2001 NFL Draft at a glance
FIRST
ROUND
1. Michael Vick, Falcons, QB Multi-talented 20-year-old will hold the clipboard this year and learn
from veteran Chris Chandler. Vick has tremendous athletic ability and arm
strength but is a few years away from producing. Vick caught everyoneΉs
attention when as a freshman in 1999, he led the surprising Virginia Tech squad
to the national championship game against Florida State. Coming out after just
20 college games (he suffered a high ankle sprain during the 2000 season), he
lacks a lot of experience, but is a fast, quick and elusive runner with a
fierce desire, and who possesses a strong arm, although not always accurate.
5. LaDainian
Tomlinson, Chargers, RB Will start and be featured in the new-look offense from day one.
This guy is a workhorse and will get a lot of carries in Norv Turners
run-oriented scheme. He has speed, quickness and can break tackles.
Holds the NCAA record with 406 yards rushing against UTEP as a junior. Averaged
6.4 yards and scored 40 TDs over his final two seasons, in which he led the
nation in rushing yardage both times, amassing a total of more than 4,000 yards
in the two campaigns combined. Will be a good one.
8. David Terrell,
Bears, WR Terrell
has the size, speed and big-play ability that coaches love. He runs
professional routes and will play a lot because Marcus Robinson and Bobby
Engram are injury-prone. Suffers concentration lapses at times. Will begin as
the #3 man.
9. Koren Robinson,
Seahawks, WR Big
and explosive, he also runs very well after the catch. Will start immediately
and produce. Comes out after two seasons at NC State. A gamebreaker. Could be an impact player if he
takes the game seriously enough. "I don't think it's a gamble at
all," coach and GM Mike Holmgren said. "The only way to think that
way is that taking wide receivers in the first round, historically, that's the
position that works the least."
16. Rod Gardner,
Redskins WR Big,
physical receiver should start opposite Michael Westbrook and produce this
year. He also blocks well for the Redskins run-oriented offense. The only
negative to his game is that he lacks great speed. Of all the video I
looked at, he kept running by people, Marty Schottenheimer said. He has
a unique ability to make the contested catches... this was the guy we wanted.
17. Santana Moss,
Jets, WR An
exciting player, Moss will be the #3 receiver and become the big play return
man they desperately need. A little short at 59 but could produce if given a
chance. Moss could start opposite Wayne Chrebet, filling the void
created by last yearΉs trade of Keyshawn Johnson, although Matt Hatchette was
acquire for that purpose as well. "You ask yourself is he fast? Is he
special?" Herman Edwards said. "We think he's special. He can score
from anywhere on the football field. When you can get explosive players on
offense, you dictate to defenses certain coverages they have to run. He's fast.
Fast is fast."
23. Deuce McAllister,
Saints, RB This pick provides insurance
for Ricky Williams who is injury-prone. McAllister is big with good speed to
get outside. He also catches the ball well and can be an effective kick and
punt returner. "We don't have any questions," GM Randy Mueller
said. "I actually think he's a tough guy and he'll be fine. We don't have
any questions about his durability. He has excellent speed; he may be the
fastest back in the draft. He's a playmaker. He does all kinds of things, he's
a return guy, he's a receiver. They lined him up in the slot at Ole Miss and he
ran routes like a receiver." Will be a good one.
25. Freddie Mitchell,
Eagles, WR All-around athlete can make the acrobatic play and the big catch. Not
overly big or fast, but has the hands and attitude to be the go-to guy. Can and
has returned punts and kickoffs as well. He will compete for a starting
job in with James Thrash, Charles Johnson and Todd Pinkston.
27. Michael Bennett,
Vikings, RB Outstanding
speed with good cutback moves and runs hard but lacks good size. He will run
behind a big line with a good passing game to take the pressure off him. Needs
to improve his vision and instincts but should start right away. Bennett
was drafted to fill the shoes of the retired Robert Smith. We got a gift,
coach Dennis Green said about the fact Bennett slid to the number 27 spot in
the draft.
30. Reggie Wayne,
Colts, WR Wayne
is a polished receiver who should compliment Marvin Harrison well. Not a burner
but is big and physical. Will battle Jerome Pathon for the starting job.
31. Todd Heap, Ravens,
TE Excellent
pass catching tight end. Replaces the departed Ben Coates to team with Shannon
Sharpe in the two-TE sets. "Getting a tight end with that pick was
a priority," said Phil Savage, the Ravens' director of college scouting.
"That was the mantra of the day. We planned it out yesterday and set our
course. The comment at the end of it was if we could get that tight end with
that first pick, it just sets up the rest of the day."
SECOND
ROUND
32. Drew Brees, Chargers,
QB May not have
the big time arm of most of the top QB prospects, but the Chargers think he can
be a solid starter in a couple of years. Very smart, competitive, accurate and
can scramble. "Drew may not be what you would say is immediate, but
he might be the immediate backup, and he's definitely ahead (of Vick) in being
able to take a team from the huddle to the line of scrimmage and play the
game," coach Mike Riley said. Brees could be starting as soon
as next year.
33. Quincy Morgan, Browns, WR Morgan has good size and speed with excellent
separation skills and running ability. Has an outside shot at a starting job.
Sometimes drops too many balls though. Can run after the catch. Needs to
work on his concentration, which has affected his route-running and his ability
to hang into the football.
35. Alge Crumpler,
Falcons, TE Has good
strength and power and is a fine athlete and blocker. Has good hands and can run
after the catch but is not overly big. Still a bit on the raw side but should
be a starter in a couple of years.
36. Chad Johnson,
Bengals, WR Very athletic
with good size, soft hands and excellent speed. Also runs well after the catch
but is still very raw in other phases. Will be the #3 or 4 receiver this year
but is a good fantasy pick for the future. Can separate despite
unspectacular times in the 40, but experts believe that with some work on his
technique, those times can improve. Cousin of Keyshawn Johnson and Samari
Rolle.
38. Anthony Thomas,
Bears, RB Thomas is a very tough,
strong and determined runner but doesnt have good speed. He also has the
ability to make yardage after the hit. He can catch and block too. Will battle
James Allen for the starting job.
41. Robert Ferguson,
Packers, WR A fine athlete with size and decent speed but is raw. Good potential.
Drops too many passes and will likely be the #3 guy this year.
49. Lamont Jordan,
Jets, RB Has good size, strength and
decent speed and can also break tackles. Catches the ball well but tends to
gain weight. Will
back up Curtis Martin.
52. Chris Chambers,
Dolphins, WR Strong, athletic, good speed, long arms. Very fast and can jump, but has a tendency to drop the
ball at times. Also needs more work on his routes. Will be the #4 or 5 guy this year.
53. Quincy Carter,
Cowboys, QB Good size and arm and can
run but is erratic with his accuracy. Does not have good vision or judgment.
Needs a lot of time.
58. Travis Henry,
Bills, RB Tough, determined runner
with a lot of strength and power. Tough to bring down and gains yards after
contact but is not as fast and elusive as a featured runner should be. Will
battle Sammy Morris and Antowain Smith for playing time.
59. Marques Tuiasosopo,
Raiders, QB A tough competitor, he know how to win. Good
leadership capabilities and can scramble if he has to. But his arm is not
particularly strong or accurate and is prone to turnovers. Will hold the
clipboard for a couple of years.
THIRD ROUND
65. James Jackson, Browns, RB Has enough speed to get outside and knows how
to find a hole. He is not a very powerful inside runner but can break a tackle.
Can catch the ball but is not a very elusive runner. Could challenge for the
featured back position if Errict Rhett is not healthy.
66. Sean Brewer,
Bengals, TE Good size, speed and athletic ability but needs improvement in blocking,
focus and drops too many balls.
74. Stevonne Smith,
Panthers, WR Has good speed and runs well after the catch but is small. Excellent
kick returner.
77.
Marvin Minnis, Chiefs, WR Has natural receiving abilities and is
tough and quick. Needs bulk and to improve his running skills.
80. Kevan Barlow, 49ers, RB A sleeper. Good size and speed but is not a burner. Runs
with power and can catch the ball. Has problems with fumbling and needs to
improve his vision. He will compete with Paul Smith and Garrison Hearst,
who is trying to come back from an ankle injury that has sidelined him the last
two seasons. Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan applauded this pick. He called me 10
minutes after the third round was over and said we picked the best back in the
draft, Bill Walsh said. We had felt that this man was among the best two or
three backs at least. He was very high on our board.
82. Heath Evans, Seahawks,
FB Decent
running and receiving skills but needs work in the blocking department.
85. Travis Minor,
Dolphins, RB Good
speed and running and catching skills but lack of size relegated him to a third-down role.
90. Shad Meier,
Titans, TE Decent receiver, needs work on
blocking and staying healthy.
FOURTH ROUND
98. Bill Gramatica,
Cardinals, kicker Strong leg but needs to work on accuracy. Lesser talent than his
brother Martin.
100.
Rudi Johnson, Bengals, RB Ok speed but has good vision and
instincts. He is quick and powerful to the hole and is tough to bring down but
is not is not elusive nor a breakaway threat. Needs work receiving and blocking
as well.
106. Chris Weinke, Panthers, QB Good size, intelligence, toughness and
leadership skills. Has a strong arm but not much mobility. Also needs to
improve accuracy. Could be a sleeper.
108. George Layne,
Chiefs, FB Mostly
a blocking a receiving back.
109. Sage Rosenfels,
Redskins, QB
Good size,
intelligence, mobility and speed. Has a decent arm but poor throwing mechanics
and needs to improve accuracy.
115. Moran Norris,
Saints, FB Strong
runner but needs improvement in consistency, pass catching and blocking.
116. Milton Wynn,
Rams, WR Good
size, athleticism, speed and runs well after the catch. Routes and consistency
need improvement. Still raw.
119. Jabari Holloway,
Patriots, TE Nice hands and athletic ability. Needs to play more physical and improve
his blocking. Lacks good speed and size.
121. Correll
Buckhalter, Eagles, RB Good size, speed and vision plus he can catch the ball but is not very
elusive and is easy to tackle. As primarily a backup at Nebraska, still
managed to run for more than 2,200 yards and 21 scores in his final three years
while running at well over a 6-yard-per-carry clip. Good athletic skills, but
needs more experience. Good receiver. Better than you think and will be Duce Staleys
backup this year.
124. Justin McCareins,
Titans, WR Has good size, toughness and hands. Could be a go-to receiver down the
road but does not have burner speed. Need to prove it against better
competition. We're really pretty excited about Justin, Jeff Fisher
said. We were just crossing our fingers that he'd survive to our pick, and he
did. He said McCareins could compete for a starting job.
125. Jesse Palmer, Giants, QB Good size, poise, toughness and arm strength.
Needs to work on his accuracy.
129. Brandon Manumaleuna, Rams, TE Big with good hands and
athletic ability. Needs to improve his blocking because he plays a little soft.
131. Cedric James,
Vikings, WR Very strong with big hands, speed and is a good leaper but drops too
many passes. Needs to improve his route running as well. Excellent
special-teams player because he likes to hit.
FIFTH ROUND
136. Vinny Sutherland,
Falcons, WR Good speed, quickness and toughness. Knows how to get open but is not
very tall. Can return kickoffs and punts. Good quickness, speed and
acceleration.
140. Alex Bannister, Seahawks, WR Tall, tough, quick, plays hard, improving blocker. Decent speed, questionable hands, works hard.
141.
Billy Baber, Chiefs, TE Good hands, speed and athleticism. Needs
more power as a blocker.
147. Tony Stewart,
Eagles, TE Good size and big hands.
Good all-around athlete and hard worker. Needs to improve his blocking and
strength.
148. Scotty Anderson,
Lions, WR Good
size, deceptive speed, runs well after the catch. Needs more strength and
power. Drops too many passes.
149. Scott McMahon,
Lions, QB Good
size, poise, mobility, toughness, athleticism. Has a quick release and good arm
strength. Lacks accuracy and a soft touch. Is also impatient in the pocket as
he sometimes forces the ball into coverage. Has potential.
150. Derrick Blaylock,
Chiefs, RB Has a good burst, vision,
speed, quick feet and can catch the ball. Lacks size so he should be a
third-down back and kick returner.
153. Onomo Ojo, Saints, WR Good size and deep speed but very inexperienced. Needs a
lot of work in his routes and against better cover men.
154. Darnerian
McCants, Redskins, WR Good height and speed but suffers from inconsistency.
155. A.J. Feeley,
Eagles, QB Good size and arm strength with a quick release but is not very mobile.
Has a lot of talent but needs more experience since he missed some time with an
elbow injury.
159. Eddie Berlin, Titans, WR Works hard and has a lot of natural pass receiving skills but is not a burner. Excellent prospect but needs to prove himself at higher levels.
160.
John Markam, Giants, kicker Strong leg but needs to work on accuracy.
161. Chris
Barnes, Ravens, RB Runs with power and vision and, even though he is not a
burner, is quick to the hole. But he is not big, strong or particularly
elusive. Lacks experience in the passing game.
162. Jonathan
Carter, Giants, WR Very fast with big-play ability but needs strength and
experience. Still drops a few and needs work on his routes.
SIXTH ROUND
166. Bobby Newcombe,
Cardinals, WR good speed and has big-play potential in the past because he runs well
after the catch at times. Makes for a good return man. Needs to stay healthy
and stop dropping passes.
169. Cedrick Wilson,
49ers, WR Quick,
tough and can return kicks and punts but lacks burner speed. Does not have good
size.
172. Josh Booty,
Seahawks, QB Good size and athletic ability. Has a live arm but is very erratic. Very
poor throwing techniques and gets into some real ruts because of them. Put him
down as a developmental prospect.
174.
Jameel Cook, Bucs, FB Decent runner and catches the ball well. Has
tweener size and not the pure power needed from the fullback position and not
fast enough to be a halfback. Needs to improve his blocking.
175. Dadrian Brown,
Panthers, RB Decent vision and instincts but lacks breakaway speed. More of a third-down back.
177.
Josh Heupel, Dolphins, QB Poise, intelligence, toughness, fearless.
Sees the field well and has a quick release but with just average arm strength.
Lacks height as well
180. Arther Love,
Patriots, TE Decent
blocker but must improve in that area and in the pass catching department.
190. Kevin Kasper,
Broncos, WR hard worker, toughness and good hands. Decent speed and quickness but is
not a burner. Needs to improve his separation skills.
192.
Dan Alexander, Titans, RB A big man who runs with power, speed and
toughness. Can play halfback and fullback but does not have very good vision or
instincts for a tailback. Need to improve his receiving and blocking skills.
195.
Dan OLeary, Bills, TE Decent pass catcher but needs to improve
his separation skills and blocking.
197. Francis St. Paul,
Rams, WR Good
speed and quickness but is small and has been inconsistent in the past.
198. David Martin,
Packers, WR Big, physical who sometimes struggles with his weight. Looks more like
an H-back than wide receiver. Drops too many as well.
SEVENTH ROUND
204. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals, WR Physical, tough and can run after the catch
but lacks big time speed and quickness. Needs to work on his separation skills. Can
return kicks and punts.
205. Dauntae Finger, Bucs, TE Strictly backup material. Decent size but lacks
speed.
208. John Capel, Bears, WR Excellent speed but on the smallish side.
214. Reggie Germany, Bills, WR Good height, speed,
toughness, athleticism. Needs bulk and drops too many passes but has a lot of
talent.
216. Owen Pochman, Patriots,
kicker Fairly
accurate left-footed kicker but does not have a super strong leg. Kickoffs
needs work.
218.
Chris Taylor, Steelers, WR Excellent
speed and runs
well after the catch but is
small and drops too many passes. Can return kicks and punts.
224. Eric Johnson, 49ers, TE Has played wide receiver,
tight end, H-back and fullback and is a very good pass catcher but is too small
to be a tight end and too slow for a wide receiver. Will probably play H-back.
227. Mike Roberg, Panthers, TE Decent size and hands but
lacks quickness off the line. Needs to improve his blocking as well.
228. Derek Combs, Raiders, RB Excellent speed but lacks
good size, strength and power. He is a home run hitter but does not break
tackles well. He also needs to work on his pass receiving skills.
229. Ken-Yon Rambo, Raiders, WR
Decent
size, speed and athleticism. Can return kicks and punts. Has big-play ability.
Could be a decent player someday but needs to improve his routes and
concentration. Unfortunately, he has small hands and drops too many passes.
235. Richmond Flowers, Jaguars,
WR Good
athlete with soft hands and very good concentration. Lacks big time speed but
is a bit more than a possession receiver. Can return kickoffs.
236. Quentin McCord, Falcons, WR
Good speed and runs well
after the catch but lacks good height and has small hands.
245. Andre King, Browns, WR Good size, hands and toughness. Runs well after the catch and is a good blocker. Is not a burner and is a tad old at 27. Can return punts.
