Mock Draft Version 1

Well, the NFL Season is over, and the Cavaliers are depressing me so that i can't focus on the NBA, it's not March yet, so I can't get excited about college basketball, I don't get obscure channels, so I can't follow the NHL, and pitchers and catchers haven't reported yet.

That leaves me to talk about the NFL a little more, and this time, I'll focus on the upcoming NFL Draft, one of my favorite spectacles in all of sport. Here's my first attempt at a 2007 NFL Mock Draft, first round only.

1. Oakland Raiders

This team needs just about everything on the offensive side of the ball. It would be tempting to take a playmaker like Calvin Johnson, and if I were running the team I would be tempted to take a rock for the O-Line, like Joe Thomas. However, the NFL is a quarterback's league, and if you want to win, you need a franchise quarterback. Oakland has a chance to land one here, and I don't see them passing on that chance.

The pick: JaMarcuss Russel, QB, LSU

2. Detroit Lions

This is a team with not as many holes as Oakland, but still missing a few key pieces. I can see them trying to grab a rock for their O-Line in Joe Thomas, as among the picks that can get you real #2 overall value here, he's about the only one that will make an immediate impact. Brady Quinn is an option here, if only because the Lions have no long term answer at quarterback, and Quinn has all the desired measureables. Still, I think the pick is to try to get an impact player on defense, and see if you can compete quickly in a weak NFC.

The pick: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

3. Cleveland Browns

Another team with a lot of needs, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. Joe Thomas would go a long way towards helping a pitiful offensive line, but I don't see that as a good enough pick for a team that not only needs to turn it around on the field, but also needs to excite their fan base after a few dismal seasons. Calvin Johnson could be considered, but with Winslow and Edwards already on board, investing another high draft pick in a receiving threat seems ... odd, at best. I think the call here is for a franchise quarterback, something the team hasn't had since its return.

The pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The once proud Bucs defense looked pitiful and pathetic at times this year. They got old quickly, and also suffered losses through defections. Jamaal Anderson could be looked at here to try to put some spice back in the defense, but I think the real answer is to get a scoring threat for the offense, take pressure off the defense, and see if they can perform better when they don't feel the need to play perfect.

The pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

5. Arizona Cardinals

This one seems too easy. The Cardinals need O-line help, and the best O-lineman is still on the board. If this situation unfolds, there is no need for the Cardinals to consider anyone else.

The pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

6. Washington Redskins

Washington has invested money into offensive playmakers the past few offseasons, and seem to have a possible quarterback to build with in Jason Campbell. That puts the eyes squarely on the offensive line, and a defensive playmaker. No real value exists on the O-Line at #6, and so that leaves them to look for a defensive playmaker. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade down to try to grab an extra pick, though.

The pick: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

7. Minnesota Vikings

Odd situation here. The best value on the board is a running back (Adrian Peterson), but the Vikings have no need there. They could reach for a wide receiver (either Ginn or Jarrett might make sense), but common sense says they'll either trade down with a team looking to move up for Peterson (like the Packers, Giants, or Jets), or take a good value pick on defense. Since I'm not allowing trades in this mock ...

The pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

8. Houston Texans

Barring someone moving up in a trade, this could be a slamdunk for the Texans, too. After passing on Reggie Bush last year, there is no way they let Adrian Peterson get away if he's sitting there.

The pick: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

9. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins could probably use a playmaker on the offensive side of the football, so a talent like Ted Ginn Jr. could be a temptation. At the same time, shoring up the fundamental areas of football, the O and D-lines, is essential, especially in a division featuring the Patriots, who exploit bad fundamentals so easily. That puts Levi Brown and Omobi Okoye on the radar screen. Still, I think the secondary is a big concern in Miami, and so they go there with the pick.

The pick: Leon Hall, DB, Michigan

10. Atlanta Falcons

Again, a guy with stretch-the-field speed like Ted Ginn is going to get a long, hard look here, especially with a guy like Michael Vick who we know can throw the deep ball and create time with his legs to get separation for his receivers. Still, I think the secondary remains a concern for Atlanta, especialy when they need to face the Panthers and Saints twice a year.

The pick: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida

11. San Fransisco 49ers

If this unfolds this way, I think the niners are jumping for joy. After seeing Alex Smith have a bit of a breakout, and getting great play out of Frank Gore, the niners have a great chance to add a playmaker to help Smith progress further.

The pick: Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State

12. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have one of those impossible to predict front offices. That said, I think there's a value left on the board right now that Buffalo can't talk themselves out of, if they want to. And, I doubt they'd want to, since he has the look and ability to be a playmaker in the league for years to come.

The pick: Amobi Okoye, DE, Louisville

13. St. Louis Rams

The Rams were a very decent team last year, but their offense seemed to collapse when they had some O-line injuries, and their defense seemed to collapse a little too often. Hence, the obvious choices here seem to be O-Line or Defense. Levi Brown gets a bit of consideration, but that's not the best value here. This probably comes down to two linebackers.

The pick: Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State

14. Carolina Panthers

Carolina is probably hoping against hope that one of the two big Quarterbacks falls to them, as Jake Delhomme has fallen off the map. That doesn't appear likely, so they need to look to other needs. Defense is always a strength, and so I don't know why the Panthers wouldn't try to make their strength stronger and see if they can't win that way.

The pick: Paul Posluszny, OLD, Penn State

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh was a team plagued by injuries and turnovers last year, and you can't draft to get around that. So, they can take the best player available (Marshawn Lynch), or they can add depth to a position they are starting to age at (linebacker and o-line). With Posluszny and Timmons coming off the board, it makes the pick a little easier to figure out.

The pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

16. Green Bay Packers

With Favre coming back for at least one more season, this team needs to find players that can impact right away to help Favre win for as long as they have him. To that end, they luck out in this scenario, as one of the top playmakers has fallen to them. If this unfolds, I don't see the Packers taking long to get their card in.

The pick: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

There's a value pick on the board that really seems to fit the mold of what the Jaguars like to get on offense: a big, strong wide receiver with good hands. As they continue to try to find a franchise quarterback, and continue to try to develop the ones they have, I think getting as many targets to help as possible is key.

The pick: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC

18. Cincinnati Bengals

The need for the Bengals is good character guys that can also make an impact. That might rule out a guy like Jarvis Moss, who while a possible impact player, has had some character questions. The best value on the board right now, by far, is LaRon Landry, but he's not a need for the Bengals. I think they shore up their defense with a different value pick.

The pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

19. Tennessee Titans

They would be very happy to see any of Ginn, Lynch, or Jarrett fall to them. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. So, I think they have to go with the best value on the board, and just try to get pieces to a puzzle that seems ready to come together. And, they get a real steal here.

The pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU

20. New York Giants

Another team that really want, I believe, Marshawn Lynch, but barring a trade-up, there is no way he's available at this point in time. So, they need to look at other needs. Good value is available at linebacker, and a good fit is there at cornerback.

The pick: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

21. Denver Broncos

This is another team that simply ran into some bad luck to cause them to lose the playoffs. There in a great position to just go for the best player available, and find a place to plug him in. As such, they get great value here.

The pick: Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss

22. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have a large glaring need at Guard, and at Safety. They narrowly miss out on great value at safety, but the best guard prospect available is still on the board, and that should make this an easy pick.

The pick: Justin Blalock, OG, Texas

23. Kansas City Chiefs

They are probably hopeful that Levi Brown falls to them, but that didn't happen in this mock. Outside of that, they could use help at WR, but need to evaluate if they can get better value in rounds 2 and 3, than they can get here. I think they can, and so I think they keep trying to improve their defense, and get a nice hybrid-freak type player that's dropped a bit.

The pick: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida

24. New England Patriots

The need here seems obvious, after the departures of Deion Branch and the other wideouts, and the disappointment in the AFC title game. The question becomes, do they take a WR here, or do they wait until their second first round selection. I think WR is the pick here, if only because now they get their pick of the remaining first round talent.

The pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU

25. New York Jets

New York's biggest need is a feature running back. I'd expect them to work the phones non-stop leading up to the draft to try to trade up to land Peterson or Lynch. If they're unable to do that (as this mock suggests), I'd expect them to wait until round two to grab a running back, and nab a Kenny Irons, Michael Bush, or a Brian Leonard. With that out of the way, the o-line solidified a bit last year, they can focus on defense and try to nab an impact lineman or an impact cornerback.

The pick: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St.

26. Philadelphia Eagles

Outside linebacker and wide receiver look to be the biggest round-one needs for the Eagles, while other first day picks could be used to try to grab a quarterback to groom under McNabb. With linebacker depth starting to dry up, it makes the most sense to go with a first-round talented wide receiver here.

The pick: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

27. New Orleans Saints

They could use some help stopping the run, so a run stopping linebacker or a penetrating defensive tackle might be the best bet here. Again, linebacker value is not high here, so a trade down could happen. If not, I see them grabbing an impact lineman.

The pick: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State

28. New England Patriots

The Patriots already addressed their biggest 1st round need earlier in this mock, so they are really in a position where they can simply go after the best play available and find a place to plug him in.

The Pick: Michael Griffin, S, Texas

29. Baltimore Ravens

Running back is probably a need for them, but without reaching for a second rounder, they shouldn't take one here. They can probably get the same type of back if they simply wait a round, and get better value for it. Linebacker could be an issue as well, but again, depth has dropped and so has value. Hence, the probable pick is offensive line.

The pick: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan

30. San Diego Chargers

Since you can't draft clutch, the Chargers are left to look a little deeper onto their depth chart to find needs to fill in the first round. A wide receiver and linebacker depth seem to be the biggest areas of concern. There's not really a WR left on the board with value here, so I think they go for a depth LB.

The pick: Jon Beason, OLB, Miami

31. Chicago Bears

Super Bowl teams rarely have big needs, and that's the case for the Bears. Some might argue that they need to look towards a franchise quarterback, but there's not one available at #31 this year. Depth on the Offensive Line might be the best move for the Bears, and that's the way we'll lean with this pick.

The pick: Arron Sears, OT, Tennessee

32. Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl winners very rarely have big needs, and the Colts have the luxury of trying to just add depth. One area that looked good in the playoffs but poor elsewhere was run defense, and so grabbing a run stuffer might be the best idea. Either a linebacker or a d-lineman would do the trick, but one offers much better value at this pick.

The pick: DeMarcus Tyler, DT, North Carolina State.



And there you have it ... my first mock for the year. I'm sure things will change around Combine time, and I'll need to update.