2007 NFL Draft: April Mock Draft

A month of activity has passed by in the NFL since my last mock draft,and it occurred to me that the time has come to address the subject again. The biggest mover in the latest mock has Amobi Okoye moving up to Arizona at the 5th pick (previously 18 to Cincinnati). Jamaal Anderson was the biggest loser falling from 6th (Washington) to 17th (Jacksonville). Here’s all the latest:

1. Oakland Raiders – JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU – Although it was hard to switch from Calvin Johnson back to Russell, JaMarcus is the best fit for the Raiders. Quarterbacks also hold more value than receivers - even one as talented as Johnson. That’s why Russell is the right choice for Oakland.

2. Detroit Lions – Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin – It’s very likely that Detroit will try and trade down from this spot, but if they stay, Thomas is the best selection. There will be temptation to take Johnson, Brady Quinn, or Adrian Peterson, but common sense will win out. Thomas will be the pick for Detroit.

3. Cleveland Browns – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma – Romeo Crennel will have to tune out Charlie Weiss’ advice to take Brady Quinn because Peterson is a better fit for the Browns. Jamal Lewis has a one year deal and recently struggled to stay healthy. Peterson is going to be a stud and would immediately improve Cleveland’s ground game.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech – Unless someone does work out a deal with Detroit to snag Johnson, John Gruden will get his wish. Johnson is a freak who will star from day 1. He’ll make Tampa Bay’s quarterback a very happy passer, no matter who is at the helm.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville – This may be a little early for Okoye, but Arizona will take a gamble. This 19-year old could be a corner stone for a long, long time. Arizona has a pressing need for lineman on both sides of the ball and could take a look at Gaines Adams or Levi Brown as well, but I think they’ll find more reasons to take Okoye.

6. Washington Redskins – Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson – This may be the most over-predicted pick in the draft, but it makes the most sense. The ‘Skins are desperate for a pass rusher and Adams is the best rusher available. If Adams happens to go to Arizona or Detroit, Washington will look to Jamal Anderson or look to trade down.

7. Minnesota Vikings – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame – A few weeks back, I thought JaMarcus Russell may fall here, but that no longer seems to be a possibility. Brad Childress did a decent job in his first year and will be thrilled to have Quinn fall to him here. He could start from day one for the Vikings and help fans forget Daunte Culpepper.

8. Atlanta Falcons – LaRon Landry, S, LSU – Atlanta made a slick move to jump in front of the Dolphins to select Landry at this position. Landry will shore up one of the biggest weaknesses on the Falcons’ squad. Landry may be the best defensive player available. If they chose to look elsewhere, Jamaal Anderson (a familiar name to Falcons fans) or Alan Branch could be other options for Atlanta.

9. Miami Dolphins – Alan Branch, DT, Michigan – Talented defensive tackles are tough to come by and Miami could use this big body to take some pressure off their LBs and DEs. Branch is a massive man who can stuff the run and also rush the passer. Miami may be one of the teams looking to move up to select a player such as Johnson, Quinn, or Landry.

10. Houston Texans – Levi Brown, T, PSU – Houston saved some money by swapping spots with Atlanta. They should still be able to land their man with this pick. Brown would provide stability to a position that has been a liability for Houston ever since they came in to the league. Matt Schaub should end up with more time to throw than David Carr ever got.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC – It still seems that Jarrett makes a great fit for San Francisco. He’s a big, physical receiver who will make a huge impact for an improving 49ers’ offense. Jarrett will be the red zone threat Alex Smith sorely lacks.

12. Buffalo Bills – Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss – Buffalo has many needs and could look at Marshawn Lynch or Leon Hall, but after losing two LBs this off-season, they need to select the best LB available. Willis made tons of tackles over his college career and had a phenomenal workout. He could become a more controlled version of Ray Lewis.

13. St Louis Rams – Adam Carriker, DL, Nebraska – The Rams have some aging veterans on the defensive line in Leonard Little and La’Roi Glover. Carriker has the size to play anywhere on the defensive line and can provide some much needed rest for the vets. He will only get better playing behind these guys and will be a great fit for St Louis.

14. Carolina Panthers – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami – A coach’s dream, Olsen may not have the “wow” factor of other former tight ends from “The U”, but he’s a fantastic football player. He’s an all-around tight end who would be a great weapon for Jake Delhomme. He’ll also provide space for Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson to work.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh – Though Leon Hall may be the number 1 CB on most boards, the Steelers have had plenty of opportunity to watch Revis in action and it will sway them his way. They’ll prefer his upside and speed over Hall. Hall and Jamaal Anderson are alternative options for the Steelers with this pick.

16. Green Bay Packers – Marshawn Lynch, RB, California – Lynch will be a dynamic weapon for the Packers to team with Favre. If he falls this far, he’s a no-brainer selection for the Pack. The Packers have lacked an elite RB for years. If Buffalo or Houston takes Lynch, Green Bay will select Leon Hall to bolster a horrific secondary.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas – Jacksonville will be ecstatic if Anderson falls to them at this pick. Anderson is a very talented player, but the teams ahead of the Jags have other needs to fill. Anderson is able to play both the run and pass equally well. If Anderson is not available, Reggie Nelson is the likely backup option.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – Leon Hall, CB, Michigan – Hall is the best player available at this point and the Bengals could use a character guy like him with this pick. Hall will push second year man Jonathan Joseph and aging veteran Deltha O’Neal. He’ll be a great fit for Marvin Lewis’ defense. If Hall is gone, Jon Beason would be an option at LB.

19. Tennessee Titans – Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee – The Titans will think long and hard about Ted Ginn Jr with this pick, but will eventually turn to Meachem. Meachem is just a better all around receiver than Ginn, while also having the ability to flash the same big play capability. Vince Young will love throwing passes to this guy.

20. New York Giants – Reggie Nelson, S, Florida – Somebody is going to make the mistake of taking Nelson too high and the Giants are a prime candidate. Nelson is a decent player, but not quite first round material. Gambles he got away with in college will haunt him in the pros. The Giants need secondary help and will turn to Nelson to provide it.

21. Denver Broncos – Ted Ginn Jr, WR, OSU – The Broncos will be elated to give Ginn a year to learn from Rod Smith while working from the slot as a third option for Jay Cutler. Eventually, he’ll form a potent pair with Javon Walker. Mike Shanahan has shown a willingness to take risks in the draft and Ginn’s big play capability will make him giddy.

22. Dallas Cowboys – Ryan Kalil, C, USC – Though much talk has been made of the Cowboys using this selection on a WR or CB, they still need to improve their offensive line. Kalil is the best OL prospect available here and it could allow them to move Andre Gurode back to G. The Cowboys could also look at a tackle like Joe Staley, though he may be a stretch this early.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU – The Chiefs need help at WR more so than any other team at this point in the draft. They’ll be elated if they can get Bowe with this pick. He’ll provide a threat at WR for KC for the first time in many years. The Chiefs will also consider Sidney Rice and Jason Hill with this selection.

24. New England Patriots – Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU – As much as it pains me to say, it makes perfect sense for Posluszny to end up in New England. He is experienced at ILB and OLB and will remind Patriot fans of a youthful Teddy Bruschi. The Patriots may also take a look at Chris Houston with this selection.

25. New York Jets – Anthony Spencer, DE/LB, Purdue – The Jets need to give their defense a boost with this pick. Mangini needs a pass rusher who can play either on the line or speed rush in his scheme. Spencer has been climbing up boards and may still make his way even higher, but if he is here at this pick, the Jets will snatch him up.

26. Philadelphia Eagles – Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas – The Eagles will take the best player available at this point. Houston will provide depth at a position where the Birds always seem to experience injuries. He’s a fantastic athlete who should play the nickel immediately. The Eagles could also look at Sidney Rice, Michael Griffin, or Aaron Ross.

27. New Orleans Saints – Aaron Ross, CB, Texas – The Saints secondary was pretty pathetic last season. Ross will provide speed and play-making ability to the defensive backfield for New Orleans. The Saints may also take a gander at Lawrence Timmons or Jarvis Moss, though they should still lean towards Ross because he has fewer question marks.

28. New England Patriots – Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St – The Patriots are the masters of replacing players and they’ll probably have to replace Asante Samuel after this season. McCauley is a big, physical corner who should be able to step in and play as a nickel right away, and eventually replace Samuel if he does leave New England.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Joe Staley, T, Central Michigan – With the addition of Willis McGahee, the Ravens will be looking for a spry, young left tackle to pave the road for him. Staley should get a year to learn from one of the best ever, Jonathan Ogden, and then should start to make an impact next season. He’s become a chic selection as of late.

30. San Diego Chargers – Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina – Rice has fallen a bit because he lacks elite speed, but he’s still a very good receiver. One of the few weaknesses the Bolts had last season was their receiving corp. Rice will provide reliability and a red zone presence to take some pressure off of Antonio Gates.

31. Chicago Bears – Jon Beason, LB, Miami – The Bears need to start grooming a replacement for Lance Briggs who is already half way to his next NFL destination. Beason is the best LB available at this point at the draft and he’ll be a good fit for the Bears. If the Bears don’t go defense, they may look at Zach Miller.

32. Indianapolis Colts – Lawrence Timmons, LB, FSU – If anyone can teach an FSU player how to play football, Tony Dungy can do it. Timmons has the physical tools, but lacks the awareness to start right away. The Colts could use additional help at the linebacker spot and Timmons could become an impact LB if the coaching staff helps him put it all together.