Very cool, thanks Raptor!!
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We hate to rush your life away, but now that the 2003 draft is complete it is time to look ahead to 2004.
Your mind still might be trying to free itself from two days of draft cobwebs, but with the last choice of the seventh round Sunday, the focus now turns to next year for many of the league's scouts. The same goes for us, too.
Two-way Buckeyes star Chris Gamble is coveted as a big corner.(Getty Images)
The recently completed draft was top-heavy in defensive linemen and quarterbacks -- 11 defensive linemen taken in the first round and four quarterbacks. The Ravens traded their first-round pick next year to get one of those quarterbacks, Cal's Kyle Boller.
Some speculated they did so because next year's quarterback class will be weak. That might not be the case, depending on if some of the talented junior class decide to go pro in 2004. In fact, it could be a strong quarterback class.
The top-rated senior quarterback is Mississippi's Eli Manning, who thought hard about coming out this year. He made the right decision to stay because the extra year will make him stronger.
Manning has all the tools. He doesn't have a Carson Palmer-like arm, but his arm is plenty strong enough. Like brother Peyton, he has that field presence you like in a quarterback, able to change on the fly and with a keen ability to read coverage.
Manning will be challenged for that top spot.
A year ago, Palmer and Boller were both viewed as potential first-round picks, but most believed they would go later. Each had a strong senior season to move into the first round.
Washington's Cody Pickett is that same type of player. At 6-feet-4, 215 pounds, he has the size and the arm teams want. He also has the stats, throwing for a Pac-10 record 4,458 yards last season, clearly outdistancing both Palmer and Boller. He also threw 28 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.
Three other junior quarterbacks to watch are: Arizona State's Andrew Walter, Oregon State's Derek Anderson and Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger. All three have size and powerful arms and play in pass-oriented offenses where they will put up big numbers and learn the nuances of playing quarterback.
Other quarterbacks to keep an eye on are: Jared Lorenzen of Kentucky, Casey Clausen of Tennessee, North Carolina State's Philip Rivers and Michigan's John Navarre.
In addition to a potentially good quarterback class, next year's draft might be loaded with linebackers. One linebacker went in the first round this year -- but, counting juniors that might come out, the 2004 class can be linebacker heavy.
Among those potential first-round picks are: two at Oklahoma (Teddy Lehman and Lance Mitchell), two at Auburn (Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas) and two at Miami (Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams). Florida State's Michael Boulware is another who might go high. All of those players will be seniors.
One junior linebacker who could be first-round choice, if he comes out, is Derrick Johnson of Texas.
Cedric Benson might bolt for the pros after another big season at Texas.(Getty Images)
The other thing to notice when rating some of next year's top players is many will come from four schools: Texas, Ohio State, Miami and Oklahoma. Those four should again be among the best teams in the country.
Of course, an entire college season will have to be played before we know who the top prospects will be next April. Did anyone think Willis McGahee would be considered one of the top players before the 2002 season?
Here's a list of 32 players who could be the first-round picks in next year's draft, juniors included. They are in no particular order, although the quarterbacks, as usual, top the list.
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi -- He has had to deal with comparisons to brother Peyton and his father (Archie) his entire career and has still developed into a top-notch quarterback. He doesn't appear to have the same passion for the game as Peyton, but he does have all the tools and skills to be an effective NFL quarterback. Seeing him run the Ole Miss offense is remindful of his brother running the Colts.
and of course they listed more.....
