the Packers that they simply don't have the talent in their defensive backfield to keep up with Randy Moss & Co. If the Packers are to get the NFC Central title back, they must get some new blood in their defense. Edwards is a tremendous talent with the ability to play corner or safety. He will fit right in with new coach Ray Rhodes' fierce personality and attitude. - Jacksonville Jaguars - Lamar King (DE) - Saginaw Valley State
The Jaguars have all the talent they need on the offensive side of the football to compete for the Super Bowl, but they need to upgrade their defense if they ever hope to win the whole thing. King has great potential to become a big-time pass rusher. He is still a bit raw, and he played at a small school, so some experts have reservations about his potential. King will prove all his critics wrong and become a quality NFL defensive end. - San Francisco 49ers - Cade McNown (QB) - UCLA
McNown is the biggest enigma in the draft. Some scouts see him as the second coming of Steve Young or Jake Plummer, and others think he will be a complete bust. Look for Bill Walsh to put his stamp on the Niners by drafting Young's eventual replacement this year. McNown is the perfect West Coast Offense QB, and will thrive in the Niners system. If the Niners stay away from McNown, look for them to take OT Aaron Gibson to fortify their shaky offensive line. - New England Patriots (from NY Jets) - Jared DeVries (DT) - Iowa
The Patriots need to add some spark to a defensive front seven that ranked in the bottom third of the league in defense. DeVries gives them a motor that won't quit in the middle of their defensive line. He is one of the few players that actually could matchup with Wisconsin's OT Aaron Gibson this past season. If the Pats don't go with a defensive pick, they could select a wide receiver like Troy Edwards. - Minnesota Vikings - Rahim Abdullah (LB) - Clemson
The Vikings certainly don't need any help on offense, so they will look to continue to improve their defense through the draft. Abdullah would be an immediate contributor for them. He has tremendous speed for a linebacker, and is a superb east-west pursuit player. Another option for the Vikings would be to take DB Anthony Poindexter. - Atlanta Falcons - Aaron Gibson (OL) - Wisconsin
The Falcons came out of nowhere to make it to the Super Bowl this season, largely because of Jamal Anderson and a good, no-name defense. However, the Falcons need to improve their offensive line, and Gibson would be a great place to start. It is unclear whether Gibson will play tackle or guard in the NFL (because of his size), but either way, he would open some huge holes for the Falcons offense next season. - Denver Broncos - Anthony Poindexter (DB) - Virginia
The Broncos are a tremendous team, but they do have weaknesses on defense. Poindexter is a safety in the mold of Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater, meaning he hits like a Mack truck. He needs to refine his coverage skills, but Poindexter would give the Broncos a presence in their defensive backfield that opposing offenses have to worry about. He would have easily been a top-15 pick if not for a knee injury this past season.Check out Jeff Ely's second round!
Questions or Comments? E-mail Jeff Ely at jsely@yahoo.com. I will try to respond to as many e-mails as possible.