I can not bash this pick, even though I had Calvin Johnson number one in my mind. We all know you need a QB to win football games in the NFL, and Russell is a rare physical specimen with unreal arm strength and has improved greatly in each season.
2. Lions- Calvin Johnson
Unless they get together and jump him at the Lions draft party, the recent failures of Charles Rogers and Mike Williams will have no effect on Calvin Johnson's NFL career. Johnson is the best player in the draft and is arguably the top offensive prospect this decade, and should provide nightmares for defenses when lined up with Roy Williams.
3. Browns- Joe Thomas
A very safe pick for the Browns. Brady Quinn, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, JaMarcus Russell, or even Otto Graham would be able to operate behind a horrid offensive line like the Cleveland fielded this season. Thomas will fit in somewhere along the line with recent addition Eric Steinbach and last seasons pickup Kevin Shaeffer, if not injuried LeCharles Bentley.
4. Buccaneers- Gaines Adams
The cover 2 defense is based upon fast LBs, hard hitting DBs, and a front four who can rush the passer. Adams can rush the passer and will be tutored by one of the best sack artists in NFL history in Simeon Rice. I feel this is slightly high for a player so lacking in one key department(playing the run), but he will still be a good fit.
5. Cardinals- Levi Brown
Reach, reach, reach. After getting that out of the way, the Cardinals addressed their most glaring need and ignored those ridiculous experts ideas for them to take Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson. I compare this pick to the Bengals taking Levi Jones in 2002 10th overall. It was a reach then because they could have traded down and got him, but he has turned out to be a great pro. No one will complain about this pick in three years if Brown becomes the main bodyguard for franchise QB Matt Leinart.
6. Redskins- LaRon Landry
Putting a stud with another stud has proven to work very well in the recent drafts. The Jaguars took John Henderson and Marcus Stroud in round one back to back years, and they now make up the best interior defensive line in the NFL. Landry will team up with the 5th overall pick in 2004 Sean Taylor in the secondary as well as former top ten pick in 2005 CB Carlos Rogers. Washington should now be able to deploy many defensive schemes with these two stars on the field together.
7. Vikings- Adrian Peterson
Don't like this pick at all. They Vikes shelled out big money for Chester Taylor last offseason and he redeemed them by going for over 1000 yards last season. While he wore down late in the season, this RB class is deep and the team could very easily have acquired a Kenny Irons or Antonio Pittman in round two to allow Taylor to stay the bell cow of the offense. Since I am disagreeing with this pick, I would like to have seen Patrick Willis or Jamaal Anderson at this pick for the Vikings.
8. Falcons- Jamaal Anderson
I am not completely sold on this guy, but this team wants to continue to add pass rushers. If Anderson becomes the player they think he is, he will form a relentless pass rushing tandem with John Abraham. Anderson may turn out to be a one year wonder however, but I can not go against this selection.
9. Dolphins- Ted Ginn Jr.
The first "wow" pick of the day. I always sneered at mock drafts last season that had Ginn going in the top ten, and I was pretty sure the NFL had come to their wits and realized he was not worthy of a pick this high. This is very, very high for Ginn. Saying that, I like the pick because for as long as I can remember Miami has always been a "ball control" team with no explosive player. Chris Chambers is a legit deep threat, but Ginn has gamebreaking ability in the Reggie Bush/Devin Hester mold. As for passing on Quinn, I see no problem with that if the Dolphins truely feel Quinn is similar to other QBs in the draft.
10. Texans- Amobi Okoye
I resent some of the heat Matt Millen takes on for drafting all of these WRs so high, while Houston just keeps stockpiling defensive lineman in round one with very little to show for it. Jason Babin, Travis Johnson, Mario Williams, and now Okoye were all picked in round one the past four years. I question how much Okoye will continue to progress while being physically dominated on the field and swamped off the field with NFL schemes. If Houston can allow him to let off a little before unleashing him full bore in 2008, a 21 year old Okoye may be better ready to help Mario Williams and Co.
11. 49ers- Patrick Willis
As far as overall toughness, Willis reminds me alot 49er MLB Derek Smith. Willis is a young playmaker who should emerge as the leader of an up and coming defense in San Francisco. I like this pick alot and believe the 49ers 3-4 defense is becoming one to fear in this league if last years round one pick Manny Lawson emerges as a pass rushing threat and big money free agent Nate Clements lives up to the hype. Willis should be instantly better just by being surrounded by NFL talent as opposed to inferior teammates at Ole Miss.
12. Bills- Marshawn Lynch
This pick was a little stunning to me, because Marv Levy and Dick Jauron have preached character since they have arrived. Lynch is one of the few first round prospects with legit off the field questions, yet Buffalo still took him. Lynch reminds me alot of departed Willis McGahee, both on the field and off it. A very dangerous runner who can tote the load but is not the electryfing playmaker a RB like Adrian Peterson is. This pick makes sense, as long as Lynch stays out of trouble.
13. Rams- Adam Carriker
While I feel this is a reach for a "solid" defensive lineman, as I think only impact players should be this high. With the shallow draft class however, taking the safe pick is not that bad of an idea. Carriker may never be a flashy playmaker, but he should become a solid and useful defensive lineman in the mold of an Aaron Smith or Ty Warren.
14. Jets- Darrelle Revis
The Jets traded up for my top rated CB, and I think it is a good idea. The Jets seem to be overstocked with "#2" CBs, but Revis has shutdown potential. He also can return kicks and will give the Jets alot more options on defense if he becomes the cornerback he should be.
15. Steelers- Lawrence Timmons
Timmons is a solid LB and should work in whatever scheme new coach Mike Tomlin decides to employ. I am slightly worried about his thin build, but Florida State LBs have shown that that Bobby Bowden is breeding linebackers by the bunch. Timmons is not the prototype Steelers LB, but he will start the new trend of defense in Pittsburgh.
16. Packers- Justin Harrell
I have very little feelings about this pick. I would have liked to have seen a flashier pick, like a RB or WR, but Harrell could help shore up the defensive line that is in the same division as the pounding Chicago Bears and newly formed two-headed monster in Minnesota. While he is very much a question, he has elite ability and may grow with young Cullen Jenkins and A.J. Hawk to fortify the Packers run defense in the future.
17. Broncos- Jarvis Moss
Last year I said the Broncos were an elite pass rusher away from being the best team in the NFL. While I still do not feel that way, this pick goes along way to putting the Broncos back among the elite. Moss could become a Jevon Kearse like havoc maker off the edge, or simply fade away like Jamal Reynolds. To be honest, I've seen Mike Shanahan whiff on too many defensive players in round one( Deltha O'Neal, Willie Middlebrooks) and shaky day one picks (Dorsett Davis) to feel confident in this player.
18. Bengals- Leon Hall
Cincy hit a grand slam here, drafting a "character" player that fills a great need. Leon Hall is a born and breed Big 10 CB, and will continue the proccess of overturning the secondary in Cincinnati. Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph should form one of the better CB duo's in the league very soon.
19. Titans- Michael Griffin
While alot of experts are knocking this pick, I think that Texas national championship team has a special group of players. Griffin may not be the best player or even the safety on the board, but he will continue the winning culture Vince Young brought last season. Hopefully he can grab the defense by the horns much the same way Vince did to the offense last year.
20. Giants- Aaron Ross
Another one of the Longhorns, Ross should work into the Giants secondary very quickly. Mediocre CBs Corey Webster, Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters are all on their heels as the Giants pass up on LT Joe Staley to address another need. Aaron may never become a shutdown corner, but he should be a playmaker on the Big Blue defense.
21. Jaguars- Reggie Nelson
Everyone is comparing Nelson to Ravens S Ed Reed. If Nelson makes half of the impact Reed has, Jacksonville will field a top five defense. Trading down and nabbing the best defensive playmaker in this draft outside of Gaines Adams. This pick may also re-energize Donovin Darius, who can now focus himself to run support with this flashy centerfielder next to him.
22. Browns- Brady Quinn
This is one of the shrewdest moves in recent draft history. How many teams can say they nabbed A) two players they had in their top five and B) a franchise quarterback and left tackle in a single round? If Quinn becomes the player he should, this class will rank up their with the Ravens class that brought in both Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis. Well worth the extra picks given up for this move.
23. Chiefs- Dwayne Bowe
FINALLY! After ignoring one of the weakest WR corps for many years, the Chiefs add a big and fast playmaker in the form of Dwayne Bowe. While I view Bowe as a classic overrated WR prospect, I adore the Chiefs selection over offensive lineman. Besides, many great O-Lines were built in the later rounds.
24. Patriots- Brandon Meriweather
Flashback to 2004: Miami stud Vince Wilfork drops to the Patriots at the 21st pick. He has become a stalwart to one of the best defenses in the NFL. Meriweather now slides down to New England, and he should be a dynamic coverage safety. He may not be a full timer for a few seasons, but you know Bill Belichick will utulize Brandon to his fullest ability.
25. Panthers- Jon Beason
A quick, undersized LB who may take over the role of injury prone Dan Morgan on the Panthers defense. While I do not think Beason will be the best LB in the league, he should be able to exploit the situations Carolina's other defensive talent will put him in. A nice pick.
26. Cowboys- Anthony Spencer
Wade Phillips loves pass rushers, and he got himself another one here. A definate tweener, he will wreak havoc with DeMarcus Ware on the edge in the NFL. His play in coverage will put him in a precarious position if left on the field on the wrong downs. Has very good upside.
27. Saints- Robert Meachem
Another one of these "Mid-1st" WR's I dread, but Meachem joins a loaded offensive attack in New Orleans. I do not like Meachem at this pick because New Orleans needs someone to work the middle of the field, one of Robert's weakest attributes. To live up to this selection, he will have to become a number one wideout.
28. 49ers- Joe Staley
Ehhhhhhh. Another flashback: Houston Texans trade back into round one to get Western Michigan DE Jason Babin. That pick has not panned out for Houston. San Fran is now taking a chance on another small school player while paying an extra price. Staley must become the offensive tackle that anchors this up and coming attack, or Mike Nolan will be bashed for years.
29. Ravens- Ben Grubbs
I trust Ozzie Newsome. So I have faith Grubbs will become a Pro Bowler in Baltimore, paving the way for Willis McGahee for years. Not a flashy pick, but neither was last years Haloti Ngata selection, and that move payed off handsomely for Baltimore.
30. Chargers- Craig Davis
DREEEEEADED. Now that I got that out of the way AGAIN, San Diego takes a WR, perhaps the teams top need. Davis is a gamebreaker and could excel in the super talented Chargers defense. But to be honest, I wouldn't bet on it.
31. Bears- Greg Olsen
I am not sold on Olsen, but adding another weapon to an inconsistent offense is a wise move. Bernard Berrian is the best deep threat on the team, but he is not a constant performer. Olsen may open the field for Muhammad, Berrian, and Cedric Benson among others. Nice fit for the Bears and Olsen.
32. Colts- Anthony Gonzalez
I do not see Gonzalez as a first round prospect, but this overall draft class was weak and the Colts added a nice complement to their team. Gonzalez is the prototype player for their scheme and ideas, and he should be very effective in Indy. I am not going to say he will be an 1000 yard receiver, but he will help the whole Colts offense become better. If he perhaps overachieves he could be the successor for Reggie Wayne when Wayne moves to the number one pass catcher at the departure of Marvin Harrison.