As the
combine starts, its time to take one final look at the draft
possibilities prior to all of the action at the combine. It still
appears as if JaMarcus Russell is a lock in the first round but the
picture gets a little more cloudy after that. Here is a look at
how things might shape up with the last mock draft until after the
combine.
1. Oakland
Raiders-JaMarcus Russell-QB-LSU-Hands down, the odds on favorite
to be the
first player selected first and go to the Raiders.
Russell would be the kind of
quarterback that
the Raiders need and could use and he represents the best “bet” in the
draft. A definite number one selection.
2. Detroit Lions-Joe
Thomas-OT-Wisconsin-The Lions could possibly take Brady Quinn
here with the
second pick in the draft but with their current quarterback, Jon Kitna,
playing
well enough, they would do well here by taking someone who can help not
only
protect Kitna but also open up running lanes for Kevin Jones and help
the
offense move the ball.
3. Cleveland
Browns-Adrian Peterson-RB-Oklahoma-The Browns will be looking to
add an extra
punch to their offense during the off season and they couldn’t go wrong
by
improving their running game and taking Peterson here.
He is the best running back in the
draft and
would make the Brown’s offense instantly better.
4. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers-Calvin Johnson-WR-Georgia Tech-The Buccaneers lack a
true down the
field threat at the wide receiver position and Johnson should be
sitting here
at number four when they make their first pick. He
is the consummate wide receiver
packing speed inside his well-built
frame.
5. Arizona
Cardinals-Gaines Adams-DE-Clemson-The Cardinals could take Joe
Thomas here if
he is available but if he isn’t grabbing a solid pass rushing defensive
end
would be good for them to do. Adams is
the top pass rusher in the draft and could really help improve the
Cardinal’s
defense and help improve the team overall.
6. Washington
Redskins-Alan Branch-DT-Michigan-The Redskins have a pretty good
foundation in
most areas of their team but lack a top playmaker on the defensive line. Adding Branch could bring a different
dimension to this team especially in stopping the run and would be
worth the
sixth pick in the first round.
7. Minnesota
Vikings-Dwayne Jarrett-WR-USC-If the Vikings don’t grab a top
notch wide
receiver in free agency they should be able to grab Jarrett here at
number
seven. Jarrett is a very productive
receiver, somewhat similar to Randy Moss, and can catch the ball well
and stretch
the defense. A must have player for the
Vikings.
8. Houston
Texans-Levi Brown-OT-Pittsburgh-The Texans should really start
to take their
inability to protect their quarterback seriously so grabbing a solid
offensive
line prospect is a must this year. Brown
is the type of player that can step in and start right away and could
really
help this offensive line in both the passing game and the running game.
9. Miami
Dolphins-Brady Quinn-QB-Notre Dame-The Dolphins have somewhat of
a quarterback
quandary going on and they could start building for the future by
taking Quinn
here. Their current quarterback
situation has them with Joey Harrington, most likely the 2007 starter
and in
often injured Daunte Culpepper. It is
possible that Culpepper would be released during the off-season and so
the
Dolphins might look to start grooming their quarterback of future and
Quinn
could be that player.
10. Atlanta
Falcons-Jammal Anderson-DE-Arkansas-The Falcons could try to
land a safety here
with this pick but they also desperately need some help on the
defensive line
and in particular, at the defensive end position. Anderson
proved to be a force when rushing
the passer in college and would fit well in the Falcon’s system.
11. San Francisco
49ers-Leon Hall-CB-Michigan-The 49ers could possibly take a wide
receiver here
such as Jarrett or Ted Ginn Jr., but for the value of this pick, they
should
take a look at taking a defender, in particular, a cornerback. Hall would make a great choice here and would
be a huge addition to this defense.
12. Buffalo Bills-LaRon
Landry-FS-LSU-Buffalo needs players on both sides of the ball
and they could
use a defensive lineman especially but at this position in the draft
and
knowing that they need a safety, they should take Landry here. He could help them not only improve their
pass defense but improve their run defense as well.
13. St. Louis
Rams-Amobi Okoye-DT-Louisville-The Rams had some pretty
significant issues on
their run defense last season and need to get an upgrade on their
defensive
line. Okoye would be a significant
upgrade to their line and could really help them improve against the
run and
improve their pass rush as well.
14. Carolina
Panthers-Patrick Willis-ILB-Ole Miss.-With their linebacker
corps in a slight
state of disarray with age and injury prevalent, the Panthers should
take a
long hard look at grabbing a young inside linebacker in the draft and
Willis
should be just what the doctor ordered. He
is strong, fast and an
intelligent player and would be a great fit
for this team.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers-Darrelle
Revis-CB-Pittsburgh-The Steelers could use this pick to bolster
their
linebacking group or help improve their secondary and Revis would be a
great
pickup for them here. He has great
skills for a player at his position and he can match up against most
wide
receivers. A great pick for this part of
the draft.
16. Green Bay
Packers-Marshawn Lynch-RB-California-With Ahman Green getting
older and
suffering from injuries it is high time that the Packers began to look
for a
replacement. Lynch would be a
significant improvement on offense and would also make other teams
respect
their running game more.
17. Jacksonville
Jaguars-Paul Posluszny-LB-Penn State-The Jaguars need help on
defense at both
the defensive end position and the linebacker position so for the value
of this
pick. Posluszny would be the best choice. He
plays the run very well and
could even be used to rush the passer if
needed.
18. Cincinnati
Bengals-Jarvis Moss-DE-Florida-The Bengals could use some help
on several parts
of their defense but defensive end is where they could use some help
the
most. With the health of David Pollack
in question, the Bengals should look at getting a strong pass rushing
defensive
end and Moss would fit well in their scheme. He
has what it takes to rush the
passer and keep rushers from turning
the corner along the edge.
19. Tennessee
Titans-Ted Ginn Jr.-WR-Ohio State-Now that the Titans have their
quarterback,
they need to give him some weapons to throw the ball too.
Ginn would be a great choice, not
only
because he can play the wide receiver position but also because he can
return
punts and kickoffs. He would be an
instant improvement to this offense and their special teams.
20. New York
Giants-Reggie Nelson-FS-Florida-The Giants could go several
different ways in
the first round including filling their most important need at the
running back
position if there is someone good available. However,
if they can’t pick up a
running back like Peterson or Lynch,
they should take Nelson here to help improve their secondary and play
the pass
better and the run.
21. Denver
Broncos-Marcus McCauley-CB-Fresno State-Following the loss of
starting
cornerback Darrent Williams to a tragic event, the Broncos will be
looking to
fill the position with someone who can step in and start right off the
bat. McCauley should be able to do just
that and the Broncos should be able to get back some of what they lost
that
tragic New Years night.
22. Dallas
Cowboys-Justin Blalock-OG-Texas-The Cowboys need to get some
help on their
offensive line and now is the time to get that help.
Blalock should be sitting here at
number 22
and would give them the help that they need especially in the running
game. Blalock can play both guard and
tackle, which
makes him very valuable, and the Cowboys could use his talent.
23. Kansas City
Chiefs-Sidney Rice-WR-South Carolina-The need for a speedy and
explosive wide
receiver should be at the top of their list and Rice would be just the
man for
the job. He has the ability to match up
well with most cornerbacks and can help stretch the defense, which is
exactly
what the Chiefs need.
24. New England
Patriots-Lawrence Timmons-OLB-Florida State-With age and injury
creeping up
into their linebacking corps, the Patriots will need an upgrade here
during the
off season. Timmons is a fine prospect
that would fit well in head coach Bill Belichik’s defensive scheme and
could
come along nicely for the Patriots. He
is a good athlete and is well worth the selection.
25. New York
Jets-Quentin Moses-DE-Georgia-With needs on both sides of the
ball, the Jets
would be smart to look at upgrading their defensive end position and
Moses
could be just the player that they need. He
has a great ability to put
pressure on the quarterback and can be a
real force on their defensive line.
26. Philadelphia
Eagles-Dwayne Bowe-WR-LSU-If last year’s last minute acquisition
Donte
Stallworth becomes a free agent the Eagles will be in desperate need of
a wide
receiver so taking a good one in the first round could be vital to
their
offensive success. Bowe proved himself
to be a great prospect in college and has the skills to become an
All-Pro in
the NFL.
27. New Orleans
Saints-Aaron Ross-CB-Texas-The Saints had some issues on defense
in
2006, particularly when it came to defending against the pass. Adding some help at linebacker is a must but
they must also find someone to play cornerback and should go for that
person
here in the first round since there is so much talent available. Ross would certainly fit the team well and
would have an instant impact on defense.
28. New England
Patriots-Michael Griffin-S-Texas-If the Patriots can fill their
need at the
linebacker position with their first pick in the first round they
should go
after a safety to help compliment Rodney Harrison.
Griffin is a physical type safety
that can
play the run well and would be a great fit for the Patriots.
29. Baltimore
Ravens-Kenny Irons-RB-Auburn-With Jamal Lewis on the downside of
his career
(and possibly out the door) its high time that the Ravens started to
look for a
replacement. There are a couple of good
running backs who should be available at the bottom end of the first
round
including Louisville’s Michael Bush and Auburn’s Kenny Irons. Irons would be a good fit because he is the
Raven’s type of back.
30. San Diego
Chargers-Robert Meacham-WR-Tennessee-With an ever-improving
offense, the
Chargers are one good wide receiver away from having one of the better
offenses
in the NFL. Adding Meacham would give
the Chargers that added dimension that they have been lacking and give
their
offense a much-needed weapon.
31. Chicago Bears-Joe
Staley-OT-Cenral Michigan-The Bears could go a couple different
ways here by either
taking a tight end or an offensive lineman but if the Bears want to
reload for
the future, taking Staley here would be their best choice.
He would be able to come in and
start right
away but the important thing is that he would help to start adding some
youth
to the line, which desperately needs it.
32. Indianapolis
Colts-Quinn Pitcock-DT-Ohio State-With some issues on the
defensive line in
2006 which lead to some very ineffective rushing defense, the Super
Bowl
champion Colts should look at adding a starter at the tackle position
this
year. Pitcock would be a great addition
to the team and will help to improve their rushing defense.
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