[CBFF] Mock Draft: The Sports Xchange

Tue Apr 10 06:14:35 MDT 2007

Mock Draft: The Sports Xchange

By Rob Rang
Special to CBS SportsLine.com 	  	

Rob Rang from The Sports Xchange, provides his first round picks for
the 2007 NFL Draft.

(Updated on April 9, 2007)

Draft for need or take the best available player? That classic debate
will play a significant role in shaping the top 10 come April 28.

Though Calvin Johnson is nearly universally considered the top
prospect in the draft, the Raiders are expected to instead fill their
greater need with quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

Detroit's options cover an even wider spectrum. Theoretically, adding
the top-ranked prospect with the second pick is an attractive option,
though most expect GM Matt Millen to avoid spending another top 10
pick on a receiver -- even one as good as Johnson. Left tackle Joe
Thomas, considered by some to be the safest pick of the draft, is also
enticing, but the Lions have a lot of money tied up in solid Jeff
Backus. With Jon Kitna turning 35 next year, the Lions could instead
nab Brady Quinn.

In reality, need tends to overcome talent on draft day for most teams.
Like the Raiders addressing their deficiency at quarterback with the
top pick, expect the Lions to ultimately take the player who best
fills their needs -- defensive end Gaines Adams.

Whichever direction the Lions go, their decision will start a domino
effect. With Adams off the board, teams such as Arizona, Washington
and Minnesota, each hoping the talented pass rusher might drop to
them, now have to look elsewhere. The end result could be an early run
on defensive linemen, with three going in the top 10.

2007 NFL Mock Draft
1. Oakland Raiders
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- Despite reports to the contrary, Oakland
would not have to trade Randy Moss in order to consider Georgia Tech
WR Calvin Johnson here. As it stands now, however, quarterback remains
the Raiders' greatest weakness and Russell is simply too rare of a
talent to pass up.
2. Detroit Lions
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson -- Brady Quinn, Calvin Johnson and Joe
Thomas all deserve consideration, but the Lions would prefer a
defensive standout. The team will look to trade down from this spot,
with its target likely being Adams. If they are unable to find a deal
to their liking, GM Matt Millen will once again throw caution to the
wind to take the player he wants, regardless of conventional thinking.
3. Cleveland Browns
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- GGM Phil Savage and coach Romeo
Crennel are thought to favor a more immediate impact player such as
offensive tackle Joe Thomas or running back Adrian Peterson. Owner
Randy Lerner has made it clear that quarterback is an area of need.
When you pay the bills, you ultimately make the decisions.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- This is the Bucs' dream scenario.
Both Johnson and Joe Thomas would fill clear needs and deserve to have
been selected already. A potential Pro Bowl left tackle would help the
Bucs, but Johnson is viewed by some as a once-in-a-generation talent.
5. Arizona Cardinals
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin -- New coach Ken Whisenhunt will bring more
of a smash mouth philosophy to the desert. The Cardinals elected to
let starting left tackle Leonard Davis leave as a free agent and
haven't addressed the position since. The Cardinals would be
incredibly fortunate to have Thomas fall into their lap.
6. Washington Redskins
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville -- With this being the Redskins' only
pick until the fifth round, they must address their weak defensive
line. The club would prefer Adams, but may have to choose between DTs
Okoye and Alan Branch. In reality, the Redskins are already preparing
to trade this pick. They've set up private workouts with many of the
top prospects (including JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Gaines Adams,
Adrian Peterson and Ted Ginn, Jr.). Why? Realistically, Washington
isn't drafting a quarterback, running back or even a receiver with
this pick. The club is simply hoping to drum up interest from teams
looking to trade up.
7. Minnesota Vikings
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	LaRon Landry, FS, LSU -- The free agent signing of veteran Mike Doss
would seem to eliminate any chance that Minnesota would pick Landry
here. After all, the Vikings now have veterans Doss, Darren Sharper,
Dwight Smith, Tank Williams and second-year player Greg Blue. However,
with essentially nothing to show for any of their four first-round
picks over the past three years (Kenechi Udeze, Troy Williamson,
Erasmus James, Chad Greenway), the Vikings should forget about
plugging holes and simply take the best available player, which Landry
certainly is here. With primary needs at receiver and defensive ends
and the elite talent gone, the Vikings are shopping this pick.
8. Atlanta Falcons
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Alan Branch, DT/NG, Michigan -- Defensive line is already a need for
the Falcons, and it could become even more vital with veteran
defensive tackle Grady Jackson filing a lawsuit against the team.
Questions about Branch's conditioning remain a valid concern, but he
remains the draft's top run-stuffing presence.
9. Miami Dolphins
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Levi Brown, OT, Penn State -- Not since the days of Richmond Webb
have the Dolphins fielded a top-flight left tackle. Brown is not only
a standout run blocker, he has proven to be among the country's
steadiest pass blockers over his 44 career starts at the position.
10. Houston Texans
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma -- Even with the addition of Ahman
Green, the Texans will have to consider a talent like Peterson should
he fall into their lap. Houston made the mistake of not supplying
David Carr with enough weapons to be successful. They won't make the
same mistake with Matt Schaub.
11. San Francisco 49ers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Adam Carriker, DL, Nebraska -- With all of the 49ers' moves in free
agency, the lack of prototype personnel along the defensive line has
to be a concern. Carriker may be a bit of a reach here, but he fills a
clear position of need.
12. Buffalo Bills
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi -- With the Bills sending London
Fletcher-Baker and Takeo Spikes away this offseason, the team is in
desperate need for linebackers. How better to fill the need than with
the best one in the draft?
13. St. Louis Rams
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Leon Hall, CB, Michigan -- The Rams may have found a young star in
Tye Hill, the first cornerback selected in 2006. If Hall is available
here, St. Louis might once again be able to pounce on the draft's top
cornerback. Such a scenario might be too much for the Rams to pass on
even if the club has more pressing needs to address.
14. Carolina Panthers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Reggie Nelson, S, Florida -- Veteran starter Mike Minter recently
agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the team, but Carolina's other
starters last season -- Shaun Williams and Colin Branch -- are free
agents not expected to return. The Panthers are among several teams in
the mid teens and early 20s hoping to see the playmaking Nelson on the
board when they pick.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh -- Outside linebacker appears to be a
bigger need for the Steelers, but with the club expected to remain
with the 3-4 alignment for at least the 2007 season, Pittsburgh can
stick with its tried and true tradition of finding late-round
'tweeners. Local product Revis fills a need for a more dependable
cornerback and offers great value here.
16. Green Bay Packers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee -- The free agent loss of running back
Ahman Green has led to virtually everyone plugging in California
running back Marshawn Lynch here. While Lynch would seem to be a good
fit, GM Ted Thompson won't reach to fill a need. If the ultra-talented
Meachem were to remain on the board here, the Packers would likely go
for the player with the higher upside.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas -- The more teams watch Anderson on
film, the more they see that many of his sacks were the result of
stunts called by the aggressive Arkansas coaching staff. Anderson
remains a top 20 prospect, but isn't the top 10 pick some are
projecting him as. That said, if playing alongside a tackle tandem
like John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, he could make an immediate
impact.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Jon Beason, OLB, Miami -- The Bengals are looking to add the
defensive playmakers to match the talent on their offense. Brian
Simmons was released and David Pollack's future remains in doubt.
Beason's speed and versatility (started at all three positions) would
be welcome additions.
19. Tennessee Titans
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Marshawn Lynch, RB, California -- The Titans had hoped that LenDale
White would assume the starting position with Travis Henry and
potentially Chris Brown moving on. The team is considering trading for
San Diego backup Michael Turner, but might not have to give up the
pick if it feels Lynch would be available here.
20. New York Giants
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State -- The aborted trade for Denver's Al
Wilson speaks to the Giants' concern at linebacker. The team would
have to consider a prospect of Posluszny's ability should he remain on
the board at this point. The Giants are certainly considering him --
coach Tom Coughlin scouted Posluszny personally at Penn State's Pro
Day.
21. Denver Broncos
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan -- The Broncos have a tendency to
fall in love with athletic prospects, and they don't come much more
athletic than Staley. The former Chippewa has incredible foot work and
could develop into a true star in Denver's scheme.
22. Dallas Cowboys
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Brandon Meriweather, FS, Miami -- The one-year contract signed by
veteran Ken Hamlin lessens the need for a coverage safety, but doesn't
eliminate it. Meriweather's significant off-field concerns could knock
him out of the first round. Athletically speaking, however, he is
among the most underrated players in the draft -- and let's face it,
it just isn't the NFL Draft without a little controversy from the
Cowboys.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU -- The Chiefs' once-potent offense has steadily
declined in production each of the past two years. The Chiefs could
look at a variety of prospects here, including help for their aging
offensive line, but Bowe possesses the size coach Herm Edwards prefers
at the position. With a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Bowe is
considered a surer thing than some of the more hyped junior receivers
still on the board.
24. New England Patriots (from Seattle)
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Aaron Ross, CB, Texas -- By franchising Asante Samuel, the Patriots
assured themselves that he isn't going anywhere in 2007 unless they
swing a trade. Depth behind Samuel and Ellis Hobbs remains a concern,
however. Should the Thorpe Award winning Ross fall here, New England
would have to consider him.
25. N.Y. Jets
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (Fla.) -- With two second-round picks, the Jets
can ignore their need at cornerback for now and instead capitalize on
Olsen falling into their lap. In coach Eric Mangini's years of
coaching with the Jets and Patriots, his team has never used a
first-round pick on a cornerback.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State -- The trade for Takeo Spikes
speaks to how much the Eagles were -- and continue to be -- concerned
with the decline in play from their entire linebacking corps. The club
may be targeting another position with this pick, but should a
versatile talent like Timmons fall into their lap, his athleticism and
ability as a pass rusher might be too much for the Eagles to let slide
by.
27. New Orleans Saints
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas -- The Saints' clear priority this
off-season is to improve their defensive back seven. Mike McKenzie is
a solid veteran, but Fred Thomas was consistently beaten down the
stretch last season. Houston's spectacular showing at the Combine
likely cemented him in the draft's first round.
28. New England Patriots
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB, Purdue -- A few weeks ago, I released an
article stating Spencer would fall out of the first round. Since then,
I've received steady feedback that there are several teams in the late
first round who are becoming increasingly fond of Spencer's
no-nonsense style of play. Considered by some to be versatile enough
to play defensive end and outside linebacker, Spencer could be a nice
fit for the Patriots here.
29. Baltimore Ravens
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn -- With starters Tony Pashos and Edwin
Mulitalo moving on and future Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden
contemplating retirement, the Ravens will be looking to address the
offensive line throughout the draft. In a draft lauded for the talent
and depth throughout the offensive line interior, Grubbs is the year's
best.
30. San Diego Chargers
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Ted Ginn, Jr, WR, Ohio State -- The Chargers aren't as needy at the
receiver position as some might think, as the team is quietly very
high on Vincent Jackson's potential to develop into a true No. 1
receiver. To help him, the Chargers would like to add a true speed
threat. Ginn isn't the receiver prospect some have made him out to be,
but his playmaking ability as a deep threat and special teams
performer could provide the Chargers with the over-the-top performance
similar to what Devin Hester provided Chicago last year.
31. Chicago Bears
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC -- Muhsin Muhammad is on the downside of a
strong career, and while Bernard Berrian flashed, he also has a
tendency to disappear. Jarrett has the size, strength and secure hands
to be a successful possession receiver in the mud and grime of Soldier
Field.
32. Indianapolis Colts
NFL TEAM HELMETS
	Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee -- With Montae Reagor gone to the
Eagles and Corey Simon's future with the team in doubt, the champs
will be looking to the draft for reinforcements at defensive tackle.
Harrell missed most of his senior season with a torn biceps, but is a
first-round talent.

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