NFL Mock Draft I

With the senior bowl behind us and the draft ahead of us, I think it is time to get down to business. It's time to start writing the ridiculous amount mock drafts between now and the real draft. I will be posting a mock draft whenever I feel compelled to do so. They may range anywhere from 1 to 3 rounds and may or may not include explanations or player rankings. I will not get into the business of trying to predict trades. First of all, it is far too hard to know for sure who will trade what to whom. Secondly, that is way to much thinking to put into a simple mock draft. So here it goes, the first official mock draft, 1 round with explanations.

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russel, QB, LSU
Although it is my opinion that Russel is being over hyped, he does appear to have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the draft. With Quinn and Russel being the only two quarterbacks likely to go in round 1, the Raiders will choose one of the two. Al Davis will fall in love with Russel's athletic ability and charisma. On the other side, Brady Quinn's "pretty boy" rep won't roll well with Raider Nation.
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
I know it will be hard for the wide receiver obsessed Matt Millen to pass on Calvin Johnson. But before he would make that pick, Rod Marinelli and Mike Martz would surely bludgeon him unconscious. I'm not fond of Brady Quinn, but I think he is a solid fit for Mike Martz's offense. He is smart, makes good decisions and has a decent arm.
3. [x]Cleveland Browns - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Cleveland needs help on both lines, but with Crennel's defensive mindset, it is likely he'll look to that side of the ball. Branch is versatile enough to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3. He is also athletic enough to move to defensive end if needed. If the Browns don't go with Branch, they will go with an end like Jamaal Anderson or OT Joe Thomas.
4. [x]Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
It seems to be consensus that the Buccaneers will take star wideout Calvin Johnson here. Although Gruden will be tempted, he has a young receiver core to develop. The Bucs need help on the defensive side of the ball, where they are aging. Simeon Rice isn't the freak he once was and DeWayne White may be gone through free agency. Unless the Bucs sign a big name free agent like the Colt's Dwight Freeney, a pick of Adams or fellow DE Anderson makes sense.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
If anybody lower in the draft is looking for a trading partner, Arizona could be it. Especially with Calvin Johnson still on the board, some teams might jump at the opportunity. If the Cardinal stay put, they will likely focus on the offensive or defensive line. With Adams and Branch of the board, it comes down to Thomas and Anderson. A franchise tackle makes the most sense because they had problems protecting their franchise quarterback, Matt Leinart, and franchise halfback, Edgerrin James.
6. Washington Redskins - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
The Redskins set the record for fewest sacks in a season last year with a whopping total of 19. A playmaker on the defensive line seems to be the obvious choice for a team that hasn't been able to get to the QB. With Branch and Adams off the board, the only other thoughts will be DT Amobi Okoye and DE Jarvis Moss.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Widely considered the best player in college football, I'd be shocked if Johnson really fell this far. The reason I think he may is that the only team that needs him ahead of the Vikings would be the Bucs. If the Bucs pass on Johnson, I would imagine the Vikings would be absolutely overwhelmed with joy. As will Vikings fans, even though they'll reserve their euphoria, because you never know when the Vikes will screw up a good thing, again.
8. Houston Texans - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
Even though Adrian Peterson is more talented, he is fragile and doesn't fit into the Texans' offense as well. Lynch is solid all-around running back that can run over people, run around them and block them. He also has efficient hands out of the backfield. This pick hinges on Domanick Davis' health. If the team believes he is healthy enough to carry the load, they'll likely take an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman.
9. Miami Dolphins - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
The Dolphins will be looking at the defensive side of the ball as well, but will likely draft help there later. Their most pressing need is an impact offensive lineman. Although Arkansas OT Tony Ugoh has more upside, he will take more time and patience to develop. Brown should be ready to step in right away and make an impact on an offensive line that truly lives up to it's name.
10. Atlanta Falcons - Ted Ginn Jr., WR/CB/KR, Ohio State
Ginn will have new Falcons coach Petrino salivating over his speed and versatility. Although Ginn has said publicly he wants to be a cornerback, his value lies in receiving and he understands that. Other options for the Falcons would be safeties Reggie Nelson or LaRon Landry or an offensive lineman like OT Tony Ugoh or G Ben Grubbs.
11. San Francisco - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Nelson is just the type of ball-hawking safety that San Francisco needs on its defense. He can come up and defend the run in the box or can drop back and play center field in coverage. The team will be tempted to go with USC star Dwayne Jarret. Jarret would provide a go-to target for QB Alex Smith.
12. Buffalo Bills - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
The Bills are likely going to lose their top corner, Nate Clements, to free agency. If that happens, Hall would be the perfect replacement. Like Clements, Hall doesn't possess top end speed. What Hall does possess is instinct, athleticism and an aggressive style of play.
13. St. Louis Rams - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
The Rams need as much help on the defensive side of the ball as possible. The cornerbacks are a solid group that lack depth, the safeties are average at best. The linebackers are a good fit for the scheme, but the defensive line struggles. Little and Adeyanju can hold down the corners, but they lack a force up the middle. Okoye is a high motor player who will get an inside push to help Little and Adeyanju reach the quarterback.
14. Carolina Panthers - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Jarrett provides the playmaking ability that the Panthers could take advantage of. With the small and shifty Steve Smith on one side, the tall and dependable Jarrett would be a great contrast. Carolina could also go with offensive line help or a safety such as LaRon Landry.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Landry would immediately improve the Steelers defensive backfield. Playing next to Polamalu will take some getting used to, but Landry is a smart enough player to handle the job. The Steelers may also look to a cornerback depending on how their free agency situation pans out.
16. Green Bay Packers - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Peterson has the potential to be a top 10 draft pick if all of his medical questions are answered. That situation being unlikely, the Pack would be happy to find him here. He would provide an immediate power on offense and a crutch for Brett Favre to lean upon.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
This pick will likely come down to three players, Moss, DE Charles Johnson or LB Lawrence Timmons. If either of the top two safeties are left, they also become options. Moss is a fit here because they need speed along their line with the two super-tanks in the middle.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Tank Tyler, DT, NC St.
The Bengals have a multitude of needs on defense. Among them is a safety, corner, defensive tackle and an outside linebacker. Tyler is a good fit in the Bengals 4-3 defense with his immense girth. However, the Bengals might prefer a player with more jail time.
19. Tennessee Titans - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
The Titans will likely dedicate their offseason to finding a go to target for savior Vince Young. Moving up to get Calvin Johnson may be to costly, so they will likely sit back and hope for Rice or Jarrett to drop. Rice is a dynamic talent who will provide instant credibility to the Titans receiver core.
20. New York Giants - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
McCauley had a dissappointing senior campaign that didn't serve his draft status well. He has all the physical tools to develop into a top flight cornerback in the NFL. The downside is that he has a low floor to go along with his high ceiling. His draft position will depend heavily on how he grades out in pre-draft workouts.
21. Denver Broncos - Daymeion Hughes, CB, California
The tragic death of CB Darrent Williams will force the Broncos to look at cornerback this offseason. Hughes would step in immediately as a solid nickel corner and may challenge for a starting gig. His instincts and ball skills are his main assets.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
The Cowboys need a solid corner opposite Terence Newman. Anthony Henry is aging and he didn't pan out as the team had hoped. Ross is a solid all around cornerback that can spend a year as the nickel or dime back before stepping into a starting role. A WR like Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachum might also be looked at to upgrade an aging group of pass catchers.
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Robert Meachum, WR, Tennessee
In the Chiefs seemingly never-ending quest to find a playmaking wide receiver, they'll take the best available at this spot. Meachum has an impressive mixture of size and speed. If developed properly, Meachum could become a top of the line wideout in the NFL. LSU WR Dwayne Bowe and any help on defense will also be an option here.
24. New England Patriots [via Seattle] - Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
Although Lawrence Timmons is widely considered the better linebacker, Posluszny fits into the Patriots mold quite well. He is technically sound, instinctive and modest. An inside linebacker, safety or corner are also possibilities here, as the Pats lack depth at all those spots.
25. New York Jets - Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida St.
The Jets proved everyone wrong this year by exceeding expectations and even sneaking into the playoffs. That said, this still is a team with many holes. They are in desperate need of a dependable halfback, but will likely acquire one through free agency. A defensive tackle is also a possibility, but Pitcock may be a reach at this point. Timmons is the best available at a position where the Jets need help.
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Darrele Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Their offense is solid all around and they likely won't even consider an offensive player. If they fall in love with the potential of Meachum or Rice and they drop, then a WR becomes a possibility. On defense, depth in the secondary and at middle linebacker will be stressed. Revis is an athletic cover corner that would fit nicely into the Eagles defense.
27. New Orleans Saints - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
The Saints left everyone dazzled with their high-flying offense last season. What that explosive offense covered was a weak secondary on defense. The safeties are young and improving, but the corners are old and deteriorating. His natural ability is impressive, as is his cover skills. He did a good job against other day 1 WR prospects Jarrett, Meachum and Bowe.
28. New England Patriots - Eric Weedle, S, Utah
Weedle may be a bit of a stretch in the first round, but they already got their linebacker and now need more depth at safety. Weedle is a smart and instinctive player with all the NFL measurables. His stock will strongly depend on his pre-draft workouts. Other options here will be defensive ends like Adam Carriker or Charles Johnson.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
Bush has the potential to become the perfect successor to a tiring Jamal Lewis. However, his stock is going to fluctuate wildly with pre-draft workouts. He's a hammer through the hole and has the second gear to get away in the open field. Baltimore may also look at a DE/OLB here if they lose jack of all trades Adalius Thomas in free agency.
30. San Diego Chaargers - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
With second year WR Vincent Jackson emerging as a dependable possesion receiver, they Bolts need someone on the outside. Bowe has the size, speed and playmaking ability to become QB Philip Rivers' go to guy. A safety is also an option here, but with Weedle off the board, they might as well wait.
31. [y] Indianapolis Colts - Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
The Colts will be ecstatic to find Willis at this point. Although raw, Willis has rare physical abilities for his position. He's an instinctive player that goes after the ball with reckless abandon. He may take awhile to develop, but he has the potential to be the next Ray Lewis.
32. [y] Chicago Bears - Rufus Alexander, OLB, Oklahoma
Facing the possibility of losing both OLB's, Lance Briggs and Hunter Hillenmeyer, OLB becomes a position of need. Even if they manage to retain both, the depth won't hurt. A pass catching TE is also a possibility. Miami TE Greg Olson would provide a good crutch for Rex Grossman down the middle.
[y]=game to be played, Super Bowl winner gets 32nd pick, loser gets 31st
[x]=coin flip

Here are a few risers and fallers as I like to call them. The word(s) in parenthesis are why I believe the are rising or falling.

Risers
Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska [size and speed]
Troy Smith, QB, OSU [overall ability]
Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida [athleticism]
Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia [versatility]
Brandon Jackson, HB, Nebraska [playmaking ability]

Fallers
Zach Miller, TE, Arizona St. [overall ability]
Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas [pass-blocking]
Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State [raw]
Buster Davis, ILB, Florida State [size]

So, there it is. Mock draft number 1. Like it, hate it, love it or rip it to pieces. Your choice. More will be on the way whenever the mood strikes.