Got this off finheaven.com, the guy tha posted it has ties to alot of circles in the nfl and goes by the name boomer. Its never going to be perfect but I like his approach and insight. Picks 16-32 will be coming shortly.
Boomer Mock in Finheaven.com
1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson - WR - Georgia Tech
I've never bought the obsession of placing Russell with the Raiders. Lane Kiffin is a West Coast guy, with a very West Coast offensive co-ordinator in Gregg Knapp, who has worked with a WCO since 1995. Playing that system with Russell isn't going to serve his telents to their fullest capacity - he'd essentially be wasted playing in that quick drop, short route offense. Johnson is the best player in the draft - maybe the best player in 10 drafts - and Oakland isn't that far away from being a decent team. If they can secure the OL and add a couple of players to a pretty good, young defense, Kiffin might have a good year. There is, as I reported yesterday, that small and vociferous band of coaches and scouts, led by Kiffin, calling for Brady Quinn, but I think CJ is the pick. Al Davis personally called Ikaika Alama-Francis last week and intonated that he would be their pick at the top of round 2, but with so many good young guards, I can't see them looking anywhere else but there. They have a new OL coach and things might just turn around quickly for them. Johnson will be a huge part of that.
2. Detroit Lions - Gaines Adams - DE - Clemson.
The first two picks out of the pipe from the ACC? Could happen. Rod Marinelli struck something close to gold last season with Ernie Sims and adding Adams to that defense will only aid their resurrection. Could they use a LT or a back? They could, but with Jeff Backus and George Foster, as well as former UT standout Jon Scott, they are probably OK there. They added Tatum Bell and TJ Duckett to play with Kevin Jones and Brian Calhoun, so I'd think Peterson won't be the pick. Could they add a QB? Absolutely, but this is a franchise that has been burned early with passers before, notably Joey Harrington and Andre Ware, and I suspect that they'll pick one from Trent Edwards, Kevin Kolb or Drew Stanton in round 2, lessening the pressure on both the franchise and the player. Can they trade down? They'd like to and that opportunity will deepen if the Raiders pass on Johnson. But Adams gives them that edge rusher they lack and another young stud for Rod's defense.
3. Cleveland Browns - JaMarcus Russell - QB - LSU
Russell is the Lions QB of choice if he falls. Whilst Phil Savage and Romeo Crennell would rather take Peterson or Joe Thomas because of the instant success they would likely bring, it's the long term view of the franchise that is best served with this selection. If Russell is gone, I'd call it a toss up between Peterson and Quinn. I think Randy Lerner might win out, although choosing between two hometown heroes is not a bad proposition for the Brownies. They told T/G Arron Sears he would be their pick in round 2, but unless they see him at LT, which is unlikely, I don't see it. But they would definitely like some talent up there to compliment Steinbach and some targets for Russell to throw to.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Amobi Okoye - DT - Louisville
The Bucs could go one of a few ways. Jon Gruden has fallen in love summarily with Okoye, Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson over the last few weeks, eulogising over Quinn's private workout for him in South Bend where he threw to Bucs WR's Michael Clayton and Mo Stovall, then salivating over the prospect of bringing in Peterson and playing him with Carnell Williams. But having seen Okoye up close and personal in Mobile, his ability in the Tampa 2 defense is almost un-pass-upable. Yes, they'd love to draft Calvin Johnson and if he falls, they'll do everything to get him, but that defense isn't getting any younger and with offensive investment in Clayton, Williams, Davin Joseph, Dan Buenning, Alex Smith, etc., that defensive line that lost Booger McFarland and has an ageing Simeon Rice could use the infusion of youth and tremendous talent that Okoye brings. Of course, despite having Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown, Jeff Garcia and Bruce Eugene, Gruden could take Quinn or he could take Joe Thomas, but the signing of a still effective Luke Petigiout probably nullifies the latter.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas - LT - Wisconsin
The Cards can sit tight and let the best LT in the draft fall into their laps. On a good, young team, with a franchise passer, drafting Thomas gives Matt Leinart the opportunity to get the ball down the field to his playmakers. They could of course pull a surprise and take the 2nd best player in the draft in Adrian Peterson, as Whisenhunt isn't convinced that Edgerrin James is still the downhill runner that he requires for this offense. And you can expect that with Russ Grimm on the team, that Thomas won't be the only grunt to come in during the draft, but I think with the 5th pick, Joe Thomas will be getting a call on his boat from the desert.
6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch - DT - Michigan
I don't think the Skins will stay at this pick. I think both Chicago and Denver have aspirations on the 6 slot. Chicago still have a disgruntled Lance Briggs and Denver wants to get it's hands on Joe Staley or Adrian Peterson. I think Miami would have a strong interest and I think that Houston might want to get above Atlanta. And don't rule out the Bills and the Pack wanting to get here. But I don't predict trades, so I'll stand pat with the Skins. They need big time help at defensive tackle and whilst he's had a pretty disastrous off-season, the news that he's been struggling potentially with a stress fracture or at the very least severe shin splints, although denied by his agent Ben Dogra, allay some fears that his conditioning is an issue. And whilst he clearly does take plays off, when you study the total number of plays he's actually in for - he never gets rotated out of the Wolverine defence - you sort of understand why a 330lb man takes the odd play off. Not defending it, but contextualising it some. When your roster of defensive tackles stacks up with Ryan Boschetti, Jared Clauss, Lorenzo Alexander, Vaka Maupuna, etc. you know you need to give Montgomery and Cornelius Griffin some much needed help. There are some off field red flags with Branch, but you can't pass up a 330lb DT when your defense struggles so much at the point.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Jamaal Anderson DE - Arkansas.
Without question, if the Vikings can get the 2nd best player in the draft at pick 7 - Adrian Peterson - that's something of a coup for Rick Spielman, which is something you don't see often in the same sentence. But I think need at defensive end will force them to pull the trigger to try and bring in Anderson, a short term performer with the Razorbacks, but a guy who can start immediately and hopefully offer the kick up the backside that Erasmus James and Keniche Udeze need to kickstart their careers. The Vikings have made a lot of noise about Tavaris Jackson being their QB of the future and you don't spend a 2nd rounder on a kid, only to ditch him for another, the year after after not seeing him play much, so I'm not buying talk of Brady Quinn. And again, like the previous pick, there are trade connotations here. The aforementioned teams could be getting itchy trigger fingers as Peterson falls. Now whether the Vikes will stand pat and take Peterson remains to be seen, especially when they have Chester Taylor, Mewelde Moore, Ciatrick Fason and Artose Pinner on the roster. I had a tough job going against AP here solely because if you're starting Jackson, you want to surround him with as much talent as possible and Peterson is just that - talent. Leslie Frazier was DC in Cincinnati when they drafted David Pollack and worked in 2005 with Dwight Freeney and whilst his DB juices will be flowing over Landry, he'll know that the Vikes are solid in the deep patrol.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Levi Brown - LT - Penn State
Landry or Brown/Staley, Brown/Staley or Landry. I know this; Bobby Petrino wants to run the ball. He wants to smash mouth run it down your throat. He wants his people to move you off the ball 5 yards before his back even makes contact with a defender. He doesn't have a left tackle that can run block OR pass protect. Wayne Gandy is very much in the twilight of his career. And Levi Brown is a monstrous run blocker and whilst he has some issues in pass pro, he has the most mobile QB in the NFL who can evade even the strongest of pass rush. Not that Brown is a revolving door. He's a team leader that will bring some intensity to a unit that needs to intimidate and open holes for Dunn and Norwood, but it's that run block ability which I think will mean that he'd get the nod over Staley. As for taking Landry or not, well it's a strong possibility, but can you get a LT in 2 the calibre of a Brown or a Staley? No. Can you get a safety like Landry? No. But you can get a Griffin or a Merriweather and that's not a bad substitute. You come away with Levi Brown and Brandon Merriweather, you're better off than if you come away with LaRon Landry and Tony Ugoh. Plus, they're moving Jimmy Williams to free safety, so there is less of an issue.
9. Miami Dolphins - Brady Quinn - QB - Notre Dame
If the draft falls this way, Miami will have a tonne of options. There will be trade calls about Adrian Peterson and there will be trade calls about LaRon Landry. The Dolphins will field those calls and if Buffalo phones about Peterson, they may weigh the benfits of shifting back a couple of spots and picking up an extra 2 or 3, knowing that Houston and the 49ers are set at QB. Obviously that move would take enormous cojones on the part of Mueller, not to mention allowing the 2nd best player in the draft into your division, but it merits thinking about. We know beyond any doubt that Miami wants Quinn, that they feel he's the best QB to lead Cameron's offense and that almost certainly he's their #2 player behind Calvin Johnson. We also are led to believe that there is strong interest in Landry, who, in my mock, is still there. As are Staley and Ginn who we also know there is legitimate interest in. But passing over Quinn when he's fallen into your laps is not going to happen. Depending on just how gutsy Mueller, Cameron and Weidmeyer will depend on whether they go up or stand pat. If they can take Quinn, expect a Tim Crowder or an Arron Sears in R2. That said, if Ginn or Staley fall to about 20, don't rule out those two 2nd rounders being put to use.
10. Houston Texans - Adrian Peterson - TB - Oklahoma.
Peterson could go at pick 1, pick 2, pick 3, pick 4, pick 5, pick 6, pick 7 and here at pick 10. He's that good and people would be less surprised if he went at 1 than if he fell to 10. This would be the sort of value pick that Tennessee got a few years ago with Keith Bullock. Yes they signed Ahman Green and yes Charles Spencer might not regain full fitness after that nasty leg break - he's 50/50 at this stage, although has been pencilled in as the starter - and yes they want someone opposite Dunta Robinson, but Peterson gives their offense immediate legitimacy and gives them a triumverate of Schaub, Johnson and AP that would be hard to top. Plus, if they pass on Hall or Revis here and take Peterson, the drop off between Hall and say Marcus McCauley or Eric Wright is less than between Peterson and say Antonio Pittman. They will think long and hard about Staley, but Jordan Black's signing and the internal belief that Spencer can play in 07 will lead them to #28.
11. San Francisco 49ers - LaRon Landry FS - LSU
This would be another great pick for Mike Nolan. What a remarkable job he and his team have done with that franchise, not only on the field, but off it as well, turning that cap nightmare round into their favour. Landry would start immediately alongside FA Michael Lewis at SS and give the team a huge impact player on that side of the ball and would start for a decade or more. If Landry does indeed fall this far, you can bet that the 49ers will be talking to amongst others the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers about shifting down. If Landry is gone, look for them to take Nebraska DE Adam Carriker, who's very consistent, tremendously athletic for a guy almost 300lbs, and a very intense leader. He would give the 49ers another piece of the jigsaw. Two further caveats would be Ted Ginn, who the 9ers are known to be high on, and Patrick Willis, who would offer great talent in at MLB.
12. Buffalo Bills - Patrick Willis - LB - Ole Miss
Any way that the Bills can keep Angelo Crowell outside, should be a good thing. Doing that and adding Pat Willis into the bargain should be cause for a local holiday. Willis is so good, he should by rights, go off the board at least 6 picks earlier. The resume is outstanding, save for some issues in coverage, which are improving. Fast, productive, smart, a good kid, he'll be a hell of a pick. I'm not sure the Bills can justify taking Marshawn Lynch this high, what with his myriad of off-field issues; the shooting, the assault of his girlfriend and the recently unearthed issues with his back. What I do think Buffalo will do is get involved in the Michael Turner derby and I could see them giving up that earlish 2nd for him, especially as San Diego will lose him for nothing in under a year.
13. St Louis Rams - Adam Carriker - DE - Nebraska
This for me is where the draft gets really tricky. The Rams could do a number of things. They'd like to add to that defensive line, they'd like a corner and Linehan is in love with Ted Ginn. But with the addition, the expensive addition, of Drew Bennett and the value of corners in round 2, I think they plump for Carriker. James Hall and Leonard Little aren't getting any younger and Carriker could start from day 1 at LDE and not miss a beat. He could also shift inside to DT if need be and certainly on obvious passing downs, to give more of a threat up the field. Look for them to try and pair Josh Wilson with Tye Hill later on on day 1.
14. Carlolina Panthers - Reggie Nelson - FS - Florida.
They would love to get their hands on Laron Landry and would give serious consideration to Greg Olsen here, but with the retirement of Mike Minter, Nelson becomes a must have. I think he's a hell of a player, a turnover machine who can create much more than Landry can in terms of getting the ball back. Yes Olsen would be nice and give them a decent underneath threat, but I don't see him as value. It's the same slot that Jeremy Shockey was taken in and Olsen isn't half the player Shockey is. I don't buy the PFW report that Nelson could slip out of round 1. I DO buy that he has some issues in terms of intelligence and that scouts have concerns that he can grasp the fineries of an NFL defence and how it pertains week on week to NFL offences. But he makes such sense here.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Paul Posluszny - LB - Penn State
There are lots of rumours pertaining to the Tomlin pick. Do they take a guy like Jon Beason or Lawrence Timmons? Quite possibly. But there are a lot of rumours coming out of Steel Town that Tomlin will take Poz and make him the figurehead of his new 4-3 LB corps. Timmons can obviously flourish in the 3-4 as pass rushing OLB and as the WLB in the 4-3, but whilst his ceiling is higher, Poz's ability to come in and start and be that aforementioned figurehead, might be too much to pass on. Jarvis Moss is also a very strong possibility here, but some off-field indescretions we've been hearing of, much as I like him, keep me from putting him this high.
16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch - TB - Cal
Lynch got the all clear from the Packers doctors last week on that back concern that has him red flagged him with a number of teams. They flew him in especially, after already hosting him for a visit and a private workout. Bringing in San Diego's Michael Turner is a strong possibility and if that means giving up a 2nd round pick, look for Ted Ginn or Greg Olsen to be the picks, rather than Lynch.
Boomer Mock in Finheaven.com
1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson - WR - Georgia Tech
I've never bought the obsession of placing Russell with the Raiders. Lane Kiffin is a West Coast guy, with a very West Coast offensive co-ordinator in Gregg Knapp, who has worked with a WCO since 1995. Playing that system with Russell isn't going to serve his telents to their fullest capacity - he'd essentially be wasted playing in that quick drop, short route offense. Johnson is the best player in the draft - maybe the best player in 10 drafts - and Oakland isn't that far away from being a decent team. If they can secure the OL and add a couple of players to a pretty good, young defense, Kiffin might have a good year. There is, as I reported yesterday, that small and vociferous band of coaches and scouts, led by Kiffin, calling for Brady Quinn, but I think CJ is the pick. Al Davis personally called Ikaika Alama-Francis last week and intonated that he would be their pick at the top of round 2, but with so many good young guards, I can't see them looking anywhere else but there. They have a new OL coach and things might just turn around quickly for them. Johnson will be a huge part of that.
2. Detroit Lions - Gaines Adams - DE - Clemson.
The first two picks out of the pipe from the ACC? Could happen. Rod Marinelli struck something close to gold last season with Ernie Sims and adding Adams to that defense will only aid their resurrection. Could they use a LT or a back? They could, but with Jeff Backus and George Foster, as well as former UT standout Jon Scott, they are probably OK there. They added Tatum Bell and TJ Duckett to play with Kevin Jones and Brian Calhoun, so I'd think Peterson won't be the pick. Could they add a QB? Absolutely, but this is a franchise that has been burned early with passers before, notably Joey Harrington and Andre Ware, and I suspect that they'll pick one from Trent Edwards, Kevin Kolb or Drew Stanton in round 2, lessening the pressure on both the franchise and the player. Can they trade down? They'd like to and that opportunity will deepen if the Raiders pass on Johnson. But Adams gives them that edge rusher they lack and another young stud for Rod's defense.
3. Cleveland Browns - JaMarcus Russell - QB - LSU
Russell is the Lions QB of choice if he falls. Whilst Phil Savage and Romeo Crennell would rather take Peterson or Joe Thomas because of the instant success they would likely bring, it's the long term view of the franchise that is best served with this selection. If Russell is gone, I'd call it a toss up between Peterson and Quinn. I think Randy Lerner might win out, although choosing between two hometown heroes is not a bad proposition for the Brownies. They told T/G Arron Sears he would be their pick in round 2, but unless they see him at LT, which is unlikely, I don't see it. But they would definitely like some talent up there to compliment Steinbach and some targets for Russell to throw to.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Amobi Okoye - DT - Louisville
The Bucs could go one of a few ways. Jon Gruden has fallen in love summarily with Okoye, Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson over the last few weeks, eulogising over Quinn's private workout for him in South Bend where he threw to Bucs WR's Michael Clayton and Mo Stovall, then salivating over the prospect of bringing in Peterson and playing him with Carnell Williams. But having seen Okoye up close and personal in Mobile, his ability in the Tampa 2 defense is almost un-pass-upable. Yes, they'd love to draft Calvin Johnson and if he falls, they'll do everything to get him, but that defense isn't getting any younger and with offensive investment in Clayton, Williams, Davin Joseph, Dan Buenning, Alex Smith, etc., that defensive line that lost Booger McFarland and has an ageing Simeon Rice could use the infusion of youth and tremendous talent that Okoye brings. Of course, despite having Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown, Jeff Garcia and Bruce Eugene, Gruden could take Quinn or he could take Joe Thomas, but the signing of a still effective Luke Petigiout probably nullifies the latter.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas - LT - Wisconsin
The Cards can sit tight and let the best LT in the draft fall into their laps. On a good, young team, with a franchise passer, drafting Thomas gives Matt Leinart the opportunity to get the ball down the field to his playmakers. They could of course pull a surprise and take the 2nd best player in the draft in Adrian Peterson, as Whisenhunt isn't convinced that Edgerrin James is still the downhill runner that he requires for this offense. And you can expect that with Russ Grimm on the team, that Thomas won't be the only grunt to come in during the draft, but I think with the 5th pick, Joe Thomas will be getting a call on his boat from the desert.
6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch - DT - Michigan
I don't think the Skins will stay at this pick. I think both Chicago and Denver have aspirations on the 6 slot. Chicago still have a disgruntled Lance Briggs and Denver wants to get it's hands on Joe Staley or Adrian Peterson. I think Miami would have a strong interest and I think that Houston might want to get above Atlanta. And don't rule out the Bills and the Pack wanting to get here. But I don't predict trades, so I'll stand pat with the Skins. They need big time help at defensive tackle and whilst he's had a pretty disastrous off-season, the news that he's been struggling potentially with a stress fracture or at the very least severe shin splints, although denied by his agent Ben Dogra, allay some fears that his conditioning is an issue. And whilst he clearly does take plays off, when you study the total number of plays he's actually in for - he never gets rotated out of the Wolverine defence - you sort of understand why a 330lb man takes the odd play off. Not defending it, but contextualising it some. When your roster of defensive tackles stacks up with Ryan Boschetti, Jared Clauss, Lorenzo Alexander, Vaka Maupuna, etc. you know you need to give Montgomery and Cornelius Griffin some much needed help. There are some off field red flags with Branch, but you can't pass up a 330lb DT when your defense struggles so much at the point.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Jamaal Anderson DE - Arkansas.
Without question, if the Vikings can get the 2nd best player in the draft at pick 7 - Adrian Peterson - that's something of a coup for Rick Spielman, which is something you don't see often in the same sentence. But I think need at defensive end will force them to pull the trigger to try and bring in Anderson, a short term performer with the Razorbacks, but a guy who can start immediately and hopefully offer the kick up the backside that Erasmus James and Keniche Udeze need to kickstart their careers. The Vikings have made a lot of noise about Tavaris Jackson being their QB of the future and you don't spend a 2nd rounder on a kid, only to ditch him for another, the year after after not seeing him play much, so I'm not buying talk of Brady Quinn. And again, like the previous pick, there are trade connotations here. The aforementioned teams could be getting itchy trigger fingers as Peterson falls. Now whether the Vikes will stand pat and take Peterson remains to be seen, especially when they have Chester Taylor, Mewelde Moore, Ciatrick Fason and Artose Pinner on the roster. I had a tough job going against AP here solely because if you're starting Jackson, you want to surround him with as much talent as possible and Peterson is just that - talent. Leslie Frazier was DC in Cincinnati when they drafted David Pollack and worked in 2005 with Dwight Freeney and whilst his DB juices will be flowing over Landry, he'll know that the Vikes are solid in the deep patrol.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Levi Brown - LT - Penn State
Landry or Brown/Staley, Brown/Staley or Landry. I know this; Bobby Petrino wants to run the ball. He wants to smash mouth run it down your throat. He wants his people to move you off the ball 5 yards before his back even makes contact with a defender. He doesn't have a left tackle that can run block OR pass protect. Wayne Gandy is very much in the twilight of his career. And Levi Brown is a monstrous run blocker and whilst he has some issues in pass pro, he has the most mobile QB in the NFL who can evade even the strongest of pass rush. Not that Brown is a revolving door. He's a team leader that will bring some intensity to a unit that needs to intimidate and open holes for Dunn and Norwood, but it's that run block ability which I think will mean that he'd get the nod over Staley. As for taking Landry or not, well it's a strong possibility, but can you get a LT in 2 the calibre of a Brown or a Staley? No. Can you get a safety like Landry? No. But you can get a Griffin or a Merriweather and that's not a bad substitute. You come away with Levi Brown and Brandon Merriweather, you're better off than if you come away with LaRon Landry and Tony Ugoh. Plus, they're moving Jimmy Williams to free safety, so there is less of an issue.
9. Miami Dolphins - Brady Quinn - QB - Notre Dame
If the draft falls this way, Miami will have a tonne of options. There will be trade calls about Adrian Peterson and there will be trade calls about LaRon Landry. The Dolphins will field those calls and if Buffalo phones about Peterson, they may weigh the benfits of shifting back a couple of spots and picking up an extra 2 or 3, knowing that Houston and the 49ers are set at QB. Obviously that move would take enormous cojones on the part of Mueller, not to mention allowing the 2nd best player in the draft into your division, but it merits thinking about. We know beyond any doubt that Miami wants Quinn, that they feel he's the best QB to lead Cameron's offense and that almost certainly he's their #2 player behind Calvin Johnson. We also are led to believe that there is strong interest in Landry, who, in my mock, is still there. As are Staley and Ginn who we also know there is legitimate interest in. But passing over Quinn when he's fallen into your laps is not going to happen. Depending on just how gutsy Mueller, Cameron and Weidmeyer will depend on whether they go up or stand pat. If they can take Quinn, expect a Tim Crowder or an Arron Sears in R2. That said, if Ginn or Staley fall to about 20, don't rule out those two 2nd rounders being put to use.
10. Houston Texans - Adrian Peterson - TB - Oklahoma.
Peterson could go at pick 1, pick 2, pick 3, pick 4, pick 5, pick 6, pick 7 and here at pick 10. He's that good and people would be less surprised if he went at 1 than if he fell to 10. This would be the sort of value pick that Tennessee got a few years ago with Keith Bullock. Yes they signed Ahman Green and yes Charles Spencer might not regain full fitness after that nasty leg break - he's 50/50 at this stage, although has been pencilled in as the starter - and yes they want someone opposite Dunta Robinson, but Peterson gives their offense immediate legitimacy and gives them a triumverate of Schaub, Johnson and AP that would be hard to top. Plus, if they pass on Hall or Revis here and take Peterson, the drop off between Hall and say Marcus McCauley or Eric Wright is less than between Peterson and say Antonio Pittman. They will think long and hard about Staley, but Jordan Black's signing and the internal belief that Spencer can play in 07 will lead them to #28.
11. San Francisco 49ers - LaRon Landry FS - LSU
This would be another great pick for Mike Nolan. What a remarkable job he and his team have done with that franchise, not only on the field, but off it as well, turning that cap nightmare round into their favour. Landry would start immediately alongside FA Michael Lewis at SS and give the team a huge impact player on that side of the ball and would start for a decade or more. If Landry does indeed fall this far, you can bet that the 49ers will be talking to amongst others the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers about shifting down. If Landry is gone, look for them to take Nebraska DE Adam Carriker, who's very consistent, tremendously athletic for a guy almost 300lbs, and a very intense leader. He would give the 49ers another piece of the jigsaw. Two further caveats would be Ted Ginn, who the 9ers are known to be high on, and Patrick Willis, who would offer great talent in at MLB.
12. Buffalo Bills - Patrick Willis - LB - Ole Miss
Any way that the Bills can keep Angelo Crowell outside, should be a good thing. Doing that and adding Pat Willis into the bargain should be cause for a local holiday. Willis is so good, he should by rights, go off the board at least 6 picks earlier. The resume is outstanding, save for some issues in coverage, which are improving. Fast, productive, smart, a good kid, he'll be a hell of a pick. I'm not sure the Bills can justify taking Marshawn Lynch this high, what with his myriad of off-field issues; the shooting, the assault of his girlfriend and the recently unearthed issues with his back. What I do think Buffalo will do is get involved in the Michael Turner derby and I could see them giving up that earlish 2nd for him, especially as San Diego will lose him for nothing in under a year.
13. St Louis Rams - Adam Carriker - DE - Nebraska
This for me is where the draft gets really tricky. The Rams could do a number of things. They'd like to add to that defensive line, they'd like a corner and Linehan is in love with Ted Ginn. But with the addition, the expensive addition, of Drew Bennett and the value of corners in round 2, I think they plump for Carriker. James Hall and Leonard Little aren't getting any younger and Carriker could start from day 1 at LDE and not miss a beat. He could also shift inside to DT if need be and certainly on obvious passing downs, to give more of a threat up the field. Look for them to try and pair Josh Wilson with Tye Hill later on on day 1.
14. Carlolina Panthers - Reggie Nelson - FS - Florida.
They would love to get their hands on Laron Landry and would give serious consideration to Greg Olsen here, but with the retirement of Mike Minter, Nelson becomes a must have. I think he's a hell of a player, a turnover machine who can create much more than Landry can in terms of getting the ball back. Yes Olsen would be nice and give them a decent underneath threat, but I don't see him as value. It's the same slot that Jeremy Shockey was taken in and Olsen isn't half the player Shockey is. I don't buy the PFW report that Nelson could slip out of round 1. I DO buy that he has some issues in terms of intelligence and that scouts have concerns that he can grasp the fineries of an NFL defence and how it pertains week on week to NFL offences. But he makes such sense here.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Paul Posluszny - LB - Penn State
There are lots of rumours pertaining to the Tomlin pick. Do they take a guy like Jon Beason or Lawrence Timmons? Quite possibly. But there are a lot of rumours coming out of Steel Town that Tomlin will take Poz and make him the figurehead of his new 4-3 LB corps. Timmons can obviously flourish in the 3-4 as pass rushing OLB and as the WLB in the 4-3, but whilst his ceiling is higher, Poz's ability to come in and start and be that aforementioned figurehead, might be too much to pass on. Jarvis Moss is also a very strong possibility here, but some off-field indescretions we've been hearing of, much as I like him, keep me from putting him this high.
16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch - TB - Cal
Lynch got the all clear from the Packers doctors last week on that back concern that has him red flagged him with a number of teams. They flew him in especially, after already hosting him for a visit and a private workout. Bringing in San Diego's Michael Turner is a strong possibility and if that means giving up a 2nd round pick, look for Ted Ginn or Greg Olsen to be the picks, rather than Lynch.
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