Ask Mark

The Bengals have removed all suspense from the first overall pick in the NFL draft, which begins today, by signing quarterback Carson Palmer in advance. But 31 picks remain in the first round.

The Enquirer's annual mock draft:

No. 1. Bengals: Carson Palmer, QB, Southern Cal

Palmer, the Heisman Trophy winner, will learn for at least a year behind starter Jon Kitna. Much of Marvin Lewis' success in turning around the Bengals will depend on the depth Palmer's development.

No. 2. Lions: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State

Detroit gets its man in the big, fast, home-state star. Team officials are not scared off by a suspicious urine test at the combine, and Rogers (68 receptions, 13 touchdowns) gives Joey Harrington a go-to target.

No. 3. Texans: Andre Johnson, WR, Miami (Fla.)

Ditto in Houston, where David Carr gets a new favorite receiver. Johnson, another early-entry junior, is tough in a crowd and hard to tackle at 6 feet 2, 230 pounds. He had nine touchdowns and a 21.6-yard average in '02.

No. 4. Jets: Dewayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky

New York wanted the 317-pound defensive lineman badly enough to trade its Nos.13 and 22 picks to Chicago on Friday. Robertson, who rose to the top of the D-line class, can plug the inside and is developing quickly as a pass rusher.

No. 5. Cowboys: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State

Dallas has needs everywhere, but the multi-talented Newman offers too much upside to pass up. He will be an instant starter on defense and will return kicks if needed. The Cowboys also are eyeing Robertson and other defensive linemen.

No. 6. Cardinals: Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State

The Cardinals have 40 sacks in the past two seasons combined, and Suggs, the NCAA single-season sack champion with 24, fills their biggest need. Questionable workout can't overshadow what Suggs did for the Sun Devils.

No. 7. Vikings: Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State

If Minnesota stays put - it would like to trade down and take Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant - it will take the 322-pound Kennedy. He had five sacks and 15 tackles for loss in '02 and has shown ability to beat the double-team.

No. 8. Jaguars: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

Quarterback Mark Brunell is 19-27 as a starter the past three seasons, and new Jacksonville player personnel VP James Harris still wishes he had drafted Daunte Culpepper while with the Ravens. Leftwich had supporters at No. 1 overall.

No. 9. Panthers: Jordan Gross, OT, Utah

Carolina has invested well on its defense in recent seasons and needs to upgrade its offensive line. Gross is this year's franchise left tackle, and the Panthers will fill another major need at tight end in the second round.

No. 10. Ravens: Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State

For the third time in six seasons, Baltimore will draft a cornerback at No. 10 overall (Duane Starks, Chris McAlister). An impressive Senior Bowl week helped Trufant's stock rise. He had 69 tackles and three interceptions in '02.

No. 11. Seahawks: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State

Seattle has not drafted a defensive tackle higher than the fourth round in coach Mike Holmgren's tenure, and the need is dire. Seven sacks in '02 and a great Senior Bowl moved Williams to the head of the class at the position.

No. 12. Rams: Boss Bailey, LB, Georgia

The needs are many in St. Louis, and Bailey fills a big one at linebacker. A cornerback, a position where the Rams took heavy free agent losses, is a possibility. Bailey had 100 tackles and four sacks in '02 and is quick and agile.

No. 13. Bears: Jonathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia

Chicago traded down to get the Jets' picks Friday, and they have it has four defensive linemen lumped as almost identical. A slim possibility exists that the Bears could take Cal QB Kyle Boller here and develop him behind Kordell Stewart.x

No. 14. Patriots: Kwame Harris, OT, Stanford

New England needs a left tackle, and Harris is a solid pass blocker. But the Patriots, with this pick from Buffalo in the Drew Bledsoe trade, might trade up to try to get one of two defensive tackles, Robertson or Sullivan.

No. 15. Chargers: William Joseph, DT, Miami (Fla.)

San Diego has significantly upgraded an already productive offense in free agency (FB Lorenzo Neal, WR David Boston), and it's time to work on the defense. Joseph had 13.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss in his final two college seasons.

No. 16. Chiefs: Chris Kelsay, DE, Nebraska

Kansas City is another club that would like to trade down. Kelsay is a pass-rush specialist but, at 273 pounds, would need to pick up some weight to better stop the run. The Chiefs need help in all defensive positions and are flexible in drafting.

No. 17. Saints: E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland

New Orleans would like to trade up with this pick and get Georgia defensive tackle Sullivan. If they stay in this spot, the Saints will go after Henderson, whom they consider to be the best player on the board in this scenario.

No. 18. Saints: Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame

With this pick from Miami (the Ricky Williams trade), New Orleans would like to move down. If not, they will take Faine, another in the long line of early-entry juniors who - like Henderson - will fill a major need in the lineup.

No. 19. Patriots: Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State

At almost 6-4 and 281 pounds, Haynes impressed scouts in postseason all-star games. And he wasn't bad during the season, coming up with 14.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles. He's a big hitter who will fit in nicely.

No. 20. Broncos: Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami (Fla.)

Having changed the personality of their offense in free agency (Jake Plummer in, Brian Griese out at QB), Denver looks to improve its defense. The only knock on McDougle is his height, 6-2, but he's strong coming from the outside rush.

No. 21. Browns: Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma

Cleveland lost its three starting linebackers, but coach Butch Davis doesn't like to draft LBs high. So look for the Browns to try to fill another major need, at corner, with converted wide receiver Woolfolk. Great potential.

No. 22. Bears: Kyle Boller, QB, California

GM Jerry Angelo gambled and lost that he could get quarterback Patrick Ramsey in the second round last year. Most team officials like Boller better than remaining QBs, although one considers Boller a one-year collegiate wonder.

No. 23. Bills: Sammy Davis, CB, Texas A&M

Buffalo has Atlanta's pick in exchange for wide receiver Peerless Price. Even though he's just 186 pounds, Davis has become a more physical player without losing his ability to blitz.

No. 24. Colts: Jason Witten, TE, Tennessee

Yet another early-entry player, Witten helps the Colts correct their mistake of letting go of Ken Dilger in free agency. The loss of a blocking tight end hurt the running game of Edgerrin James. Witten, a former defensive end, had 44 catches in '02.

No. 25. Giants: Ty Warren, DT, Texas A&M

New York desperately wants a defensive tackle, and Warren is the best left on the board. He has good body control against the run and can rush the passer (8.5 sacks in '01 and '02). The only concern is Warren's weight - 307 pounds.

No. 26. 49ers: Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida

San Francisco has major needs on the defensive line and at wide receiver, and after the run on defensive tackles the team will go with a receiver. Jacobs had 64 receptions with eight touchdowns in '02, despite some injuries.

No. 27. Steelers: Troy Polamalu, S, Southern Cal

Pittsburgh is letting former starter Lee Flowers go in free agency and likes Polamalu a lot. He looks like a Steeler-in-waiting, a hard-hitter with an emotional edge. Polamalu can play the pass, blitz and block kicks on special teams.

No. 28. Titans: Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State

Eddie George's heir apparent comes to Nashville. The Titans also like Tennessee WR Kelley Washington but are concerned about his health. Johnson ran for 2,015 yards with an eight-yard average and 23 touchdowns in '02.

No. 29. Packers: Kyle Boller, QB, California

Speaking of an heir apparent, Boller will be groomed to replace Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Green Bay has numerous needs but has had success finding Pro Bowl players (six) in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. Florida QB Rex Grossman is Plan B.

No. 30. Eagles: Willis McGahee, RB, Miami (Fla.)

Philadelphia was hit hard in free agency but has enough depth to weather the losses this season. McGahee, the comeback kid after his serious knee injury, is a luxury item that could end up paying off big in a year or two.

No. 31. Raiders: Chris Brown, RB, Colorado

Oakland has this pick and No. 32 (from Tampa Bay), and would like to move down. Brown is a tough, unpolished gem (1,744 yards in '02) who needs to work on his pass catching. But he comes into the league as an effective inside runner.

No. 32. Raiders: Kenny Peterson, DL, Ohio State

The Raiders like defensive linemen who can play both inside and out. They're looking to replace Sam Adams at DT, and Peterson gives them versatility. A good Fiesta Bowl helped his value. He had six sacks in 14 games in '02.

Return to Bengals front page...