2007 NFL Draft Preview - Mock Draft

2007 NFL Draft Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #1 - Oakland Raiders

Projected Pick: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU

Calvin Johnson’s name has been coming up more and more in this spot over the past 2 weeks, and it makes sense why. Johnson is repeatedly ranked the one can’t-miss prospect in the draft. Still, I don’t see how the Raiders can pass on a talented QB like Russell at this spot. Russell has a big, durable frame and a rocket for an arm. The Raiders have guys like Moss, Porter, and Curry at wideout. Their quarterback play last season was atrocious. Russell should be the pick here.

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2007 NFL Draft - Pick #2 - Detroit Lions

Projected Pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Matt Millen loves to draft wide receivers, but seriously, Johnson’s a smart pick here. Johnson is a dynamic playmaker and would make a fantastic pairing with Roy Williams. Gaines Adams could be tempting here, but if Adams is really the man for the Lions it wouldn’t be surprising to see them flop picks with the Bucs, who are in love with Johnson, and grab Adams at a better value.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #3 - Cleveland Browns

Projected Pick: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

The pick here for the Browns comes down to Peterson, Brady Quinn, and Joe Thomas. Jamal Lewis has loads of mileage and Peterson could be a franchise-type back for years to come. While Thomas could help finally solidify the o-line for the Browns, they already made steps to better protect the quarterback with the signing of Eric Steinbach this offseason. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson certainly don’t bring back visions of Bernie Kosar at quarterback, but Phil Savage might be willing to give either of them another chance behind a revamped line with an improved running attack.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Projected Pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

The Buccaneer defense has slowed down considerably over the past two years. Selecting Adams, widely regarded as the best pass rusher on the board, would do a lot to help out Jon Gruden’s D. Still, don’t rule out a deal with the Lions so the Bucs can jump up a couple of spots and grab Calvin Johnson, he’d do a lot for their offensive attack.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #5 - Arizona Cardinals

Projected Pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

This scenario would work out perfectly for the Cardinals. They’re in dire need of an upgrade at OT and Thomas is widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in the draft. This is the easiest pick in the draft if Thomas is still on the board at 5.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #6 - Washington Redskins

Projected Pick: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

The Redskins need to pick defense here and Okoye makes a lot of sense in this spot. He’s bulky, but fast enough to get into the backfield, never takes a play off, and despite playing 4-years is only 19 years old.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #7 - Minnesota Vikings

Projected Pick: Jamaal Anderson , DE, Arkansas

There’s been a lot of talk about Ted Ginn Jr. at this spot, but that’s a reach, especially after some of his less-than-stellar workouts. Brady Quinn is certainly another possibility, but it looks like the Vikings front office still could be mixed on his potential. Jamaal Anderson seems like a solid pick here with Minnesota’s need at that spot. Anderson’s got the size and agility to emerge as a playmaker at this spot long term.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #8 - Atlanta Falcons

Projected Pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

The choice here seems to come down to Brown and S LaRon Landry. The Falcons are trying to give Michael Vick every possible chance to succeed. It only makes sense to add some size and toughness to the line.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #9 - Miami Dolphins

Projected Pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

Quinn slips further in this mock than I’m sure many would expect, but the whispers around the league about his potential are out there, and the top of this draft is full of teams with many holes, who might be better served filling those rather than rolling the dice with a quarterback. This is an odd pick for Miami a year after signing Dante Culpepper and Joey Harrington, but neither of those guys really looked like the answer last season. With Quinn’s experience in Notre Dame’s pro-style offense he could be ready to start almost right away.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #10 - Houston Texans

Projected Pick: LaRon Landry, DB, LSU

Corner may be more of a need, but there’s no way the Texans could pass up Landry if he fell to them here. Rated by many experts as the best defensive back in the draft, Landry should be ready to start immediately and Houston needs a lot of help in their secondary.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #11 - San Francisco 49ers

Projected Pick: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

Branch has seemed to slip due to some weight issues and a stigma that he took plays off in college. That said, it would be hard for the 49ers to pass on the 320-pounder if he’s on the board at 11. The defensive-line is one of the key weaknesses for this team, and Branch could do a lot to solidify it.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #12 - Buffalo Bills

Projected Pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Will Michigan defensive players go back-to-back? It could happen. The only player Buffalo would rather see slip to this spot is Adrian Peterson, and I don’t see that happening. The Bills need to add a cornerback and would love to land Hall here.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #13 - St. Louis Rams

Projected Pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

This could be a reach, but the Rams will be concentrating on defense in the first few rounds and Carriker is a physical specimen that could be hard to pass up. He’s 300 pounds, and still possesses elite quickness. With Carriker the Rams would be grabbing an every down player.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #14 - Carolina Panthers

Projected Pick: Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi

Willis was a three-year started in the SEC and had spectacular workouts in front of NFL scouts and GMs. Rated as the best LB in the draft, Willis would be a great fit for the Panthers who are already weak at LB before you factor in Dan Morgan’s injury history.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #15 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Projected Pick: Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State

Outside linebacker is probably the Steelers number one need with the departure of Joey Porter, and Timmons makes a lot of sense here. New head coach Mike Tomlin is tinkering with the idea of switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3 defense. While Timmons possesses the speed to rush the passer from the outside of the 3-4, he’s probably an even better fit on the weak-side in a 4-3 alignment.

2007 NFL Draft - Pick #16 - Green Bay Packers

Projected Pick: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami

The Packers are a lock to go offense in this spot as they look for someone… anyone!... to put around Brett Favre on offense. Olsen fits the bill here as a pass-catching TE with enough speed to take pressure off the wide receivers. Ted Ginn Jr. or Marshawn Lynch wouldn’t be shockers at this spot either.

2007 NFL Draft Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32

By Dan Whitmyer, CollegeSports-fans.com Staff Writer