Colin Dowling
Footballguy
Sorry for the long hiatus. Welcome to HERD’s 2007 Mock Draft – Version 1.0.
Notes: All input is appreciated. This usually works out best when people point out where I’ve made an egregious error. I’ve seen most of these guys play, some more than others. I also have a reasonable idea of what “team need” might be. That said, the community at large is obviously significantly more informed as to what a team might do. I promise not to do anything silly like put the Lions drafting Calvin Johnson if you promise not to tar and feather me if I forget your team doesn’t need a strong safety but rather a free safety. Deal? We’ll work out the wrinkles in future versions and, with any luck, have a decent idea of what might happen on draft day by the time it is upon us. (On second thought, based on history, Johnson to the Lions has a pretty good chance of happening)
Also, every mock you read in the next few weeks will have the same top 5: Quinn, Thomas, Johnson, Peterson, Adams. This mock draft does not, because I don’t think that’s how it will shake out. Why? Because conventional wisdom at this point last year had Leinart and Bush fighting to go #1 while Vince was a third round project for 2007, and two years ago we were dissecting whether Alex Barron or Mike Williams would be the #1 overall selection. In other words, late November NEVER looks like April, so there’s no harm in trying to skip ahead and project how things may shake out. At a minimum, you’ll find this mock to be an interesting and/or entertaining look at how the 2007 NFL draft may play out, instead of just a rewording of all the others you’ve read.
First, a few topics…
Brady Quinn: I happen to agree that Brady Quinn is going to go first overall, and I happen to think that is a mistake. Quinn reminds me far too much of Joey Harrington and not enough of Carson Palmer. For some reason, however, teams of late seem to salivate over the notion of taking a quarterback to try and right the ship. While there are obviously good/great selections in the last decade to justify such a selection, there are plenty of snafus as well and the development time for even the best of the lot (Peyton, Palmer) is a few seasons. I am in the camp that thinks Quinn is one of those guys destined to be a mediocre quarterback, and it won’t help that the Lions will thrust him in to the mix almost immediately. There’s nothing wrong with being a mediocre NFL QB, but a mediocre QB is not going to fix the Lions. Toss in that they could have had Leinart or Cutler already, and when Quinn has his first 10 for 30 with 3 INTs performance against the Bears, Lions fans will be wondering if their team is ever going to be any good. (Side note: my favorite part of the entire college season was halftime of the Michigan / Notre Dame game. Here we are with the Wolverines looking unreal and Quinn looking beyond terrible, and NBC’s halftime segment was a feature piece about Brady Quinn and how similar he is to Tom Brady. High comedy indeed.)
Quarterbacks available: Similarly, this year will be interesting with regard to quarterbacks who can be had for a reasonable price. In recent years, we’ve seen lots of cast-offs and retreads finding work (Aaron Brooks, Kerry Collins, Brad Johnson). This year should feature a slate of names that actually has some tread left on the tires and actually look like the best of their careers is yet to come. For example, would Detroit be better selecting Brady Quinn? Or signing Chris Simms and drafting Joe Thomas? Just something to consider. Simms, Leftwich, and Plummer are going to get plenty of interest in the market, which will have a trickle down affect on all draft eligible quarterbacks not named “Brady Quinn’s Sister’s Brother.” There are a few other quarterbacks who could end up in the first round (Stanton, Smith) but both are far from sure bets to go in the initial round of 32.
Quarterbacks in ’08: With regard to Brian Brohm and Jamarcus Russell, neither of whom would likely slip past the Vikings, I only think one will come out. The other will stay in school to contend for the National Title, the Heisman, and most importantly, the payday of being the #1 pick next year. (You’ll obviously have to keep reading to find out who I have ‘in’ and who I have ‘out.’ It’s a literary trick I learned where I hint at something exciting happening later to keep you interested.) I also think the QB class next year will be lively, with no fewer than 3 first rounders (including Chad Henne and Eric Ainge). Colt Brennan could even factor in before all is said and done. If I were a team with lots of holes like Detroit or Oakland, I’d probably go with what I have right now at QB in ’07 (Kitna/McCown, Brooks/Walter) and wait for next year’s better set of passers.
Depth: There will be a ton of teams picking in the teens and later who find themselves on the clock and say to themselves in jest, “Can’t we just take a pass and select someone in the 2nd round?” Last year’s draft was loaded, but this year’s draft is mediocre at best. For goodness sake, Kenny Irons will likely be a top-40 pick and outside of the Washington State game (which should be adjusted downward since they’re a Pac-10 team), he’s been positively average. There will be lots of nickel corners and third offensive tackles in this draft. So, if your team needs a 2 down defensive tackle or an infusion of enthusiasm on special teams, then buckle up for an exciting draft. Other than that, this draft pool is pretty vanilla, especially once you get past the top 8 or so.
Finally, before we get mocking, I’ll toss out one trade idea that I think makes sense for both squads but probably won’t happen: Detriot 1.01 to Oakland for Randy Moss and the 1.03. The Lions find themselves with Moss back indoors catching passes across from Roy Williams in Mike Martz’s offensive system. They find themselves with a likely selection of Gaines Adams or Adrian Peterson. And they don’t get saddled with a quarterback that isn’t all that great. Oakland gets rid of Moss and gets to select their newest “quarterback of the future.”
On to the mock!
1. Detroit – Brady Quinn – QB – Notre Dame – I think Quinn will be a mediocre NFL QB. I said this earlier, but I’d like to tell you why now that he’s a Lion. I don’t think he handles the pressure well enough to be much more than a nice player who plays well enough to go 8-8 every year. While folks want to stretch the Charlie Weiss connection so that Brady Quinn turns in to Tom Brady, nothing could be further from the truth. Brady is unflappable. He is cooler then the Foxboro snow and on the rare occasion that the Patriots are falling apart or in need of an extra lift, Brady finds a way to make it happen. With very, very few exceptions, the Patriots almost never lose a game because of Tom Brady’s poor play. Conversely, an easy case can be made that Notre Dame’s losses in the last two years are squarely on the shoulders of Quinn. This alone does not make Quinn a bad player; he’s inarguably a very good football player. However, in my opinion, it is one symptom that shows that some of the things needed to be a great QB aren’t there yet. In my opinion, Quinn lacks some of the intangibles that are essential to being a great NFL QB. Unfortunately, I’m not sure these are things that can be taught. To use a Manningalogy, I think that in Quinn, the Lions will be getting an Eli, not a Peyton.
2. Arizona – Joe Thomas – OT – Wisconsin – Barring another injury in the Citrus Bowl, this one seems destined to happen. The Cardinals have one of the worst run blocking O-lines in the league and have absolutely no need for a QB, WR, or RB in this spot. Thomas is a mountain of a man, but he is surprisingly mobile for being so tall and already displays good technique. As has been noted before, he suffered a knee injury in last year’s bowl game, but that shouldn’t affect his draft status. He should be able to step in to the porous Cardinal line immediately and help Edgerrin James get his yards-per-carry up in to whole numbers.
3. Oakland – Jamarcus Russell – QB – LSU – And the fun begins! Russell is not appearing in very many mocks even though word is that he’s leaning towards entering the draft. Furthermore, the ones in which he is included have him getting drafted in the teens or later, which is a bit mystifying to me as he is clearly a top prospect, even if it’s mostly based on the howitzer glued to his shoulder. Yes, I am aware that Al Davis does not have much history drafting quarterbacks early and definitely would have a hard time passing on Johnson or Peterson. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that Al has seen the Raiders play this season, and they are more than one Calvin Johnson away from finishing in 3rd plahttp://forums.footballguys.com/forum/style_images/1/folder_rte_images/bold.gif
Boldce in the West, much less winning the Super Bowl. Russell is a big guy with a cannon for an arm. He can easily make all the throws and stands tall in the pocket. However, he also has a fair bit of mobility and although he’s not a super-agile scrambler per se, he has the foot speed and the moves to pick up crucial yardage on the move. Russell has come a long way in the last year, making better decisions and displaying a consistency he’ll need at the next level. The NFL is changing – it’s not unusual at all anymore for a guy a year or two in to manage games, inspire confidence, and lead his team to the playoffs. Do I think Russell will necessarily experience quick success? No, but I’m fairly certain that Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks aren’t ever taking Oakland to the Super Bowl. Enter Jamarcus Russell.
4. Houston – Adrian Peterson – RB – Oklahoma – It’s a little early to declare that passing on Reggie Bush was a good idea, but if the Texans can land Adrian Peterson, it will certainly shore up the run game issues and make people forget that sort-of-Gayle Sayers is playing in the Big Easy. Peterson is the best running back to enter the draft in some time, Bush and Brown included. He has speed outside, can run over folks in the middle, and can handle the load and ask for more. He has an absolutely devastating stiff arm and breakaway speed from all points on the field. Peterson’s talent reminds me more of Ricky Williams then most anyone else, which would be a great pickup for Houston. As a note, Peterson’s injury may well be the best thing to happen to him. I made the point a few years ago when he was a freshman phenom that Peterson still had a lot of games to play and a lot of tackles to absorb before he was draft eligible. By my math, Peterson has avoided at least 150 carries/tackles and countless blocks, which has only helped his draft status, broken wing and all.
5. Cleveland – Levi Brown – OT – Penn State – If Peterson is on the board when Cleveland selects, the Browns won’t take the full 15 minutes to get their pick to Tags. I also could see Cleveland trading up for him and even overpaying to do it. Short of that, they continue to need O-line help in the worst way and Brown is a good place to start, even though it may be a hair early for him. Brown isn’t as large as Thomas or Jake Long, but he has a solid motor and is already an extremely talented run blocker with a quick burst off the line. He should also be a big help keeping Charlie Frye upright, the importance of which was demonstrated by Braylon Edwards on the sideline during last Sunday’s loss. Brown projects more to a right tackle or even as a guard (he’s a LT at PSU), but he is super quick and will nonetheless make a solid addition to the Cleveland front. Brown is more of a work in progress as his technique needs a bit of refinement, but in the end, he could be a better find than Thomas. I realize I have Brown quite a bit higher than most folks, but I think his stock will rise between now and April.
6. Tampa Bay – Calvin Johnson – WR – Georgia Tech – Calvin Johnson is perhaps my favorite college player this year. He was nearly shut down last Saturday by a ferocious football player with the name “Reggie Ball” on the back of his jersey, but it has been much more common than not to watch two and sometimes three defensive backs fail in their efforts to contain Johnson. He has enough size to abuse smaller corners and enough speed to play havoc with safeties. Two of Tampa Bay’s pass catchers (Hillard and Galloway) are getting up there in age, and pairing Johnson with Michael Clayton should help solidify the Buccaneers passing game for years to come.
7. Green Bay – Marshaun Lynch – RB – Cal – Ahman Green’s season has been a pleasant surprise in Green Bay. However, it’s clear that he isn’t the player he once was and the Packers need to look towards the future at tailback. Lynch is a player who can provide that future as he is much more shifty then Cal alum-cum- NFL rushing bust JJ Arrington. Lynch has breakaway speed and good “all around” size at 5’10. Lynch is a reasonably good pass catcher as well and does an excellent job protecting the ball. While there will be cat-calls that Lynch won’t go this early and Green Bay won’t select a running back, I’m certain that there isn’t another player out there that is a sure thing to make more sense then Lynch.
8. Washington* – Gaines Adams – DE – Clemson – Seven slots before a defensive player comes off the board simply shows where the depth is in this draft. There are plenty of decent corners out there, and more than a handful of defensive linemen that will be selected in the first 60 picks. Adams is the best defensive end in the draft this season since Quintin Moses hasn’t looked nearly as solid as was expected this year. Adams is versatile as well, capable of getting to the passer and stuffing the run. The Redskins have been disappointed with the pass-rush they’ve generated from the end spot this season so Adams should be able to offer an immediate boost.
9. Pittsburgh – Sam Baker – OT – USC – I have no idea if Sam Baker is entering the draft, but if he does, he should go in the top 12 with little trouble. The Steelers don’t really need any specific spot, but it’s always a safe bet to get better on the offensive line, especially when you consider their history of digging in with a bruising rush attack. Baker is young and his technique needs some work, but, in combination with his size, he already has displayed the footwork necessary to be a quality tackle and his experience in the trenches for a top college program should prepare him well for being part of the Steeler nation.
10. Tennessee - Leon Hall – CB – Michigan – Michigan has produced a number of quality cornerbacks in recent years and Hall should be no exception. The temptation to take Dwayne Jarrett or Ted Ginn will be high since the Titans have a plethora of #2 (Wade, Bennett, Givens) and #3 (Jones, Roby, Williams) receivers, but no one who can develop in to a true #1 pass catcher. The Titans wouldn’t be faulted for taking either receiver. However, the Tennessee defense has come along nicely this season and the Pac Man Jones pick is appearing to make more and more sense as he makes more and more game-changing plays. Pairing him with Hall would give the Titans two corners who can handle man coverage and help shut down the run. As importantly, it would give the Titans four good corners to use as needed when trying to shut down teams like the Colts. As a Titans fan who is very pleased with the direction of the team, I think Hall or Jarrett would be a fine pick here for this young but quickly improving football team.
11. Atlanta – Ted Ginn – WR – Ohio State – I’ve been pretty quiet about the Michael Vick conversation these last couple of seasons, mostly because I don’t see the point – he is what he is. However, after watching last Sunday’s game, I’m a little surprised that Michael Vick hasn’t jumped off of a bridge by now. His receivers are atrocious. <tangent> I used to play basketball in high school with a power forward who couldn’t find a rebound if he were the only guy on the court. It ruined the entire team because everyone else is trying to compensate for the lack of rebounding from the four spot.</tangent> I imagine that’s what Vick must feel like. He probably takes the snap and if Crumpler’s covered, he sees no option but to take off running. As he’s streaking down the field, Mike is probably thinking to himself, “Did I do the right thing here? Well, if I’d thrown it to Roddy, it would have gone through his hands. If I’d thrown it to Michael, it would have hit him in the helmet. And if I’d thrown it to Ashley, it would have bounced off his numbers. Yeah. Good decision, me.” There was an earlier flap about Vick saying something about one day throwing to someone like Marvin Harrison. That’s a stretch, but don’t you think Mr. Mexico often looks down to New Orleans and says, “I’d give anything for Devery Henderson and Marques Colston.” Who thought that phrase would ever enter in to the football nomenclature?
Enter Ted Ginn, who is either going to (a) save Michael Vick by becoming the second guy in Georgia who can change a game for the better in one play or (b) be the end of Vick as his fourth 1st Round receiver who is extremely fast but can’t catch a cold soaking in an ice bath in Anchorage. I think Ginn’s hands are better than the other folks in Falcons unis, but who can be sure? The Ginn pick represents one thing and one thing alone in my opinion: the last gasp of the Vick led Falcons before it becomes obvious that the team needs a significant overhauling, possibly with Vick leading the way through the out-door.
12. Minnesota - Laron Landry – S – LSU – Landry is the best safety in a draft that should see 4 of the position off the board by the mid 2nd round. He hits like a freight train and covers receivers as well as many corners. The distinguishing characteristic with Landry is his ability to cover receivers and get in the mix to stop the run. Rarely does a free safety excel at both as Landry does. Minnesota’s pass defense has been an area of concern for some time, and the addition of Landry should help pay dividends immediately.
13. St. Louis – Alan Branch – DT – Michigan – Branch is young, but if he comes out he could easily go in the top 10. Much later than that and even teams without a pressing need at defensive tackle will have to take a long look. Branch is a big, physical defensive lineman who can play the tackle spot in 4-3 or the end spot in the 3-4. He is an extremely effective run stopper and while the Rams may have more glaring needs on defense, a player with Branch’s enormous size, strength, and athleticism is simply too good to pas up at this juncture.
14. Santa Clara - Dwyane Jarrett – WR – USC – The 49ers have been a bit of a surprise this season. I’m not sure anyone expected them to play as well as they have, although much of that was due to the fact very few people took Alex Smith very seriously as a quarterback. He hasn’t been great, but he’s been a lot better. The team currently sits at 5-6 and that’s without top pick Vernon Davis for much of the season. Jarrett would make a nice addition to their receiving corps. He is not blazing fast, but he makes both tough catches and routine and seems to shine when the pressure mounts.
15. Philadelphia – Darrelle Revis – CB – Pittsburgh – The Eagles started the season so well, only to watch the world pass them by just in time for Donovan McNabb’s annual early vacation. McNabb’s Eagles are the NFL’s equivalent of the Cleveland Indians of the 1990’s who had tons of talent but just couldn’t get over the hump. Revis has good size for a corner and excels in coverage where he is likely the best CB in the draft. While he isn’t as strong against the run as Hall and his speed is a bit of an issue (more of a 4.5 guy), Revis should be more then capable of helping out the Eagles as they try to extend their run just a little longer.
16. Miami – Marcus McCauley – CB – Fresno State – I may have McCauley a bit high, but I happen to like his all around game. McCauley has good speed, but his quickness may be a bit of an issue if he’s ever asked to match up with someone like Steve Smith. That said, he is a physical player with good size and athleticism and increasingly impressive closing speed. McCauley is a little taller then most corners (he should measure at about 6’1) which will serve him well covering larger receivers.
17. Buffalo – Patrick Willis – LB – Mississippi – Willis isn’t the biggest linebacker in the draft, but he is very quick, has great coverage speed, and shows a remarkable ability to scurry through small holes and avoid getting blocked out of plays, which is an often overlooked but vital part of playing the position. He has spent much time as a middle linebacker but due to a lack of size, he’ll probably project more to the outside or possibly in to a hybrid LB/Safety role at the pro level a la Thomas Davis in Carolina.
18. New York Jets – Michael Bush – RB – Louisville – Some mocks have Kenny Irons here, but if Bush’s leg is healed (it should be) and he declares (lots of reasons to do so), I think he is far and away the third best running back on the board. Bush is a big, big guy, but somehow that doesn’t compromise his speed or quickness. He isn’t a burner, per se, but in the open field his speed combined with his size make him awfully difficult to bring down. His forte’ in the NFL will be wearing down defenses and scoring from short yardage, which is bound to excite a team that’s been relying on Kevan Barlow and Leon Washington to provide its ground attach.
19. Carolina - Brandon Meriweather – S – Miami – Meriweather can play both safety spots and is an absolute monster at the point of attack against the run. He isn’t as good in coverage as Landry or Nelson, and his size may limit his long term ability to play strong safety if needed. However, the Carolina defense has been very successful moving players around to make the most of their talents. Meriweather will no doubt excel in their system, even if it means moving away from the strong safety position.
20. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson – S – Florida – Nelson is a one-year SEC player, but his impact was easy to see. Despite being a little slight of frame, he is a super aggressive safety who has shown the ability to come up and stop the run and make big plays around the line of scrimmage. Nelson has perhaps more upside then Meriweather, Landry, or Griffin, so it will remain to be seen if he becomes just a decent safety in Jacksonville or a true defensive star as time goes by.
21. New York Giants – Jeff Samardzija – WR – Notre Dame – Much of Samardzija’s draft position will be determined by how interested he is in playing baseball too. That said, he has the talent and the game tape to easily find a spot in the first round. While Samardzija lacks much of the speed and quickness of elite receivers, he is a better than average route runner, has good hands, and doesn’t seem to be afraid to make the big play in a tough spot. As Amani Toomer works to come back from inury (if he ever returns to the Giants), Samardzikja should provide Eli Manning with a reliable pass catcher without a mercurial temper, which will be nice for a change.
22. Cincinnati – Quintin Moses – DE –Georgia – Moses could have found himself in the top 5 if he’d played a little better this season. He wasn’t bad per se, but his inability to truly help in stopping the run showed that while he is a freakish athlete and a talented pass-rusher, he simply isn’t a 3 down end. At least not yet. Cincy’s pass defense is atrocious, and adding a quality pass-rusher should help significantly.
23. New England – Antoine Cason – CB – Arizona – Cason has been an every day starter since he was a freshman at Arizona. His play demonstrates the ability to shut down receivers and support the run. He is extremely quick and has great closing speed, which will be a great fit for the Patriots as they continue reloading their defense with talent.
24. Dallas – Justin Blalock – OL – Texas – Blalock is Exhibit A for all ridiculous player selections get with teams, while Average Joe’s like you and I see things that are more obvious. Blalock is a great lineman. Last year, Marcus McNeil was hailed as a “road grater” type of guard and was bigger than the Sears Tower. So, NFL teams let him slip to the 2nd round. McNeil is a lock for the all-Rookie team and may well finish in the top 5 of offensive Rookie Of the Year. Go figure. In my view, there are two guys that may well get the same type of treatment this year, and Blalock is one of them (Justin Harrell is the other). Blalock is not as big as many O-lineman (he’s 6’4) but he’s started since he was a freshman and played unbelievably well on some of the college games biggest stages. He’s a right tackle at present but may project to guard in the NFL. He’s fast, powerful, and has excellent technique. That said, don’t be shocked if he slides to the 2nd round and we’re all wondering how so many teams passed on him a year from now.
25. New Orleans – Paul Poluszny – LB – Penn State – Poluszny may well go higher than this based on the simple fact that he is a heady player who makes plays. That said, I think he’ll slide a bit as the decision makers get worked up over 40 times and bench press results. He’s also coming off a knee injury, although that appears to be a thing of the past. Poluszny is not an uber-athlete, but he’s extremely productive and will be a great fit if he slips this far.
26. Kansas City – Quinn Pitcock – DT – Ohio State – The Chiefs could easily go receiver here, but my guess is that they’ll take a clue from the Broncos, the Chargers, and their own success and realize that a reliable defense would server them better then another young receiver. Pitcock’s strength is in run defense. He’s not great at getting in to the backfield due to the fact that he’s not a great athlete. That said, he may be the best in the draft at getting in the way of the runner, which makes everyone else’s job on defense a lot easier.
27. Denver – Michael Giffin – S – Texas – I have Griffin slotted fourth among the safeties, although he could easily go ahead of Meriweather and Nelson. I have Griffin lower because the other three safeties in the first round possess substantially more upside in my opinion. That said, Griffin is a productive player and performs extremely well within the Texas defense. He reads plays and reacts very quickly and has an excellent knack for anticipating and understanding how the play is going to unfold around him. He should make an excellent addition to the Denver defense.
28. New England – Robert Meachem – WR – Tennessee – I realize I have Meachem 20-30 spots higher than most drafts, but I do not care. I’ve seen him play every game this year and last and can say with absolute confidence that he has three qualities that should easily sneak him in to the first round: 1. Size and strength. 2. Speed, speed, and more speed. 3. Fantastic hands. After recent first round mistakes like Troy Williamson and Roddy White, who couldn’t catch a football with the Death Star’s tractor beam, a guy with good hands like Meachem should be able to find a place in the first 32 picks. Similarly, Meachem is almost impossible to catch in the open field and his size and strength keep him from being tackled by 5’10 corners in single coverage. For the season, the guy is averaging 18 yards per reception and 105 ypg in the SEC, including 121 yards and 2 TDs in a loss against LSU. Considering Tom Brady’s current receiving group, I’m sure he’d love having Meachem on board.
29. Baltimore – Drew Stanton – QB – Michigan State – Stanton seems a bit forgotten because his team was so crummy. The fact remains, however, that he is a tough, strong armed quarterback with good size who makes good decisions who should be selected in the first 40 or so picks. Stanton lacks the consistency in performance to be considered a top-tier quarterback prospect, but he does have a lot of the grit that scouts love. Similarly, Stanton is an underrated runner and can move around in the pocket a great deal; he actually has a fair bit in common with Steve McNair. The Ravens could easily select a defensive player here, and their oft-heralded “best player available” strategy might dictate a different selection, but Stanton is a good fit here. He can sit behind McNair for a season before taking over. If Stanton slides much further than here, I’d expect to see at least a little activity by teams trying to trade up to snag him.
30. San Diego – Earl Everett – LB – Florida – Everett isn’t rated this highly on many boards, but his playmaking ability on tape will help assuage any concerns. Everett is one of those rare linebackers that appears to always be where the ball is, never wasting a step in getting to the play. Similarly, he has displayed a maturity and leadership quality for the Gators that helped pull the Gators through to victory even when they appeared to be outclassed in talent. Everett works pretty well in coverage on tight ends and crossing receivers, but he will need to work in breaking through to attack the run. However, the Chargers need for a linebacker capable of coming out of nowhere to make the big play makes Everett a great fit.
31. Chicago – Zack Miller – TE – Arizona State – There’s lots of discussion about whether Miller will come out or not, but my inclination is that he won’t want to put in time with a new coach that may or may not utilize his talents in the desert. Desmond Clark has been better recently, but multiple quality tight ends have become a near necessity in the NFL. Miller’s strength is in his versatility as he is a good pass-catcher and a rapidly developing blocker. He experienced a little injury trouble in the past, which will affect his stock a bit, but he should still find himself in the first round based primarily on his potential and the dearth of tight ends in the 2007 draft class.
32. Indianapolis – Frank Okam – DT – Texas – With Corey Simon’s future more than a bit muddy, and the Colts run defense looking for it’s place in history among the abysmal and embarrassing, Okam would be a good fit as any this late in round one. While the Colts could stand to add some quality depth in the defensive backfield since Mike Doss will be returning from injury, Okam serves the more immediate need of clogging up holes in the trenches. The Texas run defense was awfully stout this season, and Okam’s ability to break through blocks and redirect the runner were a big reason why.
Notes: All input is appreciated. This usually works out best when people point out where I’ve made an egregious error. I’ve seen most of these guys play, some more than others. I also have a reasonable idea of what “team need” might be. That said, the community at large is obviously significantly more informed as to what a team might do. I promise not to do anything silly like put the Lions drafting Calvin Johnson if you promise not to tar and feather me if I forget your team doesn’t need a strong safety but rather a free safety. Deal? We’ll work out the wrinkles in future versions and, with any luck, have a decent idea of what might happen on draft day by the time it is upon us. (On second thought, based on history, Johnson to the Lions has a pretty good chance of happening)
Also, every mock you read in the next few weeks will have the same top 5: Quinn, Thomas, Johnson, Peterson, Adams. This mock draft does not, because I don’t think that’s how it will shake out. Why? Because conventional wisdom at this point last year had Leinart and Bush fighting to go #1 while Vince was a third round project for 2007, and two years ago we were dissecting whether Alex Barron or Mike Williams would be the #1 overall selection. In other words, late November NEVER looks like April, so there’s no harm in trying to skip ahead and project how things may shake out. At a minimum, you’ll find this mock to be an interesting and/or entertaining look at how the 2007 NFL draft may play out, instead of just a rewording of all the others you’ve read.
First, a few topics…
Brady Quinn: I happen to agree that Brady Quinn is going to go first overall, and I happen to think that is a mistake. Quinn reminds me far too much of Joey Harrington and not enough of Carson Palmer. For some reason, however, teams of late seem to salivate over the notion of taking a quarterback to try and right the ship. While there are obviously good/great selections in the last decade to justify such a selection, there are plenty of snafus as well and the development time for even the best of the lot (Peyton, Palmer) is a few seasons. I am in the camp that thinks Quinn is one of those guys destined to be a mediocre quarterback, and it won’t help that the Lions will thrust him in to the mix almost immediately. There’s nothing wrong with being a mediocre NFL QB, but a mediocre QB is not going to fix the Lions. Toss in that they could have had Leinart or Cutler already, and when Quinn has his first 10 for 30 with 3 INTs performance against the Bears, Lions fans will be wondering if their team is ever going to be any good. (Side note: my favorite part of the entire college season was halftime of the Michigan / Notre Dame game. Here we are with the Wolverines looking unreal and Quinn looking beyond terrible, and NBC’s halftime segment was a feature piece about Brady Quinn and how similar he is to Tom Brady. High comedy indeed.)
Quarterbacks available: Similarly, this year will be interesting with regard to quarterbacks who can be had for a reasonable price. In recent years, we’ve seen lots of cast-offs and retreads finding work (Aaron Brooks, Kerry Collins, Brad Johnson). This year should feature a slate of names that actually has some tread left on the tires and actually look like the best of their careers is yet to come. For example, would Detroit be better selecting Brady Quinn? Or signing Chris Simms and drafting Joe Thomas? Just something to consider. Simms, Leftwich, and Plummer are going to get plenty of interest in the market, which will have a trickle down affect on all draft eligible quarterbacks not named “Brady Quinn’s Sister’s Brother.” There are a few other quarterbacks who could end up in the first round (Stanton, Smith) but both are far from sure bets to go in the initial round of 32.
Quarterbacks in ’08: With regard to Brian Brohm and Jamarcus Russell, neither of whom would likely slip past the Vikings, I only think one will come out. The other will stay in school to contend for the National Title, the Heisman, and most importantly, the payday of being the #1 pick next year. (You’ll obviously have to keep reading to find out who I have ‘in’ and who I have ‘out.’ It’s a literary trick I learned where I hint at something exciting happening later to keep you interested.) I also think the QB class next year will be lively, with no fewer than 3 first rounders (including Chad Henne and Eric Ainge). Colt Brennan could even factor in before all is said and done. If I were a team with lots of holes like Detroit or Oakland, I’d probably go with what I have right now at QB in ’07 (Kitna/McCown, Brooks/Walter) and wait for next year’s better set of passers.
Depth: There will be a ton of teams picking in the teens and later who find themselves on the clock and say to themselves in jest, “Can’t we just take a pass and select someone in the 2nd round?” Last year’s draft was loaded, but this year’s draft is mediocre at best. For goodness sake, Kenny Irons will likely be a top-40 pick and outside of the Washington State game (which should be adjusted downward since they’re a Pac-10 team), he’s been positively average. There will be lots of nickel corners and third offensive tackles in this draft. So, if your team needs a 2 down defensive tackle or an infusion of enthusiasm on special teams, then buckle up for an exciting draft. Other than that, this draft pool is pretty vanilla, especially once you get past the top 8 or so.
Finally, before we get mocking, I’ll toss out one trade idea that I think makes sense for both squads but probably won’t happen: Detriot 1.01 to Oakland for Randy Moss and the 1.03. The Lions find themselves with Moss back indoors catching passes across from Roy Williams in Mike Martz’s offensive system. They find themselves with a likely selection of Gaines Adams or Adrian Peterson. And they don’t get saddled with a quarterback that isn’t all that great. Oakland gets rid of Moss and gets to select their newest “quarterback of the future.”
On to the mock!
1. Detroit – Brady Quinn – QB – Notre Dame – I think Quinn will be a mediocre NFL QB. I said this earlier, but I’d like to tell you why now that he’s a Lion. I don’t think he handles the pressure well enough to be much more than a nice player who plays well enough to go 8-8 every year. While folks want to stretch the Charlie Weiss connection so that Brady Quinn turns in to Tom Brady, nothing could be further from the truth. Brady is unflappable. He is cooler then the Foxboro snow and on the rare occasion that the Patriots are falling apart or in need of an extra lift, Brady finds a way to make it happen. With very, very few exceptions, the Patriots almost never lose a game because of Tom Brady’s poor play. Conversely, an easy case can be made that Notre Dame’s losses in the last two years are squarely on the shoulders of Quinn. This alone does not make Quinn a bad player; he’s inarguably a very good football player. However, in my opinion, it is one symptom that shows that some of the things needed to be a great QB aren’t there yet. In my opinion, Quinn lacks some of the intangibles that are essential to being a great NFL QB. Unfortunately, I’m not sure these are things that can be taught. To use a Manningalogy, I think that in Quinn, the Lions will be getting an Eli, not a Peyton.
2. Arizona – Joe Thomas – OT – Wisconsin – Barring another injury in the Citrus Bowl, this one seems destined to happen. The Cardinals have one of the worst run blocking O-lines in the league and have absolutely no need for a QB, WR, or RB in this spot. Thomas is a mountain of a man, but he is surprisingly mobile for being so tall and already displays good technique. As has been noted before, he suffered a knee injury in last year’s bowl game, but that shouldn’t affect his draft status. He should be able to step in to the porous Cardinal line immediately and help Edgerrin James get his yards-per-carry up in to whole numbers.
3. Oakland – Jamarcus Russell – QB – LSU – And the fun begins! Russell is not appearing in very many mocks even though word is that he’s leaning towards entering the draft. Furthermore, the ones in which he is included have him getting drafted in the teens or later, which is a bit mystifying to me as he is clearly a top prospect, even if it’s mostly based on the howitzer glued to his shoulder. Yes, I am aware that Al Davis does not have much history drafting quarterbacks early and definitely would have a hard time passing on Johnson or Peterson. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that Al has seen the Raiders play this season, and they are more than one Calvin Johnson away from finishing in 3rd plahttp://forums.footballguys.com/forum/style_images/1/folder_rte_images/bold.gif
Boldce in the West, much less winning the Super Bowl. Russell is a big guy with a cannon for an arm. He can easily make all the throws and stands tall in the pocket. However, he also has a fair bit of mobility and although he’s not a super-agile scrambler per se, he has the foot speed and the moves to pick up crucial yardage on the move. Russell has come a long way in the last year, making better decisions and displaying a consistency he’ll need at the next level. The NFL is changing – it’s not unusual at all anymore for a guy a year or two in to manage games, inspire confidence, and lead his team to the playoffs. Do I think Russell will necessarily experience quick success? No, but I’m fairly certain that Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks aren’t ever taking Oakland to the Super Bowl. Enter Jamarcus Russell.
4. Houston – Adrian Peterson – RB – Oklahoma – It’s a little early to declare that passing on Reggie Bush was a good idea, but if the Texans can land Adrian Peterson, it will certainly shore up the run game issues and make people forget that sort-of-Gayle Sayers is playing in the Big Easy. Peterson is the best running back to enter the draft in some time, Bush and Brown included. He has speed outside, can run over folks in the middle, and can handle the load and ask for more. He has an absolutely devastating stiff arm and breakaway speed from all points on the field. Peterson’s talent reminds me more of Ricky Williams then most anyone else, which would be a great pickup for Houston. As a note, Peterson’s injury may well be the best thing to happen to him. I made the point a few years ago when he was a freshman phenom that Peterson still had a lot of games to play and a lot of tackles to absorb before he was draft eligible. By my math, Peterson has avoided at least 150 carries/tackles and countless blocks, which has only helped his draft status, broken wing and all.
5. Cleveland – Levi Brown – OT – Penn State – If Peterson is on the board when Cleveland selects, the Browns won’t take the full 15 minutes to get their pick to Tags. I also could see Cleveland trading up for him and even overpaying to do it. Short of that, they continue to need O-line help in the worst way and Brown is a good place to start, even though it may be a hair early for him. Brown isn’t as large as Thomas or Jake Long, but he has a solid motor and is already an extremely talented run blocker with a quick burst off the line. He should also be a big help keeping Charlie Frye upright, the importance of which was demonstrated by Braylon Edwards on the sideline during last Sunday’s loss. Brown projects more to a right tackle or even as a guard (he’s a LT at PSU), but he is super quick and will nonetheless make a solid addition to the Cleveland front. Brown is more of a work in progress as his technique needs a bit of refinement, but in the end, he could be a better find than Thomas. I realize I have Brown quite a bit higher than most folks, but I think his stock will rise between now and April.
6. Tampa Bay – Calvin Johnson – WR – Georgia Tech – Calvin Johnson is perhaps my favorite college player this year. He was nearly shut down last Saturday by a ferocious football player with the name “Reggie Ball” on the back of his jersey, but it has been much more common than not to watch two and sometimes three defensive backs fail in their efforts to contain Johnson. He has enough size to abuse smaller corners and enough speed to play havoc with safeties. Two of Tampa Bay’s pass catchers (Hillard and Galloway) are getting up there in age, and pairing Johnson with Michael Clayton should help solidify the Buccaneers passing game for years to come.
7. Green Bay – Marshaun Lynch – RB – Cal – Ahman Green’s season has been a pleasant surprise in Green Bay. However, it’s clear that he isn’t the player he once was and the Packers need to look towards the future at tailback. Lynch is a player who can provide that future as he is much more shifty then Cal alum-cum- NFL rushing bust JJ Arrington. Lynch has breakaway speed and good “all around” size at 5’10. Lynch is a reasonably good pass catcher as well and does an excellent job protecting the ball. While there will be cat-calls that Lynch won’t go this early and Green Bay won’t select a running back, I’m certain that there isn’t another player out there that is a sure thing to make more sense then Lynch.
8. Washington* – Gaines Adams – DE – Clemson – Seven slots before a defensive player comes off the board simply shows where the depth is in this draft. There are plenty of decent corners out there, and more than a handful of defensive linemen that will be selected in the first 60 picks. Adams is the best defensive end in the draft this season since Quintin Moses hasn’t looked nearly as solid as was expected this year. Adams is versatile as well, capable of getting to the passer and stuffing the run. The Redskins have been disappointed with the pass-rush they’ve generated from the end spot this season so Adams should be able to offer an immediate boost.
9. Pittsburgh – Sam Baker – OT – USC – I have no idea if Sam Baker is entering the draft, but if he does, he should go in the top 12 with little trouble. The Steelers don’t really need any specific spot, but it’s always a safe bet to get better on the offensive line, especially when you consider their history of digging in with a bruising rush attack. Baker is young and his technique needs some work, but, in combination with his size, he already has displayed the footwork necessary to be a quality tackle and his experience in the trenches for a top college program should prepare him well for being part of the Steeler nation.
10. Tennessee - Leon Hall – CB – Michigan – Michigan has produced a number of quality cornerbacks in recent years and Hall should be no exception. The temptation to take Dwayne Jarrett or Ted Ginn will be high since the Titans have a plethora of #2 (Wade, Bennett, Givens) and #3 (Jones, Roby, Williams) receivers, but no one who can develop in to a true #1 pass catcher. The Titans wouldn’t be faulted for taking either receiver. However, the Tennessee defense has come along nicely this season and the Pac Man Jones pick is appearing to make more and more sense as he makes more and more game-changing plays. Pairing him with Hall would give the Titans two corners who can handle man coverage and help shut down the run. As importantly, it would give the Titans four good corners to use as needed when trying to shut down teams like the Colts. As a Titans fan who is very pleased with the direction of the team, I think Hall or Jarrett would be a fine pick here for this young but quickly improving football team.
11. Atlanta – Ted Ginn – WR – Ohio State – I’ve been pretty quiet about the Michael Vick conversation these last couple of seasons, mostly because I don’t see the point – he is what he is. However, after watching last Sunday’s game, I’m a little surprised that Michael Vick hasn’t jumped off of a bridge by now. His receivers are atrocious. <tangent> I used to play basketball in high school with a power forward who couldn’t find a rebound if he were the only guy on the court. It ruined the entire team because everyone else is trying to compensate for the lack of rebounding from the four spot.</tangent> I imagine that’s what Vick must feel like. He probably takes the snap and if Crumpler’s covered, he sees no option but to take off running. As he’s streaking down the field, Mike is probably thinking to himself, “Did I do the right thing here? Well, if I’d thrown it to Roddy, it would have gone through his hands. If I’d thrown it to Michael, it would have hit him in the helmet. And if I’d thrown it to Ashley, it would have bounced off his numbers. Yeah. Good decision, me.” There was an earlier flap about Vick saying something about one day throwing to someone like Marvin Harrison. That’s a stretch, but don’t you think Mr. Mexico often looks down to New Orleans and says, “I’d give anything for Devery Henderson and Marques Colston.” Who thought that phrase would ever enter in to the football nomenclature?
Enter Ted Ginn, who is either going to (a) save Michael Vick by becoming the second guy in Georgia who can change a game for the better in one play or (b) be the end of Vick as his fourth 1st Round receiver who is extremely fast but can’t catch a cold soaking in an ice bath in Anchorage. I think Ginn’s hands are better than the other folks in Falcons unis, but who can be sure? The Ginn pick represents one thing and one thing alone in my opinion: the last gasp of the Vick led Falcons before it becomes obvious that the team needs a significant overhauling, possibly with Vick leading the way through the out-door.
12. Minnesota - Laron Landry – S – LSU – Landry is the best safety in a draft that should see 4 of the position off the board by the mid 2nd round. He hits like a freight train and covers receivers as well as many corners. The distinguishing characteristic with Landry is his ability to cover receivers and get in the mix to stop the run. Rarely does a free safety excel at both as Landry does. Minnesota’s pass defense has been an area of concern for some time, and the addition of Landry should help pay dividends immediately.
13. St. Louis – Alan Branch – DT – Michigan – Branch is young, but if he comes out he could easily go in the top 10. Much later than that and even teams without a pressing need at defensive tackle will have to take a long look. Branch is a big, physical defensive lineman who can play the tackle spot in 4-3 or the end spot in the 3-4. He is an extremely effective run stopper and while the Rams may have more glaring needs on defense, a player with Branch’s enormous size, strength, and athleticism is simply too good to pas up at this juncture.
14. Santa Clara - Dwyane Jarrett – WR – USC – The 49ers have been a bit of a surprise this season. I’m not sure anyone expected them to play as well as they have, although much of that was due to the fact very few people took Alex Smith very seriously as a quarterback. He hasn’t been great, but he’s been a lot better. The team currently sits at 5-6 and that’s without top pick Vernon Davis for much of the season. Jarrett would make a nice addition to their receiving corps. He is not blazing fast, but he makes both tough catches and routine and seems to shine when the pressure mounts.
15. Philadelphia – Darrelle Revis – CB – Pittsburgh – The Eagles started the season so well, only to watch the world pass them by just in time for Donovan McNabb’s annual early vacation. McNabb’s Eagles are the NFL’s equivalent of the Cleveland Indians of the 1990’s who had tons of talent but just couldn’t get over the hump. Revis has good size for a corner and excels in coverage where he is likely the best CB in the draft. While he isn’t as strong against the run as Hall and his speed is a bit of an issue (more of a 4.5 guy), Revis should be more then capable of helping out the Eagles as they try to extend their run just a little longer.
16. Miami – Marcus McCauley – CB – Fresno State – I may have McCauley a bit high, but I happen to like his all around game. McCauley has good speed, but his quickness may be a bit of an issue if he’s ever asked to match up with someone like Steve Smith. That said, he is a physical player with good size and athleticism and increasingly impressive closing speed. McCauley is a little taller then most corners (he should measure at about 6’1) which will serve him well covering larger receivers.
17. Buffalo – Patrick Willis – LB – Mississippi – Willis isn’t the biggest linebacker in the draft, but he is very quick, has great coverage speed, and shows a remarkable ability to scurry through small holes and avoid getting blocked out of plays, which is an often overlooked but vital part of playing the position. He has spent much time as a middle linebacker but due to a lack of size, he’ll probably project more to the outside or possibly in to a hybrid LB/Safety role at the pro level a la Thomas Davis in Carolina.
18. New York Jets – Michael Bush – RB – Louisville – Some mocks have Kenny Irons here, but if Bush’s leg is healed (it should be) and he declares (lots of reasons to do so), I think he is far and away the third best running back on the board. Bush is a big, big guy, but somehow that doesn’t compromise his speed or quickness. He isn’t a burner, per se, but in the open field his speed combined with his size make him awfully difficult to bring down. His forte’ in the NFL will be wearing down defenses and scoring from short yardage, which is bound to excite a team that’s been relying on Kevan Barlow and Leon Washington to provide its ground attach.
19. Carolina - Brandon Meriweather – S – Miami – Meriweather can play both safety spots and is an absolute monster at the point of attack against the run. He isn’t as good in coverage as Landry or Nelson, and his size may limit his long term ability to play strong safety if needed. However, the Carolina defense has been very successful moving players around to make the most of their talents. Meriweather will no doubt excel in their system, even if it means moving away from the strong safety position.
20. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson – S – Florida – Nelson is a one-year SEC player, but his impact was easy to see. Despite being a little slight of frame, he is a super aggressive safety who has shown the ability to come up and stop the run and make big plays around the line of scrimmage. Nelson has perhaps more upside then Meriweather, Landry, or Griffin, so it will remain to be seen if he becomes just a decent safety in Jacksonville or a true defensive star as time goes by.
21. New York Giants – Jeff Samardzija – WR – Notre Dame – Much of Samardzija’s draft position will be determined by how interested he is in playing baseball too. That said, he has the talent and the game tape to easily find a spot in the first round. While Samardzija lacks much of the speed and quickness of elite receivers, he is a better than average route runner, has good hands, and doesn’t seem to be afraid to make the big play in a tough spot. As Amani Toomer works to come back from inury (if he ever returns to the Giants), Samardzikja should provide Eli Manning with a reliable pass catcher without a mercurial temper, which will be nice for a change.
22. Cincinnati – Quintin Moses – DE –Georgia – Moses could have found himself in the top 5 if he’d played a little better this season. He wasn’t bad per se, but his inability to truly help in stopping the run showed that while he is a freakish athlete and a talented pass-rusher, he simply isn’t a 3 down end. At least not yet. Cincy’s pass defense is atrocious, and adding a quality pass-rusher should help significantly.
23. New England – Antoine Cason – CB – Arizona – Cason has been an every day starter since he was a freshman at Arizona. His play demonstrates the ability to shut down receivers and support the run. He is extremely quick and has great closing speed, which will be a great fit for the Patriots as they continue reloading their defense with talent.
24. Dallas – Justin Blalock – OL – Texas – Blalock is Exhibit A for all ridiculous player selections get with teams, while Average Joe’s like you and I see things that are more obvious. Blalock is a great lineman. Last year, Marcus McNeil was hailed as a “road grater” type of guard and was bigger than the Sears Tower. So, NFL teams let him slip to the 2nd round. McNeil is a lock for the all-Rookie team and may well finish in the top 5 of offensive Rookie Of the Year. Go figure. In my view, there are two guys that may well get the same type of treatment this year, and Blalock is one of them (Justin Harrell is the other). Blalock is not as big as many O-lineman (he’s 6’4) but he’s started since he was a freshman and played unbelievably well on some of the college games biggest stages. He’s a right tackle at present but may project to guard in the NFL. He’s fast, powerful, and has excellent technique. That said, don’t be shocked if he slides to the 2nd round and we’re all wondering how so many teams passed on him a year from now.
25. New Orleans – Paul Poluszny – LB – Penn State – Poluszny may well go higher than this based on the simple fact that he is a heady player who makes plays. That said, I think he’ll slide a bit as the decision makers get worked up over 40 times and bench press results. He’s also coming off a knee injury, although that appears to be a thing of the past. Poluszny is not an uber-athlete, but he’s extremely productive and will be a great fit if he slips this far.
26. Kansas City – Quinn Pitcock – DT – Ohio State – The Chiefs could easily go receiver here, but my guess is that they’ll take a clue from the Broncos, the Chargers, and their own success and realize that a reliable defense would server them better then another young receiver. Pitcock’s strength is in run defense. He’s not great at getting in to the backfield due to the fact that he’s not a great athlete. That said, he may be the best in the draft at getting in the way of the runner, which makes everyone else’s job on defense a lot easier.
27. Denver – Michael Giffin – S – Texas – I have Griffin slotted fourth among the safeties, although he could easily go ahead of Meriweather and Nelson. I have Griffin lower because the other three safeties in the first round possess substantially more upside in my opinion. That said, Griffin is a productive player and performs extremely well within the Texas defense. He reads plays and reacts very quickly and has an excellent knack for anticipating and understanding how the play is going to unfold around him. He should make an excellent addition to the Denver defense.
28. New England – Robert Meachem – WR – Tennessee – I realize I have Meachem 20-30 spots higher than most drafts, but I do not care. I’ve seen him play every game this year and last and can say with absolute confidence that he has three qualities that should easily sneak him in to the first round: 1. Size and strength. 2. Speed, speed, and more speed. 3. Fantastic hands. After recent first round mistakes like Troy Williamson and Roddy White, who couldn’t catch a football with the Death Star’s tractor beam, a guy with good hands like Meachem should be able to find a place in the first 32 picks. Similarly, Meachem is almost impossible to catch in the open field and his size and strength keep him from being tackled by 5’10 corners in single coverage. For the season, the guy is averaging 18 yards per reception and 105 ypg in the SEC, including 121 yards and 2 TDs in a loss against LSU. Considering Tom Brady’s current receiving group, I’m sure he’d love having Meachem on board.
29. Baltimore – Drew Stanton – QB – Michigan State – Stanton seems a bit forgotten because his team was so crummy. The fact remains, however, that he is a tough, strong armed quarterback with good size who makes good decisions who should be selected in the first 40 or so picks. Stanton lacks the consistency in performance to be considered a top-tier quarterback prospect, but he does have a lot of the grit that scouts love. Similarly, Stanton is an underrated runner and can move around in the pocket a great deal; he actually has a fair bit in common with Steve McNair. The Ravens could easily select a defensive player here, and their oft-heralded “best player available” strategy might dictate a different selection, but Stanton is a good fit here. He can sit behind McNair for a season before taking over. If Stanton slides much further than here, I’d expect to see at least a little activity by teams trying to trade up to snag him.
30. San Diego – Earl Everett – LB – Florida – Everett isn’t rated this highly on many boards, but his playmaking ability on tape will help assuage any concerns. Everett is one of those rare linebackers that appears to always be where the ball is, never wasting a step in getting to the play. Similarly, he has displayed a maturity and leadership quality for the Gators that helped pull the Gators through to victory even when they appeared to be outclassed in talent. Everett works pretty well in coverage on tight ends and crossing receivers, but he will need to work in breaking through to attack the run. However, the Chargers need for a linebacker capable of coming out of nowhere to make the big play makes Everett a great fit.
31. Chicago – Zack Miller – TE – Arizona State – There’s lots of discussion about whether Miller will come out or not, but my inclination is that he won’t want to put in time with a new coach that may or may not utilize his talents in the desert. Desmond Clark has been better recently, but multiple quality tight ends have become a near necessity in the NFL. Miller’s strength is in his versatility as he is a good pass-catcher and a rapidly developing blocker. He experienced a little injury trouble in the past, which will affect his stock a bit, but he should still find himself in the first round based primarily on his potential and the dearth of tight ends in the 2007 draft class.
32. Indianapolis – Frank Okam – DT – Texas – With Corey Simon’s future more than a bit muddy, and the Colts run defense looking for it’s place in history among the abysmal and embarrassing, Okam would be a good fit as any this late in round one. While the Colts could stand to add some quality depth in the defensive backfield since Mike Doss will be returning from injury, Okam serves the more immediate need of clogging up holes in the trenches. The Texas run defense was awfully stout this season, and Okam’s ability to break through blocks and redirect the runner were a big reason why.
for the Santa Clara comment. 
) if they slid a bit.
With a few exceptions we can discuss as we move forward, I like this as much as mine from yesterday. Maybe more. I agree with your take on Russell and feel like a wimp for not just doing it. I did consider it, but conformed instead. I'll just comment on the stuff I liked rather than criticize this early. You can cross reference for that. Meachem is a great call. Stud. I could see him go even earlier. I don't know what will come of Moses, but I think you're ahead of the curve with the big downgrade. I think we both agree he could turn things around, but your point about his lack of physical presence is something hard to fix at this juncture. When I mentioned being very open on CBs, I was thinking I like Cason better than McCauley. You have them both in there and I should have found room for Cason even at McCauley's expense if necessary. I'm torn on Hughes. Also, I liked seeing Stanton make the cut. I tried, but making room for a 5th QB was tough.One disagreement I will mention is Branch. In my 1.01 I've moved him into elite top five territory. Anyway, I kept the quote to share this little tidbit bouncing around. I guess the word is spreading fast among the important particulars that this draft is below average and those smarmy scouts are doing a number on the underclassmen. Some very solid sources are expecting this year to be the record setter for number of underclassmen coming out. I can think of many who could turn this into a very solid year yet again.
It's almost criminal.
And this year is different than the last few as there seems to be a meeting of need and availability at the top of the draft.
