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The 2007
NFL Draft: To Trade Down or Not to Trade Down...
With only a
week to go until the NFL Draft, the rumors are flying. There are six
teams in the top ten that want to trade down (the exceptions being
Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Miami), but finding a partner
will be difficult at best. In recent years, there’s been a trend for
teams to stay put, or stockpile picks. The New England Patriots and
Philadelphia Eagles are the most recent examples of patience in the
draft leading to success. When combined with the “copycat”
philosophy of the NFL, it makes a draft day blockbuster trade a true
rarity. For simplicity, trades will not be accounted for in this
mock, but keep in mind that Jon Gruden’s overly-publicized
“man-crush” on Calvin Johnson may allow for an exciting move or two
in the first round. Look for the final version of Doctor Football’s
mock draft later in the week.
***UPDATE
(4/27/07): Calvin Johnson will be taken with the second pick in the
draft. Whether it's by the Lions or Bucs remains to be seen. A trade
between Tampa and Detroit looks to be imminent.
***UPDATE (4/27/07): The recent news involving Adrian Peterson's
injured shoulder could enhance the chances that he would be
available for the Texans. However, don't be surprised if the Vikings
take him, even though it's not a position of need. ***UPDATE
(4/27/07): Denver and Houston have worked out a deal contingent upon
who is available at number ten. If either Peterson, Landry, or Okoye
are still there, the deal is off, because the Texans covet all
three. If they aren't, the Texans get the Broncos 1st (21), 2nd (56)
and the latter of two 3rd (86) round picks.
|
1 |
 |
JaMarcus Russell |
LSU |
QB |
Pay no
mind to the rumors about Calvin Johnson. Russell is Al
Davis' ideal quarterback. |
|
2 |
 |
Calvin
Johnson |
Georgia
Tech |
WR |
Detroit
will thrill their fans by selecting the right player only to
trade him away 20 minutes later. |
|
3 |
 |
Brady
Quinn |
Notre
Dame |
QB |
Adrian
Peterson might go here, but in the end, Al Lerner wants to
solve the Browns' QB quandry. |
|
4 |
 |
Gaines Adams |
Clemson |
DE |
In one
way, shape, or form, Adams will be a Lion by 1:00 PM Eastern
time. |
|
5 |
|
Joe
Thomas |
Wisconsin |
OT |
Matt
Leinhart and the rest of the Cardinals rejoice when the
Lions pass on Thomas. |
|
6 |
 |
Amobi
Okoye |
Louisville |
DT |
Washington is desperately trying to trade out of this spot,
but they won't be able to find a partner. |
|
7 |
 |
LaRon
Landry |
LSU |
S |
Laron
Landry celebrates when he realizes he gets to continue
wearing purple. Yeeaaaaaaaaa! |
|
8 |
 |
Leon
Hall |
Michigan |
CB |
While
cornerback isn't a "need", GM Rich McKay needs someone to
play opposite DeAngelo Hall. |
|
9 |
 |
Levi
Brown |
Penn
State |
OT |
This may
be early for Brown, but he'd be a huge upgrade over L.J.
Shelton. |
|
10 |
 |
Adrian
Peterson |
Oklahoma |
RB |
It's
doubtful he'll fall this far, but after Cleveland, nobody
really needs a running back. |
|
11 |
 |
Jamaal
Anderson |
Arkansas |
DE |
Mike
Nolan lands a prototypical pass-rusher for the 3-4 defense. |
|
12 |
 |
Patrick
Willis |
Mississippi |
LB |
It's too
late for Peterson and too early for Marshawn Lynch. Willis
fills another gaping hole, though. |
|
13 |
 |
Alan
Branch |
Michigan |
DT |
Even
though many question his "motor", he's too talented for the
Rams to pass on. |
|
14 |
 |
Greg
Olsen |
Miami |
TE |
Teaming
Olsen with Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson makes Jake
Delhomme much better. |
|
15 |
 |
Adam
Carriker |
Nebraska |
DE |
Losing
Joey Porter hurt their pass rush and athleticism. Carriker
fills the void. |
|
16 |
 |
Marshawn Lynch |
California |
RB |
At this
point, Vernand Mornecy is at the top of their depth chart.
VERNAND MORENCY!!!! |
|
17 |
 |
Reggie
Nelson |
Florida |
S |
The Jags
could use another playmaker in the secondary to complement
Rashean Mathis. |
|
18 |
 |
Darrelle Revis |
Pittsburgh |
CB |
Basically, any player that hasn't been to jail is an upgrade
for the Bengals. |
|
19 |
 |
Ted
Ginn, Jr. |
Ohio
State |
WR |
Ginn
immediately becomes Vince Young's Scottie Pippen. |
|
20 |
 |
Joe
Staley |
Central
Michigan |
OT |
Staley
is a work-in-progress, but the Giants have to replace Luke
Petitgout. |
|
21 |
 |
Jarvis
Moss |
Florida |
DE |
Denver's
aging defensive line is improved with a guy who reminds many
of Jevon Kearse. |
|
22 |
 |
Dwayne
Bowe |
LSU |
WR |
The
Cowboys are thrilled to have a wonderful example like T.O.
to mentor this fine, young receiver. |
|
23 |
 |
Robert
Meachem |
Tennessee |
WR |
The
Chiefs have needed a decent wideout for years, and finally
take one in a receiver-deep draft. |
|
24 |
|
Aaron
Ross |
Texas |
CB |
New
England
will have to replace Asante Samuel next season and Ross is
the best corner left. |
|
25 |
 |
Chris
Houston |
Arkansas |
CB |
Houston
is a pure cover corner - something the Jets are lacking. |
|
26 |
 |
Brandon
Meriweather |
Miami |
S |
Brian
Dawkins is "long in the tooth" and Meriweather is a perfect
replacement. |
|
27 |
 |
Justin
Harrell |
Tennessee |
DT |
The
Saints are old in the middle and they ranked in the
bottom-third against the run last year. |
|
28 |
|
Paul
Posluszny |
Penn
State |
LB |
The
entire NFL is happy to see a downtrodden franchise like the
Patriots have two first-round picks. |
|
29 |
|
Ryan
Kalil |
USC |
C |
Ozzie
Newsome has to start rebuilding the offensive line and Kalil
is a great start. |
|
30 |
 |
Steve
Smith |
USC |
WR |
Yes, the
"other" USC receiver. His speed and better route-running
vault him over Dwayne Jarrett. |
|
31 |
 |
Lawrence Timmons |
Florida
State |
LB |
Lance
Briggs will continue to be a problem throughout the season.
Timmons will replace him quickly. |
|
32 |
 |
Jon
Beason |
Miami |
LB |
They'd
love to see Harrell here, but Beason is a linebacker Tony
Dungy loves - small and fast. |
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