Early Fox Mock Draft

[brncs_fan]

1. LIONS Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame Senior
Jon Kitna and Josh Mcnown just aren't cutting it in Motown. And after drafting about 11 wide receivers in the past five years, Matt Millen (or whoever is running the Titanic in Detroit at the time) will be too gun-shy to pull the trigger on Calvin Johnson. The question isn't whether Detroit will draft a QB or not, it's which QB they'll take. If Jamarcus Russell outshines Quinn in the Sugar Bowl, he could very well jump the Notre Dame gunslinger on Detroit's draft board.

2. RAIDERS Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech Junior
One thing's for sure — the Raiders need help on offense. They need a quarterback, a running back, a receiver, a tight end, and an entire offensive line. Though Adrian Peterson and Russell will tempt them at 2, the Silver and Black will likely take the most exciting playmaker in the draft, CJ21.

3. BROWNS Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma Junior
Part of me thinks the Browns might shock the world here, and just go ahead and take Troy Smith as their quarterback of the future. Home-grown talent, an Akron native, loved in the state — it would be like the Cavs taking LeBron all over again. The other part of me thinks they take the best offensive player on the board in Peterson. As tempting as pulling the rabbit out of the hat and drafting Smith #3 overall will be, Cleveland will play it smart and take the Oklahoma running back.

4. BUCCANEERS Gaines Adams DE Clemson Senior
The best defensive player on the board, Adams will help rebuild the suddenly mediocre Tampa defense. Adams had 10.5 sacks this year for the Tigers.

5. CARDINALS Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin Senior
Sure, they've already got Leonard Davis at left tackle, but that doesn't mean the Cards are "set" at the offensive line. Thomas is a 6-foot-8 beast who can likely play any of the offensive line positions. And if that means left tackle, well then Davis might not be wearing Cardinals red much longer.

6. TEXANS Alan Branch DT Michigan Junior
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound run stopper is just what the Texans need. Put him on a defense that added Mario Williams and Demeco Ryan, and you have one of the more promising young units in the league.

7. REDSKINS Quentin Moses DE Georgia Senior
A former two-sport athlete at UGA (he played on the hoops team his freshman year), Moses is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. A physical specimen, the Redskins won't pass on him at number 7. An explosive force coming off the edge, he should be the perfect fit in Washington.

8. VIKINGS Leon Hall CB Michigan Senior
The best corner in college football this year, Hall is the dynamic shutdown corner every team dreams of. Put him on the other side of Fred Smoot, let him learn the ropes from Darren Sharper, and you have the Vikings corner of the future.

9. 49ERS LaRon Landry S LSU Senior
San Francisco's offense is young and on the rise. Their defense? Eh. Though a play-making wide receiver like USC's Dwayne Jarrett or LSU's Dwayne Bowe may be the tempting pick here, Landry's the wise choice. The best safety in the nation, he's the guy San Fran really needs.

10. DOLPHINS JaMarcus Russell QB LSU Junior
Are they really going to give up on the Daunte Culpepper/Joey Harrington/Cleo Lemon era? I think so. Saban recruited Russell out of high school at LSU, loves the kid, and can only put up with shaky quarterback play for so long. My gut feeling? Culpepper and Lemon stay, but Harrington's playing elsewhere in 2006. Just how talented is Russell? Horsing around, he regularly throws the ball through the uprights from his knees ... at midfield.

11. FALCONS Dwayne Jarrett WR USC Junior
Drafting a receiver in the first round to pair with Michael Vick? The Falcons have been down this route before. Whether it's been Michael Jenkins or Roddy White — you know the story. This time should be different, though. Jarrett's the real deal. A prime-time performer for three years now, Jarrett's already delivered on the big stage.

12. RAMS Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss Senior
A lot of draft boards have Willis going in the late first, even the second round. Ridiculous. The best linebacker in the SEC, Willis goes sideline to sideline and should be a tremendous pro. Stick him in a linebacking corps with Will Witherspoon and Dexter Coakley, and watch him flourish.

13. PANTHERS Reggie Nelson S Florida Junior
Watch any Florida game this year, and you'll hear the same thing every time — Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson waxing poetic on how good Reggie Nelson is. They're not exaggerating. The kid's awesome. And if you watched Carolina 's pass defense get lit up all year, you'd know why he's the perfect pick here.

14. PACKERS Marshawn Lynch RB California Junior
Adrian Peterson would have been nice in Packers green and gold, but Lynch will have to do. What's that mean? An Aaron Rodgers-Marshawn Lynch Golden Bears combo in the Green Bay backfield for years to come.

15. STEELERS Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh Junior
Keeping it local, the Steelers take Pitt's best cornerback in years. Revis could be a dynamic return man, too.

16. GIANTS LaMarr Woodley LB Michigan Senior
Though Ted Ginn, Jr. and a host of other much needed playmaking wide receivers will be staring at them on their board, the Giants will end up taking a linebacker in the first round. Woodley played defensive end at Michigan, but should play both the inside and the outside linebacker spots in the pros. A true ball hawk, he's perfect for the Big Blue.

17. BILLS Glenn Dorsey DT LSU Junior
A standout on the nation's best defense, Dorsey could be the run clogging DT the Bills defense so desperately needs. The league's fourth-worst run defense in '06, Buffalo will most definitely be loading up on defensive talent throughout the draft.

18. PATRIOTS (from Seahawks) H.B. Blades LB Pittsburgh Senior
At Pitt, Blades was a three-time first team All-Big East linebacker. In New England, he'll help bolster an aging defense.

19. CHIEFS Ted Ginn, Jr. WR Ohio State Junior
Samie Parker and Eddie Kennison just aren't cutting it, and Dante Hall will never be a true No. 1 or No. 2 NFL receiver. The Chiefs seem to like Brodie Croyle as their QB of the future, making Brian Brohm or Troy Smith less than likely in this spot. Ginn Jr. will be the speed demon in the slot that K.C. hasn't had in years.

20. JAGUARS Sam Baker OT USC Junior
The most talented member of the Trojans offensive line, the Jags would be elated if Baker fell so far. A beast at tackle, Baker will help create holes for Maurice Jones-Drew well into the next decade.

21. BENGALS DeMarcus Tyler DT N.C. State Senior
Three defensive players from Chuck Amato's N.C. State defense were drafted in the first round last year. One will be taken in '07. Tyler is a run stopping presence that could really help Cincy's hit or miss run D. Known as "The Tank," he is arguably the best defensive tackle in the entire draft.

22. TITANS Buster Davis LB Florida State Senior
Though the Titans could take a gamble on a young, playmaking receiver to pair with Vince Young for the next 10 years in this spot, it'll be hard to pass on Davis. Though he's only 5-10, the Seminole senior is a consistent, versatile linebacker.

23. COWBOYS Jake Long OT Michigan Junior
The Cowboys will be delighted if Long slips this far. If they can scoop him up, the ‘Boys will have a 6'7, 330 pound monster anchoring their much maligned line for the future.

24. JETS Antoine Carson CB Arizona Junior
Mangini and Tannenbaum took offensive linemen with their two first round picks last year. Look for the Jets to load up on their greatest weakness this year — cornerback. Though Hank Poteat, Andre Dyson, and David Barrett have done a solid job — none are No. 1 guys. Cason is.

25. EAGLES Paul Posluszny LB Penn State Senior
The Eagles take the Pennsylvania guy and the best linebacker on the board, here. Otherwise, if Brian Brohm's still available, Philly may grab the Louisville gunslinger.

26. BRONCOS Jeff Samardzija WR Notre Dame Senior
Remember Elway to Rod Smith? Cutler to Samardzija could be the next great QB/WR combo in Denver.

27. SAINTS Michael Griffin S Texas Senior
Griffin's all over the field. A hard hitting safety who's also a stud in pass coverage, he'll be a starter his rookie year in New Orleans.

28. PATRIOTS Quinn Pitcock DT Ohio State Senior
The Patriots defensive line is one of the best in the league. That said, if Pitcock falls to 28, Pioli and Belichick will scoop him up.

29. COLTS Rufus Alexander LB Oklahoma Senior
The Colts have one of the worst defenses in the league, and could very well lose several of their starters to free agency this off-season. Indy will have to rebuild through the draft. Alexander, a star at Oklahoma, will be a great starting point.

30. RAVENS Brian Brohm QB Louisville Junior
Slip slidin' away ... on some boards I've seen, Brohm slotted as high as a top five pick. I can't give him that. Though incredibly talented and blessed with a golden arm, few teams will be looking for a quarterback in the first round this year. The third (and maybe fourth depending on Troy Smith's BCS title game) quarterback on my chart, Brohm may be better off going back to school and coming back next year as a sure-fire top ten pick. He's a first round pick this year. He just may slip to 30.

31. BEARS Levi Brown OT Penn State Senior
Brown is the dominant force on Penn State's O-Line. A two-time All American, he'll be hard to pass up at 31.

32. CHARGERS Amobi Okoye DT Louisville Senior
Only 19 years old, Okoye was Louisville's best defensive player in '06. Having racked up six sacks and taking home All-Big East first-team honors, he's put himself into the first round of the '07 Draft.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6317258

[brncs_fan]

I like Samardzija a lot being a ND homer, but I don't think he is first round talent. He has good speed and hands and big play ability, but he has a tendency to disapear as well.

He has also greatly benefitted from Rhema McKnight being on the other side of the field. Even then he is still 300yds under his total from last season.

[WABronco]

I would be extremely disappointed with that pick...

[mattob14]

Horrible. I mentioned Samardzija in another thread, but no way I want him in the first. Griffin and Okoye would both be much better picks.

[OrangeShadow]

seeing that draft id take griffin or pitcock first

[-Slap-]

I would trade down or take Okoye right there.

[epicSocialism4tw]

That's not a very good mock draft. Shanny can put together some odd picks, but I just dont see us picking a WR in round one. We dont need another WR to pair with Cutler, we already have a freak in Javon Walker.

With so many talented DL'men in the draft, I really dont see us going in another direction unless something unbelievable presents itself. The need there is so pronounced that it would be hard to ignore with that much talent on the board.

I could see us taking an OT, G, RB, S or even another LB in the first.

[elsid13]

Horrible draft. BTW I don't think Paul Posluszny is 1st round draft choice

[SoCalBronco]

I like Samardjiza, but as Big Guy has said before, with Marshall and Walker we dont really need a big possession guy anymore....we are more in need of a speedy deep threat. In any case, unless a mega talent WR drops to us (say Ginn or Jarrett for example), we dont need to go WR in Round 1, but we definitely should take advantage of what appears to be an extremely strong WR class at some point on Day 1.

[DarkHorse]

I'd like to see the D line being addressed (even for just a year plug) and move up for Ginn if we're going WR. Cutler's arm would go hand in hand with Ginn's ability to stretch the field, use Marshall and Javon as #1 & #2 - owning the mid length routes inside and out.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I like Samardjiza, but as Big Guy has said before, with Marshall and Walker we dont really need a big possession guy anymore....we are more in need of a speedy deep threat. In any case, unless a mega talent WR drops to us (say Ginn or Jarrett for example), we dont need to go WR in Round 1, but we definitely should take advantage of what appears to be an extremely strong WR class at some point on Day 1.

Yes - remember, the offense that is being installed is over 50% 3 WR sets. Hope Rod comes back, but gotta have someone ready when he does leave. Kircus is a perfect number 4. Can fill at any of the three slots and backup the returners

[Orange_Beard]

No Way.

[NFLBRONCO]

What round do you see Sweed going?

[epicSocialism4tw]

The speedy receiver routes should be easily filled through FA, and I wouldnt be surprised at all to see Shanny go with Brian Clark, Kircus, or Q-Morg in that role.

Receiver shouldnt be addressed early in the draft because of the stock that we already have.

Walker
Rod Smith
Marshall
Kircus
Clark
Morgan

That seems like more than enough to me.

[elsid13]

i believe both Monk and Sweed have decided to stay in school next year.

[youcandoit1687]

sweed, monk, and rice are all staying i do believe. doucet is in all likelihood staying. LSU is in a world of trouble if he goes too, our top three receivers gone plus the possibility of our QB going too but i doubt he leaves, no idea about jamarcus.

if sweed was there in round 2, i would be ecstatic to take him. hes bulit like calvin johnson and is still kinda raw. im always impressed with him.


the samardzjia pick is pretty bad. i really think he is a product of either weiss or quinn or both. he had like no stats until last year. i would be very upset with that pick especially with all that talent still on the board. plus the fact that he wants to play baseball