I think the draft order is going to be shuffled significantly tomorrow and therefore I will only do a mock for the top 20. I've said it before, I haven't seen a draft like this in a longtime. So much difference of opinion of who is the top player. The Quinn vs Russell debate epitomizes these differences. This mock does not follow my own ranking of players. It is how I see things unfolding.
Here goes:
1. Oakland: J Russell. This pick was never a question in my mind. Unless the Raiders get an offer that will blow them away, Russell is going to Oakland. Forget about all the Kiffin talk and how he doesn't fit. That's just piffle. J Russell is a phenom and the only QB in this draft that would have been drafted in the top 10 last year. Don't believe the lies about him not being a smart Qb either. He has shown good poise and has played in a system more complicated than Quinn. He's not as polished as some other QBs at this stage but he easily will be the best Qb to come out of this draft. His skills dwarf all others. He has the chance to be special. Scouts know it. Some fans know it. Al Davis knows it.
2. Redskins (via trade with Detroit): C Johnson. There are so many possibilities with this slot. I think T Bay and Atlanta could very easily in this position as well. Not many people will argue against C Johnson being the best player in this draft but Detroit picking a WR is difficult to swallow. Millen would love to trade down and I think Snyder is enough of a gambler to take a shot. Snyder is known for mortgaging the future so don't be surprised if he does it again.
3. Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn. A Peterson's collarbone may have something to do with this pick but I think the Browns have been eyeing Quinn for a while. He's from the area and it will make for a fairytale: Star QB comes home. Then reality will set in when Quinn follows in the long line of failed Cleveland quarterbacks.
4. T Bay: Gaines Adams. They'd love to get Johnson but he'll be gone. The Bucs need help on the d-line. Kiffin will be pleased.
5. Arizona: J Thomas. There is lots of talk recently about Arizona trading down and I think it is possible but if not I think they'll take Thomas here. Brwon may be better but Thomas is safer.
6. Atlanta (via trade with Detroit): Laron Landry. The kid is one of the best players in this draft.
7. Minnesota: Adrian Peterson. Even Speilman can't mess this one up. Peterson can't keep falling. Not a huge need for Minnesota but the talent drop-off is steep ffrom here on out. .
8. Detorit- Jamal Anderson. Marinelli wants a pass rusher. I'm not too hot on Anderson but it's the Lions and Millen were talking about.
9. Miami- Levi Brown. Mueller will try to trade out of the postion and there is a possibility a team might make a move for Willis. If not, then Mueller will take Brown, who in my opinion is a reach here but the Left Tackle position has been neglected for too long. The fins will take a QB with one of their seconds.
10- Houston- L Hall. Darelle Revis is another possibility as the Texans need CB help. They will be tempted by Willis but will ultimatley go CB.
11- San Fran- P Willis. The commisioner will barely be finished taking his photo with Hall and the Texans when he will see Nolan sprinting to the table with his draft card. They love Willis and he is a great fit. Greta pick for this team.
12-Buffalo- Paul Posluszny . He fits the Jauron mold.
13- St Louis- Amobi Okoye. Loaded with potential. Rams need help on the d-line.
14- Carolina- J Moss. Carriker and Beason are possibilities here as well but I think Moss's value is rising.
15- Pittsburgh- Lawrence Timmons. Wiht the loss of Porter, the Steelers need help at linebacker.
16-G Bay- D Revis. So many possibilities here for the Pack. I wouldn't be surprised with Ginn, Olsen or Lynch but in the end they will go with Revis.
17- Jacksonville- B Merriweather. This draft has a lot of quality safeties. Nelson and Griffin are other possibilities.
18- Cincinnati- J Beason. The Bengals need help at linebacker and Beason is the best one left on the board.
19- Titans- R Meachem- A perfect fit for the Titans and Young. I really like this kid.
20- NY Giants- Dwayne Bowe- They have a lot of needs including linebacker but by the time they pick there will be slimmer pickings. Ginn and Jarrett are possibilities.
Here goes:
1. Oakland: J Russell. This pick was never a question in my mind. Unless the Raiders get an offer that will blow them away, Russell is going to Oakland. Forget about all the Kiffin talk and how he doesn't fit. That's just piffle. J Russell is a phenom and the only QB in this draft that would have been drafted in the top 10 last year. Don't believe the lies about him not being a smart Qb either. He has shown good poise and has played in a system more complicated than Quinn. He's not as polished as some other QBs at this stage but he easily will be the best Qb to come out of this draft. His skills dwarf all others. He has the chance to be special. Scouts know it. Some fans know it. Al Davis knows it.
2. Redskins (via trade with Detroit): C Johnson. There are so many possibilities with this slot. I think T Bay and Atlanta could very easily in this position as well. Not many people will argue against C Johnson being the best player in this draft but Detroit picking a WR is difficult to swallow. Millen would love to trade down and I think Snyder is enough of a gambler to take a shot. Snyder is known for mortgaging the future so don't be surprised if he does it again.
3. Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn. A Peterson's collarbone may have something to do with this pick but I think the Browns have been eyeing Quinn for a while. He's from the area and it will make for a fairytale: Star QB comes home. Then reality will set in when Quinn follows in the long line of failed Cleveland quarterbacks.
4. T Bay: Gaines Adams. They'd love to get Johnson but he'll be gone. The Bucs need help on the d-line. Kiffin will be pleased.
5. Arizona: J Thomas. There is lots of talk recently about Arizona trading down and I think it is possible but if not I think they'll take Thomas here. Brwon may be better but Thomas is safer.
6. Atlanta (via trade with Detroit): Laron Landry. The kid is one of the best players in this draft.
7. Minnesota: Adrian Peterson. Even Speilman can't mess this one up. Peterson can't keep falling. Not a huge need for Minnesota but the talent drop-off is steep ffrom here on out. .
8. Detorit- Jamal Anderson. Marinelli wants a pass rusher. I'm not too hot on Anderson but it's the Lions and Millen were talking about.
9. Miami- Levi Brown. Mueller will try to trade out of the postion and there is a possibility a team might make a move for Willis. If not, then Mueller will take Brown, who in my opinion is a reach here but the Left Tackle position has been neglected for too long. The fins will take a QB with one of their seconds.
10- Houston- L Hall. Darelle Revis is another possibility as the Texans need CB help. They will be tempted by Willis but will ultimatley go CB.
11- San Fran- P Willis. The commisioner will barely be finished taking his photo with Hall and the Texans when he will see Nolan sprinting to the table with his draft card. They love Willis and he is a great fit. Greta pick for this team.
12-Buffalo- Paul Posluszny . He fits the Jauron mold.
13- St Louis- Amobi Okoye. Loaded with potential. Rams need help on the d-line.
14- Carolina- J Moss. Carriker and Beason are possibilities here as well but I think Moss's value is rising.
15- Pittsburgh- Lawrence Timmons. Wiht the loss of Porter, the Steelers need help at linebacker.
16-G Bay- D Revis. So many possibilities here for the Pack. I wouldn't be surprised with Ginn, Olsen or Lynch but in the end they will go with Revis.
17- Jacksonville- B Merriweather. This draft has a lot of quality safeties. Nelson and Griffin are other possibilities.
18- Cincinnati- J Beason. The Bengals need help at linebacker and Beason is the best one left on the board.
19- Titans- R Meachem- A perfect fit for the Titans and Young. I really like this kid.
20- NY Giants- Dwayne Bowe- They have a lot of needs including linebacker but by the time they pick there will be slimmer pickings. Ginn and Jarrett are possibilities.
