Let's pretend: if the first round of the real draft goes anything like our simulation, prominent players will fall, several wide receivers will wait and a lot of guys named Williams will be called

Sporting News, The, April 26, 2004 by Matt Crossman

14 Bears Roy Williams, WR, Texas

The Bears would turn cartwheels in their war room if Williams falls to them. Williams has the potential to be a big-time playmaker and would fill a serious need for Chicago and first-time coach Lovie Smith.

15 Buccaneers D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami

The Bucs are desperate for depth at linebacker, and they see Williams as the heir apparent to Derrick Brooks. They don't have a second-round pick but want to acquire one and use it to select Georgia tight end Ben Watson.

16 49ers Reggie Williams, WR, Washington

Dennis Erickson coached against Williams in the Pac-10. The team thinks Williams can be a playmaker--and the 49ers don't have many of those anymore.

17 Broncos Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State

Denver moved up to this pick through a trade with the Bengals two weeks ago. After sending Clinton Portis to Washington in an offseason trade for cornerback Champ Bailey, the Broncos need a running back. Jackson is a big, bruising runner who lacks home run speed.

18 Saints Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami

The Saints are targeting a wide receiver or the best defensive player available. Wilfork would be a load in the middle of their line. He's the best defensive tackle in the class, and his playing style is similar to Warren Sapp's.

19 Vikings Vernon Carey, G, Miami

The Vikings would prefer to add help on defense, but with Vilma, D.J. Williams and Smith gone, they go for the best guard available. Carey probably would start right away. The team also could opt to draft a wide receiver to complement Randy Moss.

20 Dolphins Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas

Ideally, somebody else would get fired up about taking Andrews and make the Dolphins an attractive offer for this pick. But ... no trades for you! Andrews is a wide body who could open huge holes for Ricky Williams.

21 Patriots Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State

The Patriots are building their secondary with youth. Gamble fits their need for a versatile player who can both cover and play the run.

22 Cowboys Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech

The Cowboys know Troy Hambrick can't handle the running back job. They think Jones has more star potential than Michigan's Chris Perry.

23 Seahawks Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma

John Randle retired. Chad Eaton and Norman Hand were released. If Harris is available, bam--need filled. The Seahawks plan to have smaller, younger linebackers, and they expect Harris to keep blockers off of them.

24 Bengals Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn

The Bengals need depth at linebacker, and Dansby would provide that. The team also needs a defensive tackle and a cornerback, but there isn't one at either position it feels is worth picking here. That includes USC corner Will Poole, considered a first-rounder by some teams but not by the Bengals.

25 Packers Ben Troupe, TE, Florida

The team's top two tight ends, Bubba Franks and David Martin, will be free agents after next season. Troupe would give the Packers the deep threat down the middle they have been lacking.

26 Rams J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane

After emphasizing defense in the last three drafts, the Rams refocus on offense. This pick seals Kurt Warner's fate; he'll be gone after June 1. Losman would give the Rams a trifecta of quarterbacks: solid starter Marc Bulger, grizzled veteran Chris Chandler and Losman. The team also needs a running back but doesn't think any of the remaining ones are worth taking this early.