2007 NFL Draft Preview

In the following mock draft, the picks will be decided in the order determined by the season's finish. The Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will flip a coin to decide who picks first. All picks are completely the opinion of this writer, and have come from I have seen in game play only. After the February combine, the mock draft will be updated.

2007 NFL Mock Draft

1. Oakland Raiders - Jamarcus Russell - QB - LSU - The Raiders most obvious need is at the quarterback position. With the return of Aaron Brooks, and the future of Andrew Walter looking more like NFL backup than NFL star, the Raiders must choose between Russell and Brady Quinn. Russell is bigger, possess greater arm strength, and has a history of big game success, not to mention that he just fits the Raider mold better than the squeaky clean Quinn. Oakland Owner Al Davis is on his way out, and he wants to go out a winner. He hand picked 31 year old Lane Kiffin to be his new head coach, and now he can pick this 6'6 rocket-armed leader to be his franchise quarterback.

2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn - QB - Notre Dame - Detroit couldn't be happier. After winning their last game of the season against Dallas, they gave the first pick to Oakland. The good news is they wanted Quinn all along, and now they get him that much cheaper at number two. This team has had a history of draft picks not working out (Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers) and now the most NFL ready quarterback can be theirs. Quinn is smart, big (6'4) and has been tutored by Charlie Weis for two years. Enough said.

3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson - RB - Oklahoma - While Cleveland does still have Reuben Droughns and Jerome Harrison played well last year, Adrian Peterson is a franchise running back. His past injuries (collarbone, ankle) were not anything that will hurt his future play, and he has the size (6'2, 220), speed and ability to carry the load for any NFL team. The Browns need significant improvement this year for coach Romeo Crennel to keep his job and Peterson is the fastest way there.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gaines Adams - DE - Clemson - Simeon Rice is on his way out of town, and the Bucs need a pass rushing specialist to replace him. Adams is a serious athlete at the end postion and can provide the motor to move the Bucs pass rush. Another possibility could be Alan Branch to plug the hole left by Anthony McFarland's move to the Colts.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas - OT - Wisconsin - New head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his top assistant Russ Grimm came over from Pittsburgh where the offensive lines have always been physical and well coached. Joe Thomas is a physical speciman at 6'6, 310 and the best offensive lineman in the draft. It is only fitting for him to bring some toughness to a Cardinals team that needs it. He will be the perfect building block to protect Matt Leinart's blind side and to open the run game for Edgerrin James.

6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch - DT - Michigan - The Skins have the offensive side of the ball pretty well situated. They could use a replacement for Shawn Springs or Adam Archuleta, who could not cover the pass to save his life, but Branch is a run stopper who can open up lanes for the strength of the Skins D, the linebackers.

7. Minnesota Vikings - Calvin Johnson - WR - Georgia Tech - Possibly the best overall player in the draft, Johnson falls due to the fact that the teams picking before Minnesota don't need a receiver. Minnesota has a fairly solid group already, but pairing Johnson with Troy Williamson gives the Vikings and young quarterback Tavares Jackson the best pair of wideouts there since Randy Moss and Cris Carter.

8. Houston Texans - Leon Hall - CB - Michigan - The Texans need Peterson, so a trade is posssible. If not, they take Hall, the best corner on the board, and pair him with Dunta Robinson. They can always do what coach Kubiak did in Denver and find a running back later in the draft.

9. Miami Dolphins - Jamaal Anderson - DE - Arkansas - The Dolphins are aging on defense and need to find a replacement for Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. Anderson can bring it as a pass rusher, taking pressure off of Tylor. Another possibility could be Lawrence Timmons.

10. Atlanta Falcons - Reggie Nelson - S - Florida - The Falcons attempted to fix their secondary by signing Chris Crocker and Lawyer Milloy, but the veteran failed to impress. Nelson begs comparison to Ed Reed, as another ball hawking, play making safety.

11. San Francisco - Amobi Okoye - DT -Louisville - Okoye can step in right away and learn from Byrant Young how to be a dominant defensive tackle. His youth is a major plus, as is his motor. They need help in the secondary as well, so LaRon Landry could be a possibility.

12. Buffalo Bills - Ted Ginn, Jr. - WR - Ohio State - Last year the Bills addressed their defensive needs. Now they bring in Ginn to pair with Lee Evans as one of the fastest reciever duos in the league. QB J.P. Losman needs the help. Lawrence Timmons is another possibility as he possess similar characteristics to current Bill Takeo Spikes.

13. St. Louis Rams - Charles Johnson - DE - Georgia - The Rams could use another pass rusher, as Leonard Little has faded recently. Johnson, and another Georgia DE, Quentin Moses, are the top pass rushers on the board.

14. Carolina Panthers - Adam Carriker - DE - Nebraska - Carriker has the size to play DE or DT for Carolina. They need that depth with the injuries sustained by Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker in recent years. They also need a pass catching tight end, but this is too early for Greg Olson.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Dwayne Jarrett - WR - USC - The Steelers took receiver Santonio Holmes last year, and now they can complement him with a big, strong receiver to help Ben Roethlisberger. Another possibilty is Carriker or Moses, since they can always add depth to the d-line.

16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch - RB - Cal - The Packers need to help Favre this year, and Rodgers next year. Ahman Green is not the running back he was a few years ago, so Lynch can step right in and contribute. It helps he played with Rodgers and can catch the ball.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Darrelle Revis - CB - Pitt - The Jags are failry well stocked all around, but this corner is impressive in coverage. Pair him with Rashean Mathis, and you have a solid coverage unit.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - DeMarcus Tyler - DT - N.C. State - The Bengals need anyone who won't get arrested. This DT can give them some beef at their weakest position, and depth in case someone goes to the slammer. Levi Brown, OT, could also be had to backup Willie Anderson or the other Levi Brown.

19. Tennessee Titans - Lawrence Timmons - LB - FSU - Timmons is the best linebacker in the draft, and can bring speed off the edge to Tennessee. They have Keith Bulluck cemented on the strongside, now Timmons can wreck shop on the weakside.

20. N.Y. Giants - Dwayne Bowe - WR - LSU - The Giants would rather have Dwayne Jarrett, but either way they need to bring another playmaker in to help Eli. Toomer is almost done, so this pick makes sense. They could opt for Levi Brown though, a solid OT.

21. Denver Broncos - Daymeion Hughes - CB - Cal - After the death of Darrent Williams, the Broncos need some more depth at corner. They could also opt for Quentin Moses, a pass rushing specialist.

22. Dallas Cowboys - LaRon Landry - DB - LSU - The Cowboys were repeatedly beat deep last year. Roy Williams is not going anywhere, but he never could cover the pass, so they pick up this smart defensive player from LSU.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Levi Brown - OT - Penn State - The Chiefs O-line is aging, so this player can come in and contribute as a guard or tackle, eventually replacing Kyle Turley on the outside.

24. New England Patriots - Jarvis Moss - DE - Florida - Bill Belichick loves Florida players, and he continues with Moss. Moss is a DE, but can play upright as an OLB which helps with the age and depth of the Patriots linebackers.

25. N.Y. Jets - Patrick Willis - LB - Ole Miss - The Jets get another playmaking linebacker to fit into their 3-4 alongside Jonathan Vilma. Willis is a worker, has character, and can contribute immeditely.

26. Philadelphia Eagles - Tony Ugoh - OT - Arkansas - The Eagles already have one Razorback lineman in Shawn Andrews, now they add another to eventually replace Jon Runyan on the outside.

27. New Orleans Saints - Greg Olson - TE - Miami - Olson is the best pass catching tight end in the draft. Now, Drew Brees has another weapon, and with his past success with Antonio Gates, Olson should shine in New Orleans.

28. New England Patriots - Paul Posluszny - LB - Penn State - The Patriots go out and find themselves another Tedy Bruschi type of guy with Posluszny. He is tough, coachable and high character. Another possibilty is Vince Hall, LB out of Virginia Tech.

29. Baltimore Ravens - Victor Abiamiri - DE - Notre Dame - The Ravens are looking for depth all around, and this guy can fit in to the mold defensive coordinator Rex Ryan prefers. Needing size and depth, the Ravens take a guy who can play up or down, inside or out.

30. San Diego Chargers - Robert Meachem - WR - Tennessee - The Chargers need more recieving help, and either Meachem or Sidney Rice can provide them with a tall, fast, vertical threat.

31. Chicago Bears - Aaron Sears - OG - Tennessee - The Bears don't have many holes to fill. They could opt for another linebacker, but bringing in offensive line depth is a more immediate need.

32. Indianapolis Colts - Brandon Siler - LB - Florida - The Colts only hole is on defense where they lack playmakers at linebacker. Siler is a sure tackler, and could help right away. Vince Hall is also a possibility.