Curt Sylvester’s mock NFL draft:

1. Cincinnati: The Bengals tempt fate again by drafting a quarterback in the first round. Most recently they have gone wrong with Akili Smith (1999) and David Klingler (1992), and before that Jack Thompson (1979) and Greg Cook (1969) didn’t make much impact. The law of averages is on their side: Pick: QB Carson Palmer of Southern Cal.

2. Detroit: Wide receivers traditionally don’t go this high, but the Lions are desperate for a playmaker. It might have been RB Willis McGahee, but his knee injury left WR Charles Rogers as the top big-play threat in the draft. He occasionally drops passes but makes up for it with outstanding speed, leaping ability and an uncanny ability to come down with the football. Pick: Rogers of Michigan State.

3. Houston: Before the Bengals agreed to a contract with Carson Palmer, there was speculation the Texans might try to trade up to No. 1 to get Charles Rogers, but they seem content now to stay at No. 3 and get a different big-play receiver to go with last year’s No. 1 pick, QB David Carr. WR Andre Johnson might be slightly behind Rogers in development at this stage but his future is just as bright. Pick: Johnson of Miami (Fla.).

4. Chicago: The Bears apparently feel they solved their QB problem — short-term at least — with Kordell Stewart. Also, no running back is worth taking this high, so general manager Jerry Angelo can beef up his defensive front four with the best big man in the draft. Pick: DT Dewayne Robertson of Kentucky.

5. Dallas: The first act of the Bill Parcells/Jerry Jones show takes center stage with plenty of holes to fill in the crumbling Cowboys. Neither one has been particularly adept in calling the draft shots in the past, but it will be hard to go wrong in choosing between CB Terence Newman and DT Jimmy Kennedy. Pick: Newman of Kansas State.

6. Arizona: The Cardinals need a replacement for WR David Boston, who left via free agency, but coach Dave McGinnis might prefer to build a pass rush first and pursue later a receiver out of a solid, deep crop. DE Terrell Suggs can’t run an impressive 40, but he made 24 sacks last year and that’s pretty convincing. Pick: Suggs of Arizona State.

7. Minnesota: Here’s where the plot begins to thicken — the cutoff between the draft’s elite players and the very good players, although it might be argued that DT Jimmy Kennedy belongs with the top group. The Vikings might be willing to accommodate the New Orleans Saints in their attempt to trade up. Otherwise, coach Mike Tice goes for a dominating defensive lineman. Pick: Kennedy of Penn State.

8. Jacksonville: The Jaguars invested a bundle in defensive free agents — including DE Hugh Douglas and LB Mike Peterson — and the top four defensive players in the draft already are gone, so it makes sense to upgrade the NFL’s 25th-ranked offense of 2002. Quarterback Mark Brunell has a big cap number looming, and vice president of player personnel James Harris is high on QB Byron Leftwich. Pick: Leftwich of Marshall.

California quarterback Kyle Boller rolls out of the pocket to rush for a short gain against Michigan State in this Sept. 14 file photo. Boller is a top QB prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

9. Carolina: If the Panthers don’t need a quarterback to replace 37-year-old Rodney Peete immediately, they’ll need one soon, but they also have to upgrade their offensive line play. Pick: OT Jordan Gross of Utah.

10. Baltimore: Some draft picks are just meant to be. Coach Brian Billick has been rummaging around for a quarterback for the past four years, and this might be his best chance. Pick: QB Kyle Boller of California.

11. Seattle: For four years under Mike Holmgren, the Seahawks’ first-round focus was offense, and they built a solid arsenal. Out of necessity, that will change this year under new GM Bob Ferguson. Pick: DT Kevin Williams of Oklahoma State.

12. St. Louis: Playing Lovie Smith’s Tampa Bay style of defense built on quickness and speed, the Rams are dangerously thin in the secondary. Pick: CB Marcus Trufant of Washington State.

13. New York Jets: With the Nos. 13 and 22 picks, the Jets might consider moving up to get Charles Rogers or Andre Johnson as a replacement for WR Laveranues Coles. But they have so many defensive needs. Pick: OLB Boss Bailey of Georgia.

14. New England: Less than two years after winning the Super Bowl, the Patriots have holes to fill — offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver. Coach Bill Belichick also would like an upgrade at running back. Pick: DT Johnathan Sullivan of Georgia.

15. San Diego: The arrival of free agent WR David Boston filled a big hole, but the Chargers still have major needs at safety, defensive tackle and offensive line. Pick: OT Eric Steinbach of Iowa.

16. Kansas City: The Chiefs have to do something to improve their defense, which ranked 32nd in the NFL in yards allowed and 31st in passing yardage allowed last year. A major presence on the defensive line seems to be a must — DT William Joseph or DE Chris Kelsay. Pick: Kelsay of Nebraska.

17. New Orleans: With back-to-back picks in the middle of the round, the Saints might be able to trade up. If they stand pat, they can get a pretty good linebacker. Pick: MLB E. J. Henderson of Maryland.

18. New Orleans: The Saints could trade lower in the draft if they can’t get the defensive tackle they covet, but a pretty good one is still available. Pick: DT William Joseph of Miami (Fla.).

19. New England: If Bill Belichick wants to risk going for Willis McGahee, this will be his last chance until midway through the second round. It’s probably still too early in the draft for that, however. Pick: OT Kwame Harris of Stanford.

20. Denver: Probably the best team to miss the playoffs last year. Now the Broncos think they can be back in the mix with a few key additions — a pass rushing defensive end, an offensive tackle and a cornerback. Pick: OT Wayne Hunter of Hawaii.

21. Cleveland: The Browns have plenty of needs — cornerback, linebacker and offensive linemen — and you can bet coach Butch Davis, formerly of Miami (Fla.), will be looking for a Hurricanes player somewhere in the draft. It won’t be Willis McGahee, at least not this early. Pick: CB Sammy Davis of Texas A&M.

22. New York Jets: With their second pick in the first round, the Jets have a chance to get a wide receiver to replace Laveranues Coles. It’s just a question of who they feel is No. 3 behind Charles Rogers and Andre Johnson. Pick: WR Kelley Washington of Tennessee.

23. Buffalo: The Bills are overhauling their defense and need to beef up their front four, which for them is like a front two or three. A defensive end with pass rushing ability is a priority, but whom do they take — Jerome McDougle or Michael Haynes? Pick: Haynes of Penn State.

24. Indianapolis: Tony Dungy is always looking for defensive players with speed. The top priority could be upgrading the defensive secondary. Pick: CB Eugene Wilson of Illinois.

25. New York Giants: The Giants are looking for a defensive lineman and even though the supply is running short, some quality remains. Pick: DE Jerome McDougle of Miami (Fla.).

26. San Francisco: The 49ers would love it if Kyle Boller slipped this far in the draft, or if one of the top defensive ends were still available, or if they could land a starting cornerback. This probably will come down to a choice between a No. 2 receiver and the cornerback. Pick: CB Andre Woolfolk of Oklahoma.

27. Pittsburgh: Eventually, the Steelers will have to develop a young quarterback to follow Tommy Maddox, but this probably isn’t the time. They failed in their bid to sign unrestricted free agent Dexter Jackson as free safety, so they have a big hole to fill. Pick: S Troy Polamalu of USC.

28. Tennessee: GM Floyd Reese loaded up on defensive players last year — six in the first four rounds — so the Titans probably will go the other way. They could use a tight end, an offensive lineman, a backup for running back Eddie George and a young quarterback to back up Steve McNair. The best value might be at wide receiver, however. Pick: WR Tyrone Calico of Middle Tennessee State.

29. Green Bay: With just one draft pick in the first two rounds, the Packers might be tempted by an offensive lineman or a linebacker with speed. Pick: QB Rex Grossman of Florida.

30. Philadelphia: The Eagles would love to draft a middle linebacker here, but there probably is no one worth the first-round price. Pick: WR Taylor Jacobs of Florida.

31. Oakland: The Raiders need speed on the offensive side but might have more pressing needs — cornerback, safety, outside linebacker. Pick: C Jeff Faine of Notre Dame.

32. Oakland: Al Davis has always been willing to take a chance, and this one could be well worth the risk — a top-five talent with the final pick of the first round. Pick: RB Willis McGahee of Miami (Fla.).