Geo
03-18-2007, 01:52 AM
The plan right now is to produce a new mock every two weeks, ultimately leading up to the Draft. I have something of a bare-bones 2nd round that should appear in refined fashion in the next mock. Comments and criticisms, hopefully in tandem, are welcome.
- Geo
2007 NFL DRAFT
ROUND 1
1. Oakland Raiders select WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
If anyone is a 55-million dollar man for the Raiders, it’s Calvin Johnson, the best wide receiver prospect ever. Literally and figuratively, he’s too good to pass up - especially as Randy Moss is shipped out of town.
2. Arizona Cardinals (f. Detroit Lions) select OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
Taking advantage of Detroit’s willingness to trade down, The Cardinals select the franchise left tackle they’ve needed for years in Joe Thomas.
*** Arizona: 1st round (#5), 3rd round (#69) picks; Detroit: 1st round pick (#2)
3. Cleveland Browns select QB Jamarcus Russell, LSU
Phil Savage has long been a fan of Jamarcus Russel, and Cleveland is in desperate need of a quarterback who can actually win games without needing a running game to carry him.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville
The Bucs’ defensive line is barren of playmaking talent and thus retards the rest of the less-than-stellar defense, so the team selects Amobi Okoye in hopes of finally filling the void of Warren Sapp as the dominant 3 tech tackle.
5. Detroit Lions (f. Arizona Cardinals) select QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Mike Martz is the short-term solution until he jumps ship to another team, but Brady Quinn is the long-term solution. The Lions finally have a player to sell to the fans since Barry Sanders and a franchise quarterback since decades before that.
6. Washington Redskins select DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
The Redskins defense stumbled in 2006, but selecting Adam Carriker gives them the powerful pass-rusher who can also play against the run that they need. Carriker can also slide inside at tackle on passing downs, helping them even more.
7. Minnesota Vikings select DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
Gaines Adams provides the Vikings a semblance of a pass rush, while Tice-era draft picks Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze try to fully recover from ACL injury and micro fracture surgery respectively.
8. Houston Texans select RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
Reggie Bush may not be able to tote the rock for the Texans 20 to 25 times a game, but Texas-born Adrian Peterson certainly can. All Day, in fact.
9. San Francisco 49ers (f. Miami Dolphins) select DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
Mike Nolan trades up to ensure himself the additional playmaker he needs in his front three in Jamaal Anderson, a physical specimen who amazingly has a great deal of development left before him. With Nolan as his teacher, the results should be promising.
*** San Francisco 49ers: 1st round (#11), 4th round picks; Miami Dolphins: 1st round pick (#9)
10. Atlanta Falcons select S Laron Landry, LSU
New head coach Bobby Petrino isn’t satisfied with the Falcons being soft or complacent, as evidenced by his first draft pick in Laron Landry, a do-everything safety and future defensive captain.
11. Miami Dolphins (f. San Francisco 49ers) select CB Leon Hall, Michigan
Leon Hall is the classic perfect guy. He can play zone and press, attacks against the run, has a sculpted body, tests well in any of the positional measurements, has the collegiate pedigree, and so on - the guy others may hate but the Dolphins and their fans will love.
12. Buffalo Bills select LB Patrick Willis, Mississippi
The Bills’ goal this off-season at the middle linebacker position for their revamped defense is to get younger, quicker and stronger at the point of attack near or at the line of scrimmage, and better in coverage. And more often than not, the middle linebacker sets the tone for the rest of the defense. Mission accomplished in Patrick Willis.
13. St. Louis Rams select DT Alan Branch, Michigan
For the last few years, the Rams have been as soft as linen and run on by every other team in the league, never mind the talented backfields of their division rivals. Enter mammoth tackle with immense potential Alan Branch to help solve their woes in a big way.
14. Carolina Panthers select TE Greg Olsen, Miami
The new Panthers offensive coordinator actually wants to include the tight end in the gamplan, which is a novel idea for the team of late, so the team drafts what they perceive as the undeniable best that this weak class has to offer in Greg Olsen.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
Having wisely rid themselves of Joey Porter, the Steelers take the opportunity to select Jarvis Moss as their pass-rusher of the future, initially as a 3-4 outside linebacker and eventually as the all-important 4-3 defensive end.
16. Green Bay Packers select RB Marshawn Lynch, Cal Berkeley
Can you say slam dunk? Marshawn Lynch is the franchise back who fits perfect in head coach Mike McCarthy’s Packers offense, regardless of who is at quarterback.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars select S Reggie Nelson, Florida
Acquire a younger ballhawk with higher ceiling at free safety? That’s a check for head coach Jack Del Rio this off-season.
18. Cincinnati Bengals select CB Chris Houston, Arkansas
Last year’s 1st round pick Jonathan Joseph showed the most promise of the rookie cornerbacks, and now he and superb man-corner Chris Houston will play opposite each other for the Bengals for years to come.
19. Tennessee Titans select WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU
Dwayne Bowe gets the nod as the second receiver taken thanks to being the most complete of the lot. A physical receiver with an excellent build, Bowe can strike down the field as well as attack the middle, and might be the best run-blocking receiver of the class. He can handle the load of a #1.
20. New York Giants select OT Levi Brown, Penn State
The Giants luck out here landing a franchise left tackle prospect at the 20th overall pick, thanks to Levi Brown delivering less-than-flattering numbers in tests that mean nothing towards his proven ability to protect the quarterback and block for runningbacks.
21. Denver Broncos select WR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State
It’s ridiculous how often Mike Shanahan strikes gold. Ted Ginn, Jr. is the perfect complement to Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall, making for what could be the league’s most dangerous receiving core for years to come. Of course, Ginn adds an unequaled playmaker in the return game of the Broncos.
22. Dallas Cowboys select CB Aaron Ross, Texas
Aaron Ross brings youth and a considerable amount of talent to the Cowboys, initially providing excellent depth for their secondary until eventually becoming a future starter opposite cover man Terrence Newman.
23. New Orleans Saints (f. Kansas City Chiefs) select CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh
The Saints trade up to get the last of their draft board’s 1st round cornerbacks, and are ecstatic to bring Darrelle Revis into their fold. In fitting fashion, the Saints give up the Chiefs’ 4th round pick back to the very same team.
*** New Orleans Saints: 1st round (#27), 4th round pick; Kansas City Chiefs: 1st round pick (#23)
24. New England Patriots (f. Seattle Seahawks) select DB Michael Griffin, Texas
Michael Griffin can play either safety position, as a nickel back, and is an excellent special teams player - if he hasn‘t already earned a starting spot, he‘ll find a way to get on the field regardless. Griffin is perfect for the Patriots as they revamp their secondary somewhat, especially at strong safety, in the next few years.
*** New England Patriots: WR Deion Branch; Seattle Seahawks: 1st round pick (#24)
25. New York Jets select DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue
The Jets defense improved in 2006, but needs more talent in all three levels to continue that trend. Anthony Spencer gives them a promising 3-4 outside linebacker who can assist by leaps and bounds in their attempts to get to the opposing quarterback.
26. Philadelphia Eagles select LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
For years Jeremiah Trotter has undeniably been one who helped set the tone for the rest of the Eagles defense, but with his career on the downslide, Andy Reid wisely selects the man who can carry that mantle from Trotter in Pennsylvania hero Paul Posluszny.
27. Kansas City Chiefs (f. New Orleans Saints) select OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan
The Chiefs re-acquired their 4th round pick for trading down and still landed their future left tackle in the athletic Joe Staley. Staley will likely not start at left tackle from day one, but the team did sign Damien McIntosh in free agency to be their immediate starter and can use Staley elsewhere on the line (especially if Will Shields retires) in the meantime.
28. New England Patriots select LB Jon Beason, Miami
Jon Beason gives the Patriots much-needed youth at the inside linebacker position, especially in the form of the talented striker who is always around the ball. Beason will eventually taking over as a starter when stalwarts Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi hang them up.
29. Baltimore Ravens select OT Tony Ugoh, Arkansas
Tony Ugoh is impressively athletic and promising as a potential left or right tackle, the caveat however is that he’s something of a project to get there. But Ugoh is a perfect fit for the Ravens as he can initially contribute elsewhere on a highly revamped offensive line and eventually take over at either tackle position. Ozzie Newsome knows his talent.
30. San Diego Chargers select WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Excellent value pick by the Chargers in acquiring Robert Meachem, a top-flight receiving prospect who can impressively gain yards after the catch when he gets the ball in his hands, at the 30th overall pick. Meachem will be a great complement to Vincent Jackson.
31. Chicago Bears select WR Dwayne Jarrett, Southern Cal
Dwayne Jarrett’s flattering pro comparison is Muhsin Muhammed, and courtesy of the Bears’ draft pick, Jarrett now gets to learn from the man himself if not eventually replace him as the large-bodied receiver who can make the tough catch and play big in big games.
32. Indianapolis Colts select LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida State
The Colts haven’t selected a 1st round linebacker since Rob Morris in the 2000 NFL Draft, but then again rarely came across a Lawrence Timmons in that time and there‘s currently no established starter at weakside, a critical position in Tony Dungy’s defense, to dissuade them from selecting an outstanding candidate in Timmons who could outplay the 32nd overall pick.
- Geo
2007 NFL DRAFT
ROUND 1
1. Oakland Raiders select WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
If anyone is a 55-million dollar man for the Raiders, it’s Calvin Johnson, the best wide receiver prospect ever. Literally and figuratively, he’s too good to pass up - especially as Randy Moss is shipped out of town.
2. Arizona Cardinals (f. Detroit Lions) select OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
Taking advantage of Detroit’s willingness to trade down, The Cardinals select the franchise left tackle they’ve needed for years in Joe Thomas.
*** Arizona: 1st round (#5), 3rd round (#69) picks; Detroit: 1st round pick (#2)
3. Cleveland Browns select QB Jamarcus Russell, LSU
Phil Savage has long been a fan of Jamarcus Russel, and Cleveland is in desperate need of a quarterback who can actually win games without needing a running game to carry him.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville
The Bucs’ defensive line is barren of playmaking talent and thus retards the rest of the less-than-stellar defense, so the team selects Amobi Okoye in hopes of finally filling the void of Warren Sapp as the dominant 3 tech tackle.
5. Detroit Lions (f. Arizona Cardinals) select QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Mike Martz is the short-term solution until he jumps ship to another team, but Brady Quinn is the long-term solution. The Lions finally have a player to sell to the fans since Barry Sanders and a franchise quarterback since decades before that.
6. Washington Redskins select DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
The Redskins defense stumbled in 2006, but selecting Adam Carriker gives them the powerful pass-rusher who can also play against the run that they need. Carriker can also slide inside at tackle on passing downs, helping them even more.
7. Minnesota Vikings select DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
Gaines Adams provides the Vikings a semblance of a pass rush, while Tice-era draft picks Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze try to fully recover from ACL injury and micro fracture surgery respectively.
8. Houston Texans select RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
Reggie Bush may not be able to tote the rock for the Texans 20 to 25 times a game, but Texas-born Adrian Peterson certainly can. All Day, in fact.
9. San Francisco 49ers (f. Miami Dolphins) select DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
Mike Nolan trades up to ensure himself the additional playmaker he needs in his front three in Jamaal Anderson, a physical specimen who amazingly has a great deal of development left before him. With Nolan as his teacher, the results should be promising.
*** San Francisco 49ers: 1st round (#11), 4th round picks; Miami Dolphins: 1st round pick (#9)
10. Atlanta Falcons select S Laron Landry, LSU
New head coach Bobby Petrino isn’t satisfied with the Falcons being soft or complacent, as evidenced by his first draft pick in Laron Landry, a do-everything safety and future defensive captain.
11. Miami Dolphins (f. San Francisco 49ers) select CB Leon Hall, Michigan
Leon Hall is the classic perfect guy. He can play zone and press, attacks against the run, has a sculpted body, tests well in any of the positional measurements, has the collegiate pedigree, and so on - the guy others may hate but the Dolphins and their fans will love.
12. Buffalo Bills select LB Patrick Willis, Mississippi
The Bills’ goal this off-season at the middle linebacker position for their revamped defense is to get younger, quicker and stronger at the point of attack near or at the line of scrimmage, and better in coverage. And more often than not, the middle linebacker sets the tone for the rest of the defense. Mission accomplished in Patrick Willis.
13. St. Louis Rams select DT Alan Branch, Michigan
For the last few years, the Rams have been as soft as linen and run on by every other team in the league, never mind the talented backfields of their division rivals. Enter mammoth tackle with immense potential Alan Branch to help solve their woes in a big way.
14. Carolina Panthers select TE Greg Olsen, Miami
The new Panthers offensive coordinator actually wants to include the tight end in the gamplan, which is a novel idea for the team of late, so the team drafts what they perceive as the undeniable best that this weak class has to offer in Greg Olsen.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
Having wisely rid themselves of Joey Porter, the Steelers take the opportunity to select Jarvis Moss as their pass-rusher of the future, initially as a 3-4 outside linebacker and eventually as the all-important 4-3 defensive end.
16. Green Bay Packers select RB Marshawn Lynch, Cal Berkeley
Can you say slam dunk? Marshawn Lynch is the franchise back who fits perfect in head coach Mike McCarthy’s Packers offense, regardless of who is at quarterback.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars select S Reggie Nelson, Florida
Acquire a younger ballhawk with higher ceiling at free safety? That’s a check for head coach Jack Del Rio this off-season.
18. Cincinnati Bengals select CB Chris Houston, Arkansas
Last year’s 1st round pick Jonathan Joseph showed the most promise of the rookie cornerbacks, and now he and superb man-corner Chris Houston will play opposite each other for the Bengals for years to come.
19. Tennessee Titans select WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU
Dwayne Bowe gets the nod as the second receiver taken thanks to being the most complete of the lot. A physical receiver with an excellent build, Bowe can strike down the field as well as attack the middle, and might be the best run-blocking receiver of the class. He can handle the load of a #1.
20. New York Giants select OT Levi Brown, Penn State
The Giants luck out here landing a franchise left tackle prospect at the 20th overall pick, thanks to Levi Brown delivering less-than-flattering numbers in tests that mean nothing towards his proven ability to protect the quarterback and block for runningbacks.
21. Denver Broncos select WR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State
It’s ridiculous how often Mike Shanahan strikes gold. Ted Ginn, Jr. is the perfect complement to Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall, making for what could be the league’s most dangerous receiving core for years to come. Of course, Ginn adds an unequaled playmaker in the return game of the Broncos.
22. Dallas Cowboys select CB Aaron Ross, Texas
Aaron Ross brings youth and a considerable amount of talent to the Cowboys, initially providing excellent depth for their secondary until eventually becoming a future starter opposite cover man Terrence Newman.
23. New Orleans Saints (f. Kansas City Chiefs) select CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh
The Saints trade up to get the last of their draft board’s 1st round cornerbacks, and are ecstatic to bring Darrelle Revis into their fold. In fitting fashion, the Saints give up the Chiefs’ 4th round pick back to the very same team.
*** New Orleans Saints: 1st round (#27), 4th round pick; Kansas City Chiefs: 1st round pick (#23)
24. New England Patriots (f. Seattle Seahawks) select DB Michael Griffin, Texas
Michael Griffin can play either safety position, as a nickel back, and is an excellent special teams player - if he hasn‘t already earned a starting spot, he‘ll find a way to get on the field regardless. Griffin is perfect for the Patriots as they revamp their secondary somewhat, especially at strong safety, in the next few years.
*** New England Patriots: WR Deion Branch; Seattle Seahawks: 1st round pick (#24)
25. New York Jets select DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue
The Jets defense improved in 2006, but needs more talent in all three levels to continue that trend. Anthony Spencer gives them a promising 3-4 outside linebacker who can assist by leaps and bounds in their attempts to get to the opposing quarterback.
26. Philadelphia Eagles select LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
For years Jeremiah Trotter has undeniably been one who helped set the tone for the rest of the Eagles defense, but with his career on the downslide, Andy Reid wisely selects the man who can carry that mantle from Trotter in Pennsylvania hero Paul Posluszny.
27. Kansas City Chiefs (f. New Orleans Saints) select OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan
The Chiefs re-acquired their 4th round pick for trading down and still landed their future left tackle in the athletic Joe Staley. Staley will likely not start at left tackle from day one, but the team did sign Damien McIntosh in free agency to be their immediate starter and can use Staley elsewhere on the line (especially if Will Shields retires) in the meantime.
28. New England Patriots select LB Jon Beason, Miami
Jon Beason gives the Patriots much-needed youth at the inside linebacker position, especially in the form of the talented striker who is always around the ball. Beason will eventually taking over as a starter when stalwarts Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi hang them up.
29. Baltimore Ravens select OT Tony Ugoh, Arkansas
Tony Ugoh is impressively athletic and promising as a potential left or right tackle, the caveat however is that he’s something of a project to get there. But Ugoh is a perfect fit for the Ravens as he can initially contribute elsewhere on a highly revamped offensive line and eventually take over at either tackle position. Ozzie Newsome knows his talent.
30. San Diego Chargers select WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Excellent value pick by the Chargers in acquiring Robert Meachem, a top-flight receiving prospect who can impressively gain yards after the catch when he gets the ball in his hands, at the 30th overall pick. Meachem will be a great complement to Vincent Jackson.
31. Chicago Bears select WR Dwayne Jarrett, Southern Cal
Dwayne Jarrett’s flattering pro comparison is Muhsin Muhammed, and courtesy of the Bears’ draft pick, Jarrett now gets to learn from the man himself if not eventually replace him as the large-bodied receiver who can make the tough catch and play big in big games.
32. Indianapolis Colts select LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida State
The Colts haven’t selected a 1st round linebacker since Rob Morris in the 2000 NFL Draft, but then again rarely came across a Lawrence Timmons in that time and there‘s currently no established starter at weakside, a critical position in Tony Dungy’s defense, to dissuade them from selecting an outstanding candidate in Timmons who could outplay the 32nd overall pick.