2007 NFL Mock Draft

Special contribution to CFBParadise submitted by: Mr. Aaron Barhorst

NFL 2007 Team Needs and Mock Draft

It’s almost that time of year again and if you’re anywhere close to the NFL junky I am the draft is a couple of days worth looking forward to. You have to love seeing where the playmakers from your favorite college team end up as well, as long as it’s not Cleveland. Just kidding Browns fans.

An NFL mock draft is nowhere close to being an exact science. If I had five bucks for every time Mel Kiper put his foot in his mouth with a wrong pick, I’d be living on a beach somewhere with a loose alcohol and clothing policy. With that being said, I’ll address the first round of the draft on a team by team basis listing their needs first and then listing their most probable options. Most good GM’s and coaches will draft the best player available regardless of their needs but sometimes it’s too tempting to pass on a need player you can plug in right away. You’ll notice that quite a bit in reading this guessing game I’ve typed out. Enough rambling from me, let’s get to it.

1) Oakland Raiders Needs: QB, OT, WR, TE, DE, DT, RB
Pick: JaMarcus Russell QB, LSU
The popular pick here is Russell. He’s the type of QB with a cannon arm that Al Davis covets and they really need help at the position. However, Davis has a history of not taking QB’s in round one and could go with WR Calvin Johnson out of Georgia Tech. Keep an eye on this one. There are several rumors running rampant including one that has Randy Moss traded to Green Bay on draft day in exchange for QB Aaron Rodgers and picks. This would free them up to take Johnson #1 who is arguably the highest talent in the draft. Picking up a veteran like Daunte Culpepper or Jake Plummer would also free them up to take Johnson.

2) Detroit Lions Needs: QB, OT, DE, CB, ILB, TE
Pick: Brady Quinn QB, Notre Dame
Detroit could go a few directions here but I believe the thought of Jon Kitna leading the offense for the next few years drives them to take Quinn. The Lions aquired offensive tackle George Foster from Denver eliminating the need to draft Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas here. Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams is also a possibility and the fact that their starting halfback Kevin Jones may be out for half of the season may make Adrian Peterson fans antsy. My gut tells me they may trade this pick; more on that later.

3) Cleveland Browns Needs: RB, QB, CB, OT, DT, DE
Pick: Adrian Peterson RB, Oklahoma
If Quinn is off the board, Peterson would probably be a no-brainer here for Cleveland. From what I’m hearing, Cleveland’s owner Randy Lerner is sold on Brady Quinn while GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel want Peterson badly. This bears watching if Quinn is available. He who pays the bills usually wins out.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Needs: WR, TE, OT, DT, G, S
Pick: Calvin Johnson WR, Georgia Tech
If and that’s a BIG if the Bucs stay pat at #4 I think they go with Johnson if he’s still available. Rumors running rampant say Tampa may be inclined to trade picks with Detroit as long as Oakland doesn’t take Johnson at the top slot. A lot can happen here and if for some reason the Bucs can’t add Johnson to their roster they’ll have two great options out there with Joe Thomas and Gaines Adams available.

5) Arizona Cardinals Needs: OT, G, TE, DE, DT, OLB, S
Pick: Joe Thomas OT, Wisconsin
This would be a dream scenario for the Cardinals, who don’t have a bigger need on their roster and can fill it with the best tackle in the draft. Leonard Davis was a big (no pun intended) disappointment and is now in Dallas. Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals make a play and move up to ensure they get their guy.

6) Washington Redskins Needs: DE, DT, ILB, G, S, CB, WR
Pick: Gaines Adams DE, Clemson
With this being the Redskins’ only pick until the fifth round, they must address their weak defensive line. They’d consider Louisville’s DT Amobi Okoye and DE Jamaal Anderson out of Arkansas but in reality I can see them trading down to aquire more picks.

7) Minnesota Vikings Needs: QB, WR, DE, OT, RB, TE, CB
Pick: Jamaal Anderson DE, Arkansas
Despite using high draft picks on defensive ends two of the last three years, the Vikings just aren’t getting much of a pass rush from the position. Anderson is very athletic for his size and is a relentless pass rusher. Head coach Brad Childress believes in building a team thru the draft so this could be another team looking to trade down to aquire more picks.

8) Atlanta Falcons Needs: WR, S, G, DE, CB, ILB, C
Pick: LaRon Landry S, LSU
The Falcons have been starved for a playmaking safety for years and would be tickled pink to land Landry. This is a kid who can excel in coverage and run support and should be a Pro Bowl safety for years to come in the NFL. One tidbit to watch with the Falcons on draft day are the rumors of wanting to keep hometown boy Calvin Johnson in the area. The Falcons have two second round picks and three fourth-rounders so they have some chips on the table for trading up.

9) Miami Dolphins Needs: QB, G, OT, S, WR, TE, CB
Pick: Levi Brown OT, Penn State
Miami’s offensive line has been in flux for years and I think head coach Cam Cameron makes a move to remedy that with Brown. The Dolphins haven’t had a top-flight left tackle since the days of Richmond Webb and Brown offers a great combination of devastating run blocking and steady pass protection skills. This pick could get a little interesting if Brady Quinn’s stock falls. Daunte Culpepper is all but gone and I’m sure the prospect of starting Joey Harrington or Cleo Lemon all year at quarterback has Dolphins’ front office thinking about buying stock in Pepto Bismol.

10) Houston Texans Needs: OT, WR, S, DT, CB, DE, OLB, G
Pick: Leon Hall CB, Michigan
The Texans would select Adrian Peterson, Levi Brown or LaRon Landry if available but Hall would be a good fit here if all three are off the board. Houston needs a steady presence opposite of Dunta Robinson and Hall has good cover skills and is probably the best run-supporting corner in the draft.

11) San Francisco 49ers Needs: DE, WR, DT, OLB, CB, ILB
Pick: Ted Ginn Jr. WR, Ohio State
The 49ers may have picked up wide receiver Ashley Lelie, but they also released Antonio Bryant . Their next best option at wideout is Arnaz Battle, so obviously they are in need of a playmaker at the position. Ginn has great speed, and should be an immediate deep threat on the outside. He should also improve the 49ers return game immensely. Another option here is DT Alan Branch out of Michigan or Jamaal Anderson if he falls to them.

12) Buffalo Bills Needs: RB, ILB, CB, OLB, WR, TE, QB
Pick: Patrick Willis ILB, Ole Miss
The Bills allowed London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes to leave creating a huge void at linebacker. What better way to fill the need than with the best linebacker in the draft? Buffalo also traded workhorse running back Willis McGahee to Baltimore and will need to address that in the draft or thru a trade. San Diego’s Michael Turner is at the top of Buffalo’s wish list but the Chargers are holding out for a first round pick.

13) St. Louis Rams Needs: DT, DE, RB, G, CB, WR, C
Pick: Amobi Okoye DT, Louisville
With Leonard Little being the only consistent pass rusher on the roster, the Rams will look to upgrade here. Okoye is only 19 years old but has the size, speed and strength to be a disruptive force right away for the Rams. Give him time to develop and he may be one of the most feared defensive tackles in the league for the next ten to fifteen years.

14) Carolina Panthers Needs: S, ILB, DE, WR, TE, CB, FB
Pick: Reggie Nelson S, Florida
The Panthers are aging at safety and if they don’t bring someone in thru free agency, will probably commit a first-day pick to the position. Nelson lacks the size of LaRon Landry but is a playmaker and always seems to be around the ball. Another option here for the Panthers is tight end Greg Olsen out of Miami. New offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson wants to make the tight end a significant part of the passing attack. They haven’t had a consistant threat there since Wesley Walls was in his prime.

15) Pittsburgh Steelers Needs: OLB, DE, RB, CB, P, OT, G
Pick: Lawrence Timmons OLB, Florida St.
Joey Porter was let go, so the Steelers may be in the market for a linebacker who can consistently rush the passer. Timmons’ skill set makes him a good fit as a rush linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. If new head coach decides he wants to convert the Steelers into the 4-3 defense he’s comfortable with, OLB Paul Posluszny may be an option here.

16) Green Bay Packers Needs: RB, WR, TE, S, CB, OLB, OT
Pick: Robert Meachem WR, Tennessee
Almost every mock draft I’ve seen has Green Bay taking Cal’s Marshawn Lynch here. With Ahman Green gone and Vernand Morency going into camp as the probable starter the Packers do need to address this but I don’t think they do it in round one. Meachem is a proven producer and has great size and speed. He would be a great complement to possession receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, stretching the field for Brett Favre. Look for Green Bay to select a running back in round two. Solid players like Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Arizona’s Chris Henry or Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker would be a good option here.

17) Jacksonville Jaguars Needs: WR, S, DE, CB, QB, OLB, ILB
Pick: Dwayne Bowe WR, LSU
Jacksonville has taken a wide receiver in the first round in two of the last three drafts and the company line is that they won’t select another one but this could be a smoke screen. The wideouts on the roster are all cut from the same mold; big guys with good straight line speed but not much in the quickness and moves department. Bowe offers the total package for a wideout and has some people comparing him to Hines Ward. Miami safety Brandon Meriweather may be an option here. Donovan Darius is still there but comes with some age and injury concerns.

18) Cincinnati Bengals Needs: CB, S, DT, OLB, TE, WR, G, RB
Pick: Darrelle Revis CB, Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is in dire need for some help in the defensive backfield and Revis would be a great value here. His stock has soared over the past month thru great individual workouts. Pair that with studying his game tape at Pitt and it’s clear he’s a special player who will also help the Bengals in the return game. Reggie Nelson would warrant a long look here also if he dropped.

19) Tennessee Titans Needs: WR, DE, RB, CB, G, S, DT
Pick: Marshawn Lynch RB, Cal
The Titans drafted LenDale White last year hoping he’d develop into their starter in the backfield. But with White looking more like an offensive lineman coupled with the departure of Travis Henry and possibly Chris Brown, the Titans will take a long look at Lynch. If Robert Meachem or Dwayne Bowe were available the Titans would likely pounce. Defensive end Adam Carriker out of Nebraska would also be a good value and fill a big need here.

20) New York Giants Needs: OT, OLB, CB, WR, S, DT, TE
Pick: Joe Staley OT, Central Michigan
With the release of Luke Petitgout and the retirement of Bob Whitfield, the Giants have a gaping hole at left tackle. Staley’s great athleticism could get him drafted earlier but if he’s still on the board it would seem the Giants’ need would override they’re other concerns. Other possibilities could be cornerbacks Aaron Ross out of Texas and Tenard Jackson of Syracuse. Arkansas offensive tackle Tony Ugoh could also make an appearance here.

21) Denver Broncos Needs: DT, DE, S, OLB, ILB, OT, G
Pick: Adam Carriker DE, Nebraska
Depending on how far Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch’s stock falls he could be an option here. Denver’s biggest need is defensive tackle but there is concern over stress fractures for Branch which could cause him to free-fall. Carriker would be the best option here if that is indeed the case. He’s big and strong enough to slide in at tackle if needed but would excel as the power end in Denver’s scheme. Great nonstop motor and adequate pass-rushing ability.

22) Dallas Cowboys Needs: OLB, S, DT, WR, CB, OT, QB
Pick: Alan Branch DT, Michigan
The free agent signing of ex-Seattle safety Ken Hamlin eliminates the need of reaching for a safety here but don’t rule it out, especially if Florida’s Reggie Nelson is still available. Miami’s Brandon Meriweather could also get a long look here. The selection of Branch here would add some great depth behind nose tackle Jason Ferguson and at the same time provide some competition to defensive end Marcus Spears. Branch is a special talent if deemed fully healthy. Great mix of size and quickness.

23) Kansas City Chiefs Needs: DT, CB, DE, WR, QB, RB, G
Pick: Aaron Ross CB, Texas
The Chiefs have several holes that need filled and Ross would give them a youthful boost in the secondary. Alan Branch would be a great fit if still on the board but Kansas City will probably look to someone like Tennessee’s Justin Harrell in round two to shore up the line. Luckily for Kansas City this is a very rich draft for wide receivers so they’ll be able to get a quality player there on the first day. Cleveland and Miami are linked to trade rumors involving quarterback Trent Green which could land the Chiefs more draft picks.

24) New England Patriots Needs: S, CB, ILB, OT, OLB, RB, TE
Pick: Tanard Jackson CB, Syracuse
Bill Belicheck and company need some help on the defensive side of the ball and are in great position to do it with the 24th and 28th picks in the first round. Jackson is a big corner with good coverage skills and can be a devastating hitter. With Asante Samuel thinking of holding out this would be a huge pickup for the Pats. Other options here would be Miami’s Brandon Meriweather, Fresno State corner Marcus McCauley, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and Michigan linebacker David Harris.

25) New York Jets Needs: CB, ILB, G, OT, OLB, DE
Pick: Marcus McCauley CB, Fresno State
The run on first rounder corners continues with the Jets taking McCauley to compete for a starting job right away. He has rare explosiveness and speed for a taller corner and although it may be risky to take him this high, it will probably be too tempting to pass by. Other options here include Arkansas CB Chris Houston or Penn State LB Paul Posluszny.

26) Philadelphia Eagles Needs: S, DE, OLB, ILB, CB, TE, DT
Pick: Paul Posluszny OLB, Penn State
The Eagles signed Takeo Spikes over the offeseason but he’s thirty years old and still recovering from an achilles’ tendon injury. Jeremiah Trotter is still solid in the middle but is also aging. Posluszny will come in and add some high octane energy to a unit that desperately needs it. He’s capable of playing inside or outside and will be a great successor to either of the veteran linebackers mentioned. Philly will have a very tough time here not pulling the trigger on Miami safety Brandon Meriweather or Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss.

27) New Orleans Saints Needs: CB, WR, DT, OLB, ILB, TE
Pick: Chris Houston CB, Arkansas
One of the largest group of corners drafted in the first round continues with the Saints selecting lightning fast Chris Houston to shore up a shaky secondary. Houston has the speed and athleticism that incumbent starter Fred Thomas is lacking. New Orleans may be tempted to select Miami tight end Greg Olsen here or one of the crop of wideouts that includes Dwayne Jarrett, Sidney Rice, Aundrae Allison or Steve Smith but I believe they wait until the second round to find another complement to Marques Colston and Devery Henderson.

28) New England Patriots Needs: S, CB, ILB, OT, OLB, RB, TE
Pick: Brandon Meriweather S, Miami
The Patriots pick up their second highly-touted defensive back of the draft in selecting Meriweather. He’ll give the Pats a rangy ball hawk who has the ability to cover wide receivers and tight ends one on one who also shows toughness in run support despite his lack of size. New England picks up a great safety/corner combination for years to come.

29) Baltimore Ravens Needs: OT, G, CB, OLB, DE, ILB, C
Pick: Tony Ugoh OT, Arkansas
The Ravens are almost forced to go with the best offensive lineman available here with starters Tony Pashos and Edwin Mulitalo moving on and All-Pro tackle Jonathan Ogden possibly heading into his last season. Ugoh has great ability run blocking and has the quickness to shut down speed rushers on the outside but some question his consistency.

30) San Diego Chargers Needs: WR, S, RB, DT, OLB, ILB, OT
Pick: Sidney Rice WR, South Carolina
Keenan McCardell has been released, and Eric Parker leaves a little to be desired as a No. 2. Vincent Jackson seems to be developing nicely, but the team needs another solid option in the passing game. There are teams out there who may crack and give the Chargers more high picks for running back Michael Turner giving them the ammunition to move up or down in the draft or to stand pat and add quite a few quality players.

31) Chicago Bears Needs: WR, OT, TE, QB, OLB, CB, G, RB
Pick: Greg Olsen TE Miami
Having beefed up the defense and special teams in the 2006 draft, the Bears will probably look to the offense early in 2007. Olsen would be a great addition, possessing the speed and ability to outrun most linebackers and abuse safeties. Let’s face it, Rex Grossman needs all the help he can get and a safety valve like Olsen could be just what the doctor ordered. Another great option here for the Bears would be East Carolina WR Aundrae Allison.

32) Indianapolis Colts Needs: OLB, DT, WR, S, RB, ILB, CB
Pick: Jon Beason OLB, Miami
After losing linebacker Cato June to free agency, Beason would be a perfect fit in Tony Dungy’s defense. Beason is a bit undersized but has amazing quickness and ball skills, the traits needed for a linebacker in Dungy’s cover two defense.

What we have become...

After today's events have we not grown tired of what we have created? We have all created a society that has no conscious. I do realize that not everybody falls under this category but for the most part people don't care about the other individual the way they should. Honestly, when you see another person walking down the street and it is obvious they need more too eat or are on hard times; how much do you care?

I will be honest, most of my life I didn't give a damn. In fact I would say that I have lived the imperfect life under most people’s judgment. At the same time though, I do realize that I can change myself and the way I think. The older I get the more I realize that the help we give others is what is most important in our lives. I have come to realization, over my short time here, that what we put in the life of others will be put into our own.

Today, many people were killed; due to what? I imagine the person behind it would be a self depressed person that wanted to take vengeance on the people who had made him feel this way. The question that will be on most people's mind will be what made this person feel this way. Was it people picking on him, was it people making him feel not included, etc...But the real answer is that we create lines in our society that make others feel inferior.

I do not mean that to be an excuse to what happened today as I have felt the same, as I am sure others have felt, and have never reached to those extremes. What I mean by that is we try to make others feel inferior to make ourselves feel better. Too many times we put down others to make ourselves feel better about our own lives. Why is it we want to feel so inferior to our own brothers?

It is our own human nature that makes us feel that way. It is our own self doubts that make us feel that way. It is the own fact that we all want to be better than our own brother than makes us feel this way, but the question remains what ticks that clock?

The answer is simple; we have forgotten about God and what life is about. We have taken God out of our schools and society to where it doesn't matter. I understand that this country is suppose to separate God and country; but those laws were created to make sure nobody was persecuted for their beliefs. Those laws where not created to take God out of our everyday lives.

I not only question what we are putting forth to our children but what we put forth as a society. Is it not time we rise to the challenge and make this society what our fore fathers wanted it to be?