Thursday, April 26, 2007
True Illusion's 1st Round Mock Draft
By Craig Smith
TLF Member
With less then a week to go here it is ladies and gentleman...
1. Oakland Raiders JaMarcus Russell QB
Forget about it, this is about as done of deal as you can get. If
someone wants this pick from Oakland they will have to give up the
world and Johnson just ain't worth it in my book.
2. Atlanta Falcons (from Detroit) Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech
Petrino gave up Schuab, putting all his faith in Vick. He also claims
he will up Vick's completion percentage to 65%. If he truly plans to
do that this is his first step. Vick needs an elite receiver, and
Johnson is the only player in the draft that will make a real impact
on his completion percentage. And I highly expect Atlanta to overpay
for this pick to get it done. Sorry Bucs fans…
3. Cleveland Browns Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Cleveland was pretty active in the offseason, but this is their
biggest needs. They much like Oakland have some playmakers in Kellen
Winslow and Braylon Edwards, but Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson are
just to incompetent as starters to make those weapons truly effective.
They upgraded on their o-line and at RB through free agency, so this
is their next step. I was surprised that they dealt Droughns though,m
but expect them to pursue someone at the TB position in rounds 2 or 3
there will be some competent players available there to give Lewis his
breathers. Expect a Michael Bush, Tony Hunt, Kenny Irons, Antonio
Pittman or Brian Leonard to be pushing Lewis all season long.
4. Arizona Cardinals (From Tampa Bay) Joe Thomas, OT Wisoncsin
With Quinn and Johnson off the board Thomas is the only choice for
Tampa Bay at this spot. That's why Arizona, after claiming it won't
move up, does. They need Joe Thomas more than any team needs any
player in this years draft. Arizona gives up only as much as they
have to to grab who they need.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Arizona) Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
This pick may surprise people but call it a hunch but I got a deep
down feeling Simeon Rice will be playing for Rod Marinelli next
season. Unfortunately for the Bucs, it will be because they cut him
and his bloated 7.2 million cap number. So they select the baest pass
rusher in the draft and in a very reasonable spot.
6. Washington Redskins Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Ouch that Adams pick hurt them. They really had their sights set, but
they also need help in the middle of the line to keep the Guards off
of newly aquired ILB London Fletcher who is aging by the second these
day. Okoye seems to be rocketing up the boards but not here,
Washington takes the man that can play either inside spot and doesn't
think twice about it.
7. Minnesota Vikings LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Despite what anyone says, this is their biggest need on a bad defense,
they could go for a LB or End but Landry is a top 5 guy who will make
the biggest impact for them. He is a tackling machine that has great
range and a good sense of the ball.
8. Detroit Lions (From Atlanta) Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
This trade down is huge for the Lions because they have a lot of needs
on defense. This will be a huge step up, and if they can get the
Falcons to throw in the rights to disgruntled SSLB DeMorrio Williams,
The Lions would go from one of the worst LB corps in the league to not
only one of the most formidable, but with Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey
and Alex Lewis then serving as backups they would have amazing depth
as well. If Landry drops to them he could be a possibility here as
well, but as long as Willis is there I don't see an option.
9. Miami Dolphins Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
When Andre Goodman is a staring CB on your team, you know it's a
position screamg for a first round upgrade. Does this need any more
explanation then that?
10. Houston Texans Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
The Texans spent money for Ahman Green in the offseason, but he is
injury prone and not what he used to be. No one though Peterson would
drop this far and after the disaster that was passing on Reggie Bush
last year, Gary Kubiak rushes up there with this pick. As a matter of
fact he rushes up so fast the Bills Phone call doesn't even come
through until he is at the podium.
11. San Francisco 49ers Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
This team needs this massive run stuffer in the middle of their line
since they are starting third string players at both nose and under
tackle at the moment. They don't hesitate or think DE or WR because
they know they can get that later since those positions are fairly
deep this year.
12. Buffalo Bills Darelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
No Patrick Willis, No Adrian Peterson. The Bills just might be crying
because they didn't trade up. Nate Clements departure leaves a huge
hole at CB so they go with the best one on the board. I then expect
them to focus on ILB in round 2 where they should be able to land
Brandon Siler or David Harris. They will take a hard look at Marshawn
Lynch here but in the end they figure Dick Juron drafted Anthony
Thomas in the first round for a reason. They may also get involved in
a potential trade for either Michael Turner or Tatum Bell before the
season starts.
13. St. Louis Rams Alan Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
The Rams need all kinds of D-Line help. Carriker comes in with good
size and the ability to play End or Tackle. They traded for James
Hall, but he alone is not enough to help them.
14. Carolina Panthers Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
The team hopes the David Carr will be able to push delhomme for the
starting spot and with Keyshawn's age it adds another playmaker to
help him make the adjustment from back up back into a starter and will
give both him and Delhomme a good target over the middle.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansa
They lost Joey Porter which ifs going to severly effect their pass
rush. A Pass Rush that was lacking in their defensive line last year
anyways. So they plug Anderson in and let him feast on QB's for the
next 10 years.
16. Green Bay Packers Ted Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
People keep saying WR to Green Bay, but that Greg Jennings kid looked
pretty good opposite Donald Driver last year. Greg Olsen could be an
option but with Lynch still on the board this is almost a no brainer
for the Pack, and I but aaron Rodgers is really pushing for it to
happen to.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
The Jaguars lost Deon Grant in free agency and they need a cover
safety since they will have to contend with receivers like Marvin
Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson. Nelson will give them the
play making ability and range that they need to help keep those guys
in check as much as possible.
18. Cincinnati Bengals Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
Their offense can light it up but their defense has trouble stopping
people. Posluszny will come in and take over at SSLB and give this
team some quality character on defense.
19. Tennessee Titans Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
Vince Young needs a go-to guy on the outside. Meachem will give him
not only a big strget but a fast one at that. Jarrett, Ginn and Bowe
could all be options a swell since I have them all rated fairly
equally, Although Bowe will probably be the last selected because he
is a step slower then the rest. Anyone that thinks they are taking a
corner because of the PAcman suspension, well didn't you hear that's
why they signed Nick Harper.
20. N.Y. Giants Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Brown may very well be a top 10 talent so seeing him fall this far
after releasing long time starter Luke Pttigoat is a answer from the
heavens for Eli Manning. LB is a big need as well but with a fairly
raw Lawrence Timmons being the beast available they get their new
Franchise Tackle and at a great spot and good price.
21. Denver Broncos Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
This is one of those weird spots where OT seems to be a big need for
the team especially after trading George Foster to Detroit and
starting a very young and raw QB. Staley is a bit of a reach here,
but heshould be able to become their staring LT from day one and
allowing everyone else to fight it out for the RT spot giving Cutler
the best tandem they can to protect him.
22. Dallas Cowboys Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
The Cowboys don't have a lot of holes, but their receivers are getting
up their in age. Ginn is lightning fast and can stretch the field.
And take pressure off Glenn and Ownes if either returns to the team.
23. Kansas City Chiefs Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Corner, Offensive Line and Wide Reciever are the teams biggest needs,
but there is more depth at O-Line and WR then at quality corners, so
the teams takes the lightning fast Houston to come in and learn from
Ty Law and Patrick Surtain.
24. New England Patriots Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
Asante Samuels does not appear to be returning and their depth behind
him is light. Ross may come in and immediately push to start opposite
Ellis Hobbs. They will also look for a safety but Merriweather and
Griffen will be available later.
25. N.Y. Jets Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Kimo Van whats his name was a big signing that was suppose to clog up
the middle with Dewayne Robertson, he failed miserably and is entering
his 14th season. Harrell should silidiy this D-line. I expect a
strong push from them to go deep into the playoffs, if Pennington can
stay healthy and if he cant it will be interesting to see how Kellen
Clemens can handle the offense.
26. Philadelphia Eagles Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
They want a corner or safety here but there is nothing that those
spots besides Brandon Merriweather. His character issues will hold
him down a bit. That said thye try to give McNabb a goto guy on the
outside. Watch out though a third straight year on IF for McNabb
might have this team looking at QB in the first round next year.
Just a little food for thought.
27. New Orleans Saints Marcus Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
The Saints have one major hole on the offensive line and no major
holes anywhere else. Theyre LBs are not great but they aren't bad
either. So they give a returning Drew Brees plenty of protection to
deal the ball out. Look for them to come back at LB or WR in round 2.
28. New England Patriots Michael Griffin S Texas
Harrision will stick around one more year and that's a bonus for
Griffin and the Patriots. Griffen will slide right in the following
year and a strong team remains that way.
29. Baltimore Ravens Jon Beason, OLB, Miami
After Adailus Thomas decided to depart for New England, they need a
replacement, no matter what they say, and Jon Beason comes with a mean
streak that will fit nicely next to Ray Lewis and Bart Scott.
30. San Diego Chargers Dwayne Jarrett WR Southern California
Jarrett appeared to be falling out of the first round, but he makes
sense, playing for USC he is well known and with a 6-4 frame will give
a still improving Phillip Rivers a massive target to hit. You may
think he is low but it didn't stop him from tearing apart the #corner
Leon Hall in the Rose Bowl. Some people just play faster then what
can be measured and Jarrett is a possession receiver that will break
tackles and turn short routes into big ones for the chargers.
31. Chicago Bears Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB, Florida
Briggs may be gone, he may not, no one knows right now and may not
know until draft day. Either way Jarvis Moss can play both down and
up and at 6-7, 250 lbs he can run almost as fast as OLB Lawrence
Timmons. I expect him to take over for Briggs, and he will be a
monster to try and pass around.
32. Indianapolis Colts Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida
Just when it appears Timmons was going to bounce out of the first
round Indianapolis saves him. What did you expect there were plenty
of OLB with first round talent and Indy just lost a pro bowler at the
position to Tampa Bay. Timmons should join the defending super bowl
champions, but a chance of a repeat is slim after their roster got
picked dry in free agency…
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