3.15.2007

NFL Mock Draft - Top 10

Everybody has their opinion on the draft...here is the humble prognostication of Doc Sports:

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSUThe Raiders aren't as far away as you think. I know that seems ridiculous, but with healthy skill players and that defense the Raiders can at least compete and are about two years away from being a playoff threat. Remember, the team that picked No. 2 last year made the NFC Championship this year, so it is possible. They need linemen and would be best served by trading this pick. But the allure of Russell's Rocket Arm is too appealing. I just hope they don't put him behind that offensive line, which may be the worst I've ever seen.
2. Detroit Lions - Joe Thomas, OT, WisconsinThe irony here is beautiful - they need receivers or else having Mike Martz is like having Ron Howard guest direct an episode of "The OC". But Matt Millen knows better than to take Calvin Johnson. At least I think he does. None of Millen's offensive line free agents have panned out so it's time to start building through the draft.
3. Cleveland Browns - Jamaal Anderson, DE, ArkansasEveryone's thinking Brady Quinn here. And there's a good chance the Romeo-Weis connection will lead to a Quinn pick. But that would be a mistake. Romeo is a defensive guy at heart and will try to bolster a very below-average defensive line. The Brownies have managed just 51 sacks over the past two years, worst in the NFL, and I'll give you a malnourished donkey if you can name me their starting DEs. I say they take this Beast of a Man and give Charlie Frye one more year.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia TechMichael Clayton has been slightly more effective at wideout than John Clayton over the past two seasons. Chucky had Rice and Brown in Oakland, and I'm sure he's salivating at the thought of picking up the physical specimen that is Johnson.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Alan Branch, DT, MichiganI think the Cardinals would pimp out Matt Leinhart to fat chicks and executives for the Lions, Browns and Bucs for the two months leading up to draft day if it meant they had a shot at Joe Thomas. They don't. But Branch is an outstanding consolation prize. The Cards won't get out of the Joke Box until they toughen up in the front seven. Injuries have limited a rather limited front four, so they should opt for the guy with unlimited potential.
6. Washington Redskins - Leon Hall, CB, MichiganThe offensive line isn't getting any younger, but last year the Redskins fell apart because they looked like the Over-The-Hill Gang from the 70's. I don't mean that as a compliment. In fact, I think one of the starters from Washington's 1974 defense started last year at safety. Oh, wait. That was just Troy Vincent. My bad.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre DameYou want to talk about being at the right place at the right time? This is like catching that queen on the river to crack aces with a set. And I say 'queen' because Quinn hasn't shown me much against top-flight competition. Tell me he isn't a New Age Rick Mirer and I don't know if I'll believe you. But the Vikes need a quarterback for the future, Quinn gets Mel Kiper Jr. wet, and Brad Johnson gets someone to lecture about the virtues of mediocrity to.
8. Houston Texans - LaRon Landry, S, LSUThe smart money says that they try to correct last year's mistake by taking Adrian Peterson. I say Gary Kubiak tells you to take the smart money and shove it up your ass. If he didn't take Bush he's not taking Peterson. I think a defensive playmaker in the secondary or along the D-line has to be No. 1 on the wish list.
9. Miami Dolphins - Amobi Okoye, DT, LouisvilleIt's tough to project who the Dolphins are going after because they have a lot of holes on defense and that offensive line. But I heard that Okoye impressed a lot of people down in Miami during Super Bowl week. The geriatric crew of Vonnie Holiday, Keith Traylor and Jeff Zgonina are all unrestricted free agents so the Fins need to get some fresh meat up front.
10. Atlanta Falcons - Gaines Adams, DE, ClemsonThe Falcons need secondary help worse than Mike Vick needs herpes ointment. But with Patrick Kearney starting to break down and Falcons brass coming to the stunning realization that John Abraham can never be counted on - ever - the Gaines pick makes sense. He's from a Southern school, and the natives always see that as a plus.

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