Doubling Back
If we knew then:Two SI experts construct the best and worst possible 2007 drafts
O.K. , WE'RE ONthe clock—Salvador Dalí's melting clock, which persistently bends time andwhich also has allowed David Sabino and Adam Duerson to go back and, withbrilliant hindsight, construct what would have turned out to be the perfectdraft, and also the perfectly nightmarish draft, for 2007.
The rules:Players were to be "selected" around the time they might have gone inreal drafts; thus Tom Brady goes here in the third round, not the first. Ourdrafters were given middle-of-the-pack selection positions, where the firstpicks were less obvious. The nightmare draft could not be a mere injury report,a parade of limping Steven Jacksons and Laurence Maroneys. Finally, we imbuedthe nightmare draft with a modicum of football smarts and misguidedconventional wisdom; the first overall pick is not Brodie Croyle.
In fact, bothdrafts are, in their way, a testament to how many false assumptions werefloating around last summer and to what an unpredictable season this has been.The fictional commentary is written from the naive perspective of late August,when so many of us, it turns out, knew so little.
If the nightmaredraft looks distressingly familiar to you, our apologies for reopening thosewounds. After all, you've been through enough already.
DREAM
8 BrianWestbrook
Eagles RB
At this pick thebest that's left is the multipurpose Westbrook.
17 RonnieBrown
Dolphins RB
So close togetting Reggie Bush. Instead, here's a guy in the Dolphins' doghouse. Woof.
32 Tom Brady
Patriots QB
Would havepreferred Palmer or Brees; hard to mesh with three new WRs at once.
41 AdrianPeterson
Vikings RB
Without a ChesterTaylor handcuff, this pick could really backfire.
56 AntonioGates
Chargers TE
After all thesedodgy choices, it's time to make one safe pick.
65 JamalLewis
Browns RB
He's been indecline lately, but he's one of the few starting RBs left on the board.
80 Randy Moss
Patriots WR
He won't beMinnesota Moss; just hoping he's not Raider Randy.
89 BraylonEdwards
Browns WR
Why is he goingto blossom? Two words: Brady Quinn.
104 LenDaleWhite
Titans RB
RB He won't getevery touch, but those goal line carries will be nice.
113 Tony Romo
Cowboys QB
Just hope he canget over botching that hold in the playoffs last year.
128 KevinJones
Lions RB
He should get atleast some of the third-down/goal line work behind Tatum Bell.
137 KevinCurtis
Eagles WR
The ex-Ram shouldbe a solid possession receiver to play off Reggie Brown.
152 WesWelker
Patriots WR
He's the Mosssafety plan. One or the other should work out, then cut the lesser of thetwo.
161 DallasClark
Colts TE
Talented yetinjury prone, but he'll come in handy during San Diego's bye week.
176 Patriots
D
Everything'sconnected. If the Pats' offense doesn't gel, their LBs will keep gamesclose.
185 Nick Folk
Cowboys K
If this rookiedoesn't pan out, it's easy enough to find another kicker.
NIGHTMARE
5 ShaunAlexander
Seahawks RB
He's back tobeing the healthy player who scored 28 TDs in 2005.
20 MarvinHarrison
Colts WR
He's gone over1,100 yards receiving and 10 TDs every year since 1999.
29 CedricBenson
Bears RB
With Thomas Jonesnow a Jet, 2005's fourth overall pick will dominate.
44 MarcBulger
Rams QB
Two Pro Bowlreceivers, a top back and a blue-chip left tackle? Money in the bank!
53 Tatum Bell
Lions RB
The scatback willfill the old Marshall Faulk role in Mike Martz's offense.
68 BrandonJackson
Packers RB
Exit one Nebraskaback (Ahman Green), enter a younger model.
77 VernonDavis
49ers TE
Davis, healthyand hooking up with Alex Smith, should book tickets for Honolulu.
92 VinceYoung
Titans QB
Heck, Young couldoutrush some of the RBs still available, like LaMont Jordan.
101 LadellBetts
Redskins WR
Betts ran for1,154 yards last year, and Clinton Portis is injury prone.
116 Chicago
D
Turnovers plusDevin Hester? Hey, opponents can't possibly kick away from him every singletime.
125 SantanaMoss
Redskins WR
He's been thebest receiver named Moss for three straight years.
140 MikeFurrey
Lions WR
How does a guywho led the NFC last season with 98 catches drop this far?
149 RobbieGould
Bears K
Gould has beengold for the NFC champs, whose offense will be even better this year.
164 DwayneJarrett
Panthers WR
The rookie fromUSC is the next Keyshawn johnson.
173 Joe Horn
Falcons WR
The veteran deepthreat will produce, even with Joey Harrington at QB.
188 BenTroupe
Titans TE
He should bereeling in half of Vince Young's touchdown tosses.
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PHOTO
J.C. RIDLEY/CAL SPORTS MEDIA (ROMO)
A LAUGHER
Romo has 21 TDs this year; Bulger (below) has three.
PHOTO
TOM HAUCK /GETTY IMAGES (BULGER)