Obviously Im projecting some underclassmen going pro here... Debating whether they will is an entirely different discussion. I would include Jeff Samardzija in the first if he gives up baseball. Im having a lot of trouble finding a home for Ginn and Jarrett, and Im not quite happy with their placement in this mock. This is a rough draft, so forgive me if I forgot someone or made any obvious gaffes. Im not still not nearly settled on who gets in the first, and who's on the outside looking in, this is more the result of a mental exercise than anything else... fire away.
*-underclassmen
1. Oakland - Calvin Johnson*, WR, Georgia Tech - Best prospect in the draft. Much fewer flaws/doubts than the QBs, and Davis loves athletes. If you ask me to put a QB here, JaMarcus Russell feels more like a Davis pick than Quinn. I truly believe that once we see how Calvin Johnson measures up, he'll be the undisputed #1.
2. Detroit - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - Just seems like a Lions pick. Subject to change depending on who's in the front office on draft day. Quinn is going to be one of the most hotly debated players during the buildup to the draft. The Sugar Bowl could change the conventional wisdom that has Quinn rated the #1 QB. If Russell decisively outclasses Quinn, it might be a tipping point in their perceived comparison, much like the 2006 Rose Bowl and Leinart/Young.
3. Cleveland - Adrian Peterson*, RB, Oklahoma - A perfect match. If he doesn't go here, he could fall out of the top 7. Peterson is a tough player to gauge, because you could definitely see a traditional GM falling in love in Peterson - he's a born workhorse. He's also at one of the easiest positions to fill. His durability record could be just enough of a crack for the doubt to creep in to drop him to Houston or a team that trades up for him.
4. Tampa Bay - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin - Cant argue with him going as high as #1. Not quite the elite athlete that we're used to seeing in a franchise OT, but his all around game is just nails. I can make an argument for any team above taking him, he would probably be a more prudent investment than Quinn or Peterson.
5. Arizona - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson - Bert Berry is going to be 32 on opening day and he's missed almost 50% of the last two years. Adams is clearly the premier pass rusher in the draft. He will be a coveted player come April.
6. Washington - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan - They'd love Adams, but miss by a pick. Hall gives them a pair of physical, tough corners for the long haul - Springs has a huge cap number and may not be long for the Skins. Too bad they can't draft a new owner.
7. Minnesota - Laron Landry, S, LSU - This is a tough call. They need a pass rusher, but Adams won't last this long. They need a WR, but I don't think Ginn or Jarrett fits well in the Chili system. This is sort of a BPA pick, but Sharper aint getting any younger, and Landry would make a nice combo with Greg Blue's hitter style. Too bad they can't draft a new coach.
8. Houston - Alan Branch*, DT, Michigan - Will bring much needed help inside, freeing up Ryans to make more plays, and punishing teams for double teaming Williams. Branch is a rare type of player - you can picture him working out in just about any defensive scheme because he's massive enough to control the line of scrimmage and absorb double teams and quick enough to outmanuever a one on one matchup.
9. Miami - JaMarcus Russell*, QB, LSU - I don't know how Miami can feel good about C-pep going forward. Saban (assuming he stays) knows Russell well. The Fins could also use help in a lot of places, but the long term QB situation seems critical right now. Russell could grade out as high as #1 overall because his combo of size, strength, mobility, and arm strength is unique and game breaking.
10. Atlanta - Reggie Nelson*, S, Florida - A franchise centerfielder to improve a porous pass defense. Ginn is possible if they don't go after Randy Moss. The future of the coaching staff is a huge variable.
11. San Francisco - Darrelle Revis*, CB, Pitt - No disrespect to Walt Harris, who is having a career year, but the Niners need to improve their pass D with a shutdown corner. Revis is a gritty big play corner who went untested for long stretches. His return ability is somewhat wasted as Brandon Williams seemed to be coming on.
12. Buffalo - Levi Brown, OT, PSU - Jason Peters needs a fellow bookend. There were at least three other players/positions I almost put here. I am toying with the idea of Marshawn Lynch to replace Willis McGahee after he hits free agency in 08. Jarrett also looks interesting here. Brown will be a terrific investment of a first round pick no matter where he lands.
13. St. Louis - Ted Ginn*, WR, OSU - Instant boost to the return game and long term heir to Isaac Bruce. Other positions might be a more pressing need, but it's around this point in the first that Ginn becomes a BPA, especially for a team that is not set in the return game. Ginn is another one of those players that could go higher than expected because a GM could fall in love with him.
14. Carolina - Brian Brohm*, QB, Louisville - jeter23 assures me that he is going pro. He could go a lot higher if a team falls in love with him, but he's got durability issues, and is not an excellent athlete. I also do not like what I've seen of him under pressure. He does have eerie accuracy at times.
15. Pittsburgh - Antoine Cason*, CB, Arizona - The CB play has been mediocre at best. Bryant McFadden may hold down one long term spot, but Townsend and Taylor are stopgap guys at best. Yet another shutdown CB who basically took away one half of the field in college.
16. Green Bay- Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame - The team has given up on KGB (6.5 mil cap number in 07). Abiamiri is the best natural pass rusher after Adams. Pass rush ability is in demand and could land him higher for a team that values upside over proven production.
17. Jacksonville - Justin Blalock, OL, Texas - Blalock can help at either guard or right tackle, and he'll be a road grader in the run game.
18. Cincinnati - Tank Tyler, DT, NC State - More help up the middle for a sagging defense. Tyler could make it four for four for the 2005 Wolfpack defensive line getting into the first round (Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, John McCargo)
19. Tennessee - Michael Griffin, S, Texas - Another Rose Bowl hero for Tennessee. Are you as tired of seeing the back of Lamont Thompson's jersey as I am? CB would also make a ton of sense if they don't break the bank on Asante Samuel or Nate Clements. Jarrett looks interesting here too, pending the fate of Drew Bennett.
20. N.Y. Giants - Marshawn Lynch*, RB, Cal - Lynch + Jacobs = scary. Lynch is a quality RB that should be in play once we get to the mid-first
21. Denver - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St - It makes me sick to my stomach to even think it so soon after the event, but the tragic death of Darrent Williams means this team needs to reload at CB again. McCauley has the physical profile to be the #1 CB in the draft, but he hasn't followed through on the field this year. Looked better than Richard Marshall last year.
22. New England (from Seattle) - Dwayne Jarrett*, WR, USC - For the second straight year, the Pats have a elite offensive skill player fall into their laps. Jarrett is the coveted big WR that *should* go higher than this. He seems like a top 15 caliber prospect, I just can't find the right place for him.
23. Dallas - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville - Time to start planning fot the post-Jason Ferguson era at NT. I have to agree with the wise Chaos Commish who pointed out that Okoye's grade is more on potential (he's only 19) than play.
24. Kansas City - Quinn Pitcock, DT, OSU - A solid all around DT to help offset the Ryan Sims debacle. Like Levi Brown, a good investment of first that will be underrated because he lacks outstanding measureables.
25. New Orleans - Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi - Instant boost to one of the weakest LB corps in the league. He's a blue chip prospect who only falls this far because LB is not a premium position.
26. N.Y. Jets - LaMarr Woodley, LB/DE, Michigan - His tweener skill set fits perfectly opposite Bryan Thomas. Woodley could still go even higher to a 4-3 team hard up for a pass rush boost.
27. Philadelphia - Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal - Philly is always restocking ahead of time. It's hard to believe that they will pick 25th at best after watching McNabb go down.
28. New England - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas - Asante Samuel is going to get overpaid elsewhere. Ross is part of a large group of CBs that could test their way into the first round.
29. Indianapolis - Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU - This defense needs to get tougher and meaner. This seems about as long he could possibly last.
30. Baltimore - Lawrence Timmons*, LB, Fl St - Im projecting that someone breaks the bank on Adalius Thomas. Timmons raw ability in this defense should mean good things over time.
31. Chicago - Troy Smith, QB, OSU - This combo makes me smile. Chicago can afford to swing for the fences with this pick.
32. San Diego - Eric Weddle, S, Utah - Chargers are still looking for answers at safety.
*-underclassmen
1. Oakland - Calvin Johnson*, WR, Georgia Tech - Best prospect in the draft. Much fewer flaws/doubts than the QBs, and Davis loves athletes. If you ask me to put a QB here, JaMarcus Russell feels more like a Davis pick than Quinn. I truly believe that once we see how Calvin Johnson measures up, he'll be the undisputed #1.
2. Detroit - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - Just seems like a Lions pick. Subject to change depending on who's in the front office on draft day. Quinn is going to be one of the most hotly debated players during the buildup to the draft. The Sugar Bowl could change the conventional wisdom that has Quinn rated the #1 QB. If Russell decisively outclasses Quinn, it might be a tipping point in their perceived comparison, much like the 2006 Rose Bowl and Leinart/Young.
3. Cleveland - Adrian Peterson*, RB, Oklahoma - A perfect match. If he doesn't go here, he could fall out of the top 7. Peterson is a tough player to gauge, because you could definitely see a traditional GM falling in love in Peterson - he's a born workhorse. He's also at one of the easiest positions to fill. His durability record could be just enough of a crack for the doubt to creep in to drop him to Houston or a team that trades up for him.
4. Tampa Bay - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin - Cant argue with him going as high as #1. Not quite the elite athlete that we're used to seeing in a franchise OT, but his all around game is just nails. I can make an argument for any team above taking him, he would probably be a more prudent investment than Quinn or Peterson.
5. Arizona - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson - Bert Berry is going to be 32 on opening day and he's missed almost 50% of the last two years. Adams is clearly the premier pass rusher in the draft. He will be a coveted player come April.
6. Washington - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan - They'd love Adams, but miss by a pick. Hall gives them a pair of physical, tough corners for the long haul - Springs has a huge cap number and may not be long for the Skins. Too bad they can't draft a new owner.
7. Minnesota - Laron Landry, S, LSU - This is a tough call. They need a pass rusher, but Adams won't last this long. They need a WR, but I don't think Ginn or Jarrett fits well in the Chili system. This is sort of a BPA pick, but Sharper aint getting any younger, and Landry would make a nice combo with Greg Blue's hitter style. Too bad they can't draft a new coach.
8. Houston - Alan Branch*, DT, Michigan - Will bring much needed help inside, freeing up Ryans to make more plays, and punishing teams for double teaming Williams. Branch is a rare type of player - you can picture him working out in just about any defensive scheme because he's massive enough to control the line of scrimmage and absorb double teams and quick enough to outmanuever a one on one matchup.
9. Miami - JaMarcus Russell*, QB, LSU - I don't know how Miami can feel good about C-pep going forward. Saban (assuming he stays) knows Russell well. The Fins could also use help in a lot of places, but the long term QB situation seems critical right now. Russell could grade out as high as #1 overall because his combo of size, strength, mobility, and arm strength is unique and game breaking.
10. Atlanta - Reggie Nelson*, S, Florida - A franchise centerfielder to improve a porous pass defense. Ginn is possible if they don't go after Randy Moss. The future of the coaching staff is a huge variable.
11. San Francisco - Darrelle Revis*, CB, Pitt - No disrespect to Walt Harris, who is having a career year, but the Niners need to improve their pass D with a shutdown corner. Revis is a gritty big play corner who went untested for long stretches. His return ability is somewhat wasted as Brandon Williams seemed to be coming on.
12. Buffalo - Levi Brown, OT, PSU - Jason Peters needs a fellow bookend. There were at least three other players/positions I almost put here. I am toying with the idea of Marshawn Lynch to replace Willis McGahee after he hits free agency in 08. Jarrett also looks interesting here. Brown will be a terrific investment of a first round pick no matter where he lands.
13. St. Louis - Ted Ginn*, WR, OSU - Instant boost to the return game and long term heir to Isaac Bruce. Other positions might be a more pressing need, but it's around this point in the first that Ginn becomes a BPA, especially for a team that is not set in the return game. Ginn is another one of those players that could go higher than expected because a GM could fall in love with him.
14. Carolina - Brian Brohm*, QB, Louisville - jeter23 assures me that he is going pro. He could go a lot higher if a team falls in love with him, but he's got durability issues, and is not an excellent athlete. I also do not like what I've seen of him under pressure. He does have eerie accuracy at times.
15. Pittsburgh - Antoine Cason*, CB, Arizona - The CB play has been mediocre at best. Bryant McFadden may hold down one long term spot, but Townsend and Taylor are stopgap guys at best. Yet another shutdown CB who basically took away one half of the field in college.
16. Green Bay- Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame - The team has given up on KGB (6.5 mil cap number in 07). Abiamiri is the best natural pass rusher after Adams. Pass rush ability is in demand and could land him higher for a team that values upside over proven production.
17. Jacksonville - Justin Blalock, OL, Texas - Blalock can help at either guard or right tackle, and he'll be a road grader in the run game.
18. Cincinnati - Tank Tyler, DT, NC State - More help up the middle for a sagging defense. Tyler could make it four for four for the 2005 Wolfpack defensive line getting into the first round (Mario Williams, Manny Lawson, John McCargo)
19. Tennessee - Michael Griffin, S, Texas - Another Rose Bowl hero for Tennessee. Are you as tired of seeing the back of Lamont Thompson's jersey as I am? CB would also make a ton of sense if they don't break the bank on Asante Samuel or Nate Clements. Jarrett looks interesting here too, pending the fate of Drew Bennett.
20. N.Y. Giants - Marshawn Lynch*, RB, Cal - Lynch + Jacobs = scary. Lynch is a quality RB that should be in play once we get to the mid-first
21. Denver - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St - It makes me sick to my stomach to even think it so soon after the event, but the tragic death of Darrent Williams means this team needs to reload at CB again. McCauley has the physical profile to be the #1 CB in the draft, but he hasn't followed through on the field this year. Looked better than Richard Marshall last year.
22. New England (from Seattle) - Dwayne Jarrett*, WR, USC - For the second straight year, the Pats have a elite offensive skill player fall into their laps. Jarrett is the coveted big WR that *should* go higher than this. He seems like a top 15 caliber prospect, I just can't find the right place for him.
23. Dallas - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville - Time to start planning fot the post-Jason Ferguson era at NT. I have to agree with the wise Chaos Commish who pointed out that Okoye's grade is more on potential (he's only 19) than play.
24. Kansas City - Quinn Pitcock, DT, OSU - A solid all around DT to help offset the Ryan Sims debacle. Like Levi Brown, a good investment of first that will be underrated because he lacks outstanding measureables.
25. New Orleans - Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi - Instant boost to one of the weakest LB corps in the league. He's a blue chip prospect who only falls this far because LB is not a premium position.
26. N.Y. Jets - LaMarr Woodley, LB/DE, Michigan - His tweener skill set fits perfectly opposite Bryan Thomas. Woodley could still go even higher to a 4-3 team hard up for a pass rush boost.
27. Philadelphia - Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal - Philly is always restocking ahead of time. It's hard to believe that they will pick 25th at best after watching McNabb go down.
28. New England - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas - Asante Samuel is going to get overpaid elsewhere. Ross is part of a large group of CBs that could test their way into the first round.
29. Indianapolis - Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU - This defense needs to get tougher and meaner. This seems about as long he could possibly last.
30. Baltimore - Lawrence Timmons*, LB, Fl St - Im projecting that someone breaks the bank on Adalius Thomas. Timmons raw ability in this defense should mean good things over time.
31. Chicago - Troy Smith, QB, OSU - This combo makes me smile. Chicago can afford to swing for the fences with this pick.
32. San Diego - Eric Weddle, S, Utah - Chargers are still looking for answers at safety.
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They would shop for a free agent QB first.They will most likely be looking for a LB with speed and pass coverage/pass rush skills. Maybe a D Lineman. Maybe a WR. Positively not a QB.
I was just commenting on how the kid really hasn't won anything and has come up limp on the biggest stages.
They would shop for a free agent QB first.They will most likely be looking for a LB with speed and pass coverage/pass rush skills. Maybe a D Lineman. Maybe a WR. Positively not a QB.Just saying - other than that I like most of your picks-
