The 2000 NFL draft has three true blue-chippers at the top: Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown, his teammate, linebacker LaVar Arrington, and Florida State game-breaker Peter Warrick. After that, there are about 50 semi-blue chips and solid red chips who could go in almost any order, depending on what teams need.

	Courtney Brown will be chasing NFL quarterbacks very soon.

Some of these players have a very good chance to become very good-to-excellent pros and starters in the NFL, but most do not have great potential. Some are potential greats who also could be very average or even busts.

The Browns have the first pick for the second year in a row and extra picks from the league, but the Redskins - with three No. 1 picks, including the second pick in the draft from the Saints and the 12th pick from the Panthers as final payment for Sean Gilbert, as well as the Saints' third-round pick - are in the best position to make a killing.

We are projecting one trade in which the Redskins would deal their second and third first-round picks, two third-round picks and a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for the third overall selection. Washington's goal: to get two of the three elite players in the 2000 draft. Below is an early look at how the first round might go.

FIRST-ROUND PROJECTIONS
The Pick	The Skinny
1. Cleveland Browns DE Courtney Brown Penn State	Peter Warrick is awfully tempting, but you don't take a great receiver over a great defensive lineman very often.
2. Washington Redskins (from Saints) OLB LaVar Arrington Penn State	The active linebacker could be the missing piece on a talented defense that underachieved big-time during the first half of '99.
3. Washington Redskins (from 49ers)* WR Peter Warrick Florida State	The 'Skins are hoping for both Penn State defenders, but Warrick is a very nice consolation prize.
4. Cincinnati Bengals OT Chris Samuels Alabama	If the Bengals are going to build around Akili Smith, they can speed up the process by having a pair of bookend tackles: Samuels, a great pass protector at left tackle, and Willie Anderson, a road-grader at right tackle.
5 Baltimore Ravens WR Plaxico Burress Michigan State	The tall wideout could be the difference-maker the Ravens are looking for to fuel their offense.
6. Philadelphia Eagles TE Daniel "Bubba" Franks Miami (Fla.)	Andy Reid's offense would look much better with a top tight end.
7. Arizona Cardinals RB Thomas Jones Virginia	The Cards need a runner who can take some pressure off Jake Plummer.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers DT Corey Simon Florida State	Joel Steed was not effective last season, will turn 31 before the draft and is coming off knee surgery. Plus, the jury's still out on Jeremy Staat.
9. Chicago Bears DE Shaun Ellis Tennessee	Chicago's most pressing needs are defensive end and cornerback.
10. Denver Broncos LB/S/TE Brian Urlacher New Mexico	The versatile Urlacher is simply the best athlete available.
11. New York Giants RB Shaun Alexander Alabama	The Giants need a big-time back they can rely on. They also could go for Wisconsin's Ron Dayne.
12. San Francisco 49ers (from Redskins)* QB Chad Pennington Marshall	A bit of a reach for most, but Pennington fits the 49ers' system nicely. The Niners could also deal down (Detroit?) and get Pennington later in the round.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chargers) WR Sylvester Morris Jackson State	Morris has the size-speed combination the Bucs need. Tampa Bay could also go for an offensive lineman.
14. Green Bay Packers OLB Julian Peterson Michigan State	Peterson is a top pass rusher who also can cover the tight end.
15. Baltimore Ravens RB Ron Dayne Wisconsin	The big back will provide more firepower for the offense.
16. New York Jets (from Patriots) OT Stockar McDougle Oklahoma	McDougle is the type of huge stud you can run behind.
17. Oakland Raiders S Deon Grant Tennessee	Versatile enough to also play wide receiver, Grant has great size, speed and very good hands.
18. New York Jets TE Anthony Becht West Virginia	The Jets probably will deal down before taking him, but tight end is their top priority.
19. Seattle Seahawks (from Cowboys) WR Dez White Georgia Tech	With one of the picks acquired in the Joey Galloway deal, Seattle will look to add a speedy wideout.
20. Detroit Lions RB Jamal Lewis Tennessee	Lewis is hoping to regain his pre-injury form. Detroit also might deal up to get Ron Dayne (see 49ers at No. 12).
21. Kansas City Chiefs OLB Keith Bullock Syracuse	The Chiefs will be looking for someone to fill the hole left by the tragic death of Derrick Thomas.
22. Seattle Seahawks ILB Rob Morris Brigham Young	Morris is the type of run-stuffing middle linebacker Seattle really needs.
23. Carolina Panthers (from Dolphins) OT Chris McIntosh Wisconsin	Miami must upgrade offensive line coach Tony Wise's personnel.
24. San Francisco 49ers (from Redskins)* CB Rashard Anderson Jackson State	The Niners could deal down again and then take a cornerback.
25. Minnesota Vikings CB Mario Edwards Florida State	This might be a reach, but the Vikes need to fill a need.
26. Buffalo Bills OG Cosey Coleman Tennessee	The big, athletic guard still needs work on pass blocking.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Todd Wade Mississippi	Tampa Bay must upgrade its offensive line. Look for Jason Odom to move to left tackle if Paul Gruber retires.
28. Indianapolis Colts DT Chris Hovan Boston College	The big, athletic guard still needs work on pass blocking.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars DE John Engelberger Virginia Tech	Tom Coughlin views Engelberger as a bigger, faster Jeff Lageman.
30. Tennessee Titans OLB Raynoch Thompson Tennessee	The former Volunteer is a nice fit for many reasons.
31. St. Louis Rams CB Ahmed Plummer Ohio State	Plummer is solid, but not super.
* -- Projected trade