2007 NFL Mock Draft:
| 1. | Oakland | JaMarcus Russell | QB | LSU |
| The Raiders are trying to trade Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, but are having no luck, so as of now, Russell is their best chance to regain past glory. Russell has a cannon for an arm and is a perfect match for Al Davis's vertical passing attack. Still, don't be surprised if a team like the Bucs or Falcons try to trade up to the #1 spot to land Calvin Johnson. Look for them to take OT Joe Staley with the first pick in the second round. |
| 2. | Detroit | Brady Quinn | QB | Notre Dame |
| I seem to be in the minority, but Quinn is the logical choice here. Neither Jon Kitna, Josh McCown or Dan Orlovsky are the future. With Kevin Jones battling injuries, RB Adrian Peterson isn't out of the question either. If RB/FB Brian Leonard is still there in the 2nd round, he would be a great pick for the Lions. The Lions will also be looking to trade down out of this spot and get a top defensive end, but that's easier said than done. Rumors are floating around that Tampa will give them Simeon Rice to get this pick. |
| 3. | Cleveland | Calvin Johnson | WR | Georgia Tech |
| Will the Browns roll the dice and draft RB Adrian Peterson? Peterson has been extremely injury prone and with RB Jamaal Lewis signed as a free agent, the Browns might wait another year to address the running back position. I don't think they draft Quinn even if he falls down to them, they already have two young quarterbacks in the mix, Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, why add a third? Calvin Johnson is a rare talent, the type of prospect that only comes around every ten years or so. He is widely regarded as the best player in this draft . He is 6' 5" 240 pounds and ran a 4.35 second 40 yard dash at the 2007 NFL Combine! Every time I update this mock, I just can't see Calvin Johnson slipping past this spot, he is just to good. However, expect Tampa to trade up to this spot and get Johnson though. |
| 4. | Tampa Bay | Joe Thomas | OT | Wisconsin |
| The Bucs have been busy in free agency with the signing of QB Jeff Garcia, which means they probably won't be in the market for a QB. Tampa was hoping and praying to get Calvin Johnson, but I don't think Johnson slips down this far, so the Bucs are trying to trade up to get him (Johnson). Joe Thomas is a great pick for the Bucs. Luke Petitgout, coming back from a broken fibula, is better as a back up anyway. DT Tank Tyler would be a great pick for them in the second round. |
| 5. | Arizona | Amobi Okoye | DT | Louisville |
| Expect the Cards to draft defense heavy in 2007 NFL Draft, unless Joe Thomas falls into their laps. Offensive line is also a huge need, but it's way to early for Penn State's Levi Brown. Expect OT Joe Staley to be a target in the second round if he is still there. CB Leon Hall is also a possibility, but Okoye is the best defensive tackle in this Draft. Okoye is only 19 years old, but has started for an impressive Louisville team since he was a true freshman. He has as much upside as anyone in this draft. He reminds me of the Bears' Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommy Harris. At his Pro Day he ran a 4.88 forty while measuring in at 6' 2" 305 lbs. |
| 6. | Washington | Gaines Adams | DT | Michigan |
| The Skins were hoping that DT Amobi Okoye fell down to them at this spot, but they get the top pass rusher in Adams. He (Adams) knows how to get to the quarterback, recording 25 career sacks while at Clemson. They signed Fred Smoot, and they still have Carlos Rogers, so I think they will pass on CB Leon Hall. Adams is a better value here than Alan Branch. |
| 7. | Minnesota | Jamaal Anderson | DE | Arkansas |
| If Quinn falls down to the Vikings they will draft him in a New York minute. After losing Brad Johnson to Dallas, the Vikings do not have a single "proven" quarterback on their roster. Minnesota does have two first round defensive ends on their roster: Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze, but both have been a huge disappointments. Anderson is a solid NFL Prospect, he is a talented junior, and with 6' 5" 267 pound size, could play a huge role in any style of defense. Anderson recorded an impressive 19.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks in 2006. Adrian Peterson is also a possibility, but the Vikings like Chester Taylor and Ciatrick Fason. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings draft QB Drew Stanton or Trent Edwards in the 2nd round. |
| 8. | Atlanta | LaRon Landry | SS | LSU |
| The Atlanta defensive secondary is one of their weakest positions and they get lucky with Laron Landry. He is an excellent value here and is good enough to play free or strong safety. He is OK in coverage, but great in run support. Landry is a very physically mature, well coached, experienced, battle hardened prospect. Landry is an elite athlete, he ran a 4.35 second 40 yard dash at the 2007 NFL Combine. QB John Beck or Kevin Kolb might be a target in the third round now that Matt Schaub is gone, they really don't have a back up QB to Michael Vick. |
| 9. | Miami | Leon Hall | CB | Michigan |
| Leon Hall is a Pro Bowl caliber talent that blew the doors off the competition at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine. The rumor that he wasn't very fast proved to be completely false. Hall blazed a 4.39 second 40 yard dash and his 3-cone time of 6.50 seconds was the top time of any player at the combine. The Fins haven't been the same at corner since they lost Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain. WR Robert Meachem is also a possibility. I would expect to see Miami take a speedy linebacker like Antwan Barnes in the 3rd or 4th round. A quality left tackle like Jermon Bushrod would be a good mid-round pick for them. |
| 10. | Houston | Adrian Peterson | RB | Oklahoma |
| Houston has Matt Schaub at QB now in a trade with the Falcons, and they dropped down 2 spots in the draft, but they still might get lucky and land Adrian Peterson because the teams above them don't need a running back. Peterson’s draft stock is solid after the combine, where he ran a super fast 4.40 second 40 yard dash. Peterson is the top offensive player still on the boards. If he can stay healthy he could be something very special. However, This might help to ease the pain of missing out on Reggie Bush last year. If the Browns don't land Peterson, this is where he will probably land. Expect the Texans to land the best offensive tackle still on the board with their next pick, maybe a Tony Ugoh, Marshal Yanda or James Martin. |
| 11. | San Francisco | Robert Meachem | WR | Tennessee |
| The 49ers do need a talented go-to wide out and Meachem could be very special. I am higher on Meachem than most, he is a big, tall, fast, young (under-classmen) receiver that has as much upside as any player in this draft. A great pick for the 49ers as they need some downfield weapons. Great hands, and his draft stock is on the rise after he ran a 4.39 forty at the 2007 NFL Combine. The niners lost WR Antonio Bryant and gained WR Ashley Lelie, so they didn't improve much at the receiver position, if at all. |
| 12. | Buffalo | Marshawn Lynch | RB | California |
| This is the steal of the draft so far, Lynch is very talented, and might be the best running back in this draft. Lynch looked impressive at the combine running a 4.46 forty yard dash. Green Bay might even try to trade up in front of Buffalo to make a run at Lynch. The Bills lost RB Willis McGahee in a trade with the Ravens, so this is also a huge need. Lynch was the Pac-10 offensive player of the year rushing for 1,356 yards and 11 TDs, he also had a very impressive 6.1 yards per carry average. |
| 13. | St. Louis | Alan Branch | DE | Arkansas |
| Seems like the perfect fit for the Rams here, they drafted an Alan Branch clone in Jimmy Kennedy few years back, but he has been a bust. They also lost Ryan Picket in 2006 and haven't been strong up front since. The Rams finished 31st against the run last year. The All-American Branch should help, he is huge (6' 5" 325 lbs.) and athletic. He finished 2006 with 25 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. If I were a Rams fan I would want Patrick Willis drafted here. |
| 14. | Carolina | Dwayne Bowe | WR | LSU |
| When Steve Smith got injured last year, the Panthers struggled. Bowe rose up the draft boards after a phenomenal senior season, especially after he got Lasik surgery and started seeing and catching better. Bowe is a big, tall, physical receiver that has had an excellent post season. Bowe had an average combine 40 run of 4.52 seconds, but had a great Pro Day when he ran twice at 4.49 and 4.40 seconds. Ted Ginn is also a possibility here. |
| 15. | Pittsburgh | Adam Carriker | DE | Nebraska |
| Carriker is one of the safest picks in this draft and has the size and skills to line up at end in any type of defensive configuration. Carriker is a 6' 6" 290 pound Defensive End that can really move. He played great in the Senior Bowl and has been steadily moving up the draft boards. Look for the Steelers to also target a big receiver like Sidney Rice in the 2nd or 3rd round. |
| 16. | Green Bay | Reggie Nelson | S | Florida |
| Nelson is excellent in pass coverage and might be good enough to play corner. He didn't have great combine numbers, but his spectacular "pro day" where he ran a nice 4.35 second 40 yard dash. He has assured him of an early first round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. The packers are gnashing their teeth because they coveted RB Marshawn Lynch. I wouldn't even be surprised to see the Pack trade up to get Lynch or RB Adrian Peterson. The Packers might wait until the 3rd or 4th round and get a speed back like Arizona's Chris Henry. |
| 17. | Jacksonville | Michael Griffin | SS | Texas |
| Another great value, Griffin is a very experienced defensive back that has been playing in the national spotlight for three years. He could play strong or free safety and even cornerback, at the combine he measured in at 5' 11" 202 pounds and ran an impressive 4.45 second 40 yard dash. Injured safety Donavin Darius is in doubt. Expect the Jags to draft a speedy receiver like Jason Hill in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. |
| 18. | Cincinnati | Patrick Willis | LB | Mississippi |
| It seems like the Bengal’s are constantly trying to improve their defense, yes it has been better lately, but it is still a weakness. They drafted David Pollack and tried to move him to linebacker, that didn't work to well, then he got injured. Willis will definitely improve any defense, he is good enough to be the defensive rookie of the year in 2007, a sideline to sideline tackling machine. This is a great pick for the Giants. At the NFL Combine Willis ran a 4.49 second forty, a 39" vertical jump and a 9' 11" broad jump. I predict Willis will be a Pro Bowl linebacker in 2-3 years. This is the best pick of the draft so far, Willis has top 10 talent. |
| 19. | Tennessee | Darrelle Revis | CB | Pitt |
| Revis would not only fill a need, but at #21 provide great value. Revis was a little inconsistent in 2006, but he has a ton of raw talent and at Pitts Pro Day, Revis (5-11 ¼, 196) ran the 40 in 4.41 and 4.39 seconds. He also notched a 38-inch vertical, a 10-foot-5 broad jump, a 4.08 short shuttle and a 6.56 three-cone drill. Now that the NFL has suspended Tennessee CB Pacman Jones for the entire 2007 season, a corner is a need. |
| 20. | NY Giants | Lawrence Timmons | LB | FSU |
| The Giants recently cut half their linebacker corps so this is a huge need. Timmons is a young, talented 6' 2" 230 pound junior that hits like a ton of bricks. He took over for Ernie Sims and the Seminoles didn't miss a beat, he recorded 18 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. The Giants are so thin at linebacker I would look for them to draft another running back in the 2nd or 3rd rounds like a Quincy Black. I would also expect them to get a speedy running back in the later rounds like a Ramonce Taylor or a Garrett Wolfe. |
| 21. | Denver | Ted Ginn Jr. | WR | Ohio State |
| With Devin Hester's success in the NFL as a return man, the Broncos will be thrilled to get Ginn here. Believe it or not, Ginn could even be better than Hester, and unlike Hester, can actually play another position besides returner. Ginn isn't real experienced as a wideout, but gets better every year and in time could be special. His stock is slipping slightly, due to the fact that he is nursing an injury and didn't run at the combine. Ginn finally ran for scouts on April 11th, he ran his 40s in 4.38, 4.44 and 4.45. I don't think anyone really questioned his speed anyway, just his health. John Lynch turns 36 in September, so in the second round a safety like Sabby Piscitelli is an option. |
| 22. | Dallas | Justin Harrell | DT | Tennessee |
| This might be a little early for Harrell, but if he wouldn't have tore his bicep and missed the 2006 season he probably would have been a top 15 selection. Dallas is very thin at the nose tackle position, with aging veteran Jason Ferguson as the only proven player on the roster. Dallas might draft an offensive guard like Aaron Sears in the second round, because journeyman Kyle Kosier, is better suited as a back-up. Look for Dallas to draft a speedy cornerback like Josh Wilson in the third round. The Cowboys seem to like those small school receivers, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them draft Jacoby Jones in the later rounds. |
| 23. | Kansas City | Levi Brown | OT | Penn State |
| Brown dropped a little bit on my draft board, due to just an average combine, but on the field is where it counts, and he has been an elite left tackle in the Big 10 for the last two years. He has a mean streak, agile feet and real power. Speedy CB Eric Wright from UNLV is also a possibility here, Herm Edwards has lined up a couple interviews with him (Wright) already. Expect the Chiefs to also address the offensive guard position by drafting someone in the late rounds like Allen Barbre. Will Shields has already retired and Brian Waters might not be back. |
| 24. | New England | Dwayne Jarrett | WR | USC |
| Jarrett is a 6' 4" 214 pound touchdown machine. I think Jarrett is a better talent than Keyshawn Johnson, who was the top pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. However, his refusing to work out at the NFL Combine has hurt his draft stock, and his Pro Day run on of 4.62 wasn't very good. However, Jarrett is still a talented playmaker that gets the job done on the field, and he would be that big, tall receiver that the Patriots have been looking for. Chad Jackson and Jarrett will give the Pats an impressive pair of young receivers and they would compliment each other as Jackson could be the speed guy. |
| 25. | NY Jets | Chris Houston | CB | Arkansas |
| Houston is only a junior, so it was unclear how he would fall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Well it's all cleared up now. Houston (5'10" 185 lbs.) put on a show at the NFL Combine running a 4.34 second 40 yard dash. He also displayed impressive strength, benching 225 lbs 27 times. Houston is a supremely confident bump and run, man to man cover corner. Justin Miller was drafted a few years back to be that corner opposite Andre Dyson, but to date has been nothing more than a returner. TE Greg Olsen is also a strong possibility here. |
| 26. | Philadelphia | Jarvis Moss | DE | Florida |
| Moss is an excellent end with elite pass rushing ability. At 6' 6" 250 pounds, he even has the athletic ability to play some linebacker. Jevon Kearse has been injury prone, and Darren Howard wasn't the same player he was with New Orleans. Trent Cole and now the junior pass rushing terror, Jarvis Moss, should form a nice tandem, Moss recorded 11 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and an amazing 12 quarterback hurries in 2006. Look for the Eagles to draft a Tight End in the middle rounds like a Kevin Boss or Michael Allan. |
| 27. | New Orleans | Aaron Ross | CB | Texas |
| This a definitely a need pick, starting corner Fred Thomas should not be starting. Thomas killed their super bowl dreams last year. Ross is a battle hardened, tough senior with nice size (6' 1" 202 lbs.) He recorded 6 interceptions in 2006 and isn't afraid to come up and support the run. He is not blazing fast, but he has decent 4.48 speed. CB Eric Wright is also a possibility, Wright actually has better explosiveness. |
| 28. | New England | Brandon Meriweather | FS | Miami |
| The Pats might just trade down a little here, get an extra pick, and take ILB David Harris from Michigan in the early second. But if they stay put, Miami's Brandon Meriweather would be a good fit for the Pats because of his versatility, he can play corner, safety or the nickel. Meriweather ran a solid 4.47 forty at the combine. FB/RB Brian Leonard is also a possibility here. Leonard just seems like a Patriots type of player with his versatility. With two first round draft picks the Pats can reach a little or draft for depth. |
| 29. | Baltimore | Ryan Kalil | C | USC |
| Kalil secured himself a first round grade after an excellent Senior Bowl and Combine. He is a little light at barely 299 pounds, and will have to bulk up a little to be successful in the NFL, but he plays with a mean streak and uses great leverage and angles. He can also play guard and is extremely mobile, he can get out and neutralize the middle linebacker on running plays. Centers are hard to "fit in" mock drafts, but Kalil is much too talented to drop out of the 1st round. |
| 30. | San Diego | Anthony Gonzalez | WR | Ohio State |
| A super-sleeper with great hands and speed. Gonzalez is a great pick, an academic All-American. Many thought he was just a possession receiver, because of his great hands. His spectacular workout at the 2007 NFL Combine opened up a lot of eyes. He ran the 2nd fastest 3-cone drill at 6.54 seconds, had the fastest 20 yard shuttle run of 4.08, and ran a very respectable 4.46 second forty yard dash. he will bring some much needed speed to the Bolts offense and fills a need with the loss of Keenen McCardell. WR Steve Smith is also a possibility here. |
| 31. | Chicago | Greg Olsen | TE | Miami (Fl) |
| Desmond Clark is about the only tight end the Bears have and he is just OK. Olsen is just a bulked up receiver at this point, and not very physically mature, but he is a butter smooth athlete catching the ball, and he has a lot of speed and upside. The Bears could go a number of different directions here, they really need a top corner back, and they also need to replenish their defensive line. Olson, is 6' 5" 255 lbs. and is blazing fast, he ran a 4.45 second forty at the 2007 NFL Combine. QB Drew Stanton is also a strong possibility here depending on what the Bears really think of Rex Grossman. |
| 32. | Indianapolis | Paul Posluszny | LB | Penn State |
| A true need pick here, the Colts have lost a lot of linebacker in the last few years. Posluszny is coming out of "linebacker U". He battled through a knee injury in 2006 or else he would be rated much higher. Paul is a high character guy and is a great value here for the Colts. If RB/FB Brian Leonard is still available, he is also a possibility here as RB Joseph Addai could use some help with the loss of Dominic Rhodes. CB Eric Wright is also a possibility here, they need a corner to replace Nick Harper, who was lost to Tennessee. |
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