"This is really a beauty-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder draft," says Seahawks
general manager- coach Mike Holmgren
. Players who are projected high on one team's board are way down on another's. After you get past Michael Vick
, anything can happen. At least half a dozen teams want to trade down, but with cap money running thin, there are few takers. The action, if any, won't come until after the drafting begins. (Asterisk denotes a projected trade.)
1 CHARGERS
Michael Vick
, QB, VIRGINIA TECH
He'll be the NFL
's best athlete at his position, a title that once went to, well, Doug Flutie
, who will be Vick
's mentor.
2 CARDINALS
Gerard Warren
, DT, FLORIDA
A force for a team that desperately needs help up front, but Arizona
is one of many clubs that want to trade down.
3 BROWNS
LaDainian Tomlinson
, RB, TCU He shot up on the charts when he ran a 4.36 in the 40 at the combine—after weighing in at 221 pounds.
4 BENGALS
Leonard Davis
, T, TEXAS
I actually saw one scouting report on this 6'6", 370-pound monster that began, "Good size." He's also light on his feet.
5 FALCONS
Justin Smith
, DE, MISSOURI David Terrell
is a possibility, but serious edge rushers are scarcer than wideouts. Smith
has a nonstop motor and great endurance.
6 PATRIOTS
David Terrell
, WR. MICHIGAN Speed, size (6'3", 214 pounds), toughness—he has it all. You'd expect Bill Belichick
to go for defense, but Terrell
is special.
7 SEAHAWKS
(from Cowboys) Damione Lewis
, DT, MIAMI Holmgren picked up two DTs in free agency, but he wants more. "I'll never be caught short in defensive linemen again," he says.
8 BEARS
Andre Carter
, DE, CAL He's undersized at 249 pounds but a real competitor. Some Chicago
scouts are pushing for Wisconsin RB Michael Bennett
.
9 BUCS
(from 49ers
)* Kenyatta Walker
, T, FLORIDA Tampa Bay
moves up to get this smooth pass blocker, who will be immediately plugged in at left tackle.