April's Here.. Time to dig deep
April’s
Here… No Fooling Around
By Chris Steuber
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Now that the draft takes center stage, things are starting to
shape up a bit. There’s a lot of talk about possible trades taking place and
speculation that some teams are positioning themselves to draft the player they
covet.
The craziness will only get crazier as we approach the draft.
In my latest attempt to forecast the 2007 NFL Draft, I predict two
trades to happen within the top-ten selections. NOTE: These trades are a prediction and not an actual occurrence.
I have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading up with the Detroit
Lions to select Calvin Johnson. Johnson gives the Buccaneers the big-play threat
on offense they desperately need, and moving down allows the Lions to pick up
an extra selection and draft the best defensive player on the board.
Also, I have the Buffalo Bills trading up to the seventh pick,
which is owned by the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills move up to this spot to
select Oklahoma
star running back Adrian Peterson. The Bills need a lead back, since they
traded Willis McGahee to Baltimore.
Minnesota
acquires a third round pick in the trade and will look to upgrade their defense
with the 12th pick, acquired from Buffalo.
Obviously these trades 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 less than a month
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
|
Calvin Johnson
|
Georgia Tech
|
Jr.
|
6-5
|
239
|
|
The Lions are looking to trade down in the draft
to acquire extra draft picks. After listening to many offers, the Lions
decide to make a trade with Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers desire one player,
Georgia Tech’s star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. With Johnson, the
Bucs have a big-play threat for years to come.
|
|
3
|
|
QB
|
Brady Quinn
|
Notre Dame
|
Sr.
|
6-4
|
232
|
|
Cleveland has a tough decision;
do they draft Brady Quinn and have a potential franchise quarterback for the
next decade? Do they draft Adrian Peterson as the long-term answer at running
back? Or do they upgrade their offensive line with Joe Thomas? Adding a franchise
quarterback is the answer, and Quinn is the pick.
|
|
4
|
from
|
DE
|
Gaines Adams
|
Clemson
|
Sr.
|
6-5
|
258
|
|
The Lions moved down two spots and hoped for
the best. Detroit needs to upgrade their defense and add a dominant pass
rusher on their defensive line. Clemson’s Gaines Adams is the answer for a
team in need of a quality pass rush.
|
