Mock Draft 2007

1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU

Al Davis will be tempted to use this pick on Calvin Johnson but the Raiders did not get a veteran quarterback in the offseason as the planned to. They made an effort to sign Jeff Garcia, but were out-bid by the Buccaneers. I think that both Al Davis and Lane Kiffin recognize that Andrew Walter is not the future of this franchise.

2. Detroit: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

The Lions are in need of a quarterback but they are shopping this pick for trades hard. They really want Gaines Adams from Clemson, but they don't want to pick him this high. The Falcons are very interested in picking Calvin Johnson and if the Raiders don't, they will most likely offer their no. 8 overall pick and some of their newly acquired second round picks in exchange for the no. 2 pick. If the Lions get this trade done, they might look to pick up a franchise quarterback in the second round in Drew Stanton, but if they don't they will use the pick on Quinn.

3. Cleveland: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

Even though the Browns signed Jamal Lewis in the offseason, he is not a franchise running back any more. He was signed to a one year deal for two reasons, the Browns want to be able the ease Peterson into the starting role and they have insurance in Lewis in case he does indeed become injured. The Browns had one of the worst rushing attacks in the league last year and Peterson will be a major upgrade.

4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

If the best receiver prospect of the 21st century falls to the number 4 pick, the Bucs will waste no time in pulling the trigger on Johnson. Joey Galloway is in the twilight of his career and Michael Clayton is not a number one receiver. Johnson would give life to an anemic passing attack and open up the ground game for Cadillac Williams. It doesn't matter who is the quarterback in 2007, Johnson will put up big numbers. That is a fact, Jack. Should Johnson be gone by no. 4, keep an eye out for Amobi Okoye. Head coach Jon Gruden loves him like he did Cadillac in '05.

5. Arizona: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

The achilles heel of the Card's offense in '06 was the offensive line. New coach Ken Whisenhunt already has the skill players on the team but now he needs a real road grader to pave the way for Edgerrin James and he will look no farther than Thomas. This is a no brainer pick for 'Zona.

6. Washington: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

Should Washington retain this pick in the Lance Briggs debacle, they will use this pick on a defensive lineman and Adams is the best available. He will provide a boost to the Skins' run defense as well as rush the passer.

7. Minnesota: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

Their two starting defensive ends, Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James, both have big questions surrounding them this season. Udeze did not register as single sack in 15 games last year and James is coming off an injury. Therefore Anderson is a natural pick. They should pick a wide receiver here but they already have a Ted Ginn-like receiver in Troy Williamson. Also, head coach Brad Childress does not believe in taking a receiver in the first round.

8. Atlanta (f/ Houston): LaRon Landry, S, LSU

Landry is fast (4.35 40 yrd dash), the best defensive back in the draft, and the Falcons want him if the can't get their hands on Calvin Johnson. It is no doubt that Atlanta's defensive backs are one of the worst in the league with the exception of All-Pro corner DeAngelo Hall. Landry will team up well with Hall and patch up Hotlanta's cold pass defense. Also look for a defensive end to be the pick as a replacement for Patrick Kerney.

9. Miami: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

Miami wants a quarterback but Quinn and Russell will not slip this far. Therefore they will look to upgrade their aging defensive line. They figure to pick up Branch because he can play nose tackle/end in a 3-4 scheme or end in a 4-3.

10. Houston: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

The Texans have their running back in Ahman Green, their quarterback in Matt Schaub, and now they will pick up the man to keep them both on their feet. Just ask David Carr, who was sacked 41 times in '06, if they need to pick up an offensive lineman. Except this season he won't be able to benefit from Brown's presence.

11. San Fransisco: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

Carriker is the best 3-4 defensive end in the draft and Mike Nolan will call his number come April 28th to bolster his defense. Wide receiver is also an option because of the release of Antonio Bryant but I think that they stay on the defensive side of the ball.

12. Buffalo: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss

I like this kid a lot and I wish he would slide to the Bengals at 18 but it is unlikely due to his amazing speed and his resume at Ole Miss. Buffalo will covet him as the replacement for London Fletcher-Baker. They may also consider Leon Hall from Michigan to replace Nate Clements.

13. St. Louis: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

The Ram's defense is the major issue surrounding the organization in the offseason and they will use this pick on a 19 year old kid that will come in and make an impact right away. He will keep double-teams off of Leonard Little and will clog up the middle in the run defense.

14. Carolina: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL)

Kris Mangum has retired and a major hole is left open at the tight end position. Jake Delhomme will love this big and fast target in the middle and maybe it will stop him from throwing into tight coverage to Steve Smith all the time.

15. Pittsburgh: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Pittsburgh needs to address their front seven in their scheme situation questions (4-3 or 3-4?) but they also need good cover guys, especially if Mike Tomlin's cover two scheme prevails. Hall is the natural pick here because he can play either corner or safety and he is better than Ike Taylor.

16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California

Ahman Green is gone and the Packers have made no attempt to find one in free agency because they are waiting on fresh legs from the golden state. Some will say that the Packers will try to go after Ted Ginn here but I think that Greg Jennings made big strides his rookie year as is more than capable of handling the number 2 receiver role.

17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida

Dieon Grant no longer is in Jacksonville and Donovin Darius is getting hurt all the time. There is no way they make a play for LaRon Landry so therefore they take the second best option in Nelson.

18. Cincinnati: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

Marvin Lewis covets special teamers and dual role players and that is exactly what Revis is. He is a solid corner that could push Deltha O'Neal for the starting job opposite Jonathan Joseph and he also is an excellent punt returner, another need for the Bengals. He didn't rack up many interceptions in college but that is because he wasn't thrown at a lot. When he was, he made the most of his opportunities and picked the ball off. As an added bonus, he has no character issues in the past.

19. Tennessee: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, Southern California

Offensive coordinator has up close and personal experience with Jarrett because Chow is a former coordinator at USC. Drew Bennett has left for the Rams and Vince Young needs a go-to-guy for the red zone like Mike Vick has with Alge Crumpler.

20. New York Giants: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas

Defense is a major issue for the G-Men and they could use this pick on a outside linebacker or cornerback. However, if Houston is on the board I don't think they can pass up Deon Sander's protege.

21. Denver: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida

The Broncos missed out on the Patrick Kerney sweepstakes and will most likely take the best end available. Anthony Spencer is an option because he could be a pass rushing end or an outside linebacker. It looks like the Broncos will want to move D.J. Williams to middle backer and maybe they could plug Spencer in at Williams old spot.

22. Dallas: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

This home grown product will likely fit the Cowboy's needs because their current number two corner, Anthony Henry, may move to free safety. Defensive back is by far the biggest need for the Big D, but an outside linebacker to team with DeMarcus Ware is also a possibility.

23. Kansas City: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State

Speed, hands, and the ability to take any catch the distance is something the Chiefs have been lacking for years. Their only current pass catching option is tight end Tony Gonzalez and he is getting up there in terms of age. Who ever starts at quarterback in KC will love this speedy kid.

24. New England (f/ Seattle): Michael Griffin, S, Texas

The Patriots are the only team that has two first round picks and will most likely spend the first one on a safety. They don't want to wait until the 28th pick to look for one because Griffin will most likely be gone so they pick him up here. He can be plugged in to play opposite Rodney Harrison or he could end up as Harrison's replacement.

25. New York Jets: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State

The Jets are coming off of a surprise season and have already addressed their need for a good running back by acquiring Thomas Jones from Chicago, but they still need to fix the defense. Cornerback is their biggest need and they will take McCauley because the rest of the deep cornerback class has been picked away.

26. Philedelphia: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State

The Eagles at this point are upset that all the defensive backs have been pick up so therefore they will address their linebacker corps. They already picked up Takeo Spikes, but he may be moved to middle. Therefore the obvious pick is "the best linebacker from Linebacker U."

27. New Orleans: Eric Wright, CB, UNLV

The Saints are also upset that the likes of Ross and McCauley are gone but they decided to take a gamble on Wright. They figure that anything is an upgrade to Fred Thomas, especially after he was toasted by Chad Johnson in '06.

28. New England: Ryan Kalil, C, Southern California

Kalil is this year's version of Nick Mangold, a plug and play center. The Patriots will put him in the roster and not worry about him for ten years.

29. Baltimore: Anthony Spencer, LB/DE, Purdue

The Ravens love to draft defense and this year will be no different. They lost Adalius Thomas and Spencer can take his spot as a versatile pass rusher.

30. San Diego: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee

San Diego desperately needs a wide receiver to give Philip Rivers a target other than Antonio Gates to throw at. Meachem gives them a good receiver that will be solid for many years.

31. Chicago: Jon Beason, LB, Miami (FL)

Lance Briggs wants out and Hunter Hillenmeyer is decent at best. Beason didn't meet expectations at the combine, but that won't stop Chi-town from pulling the trigger on this Hurricane.

32. Indianapolis: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State

Indy lost a lot of defensive players to free agency and they would like to find a quick defensive tackle to plug in to stop the run, but there aren't any worth the no. 32 pick. Now they try to fill the void left by Cato June by picking up Timmons. He is quick and fits the Colt's Tampa 2 scheme and he should be able to help in run support.