Mel Kiper's initial draft prediction

[JPM]

This is an interesting pick. I don't see him falling to us.
I still too early to get all excited/pissed at a mock draft.

1. Houston -- *Reggie Bush, RB, USC
2. New Orleans -- Matt Leinart, QB, USC
3. Tennessee -- *Vince Young, QB, Texas
4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
5. Green Bay -- *Mario Williams, DE, NC State
6. Oakland -- A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
7. San Francisco -- DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama
8. Buffalo -- *Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
9. Detroit -- Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
10. Arizona -- DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
11. St. Louis -- *Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
12. Cleveland -- Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
13. Baltimore -- Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
14. Philadelphia -- *Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
15. Atlanta -- Michael Huff, DB, Texas
16. Miami -- *Winston Justice, OT, USC
17. Minnesota -- *LenDale White, RB, USC
18. Dallas -- Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech
19. San Diego -- *Ko Simpson, DB, South Carolina
20. Kansas City -- *Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State
21. New England -- Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
22. Denver (from Wash.) -- Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
23. Tampa Bay -- Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State
24. Cincinnati -- Claude Wroten, DT, LSU
25. New York Giants -- *Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State
26. Chicago -- *Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
27. Carolina -- *Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
28. Pittsburgh -- *Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
29. Jacksonville -- Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP
30. Indianapolis -- *Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
31. Denver -- *Darnell Bing, DB, USC
32. Seattle -- *Chad Jackson, WR, Florida

[InmanRoshi]

Thanks for posting.

Wow, Marcus McNeil isn't even in his projected 1st round. I've read in other places that he could fall out of the 1st round because of concerns about his back.

[Cogan]

I knew it. Bobby Carpenter is already in some people's 1st round mock draft. He will be on everyone's list before it's all said & done. Although, I do hate it that Kiper was one of the first to put him this high.....

[InmanRoshi]

Originally Posted by Cogan

I knew it. Bobby Carpenter is already in some people's 1st round mock draft. He will be on everyone's list before it's all said & done. Although, I do hate it that Kiper was one of the first to put him this high.....

Bobby Carpenter was regarded as a Top 15 pick on most people's drafts in September, so its not really a startling revelation. He's only recently dropped because of his injury.

[ddh33]

There are several players who already seem to be falling. What happened to Rodrique Wright? Marcus McNeill, I'm not surprised to see him drop. He's got a back issue, and he's got weight problems...

I still don't think it's a very good year to go fishing for a receiver early.

No Manny Lawson either.

[Displaced Cowboy]

Jimmy Williams would be a monster monster pick.

[TonyS]

Where's Marcus Vick? Can't anyone see his God-given ability?

The kid's a winner.

[br4822]

If someone can who is Jimmy Williams? i havent heard about him? i just am not sure why we'd use our pick on DB unless it was to use him at FS like Michael Huff... do u guys think Kiper just taking a shot in the dark?

[trickblue]

He may want to flip-flop the Jets/Buffalo picks...

[ex-lion tamer]

[FONT=Times New Roman]From NFL Draft Blitz:

- [/FONT]Jimmy is regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. He switched over to cornerback from safety following his Sophomore season and never missed a beat. Excelling at both positions he is a very physical gifted athlete. Has a lot of experience. Lead the ACC in interceptions last season with 5. Has great size and outstanding speed. Hits and tackles well. You will not see him miss many tackles. Has good technique. Wraps up and is physical enough to battle anyone on the field. Very active player who is very fundamentally sound on both pass coverage and his tackling. Takes pride in his game. Turns his hips well and closes on the ball well. Jams his man at the line. He gives WR's a fit. Makes plays all over the field. A hustle player.

[FONT=Times New Roman] Weaknesses[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
- [/FONT]There are not many when we talk about Jimmy Williams. He can get himself into trouble on deep passes. Not a real true ballhawking cornerback but part of that could be because teams throw away from him. Needs to work on his change of direction and back pedal movement.

[FONT=Times New Roman] Overall Analysis[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]
- [/FONT]You will not find many DB's better than Williams in college football. He is a smart and savvy player who has all the physical tools to succeed at the NFL level. He should be a high draft selection, good chance he may even be the top DB taken.

[fortdick]

Willaims was a safety that made the conversion to CB. He could also be the BPA when we are on the board. Here is one analysis of him:

http://www.nflfans.com/x/2006/showpl...mmy%20Williams

Pros: Great size and speed, covers well and has burst to recover when needed. Very willing in run support.
Cons: Switched from S to corner, just needs more time to get even better
Draft Exchange Analysis:
An extremely talented young player who could make a major impact this fall ... Spent his freshman season learning the free safety position under veteran Willie Pile ... Saw increased playing time as the season progressed and led the team in tackles during the Hokies' San Francisco Bowl win over Air Force ... Is a big, physical safety with cornerback skills ... Has confidence in his abilities and is not afraid to challenge a receiver ... Benefited from his game experience in the fall ... Picked up things quickly during the spring and settled into the position ... Plays aggressively and always seems to be around the football ... Needs to get stronger, but has good speed and athleticism ... Should continue to get better with additional playing time ... Has the ability to become one of the top young players in the country if he stays healthy ...

[Dayton Cowboy]

If Holmes was on the board at 18, I'd still rather take him.. I think he's got big play ability along the lines of Steve Smith in Carolina.

But as this mock goes, I'd rather have Carpenter for his versatility and being able to play OLB or DE!

[Rack Bauer]

I like where he has Young going. Perfect spot for him. Let him sit on the bench behind McNair for a couple of seasons, the same way McNair was developed.

[austintodallas]

More on Jimmy Williams. I'm liking the sound of this guy...

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/..._williams.html

Jimmy Williams DB 6’3 216 Virginia Tech
By: Robert Davis

You will not find many defensive backs that have proven to be major talents at two spots in the secondary. Jimmy Williams has done just that. As a sophomore in 2003 at the free safety position, Williams racked up 114 tackles, four for loss, and two interceptions. As a junior, he was moved to corner to take advantage of his athleticism and he turned in another standout season. From his corner sport, he finished the year with 60 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and five interceptions.
Williams brings great size to the secondary. He has the height to match up with any receiver on the field, and the strength to overpower most wide receivers. He combines that power with very good athleticism and great speed. He is an all around threat in the secondary. Williams will hit you hard but will also run step for step with you down the field. His versatility and experience at two spots will increase his value come draft day.
Even though he has the speed and has been a standout college corner, Williams may not project very well at corner in the NFL. He doesn’t have the greatest fluidity in his turns, and will often lose ground on smaller receivers because of their quickness. Even if he is not a corner, Jimmy Williams should be a standout player at the next level. His playmaking ability and aggressiveness as a free safety could make him one of the best safeties in the game. He should be able to play corner against the bigger wideouts in the league, but there are legitimate concerns about him covering the smaller receivers. If a team feels he can play corner, he could be the first corner selected. Most likely though, he will be viewed as a safety prospect and should still hear his name called in the first frame.

[Dayton Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Rack

I like where he has Young going. Perfect spot for him. Let him sit on the bench behind McNair for a couple of seasons, the same way McNair was developed.

So if Payton does indeed become the Saints coach... he'd get Leinart.... That might not be too bad for Leinart if they can get the some other players around him. Isn't Horn getting a little long in the tooth? I don't think that they have anybody else that has played up to their drafted potential in the WR corps... Also I wonder how Deuce's rehab is going?