2007 NFL Mock Draft
by Robert Ferringo
There's a reason you shouldn't get too emotional about some random mock draft posted on the blog of RaiderHater69 in early February. With free agency and the salary cap structure set up the way it is in the good ol' NF of L there's a ton of offseason wheeling and dealing to be done between February and April, which always has a drastic impact on what teams needs come Draft Day. This year is no different.
Since our last mock draft, Version 1.1, there have been some big doings throughout the league. The most high-profile moves involved the Falcons trading up from No. 10 to No. 8, the Giants taking Rueben Droughns from the Brown, and the Bills trading Willis McGahee to the Ravens. While none of those moves has necessarily turned the league on its axis I do think that each, in its own subtle way, has helped clear up the fog that hovers over the annual amateur draft.
And now I'm going to throw a wrench in the whole darn thing. That's right, this is Doc's Sports 2007 NFL Mock Draft Version 2.1. You'll notice that there is a blockbuster trade that I'm anticipating prior to April 28. Now, I'm not saying this to be provocative or to stir things up. I really think that this would be a mutually beneficial and realistic deal. Again, at this stage of the mock I'm still going primarily on whom I think teams should take as opposed to solely whom they might take.
And without further ado, here's Doc's Sports' 2007 Mock Draft Version 2.1:
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
This one is still all but a given. There is an outside shot at grabbing Calvin Johnson here if they somehow trade Randy Moss between now and Draft Day. But Russell is a very solid selection here for Oakland and will help put a positive buzz back into a sinking franchise.
2. Atlanta Falcons - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Yup, I said it. In an interview with an Atlanta radio station following the Matt Schaub trade, Rich McKay cryptically referenced the "home-grown player" out there even though the question was about something else entirely. I don't know why, but I felt like that was a tell.
I think Atlanta should give up two second round picks - the No. 44 overall in this year's draft and the extra selection in next year's draft - and swap first round selections here (No. 8 overall) with Detroit. Then can then get the game-breaking wideout that Mike Vick has never had, who just happens to be a local legend. Confidence is high in Hotlanta following the Bobby Petrino hiring. But if they could swing a deal to get Johnson the roof might blow off the Georgia Dome. And really, what it would mean is that they were able to trade their backup quarterback for the consensus best player in the draft.
3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
While everyone is still on tilt from the stunner that the Falcons just pulled - Mel Kiper's head might have exploded and Chris Berman is definitely sweating profusely by now and should be on the verge of a massive coronary - the Browns quietly grab the guy they wanted all along. Peterson had a great individual workout and after Cleveland traded Reuben Droughns running back became a huge need.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
If the above scenario does take place, the Bucs will be the one that takes the shaft as a result because they were likely going to steal Johnson at the No. 4 slot. Instead, I think they address an area of severe need. Tampa Bay had just 25 sacks last year and leading pass rusher Simeon Rice is entering his 13th season.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Penn State
OK, this is why this trade won't work: the Cardinals aren't this lucky. After snagging a franchise quarterback last year they'll now be able to pair him with a franchise left tackle. I think the Cardinals rep would be falling over himself if Thomas is still on the board at this slot, and would take him off it in about 30 seconds.
6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Fred Smoot has come back to the Skins - he liked the school systems and the hookers better in D.C. - addressing a huge need in the secondary. The other need is a pass rusher, and they would love to get Gaines Adams. However, I think they settle on what I believe is the best defensive lineman in the draft. However, Branch had a pathetic workout and, in Version 3.1 of this mock, could be out of the Top 10 all together.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
It's a toss-up here between Brady Quinn and Hall. But with David Carr on the block and the Vikes still talking to K.C. about Trent Green I think they'll go after a veteran while trying to develop Tav Jackson and/or Brooks Bollinger. Don't forget that Minnesota is still fighting for a new stadium right now. Draft Quinn and starting Jackson screams "REBUILDING". Another bad year could sour state officials about funding the new digs.
8. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
I can't get into the mind of Matt Millen - nor would I really want to. I think they want Quinn, but he has very little value at No. 2 overall. I think if they can swing my proposed deal for the No. 2 spot - moving down to No. 8 and picking up two second round picks, one this year and one next - that would be a great move for a team with a lot of needs.
Remember, they got an offensive tackle (George Foster) in the Dre Bly deal, so the need for Joe Thomas is certainly lowered. If Quinn is off the board they'll replace Bly with Leon Hall. If Quinn and Hall are off the board they're screwed. But this would be good value at a need position for the Lions. Too bad they don't make smart draft decisions.
9. Miami Dolphins - Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
The Dolphins have the oldest defensive line in the league by average age and need to get some fresh meat in there. Anderson is a beast, and learning from super rushers like Jason Taylor would be a huge boon for this Southern boy. Throw in Joey Porter and the Fins' pass rush just got a lot nastier.
10. Houston Texans - Laron Landry, S, LSU
Man, what the hell is going on with the Texans front office? The draft is still a month away and they already blew this one too. That's now 0-for-2 in the Kubiak Era after last year's Bush-Young-Williams fiasco. They gave up way too much for Matt Schaub when they could have held onto the No. 8 pick and hoped that Quinn slipped. If not, ride out one more year with Carr and then pick someone up next year. Or trade next year's No. 1 for Schaub. I don't get it. Levi Brown is enticing, but I think they are getting better value on the top safety in the draft.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
Four of the five free agents that the 49ers landed this offseason were on defense, and they recently purged Antonio "DUI" Bryant. San Fran grabbed Ashley Lelie as a deep threat, so now they need to give Alex Smith a true game breaker. Dwayne Jarrett will be tough to pass up because of the SoCal connection, but I think they go with Ginn.
12. Buffalo Bills - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
The Bills have needs and could go in a lot of different directions. Marshawn Lynch is a possibility to fill the void left by Willis McGahee. They're also going to have to either trade or cut Takeo Spikes for monetary reasons so a linebacker is a very real possibility. But I think they draft the 19-year old defensive tackle and toss him in the rotation up front.
13. St. Louis Rams - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
This would be like the beer goggles pickup at last call in a dive bar. If the Rams strikeout at getting any of the other, better defensive linemen on the board I think they would settle for Carriker since it is a position of need. They did get James Hall from Detroit, but still need either a speed rusher, every down end, or a DT. If they sign Ian Scott at DT I think they may shift the focus to LB to shore up the league's No. 31 rush defense.
14. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
Wait, does this mean that the Panthers aren't next year's Super Bowl favorites? I can't overstate how critical this pick and this draft are for the Panthers, who have no money to spend in free agency. Miami TE Greg Olsen would be a good get here, but they lost Chris Draft and you can't count on Dan Morgan for anything beyond drooling and mumbling as he suffers through his 83rd concussion. I love Willis and think he'll become an All-Pro LB someday. Carolina will be hoping it's sooner rather than later.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
I really can't say what new coach Mike Tomlin is going to do with this draft. I do know that there are some serious chemistry issues that need to be addressed because some key vets aren't happy that A) Russ Grimm got passed over and B) Joey Porter got let go. Tomlin may switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and if he does he'll need to restock the defensive line. They'll start with pass-rushing specialist to groom on the outside.
16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
My initial mock had Peterson falling here. That's clearly not going to happen now - though I still say that if Cleveland doesn't take him he'll fall all the way to Buffalo - so the Pack have to take the consolation prize. That is if the Packers don't pick up a veteran back before the draft. If Lynch is gone, and they have a veteran back, then pencil in TE Greg Olsen here.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Jacksonville has adopted the Matt Millen Method of drafting, selecting receivers early in the past three drafts. And, amazingly, they still could use an offensive game breaker. However, I think they'll pad the defense and Mike Peterson's loss proved that they're a little thin at linebacker. But I think they go with a Florida guy and get a very talented safety.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
You can bet that Marvin Lewis won't be drafting someone with a criminal record and he won't be picking someone from Georgia. The Bengals have invested a lot of picks to linebackers recently but it's still an area of need. The Bengals do have some holes to fill - especially if they lose some of their offensive line to free agency, or if they cut ties with Chris Henry - but it's still obvious where they need help. The Bengals would love Carriker or Moss to fall to them, but instead I think they reach for Spencer. Cincy could pick up Quentin Moses or Charles Johnson but they haven't had much success with those Georgia guys so I think they'll stay away.
19. Tennessee Titans - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, Southern Cal
There will be a strong push to get local guy Robert Meachem, the wideout from Tennessee, but I think Norm Chow grabs one of his former USC guys. Bobby Wade and Drew Bennett were their two best options last year - as horrifying as that though is - and now both are gone. Getting Vince Young some playmakers has to be a priority.
20. New York Giants - John Beason, LB, Miami
After failing to grab Al Wilson last week the Giants are still desperate for depth and skill at linebacker. They also need help in the secondary and at tackle, but I think they'll go after one of the top hitters on the board here. I think a corner would be a solid pick also, and either Aaron Ross or Darrelle Revis would be solid pickups.
21. Denver Broncos - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Denver has gone against the grain in the past couple of drafts so I'm not 100 percent sure what they're looking at. If they don't go after a young, fast, pass rushing defensive end I think they'll have to grab a playmaker on offense. They picked up a running back and a tight end this offseason, so now it's time to upgrade the receiving corps.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Aaron Ross, CB, Dallas
Dallas hasn't drafted an offensive player in the first round since 1997 and I look for that streak to continue. They signed Ken Hamlin to give them safety help, and I think Anthony Henry could possibly get some reps there as well. Ross is a Texas guy and is coming off a monster year. I think this would be a nice pickup.
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
It's kind of a toss-up here for the Chiefs - grab a wide receiver or grab a cornerback? They have somehow gotten by with mediocre receivers but I think it's time to give the offense a shot in the arm. I know Herm Edwards will be crawling out of his skin grabbing an offensive player this high but in order to win the game you have to score the most points.
24. New England Patriots - Paul Posluzny, LB, Penn State
This would be a vintage Patriot move. Posluzny was slowed by injury and a new position last year but the guy is still a stud. Consider him a faster, younger Tedy Bruschi. I think this would be a fantastic get by New England. However, they're still trying to restock their LB corps through free agency so this might not be a need by Draft Day.
25. New York Jets - DeMarcus Tyler, DT, North Carolina State
Status quo: "His nickname is Tank. What else do you want to know? In 2005 he played next to three first round draft picks for the Wolfpack but he had his best season in 2006 without any of them. That says something. He does have some character issues - which means he might not slip past Cincinnati - but he'd fit in perfectly in New York's 3-4."
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Griffin, S, Texas
The Eagles would have to be thrilled if Griffin was still on the board here. They let Michael Lewis go in free agency and Brian Dawkins is on the downside. Griffin is just a straight up winner and would fit in perfectly with Philly's team-first attitude.
27. New Orleans Saints - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
New Orleans is really in a bad slot for their first round selection because the teams that pick immediately in front of them have essentially the same needs. New Orleans has to beef up the front seven and could use some secondary help as well. Houston gets the nod because he had a great combine and essentially shut down Jarrett, Bowe and Meachem last season.
28. New England Patriots - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
This would be a solid value selection for the Pats. Staley is a former tight end and a versatile, athletic lineman.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
I think the Ravens would prefer to get Staley and let him learn for a season under Jonathan Ogden. That is, if Ogden doesn't retire. But they also lost guard Edwin Mulitalo as a cap casualty in order to pick up Willis McGahee. They don't have a third- or fourth-round pick so they have to add some depth here.
30. San Diego Chargers - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Rice isn't worth a first round pick, but San Diego will probably be painted in a corner. If any of the wideouts I have being taken ahead of him are available then the Chargers will pounce. They need at least one new wideout to add some explosiveness to the offense.
31. Chicago Bears - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
I have to say that it's a long shot that Olsen lasts this long. Apparently he was a freak at the combine, but I watched the TEs running routes and doing some drills (yes, I'm a twisted depraved gambling addict) and I didn't think he "dominated" the day. Anyway, the Bears desperately need some DT's and could use a replacement for Briggs, who is out after this season. So I'm actually hoping that the tight end I've been screaming about for three years isn't available with this pick.
32. Indianapolis Colts - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Corey Simon is MIA and Montae Reagor just signed with Philly. That makes this a "need" pick. One thing though: Harrell played a game last season with a completely torn bicep. That instantly makes him tougher than about 80 percent of the Colts team so I don't think they'll pick him up.
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