1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have a multitude of needs, which is why I think they'll trade down, but the quickest way to get this franchise back on it's feet and put fans back in the stands is to get a big-name QB like Rogers. It doesn't appear that the new coaching staff is sold on Tim Rattay as the answer, and having the #1 overall pick doesn't happen too often, so San Francisco has to grab a franchise QB now.
2. Miami Dolphins
Of course the direction the Dolphins go with this pick will depend on what Nick Saban wants to do to rebuild the team, and if the Dolphins will find a way to clear up enough cap space to nab a guy like Edgerrin James, Shaun Alexander or Travis Henry. Since the Dolphins have already spent a high second round pick on AJ Feely, they need to continue to give him chances to prove himself. This team lacks any threat at running back, and Cedric Benson could provide them basically what they lost when Ricky Williams retired. His excellent running skills could also help take some of the pressure off the passing game.
3. Cleveland Browns
Jeff Garcia's departure from Cleveland significantly increases the chance that Cleveland will take a quarterback here. Romeo Crennel knows the importance of a smart quarterback and Alex Smith can be the Browns' QB of the future, and hopefully solve their problems here. Alex Barron would be another big possibility because the Browns have been wanting a good left tackle for a couple of years now, but this might be a little high to draft him. If the Browns do pass on a QB, Derrick Johnson would be a great piece to the 3-4 defense that Crennell will install.
4. Chicago Bears
Most people will tell you that Braylon Edwards will be selected before Mike Williams, but I think Mike Williams is going to wow people with his speed in the 40. That, combined with better hands than Braylon will lead to the Bears picking Williams instead. Lovie Smith's offense will never work without talent at WR, so I would expect Chicago to go wide receiver with this pick, whether it be Williams or Edwards.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jon Gruden would love to stop playing "musical chair running backs" and just find one guy capable of carrying the load. Michael Pittman is flashy but can't be relied upon due to off the field troubles, Charlie Garner is past his time and Mike Alstott is no longer suited for feature-back duties. Ronnie Brown would give the Buccaneers' running game a physical presence and help take some of the pressure off the inconsistent passing game. Mike Williams is another possibility, and Jon Gruden was ready to take him last year until Williams as declared ineligible, but with rookie Michael Clayton making such a huge impact, running back is a bigger need than wide receiver.
6. Tennessee Titans
Brad Hopkins and Fred Miller are no longer the players they used to be, and the Titans could use depth anyway. The Titans could use help on the defensive line, but after spending draft picks on Travis LaBoy, Randy Starks and Antwaan Odom, they need to see if those players are going to pan out before spending more money and draft picks there.
7. Oakland Raiders
Norv Turner's offense is built around having elite talent at running back, and the Raiders currently don't have that. Cadillac would provide Oakland with a multi-purpose running back and push marginal players like Tyrone Wheatley and Justin Fargas to the bench. I wouldn't be surprised to see Oakland trade up and nab Cedric Benson because he really fits Turner's offense more than a guy like Cadillac does, but at any rate Williams would be a great improvement over what they currently have. Other possibilities would be Antrel Rolle or Pac-Man Jones because Charles Woodson won't likely be brought back and now Philip Buchanon is expressing his displeasure with the organization and is demanding a trade.
8. Arizona Cardinals
With the top QB's and RB's gone, Arizona can address one of their other pressing needs which is cornerback. Duane Starks hasn't been the player he was in Baltimore, and the team has little depth there anyway. Rolle could start immediately and provide more talent to a promising young defense. An offensive tackle could be a possibility as well since the team is looking to trade LJ Shelton.
9. Washington Redskins
Joe Gibbs said the team's biggest weakness is a lack of a pass rush. Erasmus James could easily start from Week 1 and provide a solid Redskins defense with an element they are currently lacking, which is simply getting after the quarterback. Other possibilities would be CB where Fred Smoot is scheduled to become a free agent and may not return, and Shawn Springs is getting old.
10. Detroit Lions
The Lions seem to have the pieces in place on offense, except for maybe at tight end, but this would likely be too high to select a tight end. Instead, they can add another physical presence to their defense and fill a need at the same time.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Parcells seems to be devoted to switching the Cowboys' defense to a 3-4 scheme, but Dallas doesn't currently have the linebackers necessary to make that switch. Johnson could immediately start at one of the linebacker positions for Dallas, whether it be inside or outside. Other possibilities would include cornerback, defensive end or defensive tackle, but those needs can be addressed with their next two picks because Derrick Johnson would be too good to pass up.
12. San Diego Chargers (from NY Giants)
The Chargers' offense had no problems scoring points in 2004, but Keenan McCardell is aging and the Chargers could use depth at wide receiver anyway. Other possibilities would include the offensive line or defensive end.
13. Carolina Panthers
John Fox's game plan for success is to pound the ball on the ground, control the clock, and keep the defense fresh. On that note, their offensive line did not play as well in 2004 as it did in 2003, and it seemed to affect the entire team. Jamaal Brown is a physical guy who could probably play either tackle or guard if needed, and would help get Carolina's running game back on it's feet, especially with a healthy Stephen Davis and Deshaun Foster. Other possibilities would include wide receiver where they may not be able to afford to keep Muhsin Muhammad, and Steve Smith will be returning from injury.
14. Houston Texans
Merriman is the perfect fit for Houston's 3-4 defense and could possibly replace Kailee Wong in the starting lineup.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will never win a Super Bowl until they get some defense. Jones' stock has been soaring lately and he would bring some much needed speed and athleticism to a push-over secondary. Even if Jones doesn't fall this far, I would look for Kansas City to go defense with this pick where they could also use help just about everywhere.
16. New Orleans Saints
The stats don't lie. New Orleans finished dead last in total defense for a reason. The Saints could use help at defensive tackle even if Jonathan Sullivan finally starts living up to the hype, but they will desperately need help at DT if Sullivan continues to underachieve. Other possibilities would include inside or outside linebacker.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finally got some decent play from the cornerback position this year in free agents Deltha O'Neal and Tory James. Marvin Lewis knows the importance of being able to stop the run, and Anttaj Hawthorne is probably the best pure run-stuffer in this year's class. He could start immediately next to John Thornton.
18. Minnesota Vikings
With the top linebackers gone, defensive tackle makes sense for Minnesota since Chris Hovan has already cleared out his locker. They may also look at cornerback with this pick, because they are lacking depth, but for now the group they have is adequate.
19. St. Louis Rams
It's hard to actually predict Mike Martz picking a defensive player in the first round, since he never seems to want to, but the Rams have got to address their lack of depth in the secondary with this pick. Rogers could make a push to start immediately or at least provide better depth.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Buffalo)
Spears could fall to Dallas here because he doesn't have a true position but would work well as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. As with their linebacking corps, Dallas does not have the prototypical defensive linemen to accomodate switching to a 3-4. Spears could start immediately and push free agent bust Marcellus Wiley to the bench.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Hugh Douglass experiment failed miserably, and Tony Brackens finally wore out his welcome as well. Much like Washington, Jacksonville's defense was solid, but couldn't get pressure on the quarterback without blitzing. Jack Del Rio, being a defensive minded guy, will likely choose a pass rusher with this pick, and Cody would be a great fit. Cody could easily start immediately and hopefully allow Jacksonville to get pressure with only their front four, much like Carolina did when Del Rio was defensive coordinator there.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore's desire to acquire a good wide receiver is well documented. They almost had one until the Eagles stole Terrell Owens away, so they settled for former Browns' wide receiver Kevin Johnson who has been nothing to brag about. Travis Taylor had the worst year of his career, and will not be brought back. Wide receiver is unquestionably the biggest need this team has, and Clayton could start immediately and help take some of the pressure off Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap, as well as give Kyle Boller another developmental tool to work with.
23. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have all the pieces in place on offense, but saw their defense squander too many leads. Crowder could push Orlando Huff to the bench and instantly provide Seattle with a run-stuffing presence in the middle.
24. Green Bay Packers
The Packers' secondary has been horrible, but they spent a first round pick on Ahmad Carroll last year, and they need to see what kind of player he's going to be before spending more picks at that position. They are equally as thin at defensive end, where no one is really capable of getting pressure on the quarterback other than Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Pollack could make an immediate impact.
25. Denver Broncos
The Broncos let Bert Berry go as a free agent, and are now wanting to trade Trevor Pryce. That leaves Reggie Hayward as the only lineman capable of getting consistent pressure on the QB. Roth is a high-motor guy that could make an instant impact to a hurting defensive line.
26. New York Jets
The Jets have no difference makers at cornerback, and Miller is a pretty good value this late in the 1st round. TE Heath Miller would also be intriguing if he were still available, but CB is widely considered a more important position than TE.
27. Atlanta Falcons
Jim Mora Jr's schemes greatly improved the Falcons' defense, and a healthy DeAngelo Hall should help the secondary in 2005. Therefore, the Falcons could use this pick on offense, where they could really use help along the offensive line, because Vick has been running for dear life for most of the season. Terry is a mammoth offensive tackle and could start immediately, helping to protect Michael Vick.
28. San Diego Chargers
Now that San Diego has addressed wide receiver, they can look towards the defensive side of the ball. Pool would fill the Chargers' need at free safety and help to continue to improve a young and improving defense..
29. Indianapolis Colts
Clearly the Colts need no help on offense, and although the defense was much improved in 2004, especially in the takeaway department, they could use a talent like Browner. Browner provides both size and speed that the Colts' secondary is lacking. Other possibilities could be defensive tackle, but with so many of them gone at this point, it would be a major reach to take one here when they could get similar value in Round 2. They may also look at running back in case they are unable to afford to keep Edgerrin James.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite having the #1 ranked defense in the league, Pittsburgh's cornerbacks aren't spectacular and were protected for the most part by the Steelers' fantastic front 7, however New England exposed them in the Championship Game. Jackson could make a push to start or at least provide better depth.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
This pick will obviously have alot to do with what the Eagles decide to do with their cap money, and if they end up signing Muhsin Muhammad they probably will not draft a receiver. But until then, the Eagles have no difference makers at wide receiver besides Owens, and Williamson could probably push Pinkston to the slot immediately.
32. New England
I originally had New England taking a cornerback here, but who needs them when you can shut down Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb with a bunch of no-names and wide receivers in the secondary. Brown is a big road-grader type of guard who could start immediately, especially if Joe Andruzzi isn't re-signed.
QB Aaron Rogers - Cal
RB Cedric Benson - Texas
QB Alex Smith - Utah
WR Mike Williams - USC
RB Ronnie Brown - Auburn
OT Alex Barron - Florida St.
Cadillac Williams - Auburn
CB Antrel Rolle - Miami
DE Erasmus James - Wisconsin
S Thomas Davis - Georgia
LB Derrick Johnson - Texas
WR Braylon Edwards - Michigan
OT Jammal Brown - Oklahoma
OLB Shawn Merriman - Maryland
CB Pac-Man Jones - West Virginia
DT Travis Johnson - Florida St.
DT Anttaj Hawthorne - Wisconsin
DT Shaun Cody - USC
CB Carlos Rogers - Auburn
DE Marcus Spears - LSU
DE Dan Cody - Oklahoma
WR Mark Clayton - Oklahoma
ILB Channing Crowder - Florida
DE David Pollack - Georgia
DE Matt Roth - Iowa
CB Justin Miller - Clemson
OT Adam Terry - Syracuse
S Brodney Pool - Oklahoma
CB Brandon Browner - Oregon St.
CB Marlin Jackson - Michigan
WR Troy Williamson - South Carolina
OG Elton Brown - Virginia