Mock Draft
1 JaMarcusRussell
QB, LSU
Despite speculation about OAKLAND's interest in Georgia Tech wide receiverCalvin Johnson, Russell is the safe bet come draft day. He has the rocket armAl Davis loves. As attractive as Johnson is, the more pressing need is atquarterback.
2 Joe Thomas
OT, Wisconsin
DETROIT needs stability on the line, and the Lions will get it with Thomas, whohas the size (6'6", 311 pounds) and athleticism to be a dominant lefttackle. After some bad first-round picks in recent years, Lions president MattMillen will get this one right.
3 Brady Quinn
QB, Notre Dame
Though CLEVELAND could use a runner like Adrian Peterson, Quinn is simply toogood to pass up. The Ohio native has been tutored by Charlie Weis, who workedwith Browns coach Romeo Crennel, and has far more upside than incumbent CharlieFrye.
4 CalvinJohnson
WR, Georgia Tech
Widely considered this year's best prospect, Johnson is a perfect fit for TAMPABAY coach Jon Gruden, who loves to design schemes for big-play wideouts. Theonly question is whether the Bucs will trade up to be sure of getting theirman.
5 GainesAdams
DE, Clemson
New ARIZONA coach Ken Whisenhunt would jump at the chance to upgrade his woefulO-line with Joe Thomas, but Adams is an ideal Plan B. He's the draft's bestpure pass rusher and should make an immediate impact on a D that needs help upfront.
6 Amobi Okoye
DT, Louisville
WASHINGTON had major problems stopping the run and pressuring the quarterbacklast year. Okoye should change that. At 6'2" and 302 pounds, he has thesize and quickness to be a force on a defense that had an NFL-low 19 sacks in2006.
7 AdrianPeterson
RB, Oklahoma
This is the point at which things get really interesting. MINNESOTA needs helpat safety and on the defensive line, but Peterson is just too tempting. Teamedwith Chester Taylor, he'd give the Vikings backfield a powerful one-twopunch.
8 LaRonLandry
S, LSU
An instinctive playmaker with good range thanks to his 4.4 speed, Landry isarguably the best defensive player in the draft. ATLANTA could use him in itssecondary, where 33-year-old strong safety Lawyer Milloy is on the downside ofhis career.
9 Levi Brown
OT, Penn State
With plenty of holes to fill, MIAMI should be pleased by who's still around.The biggest priority for new coach Cam Cameron is shoring up the O-line, soBrown makes more sense here than a defensive tackle such as Michigan's AlanBranch.
10 Leon Hall
CB, Michigan
While HOUSTON needs to improve an offensive line that's mediocre at best,blockers can be found in later rounds. Standout cornerbacks are harder to comeby, and Hall would be a good addition to a defense teeming with youngtalent.
11 AdamCarriker
DE, Nebraska
SAN FRANCISCO could take Branch, the Michigan defensive tackle, but Carriker isthe more logical pick for the Niners. At 6'6", 296 pounds, he's big andversatile enough to play end in either a 4--3 or a 3--4, and his intensity isunquestioned.
12 PatrickWillis
MLB, Mississippi
Willis will be a welcome pickup for a BUFFALO team that lost cornerback NateClements, middle linebacker London Fletcher and outside linebacker Takeo Spikesthis off-season. Willis is a tackling machine who excelled with little talentaround him.
13 AlanBranch
DT, Michigan
There's no way that ST. LOUIS will pass on Branch if he's available. Defensiveend Leonard Little and tackle La'Roi Glover need help up front, and the6'6", 331-pound Branch is the kind of space eater who can create loads ofproblems in the middle.
14 GregOlsen
TE, Miami
CAROLINA hasn't had a difference-maker at tight end in coach John Fox's fiveseasons. Olsen can stretch the middle of the field with his speed (he ran a4.55 40 at the combine) and open up things for wideouts Steve Smith andKeyshawn Johnson.
15 LawrenceTimmons
OLB, Florida State
New PITTSBURGH coach Mike Tomlin wants to transition from a 3--4 to a 4--3 anda Cover Two scheme. Timmons will be a valuable component. He's strong enough asa pass rusher to play outside in a 3--4, but he's more naturally suited to the4--3.
16 MarshawnLynch
RB, California
With Ahman Green gone, GREEN BAY sorely needs a running back, and Lynch ratesbehind only Peterson at the position. Brett Favre will want some semblance of aground game in what is surely--likely? maybe?--his final season.
17 JamaalAnderson
DE, Arkansas
JACKSONVILLE's defensive line needs help off the edge, and Anderson is the bestpass rusher remaining on the board. At 6'6" and 279 pounds, he'd be a niceaddition to a unit that includes standout tackles John Henderson and MarcusStroud.
18 DarrelleRevis
CB, Pittsburgh
A safety such as Michael Griffin or Reggie Nelson is appealing, but CINCINNATIhas bigger concerns at corner. The Bengals lost Tory James in free agency, andthey'd do well to pair Revis with second-year man Johnathan Joseph.
19 Ted GinnJr.
WR, Ohio State
Ginn isn't the most polished wideout, but his frightening speed will be animmediate asset to TENNESSEE. He'll give second-year quarterback Vince Younganother weapon and fill Pacman Jones's role as a game-changing puntreturner.
20 PaulPosluszny
LB, Penn State
The GIANTS would love to find a lineman who could help protect quarterback EliManning--perhaps Central Michigan tackle Joe Staley--but they also have seriousholes in their linebacking corps. Posluszny is the better prospect.
21 JarvisMoss
DE, Florida
Moss will give a lift to a DENVER pass rush that was mediocre last year. He'san impact player off the edge, something the Broncos lacked after dumpingTrevor Pryce before the '06 season. If Moss is gone, the Broncos could movedown.
22 RobertMeachem
WR, Tennessee
Set at quarterback with Tony Romo, DALLAS must address its aging wideoutcorps--Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn will both be 33 at the start of theseason. At 6'3", 211 pounds, Meachem is a big target who could play a majorrole in the Cowboys' future.
23 DwayneBowe
WR, LSU
KANSAS CITY has been getting by with mediocre receivers for most of the pasttwo decades. It's time for the Chiefs to draft a player who can stretch thefield. Tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Larry Johnson would appreciatethe help.
24 JonBeason
LB, Miami
With the pick it got from Seattle in the Deion Branch trade, NEW ENGLAND willget younger at linebacker. Though Beason played primarily on the outside incollege, scouts believe he can handle an inside position in a Patriots-style3--4.
25 AaronRoss
CB, Texas
While the JETS need more front-seven players for Eric Mangini's 3--4 scheme,all the first-round talent at linebacker and D-line has been snapped up. Thenext best option is to upgrade the secondary with Ross, who excels in mancoverage.
26 ReggieNelson
S, Florida
Brian Dawkins, PHILADELPHIA's perennial Pro Bowler, turns 34 this season, andthe Eagles chose not to re-sign Michael Lewis. That means they need a playmakerin the secondary. Enter Nelson, who's athletic enough to play cornerback.
27 ChrisHouston
CB, Arkansas
NEW ORLEANS could use linebacking help, but the bigger need is consistency froma secondary that gave up far too many deep balls last year. Houston bringsfresh legs and impressive coverage skills to an otherwise aging group ofcornerbacks.
28 MichaelGriffin
S, Texas
With its second pick of the round, NEW ENGLAND adds depth at strong safety,where incumbent Rodney Harrison is entering his 14th season. Bill Belichickloves players who give him options, and Griffin can play both safety spots andpossibly corner.
29 JoeStaley
OT, Central Michigan
Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden is entering his 12th season, and righttackle Tony Pashos bolted in free agency. That means BALTIMORE must think aboutits O-line, and Staley, an athletic drive-blocker, is a good place tostart.
30 DwayneJarrett
WR, USC
Critics point to his suspect speed, but for SAN DIEGO, Jarrett is a risk worthtaking. The Chargers need a playmaking wideout to complement Pro Bowl tight endAntonio Gates. The 6'4" Jarrett will pair up well with 6'5" receiverVincent Jackson.
31 JustinBlalock
G, Texas
An underappreciated factor in CHICAGO's recent success has been the continuityon the O-line. But age is creeping in, especially at guard. (Ruben Brown is35.) The Bears need to think about depth, and the 6'3", 320-pound Blalockis a value pick.
32 JustinHarrell
DT, Tennessee
Harrell might be gone by the time INDIANAPOLIS's turn comes, but if he's not,the Colts should grab him. At 6'4", 300 pounds, he can give the defense thewide-body presence it thought it was getting with Corey Simon, who missed allof last season.
MORE DRAFT COVERAGE AT SI.COM Watch clips of the topprospects in the Film Room /// Tony Pauline's Hidden Gems /// Stewart Mandel'sOverrated--Underrated /// Photo galleries of the 20 best draft classes of alltime, 20 biggest draft bargains and 20 biggest busts /// Weigh in with your topfive picks on FanNation.com
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK
Look for the Raiders to make Russell the eighth quarterback in 10 years to be picked No. 1.
THIRTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS
THIRTY-TWO PHOTOS
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