2002 first-round NFL draft picks
Associated Press
1, Houston: David Carr
Quarterback, Fresno State, 6-3 3/8, 223
Strengths: Rocket arm. Very mature and poised. Ideal size and strength. Can make all the throws. Smooth setup and quick release. Weaknesses: Low delivery. Not especially fast or mobile. Sometimes forces throws.
2, Carolina: Julius Peppers
Defensive end, No. Carolina, 6-6 1/4, 283, jr.
Strengths: A complete player with rare, eye-popping athletic ability. Explosive off the snap. Excellent pass rusher. Unlimited potential.
Weaknesses: Some inconsistency. Lacks great instincts. Still learning the game.
3, Detroit: Joey Harrington
Quarterback, Oregon, 6-4, 215
Strengths: Pure pocket passer. Good size, stands tall in pocket. Throws a nice, high, arcing deep ball. A true leader. Clutch player.
Weaknesses: Not much of a runner. Inconsistent at times. Lacks a great arm.
4, Buffalo: Mike Williams
Offensive tackle, Texas, 6-5 5/8, 375
Strengths: Massive, overwhelming size. Dominant drive blocker. Power and athletic skill. Squats 500 lbs. and bench presses 435.
Weaknesses: Must improve technique. Inconsistent at times. Injured knee last year.
5, San Diego: Quentin Jammer
Cornerback, Texas, 5-11 7/8, 204
Strengths: Big, physical, shutdown cornerback. A complete player. Might be the best pro prospect at CB in a long time.
Weaknesses: Gives up some big plays when backed off in man coverage.
6, Kansas City: Ryan Sims
Defensive tackle, No. Carolina, 6-4 1/8, 311
Strengths: Strong, physical and aggressive. Very powerful. Two-gap player who can also get penetration with quick first step.
Weaknesses: Lacks great speed. Doesn't make many spectacular plays.
7, Minnesota: Bryant McKinnie
Offensive tackle, Miami, 6-8, 343
Strengths: Dream prospect for a left tackle. Did not give up a sack in college career. Huge and athletic. Incredible wingspan.
Weaknesses: Could be better as a run blocker. Sometimes leans and pushes too much.
8, Dallas: Roy Williams
Strong safety, Oklahoma, 6-0 3/8, 219, jr.
Strengths: Rare ability to take over and dominate a game from the safety position. Big and physical. Extremely disruptive. Big hitter.
Weaknesses: Relatively untested in deep pass coverage. Must work on technique.
9, Jacksonville: John Henderson
Defensive tackle, Tennessee, 6-6 7/8, 306
Strengths: Rare size and lots of power. Very disruptive. Can stop the run and rush the QB. Quick swim move. Gets penetration.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always seem to go full-throttle. Plays too high at times.
10 Cincinnati: Levi Jones
Offensive tackle, Arizona State, 6-5 1/2, 304
Strengths: Ideal size, impressive speed and quickness. Excellent all-around athlete. Long arms and thick lower body. Big upside.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve in weight room. Sloppy technique at times.
11 Indianapolis: Dwight Freeney
Defensive end, Syracuse, 6-0 1/8, 266
Strengths: Gifted pass rusher off the edge with tremendous burst and acceleration. Extremely productive. Ran a 4.48 40-yard dash.
Weaknesses: Short and light for a DE. Sometimes gets engulfed by bigger blockers.
12 Arizona: Wendell Bryant
Defensive tackle, Wisconsin, 6-4 1/4, 308
Strengths: A consistent force. Makes big plays. Tremendous speed. Big-time inside pass rusher. Collapses the pocket.
Weaknesses: Not that physical. Must improve upper-body strength.
13 New Orleans: Donte' Stallworth
Wide receiver, Tennessee, 6-0 1/8, 197, jr.
Strengths: Ran a blazing 4.24 40-yard dash that probably made him first receiver selected. Physical, can block. Elusive with the ball.
Weaknesses: Could improve route running. Occasionally drops easy passes.
14 NY Giants: Jeremy Shockey
Tight end, Miami, 6-4 3/4, 255, jr.
Strengths: Superb hands. Effective over the middle and in traffic. A real weapon in the red zone. Big target with decent speed.
Weaknesses: Not a good blocker. Lacks bulk. Thin lower body. Not strong for his size.
15 Tennessee: Albert Haynesworth
Defensive tackle, Tennessee, 6-5 5/8, 320, jr.
Strengths: Ideal size and speed. Huge frame. Quick off the ball. Terrific against the run. Unblockable at times. Can be overpowering.
Weaknesses: Should have been more productive. Immature. Not considered a hard worker.
16 Cleveland: William Green
Running back, Boston College, 6-0 1/4, 221, jr.
Strengths: Attractive combination of size, speed and strength. Rugged, powerful. Hits the hole hard and quick. Excellent vision.
Weaknesses: Not a true breakaway threat. Ran slow 4.64 40-yard dash at NFL Combine.
17 Oakland: Phillip Buchanon
Cornerback, Miami, 5-9 7/8, 186, jr.
Strengths: Playmaker with blazing speed and quickness. Ran a 4.31 40-yard dash. Good hands, terrific ball skills. Aware in coverage.
Weaknesses: A slight frame. Takes chances. Not great against the run.
18 Atlanta: T.J. Duckett
Running back, Michigan State, 6-0, 254, jr.
Strengths: Ideal power back. Breaks tackles. Can accelerate. Ran 4.45 40-yard dash in individual workout. Bench presses 505 lbs.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent. Sometimes deliberate getting to line. Not a strong blocker.
19 Denver: Ashley Lelie
Wide receiver, Hawai'i, 6-2 5/8, 197, jr.
Strengths: Outstanding athlete. Tall and agile. True deep threat. Sharp in and out of cuts. Impressive leaping ability. Fluid.
Weaknesses: Often faced subpar competition. Thin for his height. Routes could be crisper.
20 Green Bay: Javon Walker
Wide receiver, Florida State, 6-2 3/4, 210
Strengths: Big receiver who knows how to use his size. Lots of tools. Dangerous deep threat. Enticing athlete just realizing potential.
Weaknesses: Still raw. Must work on routes and reading coverages. Seems injury prone.
21 New England: Daniel Graham
Tight end, Colorado, 6-3 1/8, 248
Strengths: Nightmare matchup for a defense. Very athletic. Runs well. Catches ball with his big hands. Natural receiver. Weaknesses: A little small by NFL standards. Needs to improve route running. Not explosive.
22 New York Jets: Bryan Thomas
Defensive end, Ala.-Birmingham, 6-4 3/8, 266
Strengths: Premier pass rusher with speed off the edge. Highly productive. Athletic. Chases well and covers ground.
Weaknesses: Experienced but raw, must improve technique. Lacks bulk and power.
23 Oakland: Napoleon Harris
Linebacker, Northwestern, 6-2 7/8, 253
Strengths: Power, speed and excellent athletic ability. Can play over the tight end or rush off the corner. Plays hard and hustles.
Weaknesses: Trouble getting off blockers at times. Could improve instincts in pass defense.
24 Baltimore: Edward Reed
Free safety, Miami, 5-11, 201
Strengths: A classic ballhawk. Makes big plays at huge moments in the biggest games. Good athlete, great instincts, perfect timing.
Weaknesses: Better in coverage than run support. Could improve his tackling.
25 New Orleans: Charles Grant
Defensive end, Georgia, 6-3, 282, jr.
Strengths: Quick burst at the snap. Speed and quickness. Relentless pass rusher who can also defend the run. Tremendous potential.
Weaknesses: Knee surgery in college. Lacks ideal size. Short on consistency and technique.
26 Philadelphia: Lito Sheppard
Cornerback, Florida, 5-10, 194, jr.
Strengths: Smooth, fluid athlete with good foot and hip movement. Built well. Fine cover skills. Good instincts and anticipation.
Weaknesses: Not real physical. Could lack catch-up speed. Gets sloppy with technique.
27 San Francisco: Mike Rumph
Cornerback, Miami, 6-2, 205
Strengths: Big, tall cornerback, perfect to challenge all the physical wideouts in today's NFL. Outstanding in press coverage.
Weaknesses: Lacks blazing speed. Might need the right scheme to really excel.
28 Seattle: Jerramy Stevens
Tight end, Washington, 6-6 3/4, 265, jr.
Strengths: Enormous target. Good speed, soft hands. Nice body control. Can make the spectacular catch. Strong runner after catch.
Weaknesses: Character concerns and discipline problems. Immature.
29 Chicago: Mark Colombo
Offensive tackle, Boston College, 6-7 7/8, 313
Strengths: Fine pass blocker. Great frame and long arms. Uses hands well. Slides laterally and moves his feet. Tough, aggressive.
Weaknesses: Must improve lower-body strength and run blocking. Lacks athleticism.
30 Pittsburgh: Kendall Simmons
Guard, Auburn, 6-2 5/8, 311
Strengths: Tremendous upper body strength. Quick feet. Outstanding drive blocker. Tenacious. Widebody. Light on his feet.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal height. Might be a little slow on the pull.
31 St. Louis: Robert Thomas
Linebacker, UCLA, 6-0, 229
Strengths: Runs sideline to sideline and delivers a wallop. Strong hands. Anticipates, reads and reacts well. Fine athlete. Lots of effort.
Weaknesses: A little small. Has trouble taking on blockers — must be protected.
32 Washington: Patrick Ramsey
Quarterback, Tulane, 6-2 1/2, 219
Strengths: Strong-armed pocket passer. Extremely accurate. Throws a tight spiral. Vocal leader. Good mechanics. Very bright. Weaknesses: Limited mobility and athleticism. Didn't face much top-level competition.
