ESPN mock draft...ugh...

[Rambo13]

Russell appeals to Raiders' style, needs
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McShay
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
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Much will change in the coming months, as underclassmen officially declare and players take part in postseason all-star games, individual workouts and the scouting combine, but here is our initial first-round mock for the 2007 NFL draft:

x -- Still to be determined by coin flip
y -- Still to be determined by playoffs
+ -- Underclassman

1. Oakland Raiders (2-14)

Projected pick: +JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Russell vs. Brady Quinn? Let the great debate begin. Most teams have Quinn ahead of Russell, but Raiders owner Al Davis could fall in love with Russell's size and deep arm.

2. Detroit (3-13)

Projected pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Lions will be stoked if Quinn falls to them at No. 2. Wouldn't it be great, though, if Matt Millen takes another wide receiver (Calvin Johnson) with this pick?

3t. x-Cleveland (4-12)

Projected pick: +Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
The Browns want Russell with this pick, but they'll settle for a 330-pound playmaker to help solidify Romeo Crennel's three-man defensive front.

3t. x-Tampa Bay (4-12)

Projected pick: +Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Bucs have other more pressing needs, but coach Jon Gruden can't pass on the draft's most dynamic offensive weapon.

5. Arizona (5-11)

Projected pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
As usual, the Cardinals are a prime candidate to trade down. They should get lots of bidders if Thomas -- the only elite offensive lineman in this class -- is still available.

6. Washington (5-11)

Projected pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Adams is a no-brainer for a Redskins defense that set a team record for the fewest sacks in a season (19) in 2006.

7. Minnesota (6-10)

Projected pick: +Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
It's hard to believe the Vikings still need defensive end help, but Erasmus James suffered a season-ending injury in the opener and Kenechi Udeze failed to notch a sack. Anderson is the complete package physically and he should capitalize on 13.5 sacks as a junior in 2006.

8. Houston (6-10)

Projected pick: +Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Peterson is expected to make his decision to bolt for the NFL in the next few days. Drafting Peterson here would help to overshadow the Texans' colossal mistake of passing on Reggie Bush with the top overall pick last year.

9. Miami (6-10)

Projected pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
The Dolphins could consider QB Brian Brohm with this pick, but they also could go the free-agency route in order to get short-term relief. Hall would be a good value here and would help upgrade a patchwork secondary.

10. Atlanta (7-9)

Projected pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Landry is a ball-hawk free safety who would instantly upgrade the athleticism of the Falcons secondary.

11. San Francisco (7-9)

Projected pick: +Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey might not fall this far, but the 49ers certainly wouldn't protest such a scenario. Dorsey is a disruptive force as a one-gap penetrating interior lineman.

12. Buffalo (7-9)

Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Projected pick: The Bills have more pressing needs, including cornerback and middle linebacker. However, Okoye is a fast-rising 19-year-old with great potential.

13. St. Louis (8-8)

Projected pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Carriker, a quick and powerful 290-pound defensive end, could be a good complement opposite DE Leonard Little.

14. Carolina (8-8)

Projected pick: +Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The Panthers need help at middle linebacker, left tackle, safety and tight end, but it also might be time to address life after QB Jake Delhomme. If Brohm elects to leave school early, he should be taken somewhere between picks No. 10 and 20.

15. Pittsburgh (8-8)

Projected pick: Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia
Moses' stock is dropping after a subpar senior year, but it will spike once he works out at the combine next month.

16. Green Bay (8-8)

Projected pick: +Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
QB Brett Favre could help maximize Lynch's explosiveness and versatility if they're working in the same backfield in 2007.

17. Jacksonville (8-8)

Projected pick: +Ted Ginn Jr., WR/RS, Ohio State
Ginn Jr. has a tough decision to make after injuring his ankle in the first quarter of the BCS title game. Assuming he turns pro, the Jaguars could use his speed. Despite spending first-round picks on the position in 2004 (Reggie Williams) and 2005 (Matt Jones), no Jaguar finished in the NFL's top 50 in catches.

18. Cincinnati (8-8)

Projected pick: Tank Tyler, DT, N.C. State
Tyler had a monster season as a senior, and his combination of power and quickness would help upgrade the Bengals' ailing defensive front.

19. Tennessee (8-8)

Projected pick: +Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Jarrett is a dynamic playmaker with extraordinary hand-eye coordination, but he might not run well enough to land a spot in the top 15. However, the former Trojans receiver could make quite a team with the former Longhorns quarterback (Vince Young) in Tennessee.

20. N.Y. Giants (8-8)

Projected pick: +Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
The Giants must upgrade their cover-corner situation, and Revis displays the athleticism and ball skills to fit their needs. Revis will compete for the second cornerback taken behind Hall in this year's class.

21. Denver (9-7)

Projected pick: Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal
The tragic passing of Darrent Williams will force the Broncos to re-evaluate their personnel needs this offseason.

22. Dallas (9-7)

Projected pick: +Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Nelson, a speedy center fielder with excellent ball skills, would provide an ideal complement next to hard-hitting S Roy Williams.

23. Kansas City (9-7)

Projected pick: +Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Rice's draft stock could fluctuate greatly depending on his postseason workouts. Assuming he grades out as a late first-round prospect, the Chiefs would welcome his pass-catching services on the perimeter.

24. y-New England (from Seattle)

Projected pick: +Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB, Florida
Moss is an undersized pass-rushing end who would fit well as an outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 defensive scheme. Plus, Bill Belichick obviously has a thing for Gators players.

25. y-N.Y. Jets (10-6)

Projected pick: Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
Irons' draft stock is plummeting after a disappointing senior campaign. However, don't be surprised if he works his way back into the first round by running well and checking out physically at next month's combine. The Jets might be desperate enough to take a gamble.

26. y-New Orleans (10-6)

Projected pick: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
The Saints need lots of help on defense, and selecting McCauley would be a step in the right direction. McCauley is raw but he's also a 6-foot-1 cornerback with 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

27. y-Philadelphia (10-6)

Projected pick: +Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State
Timmons is unpolished, but he's a big hitter with great speed for his size.

28. y-New England (12-4)

Projected pick: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame
Samardzija could easily slip out of the first round due to his desire to play both baseball (Cubs) and football professionally. The Patriots should be "in the know" thanks to their old buddy Charlie Weis.

29. y-Indianapolis (12-4)

Projected pick: Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
The Colts' run defense was abysmal during the regular season, so drafting a one-man wrecking crew like Willis makes a lot of sense with this pick. Willis notched 265 tackles during his final three seasons at Ole Miss.

30. y-Chicago (13-3)

Projected pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Brown could slip after a disappointing senior season, but it's still tough to find a tackle with his combination of size and agility.

31. y-Baltimore (13-3)

Projected pick: LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
The Ravens could use a youth influx at linebacker, and Woodley would be a good fit thanks to his experience playing in a similar hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive scheme at Michigan.

32. y-San Diego (14-2)

Projected pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
A young weapon like Bowe at wide receiver could take an already-potent Chargers offense to the next level.

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That would suck for us. I'd take McCaulley, Timmons, Brown or Woodley over this chump this early.

[Murrell2878]

Especially considering we could get him with Washington's 2nd round pick if we really wanted him.

[MeanGreen80]

thats an inaccurate and unrealistic mock some of those guys like glenn dorsey and kenny irons have no shot at the first round.

[Vilmathegreat51]

I hate that pick.I don't like Irons at all.I agree with you Rambo.

[Force]

There's no way we take Irons with our first round.

[Rambo13]

thats an inaccurate and unrealistic mock some of those guys like glenn dorsey and kenny irons have no shot at the first round.

Dorsey is certainly a surprise and likely won't go that high but Irons has no business being there.

[Jonathan_Vilma]

Irons isn't a chump, but he's not a first round pick. He most directly resembles our own future hall of famer, Curtis Martin.

I wouldn't put stock into ESPN Mock Drafts. They take the hottest stories going in, and put them in. I believe the hour that Calvin Johnson declared, was the same hour ESPN put him at number one for their mock draft momentarily.

[phatnols]

Who cares if the mock draft sucks, isnt it a little more than 4 months away? Shit even I can get drafted in that time. Still alot of crap to be determined.

senior bowl
combines
personal workouts
interviews
plus even I can get lucky with Jessica Simpson(yeah right....) stupid personal stuff happens... (you can get caught drinking and driving, fail the drug test, and this one pains me you get shot(Dennis Weathersby))

Its way early, anything can happen right now. I do like the boldness though(I love Okoye) but they have him 12th? well I guess we wont get him. This mock is not like the regular ones I see..... the others are the same shit

who would have guessed the Bills picks last yr( I hope noone)
every year there is an idiot that goes" this guy is going here and he is going this team and that is going to their team....only to see that Nostrdamus is "WAAAAAAY wrong"
so who gives a crap, my gramma's mock is just as good as mine and any other experts at this time of year.

[UncleTomNYJ]

I hate EPSN. The most self glorifying company out there.
Let me ask you this: WHY?
"The Jets might be desperate enough to take a gamble."
Why are we desperate?
They honestly have no clue. I am suprised this didnt end with a monday night football commercial. Pansy Asses

[DonnieIsTheKing]

Irons is a poor man's Bettis, and do we want a guy who only went over 4.0 ypc 4 times in his NFL career as a feature back? I'll pass. Give me Woodley or Levi Brown (at great value for RT) there instead.

[phatnols]

The only thing I can tell in this draft that the top 6 right now wont drop to 26. They are definitely on a different tier.

Quinn, Russell, C Johnson, A. Branch, joe Thomas, G Adams
if they drop to 26 I will be shocked...(I guess bookmark it)

[PennyandtheJets]

Irons is a poor man's Bettis, and do we want a guy who only went over 4.0 ypc 4 times in his NFL career as a feature back? I'll pass. Give me Woodley or Levi Brown (at great value for RT) there instead.

Poor man's Bettis? Isn't Kenny Irons like 200 pounds? How does he even compare to Bettis?

[SOWELLisGOD]

thats an inaccurate and unrealistic mock some of those guys like glenn dorsey and kenny irons have no shot at the first round.

jamarcus russell #1? well it is the raiders...

[ANJI]

Well atleast they didn't have 5 Offensive tackles and 4 Safeties going in the first round, which always make me laugh in these "offical Mock Drafts" year in and year out.

[DonnieIsTheKing]

Poor man's Bettis? Isn't Kenny Irons like 200 pounds? How does he even compare to Bettis?
I was talking more in running skill, where he's pretty much a powerful straightfoward runner with a few moves. Ok, maybe it was a bad comparison (especially since Irons had a little trouble getting healthy - and Bettis rarely was more then banged up), but he's no better then what we have right now w/ Washington and Houston.

[JETSimpala]

If Lynch slips to our spot we'll take him.
Other than that.... we go defense 1st round.

[Namath2Kolber]

I hope Seattle wins this weekend so the Jets can pick before the Patriots.

[Jonathan_Vilma]

I was talking more in running skill, where he's pretty much a powerful straightfoward runner with a few moves. Ok, maybe it was a bad comparison (especially since Irons had a little trouble getting healthy - and Bettis rarely was more then banged up), but he's no better then what we have right now w/ Washington and Houston.
Horrible comparison. You've clearly never seen the kid play if you think Bettis is even close to his comparison. He's not a power runner by any means. He's a guy who sets up his blocks and uses his vision to navigate the field. An excellent pass blocker, and a very deceptively shifty little guy in the open field. I'd say his running style is most compareable to Brian Westbrook although he's not that great in the passing game... Yet.

[Rambo13]

Poor man's Bettis? Isn't Kenny Irons like 200 pounds? How does he even compare to Bettis?

soaking wet maybe.

[Rambo13]

Who cares if the mock draft sucks, isnt it a little more than 4 months away? Shit even I can get drafted in that time.

Prove it....

[Coach K]

rofl irons a poor mans bettis......thats rich. should come with a fork.

this draft is a joke.

[DonnieBaseball23]

25. y-N.Y. Jets (10-6)

Projected pick: Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn
Irons' draft stock is plummeting after a disappointing senior campaign. However, don't be surprised if he works his way back into the first round by running well and checking out physically at next month's combine. The Jets might be desperate enough to take a gamble.

Are you kidding me? The Jets are desperate enough to "take a gamble?" I don't see them gambling with their first round pick, especially with how well they drafted last year. If they want a RB, they'll trade up to get one, otherwise they'll get their best value with this pick. I by no means see them rolling the dice on this...

[Coach K]

Are you kidding me? The Jets are desperate enough to "take a gamble?" I don't see them gambling with their first round pick, especially with how well they drafted last year. If they want a RB, they'll trade up to get one, otherwise they'll get their best value with this pick. I by no means see them rolling the dice on this...

this was just a half ass mock draft.

[lightning]

Even if he doesn't do his workouts, Bush is still a better prospect than Irons right now IMO.

[GreenMachine]

The line that stood out to me is calling the Jets "desperate"

How are we desperate with 3 picks in the 1st 2 rounds?

[Rambo13]

The line that stood out to me is calling the Jets "desperate"

How are we desperate with 3 picks in the 1st 2 rounds?

Plus why does desperate mean stupid? If I'm desperate that doesn't mean I am going to take a chump in the first round to fill one of my many needs. We are also desperate for DL, LB and CB, why don't we take3 one of those instead.

[Br4dw4y5ux]

I hate EPSN. The most self glorifying company out there.
Let me ask you this: WHY?
"The Jets might be desperate enough to take a gamble."
Why are we desperate?
They honestly have no clue. I am suprised this didnt end with a monday night football commercial. Pansy Asses

And they completely avoid the fact that if the Jets were inclined to gamble on a RB on the 25 they'd most likely take Michael Bush there, not that either of those guys should go on the 25. Bush is 5x the prospect that Irons is.