1st Round Recap

April 24, 2005

By John Clifford

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Alex Smith

QB/Utah

A pick that has to make you think about Roethlisberger -- In combination with QB skills, his athleticism places him as the most NFL-ready, which when you consider the SF QB depth chart and Rattay becoming seen as injury-prone.

Ronnie Brown

RB/Auburn

All sorts of talk and possibilities surrounded this pick and could've sent the draft in all sorts of directions, but in the end, Saban takes the best football player on the board to make HIS team better.

Braylon Edwards

WR/Michigan

Similar to Miami's situation, there was no other choice based on the talent on the board and the team's need for an impact from a 3rd overall pick. Crennel knows how to get production from all sorts of combinations of parts on defense, they'll be there later in this draft, but Edwards steps in as an immediate playmaker.

Cedric Benson

RB/Texas

The Bears apparently became enamored with Benson and didn't have much doubt about what to do here -- adding a consistent and highly productive RB to a team that just hasn't had that (to go along with that passing game that's been equally inconsistent for so long).

Carnell Williams

RB/Auburn

Speaking of enamored…By all accounts Gruden and his staff saw all they needed to see during practice in Mobile back in January with his mindset for the game and his versatility -- both should fit well with what Gruden wants to do.

Adam Jones

CB/West Virginia

There was barely any speculation that Norm Chow would be reunited with his former star WR, but the need for a top CB was too pressing to pass on one. The Titans opted for the speedy playmaker in Pac-Man, going against the consensus of selecting Rolle, perceived by most to be the best of the 2005 class of CBs.

Troy Williamson

WR/Minnesota

The speed theme continues with the Vikes passing on Mike Williams for the player they believe assures them of the deep threat replacement for Moss.

Antrel Rolle

CB/Miami

The Cardinals have several needs and could've gone in a different direction, certainly had one of the big 3 RBs slid, even Rodgers, but Rolle is a major talent and can contribute immediately at a critical position where the team doesn't field any starters remotely approaching his abilities.

Carlos Rogers

CB/Auburn

Most feel that Rogers established himself as a player that performs at a high enough level for consideration with the two CBs taken before him. The Skins fill Smoot's void and their 2nd first round pick lets them address other needs.

Mike Williams

WR/USC

So much for offense in 2004, defense in 2005. The implications of Millen & Mooch taking Williams for the first round…and Charles Rogers…is fascinating. Az-Hakim as a 4th WR? Harrington has no excuses or Garcia just might thrive.in his place.

Demarcus Ware

DE/Troy

Tuna was looking to end his nightmare on defense all the way. His priority being dynamic and versatile playmakers in the front 7 to play multiple fronts with more 3-4. Could've been Merriman.

Shawne Merriman

OLB/Maryland

For all the same reasons Dallas coveted Ware with an emphasis on the defense scheme and finding the right players to fill certain spots and thrive, Merriman fits.

Jammal Brown

OT/Oklahoma

For all the trade talk involving the top of the round, the Saints make the first move and it's not to help on defense. Brown's interviewing and attitude as much as his ability vaulted him in front of Barron.

Thomas Davis

S-LB/Georgia

Tagliabue announced Davis as "Linebacker Thomas Davis" -- safety or not, it's clear he made a strong impression with scouts throughout this process as being a football player that tackles well, hits hard and makes plays around the ball.

Derrick Johnson

OLB/Texas

For all the accolades and playmaking in college, perhaps no other player other than Mike Williams polarized the opinion of scouts, pundits and draftniks than DJ. With all the additions to the KC defense, he should be able to pick up where he left off with the playmaking.

Travis Johnson

DT/Florida State

Hardly a glamour pick for the Texans, and bit peculiar given that Houston could've done so many other things (from Mark Clayton in the passing game to one of the top linebackers), but Capers hopes this adds to the foundation he's building in his system towards being a perennial playoff contender.

David Pollack

DE/Georgia

More of the expected pick than Chris Perry and in the classic Marvin Lewis mold. Pollack will have an opportunity to be a good complementary part, but also make a significant contribution on that D.

Erasmus James

DE/Wisconsin

It was expected, especially if the Vikes addressed WR, that they'd go for a rush end. It wouldn't have been surprising to see James go a bit earlier, but being on the board at 18 made this an easy decision.

Alex Barron

OT/Florida State

This was seen as the clear pick among many...Brown or Barron. While there are plenty of needs on D, Barron this late, for the need that he fills couldn't be passed on.

Marcus Spears

DE/LSU

It really couldn't have gone more according to plan and taking Spears here is the perfect complement to Ware in executing that plan to play a lot more 3-4. Spears in particular should be a consistent performer, anchor and upgrade as part of that plan.

Matt Jones

WR/Arkansas

With all the talent at CB on the board, and the Jags' needs there, never mind OL, the reality of Jones shooting up the draft board to find himself at 21, to of all teams Jacksonville, was the biggest surprise of the 1st round.  Matt Jones is a tremendous athlete and he loves football, time will tell as to at the next level.

Mark Clayton

WR/Oklahoma

Mark Clayton could've been selected at any of about 10 spots earlier and no one would've blinked an eye. It's picks like this that help solidify Ozzie Newsome's resume on draft day -- major talent making its way down the board and the Ravens FO not making the mistake of passing on the value. Oh, Clayton fills a gaping hole after Mason.

Fabian Washington

CB/Nebraska

The Raiders play for younger, faster, cheaper and more productive players in the secondary begins with trading up to get Fabian Washington…with the emphasis on speed.

Aaron Rodgers

QB/California

At some point for Aaron Rodgers, team needs and best player available would collide. Except that Green Bay's defense needs so much help, that after that 5-hour free-fall, nothing was certain.  Rodgers became a sympathetic figure over those hours, he was rewarded by becoming the heir apparent to Favre -- no pressure, until he has to play.

Jason Campbell

QB/Auburn

It's safe to say that the internal investigation about this pick can be closed. There was, in fact, a leak. The Skins passed on drafting Mike Williams to address a deficiency on D, but there's more than one, so instead after spending all those picks, opt for Campbell? Skins fans are hoping better judgment was used here, than with that Brunell contract.

Chris Spencer

C/Mississippi

Given Seattle's needs on D and the relative talent available on the board, this was a bit of a peculiar pick of what is otherwise widely-regarded as an excellent football player.

Roddy White

WR/UAB

Similar to Seattle's selection, by all accounts an excellent football player worthy of the pick, but in this case, with needs on both sides of the ball…It's all about Vick and getting weapons in the passing game around him, since he's his own ground game.

Luis Castillo

DT/Northwestern

The Chargers defied all expectation by not selecting a WR at either pick in the 1st round. Beyond that, they shrugged off the admission by Castillo of using steroids to recover from pre-Scouting Combine injury, simply looking for another component to the 3-4 theme seen throughout the first round.

Marlin Jackson

CB/Michigan