Bullz-Eye.com's 2007 NFL Mock Draft
UPDATED: 02/16/2007
NFL Home / Sports Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
It’s way too early to be predicting the NFL draft. Super Bowl XLI isn't even two weeks old, not one prospect has yet run a 40 yard dash and free agency is still weeks away.
But damnit, mock drafts are just plain fun.
Below is our first look at April’s NFL Draft. Keep in mind a lot can change once free agency kicks off in early March, but we’ll reconvene every couple of weeks to provide updates. Also, check out our NFL Draft home page for player profiles and links, and check out The Scores Report leading up to the draft to post questions, opinions or just to check out rumors and information on prospects and teams.
1. Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
This is the sexy pick that Al Davis loves. Russell is a physical marvel, standing 6-6 and 260 pounds. The issue with Russell is his limited experience. He probably won’t start right away because his learning curve will be extremely high and his decision-making is still raw. Plus, Oakland’s line is abysmal, so putting a rookie behind center without seasoning is a death wish. Don’t be shocked if the Raiders look at Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson, depending on what they do with Randy Moss and Jerry Porter in the offseason.
2. Detroit Lions: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Many think the Lions will go with Brady Quinn, but there are several reasons why they won’t. Detroit has many holes and, believe it or not, quarterback isn’t one of them right now. Secondly, offensive “guru” Mike Martz is an egomaniac who loves to take nobodies and fit them into his system. Plus, rumor has it that Martz is quite fond of current starter Jon Kitna. Lastly, Matt Millen seems so humbled by the Joey Harrington gaff that he’s opting to listen more to his coaching staff. Thomas fills an immediate need on the Lions’ line and can start right away.
3. Cleveland Browns: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
With Brady Quinn still on the board, the Browns may take a look at their quarterback situation. However, head coach Romeo Crennel’s job is on the line and he needs to win now. Peterson is the big back Cleveland covets and he could make an immediate impact. Hopefully new O-coordinator Rob Chudzinski will know how to use Peterson in ways Maurice Carthon could never imagine.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The word out of Tampa is that the Bucs want to trade down to secure more picks. Yeah? So does every other team, but it’s just not that easy. Houston tried everything to trade out of the number one spot last year and nothing ever materialized. Johnson, in my opinion, is the only sure-fire thing in this year’s draft. He has a rare combination of size, speed and outstanding athletic ability. The Bucs have many concerns, including an aging defense, holes on the offensive line and issues at quarterback. But Johnson is too good to pass up at this position.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
It wouldn’t surprise me if Arizona reached and went with Penn State offensive tackle Levi Brown. The Cardinals would love for Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas to fall to them at this spot, but I strongly believe he’s gone by this pick. Arizona desperately needs depth on its defensive line, so the versatile Adams is the pick. He’ll probably need to add some bulk to his thin frame, but Adams is a true playmaker and has a knack for getting after the quarterback.
6. Washington Redskins: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Washington was simply brutal last season at generating a pass rush. Clemson’s Gaines Adams has gotten most of the pub as the best defensive lineman in the draft, but Anderson is a pass-rushing beast. He’s extremely athletic, fast and has loads of potential. Washington might have its pick of Adams, Anderson or Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch. The lack of a true outside rusher leads me to believe the Skins will stay away from Branch, however.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
Anyone who fell asleep watching the Vikings’ offense last year will agree with this selection. Ginn is outright explosive and would be a speed demon on the Metrodome’s fast carpet. The knock on Ginn is that he’s still not a polished route-runner, and some question his hands. He is a real playmaker though, and could easily have an impact as a returner or in trick plays while learning the nuances of being an NFL receiver.
8. Houston Texans: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Many different options are available for the Texans. They could go with OT Levi Brown or either LaRon Landry or Reggie Nelson at safety. Houston would love for Adrian Peterson to fall, but it’s unlikely. The Texans switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3 front and Branch would be a dynamic pick. He’s versatile in that he can provide a great pass-rush or stuff the run. There have been rumors that the team is finally willing to part with current starter David Carr, and the Texans might take Brady Quinn.
9. Miami Dolphins: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
A month ago, to say that Quinn would fall to the ninth overall pick was almost laughable. However, Matt Leinart fell to 10th last year and Aaron Rodgers almost dropped out of the first round two drafts ago. Quinn might be a dream pick for the Dolphins because of the obvious uncertainty at quarterback. Joey Harrington is all but done in Miami and who knows about the health of Daunte Culpepper? Because of the system he ran at Notre Dame, Quinn is arguably the most NFL-ready quarterback. The Fins have many needs, but Quinn might be too much to pass up.
10. Atlanta Falcons: LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Many are quick to say that the Falcons will go wide receiver with this selection. It’s a major possibility, but don’t forget that Atlanta is invested in former first round projects Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Plus, Brian Finneran will return from knee surgery, and at #10 what the Falcons really need is a bona fide starter. Atlanta’s safety position is a joke, outside of a productive, yet aging, Lawyer Milloy,. Landry is a complete player who can help in run support, blitz the quarterback or play centerfield. He would be a major upgrade over Chris Crocker.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
At the start of the 2006 season, the 49ers were basking in the potential that Dallas and Cleveland once saw in Antonio Bryant. Quickly, they saw why the Cowboys and Browns dumped the headache. Jarrett would fit nicely in SF with emerging offensive stars Alex Smith, Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Jarrett would give them a potential number one threat with his large frame and playmaking ability. They really need to upgrade the defense, so safety, corner or tackle would be an option too.
12. Buffalo Bills: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
This would be a great value pick at #12. Brown had a tremendous week at the Senior Bowl, showing great mobility and dominating his opponent on virtually every snap. Buffalo is thrilled about left tackle Jason Peters, but could use an upgrade over Terrence Pennington on the right side. Brown is more suited for the left side, but both he and Peters are interchangeable. If Nate Clements escapes in the offseason, Leon Hall would be a possibility here too.
13. St. Louis Rams: Amboi Okoye, DT, Louisville
If Okoye fell to the Rams at #13, St. Louis should do backflips. Losing Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis to free agency last season crippled the Rams’ run defense. Okoye blew away scouts at the Senior Bowl with his explosiveness and tenacity. He’s a bit small, so he wouldn’t necessarily be a run-stuffer, but Okoye is fast and unrelenting. Plus, he’s only 19, making him a marquee player for years to come if he does pan out.
14. Carolina Panthers: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
There is strong sentiment that Nelson could be gone to either Atlanta or San Francisco, but Carolina would love for him to fall here. The free safety position next to Mike Minter has been a revolving door for the Panthers, so to get either Nelson or LSU’s LaRon Landry would be ideal. Nelson is an excellent playmaker and a true ball hawk. He might not play the run as well as Landry, but Nelson is always around the ball.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Anyone who tuned in to the BCS National Championship saw how easily Moss and the rest of the Gators’ defensive line dominated a solid Ohio State offensive line. The Steelers are going to face some serious decisions under new head coach Mike Tomlin, none bigger than whether or not to keep the 3-4 defensive front. Pittsburgh has always been a 3-4 team, but Tomlin ran the 4-3 in Minnesota. Either way, Moss would fit perfectly as an end in a 4-3, or as a future replacement for Joey Porter or Clark Haggans as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.
16. Green Bay Packers: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Whenever a pick seems sure-fire, it’s usually quite the opposite, but this seems like a slam-dunk. Ahman Green’s days in Green Bay seem to be numbered and Lynch would be able to start right away. Lynch is drawing comparisons to New England Patriots’ RB Laurence Maroney. Lynch is a north-south runner, has good size and adequate hands. The Packers could go a couple of different directions here, so don’t rule out wide receiver, especially if USC’s Dwayne Jarrett is still on the board.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State
This is a perfect fit for Jack Del Rio and it would provide more insurance and possibly a starter for the Jags’ defense. Jacksonville still isn’t sure if Clint Ingram is a starter, and Mike Peterson is aging. Timmons is arguably the best outside linebacker in the draft and is vastly underrated. He often makes plays behind the line of scrimmage and is an effective blitzer.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Carriker is another guy who really improved his draft stock at the Senior Bowl. Carriker made several outstanding plays in Mobile last month, beating his man several times one-on-one. He’s a mammoth end at nearly 300 pounds, but can move like a locomotive. Cincy’s defensive line isn’t in dire need, but Carriker would provide more stability. Defensive back would make sense too.
19. Tennessee Titans: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
This will be a surprise to some folks, but the bottom half of the first round might be a more realistic prognostication for Hall. He’s smart, instinctive and grasps defensive strategies faster than most corners in this year’s class. Hall was toasted in consecutive games by Ted Ginn Jr. and Dwayne Jarrett, however, and therefore isn’t a true shutdown-corner. Pac Man Jones is developing into a nice playmaker and Hall would fit nicely as a number two corner or a nickel.
20. New York Giants: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
If he falls, Marshawn Lynch could be an eventual successor to Tiki Barber. However, the Giants really need to upgrade their defensive backfield. Sam Madison was brought in last season to give veteran experience, but he was hit or miss in coverage and R.W. McQuarters was a disaster in some instances. Revis has solid ball skills, is fast and doesn’t shy away from playing the run.
21. Denver Broncos: Daymeion Hughes, CB, California
Due to the unexpected and tragic death of Darrent Williams, cornerback is a definite need for Denver. Some scouts have Aaron Ross rated higher, but no other corner in the draft has the ball skills of Hughes (including Leon Hall and Darrelle Revis). Hughes has tremendous ball recognition skills while in coverage and uses his body well against taller receivers. Doesn’t play the run quite as well as the other top corners, but he has proven to be an interception artist.
22. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Blaylock, OL, Texas
I can see the Cowboys going a variety of ways here. What Dallas really needs is a ball hawk at the free safety position to complement Roy Williams. Reggie Nelson and LaRon Landry should be long gone by #22 and the next safety would be a reach. There is a small rumor that CB Anthony Henry will move to free safety, but who knows what new head coach Wade Philips will do? Blaylock is a hometown pick who could play tackle or guard, giving the Cowboys more stability along the offensive line.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
The Chiefs have gotten by without a true number one threat at wide receiver for some time now, but this is the draft to finally take a shot at a wideout in round one. Bowe is a physical marvel and would breathe some new blood into KC’s aging offense. His hands have come into question, but he caught everything near him during the week of the Senior Bowl, so that should quell some fears. Bowe runs good routes and has enough top end speed to be an effective deep threat.
24. New England Patriots: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Much like the Chiefs, the Patriots have always survived without the threat of a number one receiver. Rice or Dwayne Bowe would be perfect at this spot, especially with the real Reche Caldwell showing up in the AFC Championship Game. At 6-3, Rice provides Tom Brady with a big target in the red zone. He doesn’t have top end speed, but it’s rare when a New England receiver does.
25. New York Jets: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
Andre Dyson was solid last year, but Justin Miller found himself in trouble with the coaching staff and depth is an issue. Ross is a complete corner in that he can play the run just as well as the pass. He doesn’t have outstanding physical talents, but has good ball-recognition skills. Ross would fit nicely in New York’s 3-4 scheme, because he would have safety help in most instances.
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
The Eagles took a step back defensively last year, especially against the run. Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter needs more help and Posluszny – although a small reach here – would fit the mold. Durability issues are a concern since Posluszny had major knee surgery before his senior year, but he’s instinctive and a high-character guy. He’s the type of player who might not make a large ripple on the stat sheet as far as sacks or takeaways go, but his tackle total will always be high.
27. New Orleans Saints: DeMarcus “Tank” Tyler, DT, North Carolina State
The Saints might go linebacker with this pick and if Paul Posluszny falls to them, he might be a possibility. However, Brian Young is aging on New Orleans’ defensive line and overall depth is a concern. “Tank” is a run-stuffer in every sense of the word, and if he falls he would make a great pairing with Hollis Thomas on the Saints’ interior D-line. He might go to the Jets at #25, however. Cornerback would also be a possibility for New Orleans, especially if either Daymeion Hughes or Aaron Ross falls.
28. New England Patriots (from Seattle): Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi State
I can see Willis going anywhere from #26 to this spot. He would be perfect for an aging and depleted New England linebacker corps. Willis is nasty and a top-end hitter. He’s versatile and fast enough to project as an outside linebacker, but he’s big enough to play inside. If the Eagles see Willis as an outside guy, New England might have to settle for taking a defensive back or receiver if it didn’t get one at #24.
29. Baltimore Ravens: LaMarr Woodley, LB, Michigan
Woodley just seems like a Raven to me. A nasty hitter, he is relentless and would flourish under the tutorship of Ray Lewis for a few years. He’s perfect as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or could even play with his hand in the dirt in different packages. If Baltimore loses Adalius Thomas to free agency, this pick makes even more sense. If not, offensive guard or a true defensive end would be logical.
30. San Diego Chargers: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
It’s time to give Philip Rivers an outside threat. Meachem is a tall, physical receiver who would complement both Keenan McCardell and Antonio Gates. Meachem would take some of the pressure off Gates by commanding safety attention. He’s incredibly fast and has above average hands. Linebacker depth and safety might also be on San Diego’s wish list.
31. Chicago Bears: Greg Olson, TE, Miami
Tight end is where many thought the Bears would go last year, but in a rather surprising move, Chicago essentially ignored the offense and went almost entirely defense last year. There’s no criticism here, seeing as how the Bears were NFC champs, but the offense must be addressed. Olson would be a nice fit, but so would versatile Tennessee offensive lineman Aaron Sears. If Lance Briggs isn’t re-signed in the offseason, linebacker might be a possibility as well.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
With Cato June slated to become a free agent and the ineffectiveness of Gilbert Gardner, linebacker is a desperate need for Indy. The Colts will have a bunch of options here, but Alexander should be a great fit. Other possibilities at LB would be Earl Everett of Florida, Jon Beason of Miami or possibly Purdue’s Anthony Spencer if he can convert from defensive end.