2001 Draft Rewind
1		San Diego Chargers Jamal Lewis, RB, Tennessee
		It would be a photo finish for the top spot in the 2001 Draft, between Lewis and LaDainian Tomlinson. But Jamal's tremendous senior year puts him in San Diego.
2		Arizona Cardinals Lavar Arrington, LB, Penn State
		Arrington went second overall in 2000, and he is going second here too. His stock wouldn't improve much since his flaws weren't going to be fixed with experience. But Arizona can't pass on this reckless pass rusher.
3		Cleveland Browns (from San Francisco) LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU
		This pick might have saved the franchise. Tomlinson had the combine plus the college career to warrant this pick. If only Cleveland was this lucky.
4		Cincinnati Bengals Leonard Davis, T, Texas
		Richmond Webb is on his way out, and Cincy needs to reload the offensive line for Akili Smith and Peter Warrick. Davis, who could pass for a planet at his size, would be great value here.
5		Atlanta Falcons Plaxico Burress, WR, Michigan State
		Atlanta badly wants Arrington, but he slips out of there grasp. Plax would add a dimension of size and youth to the small and old receiving corps.
6		New England Patriots Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia
		Belichek knows what he is doing here. Seymour will be a perfect fit in the 3-4 hybrid scheme New England runs, and he was the top DT on the board.
7		Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas) Andre Carter, DE, Cal
		Seattle, not completely sold on Florida WR Travis Taylor, adds the speed rushing Andre Carter to an attack that only produced 26 sacks in 2000.
8		Chicago Bears Travis Taylor, WR, Florida
		The Florida WR curse had not yet been proven, and Chicago craves Taylor's gamebreaking ability over Rod Gardner's possesion skills. Chicago knew they reached, but no one wants to trade up.
9		San Francisco 49ers Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia
		Andre Carter is gone, and Deuce McAllister would be a reach here. Stroud and Damione Lewis are neck and neck, but San Fran takes the runstuffing Stroud to match with last years round one picks LB Julian Peterson and CB Ahmed Plummer.
10		Green Bay Packers (from Seattle) Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida State
		Green Bay has two big needs, WR and a pass rusher. Gardner isn't going this high, and Reynolds once again beats out Damione Lewis to the punch. If anything, Packer fans everywhere hope this pick turns out right this time.
11		Carolina Panthers Dan Morgan, MLB, Miami
		Carolina has holes at many positions, but Morgan is the best player available and he fits nicely in the Panthers LB spot. Those concussions are neither here nor there.
12		St. Louis Rams (trade with Kansas City) Damione Lewis, DT, Miami
		St.Louis had a terrible defense in 2000, and they still want to shore it up here. Lewis is part one of a three part program. He fills the bill as an interior pass rusher.
13		Jacksonville Jaguars Marvel Smith,T, Arizona State
		Jacksonville needs to replenish their offensive line, and Marvel Smith has much more upside then other prospects Jeff Backus and Maurice Williams.
14		Buffalo Bills Deuce McAllister, RB, Ole Miss
		Buffalo gets lucky and both of their men are here(McAllister and TE Bubba Franks. The decision between the two is simple: Franks will touch the ball 5 times a game, Deuce 25.
15		Washington Redskins Rod Gardner, WR, Clemson
		Washington badly needs offensive weapons, but Bubba Franks would not make sense since current TE Stephen Alexander led the team in receiving last year. Santana Moss may be more explosive, Chris Chambers may be faster, but Gardner is the most complete WR on the board.
16		Pittsburgh Steelers Casey Hampton, DT, Texas
		Everyone expected the run on CBs to start here, but instead Pittsburgh goes with a huge run stopper for their coveted 3-4 defense. Drew Brees got a look, but the team is ready to win now.
17		Seattle Seahawks (from Green Bay) Chad Johnson, WR, Oregon State
		Holmgren reaches for the super talented yet hard to contain and slightly "slow" Chad Johnson. Mike thinks he can make him a star.
18		Detroit Lions Steve Hutchinson, G, Michigan
		Hutchinson is clearly the best o-lineman available, and he will go a long way towards shoring up the Lions weak front lineup. James Stewart will love this pick.
19		New York Jets Santana Moss, WR, Miami
		In desperate need of an electryfing WR and kick returner, Moss fits in well here. New York thought about trading up for him, but their patience was rewarded.
20		St. Louis Rams Deon Grant, S, Tennessee
		The Rams turn to the best playmaker in the secondary, and that turns out to be a safety and not a cornerback. Grant improved immensely during his senior year and should be a nice addition to the revamped Rams D.
21		Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bubba Franks, TE, Miami
		Tampa really need help up front, but they could not pass on this dropping stud. Franks is one of the best TE prospects in years and will be another weapon for Brad Johnson.
22		Indianapolis Colts Adam Archuleta, S, Arizona State
		Another team gets lucky as the best player available also fits a need. Archuleta could be the in the box safety the Colts have lacked for years, as well as the playmaker on a stale defense.
23		New Orleans Saints Will Allen, CB, Syracuse
		Will Allen was the prospect most ready to help this team continue its rise into the postseason. He should soon be the Saints top cover corner.
24		Denver Broncos Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Nebraska
		Desperate for a pass rusher and cornerback, the team settles for the hardnosed Vanden Bosch over flashy Fred Smoot. He should team with Trevor Pryce to give the team devastating bookends.
25		Philadelphia Eagles Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami
		Weapons for Donovan McNabb were in order, and this polished wideout should fit the bill. He could soon become Donovan McNabb's favorite target in Philly.
26		Miami Dolphins Jeff Backus, T, Michigan
		Backus takes a plunge, but him and Miami should both be happy with one another. Backus will be expected to anchor the Dolphins line for the next decade, and he plans to oblige.
27		Minnesota Vikings Fred Smoot, CB, Mississippi State
		Dennis Green has no problems with loud mouths, and Smoot has the talent to upgrade the Vikings secondary by himself. Denny may have stolen Smoot much like he stole Randy Moss in 1998.
28		Oakland Raiders Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
		Gruden throws out the negatives on Brees (small and weak arm) and looks at the pluses (smart and effecient). He will backup Gannon for two or three years, but the Raiders have that luxury and a QB is the most important thing in Gruden's offense.
29		St. Louis Rams (from Tennessee) Raynoch Thompson, OLB, Tennessee
		Undersized yet speedy. Fits the Rams bill. DT Kris Jenkins and Shaun Rogers were considered here, but they both have questionable motors. Thompson is a competitor.
30		New York Giants Alge Crumpler, TE, North Carolina
		The G-Men need a cornerback, but the current crop should be the same in round two. Crumpler will give stonefoot QB Kerry Collins a security blanket for years to come.
31		Baltimore Ravens Chris Chambers, WR, Wisconsin
		Speed at WR was a need, and Chambers has the potential of a number one wideout. He is inconsistent, but Brian Billick is willing to take a chance.