3.03.2007

2007 NFL Draft - Post Combine Mock Draft

Now that workouts have concluded at the NFL combine, it is time to reveal which city these college stars will be playing in next season. Impressive workouts by Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and LaRon Landry have caused teams to go back and re-evaluate their draft boards. With that in mind, it's time for us to take a look at how things have changed.

1. Oakland Raiders – Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech – This kid is too good to pass up, even if you don’t have a
quarterback. JaMarcus Russell will hang in there until the end, but if Moss is traded Russell will be out. It may come down to a coin flip by management to choose Johnson or Adrian Peterson, but Johnson will win it.
2. Detroit Lions – Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin – Matt Millen will be tempted to make the fans happy with a skill position player, but this is the safe pick. Detroit will be happy to have this monster anchoring the line for the next 10 years.
3. Cleveland Browns – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma – Cleveland desperately needs firepower on offense and A-Pete is just the right weapon. He’s big, strong, and dangerously fast. A no-brainer to become the franchise cornerstone.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame – The Bucs lost out on Plummer and most likely Garcia, so QB could be their main target. Quinn will beat out Russell by impressing Gruden with his knowledge of the position. If the Bucs land a QB before the draft, expect to see them take a D-lineman.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson – An outstanding combine performance secured Adams spot as the top defensive player on the board. Arizona needs a difference maker on the line and Adams will be just that.
6. Washington Redskins – Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas – The ‘Skins desperately need a pass rush and if Anderson performs well at his pro day (he did not workout out at the combine), expect him to come off the board here. If he does not impress, Washington could snatch up LaRon Landry to pair with Sean Taylor.
7. Minnesota Vikings – JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU – Minnesota will be targeting offense with this pick and if Russell is available, he’ll be hard to pass up. If it happens, expect to hear even more Culpepper comparisons. If not, expect to see Ted Ginn go here.
8. Houston Texans – Levi Brown, T, PSU - David Carr needs to be protected and if he’s still the QB in April, expect Brown to be his new blindside protector. If Russell or Quinn is available, look for Houston to select one of them and trade Carr for a pick later in the draft.
9. Miami Dolphins – LaRon Landry, S, LSU – A phenomenal workout has propelled him into the Top 10. Miami would be foolish to let him slide past them. He’ll make his way to multiple Pro Bowls.
10. Atlanta Falcons – Ted Ginn Jr, WR, OSU – Atlanta has yet to find a quality receiver through the draft, but they will try again this year. Ginn’s speed and return skills will make him irresistible to the Atlanta brass.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC – San Francisco has set themselves up to select an offensive player here by addressing their defensive needs early in free agency and Jarrett is the best fit for this team. A California boy, he should become Alex Smith’s favorite target the moment he puts on that red and gold hat.
12. Buffalo Bills – Alan Branch, DT, Michigan – A mountain of a man, Branch would make Buffalo very happy if he falls this far. It could happen and the Bills will reap the rewards. Branch is a Top 10 prospect who could fall just because of other team's needs.
13. St Louis Rams – Leon Hall, CB, Michigan – Hall will follow his Michigan teammate off the board. A strong combine from Hall secured his spot as the #1 corner in this draft and St. Louis could use his skills in their secondary.
14. Carolina Panthers – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami – Olsen wowed scouts at the combine with his speed. He’ll quickly become a favorite target of Jake Delhomme in the middle of the field and free up the outside for Steve Smith. (On a side note, wouldn’t it be fantastic if Carolina took USC’s Steve Smith in round 2 or 3?)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Adam Carriker, DL, Nebraska – Carriker has great size and displayed good athleticism at the combine. His versatility to play anywhere on the line will be very attractive to Pittsburgh.
16. Green Bay Packers – Marshawn Lynch, RB, California – The Packers will look for some offensive fire power to help Favre go after one more ring. Lynch would be the best fit, though don’t be surprised to see a pick such as Robert Meachem from Tennesee.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia – Jacksonville may consider Robert Meachem here, but they’ve used 1st round picks on WRs Matt Jones and Reggie Williams and may be hesitant to do it again. Johnson would be a better fit and his solid combine secured himself a spot in the mid to late first round.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville – It’s hard to believe there will be a 19 year old in this draft, but Okoye is just that. He didn’t blow people away at the combine and that, coupled with other team's needs, will cause his fall to be Cincinnati’s gain. He's also has the character help turn the Bengals' image around.
19. Tennessee Titans – Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee – A fantastic football player, Meachem will immediately help provide a reliable target for Vince Young. He’s not flashy, but very spectacular and fans would love to see him stay in Tennessee. Expect Young and Meachem to develop into an elite combination.
20. Denver Broncos – Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas – An impressive combine bumps Houston back into the spot. He’ll help Denver ease the loss of Darrent Williams on the field and should develop beautifully under Champ Bailey’s tutelage.
21. New York Giants – Reggie Nelson, S, Florida – Nelson didn’t workout extremely well, but if anyone is desperate for safety help it is the Giants. They’ll take a shot at Nelson who would upgrade their secondary, but will he be a difference maker?
22. Dallas Cowboys – Justin Blalock, G, Texas – Blalock is a lock at this position. He had a great combine and can play multiple positions on the line. If the Cowboy’s want to keep Romo upright, they would be wise to snatch up Blalock.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina – Rice is young, with great size and athleticism. He lacks elite speed, but his upside and KC’s need for a wide receiver makes this pick a smart one.
24. New England Patriots – Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss – An absolute steal at this selection, Willis is the most dominant linebacker in this class. He’ll fit in beautifully in New England and will win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
25. New York Jets – Anthony Spencer, DE/LB, Purdue – Spencer is on the rise, but it’s hard to say how far up he’ll go. If he’s here at 25, Mangini will find himself a perfect fit for his defense.
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU – The Eagles have two major needs: LB and safety. Posluszny would be a great fit for the Birds. He’s a hard-nosed playmaker who can play inside or out. Ranks just behind Willis at the linebacker spot this year.
27. New Orleans Saints – Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh – Revis didn’t run at the combine, but a good showing on his pro day will secure him a first round home with New Orleans, which lacks speed and talent at cornerback.
28. New England Patriots – Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU – A huge target for Tom Brady would be a great fit for New England. If they land Donte Stallworth in free agency, Bowe would be an excellent compliment with his size and hands.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Tony Ugoh, T, Arkansas – A solid, if not impressive, combine has kept Ugoh on the edge of the first round. Jonathan Ogden is aging, and a young talent like Ugoh would be great for the Ravens future.
30. San Diego Chargers – Michael Griffin, S, Texas – An impressive workout and added weight puts Griffin on the map here. San Diego could use a wide receiver, but with no sure selection here, they’ll take Griffin to be their last line of defense.
31. Chicago Bears – Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn – The Bears are in the coveted “best-player-available” position. There is no player available who absolutely solidifies any of their holes, so Grubb makes the most sense to help reinforce their offensive line.
32. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Gonzalez, WR, OSU – Gonzalez ran very well at the combine and I suspect the Colts are looking to start grooming someone to replace Marvin Harrison. Gonzalez also can work out of the slot and should prove to add yet another dimension to the Colts prolific offense.

Falling Prospects:
Lawrence Timmons, LB, FSU
Jarvis Moss, DE/LB, Florida
Daymeion Hughes, CB, California
Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St
Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

Rising Prospects:
Ryan Kalil, C, USC
Tank Tyler, DT, NC State
Brian Robison, DE, Texas
Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
Jason Hill, WR, Washington St

3 comments:

Jason said...

Interesting. I have a few points of contention though. I think the Lions might be setting themselves up to trade down, possibly for more picks. Didn't they just get a tackle from the Broncos. Along those lines, do you really think Denver goes for a CB in the 1st round after giving up so much for Bly? I doubt it.

At pick 6, I can't imagine the Redskins doing anything beyond the D-line - no way they take Landry, that's just crazy.

In your top 12 you have Branch too low and Dwayne Jarrett WAY too high - I think there's a chance he drops out of the first round all together.

Darrelle Revis should have a good workout and could end up being the first CB taken.

Last point of contention would be Anthony Gonzalez. Replacement for Marvin Harrison? Are you for real? He'll never be anything more than a #3 reciever.

Great job otherwise - very thorough.

Beej said...

I think the NFL has imposed a moratorium on drafting players named "Tank."

Anonymous said...

So you expect me to believe that Al Davis is dumb enough to both ship Moss away and let his offense continue to flounder without a QB? Also, another QB for Tampa? Are you nuts?!? You have made some good projections, but if the Raiders don't draft a QB I'll drive to Oakland myself and put Davis, and the Raider faithful, out of their misery.