Mock NFL Draft - 3/17/07

As the NFL Draft approaches, things change very quickly. When Kevin Curtis signed a deal with the Eagles, it probably took the Eagles out of the running for a WR in this year’s draft. The same thing probably can be said about a WR for the Patriots with their signing of Donte Stallworth. With that in mind, here is how this April’s draft would play out…if it happened today, of course.

#1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU) – Some fools (ahem, Pischl) think that just because Calvin Johnson is the best player in the year’s draft, that means GMs and owners won’t pass on his talent. These fools give GMs and owners too much credit! Al Davis is too set in his ways to realize how great Calvin Johnson will be. Russell can throw the deep ball very well (a Davis must) and that will be enough. Besides, you can't hardly blame them for taking a potential franchise QB with the top spot.

#2. Detroit: Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame) – Many people have been talking about Joe Thomas in this spot, but with Jeff Backus already entrenched as the LT, and another potential franchise QB sitting here, even Matt Millen can't make this mistake. Brady Quinn could be the face of a franchise that hasn’t had a player with his marketing appeal since Barry Sanders retired. This draft pick would cure all those problems, and maybe even help people forget about all the WRs Millen drafted.

#3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma) – Sure, they just signed Jamal Lewis. But did you notice that it was a one year deal? Teams don’t sign guys they have in their long-term plans for only one year. That contract screams to me that Lewis wanted a short deal to prove he can stay healthy and that he can carry a crappy team, then he is gone. That said, the Browns (assuming both QBs are gone, because either would be the pick here if they fell) should take Peterson here and let him run behind that offensive line they have spent so much money on recently.

#4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson (WR, Georgia Tech) – The needs (and terrible previous drafts) of other teams allow the Bucs to get the best player in the 4th position. This pick alone should give the Bucs an A for their draft grade. Johnson has all the skills of the top WRs in the NFL, without a lot of the character problems that seem to plague most at the position. Both Jeff Garcia and Chris Simms will be thinking potential Pro Bowl after this pick is made.

#5. Arizona: Joe Thomas (OT, Wisconsin) – Just like Tampa, the Cards will be in heaven if a player of this caliber (who also happens to fill the team’s biggest need) falls to them at #5. Thomas will protect Leinart for the next 10 years and Matt will be very grateful for his presence.

#6. Washington: Gaines Adams (DE, Clemson) – With their inability to pressure the QB last season, the Skins have to be looking d-line in round one. Add in the fact that they don’t pick again until round five and this selection needs to be a homerun. Adams doesn’t play as tough against the run as Joe Gibbs would like, but he is hands down the best pure pass rusher in the draft. He’ll go to Washington here and the Skins will be very happy with the choice.

#7. Minnesota: Jamaal Anderson (DE, Arkansas) – While WR is easily the team’s biggest need, Brad Childress reportedly doesn’t believe in taking WRs in round one (although if Calvin Johnson were available, I’m sure he would see things differently). This makes sense if you remember that Childress worked with Andy Reid in Philly for many years (everyone knows Andy’s feelings on WRs). It wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikes traded up to get either Johnson or one of the top QBs, but if not they need to go after an upgrade to Udeze (who didn’t get a single sack last season in 15 starts).

#8. Houston: Levi Brown (OT, Penn State) – There is no question that the Texans' biggest problem over the years has been their o-line. David Carr has been sacked more times during his time in the league than he cares to remember…or can remember for that matter. Brown is the second best lineman in the draft and has the potential to be a top LT down the road. Houston finally has the chance to grab their franchise tackle and they do so here.

#9. Miami: Adam Carriker (DE, Nebraska) – At 6-6 and nearly 300 pounds, Carriker has ideal size for a d-lineman. Even better, his speed will allow him to play end in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3. With Miami’s hiring of Dom Capers (lover of the 3-4), players with Carriker’s versatility are always needed. Reports are that the team loves Carriker’s potential.

#10. Atlanta: Laron Landry (S, LSU) – It is very clear to most people around the NFL that the Falcons biggest need is at safety (Crocker is average at best and Milloy isn’t getting any younger). The team cannot pass on the opportunity to bring in a playmaker of Landry’s quality. He is equally talented against both the run and the pass, so logic says this is the pick here.

#11. San Francisco: Alan Branch (DT, Michigan) – The 49ers offense seemed to click last year behind Frank Gore and Alex Smith, but if the team can’t play better defense, it won’t matter. Branch has the ability to be a massive force on the interior of the d-line and will command double teams on every play. There is no way the 49ers can pass up a player of his size and skill. If they do though, look for them to be keying on Patrick Willis from Ole Miss.

#12. Buffalo: Patrick Willis (ILB, Ole Miss) – The loss of Nate Clements looms large in the secondary, but the loss of London Fletcher-Baker could hurt even more. Willis has both the smarts and stats to back up this draft position. He also has the work ethic and leadership capabilities Dick Jauron will be looking for to revamp his defense. This pick is great for both talent and need.

#13. St. Louis: Amobi Okoye (DT, Lousiville) – The Rams defense against the run last year was terrible. The team needs to bring in a top talent along the d-line - with this pick, they can do just that. Okoye is a great talent and the kid is still only 19! He started college at 16 as a true freshman and his upside is limitless. The Rams take a chance here and will someday win big on the gamble.

#14. Carolina: Greg Olsen (TE, Miami) – The top TE in the draft, Olsen is the easy pick here. He has the skills to make defenders respect the TE and open things up for Steve Smith on the outside. He also has the speed to stretch the field and clear out the short routes for both WRs and RBs.

#15. Pittsburgh: Leon Hall (CB, Michigan) – Everyone has their mind set that the Steelers are going d-line or linebacker with their first pick because of the new coach’s style of play. The problem is that no matter who is playing in the front seven, you can’t run the Cover 2 defense without top talent at corner. That being said, Hall is the top corner available and he should be the pick here.

#16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal) – Lynch has great size, great hands, and big play speed. Basically, he does everything Ahman Green used to do. He would be the perfect fit for this offense now and going forward. Look for this to be the quickest pick made if Lynch is still available when the Packers go on the clock.

#17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson (S, Florida) – The loss of Deon Grant to Seattle has left a major hole in the secondary for the Jags. A true ballhawk, Nelson made so many plays last year that his highlight reel would be longer than some feature films (and probably better). He can team with Donovan Darius to be one of the top safety tandems in the league.

#18. Cincinnati: Jon Beason (OLB, Miami) – While he may not be the type of guy the Bengals have been picking the last few years (he has no arrests that I know of), the loss of Thurman, Pollack, and Simmons makes LB a top need. The offense scores points - Beason could help the defense pull its weight. Another easy pick for a team with a very clear need.

#19. Tennessee: Dwayne Jarrett (WR, USC) – While some like Dwayne Bowe from LSU better here, Jarrett’s USC ties to Norm Chow will win out because he can help the Titans and QB Vince Young with his size and scoring ability. Chow proved at USC he that can use WRs like Jarrett to put up points - with this pick he can try to do the same in the NFL.

#20. NYG: Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State) – While WR may not be the team's biggest need, one with speed couldn’t hurt. Ginn's value as a return man shouldn’t be under-looked either, as team are starting to see what a great return man can do for your team (see Devin Hester). This pick may surprise some people, but it is the smart way to go.

#21. Denver: Jarvis Moss (DE, Florida) – The Broncos want someone to rush the passer and that is what Moss does best. He could bulk up a little to be better against the run, but if Denver wants someone to sack the QB, they could do a lot worse than Moss.

#22. Dallas: Chris Houston (CB, Arkansas) – With Anthony Henry moving to FS to fill the team’s biggest need, a hole is left at corner. Houston is a little short, but his outstanding man-to-man cover skills easily compensate for his lack of height. With the kind of talent he has playing man on the outside, Dallas could have a greatly improved defense and allow Roy Williams to play closer to the line.

#23. Kansas City: Dwayne Bowe (WR, LSU) – Finally the Chiefs will get the top WR they have been missing for all these years. Bowe has the size and speed of a great NFL wideout and this would seem to be an easy pick for the Chiefs. The only other possible option would be a pick at tackle to sure up the o-line.

#24. New England: Paul Posluszny (OLB, Penn State) – Pischl would love to see him fall to the Eagles, but the Patriots cannot pass on Posluszny at 24. He is exactly the type of player the Patriots love to pick and he will be very productive in their system for years and years to come.

#25. NYJ: Darrelle Revis (CB, Pitt) – The Jets offense seemed to run fine last season (although an improvement at running back would do the team well). The defense played well too, but the talent at corner could use an upgrade. Revis is just the kind of physical athlete this team needs in the secondary.

#26. Philadelphia: Michael Griffin (S, Texas) – A surprise pick here for some, but a great one. With WR no longer being a top need and both Patrick Willis and Paul Posluszny gone, Michael Lewis’ replacement is the next biggest problem. Griffin hits like a hammer, yet also runs like a corner (Lewis’ biggest problem while with the Eagles). The selection of Griffin will have the Eagles fans in shock, until he suits up - then he will have them screaming for more every week.

#27. New Orleans: Aaron Ross (CB, Texas) – The Saints had a storybook season last year, but they weren't exactly carried by their corners. The Saints current DBs aren’t the worst corners in the league, but they could certainly stand to improve a bit. Ross brings in the type of top young talent this defense needs to maintain the momentum from a solid 2006 season.

#28. New England: Brian Leonard (FB, Rutgers) – Most people probably think there is no way a fullback will be taken in the first round, but Leonard isn’t really a fullback. He is superman. He can play running back, fullback, or even h-back. The Pats love these type of “utility” guys, so it would not be a stretch at all to see him taken by the Patriots here.

#29. Baltimore: Joe Staley (OT, Central Michgan) – Bottom line? The Ravens need to upgrade their o-line and Staley is a top talent at the position. With Ogden getting older and thinking of retirement, it is never too soon to start thinking about his future replacement. Some of you may not have heard of Staley, but I promise you will soon enough.

#30. San Diego: Robert Meachem (WR, Tennessee) – The WRs for the Chargers have just not lived up to expectations in recent years. The team keeps waiting for Vincent Jackson to emerge, but he just keeps disappointing them. It is time for a change and Meachem has the speed and size to make people believe right away. The Chargers finally take a WR who can help them now.

#31. Chicago: Tony Ugoh (OT, Arkansas) – A true road grader, Ugoh opened holes last year for one of the top rushing attacks in the nation. A team like Chicago who loves to run the ball would jump at the chance to add a talent like Ugoh to the mix. I’m sure Rex would love to see him keep some of those pass rushers off his back as well. Ugoh is the pick here.

#32. Indianapolis: Lawrence Timmons (OLB, Florida State) – The loss of Cato June will be tough to replace on this defense. He was a great playmaker in the passing game and his speed was very important to this team. Timmons is still raw, but Tony dungy has the ability to teach this kid how to play the game right. If he does, Timmons could be even better than June.