goldengopher1976
02-22-2007, 05:15 PM
MOCK DRAFT: Round 1
Pick Team Player Pos. School Class Previous Rising/Falling High/Low
1. Raiders JaMarcus Russell QB LSU Junior 1st SAME 1st / 10th
Most talk of Brady Quinn here has quieted down. It's now between Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and the most likely pick Mr. Russell. You know the deal by now the 80 yard passes, the drills where he throws through the uprights from his knees at midfield. Al Davis loves the long ball, and Lane Kiffin will be delighted to have Russell's athleticism to work with in his first year as Raiders head coach. Russell's the right pick.
2. Lions Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin Senior 2nd SAME 2nd / 5th
Another team may try to trade up in this spot to grab Calvin Johnson. Maybe Atlanta goes for the homegrown hero, offers everything but the kitchen sink, and ends up at number two. I think Matt Millen holds on to the pick, though, and plays it smart, going with the sure bet in Thomas. Jon Kitna wasn't terrible in 2006. He threw for over 4,000 yards. Yet, he was sacked a league-high 63 times. Thomas will be the core of the Lions offensive line for the next decade. A can't-miss NFL prospect, the 6-foot-7 giant is the right pick here.
**3. Browns Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma Junior 3rd SAME 3rd / 8th
How good is Adrian Peterson? When Bears DT and Oklahoma grad Dusty Dvoracek was asked whether he thought the Sooners running back will be a good pro player on media day, Dvoracek answered: "Adrian Peterson is going to be a Hall of Fame player. Mark it down in ink. He's going to be one of the best NFL running backs we've ever seen." With questions at both the quarterback and running back positions, Cleveland can do no wrong taking Peterson here. Hall of Fame or not.
**4. Buccaneers Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech Junior 4th SAME 2nd / 4th
A no-brainer at No. 4. Johnson's stellar career at Georgia Tech was capped off with an incredible Gator Bowl versus West Virginia. In a losing effort, Johnson caught nine balls for 186 yards and two touchdowns. On the year, Atlanta's second "Human Highlight Film" hauled in 76 balls for 1,202 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. All of that, of course, came with one of nation's most inconsistent quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Whether it's Chris Simms or Bruce Gradkowksi throwing him the rock next year either will be a vast improvement over Reggie Ball.
5. Cardinals Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas Junior 7th (+2) 5th / NR
Anderson's soaring up everyone's draft charts faster than you can say Mario Williams. The Cardinals had the fourth worst defense in the league; Anderson is a hulking beast off the edge that can both attack the quarterback and stop the run. Together, it seems like the perfect match. Having notched 13.5 sacks as a junior in '06, Anderson could be the Cardinals' defensive line star of the future. You know ... like Andre Wadsworth.
6. Redskins Alan Branch DT Michigan Junior 6th SAME 6th / 6th
The Redskins D got beat up all year long. Tiki Barber's 234-yard effort in the season's final week was the nail in the coffin on what was just a horrible campaign for the unit. Branch is a beast in the middle, able to both stop the run and rush the passer. A wise pick, here.
7. Vikings Gaines Adams DE Clemson Senior 5th (-2) 4th / 7th
I swapped Adams and Anderson on my mock draft for no other reason than the incredible buzz circulating around Anderson's stock. Either way, I see the Vikes taking a defensive end here. If Brady Quinn's available at 7, they'll certainly be tempted. But I think they're sold on Tavaris Jackson. At least for now. Their second-round pick a year ago, Jackson showed promise in the second half of the Week 15 game with the Jets, and is already a fan favorite. He'll have at least a year to prove himself before the Vikings go hunting for another quarterback. Then again, Quinn may very well be a talent the Vikings brass simply can't watch slip on by. This selection could be the most intriguing spot of the entire draft.
8. Texans Levi Brown OT Penn State Senior 12th (+4) 8th / 31st
Word around the league is that David Carr's days in Houston may very well be done. Rumors have it that Carr could be traded anytime in the next few weeks, or even cut and released. If so, taking Quinn at 8 may seem like a legitimate option in April. But more likely than simply picking Quinn and handing him the reigns is Gary Kubiak and the Texans brass going out and getting Jake Plummer to man the helm, instead. Under Kubiak's tutelage in Denver, Plummer was an astounding 32-11 as a starter. The two get along great and made it as far as the AFC Championship Game in '05. Whether Carr, Plummer, or even Sage Rosenfels is at the helm next year the Texans' absolutely atrocious offensive line is going to need improvement. Though rookie Charles Spencer played well up until an injury sidelined in him in '06, there's not much to brag about as far as front five protection in Houston goes. Brown, Justin Blalock, or even Tennessee's Arron Sears would make sense here. Houston could even trade down and still land one of the top linemen out there. Or, they draft Quinn, and let a Plummer or a Rosenfels keep the seat warm for him. It could be tough, however, justifying taking Quinn a year after passing on hometown hero Vince Young.
9. Dolphins Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame Senior 8th (-1) 1st / 9th
Cam Cameron and Co. would be absolutely thrilled to see Quinn slip to 9. Could it happen? It very well might. A new "Face of the Franchise", a schoolboy hero, and a Charlie Weis guy nothing would please the Dolphins more than having Quinn fall into their laps. Sure, they need help in their defensive secondary, and yes, they've got Daunte Culpepper. But they won't pass on Quinn, who could very well be the 'Phins' best quarterback since Dan Marino.
10. Falcons Dwayne Jarrett WR USC Junior 10th SAME 10th / 11th
Bobby Petrino loves to throw the ball. And though the book's still open on whether Michael Vick can be that passing quarterback, adding a weapon like Jarrett can't hurt. Keyshawn Johnson said Jarrett's not ready for the NFL. He's wrong. After 11 catches for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, this is a clear no-brainer for the Falcons. Jarrett, unlike past first-round picks Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, is a true No. 1 wide receiver.
11. 49ers LaRon Landry S LSU Senior 9th (-2) 9th / 11th
The Niners defense gave up the seventh-most yards in the league in '06 and teams passed for 223.2 yards per game over 16 contests. Landry's arguably the top defensive player in this draft, and a sure-fire first year starter in the league. The brother of Ravens starter Dawan Landry, he'll make an impact right away. The Niners' starting safeties last year (Keith Lewis and Mark Roman) weren't terrible, but certainly not outstanding. Landry, a star at LSU, makes too much sense to pass up here.
12. Bills Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh Junior 11th (-1) 9th / 15th
If the Bills allow Nate Clements to walk as a free agent this off-season, which is the prevailing thought around the league, Buffalo could be looking at a serious hole to fill at cornerback. Revis is a lock-down corner who was both an interception hound and a dangerous special teams return man in his three years at Pitt. With the Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson picks last year, and Revis this time around, the Bills could find themselves with one of the youngest and most promising defensive backfields in the entire league by the time the draft is complete.
13. Rams Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss Senior 13th SAME 12th / 13th
Willis was the star of Mobile three weeks ago. The Butkus Award winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Willis recorded 137 tackles and had three sacks in '06. A complete package who can go sideline to sideline, Willis will pay immediate dividends for the Rams' often inconsistent defense.
14. Panthers Reggie Nelson S Florida Junior 14th SAME 13th / 14th
Some draft boards have Nelson rated above his SEC rival, LaRon Landry. I've got him as the second-highest rated safety on my board. John Fox, a defensive mastermind, will take the Gators superstar if he's there. Carolina's safety situation was iffy in '06, ravaged by injuries and inconsistency. Nelson had 50 tackles, 6 interceptions, and countless huge hits for the BCS Champions in '06.
15. Steelers Leon Hall CB Michigan Senior 15th SAME 8th / 15th
Hall got lit up in his last two games at Michigan first by Ted Ginn, and then by Dwayne Jarrett. He's still a first-round selection. Pittsburgh's cornerback situation was hit-or-miss in '06. One of the Big Ten's best defensive players, Hall could start immediately for Mike Tomlin's defense in '07.
16. Packers Marshawn Lynch RB California Junior 16th SAME 14th / 16th
Some mock drafts have Lynch right up there with Adrian Peterson, if not above him. Any other year, and the Cal running back is a top-ten pick. But of the first fifteen squads on the draft board, few have running back as a top need. Green Bay, however, does. Ahman Green's best years are behind him. A Lynch/Aaron Rodgers Cal Bears backfield could make for a nice future up in Green Bay.
17. Jaguars Lawrence Timmons LB Florida St. Junior 23rd (+6) 17th / NR
Though Jacksonville's defense was one of the top units in the league last season, their linebacker corps was exploited a bit too often. For as solid as Nick Greisen and Clint Ingram were in '06, neither one of them is going to be a star in the NFL anytime soon. Timmons has the potential to be just that. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, the Seminoles linebacker is one of the more athletic defensive players in this year's draft. More than likely, he'll put on a show at the combine this week. Jags fans may want a receiver in this spot, but they should be fine if Timmons is the man they get instead.
18. Bengals Paul Posluszny LB Penn State Senior 18th SAME 18th / 25th
The Bengals need two things: a) a defensive stopper at linebacker; and b) "character guys." Posluszny fits both roles. Poz recorded 100 tackles or more in three of his four seasons in Happy Valley, an unheard-of statistic for a college player. The 2005 Butkus Award winner, he'll add stability to a team that needs a rock in the middle.
19. Titans Ted Ginn, Jr. WR Ohio State Junior 19th SAME 19th / 19th
Drew Bennett could be on his way out of Tennessee (Billy Volek, where are you?), leaving a hole at the number one wide receiver spot. A dynamic multi-purpose target for Vince Young over the next decade, Ginn can be the do-everything guy the Titans offense sorely needs. Have Ginn returning kicks and Pacman Jones returning punts, and you instantly have one of the most explosive special teams units in the NFL. Oh, and Ginn also wants to play DB in the pros. He was an All-American defensive back in high school. Talk about a triple threat.
20. Giants Amobi Okoye DT Louisville Senior 17th (-3) 17th / 32nd
Now here's a team that's mixed things up in the past week. In his first major moves as GM, Jerry Reese got rid of LaVar Arrington, Carlos Emmons, and former first-round selection Luke Pettigout. In the same breath, Tiki Barber and Bob Whitfield officially hung up their cleats. So who will the Giants take at 20? A linebacker? A lineman? A running back? Well, the answer's Okoye if he's still sitting there. After wowing scouts in Mobile two weeks ago, the 19-year-old All-Big East performer pumped up his draft position a few spots with a great week of Senior Bowl practice. Fred Robbins played well in '06, and Okoye could be a great addition to the Giants' relatively young defensive line. Their greatest need? Probably not. The best player available? You bet.
21. Broncos Adam Carriker DE Nebraska Senior NR 21st / NR
Carriker wasn't in my first round the first three mock drafts, but that all changed with a terrific week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Though his senior season at Nebraska featured few awe-inspiring highlights, his overall career in Lincoln was steady, if not superb. Denver's defense glowed in the first eight weeks of the season, only to crumble down the stretch. Carriker will be a nice addition to the unit.
22. Cowboys Justin Blalock OT Texas Senior 22nd SAME 22nd / NR
Dallas will look to upgrade their spotty offensive line with the best available lineman on the board. Tony Romo was a man on the run all season. Blalock, a two-time All-American, can play both the tackle and guard positions. At 6-foot-4, 330, he's surprisingly quick on his feet. A Texas guy, this seems like the logical pick.
23. Chiefs Dwayne Bowe WR LSU Senior 26th (+3) 23rd / NR
Samie Parker and Eddie Kennison just aren't cutting it at wideout for Kansas City. With names like Bowe, Sidney Rice, Robert Meachem, and Johnny Lee Higgins on the board, the Chiefs will most likely go for a top flight receiver with this pick. Bowe's the top senior wide receiver in the draft, and can block with the best of em. Look for KC to scoop him up at 23.
24. Patriots (from Seahawks) Jarvis Moss DE Florida Junior NR 24th / NR
Moss' draft stock went soaring after a dominant BCS Title Game versus Ohio State. With the Patriots' defense aging, look for them to scoop up a young talent. Moss could work perfectly in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Still raw and a little rough around the edges, he'll learn from Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Jarvis Green.
25. Jets Aaron Ross CB Texas Senior NR 25th / NR
Ross is another guy who took his draft stock to new heights in his senior season. Injuries riddled the Jets at the cornerback spot all season. Andre Dyson went down, forcing names like Hank Poteat and Drew Coleman to get serious action. Ross is a top-flight corner who can likely start immediately for an NFL team. In '06, he was the Longhorns' defensive leader, intercepting six balls and racking up 80 tackles. And though multiple sources expect the Jets to offer every last penny to Patriots corner Asante Samuel in the free agency game this off-season, taking Ross at 25 would be a wise decision.
26. Eagles Quentin Moses DE Georgia Senior 32nd (+6) 7th / 32nd
One of the top-rated prospects entering the '06 season, Moses' draft stock slipped a bit over the course of his senior campaign. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have the skills to make a major difference at the next level. Moses had 31 tackles last season, with 10.5 of them coming for a loss. He also recorded 3.5 sacks. This was a dip from the 11.5 sacks he had as a junior. A former high school basketball star, the 6-foot-5 terror could make an immediate impact for the aging Eagles defense.
27. Saints Daymeion Hughes CB California Senior 21st (-6) 21st / NR
Saints fans were outraged at the mere thought of New Orleans taking a safety in the first round. Trust me, I got your emails! I still think the Michael Griffin pick makes sense. However, if Hughes is available at 27, it will be hard to pass him up. The winner of the prestigious Lott Trophy as a senior, the All-Pac 10 performer intercepted 8 balls and came up with an impressive 67 tackles in 06. A lock-down corner, Hughes could start in front of Fred Thomas and Jason Craft as soon as next year.
28. Patriots LaMarr Woodley LB Michigan Senior 20th (-8) 18th / 28th
Woodley was a star at Michigan, playing both defensive end and linebacker in his time as a Wolverine. Another guy who can play multiple spots in the Patriots' 3-4 defense, he's a classic Bill Belichick guy. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, Woodley will likely be an outside linebacker at the next level. As for the Patriots linebacker corps, there are only so many years left for veteran guys like Roosevelt Colvin, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Larry Izzo, and Junior Seau. Drafting a top-flight talent at the position in the first round is a no-brainer for the Pats.
29. Ravens Sidney Rice WR South Carolina Junior 29 SAME 29th / NR
As a red-shirt sophomore in '06, Rice caught 72 balls for 1,090 yards and scored 10 touchdowns for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks. At 6-foot-4, Rice is a huge target at the wideout spot. Still raw, Rice will likely slip out of the top 20. And though Baltimore may not be sold on who will be the team's quarterback of the future, Rice could be the team's number one wide receiver heading into the next decade.
30. Chargers Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. WR UTEP Senior 30th SAME 30th / NR
Well, the Chargers currently have no head coach, are considered a complete mess, and are all over the sports pages for their problems. All the while, they return nine Pro Bowl players, feature the league's best running attack, and are coming off a 14-2 season. If the 'Bolts have any holes on their roster, it's the wideout spot. Robert Meachem is likely going to be the fifth or sixth wide receiver drafted in April, but I like Higgins above him. Possibly the fastest wide receiver in the draft, Higgins was UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer's number one target for the past two seasons. The senior caught 82 passes for 1,319 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in '06, capping off a fabulous career in El Paso. An added bonus for San Diego? His cousin is Chargers corner Quentin Jammer. Higgins may be a bit of a reach here, but the success of guys like Santana Moss and Steve Smith has opened doors for smaller wideouts.
31. Bears Arron Sears OG Tennessee Senior 31st SAME 31st / NR
Sears capped off a stellar collegiate career by winning the Jacobs Award, given annually to the SEC's top lineman. Having played both tackle and guard at Tennessee, he offers versatility at the position. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he'll protect the Bears' quarterback of the future ... whoever that may be.
32. Colts Buster Davis LB Florida State Senior 28th (-4) 20th / 32nd
Indianapolis may lose both Cato June and Dwight Freeney to free agency this season. They'll look to bolster that defense through the draft. Davis was a three-year starter for Florida State, and was arguably the best player on an '05 unit that saw four players drafted in the first round of last year's draft. A sideline-to-sideline guy, the 5-foot-11 senior recorded 102 tackles and was an All-American in '06.
Pick Team Player Pos. School Class Previous Rising/Falling High/Low
1. Raiders JaMarcus Russell QB LSU Junior 1st SAME 1st / 10th
Most talk of Brady Quinn here has quieted down. It's now between Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and the most likely pick Mr. Russell. You know the deal by now the 80 yard passes, the drills where he throws through the uprights from his knees at midfield. Al Davis loves the long ball, and Lane Kiffin will be delighted to have Russell's athleticism to work with in his first year as Raiders head coach. Russell's the right pick.
2. Lions Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin Senior 2nd SAME 2nd / 5th
Another team may try to trade up in this spot to grab Calvin Johnson. Maybe Atlanta goes for the homegrown hero, offers everything but the kitchen sink, and ends up at number two. I think Matt Millen holds on to the pick, though, and plays it smart, going with the sure bet in Thomas. Jon Kitna wasn't terrible in 2006. He threw for over 4,000 yards. Yet, he was sacked a league-high 63 times. Thomas will be the core of the Lions offensive line for the next decade. A can't-miss NFL prospect, the 6-foot-7 giant is the right pick here.
**3. Browns Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma Junior 3rd SAME 3rd / 8th
How good is Adrian Peterson? When Bears DT and Oklahoma grad Dusty Dvoracek was asked whether he thought the Sooners running back will be a good pro player on media day, Dvoracek answered: "Adrian Peterson is going to be a Hall of Fame player. Mark it down in ink. He's going to be one of the best NFL running backs we've ever seen." With questions at both the quarterback and running back positions, Cleveland can do no wrong taking Peterson here. Hall of Fame or not.
**4. Buccaneers Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech Junior 4th SAME 2nd / 4th
A no-brainer at No. 4. Johnson's stellar career at Georgia Tech was capped off with an incredible Gator Bowl versus West Virginia. In a losing effort, Johnson caught nine balls for 186 yards and two touchdowns. On the year, Atlanta's second "Human Highlight Film" hauled in 76 balls for 1,202 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. All of that, of course, came with one of nation's most inconsistent quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Whether it's Chris Simms or Bruce Gradkowksi throwing him the rock next year either will be a vast improvement over Reggie Ball.
5. Cardinals Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas Junior 7th (+2) 5th / NR
Anderson's soaring up everyone's draft charts faster than you can say Mario Williams. The Cardinals had the fourth worst defense in the league; Anderson is a hulking beast off the edge that can both attack the quarterback and stop the run. Together, it seems like the perfect match. Having notched 13.5 sacks as a junior in '06, Anderson could be the Cardinals' defensive line star of the future. You know ... like Andre Wadsworth.
6. Redskins Alan Branch DT Michigan Junior 6th SAME 6th / 6th
The Redskins D got beat up all year long. Tiki Barber's 234-yard effort in the season's final week was the nail in the coffin on what was just a horrible campaign for the unit. Branch is a beast in the middle, able to both stop the run and rush the passer. A wise pick, here.
7. Vikings Gaines Adams DE Clemson Senior 5th (-2) 4th / 7th
I swapped Adams and Anderson on my mock draft for no other reason than the incredible buzz circulating around Anderson's stock. Either way, I see the Vikes taking a defensive end here. If Brady Quinn's available at 7, they'll certainly be tempted. But I think they're sold on Tavaris Jackson. At least for now. Their second-round pick a year ago, Jackson showed promise in the second half of the Week 15 game with the Jets, and is already a fan favorite. He'll have at least a year to prove himself before the Vikings go hunting for another quarterback. Then again, Quinn may very well be a talent the Vikings brass simply can't watch slip on by. This selection could be the most intriguing spot of the entire draft.
8. Texans Levi Brown OT Penn State Senior 12th (+4) 8th / 31st
Word around the league is that David Carr's days in Houston may very well be done. Rumors have it that Carr could be traded anytime in the next few weeks, or even cut and released. If so, taking Quinn at 8 may seem like a legitimate option in April. But more likely than simply picking Quinn and handing him the reigns is Gary Kubiak and the Texans brass going out and getting Jake Plummer to man the helm, instead. Under Kubiak's tutelage in Denver, Plummer was an astounding 32-11 as a starter. The two get along great and made it as far as the AFC Championship Game in '05. Whether Carr, Plummer, or even Sage Rosenfels is at the helm next year the Texans' absolutely atrocious offensive line is going to need improvement. Though rookie Charles Spencer played well up until an injury sidelined in him in '06, there's not much to brag about as far as front five protection in Houston goes. Brown, Justin Blalock, or even Tennessee's Arron Sears would make sense here. Houston could even trade down and still land one of the top linemen out there. Or, they draft Quinn, and let a Plummer or a Rosenfels keep the seat warm for him. It could be tough, however, justifying taking Quinn a year after passing on hometown hero Vince Young.
9. Dolphins Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame Senior 8th (-1) 1st / 9th
Cam Cameron and Co. would be absolutely thrilled to see Quinn slip to 9. Could it happen? It very well might. A new "Face of the Franchise", a schoolboy hero, and a Charlie Weis guy nothing would please the Dolphins more than having Quinn fall into their laps. Sure, they need help in their defensive secondary, and yes, they've got Daunte Culpepper. But they won't pass on Quinn, who could very well be the 'Phins' best quarterback since Dan Marino.
10. Falcons Dwayne Jarrett WR USC Junior 10th SAME 10th / 11th
Bobby Petrino loves to throw the ball. And though the book's still open on whether Michael Vick can be that passing quarterback, adding a weapon like Jarrett can't hurt. Keyshawn Johnson said Jarrett's not ready for the NFL. He's wrong. After 11 catches for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, this is a clear no-brainer for the Falcons. Jarrett, unlike past first-round picks Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, is a true No. 1 wide receiver.
11. 49ers LaRon Landry S LSU Senior 9th (-2) 9th / 11th
The Niners defense gave up the seventh-most yards in the league in '06 and teams passed for 223.2 yards per game over 16 contests. Landry's arguably the top defensive player in this draft, and a sure-fire first year starter in the league. The brother of Ravens starter Dawan Landry, he'll make an impact right away. The Niners' starting safeties last year (Keith Lewis and Mark Roman) weren't terrible, but certainly not outstanding. Landry, a star at LSU, makes too much sense to pass up here.
12. Bills Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh Junior 11th (-1) 9th / 15th
If the Bills allow Nate Clements to walk as a free agent this off-season, which is the prevailing thought around the league, Buffalo could be looking at a serious hole to fill at cornerback. Revis is a lock-down corner who was both an interception hound and a dangerous special teams return man in his three years at Pitt. With the Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson picks last year, and Revis this time around, the Bills could find themselves with one of the youngest and most promising defensive backfields in the entire league by the time the draft is complete.
13. Rams Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss Senior 13th SAME 12th / 13th
Willis was the star of Mobile three weeks ago. The Butkus Award winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Willis recorded 137 tackles and had three sacks in '06. A complete package who can go sideline to sideline, Willis will pay immediate dividends for the Rams' often inconsistent defense.
14. Panthers Reggie Nelson S Florida Junior 14th SAME 13th / 14th
Some draft boards have Nelson rated above his SEC rival, LaRon Landry. I've got him as the second-highest rated safety on my board. John Fox, a defensive mastermind, will take the Gators superstar if he's there. Carolina's safety situation was iffy in '06, ravaged by injuries and inconsistency. Nelson had 50 tackles, 6 interceptions, and countless huge hits for the BCS Champions in '06.
15. Steelers Leon Hall CB Michigan Senior 15th SAME 8th / 15th
Hall got lit up in his last two games at Michigan first by Ted Ginn, and then by Dwayne Jarrett. He's still a first-round selection. Pittsburgh's cornerback situation was hit-or-miss in '06. One of the Big Ten's best defensive players, Hall could start immediately for Mike Tomlin's defense in '07.
16. Packers Marshawn Lynch RB California Junior 16th SAME 14th / 16th
Some mock drafts have Lynch right up there with Adrian Peterson, if not above him. Any other year, and the Cal running back is a top-ten pick. But of the first fifteen squads on the draft board, few have running back as a top need. Green Bay, however, does. Ahman Green's best years are behind him. A Lynch/Aaron Rodgers Cal Bears backfield could make for a nice future up in Green Bay.
17. Jaguars Lawrence Timmons LB Florida St. Junior 23rd (+6) 17th / NR
Though Jacksonville's defense was one of the top units in the league last season, their linebacker corps was exploited a bit too often. For as solid as Nick Greisen and Clint Ingram were in '06, neither one of them is going to be a star in the NFL anytime soon. Timmons has the potential to be just that. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, the Seminoles linebacker is one of the more athletic defensive players in this year's draft. More than likely, he'll put on a show at the combine this week. Jags fans may want a receiver in this spot, but they should be fine if Timmons is the man they get instead.
18. Bengals Paul Posluszny LB Penn State Senior 18th SAME 18th / 25th
The Bengals need two things: a) a defensive stopper at linebacker; and b) "character guys." Posluszny fits both roles. Poz recorded 100 tackles or more in three of his four seasons in Happy Valley, an unheard-of statistic for a college player. The 2005 Butkus Award winner, he'll add stability to a team that needs a rock in the middle.
19. Titans Ted Ginn, Jr. WR Ohio State Junior 19th SAME 19th / 19th
Drew Bennett could be on his way out of Tennessee (Billy Volek, where are you?), leaving a hole at the number one wide receiver spot. A dynamic multi-purpose target for Vince Young over the next decade, Ginn can be the do-everything guy the Titans offense sorely needs. Have Ginn returning kicks and Pacman Jones returning punts, and you instantly have one of the most explosive special teams units in the NFL. Oh, and Ginn also wants to play DB in the pros. He was an All-American defensive back in high school. Talk about a triple threat.
20. Giants Amobi Okoye DT Louisville Senior 17th (-3) 17th / 32nd
Now here's a team that's mixed things up in the past week. In his first major moves as GM, Jerry Reese got rid of LaVar Arrington, Carlos Emmons, and former first-round selection Luke Pettigout. In the same breath, Tiki Barber and Bob Whitfield officially hung up their cleats. So who will the Giants take at 20? A linebacker? A lineman? A running back? Well, the answer's Okoye if he's still sitting there. After wowing scouts in Mobile two weeks ago, the 19-year-old All-Big East performer pumped up his draft position a few spots with a great week of Senior Bowl practice. Fred Robbins played well in '06, and Okoye could be a great addition to the Giants' relatively young defensive line. Their greatest need? Probably not. The best player available? You bet.
21. Broncos Adam Carriker DE Nebraska Senior NR 21st / NR
Carriker wasn't in my first round the first three mock drafts, but that all changed with a terrific week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Though his senior season at Nebraska featured few awe-inspiring highlights, his overall career in Lincoln was steady, if not superb. Denver's defense glowed in the first eight weeks of the season, only to crumble down the stretch. Carriker will be a nice addition to the unit.
22. Cowboys Justin Blalock OT Texas Senior 22nd SAME 22nd / NR
Dallas will look to upgrade their spotty offensive line with the best available lineman on the board. Tony Romo was a man on the run all season. Blalock, a two-time All-American, can play both the tackle and guard positions. At 6-foot-4, 330, he's surprisingly quick on his feet. A Texas guy, this seems like the logical pick.
23. Chiefs Dwayne Bowe WR LSU Senior 26th (+3) 23rd / NR
Samie Parker and Eddie Kennison just aren't cutting it at wideout for Kansas City. With names like Bowe, Sidney Rice, Robert Meachem, and Johnny Lee Higgins on the board, the Chiefs will most likely go for a top flight receiver with this pick. Bowe's the top senior wide receiver in the draft, and can block with the best of em. Look for KC to scoop him up at 23.
24. Patriots (from Seahawks) Jarvis Moss DE Florida Junior NR 24th / NR
Moss' draft stock went soaring after a dominant BCS Title Game versus Ohio State. With the Patriots' defense aging, look for them to scoop up a young talent. Moss could work perfectly in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Still raw and a little rough around the edges, he'll learn from Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Jarvis Green.
25. Jets Aaron Ross CB Texas Senior NR 25th / NR
Ross is another guy who took his draft stock to new heights in his senior season. Injuries riddled the Jets at the cornerback spot all season. Andre Dyson went down, forcing names like Hank Poteat and Drew Coleman to get serious action. Ross is a top-flight corner who can likely start immediately for an NFL team. In '06, he was the Longhorns' defensive leader, intercepting six balls and racking up 80 tackles. And though multiple sources expect the Jets to offer every last penny to Patriots corner Asante Samuel in the free agency game this off-season, taking Ross at 25 would be a wise decision.
26. Eagles Quentin Moses DE Georgia Senior 32nd (+6) 7th / 32nd
One of the top-rated prospects entering the '06 season, Moses' draft stock slipped a bit over the course of his senior campaign. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have the skills to make a major difference at the next level. Moses had 31 tackles last season, with 10.5 of them coming for a loss. He also recorded 3.5 sacks. This was a dip from the 11.5 sacks he had as a junior. A former high school basketball star, the 6-foot-5 terror could make an immediate impact for the aging Eagles defense.
27. Saints Daymeion Hughes CB California Senior 21st (-6) 21st / NR
Saints fans were outraged at the mere thought of New Orleans taking a safety in the first round. Trust me, I got your emails! I still think the Michael Griffin pick makes sense. However, if Hughes is available at 27, it will be hard to pass him up. The winner of the prestigious Lott Trophy as a senior, the All-Pac 10 performer intercepted 8 balls and came up with an impressive 67 tackles in 06. A lock-down corner, Hughes could start in front of Fred Thomas and Jason Craft as soon as next year.
28. Patriots LaMarr Woodley LB Michigan Senior 20th (-8) 18th / 28th
Woodley was a star at Michigan, playing both defensive end and linebacker in his time as a Wolverine. Another guy who can play multiple spots in the Patriots' 3-4 defense, he's a classic Bill Belichick guy. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, Woodley will likely be an outside linebacker at the next level. As for the Patriots linebacker corps, there are only so many years left for veteran guys like Roosevelt Colvin, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Larry Izzo, and Junior Seau. Drafting a top-flight talent at the position in the first round is a no-brainer for the Pats.
29. Ravens Sidney Rice WR South Carolina Junior 29 SAME 29th / NR
As a red-shirt sophomore in '06, Rice caught 72 balls for 1,090 yards and scored 10 touchdowns for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks. At 6-foot-4, Rice is a huge target at the wideout spot. Still raw, Rice will likely slip out of the top 20. And though Baltimore may not be sold on who will be the team's quarterback of the future, Rice could be the team's number one wide receiver heading into the next decade.
30. Chargers Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. WR UTEP Senior 30th SAME 30th / NR
Well, the Chargers currently have no head coach, are considered a complete mess, and are all over the sports pages for their problems. All the while, they return nine Pro Bowl players, feature the league's best running attack, and are coming off a 14-2 season. If the 'Bolts have any holes on their roster, it's the wideout spot. Robert Meachem is likely going to be the fifth or sixth wide receiver drafted in April, but I like Higgins above him. Possibly the fastest wide receiver in the draft, Higgins was UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer's number one target for the past two seasons. The senior caught 82 passes for 1,319 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in '06, capping off a fabulous career in El Paso. An added bonus for San Diego? His cousin is Chargers corner Quentin Jammer. Higgins may be a bit of a reach here, but the success of guys like Santana Moss and Steve Smith has opened doors for smaller wideouts.
31. Bears Arron Sears OG Tennessee Senior 31st SAME 31st / NR
Sears capped off a stellar collegiate career by winning the Jacobs Award, given annually to the SEC's top lineman. Having played both tackle and guard at Tennessee, he offers versatility at the position. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he'll protect the Bears' quarterback of the future ... whoever that may be.
32. Colts Buster Davis LB Florida State Senior 28th (-4) 20th / 32nd
Indianapolis may lose both Cato June and Dwight Freeney to free agency this season. They'll look to bolster that defense through the draft. Davis was a three-year starter for Florida State, and was arguably the best player on an '05 unit that saw four players drafted in the first round of last year's draft. A sideline-to-sideline guy, the 5-foot-11 senior recorded 102 tackles and was an All-American in '06.