2007 NFL Mock Draft UPDATE!!!

Lincoln here with another mock draft. This one will be a little different than our previous ones, in this mock draft I will say who each team should take; not who they will -- an important distinction is needed there because some NFL GM's are idiots and don't do what's best.

And remember that we will have a live running blog of the draft which through the magic that is the Sports Bully Network (trademark pending) will show each and every pick in the first round and subsequent rounds if were still on top of our game a full 10-15 seconds BEFORE Goodell walks up to the podium.

1 - Oakland Raiders : Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame

Oakland needs a franchise signal caller because Andrew Walter is definitely not the answer and all current free agent/trade targets come with serious baggage (either they suck: Josh McCown, or they are have serious injury concerns: Dante Culpepper, or they are old: Trent Green.) Most people keep saying that Oakland "has to take JaMarcus Russell" but they are missing a huge point...he's not the best QB in this draft!! I have gone in depth about the QB controversy atop this years draft and why Quinn is a better prospect than Russell but let me just bring back up something I've covered before, again thanks to our friends at Football Outsiders for this info:

Russell started only 29 games at LSU. Over the past ten years, collegiate games started has been the single greatest predictor of NFL success for early first-round quarterbacks. Since 1997 seven quarterbacks who started fewer than 30 games in college have been drafted in the top ten: Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Michael Vick, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Alex Smith.

Then this about Brady:

As for Quinn: Here is the complete list of players drafted in first two rounds over the past ten years who started at least 35 games and completed at least 57 percent of their passes: Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Daunte Culpepper, Chad Pennington, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Jason Campbell, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler.

2 - Detroit Lions : JaMarcus Russell QB LSU

Despite of what I just typed, I really don't think Russell is a bad prospect. I just think that Quinn was much better in college and is much closer to a certainty than what you would get with Russell. I thought long and hard about saying that the Lions should draft Calvin Johnson, and there still stands a very high likely hood that the freak stud WR will go #2 overall as the Lions seem hell bent on trading down and drafting Gaines Adams. The biggest reason everyone says they shouldn't draft Calvin Johnson is because Matt Millen is retarded and wasted high first round picks on wide outs with horrible character/work ethic concerns (Charles Rogers) and weight/speed issues (Mike Williams) and that the fans would revolt. The fans have already revolted against the Lions and any GM who lets outside emotional influences take precedent over logical best-for-the-organization decisions should be fired on the spot (though Millen should have been fired on the spot 3 years ago...maybe he has a side bet with Isiah Thomas about which guy can F--- up his franchise worse AND keep his job.... I give 30/1 that Millen not only gets a contract extension this year but is named the new head coach of the team by Thanksgiving.)

However the Lions need for a franchise QB is too great to justify passing up on a guy like Russell who has the talent to succeed in the NFL, he just needs a few things to be in place which the Lions actually meet. First he needs to be on a team that can afford to sit him for a year and John Kitna allows the Lions that luxury. Second he needs to have at least one good receiving weapon who can stretch the field vertically letting him show off his greatest attribute, arm strength, and the Lions have that in Pro Bowler Roy Williams. Thirdly he needs to be with a great offensive mind and Mike Martz is definitely that, now Russell will never be confused with a standard Martz QB (Trent Green, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger) but I believe Martz is creative enough to design a system that will put Russell in the best possible position to succeed.

3 - Cleveland Browns : Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma

The Browns also need a QB, but with Quinn and Russell off the board they should go with a guy who can immediately help an anemic offense. With LeCharles Bentley, Joe Andruzzi, Eric Steinbach, and Kevin Shaffer Cle has the makings of a very good O-line assuming everyone can stay healthy. If that line is as strong as it can be, Peterson will be a Pro Bowler this year. Jamal Lewis and William Green should pose no threat to the incredibuly talented Peterson who would be the Offensive Rookie of the Year in this senario and the most talented back to play in Cle since the immortal Jim Brown, the only thing holding him back is that he might be the least healthy back to play in Cle since Ernie Davis.

4 - Tampa Bay Bucs : Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech

Tampa may end up getting into a bidding war with the 49ers offering trades to Detroit to get the #2 pick and the chance to draft Calvin, but he should be Bucco anyway. Joey Galloway is a thousand years old and Michael Clayton has disappointed since his stellar rookie campaign, after that the TB WR roster bosts the likes of noted 'roid user David Boston the great Ike Hillard, tiny 6th round pick last year Chad Owens and the space cowboy himself Maurice Stovall who had 7 catches for 102 yards last year...not in one game in all of last year. Calvin is the best player in the draft and the greatest receiver prospect of all time. The Bucs may have problems getting Johnson the ball as none of Tampa's top 3 QB's have the two things you need to succeed in pro football at the position -- a spleen and full head of hair (thank you Drew Bledsoe.)

5 - Arizona Cardinals : Joe Thomas LT Wisconsin

Zona would be filling a huge need AND getting great value with this pick which stands a very high likelyhood of actually happening this weekend. The Cardinals would probably move this Badger to the RT in order to protect the blindside of their southpaw signal caller. The departure of Lenoard Davis...and you could argue that when Davis was there... created a huge hole on the line that the Cardinals desprately need to fill. Joe Thomas is just the man to fill that hole. Yes I said it, you perv.

6 - Washington Redskins : Jamal Anderson DE Arkansas

Everyone knows that the Skins were historically bad at sacking opposing QBs, so addressing the defensive line with their draft pick (singular) is obvious. Not obvious to everyone however is the fact that Jamal Anderson, not Gaines Adams is the best defensive end in this years draft. Adams is a great speed rusher coming off the edge, which is an important skill and he's the best at it in this draft, but that is about the limit of his abilities. Anderson, though still fairly raw, has the potential to be an all around superstar at the defensive end position. His tremendous size, 6'5'' 290, and speed 4.75 make him a truley elite talent that for whatever contrived reason is falling in the eyes of many. NOTE OF FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a die hard Cowboy fan, so I root for the Skins to suck ... and that wish has been granted in recent years, so I hope that the Skins GM picks a one dimensional guy like Adams or trade way down and throw away their chance of getting an elite prospect.

7 - Minnesota Vikings : LaRon Landry S LSU

Fans of the Viqueens (high comedy that I just had to throw in sometime...and for warning I'm sure it will happen during our LIVE RUNNING BLOG OF THE NFL DRAFT! WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE PICKS POSTED BEFORE THE ARE ANNOUNCED ON ESPN!!! as I get drunker and the puns get worse) should pray that Brady Quinn is still avaliable when they pick and should give very hard consideration to trading up to get the Golden Domer. But if fans of the Norse Invaders have to suffer thru a year of Tarvaris Jackson leading the offense, at least they should have the most exciting saftey combination in the league for some redeming quality. Darren "MEEP" Sharper and LaRon "Laundry" Landry -- as Krevor insists on refering to him -- will be far and away the best and most exciting saftey combination since Ed Reed teamed with Sean Taylor on everyone of my Madden '06 Franchise teams.

8 - Atlanta Falcons : Leon Hall CB Michigan

DeAngelo Hall and Leon Hall...the marketing would write itself.

9 - Miami Dolphins : Amoby Okoye DT Louisville

South beach may not be the best destination for a kid who can't legally drink yet, but Okoye's gridiron precociousness will be a perfect fit. The Fins very old defense needs added youth, and Okoye unquestionably fills that need. Okoye started walking at 7 months, talking at 11, attending school at 2 and a half, moved to the United States from Nigeria when he was 11, attended high school at 12 and tried out for the football team [first time ever he played organize football], made varsity at 13, All State by 14, graduated at 15, in college playing D I ball by 16, graduated with a degree when he was 19, top 10 pick 19, stud defensive player in the NFL 20, pro bowl 21, free agent 24, retire 26, hall of fame at age 29, and dead at age 143.

10 - Houston Texans : Reggie Bush RB USC

Oops sorry, that Okoye thing got my personal clock all messed. It's not 2006 anymore. So how bout this?

10 - Houston Texans : Joe Staley OT Central Michigan

As I covered in my tackle rankings, Staley is the 2nd best tackle in this draft and would fit absolutely perfectly with Coach Gary Kubiak's (Whoop!) Denver style running/blocking scheme that focuses on agility and quickness from linemen more than straight ahead brute strength. Staley may be the fastest tackle ever to come into the draft, 4.8, and was virtually carved from a mold to fit in Kubiak's system. Staley would immediately become the best linemen every to play for the Texans with Tony Baselli currently holding that spot for his work on the practice squad.

11 - San Francisco 49ers : Paul Posluszny LB Penn State

Wide out will be a very strong consideration for the 9ers when they are on the clock, but Poz is so good and he can fill a big need for the Gold Rushers. San Fran's 3-4 defense is in dire need of linebackers with Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich nearing the ends of their respected careers. Poz would quench the 9ers love of the white linebacker. Pat Willis would also be a great choice, but I like the man with no discernable neck just a little bit more.

12 - Buffalo Bills : Marshawn Lynch RB Cal

While Lynch will probably be just as bored in Buffalo as Willis McNoknee, he also should be just as productive. Lynch is a big physical, one cut runner who could give JP a solid run game. Corner is also a need with Nate Clements leaving in free agency, so Revis is a close second to Lynch in my mock draft. Side bet: 4/1Lynch stands the best chance of any player taken in this years first round of being mistaken for Pac Man Jones.

13 - St Louis Rams : Gaines Adams DE Clemson

Hopefully he will take after Leonard Little on the field and become a dominating pass rusher but not off of it and kill people. The Rams perennially need defensive help and Adams would be a good value right here. He could come into the league right now and contribute off the edge in passing situations, but he was a ways to go before he can be counted on a three down end. Still he has too much ability to pass up for the Rams here, even if he may always be overrated in his career thanks to people's over emphasis with sack totals.

14 - Carolina Panthers : Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss

JP Taravella High School's own Dan Morgan is a great talent, but his career may already be over thanks to several concussions. If Morgan is healthy, Willis will team with him and Thomas Davis to give Carolina the fastest, most intimidating trio of linebackers in the league and the best overall front 7 (they might already have the best front 7 when everyone is healthy.) Another receiving threat, especially at tight end, will be very tempting for the Panthers and they may end up going that way but on this board Willis is too good to pass up. Some think Willis is too small and plays too out of control so the view him as a bit of a risky prospect but add him in with that kind of talent and leadership and 60% of the time it would work every time.

15 - Pittsburg Steelers : Adam Carriker DE Nebraska

This versitile, hard working lineman would be a great fit in the Steel City. Carriker would slide right into defensive end in the 3-4 and if new Head Coach Tomlin wants to switch to the 4-3 Carriker will still be a valuabe piece, able to play end or tackle. He would fit right in with the Steelers draft strategy with not being an overly flashy or sexy pick, but being a strong, hard-working really good player. In going from Nebraska to Pittsburg, Carriker would go from the Blackshirts to the Steel Curtain making him part of two of the coolest defensive nicknames in football.

16 - Green Bay Packers : Greg Olsen TE Miami

Daniel Lamont Franks was really ineffective last year, managing only 25 grabs for less than 300 yards and 0 scores. Olsen would replace Bubba as the downfield passing threat from the U that Farve loves in the red zone. Running Back is a big need and if Lynch is still available on Draft Day there is no way they pass him up but Olsen is a nice consolation prize and far and away the best receiving tight end in this class.

17 - Jacksonville Jaguars : Reggie Nelson S Florida

Nelson could add years onto Donovin Darius' career. A true ball hawk with great speed, Nelson would be fighting with Landry for the title of "best saftey in the 2007 Draft" if he didn't run a disappointing 4.55 fourty yard dash at the combine. Still Nelson plays much, much faster than that and drastically improved him time during Florida's Pro Day. He's a little slight of frame but isn't afriad to try and lay a big hit on you and is as good a cover free saftey as has come along in a while -- I really like this kid.

18 - Cincinnati Bengals : Alan Branch DT Michigan

A potential top 10 pick when the draft evaluations began, Branch's stock has dropped thanks to Mel Kiper pointing out that he wasn't very productive. While Branch's tackle numbers are somewhat low, that is to be expected from a fearsome DT that teams plan to run away from. The only thing dropping him down my board is questions about his work ethic and desire to succeed. Branch has all the talent in the world, and even returned 6 kicks for touchdowns in high school. He very well could be the steal of the draft, if he puts his mind to it. The Bengals will certainly hope he does as he could transform a defensive front 7.

19 - Tennessee Titans : Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburg

The suspension of Pac Man Jones turns the Titans cornerback situation from, "hey we should add some depth here" to a "Oh Sweet Jesus! Nick Harper is our #1 corner!?!? Quick someone call Vince, see how he feels about playing both ways this year!"

20 - New York Giants : Jon Beason LB Miami

Because he's much better than Reggie Torbor or Gerris Wilkinson, the Giants current starting outside linebackers. Corner is need area too so I almost went with Aaron Ross.

21 - Denver Broncos : Robert Meachem WR Tennessee

Meachem and Javon Walker would give Jay Cutler a great combo of receivers to throw to for the next 5 years. Can you tell it's getting late as the comments get shorter?

22 - Dallas Cowboys : Aaron Ross CB Texas

Levi Brown would be very tempting should the Draft unfold this way, but Ross would give the Boys a bigger boost this year. Dallas filled virtually all of its holes in free agency, so they will take the popular cliche "best player available" when they are on the clock. The Thorpe Award winning Ross, while not the faster than his girlfriend, has the speed to play corner in the NFL along with the instincts, technique, and run support needed to be a very very good player. Ross and Newman would be a very, very good corner combo for years to come.

23 - Kansas City Chiefs : Levi Brown OT Penn State

The staple of the KC offense for years has been it's dominate offensive line, but those days are now over. The Chiefs need to rebuild and Brown would provide the talent to make an immediate impact. Larry Johnson would be the biggest fan of this pick in the world.

24 - New England Patriots : Dwayne Bowe WR LSU

The Pats dramatically revamped their receiving corps in free agency, adding Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker and Kelly Washington. However their possession receiver is currently Reche Caldwell. Bowe has too much talent to pass up and would be a perfect fit for a Belichick designed offense that stresses short passes and the receivers ability to break tackles and make plays in space.

25 - New York Jets : Chris Houston CB Arkansas

This big time player would fill a huge need area for the J-E-T-S, as Hank Poteat and Andre Dyson are currently penciled in as starters. Houston played his best against the best competition and would add speed and playmaking ability to a secondary that drastically needs both.

26 - Philadelphia Eagles : Ted Ginn Jr WR Ohio State

Philly would be able to replace departed WR Donte Stallworth with one of the few guys avaliable who's actually faster. Ginn would also take some of the load off of Brian Westbrook in the return game. Ginn is far from an accomplished route runner but the Eagles will be able to slowly work him into the offense and having a QB the caliber of McNabb is always a great thing for a young wide out. The Eagles have problems in the defensive secondary, but Ginn has too much upside too pass up.

27 - New Orleans Saints : Lawrence Timmons LB Florida State

The Saints will be praying that Ross or Houston falls to them as they have big time needs at the corner position, though they did sign Jason David as a restricted free agent. With all the first round corners off the board, the Saints will turn their attentions to upgrading their outside linebackers. The two Scotts, Shanle and "3000 chicken Fajitas," were suprisingly effective last year during New Orleans' magical season. However athleticism and speed need to be added. Again not being able to get their top priority, CB, the Saints will look to increas their pass rush outside and Timmons gives them everything they'll be looking for. He's very athletic and a great pass rushers who can be force when teamed with defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant coming off the edge, forcing opposing QB's to get rid of the ball before Fred Thomas has time to beat deep...well too deep.

28 - New England Patriots : Brian Leonard RB Rutgers

I've said it before (scroll down to the end) but Leonard is the perfect fit for the Pats late in round 1. Saftey is also a priority and I almost went with Michael Griffin, but guys like Brandon Merriweather, Eric Weddle and Aaron Rouse will all be available in round 2 and Leonard likely won't. He would take part of the load off of Maroney, provide valuable blocking and play part time as a tight end for the Pats. He also fits in perfectly with a championship teams locker room, as he is a true leader and winner and I say that with complete certainty.

29 - Baltimore Ravens : Justin Blalock OL Texas

I've enumerated the reasons I love Blalock before, but he makes a lot of sense for the Ravens in this spot. The Ravens need help at guard and the right tackle spot and Blalock can play both. He also will give the Ravens a potential replacement (though he is best suited for guard) to Jonathon Ogden after he retires and should be an elite level player even after Ogden is enshrined in Canton.

30 - San Diego Chargers : Michael Griffin S Texas

Griffin fills a need on the Chargers D that's been there for a while. His range and instincts at the saftey position mean he should expect to have success right off the bat, and his willingness to step up in run support means he'll gain the favor of teammates and coaches just as quickly.

31 - Chicago Bears : Justin Harrell DT Tennessee

With Tank sitting in jail and facing a very likely suspension by the NFL when he is freed, DT is a major concern for da Bears this year. Adding Harrell would solidify virtually the only weakness on a championship caliber defense. Harrell is coming off of a major injury that cost him most of his senior season, but has all the talent to be a big time player and the wide body to keep interior linemen off of Brian Urlacher.

32 - Indianapolis Colts : Anthony Spencer DE/OLB Purdue

It is rare to see a DE/OLB 'tweener go to a team that doesn't play the 3-4, but Spencer fits perfectly with the Colts D. Playing the weakside backer for the champs, Spencer would be an upgrade against the run over what they already have and would help provide a blitz off the edge to help out Dwight Freeney. There is a very good chance that there won't be 31 better players than Spencer come out of this draft, and Indy can always use defensive help in whatever form they can get.