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Very Early 2007 Mock Draft
Authored by Jeff Risdon - 11th October, 2006 - 9:43 pm
I adjusted the team selection slots a little from the current standings. Hey, it?s a mock in the middle of October; if I?m projecting future draft picks I can project NFL final standings too.
1. Titans: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech. They don?t need a QB, they need a downfield threat for their QB. Johnson has the size, speed, and bravado to be a star right away.
2. Raiders: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame. Will go #1 if any team other than TEN, ARI, or HOU is picking there. Best overall QB prospect since Carson Palmer, not dis-similar to former Raider Rich Gannon.
3. Lions: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin. Mauling run blocker who has enough athleticism to handle speed rushers. Has all the tools to be a dominant bookend tackle for years, something the Lions have lacked since Lomas Brown left town.
4. Buccaneers: Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia. Simeon Rice can?t play forever, and he can tutor his successor. None of the above listed would fall below here if available.
5. Dolphins: Tedd Ginn Jr., WR/KR/PR, Ohio State. Dynamic playmaker has become a disciplined, complete WR and a much-needed weapon for Miami?s weak offense. They will think long and hard about moving up for Thomas or down to get Jake Long or Sam Baker.
6. 49ers: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan. Best pure cover corner in the draft, plays a physical style but has enough speed and a great nose for the ball.
7. Browns: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson. Good pass-rushing fit for a 3-4 team, but tough against the run and rarely out of position.
8. Cardinals: Levi Brown, T, Penn State. Great physical attributes and shows domination in pass blocking, but often very ordinary in run blocking. Can play either side, a bonus for a team like the Cards who have a completely unsettled OL.
9. Texans: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma. If they?re picking here and he?s still on the board, you?ll hear the cheering from the draft all the way in Houston. No matter where they pick in the first 10, he?ll be their pick, even if it?s #1. They learned their 2006 lesson.
10. Packers: Laron Landry, S, LSU. Playmaker with attitude will shore up a secondary that can neither cover nor tackle. If the Pack are picking significantly higher up, they?ll go with Joe Thomas or Adrian Peterson.
11. Bills: Jake Long, T, Michigan. Giant bookend tackle (he?s taller and heavier than his 6?7?, 320 listing) who has nimble enough feet to hold his own against speed rushers and make second-level blocks in the running game.
12. Steelers: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State. Dominant play against the run and surprising speed and agility in the pass rush have elevated Pitcock, who can play any DL spot in a 3-4.
13. Giants: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State. Great athletic ability and good coverage technique and instincts and fills a glaring need for the G-Men. Marshawn Lynch wouldn?t be a surprise here either.
14. Redskins: Denver will likely option this pick. If it?s the Broncos, I?ll predict Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC. If the Redskins are making their own pick, Sam Baker, T, USC. Trying to predict what the Redskins are going to do in the draft is like trying to guess the weather next week in Albuquerque by looking out the window today in Boston.
15. Jets: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal. Hard runner who can break the big run through a small hole. The Jets? most glaring need is WR, so if Jarrett is on the board and has met expectations in the postseason workouts, he?s an option here.
16. Chiefs: Justin Blalock, OL, Texas. Great drive blocker with enough agility to make pulls and second-level blocks. Needs work in pass protection, particularly versus the trendy 3-4. Good fit for a good team with a suddenly suspect OL as he has played both G and T.
17. Cowboys: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville. If he had two healthy knees, he?d be in the top 3 without question. How he plays once he returns from his latest knee surgery will determine if he falls this far or elevates back up to the top of the draft.
18. Vikings: Frank Okam, DT, Texas. The Vikings D has mightily improved because of the massive Williams combo up front. Okam can provide effective relief before taking over for the aging studs.
19. Rams: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska. Very physically similar to Mario Williams, which is both good and bad. Can be a great fit for their scheme if he shows adequate speed in the postseason workouts.
20. Broncos: See Redskins at #14. The Broncos would take Jarrett here too, the Redskins would look at Baker, Kenny Irons, or possibly Antoine Cason.
21. Saints: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State. Lacks ideal size and speed for the NFL but he?s been a tackling machine and a fierce competitor, two things the Saints have lacked at LB for years.
22. Jaguars: Fred Bennett, CB, South Carolina. Has played well against lots of different offensive styles in the SEC and a very solid all-around corner. Jags might look at LBs like Willis or Blades here.
23. Falcons: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss. Good fit as an ILB in a hybrid 3-4 like ATL runs, great tackler who sheds blocks well. Insurance against Hartwell getting hurt yet again.
24. Bengals: Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech. Physical freak who will drop jaws at the Combine and Senior Bowl workouts. Former LB has all the plusses and minuses of Cowboys S Roy Williams, though not as high of a talent ceiling.
25. Patriots: Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame. Lacks ideal size and isn?t great in coverage, but he?s a sure tackler with great instincts and the heady football IQ that makes him a trademark Patriot.
26. Panthers: Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma. Good all-around OLB that can cover TEs and RBs and make plays in the running game. Needs to play behind a strong DL, and the Panthers fit that bill.
27. Ravens: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame. Great size, adequate speed, excellent hands. Would/will go higher if he commits to giving up his promising baseball career and adds useful strength to his frame.
28. Chargers: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina. Good size for a deep threat and a pretty good run blocker, though his production falloff is a yellow flag. I?d advise him to stay in school, but the Chargers can afford to wait a year or two for his development.
29. Eagles: LaMarr Woodley, DE/LB, Michigan. A tweener who will likely be a pass defense specialist early on, but a proven playmaker in the open field and a high-motor, positive guy.
30. Seahawks: Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State. Great agility and strong armed leader, but his stock is falling due to lousy decision-making and a bad tendency to throw behind his receivers. Could go Top 10, could fall to 2nd day depending on how MSU plays out 2006.
31. Colts: David Harris, LB, Michigan. Very sure tackler with good vision and sheds blocks well, much improved but still has lots of upside. Will stiffen the Colts shaky run D right away.
32. Bears: Josh Beekman, G, Boston College. Very good run blocker with a natural OG frame, has improved his pass blocking enough to move into late 1st round consideration. The Bears have 4 potential FA over the next two years starting on their OL and little depth.
Very Early 2007 Mock Draft
Authored by Jeff Risdon - 11th October, 2006 - 9:43 pm
I adjusted the team selection slots a little from the current standings. Hey, it?s a mock in the middle of October; if I?m projecting future draft picks I can project NFL final standings too.
1. Titans: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech. They don?t need a QB, they need a downfield threat for their QB. Johnson has the size, speed, and bravado to be a star right away.
2. Raiders: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame. Will go #1 if any team other than TEN, ARI, or HOU is picking there. Best overall QB prospect since Carson Palmer, not dis-similar to former Raider Rich Gannon.
3. Lions: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin. Mauling run blocker who has enough athleticism to handle speed rushers. Has all the tools to be a dominant bookend tackle for years, something the Lions have lacked since Lomas Brown left town.
4. Buccaneers: Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia. Simeon Rice can?t play forever, and he can tutor his successor. None of the above listed would fall below here if available.
5. Dolphins: Tedd Ginn Jr., WR/KR/PR, Ohio State. Dynamic playmaker has become a disciplined, complete WR and a much-needed weapon for Miami?s weak offense. They will think long and hard about moving up for Thomas or down to get Jake Long or Sam Baker.
6. 49ers: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan. Best pure cover corner in the draft, plays a physical style but has enough speed and a great nose for the ball.
7. Browns: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson. Good pass-rushing fit for a 3-4 team, but tough against the run and rarely out of position.
8. Cardinals: Levi Brown, T, Penn State. Great physical attributes and shows domination in pass blocking, but often very ordinary in run blocking. Can play either side, a bonus for a team like the Cards who have a completely unsettled OL.
9. Texans: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma. If they?re picking here and he?s still on the board, you?ll hear the cheering from the draft all the way in Houston. No matter where they pick in the first 10, he?ll be their pick, even if it?s #1. They learned their 2006 lesson.
10. Packers: Laron Landry, S, LSU. Playmaker with attitude will shore up a secondary that can neither cover nor tackle. If the Pack are picking significantly higher up, they?ll go with Joe Thomas or Adrian Peterson.
11. Bills: Jake Long, T, Michigan. Giant bookend tackle (he?s taller and heavier than his 6?7?, 320 listing) who has nimble enough feet to hold his own against speed rushers and make second-level blocks in the running game.
12. Steelers: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State. Dominant play against the run and surprising speed and agility in the pass rush have elevated Pitcock, who can play any DL spot in a 3-4.
13. Giants: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State. Great athletic ability and good coverage technique and instincts and fills a glaring need for the G-Men. Marshawn Lynch wouldn?t be a surprise here either.
14. Redskins: Denver will likely option this pick. If it?s the Broncos, I?ll predict Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC. If the Redskins are making their own pick, Sam Baker, T, USC. Trying to predict what the Redskins are going to do in the draft is like trying to guess the weather next week in Albuquerque by looking out the window today in Boston.
15. Jets: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal. Hard runner who can break the big run through a small hole. The Jets? most glaring need is WR, so if Jarrett is on the board and has met expectations in the postseason workouts, he?s an option here.
16. Chiefs: Justin Blalock, OL, Texas. Great drive blocker with enough agility to make pulls and second-level blocks. Needs work in pass protection, particularly versus the trendy 3-4. Good fit for a good team with a suddenly suspect OL as he has played both G and T.
17. Cowboys: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville. If he had two healthy knees, he?d be in the top 3 without question. How he plays once he returns from his latest knee surgery will determine if he falls this far or elevates back up to the top of the draft.
18. Vikings: Frank Okam, DT, Texas. The Vikings D has mightily improved because of the massive Williams combo up front. Okam can provide effective relief before taking over for the aging studs.
19. Rams: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska. Very physically similar to Mario Williams, which is both good and bad. Can be a great fit for their scheme if he shows adequate speed in the postseason workouts.
20. Broncos: See Redskins at #14. The Broncos would take Jarrett here too, the Redskins would look at Baker, Kenny Irons, or possibly Antoine Cason.
21. Saints: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State. Lacks ideal size and speed for the NFL but he?s been a tackling machine and a fierce competitor, two things the Saints have lacked at LB for years.
22. Jaguars: Fred Bennett, CB, South Carolina. Has played well against lots of different offensive styles in the SEC and a very solid all-around corner. Jags might look at LBs like Willis or Blades here.
23. Falcons: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss. Good fit as an ILB in a hybrid 3-4 like ATL runs, great tackler who sheds blocks well. Insurance against Hartwell getting hurt yet again.
24. Bengals: Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech. Physical freak who will drop jaws at the Combine and Senior Bowl workouts. Former LB has all the plusses and minuses of Cowboys S Roy Williams, though not as high of a talent ceiling.
25. Patriots: Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame. Lacks ideal size and isn?t great in coverage, but he?s a sure tackler with great instincts and the heady football IQ that makes him a trademark Patriot.
26. Panthers: Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma. Good all-around OLB that can cover TEs and RBs and make plays in the running game. Needs to play behind a strong DL, and the Panthers fit that bill.
27. Ravens: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame. Great size, adequate speed, excellent hands. Would/will go higher if he commits to giving up his promising baseball career and adds useful strength to his frame.
28. Chargers: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina. Good size for a deep threat and a pretty good run blocker, though his production falloff is a yellow flag. I?d advise him to stay in school, but the Chargers can afford to wait a year or two for his development.
29. Eagles: LaMarr Woodley, DE/LB, Michigan. A tweener who will likely be a pass defense specialist early on, but a proven playmaker in the open field and a high-motor, positive guy.
30. Seahawks: Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State. Great agility and strong armed leader, but his stock is falling due to lousy decision-making and a bad tendency to throw behind his receivers. Could go Top 10, could fall to 2nd day depending on how MSU plays out 2006.
31. Colts: David Harris, LB, Michigan. Very sure tackler with good vision and sheds blocks well, much improved but still has lots of upside. Will stiffen the Colts shaky run D right away.
32. Bears: Josh Beekman, G, Boston College. Very good run blocker with a natural OG frame, has improved his pass blocking enough to move into late 1st round consideration. The Bears have 4 potential FA over the next two years starting on their OL and little depth.
Any comments JWins???