Calvin Johnson may be the best player in the draft, but that doesn't mean he's going #1.
I'm only going to do the top 16 draft picks. Once you get past there, there are too many variables on who chose who etc to pick who is going to be chosen, never mind pick the 7th round (I'm looking at you, Todd McShay.)
1. Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell, QB, Louisiana State
Russell is the right guy at the right time for the Oakland Raiders. Al Davis's hair is too in love with the deep ball to pass on JaMarcus and his cannon for an arm, although they could take Calvin Johnson in this spot. I just doubt it though.
2. Detroit Lions
Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
The Etrit Lins (no 'D', no 'O') just signed two receivers. And although Matt Millen, the Lions GM, seemingly has a wide receiver fetish, I can't see them taking Calvin Johnson in this spot. Well, they could, but I doubt it, like I doubt the Raiders taking him. It's a shame that CJ is dropping this far, but Joe Thomas will be an anchor on the offensive line for years to come in the Motor City. Then again, who was the last offensive lineman taken at #2 by an NFC North team?
Tony Mandarich, if I'm not mistaken. Uh oh.
3. Cleveland Browns
Adrian Peterson, HB, Oklahoma
Some say that the Browns will take Brady Quinn. While that's certainly a possibility, I think they'll appease the fans and take AD. He's too good to pass up. Then again, you could say that about Calvin Johnson. Where the hell are you putting him, author of this piece?
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
All the pieces fall into place as Calvin Johnson falls to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to this mock draft. The Bucs covet Johnson, and are willing to trade up to #2 to grab him, but I think they'll be lucky enough to get him at #4. You could compare this to the Saints getting Reggie Bush last year, in fact. Another NFC South team getting the most exciting player in the draft? Possibly.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
The Cardinals want Joe Thomas, but any linemen - offensive or defensive - would be a welcome addition to their trenches. Adams is a heck of a player, and Ken Whisenhunt would be happy to welcome him to Phoenix.
6. Washington Redskins
Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
The Nigerian Nightmare, Round 2! No, it's not Christian Okoye, it's Amobi Okoye, a solid defensive tackle from...
Tom Jackson: Louisville!
A defensive tackle is the Skins' #1 need, so they'd be happy with Okoye, but they could trade with the Vikings or Dolphins if Brady Quinn is still on the board. But the Skins need defensive line help after setting a franchise record with only 19 sacks and finishing 27th versus the run in 2006.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Vikings need quarterback help, if you ask me. Tavaris Jackson is not the answer, and Brad Johnson is gone now, so Quinn would certainly be an upgrade. Minny does have a problem with this pick, though. They do want Quinn, but their top two needs are WR (Calvin Johnson) and DE (Gaines Adams), and guess what? The top guys at those positions are gone. That's a bother. It would be too high to reach for a cornerback like Leon Hall from Michigan or Darrelle Revis out of Pittsburgh, so Quinn is the pick.
8. Atlanta Falcons (from Houston)
LaRon Landry, S, Louisiana State
No surprises here, as the Falcons get the best player at their biggest position of need. Landry started for 4 years at LSU, including playing as a freshman for the Tigers' National Championship winning team of 2003. As Atlanta has 10 picks in the draft, they could consider trading up to get Calvin Johnson, but it's unlikely as it would take their top three picks to move up to get him.
9. Miami Dolphins
Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Another safe pick by me as the Fins get the best remaining player at their biggest position of need. As of writing, Miami has not signed Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs, although it seems likely they will do so and in doing so lose Daunte Culpepper, who could then go to Oakland or something and cause all kinds of problems. If Miami does not have Green by the time the draft rolls around, they could move up to get Brady Quinn, but for now, the Dolphins are taking Brown, according to me.
10. Houston Texans
Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
DT Alan Branch, also a Wolverine, would be a consideration here but the final choice would be Hall, the best cornerback in the draft. A possibility by Houston could be trading with Miami and moving up to get Levi Brown, but I feel the Texans will stick with Leon and get a quality starter opposite Dunta Robinson.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
The Niners need strong and fast defensive linemen for their 3-4, and they'd get one in Carriker. Alan Branch and MLB Patrick Willis would also be considerations here, but the nod will go to Carriker, if all goes the way I think it will. Don't think that San Fran couldn't trade down though, like they did last year.
12. Buffalo Bills
Patrick Willis, MLB, Ole Miss
Sure, the Bills have been known to reach for players in the first round (see: Donte Whitner and John McCargo last year), but they won't do so this year and choose Marshawn Lynch who would fill their most pressing need at halfback. No, the Bills will choose tackling machine Patrick Willis, who was the lone bright spot at Mississippi last season. Another possibility in this spot is Darrelle Revis, the cornerback from Pittsburgh.
13. St. Louis Rams
Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
The Rams always have trouble on defense, and that side of the ball would be helped out greatly by picking Alan Branch out of...
Tom Jackson: Michigan!
Branch has an inconsistent motor and a potential for durability issues, but he's still a very solid defensive tackle who'll clog up the middle and allow the other defensive linemen to get to the quarterback, along with stopping the run. If Patrick Willis is available, though, don't be surprised to see him go to St. Louis.
14. Carolina Panthers
Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL)
Olsen, out of...
Michael Irvin: Da U!
Get out of here, Irvin, you don't even work for ESPN anymore! Jeesh. Anyways, I'm going with the seemingly unanimous mock draft choice here and saying Olsen...
Michael Irvin: Da U!
GO AWAY! Bloody hell. Olsen- SHUT UP IRVIN- has the speed to take pressure of WR's Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson, along with being the Panthers' biggest need. So that makes sense.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
Yes, Lawrence Timmons out of Florida State might make a bit more sense here, but I think that Pittsburgh will take the hometown hero in Poz and make the fans happy. It's the least they could do after last season (they lost to the Raiders, for crying out loud!). Outside linebacker is the Steelers' biggest need due to the loss of Joey Porter, and Poz will fill that gap quite well.
16. Green Bay Packers
Marshawn Lynch, HB, California
As a Packers fan, I'm torn. I'd be happy with Lynch. He's a very solid running back. But, I also wouldn't mind the Pack taking Ted Ginn Jr., from the Ohio State University. Then again, the Buckeyes suck. (Michigan fan speaking.) Ginn would be a beast to play with on Madden, and that's really all I care about, but Lynch makes more sense. Although my absolute favourite thing for Green Bay to do would be to trade up and get Adrian Peterson. Either way, we really do need a halfback after the loss of Ahman Green (I don't think Vernand Morency or Noah Herron are the answers to the running back dilemma), so Lynch would be good.
And there you have it. Probably wrong, but hey, I don't see you doing a mock draft, Mr. Hypocritical. Unless you did. In which case, I'm completely wrong, aren't I. Bugger.
No comments:
Post a Comment