Final Mock Draft of the Year

The draft is near and speculation over trades, player stock, and team needs is at its peak. Here is our final mock draft of the year. Let us know what you think. Email us at [email protected]. Rounds 4-7 will be added during the week.

Round One | Round Two | Round Three | Fourth Round

4/22/02

Pick Team Player School
33. Cincinnati Al Johnson - C Wisconsin
Although Brock Gutierrez hasn't had a chance to prove himself as a starting center, the Bengals can't pass up a chance to grab Johnson. He's a tall center (6-3 3/4, 305) with unusually long arms. Isn't the drive blocker Jeff Faine is but has lots of experience run blocking.
34. Detroit Kenny Peterson - DL Ohio State
Defensive stalwart Luther Ellis is aging and young tackle Shaun Rogers needs a fire lit under him. With little depth at defensive end as well, the Lions are in need of a versatile performer to upgrade their defensive line. Peterson will provide that. Has a sturdy build (6-3, 295) that allows him to play end and tackle. Could play end on 1st and 2nd downs and move inside on passing downs. Will help take some heat off young speed rusher Kalimba Edwards.
35. Chicago Sammy Davis - CB Texas A&M
With the athletically-gifted but inconsistent duo of R.W. McQuarters and Jerry Azumeh starting at corner the Bears need to add some depth fast. Davis is a fiesty corner who isn't blessed with the natural tools of the trade, but makes up for it with sound, technical play. Could step in immediately as a third corner.
36. Houston Taylor Jacobs* - WR Florida
Even with the selection of Johnson in the first round the Texans can't pass on adding another dynamic offensive weapon. Jacobs has decent size (6-0 1/4, 205) and has good speed. Makes some spectacular plays and really run after the catch. Gives David Carr one more target.
37. Arizona Bryant Johnson - WR Penn State
The Cardinals are desperate for wide receiver help after losing David Boston and MarTay Jenkins to free agency. Johnson reallt impressed scouts during his workouts, showing excellent speed and hands. Arizona has so little talent at receiver Johnson could be their top guy by the end of training camp.
38. Dallas Lee Suggs - RB Virginia Tech
With Emmitt Smith out the search to replace him begins. Suggs is a compact back (5-11 3/4, 205) with a nice burst through the line and the ability to absorb and bounce off hits. Not great at turning the corner but adequate. Should be able to step right in and start over Troy Hambrick.
39. Jacksonville Vince Manuwai Hawaii
The Jags lost starting center John Wade and guards Zach Weigert and Todd Fordham. With only Daryl Terrell available the Jags need to upgrade. Manuwai is a brawler with nimble feet to boot. He is an experienced pass blocker, playing in Hawaii's pass-happy offense. He's not huge (6-2, 305) but he's built like a rock. He'll need work on his run blocking.
40. Minnesota Rien Long* - DL Washington State
The Vikes defensive line needs depth and versatility. Long can provide both. Long is a tall tackle (6-6, 300) who won the outland Trophy in 2002. Has great quickness for a tackle with the versatility to move outside to end. A nice complement to Chris Hovan.
41. Baltimore George Foster - OT Georgia
Despite the signing of Orlando Brown the Ravens need a long term answer to play opposite LT Jonathan Ogden. Foster (6-5 1/2, 335) has been injury prone but has flashed big time ability. He has long arms and can really push people around. Needs time to learn but with good coaching could be special.
42. Seattle Terry Pierce* - MLB Kansas State
Injuries devastated the Hawks' linebackers in 2002. Starting MLB Isaiah Kacyvenski's play was average before being sidelined by injury. Pierce is a monster run stuffer who can really blow things up between the tackles. Not the fastest guy but he's no Levon Kirkland. Will push Kacyvenski for playing time immediately.
43. St. Louis Tyler Brayton - DL Colorado
The Rams lost fireplug DT Jeff Zgonina in free agency, a key member of their defensive line rotation. His loss thinned out an already weak area. Brayton, like Grant Wistrom, is a high-motor player with the capability to play both inside and outside. He's probably better suited to play end but could move inside on passing downs. Gives the Rams some nice options.
44. Washington Cory Redding - DE Texas
In 2002, outside of the departed Daryl Gardener, the Skins got little production from their defensive line. The aging Bruce Smith and Renaldo Wynn were ineffective and Dan Wilkinson continued to disappoint. Dan Snyder signed Brandon Noble and Regan Upshaw this winter to add depth but more is needed. Redding (6-4, 280) looks like a stud, and at times plays like one. His physical style of play could really help set a tone for the Skins defense.
45. Carolina Bennie Joppru - TE Michigan
Longtime Panther Wesley Walls was released this offseason, leaving a hole Kris Mangum cannot fill. Walls was Carolina's go-to player on offense for many years and with a young QB taking over another pass catching TE is needed. Joppru has fantastic hands and good speed despite his size (6-4, 270). Not a great blocker but adequate. He could be a superior long snapper too.
46. San Diego Eugene Wilson - CB Illinois
The Chargers made corner Quentin Jammer their first pick last season and look to upgrade their thin secondary. Alex Molden is gone and Ryan McNeil may have to move to free safety. Tay Cody is returning from a toe injury. Wilson is a well put together corner (5-10, 195) who has incredible natural atheltic talent. Needs to become more of a tactician than a gambler. With time Wilson could be a top notch cover man.
47. Kansas City Julian Battle - DB Tennessee
A versatile player who played both free safety and corner in college. Battle is a very good athlete and looks comfortable in coverage. Has great size (6-2 1/4, 205) for a corner and exceptional cover skills for a safety. Has had motivation problems and gets sloppy at times. Vermeil cna fix that.
48. Buffalo Tyrone Calico - WR Middle Tennessee State
The Bills traded Peerless Price to Atlanta and are now looking a third receiver (or second) to complement Eric Moulds and Josh Reed. Calico has the speed and size (6-3 3/4, 220) of a superstar without the production to show for it. Calico played at a small school but did not shine as brightly as he probably should have. His route running is sloppy and his hands are a bit suspect. He might be a workout warrior but his potential is hard to ignore.
49. Miami Ken Hamlin* - SS Arkansas
Strong safety Arturo Freeman doesn't look like he's coming back. The Dolphins have little depth behind him. Hamlin has had some off the field problems but has fantastic skills. He's a big (6-2 1/2, 210) guy that can really play the run well. Not an accomplished coverage guy but has the athletic akill to improve their.
50. New England Nick Barnett - OLB Oregon State
With Roosevelt Colvin manning the strongside for New England the Pats must look across the field to Roman Phifer. The aging vet provides some nice depth but isn't a starter anymore. Barnett (6-1 3/4, 235) is a converted safety with great speed and agility. Still needs to get stronger but will give New England more of the speed they crave.
51. Denver Kevin Garrett - CB Southern Methodist
The Broncos lost starting corner Denard Walker to Minnesota and have little depth after elevating Jimmy Spencer to starter alongside Deltha O'Neal. A high school sprint champ, Garrett needs some time to develop so his technique can catch up to his outstanding athletic ability. Garrett is cousins with San Diego's Quentin Jammer. Good genes.
52. Cleveland Gerald Hayes - MLB Pittsburgh
Anytime you go into a season with Barry Gardner as your starting middle linebacker you're in trouble. The Browns released or lost three of their starting linebackers from last season. Hayes is smallish (6-0 3/4, 235) but plays a lot bigger. He's not fast but can explode at the point of attack. Should be able to beat out Gardner immediately.
53. NY Jets Eddie Moore - OLB Tennessee
Mo Lewis is getting up there in age and Sam Cowart is injury prone. The Jets need to start thinking about the future. Moore is a stocky (6-0 1/2, 235) strongside backer who plays with a fire in his belly. He'll be able to understudy for a season and then make his move into the starting lineup. Will make a good special team guy right away.
54. New Orleans L.J. Smith - TE Rutgers
The Saints signed Ernie Conwell this offseason but still would like to get their hands on a young tight end to develop behind him. Smith is a physical specimen who's speed and pass catching potential have teams buzzing. Smith is a well built (6-3, 260) prospect with very good hands and the speed to get deep. Not a great blocker but has the strength and feet to be one. With coaching he could be a real steal.
55. Atlanta DeWayne White* - DE Louisville
The Falcons need another big end to play in their 3-4 formation. Brady Smith was inconsistent last season and could be replaced. White had some outstanding stats at Louisville. He's a big end (6-2 1/4, 273) who has pass rushing skills. Needs to be more consistent. If he can put it together White could be a steal for Atlanta.
56. NY Giants Justin Fargas - RB USC
The Giants may have finally given up on Ron Dayne despite what they say. They need a runner to take some heat off workhorse Tiki Barber. Fargas exploded onto the scene with a blistering 40-time at the Combine. Injury-prone throughout his career Fargas stayed healthy for his senior season and really showed the skills he was thought to be capable of since his freshmen year at Michigan.
57. San Francisco Nick Eason - DT Clemson
Dana Stubblefield's departure across the Bay to Oakland isn't devastating, but it leaves a hole in the middle of the Niners' line. Jim Flanigan is a plugger but more of a spot guy than a starter. Eason has immense talent that just needs to be harnessed. He got good size (6-3, 300) and excellent quickness. He'll benefit from playing next to a guy like Bryant Young.
58. Indianapolis Drayton Florence - CB Tuskegee
Even with the selection of Doss in the first round the Colts need to continue to bolster their secondary. Florence is a small school stand out with good size (6-0 1/4, 198) and oodles of athletic skills. Could flourish in Tony Dungy's Cover-2 scheme. Will need to work harder.
59. Pittsburgh Rashean Mathis - DB Bethune-Cookman
The Steelers secondary is a show. Corners Chad Scott and DeWayne Washington were riddled all season long. Safeties Mike Logan, Brent Alexander, and Chris Hope all lack athletic ability. Help is needed. Mathis is a Division 1-AA standout. He is a big (6-0, 205) corner and a very athletic safety. Mathis played both in college, racking up an impressive number of interceptions. Needs work to be really good at either position though. Offers the Steelers good versatility.
60. Tennessee Onterrio Smith* - RB Oregon
Eddie George enjoyed a good season in 2002 but is still showing signs of decline. He taken a lot of hits over his career and the Titans need to start the search for his heir. Smith is a powerful, compact (5-9, 220) back with superior quickness and outstanding speed. A nice complement to George. Smith has had off-the-field problems though. If he can focus on football and stay healthy, Smith can be a featured back.
61. Philadelphia^ Anquan Boldin* - WR Florida State
With Freddie Mitchell looking more and more like a bust the Eagles need to find a legit third receiver. Boldin came to FSU as a QB but switched to receiver. Boldin isn't a burner but has nice size (6-0, 215) and strength to beat the press at the line of scrimmage. He's still learning the position but shows flashes of being special, especially after he catches the ball. As an former QB Boldin has an outstanding arm, something Andy Reid could utilize with some of the trick plays he loves to run. Boldin suffered an ACL tear in 2001.
62. Philadelphia Chris Brown* - RB Colorado
With no defensive end worth taking the Eagles once again focus on improving the future of the offense. With Duce Staley's Eagle tenure precarious every season, Andy Reid looks to hedge his bet by selecting the explosive Brown. Brown is a big (6-2 3/4, 220), lanky back in the Eddie George mold. He runs straight up like George too. Has great speed and strength. Brown absorbs a lot of hits. Injuries could be a concern. Brown could be a starter as soon as 2004 if Staley is a cap casualty and Correll Buckhalter isn't able to regain the burst he showed before his foot injury.
63. Oakland Musa Smith* - RB Georgia
The Raiders are happy with Charlie Garner, and why shouldn't they be? The do realize though that Garner is a small back and the hits add up. Smith is a bruiser at 6-0 3/4, 232. He's not that shifty but gets north and south very well. Similar to Tyrone Wheatley who he would eventually replace.
64. Tampa Bay Brandon Lloyd - WR Illinois
The Bucs have solid pass catchers in Keyshawn Johnson and Joe Jurevicius, but neither are deep threats (unless they're being covered by Barry Gardner and Blaine Bishop). Lloyd doesn't have the size (6-1, 185) of Johnson or Jurevicius, but can get downfield and make the tough catch on the long ball. He has the number one guy mentality - he wants the ball in the clutch.

* When next to player's name Denotes underclassmen
^ Pick acquired from Green Bay in Al Harris deal

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