Free
Agency Frenzy Changes Draft Forecast
By Chris Steuber
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The free agency period in the National Football League began
with a bang this past week, with many top players leaving their organizations
for millions. The greatest thing about free agency for a draft analyst is that
it gives you a clearer picture of what may happen in the April draft.
 |
|
Peterson's draft slot drops due to the Browns acquisition of RB Jamal Lewis |
In my latest attempt to predict the 2007 NFL Draft, I predict
two trades in the top-ten.
NOTE: These
trades are predictions and not actual occurrences.
I have the Cleveland Browns trading up one spot with the
Detroit Lions to select Ohio
native and Notre Dame star quarterback Brady Quinn. With the Lions moving down
one selection, they will decide between Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson and Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas.
Later in the top-ten, I have the Houston Texans making a deal
with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills move up to number-eight to select Oklahoma star running
back Adrian Peterson. This trade was made because the Bills traded Willis
McGahee to the Ravens. The Bills picked up an extra third round pick from the
Ravens for McGahee, which they trade to Houston,
along with the Texans first round pick (12th overall).
Obviously these two trades shake up the top-ten and allow for
some players to fall and others to rise.
So, enjoy my revised mock and let me know your thoughts. We’re about two months
away from the biggest off-season spectacle in professional sports.
If you have any questions
regarding my latest mock draft, feel free to email me at: chriss@sportsgrumblings.com.
|
Pick
|
Team
|
Pos.
|
Player
|
College
|
Class
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
|
1
|
|
QB
|
JaMarcus Russell
|
LSU
|
Jr.
|
6-6
|
265
|
|
The Raiders have to identify a franchise
quarterback, but there’s also the temptation of Calvin Johnson. If the
Raiders select Johnson, who will be throwing him the ball? With the recent
release of Aaron Brooks, the Raiders starting quarterback, at the moment, is
Andrew Walter. Obviously Walter isn’t the answer so the selection of JaMarcus
Russell is an easy one for the Raiders.
|
|
2
|
 from 
|
QB
|
Brady Quinn
|
Notre Dame
|
Sr.
|
6-4
|
232
|
|
The Lions, after considering drafting Brady
Quinn, decide to trade down one spot with the Browns and allow Cleveland to draft Ohio native Quinn. Quinn
provides the Browns with a quarterback to build their franchise around for
many years. The Browns will consider Adrian Peterson, but Quinn provides Cleveland with a future
star at an important position.
|
|
3
|
from
|
WR
|
Calvin Johnson
|
Georgia Tech
|
Jr.
|
6-5
|
239
|
|
With the Browns moving up to draft Brady
Quinn, the Lions are now in a position to draft the best player on the board.
The idea of pairing Calvin Johnson with Roy Williams provides Detroit with visions of
offensive glory. With two outstanding receivers in the fold, the Lions will
look to draft Michigan
State’s Drew Stanton,
in the second round, as their QB of the future.
|
|
4
|
|
DE
|
Gaines Adams
|
Clemson
|
Sr.
|
6-5
|
258
|
|
The Buccaneers were hoping that Calvin Johnson
fell into their lap, but with the trade between the Lions and Browns, that
scenario wasn’t meant to be. Tampa
Bay will focus on
adding youth to their defense and select the best pass-rushing defensive end
in the draft, Clemson’s Gaines Adams.
|
|
5
|
|
OT
|
Joe Thomas
|
Wisconsin
|
Sr.
|
6-7
|
311
|
|
The Cardinals luck out and have the best
offensive lineman fall to them and it just happens to be the player they
coveted the most – offensive tackle Joe Thomas. Thomas gives Arizona
an upgrade from Leonard Davis and a player with a high ceiling. I am sure
Matt Leinart is smiling over this selection.
|
|
6
|
|
S
|
LaRon Landry
|
LSU
|
Sr.
|
6-1
|
213
|
|
This may seem like a surprise pick for the
Redskins, but Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta are horrible in coverage and Washington needs to
sure up their secondary. With the signing of Fred Smoot this off-season, the
Redskins have some excellent corners, but the selection of LaRon Landry
makes the secondary complete.
|
|
7
|
|
DE
|
Jamaal Anderson
|
Arkansas
|
Jr.
|
6-6
|
288
|
|
The Vikings have many needs, and some are more
glaring than others. Obviously Minnesota
needs to add a receiver, but in a deep receiving class they feel they can
wait until round two. With a potentially dominant defensive end on the board
in Arkansas’
Jamaal Anderson, the Vikings look to improve their pass rush and
select the former SEC sack leader.
|
|
8
|
 from 
|
RB
|
Adrian Peterson
|
Oklahoma
|
Jr.
|
6-2
|
218
|
|
We have another trade… the Buffalo Bills need
a quality running back after trading Willis McGahee to the Ravens. The Bills
acquired some additional draft picks from Baltimore, which they will use to move up
into this spot. The Bills target Oklahoma’s
star running back Adrian Peterson and make him their franchise running
back
|
