ARIZONA
Analysis: The Cardinals had two major areas of need -- receiver and defensive line -- and they addressed both in the first round. They really like Pace, who is bigger and a bit faster than Terrell Suggs. He isn't as good at rushing the passer as Suggs, but he's more of an every-down player. Johnson might be somewhat of a reach in the first round; he isn't nearly as speedy as some of the receivers on the board. But the Cardinals like his size, and they are desperate for receivers who can step in right away after they lost David Boston, Frank Sanders and MarTay Jenkins.
*--* R (No) Player P School 1 (17) BRYANT JOHNSON WR Penn State 1 (18) CALVIN PACE DE Wake Forest 2 (54) ANQUAN BOLDIN WR Florida State 3 (70) GERALD HAYES LB Pittsburgh 5 (141) KENNY KING DE Alabama 6 (177) REGGIE WELLS OT Clarion 6 (210) TONY GILBERT LB Georgia
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ATLANTA
*--* 2 (55) BRYAN SCOTT CB Penn State 4 (121) JUSTIN GRIFFITH RB Mississippi State 5 (159) JON OLINGER WR Cincinnati 6 (196) LATARENCE DUNBAR WR TCU 6 (202) WAINE BACON DB Alabama 7 (238) DEMETRIN VEAL DE Tennessee
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Analysis: The Falcons needed a cornerback, and they got a good one in Scott. They are looking for someone to replace retired fullback Bob Christian, so they took Griffith in the fourth round. That was a bit of a reach; Wake Forest's Ovie Mughelli was still available -- Baltimore took him 13 picks later -- and a lot of scouts had him rated higher. The two receivers might be able to make a contribution on offense next season, although it's more likely they will be special-teamers. The Falcons already upgraded at that position with the recent addition of Peerless Price.
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BALTIMORE
*--* 1 (10) TERRELL SUGGS DT Arizona State 1 (19) KYLE BOLLER QB California 3 (77) MUSA SMITH RB Georgia 4 (109) JARRET JOHNSON DE Alabama 4 (134) OVIE MUGHELLI RB Wake Forest 5 (146) AUBRAYO FRANKLIN DT Tennessee 5 (173) TONY PASHOS T Illinois 6 (182) GEROME SAPP DB Notre Dame 7 (223) TRENT SMITH TE Oklahoma 7 (250) MIKE MABRY C Central Florida 7 (258) ANTWOINE SANDERS DB Utah
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Analysis: Although the Ravens came into the draft with their heart set on Byron Leftwich, they love the fact they were able to get Suggs and Boller in the first round. Suggs was a steal at No. 10. So was Smith, whom Baltimore scouts considered the second-best running back in the draft and the 20th player on their board. They didn't address their need for a wide receiver, but they did get two solid defensive linemen Sunday -- both of whom will add depth -- and Pashos, who could wind up taking over at left tackle down the road.
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BUFFALO
*--* 1 (23) WILLIS McGAHEE RB Miami 2 (48) CHRIS KELSAY DE Nebraska 3 (94) ANGELO CROWELL LB Virginia 4 (111) TERRENCE MCGEE DB Northwestern State 4 (127) SAM AIKEN WR North Carolina 5 (151) BEN SOBIESKI G Iowa 6 (187) LAUVALE SAPE DT Utah 7 (228) MARIO HAGGAN LB Mississippi State
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Analysis: The McGahee pick was a stunner, although the Bills feel good enough about the running backs they have to sit the Miami star all season if they must. Buffalo signed 11 veteran free agents this off-season, so this draft was more about adding depth than filling holes. Still, the Bills need to have marked improvement in a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed. Many people thought Kelsay was a first-rounder, so to get him midway through the second was a good move. Terence McGee not only will add depth in the defensive backfield but can return punts.
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CAROLINA
*--* 1 (8) JORDAN GROSS OT Utah 2 (50) BRUCE NESLON C Iowa 3 (76) MIKE SEIDMAN TE UCLA 3 (82) RICKY MANNING DB UCLA 4 (119) COLIN BRANCH DB Stanford 5 (145) KINDAL MOOREHEAD DT Alabama 7 (226) WALTER YOUNG WR Illinois 7 (247) CASEY MOORE RB Stanford
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Analysis: The Panthers had a hole at right tackle that they addressed with Gross. He could be good enough to replace left tackle Todd Steussie when the need arises. UCLA's Seidman is a good tight end, and Bruin teammate Manning Jr. makes up for his lack of size with his airtight coverage. Free safety Deon Grant had a very erratic season in 2002, so the Panthers wanted to draft someone to compete for that job. Branch is speedy and smart.
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CHICAGO
*--* 1 (14) MICHAEL HAYNES DE Penn State 1 (22) REX GROSSMAN QB Florida 2 (35) CHARLES TILLMAN DB La.-Lafayette 3 (68) LANCE BRIGGS LB Arizona 4 (100) TODD JOHNSON DB Florida 4 (116) IAN SCOTT DT Florida 5 (139) BOBBY WADE WR Arizona 5 (143) JUSTIN GAGE WR Missouri 5 (171) TRON LAFAVOR DT Florida 6 (191) JOE ODOM LB Purdue 6 (206) BROCK FORSEY RB Boise State 7 (261) BRYAN ANDERSON G Pittsburgh
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