An update on the top prospects for the NFL Draft April 23-24

Chicago Tribune:
March 25, 2005
The top dozen by ESPN's Mel Kiper
PLAYER, POS, SCHOOL, THE SKINNY
1. Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn, Explosive back who does it all

2. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas, 4 straight 1,000-yard years

3. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan, Has athleticism to dominate

4. Mike Williams, WR, USC, Terrific combo of size, speed

5. Alex Smith, QB, Utah, Intelligent with athletic ability

6. Adam Jones, CB, W. Virginia, Eats up receivers, runners

7. Aaron Rodgers, QB, California, Smart, accurate and athletic

8. Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn, Deceptively strong runner

9. Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas, Strength, speed, nose for ball

10. Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma, Fiery, intense end moving up

11. Shawne Merriman, LB, Maryland, Has 41 1/2-inch vertical leap

12. Roddy White, WR, UAB, Has size and speed (6-1, 4.42)

The Bears' pick

ESPN's Mel Kiper sees San Francisco, Miami and Cleveland taking Alex Smith, Ronnie Brown and Aaron Rodgers, respectively, before the Bears take Cedric Benson at No. 4:

"The Bears addresssed their need for a big-time wideout with the free-agent signing of Muhsin Muhammad, and Benson would give quarterback Rex Grossman two top-flight weapons to help out the offense. Benson is a tough, productive runner who can go the distance and always showed up in his team's biggest games."

Checking in on the quarterbacks

The Bears have put off their search for another quarterback until the draft. After Smith and Rodgers, here are 10 they could consider in later rounds:

PLAYER, SCHOOL, THE SKINNY

1. Charlie Frye, Akron, Strong finish; was Senior Bowl MVP

2. Andrew Walker, Ariz. St., He's coming off shoulder surgery

3. Kyle Orton, Purdue, He started hot, finished cold

4. Derek Anderson, Oregon St., Great size (6-6), good arm strength

5. David Greene, Georgia, Division I-A's winningest QB (42)

6. Dan Orlovsky, Conn., Shows good timing and touch

7. Matt Jones, Arkansas, May have more upside as receiver

8. Jason White, Oklahoma, Has quick release, excellent touch

9. Bryan Randall, Va. Tech, Bad mechanics; good arm strength

10. Timmy Chang, Hawaii, Accurate passer with quick release

Draft order

1. San Francisco

2. Miami

3. Cleveland

4. BEARS

5. Tampa Bay

6. Tennessee

7. Oakland

8. Arizona

9. Washington

10. Detroit

11. Dallas

12. San Diego

13. Houston

14. Carolina

15. Kansas City

16. New Orleans

17. Cincinnati

18. Minnesota

19. St. Louis

20. Dallas

21. Jacksonville

22. Baltimore

23. Seattle

24. Green Bay

25. Denver

26. N.Y. Jets

27. Atlanta

28. San Diego

29. Indianapolis

30. Pittsburgh

31. Philadelphia

32. New England