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With the Number One Pick, in the 2005 NFL Draft...
Thursday, March 31, 2005

By Jared Field

...the San Francisco 49ers select wide receiver Braylon Edwards from the University of Michigan. There has been speculation, as of late, that the 49ers have not been overly impressed with either of the top two quarterbacks in this year's draft, Alex Smith (Utah) and Aaron Rodgers (California). So, what's a struggling franchise to do? Probably grab the best wide receiver prospect to enter the NFL since Randy Moss. It makes sense. Since Michigan's last second loss on New Year's Day against Texas, Edwards' NFL stock has been rising ever so steadily. He has cemented himself as the best receiver in the draft, supplanting USC's Mike Williams who missed last season for trying to challenge the NFL's draft policy for underclassmen. At 6 foot 3 inches tall and 211 pounds, Edwards has created match-up problems for defenses since he was a freshman. A big receiver who runs a 4.48 second 40-yard-dash, Edwards had entire defensive schemes put into place to stop him--but they rarely worked. Against in-state rival Michigan State this year, Edwards caught three touchdown passes in the second half to beat the stunned Spartans in overtime.

Since, by most accounts, the 49ers wanted USC quarterback Matt Leinart, who chose to stay in school, getting the best player available on offense makes perfect sense. Braylon Edwards is a can't-miss prospect and will have an immediate impact on the NFL.

Here is a list of my other favorite prospects for this year's draft:

Derrick Johnson, LB Texas: At nearly 6 feet and 4 inches tall and 240 pounds, Johnson is an amazingly agile playmaker. He would immediately become one of only a handful of linebackers in the NFL with 4.5 speed. The only knock against Johnson is that he does not possess the prototypical weight for an NFL linebacker.

Kyle Orton, QB Purdue: I actually don't mind the comparisons between Orton and former Boilermaker standout and San Diego Charger, Drew Brees. Orton will be a big body in the pocket standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and 235 pounds. Orton has an amazingly strong arm and is very accurate throwing from the pocket. There are two knocks against him, however. Orton has a tendency to get lackadaisical in games and does not possess much in the way of athleticism.

Bryan Randall, QB Virginia Tech: This kid possesses amazing talent. He has a decent arm and quick feet. He can dodge the pass rush and make things happen in the open field. He doesn't have prototypical size to play quarterback in the NFL, but I would like to see what he can do.

Ronnie Brown, RB Auburn: The best running back in this year's draft, hands down. This guy is a beast. He runs a 4.44 40-yard-dash and weighs in at 233 pounds, need I say more?

J.J. Arrington, RB California: He could be the steal of the draft for running backs. He is not as big and tall as Ronnie Brown, but he is elusive and has 4.45 speed.

Matt Jones, WR Arkansas: Jones is my favorite Razorback of all-time. He actually was Arkansas' quarterback for the past few seasons and also played on the basketball team. Matt Jones is an amazing athlete, running a 4.39 40-yard-dash at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 242 pounds.

Mark Bradley, WR Oklahoma: Big and fast, Bradley possesses both breakaway speed and good hands. Look for him to start in the NFL next season.

Dan Cody, DE Oklahoma: Cody comes in a little underweight to play defensive end in the NFL, but he is a great athlete and a tireless worker. He is worth a top 15 pick.

Shawne Merriman, DE Maryland: He is probably the best all-around athlete in this year's draft. Merriman comes in at better than 6 feet four inches tall and 272 pounds. That sounds decent until you find out that he has a 41-inch vertical leap. At this point, I think the Detroit Lions have him pegged as their top pick.

Marlin Jackson, CB Michigan: Has 4.45 speed and prototypical size to play the Cornerback position. Jackson had a lot of experience playing both safety and cornerback at Michigan and was the Wolverines' top dog in the secondary.

I am looking forward to this year's draft; the Lions haven't disappointed me in quite some time.