TAKE YOUR PICK!
By LENN ROBBINS

April 17, 2005 -- You would think there's enough difference of opinion when it comes to the NFL Draft that the site of the event should remain constant. Not when there's a stadium and a political battle in play. This year, draftniks will head to the Javits Center instead of the Garden this weekend.

If your team needs offensive linemen or wide receivers or defensive ends or cornerbacks, you're in luck. It's not a draft that has one player who screams to be taken first, but there is depth and quality. Here's a position-by-position primer on the top players who are expected to be taken on the first day:

QUARTERBACKS

Aaron Rodgers, Cal, 6-2, 223 Great arm, but Jeff Tedford's QBs have yet to light the NFL on fire.

Alex Smith, Utah, 6-4, 217A Chad Pennington clone: not great arm strength but smart and sees the field.

Jason Campbell, Auburn, 6-4, 230Development hurt by having had five offensive coordinators; still raw but talented.

Charlie Frye, Akron, 6-3, 225 Some questions about his mechanics but none about his toughness and decision-making.

Andrew Walter, Arizona St., 6-6, 233Might have the best frame and upside of any quarterback but not ready to step in as a rookie.

RUNNING BACKS

Ronnie Brown, Auburn, 6-0, 233 Last year when I asked Giants WR Tim Carter of Auburn about Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, he told me I was focusing on the wrong back.

J.J. Arrington, Cal, 5-9, 214 Faster, stronger and fresher than former Oklahoma back Quentin Griffin.

Cadillac Williams, 5-10, 217If he were two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, he'd be an Escalade.

Cedric Benson, Texas, 5-10, 222 Tough and durable; isn't the next Earl Campbell but isn't the next Ricky Williams, either

Ciatrick Fason, Florida, 6-0, 207 Left after a breakout junior year; lots of tools but lots to learn. Intriguing.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Braylon Edwards, Michigan, 6-2, 211Could be the overall No.1 pick. Great package of size, speed, hands, concentration and intelligence.

Mike Williams, USC, 6-4, 229Talk about his lack of speed and sitting out last season all you want; he's unstoppable inside the 10.

Chris Henry, West Virginia, 6-4, 197The good news is he has Randy Moss-like skill. The bad news is, he has Moss-like immaturity.

Mark Clayton, Oklahoma, 5-10, 193He's got the one thing you can't coach: speed.

J.R. Russell, Louisville, 6-3, 206 There are other receivers who are bigger or faster, but you have to love the 148 catches for 2,181 yards over the last two seasons.

Roddy White, UAB, 6-1, 207 Speedster averaged 19.1 yards per catch over his career.

Troy Williamson, South Carolina, 6-2, 200An excellent runner after catches and will fight for possession.

TIGHT ENDS

Heath Miller, Virginia, 6-5, 256He's Jerome Shockey with the fire but without the immaturity.

Alex Smith, Stanford, 6-4, 217Strictly a pass-catching tight end without great speed.

Alex Holmes, USC, 6-1, 265Excellent blocker who would be a great prospect if he were two inches taller.

Adam Bergen, Lehigh, 6-4, 265Save the Division I-AA criticism for someone else. Needs to get stronger in his lower body but we'll take the 124 catches the last two seasons.

Joel Dreesen, Colorado St., 6-4, 260Four-year starter who's ready to play now even if he never plays in a Pro Bowl.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Alex Barron, Florida State, 6-7, 320Physically dominating specimen needs to improve his technique.

Khalif Barnes, Washington, 6-5, 305Not as physically dominating as Barron and effort wasn't there on every play.

Jammal Brown, Oklahoma, 6-5, 316Might be the best athlete of the tackles in the draft, but that didn't help him against Southern Cal.

David Baas, Michigan, 6-4, 319 The latest in a long line of Michigan lineman, Baas is smart and athletic; needs to add bulk.

Elton Brown, Virginia, 6-4, 329Physically, there's nothing not to like. Had a tendency to take some plays off.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Travis Johnson,Florida State, 6-3, 290In a year not stocked with great DTs, his burst compensates for lack of mass the pros like at this position.

Marcus Spears, LSU, 604, 307In a year stocked with great DEs, this is the guy you have to get because he can play in the 3-4 or 4-3.

David Pollack, Georgia, 6-2, 265 As more teams drop D-lineman into coverage schemes, players such as Pollack become more valuable. Motor always in overdrive.

Dan Cody, Oklahoma, 6-5, 257See Seattle Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom.

LINEBACKERS

Derrick Johnson, Texas, 6-3, 242 Last season some liked Jonathan Vilma, others liked D.J. Williams; this guy is the best of both.

Channing Crowder, Florida, 6-2, 242Came out after his sophomore season. Wreaks havoc on and off the field.

Shawne Merriman, Maryland, 6-3, 249 A meaner, stronger and healthier E.J. Henderson.

Kevin Burnett, Tennessee, 6-2, 239Another in the long line of athletic Vols' defenders who can cover backs.

Demarcus Ware, Troy, 6-4, 251If he hadn't played just two years of prep football, this Auburn, Ala., native would have played for the Tigers or Tide. A Jason Taylor-like player.

Odell Thurman, Georgia, 6-1, 233He causes a lot of trouble on and off the field. Is he worth it?

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Antrel Rolle, Miami, 6-0, 201 Another draft, another great Miami DB. So good he tended to cheat too often, a habit he'll quickly break in the NFL.

Adam "Pac Man" Jones, West Virginia, 5-9, 187Good speed makes him a threat as a punt returner as well. Pros are starting to look for taller DBs.

Carlos Rogers, Auburn, 6-0, 196 Might be a better safety than corner because he doesn't have great speed, but one of the players you have to have on the field.

Marlin Jackson, Michigan, 6-0, 198Tough, confident, physical corner who's great in bump-and-run coverage.

Thomas Davis, Georgia, 6-1, 230 Word is he's as good an athlete as any to come out of Athens, a Herschel Walker-like player on defense. Truly enjoys the work it takes to be a great player.

KICKERS & PUNTERS

Mike Nugent, Ohio State 5-9, 182 Made 8-of-9 kicks from 50 and longer.

Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee, 6-2, 211Four-year starter he placed 17 of 26 punts inside the 20 last season.