Dr. Z's Mock Draft

It's a great time to be a defensive lineman. Eight went in the first round last year. Nine were chosen that early in 2001. "In this era you can't get by with just four or even five defensive linemen," Giants vice president and general manager Ernie Accorsi says. "You need to keep the rotation going. If your pass rush tires late in the game, you get killed. That's what happened to us against the 49ers in the playoffs." This year, I see as many as II going in the first round.

1 BENGALS
Carson Palmer, QB, Southern Cal New coach, new quarterback. Marvin Lewis ushers in what he hopes will be a brighter era in Cincinnati with the highest-rated passer on the board.

2 LIONS
Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State Detroit's worst fear: Houston trades into the top spot to get this talented 200-pounder who covers the 40 in the 4.30s.

3 TEXANS
Andre Johnson. WR, Miami Last year they loaded up on defense; now they get help for young QB David Carr. Johnson's numbers—230 pounds, 4.28 speed—are out of sight.

4 BEARS
Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky Great workouts made him one of the hottest players in the weeks leading up to the draft. This short (6'1") and explosive 324-pounder has run a 4.84.

5 SAINTS*
Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State Desperate for a cornerback, Jim Haslett engineers a trade with Dallas, giving up his two first-round choices (Nos. 17 and 18) to get the flashiest defensive back on the board.

6 CARDINALS
Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State Big-time sacker. "We've got to put the QB on the ground," says coach Dave McGinnis, whose team had only 65 sacks over the past three seasons.

7 VIKINGS
Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State "We've got a 6'8", 285-pound coach and 250-pound linemen," says coach Mike Tice. "We've got to get big." The 323-pound Kennedy qualifies.

8 JAGUARS
Byron Leftwich QB, Marshall Jacksonville is getting ready to say goodbye to the Mark Brunell era. Some rate Leftwich as the nation's best pure passer.

9 PANTHERS
Jordan Gross, T, Utah If Leftwich is still there, he could be the pick, but nobody's complaining about getting the quickest and most athletic tackle.