No trades; tried to match team needs with projected player rankings. All criticism is welcome.
1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
This team needs a QB in the worst way. Russell is the consensus #1 rated QB in this draft and has all of the makings of a franchise player. I cannot see the Raiders passing on another QB this season. I also don't see them trading down. There is a very good chance either Detroit or Cleveland would take Russell is he was there; the Raiders won't blow this one.
2. Detriot - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
I would not be surprised to see them trade this pick away. However, if they don't, I believe they take the best available defensive player. I think Anderson is a more complete end than Adams and has Julius Peppers like potential. Landry might be the most dynamic player in the draft, but a combo-end like Anderson is much more difficult to find.
3. Cleveland - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconson
If Calvin Johnson makes it to them, they will be fielding all kinds of offers. That being said, since I'm not projecting trades, they take Joe Thomas in this position. Thomas is head and shoulders above any other offensive lineman in the draft and projects as a legitimate NFL-caliber LT. Adrian Peterson is tempting, but having signed Jamal Lewis and with quality backs coming out of college seemingly every year, Thomas > Peterson for Cleveland.
4. Tampa Bay - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
This might seem like a no-brainer, but I wouldn't be shocked to see either Peterson or Okoye go here. In the end, Gruden comes to his sense and takes the best player in the draft. Galloway is getting up there in years and Clayton has regressed severely.
5. Arizona - LaRon Landry, S, LSU
The best defensive player in the draft goes to a team seriously lacking a solid pass-defense. Landry would take pressure off of both corners with his coverage skills and keep Arizona in more games. No offensive lineman worthy of this pick.
6. Washington - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
I am biased against Gaines Adams and wonder whether he will hold up against the run in the NFL. Okoye is my second ranked D-lineman and would make for a solid addition to a Skins defense that struggled to generate a pass rush or hold the line of scrimmage.
7. Minnesota - Adrian peterson, RB, Oklahoma
I don't think the Vikes are ready to give up on Tavarious Jackson and nothing helps out a young QB more than a lethal ground game. Chester Taylor had decent numbers last season, but there were many games he completely disappeared and had trouble converting third downs and GL carries.
8. Atlanta - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Atlanta needs an end to replace Patrick Kearney. They already have their speed rusher in John Abraham and now need a strong side end that can stop the run, as well as rush the passer.
9. Miami - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Quinn would be an excellent insurance policy in case Culpepper isn't healthy. Additionally, if the Dolphins do acquire Green, he's still the pick to sit and learn for a season.
10. Houston - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
The Texans completely re-tooled their offensive backfield this off-season (Green, Schaub). In order for these guys to be successful, they need some beef up front. Brown is clearly the #2 O-lineman in the draft. Branch or Adams would be tempting, but the Texans have spent a lot of high round picks on their D-line the last few years (Travis Johnson, Williams, Babin...)
11. San Fran - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Branch would be a perfect fit to play the nose in Nolan's 3-4 defense. Adams keeps sliding in the mock, but he just doesn't fit the 3-4, and they have a similar player in Manny Lawson.
12. Buffalo - Pat Willis, LB, Ole Miss
I really, really want to put Marshawn Lynch here, but in the end, Willis provides better value at a tougher position to fill and Buffalo lost both Spikes and Fletcher this off-season.
13. St. Louis - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Rumor is that St. Louis really like Darelle Revis, and I think he would be a better choice here, but Adams would be too much for this team to pass on. James Hall is 30 and Leonard Little is 32; neither being young players. Gaines Adams could at the very least boost the pass rush by rotating in at end or standing up and playing a little OLB like a Greg Ellis. They would find a way to get him on the field.
14. Carolina - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
Aside from Steve Smith, this team does not have a receiving threat opponents need to fear. Olsen would change that; he's a big play TE in the Dallas Clark mold. A safety like Nelson or a LB like Posluzny could be the pick here, but the drop-off at those positions is far less than at TE.
15. Pittsburgh - Paul Posluzny, LB, Penn State
The hometown guy would fit in regardless of whether they play a 3-4 or switch to a cover-2. A corner like Revis or Hall would be of consideration, but with the depth in this year's class, they should be able to get a good one in round two.
16. Green Bay - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal'
IMO a complete steal; I personally like him better than Peterson due to his ability catch the ball not just out of the backfield, but downfield as well. This guy would replace Ahman Green in the running game and provide Favre another receiving option.
17. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
I think that Ted Ginn would be the perfect fit for this team. He would add a dynamic playmaking threat across the deep seam this offense is lacking. That being said, word out of Jaguar land is that Nelson is their guy and they just hope Carolina doesn't take him at 14.
18. Cincinatti - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
This team needs defensive help, and Hall is the best left on the board. He would be an excellent complement to last year's #1, Jonathon Joseph.
19. Tennessee - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
I like Revis, Meachem and Ginn all here at this pick. Revis would fill a need with Pacman suspended and Ginn would be an upgrade at WR, and replace Pacman in the return game. With that being said, I have Meachem far and away the second best wideout in this draft and would hate to see them take Ginn just because of his returning ability. There will be some solid CBs available in round two.
20. NYG - Darelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
This team needs a true #1 CB just about as bad as anyone and Revis falling this far would be a coup. Staley and Timmons are also options.
21. Denver - Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Surprise; Denver adds another weapon for Cutler (Rod Smith is on his last leg) and also finds a replacement for Darrent Williams at punt returner.
22. Dallas - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
With both Ginn and Meachem off the board, I thing the Cows look away from WR and go for the best CB; that being Ross. This would allow them to better matchup Anthony Henry against slower receivers, backs and TEs. Henry really struggled against quicker WRs last year.
23. Kansas City - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
This team's line has been decimated recently. Take the best O-lineman on the board and a guy whose stock has been skyrocketing recently.
24. New England - Jon Beason, LB, Miami
Rumor is the Pats absolutely love this kid. Who am I to argue with three Super Bowl rings?
25. NYJ - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Anytime your starting CBs are Andre Dyson and Hank Poteat, you need an upgrade. Houston is just outside the top three of Revis, Hall and Ross.
26. Philly - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
It is ridiculous to think a team won't take a player at a certain position because they haven't historically. Bowe is probably a top half of the first round talent, but with the depth at WR in this class, he's still available. He's a big tough physical WR that would fit the west-coast offense perfectly.
27. New Orleans - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
It looks like they will sign Jason David away from Indianapolis, so CB isn't as big of a need anymore. This team has few holes to fill, but DT is certainly a position they could get better at. Dwayne Jarrett is also an option here.
28. New England - Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami
Here's a guy that can play both safety and corner. He'll end up eventually either replacing Asante Samuel or Rodney Harrison.
29. Baltimore - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Baltimore lost Adalius Thomas to free-agency. Moss is a similar player that could easily be converted from DE to rush linebacker.
30. San Diego - Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Safety is a definite need for this team. I keep wanting to put Dwayne Jarrett here, but I think he is very similar to Vincent Jackson.
31. Chicago - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
This team really needs some additional playmakers on offense. Mush isn't getting any younger and Jarrett would be a perfect replacement for him.
32. Indianapolis - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Cato June is gone, so Timmons fills a need and is one of the best available players on the board at this point.
1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
This team needs a QB in the worst way. Russell is the consensus #1 rated QB in this draft and has all of the makings of a franchise player. I cannot see the Raiders passing on another QB this season. I also don't see them trading down. There is a very good chance either Detroit or Cleveland would take Russell is he was there; the Raiders won't blow this one.
2. Detriot - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
I would not be surprised to see them trade this pick away. However, if they don't, I believe they take the best available defensive player. I think Anderson is a more complete end than Adams and has Julius Peppers like potential. Landry might be the most dynamic player in the draft, but a combo-end like Anderson is much more difficult to find.
3. Cleveland - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconson
If Calvin Johnson makes it to them, they will be fielding all kinds of offers. That being said, since I'm not projecting trades, they take Joe Thomas in this position. Thomas is head and shoulders above any other offensive lineman in the draft and projects as a legitimate NFL-caliber LT. Adrian Peterson is tempting, but having signed Jamal Lewis and with quality backs coming out of college seemingly every year, Thomas > Peterson for Cleveland.
4. Tampa Bay - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
This might seem like a no-brainer, but I wouldn't be shocked to see either Peterson or Okoye go here. In the end, Gruden comes to his sense and takes the best player in the draft. Galloway is getting up there in years and Clayton has regressed severely.
5. Arizona - LaRon Landry, S, LSU
The best defensive player in the draft goes to a team seriously lacking a solid pass-defense. Landry would take pressure off of both corners with his coverage skills and keep Arizona in more games. No offensive lineman worthy of this pick.
6. Washington - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
I am biased against Gaines Adams and wonder whether he will hold up against the run in the NFL. Okoye is my second ranked D-lineman and would make for a solid addition to a Skins defense that struggled to generate a pass rush or hold the line of scrimmage.
7. Minnesota - Adrian peterson, RB, Oklahoma
I don't think the Vikes are ready to give up on Tavarious Jackson and nothing helps out a young QB more than a lethal ground game. Chester Taylor had decent numbers last season, but there were many games he completely disappeared and had trouble converting third downs and GL carries.
8. Atlanta - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Atlanta needs an end to replace Patrick Kearney. They already have their speed rusher in John Abraham and now need a strong side end that can stop the run, as well as rush the passer.
9. Miami - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Quinn would be an excellent insurance policy in case Culpepper isn't healthy. Additionally, if the Dolphins do acquire Green, he's still the pick to sit and learn for a season.
10. Houston - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
The Texans completely re-tooled their offensive backfield this off-season (Green, Schaub). In order for these guys to be successful, they need some beef up front. Brown is clearly the #2 O-lineman in the draft. Branch or Adams would be tempting, but the Texans have spent a lot of high round picks on their D-line the last few years (Travis Johnson, Williams, Babin...)
11. San Fran - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Branch would be a perfect fit to play the nose in Nolan's 3-4 defense. Adams keeps sliding in the mock, but he just doesn't fit the 3-4, and they have a similar player in Manny Lawson.
12. Buffalo - Pat Willis, LB, Ole Miss
I really, really want to put Marshawn Lynch here, but in the end, Willis provides better value at a tougher position to fill and Buffalo lost both Spikes and Fletcher this off-season.
13. St. Louis - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Rumor is that St. Louis really like Darelle Revis, and I think he would be a better choice here, but Adams would be too much for this team to pass on. James Hall is 30 and Leonard Little is 32; neither being young players. Gaines Adams could at the very least boost the pass rush by rotating in at end or standing up and playing a little OLB like a Greg Ellis. They would find a way to get him on the field.
14. Carolina - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
Aside from Steve Smith, this team does not have a receiving threat opponents need to fear. Olsen would change that; he's a big play TE in the Dallas Clark mold. A safety like Nelson or a LB like Posluzny could be the pick here, but the drop-off at those positions is far less than at TE.
15. Pittsburgh - Paul Posluzny, LB, Penn State
The hometown guy would fit in regardless of whether they play a 3-4 or switch to a cover-2. A corner like Revis or Hall would be of consideration, but with the depth in this year's class, they should be able to get a good one in round two.
16. Green Bay - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal'
IMO a complete steal; I personally like him better than Peterson due to his ability catch the ball not just out of the backfield, but downfield as well. This guy would replace Ahman Green in the running game and provide Favre another receiving option.
17. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
I think that Ted Ginn would be the perfect fit for this team. He would add a dynamic playmaking threat across the deep seam this offense is lacking. That being said, word out of Jaguar land is that Nelson is their guy and they just hope Carolina doesn't take him at 14.
18. Cincinatti - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
This team needs defensive help, and Hall is the best left on the board. He would be an excellent complement to last year's #1, Jonathon Joseph.
19. Tennessee - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
I like Revis, Meachem and Ginn all here at this pick. Revis would fill a need with Pacman suspended and Ginn would be an upgrade at WR, and replace Pacman in the return game. With that being said, I have Meachem far and away the second best wideout in this draft and would hate to see them take Ginn just because of his returning ability. There will be some solid CBs available in round two.
20. NYG - Darelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
This team needs a true #1 CB just about as bad as anyone and Revis falling this far would be a coup. Staley and Timmons are also options.
21. Denver - Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Surprise; Denver adds another weapon for Cutler (Rod Smith is on his last leg) and also finds a replacement for Darrent Williams at punt returner.
22. Dallas - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
With both Ginn and Meachem off the board, I thing the Cows look away from WR and go for the best CB; that being Ross. This would allow them to better matchup Anthony Henry against slower receivers, backs and TEs. Henry really struggled against quicker WRs last year.
23. Kansas City - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
This team's line has been decimated recently. Take the best O-lineman on the board and a guy whose stock has been skyrocketing recently.
24. New England - Jon Beason, LB, Miami
Rumor is the Pats absolutely love this kid. Who am I to argue with three Super Bowl rings?
25. NYJ - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Anytime your starting CBs are Andre Dyson and Hank Poteat, you need an upgrade. Houston is just outside the top three of Revis, Hall and Ross.
26. Philly - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
It is ridiculous to think a team won't take a player at a certain position because they haven't historically. Bowe is probably a top half of the first round talent, but with the depth at WR in this class, he's still available. He's a big tough physical WR that would fit the west-coast offense perfectly.
27. New Orleans - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
It looks like they will sign Jason David away from Indianapolis, so CB isn't as big of a need anymore. This team has few holes to fill, but DT is certainly a position they could get better at. Dwayne Jarrett is also an option here.
28. New England - Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami
Here's a guy that can play both safety and corner. He'll end up eventually either replacing Asante Samuel or Rodney Harrison.
29. Baltimore - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Baltimore lost Adalius Thomas to free-agency. Moss is a similar player that could easily be converted from DE to rush linebacker.
30. San Diego - Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Safety is a definite need for this team. I keep wanting to put Dwayne Jarrett here, but I think he is very similar to Vincent Jackson.
31. Chicago - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
This team really needs some additional playmakers on offense. Mush isn't getting any younger and Jarrett would be a perfect replacement for him.
32. Indianapolis - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Cato June is gone, so Timmons fills a need and is one of the best available players on the board at this point.
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Sorry. I am offensive this morning purely by being very distracted by work and giddy about the draft. I had my first ever post deleted in another thread. :XYou are correct. You made some very bold calls, and I just scanned for a quick feel of it. They are all starting to smell alike, which is a good thing. I confess I have a hunch the media is "off" more than usual this year. I expect much gnashing of teeth by fans who wanted someone else. Anderson and Ginn are very interesting calls in this mock. Since it is final, I will get it in the contest. Good luck. I gotta run for the rest of the day now. :(
