Mock draft from ESPN

[Renz]

Here is ESPN's latest mock. I got it off another MB, so that is why there is only the top 11 picks. This mock is from their "insider" section. Hopefully, it plays out like this for us in April.

1. Oakland Raiders (2-14)
Projected pick: +JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Russell vs. Brady Quinn? Let the great debate begin. Most teams have Quinn ahead of Russell, but Raiders owner Al Davis could fall in love with Russell's size and deep arm.

2. Detroit (3-13)
Projected pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Lions will be stoked if Quinn falls to them at No. 2. Wouldn't it be great, though, if Matt Millen takes another wide receiver (Calvin Johnson) with this pick?

3t. x-Cleveland (4-12)
Projected pick: +Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
The Browns want Russell with this pick, but they'll settle for a 330-pound playmaker to help solidify Romeo Crennel's three-man defensive front.

3t. x-Tampa Bay (4-12)
Projected pick: +Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Bucs have other more pressing needs, but coach Jon Gruden can't pass on the draft's most dynamic offensive weapon.

5. Arizona (5-11)
Projected pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
As usual, the Cardinals are a prime candidate to trade down. They should get lots of bidders if Thomas -- the only elite offensive lineman in this class -- is still available.

6. Washington (5-11)
Projected pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Adams is a no-brainer for a Redskins defense that set a team record for the fewest sacks in a season (19) in 2006.

7. Minnesota (6-10)
Projected pick: +Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
It's hard to believe the Vikings still need defensive end help, but Erasmus James suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and Kenechi Udeze failed to notch a sack. Anderson is the complete package physically and he should capitalize on 13.5 sacks as a junior in 2006.

8. Houston (6-10)
Projected pick: +Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Peterson is expected to make his decision to bolt for the NFL in the next few days. Drafting Peterson here would help to overshadow the Texans' colossal mistake of passing on Reggie Bush with the top overall pick last year.

9. Miami (6-10)
Projected pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
The Dolphins could consider QB Brian Brohm with this pick, but they also could go the free-agency route in order to get short-term relief. Hall would be a good value here and would help upgrade a patchwork secondary.

10. Atlanta (7-9)
Projected pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Landry is a ball-hawk free safety who would instantly upgrade the athleticism of the Falcons secondary.

11. San Francisco (7-9)
Projected pick: +Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey might not fall this far, but the 49ers certainly wouldn't protest such a scenario. Dorsey is a disruptive force as a one-gap penetrating interior lineman.

This is done by Todd Mcshay senior staff writer and he says much will change in upcoming months as underclassmen declare.

 

[schwalbhimself]

id rather have peterson, if we resign davis

 

[football karma]

As usual?

They traded down once in like 20 years

 

[dreamcastrocks]

As usual?

They traded down once in like 20 years

Maybe it is because we have need so much help in so many areas that we need to trade down?

 

[D-Dogg]

I like.

 

[Twist18]

I think there is a possibility that QB Brohm declares which could involve 3 QBs in the first 3 picks. Great for us as I dont see Thomas going to the bucs as they had 2 good rookie starters in Josepth and Trueblood.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Peterson at #8 for Houston should get them all excited.

 

[devilfan02]

Peterson at #8 for Houston should get them all excited.

and then they'll draft someone else........

 

[CardinalChris]

Davis is leaving one way or another. There have been no signs of him wanting or management wanting him retained for next year.

 

[az1965]

Davis is leaving one way or another. There have been no signs of him wanting or management wanting him retained for next year.

I guess they are waiting for the new coach to come on board...

 

[Zeno]

I hope the top 5 falls that way. Thomas would be the best pick for this team, unless we manage to keep Davis--may even be a good pick if we manage to keep Davis too.

 

[Mitch]

I do not believe Thomas is a top five talent...not even close...I say we sign G Eric Steinbach as a UFA and slide Milford Brown over to LT...and draft T James Marten of BC in round three....

As for the #5 pick and round two?

Here's my update...

1. I want to trade the pick to Atlanta...for Atlanta's #10 and CB Jimmy Williams...and at #10 I select FS LaRon Landry of LSU.

2. Xavier Adibi, WLB, Virginia Tech.

3. James Marten, T, Boston College.

4. Steven Harris, DE, Florida.

5. Curtis Brown, RB, BYU.

6. Willie Foster, WR/PR, Rutgers.

 

[football karma]

I hope the top 5 falls that way. Thomas would be the best pick for this team, unless we manage to keep Davis--may even be a good pick if we manage to keep Davis too.

I am more and more on the Thomas bandwagon only because every sign points to Big being allowed to leave.

Its absolutely crazy, but I think they will do it.

The draft then goes from an enjoyable, waiting for the best player to come to the Cards experience, to a nail pulling exercise hoping that Joe Thomas falls to them ----- or worse --- hoping some guy like Joe Staley lasts unti the 2nd round pick because Thomas went before #5 -- and then hoping that Joe Staley can actuall play and keep Matt on his feet.

 

[Zeno]

I do not believe Thomas is a top five talent...not even close...

You are pretty much alone in that feeling. Kiper and Scouts Inc both have him top 2. I've watched him play a few times this year, he is awesome.

 

[Ryanwb]

I say we sign G Eric Steinbach as a UFA and slide Milford Brown over to LT...and draft T James Marten of BC in round three....

What in the world would make you believe Milford Brown can handle LT?

 

[Renz]

What in the world would make you believe Milford Brown can handle LT?

Brown is probably our best guard at the moment. Moving him to LT would be almost as bad as letting Big walk IMO.

 

[schwalbhimself]

I do not believe Thomas is a top five talent...not even close...I say we sign G Eric Steinbach as a UFA and slide Milford Brown over to LT...and draft T James Marten of BC in round three....

As for the #5 pick and round two?

Here's my update...

1. I want to trade the pick to Atlanta...for Atlanta's #10 and CB Jimmy Williams...and at #10 I select FS LaRon Landry of LSU.

2. Xavier Adibi, WLB, Virginia Tech.

3. James Marten, T, Boston College.

4. Steven Harris, DE, Florida.

5. Curtis Brown, RB, BYU.

6. Willie Foster, WR/PR, Rutgers.

hahahahahahahahahah your funny, that would never happen

 

[devilfan02]

I do not believe Thomas is a top five talent...not even close...I say we sign G Eric Steinbach as a UFA and slide Milford Brown over to LT...and draft T James Marten of BC in round three....

As for the #5 pick and round two?

Here's my update...

1. I want to trade the pick to Atlanta...for Atlanta's #10 and CB Jimmy Williams...and at #10 I select FS LaRon Landry of LSU.

2. Xavier Adibi, WLB, Virginia Tech.

3. James Marten, T, Boston College.

4. Steven Harris, DE, Florida.

5. Curtis Brown, RB, BYU.

6. Willie Foster, WR/PR, Rutgers.

I enjoy reading your posts, Mitch, but this one is crazy! Thinking M. Brown can play LT is crazy, saying Joe Thomas isn't even close to top-5 talent is crazy, and thinking Atl would trade us Jimmy Williams and their 1st for our pick is even more crazy!

 

[vinnymac]

i like joe thomas and gaines adams. it will be an eithier or for the cardinals. imo their is no wrong pick between those two. i am hoping the qb's go like the this mock draft says. then all we have to worry about is the bucs. i believe the browns take their dt this time around, instead of passing on him like they did with Ngata.

 

[Stout]

What in the world would make you believe Milford Brown can handle LT?

Good question. Many people on here make crazy and unfounded OL suggestions, but I thought you were more knowledgeable, Mitch. There are no indicators Brown could ever play LT.

I'm tired of people just spouting off we should mover Brown to C, Latui to C, blah blah blah. People just think OL positions are interchangeable. Faaaar from it, folks.

 

[Red Hawk]

Might have to go to the draft party again this year.

First one I manage to go to. We somehow get Leinart.

 

[TheCardFan]

I do not believe Thomas is a top five talent...not even close...I say we sign G Eric Steinbach as a UFA and slide Milford Brown over to LT...and draft T James Marten of BC in round three....

Milford Brown couldn't play one down at LT!

Sign Big and move him to ML's blindside.
Draft Joe Thomas and put him at LT.

Build from the trenches out.

 

[Mitch]

Good question. Many people on here make crazy and unfounded OL suggestions, but I thought you were more knowledgeable, Mitch. There are no indicators Brown could ever play LT.

I'm tired of people just spouting off we should mover Brown to C, Latui to C, blah blah blah. People just think OL positions are interchangeable. Faaaar from it, folks.

Milford Brown played some tackle for the Texans...I like his feet...and LT is really RT, seeing as Matt Leinart is a lefty.

I think Steinbach is one of the top 5 guards in the NFL and would further galvanize our offensive line.

I have watched tape on both Joe Thomas and James Marten...Thomas is very solid, but he doesn't dominate the way you would think a top 5 player would...and when I watch Marten, I see a very similar player...same size (6'8", 316)...

As for Atlanta trading Jimmy Williams, if they want to move up badly enough, they would do it...particularly if QB Brian Brohm is there at #5...with doubts about Vick's future in ATL, Petrino may do everything he can to get Brohm.

 

[vinnymac]

when the nfl draft again

 

[joeshmo]

Milford Brown played some tackle for the Texans...I like his feet...and LT is really RT, seeing as Matt Leinart is a lefty.

Just wondering where you got that Brown played some Tackle with the Texans. From my knowledge he has never played tackle in the NFL ever.

http://azcardinals.com/team/bio.php?PRKey=85

In 2005 he started 9 games at LG, and 3 games at RG for the injured Zach Wiegert.

In 2004 he started 2 games at RG for the injured Zach Wiegert.

In 2003 he started 2 games at LG.

So playing Tackle would be a completely new position for him and would once again reshuffle the OL, putting players to where they dont have a comfort zone with that position and the person sitting next to them. Unless we change our OL scheme it would be a complete foolish decision to once again reshuffle th einterior of an OL that is playing very, very well.

You want someone like Steinbach then move him to LT where he has actually played in the NFL, and leave Lutui, Leckey, and Brown alone.