Early Draft Predictions: Mock it now!

[ChounsMan]

With the possibly 3rd pick overall in the 2005 NFL Draft

Washington Redskins select:

Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas (MY PICK)


What can you say about the 2004 Washington Redskins? A team that had such high hopes before the season thanks to the return of Hall of Fame coach and legend Joe Gibbs has simply fallen flat on their faces. What's even more disturbing is the complete lack of offensive production despite having a relatively talented group on that side of the ball. There is no doubt that the offense has to be addressed, but can anyone really pinpoint one area on that side of the ball that is extremely deficient? The defense under new coordinator Gregg Williams has played well beyond expectations despite battling injuries and a lack of top-notch talent up front. The defensive line has played well this season, but they don't have a true difference maker, a guy who can penetrate and cause a commotion in opponents backfields on a consistent basis. Wright has been a standout for the Longhorns since his true freshman season in Austin and would likely be one of the premier defensive players available should he decide to leave college after his junior campaign. Some Redskins fans may be clamoring for a top young quarterback after the way Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey have played this year, but I doubt Gibbs will want to start that type of rebuilding project at this stage in his career so they will likely opt for the player who can make the most immediate impact. A darkhorse here could be wide receiver Mike Williams, who would give Washington another major weapon on offense and as a big, physical wideout would really compliment the speedy Laveranues Coles. Don't rule out this pick simply being based on the best player available theory though because the Redskins are really a team without pressing needs in terms of talent.

Washington Redskins select:

Mike Williams, WR, USC (Must draft if Gardner is dealt)


Trojans Mike Williams opted to follow Maurice Clarett to the pros following his sophomore season but when the court ruling in Clarett's favor was reversed it left both players in limbo, too young to play in the NFL and unable to play in college because they were no longer amateurs. In the end though this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Williams, who could very well end up going higher in the 2005 NFL Draft than he would have in 2004. Had he been eligible for last years Draft the highest Williams would have gone is #9 overall to Jacksonville and he could have potentially fallen as far as Tampa Bay at #15. With a year off from the game Williams will have ample time to prepare for workouts, which he didn't have the luxury of last year, and if he can improve on his 4.6 time in the forty he could be in contention for the #1 pick overall.

Other notables are:
Alex Barron, OT, Florida St.
Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Ahmad Brooks, OLB, Virginia
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan

Data courtesy of: www.nfldraftcountdown.com