http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2007/mock041307.htm
Team concerns could adversely affect Lynch, Moss, Jarrett
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 13, 2007
Teams have begun meeting with their coaches and are either amidst or entering their final set of meetings to finalize their draft boards. Decision time is drawing nearer, and while teams have not completely settled on their targets, they are narrowing down their choices. With Draft Day barely two weeks away, the following is how we see the cards being called if the draft were held tomorrow. As is the case every year, we see a lot of bad picks about to be made, starting with the very first, but projections are based heavily on inside information and what we hear teams are planning to do, not what we think is best for teams.
With character and medical meetings beginning to take place, some players could be adversely affected, the way Jimmy Williams and Winston Justice were a year ago. Partly for those reasons and because of team needs, we are projecting that Marshawn Lynch, Jarvis Moss and Dwayne Jarrett could be this year's losers. (Juniors are denoted by an asterisk.)
1. Oakland Raiders  QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU*
With a 29-year-old quarterback coach and an offensive coordinator who struggled dealing with prima donnas Michael Vick and Terrell Owens, Russell will enter a situation set up for failure. But with Josh McCown expected to be in town before the season starts, the Raiders will not have to rush him into the lineup.
2. Detroit Lions  WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech*
Lions president Matt Millen is worried he will be heavily scrutinized for selecting a fourth receiver in five years in the top 10, but Johnson has the most value at this spot and will afford the Lions a chance to move down and select the pass rusher they desire.
3. Cleveland Browns  RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma*
Jamal Lewis is a one-year solution, and it’s been proven that two good backs are needed to tote the rock in the NFL. GM Phil Savage will have to fight off ownership’s desires for a local quarterback who will excite fans in order to get the player he desires.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
A trade up to nab Johnson is tops on the Bucs' agenda, but GM Bruce Allen is still hoping Johnson will fall to him and is not likely to pull the trigger until a team in front of him first selects Johnson.
5. Arizona Cardinals  DT Alan Branch, Michigan*
Trading back would be a better scenario for the Cards, but finding a buyer willing to move up could prove difficult. Ken Whisenhunt knows how important Casey Hampton was in Pittsburgh, and a run-stuffing clogger in the middle could immensely improve the Cards’ defense.
6. Washington Redskins  FS LaRon Landry, LSU
Redskins coaches have taken a strong liking to Amobi Okoye, but Landry still has a lead.
7. Minnesota Vikings  QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Brad Childress likes the prospects of Tarvaris Jackson but will not make the same mistake the Raiders did a year ago at this spot and live to regret passing on a franchise quarterback.
8. Atlanta Falcons  DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
Adams could be nabbed by the Lions earlier if a trade unfolds, but he has too much value for the Falcons to bypass after losing Patrick Kerney and not being able to count on injury-prone John Abraham.
9. Miami Dolphins  OT Levi Brown, Penn State
Cam Cameron knows how important establishing a dominant offensive line was to the Chargers’ success.
10. Houston Texans  CB Leon Hall, Michigan
Texans must get better on the back end, and Hall’s versatility and consistency will appeal
Team concerns could adversely affect Lynch, Moss, Jarrett
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 13, 2007
Teams have begun meeting with their coaches and are either amidst or entering their final set of meetings to finalize their draft boards. Decision time is drawing nearer, and while teams have not completely settled on their targets, they are narrowing down their choices. With Draft Day barely two weeks away, the following is how we see the cards being called if the draft were held tomorrow. As is the case every year, we see a lot of bad picks about to be made, starting with the very first, but projections are based heavily on inside information and what we hear teams are planning to do, not what we think is best for teams.
With character and medical meetings beginning to take place, some players could be adversely affected, the way Jimmy Williams and Winston Justice were a year ago. Partly for those reasons and because of team needs, we are projecting that Marshawn Lynch, Jarvis Moss and Dwayne Jarrett could be this year's losers. (Juniors are denoted by an asterisk.)
1. Oakland Raiders  QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU*
With a 29-year-old quarterback coach and an offensive coordinator who struggled dealing with prima donnas Michael Vick and Terrell Owens, Russell will enter a situation set up for failure. But with Josh McCown expected to be in town before the season starts, the Raiders will not have to rush him into the lineup.
2. Detroit Lions  WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech*
Lions president Matt Millen is worried he will be heavily scrutinized for selecting a fourth receiver in five years in the top 10, but Johnson has the most value at this spot and will afford the Lions a chance to move down and select the pass rusher they desire.
3. Cleveland Browns  RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma*
Jamal Lewis is a one-year solution, and it’s been proven that two good backs are needed to tote the rock in the NFL. GM Phil Savage will have to fight off ownership’s desires for a local quarterback who will excite fans in order to get the player he desires.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
A trade up to nab Johnson is tops on the Bucs' agenda, but GM Bruce Allen is still hoping Johnson will fall to him and is not likely to pull the trigger until a team in front of him first selects Johnson.
5. Arizona Cardinals  DT Alan Branch, Michigan*
Trading back would be a better scenario for the Cards, but finding a buyer willing to move up could prove difficult. Ken Whisenhunt knows how important Casey Hampton was in Pittsburgh, and a run-stuffing clogger in the middle could immensely improve the Cards’ defense.
6. Washington Redskins  FS LaRon Landry, LSU
Redskins coaches have taken a strong liking to Amobi Okoye, but Landry still has a lead.
7. Minnesota Vikings  QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Brad Childress likes the prospects of Tarvaris Jackson but will not make the same mistake the Raiders did a year ago at this spot and live to regret passing on a franchise quarterback.
8. Atlanta Falcons  DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
Adams could be nabbed by the Lions earlier if a trade unfolds, but he has too much value for the Falcons to bypass after losing Patrick Kerney and not being able to count on injury-prone John Abraham.
9. Miami Dolphins  OT Levi Brown, Penn State
Cam Cameron knows how important establishing a dominant offensive line was to the Chargers’ success.
10. Houston Texans  CB Leon Hall, Michigan
Texans must get better on the back end, and Hall’s versatility and consistency will appeal
