KingCrowder
Perennial All-Pro
I have been messing with this for a little while. Reading the scouting reports, and putting aside my personal feelings on players to try and determine how the teams will draft. Tell me what you think.
1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
Johnson seems to have separated himself from the rest of the field, which makes this an interesting pick. The Raiders need offensive line help in the worst way and a franchise quarterback, but Johnson has the type of freakish physical ability Al Davis loves. Of course, this pick probably means either Jerry Porter or Randy Moss (maybe both) are gone, but that could happen regardless of who the Raiders select because of the lack of team attitude each displayed in 2006.
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin
Fans may scream when the Lions pass on a franchise QB for the second year in a row, but Jon Kitna is more than adequate, and there’s no sense in bringing in the QB of the future until something is done about the offensive line.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamaal Anderson, DE Arkansas
Unless he agrees to a pay cut, Simeon Rice is most likely on his way out of Tampa and Greg Spires will be 33 when the 2007 season begins. Anderson would give the Bucs a young pass rusher to develop.
4. Cleveland Browns - JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU
The Browns need some work on their offensive line as well, but with Thomas off the board, there’s not another lineman worth this high of a pick. It’s tough to judge QB Charlie Frye’s performance because of the lack of pass protection, but I just don’t see him developing into a franchise-type guy. With the success Vince Young had his rookie year, I’d look for someone to grab Russell early, hoping for a similar type of turnaround.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Reggie Nelson, FS Florida
Matt Leinart has tremendous potential and plenty of weapons to work with, but lacks the protection from his offensive line. Again, there isn‘t an offensive lineman worth this high of a pick after Thomas. Teaming Nelson up with Adrian Wilson would give the Cardinals a formidable pair of safeties to help solidify the team’s secondary. A trade down is also a big possibility.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE Clemson
Phillip Daniels is 33 years old, and has never really been a big pass-rushing threat. Adams might be a little small at 260 pounds, but he could contribute immediately as a pass-rush specialist. He also has the frame to put on another 10-15 pounds without losing much of his agility.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Ted Ginn Jr., WR Ohio State
The Vikings really felt the effects of a lack of playmaking receivers in 2006. And while they probably would prefer to bring in some experience at the position, it doesn’t look like there will be much available through free agency, So they Think Ginn is their guy. Ginn has great speed and could also be a great return man.
8. Houston Texans - Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma
The Texans missed the chance to draft a dynamic runner in Reggie Bush last year, but if Peterson is available when they pick, I doubt they make the same mistake again. Peterson has a tendency to run a little high, and injuries are a concern. But when he’s healthy, he’s a big-play back.
9. Miami Dolphins - Alan Branch, DT Michigan
Keith Traylor will be 38 when the 2007 season begins, and Vonnie Holliday is no spring chicken himself. Branch has the size and strength needed to man the nose position in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive set.
10. Atlanta Falcons - LaRon Landry, S LSU
The Falcons revamped their safety position last offseason, and it has worked out for the better, but there is still room for improvement. Lawyer Milloy is 33 years old, and beyond the starters, there just isn’t much depth.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Leon Hall, CB Michigan
The 49ers are near the bottom of the league in pass defense and need an upgrade on the right side. Walt Harris is having career year, but will be 33 next season, so the position should be high on the team‘s list of needs to fill in the offseason.
12. Buffalo Bills - Justin Blalock, OG/OT Texas
The Bills’ offensive line improved as the season progressed, but the team could still use an upgrade on the right side. Blalock is a bulldozer who could play either the right guard or tackle position.
13. St. Louis Rams - Charles Johnson, DE Georgia
Rookie Victor Adeyanju showed some promise in 2006 as a run-stopper, but he lacks pass-rushing skills and only recorded one sack all year. Also, Leonard Little will be 33 years old this year, so they need to work another pass rusher into mix.
14. Carolina Panthers - Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame
Jake Delhomme seemed to regress somewhat in 2006, and some of the blame should fall on his offensive line. Although the veteran should have a couple good years left in him, Quinn would be tough to pass on if he falls this far.
15. Green Bay Packers - Marcus McCauley, CB Fresno State
The Packers have two guys over 30 starting at cornerback, and one of them isn’t happy with his contract. McCauley has good size for a corner, and great speed and explosiveness for his size.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers - Quentin Moses, DE/OLB Georgia
Joey Porter is on the downside of his career, and wasn’t nearly as effective as a pass rusher in 2006. Moses has the athletic ability to play off the ball in coverage and to rush the quarterback.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
The Jaguars already have a solid defense, but Posluszny would be a huge upgrade on the outside.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville
There’s talk that the Bengals could move to a 3-4 defense, and Okoye has the ability to play the nose. If the team stays with the 3-4, they still need an upgrade at defensive tackle, and at just 19-years old, Okoye is still learning and improving. He probably has the biggest upside of any tackle in the draft.
19. Tennessee Titans - Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
If the Titans want to take full advantage of Vince Young’s abilities, they need playmakers who will help spread the field. While Jarrett lacks elite speed, he should be a dependable target, especially in the red zone.
20. New York Giants - Darrelle Revis, CB Pittsburgh
The Giants have a veteran secondary, but they were exposed somewhat when their defensive ends went down. Getting their pass rush back will help disguise the deficiencies, but with both starting corners past 30 years of age, it’s time to bring in a new potential No. 1.
21. Denver Broncos - Marcus Thomas, DT Florida
The Broncos brought in a bunch of retreads last year, and the move paid off. But they could still use an upgrade, and another fresh body, to add to the rotation at defensive tackle.
22. New England Patriots (from Seattle) - Daymeion Hughes, CB California
The health of the Patriots defensive backfield has been a problem in recent years, and they could certainly use some depth at both cornerback and safety. Hughes is the type of physical player Bill Belichick likes in his defensive backs.
23. Dallas Cowboys - Brandon Meriweather, FS Miami
Free safety was a big problem for the Cowboys defense this year, and although Meriweather has some character concerns, he would be a good value and fit for the Cowboys here assuming his problems are a thing of the past.
24. Kansas City Chiefs - Levi Brown, OT Penn State
Age is creeping up on the Chiefs offensive line, and Brown has the potential to be a very solid pass protector and is already a good run blocker.
25. New Orleans Saints - Patrick Willis, LB Ole Miss
The Saints defense came around toward the end of the season, but they still need to concentrate on filling some holes on that side of the ball during the draft. Willis would be a big addition to a questionable linebacking corps.
26. New York Jets - Marshawn Lynch, RB California
The Jets like Leon Washington, but I’m not sure they look at him as a featured back. With Curtis Martin most likely done, it would be tough for the Jets to pass on Lynch if he is available at this point.
27. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Weddle, S Utah
The Eagles generally address their lines early in the draft, but they really don’t have any pressing needs on either at this time. Michael Lewis has struggled at strong safety this year, and Sean Considine is a better fit at free safety.
28. New England Patriots - Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB Purdue
Because of age, the Patriots biggest need may be inside linebacker, and Spencer looks more like a linebacker in the NFL than a defensive end. His versatility to play on either the inside or outside should be attractive to the Pats.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Tanard Jackson, CB Syracuse
Jackson is a great athlete with good cover skills, who has been overlooked somewhat because he played for a poor Syracuse squad.
30. San Diego Chargers - Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Keenan McCardell is near the end of his career, Eric Parker leaves a little to be desired as a No. 2. Vincent Jackson seems to be developing nicely, but the team needs another solid option in the passing game.
31. Chicago Bears - Tony Ugoh, OT Arkansas,
Having beefed up the defense and special teams in the 2006 draft, the Bears will probably look to the offense early in 2007. With age becoming a little bit of a concern, any position along the offensive line could be addressed with this pick. If not an offensive lineman, the next logical choice is tight end.
32. Indianapolis Colts - Lawrence Timmons, LB FloridaState
Cato June is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the season, and neither Gilbert Gardner nor Rob Morris is a long-term answer on the outside.
1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
Johnson seems to have separated himself from the rest of the field, which makes this an interesting pick. The Raiders need offensive line help in the worst way and a franchise quarterback, but Johnson has the type of freakish physical ability Al Davis loves. Of course, this pick probably means either Jerry Porter or Randy Moss (maybe both) are gone, but that could happen regardless of who the Raiders select because of the lack of team attitude each displayed in 2006.
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin
Fans may scream when the Lions pass on a franchise QB for the second year in a row, but Jon Kitna is more than adequate, and there’s no sense in bringing in the QB of the future until something is done about the offensive line.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamaal Anderson, DE Arkansas
Unless he agrees to a pay cut, Simeon Rice is most likely on his way out of Tampa and Greg Spires will be 33 when the 2007 season begins. Anderson would give the Bucs a young pass rusher to develop.
4. Cleveland Browns - JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU
The Browns need some work on their offensive line as well, but with Thomas off the board, there’s not another lineman worth this high of a pick. It’s tough to judge QB Charlie Frye’s performance because of the lack of pass protection, but I just don’t see him developing into a franchise-type guy. With the success Vince Young had his rookie year, I’d look for someone to grab Russell early, hoping for a similar type of turnaround.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Reggie Nelson, FS Florida
Matt Leinart has tremendous potential and plenty of weapons to work with, but lacks the protection from his offensive line. Again, there isn‘t an offensive lineman worth this high of a pick after Thomas. Teaming Nelson up with Adrian Wilson would give the Cardinals a formidable pair of safeties to help solidify the team’s secondary. A trade down is also a big possibility.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE Clemson
Phillip Daniels is 33 years old, and has never really been a big pass-rushing threat. Adams might be a little small at 260 pounds, but he could contribute immediately as a pass-rush specialist. He also has the frame to put on another 10-15 pounds without losing much of his agility.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Ted Ginn Jr., WR Ohio State
The Vikings really felt the effects of a lack of playmaking receivers in 2006. And while they probably would prefer to bring in some experience at the position, it doesn’t look like there will be much available through free agency, So they Think Ginn is their guy. Ginn has great speed and could also be a great return man.
8. Houston Texans - Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma
The Texans missed the chance to draft a dynamic runner in Reggie Bush last year, but if Peterson is available when they pick, I doubt they make the same mistake again. Peterson has a tendency to run a little high, and injuries are a concern. But when he’s healthy, he’s a big-play back.
9. Miami Dolphins - Alan Branch, DT Michigan
Keith Traylor will be 38 when the 2007 season begins, and Vonnie Holliday is no spring chicken himself. Branch has the size and strength needed to man the nose position in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive set.
10. Atlanta Falcons - LaRon Landry, S LSU
The Falcons revamped their safety position last offseason, and it has worked out for the better, but there is still room for improvement. Lawyer Milloy is 33 years old, and beyond the starters, there just isn’t much depth.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Leon Hall, CB Michigan
The 49ers are near the bottom of the league in pass defense and need an upgrade on the right side. Walt Harris is having career year, but will be 33 next season, so the position should be high on the team‘s list of needs to fill in the offseason.
12. Buffalo Bills - Justin Blalock, OG/OT Texas
The Bills’ offensive line improved as the season progressed, but the team could still use an upgrade on the right side. Blalock is a bulldozer who could play either the right guard or tackle position.
13. St. Louis Rams - Charles Johnson, DE Georgia
Rookie Victor Adeyanju showed some promise in 2006 as a run-stopper, but he lacks pass-rushing skills and only recorded one sack all year. Also, Leonard Little will be 33 years old this year, so they need to work another pass rusher into mix.
14. Carolina Panthers - Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame
Jake Delhomme seemed to regress somewhat in 2006, and some of the blame should fall on his offensive line. Although the veteran should have a couple good years left in him, Quinn would be tough to pass on if he falls this far.
15. Green Bay Packers - Marcus McCauley, CB Fresno State
The Packers have two guys over 30 starting at cornerback, and one of them isn’t happy with his contract. McCauley has good size for a corner, and great speed and explosiveness for his size.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers - Quentin Moses, DE/OLB Georgia
Joey Porter is on the downside of his career, and wasn’t nearly as effective as a pass rusher in 2006. Moses has the athletic ability to play off the ball in coverage and to rush the quarterback.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
The Jaguars already have a solid defense, but Posluszny would be a huge upgrade on the outside.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville
There’s talk that the Bengals could move to a 3-4 defense, and Okoye has the ability to play the nose. If the team stays with the 3-4, they still need an upgrade at defensive tackle, and at just 19-years old, Okoye is still learning and improving. He probably has the biggest upside of any tackle in the draft.
19. Tennessee Titans - Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
If the Titans want to take full advantage of Vince Young’s abilities, they need playmakers who will help spread the field. While Jarrett lacks elite speed, he should be a dependable target, especially in the red zone.
20. New York Giants - Darrelle Revis, CB Pittsburgh
The Giants have a veteran secondary, but they were exposed somewhat when their defensive ends went down. Getting their pass rush back will help disguise the deficiencies, but with both starting corners past 30 years of age, it’s time to bring in a new potential No. 1.
21. Denver Broncos - Marcus Thomas, DT Florida
The Broncos brought in a bunch of retreads last year, and the move paid off. But they could still use an upgrade, and another fresh body, to add to the rotation at defensive tackle.
22. New England Patriots (from Seattle) - Daymeion Hughes, CB California
The health of the Patriots defensive backfield has been a problem in recent years, and they could certainly use some depth at both cornerback and safety. Hughes is the type of physical player Bill Belichick likes in his defensive backs.
23. Dallas Cowboys - Brandon Meriweather, FS Miami
Free safety was a big problem for the Cowboys defense this year, and although Meriweather has some character concerns, he would be a good value and fit for the Cowboys here assuming his problems are a thing of the past.
24. Kansas City Chiefs - Levi Brown, OT Penn State
Age is creeping up on the Chiefs offensive line, and Brown has the potential to be a very solid pass protector and is already a good run blocker.
25. New Orleans Saints - Patrick Willis, LB Ole Miss
The Saints defense came around toward the end of the season, but they still need to concentrate on filling some holes on that side of the ball during the draft. Willis would be a big addition to a questionable linebacking corps.
26. New York Jets - Marshawn Lynch, RB California
The Jets like Leon Washington, but I’m not sure they look at him as a featured back. With Curtis Martin most likely done, it would be tough for the Jets to pass on Lynch if he is available at this point.
27. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Weddle, S Utah
The Eagles generally address their lines early in the draft, but they really don’t have any pressing needs on either at this time. Michael Lewis has struggled at strong safety this year, and Sean Considine is a better fit at free safety.
28. New England Patriots - Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB Purdue
Because of age, the Patriots biggest need may be inside linebacker, and Spencer looks more like a linebacker in the NFL than a defensive end. His versatility to play on either the inside or outside should be attractive to the Pats.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Tanard Jackson, CB Syracuse
Jackson is a great athlete with good cover skills, who has been overlooked somewhat because he played for a poor Syracuse squad.
30. San Diego Chargers - Robert Meachem, Tennessee
Keenan McCardell is near the end of his career, Eric Parker leaves a little to be desired as a No. 2. Vincent Jackson seems to be developing nicely, but the team needs another solid option in the passing game.
31. Chicago Bears - Tony Ugoh, OT Arkansas,
Having beefed up the defense and special teams in the 2006 draft, the Bears will probably look to the offense early in 2007. With age becoming a little bit of a concern, any position along the offensive line could be addressed with this pick. If not an offensive lineman, the next logical choice is tight end.
32. Indianapolis Colts - Lawrence Timmons, LB FloridaState
Cato June is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the season, and neither Gilbert Gardner nor Rob Morris is a long-term answer on the outside.
