My fearless predictions for Aggies in the NFL Draft

With the help of some scouting professionals, I've come up with my predictions on where the guys who get drafted will end up--so you can laugh at them and be assured that is the one place they WON'T go. But anyway, here it is:

Stephen McGee:

* McGee is currently rated, on most draft boards, as either the fourth or fifth best QB available (he flip-flops with SHSU's Rhett Bomar). That is a testament to two things: his potential (in the eyes of NFL folks) and the weakness of this year's quarterback crop. When you consider that three of the guys ahead of him(Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman--who I predict will be a total bust when the Jets take him at 17) will likely be gone in the first 17 picks and things can really open up for McGee if someone gets desperate.

* WHEN HE'LL PROBABLY GO: 4th-7th rounds, more likely the 4th or 5th. I don't think he should go that high (I'd go 6th round), but, again, this is a weak draft. Who knows? He could end up in the third, but any higher and some GM should be canned.

* WHO MIGHT TAKE HIM: As always, quarterback is a premium position and there are teams with glaring needs. The thing is, McGee is far from ready to play immediately and would be best considered a prospect. This changes who might come after him. But how about these guys?

Dallas-This is where he wants to go. The Dallas Morning News wants him. Tom_99 gets wet in the undies thinking about him. A perfect fit, right? Well, maybe not. The only guy between McGee and the field if Tony Romo gets hurt is Brooks Bollinger. Is that comforting to Cowboy fan? Probably not. But, Jerry Jones seems to like the current arrangement and rumblings are that he could be a player in the 5th round.

New England-This, to me, makes more sense. You have Tom Brady (duh), a former 6th rounder, starting and Kevin O'Connell, a high pick last year, backing him up. This gives the Patriots time to groom McGee and get him to unlearn much of what he has learned.

Minnesota-Yes, they have the Rosencopter and yes, they have Tavaris Jackson. That arrangement will be the situation for one more year, until Jackson is released. Then it could be Sage and Steve. With a strong running game, this would be a good place for him to end up.

Indianapolis-Stephen McGee, successor to Peyton Manning. You knew it all along. Only Jim Sorgi would stand between McGee and destiny.

San Fransisco-This may seem a little odd, considering the 49ers need for a QB is IMMEDIATE. But Mike Singletary likes a low risk, run-first offense and may think McGee can manage the game for him.

Carolina-Jack Delhomme and then what? Josh McCown? That is scary enough for the Panthers to look for depth in the later rounds.

Houston-The Texans signed Dan Orlovsky to a three-year, big money deal to back up Matt Schaub, and that would work perfectly for McGee's schedule. First, Orlovskly's not going to last all three, in all likelihood, but he gives a buffer in case Schaub goes down. A fifth or sixth round pick on a QB makes sense for them.

AND MCGEE WILL BE: A Colt, with the 29th pick in the fifth round (165 overall). Peyton's getting long in the tooth and Jim Sorgi's nothing special, but they like him enough to keep him around as the insurance policy. The Colts have not selected a QB in a long while and don't see it as an immediate need, but it's time to look to the future.

Mike Goodson, running back: Yes, a running back. He will not be drafted as a receiver (though he may transition to one later). Goodson sits between the 9th and 12th best RB on most teams' boards, though one team at least has pulled him off entirely due to attitude concerns. That, and his propensity to get hurt, will make him a second day pick. Teams interested in him are not looking for a starter; they're looking for a guy who can be a change of pace/third down back, catch the ball out of the backfield and return punts and kicks.

WHEN HE'LL GO: Fifth or sixth round. Could be as high as fourth, but I doubt it. Could end up a UFA, but I doubt that too.

WHO MAY BE INTERESTED:
Tampa Bay-They released Warrick Dunn and could use a change of pace for the more plodding Derrick Ward. But they could be ready to rely on Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams, once he comes back.

San Fran-Singletary wants a changeup to Frank Gore, but the 49ers have so many other problems that taking one before the later rounds wouldn't make much sense. They also brought Goodson out for a visit early on and seemed to like him.

Arizona-Two things the Cards need is a running back to replace Edgerrin James and a wideout to replace Anquan Boldin, after they trade him. But they also lost J.J. Arrington and need a third-down back/returner. They could take two running backs in this draft, early and late. Goodson could be the late one.

Seattle--Maurice Morris is gone, leaving Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. Their need is for more of a front-line guy, but more pressing matters may have them looking for a change of pace.

Buffalo-Marshawn Lynch will miss the first three games of the year, leaving them with Domanick Rhodes and not much else. Their short of speed and their best return man went to the Steelers.

AND GOODSON WILL BE: A 49er, with the 11th pick in the 6th round (184 overall). This is one spot higher than where Chris Harrington went last year.

Michael Bennett, defensive end:

* At the start of the offseason, there was some talk about Bennett maybe becoming a 3-4 outside linebacker. That talk has cooled and the focus is now on him being a 4-3 defensive end. The projections on Bennett vary--Mike Mayock has him highly rated, while other prognosticators and teams have him between 15th and 20th best defensive end. But, this is a need position for a lot of teams this year and there will be an early run on ends. This will help him out.

* WHEN HE WILL GO: I'm more optimistic with Bennett; I say 4th round. But he could go as late as the 7th, that's how wide the variety of opinions are on him.

* WHERE HE COULD GO:
Washington-The Redskins need a replacement for Jason Taylor. If they don't draft Orakpo, Maybin or one of the highly-rated DEs in the first round (read: they're idiots and go after Mark Sanchez), Bennett becomes a viable option for them later in the draft.

Carolina-The Panthers will need a replacement for Julius Peppers (who they will end up trading), but have more pressing needs at corner and defensive tackle. Take someone to fill those positions, maybe a safety and an offensive lineman and lo, they're in Bennett-land. He'd do well in John Fox's system.

Buffalo-The Bills need to get some semblance of production from their ends, as they ranked 28th in the league in sacks. But now they have other issues--finding a new left tackle, a new left guard, a backup to Trent Edwards (J.P. Losman is a goner) and maybe even another wideout. This could hold them up until later in the draft.

Chicago-their ends are getting old and replacments are needed. Again, not the most pressing of needs, which could have them waiting until the second day of the draft.

Houston-Newsflash: the Texans d-line, with the exception of Mario Williams, still sucks. If they intend to move Antonio Smith inside on passing or long down-and-distance situations, they're going to need someone to play the other end across from Mario that can rush the QB. And, for that matter, they need depth.

AND BENNETT WILL BE: A Houston Texan, with the 16th pick in the 5th round (152 overall). This is one pick behind where the Texans took Frank Okam last year, but I believe Bennett will prove to be the superior acquisition. It also sets up a hell of a smackfest at Christmas dinner.