Mock Draft

As promised here is my mock of the first 16 picks. I put three hours in to this, and the funny thing is that the second I fall asleep one team will make a free agent signing and ruin the entire thing…


1. Oakland Raiders: Calvin Johnson, WR-Georgia Tech
Johnson has comparable size and athletic ability to Randy Moss with out the same, uh, disposition. Roomers continue to persist of Moss’s imminent departure from Oakland, and if the Raiders can sign or acquire via trade a qb, then Johnson would be the guy to take.
2. Detroit Lions: Joe Thomas, T-Wisconsin
Thomas has the right combo of size strength and athleticism to make him a premier blind side protector. He would be the unquestioned number one pick if it weren’t for a knee injury a season ago, and as it is it wouldn’t surprise me to see some team jump to number 1 to get him.
3. Cleveland Browns: Adrian Peterson, RB-Oklahoma
Peterson put up some pretty sick numbers at last week’s scouting combine, and he would be an exhalent fit in Cleveland. His one question mark is his ability, or lack there of, to remain healthy.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE-Clemson
To be honest if Calvin Johnson is off the board when the Bucks pick, I really don’t think they will stay where they are. Word is they covet Johnson, but they may have to trade up to get him. If he does go off the board before they pick, expect the Bucks to trade down and make a play for Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn. As far is Adams, the Bucks D is still productive but getting older none the less. It may not be bad for the Buccaneers to pick up some youth to insure the continued success of their famed defense.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Jamaal Anderson, DE-Arkansas
With no strong offensive linemen around at this point, The Big Red can add a great pass rusher to the mix. Anderson would give the Cards two solid ends to build around.
6. Washington Redskins: Alan Branch, DT-Michigan
This is where mock drafts start to get tricky. Everyone and their brother has the Skins taking Gaines Adams, but I have Adams going a couple picks ahead to the Bucks. I think in that situation, the Skins would again try to slide down and take a corner. However, trades in mock drafts are lame, so I have them taking the best available linemen, Alan Branch, no slouch himself.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Meacham, WR-Tennessee
I’m making this pick working under the idea that the Vikings fail to sign WR Kevin Curtis. Call me a wishful thinker but the Rams fan in me still is holding out hope that Curtis will come back to St. Louis. Meachem has decent size, and good speed, he ran a 4.38 at the combine. His height and speed combination make him a good fit in the Vikings west coast offense.
8. Houston Texans: JaMarcus Russell, QB-Louisiana State
I think it is safe to say that the David Carr experiment is over in Houston and it is time for the team to move on. Though once again the Texans are a team that could use help on the o-line, at this point Russell would be too big of a target (literally and figuratively) for the team to pass up. The only draw back is his lack of mobility coupled with the Texans protection woes.
9. Miami Dolphins: Brady Quinn, QB-Notre Dame
It is clear that the Dolphins are not pleased with Daunte Culpepper’s performance in 2006. Quinn is an obvious pick at this position, though don’t be surprised to see another QB overtake him. The overall view towards Quinn at this point in time seems to be very negative.
10. Atlanta Falcons: LaRon Landry, DB-Louisiana State
The Falcons have been looking for a solid safety for the past few seasons, and Landry seems to be an answer to those prayers. His skills should help to give the Falcons one of the most frightening secondaries in the NFL.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Ted Ginn, jr., WR-Ohio State
The 9ers are thin at wide out, at this posting they have just three receivers on their active roster. Ginn’s speed will give Alex Smith another weapon in an ever more dangerous 49er offense.
12. Buffalo Bills: Marshawn Lynch, RB-California
Roomers continue to fly about the pending trade of current Bills RB Willis McGahee. The free agent class at the position is thin to begin with, and with McGahee still on the roster as of this posting, it appears as though the few decent backs available will be scooped up by the time the Bills are ready to make a move. This means that their only option is to turn to the draft, and Lynch isn’t a bad option to have. His explosiveness would be a welcome addition to a Buffalo offense that needs it.
13. St. Louis Rams: Amobi Okoye, DT-Louisville
The Rams biggest need going into the off season is at defensive tackle, and Okoye could be the answer to the “Run the ball here” sign also known as the Rams defensive line. Many scouts are calling Okoye one of the best d-line prospects in generations, an impressive accomplishment for a man that will become the youngest person ever drafted in to the NFL.
14. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Willis, LB-Mississippi
Despite his recently announced attempt to make a come back from a serious concussion, current Panthers middle linebacker Dan Morgan can no longer be looked at as a dependable option in Carolina. If he isn’t able to continue, Willis would be a good replacement in the middle.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Moss, DE-Florida
With new Coach Mike Tomlin likely installing the Tampa 2 defense in Pittsburg, the Steelers will need to get a good end to Anker their pass rush, especially in light of the recent release of Joey Porter.
16. Green Bay Packers: Leon Hall, DB-Michigan
The selection of Hall would give the Packers some needed help in their secondary, look for them to possibly move up or draft a wide receiver if they are not able to put together a trade for Randy Moss.