Dr. Z's Mock First Round
1 49ERS ALEX SMITH
QB, Utah
Cal's Aaron Rodgers has the stronger arm, but new coach Mike Nolan loves Smith's feel for the game and his leadership.
2 BUCCANEERS* RONNIE BROWN
RB, Auburn
Coach Jon Gruden says the speedy, 233-pound Brown "has the best hands in the draft" and sees him catching 80 balls.
3 BROWNS BRAYLON EDWARDS
WR, Michigan
Edwards runs a 4.45 and at the combine did 22 reps in the bench press--equal to or better than half the offensive tackles.
4 BEARS CARNELL WILLIAMS
RB, Auburn
They like Cadillac's burst and explosiveness, though they could switch to Cedric Benson, the last of the Big Three backs.
5 DOLPHINS* AARON RODGERS
QB, California
What's the bigger need, RB or QB? Some in Miami say Rodgers is too good to pass up. Others favor Brown.
6 TITANS ADAM (PAC-MAN) JONES
CB, West Virginia
Antrel Rolle was the favored corner for a while, but now the edge goes to the 5'9 1/2" Jones and his 4.41 speed.
7 VIKINGS MIKE WILLIAMS
WR, USC
He won't dominate downfield like Randy Moss, but he's bigger (6'5", 230). The year off hasn't diminished his value.
8 CARDINALS CEDRIC BENSON
RB, Texas
Dennis Green says he'll take "whichever of the Big Three is left," but he'll take Rolle if he can acquire the Bills' Travis Henry.
9 REDSKINS ANTREL ROLLE
CB, Miami
After losing a starting cornerback each of the last two years, Joe Gibbs is looking to add a DB.
10 LIONS DERRICK JOHNSON
OLB, Texas
Still trying to get faster on defense, Detroit picks up an open-side linebacker who flies to the ball with 4.50 speed.
11 COWBOYS DEMARCUS WARE
DE-OLB, Troy
Perfect guy for a unit that was next to last in the NFC in sacks in '04 and hasn't had a double-digit sacker in nine years.
12 CHARGERS SHAWNE MERRIMAN
DE-OLB, Maryland
With its two first-rounders, San Diego wants a defensive lineman and a wideout. DE Marcus Spears is the second option.
13 TEXANS ALEX BARRON
T, Florida State
Wow, not a single offensive lineman among the first 12 picks. The 6'7 1/2" Barron has the longest arms in the draft.
14 PANTHERS TROY WILLIAMSON
WR, South Carolina
With Muhsin Muhammad gone, in comes Williamson, a player with 4.32 speed who averaged 19.3 yards a catch.
15 CHIEFS THOMAS DAVIS
S, Georgia Tech
"I know, 15th is awful high for a safety," Dick Vermeil says, "but this guy can do so many amazing things, I can't pass him up."
16 SAINTS CARLOS ROGERS
CB, Auburn
They're happy with their front seven. The secondary's the problem, and Rogers offers a quick cure.
17 BENGALS ERASMUS JAMES
DE, Wisconsin They'll be saying, "Never in our wildest dreams did we think the Number 1 defensive player on our board would still be there."
18 VIKINGS DAVID POLLACK
DE-LB, Georgia
Mike Tice will find a place for this fiery competitor, whom scouts project as an inside 'backer.
19 RAMS JAMMAL BROWN
T, Oklahoma
They might be willing to trade up for the man they consider the top O-lineman in the draft, and they just might have to.
20 COWBOYS MARCUS SPEARS
DE, LSU
With an outside rusher now on board, they grab a 307-pound power end. His motor might need a little cranking, though.
21 JAGUARS HEATH MILLER
TE, Virginia
They got pass rushers in free agency. Now they get a target for Byron Leftwich. One negative: recent sports hernia surgery.
22 RAVENS MARK CLAYTON
WR, Oklahoma
Heartbroken Ozzie Newsome wanted Jammal Brown. Cheer up, Ozzie. Everyone thought Clayton would be gone too.
23 SEAHAWKS DAN CODY
DE, Oklahoma
There are concerns he may be too intense, but the upside is huge and he's a great competitor.
24 PACKERS SHAUN CODY
DE-DT, USC
The defense needs major help, and the 293-pound Cody, who can play end or tackle, is a good place to start.
25 BRONCOS FABIAN WASHINGTON
CB, Nebraska
They lost a corner, so they're only too glad to get this blazing cover guy, one of three sub-4.30 men at the combine.
26 JETS LUIS CASTILLO
NT, Northwestern
He tested positive for andro at the combine, but the scouts say he's a good guy who made a mistake.
27 FALCONS RODDY WHITE
WR, Alabama-Birmingham
A muscular late bloomer who has shot up the board. "Seems like we always take wideouts early," Jim Mora says.
28 CHARGERS KHALIF BARNES
T, Washington
The plan was to take a wideout, but one of the three best O-linemen is still there? Better grab this athletic 305-pounder.
29 COLTS TRAVIS JOHNSON
DT, Florida State The defense was aggressive last year but got shoved around. This 296-pound run-stopper will give Indy some ballast.
30 STEELERS MARCUS JOHNSON
T, Mississippi
Right tackle Oliver Ross was lost in free agency, so why not pick up an agile 310-pounder who can block on the go?
31 EAGLES MATT ROTH
DE, Iowa
With the departure of Derrick Burgess, Roth, an explosive 278-pounder, seems like a natural here.
32 PATRIOTS BRODNEY POOL
FS, Oklahoma
The secondary was a shambles for most of last season. Pool is brainy and versatile.
THIRTHY-NINE COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS
COLOR PHOTO
KEN LEVINE/WIREIMAGE.COM
BAY WATCH
The Niners like Smith for his leadership skills.