This is my final mock draft before next week’s draft. the mock draft is based on conversations I’ve had with everyone. Although some people have told me who they plan on taking, others have told me who they’re leaning torwards, while others just told me which way they were leaning. The ones I didn’t talk to, I already know what you want.

Below is just one man’s opinion and there’s no guarantee that I’m even close to being right. But enjoy it anyway.

ROUND ONE PROJECTION

#1 – Matt Neatock takes Corey Dillon, RB, New England Patriots WHY? I’m sticking with Dillon being the top draft pick…With James already wrapped up in Matt’s back pocket late in the second round, he potentially has two top-five backs in his backfield.

#2 – Robio Murray takes Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis WHY? My heart screams for Julios Jones, but the big gun in Indy is too much to pass up. By doing this, I’m deciding to run with Michael Bennett as one of my two starting backs. It’s a risk, but it looks like I’m willing to take it.

#3 – Eric Vozzola takes Julios Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys WHY? Guess who had the most rushing yards over the final seven weeks last year? If you said Anthony Thomas – you’re out of my league. If you said Julios Jones, you’d be right. Eric has to go running back, there’s no other choice. Every running back left has some doubts; McAllister looked less than studly last season; Green is getting old. Rudi hurt Eric last year and fantasy owners hate being burned. Look for Eric to go with a youth moment and bring on ’04’s second half stud.

#4 – Molly Coomer takes Duece McAllister, RB, New Orleans Saints WHY? With a new contract signed and delivered all the Duece has to do is play some football. Ahman Green is a bit more proven, but Duece is a bit younger; thus look for him to get more carries; which means more yards, which means more fantasy points, which means victory, which means…I think yu get the point.

#5 – Jeff/Colby takes Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals WHY? This ones a tough call since this will be Team Jeff/Colby’s first draft with Colby present. With one stud running back already in the bag with Barber, I can see the Pounders grabbing a stud receiver, but waiting until the 3rd round for a running back is a bit risky. I originally had them taking Ahman Green, but that would bring a lot of age to one backfield; so the boys will probably go with youth.

#6 – Rob Masterson kept Priest Holmes, RB, Kansas City Chiefs WHY? One of the leagues greatest running backs during the fantasy era, so he’s an obvious keep; but you have to be a little worried that the Priest has failed to finish two of the last three seasons.

#7 – Don Vozzola takes Randy Moss, WR, Oakland Raiders WHY? Donnie don’t need no running back, so Donnie grabs the first wide receiver in the draft. With most of the top stud receivers available, including Moss and Owens; Donnie goes with Randy, who is this year’s Owens from last year. A disgruntled receiver with some proving to do.

#8 – Richard Burrier kept LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers WHY? Tomlinson was the top player on just about every mock draft out there. But there’s still a lot of people questioning Rich’s decision to cut Manning, which would have cost him only a second round pick.

#9 – David Hightower kept Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins WHY? I have to admit, I was surprised Davey didn’t keep Vick; but in all honesty, pretty much everyone agreed that he wasn’t worth a number two. Now we’ll see if Portis will find his shine from 2003. Joe Gibbs promises to use Portis the right way. If he does, then Davey is a happy man. BTW – Congrats on having that second kid. That’s six kids in the league. Fuck, we’re old.

#10 – Rich Calderon takes Terrell Owens, WR, Philadelphia Eagles WHY? Richie rolls the dice and grabs Owens. It’s definitely a tough call; most people believe its only a matter of time before he’s suspended or traded away. But by keeping Tatum Bell and Jamal Lewis, Rich is set a running back, might as well grab the league’s best receiver; when he keeps his mouth shut.

#11 – Griff Coomer kept Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks WHY? I’ve already said it a million times…you have a top-three back with the 11th pick…I kick you out of the league if you didn’t keep him.

#12 – Bob Castrone takes Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay Packers WHY? Just another, “wait and see who falls to me” pick. Bob did quite fine with a proven, older back last season. Look for him to go that route again with Green. The Packers should score a lot of points this season; or at least they’re going to need to with that defense.

ROUND TWO PROJECTION

#13 – Bob Castrone keeps Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota Viinkings WHY? I’m hearing a few whispers out there saying Culpepper will have a better year than Manning out this year. And why not? He did just as good as him last year; the only difference was, Manning had the TD’s, but Culpepper had the rushing yards.

#14 – Griff Coomer takes Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit Lions WHY? With Shaun Alexander already sitting pretty in the burned out one’s backfield, taking a little risk on Jones who just cracked 1,000 yards as a rookie is no big deal. What could go wrong? Just look at Anthony Thomas’ career.

#15 – Rich Calderon keeps Jamal Lewis, RB, Baltimore Ravens WHY? With the choice of Green (1st), Johnson (1st) or Lewis (2nd), the easy choice was keeping Lewis. With an improving passing game (We’ll see) and no drug suspenion this time around, Lewis should return to his 2003 form.

#16 – David Hightower takes Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts WHY? He use to be the #1 receiver, now he’s just the third best (based on salary), but until his numbers start to fall off, he’s easily an early second round worthy pair of hands.

#17 – Richard Burrier takes Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams WHY? With all the studrunning backs gone, the next ten backs all have the same reward, risk situation, so look for Burrier to snag a stud receiver and find his second back in round three…hopefully, it won’t be Anthony Thomas again.

#18 – Don Vozzola kept Domanick Davis, RB, Houston Texans WHY? Mmmm, Davis, McGahee and Moss…down-right, dirty threesome. Don-Don’s already a contender.

#19 – Rob Masterson takes Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams WHY? A big decision needed here. A receiver would be tempting, but he already landed Walker later in the draft; so what running back to take? Decisions, decisions, decision – Jackson steamrolled for over five yards a carrier last season. Just imagine what he’ll do starting all season on the Rams offense.

#20 – Jeff/Colby kept Donovan McNabb, QB, Phildelphia Eagles WHY? Tough call to keep him; but if Owens stays in the mix, Donovan should be a fine second round pick.

#21 – Molly Coomer takes Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles WHY? In the last Robioland Mock Draft, I had Brian falling to the third round, but at the time, he was holding out for more dollars. The hold out ended, Westbrook is back in camp and the Eagles offense has been clicking all preseason. Look for another great running/receiving year from the dynamic back in Philly.

#22 – Eric Vozzola takes Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals This is going to be one tough pick here. The situation: Eric, a diehard Dolphins fan, has the opportunity to land this year’s top rookie, who just so happens be the starting running back on the Dolphins, but those receivers are flying off the board in this round and Eric doesn’t want to be left out in the cold.

#23 – Robio Murray takes Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans WHY? I decide to join the receiver bandwagon and I have no real choices; I want Chad Johnson (a proven stud) but I’m left with Andre Johnson or Joe Horn. The Saint receiver was a stud last year and has been for a while; but he’s a nine-year vet. I decide to go with Johnson (Love them ex-Hurricanes).

#24 – Matt Neatock keeps Edgerrin James, RB, Indianapolis Colts WHY? With a scary backfield of Edge and Dillon; Matt’s looking at about 3,000 total yards (rushing and receiving) and about 25-TD’s. Barring injury; that’s a lock.

ROUND THREE PROJECTION

#25 – Matt Neatock takes Baltimore Ravens Defense WHY? Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard about four or five people talk about taking a defense early. And its a good point. A great defense has the potential to score big time. Back in the day, 99-01, defenses use to go as early as the second round. Matt has the knack of finding good players later in the draft (His problem is he trades them all away). He goes for the top defense, hoping to find his receivers later.

#26 – Robio Murray takes LaMont Jordon, RB, Oakland Raiders WHY? I need another back and I’m going to grab whoever falls to me here. It’s just that simple.

#27 – Eric Vozzola takes Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins WHY? Rumor on the street is Fred Taylor is stating to look healthy, but how many of us could pass up on our favorite team’s future star. Although just a rookie; most experts predict a 1,000-yard season.

#28 – Molly Coomer takes Michael Clayton, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WHY? The Bucs rookie was amazing last year, so look for Sarasota based (and Bucs fan) Molly Pop to grab the home town hero who should do just as good with Griese starting all season long.

29 – Jeff/Colby takes Joe Horn, WR, New Orleans Saints WHY? With his backfield settled, look for the league’s young pup to grab the final great receiver (that’s just one man’s opinion) left in the draft.

#30 – Rob Masterson takes Laveranues Coles, WR, New York Jets Why? There may be better receivers, but can Rob really pass up on the best receiver on his Jets, Jets, Jets?

#31 – Don Vozzola takes Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers WHY? Darrell Jackson or Hines Ward? They’re about the same; Ward wants a new contract, Jackson drobs every other pass. My money’s on Ward.

#32 – Richard Burrier takes Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars WHY? To be honest, I really have no idea. Burrier needs a sidekick for Tomlinson and all the remaining running backs have question marks; but of the remaining ones, Taylor has so much potential if he can just stay healthy.

#33 – David Hightower takes Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons WHY? This would be funny…he doesnt’ keep him because he’s not worth a second round pick, but who’s to say he’s not worth a second round pick. With Vick, Portis, Martin and Harrison, Hightower’s team is already better than last year.

#34 – Rich Calderon takes Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis Rams WHY? He already has his two starting running backs (Lewis, Bell) and his two starting receivers (Owens and Bennett), he might as well grab the best QB available.

#35 – Griff Coomer takes Nate Burleson, WR, Minnesota Vikings WHY? Someone’s gotta step up in Minnesota and Nate looks like the man now that Randy is gone.

#36 – Bob Castrone takes Chris Brown, RB, Tennessee Titans WHY? With Henry there, Brown will fall this far; but as long as he’s healthy, he’ll continue to be a starter and we all know what he did when he was healthy last season.

ROUND FOUR PROJECTION

#13 – Bob Castrone takes Darrell Jackson, WR, Seattle Seahawks WHY? He’s the last of the proven, star receivers left in the draft and guess what Bob needs? A proven, star reciever.

#14 – Griff Coomer takes Roy Williams, WR, Detroit Lions WHY? Bob picked a young, potential stud receiver two years ago (Andre Johnson), look for him to try again with Williams.

#15 – Rich Calderon take Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City Chiefs WHY? I’m sure he would take his boy from last year (Gates), but he’s suspended for the opening game; which will be a turn off.

#16 – David Hightower takes Jimmy Smith, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars WHY? With one and a half seasons working with Leftwich in Jacksonville, Smith should only get better numbers.

#17 – Richard Burrier takes New England Patriots Defense WHY? Like I said before, defense – early and often.

#18 – Don Vozzola takes Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay Packers WHY? It may be Favre’s last season and he may throw a few too many interceptions, he can score lots and lots of fantasy points still.

#19 – Rob Masterson keeps Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys WHY? With Walker waiting for him in the next round, it makes since to grab his stud tight end from last year.

#20 – Jeff/Colby takes Chris Chambers, WR, Miami Dolphins WHY? We’ve been waiting every year for this guy to step up…its time to put up or shut up.

#21 – Molly Coomer takes Donal Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers WHY? He tends to be forgotten because Javen Walker gets all the headlines, but Driver just continues to produce.

#22 – Eric Vozzola takes Ashley Lelie, WR, Denver Broncos WHY? He was a stud the last six or so weeks last season…he looks prime to become the top dog in Denver.

#23 – Robio Murray takes Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers WHY? He was a top receiver until his injury last season…there’s no reason why he can’t step back up again. .

#24 – Matt Neatock takes Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland Raiders WHY? He was supposed to be a good receiver without Moss…so he should be just as good, if not better, with so much coverage focused on Moss.