Georgia Tech wide reciever Calvin Johnson is the best player in this year's draft.  Experts can argue this point saying that Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, or even Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas are better, but Johnson has proven during his three-year collegiate career that he truly is at the top of this draft class.

Johnson is athletic and for the most part a physical freak at 6'5" 235 pounds. His size and speed (4.35 forty), along with arguably the best route technique and hands make him the most logical number-one overall choice. Not only does he have all of the physical tools, he has uncanny field awareness for such a young player and a terrific work ethic to boot. He is a leader on and off the field and has that x-factor that marks the great ones.

In his first and second year of collage ball he was still trying to find his balance. The transition from high school to Division I wasn't a smooth one but he still managed to record 800+ yards in his freshman and sophomore seasons with 6 and 7 touchdowns, respectively. In his junior season he harnessed his talent, skills and new found experience to record mind boggling numbers (1,202 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns). Johnson has now confirmed that he is NFL ready, and has established himself as the most talented player entering the 2007 draft.

Johnson's transition from college to the pros is expected to be seamless. Comparing him to Randy Moss is currently common place, and while he may not record numbers like Moss did in his rookie campaign, barring a career ending injury he has a chance to be better, much better, long term.

Given all of this, how can Johnson not go first or even second overall in April? The stars simply aren't aligned in his favor due to the needs of the top-three NFL organizations on the board. Oakland, who selects number-one overall doesn't need another wide receiver, at least not in the mold of current number-one Randy Moss. If GM Matt Millen and Detroit Lions use the second selection in the draft on another receiver they will lose half of their fan base. Cleveland used the third pick overall in the 2005 draft on Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards and find themselves in desperate need of a franchise running back; enter Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.

That leaves head coach Jon Gruden and Tampa Bay with Johnson as the fourth overall selection; and assuming that no trades, or huge free agent pickups occur, the Bucs' front office will select the biggest and best receiving talent to hit the college ranks in years. Johnson has the potential to be a matchup dilemma and coordinator's nightmare regardless of scheme making him an absolute draft-day steal if in fact he's still available when the Buccaneers go on the clock day-one of the 2007 NFL draft.