Archive for April, 2007
2007 NFL ‘Mock’ Draft
Posted by dandriffill in Posts on April 25, 2007
This is my now bi-annual dedication to trying to predict what is going to happen in Saturday’s NFL Draft. Instead this year I am not going to be solely predicting what the teams will do, but offering what I would do. I know that carries a lot of weight as I am an undergraduate student at a public school in upstate NY, but sometimes fans make the best decisions. Mario Williams, need I say more? Anyway, the draft is always invigorating for me since I was little. I have always had aspirations to run the business of a sports team because I was sure as hell not gifted enough athletically to perform at that level. So the draft was always a rebirth, a new beginning. Nothing like seeing NFL dressed up and drunk and hearing Chris Berman’s voice in April to really kick off the spring. I would literally go through 5 rounds of the draft and pick what I’d do with each pick. For the sake of this mock, I won’t include any trades but will say where I think the could, and should, happen…but will pick in accordance with the current draft order, which could change with a deal tomorrow or Saturday morning. Anyway here we go!
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With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select:
JaMarcus Russell, QB from LSU
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Yeah this is the safe pick and the most popular among the NFL Draft ‘experts’, just like USC RB Reggie Bush was last year. Russell is really rare combination of size, quick release, vision, and tremendous arm strength. He walks into the league having the best arm strength in the NFL. He is a big guy who will avoid a lot of sacks simply with his might. Oakland is in talks with the agents of Calvin Johnson and Brady Quinn as well, so this pick is one of the three or they trade out, and those talks are probably just leverage to get a pre-draft contract hammered out with Russell. There are reports that Oakland Owner Al Davis highly covets Calvin Johnson, the #1 on most teams’ boards, but they already have a healthy array of WR’s but no one to throw them the ball. They have had high picks the past few years and decided not to draft a QB, and we can see how that has worked our for them. Oakland will continue to field trade calls up until the last minute but I think they’ll hold on their spot. But don’t be surprised if something crazy happens here, Al Davis has a flair for the dramatic. I’m personally not that high on Russell, so we’ll see.
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With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select:
Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
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Firstly, I don’t think this is a good pick. The Lions have taken three WR’s in the Top 10 in the past six years and we can see how that has gone for them. This franchise is probably the most miserable in all of sports right now with Matt Millen at the helm. Fans actually staged a walkout last year to protest Millen. However, the owners of the team (The Ford Family) love him, so he’s back again. I would trade this pick if I were Detroit. Assuming Russell goes #1, the Lions are going to auction this pick to the highest bidder, presumably to the Buccanneers, Redskins, and Falcons most interested. Tampa coach Jon Gruden wants Johnson desperately. If Johnson goes #1 to Oakland, all bets are off here, no idea what would happen. The Lions, if stuck in this spot, will decide between Johnson, Gaines Adams, and Joe Thomas. They signed three solid OL this offseason so I really hope they don’t go with Thomas. Here is hoping they take Brady Quinn or trade out of this spot, the last thing this team needs is another WR or to take Adrian Peterson and have a 4th RB. Personally I think Johnson is the best player in the draft and the best WR prospect to ever come out of college.
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With the 3rd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select:
Brady Quinn, QB from Notre Dame
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Assuming Russell is off the board and someone takes Johnson at #2, this pick comes down to Quinn or Peterson. Both would be fine picks and both have expressed serious interest in going to the Dawg Pound to turns things around for this franchise. The reason I say Quinn is because he is a local kid from Ohio and could realistically be their franchise QB. The compelling argument for Peterson is he can step in right now and help the team, and their fans might not want to wait to develop another QB after the Tim Couch debacle they had to suffer through. I say they should take Quinn because their WR corps really have shaped up and they can snag another RB in the 2nd or 3rd Round, possibly another local boy, Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman. If Johnson is still on the board, a lot of people are going to want Cleveland to trade down a few spots to pick him up because Cleveland has other pressing needs. But I don’t really see that happening, Cleveland needs to take one of these studs for the good of their franchise. Romeo Crennel also has strong ties to Charlie Weiss, so I think it is Quinn at #3. I think Quinn is destined for success in the NFL, but won’t be a Superstar, compare to a healthy Chad Pennington.
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With the 4th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select:
With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select:
JaMarcus Russell, QB from LSU****************************************
Yeah this is the safe pick and the most popular among the NFL Draft ‘experts’, just like USC RB Reggie Bush was last year. Russell is really rare combination of size, quick release, vision, and tremendous arm strength. He walks into the league having the best arm strength in the NFL. He is a big guy who will avoid a lot of sacks simply with his might. Oakland is in talks with the agents of Calvin Johnson and Brady Quinn as well, so this pick is one of the three or they trade out, and those talks are probably just leverage to get a pre-draft contract hammered out with Russell. There are reports that Oakland Owner Al Davis highly covets Calvin Johnson, the #1 on most teams’ boards, but they already have a healthy array of WR’s but no one to throw them the ball. They have had high picks the past few years and decided not to draft a QB, and we can see how that has worked our for them. Oakland will continue to field trade calls up until the last minute but I think they’ll hold on their spot. But don’t be surprised if something crazy happens here, Al Davis has a flair for the dramatic. I’m personally not that high on Russell, so we’ll see.
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With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select:
Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech****************************************
Firstly, I don’t think this is a good pick. The Lions have taken three WR’s in the Top 10 in the past six years and we can see how that has gone for them. This franchise is probably the most miserable in all of sports right now with Matt Millen at the helm. Fans actually staged a walkout last year to protest Millen. However, the owners of the team (The Ford Family) love him, so he’s back again. I would trade this pick if I were Detroit. Assuming Russell goes #1, the Lions are going to auction this pick to the highest bidder, presumably to the Buccanneers, Redskins, and Falcons most interested. Tampa coach Jon Gruden wants Johnson desperately. If Johnson goes #1 to Oakland, all bets are off here, no idea what would happen. The Lions, if stuck in this spot, will decide between Johnson, Gaines Adams, and Joe Thomas. They signed three solid OL this offseason so I really hope they don’t go with Thomas. Here is hoping they take Brady Quinn or trade out of this spot, the last thing this team needs is another WR or to take Adrian Peterson and have a 4th RB. Personally I think Johnson is the best player in the draft and the best WR prospect to ever come out of college.
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With the 3rd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select:
Brady Quinn, QB from Notre Dame****************************************
Assuming Russell is off the board and someone takes Johnson at #2, this pick comes down to Quinn or Peterson. Both would be fine picks and both have expressed serious interest in going to the Dawg Pound to turns things around for this franchise. The reason I say Quinn is because he is a local kid from Ohio and could realistically be their franchise QB. The compelling argument for Peterson is he can step in right now and help the team, and their fans might not want to wait to develop another QB after the Tim Couch debacle they had to suffer through. I say they should take Quinn because their WR corps really have shaped up and they can snag another RB in the 2nd or 3rd Round, possibly another local boy, Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman. If Johnson is still on the board, a lot of people are going to want Cleveland to trade down a few spots to pick him up because Cleveland has other pressing needs. But I don’t really see that happening, Cleveland needs to take one of these studs for the good of their franchise. Romeo Crennel also has strong ties to Charlie Weiss, so I think it is Quinn at #3. I think Quinn is destined for success in the NFL, but won’t be a Superstar, compare to a healthy Chad Pennington.
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With the 4th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select:
Gaines Adams, DE from Clemson
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The Bucs are already in crisis mode to get their man (Johnson) and have already begun discussions with the Lions for the #2 pick, so he is their man. If they aren’t able to get to Johnson, they are going to look to bail out of this pick and move down the board a little bit. A host of teams would look to move up here and grab Peterson if he were still available. Gruden wants Johnson and wants him bad. He’s very offensive minded and must be salivating to work with someone with Johnson’s pure athleticism. Gruden also reportedly loves Adrian Peterson and is rumored to have said he is the ‘best RB coming out of college that he’s ever seen.’ But taking Cadillac only 2 years ago, that sounds a little dicey. If Tampa can’t find a way to land Johnson, or trade out of this pick, they will have to decide between Adams and Joe Thomas. And they won’t be too happy with doing so. Will be better statistically that Mario Williams this year, write it down.
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With the 5th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select:
Joe Thomas, OT from Wisconsin
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If Thomas falls to Arizona, they might set the record for fastest Top 5 pick ever. This is the best case scenario for the Cardinals who desperately need a upgrade at OT to protect QB Matt Leinart. It would also help open up a few more holes for Edgerrin James who struggled last year in Arizona. There are some rumblings that this brass really covets Adrian Peterson but it just isn’t viable given their needs and Edge in the backfield. Thomas, if he’s still available, is definitely the pick here. Interesting sidenote, Thomas skipped an invite to the draft instead opting to go fishing with his Dad. That’s all and good. But apparently they are going to be mounting a camera onto their boat to see his reaction when he’s drafted. We better get coverage of this ESPN!
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With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select:
Amobi Okoye, DT from Louisville
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Washington is going to do all they can to trade out if this pick because they don’t have any picks in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rounds and need to pick up a few of those to shore up some depth on their team. If Quinn or Peterson is still on the board, they won’t have any problem shipping this pick to this highest bigger between Minnesota, Miami, Houston, Buffalo, and Green Bay. The Redskins most pressing need is DL and with Adams just off the board, Okoye makes the most sense. The 19yo will surely be the first ever NFL 1st round pick under 20 years old. Trading out of #6 is priority number one, but with Daniel Snyder at the helm we never know what to expect. There are whispers that he is prepared to trade this pick and next year’s #1 (and possibly more), to move up and steal Calvin Johnson away from everyone. I love the draft. At 19, this guy has amazing upside and might be a perennial Pro Bowler.
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With the 7th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:
Adrian Peterson, RB from Oklahoma
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This is a tough spot, and I think a pivotal moment in the draft. Peterson is the last of the 5 scout blue-chippers and Minnesota will certainly yield trade offers if he is still available. Minnesota’s two most pressing needs are DE and WR, but Johnson and Adams might both be off the board, so I don’t think they can possibly pass on a player of Peterson’s magnitude at #7. Buffalo and Green Bay certainly would be willing to come up to here for a chance at AP, but it doesn’t make enough sense on Minnesota’s end to pull it off. Minnesota could get caught with their pants down here. There is rumors of them trading up for Quinn, but that might be tough. There is also rumors of them trading out here without Adams or Johnson, but if the Redskins find a suitor for the pick in front of them, the Vikings aren’t going to be able to find a trade partner that will give up as much as if Washington stands their ground at #6. No one in Minnesota would complain with Peterson, but I really have a hard time thinking he is going to be available at this pick.
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With the 8th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select:
LaRon Landry, S from LSU
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Atlanta has a lot of flexibility to maneuver with this pick holding 10 picks in this draft. New Head Coach Bobby Petrino greatly covets Calvin Johnson, whom paired with Vick could make one of the league’s best duos. Such a move would at least cost Atlanta their first 3 picks (#9, #39, #44). If Atlanta is stuck here, there is great value in Landry whom is the premier safety prospect in this draft. Everyone in this draft loves Landry and would take him if he’s available beyond this point. Penn State OT Levi Brown could be another possibility, or Mississippi ILB Patrick Willis. I have to think that Landry goes here if the Falcons decide to hold this spot. Landry could be a franchise Safety for this team for a decade. I love Landry, he’s going to be a staple of excellence at his position for a long time.
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With the 9th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
Leon Hall, CB from Michigan
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Hall is the best Corner in the draft and Miami needs to upgrade their secondary so I think this is a solid safe pick. You could also see Levi Brown here or Hall’s Michigan teammate DT Alan Branch. Miami obviously would love to trade up for Quinn but really lack the resources to make that happen. They’ll probably have to settle for signing or trading for a veteran QB like Trent Green or Josh McCown, or hope someone like Michigan State’s Drew Stanton in Round 2. Hall steps in as an immediate threat at corner which Miami needs in what is rapidly becoming a pass heavy division with Buffalo, New England, and New York all lacking game changing run threats.
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With the 10 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select:
Levi Brown, OT from Penn State
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Brown is the perfect match if he is still available at #10 for the Texans whom I still can’t believe didn’t take Reggie Bush last year. If Peterson somehow slips here the Texas greatly covet him, and are considering trading up for him, but it really isn’t a viable option with what they can offer. If Leon Hall is available here Houston might make a move to shore up their corner corps opposite of Dunta Robinson. Alan Branch is also another option. There is some speculation that Houston wouldn’t mind moving down considerably into the 1st round and get some extra picks because they really like Ohio State WR Ted Ginn Jr and Florida S Reggie Nelson, both of which would be considerable reaches at this point in the draft.
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The Bucs are already in crisis mode to get their man (Johnson) and have already begun discussions with the Lions for the #2 pick, so he is their man. If they aren’t able to get to Johnson, they are going to look to bail out of this pick and move down the board a little bit. A host of teams would look to move up here and grab Peterson if he were still available. Gruden wants Johnson and wants him bad. He’s very offensive minded and must be salivating to work with someone with Johnson’s pure athleticism. Gruden also reportedly loves Adrian Peterson and is rumored to have said he is the ‘best RB coming out of college that he’s ever seen.’ But taking Cadillac only 2 years ago, that sounds a little dicey. If Tampa can’t find a way to land Johnson, or trade out of this pick, they will have to decide between Adams and Joe Thomas. And they won’t be too happy with doing so. Will be better statistically that Mario Williams this year, write it down.
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With the 5th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select:
Joe Thomas, OT from Wisconsin
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If Thomas falls to Arizona, they might set the record for fastest Top 5 pick ever. This is the best case scenario for the Cardinals who desperately need a upgrade at OT to protect QB Matt Leinart. It would also help open up a few more holes for Edgerrin James who struggled last year in Arizona. There are some rumblings that this brass really covets Adrian Peterson but it just isn’t viable given their needs and Edge in the backfield. Thomas, if he’s still available, is definitely the pick here. Interesting sidenote, Thomas skipped an invite to the draft instead opting to go fishing with his Dad. That’s all and good. But apparently they are going to be mounting a camera onto their boat to see his reaction when he’s drafted. We better get coverage of this ESPN!
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With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select:
Amobi Okoye, DT from Louisville
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Washington is going to do all they can to trade out if this pick because they don’t have any picks in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rounds and need to pick up a few of those to shore up some depth on their team. If Quinn or Peterson is still on the board, they won’t have any problem shipping this pick to this highest bigger between Minnesota, Miami, Houston, Buffalo, and Green Bay. The Redskins most pressing need is DL and with Adams just off the board, Okoye makes the most sense. The 19yo will surely be the first ever NFL 1st round pick under 20 years old. Trading out of #6 is priority number one, but with Daniel Snyder at the helm we never know what to expect. There are whispers that he is prepared to trade this pick and next year’s #1 (and possibly more), to move up and steal Calvin Johnson away from everyone. I love the draft. At 19, this guy has amazing upside and might be a perennial Pro Bowler.
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With the 7th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:
Adrian Peterson, RB from Oklahoma
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This is a tough spot, and I think a pivotal moment in the draft. Peterson is the last of the 5 scout blue-chippers and Minnesota will certainly yield trade offers if he is still available. Minnesota’s two most pressing needs are DE and WR, but Johnson and Adams might both be off the board, so I don’t think they can possibly pass on a player of Peterson’s magnitude at #7. Buffalo and Green Bay certainly would be willing to come up to here for a chance at AP, but it doesn’t make enough sense on Minnesota’s end to pull it off. Minnesota could get caught with their pants down here. There is rumors of them trading up for Quinn, but that might be tough. There is also rumors of them trading out here without Adams or Johnson, but if the Redskins find a suitor for the pick in front of them, the Vikings aren’t going to be able to find a trade partner that will give up as much as if Washington stands their ground at #6. No one in Minnesota would complain with Peterson, but I really have a hard time thinking he is going to be available at this pick.
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With the 8th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select:
LaRon Landry, S from LSU
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Atlanta has a lot of flexibility to maneuver with this pick holding 10 picks in this draft. New Head Coach Bobby Petrino greatly covets Calvin Johnson, whom paired with Vick could make one of the league’s best duos. Such a move would at least cost Atlanta their first 3 picks (#9, #39, #44). If Atlanta is stuck here, there is great value in Landry whom is the premier safety prospect in this draft. Everyone in this draft loves Landry and would take him if he’s available beyond this point. Penn State OT Levi Brown could be another possibility, or Mississippi ILB Patrick Willis. I have to think that Landry goes here if the Falcons decide to hold this spot. Landry could be a franchise Safety for this team for a decade. I love Landry, he’s going to be a staple of excellence at his position for a long time.
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With the 9th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
Leon Hall, CB from Michigan****************************************
Hall is the best Corner in the draft and Miami needs to upgrade their secondary so I think this is a solid safe pick. You could also see Levi Brown here or Hall’s Michigan teammate DT Alan Branch. Miami obviously would love to trade up for Quinn but really lack the resources to make that happen. They’ll probably have to settle for signing or trading for a veteran QB like Trent Green or Josh McCown, or hope someone like Michigan State’s Drew Stanton in Round 2. Hall steps in as an immediate threat at corner which Miami needs in what is rapidly becoming a pass heavy division with Buffalo, New England, and New York all lacking game changing run threats.
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With the 10 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select:
Levi Brown, OT from Penn State
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Brown is the perfect match if he is still available at #10 for the Texans whom I still can’t believe didn’t take Reggie Bush last year. If Peterson somehow slips here the Texas greatly covet him, and are considering trading up for him, but it really isn’t a viable option with what they can offer. If Leon Hall is available here Houston might make a move to shore up their corner corps opposite of Dunta Robinson. Alan Branch is also another option. There is some speculation that Houston wouldn’t mind moving down considerably into the 1st round and get some extra picks because they really like Ohio State WR Ted Ginn Jr and Florida S Reggie Nelson, both of which would be considerable reaches at this point in the draft.
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Well those are my first 10 picks in the draft without trades and with as much rationality as I can muster. Personally I hope Buffalo finds some way to get up to Peterson. I also wouldn’t mind Leon Hall or Patrick Willis, those are the three I want for the Billies at #12. I’ll be glued to the TV for at least the 1st round Saturday to watch one of my favorite events in all of sports. Yeah, I’m a serious nerd. I might even end up doing a running diary, who knows. Take care all.
