By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer
Like last year, this draft is star-powered and full of intrigue. With many potential blockbuster trades legitimately in the works, this weekend should be plenty watchable. I’m not going to humor anyone into thinking I can predict the unpredictable, so I’ll just take a stab at the top 10 picks. I’m already excited just imagining Mel Kiper and Mel Kiper’s hair getting irate over an egregious fifth-round pick.
1. Oakland Raiders – Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech
All signs seem to point to JaMarcus Russell. During a lengthy tongue-lashing delivered to Art Shell on Jan. 5, Al Davis accused Shell of persuading Davis to bypass Matt Leinart with the seventh pick of last year’s draft. “You set this franchise back 10 years. Now I have to fix it,” Davis said. Quarterback may be their most glaring need, but smart franchises draft for value and get their needs through free agency. Obviously, no one is going to confuse Oakland with a smart franchise, but they can’t be dumb enough to pass on a once-in-a-lifetime prospect such as Johnson, can they? Coach Lane Kiffin calls Johnson “basically perfect.” Remember, Davis hasn’t used a first-round pick, let alone the top pick, on a quarterback since the Raiders selected Todd Marinovich in 1991. Look for the Raiders to address the QB position either by acquiring Daunte Culpepper and/or drafting a Trent Edwards type later in the draft.
2. Arizona Cardinals (via Detroit Lions) – Joe Thomas, LT Wisconsin
That’s right, I’m already predicting a trade. I’m not going to get into details, but the Lions move down into the Cardinals’ No. 5 spot. If the Raiders pass on Johnson and take Russell, all bets are off, as numerous teams will slobber over moving up to nab the Georgia Tech toker. Arizona has its defensive needs, but the offensive line is the more glaring of the two. With the skill positions set, Thomas is brought on board in hopes of opening the first hole Edge James has seen since he signed in the desert.
3. Cleveland Browns – Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma
Brady Quinn is another strong possibility here, but coach Romeo Crennel and GM Phil Savage are worried about their jobs, and Peterson will have the greater immediate impact. QB is a serious position of need and more important than running back, but that doesn’t make Peterson a bad pick. After all, he is a special talent.
4. Tampa Bay – Gaines Adams, DE Clemson
Jon Gruden has selected offense in each of his three first-round picks with Tampa Bay. He finally relents and lets his defense take the draft’s top pure pass rusher.
5. Detroit Lions (via Arizona Cardinals) – Patrick Willis, LB Ole Miss
The Lions traded down in hopes of getting Gaines, but they’ll have to settle for Willis instead. He’s nearly 240 pounds and ran a 4.37 forty at the Ole Miss pro day. He’s going to be good, although in my opinion, linebacker is the most fungible position on the football field.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Washington Redskins) – Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame
With only one pick in the first four rounds, Washington needs to stockpile as many extra picks as possible to work on much-needed depth. As such, the Dolphins make a splash (pun intended) by moving up three spots to take their quarterback of the future.
7. Minnesota Vikings – JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU
Coach Brad Childress would be admitting that last year’s trade of two third-round picks for Tarvaris Jackson was a mistake, but it’s better late than never. Russell is too tough to pass up at this spot, especially with what Childress has done in the past regarding quarterback development.
8. Atlanta Falcons – LaRon Landry, FS LSU
If Calvin Johnson starts slipping, an Atlanta move up to pair the local product with running back Michael Vick isn’t out of the question. Still, a team in desperate need of safety help, Landry is a perfect fit for the Falcons.
9. Washington Redskins (via Miami Dolphins) – Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville
The Nigerian Nightmare, part deux.
10. Houston Texans – Levi Brown, LT Penn State
While this may be somewhat of a slight reach, the Texans are in dire need of a left tackle. His agility should fit Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme quite well.
Leave a Reply