NFL Mock Draft

On April 28th & 29th will be the NFL Draft. So here is the first round of the Draft as I see it. I was going to do this later in the month, but after yesterday's trade between Atlanta and Houston, in which they swapped first round picks, I decided to just do it now.

1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russel, QB, LSU - Oakland likes the strong armed QB to turn the Raiders' woes around.
2. Detroit: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin - Although they picked up George Foster from Denver I still think they will take Thomas instead of Brady Quinn because Detroit's Offensive Coordinator is Mike Martz, who has proven in the past that he does not need a top of the line QB to win with (Kurt Warner was an undrafted player who Martz made into a Super Bowl MVP).
3. Cleveland: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - Firstly, Quinn grew up as a Browns fan and has said he would love to play for them. Secondly, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is very close with Browns coach Romeo Crennel, and Weis has told him to trade up to get Quinn. Lastly, the Browns have good receivers, picked up RB Jamal Lewis and OL Eric Steinbach so now they need a big time QB to put in the mix.
4. Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech - Possibly the best player in the Draft, Tampa Bay will be giddy to get Johnson.
5. Arizona: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan - Arizona allowed an average (how is that for alliteration) of 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground per game last year. The running backs in Arizona's division are Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, so Arizona needs to shore up the defense.
6. Washington: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson - Washington needs a pass rush and adding Adams' 13.5 sacks will help.
7. Minnesota: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State - Since Moss and Carter left Minnesota has not had a deep threat. Ginn needs to work on his route running, but he can still make the big play.
8. Atlanta (from Houston): Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville - He is quick, strong, and gets penetration in the backfield. One other thing to think about is Atlanta's new coach Bobby Petrino used to coach Okoye in Louisville.
9. Miami: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State - Miami needs to address an inadequate offensive line. If they get 36-year old QB Trent Green then they will need someone to protect him.
10. Houston (from Atlanta): Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma - Houston needs a RB. It's just as simple as that.
11. San Francisco: Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas - They have signed an elite CB, a couple of solid LBs, but their defense still needs help, and Jamal Anderson is a complete player.
12. Buffalo: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan - Hall can step in for Nate Clements who was lost to San Francisco.
13. St. Louis: LaRon Landry, S, LSU - Some of the leagues best WRs are in their division, so St. Louis could use the help in their secondary.
14. Carolia: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC - Keyshawn Johnson hasn't played well, plus he is mulling over the idea of retirement, so Carolina should take Jarrett to team up with Steve Smith.
15. Pittsburgh: Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia - New coach Mike Tomlin is moving to the 4-3, and they could use Johnson's 19 tackles for a loss.
16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California - The fact that he can catch as well as run makes him a good fit for the Packers.
17. Jacksonville: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida - They are looking for an impact defender in the secondary and Nelson would be a good fit.
18. Cincinnati: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas - The Bengals were vulnerable at corner last year.
19. Tennessee: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - When you have a franchise QB (Vince Young) it makes sense to surround him with playmakers.
20. New York Giants: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State - His production and consistency are what jump out at you about him. Also the Giants have had issues at linebacker in recent years.
21. Denver: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska - They need help along the defensive front and Carriker is good against the run and the pass.
22. Dallas: Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi - He's a fierce tackler who will add a lot to the middle of the Dallas defense.
23. Kansas City: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina - They need a threat outside to help the passing game.
24. New England (from Seattle): Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida - The Patriots picked up OLB Adaulis Thomas in free-agency, but their inside linebackers, Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel are getting older, so it's time to draft a young guy.
25. New York Jets: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL) - They have gotten little from the tight end position in the passing game and Olsen can change that.
26. Philadelphia: Michael Griffin, S, Texas - With Michael Lewis going to SF and Brian Dawkins getting older they need youth at the safety position.
27. New Orleans: Daymeion Hughes, CB, California - With Fred Thomas getting scorched most of last year the Saints need a good corner to "march in".
28. New England: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee - I know you are thinking, wait a minute didn't the Patriots add 3 wide receivers this offseason, well yes they did but the Donte' Stallworth deal is really a one year contract.
29. Baltimore: Anthony Spencer, DE/LB, Purdue - With losing Adaulis Thomas to the Patriots, Spencer would be the logical pick because he can play defensive end or outside linebacker.
30. San Diego: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State - San Diego needs a total makeover at the wide receiver position and Gonzalez would be a good fit because of his combination of speed and good route running.
31. Chicago: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State - Their defense had problems on the interior part of the d-line.
32. Indianapolis: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh - Revis can step in for Nick Harper who left for Tennessee, plus he can return kicks and punts.