Posted: Friday January 26, 2007 11:49AM; Updated: Saturday January 27, 2007 1:32PM
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.