Roman529
Moon Runner / The 3 AM Crew
Jon Lupuch of Fanball.com has the following mock which I really like:
1. Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Rationale: There really isn't too much debate that Calvin Johnson is the best prospect in this year's draft, but the fact remains the Raiders need a long-term answer at quarterback more than they need one at receiver. Despite Brady Quinn's best efforts in post-season events, Russell remains the favorite signal caller of Al Davis , which is only opinion that matters. Of course, the Raiders could end up going with Johnson if they land a veteran quarterback before the draft.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit) TRADE ALERT!
Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Deal: The Bucs sent their first-round pick (#4 overall) and their first pick in the second round (#35) to the Lions in exchange for this selection.
Rationale: </B>The Buccaneers spent most of the offseason accumulating quarterbacks and now they're going to give them someone dynamic to throw the ball to. Like I said before, Johnson is the best blue-chip talent available and fits a need for the Bucs, who have been disappointed with Michael Clayton 's regression over the last two years.
3. Cleveland Browns
Adrian Peterson , RB, Oklahoma
Rationale: The one-year deal Jamal Lewis signed is really a blessing for Peterson because it allows him to split carries as he gets his feet wet during his rookie season while learning the tricks of the trade from a accomplished veteran. The key for Adrian will be to avoid Lewis' off-the-field examples.
4. Miami Dolphins (from Detroit via Tampa Bay ) TRADE ALERT!
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Deal: The Lions keep moving on down, picking up the Dolphins' second-round pick while exchanging first-round selections.
Rationale: The Lions get themselves another second-round pick while still staying in the top 10. The Dolphins move from a position where'd they have to reach to get an offensive lineman, their top priority, to a spot where they can land their quarterback of the future. Their needs could change as we get closer to draft day, though, if they land Trent Green .
5. Arizona Cardinals
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Rationale: The Cardinals have one of the most exciting groups of skill position players in the league, but we haven't been able to see them at their best because the offensive line has been so abysmal. Arizona can go a long way towards solving that problem by picking up Thomas, who will anchor the line for years to come and adds fantasy value to already potent offense.
6. New England Patriots (from Washington ) TRADE ALERT!
LaRon Landry, S, LSU
The Deal: The Patriots send their two first-round picks (24th and 28th overall) to the Redskins . </B>
Rationale: The Redskins, who are without picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds, get an extra selection in the first round while the Patriots use their two picks to move up and acquire Landry, the top impact defensive player and heir apparent to the aging Rodney Harrison .
7. Minnesota Vikings
Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Rationale: The Vikings select defensive lineman almost as often as the Lions chose receivers, and for the same reason: the picks don't pan out. Erasmus James needed another knee surgery earlier this year after missing most of the 2006 season with an ACL tear and Kenechi Udeze didn't record a single sack last year. The Vikings offense, especially at receiver, is a bigger need for them, but Adams is the best value at this pick.
8. Atlanta Falcons (from Houston)
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Rationale: This pick was swapped by Houston in the Matt Schaub deal. The Falcons would have loved for Landry to fall this far, but since he is gone they will address their defensive line by adding one of the most intriguing talents available. It also helps that new Falcons head man Bobby Petrino coached Okoye in college.
9. Detroit Lions (from Miami) TRADE ALERT!
Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
The Deal: The Lions keep moving on down, picking up the Dolphins' second-round pick while exchanging first-round selections.
Rationale: Things worked out great for the Lions, who added two second-round picks to their coffers and picked up the best linebacker in this year's class. Willis has the size and speed to play any linebacker position in the pros, but Detroit will probably use him inside as a rookie.
10. Houston Texans (from Atlanta)
Levi Brown, OT, Penn St.
Rationale: Brown has consistently been the second lineman taken in mock drafts, but his stock has been rising in recent weeks. The Texans added some talent to their front five in recent years, but they are counting on Eric Winston, Ephraim Salaam, Jordan Black, or an injured Charles Spencer to bookend their line, so clearly Brown would be an upgrade at one of the tackle spots.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Rationale: The 49ers coaching staff fell in love with Carriker and his work ethic at the Senior Bowl, and he can line up at multiple places in their new 3-4 scheme. It is a match made in heaven.
12. Buffalo Bills
Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Rationale: Lynch is the only running back other than Peterson who belongs in the first round, but questions about his character and workload have lingered throughout the evaluation process. That being said, the Bills currently have Anthony Thomas perched atop the depth chart and are notorious for reaching for players they like, so Lynch makes sense on many levels.
13. St. Louis Rams
Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Rationale: Branch was a top-five pick in earlier mock drafts, but concerns over his work ethic have caused his stock to take a hit. The Rams need to beef up their defensive line, especially at tackle, so they'll roll the dice that Branch enters the league with a chip on his shoulder and fire in his belly.
14. Carolina Panthers
Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Rationale: There's a lot of talk about the Panthers going with a receiver here, but unless they see something in Ted Ginn Jr. that the rest of the world doesn't, don't count on that happening. Carolina is ridiculously thin at safety and Mike Minter is retiring after the season, so this is their biggest area of need and Nelson can get the job done for years to come.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
Rationale: While Lawrence Timmons' stock on the decline, Posluszny's is on the rise; I think Newton's Theory of Relativity address this phenomenon. Even if I'm wrong about that, the important thing to remember is that Posluszny is as accomplished a linebacker as you'll find this year and can play multiple positions for new head coach Mike Tomlin. The fact he is a local kid doesn't hurt, either.
16. Green Bay Packers
Greg Olsen, Miami, TE
Rationale: The Packers would have entertained the possibility of drafting either Nelson or Lynch, but since both guys are off the board, they'll address their next biggest need: tight end. Olsen is a guy who can stretch the field and challenge safeties, plus he gives Brett Favre another weapon to use during the twilight of his career.
1. Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Rationale: There really isn't too much debate that Calvin Johnson is the best prospect in this year's draft, but the fact remains the Raiders need a long-term answer at quarterback more than they need one at receiver. Despite Brady Quinn's best efforts in post-season events, Russell remains the favorite signal caller of Al Davis , which is only opinion that matters. Of course, the Raiders could end up going with Johnson if they land a veteran quarterback before the draft.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit) TRADE ALERT!
Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Deal: The Bucs sent their first-round pick (#4 overall) and their first pick in the second round (#35) to the Lions in exchange for this selection.
Rationale: </B>The Buccaneers spent most of the offseason accumulating quarterbacks and now they're going to give them someone dynamic to throw the ball to. Like I said before, Johnson is the best blue-chip talent available and fits a need for the Bucs, who have been disappointed with Michael Clayton 's regression over the last two years.
3. Cleveland Browns
Adrian Peterson , RB, Oklahoma
Rationale: The one-year deal Jamal Lewis signed is really a blessing for Peterson because it allows him to split carries as he gets his feet wet during his rookie season while learning the tricks of the trade from a accomplished veteran. The key for Adrian will be to avoid Lewis' off-the-field examples.
4. Miami Dolphins (from Detroit via Tampa Bay ) TRADE ALERT!
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Deal: The Lions keep moving on down, picking up the Dolphins' second-round pick while exchanging first-round selections.
Rationale: The Lions get themselves another second-round pick while still staying in the top 10. The Dolphins move from a position where'd they have to reach to get an offensive lineman, their top priority, to a spot where they can land their quarterback of the future. Their needs could change as we get closer to draft day, though, if they land Trent Green .
5. Arizona Cardinals
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Rationale: The Cardinals have one of the most exciting groups of skill position players in the league, but we haven't been able to see them at their best because the offensive line has been so abysmal. Arizona can go a long way towards solving that problem by picking up Thomas, who will anchor the line for years to come and adds fantasy value to already potent offense.
6. New England Patriots (from Washington ) TRADE ALERT!
LaRon Landry, S, LSU
The Deal: The Patriots send their two first-round picks (24th and 28th overall) to the Redskins . </B>
Rationale: The Redskins, who are without picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds, get an extra selection in the first round while the Patriots use their two picks to move up and acquire Landry, the top impact defensive player and heir apparent to the aging Rodney Harrison .
7. Minnesota Vikings
Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Rationale: The Vikings select defensive lineman almost as often as the Lions chose receivers, and for the same reason: the picks don't pan out. Erasmus James needed another knee surgery earlier this year after missing most of the 2006 season with an ACL tear and Kenechi Udeze didn't record a single sack last year. The Vikings offense, especially at receiver, is a bigger need for them, but Adams is the best value at this pick.
8. Atlanta Falcons (from Houston)
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Rationale: This pick was swapped by Houston in the Matt Schaub deal. The Falcons would have loved for Landry to fall this far, but since he is gone they will address their defensive line by adding one of the most intriguing talents available. It also helps that new Falcons head man Bobby Petrino coached Okoye in college.
9. Detroit Lions (from Miami) TRADE ALERT!
Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
The Deal: The Lions keep moving on down, picking up the Dolphins' second-round pick while exchanging first-round selections.
Rationale: Things worked out great for the Lions, who added two second-round picks to their coffers and picked up the best linebacker in this year's class. Willis has the size and speed to play any linebacker position in the pros, but Detroit will probably use him inside as a rookie.
10. Houston Texans (from Atlanta)
Levi Brown, OT, Penn St.
Rationale: Brown has consistently been the second lineman taken in mock drafts, but his stock has been rising in recent weeks. The Texans added some talent to their front five in recent years, but they are counting on Eric Winston, Ephraim Salaam, Jordan Black, or an injured Charles Spencer to bookend their line, so clearly Brown would be an upgrade at one of the tackle spots.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Rationale: The 49ers coaching staff fell in love with Carriker and his work ethic at the Senior Bowl, and he can line up at multiple places in their new 3-4 scheme. It is a match made in heaven.
12. Buffalo Bills
Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Rationale: Lynch is the only running back other than Peterson who belongs in the first round, but questions about his character and workload have lingered throughout the evaluation process. That being said, the Bills currently have Anthony Thomas perched atop the depth chart and are notorious for reaching for players they like, so Lynch makes sense on many levels.
13. St. Louis Rams
Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Rationale: Branch was a top-five pick in earlier mock drafts, but concerns over his work ethic have caused his stock to take a hit. The Rams need to beef up their defensive line, especially at tackle, so they'll roll the dice that Branch enters the league with a chip on his shoulder and fire in his belly.
14. Carolina Panthers
Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Rationale: There's a lot of talk about the Panthers going with a receiver here, but unless they see something in Ted Ginn Jr. that the rest of the world doesn't, don't count on that happening. Carolina is ridiculously thin at safety and Mike Minter is retiring after the season, so this is their biggest area of need and Nelson can get the job done for years to come.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
Rationale: While Lawrence Timmons' stock on the decline, Posluszny's is on the rise; I think Newton's Theory of Relativity address this phenomenon. Even if I'm wrong about that, the important thing to remember is that Posluszny is as accomplished a linebacker as you'll find this year and can play multiple positions for new head coach Mike Tomlin. The fact he is a local kid doesn't hurt, either.
16. Green Bay Packers
Greg Olsen, Miami, TE
Rationale: The Packers would have entertained the possibility of drafting either Nelson or Lynch, but since both guys are off the board, they'll address their next biggest need: tight end. Olsen is a guy who can stretch the field and challenge safeties, plus he gives Brett Favre another weapon to use during the twilight of his career.
