As scouts, coaches, and general managers debate the relative merits of hundreds of college players in advance of this weekend’s NFL draft, every team has to answer one fundamental question: Do we select the best player available, or do we specify one position of need and choose a player who can help us there?

Teams that pick the best player available don’t think about their current roster when deciding which players to take – they simply consider which prospects have the most talent. A team that believes in taking the best player available wouldn’t hesitate to choose a linebacker even if it already has the best group of linebackers in the league. On the other hand, teams that draft to fill needs consider the makeup of their current rosters when deciding how to draft. A team with a dearth of talent in the secondary might decide it has to improve its situation even if that involves drafting a player whose talent doesn’t quite merit his draft position.

Neither strategy is the right one for every team, all the time. Some teams have one glaring weakness that requires them to address that position even if a higher-rated player is available, while other teams should be more concerned about adding talent without worrying too much about the position the talent is at. With that in mind, our mock draft includes both a prediction of who each team will pick, and a suggestion of a player who might better serve that particular team, with a few teams projected to pick the player who really would be the best fit.

1. HOUSTON TEXANS

Whom They’ll Pick: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
Why: If his Heisman Trophy-winning season wasn’t enough, Bush cemented his status with an incredible workout at which he showed off his trademark speed and shocked scouts by bench pressing 225 pounds 24 times.
Our Suggestion: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
Why: The Texans have invested $25 million in David Carr, the first pick in the history of the franchise, and still haven’t put a competent offensive line in front of him. Ferguson would be a big step in the right direction.

2. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Whom They’ll Pick: Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina State
Why: Williams is a unique specimen with incredible speed for a 6-foot-7, 300-pounder.
Our Suggestion: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
Why: On the off chance that Houston passes on him, the Saints give Drew Brees a great weapon.

3. TENNESSEE TITANS

Whom They’ll Pick: Vince Young, QB, Texas Why: Although his throwing motion is unorthodox, a talent like Young doesn’t come along often. Our Suggestion: Matt Leinart, QB, USC Why: He already knows coordinator Norm Chow’s offense and is the most polished passer in the draft.

4. NEW YORK JETS

Whom They’ll Pick: Matt Leinart, QB, USC Why: After considering trading up to nab him, they’re thrilled that he drops to no. 4. Our Suggestion: Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina State Why: The best defensive player on the board makes Eric Mangini’s defense better instantly.

5. GREEN BAY PACKERS

Whom They’ll Pick: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio St. Why: Hawk is a versatile athlete who can play inside or outside. Our Suggestion: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State Why: The Lombardi Award winner makes a soft team tougher.

6. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Whom They’ll Pick: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia Why: After taking QB Alex Smith first overall, the 49ers want to protect him. Our Suggestion: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland Why: Davis is the best athlete in the draft with a 40 time better than most receivers and a bench press better than most offensive linemen.

7. OAKLAND RAIDERS

Whom They’ll Pick: Michael Huff, DB, Texas Why: Huff is one of the fastest and one of the biggest defensive backs available. Our Suggestion: Vince Young, QB, Texas Why: A freakish athlete under center is too good an option to pass up.

8. BUFFALO BILLS

Whom They’ll Pick: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland Why: Bills desperately want another offensive play-maker. Our Suggestion: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt Why: It’s time to acknowledge that drafting J.P. Losman was a mistake.

9. DETROIT LIONS

Whom They’ll Pick: Winston Justice, OT, Southern California Why: Offensive line is a weakness for a team that has devoted too many resources into acquiring skill players. Our Suggestion: Michael Huff, DB, Texas Why: Lions have gone with offense in the first round each of Matt Millen’s five years as GM, and defense needs an upgrade.

10. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Whom They’ll Pick: Broderick Bunkley, DT, Florida State Why: Arizona’s run defense was lousy last year and Bunkley will be a starter from Day 1. Our Suggestion: Winston Justice, OT, USC Why: With the fragile Kurt Warner at quarterback, Cardinals need the protection.

11. ST. LOUIS RAMS

Whom They’ll Pick: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt Why: New coach Scott Linehan will want a fresh start with a prospect some see as better than Young or Leinart. Our Suggestion: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State Why: Once the Greatest Show on Turf, Rams’ offense is aging. An infusion of young talent is needed.

12. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Whom They’ll Pick: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon Why: Coach Romeo Crennel needs a runstopping nose tackle for his 3-4 style defense. Our Suggestion: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon Why: He’s a perfect fit for the Browns and is surprisingly still on the board.

13. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Whom They’ll Pick: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech Why: GM Ozzie Newsome wants to add depth to the secondary. Our Suggestion: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State Why: Ray Lewis is slowing down and the Ravens need to add some speed to their defense.

14. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Whom They’ll Pick: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State Why: Speed makes him a perfect fit for coordinator Jim Johnson’s blitzing defense. Our Suggestion: LenDale White, RB, USC Why: Workout numbers shouldn’t blind teams to what he accomplished; despite rumors that he’ll drop, the Eagles might have to take him here to land him at all.

15. DENVER BRONCOS

Whom They’ll Pick: LenDale White, RB, USC Why: After losing Mike Anderson, bringing in the hometown boy White bolsters the offense. Our Suggestion: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis Why: Denver always has good runners, but Williams adds a receiving threat.

16. MIAMI DOLPHINS

Whom They’ll Pick: Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State Why: Can play line or linebacker, and coach Nick Saban loves versatile players. Our Suggestion: Jimmy Williams, DB, Virginia Tech Why: Adds depth to secondary; can play either cornerback or safety.

17. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Whom They’ll Pick: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa Why: Plays fast despite mediocre numbers at the combine. Our Suggestion: Broderick Bunkley, DT, Florida State Why: Set school record for tackles behind line of scrimmage.

18. DALLAS COWBOYS

Whom They’ll Pick: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State Why: He’s great in the open field, and he’ll get plenty of soft coverage with Terrell Owens around. Our Suggestion: Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn Why: Protecting Drew Bledsoe is the best way for Bill Parcells to win now.

19. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Whom They’ll Pick: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State Why: Pass defense is San Diego’s biggest weakness. Our Suggestion: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida Why: New quarterback Philip Rivers will need all the help he can get.

20. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Whom They’ll Pick: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson Why: Chiefs need an infusion of speed. Our Suggestion: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State Why: Front four has been Chiefs’ greatest weakness; Hali adds strength.

21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Whom They’ll Pick: Manny Lawson, DE/LB, North Carolina State Why: Bill Belichick’s defense requires depth at linebacker. Our Suggestion: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College Why: Instant impact for a team that plans to return to the Super Bowl.

22. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Whom They’ll Pick: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida Why: The fastest receiver at the combine provides instant big-play ability. Our Suggestion: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa Why: Consistent defender against the run and the pass instantly becomes an every-down player.

23. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Whom They’ll Pick: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College Why: Tampa Bay craves speed on defense; Kiwanuka gets around the edge faster than any lineman. Our Suggestion: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson Why: The eventual replacement to the aging Ronde Barber.

24. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Whom They’ll Pick: Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State Why: Head coach Marvin Lewis loves athletic linebackers. Our Suggestion: Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan Why: Teams ran up the middle against Cincinnati with ease. Watson is a massive run stopper.

25. NEW YORK GIANTS

Whom They’ll Pick: DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama Why: Linebacker is the glaring need on a team that has championship ambitions. Our Suggestion: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State Why: The son of former Giant Rob Carpenter is a great fit for Tom Coughlin’s disciplined style.

26. CHICAGO BEARS

Whom They’ll Pick: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia Why: Bears desperately need another receiving threat. Our Suggestion: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia Why: Horrid offense dragged down Bears’ great defense last year; big, athletic Pope should start from Day 1.

27. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Whom They’ll Pick: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis Why: Need a replacement for Stephen Davis. Our Suggestion: Manny Lawson, DE, North Carolina State Why: Great Senior Bowl performance shows he can compete with the best.

28. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Whom They’ll Pick: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina Why: Jacksonville’s front office looks for great athletes, and Joseph is the fastest player on the board. Our Suggestion: DeMeco Ryans, LB, Alabama Why: Has the athleticism of a safety but hits like a defensive end.

29. NEW YORK JETS

Whom They’ll Pick: Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn Why: After taking Leinart, the Jets get him some added protection. Our Suggestion: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State Why: Replaces the departed Ty Law.

30. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Whom They’ll Pick: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota Why: Steps into the void created by Edgerrin James’ departure. Our Suggestion: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota Why: Great at picking up short yardage, which is all the Colts really need from a running back.

31. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Whom They’ll Pick: Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami Why: Seahawks have lost two cornerbacks in free agency. Our Suggestion: Eric Winston, OT, Miami Why: Pass protection is crucial; an injury to Matt Hasselbeck would be devastating to the Patriots.

32. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Whom They’ll Pick: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami Why: The perfect replacement to the departed free agent Antwaan Randle El. Our Suggestion: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina Why: Joseph is a project, and the defending champions can afford to take a player who needs time to develop.

Mr. Smith is a regular writer for FootballOutsiders.com.