Mock Draft 2007

Page 1 of 2

Picks 17-32 >>

BroncoTalk’s 2007 Mock Draft is here! I’m all about trades – I’m not one of those mock writers who sticks with the order, just to pick who the team will likely select based on need. Also, if a player is traded for picks after he is drafted (a la Eli Manning in 2004), you’ll see that team pick twice, just read the descriptions to see what’s going on. This is meant to be as real as possible, meaning this is how it could turn out from a chronoligical perspective.

To go straight to the Broncos selection, click here! Without further ado…

With the 1st Selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select…

1) Oakland Raiders – JaMarcus Russel, QB, LSU

In my opinion, JaMarcus Russell might be the most overrated quarterback to come out of the draft. Honestly, I would be surprised if he became a star – his arm is huge, and he’s mobile in the pocket, but I don’t like his FBI (FootBall Intelligence) enough to warrant picking him this early. His weight is another concern – he once weighed over 300 lbs., and who knows how becoming a multi-millionaire will affect that side of him. I can’t wait to see the Raiders go down in flames for another 2-3 years after making this pick.

2) Detroit Lions – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Detroit does the smartest thing they’ve done in a long time – they ignore their recent failures at early WRs and pick up the best player in the draft. Calvin Johnson is physical freak who had nice production too – the kind of rare combination that warrants a top overall most years. The Lions would love to keep him, but will also shop him around…

3) Cleveland Browns – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

The Browns have been bad ever since they re-entered the league a few years back. Charlie Frye, frankly, isn’t the answer, and the team would be best fit staying put and picking Brady Quinn out of Notre Dame. Head Coach Romeo Crennel is good friends with Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis from their New England days, and I’m sure he’s heeded his friend’s advice well. Rookie QBs are more able to make an impact right away than they have in the past; the entire “draft Adrian Peterson to save his job” jargon doesn’t make sense. If they went another route, I would say it would be Joe Thomas.

TRADE ALERT – The Lions trade Calvin Johnson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 4th Overall pick, their 2nd rounder (35th overall), and a conditional 2008 draft choice (2nd or 3rd round).

4) Detroit Lions (from TB) – Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

Tampa Bay gets their guy in Johnson, trading this pick back to the Lions for what will likely be 2 more 2nd rounders (my fictional “condition”: CJ catches 50 balls this year, it moves up to a 2nd round choice). Rod Marinelli makes his third career 1st-round selection by picking the best defensive player on everyone’s board, Gaines Adams. Adams has the athleticism and experience to warrant a Top-4 pick, and the addition of another 2nd rounder give the Lions plenty of firepower to move up and grab someone they want later. With the 34th and 35th pick, they could move up as far as the 14th overall spot.

5) Arizona Cardinals – Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

Just what the doctor ordered for my “other team.” Being an Arizona resident, but Colorado native, I cheer for the Cardinals about half as hard as I cheer for the Broncos. Which is a lot. That being said, Thomas falling to 5 is a dream come true for them. If the Browns skip Quinn I think they’ll take this outstanding offensive lineman, especially with how they have addressed the O-Line in Free Agency over the past two offseasons. But for the Cardinals, this means the beginning of an end – an end to an abysmal line that will be coached up under Ken Whisenhunt and especially Russ Grimm.

TRADE ALERT – The Washington Redskins send their 6th Overall Pick and Runningback Ladell Betts to Atlanta for Atlanta’s first rounder (9th overall) and second rounder (39th overall).

6) Atlanta Falcons (from WAS)- Laron Landry, S, LSU

The Skins are desparate to trade down, and they do just that, giving the Falcons the ability to use one of their 2 second rounders to pick up a RB in the process. The real deal for Atlanta is moving ahead of Minnessota at 7 to pick up Landry, whom the Falcons have been eyeing for some time now with a real need at Safety. The trade makes sense from both perspectives – Atlanta needs a RB behind Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, and Washington needs more picks more than they need this outstanding backup RB. They have trade history in the past, so neither is afraid to make the move.

With the 7th Selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnessota Vikings select…

7) Minnessota Vikings – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

While Chester Taylor may have gotten me runner up in my Fantasy League, he certainly didn’t stay healthy, and the Vikings are looking for a speedy back to complement this bruiser. Peterson is a Top 3 talent that just happens to fall all the way to 7, and Brad Childress finds his very own Brian Westbrook.

8) Washington Reskins (from ATL, HOU) – Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

The Redskins’ defensive line has been the worst in the league, so they look for long-time solution in this 19-year old stud. Okoye is a smaller, faster DT rather than a space-eater, an ideal fit in the 4-3 scheme the Skins employ. Commonly referred to as a “phenom,” Owner/GM Dan Synder will be excited to land this electric talent.

9) Miami Dolphins – Levi Brown, OT, Penn S.

Disappointed that Quinn didn’t fall past Cleveland, the Dolphins set to right their OL that has been oh-so-wrong over the past few years, selecting this mammoth 9th overall. Levi Brown snuck up the boards immediately after the combine and never looked back; some scouts rank him higher than Thomas, and even more believe he has better long term potential. They’ll look to trade for Trent Green later in the Draft; this guy will be blocking for him until Green retires down the line.

10) Houston Texans (from ATL) – Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio St.

After releasing Eric Moulds, this team is in real need of a playmaker opposite Andre Johnson at the wide receiver position. They have a solid PR/KR in Jerome Mathis, but Ted Ginn Jr. falling to that point is simply too tempting for Kubiak and crew to pass up. This is definitely what I would call the first “reach” of my mock, but Houston pulls the trigger because they look to finally pick on the offensive side of the ball in the first round. While I have never bashed Houston for passing on Reggie Bush, they could definitely use an electric presence on the field, and it would get Houston residents to stop cheering for Vince Young (at least a little bit). They give new QB Matt Schaub a lightning fast target who, when healthy, can take the ball to the house on any given play.

11) San Fransisco 49ers – Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

The Niners are thrilled to find Carriker waiting for them at 11, and pounce on the hybrid run-stuffer/pass-rusher. A different kind of ‘tweener, Carriker could fill in at DT with his big size, but still provides enough power and strength to rush the passer. They consider Jamaal Anderson at this point, but feel he’s a better fit in a 4-3 and so go with this Nebraska standout.

12) Buffalo Bills – Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss

This pick, possibly above all others, just seems to “fit” the nicest. Patrick Willis is exactly the type of player that Marv Levy loves – productive, fast, and possessing excellent intangibles. Likely to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year, Willis will aid a rebuilding linebacker corps that just this year saw London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes part ways with the team.

13) St. Louis Rams – Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

Once pegged as a Top-5 prospect, Alan Branch falls to St. Louis where the Rams’ run defense was among the worst in the league. This space eater will make an immediate impact on the field, possibly even helping the Rams WIN a close game against Seattle for a change without Shaun Alexander running wild everywhere.

14) Carolina Panthers – Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Wolverines go back-to-back as the underachieving Panthers select Leon Hall to fill a much needed void in their secondary. Hall could move to Safety – either way, the Panthers don’t mind and indulge in this talented cover man.

15) Pittsburgh Steelers – Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

Welcome home, Darrelle Revis. The ex-Champs begin the Mike Tomlin Era with Revis, who has been battling on the boards with Hall as the #1 CB. The Steelers don’t mind that Hall went first – they were targetting Revis anyway and are thrilled to have an upgrade over DeShea Townsend.

TRADE ALERT – The Green Bay Packers trade the 16th Overall Pick to the Denver Broncos for Denver’s 21st Overall and 3rd round selection (70th overall).

With the 16th Selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select…

16) Denver Broncos (from GB) – Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

The Broncos address a longtime need by trading up to select this Junior physical freak. Anderson doesn’t have all the experience, but he was productive this past season and has the physical toolset to dominate at the next level. We move up to stop Jacksonville from grabbing this guy at 17 right behind Green Bay – Anderson falling this far is definitely a huge steal considering he was ranked higher than Gaines Adams at certain points in the year. He would likely start for the Broncos in lieu of Kenard Lang and would become our feature DE – one who could be productive against both the run and the pass, unlike virtually our whole team who are all one-part specialists. The Broncos’ defense would be all the more improved with Anderson rushing the passer – with Champ and Dre clogging the lanes, it’ll be virtually impossible to throw the ball against us.

Back to Top
Next 16 >>