another mock

1. Cincinnati Bengals -- Carson Palmer
Reports are coming from everywhere that the Bengals would like to trade out of this pick because they don't want to risk drafting another 1st round quarterback bust. The team wants a top DT and will look to trade down to secure one - Jimmy Kennedy, DeWayne Robertson, and Kevin Williams are reportedly at the top of their list. Among the teams looking to trade up to this spot are Chicago, Carolina, and possibly Denver or Green Bay...

2. Detroit Lions -- Charles Rogers
This seems like the best fit for both player and team of any potential pick in the draft. Rogers is the #1 talent on my board and would provide Harrington with a top flight weapon.

3. Houston Texans -- Jimmy Kennedy
Houston has made no secret of their interest in trading down from the #3 spot. They are looking primarily at offensive line, defensive line, and offensive playmakers with their 1st round pick. Assuming they stay here, I see them looking to improve their defense with the top defensive tackle in the draft.

4. Chicago Bears -- Byron Leftwich
Regardless of whether they remain at #4 or trade up, if the Bears have not added a legitimate starting caliber QB via free agency by draft day, they will almost surely take one with their first pick. Leftwich is the most NFL ready of the quarterbacks and would be a nice fit.

5. Dallas Cowboys -- Jordan Gross
With Parcells in the fold, the one guarantee is that the lines will be improved. While there is better value for this pick in Andre Johnson or Terrell Suggs, offensive line is the bigger need and Gross is the best of the class.

6. Arizona Cardinals -- Terrell Suggs
The Cardinals have plenty of decisions to make this off-season, especially on offense where their two most recognizable names - Jake Plummer and David Boston - are free agents. That said, for this team to improve, it needs to address its defensive line. Suggs would give the team the pass rusher they've lacked since Simeon Rice left and would be a nice PR move, as well.

7. Minnesota Vikings -- Terence Newman
Newman deserves to be a top five pick, but with teams looking at specific positions early on, he could slide into the Vikings' lap. Minnesota would be elated to find Newman still on the board and would waste little time in selecting him.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Andre Johnson
The Jaguars really missed Keenan McCardell's consistency this season. Andre Johnson could slide in and be the big play threat Jimmy Smith used to be.

9. Carolina Panthers -- Kyle Boller
The Panthers will be in the running for the #1 pick sweepstakes, but if they remain at #9, they still might go quarterback with Boller. Boller has skyrocketed up the board with a spectacular senior season and Senior Bowl.

10. Seattle Seahawks -- DeWayne Robertson -- DT
Seattle will address the defensive line or middle linebacker with this pick. Defensive line will almost certainly be the pick. Robertson is built like and stuffs the run like former Seahawk great Cortez Kennedy.

11. Baltimore Ravens -- Rex Grossman
The Ravens will be looking to address the OL, WR, and QB positions in this draft. With questions surrounding Redman's health, a future QB is suddenly a considerably bigger question mark. Grossman, like the other quarterbacks, should make a nice move up the board and would be a good fit here.

20. Denver Broncos -- Chris Simms
With the anticipated release of Griese, the team will be looking to add a high caliber quarterback early in this draft. Simms has the talent to be a very good quarterback in this league and Denver is the best possible destination for any rookie quarterback - with a top flight veteran in front to learn from, a super coaching staff, and plenty of offensive weapons, as well.

 

Grossman and Boller are going to have to have some breathtaking individual workouts to get around that top 10. Simms too for that matter. In that situation I'm taking Trufant and try my luck with a QB a little later in the draft.

 

the panthers should trade up to #1 and take Charles Rogers. He's probably the closest player to a shore thing, and it would just throw the draft off... everybody would be freaking out

 

Just my opinion but this kind of what I expect the Panthers draft to look like.
First things first Panthers sign Emmit to give Foster more time to heal and a great tutor.
1. Jordan Gross T Utah IMO the Panthers biggest need considering all the Linemen we have pretty much suck and are not suited to the system we are trying to run.
2. Dave Ragone QB Louisville Still a tremendous talent more proven than Simms give him a year and watch out.
3.Torrin Tucker G Southern Miss talentd gaurd IMO the best in the draft if he falls here taking him is a no brainer.
4. Willis McGahee RB Miami Panthers draft what would have been the #1 RB in the Draft and give him a year to heal, when he does split playing time with him and Foster best man gets the job second best gets traded for picks. Even if McGahee loses a little speed and agility he is still light years better than the closest RB in this years draft.
4b. Doug Gabriel WR Cent FLA After adressing this need in free agency by signing a solid vet this need moves down the list.
5. Eric Manning DT Oregon St. Buckner and burton are not getting any younger and this guy would fit our system. Reminds me of Corey Simon what he lacks in size he makes up for in athletic ability.
6. Ben Johnson T/G Wisconsin could play special teams for a year and be a solid starter the next.
7. Solomon Bates ST Arizona St. would be a great kick coverage guy.