Free
Agency Clears Out, Draft moves in
By Chris Steuber
As free agency starts to wind down, the NFL Draft moves to the
forefront. 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.
In my latest attempt to predict the 2007 NFL Draft, I still
predict a trade to happen within the top-three selections. NOTE: This trade is a prediction and not an actual occurrence.
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.
Obviously this trade will affect the top-ten and allow for some
players to fall and others to rise.
So, enjoy my mock draft 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
|
DE
|
Gaines Adams
|
Clemson
|
Sr.
|
6-5
|
258
|
|
With the Browns moving up to draft Brady
Quinn, the Lions are now in a position to draft the best defensive player on
the board. The idea of pairing Calvin
Johnson with Roy Williams provides Detroit with visions of offensive glory.
Adding Joe Thomas, the top offensive tackle in the draft, is another
direction for the Lions, but the need for an improved pass rush ultimately
wins out and Gaines Adams is the
pick.
|
