1) Houston Texans
USC RB Reggie Bush
I am so tired of reading about contract negotiations with NCST DE Mario Williams and the possibility that Bush’s family was illegally living in a Los Angeles mansion. Reggie Bush, the Heisman Trophy winner, is going to be drafted number one overall Saturday, period. He is a blue chipper that comes along every 4-5 years (P. Manning, O. Pace) as a faster LT and a more flexible Faulk. His vision is second to none and comparable to Gale Sayers. The only question is his durability as a every down 30-carry per game back. But if you look at the NFL, the “bigback” is going by the wayside. Texans owner Bob McNair is very image conscious and he’ll market his young new star straight to the bank. Lots of people in Houston are rooting for Texas QB Vince Young, but the Texas just optioned QB David Carr, so its not a feasible option. Only way this doesn’t happen is if Bush is asking for an exorbitant amount of cash, but McNair has the dollars to pay him.
Sleeper Pick: NCST DE Mario Williams

2) New Orleans Saints
NCST DE Mario Williams
Mario Williams has been dubbed an “immediate Reggie White or Julius Peppers.” Honestly, I don’t think Williams is as good as either and that he is getting way too much hype going into this draft. This draft was supposed to go Bush-Leinart-Young but that all went insane when the Saints signed Free Agent QB Drew Brees to a big long-term deal. I think that the Saints would be more suitable taking big OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson to protect that surgically reconstructed elbow of Mr. Brees. Williams’ speed will have trouble conquering the big OT’s of the NFL, he’s not in the ACC anymore. This franchise is a mess, the owner wants to go to LA, tough times to be a Saints fan.
Sleeper Pick: Virginia OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson

3) Tennessee Titans
USC QB Matt Leinart
Leinart won the Heisman in 2004 leading USC to the outright National Championship. He elected to stay in school and graduate when he would have been the first overall pick in last year’s draft (San Francisco). His former Offensive Coordinator at USC (Norman Chow) is now the Coordinator for the Titans so the familiarity seals this pick. Leinart is a big smooth QB with great vision and a good head. Great arm strength, very accurate, above average mobility for his size; he is very considerable to his USC counterpart Carson Palmer coming out of college. A lot of Tennessee fans want Texas QB Vince Young here but Leinart is the safer pick, no one in Cincinatti is complaining with Mr. Palmer.
Sleeper Pick: Texas QB Vince Young

4) New York Jets
Virginia OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson
Ferguson is maybe the best pure player in the draft ready to play now in the NFL. He’s an absolutely dominating force that could anchor the line of the Jets for the next decade. It is rare to find a lineman as dominant as he is, and ever rarer that he is going to be drafted higher than #4. The Jets have a lot of concerns, a QB here would be a very popular choice with the fans, and word is they are looking to trade up (Saints) to scoop Leinart before the Titans can pick him up. We’ll see how that goes, if they hold…they can’t pass up Ferguson here.
Sleeper Pick: Texas QB Vince Young

5) Green Bay PackersOhio St LB AJ Hawk
Hawk, what a great name, is going to be loved in Green Bay well into the next decade. He is a gritty player than loves the game of football. I do not think he has the explosiveness of Ray Lewis or the playmakign ability of Brian Urlacher, but he will consistently be near the league leaders in tackles and make 7-8 Pro Bowls before he is done (Think Chris Spielmann). Hawk is a can’t miss here as the Packers rebuild. God (Favre), finally decided he wants to have a farewell tour this year so Hawk’s accomplishments will most likely be overlooked. The Packers have to go defense here, and no one else is talented enough to take at #5.
Sleeper Pick: Texas DB Michael Huff

6) San Francisco 49ers
Maryland TE Vernon Davis
Davis is a rare mix at the TE position; a great blocker with the speed and agility to be a force in the downfield passing game. He rewrote every receiving record at Maryland and had freakish combine numbers. And above everything else, I’ve read he is a great kid with an unrelenting work ethic. Not too often in a draft does a TE go before a WR, a true testament to Davis’ talent, or more realistically the subpar WR’s in this years crop. Davis’ gives QB Alex Smith his new favorite target.
Sleeper Pick: Texas DB Michael Huff

7) Oakland RaidersTexas QB Vince Young
How can this happen? Young was arguably the most dominant player in football last year and single-handedly led Texas to the National Championship. He was supposed to go no later than #3 by most mock drafts, what went wrong? Young is a natural born winner and a tremendous athlete. He is big and he is strong. The problem lies with questions of Young’s Wonderlic score (NFL IQ testing), his throwing motion (Elbow is too low=Batted balls in NFL), and his reliance on his mobility. Young is the biggest enigma in this year’s draft, and no one likes a challenge better than Oakland owner Al Davis. The Raiders get their marketable young star, and Young gets a chip on his shoulder bigger than the LoneStar state itself, he has lots to prove.
Sleeper Pick: Anyone who I’ve said has been taken, Vernon Davis especially

8) Buffalo Bills
USC OT Winston Justice
While I think the Bills may opt for Texas DB Michael Huff to replace departed FS Lawyer Milloy, I sincerely hope they come to their senses and draft Justice. His combine numbers were great and his draft value is really rising (Most have him at 13-14). He has some character questions in his past which has diminished his repuatation but he is an excellent lineman who the Bills need to anchor their battered and pathetic offensive line. Bills have to rebuild in the trenches, I hope this pick is Justice or Florida St DT Brodrick Bunkley.
Sleeper Pick: Texas DB Michael Huff

9) Detroit Lions
Texas DB Michael Huff
Huff is the safest pick here. He’s the Thorpe Award winner and very versatile. He can play as a shut-down corner (4.34 40-Yard) or as a big sticking safety. Very comparable physically to Charles Woodson, just not afraid to shy away from contact. One of the safest picks in this draft, Huff will have early success in his career because his size and speed will matchup well to most NFL receivers.
Sleeper Pick: Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler

10) Arizona Cardinals
Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler
Cutler has been greatly overshadowed in this year’s crop due to the media attention given to Leinart and Young. Cutler was the SEC Player of the Year last year and blew away scouts and his competition at the combine. Has a better arm that Leinart and Young and sees the field as good as Leinart. Questions surround his foot work and ability to adjust to the NFL. Steps in as a possible starter on a far better team than two years ago under Dennis Green. Was originally discussed going as high as #4 to the Jets, but they have their sights set on Leinart or QB, despite that Pennington’s arm is about to fall off. Cutler could be an absolute steal here, or a gross over-judgement of his talent.
Sleeper Pick: Florida ST DT Brodrick Bunkley

Others that could be taken Top-10: DT Bunkley, WR Santanio Holmes, WR Chad Jackson, & DT Haloti Ngata

This is more than likely my last entry for the next two weeks. Good luck on Finals everyone, and I’ll be back in early May.