Posted on 04/12/2006 1:30:09 PM PDT by mainepatsfan
Lawson rises, Kiwanuka falls in latest projections
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Special to ESPN Insider
With the NFL draft two weeks away, the one hot spot in the first round remains with the New Orleans Saints and second overall pick. While I still have North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams going to New Orleans, the outlook of the first round could change significantly if the Saints trade the pick.
My first-round projections remain nearly the same, with the one newcomer being NC State defensive end Manny Lawson. Overshadowed by Williams at NC State, Lawson had a very good senior season then performed exceptionally well at the NFL scouting combine. Right now I am projecting the Jets will use their second first-round pick on Lawson, where he will be used as a pass-rushing defensive end/outside linebacker.
New this week are my projections for the second, third and fourth rounds. You will be surprised to see some players initially projected as first-round picks have slipped to the second round in recent weeks.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.espn.go.com ...
He'll be long since gone and not have to worry about it. 2nd or 3rd is probably right.
You know if he lasts to 4th this will be the guy the Jets do not take and make their fans crazy again.
Helmet-hair isn't paying attention, though. Browns GM Phil Savage has pretty much made it clear that if Ngata is there at the 12, he's the pick.
-Eric
Doesn't matter why you picked him. The fact is that Bush is hands down the most hyped player of this draft and will almost definitely be picked first, thus continuing the long streak of the most hyped player going first in the draft.
I haven't followed this draft as closely as the last couple of years, but not for a lack of interest, but I don't think that all three QBs will be gone after Arizona picks. I'm not convinced that Oakland will take a QB. I believe one of the QBs will be there when Dallas selects (hopefully Vince).
If the Raiders don't take Young then you can bet that either him or Cutler will be there when Dallas is picking but I'm not sure they'll go QB.
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