2003 NFL Draft Analysis

ARIZONA

Analysis: The Cardinals had two major areas of need -- receiver and defensive line -- and they addressed both in the first round. They really like Pace, who is bigger and a bit faster than Terrell Suggs. He isn’t as good at rushing the passer as Suggs, but he’s more of an every-down player. Johnson might be somewhat of a reach in the first round; he isn’t nearly as speedy as some of the receivers on the board. But the Cardinals like his size, and they are desperate for receivers who can step in right away after they lost David Boston, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins.

*--* R (No) Player P School 1 (17) BRYANT JOHNSON WR Penn State 1 (18) CALVIN PACE DE Wake Forest 2 (54) ANQUAN BOLDIN WR Florida State 3 (70) GERALD HAYES LB Pittsburgh 5 (141) KENNY KING DE Alabama 6 (177) REGGIE WELLS OT Clarion 6 (210) TONY GILBERT LB Georgia

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ATLANTA

*--* 2 (55) BRYAN SCOTT CB Penn State 4 (121) JUSTIN GRIFFITH RB Mississippi State 5 (159) JON OLINGER WR Cincinnati 6 (196) LATARENCE DUNBAR WR TCU 6 (202) WAINE BACON DB Alabama 7 (238) DEMETRIN VEAL DE Tennessee

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Analysis: The Falcons needed a cornerback, and they got a good one in Scott. They are looking for someone to replace retired fullback Bob Christian, so they took Griffith in the fourth round. That was a bit of a reach; Wake Forest’s Ovie Mughelli was still available -- Baltimore took him 13 picks later -- and a lot of scouts had him rated higher. The two receivers might be able to make a contribution on offense next season, although it’s more likely they will be special-teamers. The Falcons already upgraded at that position with the recent addition of Peerless Price.

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BALTIMORE

*--* 1 (10) TERRELL SUGGS DT Arizona State 1 (19) KYLE BOLLER QB California 3 (77) MUSA SMITH RB Georgia 4 (109) JARRET JOHNSON DE Alabama 4 (134) OVIE MUGHELLI RB Wake Forest 5 (146) AUBRAYO FRANKLIN DT Tennessee 5 (173) TONY PASHOS T Illinois 6 (182) GEROME SAPP DB Notre Dame 7 (223) TRENT SMITH TE Oklahoma 7 (250) MIKE MABRY C Central Florida 7 (258) ANTWOINE SANDERS DB Utah

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Analysis: Although the Ravens came into the draft with their heart set on Byron Leftwich, they love the fact they were able to get Suggs and Boller in the first round. Suggs was a steal at No. 10. So was Smith, whom Baltimore scouts considered the second-best running back in the draft and the 20th player on their board. They didn’t address their need for a wide receiver, but they did get two solid defensive linemen Sunday -- both of whom will add depth -- and Pashos, who could wind up taking over at left tackle down the road.

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BUFFALO

*--* 1 (23) WILLIS McGAHEE RB Miami 2 (48) CHRIS KELSAY DE Nebraska 3 (94) ANGELO CROWELL LB Virginia 4 (111) TERRENCE MCGEE DB Northwestern State 4 (127) SAM AIKEN WR North Carolina 5 (151) BEN SOBIESKI G Iowa 6 (187) LAUVALE SAPE DT Utah 7 (228) MARIO HAGGAN LB Mississippi State

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Analysis: The McGahee pick was a stunner, although the Bills feel good enough about the running backs they have to sit the Miami star all season if they must. Buffalo signed 11 veteran free agents this off-season, so this draft was more about adding depth than filling holes. Still, the Bills need to have marked improvement in a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed. Many people thought Kelsay was a first-rounder, so to get him midway through the second was a good move. Terence McGee not only will add depth in the defensive backfield but can return punts.

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CAROLINA

*--* 1 (8) JORDAN GROSS OT Utah 2 (50) BRUCE NESLON C Iowa 3 (76) MIKE SEIDMAN TE UCLA 3 (82) RICKY MANNING DB UCLA 4 (119) COLIN BRANCH DB Stanford 5 (145) KINDAL MOOREHEAD DT Alabama 7 (226) WALTER YOUNG WR Illinois 7 (247) CASEY MOORE RB Stanford

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Analysis: The Panthers had a hole at right tackle that they addressed with Gross. He could be good enough to replace left tackle Todd Steussie when the need arises. UCLA’s Seidman is a good tight end, and Bruin teammate Manning Jr. makes up for his lack of size with his airtight coverage. Free safety Deon Grant had a very erratic season in 2002, so the Panthers wanted to draft someone to compete for that job. Branch is speedy and smart.

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CHICAGO

*--* 1 (14) MICHAEL HAYNES DE Penn State 1 (22) REX GROSSMAN QB Florida 2 (35) CHARLES TILLMAN DB La.-Lafayette 3 (68) LANCE BRIGGS LB Arizona 4 (100) TODD JOHNSON DB Florida 4 (116) IAN SCOTT DT Florida 5 (139) BOBBY WADE WR Arizona 5 (143) JUSTIN GAGE WR Missouri 5 (171) TRON LAFAVOR DT Florida 6 (191) JOE ODOM LB Purdue 6 (206) BROCK FORSEY RB Boise State 7 (261) BRYAN ANDERSON G Pittsburgh

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Analysis: Yes, the Bears took Grossman in the first round, but they don’t plan to play him this season. The quarterback job belongs to Kordell Stewart, and the Bears don’t want to make the same musical-quarterbacks mistake they did when Cade McNown was a rookie. They love Haynes, who was among the top-rated defensive linemen. Chicago’s return game has been terrible the last two seasons, and the addition of receiver/returner Wade could help change that. The Bears still haven’t addressed their need for a good running back, someone who can at least challenge Anthony Thomas for the starting job.

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CINCINNATI

*--* 1 (1) CARSON PALMER QB USC 2 (33) ERIC STEINBACH G Iowa 3 (65) KELLEY WASHINGTON WR Tennessee 4 (98) DENNIS WEATHERSBY DB Oregon State 4 (118) JEREMI JOHNSOIN RB W. Kentucky 5 (136) KHALID ABDULLAH LB Mars Hill 6 (174) LANGSTON MOORE DT South Carolina 7 (215) SCOTT KOOISTRA OT N.C. State 7 (259) ELTON PATTERSON DE Central Florida

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Analysis: This might be the year everything turns around for the Bengals, who are delighted about their draft and should be. Not only did they land Palmer, who won’t be forced onto the field right away, but their next three picks could be immediate contributors. Steinbach was expected to go in the first round, Washington has the speed to stretch a defense, and Weathersby -- recovering from a gunshot wound -- was once projected as a second-rounder. If Weathersby’s situation was an anomaly and not a bad omen, and if Kelley has recovered from a neck injury, those players could be real finds.

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CLEVELAND

*--* 1 (21) JEFF FAINE C Notre Dame 2 (52) CHAUN THOMPSON LB West Texas A&M; 3 (84) CHRIS CROCKER DB Marshall 4 (115) LEE SUGGS RB Virginia Tech 5 (142) RYAN PONTBRIAND C Rice 5 (152) MICHAEL LEHAN DB Minnesota 6 (195) ANTONIO GARAY DT Boston College

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Analysis: A lot of people considered Faine the top-rated offensive lineman on the board, and that’s an area of need for the Browns. But Cleveland is desperate for linebackers, and the Browns drafted only one. The one they got, Thompson, is considered by many people a reach, someone who might have lasted until later in the draft. Suggs is a good back who scored a lot of touchdowns last season, but the Browns already have William Green. There are more pressing concerns. They need a tight end and could have taken Tennessee’s Jason Witten in the second round; he went to Dallas in the third. It’s a mystery why they spent a fifth-round pick on Pontbriand, purely a long-snapper. Even he was surprised by the news.

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DALLAS

*--* 1 (5) TERENCE NEWMAN DB Kansas State 2 (38) AL JOHNSON C Wisconsin 3 (69) JASON WITTEN TE Tennessee 4 (103) BRADIE JAMES LB LSU 6 (178) B.J. TUCKER DB Wisconsin 6 (186) ZURIEL SMITH WR Hampton 7 (219) JUSTIN BATES G Colorado

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Analysis: Try as they might, the Cowboys were unable to trade up in the second round to get Georgia linebacker Boss Bailey. They got Johnson instead, and he will join the logjam at guard. Getting Newman was key -- every team could use a corner of his caliber -- and Witten was an exceptional choice. Even though this was one of the best defensive-line drafts in memory, the Cowboys didn’t land anyone who can help them there. They need a running back too.

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DENVER

*--* 1 (20) GEORGE FOSTER OT Georgia 2 (51) TERRY PIERCE LB Kansas State 4 (108) QUENTIN GRIFFIN RB Oklahoma 4 (114) NICK EASON DT Clemson 4 (128) BRYANT MCNEAL DE Clemson 5 (157) BEN CLAXTON C Mississippi 5 (158) ADRIAN MADISE WR TCU 6 (194) AARON HUNT DE Texas Tech 7 (227) CLINT MITCHELL DE Florida 7 (235) AHMAAD GALLOWAY RB Alabama

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Analysis: Before the draft, the Broncos said they didn’t have any glaring needs. They adhered to that philosophy all weekend, selecting players who can help their depth but aren’t likely to change the look of the team much. They already have their starting tackles, so Foster probably won’t find his way onto the line. Griffin will learn behind No. 1 running back Clinton Portis. Claxton will learn the ropes from Pro Bowl center Tom Nalen. And Pierce will be backing up Pro Bowl middle linebacker Al Wilson.

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DETROIT

*--* 1 (2) CHARLES ROGERS WR Michigan State 2 (34) BOSS BAILEY LB Georgia 3 (66) CORY REDDING DE Texas 4 (99) ARTOSE PINNER RB Kentucky 5 (137) TERRENCE HOLT DB N.C. State 5 (144) JAMES DAVIS LB West Virginia 6 (175) DAVID KIRCUS WR Grand Valley State 7 (216) BEN JOHNSON OT Wisconsin 7 (220) BLUE ADAMS DB Cincinnati 7 (236) BRANDON DRUMM RB Colorado 7 (260) TRAVIS ANGLIN WR Memphis

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Analysis: Rogers stole all the headlines, but Bailey was a great pick. He somehow slipped into the second round, and the Lions were looking for a speedy linebacker. The dark horse player to watch is Kircus, who scored 35 touchdowns last season on the Division II championship team. He’s scorching fast and clearly has something to prove. The Lions see Redding rounding into a possible replacement for defensive end Robert Porcher in a couple of years. Running back Pinner is coming off a broken leg and won’t be available until the beginning of training camp.

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GREEN BAY

*--* 1 (29) NICK BARNETT LB Oregon State 3 (79) KENNY PETERSON DT Ohio State 5 (147) JAMES LEE DT Oregon State 5 (166) HUNTER HILLENMEYER LB Vanderbilt 6 (212) BRENNAN CURTIN OT Notre Dame 7 (245) CHRIS JOHNSON DB Louisville 7 (253) DEANDREW RUBIN WR South Florida 7 (256) CARL FORD WR Toledo 7 (257) STEVE JOSUE LB Carson-Newman

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Analysis: Having lost seven players who made significant contributions to last season’s defense, the Packers came into the draft looking to beef up on that side of the ball. Their first four picks were defensive players, highlighted by their opening-round selection of Barnett, considered by some people to be a reach. The Packers see him as having the potential to be a young Hardy Nickerson. The team still hasn’t addressed its need for a young quarterback to groom. Curtin should add depth to a thin offensive line, and there’s a slight possibility he could break into the starting lineup. Lee has great athletic ability but didn’t do too much in college.

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HOUSTON

*--* 1 (3) ANDRE JOHNSON WR Miami 2 (41) BENNIE JOPPRU TE Michigan 3 (67) ANTWAN PEEK LB Cincinnati 3 (75) SETH WAND OT NW Missouri 3 (88) DAVE RAGONE QB Louisville 4 (101) DOMANICK DAVIS RB LSU 6 (192) DREW HENSON QB Michigan 6 (214) KEITH WRIGHT DT Missouri 7 (217) CURRY BURNS DB Louisville 7 (233) CHANCE PEARCE C Texas A&M;

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Analysis: Not only is Johnson big and tough, he has got the speed to stretch a defense. Joppru had some discipline problems early in his career yet appears to have overcome those. He was projected by many scouts to go in the first round, and he’s bigger than Texan tight end Billy Miller, so he gives David Carr another Texas-sized target. Already, the team is vastly better on offense. A year after making Carr the No. 1 pick, Houston took two quarterbacks. Ragone should be the No. 3, and Henson, pursuing a baseball career, will be trade fodder if he ever decides to play pro football.

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INDIANAPOLIS

*--* 1 (24) DALLAS CLARK TE Iowa 2 (58) MIKE DOSS DB Ohio State 3 (90) DONALD STRICKLAND DB Colorado 4 (122) STEVE SCIULLO G Marshall 5 (138) ROBERT MATHIS DE Alabama A&M; 5 (162) KEYON WHITESIDE LB Tennessee 6 (198) CATO JUNE LB Michigan 6 (208) MAKOA FREITAS G Arizona

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Analysis: Getting a big tight end was a must for the Colts, who are still hurting after losing Ken Dilger to Tampa Bay a year ago. They need a bookend for Marcus Pollard, preferably a good blocker, who can make an immediate contribution in their many two-tight-end sets. Clark could be that player, although, like Pollard, he’s more a receiver than a blocker. Doss is a solid safety and addresses a pressing need. A player to watch is Mathis, who comes from a small school and wasn’t on everyone’s radar screen. Colt personnel executive Bill Polian sees him as a smallish but scorching-fast pass rusher whose skills and style are similar to those of Dwight Freeney, last season’s first-round pick.

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JACKSONVILLE

*--* 1 (7) BYRON LEFTWICH QB Marshall 2 (39) RASHEAN MATHIS DB Beth.-Cookman 3 (72) VINCENT MANUWAI G Hawaii 4 (104) GEORGE WRIGHSTER TE Oregon 4 (132) LABRANDON TOEFIELD RB LSU 6 (176) BRANDON GREEN DE Rice 6 (179) DAVID YOUNG DB Ga. Southern 6 (193) MARQUES OGDEN OT Howard 7 (218) MALAEFOU MACKENZIE RB USC

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Analysis: While Mark Brunell was in Los Angeles participating in the made-for-TV quarterback challenge, the Jaguars were angling for a way to replace him. They selected Leftwich, a quarterback coveted by several teams, and now face a quarterback controversy for first-year Coach Jack Del Rio. The Jaguars were looking for more speed in the secondary too, something that will enable them to use more press coverage. Mathis should help in that respect.

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KANSAS CITY

*--* 1 (27) LARRY JOHNSON RB Penn State 2 (47) KAWIKA MITCHELL LB South Florida 3 (92) JULIAN BATTLE DB Tennessee 4 (113) BRETT WILLIAMS OT Florida State 5 (153) JORDAN BLACK T Notre Dame 6 (189) JIMMY WILKERSON DE Oklahoma 7 (230) MONTIQUE SHARPE DT Wake Forest 7 (252) WILLIE PILE DB Virginia Tech

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Analysis: Because Priest Holmes is coming off an injury and he has threatened to hold out if he doesn’t get a new contract, the Chiefs needed to draft a running back. They got the one they wanted in Johnson, and they would have taken him earlier in the first round had they not struck a trade-down deal with Pittsburgh. Middle linebacker Marvcus Patton is nearing the end of his career, so Kansas City wanted someone who could eventually take over there. Mitchell could be that player. He appears to be a complete player, someone who isn’t a liability on passing downs. Even in this draft, which was loaded with good defensive linemen, the Chiefs missed out on getting someone who can pressure the passer. They’ll have to fill that need through free agency.

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MIAMI

*--* 2 (49) EDDIE MOORE LB Tennessee 3 (78) WADE SMITH OT Memphis 3 (87) TAYLOR WHITLEY G Texas A&M; 5 (156) DONALD LEE TE Mississippi State 5 (169) J.R. TOLVER WR San Diego State 6 (181) COREY JENKINS DB South Carolina 6 (209) TIM PROVOST OT San Jose State 6 (213) YEREMIAH BELL DB E. Kentucky 7 (248) DAVERN WILLIAMS DT Troy State

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Analysis: The Dolphins didn’t have a first-round pick, and their first selection might have been a reach. They needed linebacker depth -- and Moore provides that -- but they really needed help at receiver. They didn’t pick up a single pass catcher on either day. An interesting player to watch is Jenkins, who was a college quarterback who switched to defense late in his career and played two games at safety. Now, the Dolphins want to move him to linebacker. Smith probably won’t play much this year, although he could eventually take over for Mark Dixon and become the team’s left tackle. Miami had hoped to land offensive linemen Kwame Harris or Eric Steinbach.

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MINNESOTA

*--* 1 (9) KEVIN WILLIAMS DT Oklahoma State 2 (40) E.J. HENDERSON LB Maryland 3 (71) NATE BURLESON WR Nevada 4 (105) ONTERRIO SMITH RB Oregon 6 (180) EDDIE JOHNSON P Idaho State 6 (190) MIKE NATTIEL LB Florida 7 (221) KEENAN HOWRY WR Oregon

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Analysis: Even though they had the embarrassing lapse that led to them falling two spots in the first round, the Vikings got the player they wanted in Williams. Also, they were delighted to get Henderson in the second round, especially because almost everyone projected he would go in the first. The plan calls for him to learn the position behind Greg Biekert, then step into the lineup in a couple of years. The Vikings didn’t need a running back, although they feel they got a good one in Smith. He can return kicks, if nothing else.

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NEW ENGLAND

*--* 1 (13) TY WARREN NT Texas A&M; 2 (36) EUGENE WILSON DB Illinois 2 (45) BETHEL JOHNSON WR Texas A&M; 4 (117) DAN KLECKO DT Temple 4 (120) ASANTE SAMUEL DB Central Florida 5 (164) DAN KOPPEN C Boston College 6 (201) KLIFF KINGSBURY QB Texas Tech 7 (234) SPENCER NEAD TE BYU 7 (239) TULLY BANTA-CAIN DE California 7 (243) ETHAN KELLEY NT Baylor

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Analysis: The Patriots didn’t make a serious effort to trade up and get in position to take defensive linemen Dewayne Robertson or Jonathan Sullivan; they are very happy with Warren. The team got a solid cornerback in Wilson, yet didn’t address the need for a big receiver. Johnson is an interesting pick. He’s on the small side, but he’s very fast. The knock on Johnson, some scouts say, is he has a negative attitude and isn’t a self-starter. If Bill Belichick can inspire him, though, he has a chance to make an impact. The Patriots still need to deal with their aging linebackers, and needs at running back and guard.

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NEW ORLEANS

*--* 1 (6) JOHNATHAN SULLIVAN DT Georgia 2 (37) JON STINCHCOMB OT Georgia 3 (86) CIE GRANT LB Ohio State 4 (102) MONTRAE HOLLAND G Florida State 5 (155) MELVIN WILLIAMS DE Kansas State 6 (203) KAREEM KELLY WR USC 7 (231) TALMAN GARDNER WR Florida State

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Analysis: To hammer home the fact Sullivan will move immediately into the starting lineup, New Orleans promptly traded Norman Hand to Seattle. The Saints grabbed a Georgia player in the second round too, and they’re hoping Stinchcomb will pan out better than his big brother Matt has with Oakland. New Orleans closed its draft by selecting two receivers -- Kelly and Gardner -- and one of those might be able to contribute in the No. 4 spot.

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NEW YORK GIANTS

*--* 1 (25) WILLIAM JOSEPH DT Miami 2 (56) OSI UMENYIORA DE Troy State 3 (91) VISHANTE SHIANCOE TE Morgan State 4 (123) RODERICK BABERS DB Texas 5 (160) DAVID DIEHL G Illinois 6 (199) WILLIE PONDER WR SE Missouri 6 (207) FRANK WALKER DB Tuskegee 6 (211) DAVID TYREE WR Syracuse 7 (240) CHARLES DRAKE DB Michigan 7 (249) WAYNE LUCIER C Colorado 7 (255) KEVIN WALTER Wr E. Michigan

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Analysis: It was painfully obvious in their playoff loss at San Francisco that the Giants lack depth on their defensive line. They took steps to correct that in the draft. They had hoped to get Jerome McDougle or Michael Haynes, but team officials were not willing to give up a second-round pick to trade up in the first. They were very happy to land Joseph, who might have been a top-10 pick had he come out a year earlier. Umenyiora was taken a bit sooner than some people had expected. He’s very fast and a workout fiend, a player who could be an immediate contributor on passing downs. A year after drafting Jeremy Shockey, the Giants took another tight end -- one who could eventually replace Dan Campbell.

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NEW YORK JETS

*--* 1 (4) DEWAYNE ROBERTSON DT Kentucky 2 (53) VICTOR HOBSON LB Michigan 3 (85) B.J. ASKEW RB Michigan 5 (140) DEREK PAGEL DB Iowa 5 (150) MATT WALTERS DT Miami 6 (200) BROOKS BOLLINGER QB Wisconsin 7 (237) DAVE YOVANOVITS G Temple

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Analysis: The Jets realized their No. 1 goal: Getting Robertson in a New York Jet uniform. He has been compared to Warren Sapp, and if he’s even close to that, he was worth the effort. A year ago, the Jets used their first pick on a defensive end: Bryan Thomas. The Jets have lofty expectations for Hobson. The way they see it, Hobson is the heir apparent to Mo Lewis. Why draft a fullback in the third round? The Jets think Askew can replace Richie Anderson in the coming years. Askew is a decent lead blocker who can catch.

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OAKLAND

*--* 1 (31) NNAMDI ASOMUGHA DB California 1 (32) TYLER BRAYTON DT Colorado 2 (63) TEYO JOHNSON TE Stanford 3 (83) SAM WILLIAMS LB Fresno State 3 (96) JUSTIN FARGAS RB USC 4 (129) SHURRON PIERSON DE South Florida 5 (167) DOUG GABRIEL WR Central Florida 6 (204) DUSTIN RYKERT OT BYU 7 (246) SIDDEEQ SHABAZZ DB New Mexico State 7 (262) RYAN HOAG WR Gust. Adolphus

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Analysis: The Raiders have had five first-round picks in the last three years and have used them all on defensive players. Never before has Al Davis devoted five consecutive first-round picks to that side of the ball. This year, Oakland’s first four picks have something in common: They will be playing different positions in the pros than they played in college. Asomugha was a safety who will move to cornerback; Brayton was a defensive tackle who will move to end; Johnson was a receiver who will move to tight end and Williams was a linebacker who also will move to defensive end. Not many people had picked Asomugha to go in the first round. In fact, there were only three people at his home when the Raiders called. The rest of his friends were coming over later, thinking he might go in the second round.

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PHILADELPHIA

*--* 1 (15) JEROME McDOUGLE DE Miami 2 (61) L.J. SMITH TE Rutgers 3 (95) BILLY McMULLEN WR Virginia 4 (131) JAMAAL GREEN DE Miami 6 (185) JEREMEY BRIDGES OT Southern Miss 7 (244) NORMAN LEJEUNE DB LSU

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Analysis: Hugh Douglas is a hard man to replace, but the Eagles are sure trying. They got McDougle in the first round and feel good about that. He’s ultra-quick and got very used to winning in Miami. Another priority was to add a tight end, preferably a fast one, and that’s something they did with Smith. Chad Lewis is nearing the end of his career, and Smith should fit in well when the Eagles go to two tight ends. Lewis wore down a bit last year and was slowed by a series of stingers in his shoulders and neck. Wide receiver was another area of need; the Eagles got one in the third round in McMullen, who caught 68 passes last season at Virginia.

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PITTSBURGH

*--* 1 (16) TROY POLAMALU DB USC 2 (59) ALONZO JACKSON DE Florida State 4 (125) IVAN TAYLOR DB La.-Lafayette 5 (163) BRIAN ST. PIERRE QB Boston College 7 (242) J.T. WALL RB Georgia

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Analysis: Never before has Pittsburgh traded up in the first round to get a player, but the Steelers did just that to land Polamalu. They see him as a safety who can play his way into the starting lineup and take over the spot vacated by Lee Flowers. Jackson is a bit small to play defensive end in the pros, but the Steelers have a history of turning those players into outside linebackers in the 3-4. They did that with Jason Gildon and Joey Porter, and they are confident they can do the same with Jackson. The strength coach for Deion Sanders has worked with cornerback Taylor and calls him one of the best athletes he has ever known.

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ST. LOUIS

*--* 1 (12) JIMMY KENNEDY DT Penn State 2 (43) PISA TINOISAMOA LB Hawaii 3 (74) KEVIN CURTIS WR Utah State 4 (106) SHAUN MCDONALD WR Arizona State 4 (107) DEJUAN GROCE DB Nebraska 5 (148) DAN CURLEY TE E. Washington 5 (170) SHANE WALTON DB Notre Dame 5 (172) KEVIN GARRETT DB SMU 6 (184) SCOTT TERCERO G California 7 (251) SCOTT SHANLE LB Nebraska 7 (254) RICHARD ABGUELO TE W. New Mexico

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Analysis: Even though the Rams weren’t in the market for a defensive tackle, they found Kennedy too enticing to ignore. They had him rated among the top five players in the draft, so getting him at 12 was a steal. The team came into the draft needing a linebacker and got just the kind it needs in Tinoisamoa -- undersized, yet extremely quick. The Rams are still looking for a way to replace Az-Zahir Hakim. The answer could be Curtis or McDonald, receivers taken in the third and fourth rounds. Both run the 40 in the neighborhood of 4.3 seconds, and both are potential punt returners.

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SAN DIEGO

*--* 1 (30) SAMMY DAVIS DB Texas A&M; 2 (46) DRAYTON FLORENCE DB Tuskegee 2 (62) TERRENCE KIEL DB Texas A&M; 3 (80) COURTNEY VANBUREN OT Ark.-Pine Bluff 4 (112) MATT WILHELM LB Ohio State 5 (149) MIKE SCIFRES P Western Illinois 6 (188) HANIK MILLIGAN DB Houston 7 (229) ANDREW PINNOCK RB South Carolina

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Analysis: The Charger secondary will be completely reshuffled next season, with every remaining starter playing a different position than he did in 2002. The team’s first two picks, Davis and Florence, should be able to make an immediate impact, and not just on special teams. The team also drafted a pair of safeties, Kiel and Milligan. An interesting move was drafting Scifres in the fifth round, a player they might normally pick up in free agency.

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SAN FRANCISCO

*--* 1 (26) KWAME HARRIS OT Stanford 2 (57) ANTHONY ADAMS DT Penn State 3 (89) ANDREW WILLIAMS DE Miami 4 (124) BRANDON LLOYD WR Illinois 5 (161) AARON WALKER TE Florida 6 (197) ARNAZ BATTLE WR Notre Dame 7 (241) KEN DORSEY QB Miami

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Analysis: The 49ers are looking for someone who can eventually replace Derrick Deese, and they like what they see in Harris. He’s young, raw, enormous and bright. In the third round, where they might have chosen cornerback Dennis Weathersby, they grabbed Williams. The second day was devoted to offense, a rarity for the 49ers. Dorsey was a what-the-heck pick in the seventh round, and Battle might be able to contribute right away as a returner.

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SEATTLE

*--* 1 (11) MARCUS TRUFANT DB Washington State 2 (42) KEN HAMLIN DB Arkansas 3 (73) WAYNE HUNTER OT Hawaii 4 (110) SENECA WALLACE QB Iowa State 4 (135) SOLOMON BATES LB Arizona State 5 (165) CHRIS DAVIS RB Syracuse 6 (183) RASHAD MOORE DT Tennessee 7 (222) JOSH BROWN K Nebraska 7 (224) Taco Wallace WR Kansas State

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Analysis: Cornerback wasn’t at the top of Seattle’s wish list, but the Seahawks weren’t about to pass on Trufant, easily the most talented defensive back in the draft. They bulked up on the offensive line with Hunter, and got a probable No. 3 quarterback in Wallace. He’s a former defensive back who scouts say has NFL arm strength and is great rolling out in either direction.

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TAMPA BAY

*--* 2 (64) DEWAYNE WHITE DL Louisville 3 (97) CHRIS SIMMS QB Texas 4 (130) LANCE NIMMO T West Virginia 4 (133) AUSTIN KING C Northwestern 5 (168) SEAN MAHAN G Notre Dame 6 (205) TORRIE COX DB Pittsburgh

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Analysis: Simms didn’t play his best in big games at Texas, but he never had a quarterback coach like Jon Gruden. The Buccaneers see Simms as a budding talent who can learn behind Brad Johnson and absorb Gruden’s complicated offensive scheme. White had 10 1/2 sacks last season and should be able to make a contribution, probably playing behind Greg Spires on the left side. The Tampa Bay offensive line played extremely well in the postseason -- Johnson was sacked only once in the playoffs -- yet the Buccaneers want to upgrade. They spent their three middle-round picks on offensive linemen, players who should provide depth next season.

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TENNESSEE

*--* 1 (28) ANDRE WOOLFOLK DB Oklahoma 2 (60) TYRONE CALICO WR Middle Tenn 3 (93) CHRIS BROWN RB Colorado 4 (126) RIEN LONG DT Washington State 5 (154) DONNIE NICKEY DB Ohio State 7 (225) TODD WILLIAMS G Florida State

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Analysis: The Titans drafted a host of great athletes. It remains to be seen if they can turn them into productive players. Woolfolk is a speedy corner yet has only played the position for one year. Long won the Outland Trophy but has been branded by some scouts as a player with an attitude problem. Calico is a former receiver who started out as a linebacker. Jeff Fisher is a very good coach, and he will be called upon to prove it again this season.

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WASHINGTON

*--* 2 (44) TAYLOR JACOBS WR Florida 3 (81) DERRICK DOCKERY G Texas 7 (232) GIBRAN HAMDEN QB Indiana

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Analysis: Steve Spurrier seemed a tad sheepish about using Washington’s first pick on a player from -- where else? -- Florida. But Jacobs was considered by many scouts to be a first-rounder, and he is comfortable in Spurrier’s system. He has blistering speed but missed the Senior Bowl because of a deep thigh bruise. Dockery, the second of Washington’s three picks, was an Outland Trophy finalist.