i also been looking ahead and live this mock better....seems more realistic.
Updated October 20, 2006 Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3
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1. OAKLAND RAIDERS
BRADY QUINN QB | Notre Dame | Scouting Report
It has become pretty clear that Oakland is the worst team in the league and if they do ultimately end up with the #1 overall pick they will have no choice but to take Brady Quinn. One reason the Raiders passed on Matt Leinart last year is because they felt Andrew Walter could be their quarterback of the future but so far he's done nothing to earn that title and he's just not good enough to justify passing on a potential star like Quinn. A prototypical quarterback with everything you look for both in terms of both physical tools and intangibles, Quinn also has the pedigree of having been tutored by Charlie Weis which's a factor that can't be underestimated.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS
CALVIN JOHNSON WR | Georgia Tech | Scouting Report
The Niners rebuilding effort are in full swing but there is still work to be done and the next step in Alex Smith's development is to provide him with a true #1 wide receiver. Calvin Johnson has a phenomenal package of skills, with a blend of size, speed, hands and body control that you rarely, if ever, see in a prospect. This guy is a man amongst boys at the college level and one of the best wideout prospects to come along in a while, which is really saying something when you consider that recent drafts have produced the likes of Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Roy Williams, Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edwards. Johnson is the definition of an elite prospect.
3. GREEN BAY PACKERS
ADRIAN PETERSON RB | Oklahoma | Scouting Report
At this point the Packers are merely waiting for Brett Favre to retire so they can officially move on and begin rebuilding, although when you consider how many youngsters they're already playing it wouldn't be hard to make the argument that they already are. One area where they don't have a quality young player is running back, where it's become very clear that Ahman Green's best days are behind him, so the opportunity to bring in a guy like Adrian Peterson might be too tempting to pass up. The only question mark with Peterson, who's been compared to Eric Dickerson, is his durability but he's such a rare talent that teams will be willing to overlook it.
4. HOUSTON TEXANS
JOE THOMAS OT | Wisconsin | Scouting Report
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Texans have been looking for a top left tackle since their inception (remember Tony Boselli?) and this is their chance to finally land one because Charles Spencer is just not the long-term solution there. Joe Thomas was given a Top 10-15 overall draft grade by the NFL's Underclassmen Advisory Panel a year ago but opted to return to school for his senior season after tearing knee ligaments in the Badgers bowl game. A great athlete for the position, Thomas isn't quite in D'Brickashaw Ferguson's league as a pass blocker but he might end up being a better all-around prospect by the time all is said and done.
5. DETROIT LIONS
QUENTIN MOSES DE | Georgia | Scouting Report
After investing so many of their top draft picks on the offensive side of the ball in recent years the Lions took a new approach last year by tabbing Ernie Sims and with defensive specialist Rod Marinelli at the helm you can bet he will continue to push for upgrades on that side of the ball. James Hall is solid at one starting end spot but Cory Redding is only an average starter at best and a bit of a 'tweener so they could really use an impact pass rusher like Quentin Moses. A former basketball player, Moses will carry on Georgia's tradition of sending top defensive linemen to the pros and give Marinelli a new version of Simeon Rice like he had in Tampa Bay.
6. MIAMI DOLPHINS
GAINES ADAMS DE | Clemson | Scouting Report
In his heart Nick Saban will always be a defensive guy so even though the offense has had its struggles there is a good chance he will be in the market for an impact defender with this pick. One area that needs to be addressed is linebacker, where the likes of Donnie Spragan and Keith Newman just aren't starting material. Saban would like to add an attacking pass rusher to play with Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder so a defensive end / outside linebacker hybrid like Gaines Adams would be a perfect fit. Even though he plays the line now he is athletic enough to stand up at the pro level in the right scheme and Saban will be able to utilize that versatility.
7. TENNESSEE TITANS
LEON HALL CB | Michigan | Scouting Report
A couple of years ago Tennessee invested a Top 10 pick on Pacman Jones and despite his numerous off-the-field troubles his play on the field has lived up to their expectations. The problem, however, is that outside of Jones the Titans really don't have another starting-caliber cornerback on the roster so that is an area they will look to address. Leon Hall is the next great Wolverine defensive back and not only is he a productive coverman but he isn't afraid to come up and help support the run either. The addition of Hall would give the Titans a great young pair of corners while moving Reynaldo Hill and Courtland Finnegan to the backup roles they're suited for.
8. BUFFALO BILLS
SAM BAKER OT | USC | Scouting Report
At right tackle the Bills are extremely excited about the potential of Jason Peters, who they recently signed to a long-term contract extension, but Mike Gandy is a liability on the left side. Arguably the best player on what have been some very talented Trojan offensive lines, Baker is the premier left tackle prospect in the junior class and he would likely be a very high pick should he opt to enter the draft early. Depending on how J.P. Losman develops down the stretch quarterback could be an option as well but the addition of Sam Baker would complete Buffalo's offensive line makeover and give them one of the top sets of young offensive tackles in the NFL.
9. CLEVELAND BROWNS
TED GINN JR. WR | Ohio St. | Scouting Report
This franchise has been trying to find offensive playmakers for years now and even though Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow II are developing nicely and starting to come into their own they could still use some additional help. Ted Ginn, Jr. is a local Ohio product with world-class speed who is a threat to take it the distance anytime he gets his hands on the ball, whether it be as a receiver, a return man or on trick plays. Adding a talent like Ginn, who's the best player available, would do wonders for quarterback Charlie Frye while giving their offense a whole new dimension and bringing in a local legend wouldn't hurt from a public relations standpoint either.
10. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
BRIAN BROHM QB | Louisville | Scouting Report
Not that long ago it appeared that Chris Simms would be the Bucs quarterback for years to come but now it doesn't look like he will even be on the team in 2007. Jon Gruden does seem to like rookie Bruce Gradkowski but he was a 6th round pick and is probably more of a backup at the pro level so the opportunity to bring in an elite signal caller like Brohm would be very tempting. Were it not for concerns about his durability Brohm would likely have been long gone by this point and he could still very easily go much, much higher should he opt to come out early. This pick would finally give Gruden the true franchise quarterback he has long been searching for.
11. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
ALAN BRANCH DT | Michigan | Scouting Report
In just the past couple of offseasons this franchise has done a tremendous job of upgrading their defense at both linebacker (Derrick Johnson & Kendrell Bell) and in the secondary (Patrick Surtain & Ty Law) and while Jared Allen and Tamba Hali are keepers at defensive end the interior of the line needs some major help. Former 6th overall pick Ryan Sims has simply been a major bust and the Chiefs just don't have anything close to resembling an impact player at defensive tackle but bringing in Alan Branch would change all that. A massive presence (6-6, 331) on the interior, Branch is extremely strong, can stuff the run and also get after the quarterback.
12. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
MARCUS MCCAULEY CB | Fresno St. | Scouting Report
In recent years the Skins have done a lot to overhaul their secondary, using high draft picks on Sean Taylor and Carlos Rogers while also investing serious free agent dollars in Shawn Springs and Adam Archuletta. Even though they have an excellent starting secondary core the overall depth leaves a lot to be desired, especially at cornerback where they are so desperate that Mike Rumph and Kenny Wright are the #3 and #4 options. Marcus McCauley is a much better prospect than Richard Marshall was and he really has everything you look for in a top cornerback in terms of size (6-1, 205) and speed (4.3) so the Redskins would be lucky to land him here.
13. NEW YORK JETS
MARSHAWN LYNCH RB | California | Scouting Report
Regardless of whether Curtis Martin retires or not his career as a starting running back in the NFL is over and the Jets desperately need an upgrade over the likes of Kevan Barlow, Derrick Blalock, Cedric Houston and Leon Washington. Lynch has been very productive throughout his career and is a dynamic big play threat who can take it the distance at any time. In the first year under a new regime the Jets devoted the vast majority of their Draft Day attention to lunch pail guys (i.e. two offensive linemen in round one) but the time is right to bring in some skill position talent and Lynch would be a good pick at this point. Never rule out defense though.
14. ARIZONA CARDINALS
JAKE LONG OT | Michigan | Scouting Report
In recent years the Cardinals have assembled one of the best young offenses in the league but all of that talent at quarterback, running back and wide receiver will mean nothing if they can't block up front. To say that the Arizona offensive line has been terrible would be an understatement and the biggest problem area is right tackle, where Oliver Ross has been a bust since signing as a free agent. Jake Long is the next great Michigan offensive lineman and after losing a lot of weight he's looked great at left tackle for the Wolverines, although his future is on the right side as a pro. Arizona simply has to upgrade the o-line in order to take that next step.
15. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DWAYNE JARRETT WR | USC | Scouting Report
This team was once known for having some of the best wide receivers in all the league but that is just not the case these days and the Vikings are desperate for playmakers in the passing game. Despite all his troubles with dropped balls Troy Williams (who they essentially traded Randy Moss for) still has a lot of promise but after that there is very little to get excited about. A prolific wideout since his true freshman season with the Trojans, Dwayne Jarrett has outstanding size and a real knack for getting in the end zone so despite his lack of blazing speed he could go higher than this and become the player that Mike Williams was supposed to be.
16. ST. LOUIS RAMS
PAUL POSLUSZNY OLB | Penn St. | Scouting Report
For a long time linebacker has been a major problem area for the Rams and while they now have two-thirds's of their starters locked up (Will Witherspoon & Pisa Tinoisamoa) there is still one more spot to address because Brandon Chillar just isn't the answer. Many have called "Puz" one of the best, if not the best, linebacker the Nittany Lions have produced and that is saying something when you consider the school has been tabbed "Linebacker U". He still doesn't look totally recovered from his knee injury but in many ways Posluszny is a poor-man's A.J. Hawk as he possesses excellent instincts and somehow always seems to be around the action.
17. DALLAS COWBOYS
LEVI BROWN OT | Penn St. | Scouting Report
The offensive line is without question the biggest problem area in Big D and the fact that Marc Colombo is starting for them speaks volumes about the state of that group. Levi Brown is a mountain of a man at 6-5 and 325 pounds and while he could potentially play left tackle in the pros like he does for the Nittany Lions he'd be of greater service replacing Colombo on the right side for the Cowboys. This may be just a slight reach but when you are as desperate for offensive line help as Dallas is you tend to do whatever is necessary to bring in help even if it means taking a guy like Brown ten spots early then so be it, although Justin Blalock would work as well.
18. ATLANTA FALCONS
LARON LANDRY S | L.S.U. | Scouting Report
Last offseason the Falcons completely made over the safety position and brought in Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker to be the new starters. Even though that duo has certainly been an improvement over what they had there is still basically little or no depth and Milloy is nearing the end of his career so it might be time to bring in a youngster. LaRon Landry almost entered the draft last year but wisely decided to go back to school for his senior season, which should pay dividends as he might be the first safety chosen this year. A true playmaker and ballhawk in every sense of the word, Landry can be an impact player in the deep patrol in the mold of Ed Reed.
19. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
KENNY IRONS RB | Auburn | Scouting Report
A man named Irons playing in the Steel City? Brilliant! Granted Willie Parker has come on and established himself as the #1 running back in Pittsburgh but this team excelled with a rotational system and bringing in Irons would only help to make Parker better. After transferring from South Carolina Kenny Irons burst onto the scene in 2005 and led the SEC in rushing despite only starting nine games and while he hasn't put up those types of numbers as a senior he is still considered to be the top senior runner. Bo Jackson, Stephen Davis, Rudi Johnson, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown and now you can add the name Kenny Irons to that list.
20. NEW YORK GIANTS
QUINN PITCOCK DT | Ohio St. | Scouting Report
About the only way to describe the state of the Giants defensive tackle situation is ugly, with perennial underachiever Fred Robbins holding down one starting spot, rookie fourth rounder Barry Cofield beside him and former first round bust William Joseph relegated to backup duty. The G-Men just might have the best group of defensive ends in the league but they probably have the worst group of tackles so it's high time to bring in some help. Even though Ohio St. lost a ton of defensive talent to the 2006 NFL Draft the Buckeyes still have a stud in Pitcock up front, who can be an all-around force in the middle both against the run as well as the pass.
21. BALTIMORE RAVENS
JUSTIN BLALOCK OG | Texas | Scouting Report
When trying to pinpoint the source of the Ravens offensive struggles the past two years you keep coming back to the offensive line because the guys up front simply haven't gotten the job done. Adding a versatile player like Justin Blalock to that group would be just what the doctor ordered though and as a college right tackle who could also move inside to guard at the next level the team would have options because they need some help at both spots. You don't often see guards go this high but Blalock is the type of prospect who can be the exception to that rule and he would be a perfect fit for the Ravens at this point in round one if still available.
22. CINCINNATI BENGALS
FRANK OKAM DT | Texas | Scouting Report
Despite bringing in veteren Sam Adams and investing a draft pick in Domata Peko the Bengals are still ranked 25th in the league in rush defense and are giving up 140 yards per game on the ground, which isn't acceptable. The big problem for Cincy is that while they have a bunch of solid players on the defensive line they don't have any impact players or difference makers so bringing in a guy like Frank Okam would be a major upgrade. An excellent physical specimen who can dominate at times, Okam's best football is still ahead of him and he could very easily go higher than this. Defensive end is also a major need but there isn't much value left here.
23. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
PATRICK WILLIS ILB | Ole Miss | Scouting Report
The Jags boast one of the best defenses in the entire league but they could use some reinforcements at linebacker, where Mike Peterson is getting older and rookie Clint Ingram has yet to establish himself. At the very least quality depth is needed and the man they call "P-Willie" is versatile enough to help out at either inside or outside. Willis is a big hitter who has put up some ouststanding numbers in relative obscurity for the Rebels the last two years. Jacksonville really doesn't have many glaring holes so trying to predict what they will do is like trying to buy a present for Bill Gates but from both a value and need standpoint Willis seems to be the best fit.
24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DARRELLE REVIS CB | Pittsburgh | Scouting Report
When it comes to starters Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are one of the best duos you will find but the depth at cornerback is severely lacking in Philly so they need to bring in some help. Darrelle Revis is a guy who doesn't get a lot of attention on the national scene but he has ideal measurables and in the minds of most he has clearly established himself as the top junior prospect at his position. Wideout might also become a need for the Eagles depending on the development of Hank Baskett and what they do with free agent Donte Stallworth but for now, assuming they stand pat with what they have, depth at corner is probably a bigger problem.
25. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
DEMARCUS TYLER DT | North Carolina St. | Scouting Report
So far one of the feel good stories of the 2006 NFL season has been the Saints, who somehow continue to win despite going 3-13 last year. Even though their win/loss record is impressive the Saints still has some pretty glaring weaknesses at defensive tackle and linebacker that they need to address. After almost taking A.J. Hawk #2 overall they would probably love to get a shot at a similar player in Paul Posluszny but since he's off the board they opt for DeMarcus Tyler. No player has helped himself as much as "Tank" this season and he might now be a first round pick next April like Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo were in 2006.
26. CAROLINA PANTHERS
BUSTER DAVIS ILB | Florida St. | Scouting Report
There were already questions about the Panthers linebacking corps but with the long-term future and playing career of Dan Morgan in serious doubt due to repeated concussions the position has now become a major concern. Throughout his career Buster Davis had been overshadowed by Ernie Sims and A.J. Nicholson but he has really come into his own as a senior and emerged as a top prospect. Davis doesn't have the ideal height that you look for at only about 5-10 but Carolina had a lot of success with another short guy by the name of Sam Mills and with his ability to play either outside or inside he'd be an ideal fit here, regardless of Morgan's situation.
27. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
MICHAEL GRIFFIN S | Texas | Scouting Report
It seems like every year the secondary is pinpointed as a major need for the Pats yet for the most part they haven't addressed it but the day is coming where they will have to bring in some help in the deep patrol. After a slew of recent injuries Rodney Harrison doesn't have much left in the tank and while James Sanders was slated to take over a starting safety job the team has seemed to sour on his future prospects so as of right now they don't have Harrison's replacement on the roster. Michael Griffin is a tackling machine, a lights out hitter and just a playmaker in the secondary who might be the next in a long line of great Longhorn defensive backs.
28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (f/SEA)
JEFF SAMARDZIJA WR | Notre Dame | Scouting Report
The Pats received this pick from Seattle for Deion Branch so why not use it to bring in another wide receiver? Jeff "The Shark" Samardzija is a great athlete with ideal size, good hands and tremendous body control and you can't underestimate the connection that he has with the Patriots, having been coaching by Bill Belichick's former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis for the past two years. Samardzija also plays minor league baseball for the Chicago Cubs which could affect his draft stock but he is a legitimate first round talent if he opts for a career on the gridiron rather than one on the diamond. At this point however that still remains a very big "if".
29. DENVER BRONCOS
VICTOR ABIAMIRI DE | Notre Dame | Scouting Report
Last year Denver was widely panned for their decision to patch the defensive line with Cleveland Brown castoffs like Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown but you have to give credit where it is due because in the end those moves worked out pretty well. However the Broncos still lack a dynamic presence up front, especially at end where Brown continues to battle the injury bug and guys like Ekuban, Lang and Engelberger all leave something to be desired as starters at the professional level and Elvis Dumervil is more of a situational guy. Enter Victor Abiamiri, a prospect with outstanding triangle numbers who really knows how to get after the quarterback.
30. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
SIDNEY RICE WR | South Carolina | Scouting Report
The phrase that probably best describes the San Diego Chargers group of wide receivers is solid but unspectacular. Keenan McCardell is very reliable but beyond him the team has very little to get excited about and really lacks a true #1 option. Although he is just a sophomore Sidney Rice redshirted in 2004 and has been out of high school for three years which means technically he could enter this draft if he so chooses. Physically Rice has just about everything that you look for in a top receiver including outstanding size, hands and ball skills and while there are certainly some question marks the potential rewards probably outweigh all the risks at this point.
31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
AARON ROUSE S | Virginia Tech | Scouting Report
With their trade for Anthony McFarland the Colts addressed their biggest need at defensive tackle but the safety and outside linebacker positions remain concerns. In the secondary Bob Sanders is one of the best in the business but Mike Doss leaves a lot to be desired and there isn't much depth to speak of. At linebacker the Colts were counting on Gilbert Gardner to replace David Thornton but he hasn't gotten the job done and they might be looking at other options sooner rather than later. Enter Aaron Rouse, an excellent athlete with outstanding physical tools who could project to either safety or linebacker in the pros and could be their next Cato June.
32. CHICAGO BEARS
ZACH MILLER TE | Arizona St. | Scouting Report
Even though they already have one of the best defenses in the entire league the Bears used almost their entire 2006 Draft to bolster that side of the ball, ignoring a porous offense. Maybe that will turn out to be the right decision and maybe it won't but one way or another Chicago is going to have to add some impact players in the passing game and one position that is going to have to be upgraded is tight end, where Desmond Clark is extremely average. After bursting onto the scene as a true freshman in 2004 Zach Miller has been one of the most productive tight ends in the college game and would give the Bears a top pass catching threat at the position.
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