| Mock NFL Draft No. 1 |
| Pick |
Team |
Pos. |
Player |
College |
Class |
Ht. |
Wt. |
| 1 |
 |
QB |
JaMarcus Russell |
LSU |
Jr. |
6-6 |
260 |
|
If it were my call, the pick would be Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, who has the track record you're looking for in a quarterback. But the early word is that the Raiders are ga-ga over Russell's size and big arm.
|
| 2 |
 |
QB |
Brady Quinn |
Notre Dame |
Sr. |
6-4 |
228 |
|
The Lions are sending out plenty of smoke signals that the pick could be Clemson DE Gaines Adams or Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas. But don't be stupid, Matt Millen. You take Quinn, have him sit and watch Jon Kitna play for a year, and hand him the ball in 2008.
|
| 3 |
 # |
OT |
Joe Thomas |
Wisconsin |
Sr. |
6-8 |
315 |
The Browns and Bucs coin flip at the NFL Combine for the No. 3 and 4 spots could be huge. For now, we'll give the Browns Thomas, this year's premier offensive lineman. Cleveland's OL had trouble from day one of training camp in 2006.
(# -- Coin flip at NFL combine between Browns and Bucs for No. 3 pick)
|
| 4 |
 # |
WR |
Calvin Johnson |
Georgia Tech |
Jr. |
6-5 |
235 |
If one of the top two quarterbacks should linger, Tampa Bay might bite. But there would be no delay in turning in the card for Johnson at No. 4. He's the draft's can't-miss offensive talent.
(# -- Coin flip at NFL combine between Browns and Bucs for No. 3 pick)
|
| 5 |
 |
DE |
Gaines Adams |
Clemson |
Sr. |
6-5 |
260 |
|
The Cardinals should have their choice of defensive stars: Adams, Arkansas DE Jamaal Anderson or Michigan DT Alan Branch. Those three could come off the board in order at 5-6-7.
|
| 6 |
 |
DE |
Jamaal Anderson |
Arkansas |
Jr. |
6-6 |
280 |
|
Gregg Williams' defense hardly breathed on opposing quarterbacks in 2006, so Anderson's edge rushing skills should look pretty appealing to the Redskins.
|
| 7 |
 |
WR |
Ted Ginn, Jr. |
Ohio State |
Jr. |
6-0 |
180 |
|
Brad Childress comes out of the Andy Reid school of thinking that you build a team from the inside out, concentrating on your lineman first. But Minny's anemic offense needs playmakers at receiver, and Ginn's speed is enticing.
|
| 8 |
 |
RB |
Adrian Peterson |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
6-2 |
220 |
|
See, there was a plan after all. No Reggie Bush? No problem. Peterson is this year's elite runner and should end the Texans' backfield problems. Now, about that snub of Vince Young ...
|
| 9 |
 |
DT |
Alan Branch |
Michigan |
Jr. |
6-6 |
330 |
|
The Dolphins defense is getting older by the minute, and Branch is a top-rated lineman who's big enough at 6-5, 330 to play on the nose, and athletic enough to shift to end when needed.
|
| 10 |
 |
WR |
Dwayne Jarrett |
USC |
Jr. |
6-5 |
210 |
|
We know this might be a bit high for Jarrett, but as even Falcons owner Arthur Blank has noted, Atlanta doesn't have any receivers who can catch the ball. If you're giving Michael Vick one last shot, at least find him a go-to guy other than Alge Crumpler.
|
Don Banks covers pro football for SI.com.
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