Speedy Miami return specialist Devin Hester may give the Chicago offense a boost it so desperately needs at wideout and provide a complement to beefy and productive wideout Muhsin Muhammad, while giving their quarterback, whoever it may be, another target. But a team that boasted the No. 1 defense in football last year could not resist packing that side of the ball, with two of its three Day 1 picks dedicated to defense. GM Jerry Angelo seemed immune to the disparity between Chicago's powerful defense and woeful offense, saying that tight end was the only offensive position where the Bears needed help. "I think offensively we are pretty good everywhere else in terms of our personnel and experience." Ahh, sorry, Jerry. You are not "pretty good everywhere else" and may not be again next year.

 

Round 2 (42) – S Danieal Manning, 5-11, 201, Abilene Christian

Round 2 (57) – WR Devin Hester, 5-11, 189, Miami (Fla.)

Round 3 (73) – DT Dusty Dvoracek, 6-3, 305, Oklahoma

Round 4 (120) – ILB Jamar Williams, 6-0, 250, Arizona State

Round 5 (159) – DE Mark Anderson, 6-4, 258, Alabama

Round 6 (195) – FB J.D. Runnels, 5-11, 235, Oklahoma

Round 6 (200) – G Tyler Reed, 6-4, 315, Penn State

 

 

The great irony in Detroit – and the proof that Matt Millen and not Ted Nugent is the real Motor City Madman – is that after drafting three straight first-round wideouts, passing offense remains the Lions' worst statistical problem. Of course, Millen could not go out and draft passing-game talent without making an even bigger mockery of himself – no matter how badly it's still needed. He instead focused on defense this year: Four of Detroit's seven picks, including its first two, were devoted to defense even though the team still needs more help on offense. The Lions have, however, been very busy in free agency, picking up six offensive players, including quarterbacks Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and (remember this guy?) Shaun King.

 

Round 1 (9) – OLB Ernie Sims, 5-11, 232, Florida State

Round 2 (40) – S Daniel Bullocks, 6-0, 213, Nebraska

Round 3 (74) – RB Brian Calhoun, 5-9, 202, Wisconsin

Round 5 (141) – T Jonathan Scott, 6-6, 314, Texas

Round 6 (179) – CB Alton McCann, 5-11, 198, West Virginia

Round 7 (217) – G Fred Matua, 6-02, 307, USC

Round 7 (247) – OLB Anthony Cannon, 5-11, 227, Tulane

 

 

Green Bay devoted three of its league-most 12 draft picks to its biggest need: offensive line. Another pick or two devoted to the OL, especially high in the draft, certainly wouldn't have hurt. The Packers also devoted four picks – including first-rounder A.J. Hawk – to front-seven defenders who can only shore up a weak run defense. It's a relatively solid needs-addressed draft, but will probably will do little to help the Pack as long as Brett Favre is throwing the ball into the hands of the opposition while fans and management turn a blind eye.

 

Round 1 (5) – OLB A.J. Hawk, 6-1, 247, Ohio State

Round 2 (47) – T Daryn Colledge, 6-4, 298, Boise State

Round 2 (52) – WR Greg Jennings, 5-11, 196, Western Michigan

Round 3 (67) – ILB Abdul Hodges, 6-0, 235, Iowa

Round 3 (75) – C Jason Spitz, 6-3, 304, Louisville

Round 4 (104) – WR Cory Rodgers, 6-0, 187, TCU

Round 4 (115) – WR Will Blackmon, 6-0, 199, Boston College

Round 5 (148) – QB Ingle Martin, 6-2, 219, Furman

Round 5 (165) – T Tony Moll, 6-5, 308, Nevada

Round 6 (183) – DT Johnny Jolly, 6-3, 318, Texas A&M

Round 6 (185) – S Tyrone Culver, 6-0, 196, Fresno State

Round 7 (253) – DE Dave Tollefson, 6-4, 255, N.W. Missouri State

 

 

The biggest off-season needs for the Vikings have been offensive linemen and at least one solid ballcarrier. They've picked up plenty of help along the OL in free agency and added a bulky center in the second round of the draft. They also devoted their first two picks to a defense that was subpar last season. The failure to find a true No. 1 running back could be a problem, though other teams have succeeded with a ballcarrier-by-committee system.

 

Round 1 (17) – OLB Chad Greenway, 6-3, 243, Iowa

Round 2 (48) – CB Cedric Griffin, 6-0, 198, Texas

Round 2 (51) – C Ryan Cook, 6-7, 327, New Mexico

Round 2 (64) – QB Tarvaris Jackson, 6-2, 225, Alabama State

Round 4 (127) – DE Ray Edwards, 6-5, 279, Purdue

Round 5 (149) – S Greg Blue, 6-2, 215, Georgia

 

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