The NFL season begins at noon Saturday.

The first stage of the season is the NFL draft that gets underway on ESPN at noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Draft handicapper Bart Burcham has been insightful in past years and has an uncanny knack for picking first round talent.

Burcham said there are two interesting factors in this draft, Dallas coach Bill Parcells and three teams with multiple picks.

"This will be interesting to see what (Bill) Parcells is going to do. His picks will tell everyone if he plans to stay long enough to get Dallas back in the playoffs or if he stays long enough to get them in the Super Bowl," Burcham said.

"Any of those teams with two picks can help themselves, especially if they can trade up and get who they really want."

Burcham said the draft is full of talent, but he said it lacks a big-time performer.

"One of the weaknesses is the one player who can just dominate a game," Burcham said. "In past years, there was a guy who could take over a game and you knew it. There are a bunch of good players, but not a franchise player."

Here's the first round:

1. CINCINNATI: When you're that bad, you have to get the best player or the player you want the most. Signing Carson Palmer is the right thing for them to do. Pick: Carson Palmer, QB, Southern Cal.

2. DETROIT: They have to get a receiver to go with Joey Harrington. This is a perfect fit as the Lions pick: Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan St.

3. HOUSTON: The Texans need offense. They took a bunch of linemen in the expansion draft. This is where McGahee would have gone if healthy, but instead they take: Andre Johnson, WR, Miami.

4. CHICAGO: They signed Kordell Stewart, so they can get Simms or someone in the second round. They need defense. This guy's stock has shot up and Dallas would like to have him. The pick: DeWayne Robertson, DT, Kentucky.

5. DALLAS: Now it's time to see who controls the draft, Bill Parcells or Jerry Jones. Parcells picks: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas St.

6. ARIZONA: I like Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State. His 40 time is making him drop, but I don't put much stock in his individual workout.

7. MINNESOTA: Mike Tice said they have a 6-5, 280-pound coach and all kinds of 250-pound linemen. We need to get bigger. The pick: Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Penn State.

8. JACKSONVILLE: This could be where Byron Leftwich goes, but I think the pick is Jordan Gross, OT, Utah. Don't be surprised if Leftwich is the pick, though.

9. CAROLINA: I think Marcus Trufant, CB, Washington State. Carolina signed several free agents to fill holes on offense, so that will let them go defense. Trufant is the best corner out there.

10. BALTIMORE: This is probably where Leftwich goes. This should be the latest he goes.

11. SEATTLE: The Seahawks will take a defensive lineman like always. The pick: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State.

12. ST. LOUIS: The Rams want Trufant desperately, but they may have to go for an offensive lineman. Eric Steinbach, OL, Iowa, is about the fastest lineman on the board.

13. NEW YORK JETS: The first of two picks in the first round. This pick is defense with William Joseph, DL, Miami.

14. NEW ENGLAND: Also the first of two picks. They can go several ways because of free agent signings. The pick: Kwame Harris, OT, Stanford.

15. SAN DIEGO: Look for Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State, as the Chargers go for defense.

16. KANSAS CITY: They definitely go after defense. They were great on offense, but one of the worst on defense. The pick: Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami.

17 & 18: NEW ORLEANS: Don't be surprised if they try to trade both to Dallas. If they stay put, look for defense and defense: Boss Bailey, OLB/S, Georgia, and Andre Woolfolk, CB, Oklahoma. The Saints need DBs.

19. NEW ENGLAND: This is the first risky pick. The Pats get Willis McGahee, RB, Miami.

20. DENVER: The Broncos need offensive line held the most, but Shannon Sharpe is getting old. The pick is Wayne Hunter, OL, Hawaii

21. CLEVELAND: The Browns need offensive line and linebacker. The pick is Jeff Faine, C, Notre Dame.

22. NEW YORK JETS: The need is a receiver and there are three to pick from. The choice is Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida.

23. BUFFALO: More defense needed, so Jonathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia. He's probably the best guy on the board that they need.

24. INDIANAPOLIS: Troy Polamalu, S, Southern Cal, runs a 4.3 and he fits Tony Dungy's cover two defense.

25. NEW YORK GIANTS: The Buckeyes first player goes as Kenny Peterson, DT, Ohio State. There are a couple of other DL they could take, but this should be the best choice.

26. SAN FRANCISCO: If Kyle Boller, QB, Stanford, falls this far, Dennis Erickson would like to have his arm strength.

27. PITTSBURGH: The biggest weakness is in the secondary. They may take Larry Johnson, but for some reason I just think the Steelers will go for Rex Grossman, QB, Florida, unless Polamalu is there.

28. TENNESSEE: With Eddie George taking a beating the past couple of years, they need a backup plan. The go for Larry Johnson, RB, Penn State, unless McGahee is available.

29. GREEN BAY: If Grossman is still there, the Packers would love to have him. But the pick will probably be E. J. Henderson, LB, Maryland.

30. PHILADELPHIA: They take Bryant Johnson, WR, Penn State. He might be the best one left, and the Eagles are desperate for a wide receiver.

31 & 32. OAKLAND: Al Davis loves to gamble, so if McGahee is available one of the picks will go. But look for Michael Doss, DB, Ohio State, to fill a hole, and the second pick is Kelley Washington, WR, Tennessee, who has a load of talent.