Pick Team Player Pos. School Class Previous Rising/Falling High/Low
1. Raiders Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame Senior 1st SAME 1st / 1st
Quinn didn't dazzle in Wednesday evening's Sugar Bowl, but he likely will still be the top quarterback taken in April's draft. Oakland needs everything on the offensive side of the ball: Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, an offensive line, (a COORDINATOR who hasn't been running a bed and breakfast for the past eight years!). Might as well start under center with a "face of the franchise" guy. Quinn holds 36 passing records at Notre Dame and helped lead the Irish back to national prominence over the past four years. He'll be asked to do the same for one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
2. Lions Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin Senior 5th (+3) 2nd / 5th
Most other teams would be salivating over Calvin Johnson in this spot, but Matt Millen wouldn't dare take another wide receiver in the first round of a draft. JaMarcus Russell is an option as well, but quarterback isn't the Lions greatest need. Hey, Jon Kitna threw for over 4,000 yards in 2006 — fourth most in the league. However, he was sacked a mind-boggling 63 times. Thomas dominated the left side of the line in Monday's Capital One Bowl victory over Arkansas, further proving that he's the top lineman in the draft. Detroit fans may react the same way Houston supporters did with the Mario Williams pick, but it's a sound selection. Thomas, a sure bet, will anchor Detroit's offensive line for the next ten years.
**3. Browns JaMarcus Russell QB LSU Junior 10th (+7) 3rd / 10th
Again, I think the thought of drafting Troy Smith in this spot will be pretty tempting for the Browns. Local guy (Glenville, NOT Akron ), school boy hero, Hesiman winner. Very LeBron-ish. A marketing dream. In the end, though, you can't pass on Russell for Smith. As Terry and Howie discussed in the Fiesta Bowl broadcast, the LSU star can throw the ball 80 yards. While horsing around, he often throws the ball through the uprights from midfield…on his knees. A 6-foot-6, 250 pound beast, he's a physical specimen unlike any other in the draft. Either with Russell or Smith leading the way, it looks like the Charlie Frye/Derek Anderson/Ken Dorsey era is coming to an end in Cleveland . The Dawg Pound should be devastated.
**4. Buccaneers Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech Junior 2nd (-2) 2nd / 4th
Want to make Chris Simms a happy man? Draft CJ21. Johnson caught nine balls for 186 yards and two touchdowns in Monday's Gator Bowl. Most his grabs came in double and even triple coverage — an absolutely mind-blowing end to what was just a fabulous career at Georgia Tech. On the year, Johnson caught 76 balls for 1,202 yards and 14 touchdowns ... all with one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the country throwing him the ball. He's the best receiver to come out of college since Larry Fitzgerald.
5. Cardinals Gaines Adams DE Clemson Senior 4th (-1) 4th / 5th
The Cards would love to get their hands on Thomas, but he'll be gone by #5. They'll likely take defense in this spot, instead. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Adams is the highest rated DE on the board. A steamroller coming off the edge, the senior out of Clemson can be both a sack machine and a run stopper in the NFL.
6. Redskins Alan Branch DT Michigan Junior 6th SAME 6th / 6th
The Redskins D got beat up all year long. And after that Tiki Barber's 234-yard effort last weekend, there's no doubt they'll be looking to beef up their defensive line. Branch is a beast in the middle, able to both stop the run and rush the passer. Smart pick.
7. Vikings Quentin Moses DE Georgia Senior 7th SAME 7th / 7th
Few players did more for their draft stock this bowl season than Moses. In Saturday night's Chick-Fil-A-Bowl, the senior out of Georgia found himself in the Virginia Tech backfield the entire second half, leading the UGA defense in one of the great comebacks of the weekend. The Vikings defense, though fabulous against the run, put little pressure on the quarterback in ‘06. DE Kenechi Udeze — the starting right defensive end for 16 games — recorded zero sacks on the season. Erasmus James, meanwhile, is still recovering from an injury.
8. Texans Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma Junior 3rd (-5) 3rd / 8th
Green Bay or the Jets may try to move up if Peterson's still available. The Packers may offer the kitchen sink to get him. As for Houston, Gary Kubiak likely won't want to take a running back in the first round, but it will be tough to pass on "AD" if he slips to 8. Ready for the story of the draft if this happens? All the experts analyzing the Texans' picks over a two-year span. Hey, kill them for passing on Reggie Bush in '06, but if they can walk away in '07 with Williams and Peterson on their roster — it's not the worst thing in the world. Then again, they passed on Vince Young, too.
9. Dolphins Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh Junior 15th (+6) 9th / 15th
The 'phins may look to move up and somehow snag Russell or Quinn. If not, they'll likely grab a top cornerback. Revis would be the second straight defensive back Miami drafted in the first round. They took Tennessee safety Jason Allen last year.
10. Falcons Dwayne Jarrett WR USC Junior 11th (+1) 10th / 11th
Keyshawn Johnson said Jarrett's not ready for the NFL. He's wrong. The All-American stepped up in yet another big stage game on Monday, hauling in 11 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. He did most of that with All-American cornerback Leon Hall covering him. No brainer here for the Falcons. Jarrett, unlike past first-round picks Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, is a true No. 1 wide receiver.
11. 49ers LaRon Landry S LSU Senior 9th (-2) 9th / 11th
The best safety on the board, Landry is a Roy Williams/Sean Taylor-type who can also defend the pass. LSU's defense was tops in the nation this year and Landry was its leader. His brother, Dawan, starts for the Ravens.
12. Bills Glenn Dorsey DT LSU Junior 17th (+5) 12th / 17th
Dorsey helped his draft stock in the Sugar Bowl, clogging the middle for LSU in its blowout win over Notre Dame. Buffalo had the fourth worse run defense in the NFL this season. A 6-2, 300-pound beast at DT, he'll help bolster the Bills' D-line.
13. Rams Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss Senior 12th (-1) 12th / 13th
The Butkus Award winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Willis recorded 137 tackles and had three sacks in '06. A complete package who can go sideline to sideline, Willis will pay immediate dividends for the Rams' often inconsistent defense.
14. Panthers Reggie Nelson S Florida Junior 13th (-1) 13th / 14th
Nelson should make a hit or two in Monday evening's BCS Championship Game that will force you to shake your head. Carolina 's defensive backfield was banged up all year. Nelson, who had 50 tackles and six interceptions in '06, will be the perfect addition to a unit in need.
15. Steelers Leon Hall CB Michigan Senior 8th (-7) 8th / 15th
Though his last two games as a Wolverine weren't his best — both Ted Ginn, Jr. and Dwayne Jarrett had career days lining up against him — Hall's going to be one of the top three corners taken in April. Pittsburgh's cornerback situation was shoddy in '06, and can certainly use the All-American's services.
16. Packers Marshawn Lynch RB California Junior 14th (-2) 14th / 16th
The Packers brass will be ecstatic if Lynch is still around at 16. A Lynch/Aaron Rodgers Cal Bears backfield could make for a nice future up in Green Bay. However, don't be surprised if the Packers try to move up a few spots if Adrian Peterson slips out of the top 5.
17. Jaguars Levi Brown OT Penn State Senior 29th (+14) 17th / 31st
Both Brian Brohm and Troy Smith could be tempting here, but I see the Jags bolstering their inconsistent offensive line. Brown, a two-time All-American, is an absolute monster at the tackle spot.
18. Bengals LaMarr Woodley LB Michigan Senior 16th (-2) 16th / 18th
Marvin Lewis is a defensive coach at heart, and if Woodley is still on the board at 18 — he'd be wise to take him. Woodley played both defensive end and linebacker at Michigan, but will probably move to linebacker for good in the pros. A solid 270 pounds, Woodley is a versatile force who can help the Bengals defense immediately in his rookie season.
19. Titans Ted Ginn, Jr. WR Ohio State Junior 19th SAME 19th / 19th
Tennessee should scoop up Ohio State's dazzling playmaker if he's still on the board at 19. Young to Ginn could be quite a QB/WR combo. Both are just freakish physical specimens. Though Johnson and Jarrett will most definitely go before him, Ginn will undoubtedly be one of the top three receivers taken in this year's draft.
20. *Giants Buster Davis LB Florida State Senior 22nd (+2) 20th / 22nd
Davis isn't rated this high on many of the other mock drafts I've seen, which is perplexing. What's not to love about the guy? Four defensive players out of FSU were drafted in the first round last year. Meanwhile, Davis was the defensive leader of the '05 FSU squad. In '06, he did nothing but improve. A sideline-to-sideline guy, the 5-foot-11 senior recorded 102 tackles and was an All-American this season. The Giants linebackers have been injury prone, inconsistent, and thin over the past two seasons. Davis will add much-needed depth to the position.
21. Broncos Antoine Cason CB Arizona Junior 24th (+3) 21st / 24th
Cason earned All-American honors in '06, racking up 62 tackles and hauling in three interceptions. Considered one of the most dynamic cornerbacks in the college game, he'll start right away for the team that drafts him.
22. *Patriots(from Seahawks) Paul Posluszny LB Penn State Senior 25th (+3) 22nd / 25th
Posluszny recorded 100 tackles or more in three of his four seasons in Happy Valley, an unheard of statistic for a college player. The 2005 Butkus Award winner, "Poz" will undoubtedly be a first round pick. Concerns over his right knee, however, will cause him to slip out of the top ten. With New England's linebacker corps getting older and older, they'd be thrilled to see the All-American performer sitting in their laps at 22.
23. *Cowboys Justin Blalock OG Texas Senior NA NA 23rd / NA
With inconsistency having plagued the Cowboys' offensive line all season, Dallas will look to upgrade with the best lineman on the board. Blalock, a two-time All-American, can play both the tackle and guard positions. At 6-4, 330, he's surprisingly quick on his feet. A Texas guy, this seems like the logical pick.
24. *Chiefs Dwayne Bowe WR LSU Senior NA NA 24th / NA
It seems as though the Chiefs like Brodie Croyle as their quarterback of the future, so a Brian Brohm or Troy Smith pick here — as right as it may seem — just won't be the case. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker aren't cutting it at wideout, and Dante Hall is never going to be a true No. 1 or No. 2 receiver. Look for K.C. to take Bowe — a physical specimen blessed with speed, strength, and hands. The LSU senior capped off a standout career in Baton Rouge with 60 receptions, 912 yards and 11 touchdowns in '06.
25. *Saints Michael Griffin S Texas Senior 27th (+2) 25th / 27th
Griffin's one of those guys who just seems to be involved in every play. A tackling machine, the senior recorded 116 from the safety spot in 2006. He could start as a rookie for New Orleans.
26. *Jets Rufus Alexander LB Oklahoma Senior 29th (+3) 26th / 29th
Forgotten in all the hoopla over the Fiesta Bowl was the game Rufus Alexander had for Oklahoma. In on every play, the Big 12 Defensive Player of Year proved why he belongs in the first round come April. A bit undersized for an NFL linebacker, Alexander makes up for it with his speed and fearless tenacity. The Jets can use an effective, high-energy young outside linebacker. Alexander fills that role perfectly.
27. Eagles H.B. Blades LB Pittsburgh Senior 18th (-9) 18th / 27th
A three-time All Big East linebacker, the Eagles should take Bennie Blades' son if he's still on the board at 27. In his senior season at Pitt, Blades recorded a mind-boggling 147 tackles.
28. *Patriots Eric Weddle S Utah Senior NA NA 28th / NA
One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, Weddle is a do-everything guy who could really make an impact at the next level. Though not the biggest or fastest guy on the board, he got the job done in every game he played at Utah. In 2006, Weddle not only had 58 tackles and six interceptions at safety, but also rushed for 144 yards and scored four touchdowns at tailback. Weddle's played both corner and safety for the Utes, but can probably play wherever he's needed in the pros. In other words, he's pretty much Bill Belichick's dream player. The 28th spot may be a bit high for Weddle, but I wouldn't be stunned if he went even sooner.
29. *Colts Amobi Okoye DT Louisville Senior 32nd (+3) 29th / 32nd
The Colts had the 32nd-ranked rush defense in the league in ‘06. They gave up 30 yards per game more on the ground than the Rams, owners of the league's second worst rush D. Teams averaged over 170 yards a game rushing on them. Yuck. They'll look to bolster both their defensive line and linebacking corps in the off-season. They'd be thrilled if a Blades or a Posluszny slipped to 29, but each of the top linebackers will likely be scooped up by then. Okoye, only 19, is an intriguing pick at this spot.
30. *Bears Arron Sears OG Tennessee Senior NA NA 30th / NA
Sears capped off a stellar collegiate career by winning the Jacobs Award, given annually to the SEC's top lineman. Having played both tackle and guard at Tennessee, he offers versatility at the position. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he'll protect the Bears quarterback of the future…whomever that may be.
31. *Ravens Troy Smith QB Ohio State Senior NA NA 31st / NA
Any other year, and both Smith and Brian Brohm are more than likely top 15 picks. Yet, very few teams NEED quarterback help this off-season. Most of the squads in the top 10 have young quarterbacks that they're not giving up on, while several others are pretty much set at the position. My gut tells me Brohm stays in school. That leaves Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner. He'll sit and wait to hear his name announced … and then after that he'll sit and wait to play. In the end, he'll probably be better off. After all, learning the ropes from Steve McNair isn't the worst thing in the world.
31. *Chargers Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. WR UTEP Senior NA NA 32nd / NA
Higgins caught 82 passes for 1,319 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in '06, wrapping up a college career as Jordan Palmer's No. 1 target at UTEP. A small but quick receiver, Higgins stands 6-feet, but runs a 40-yard dash in the 4.3 range. An added bonus for San Diego? His cousin is Chargers corner Quentin Jammer. Higgins may be a bit of a reach here, but the success of guys like Santana Moss and Steve Smith has opened doors for smaller receivers. As for Jeff Samardzija, I think he has to pick football over baseball if he wants to be a first-round pick.
