| Authored by Jeff Risdon - 6th December, 2006 - 2:29 am
 Final mock before the end of both the college and NFL seasons, and this draft once again features some personal speculation as to final draft order.
1. Oakland Raiders: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame.
The Andrew Walter experiment failed, and in spite of OL woes the Raiders need a new franchise player to build around. Quinn’s early Notre Dame experience has prepared him for playing behind bad lines with mediocre weapons. Raiders will strongly consider dealing the pick to move down and get multiple picks.
2. Detroit Lions- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin.
Giant bookend tackle improved steadily as the year progressed, while the Lions OL keeps getting worse despite getting healthier. Thomas is a better run blocker than pass protector, at least initially. My informed source tells me as long as Mike Martz is running the offense, they have zero interest in drafting a QB this high.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Jake Long, T, Michigan.
The Cards have (hopefully!) finally figured out they cannot run the ball without a strong OL. I’ve talked to people who would know and they tell me Long is 50/50 on entering the draft. If he thinks he’ll go this high, he’s coming out. If not, look for Arizona to consider Sam Baker or Alan Branch.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech.
Johnson is the top WR prospect since Roy Williams, a sure-handed receiver with great size and speed. He and Joey Galloway would provide whoever is their QB with big play targets that run excellent routes, plus Galloway can mentor a WR very similar to his younger self. Brian Brohm would not be as shocking a pick as it might first seem.
5. Cleveland Browns- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson.
The Browns 3-4 defense needs an upgrade at each spot of the “3”, and Adams can provide the pass rush and run reliability needed at DE. Cleveland will strongly look at Brian Brohm if Charlie Frye continues to struggle at QB. Alan Branch will merit strong consideration as well. Any Adrian Peterson speculation is incredible in the literal sense; they’d deal the pick before taking him.
6. Houston Texans- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma.
AP’s frequent injury history and reckless style scares some scouts, but his outside explosiveness and power between the tackles is too tantalizing for the Texans, who do not expect Domanick Davis to return and still feel the sting of not drafting Reggie Bush. They’ll strongly consider Leon Hall too.
7. Tennessee Titans- Leon Hall, CB, Michigan.
Forget Hall’s awful day against OSU; he’s a very physical corner with excellent instinct and better-than-advertised closing speed. He’s also a solid tackler, which would make him unique in the Titans secondary.
8. Green Bay Packers- Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State.
World-class speedster has worked hard at becoming a complete WR, though his hands are still iffy at times. His PR/KR abilities and potential as a 3rd down back add to his value for the Packers, who desperately need playmakers around Brett Favre.
9. Washington Redskins- Alan Branch, DT, Michigan.
Denver could option this pick but this selection assumes they will not. Branch’s stock keeps rising; one scout told me Branch favorable compares to Corey Simon, a strong run stuffer with good pass rush ability playing either 1- or 2- gap defense.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers- Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia.
Note his positions, DE and OLB. That’s code for “has to play in a 3-4 or hybrid defense”. The Steelers fit that bill, and Moses has shown the ability to cover in a zone blitz, a staple of the Pittsburgh defense. This pick is unchanged, though the selection slot has with the Steelers’ steep decline.
11. Philadelphia Eagles- Laron Landry, S, LSU.
Ballhawking safety with excellent range and size, and a solid run defender despite not being an exceptional tackler. The Eagles secondary is as responsible for the decline of the team as any other position, and Landry adds much-needed depth and versatility.
12. Buffalo Bills- Sam Baker, OT, USC.
Baker’s stock keeps rising thanks to his exceptional footwork and improved aggressiveness in run blocking. Buffalo badly needs depth and stability on the OL, and Baker is a great athlete for his size. He’s just a junior; if he’s not available, look for the Bills to go with Lamarr Woodley or a CB.
13. Minnesota Vikings- Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville.
Brohm has everything you want in a franchise QB: great arm, excellent touch, toughness, leadership, intelligence and recognition. The one concern is his health, and it’s a very legit concern. The Vikings will use about 5 seconds of their allotted time to make this pick and install Brohm as their starting QB.
14. San Francisco 49ers- Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State.
He’s the fastest and most experienced of the crop of fairly equitable CBs after Hall. McCauley is well-suited for the 49ers coverage schemes and offers potential special teams versatility. The Niners will look hard at WRs here as well.
15. Miami Dolphins- LaMarr Woodley, LB/DE, Michigan.
Miami’s aging defense needs more young reinforcements, and Woodley’s versatility and excellent attitude make him a good fit, even if it’s not their greatest position of need. His tweener size/speed is a concern, but he reminds some scouts of Willie McGinest or Adalius Thomas.
16. St. Louis Rams- Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State.
One of the quickest run-stuffers to come along in some time, Pitcock can play a major role in improving the Rams’ leaky run defense and still help out their anemic pass rush to boot. His stock might rise too high for this slot with a strong postseason showing.
17. Atlanta Falcons- Michael Griffin, S, Texas.
Great athlete with many of the skills of the Colts’ Bob Sanders, a hard-hitting run stuffer but just adequate in coverage despite excellent speed and acceleration. Griffin will wow people with his physical prowess in postseason workouts. Atlanta needs upgrades at both S positions and would strongly prefer Landry if he’s on the board when they pick.
18. New York Giants-Darrelle Revis, CB Pittsburgh.
When RW McQuarters is clearly your top cover man, you have a drastic need for CBs. Revis is a scouts’ darling who keeps improving and shows excellent man coverage technique. He’s got a lot of Ty Law in him, a great hitter and playmaker that is rarely out of position.
19. New York Jets- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU.
Dorsey is only a junior but few expect him back in Baton Rouge after his very impressive first season as a starter. He’s the bulky (6’3”, 305+) nose tackle the Jets desperately need in the middle of their 3-4 front, and he has enough quickness and upside to develop into a decent pass rusher.
20. Carolina Panthers- Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC.
Jarrett has the size, hands, and clutch performances of another former Trojan now playing WR for the Panthers, Keyshawn Johnson. He’s the best red zone target at WR in the draft since Plaxico Burress. He could be taken significantly higher than here; if so the Panthers will go LB or OL.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars- Justin Blalock, OL, Texas.
Blalock played very well at guard, but he’s probably better suited for RT in the NFL. The Jags need depth all over their OL and a bookend pairing with rising star Khalif Barnes, and Blalock has the size (6’4”, 320+) and drive blocking skills to get the job done.
22. Cincinnati Bengals- H.B. Blades, LB, Pittsburgh.
When you think of the classic inside LB, you’re picturing this guy. Always around the ball despite not having great size or speed, hard to block, excellent fundamental tackler. The Bengals run defense is in dire need of a guy with Blades’ skills. Very similar to Dolphins longtime standout Zach Thomas.
23. New Orleans Saints-Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech.
The Saints need lots of help at safety, and Rouse has steadily improved his pass coverage skills enough to solidify 1st round status. Exceptional physical specimen who hits as hard as anyone, he’ll help the Saints run defense right away. If a TE really stands out in postseason camps, the Saints will have a hard time passing him here.
24. Denver Broncos- Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina.
Rod Smith is slipping a bit, and David Kircus and Brandon Marshall have no business playing anything above #4 WR in the NFL. Rice is a field-stretcher with very solid hands, and he plays big for a 6’3”, 190 pounder. He’s only a redshirt sophomore but there’s almost zero chance he goes back to school.
25. New England Patriots (from Seattle)- Daymeion Hughes, CB, California.
Very aggressive, physical corner with great hands and a knack for big plays. New England has a chronic need for DBs, and “Donte” has shown good durability as a 3-year starter. His lack of speed and poor open-field tackling cause him to fall further than his overall ability dictates.
26. Kansas City Chiefs- Levi Brown, T, Penn State.
Brown has underachieved much of 2006, but he’s got excellent size and agility and remains an outstanding run blocker. The Chiefs have a dire need for OL help, and if Brown ever gets inspired to attack and improve he’s an absolute steal here. Samardzija and Higgins at WR are possibilities here.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami.
He’s sure to cause controversy wherever he goes for his despicable role in “the brawl”, but the fact remains Meriweather is a very good coverage-first safety, which is the biggest weakness on the Cowboys. He’s working very hard at rehabilitating his image for the draft, and a team that willingly took on TO has experience dealing with a divisive media whipping boy like Meriweather.
28. New England Patriots- Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State.
He’s a tackling machine and an excellent leader and locker-room presence who plays faster than his raw times. He’s smart, always poised, versatile enough to play any LB spot, all of which make him an excellent fit in New England. Not dis-similar to current Patriot Mike Vrabel, though he lacks Vrabel’s great hands.
29. San Diego Chargers- Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr., WR, UTEP.
A draft board riser, his exceptional (4.29 in the 40) speed and polish in route running should make him an excellent slot receiver and deep threat, and the Chargers have a need for both. Not a big guy and doesn’t always play at top speed, but Higgins has outstanding upside for a patient team. Can also contribute as a return man.
30. Baltimore Ravens- Marshawn Lynch, RB, California.
He has the potential to go much higher, but major deficiencies in both pass protection and receiving hurt his stock. He’s not blazing fast but is a tough outside runner with great acceleration and vision, an excellent complement to Jamal Lewis. If he’s gone, the Ravens will likely take Antoine Cason.
31. Chicago Bears- Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech.
The Bears are almost certain to lose Lance Briggs this offseason, and Adibi has the speed, recognition, and versatility to try and fill his considerable shoes. Former FB who excels in coverage and on special teams might choose to stay in school another year. Forget about the Bears going TE here; if they don’t take a LB they’ll go either S or OG.
32. Indianapolis Colts- Tank Tyler, DT, NC State.
Tyler is the large (6’2”+, 320) angry bull the Colts desperately lack in the middle of their run defense. Playing even better without 2006 1st rounders Williams and McCargo on the line with him, a very good sign. This pick is unchanged, though the selection slot has changed.
Other potential 1st rounders/high 2nd rounders:
Frank Okam, DT, Texas
Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State
Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
Tanard Jackson, CB, Syracuse
Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame
Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Josh Beekman, G, Boston College
Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
Ray McDonald, DE, Florida
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Travarous Bain, CB, Hampton
Buster Davis, LB, Florida State
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Dan Mozes, C, West Virginia
Brandon Siler, LB, Florida
Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
That’s 52 guys, and if the top 50 picks in the 2007 draft include less than 45 of these players, I’ll be surprised. Of course that can change should some early entrants choose to come out.
Jeff Risdon can be reached at jeff.risdon@gmail.com when he’s not watching football. |
