TEAM |
OVR PICK |
PLAYER |
POS |
COLLEGE |
RATIONALE |
|
1 |
*JaMarcus Russell
|
QB |
LSU |
 If any of the other 31 teams had the top overall pick and needed a franchise quarterback as badly as the Raiders do, Russell would be a lock. He has perhaps the strongest arm the league has ever seen, and could prove to be a transcendent force at the position. However, Russell isn't nearly the polished product that Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson is. I still wouldn't be shocked to see the Raiders go with Johnson, and then try to acquire a veteran arm like Tim Rattay, Josh McCown or Daunte Culpepper to compete with Andrew Walter.
Previous: |
|
2 |
*Calvin Johnson
|
WR |
Georgia Tech |
 Tampa Bay and Atlanta are already rumored to be very interested in a trade up for Johnson. Atlanta has seven picks in the first four rounds as ammunition, but it's still doubtful the Lions want to slide all the way to No. 8 and miss out on Clemson DE Gaines Adams. Adams will be available at No. 4, where the Bucs currently sit, making Tampa Bay a more likely trade partner. In the end, there's still a good chance no deal gets done and Johnson ends up as a bright, shiny new toy for Mike Martz.
Previous: |
|
3 |
*Adrian Peterson
|
RB |
Okla |
 It seems everyone is backing off this possibility following the news that Peterson re-injured his collarbone in the Fiesta Bowl. The Browns have checked him out thoroughly, and Peterson is expected to miss at most six weeks. Granted, it's another red flag for an already injury-prone back. But not only is Jamal Lewis under a one-year contract, he's on the downside of his career, didn't hit the hole as hard last year and has averaged 3.6 and 3.4 yards per carry the past two years.
Previous: |
|
4 |
Gaines Adams
|
DE |
Clemson |
 The Bucs covet Johnson, but drafting Adams certainly wouldn't be a bad alternative. DE Simeon Rice is recovering from shoulder surgery, and Adams' presence could lead to Rice playing elsewhere in 2007. The line could also use an infusion of youth, with Rice (entering his 12th season), Kevin Carter (13th) and Greg Spires (10th) the only ends on the roster with significant NFL experience.
Previous: |
|
5 |
Joe Thomas
|
OT |
Wisconsin |
 New coach Ken Whisenhunt wants to protect the passing lanes in front of left-handed QB Matt Leinart and improve the blocking for RB Edgerrin James. Instead of flipping RT Oliver Ross to the left side, where he hasn't played in the pros, or rely on slowing veteran Mike Gandy, the Cardinals can insert NFL-ready Thomas into the slot and immediately upgrade both facets of the offense.
Previous: |
|
6 |
LaRon Landry
|
FS |
LSU |
 Landry isn't the big hitter most associate with a strong safety, but with the league trending toward safeties who can cover ground and support against the run, Landry can play either safety position. The Redskins already have a physical hitter in FS Sean Taylor, who struggled last season without a dependable partner in the secondary. Landry would provide just that from Week 1, and help fix the Redskins' deep coverage issues.
Previous: |
|
7 |
Brady Quinn
|
QB |
Notre Dame |
 The Vikings would have to be giddy should Quinn fall into their lap. Second-year QB Tarvaris Jackson would be the Week 1 starter right now, but he struggled when thrown into the fire the second half of his rookie season, and appears at least a year away from proving whether he's a legitimate NFL starter. Quinn, meanwhile, comes NFL-ready, having played the past two years for Irish coach Charlie Weiss. He'd be a good fit in Vikings coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense, and could challenge for the starting job in training camp.
Previous: |
|
8 |
*Jamaal Anderson
|
DE |
Ark |
 The Falcons figure to be burning up the phone lines, whether it's trying to move up to No. 2 for Johnson or to No. 6 if Peterson slides or they're convinced Landry won't make it to them. Barring one of those scenarios, the Falcons could look for a young pass rusher to fill a clear need after losing Patrick Kerney in free agency. Team's are split on their views of Anderson, but there's no denying his raw athletic ability.
Previous: |
|
9 |
Amobi Okoye
|
DT |
Louisville |
 If Okoye makes it past the Redskins and former college coach Bobby Petrino with the Falcons, he'd make a very nice fit for the Dolphins' aging defensive line. MLB Zach Thomas has a few more good years, but he needs an active interior line in front of him, and Okoye consistently kept blockers off his linebackers while with the Cardinals.
Previous: |
|
10 |
Levi Brown
|
OT |
Penn St |
 Chris Spencer (coming off injury), Jordan Black (better suited as a backup), Eric Winston (possibly better suited at guard) -- are the Texans going to repeat history by failing to protect new QB Matt Schaub like they did to departed David Carr? They have a chance to finally fix the problem while also providing an immediate upgrade to the running game with Brown.
Previous: |
|
11 |
Adam Carriker
|
DE |
Nebraska |
 The 49ers are seeking versatile linemen as they continue to implement more of coach Mike Nolan's preferred 3-4 scheme. Carriker has a good combination of size and speed, which would make him an ideal fit outside in a 3-4. Mississippi LB Patrick Willis is another strong possibility, but linebacker isn't nearly as big a need for the 49ers as upgrading the line is.
Previous: |
|
12 |
Patrick Willis
|
ILB |
Ole Miss |
 With London Fletcher-Baker and Takeo Spikes sent packing this offseason, the Bills need linebacking help across the board. Willis has been one of the draft's most impressive workout warriors, and has the potential to step in right away in place of Fletcher-Baker as a run-stuffer on the inside.
Previous: |
|
13 |
*Alan Branch
|
DT |
Michigan |
 Concerns about possible stress fractures or shin splints in both legs only add to a growing list of red flags about this once-surefire top 10 pick. He failed to impress at his Pro Day, but he still has too much potential as a run-stuffer to fall any further in this draft. The Rams' run defense was pitiful last season, and a major reason has been their inability to adequately fill this hole for many years.
Previous: |
|
14 |
*Reggie Nelson
|
FS |
Florida |
 The Panthers have a glaring need at strong safety, but FS Mike Minter took a $1.3 million pay cut to stay with the team this season, which he has already announced will be his last. If Nelson can plug the hole on the strong side for a season and learn from the savvy Minter on the field, he can slide to the free side in '08.
Previous: |
|
15 |
Leon Hall
|
CB |
Michigan |
 The Steelers are expected to attempt to slide down. Their biggest need is at outside linebacker, but there isn't one worthy of being selected this high. With a few good names still left on the board, the team should receive good interest for this pick. If they keep it, Hall makes a lot of sense. Ike Taylor is coming off a very disappointing season after signing a big contract. Hall has big-game experience and can have an immediate impact for a team seeking a quick rebound season.
Previous: |
|
16 |
*Marshawn Lynch
|
RB |
Cal |
 Ready or not, Lynch would have a chance to make an immediate impact for the Pack, whose roster right now features Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, Arliss Beach and P.J. Pope at running back. Lynch's versatility is what should intrigue the Packers the most. Not only is he capable of leading the rushing attack, but he is an excellent receiver who would provide QB Brett Favre with another weapon underneath now that TE Bubba Franks is clearly on the backside of his career.
Previous: |
|
17 |
*Darrelle Revis
|
CB |
Pitt |
 The Jaguars signed Brian Williams last offseason, but he wasn't quite the shut-down presence opposite Rashean Mathis that the team had banked (literally) on. And depth behind Williams and Mathis is very thin, making the best player left on the board look more intriguing by the minute.
Previous: |
|
18 |
Aaron Ross
|
CB |
Texas |
 I'm not a proponent of a pick this high on Ross, who played with great surrounding talent with the Longhorns and might prove to be a better return threat than cornerback. But the Bengals are almost forced to gamble on his potential -- he has great size (6-feet-1) and speed (4.4 to 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash) -- with Tory James gone and Deltha O'Neal coming off a down season. Ross is a potential nice complement to impressive young CB Johnathan Joseph
Previous: |
|
19 |
*Robert Meachem
|
WR |
Tennessee |
 David Givens (knee) might not be ready in time for training camp and Drew Bennett left for St. Louis as a free agent. That leaves Brandon Jones and a group of uninspiring wideouts for QB Vince Young to play catch with. Meachem is big, fast and has excellent hands. If the Titans want to see Young develop the passing game, they have to provide playmakers downfield.
Previous: |
|
20 |
Joe Staley
|
OT |
Cen Michigan |
 The Giants revamped their secondary last offseason with less than stellar results. Corey Webster is coming off a disappointing injury-plagued sophomore season, and Sam Madison continues to slow with each passing year. Houston has tantalizing upside, although No. 20 might be a bit of a reach for a corner who has shown some issues with deep coverage and holding onto potential picks.
Previous: |
|
21 |
Paul Posluszny
|
OLB |
Penn St |
 The shoe finally dropped when MLB Al Wilson was released last week. Nate Webster can slide into the middle and do a capable job, but the Broncos are very thin beyond the starting unit. They are rumored to be interested in trading up to snag Willis before the 49ers or Bills can grab him. If they don't pull off that dramatic move, Posluszny might be a better fit inside in the NFL than outside, where he played for most of his Nittany Lions career.
Previous: |
|
|
22 |
*Ted Ginn Jr.
|
WR |
Ohio St |
 Ginn's workout last week did little to impress scouts, who already knew he was fast. His durability is a bigger concern. But the Cowboys have a strong roster and the ability to use this pick for a potential home run. Terrell Owens will be 34 next season and Terry Glenn 33, so this is a position the Cowboys need to address for the future. In the present, Ginn can big a big-play return threat who is used sparingly in three- and four-receiver sets as a rookie.
Previous: |
|
23 |
Ben Grubbs
|
OG |
Auburn |
 The Chiefs can address their glaring need at receiver later on the first day with a deep class at the position. The more pressing need is along the offensive line following the retirement of 12-time Pro Bowl RG Will Shields. If he can make the adjustment to the right side, Grubbs can be immediately inserted into the starting lineup. The Chiefs simply can't afford a significant drop-off in their running game.
Previous: |
|
24 |
*Chris Houston
|
CB |
Ark |
 CB Asante Samuel continues to grumble about the franchise tag the team slapped on him this offseason, and the Patriots might only have him to pair up with Ellis Hobbs for another season at best. The depth behind them is a mishmash of slowing veterans and players who have struggled to stay healthy. Houston is a boom-or-bust type of talent, but the well-stocked Patriots are well positioned to gamble on greatness.
Previous: |
|
25 |
Justin Harrell
|
DT |
Tennessee |
 If the cornerbacks worthy of this pick are off the board, the Jets can turn their attention to the interior of their D-line. Dewayne Robertson isn't the ideal physical fit for the 3-4, while the 6-5, 300-pound Harrell played with an impressive motor for the Vols.
Previous: |
|
26 |
Brandon Meriweather
|
FS |
Miami |
 FS Brian Dawkins will turn 34 in October, and the team is hardly convinced Sean Considine is the long-term answer on the strong side. Meriweather provides intriguing versatility with his experience at corner, and can be groomed to take over the secondary leadership when Dawkins moves on. Although a bit undersized at 5-11, 195 pounds, Meriweather won't hesitate to stick his nose into the action and shares Dawkins' big-play mentality.
Previous: |
|
27 |
Dwayne Bowe
|
WR |
LSU |
 The Saints have an impressive group of young receivers in Marques Colston, Terrance Copper and home-run hitter Devery Henderson, but they also lost a dependable target in Joe Horn. Copper and Henderson lack consistency, and Bowe is simply too good to pass on should he some how drop this far.
Previous: |
|
|
28 |
*Jarvis Moss
|
DE |
Florida |
 Patriots coach Bill Belichick loves versatility, and a 3-4 defense might be a good fit for Moss. He's undersized for a traditional end, but hasn't displayed the agility to move permanently to linebacker at the next level. One thing is for certain -- he has immense natural gifts, and Belichick is the man to figure out how best to utilize them.
Previous: |
|
29 |
Justin Blalock
|
OG |
Texas |
 Critics say Blalock lacks the arm reach for tackle and is too tall for guard at 6-3. What he is, however, is versatile and very athletic. With the Ravens, he could step in immediately for departed LG Edwin Mulitalo while the team studies whether he can take over LT Jonathan Ogden, who appears likely to call it quits after next season.
Previous: |
|
30 |
Steve Smith
|
WR |
USC |
 Keenan McCardell is gone, leaving the No. 1 role to unproven but promising Vincent Jackson, with Eric Parker a solid second starter. Smith runs great routes, has excellent hands and, coming out of a Pro Style offense, he can step in and make an immediate impact for a team that is a piece or two away from true Super Bowl contention.
Previous: |
|
31 |
*Lawrence Timmons
|
OLB |
Florida St |
 The Bears and Redskins are rumored to be reviving their trade talks for OLB Lance Briggs. Whether or not Briggs is still Bears property after this weekend, the team needs to plan for the long-term future without him. Timmons is raw, but this would provide a good situation for him to learn from a veteran unit and be prepared to step in as a starter in Year 2.
Previous: |
|
32 |
*Dwayne Jarrett
|
WR |
USC |
 Yes, most everyone has Jarrett plummeting into the second round following a poor Pro Day showing. And yes, the Colts have glaring needs at linebacker and cornerback. But coach Tony Dungy has a long history of unearthing talent for his defensive back seven in the middle rounds, and believes talent is easier to replace in the Tampa-2 defense the further you get from the line of scrimmage. Jarrett remains a potential big-time playmaker at the next level, and the Colts have a glaring depth issue behind starters Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Previous: |
.gif){kind=spacer}
- Draft Scout Premium Members Feature - 
